The notes of the Steipler Gaon on the Talmud Yerushalmi seen on the bookshelf of his son, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, (Bnei Brak).
Photos: Chadrei HaCharedim
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Demonstrations seem to find an End
B"H
Was there another demonstration of the Edah HaCharedit members last Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night) ?
Already last week, when there only were approx. 150 Mea Shearim Haredim demonstrating, I knew that all those resistance campaigns regarding the parking lot opening on Shabbat wouldn't last for too long anymore. Last night I saw lots of police (army boder police "Magav", regular police and some Yassamniks (on their motorbikes) standing at HaNevi'im / Shivtei Israel Street junction, but only very few Haredim were in front of them.
No fuss, no nothing.
I decided to come back a little later and first search for the quarry some archaeologists had found. A place in nearby Shmuel HaNavi Street where obviously Herod took the stones for the Beit HaMikdash (Second Temple) from. I guess I found the place but it is still hard to tell, as the entire construction site is surrounded by a white metal fence.
After half - an - hour or so I returned to demonstration that, then, wasn't anymore. Some Haredim were still standing at the Mea Shearim / Shivtei Israel Street junction but, otherwise, the car traffic moved on as usual and most of cops were gone.
_______________________
According to various Israel newspapers, about a hundred Haredim gathered in front of the Karta parking lot and tried to block the entrance. The cops carried them aside and one Haredi got arrested.
Was there another demonstration of the Edah HaCharedit members last Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night) ?
Already last week, when there only were approx. 150 Mea Shearim Haredim demonstrating, I knew that all those resistance campaigns regarding the parking lot opening on Shabbat wouldn't last for too long anymore. Last night I saw lots of police (army boder police "Magav", regular police and some Yassamniks (on their motorbikes) standing at HaNevi'im / Shivtei Israel Street junction, but only very few Haredim were in front of them.
No fuss, no nothing.
I decided to come back a little later and first search for the quarry some archaeologists had found. A place in nearby Shmuel HaNavi Street where obviously Herod took the stones for the Beit HaMikdash (Second Temple) from. I guess I found the place but it is still hard to tell, as the entire construction site is surrounded by a white metal fence.
After half - an - hour or so I returned to demonstration that, then, wasn't anymore. Some Haredim were still standing at the Mea Shearim / Shivtei Israel Street junction but, otherwise, the car traffic moved on as usual and most of cops were gone.
_______________________
According to various Israel newspapers, about a hundred Haredim gathered in front of the Karta parking lot and tried to block the entrance. The cops carried them aside and one Haredi got arrested.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Shabbat Shalom
Cartoon: Haaretz
B"H
I don't know about you but I find the cartoon extremely funny.
It show two Toldot Aharon guys pushing one of the famous "demonstration trash cans" and one is asking the other where this goes to. The second Chassid is answering that it first goes to the Gay Parade and then to the parking lot in reference to the two latest demonstration reasons).
Shabbat is coming and the Karta parking lot in Jerusalem will be open again. This means further demonstrations in Mea Shearim and the only problem is the "missing trash cans". All the plastic ones have been burnt and melted down to the ground leaving the Mea Shearim inhabitants with all the garbage smell. Plastic bags full of garbage are laying around in the streets providing a great meal to the rats. Many people say that the municipality shouldn't provide Mea Shearim with new trash cans, as everything is burnt down at least once a year. "Shall they live in their garbage !"
I am not going to any further parking lot demonstrations and I don't have the feeling to miss anything. It looks like the whole situation doesn't lead anywhere and I don't need this kind of action entertainment on Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night).
At the moment, I am in "free" Tel Aviv and will later on go to Jerusalem in order to spend the Shabbat there. Tel Aviv is unbelievable hot and humidity is at its peak. Before I am taking the bus I will go to the beach. Getting some nature spirituality before going to the Jerusalem (ghetto). However, the "ghetto" has already arrived at the beach because plenty of young Yeshiva students are traveling there every Friday. Most of them are from Jerusalem and don't think those teenage Haredim go to the religious beach. Oh, no, they take off their clothes and their Kipot and join the secular Sodom & Gomorrha crowd. Before Shabbat, they return to Jerusalem and maybe throw stones on Shabbat. Otherwise life would be too boring.:-)
Have a great Shabbat everyone. "Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes !"
Israel is Drying Out
B"H
The biggest water resource in Israel, the Kinneret (See of Galilee), is drying out. The solution called RAIN is not at sight !
The biggest water resource in Israel, the Kinneret (See of Galilee), is drying out. The solution called RAIN is not at sight !
Photos: Green Prophet
Those who need water, means all of us, have to grab deeper into our pockets. Water is turning into luxury and thus getting much more expensive within the coming weeks and months. 
Link:
Israel Water BlogThursday, July 9, 2009
Missionary Converts
B"H
I suppose that most of you already know this article and its message:
Rabbinate Confronted with 60 Missionary Converts
I also sent a comment to ARUTZ 7 (see no.51).
According to my opinion, the Rabbanut (chief rabbinate) makes it far too easy for converts to Judaism. Especially within the past few years. How come that the haredi Rabbi Nissim Karelitz never has such scandals ? Because false converts wouldn't dare going him. Nothing scares false converts more than Haredim and haredi society. There they cannot tell their ferrytales, stupid visions and dreams about how wonderful it is to be a Jew (whispered into their ear by the false Messiah J.) .
The below comments on the Arutz 7 article are quite interesting. Especially because at least one false converts is making her remarks and not letting out how much she dislikes the Rabbanut. Apparently she is still on the same Christian path "All Rabbis (in particular Haredim) are stupid".
How can it be that such people convert ?
The woman in question was not converted by the Rabbanut but by a Beit Din arranged for her through "special" connections. This is how you do it today. Even the Rabbanut doesn't want you anymore but don't give up and put your own Beit Din together.
Those false convert ashame every honest convert studying in very well accepted programmes.
I suppose that most of you already know this article and its message:
Rabbinate Confronted with 60 Missionary Converts
I also sent a comment to ARUTZ 7 (see no.51).
According to my opinion, the Rabbanut (chief rabbinate) makes it far too easy for converts to Judaism. Especially within the past few years. How come that the haredi Rabbi Nissim Karelitz never has such scandals ? Because false converts wouldn't dare going him. Nothing scares false converts more than Haredim and haredi society. There they cannot tell their ferrytales, stupid visions and dreams about how wonderful it is to be a Jew (whispered into their ear by the false Messiah J.) .
The below comments on the Arutz 7 article are quite interesting. Especially because at least one false converts is making her remarks and not letting out how much she dislikes the Rabbanut. Apparently she is still on the same Christian path "All Rabbis (in particular Haredim) are stupid".
How can it be that such people convert ?
The woman in question was not converted by the Rabbanut but by a Beit Din arranged for her through "special" connections. This is how you do it today. Even the Rabbanut doesn't want you anymore but don't give up and put your own Beit Din together.
Those false convert ashame every honest convert studying in very well accepted programmes.
Festive Meal in Gur
B"H
Last night The Gerrer Rebbe Yaakov Aryeh Alter was having a festive meal with some of his Chassidim at the Vishnitzer Hotel. The pictures were published on the "Chadrei HaCharedim" and show how the photographer was bothered while taking the pictures.
Last night The Gerrer Rebbe Yaakov Aryeh Alter was having a festive meal with some of his Chassidim at the Vishnitzer Hotel. The pictures were published on the "Chadrei HaCharedim" and show how the photographer was bothered while taking the pictures.
The Gerrer Rebbe is walking in.
All photos can be viewed here:
http://bhol.co.il/forum/topic.asp?cat_id=4&topic_id=2653972&forum_id=771
Prayers against the Parking Lot
B"H
The Edah HaCharedit had called for a common prayer service (Tehillim - Psalms and Selichot) in order to "keep" the Holiness of Jerusalem. As the Karta parking lot is also due to open it's gates this Shabbat, 4000 Haredim were praying at the Shivtei Israel / Mea Shearim Street juntion yesterday afternoon.
The Israeli daily "Israel HaYom" gave the number of 4000 Haredim and added that mostly children were gathering in the streets. The whole gathering rather looks like a Toldot Aharon One - Man - Show !
The Edah HaCharedit had called for a common prayer service (Tehillim - Psalms and Selichot) in order to "keep" the Holiness of Jerusalem. As the Karta parking lot is also due to open it's gates this Shabbat, 4000 Haredim were praying at the Shivtei Israel / Mea Shearim Street juntion yesterday afternoon.
The Israeli daily "Israel HaYom" gave the number of 4000 Haredim and added that mostly children were gathering in the streets. The whole gathering rather looks like a Toldot Aharon One - Man - Show !
The Edah call for the meeting yesterday afternoon.
On the picture below you can see a group of children wearing sackcloth as a sign of mourning (for Jerusalem). The sign on the back of the sackcloths says: "Rescue Jerusalem".
And where were the women: On the Toldot Aharon balconies !
The Rabbis of the Edah HaCharedit
All pictures can be viewed here:
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Chassidut Gur and the African Refugees
B"H
I didn't know that there is a Gerrer (Gur) community in the town of Arad. About Ashdod I knew but Arad ... Nevertheless it is nice to know the Gerrer there, as Arad is flooded with Christian missionaries.
And it is in the Negev town Arad where Chassidut Gur is facing some severe difficulties at the moment. 1000 refugees from Sudan are living right across their apartment complex and now Gur has complained to the local mayor.
I didn't know that there is a Gerrer (Gur) community in the town of Arad. About Ashdod I knew but Arad ... Nevertheless it is nice to know the Gerrer there, as Arad is flooded with Christian missionaries.
And it is in the Negev town Arad where Chassidut Gur is facing some severe difficulties at the moment. 1000 refugees from Sudan are living right across their apartment complex and now Gur has complained to the local mayor.
Gerrer Chassidim
For some time, Israel has been flooded with refugees from Africa and as the Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Chulda'i threw most of them out, the refugees went to Lod and also seemingly to Arad. The refugees are confronting Israel with many problems, as most of them are Muslims. They are not wanted by the local population, don't integrate and are mostly used as cheap workers. But I do have to say that they learn Hebrew quite fast and are able to communicate.
Chassidut Gur, however, doesn't want the black refugees in its neighbourhood and we will see what is going to happen. If anything is happening at all.
The latest Pashkevilim
B"H
Here are the latest Pashkevilim from the Ge'ulah / Mea Shearim walls:
Here are the latest Pashkevilim from the Ge'ulah / Mea Shearim walls:
Outcry about the desecration of Jewish graves in Europe where people build buildings or other equipment on or around the graveyards.
Whoever is interested or feels like demonstrating or praying can go to Shivtei Israel Street in Jerusalem this afternoon (Wednesday). The Edah HaCharedit decided that people come and pray for the Holiness of Jerusalem. Tehillim (Psalms) and Selichot are being said.
Holiness of Jerusalem means praying for the closing of the parking lot Karta etc. on Shabbat.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sinat Chinam - Baseless Hatred
B"H
The Gemara in Talmud Yoma 9b lists "Sinat Chinam - Baseless Hatred" as the reason for the destruction of the Second Temple. According to Rashi, "Sinat Chinam - Gratuitous Hatred" is hatred directed towards individuals who have not committed any action for which it would be justifiable to hate them.
The use of the English word "hatred" may be too strong. The Gemara in Sanhedrin 27b as well as the Chafetz Chaim call it rather a situation where people don't speak with each other or avoid meeting.
As the fast day 17th of Tammuz and the mourning period before Tisha Be'Av is getting closer, we Jews should reflect our actions towards others; especially our fellow Jews.
Each of us is guilty of something and should try to correct it. I don't think that G - d is too happy seeing us still fighting about unimportant issues. In particular when some Jews believe to be so much better than others. Call it holier, more religious, whatever.
All of us should do some "Cheshbon Nefesh - analyze our actions" and ask himself if we are really so much better than the generation living at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple.
This morning, I went back to Tel Aviv and I done too much today except for reminding myself of my freedom. Not freedom from Torah or G - d but freedom from certain fellow Jews. Those Jews from Mea Shearim calling me Nazi, police spy or Goi last Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night). Not, that I took it too seriously and mainly kids were yelling but no adults. However, the mothers around didn't stop their so "holy" daughters of doing so.
Last night I spoke to a woman living in the middle of Mea Shearim on the phone. This particular woman is very open minded but does live in a very Neturei Karta area. I told her about me going to see the last demonstration and she told me something shocking:
"Can you believe it, she said, these kids in our neighbourhood have a new game to play. They play demonstration. One group represent the "Zionist" police and the other groups are the demonstrators. This is what little children are playing in the middle of the Mea Shearim market. How to throw stones at policemen".
I asked her if the neighbourhood doesn't bother her but she stated that she closes her door and has her private life. She hardly talks to the neighbours who keep on telling her to speak Yiddish - but she doesn't even know this language.
Obviously many children in Mea Shearim, at least those from extreme groups, have found new heroes. Those demonstrators throwing stones etc. at the police and who got arrested about ten days ago, where released from jail and got a great welcoming in Mea Shearim.
Is this what G - d wants from us ? Three weeks before Tisha Be'Av, Jews still continue to attack each other ?
Some Haredim may believe that they are the greatest "Sikarikim" but, in reality, they are just becoming false heroes and, furthermore, are making a fool of themselves.
The Gemara in Talmud Yoma 9b lists "Sinat Chinam - Baseless Hatred" as the reason for the destruction of the Second Temple. According to Rashi, "Sinat Chinam - Gratuitous Hatred" is hatred directed towards individuals who have not committed any action for which it would be justifiable to hate them.
The use of the English word "hatred" may be too strong. The Gemara in Sanhedrin 27b as well as the Chafetz Chaim call it rather a situation where people don't speak with each other or avoid meeting.
As the fast day 17th of Tammuz and the mourning period before Tisha Be'Av is getting closer, we Jews should reflect our actions towards others; especially our fellow Jews.
Each of us is guilty of something and should try to correct it. I don't think that G - d is too happy seeing us still fighting about unimportant issues. In particular when some Jews believe to be so much better than others. Call it holier, more religious, whatever.
All of us should do some "Cheshbon Nefesh - analyze our actions" and ask himself if we are really so much better than the generation living at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple.
This morning, I went back to Tel Aviv and I done too much today except for reminding myself of my freedom. Not freedom from Torah or G - d but freedom from certain fellow Jews. Those Jews from Mea Shearim calling me Nazi, police spy or Goi last Mozzaei Shabbat (Saturday night). Not, that I took it too seriously and mainly kids were yelling but no adults. However, the mothers around didn't stop their so "holy" daughters of doing so.
Last night I spoke to a woman living in the middle of Mea Shearim on the phone. This particular woman is very open minded but does live in a very Neturei Karta area. I told her about me going to see the last demonstration and she told me something shocking:
"Can you believe it, she said, these kids in our neighbourhood have a new game to play. They play demonstration. One group represent the "Zionist" police and the other groups are the demonstrators. This is what little children are playing in the middle of the Mea Shearim market. How to throw stones at policemen".
I asked her if the neighbourhood doesn't bother her but she stated that she closes her door and has her private life. She hardly talks to the neighbours who keep on telling her to speak Yiddish - but she doesn't even know this language.
Obviously many children in Mea Shearim, at least those from extreme groups, have found new heroes. Those demonstrators throwing stones etc. at the police and who got arrested about ten days ago, where released from jail and got a great welcoming in Mea Shearim.
Is this what G - d wants from us ? Three weeks before Tisha Be'Av, Jews still continue to attack each other ?
Some Haredim may believe that they are the greatest "Sikarikim" but, in reality, they are just becoming false heroes and, furthermore, are making a fool of themselves.
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