Friday, June 29, 2012

Shabbat Shalom


Photo: Miriam Woelke
B"H

These days, I simply need a bit more time preparing blog posts. Some subjects are not that easy to research, as you can surely imagine. Not only chassidic subjects but Jewish religious topics as a whole. 

Moreover, I have been flooded with comments within the past two days and, as there is quite an amount of weird Christian comments, I need to go through almost every single comment, in order to decide which one to publish. One thing for sure: I won't publish any comment giving links to certain Christian messianic sites.

Shabbat Shalom to everyone from a sunny and boiling hot Jerusalem !

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Creation


Photo: Miriam Woelke

The "Haredim & the Army Subject" again

B"H

Making a long story very short: 

Again, the Israeli government wants to discuss drafting ALL Haredim into the army service. As expected, the EDAH HA’CHAREDIT has already run a protest and many more will follow. 

It is widely known that most Haredim don’t agree with the present State of Israel. I am not talking about the anti – Zionism of Satmar, the Neturei Karta, Toldot Aharon, the EDAH or as a whole or Chabad. Also Belz, Gur and others are not too happy with the present state but do, in a way, try influencing the government regarding religion. 

The latest official suggestion is that all Haredim may be forced to join the Israeli army. If they are not willing to join, they could be facing economic sanctions. Whatever that means. 

I am not favouring any force but do think that many young Haredim need a task in life. Too many of them are not going to Yeshiva on a daily basis but simply hang around. Either in the streets, Internet Cafes, snack bars with TV or in parks. And too many of them get negative ideas and start going against the law. Especially for those guys, the army duty wouldn’t be so bad but could provide them with a certain level of responsibility in life. If they don’t go to the Yeshiva, at least, do something in life.

Changing Bus Routes in Jerusalem

B"H 

Starting this Friday (29 June), Egged - Jerusalem is, once again, changing certain bus routes. 

The bus lines 15a, 15, 10, 9a + 2 will be totally canceled and the 5a bus is going to turn into number 51. 

Please note that the following bus lines are due to changes: 3, 7, 9, 14, 17, 35, 40, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 60, 74 + 75. A few of them will be new lines going especially through haredi areas such as Har Nof, Ge’ulah, Kiryat Belz or Sanhedria. Those bus lines will NOT have separate seating. At least not officially. 

At the moment, you will find at almost each bus stop young people handing out the new schedules. Also in English ! For further information please call the Moked *8787 (Kochavit 8787) !

Jerusalem Bus and Tram Lines

B"H

All information about buses and the tram in Jerusalem

Idol - worship on Magen David Adom Ambulances


Israeli ambulance car donated by Christian Missionaries !!!

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

When we are ill and an ambulance is coming to take us to hospital, we are very grateful indeed. However, when I saw the sign of an Israeli Magen David Adom ambulance yesterday, I almost fainted. Standing at a bus stop in Jerusalem and reading the sign of the parked ambulance car made me think about what is going on in our Jewish country.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Jewish Life in MUNKATCH 1933




Wedding of Frime Chaye Rivke Shapira - daughter of Grand Rebbe Eleazer Shapira of Munkatch, author of Minchas Eleazer (d. 1936), to Rabbi Rabinowitz in March 1933. She was the mother of the present Munkatcher and Dinover Rebbes. Complete version. Includes other scenes of Jewish life in Munkacs, Hungary, both of secular and religious Jews. 

1. Wedding. Huge crowds of well wishers gather in the streets on the occasion of the wedding of the Munkacs Grand Rabbi's 18 year old daughter, Frime Chaye Rivke. The Munkatcher Rebbe makes a speech in Yiddish exhorting Jews in America to continue to keep Shabbos (to observe the sabbath day). The wedding party then enters the synagogue grounds, and the cantor sings blessings beneath the wedding canopy (chupah). The wedding concludes with festive hasidic music. Newspaper accounts indicate that some 20,000 people attended the celebrations. 

2. Secular Jewish children singing in Munkatch. 

3. Traditional Religious Jewish children studying in Orthodox Religious School in Munkatch. 

4. Book peddler and weaver in Munkatch. 

5. Secular Jews dancing in Munkatch.«

Once Munkatch belonged to Hungary. Today, the town is part of the Ukraine.

Christian Missionaries in Israel and how they spend Donations





B"H

How fundamentalist Christian missionaries try to convince Jews, Israel's anti - missionary organization YAD Le'ACHIM shows another example. Missionaries don't care about using lies when it comes to further attempts of stealing Jewish soules. 

Why should they care ? 

Christian missionaries organizations based in the US donate millions of Dollars and thus, missionaries are able to rent or purchase expensive houses in Israel. But, dear donors, be aware that many of those people you donate to just hang around in their luxury apartments. They love to waste your money by celebrating parties or laying at the pool. Buying new cars or going on expensive vacation. 

However, the Christian donations are big money and big business and many missionaries have specialized in this field in order to lead their personal luxury life.

More information on missionaries in Israel: YAD Le’ACHIM

Monday, June 25, 2012

Creation


Photo: Miriam Woelke

Adam HaRishon, Chava and the Nakedness

The RAMBAN


B"H

Each of us knows the famous Pasuk in Parashat Bereshit where it says that Adam HaRishon and Eve (Chava) "opened their eyes". Suddenly they became aware of their nakedness and started to be ashamed. This happened right after the two ate from the "Tree of Knowledge - Etz HaDa'at Tov veRah". And, as we all know, that the Torah is telling us many things in a symbolic language. Thus, commentators (including the Talmud) state that it wasn't an apple the two first humans ate. The fruit they consumed was either a fig, wheat or grapes.

The Ramban (Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman, 1194 – 1270) commentates that Adam and Eve didn't just, out of the blue, realize that they were naked. What the Torah is trying to teach us is that the intellect of the two had changed. "The opening of the Eyes" refers to their way of understanding rather than to their nakedness. 

Jewish kabbalistic writings see a further hint in the worldly clothes they received from G - d. It is not about their new kind of clothes but about various higher soul levels leaving them. For instance, the highest level, YECHIDAH, had left them and thus Adam and Eve became mortal.  

Everything about Adam Ha'Rishon  HERE !

LAILA LAVAN - WHITE NIGHT 2012 in Tel Aviv


 Laila Lavan 2011

Photo: Miriam Woelke
B"H 

This upcoming Thursday (28 June 2012), Tel Aviv is going to celebrate it's traditional LAILA LAVAN – WHITE NIGHT. Cultural events are taking place all over town. Most events are free - of - charge but some concerts are only available after paying entrance fee.



A report from last year

Around the Bridge

B"H 

Entering Jerusalem, area around the Me’itarim Bridge














Copyright / Photos: Miriam Woelke

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Morning Rush Hour in Jerusalem




Photos: Miriam Woelke

The SHEITEL in Chabad (Lubavitch)

B"H

I just found an interesting online book describing the hair covering in Chabad: "Kissui HaRosh - Properly covering the hair with a Sheitel". The book written in English can either be read online or you can download it for free !



Further links regarding Jewish head covers and reasons for doing so:




Changing Clothes and Identity

Construction Sites (Jerusalem)


 Jaffa Road in Downtown Jerusalem continues to change its face. The local department store "Hamashbir" has recently moved into a new building at Zion Square (Kikar Zion). Right next door, another few floors have been added onto one of the old buildings (formerly MIKE's PLACE).





I have mentioned this quite a few times: Cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv have specialized in new apartment buildings for the rich. The local population needs more affordable apartments but estate agents prefer building new apartment complexes for the wealthy only. Rich investors from the US or France. Those buyers from abroad are able to afford such housing but only stay in their property over the high Jewish holdays. The rest of the year they spend at home in their countries. 

As a result of this, the local population has to fight over a few affordable houses. On the other hand, entire areas have turned into ghost towns, as the rich hardly ever show up at their property. Just look at the wealthy area across Jaffa Gate. 

A city is formed by its inhabitants and not by some rich investors who actually don't care about the place and only show up when it is convenient for them. On the other hand, more and more apartment building for the rich don't sell anymore and this is why we see new buildings mostly empty. Just look at the huge complex in Keren Hayesod or another one built at Strauss / corner King George.


Another construction site for luxury apartments only: Rav Kook Street near Jaffa Road

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Pictures from Jerusalem












Photos: Miriam Woelke

Tish in Chassidut Slonim

B"H 

During the summer months of June and July, there is not too much going on regarding chassidic Tishes in Israel. Most Rebbes are traveling abroad in order to connect their annual vacation with collecting donations for their Mosdot. This is why my friend and I only found one Tish last Erev Shabbat. 

We were walking around in Mea Shearim and so were many people looking for Tishes. The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak was dark, quite a few people were standing and waiting in front of the Toldot Aharon Beit Midrash but there seemed to be no Tish going on. Eventually we ended up at the Slonim who have closed of their former entrance to the women’s entrance. Women now have to walk up the road in order to get to the door leading to the Ezrat Nashim (women’s side). 

The men’s side was packed and the Rebbe of Chassidut Slonim (Jerusalem) had changed his location and was sitting among his Chassidim. Usually the Rebbe doesn’t eat but the Chassidim sing Niggunim and the Rebbe gives a Drasha. Further, the Slonimer have a custom to line up in front of the Rebbe and bow down to him. I have only seen younger Slonimer doing this but may be wrong. 

When we walked in, the Rebbe was in the middle of his Drasha and, as usual, the women are almost unable to hear a word. The Slonimer women mostly don’t participate in the Tish but, last Erev Shabbat, plenty of the Chassidut’s girls were there. We hardly saw the Rebbe because the Ezrat Nashim was crowded. Finally we got a glimpse and left after a while. 

There wasn’t much going on but, at least, we were happy having seen one of the Rebbes.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes from Jerusalem !


Jerusalem's Great Synagoge

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

I will try doing some Tishing tonight but assume that most Rebbes may have left for their annual vacation and donation trips. :-)

Gimmel Tammuz = The Rebbe's Yahrzeit

B"H

Chassidut Chabad (Lubavitch) is celebrating its great day tomorrow: Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson's Yahrzeit. 

Some Chabadnikim admit that the Rebbe really passed away. The Meshichistim within the group see Gimmel Tammuz as a day when the Rebbe became invisible for our own eyes. He still resides in 770 but went up into higher spheres. When the times comes, he will reveal himself as Meshiach.

More information here:

http://shearim.blogspot.co.il/search/label/Messianism

FREE Download of Jewish Books

B"H 

Those of you who don't want to search libraries or Batei Midrash: Thousands of Jewish books are ready for a free download. The site is great and I just downloaden MIGDAL OZ by Rabbi Yaakov Emden. The downloads also save you lots of money, as you don't need to buy the books.:-)

Thursday, June 21, 2012

5am: Sunrise over Jerusalem


Photo: Miriam Woelke

Parashat KORACH


Olive Tree in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H 

"Vayikach Korach … - And Korach took"

The Torah doesn’t teach us what exactly Korach took and, as a result of this, various Torah commentators present us different interpretations. By the way, my English ARTSCROLL Stone Edition translates "took" with "Korach separated". Korach separated himself from the Jewish community and from G – d in order to follow his own plans and thus gain leadership. 

Until today we often see anxious Jews starting a career through Judaism but, in the end, forget about G – d and only think about their own goals. Lets say a Jew thinks that he could prove all Rabbis wrong and may become famous this way. 

When Jews start arguing that the Rabbis don’t interpret the Halachot in the right way but only they (those who start arguing) can do so. When Jews start their usual bashing against Orthodoxy. Then Koran, once again, is among us. 

The medieval Kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, brings a great commentary in his "Sha’ar HaPesukim". And, as many times, Rabbi Luria takes the subject of reincarnation as an example. Shet (Seth) and Hevel (Abel) were reincarnated in Moshe and it was Moshe’s task to rectify those reincarnated soul levels. Korach, on the other hand, was the reincarnation of Cain and what we find here is another struggle between the two brothers Cain and Hevel. 

Torah commentators as well as different Midrashim list us quite a variety of reasons why Cain killed his brother Hevel. Because Cain’s sacrifice wasn’t as accepted by G – d as his brother’s sacrifice. Thus Cain became jealous and killed Hevel. Another commentary teaches us that the two were fighting about the Tempel Mount (Har HaMoriah). Adam, Eve as well as their sons knew about the importance of the Tempel Mount where they used to live in those days. 

Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi, the author of the KUZARI, teaches that the two brothers were fighting about the Land of Israel. Who of the two would stand before Hashem (Lifne Hashem). See Kuzari 2:14. 

Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi interprets "Lifne Hashem" as "Eretz Israel". Both brothers were fighting about the land and who would be standing before G – d. In the end, it didn’t work out for both of them. One was dead and the other had to flee. 

The whole paragraph in the KUZARI speaks about prophecy in the Land of Israel but I am just taking this as an example in order to explain the struggle between the brothers. Now, in the desert, Moshe (Hevel) and Korach (Cain) are undergoing the same struggle and only one can win. 

Instead of working out a compromise, Kain (Korach) demanded leadership and thus didn’t rectify Cain’s reincarnated soul. Korach desired something which wasn’t meant for him. G – d alone decides about our tasks in life and many times we find out that certain goals will never work out because we are simply not meant to succeed. However, we are meant to maybe succeed in a different field. 

The famous Iraqi Rabbi and Kabbalist, Rabbi Yoseph Chaim (known by the name BEN ISH CHAI), 1832 – 1909, is asking "What it means that Korach never died ?" 

We may find the answer in ourselves, as all generations following Korach took a little bit of Korach with them. Until today we are willing to rebel and, at the same time, forget about G – d. At that moment, we only see ourselves. Our career, money, power, anything but totally forget that we are actually not in charge. There is and there will always be someone above us. Someone who decides whether and where we succeed. 

Shabbat Shalom – Gut Schabbes !

Africans celebrating idol - worship ceremony in downtown Tel Aviv






Photos: Miriam Woelke
B"H

About 200 hundred Christian Africans (infiltrators) were "celebrating" a strange ceremony at Tel Aviv's Levinsky Park last Tuesday evening. The participants were not interested in answering question about what is going on but kept separate. I wasn't welcomed too much taking the above photos and my questions remained unanswered. However, the whole ceremony looked like a "Yahrzeit" with African music. No Israelis wanted !

Talpiyot, Arnona, Katamon and the Christian Missionary Swamp

B"H

I see it as important getting to know the place where I live. As many neighbourhoods as I can as well as different mentalities and the population itself. No matter whether it is Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Within the past years, the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Talpiyot has undergone a transformation from an industrial dump to a place with shopping malls and nice restaurants and cafes.








View onto further Jerusalem neighbourhoods

Photos: Miriam Woelke


I like most of Jerusalem’s different neighbourhoods but especially the Germany Colony / Katamon and Arnona have been facing terrible challenges. More and more Christian missionaries keep on streaming in and renting apartments. Another area where missionaries ("Christian Friends of Israel") gather is around the Arab community of Abu Tur. Missionaries from all over the world try renting houses in order to carry out their idol – worship mission. If they don’t succeed in renewing their visa, they try to convert to Judaism in order to stay in Israel. The amount of false converts to Judaism still believing in Christianity is unbelievable high.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Haredi Vacation in Germany ?





B"H


Who would think of traveling to Germany on a vacation trip ? The Jewish religious world has lost so countless Jews in the Shoah and now Germany should be a new spa for Haredim ? 

There have been advertisements by a certain group of Haredim offering hotel deals in Berlin, Leipzig or Dresden. This has risen a controversy on haredi forums and the question is raised how a German hotel could be kosher le’Mehadrin

So, lets say the Haredim travel to Germany in order to stay in a kosher hotel. Although I have my doubts whether the hotels are really kosher, as there is only CHALAV NOCHRI in the area. 

Are those Haredim able to leave the hotels and just walk around ? Leipzig and Dresden are full of Neonazis and Berlin is full of Muslims. Various religious Jews walking around downtown Berlin have already been attacked in the past. Let alone all those dangers waiting, how can any haredi Jew enjoy a German hotel knowing about the past of the country ? 

Just the opposite with Chassidut ERLOI (Jerusalem). The Erloier Rebbe has recently put a ban (Cherem) in German products.





I was born and raised in Germany myself and relatives of mine still live there. My brother always tells me how the country has changed and slowly turns into a Muslim majority due to thousands of Germans converting to fundamentalist Islam. I hope that those Haredim going on the trip will arrange a few bodyguards. Otherwise, don’t even think about leaving the hotel wearing a Streimel !

Belz & Vishnitz celebrate Rosh Chodesh Tish together

B"H

The Belzer Rebbe is spending his summer vacation in Telshe Stone (outside Jerusalem) where he has a house and a community. However, yesterday he went down to Bnei Brak in order to spend a Rosh Chodesh Tish together with his in - law, the Vishnitzer Rebbe. I think it is Rebbe Israel Hager and not his Rebbe - Brother Menachem Mendel. It is always hard for me to identify the two brothers, as they look similar.

Since the old Vishnitzer Rebbe of Bnei Brak passed away recently, the two fighting Hager - brothers made a kind of a public peace agreement. At least in public, the two Vishnitzer groups won't fight anymore. I haven't found out more details about the deal but a Vishnitzer Chassid told me that Rebbe Menachem Mendel may have been promised something in order to keep the agreement. However, I have no further details so far.


The Belzer Rebbe to the left and the Vishnitzer Rebbe on the right.



See all pictures HERE !

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Secret of TAMMUZ


Seen in Zfat (Safed) / Northern Israel

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

I started reading the Chabad book "Sefer Sha'arei Ha'Moadim" but it was mainly talking about how important the month of Tammuz is for being the month of the Ge'ulah (Redemption). Various Chabad Rebbes or, at least, one was released from Russian prison. Not only that but this Shabbat, Chabad is going to celebrate 3 Tammuz (Gimmel Tammuz). The last Rebbe's Yahrzeit or, as the Meshichistim among Chabad say "The day when the Rebbe became invisible". 

I admit that this was all a bit much for me and I started reading another commentary on the Jewish month of Tammuz. One of my favourite commentators is the SHEM MI'SHMUEL and he delivers an extremely interesting commentary on Tammuz.

While still in Gan Eden, Adam Harishon and Chava (Eve) were ruining the human sense of eyesight when they were looking at the apple and started to desire it. As we know, both of them were provided with the highest kinds of souls ever but lost some of them at the moment they sinned.

Remark: According to talmudic and kabbalistic literature, Adam and Eve didn't sin by eating an apple but the Talmud lists various other fruits or possibilities of what both of them ate. One suggestion is that they got drunk and other claim that there was something else involved. Something we don't understand and the Torah doesn't explicitly explains us further details. As a matter of fact, we don't know what a "Tree of Knowledge" is and stands for. 

When Adam and Eve desired the apple (or whatever), they brought a bad aspect on the human sense of eyesight and, as soon as this happens, the sense (or anything else) needs a Tikun (rectification). We are able to rectify something by using it for the good and thus elevate the level of the messed up sense (or anything else).

The Meraglim (Spies) from last week's Parashat SHLACH LECHA were supposed to rectify the sense of eyesight. The spies were sent out in Tammuz and returned in the month of Av. However, their task was to see the land (Israel) and thus see something good. They missed their opportunity and only referred to the negative. Thus they ruined the chance to rectify the sense of the eyesight and now it is up to us to rectify it. How ? By using our human senses for the good and not for the negative.