Picture of the Day

Somewhere in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Do we need a "Pinchas" today ?

B"H

There are times when I wish we had a Pinchas or Eliyahu HaNavi today. Not that every Jew should be so perfect, Mitzvah keeping and frum but it seems, as if the majority of Jews has lost its ideals today. In the Jewish Quarter (Old City of Jerusalem) I once heard a little Israeli girl asking her mother what "that thing" is standing over there in the window. 

"Oh, this is a spice box for Havdalah (ceremony taking place after Shabbat and dividing Shabbat from the rest of the week)".

"Imma (Mummy) what is Havdalah ?"

It was unbelievable that this little girl at the age of about six had no clue about Havdalah. I suppose not even about Shabbat.

Isn't it sad how low many Jews have sunk ? No piece of Torah, no Midot (religious Torah bound character traits) but managing their daily lives by making a living. Plenty of people living in Tel Aviv care about a well - paid job, a nice apartment, a TV, a computer, going out for dinner and having a free life in any way. Jerusalemites may be more traditional, even when they are secular. However, in Jerusalem it is still unheard of that homosexuals walk hand in hand through the streets, as they do in Tel Aviv.

Modern Israelis travel the world after finishing their army service and what happens many times is that the guys come back with a Gentile woman. They go to Cyprus and marry her because Israel doesn't allow civil marriages between Jews and non - Jews.

Furthermore, Christian missionaries are very eager to convert Jewish Israelis to their idol - worship believe. Other Jews run away from Orthodoxy (not that they were religious but still kept Orthodox traditions) and prefer the Reform or Conservative movement. Today we are in the sad situation to say that, at least, they don't convert to idol - worship Christianity but remain Jewish.

Idol - worship as well as sexual perversion are still a topic in Israel. Let alone all those mixed marriages abroad where the situation, in this respect, is much more severe. I cannot help myself not getting angry when I see a Jewish man walking around with a Gentile woman. It just makes me sick. How can anyone only follow his desires but not think about his heritage, identy or the future ? How can anyone leave Judaism and run over to a religion where people worship a man dead Jew on a cross ? Are the Jews of this generation worse than those

in the times of Pinchas ?

It is probably just our G - d given destiny. G - d decided that the world should be this way and we act according to His plan without even knowing or realizing it. Or is everything up to my free will life and I decide if I follow G - d or behave like an animal ?

The world has never been perfect and already Noach had to face a wild society. Some Torah commentators say that Noach made the mistake and didn't warn his environment that G - d is bringing about the Flood. However, the Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin tells us that Noach did warn the people but got fed up after a while because no one wanted to listen to him.

To be honest: I am not going up to people and try fixing their behaviour, as I don't see it as my task fixing the whole world. What I do is keeping away from such people and I need to admit that I wouldn't have had the courage Pinchas had. Of course, it doesn't mean that we should walk around with a spear and stick it through someone's body. What most of us not participating in these acts silently hope is that someone will rise up (maybe Meshiach) and take the world back to a proper behaviour.

We definitely need a "Pinchas" today but, as far as I look, I don't see anyone around.

Photos from the haredi Emmanuel Demonstrations

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The whole fuss about the Beit Yaakov girls's school in Emmanuel is over but here are some great pictures:

http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=17985&cat_id=3

After the summer vacation, the Slonimer Ashkenazi girls are goiing to have their separate school.

Don't forget: "Laila Lavan - White Night" in Tel Aviv

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Don't forget: Tomorrow night (Thursday), Tel Aviv's annual "Laila Lavan - White Night" is going to take place. From 9pm, you can walk to many different places and watch art exibitions or concerts for free!

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Picture of the Day

Garbage at the Machane Yehudah Markt in Jerusalem.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Sephardi Synagogues in Nachlaot (Jerusalem)

Photos: Miriam Woelke

The Neve Bitch

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Jerusalem consists of people from all over the world. It is not always easy to get along due to all these different mentalities.

One large group you cannot overlook anymore are the newly religious girls from abroad coming to Jerusalem for one year and studying Yiddishkeit at frum seminaries. One of the biggest seminaries is "Neve Yerushalaim" in the ultra - orthodox Har Nof neighbourhood. Neve Yerushalaim doesn't do much advertising for its several programmes but works due to mouth to mouth advertising. Neve girls recommend it to their friends and so on.

No doubt, one has to be the type for Neve. I was once studying at the Mechinah (preparation course) for three days and fell asleep. It wasn't my cup of tea. Not only because they didn't teach Gemara to girls but also many girls turned out to be real bitches. I have no idea if this had been the case before they entered Neve or whether they had only developed such a messed up mentality while studying there.

To make it clear: Not every Neve girl is like that and their programmes in Hebrew, Russian and French are very different to begin with. However, Anglo Neve Baalei Teshuva can turn out nasty. If you don't function, as you have been taught by your teachers, other girls don't hesitate turning you in. Even when you mention that there exist also other opinions on this and that subject.

Until today, I keep on meeting many Neve girls (I am sooo glad to be here) and those drop - outs who hated it and left (I am still recovering). If I had a daughter and she came home with the plan to study at Neve, I would jump up the roof. First of all, young adults should have different choices in their frum directions but what the English courses at Neve don't offer is using your brain too much. Of course, Neve Yerushalaim does offer academic classes but on what level ?

It is hard to describe the Neve mentality. Friends told me that it doesn't matter too much anyway. Why using a brain when you get married off to another Baal Teshuva who is probably not much smarter (not because he is a BT but in general). Why bother with a Neve girl who likes this way of life ?

I don't bother but still think it is funny when other frum seminaries in Har Hof tell their students: "We are not at Neve here where girls don't use a brain".

Picture of the Day

Haredi Laundry in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

17 Tammuz - Shiva Asar be'Tammuz

Model at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem: 

Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple.

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Tomorrow, Tuesday 29 June, we are fasting from early in the morning until the evening after it has become dark. The 17 Tammuz has been a sad day throughout Jewish history.

The most famous event on that day was when Moshe came down from Mount Sinai and saw the Jews dancing around the Golden Calf (Egel HaZahav). He smashed the tablets (Luchot), as well all know. Many years later, our enemies (e.g. the Babylonians or the Romans) were slowly slowly conquering Jerusalem and the First and the Second Temple. With 17 Tammuz, a three - week - long mourning period starts ending with Tisha be'Av (9th Av). On Tisha be'Av, both Temples were destroyed: In 586 BCE the First and in 70 after the begin of the common era, the Second Temple.

Other tragic events happened to the Jews:

On 17 Tammuz 1944, the Nazis destroyed the ghetto in Kovno and sent all the Jews to the death camps.

Fast days have the task to bring the Jews to do Teshuva (return to G - d). We should then study Parashat Ki Tisa (the event with the Golden Calf). We don't just read or study Torah but what we have to do is to internalize the content and Mitzvot. The laws are G - d's will (Ratzon HaEliyon) and by keeping them, we should try reaching a special closeness (Devekut) to Him. The chassidic book "Bnei Yissachar" commentates after the arrival of Meshiach, 17 Tammuz as well as 9 Av are going to turn into joyous days where we will have feasts.

Halachot for 17 Tammuz:

a) No eating

b) No drinking

c) No joyous events

Halachot until Tisha be'Av:

a) No Jewish weddings are taking place.

b) No parties or listening to music.

Why are we introducing the mourning period already three weeks before Tisha be'Av ?

Because the Jews in the days of both Temple destructions, were fighting and many lost their lives. Our enemies didn't let any food into Jerusalem and thousands of people died of hunger.

Let us hope that Meshiach will be coming soon and build the Third Temple.

Zom Kal – Have an easy Fast !

Absorbing the Sanctity of Eretz Israel

Source: "Celebration of the Soul" by

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook

The more difficult it is to endure the air of the Diaspora, the more one feels the impure spirit of the impure land. This is a sign of the inner absorption of the sanctity of Eretz Israel, of the heavenly mercy that will not abandon one who is worthy of dwelling in the pure shadow of the land of life, even when he is far away and wandering in his exile. The foreignness felt in the Diaspora ties all of one's inner desire to Eretz Israel and its sanctity of the Land bores deeper and deeper.

When the depth of the holy yearning of love for Zion, the memory of the Land and all its preciousness, wells up in the soul of the individual, it flows like a spring for the entire collective, for all of the thousands of sould bond to Him. The sound of the Shofar heralds the ingathering of the dispersed and great mercy abounds. Israel's hope for life glitters, the blossom of G - d flourishes, and the light of salvation and redemption ramifies and spreads like the dawn spreading over the mountains.

Synagogue without Women

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This tiny Sephardi synagogue in the Nachlaot neighbourhood (Jerusalem) doesn't have an Ezrat Nashim (women's side). Usually the women sit on benches outside in front of the men's entrance.

Benches for the Women

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Nana - Breslovers dancing in Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Christian Missionary watching over a Bagrut Test ?

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Jerusalem's local paper "Yediot Yerushalaim" is reporting about a missionary incident at the "Orth School" in Givat Ram:

About two weeks ago, an about 40 - year - old woman showed up who was supposed to work as a guard during the high school test (Bagrut) of the Orth School in Givat Ram. The woman arrived with a bag full of books which she started handing out to the students during their test. Moreover, the woman went from table to table and started talking to the students about religion. The students complained, as this was in the middle of their written tests and as a result, the woman was thrown out of the building.

A few days later, she showed up again with the intention to start the same procedure. However, the guard of the school as well as other teachers didn't let her enter the school.

Orth School didn't complain to the police but to the Ministry of Education who had obviously sent the woman. Nevertheless, there was another incident at a different school with the same woman try to enter the building.

The article in "Yediot Yerushalaim" uses the word "Missionary" in the headline but doesn't say anything about any religion. However, as soon as the word "Missionary" appears, usually Christian missionaries are meant.

Again the Mount of Olives

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As I have already mentioned a few weeks ago: The Mount of Olives (Har HaZe'itim) in Jerusalem is neglected and full of garbage. Furthermore, Palestinians desecrate graves on the famous Jewish cemetery and nearby drug dealers are doing their business. Let alone the prostitutes waiting for customers.

Once the Mount of Olives was one of the most holy sites in Israel. e.g. the Red Cow (Parah Adumah) was burnt there. Plenty of important rabbis are buried on the cemetery, as well as former Prime Minister Menachem Begin.

Jerusalem's cops don't care too much and, for the time being, the Mount of Olives will continue with its downfall.

July Events

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What's up during the hot month of July ?

1. How about a visit at the house of Israel's famous author Shmuel Yosef Agnon in Jerusalem ?

2. Or watching a movie at the "Jerusalemer Film Festival" from 8 - 17 July ?

Be aware that most tickets are being ordered by credit card and in case you want to pay at the till, you may find the movie sold out !

http://jff.org.il

3. On 1 July (Thursday), the popular annual "Laila Lavan - White Night" is taking place in TEL AVIV. Free of charge events all over the city: Among others at the harbour and Rothschild Boulevard (Sderot Rothschild). 

Start: 9pm and I urge you to go to Rothschild first !

Chassidim on the Wall

Nachlaot / Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Shabbat Shalom

Entrance to Jerusalem

Photos: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Today, its been four years since Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by the Hamas. His parents, Aviva and Noam Shalit together with thousands of other people are going to start a march to Jerusalem on Sunday. The parents want their son back but, on the other hand, the Israeli government has to take care about all citizens and not "only" of Gilad Shalit. What if those high - ranking terrorists would be released and cause other families pain ? Who is going to take responsibility ?

Gilad Shalit has pushed the haredi Emmanuel issue out of today's headlines. What secular papers not report is that on Wednesday, Netanyahu made a statement saying that what is going against haredi society at the moment, is unacceptable. If any foreign country would act in such a way against religious Jews, Israel would cry out. However, in the Jewish State of Israel, no one is crying out but hatred between Haredim and Haredim and secular Jews is going on an on and leading to more separation.

Secular Ashkenazi Ramat Aviv (the Beverly Hills of Tel Aviv) Jews protest against Chabad in their neighbourhood. Where are we going to ? Becoming a society of assimilated Jews who anxiously strive for being just as anybody else in the world ?

I know Chabad in Ramat Aviv and don't see anything wrong with offering kids to put on Tefillin. Would the people in Ramat Aviv rather prefer Christian missionaries ?

I need to call up someone in Mea Shearim and apologize that I haven't been to a wedding of their granddaughter. Then I have to explain myself for the 1000th time why I am not like this and that. Then I have to explain why I am still in Tel Aviv and then I have to explain my whole personality. And then I will start thinking who I am. For the 1000th time.

"Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes" to all of you !

Parashat Balak - פרשת בלק

In Jerusalem, every few meters we find a different synagogue.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

Why didn't Bilam, the most famous Gentile prophet, understand the whole issue with his donkey. Why did the donkey see the angel and not its owner ?

Many times, G - d is hiding things from us. Only being so super intelligent doesn't mean we see and grasp everything. It is only G - d who decides what we have to understand and when.

Yoav Lalom Interview in "Maariv"

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Yoav Lalom, the Sephardi haredi who started taking the Ashkenazi Beit Yaakov girl's school of the Emmanuel settlement to court, is giving an interview in today's Israeli daily "Maariv". How his father, as a Baal Teshuva, went with him to an Ashkenazi school and wanted him to be signed in. The principle refused and thus Lalom's father began to cry.

So far, I have only read parts of the interview but what Lalom does is praising himself. That his wife is dressed modestly and blablabla. However, when you look at the Lalom photos, he is one of those very modern haredi dressed men. The fashion one's and I assume that his entire plot is taking place because he has political ambitions. Always attacking the Sephardi SHASS party and how they still depend on Ashkenazi society. No doubt, Lalom wants more but obviously doesn't realize that he has even caused more hatred between the two groups. Can anyone seriously imagine how it would be if the Ashkenazi and Sephardi girls from Beit Yaakov were sitting together in ONE classroom ? After all what is happening. When parents go to jail and a Chassidut Slonim letting the Supreme Court decide what to do. Soon the Supreme may run the entire haredi school system. Once letting secular judges decide about haredi matters, even the school separation of boys and girls may seen as rassism. Chassidut Slonim always stresses that there hasn't been any kind of rassism and that all demonstrations take place in order to protest a secular court trying to rule over Haredim.

I just wonder how the girls from Emmanuel must look at each other. I wouldn't put them together  into any kind of classroom, as they may kill each other. Lalom, on the other hand, moved to a hotel in the center of Israel because he has received death threats. If he thinks he can change society, he is missing the point. First of all, and here comes the "rassism", he is a son of a Baal Teshuva and this won't make him too accepted. Sometimes Baalei Teshuva really get on my nerves when they fanatically and constantly try to belong to a society where they are not really accepted. I was / am a Baalat Teshuva myself but try keeping a certain kind of mentality and especially dignity. I am not forcing myself into a society of born Chassidim and I do understand Chassidut Slonim when they only accept girls from their own group. Why should I or any outsider want to study with the Slonim ?

The Tel Aviv part of today's Maariv is gossiping that any Beit Yaakov school in the country is making these separations. This is right but one has to see the whole picture of different mentalities and that Baalei Teshuva from today are unable of entering a class with born Haredim. This would just be a joke ! How can a newly Baal Teshuva quote any Mishnayiot ? No matter if Ashkenazi or Sepharadi. On the other hand, look at all the posh Israeli secular schools in the country. Do they accept Ethiopians or Sephardi kids ? NO ! Many schools only accept pupils fitting them. Students are being chosen - this is nothing new at all.

To me, Yoav Lalom looks like an extreme arrogant guy who is still trying to hide his real purposes.

Protesting against Secular Hatred

This guy is protesting against Israelis hating Haredim outside the US embassy in Tel Aviv. Yoav

The Balak - Flotilla

Photo: Parasha Blog

B"H

The women - Hizbollah - Syria - Flotilla is on its way to Gaza. The Israeli army is aware of the arriving female terrorist brigade and will stop the ship in order to check it for weapons.

According to today's Israeli papers, the Lebanese Flotilla is sponsored by members of the Syrian Assad family. Apparently President Assad as well as Iran and the Hizbollah are looking for a confrontation with Israel. No wonder, as the first (Turkish) Flotilla was an overwhelming propaganda success. The world was so stupid to believe the Al Jazeera propaganda or in other words: The world went anti - Semitic but, at the same time, gave in to Islamic terror. Soon we may see the Lebanese Flotilla lady with an innocent smile but as soon as you turn around, you will find a knife in your back.

Isn't it strange that the whole incident is taking place when we are reading this week's Parashat BALAK ? Balak, the King of Moav, is afraid of the Israelites and sends out the magician and prophet Bilam to curse the Jews before G - d. The strange matter is that the Torah tells us about the entire issue including Bilam's donkey but Moshe and the Israelites were camping in the desert and didn't even know what was going on behind their backs. They never saw this Bilam guy walking around (and having sex) with his donkey.

By the way, the sex matter is described in the Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin !

Of course, G - d knew about the Balak and Bilam plot and acted in order to protect His chosen people (the Jews).

What do we learn from this ?

First of all, that G - d is always with the Jews; even when they are not aware of this fact. G - d's knows exactly what is going on in the anti - Semite and hating Israel people. He is aware of evil Erdogan, Nasrallah, Achmadinejad and others. Although G - d is on our side, we cannot sit around and wait for His help. Even prayer wouldn't do everything but we must also act but it is up to Him alone how He is really protecting us in all His hidden ways.

Picture of the Day

B"H

Is the secular neighbourhood of Jerusalem becoming more and more religious ?
Plenty of national religious as well as Carlebach freaks have been around for quite a while but for the past few years, also many Haredim have discovered the neighbourhood. Not too far away from other haredi hoods as Ge'ulah and Mea Shearim but a lower city tax and rents. The Haredim have their own little "Mea Shearim" in the middle of Nachlaot and, as we see on the above photo, "No more tresspassing in immodest clothes !"

Photo: Miriam Woelke

The Besht died 250 years ago

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The Baal Shem Tov (Besht) passed away 250 years ago.


Doctor Etti Liebes who is the director of the "Olam Gershom Sholem" at the Jewish National Library", presents a special "Besht Exhibition" starting next week.


Further details in Hebrew HERE !

The exhibition will be open from 28 June - 1 October 2010.
The entrance is free of charge !

Among many other things, you can see Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's chair (I am not sure if it is the original one or a copy) as well as a letter Rabbi Nachman wrote to his daughter about three months before he died (see below).

Once the exhibition has started, I will keep you up - to - date and, be'Ezrat HaShem, present more pictures !

Chassidut Munkatch in Nachlaot (Jerusalem)

Photos: Miriam Woelke

"Radio Kol Chai" and "Kol Ba'Ramah"

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At the moment, I am quite sick of the "Emmanuel Case" where Slonimer Chassidim fight for their daughters not to study with any Sephardi girls in class. Every day there is another news but basically there is no news. Or has there been another news in the meantime ?

Yesterday the Supreme Court decided that nine of twenty - two Slonimer mothers have to go to jail.

The two Israeli haredi radio stations, "Radio Kol Chai" and "Kol Ba'Ramah" report differently on the case. "Radio Kol Chai" is Ashkenazi and you can surely imagine what they say. "Kol Ba'Ramah, on the other hand, has a Sephardi touch and already claimed that the Ashkenazim need to calm down and not to behave too arrogant.

What I noticed at both channels is that the journalists have their own opinion and as soon as something is not according to their mindset, it is wrong. Even when Haredim speak up.

Just recently one of the channels interviewed a haredi Knesset member favouring the demand that Haredim should go to work. I forgot which haredi politician it was but he said: "Lets be honest: Not every Haredi has the talent to study. Only a small percentage turn out to be Talmidim Chachamim and the rest should go to work".

The radio reporter almost jumped upon the roof.

In the past few weeks, however, we only hear about the Emmanuel case and hardly anything else. Last night I didn't even bother to listen. Never mind secular radio channels and their mostly left - wing orientation. Nevertheless, look at the haredi radio stations and their strict mindset. I can only recommend listening here and there and somehow forming your own opinion.

"Writing Jerusalem"

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Those of you who are in Jerusalem on 5 July and don't know what to do at 8pm in the evening:

"Writing Jerusalem"

A dialogue between Ann - Kathrin Seidel, Gil Yaron, Matt Beynon Rees and Miriam Woelke.

At the Goethe - Institute in Jerusalem.

The event will be in ENGLISH !

All details HERE !

Picture of the Day

Entrance to Jerusalem

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Animals in Chassidut

B"H

There aren't too many frum Jews in Israel possessing pets. Some time ago I learnt that it is halachically forbidden to feed an animal on Shabbat, as this is Muktzeh. Or even the pet itself is Muktzeh. However, once you have a pet, you cannot just let it starve on Shabbat.

What I have noticed is that especially Israeli haredi (ultra - orthodox) kids are terribly afraid of animals. Many of them like to tease cats or even dogs but as soon as a dog fights back, they run. It looks, as if they don't know how to treat and deal with an animal because their society doesn't include pets or other animals. Those kids are even afraid of very friendly dogs who just pass by or maybe want to be touched.

Let us have a look what chassidic literature has to say about animals:

Belief in transmigration of souls (Reincarnations - "Gilgulim" in Hebrew) impelled the Chassidim to be extremely careful in dealing with animals. Rabbi Chaim Vital (the closest student of the Kabbalist, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria, 1534 - 1572), in his "Sefer HaGilgulim", asserts that the souls of a deceased enter into animals, plants, and stones, as well as other humans. He maintained that "most of the people of our generation were incarnated in beats and cattle" (Sefer HaGilgulim, chapter 66).

The Besht (Baal Shem Tov), according to legend, encountered a frog that contained the soul of a learned Jew, who was compelled to be incarnated in that form because he had been careless about the Mitzvah of washing hands before eating bread (see "Shivtei HaBesht, page 49). His disciple, Rabbi Yaakov Joseph of Polonnoye, was prevented for two weeks from praying properly, because he had declared a correctly slaughtered goose to be treifah (unfit for consumption) when that goose had the soul of a Jew (see "Meirat Einayim, page 279). We are also told of the incarnation of a person into a horse in order to repay an old debt to a creditor. The Besht told this story in his commentary on Parashat Mishpatim.

The Besht, according to chassidic legend, was familiar with the language of the birds and beasts. He taught his disciple, Rabbi Aryeh Leib, to understand this language. As human beings are divided into categories of Jews and Gentiles, so animals, too, are divided into kosher and treifah (none - kosher) categories. The former draw their vital power from the "shell of radiance" (nogah), but the latter are held fast by "the other side" (Sitra Achra) - so the Alter Lubavitcher Rebbe in his "Tanya", chapter 7.

This distinction between "kosher" and "treifah" is generalized into a perpetual contest between the forces of G - d and Satan (among others, the Yetzer HaRah). In the course of the partaking of food, especially the flesh of living things, the Zaddik (Righteous) selects the Holy Sparks (Netzizot), which are captured by the shells and thereby reinforce the powers of holiness.

Remark:

When G - d created the world, a certain amount of holy sparks fell down to earth and Jews have the task to elevate them into the upper worlds in order to cause a Tikun Olam (rectification of the world). The concept of the Netzizot - Holy Sparks was introduced by Rabbi Yitzchak Luria. It basically means that when G - d created the world, He created it imperfect and we have to turn the world into its perfection. How do we do this ? By doing Mitzvot, for instance.

Rabbi Elimelech of Lejansk, 1717 - 1786, wrote: Before washing hands in preparation for eating, one should pray, that no sin or strange thought prevent the unifications … that the taste one feels in the mouth when chewing the food is the holy essence and the holy sparks …

Rabbi Wolf of Zbarazh would not permit his driver to beat the horses. Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sassov, when he noticed that some cattle breeders had left their animals standing in the marketplace unattended, took a bucket of water and gave it to the calves to drink. "G - d commanded us, "he admonished the owners, to be merciful to His creatures".

"From the cat, we learn modesty," a chassidic Rabbi said. "From the ant, honesty; from the tiger, courage, from the lion, bravery; and from the eagle, diligence".

______________________

Source:

"The Encyclopedia of Hasidism" 

by Tzvi M. Rabinowicz

Latest Pashkevilim: Demonstrations in Yaffo and the Emmanuel Case

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For all those who love Pakshevilim (haredi news posters):

Here are the latest posters regarding the Edah demonstrations in Yaffo (moving Jewish bones) and about the Beit Yaakov in Emmanuel:

http://2424.co.il/read_gallery.php?n_id=3476&cat_id=23&tmp=168

Around the Western Wall (Kotel)

Square in front of the Kotel (Western Wall) in Jerusalem.

The women's side at the Western Wall. On the left side, you see the men praying and in the middle is the Mechitzah (gender separation).

In the back: This is not the Dome of the Rock but the Al Aksa Mosque.

Not such a great quality: View to Al Aksa Moschee (on the Temple Mount) from the Archeology Parknext to the Kotel.

View down to the "City of King David" in the middle of the Arab village Silwan (only a few meters away for the Western Wall).

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Exhibition: Jewish Design

Chanukkiah

Facebook: Exhibition at the Diaspora Museum in Tel Aviv

Further information as well as photos of the new exhibition at the Tel Aviver Diaspora Museum (Beit HaTfuzot):

http://www.bh.org.il/on-line-exhibition-intro.aspx?68558

Bakery Facebook Group

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The bakery where I work now has a Facebook page. In case you are interested, you are welcomed to join:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=102391126480492&ref=mf

Picture of the Day

Jerusalem: Agrippas Street next to the entrance to the Machane Yehudah Market

Photo: Miriam Woelke

21 June 2010

B"H

According to the worldly calendar, today is my 10th Aliyah anniversary. At this point, people usually tell you how great everything is in Israel and how great the Aliyah is. Or, people tell you the opposite. I think that one has to combine both opinions with each other. Israel is not an easy country to live in. Not only economically but just look at all the tensions giving you a hard time sometimes.

When I made Aliyah, the third Intifada was just about to start. I have seen a lot in Jerusalem: Terrorist attacks, me and my flatmates had two car bombs right in front of our house. Friends of mine got injured in suicide attacks. I saw a blown up bus (No. 14) rolling from Jaffa Road to the police garage for further investigation.

I think it was back in 2002 when there was an Arab terrorist running around shooting in Jaffa Road (near Zion Square). In the evening, when I came from work and was waiting at a bus stop near the Machane Yehudah Market, I asked a woman what had happened and she asked me where I originally come from (due to my German accent in Hebrew). However, this woman made the most amazing statement in my whole Aliyah "career":

"At least, here in Israel we know who our enemy is. Abroad we don't know it".

Telling you the truth about Aliyah:

You need lots of strength surviving in this country. Learning a new language, a new mentality, finding a job and a place to live. Setting up a new life. The only thing I can tell you is that it is worth living in a Jewish country and not constantly justifying oneself because one is Jewish.

Being in a Jewish environment and in a country where you can feel like home. The Diaspora may be comfortable but, as a Jew, you will always be an outsider no matter what you do.

Emmanuel Case handed over to a Beit Din

Israeli secular papers and their anti - haredi headlines last Thursday. 

 Photo: Miriam Woelke

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Last night, Sephardi Rabbi Yoav Lalom signed an agreement with the Chassidut Slonim saying that Lalom has to cancel his complaint to the secular Israeli Supreme Court and hand over the entire case concerning the Beit Yaakov Girl's School in Emmanuel to the Beit Din of Rabbi Avraham Levin (a close follower of the Litvishe Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv).

The haredi radio channel "Radio Kol Chai" was very happy to report about the agreement last night and immediately interviewed the head of the Sephardi SHASS party (and coalition partner of the present Netanyahu government). The Minister of the Interior Eli Yishai said that he had seen Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef crying yesterday. Crying because a secular court was handling a religious matter. Instead, Lalom should have gone to a Beit Din (Rabbinical Court)  from the beginning.

The Supreme Court still has to decide about the Slonimer Chassidim who are still imprisoned because they ignored the court's verdict. However, haredi society is quite happy that the Emmanuel case is in their hands now although the Levin Beit Din has already announced that the separation between Ashkenazi and Sephardi girls may be rassism. In the meantime, Chassidut Slonim is thinking about turning their own Beit Yaakov into an independent institution; independent  from any government funds just like Dushinsky, Toldot Aharon or further Edah HaCharedit groups, as then any governmental interference would stop.

Remark: The people very much involved in finding a compromise both sides can accept: The Knesset members Porush and Moses (Chassidut Vishnitz) from the Yahadut HaTorah Party.  

Photo and Article: Kikar Shabbat

Hate graffitis on a wall outside the Chabad Synagogue in Rishon LeZion. "Go back to Poland", "Ashkenazi Animals" - it says on the graffiti.

Actually Chabad is not from Poland but from Lithuania; furthermore, it is Chabad accepting anyone into their institutions. No matter if Sephardi or Ashkenazi. 

Secular newspaper reports as well as the Supreme Court's decision have caused a new wave of hatred between Sepharadim and Ashkenazim. Accorind to my personal experience more on the Sephardi side towards the Ashkenazim, as I have heard several negative remarks. One against myself and I definitely don't look as if I belong to the Slonim.

The Israeli press (including the haredi press) is asking where SHASS was in this case. Most SHASS Knesset members kept quiet and one answer may be (according to the secular media) that Eli Yishai as well as Knesset member Ariyeh Attias are sending their children to Ashkenazi schools and thus were afraid to speak up.

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I cannot believe the agreement (if there ever was any) failed. Now the entire case goes on and on. 

Last night, two haredi radio channels reported happily about the agreement between Lalom and a Beit Din. Secular Israeli papers explained the legal situation in their editions this morning and now nothing is valid anymore.

Details: 

Kikar Shabbat in Hebrew

and 

Yeshiva World in English

So, who is behind Lalom and why don't the Slonim just stop accepting education money from the government ? If they can afford doing so.

Thursday's Demonstration against Supreme Court Decision

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Photo's from last Thursday's haredi demonstration against the interference of the secular Israeli Supreme Court into the Emmanuel Beit Yaakov School case. 100,000 Haredim participated and showed unity.

 

The Boyaner Rebbe (right) praying at the demonstration.

See all pictures HERE !

Picture of the Day

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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Israel is a tiny country and sometimes people have to leave almost on top of each other. Tel Aviv (see above picture) is the best example.

Commentaries on the "Red Cow - Parah Adumah", Part 1

The Red Cow

Photo: Temple Institute Jerusalem

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Parashat Chukat - Bamidbar / Numeri 19:1 ff.:

G - tt commanded the Jews to take a perfect Red Hefer (Parah Adumah) outside the camp (in later times: outside the Temple) where the Cohen HaGadol (High Priest) had to slaughter and burn it. The ashes of the Red Cow were then used for spiritual purification.

How commentate our Sages on the Parah Adumah ?

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch:

The Red Cow had to be absolutely perfect. Even two black or two white hairs would render it unfit for the intended purpose.

Ritual washing of hands and feet although the Parah Adumah was slaughtered outside the camp / Temple.

The Parah Adumah was led to the Mount of Olives; just a few meters away from the Tempel; east of Jerusalem. The Red Cow was led alone and not accompanied by other cows (see Talmud Tractate Yoma 43a).

In general, the procedure took place by day and not necessarily during the night.

Everybody taking part in any of the acts is "impure - tameh" and requires afterwards ritual cleansing (e.g. Mikveh) as well as ritual cleansing of his clothes.

Talmud Tractate Yoma 42a:

Here we find a dispute whether the Red Cow may also be slaughtered and burnt by an ordinary Cohen (Priest) or if the whole procedure needs to be carried out by the Cohen HaGadol (High Priest) only. Rav says YES - only by a High Priest because the Parah Adumah was not a regular Korban (sacrifice).