Israeli soldiers are not welcomed in Mea Shearim

4 September 2011: Seen in Ge'ulah next to Mea Shearim / Jerusalem.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H 

Something further to be upset about: Israeli soldiers wearing uniforms are not welcomed in Mea Shearim's / Ge'ulah's Batei Knesset (Synagogues). The Pashkevil neither shows the name of the editor nor the names of the Rabbis saying so. The editor may be Yoelish Kroisz from the NK who knows. On the other hand, I haven't seen any soldier trying to enter any of the Synagogues in those neighbourhoods. With or without the Pashkevil. 

Link:

The Talmudic Reason for anti - Zionism

Anti - Zionists against BISSLI

Source: Ladaat.Net

B"H

The above Pashkevil (haredi news poster) is written in Yiddish and may have been published by Satmar. I am saying "may" but I am not giving my word for it !

The Israeli BISSLI is very popular among kids. Its being produced with different tastes and can be purchased for a relatively fair price. My favourite are the spicey ones.:-)

However, some anti - Zionists have discovered that the famous Israeli company OSEM has been providing its latest BISSLI bags with little stickers saying that from the sale of each bag, a certain amount of money is going to the Keren Kayemet (Planting Trees in Israel). And, as we all know, the Keren Kayemet is a Zionist organisation. As a result of this, the Pashkevil is warning the haredi population to refrain from buying those bags, as the purchase would support the Zionist state. On the other hand, BISSLI has a Hechsher of the Edah HaCharedit. But I am not claiming that the Edeh was informed about the sticker.:-)

Neturei Karta and The Reporter

NK from lucky wolf on Vimeo.

Zionish !

Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg said "ERETZ ISRAEL"

B"H

The Israeli haredi news site "Kikar Shabbat" is publishing a Video from Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg's speech last night. As I wrote yesterday, Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg, together with his grandchild Moishi Holtzberg, were invited to the offical Independence Day celebrations by the State of Israel. Before the official celebration Chabad tried to persuade Rabbi Rosenberg to cancel his participation but the Rabbi didn't.

Last night he spoke and not only Haredim noticed that the Rabbi said "ERETZ ISRAEL" and NOT "MEDINAT ISRAEL" ! 

Whereas the expression "MEDINAT ISRAEL" refers to the present State of Israel, "ERETZ ISRAEL" refers to the biblical Israel as well as a future Israel after the Ge'ula (Redemption) and the arrival of the true Jewish Meshiach.

Jewish Orthodoxy and the Holocaust, Part 2

 Photo: Miriam Woelke

B"H

After the Holocaust, most Jews were definitely glad to get their own state, the present State of Israel. Throughout my life, I have been glad that there exists a Jewish state where Jews are able to find shelter in case of severe anti - Semitism. If a State of Israel had already existed during the Third Reich, things may have looked very different and we wouldn't have lost six million Jews. 

Living in Galut (the Diaspora), I have always been very much in favour of Israel. The first time I came to Israel was in 1987, and I started my "career" as a Kibbutz volunteer. You think that, as a tourist in Israel, you are getting to know real Israeli life in a Kibbutz but this assumption is wrong. I found that out when I moved to Tel Aviv in 1995. In a Kibbutz you are a kind of protected and have your firm daily schedule but living in the city is far more challenging. Earning money, paying bills, a new social life ...

Still I was excited and very much in favour of our country. I still am but things have changed. 

I learnt a lot about Israeli history and society and I am not following blindly any ideas. This is happening when you learn Hebrew, speak the language and get to know "real" society. When you listen to the Hebrew media. When you read Hebrew books and do anything in Hebrew. Opinions and society issues, no English speaking media in Israel mentions because they simply don't know. You want to know Israel, then speak Hebrew. Otherwise you are stuck with your tourist ideas !

Of course, the Hebrew press is publishing hundreds of soldier stories these days. Tomorrow night (Sunday) starts the annual "Yom Hazikaron - Memorial Day for the Israeli Fallen Soldiers". There will be a siren at 8pm in the evening and a second siren sound on Monday morning 11am. "Yom Hazikaron" concerns all of us and some Israelis regard it as more important, as emotionally stronger, than the Holocaust Memorial Day last Monday. Why ? Because Israel is an army. Hardly anyone has not been a soldier but the soldiers themselves don't regard everything happening in the army as so "great", as outsiders may think. Many soldiers don't glorify their army lives and I am going to write about this subject very soon.

When you live in Israel and follow the Hebrew speaking news, you will become very aware of what is happening in this country. Who is with whom in the Knesset, which company owner is associated with which politician, the influence of important lawyers and judges, the role of the Supreme Court and why a certain judge becomes the head of the Supreme Court. What Rabbi is influencing political decisions, the role of Israeli artists and the mafia. The bad history of the national religious movement and why their Rabbis first announce certain statements and then escape. The history of David Ben Gurion, stolen Yemenite children and the war between the Haganah / Palmach and Lechi / Etzel. How people like Ben Gurion and Rabin turned in their own people to the British. 

Today most Israelis celebrate their "Yom Ha'azma'ut - Independence Day" (starting on Monday night - Tuesday) as many Americans celebrate 4th July: With a barbecue outside in the garden or in parks. Israel's Independence Day has become the national "Barbecue" or "Grill - (Hebrew) Mangal" Day. Of course, there are some shows. An airforce show at the Tel Aviv beach and the huge public event on Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv on Monday night. Broadcasted live all over the country. Let alone the annual "Bible Contest" also broadcasted live on TV. Nevertheless, Independence Day means nature trips and barbecue. Jerusalem's Sacher Park will be packed and so will be the beach in Tel Aviv as well as the Hayarkon Park. 

Personally I am glad that there is a State of Israel but, as we all know, I am aware of the fact that this is not it. Meshiach isn't here yet but, at least, the Jews have a place. On the other hand, I don't glorify everything I see. I don't glorify our army and I don't glorify our society. In a way, many Israelis celebrate their own Independence Day. The Great Synagogue in Jerusalem is usually hosting a national religious event. A Synagogue service with choir and saying HALLEL. Afterwards the national religious "elite" is having its holiday dinner. 

The Neturei Karta will have its usual flag burning in Mea Shearim. First they call the Zionist press and then they start lighting the matches. Many other Haredim, especially the Edah members, follow business as usual and send their children to school on Tuesday. Nevertheless, many shops in the Mea Shearim / Ge'ulah neighbourhood will still be closed on Tuesday. 

The present State of Israel - YES but each of us should be aware of the fact that this state if not our final goal. And those of you looking for nice and interesting Independence Day events have to come to Tel Aviv. Jerusalem doesn't know how to organize and celebrate but the history of Zionism and the foundation of the State of Israel in 1948 will be presented at the original historical places in Tel Aviv. At the house of David Ben Gurion in Sderot Ben Gurion or at the building where Ben Gurion announced the State of Israel at the Rothschild Boulevard.

Tomorrow night, Yom Hazikaron, a special memorial event is going to take place at Kikar Rabin in Tel Aviv. The big Independence Day show including fireworks will be taking place on Monday night after 8pm.

Links:

Jewish Orthodoxy and the Holocaust, Part 1

The Talmudic Reason for anti - Zionism

The anti - Zionism of Chassidut Chabad

The EDAH HACHAREDIT against Israel's 63 Independence Day

B"H

Next Monday night and Tuesday, the State of Israel will be celebrating its 63 Independence Day. Of course, not every haredi citizen may agree to the present state. The anti - Zionist umbrella organization located in Mea Shearim, the EDAH HACHAREDIT, has been publishing a Pashkevil against the Zionist celebrations.

Source: Ladaat

The Son of the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe and the Zionist Flag

The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak Rebbe's son sitting in the office of Deputy Education Minister Eliezer Moses (Knesset Member of YAHADUT HATORAH and Chassid Vishnitz). See the flag of the State of Israel in the back. 

For a few days now, some haredi forums go wild, as Toldot Avraham Yitzchak made an agreement with the Israeli government regarding a Cohanim access at the Kever of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in Meron. Especially due to the upcoming Lag ba'Omer.

Ruth Blau - רות בלויא, Part 4

B"H

Ruth Blau (Bloi) was the second wife of the formerly well - known head of Jerusalem's Neturei Karta, Rabbi Amram Blau. Most facts about the two are already known but now I got hold of Ruth's autobiography published in 1979 (in Hebrew). The French original version of the book is called "Les Guardiens de la Cite" and the Hebrew translation is named "Shomrei Ha'Ir - שומרי העיר".

This is the second part of me putting together the content of Ruth's book. 

The first part you can read HERE , the second part is HERE and the third part you can find HERE !

There are people in Mea Shearim who have never liked Ruth Blau:

“She should have been satisfied with the great Zaddik, Rabbi Amram Blau, marrying her and not ambitiously searched for her own fame. The only thing she was after was becoming famous”.

I was even told that Ruth Blau didn’t have a sign with her name on her door. Instead she had a kind of sticker saying “The woman who is not a Zionist”. 

Still in France, once Ruth Blau was invited by a very religious family for Shabbat. Ruth herself writes about this family that they were extremely important within their community and very frum. It was August and Ruth realized that her she needed to wear long sleeves when she went to this family. At least a blouse with sleeves covering her elbows. In the end, she put on a woollen sweater. Ruth loved this particular Shabbat with its unique atmosphere and Torah teachings from her hosts. She admits that it was worth covering her elbows. 

Ruth studied at a religious institution. My personal opinion is that she very much enjoyed getting to know important Jews (celebrities within their communities) as well as discussing Torah issues with Talmidim Chachamim. Apparently she was looking for a certain kind of people to associate with and those people were not necessarily “ordinary” people (simple Jews). 

At the beginning, Ruth was extremely Zionist and said out loud that the State of Israel was the will of G – d. Once she found herself confronted with the opposite opinion; actually by a non – Jew: Where exactly she saw G – d’s “Hand” in the foundation of the State of Israel ? Israel would go to war against its enemies just like all the other nations. The government is secular just like a Gentile government. 

At first, Ruth thought that this person was an anti – Semite but then she had to agree to the points he had made. Four years later she discovered the answer she was looking for in the Talmud (Ketubot ?). Why something being built / founded without G – d is eventually destined to fail. The Jews are not supposed to end their own Galut (Diaspora) but only G – d can do so. Here Ruth Blau brings a commentary from the “Etz Yosef” on Midrash Rabbah: G – d had promised the Jews to take them out of the Galut when their blood is being spilled like water (by their enemies) and when the Jews have suffered the worst tortures. In this respect, she also lists commentaries from the Maharal in “Netzach Israel” and the Rambam in “Iggeret Te’iman – The Epistle to Yemen”. 

Considering all this, Ruth Blau started feeling sorry for the Palestinians (than called ARABS) because they had lost their land only because the Jews have broken their union with G – d. The Jews were supposed to wait until G – D is taking them out of the Diaspora and not cause everything themselves. However, the Jews (the Zionists) couldn’t wait and started to hasten their return to Israel. Not according to G – d’s will but according to their Zionist ideas. Thus, the Zionists totally ignored the present living conditions in Israel (then PALESTINE) and therefore caused a disaster. Ruth Blau came to the conclusion that G – d won’t help the Jews fighting the Arabs because the entire State of Israel is against His will. 

Again, Ruth Blau was touring Israel and an Arab guide took her to Hebron. She, as a non – Muslim prayed at Kever Avraham. In those days it was almost impossible that anyone but an Arab was able to pray at the Maharat Hamachpela (where the forefathers, foremothers and Adam and Eve are buried). On their way back to Jerusalem, the Arab took Ruth to pray at Kever Rachel (outside Beit Lechem, Bethlehem). I am only mentioning this incident because today, the Arabs claim that Kever Rachel is Arab and not Jewish at all. However, in the 50ies or 60ies, the Arabs themselves still considered the place of Kever Rachel to be Jewish !

Furthermore, Ruth Blau describes how she met with a United Nations employee who took her to a Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan. In those days, many years before the Six – Day – War, the camp must have been near the Mount of Olives (then Jordan territory), as Ruth mentions the area where she met the employee. She writes that she felt ashamed when she saw the refugee camp: “It broke my heart. I was so ashamed, everything was grey … the earth, the tents …the people”.

She continues saying that she couldn’t fall asleep that night because she always saw the refugee camp in front of her eyes. For four days she walked around the Palestinian camp and felt sorry for them and the Jewish people. Ruth Blau considered it as a tragic history that Zionist Jews insisted on building a State of Israel and thus hasten the Ge’ulah (Redemption). According to the Passuk in Talmud Ketubot (110 – 111), they have no right to do so but only G – d will let them know when the Ge’ulah has come. Until then, other peoples have the right to live in Israel and call it their homeland. Thus, Ruth Blau came to the conclusion that the Zionists had thrown out the Palestinians but, on the other hand, she obviously overlooked the fact that the same Talmud Tractate also teaches the exact opposite. Namely, that when a Jew lives in Israel, he shouldn’t leave it until he has serious reasons. Those reasons are given in Talmud Ketubot: Such as the Jews needs Parnassah (an income) and is unable to earn it in Israel. Then a Jew living in Israel may have the permission moving abroad. But only for a limited period of time !

Furthermore, the Ramban (Nachmanides) commentates that it is a Mitzvah to live in Israel because only there, the Jews are able to fulfill more Mitzvot. And if I may make a personal comment: In my opinion, Ruth Blau followed what some Rabbis told her but never looked up any deeper or further sources. She seemed to have been a, what we today call “SHEEP”. You tell someone something and the person blindly follows it. I am, on the other hand, the exact opposite. When I learn something at a Shiur, I love to look up the given sources myself and even study more on the subject. This may be the reason why I could never become a member of a Chassidic group because I do express an opinion. There are moments while reading Ruth’s book when I just want to scream out: “Get educated, woman !”

Let's get it straight !

B"H

This blog is a Jewish religious Orthodox blog run by someone (myself) Orthodox although I may have my personal struggles. Just as every other Jew too.

I used to study in a Litvishe seminary, went something off the derech but, for more than ten years, I am on my way back to somewhere. However, there are Jewish principles I have no doubt about. I live in a Jewish state called Israel; some of you may disagree that our country is a Jewish state.

I am not anti - Zionist but I do believe that the present State of Israel is not the Jewish main goal. Our main goal should be Meshiach and all the concepts stated in Talmud Sanhedrin or, among many others, by the Rambam (Maimonides, 1135 - 1204). Thus the democracy and the Knesset are temporarily because the Land was given to the Jews by G - d in order to live according to the Torah. Jews have a certain purpose in this world which we should fulfill. There is no escape anyway even if you are the most secular of leftist Jew. The Jewish soul is being judged differently by G - d than the one of a Gentile. Does this sound like rassism ? If the answer is yes, complain to G - d, to Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (Chabad founder) and to hundreds of other Gedolim.

I think that it is important for a Jew to live in Israel although the country is not run according to Torah law.

Ups, Torah law ? This probably sounds to some people like IRAN and the MULLAHS ! Not at all and whoever knows Jewish history may look at the two Temple periods. Or did Moshe complain about living in "Iran" and loosing his personal freedom ?

Throughout history, the Jews have been always struggling for survival. Pogroms by the church, invaders, living in the Diaspora, anti - Semitism, you name it. Despite all attacks, we always remained ONE people. Thousands of Jews ran away from Judaism and are still doing so until today (e.g. Intermarriage). G - d said in the Torah that the Jewish nation will never completely vanish from this planet. We will always exist and somehow bring about Meshiach. We received the Land of Israel as one nation and should do anything to keep it Jewish.

I have nothing at all against Arabs living in Israel and I don't agree with Rabbi Me'ir Kahane to deport them all to Jordan or elsewhere. Who I do agree with is the present Knesset member Aryeh Eldad (Ichud HaLe'umi) who says that Palestinians may live in Israel but they need to recognize the Jewish state and be loyal to it.

Everyone is pointing at the Palestinians and all kinds of terror acts but let me briefly mention a second danger to the Jewish state:

Invading Christian missionaries and their millions of dollars. The Evangelists, for instance. Those people running pro - Israel websites but only for the Christian reason of bringing all the Jews to Israel and thus cause a schizophrenic second coming of a Jew who died on a cross. Especially when fanatic Christians come to Jerusalem and smile at Orthodox Jews with a Happy Clappy Face. And in those situations I do even prefer the Arabs.

Zionism and Judaism

B"H

A thought from the book "The Transformation" - The Case of the NETUREI KARTA - by I. Domb:

… Are we (Jews) a people whose life is a regulated by a supernatural divine order, whose earthly and bodily existence are not dependent on normal political, economic and material success or failures ? A people whose raison d'être is wholly bound up with undefinable ways, with the Torah and its commandments which cannot be fully comprehended by earthly, human reasons ? Or are we a people which exists, rises and falls, in consequence of the very same factors, which cause all other nations to rise and fall, a nation like any other nation ?

Zionism is based on the very assumption, that we are indeed a nation like any other, but plagued with the curse of statelessness, for which political Zionism has found a "solution". This "solution" consists of the application of the same methods, as other peoples would adopt in similar circumstances, namely, the organization of all material sources of wealth and strength, the dissemination of propaganda, the siege of public opinion and the use of all worldly means with which to further its aim, to gain a place among the nations of the world.

According to them, nothing more is required by this Jewish Nation than by any other, and the greatest mistake committed in the past, lies in the fact that Jews have not striven for statehood, and have consequently not reached the goal attained by other nations. In brief, Zionism as a movement is the incarnation of the idea, that there is essentially no difference between the nature and aims, of the Jewish People and those of other people…

____________________

I. Domb wrote this in 1958, but when you look at the present situation in Israel, the words are very true. Also religious Zionists have to admit the truth in that statement regarding our government's understanding of Zionism.

The other way to fight Zionism

Photos from the Moshe Hirsch Shiva

B"H

Moshe Hirsch, a former head of the two Neturei Karta branches in Mea Shearim, passed away on Lag Ba'Omer. Here are some photos from his Shiva in Mea Shearim and you can see that Yoelish Kroisz (from the other Neturei Karta branch, sitting to the far right) has also arrived at the Shiva.

All photos from the Shiva may be viewed HERE !

I have to add that I do not support the extreme ideology of Moshe Hirsch at all ! One may be as anti - Zionist as it pleases him but working together with the Palestinian enemy against the Jews is disgusting !

Leading Rabbis on Israel's Independence

B"H

The words of our sages:

Rabbi Avigdor Miller

"The State of Israel solves nothing. All 'problems' remain the same, and new ones are created: 1) The Arabian lands have been rendered uninhabitable for Jews; 2) constant wars with neighbors must be waged, incurring huge military expenditures and loss of many lives, in addition to constant peril; 3) it has exacerbated Jew-hatred in the nations, due to Arab influence and also to embroilment with the foreign policy of the nations; 4) and the proponents of the State of Israel attempt to kindle a fire under the Jews in all lands in order to make their position untenable so that they emigrate to augment the population of the new State." (Sing You Righteous, p. 25)

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn of Lubavitch

"I am against the proposed Jewish state. It would be a calamity for the Jews, and in a short time they will realize what a calamity it is."

Rabbi Yitzchok Zev Soloveitchik

"The Rambam says that Meshiach will bring the Jewish people out from under the rule of the nations. Whoever believes there can be a redemption from the rule of the nations without Meshiach, is lacking complete emunah in Meshiach." (Yalkut Divrei Torah)


"Reb Meir Soloveitchik related that the Brisker Rav once asked: Why is the wording of the last oath different from the first two? In the first two (Shir Hashirim 2:7 and 3:5) it says "If you arouse and if you awaken," and in the last one (8:4) it says "Why do you arouse and why do you awaken?" The answer is, he said, that the first two oaths are said to the Jewish people before they make any attempt to throw off the yoke of exile. "Do not do it..." for if you do it will be bitter. But Shlomo Hamelech foresaw in his ruach hakodesh that there would come a time when the Jews would indeed try to force the end. After they have already tried, and seen the bitter consequences ("I will permit your flesh") Hashem calls to them: Why do you continue in your folly of fighting with the nations? Don't you see what the results are? Why are you asking for more?" (Uvdos Vehanhagos Leveis Brisk, v. 4 p. 187)

Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik

"The Jewish people have suffered many plagues - the Sadducees, Karaites, Hellenisers, Shabbesai Zvi, Haskalah, Reform and many others. But the strongest of them all is Zionism." (Mishkenos Haro'im p. 269)

Rabbi Aharon Kotler

"Rabbi Wasserman, Rabbi Kotler, Rabbi Rottenberg from Antwerp, and the rabbis from Czechoslovakia and Hungary were unanimous in rejecting any proposal for a Jewish state on either side of the Jordan River, even if it were established as a religious state, because such a regime would be a form of heresy in our faith in the coming of Moshiach." (Hapardes, August 1937)

The Chazon Ish

On the fifth of Iyar in the last year of the Chazon Ish's life, he was honored to be sandek at three different brisin. Still, he requested that Tachanun be said, lest someone come later on and testify, "The Chazon Ish did not say Tachanun on the fifth of Iyar," without revealing the circumstances. He once said, "It would have been proper to declare the fifth of Iyar a public fast day." (Mishkenos Haro'im, p. 1196)

The Satmar Rebbe, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum

"If we were to put all the sins of this generation and all the transgressions committed in the entire world on one side of a scale, and the Zionist state on the other side, it would outweigh everything, for it is the poisonous source of the worst defilement, the worst cause of damage in the entire world, and they are ones who defiIe the entire world." (Vayoel Moshe, Introduction, p. 11)

The Chazon Ish

"Why do we mention the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt every day, but not the miracle of Purim? It was a very great miracle, in which the entire Jewish people was saved from death! The answer is that regarding the future redemption, Scripture states, "I have adjured you not to arouse or awaken the love before it is desired" (Shir Hashirim 2:7). We are forbidden under oath to force the hour, to make any effort toward the redemption and the coming of mashiach. This is why our Sages say that mashiach will come only when we take our minds off him (Sanhedrin 97a). This is the meaning of the verse, "I will show wonders like in the days when you went out of Egypt" (Michah 7:15): the future redemption will be similar to the Exodus, which happened when we took our minds off it· Israel did not force the hour, nor did they make any efforts toward the Exodus. They continued their labor and affliction until G-d sent Moshe, His chosen, to take them out. This is why we remember the Exodus every day, to teach that the future redemption
will be similar to the Exodus. Israel will not force the hour or take any physical action toward the redemption, but rather everything will be done on its own, an act of Heaven. In the miracle of Purim, on the other hand, Mordechai forced the hour by sending Esther to the king in violation of the law, thus endangering her life, although there were still many months left before the fulfillment of Haman's decree. Perhaps Jews would learn from this story that now as well, we must force the hour and take action to bring mashiach by force. Therefore, we do not mention the miracle of Purim daily."

Rav Chaim Elazar of Munkacz

"After the sin of the spies, Moshe told the Jewish people, 'Do not go up and do not fight.' But they went up anyhow, 'and the ark of the bris of Hashem and Moshe did not move from the camp.' This is a prophecy about our time: the Zionists go up to Eretz Yisroel with a strong hand to found colonies and fight with the gentiles. This is against the command of Hashem Yisborach, who warned against this way, and said it would be bitter in the end. But the ark and Moshe - the Torah, the Torah leaders, and the loyal Jews - did not move from the camp to join the Zionists. 'And they beat them and destroyed them until Chormah' - refers to the destruction and the killings we have seen in Jerusalem near the Kosel Hamaaravi (in 1929)." (Chaim Veshalom)

The Neturei Karta was Mourning

B"H

As every year, the Neturei Karta / Jerusalem was making its point very clear:

Mourning and fasting on the Israeli Independence Day.

Actually I do like their sackclothes ! Has anyone an idea where I could buy a pair ?

All pictures HERE !

Yom Ha'azamot

B"H

Some Israelis celebrate other (Israeli) Jews mourn. Tomorrow night (Monday) and Tuesday, Israel is celebrating its 62nd Independence Day. The Neturei Karta in Mea Shearim is going to have some flag burning events and awaits plenty of journalists for taking pictures. At least the Neturei Karta knows how to stay in the headlines.:-)))

Most shops in Mea Shearim will actually be closed but some remain open. Usually the children go to school whereas their (Zionist) Israeli counterpart have a day off from school. Not everyone in Mea Shearim agrees with the Neturei Karta and they are considered as far too nuts extreme.

However, some inhabitants sit Shiva, fast and cry or do everything together at once.

Source: Neturei Karta

But not only the Neturei Karta or the Edah mourn, also Chabad considers the "Yom Ha'azma'ut" - Israeli Independence Day as "Yom Ha'azamot - Day of the Bones". The present State of Israel is a secular state and thus not their country and a desecration to G - d.

Nevertheless, when we believe that everything in this world is a will of G - d, so why not the present state as a forerunner to redemption (Ge'ulah) ? I don't think that we should only celebrate with wild parties but also with Torah study and thanking G - d !

Mordechai was a Jew and not a Zionist !

Photo: Chadrei HaCharedim

B"H

Just recently, I got hold of a rather weird Parashat HaShavua (Parashat Parah) published by the Mea Shearim "Neturei Karta". On the back of the page there was a little box with the title "Wake Up". Unfortunately, I haven't found out which of the two Mea Shearim Neturei Karta groups is responsible for this Parasha Daf: Rabbi Yoelish Kroisz or Rabbi Israel Hirsch.

However, among others, it said in the "Awakening Box" that "Mordechai was a Jew (see Megillath Esther) and not a Ziyoini - מרדכי היה יהודי ולא ציוני".

While reading this, I was just wondering what Mordechai would have said to this statement.:-)

Mea Shearim, Neturei Karta and a "spiritual" chassidic Tish

B"H

"So, what did you actually get from the Tish last night ?" I was asked this question from someone in Mea Shearim and it made me think. The night before I had been invited into the neighbourhood; by two different families but only made it to one. Both would have been anti - Zionist and what I learned from the family I spend the first Shabbat meal with was that I shouldn't say "Hebrew" but "Lashon HaKoidesh - the Holy Tongue".

I also learned that many Mea Shearim inhabitants don't like the Neturei Karta at all. Neither group - Rabbo Yoelish Kroisz as well as Rabbi Israel Hirsh. The anti - Zionist difference between the Neturei Karta and the rest of the anti - Zionist groups / directions in Mea Shearim is that the NK prefers the Arabs ruling over Israel whereas the rest wants any non - Jews but NOT Arabs.

On the other hand, I was told that the NK actually does quite a lot of Chesed and does provide lots of help for the needy.

After the meal on Erev Shabbat I went to the Tish of the Toldot Aharon Rebbe and stayed there until it ended (approx. 1am in the morning).

What I gained from the Tish ?

First of all, I enjoyed the space at the new TA Synagogue. The kids mainly stay on the second floor of the Ezrat Nashim (women's side) and most women place themselves on the first floor. But not only.

Although the new building provides more space, it was still crowded last Friday night. I ended up standing next to the Toldot Aharon Rebbitzen who was busy talking to a haredi female visitor. Next to us stood a TA woman I know and we had a short conversation about different chassidic groups and their Tishes.

For more than two hours I stood next to the glass Mechitzah and enjoyed myself. The Toldot Aharon Rebbe David Kahn had already made Kiddush and was just about to start his main cause. I would not say that he was in such a great mood and the Tish went rather quiet and relaxed. Rebbe David is definitely not as "lively" as his brother who is the Rebbe of the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak.

My mind didn't go to any spiritual heights but I rather looked around and thought about how a newcomer into the group would feel. The issue of acceptance arose. Not that I am seriously planning to join any group and my thoughts were just wandering around. How could a newcomer possibly fit into the closed structure of the group ? How would his life be when he decides to give up his former life ? How can someone suddenly decide to put his fate into the hands of a Rebbe and a group ?

Instead of dreaming and being overwhelmed by the chassidic feeling I a kind of compared reality (the daily life) and the imagination of the people from the outside visiting the Tish. 

Maybe this way I also gained a lot.

The Banquet of Achashverosh

B"H

Doesn't it remind you of PURIM ?

The new Haman(s) today planning to destroy Israel and the Jews:

Achmadinejad, Assad and the Lebanese terrorist Sheikh Nasrallah.

The whole meal of the three terrorists reminds of the Se'udat Achshverosh and evil Haman. Haman and his sons were preparing the destruction of the Jews but, in the end, it was them being destroyed.

Heil Hizbollah !

Photos + Article: Islamization Watch

Wake up, Jewish World !

Photo + Article: Atlas Shrugs