B"H
Seven years ago, the Jewish American journalist Daniel Pearl was killed by Muslim terrorists in Pakistan. Has anything changed ever sinced ? Where are we standing today with radical Muslim terrorism ?
Link:
Daniel Pearl Foundation
Wikipedia: Daniel Pearl
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
"Yes, we can !"
B"H
On Februar 10th, 2009, Israel is electing a new Knesset. The election campaigns have already started some time ago, and now, after the war in Gaza, the four leading parties (Likud, Kadima, the Labour Party and Lieberman's Israel Beitenu) are fighting each other. How else could it be ?
Our politicians are not too happy with Barak Hussein Obama, however, they are impressed by his success in America. Just get someone trained to be president and everything seems to work out well.
If you have a look at the sites of Israel's Knesset parties, you will also find Obama. Or in other words, the same web design and even the slogan "Yes, we can !" Just have a look at the sites of Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud and Eli Yishai's Sephardi - haredi SHASS - party.
Let us wait and see if the Obama - PR also succeeds in Israel.
The Gerrer Rebbe and the "Porush Curse"
B"H
On 10th February, Israel is electing a new Knesset and also among the haredi population, all kinds of internal election campaigns have started. As everybody surely knows, the anti - Zionist "Neturei Karta" doesn't participate in the "Zionist" Knesset elections. The same applies to the members the anti - Zionist umbrella organization "Edah HaCharedit". With members like the Toldot Aharon, Spinka, the Mishkenot HaRoim, Satmar, the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak and some litvishe Haredim. Other Haredim are basically participating in the elections. Actually some are quite anxious of doing so, as it serves their interest.
Example:
Belz, Gur, Vishnitz, Karlin - Stolin or Rudzhin - Boyan. All of them voting for the "Yahadut HaTorah". Sephardic Haredi vote for their own SHASS - party under the leadersip of Eli Yishai and Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef.
Chassidut Gur reigns over the Yahadut HaTorah and there are quite a few Haredim who haven't forgotten what the Gerrer (Gur) Rebbe did to Me'ir Porush a few months ago. When Porush ran for the mayor's position in Jerusalem and Gur ignored him and decided to vote for the secular candidate Nir Barkat. The latter became mayor and, unfortunately, Porush lost due to the Gerrer votes for Barkat.
Now the Knesset elections are right ahead and many Haredim are still fed up with the "Gur Dictatorship" within the Yahadut HaTorah. In different forums they discuss the pros and cons of voting in favour or against the party. Now there are even stickers calling the haredi population not to vote for Yahadut HaTorah !
On 10th February, Israel is electing a new Knesset and also among the haredi population, all kinds of internal election campaigns have started. As everybody surely knows, the anti - Zionist "Neturei Karta" doesn't participate in the "Zionist" Knesset elections. The same applies to the members the anti - Zionist umbrella organization "Edah HaCharedit". With members like the Toldot Aharon, Spinka, the Mishkenot HaRoim, Satmar, the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak and some litvishe Haredim. Other Haredim are basically participating in the elections. Actually some are quite anxious of doing so, as it serves their interest.
Example:
Belz, Gur, Vishnitz, Karlin - Stolin or Rudzhin - Boyan. All of them voting for the "Yahadut HaTorah". Sephardic Haredi vote for their own SHASS - party under the leadersip of Eli Yishai and Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef.
Chassidut Gur reigns over the Yahadut HaTorah and there are quite a few Haredim who haven't forgotten what the Gerrer (Gur) Rebbe did to Me'ir Porush a few months ago. When Porush ran for the mayor's position in Jerusalem and Gur ignored him and decided to vote for the secular candidate Nir Barkat. The latter became mayor and, unfortunately, Porush lost due to the Gerrer votes for Barkat.
Now the Knesset elections are right ahead and many Haredim are still fed up with the "Gur Dictatorship" within the Yahadut HaTorah. In different forums they discuss the pros and cons of voting in favour or against the party. Now there are even stickers calling the haredi population not to vote for Yahadut HaTorah !
"No, thanks. We don't need that".
"Enough. We are fed up !!!" We don't need this.
These stickers are referring to the head of the Yahadut HaTorah, Yaakov Litzman from the Chassidut Gur.
Maybe it is the old "Porush - Curse" which, this time, may cause the Gerrer Rebbe to loose Knesset seats and thus, some of his political power.
Obama's Ties with his Muslim Brotherhood
B"H
Several months before Barak Hussein Obama became the elected president of the United States, his representatives already started talks with Iran and Syria. Apparently about Iran's atomic programme.
Just recently, Barak Hussein Obama called the Iranians a great people and America should be more friendly with Iran.
Israel has any reason to be concerned about the new US President. How far is he, as a Muslim (according to Muslim law he is one), sucked into this kind of fatal brotherhood ? I simply cannot believe that only a few years after 9/11, America elected such a doubtful president.
Several months before Barak Hussein Obama became the elected president of the United States, his representatives already started talks with Iran and Syria. Apparently about Iran's atomic programme.
Just recently, Barak Hussein Obama called the Iranians a great people and America should be more friendly with Iran.
Israel has any reason to be concerned about the new US President. How far is he, as a Muslim (according to Muslim law he is one), sucked into this kind of fatal brotherhood ? I simply cannot believe that only a few years after 9/11, America elected such a doubtful president.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Land of Israel and the Torah Laws
B"H
The Satmarer Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum z"l once claimed that a Jew shouldn't make Aliyah to Israel when he doesn't intend to keep the Torah laws (Mitzwot) in the Holy Land.
Indeed, there is a controversy about if Jews living in Israel should keep the Torah Mitzwot and not being secular at all. There is a notion that it may be less severe living as a secular Jew in the Diaspora than in Israel.
Those who say that a Jew in Israel should keep the Torah law state that somebody violating Halacha in the Holy Land is just like as if he is spitting into G – d's "face". There is a question mark behind that approach because a secular Jew could, later on, turn into a Torah keeing Jew or do good deeds.
In the "Book of Ezra" (10:10) it says that "Ezra the Cohen rises". He rebuked the Jews because in those days, many of them married Gentiles. And isn't it severe and spitting into G – d's "face" when someone marries a non – Jew ? Especially in the Land of Israel.
Some religious Jews may claim that if a secular Jew feels like marrying a non – Jew, okay, that's his problem. I am so religious and what do I have to do with it ?
In Judaism, however, we have the concept of a "collective punishment" and those violating the law should be aware of the fact that, through their actions, they are causing the entire Jewish people to be punished by G – d.
The Tanach (Torah, Nevi'im – Prophets, Ketuvim – Writings) lists a few incidents of such "collective punishments".
For instance, when Joshua was ordered by G – d not to take any belongings from the people of Jericho after the destruction of the town. However, one Jew named Achan stole something and the entire people was held responsible by G – d. It says in the "Book of Joshua" that the "Jewish people stole" instead of "Achan stole". This shows us that we are also responsible for each other.
I am not saying that now someone feeling so terribly religious and holy should start running around rebuking all the others. It says that rebuking one's fellows has to be learned in order to not hurt anyone else's feelings.
Furthermore, there are commentators discussing the importance of keeping Torah Mitzwot in Jerusalem or elsewhere in the Land of Israel. Some consider it as extremely important to keep the Mitzwot at least in the Holy City of Jerusalem.
The Satmarer Rebbe Yoel Teitelbaum z"l once claimed that a Jew shouldn't make Aliyah to Israel when he doesn't intend to keep the Torah laws (Mitzwot) in the Holy Land.
Indeed, there is a controversy about if Jews living in Israel should keep the Torah Mitzwot and not being secular at all. There is a notion that it may be less severe living as a secular Jew in the Diaspora than in Israel.
Those who say that a Jew in Israel should keep the Torah law state that somebody violating Halacha in the Holy Land is just like as if he is spitting into G – d's "face". There is a question mark behind that approach because a secular Jew could, later on, turn into a Torah keeing Jew or do good deeds.
In the "Book of Ezra" (10:10) it says that "Ezra the Cohen rises". He rebuked the Jews because in those days, many of them married Gentiles. And isn't it severe and spitting into G – d's "face" when someone marries a non – Jew ? Especially in the Land of Israel.
Some religious Jews may claim that if a secular Jew feels like marrying a non – Jew, okay, that's his problem. I am so religious and what do I have to do with it ?
In Judaism, however, we have the concept of a "collective punishment" and those violating the law should be aware of the fact that, through their actions, they are causing the entire Jewish people to be punished by G – d.
The Tanach (Torah, Nevi'im – Prophets, Ketuvim – Writings) lists a few incidents of such "collective punishments".
For instance, when Joshua was ordered by G – d not to take any belongings from the people of Jericho after the destruction of the town. However, one Jew named Achan stole something and the entire people was held responsible by G – d. It says in the "Book of Joshua" that the "Jewish people stole" instead of "Achan stole". This shows us that we are also responsible for each other.
I am not saying that now someone feeling so terribly religious and holy should start running around rebuking all the others. It says that rebuking one's fellows has to be learned in order to not hurt anyone else's feelings.
Furthermore, there are commentators discussing the importance of keeping Torah Mitzwot in Jerusalem or elsewhere in the Land of Israel. Some consider it as extremely important to keep the Mitzwot at least in the Holy City of Jerusalem.
"International Book Fair" in Jerusalem
For those of you living or visiting Jerusalem:
From 15th - 20th February 2009, the "International Book Fair" is taking place in Jerusalem's Binyanei HaUma ("International Convention Center" right across the Central Bus Station).
Editors from all over the world are going to exhibit all kinds of new books. The entrance to the fair will be free of charge and everyone is welcomed to sit down and read as much as he can. Many stands won't sell any books but at some you are able to buy the latest editions.
I recommend bringing your own drinks and snacks, as price for food at the fair are disgusting high.The next "International Book Fair" is going to take place in February 2011.
Israeli Politicians on FACEBOOK
B"H
Seemingly one cannot survive without FACEBOOK or TWITTER today. Especially not someone who is planning to promote himself or his publications. Israeli opposition leader Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu from the LIKUD was the first one to realize the power and influence of the Internet. Now you can find him and many other Israeli politicians on FACEBOOK.
Facebooking with Bibi
More Israeli politicians:
Facebooking with Zipi Livni
Facebooking with Avigdor Lieberman
Facebooking with Ehud Barak
Further:
Former IDF - members
Seemingly one cannot survive without FACEBOOK or TWITTER today. Especially not someone who is planning to promote himself or his publications. Israeli opposition leader Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu from the LIKUD was the first one to realize the power and influence of the Internet. Now you can find him and many other Israeli politicians on FACEBOOK.
Facebooking with Bibi
More Israeli politicians:
Facebooking with Zipi Livni
Facebooking with Avigdor Lieberman
Facebooking with Ehud Barak
Further:
Former IDF - members
Jewish Music
The site appears in Hebrew only but whoever knows some Hebrew, is interested in religious Jewish music and all kinds of information around has found a great site:
Shlager. Net
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Danger from the North - "Hizbollah"
B"H
Many of you still have the pictures of the second Lebanon war still in front of your eyes. The memory is still fresh but also many people mistakenly believe that the UN - peace corps, stationed at the border between Israel and Lebanon, is in control of the situation. No more Hizbollah fighters setting up weapons or otherwise threatening Israel.
Nevertheless, Israel is worried and very much aware of the reality going on behind the border; on Lebanese territory. And Israel has any reason to be concerned, as the following pictures from the Hizbollah homepage prove.
Many of you still have the pictures of the second Lebanon war still in front of your eyes. The memory is still fresh but also many people mistakenly believe that the UN - peace corps, stationed at the border between Israel and Lebanon, is in control of the situation. No more Hizbollah fighters setting up weapons or otherwise threatening Israel.
Nevertheless, Israel is worried and very much aware of the reality going on behind the border; on Lebanese territory. And Israel has any reason to be concerned, as the following pictures from the Hizbollah homepage prove.
Besides plenty of military photos, there are also others showing Iranian Ayatollahs hugging Hizbollah leaders. Let alone the present Iranian President Achmadinejad who is financing the Lebanese terror group.
Doesn't this picture remind us of the evil in history ?
More on the subject you can find at Tom Gross
More and more Separation
B"H
Although it is taking place rather unofficially and many people are not even aware of it, the separation between male and female within haredi society has been spreading.
In another week, we are going to celebrate the New Year of the trees, "Tu be'Shevat", and on this holiday it is tradition to eat all kinds of fruits from different trees. In Israel, people love to add a huge variety of nuts as well as dry fruit. Shops and market stands with these items are extremely busy and prices are going up as well. Famous are the so - called "Pizuchim" where a wide range of nuts, sunflower seeds and dry fruits are being sold.
But who would have thought about modesty when it comes to Tu be'Shevat ?
The shop "Pizuche'i Mizrachi" in Jerusalem's Bucharim neighbourhood (right next to ultra - orthod. Ge'ulah) did. Very exessively, as the shop is planning to introduce a separation (Mechitzah) on the days before Tu be'Shevat. Men and woman buy at different sides of the shop and thus, modesty will be guaranteed. No Yetzer HaRah (evil thoughts) is coming up, no nothing.
Mizrachi has a kosher certificate from the anti - Zionist umbrella organization "Edah HaCharedit" and slowly it is becoming more and more obvious that around the Mea Shearim neighbourhood, many shopkeepers only allow modestly dressed customers into their store.
The whole separation switch has been moving slowly; however, I am concerned, as all this seems to get out of control.
Of course, there exist pros and cons about separate shopping but don't forget to think about the contiuation. I am worried but not at all saying that everyone can be as immodest as possible. There is a need for modesty but not according to the law of the Taliban.
Seemingly not enough anymore. The separation wall (Mechitzah) in the Synagogue.
Although it is taking place rather unofficially and many people are not even aware of it, the separation between male and female within haredi society has been spreading.
In another week, we are going to celebrate the New Year of the trees, "Tu be'Shevat", and on this holiday it is tradition to eat all kinds of fruits from different trees. In Israel, people love to add a huge variety of nuts as well as dry fruit. Shops and market stands with these items are extremely busy and prices are going up as well. Famous are the so - called "Pizuchim" where a wide range of nuts, sunflower seeds and dry fruits are being sold.
But who would have thought about modesty when it comes to Tu be'Shevat ?
The shop "Pizuche'i Mizrachi" in Jerusalem's Bucharim neighbourhood (right next to ultra - orthod. Ge'ulah) did. Very exessively, as the shop is planning to introduce a separation (Mechitzah) on the days before Tu be'Shevat. Men and woman buy at different sides of the shop and thus, modesty will be guaranteed. No Yetzer HaRah (evil thoughts) is coming up, no nothing.
Mizrachi has a kosher certificate from the anti - Zionist umbrella organization "Edah HaCharedit" and slowly it is becoming more and more obvious that around the Mea Shearim neighbourhood, many shopkeepers only allow modestly dressed customers into their store.
The whole separation switch has been moving slowly; however, I am concerned, as all this seems to get out of control.
Of course, there exist pros and cons about separate shopping but don't forget to think about the contiuation. I am worried but not at all saying that everyone can be as immodest as possible. There is a need for modesty but not according to the law of the Taliban.
Seemingly not enough anymore. The separation wall (Mechitzah) in the Synagogue.
Elections in Israel
B"H
In less than two weeks, on February 10th, Israel is electing a new parliament. In the meantime, also the religious parties have started their election campaign. Among them are the national religious, the Sephardi Haredim with SHASS and, of course, the Agudat Israel with its strongest member - the Chassidut Gur.
This week, due to the coming up elections, important meetings will be in Gur where Rebbe Yaakov Aryeh Alter is participating as well.
In less than two weeks, on February 10th, Israel is electing a new parliament. In the meantime, also the religious parties have started their election campaign. Among them are the national religious, the Sephardi Haredim with SHASS and, of course, the Agudat Israel with its strongest member - the Chassidut Gur.
This week, due to the coming up elections, important meetings will be in Gur where Rebbe Yaakov Aryeh Alter is participating as well.
Its Raining ...
B"H
Throughout the whole night it was raining and extremely windy. Jerusalem is located on top of the Judean hills and when there is a strong wind, the inhabitants can feel it into the last corner of their bones.
Sometimes there are no drains and then the water piles up in the narrow alleyways of Jerusalem.
Israel has entered an emergency state. Water, hence lots of rain is needed, as the Kinneret is drying out. Soon our water resources will be emptied out and this spring, we need to think about a solution. The plan is to import water from Turkey but this is no real solution. The only way out is G -d, as it it Him being responsible for rain and not humankind. However, we also need to act and do as much as we can in order so save water. The bad news is that from tomorrow, temperature will be rising again.
Link:
We don't have water ! (Unfortunately, this site in only in Hebrew available !)
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