LEV LE'ACHIM against Hare Krishna

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For far more than ten years, the Hare Krisha sect has been around in Tel Aviv. Their main center is located in Ben Yehudah Street and almost every Shabbat, the Krishnas dance around the beach area (Herbert Samuel Street) in Tel Aviv. People walking around the beach promenade find it rather amusing. Those Krishna people dancing around in funny Indian dresses, however, youngsters may be attrackted by the rather peculiar (cool) look. What I noticed is the high amount of Russian speakers joining the sect.

Last night the anti - missionary organization "Lev Le'Achim" was speaking out a warning on the haredi radio channel "Kol Ba'Ramah", as more and more Israeli parents seeing their children involved in the Hare Krishna sect. What the sect is trying to do is brainwashing the newcomers and turning them into idol - worshippers. The sect doesn't want the newcomers having any further contact with the parents.

I think that those Hare Krishnas dancing at the beach just look like a bunch of insane people in dirty clothes. Screaming their "Hare, Hare" phrases a thousand times like madman.

Nature in Tel Aviv

Photo: Miriam Woelke

The First Temple and the Lost Ark

Imitation of the Ark

Photo: Yesha Net

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With 17 Tammuz (about three weeks ago), we have entered the three – weeks mourning period before 9 Av (Tisha be'Av). On Tisha be'Av (this Monday night and Tuesday) we commemorate the destructions of the First and the Second Jerusalem Temple. Today we are praying for the arrival of Meshiach, the building of the Third Temple and the reinstitution of the Cohanim and Levi'im service in the Temple.

The Babylonian empire was founded in 441 BCE (according to the Jewish calendar in 3319). Nebuchadnezzar took the throne after he threw out the Assyrians. Only one year later, Nebuchadnezzar's army reached Judea and arrested King Yehoyakim. Seven years later, in 433 BCE (according to the Jewish calendar in 3327), the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple in Jerusalem and was dragging thousands of Jews as well as King Zidkiyahu into the Babylonian Exile.

For the following 52 years, the Land of Israel was almost abandoned. Not entirely because there were Jews living in Israel at all times but most of the population was gone. Jeremia's (Yirmeyahu's) Prophecy: "And G – d spoke: After seventy years in Babylon, I will remember you and return you to this place". This happened with Ezra the Prophet: The Persian King Darius (a son of the Jewish queen Esther) allowed the Jews the return to Eretz Israel.

Talmud Yoma 54 discusses different possibilities where the Ark (Aron HaKodesh) could have vanished. Since then, researchers, historians and adventurer have been busy finding the Ark. Just take a look at Indiana Jones.:-)

So far, nobody has ever found the lost Ark of the Jews. Some claims state that the Ark was taken to Babylon, others claim that the Ark is in Ethiopia but the most likely solution is that the Ark has never left the Temple Mount. The Talmud teaches that before the Babylonians got hold of the First Temple, the Ark was hidden in secret tunnels underneath the Temple Mount. In fact there is a secret tunnel system under the Temple Mount leading into different parts of Jerusalem.

The Gemara (rabbinic discussions) in Yoma even tells us the exact location where the Ark may be hidden. To undermine the claim the Gemara tells us about a certain event happening during the times of the Second Temple:

Once a Cohen (Temple Priest) was busying himself inside the Temple and noticed an uneven pattern in the floor. Just as if someone had removed parts of the floor and later returned. The Cohen ran to his friends and wanted to tell them what he had seen but at this moment he died. The Talmud Yerushalmi Shekalim 6:1 – 2 teaches about this rather strange incident. The Tiferet Israel commentates that G – d didn't want the Cohen to reveal the location of the hidden Ark and this is why the Cohen had to die.

There are many many legends and stories about the Ark but it will only be rediscovered when the time of Meshiach has come. The Ark together with the Ten Commandments, the ashes of the Red Cow (Parah Adumah) or Aharon's stick.

The question "Why the Palestinians haven't found the Ark" arises. Aren't they digging like mad on the Temple Mount just in order to get rid of any Jewish signs ? Answer: Sometimes you are standing right in front of an object but when G – d doesn't want you to see it, you won't even notice it.

Reish Lakish says in the Gemara in Yoma 54a:

When the Gentiles (here: Babylonians) entered the Sanctuary, they saw the Cherubim joined together".

The Talmud Tractate Bava Batra 99a teaches that the Cherubim (the two angels on the Ark) were facing each other when Israel (the Jews) acted according to G – d's will. As soon as the Jews did the opposite and sinned, the two Cherubim were looking into opposite directions. Why then were the two Cherubim embracing each other when the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple ? Answer: Because G – d wanted the nations to see how much He loves Israel (the Jews).

Jew for J. sneaking around in Mea Shearim Synagogues

Jew for J. (blue shirt) leaving a Tel Aviv bus.

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His name is GIDON and he is Israeli. Almost ten times I saw him inside the Jews for J. missionary center "Dugit" in Tel Aviv. If he is not cruising around Tel Aviv, he is in Jerusalem and sleeping in Mea Shearim, Ge'ulah, Makor Baruch synagogues.

This is a very bad picture but I couldn't catch him from a better point of view. Gidon got on Bus No. 4 right in front of the "Dugit Center" and got off down Allenby. Later on I saw him walking around at the "HaTikvah" neighbourhood but was unable to take a picture.

Tisha be'Av

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This Monday night (until Tuesday night), the fast day Tisha be'Av begins. It is said that both Tempels were destroyed on that day. Once by the Babylonians and many years later, by the Romans. On Tisha be'Av we are moruning about the loss of the Temple but also hope that Meshiach is coming soon and building the Third Tempel.

Every Erev Tisha be'Av, the "Women in Green" are organizing a march around the Old City walls.

See further information on their website or here:

The march is always quite political but maybe we need to be reminded of the threats against our country !

Event with Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef

An event in Jerusalem with the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, if anyone is interested !

Photo: Miriam Woelke

War Zone Finn Street / Tel Aviv

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Where Tel Aviv ends and Africa begins

Sometimes, while looking at the pictures, you may get the impression that this is Africa. Surprise, surprise, this is TEL AVIV !
Last Thursday afternoon I went to southern Tel Aviv, the crime war zone, in order to make pictures and show the public what is going on in a JEWISH State. What you usually see in the Israeli left - wing press are pityful photos from the children of foreign workers. That they shouldn't get deported. However, if you take a trip into the hood around Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station, you are realizing the real danger: Thousands of illegal Africans took over Finn Street until Levinsky. The crime rate has risen and recently, a 69 - year - old Israeli woman was killed by a Sudanese foreign worker. The woman was on her way to a grocery store when an African tried to mug her.

Every day, thousands of Africans are infiltrating into Israel via Egypt. The Israeli government doesn't realize the danger and left - wing organizations demonstrate in favour of the foreign workers. However, they don't have to live with them and face their daily threats towards the Israeli population near the Central Bus Station.

Finn Street / Corner Shomron

I was shocked finding most shops in Finn Street run by Africans. Even the lottery store !

Shomron Street / Direction Central Bus Station

Taking this photo wasn't easy. The Africans in front of me were surprised but suddenly another group came from behind and they weren't too excited about me and the camera.

Living in Finn Street. Most houses are also used by prostitutes.

Welcome to Tel Aviv !

Seen in Bnei Brak Street / near Finn Street.

African Club in Bnei Brak Street.

Finn Street

The nearby Levinsky Park. Mostly used by Africans.

Picture taken from the bus: Shomron Street. The blue doors in the background are used as brothels at night.

Near the Central Bus Station / Tel Aviv

A few steps over the bridge and you get to the "HaTikwah" neighbourhood.

I have plenty more pictures and will publish them ! Including those from the "HaTikwah" neighbourhood.

Photos: Miriam Woelke

Cheap Food in Tel Aviv

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Every Thursday (afternoon & evening) cheap food is being sold at Dizengoff Center. Spaghetti, moussaka, meat, vegetables, sushi, etc. for about 20 - 25 Shekels. Some of the food stands have a kosher certificate (hechsher) from the Tel Aviv Rabbanut (Chief Rabbinate) / Rabbi Israel Lau.

Shabbat Shalom

Photo: Miriam Woelke

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Leaving Tel Aviv with almost 200 pictures today. Yesterday I took plenty of photos of the city's southern part "Shechunat HaTikvah" including it's local market. To my surprise, wide parts of "Shechunat HaTikvah" are religious or, at least, Sephardi traditional. I even saw Chassidut Stefanesht and, of course, a Chabad House.

Next week, I am going to publish lots of photos on my blogs. Showing you how foreign workers ruin Tel Aviv and how our country is mostly trying to ignore this problem. When our government doesn't act drastically, Tel Aviv will be flooded with African illegals. And not only the dirty part around the Central Bus Station but other neighbourhoods as well.

On the other hand, there are many great people in a Tel Aviv with a totally secular reputation. You can find plenty of Orthodox Synagogues in downtown Tel Aviv. In Ben Yehudah Street, Frishman, Bugrashov and the new Chabad House in Trumpeldor. Please note that the Chabadnikim in Trumpeldor are French Meshichistim and believe in the Rebbe as Meshiach.

More chassidic Rebbes are on their summer vacation as well as their annual donation (Shnorr) trips. However, this is not the reason why I think that some society problems should also be mentioned in this blog. In order to understand how religion and the whole haredi issue work in Israel, you have to know society. And especially Israeli society works a lot different then Jews living in the Diaspora are used to.

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

Picture of the Day

Seen in Jerusalem.

Photo: Miriam Woelke

Ani Ma'amin … - I believe …

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"Ani ma'amin (a) be'Emunah Shlemah …

These are the first words of the Rambam's (Maimonides', 1135 - 1204) "13 Principles of Faith". The Rambam states that the key to successful Torah study is the conviction that it was divinely given at Sinai. Men must accept the Creator and the Torah content and laws.

- I believe with complete faith that the entire Torah now in our hands is the same one that was given to Moshe, our teacher, peace be upon him.

- I believe with complete faith that this Torah will not be exchanged, nor will there be another Torah from the Creator, Blessed be His name.

Israel is (still) a JEWISH country !

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Honestly, I was shocked reading in the papers that Chelsea Clinton is getting married to a Jew. Or in other words: A Jew is willing to marry the Gentile Chelsea Clinton !

What a disgrace ! 

How far have Jews sunk that they are willing to give up their entire identity and their own future generations ? The guy's heritage and Jewish existence is going to vanish with non - Jewish kids. 

It was quiet on the blog yesterday because I went out to take lots of pictures of Tel Aviv's upcoming katastrophy. Thousands of foreign workers live in the city and more and more illegal Africans are streaming in every day. Tel Aviv - South, the area around the Central Bus Station has never been such a great area. There have been always prostitution and drugs but within the past two years or so, the situation has become unbearable. Certain parts of Tel Aviv are turning into Africa or the Philippines. 

Yesterday I went out to take pictures of the pit. The Africans didn't like it when I came with a camera and I had to be a bit careful. However, I am going to put the photos into the blog next week and hopefully you are getting an idea of what is going on downtown Tel Aviv. Furthermore I am going to publish the pictures of the thieves of my mobile phone (0547940502). The thieves must have been South American tourists in their late 40ies or early 50ies. Fat and wearing baseball hats.