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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Riskin Is Completely Nuts! ...Or Is He?

13 of the Tenth Month 5770

Rafi (via Twitter) asks the question "...Has Rabbi Riskin lost his mind?"

DovBear asks, "Who exactly is Rabbi Riskin attempting to flatter with this twaddle?"

The Jewish Fist asks, "With Chief Rabbis such as these, who needs enemies?"

But, what on earth are they talking about?!

They are talking about the recently released video of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of Efrat.

Yeshiva World News calls the video "shocking," which I personally believe is an understatement.

Jewish Israel has tried to knock some sense into him, but to no avail. (sigh)

Watch the video below, courtesy of Jewish Israel, so that you do not have to click on the Messianic Christian YouTube channel which uploaded it. Other videos on this channel include a Riskin Thank You video. (major eye rolling)


My Esser Agaroth (commentary) follows.


Find more videos like this on Jewish Israel



Rabbi Riskin obviously never read my post on so-called "Judeo-Christian Values." (...no such thing)

What do we call a Jew who identifies just way too much with Esau (...or Yishma'el, or both, or who forsakes the land)?

To paraphrase Rabbi Moshe Tzuri'el from his kontras "Rabbi A. Y. On The Erev Rav"


Just as Erev Shabbat is not yet Shabbat, Erev Rav is one who is not yet a rav....

So, is he nuts? Or is this some kind of calculated strategy to obtain money, attention, publicity, power (in his head, that is), or all of all the above?

You be the judge.

'Nuff said.

Whenever DovBear, Yeshiva World News, and I agree on something, even just partially, it is probably a good idea to pay attention.


*********


Update:
I am not entirely sure why Riskin made this video in the first place. (Well, actually, yes I am.)

You can read the report of Riskin's "retraction" on the Am Ha'Aretz news site, and watch his "video response" on YouTube.

Rabbi Dr. Shalom Gold (Har-Nof), a leading rabbi in the modern orthodox community in Israel had this to say...


“While recent clarification from Rabbi Riskin is welcome on this matter, I remain concerned. Rabbi Riskin’s consistently radical statements and ambiguous positions on interfaith dialogue and endeavors can be misinterpreted by both Jews and Christians and manipulated and twisted to fit the agendas of those who are trying to undermine the foundations of the Jewish faith and wreak confusion among our people.

Furthermore, it would be advisable for Rabbi Riskin to steer clear of mixing politics, history and Christian theological issues together with what is clearly a halachic matter. I imagine Rabbi Riskin’s revered teacher Rav Yoseph B. Soloveitchik, z”l would have been greatly distressed over the crossing of theological lines between faith communities which is currently taking place under the pretense of an Israel-evangelical alliance.”

Who knows what the real story is? I sure don't. You be the judge.

I do know one thing, though. Riskin's gotten a lot of attention in recent days....

Nonetheless, the next time he pulls a stunt like this, we all have to be there anyway, to call him on it, attention starved or not.


*********


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How The Terrorist Stole Christmas

13 of the Tenth Month 5770

Although the frequency of my blogging has decreased quite a bit over the last couple of months, I wanted to grab the opportunity to let you know about the latest Ahmed And Salim videos.

"Hide And Seek" is just a few minutes, short and sweet, but to the point.



Life imitates art.

Read about the ins and out of the not-so-failed, terrorist attack on North West Airlines Flight 253 on Debbie Schlussel's blog. As usual, Debbie reports quite of bit of information you will not find in the mainstream news media.

Then check out "How The Terrorist Stole Christmas," and decide for yourself, which came first, the terrorist or the cartoon.



Much of the dialog is not translated literally. Did you happen to hear the word "capitalism" thrown in there?

This episode not only makes fun of Arabs, but also the silly materialistic manifestations of Christmas....

By the way, who recognizes the dance on the piano at the end??

Don't forget. You can now follow Ahmed And Salim on Twitter!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Haveil Havalim #248 Is Up!

6 of the Tenth Month 5770

Frume Sarah's World is hosting this week's edition of Haveil Havalim, the world's largest Jewish and Israeli blog carnival.

It's the Welcome To Tevet Edition.

If you're interested is hosting, just contact Jack at talktojacknow@sbcglobal.net.

If you'd like to submit a post, just use the handy dandy on-line submission form.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Judeo-Christian Values?

7th Candle of Hanukkah 5770

Dear Arutz 7 (Israel National News) Broadcaster,

Recently, I heard a broadcast of yours. It included an excellent interview, in which you were able to keep your guest focused and have him share a great deal of information in a relatively short period of time.

In the second segment of your show, there was another interesting interview. Yet, something odd caught my attention. You used the expression “Judeo-Christian values,” even though such values do not exist. Jewish values are based on Torah (that includes Oral Torah) and halachah (Jewish Law), items which Christians do not possess. Certainly I would agree that Jews and Christians share a few similarities. But, I could also say the same, if not more so, about Muslims. So, why not talk about Judeo-Islamic values?

No, the concept to which you were referring is an illusion, one which has developed over time during our in exile in the West, due to our vulnerability and desperately trying to survive both physically and spiritually in Galuth (diasporah) coupled with the poisonous influence of the Christians surrounding us.

So, why is it that you were using such an oxymoron of a term?

Well, I have come up with a few possible answers:

1. You really do believe in the existence of this concept, and have yet to discard this particular qelipah (counter-spiritual shell).

2. You have a very short memory, and have forgotten the Christian-based, anti-Semitism which encouraged Jews to seek out our own Homeland and culture, in the first place, OR has forced them further into the deep trenches of assimilation and sniveling co-dependence on the goyim.

3. Even though you are religious, and working for the sake of many important Torah-based endeavors, you have still fallen into the trap of today's version of Hellenism, the belief that some or all Western sensibilities are inherently compatible with Torah. (I recommend you take a serious look at this during this holiday of Hanukkah.)

4. You have received a directive from your management that you use this expression in your broadcasts in order to exploit attract Christian dollars to your radio station.

Considering the introduction to your show, which included instructions to listeners as to how to “support” the station financially, I would say it is the last of the four. (Although I would not rule out option number three so quickly either.)

In line with said instructions, when potential contributers are contacted, some of their background information is, no doubt, revealed. You are able to get a general idea as to whom your listeners are, from where they hail, and which deities they worship, thus providing your station with sufficient feedback as how best to flatter placate them.

Certainly, you must also be able to obtain relatively precise information as to how much of Arutz 7's funding comes from Christians (...and thus how much of a conflict of interest Arutz 7 may appear to have).

I would guess that your managers have actually rationalized that it is better to take money from ovdei avodah zarah (practicioners of foreign worship; Mishnah Torah, Hil. Avodah Zarah 9:4 ), for the greater good of continuing your broadcasts to, as well as on behalf of, Religious Zionists and residents of Yehudah and Shomron (Judea and Samaria).

Now that we Jews are able to resettle our promised Homeland, we have no excuse but let go of our co-dependence on the goyim, and change strategies.

The doors to Eretz Yisra'el have been opened for Jews, but seeing the miracles done for us, and the prophesies being fulfilled, the Christians are also knocking on the door, begging, borrowing, and stealing their ways in.

They are developing their own strategies to obtain residency and even citizenship. Some send their children to “volunteer” in the IDF. Some set up “charitable” foundations, with the intention of "helping" us. Some even do so with the heksher of rabbis. There are Christians "helping" us in Ari'el, Itamar, Har Brachah, and Qedumim, among others. "Helping" us do what, I would like to know. And why do we need their help? I would like to know that as well.

How are any of these sneaky strategies to steal our inheritence, to get a foothold on our Holy Land, to pollute our Holy Land by spreading the worship of their false deity, and stealing our children's souls, in the least bit related to “Jewish values?”

So-called Christian Zionist, or Christian "Friends of Israel" are, at the very least, passive missionaries, and the very worst, better liars than active missionaries.

How will Arutz 7 report the sneaky, yet not so secret plans, of the Likud Party, and possibly some within the Jewish Agency (confirmation needed) itself to bring Christians to settle in Israel.

How will your station's acceptance of Christian funds influence your reporting? Will you just ignore it?

And just two more questions, please:

1. How much [or how little] does Rabbi Zalman Melamed know of your station's use
of the term "Judeo-Christian Values?"

2. How much [or how little] does
Rabbi Zalman Melamed know of your station's acceptance of Christian money?

They, too, believe they are doing this for the greater good,...even though we Jews “do not yet realize it.”

But, what's the harm in taking their money?

Simple. You're letting them get a foot in the door, you are taking their "we're your friends" bait, hook, line, and sinker, and thus you are aiding and abetting Esau (Christians/U. S./UN/EU/the West - who truly hates Ya'aqov). These liars may lie differently than Yishma'el (Arabs/Muslims) but they still lie. And, you are truly a co-dependent freier (sucker), if you think Esau will ever really be our friend. He wants his birthright back; he wants his b'rachoth back (See B'reishith 25 & 27).

It is forbidden to allow them to gain any foothold on our Land (Mishnah Torah, Hil. Avodah Zarah 10).

Esau is the pig, throwing out its forelegs to show you its split hooves; he is the pig moving its jaw up and down, pretending to chew his cud. He cries out, "Look at me! I'm kosher!" Yet, he's as treif as they come!

Since 1400's Spain (at least), we have attempted to pacify, reach out to, and assimilate amongst Christians to some degree or another, in order to reassure them that we are no threat to them, and even “just like them,” believing this to be our only strategy for survival while in Western Galuth. Aligning ourselves with them against Yishma'el is just today's version of this.

This strategy has never worked.

“Insanity is repeating the same thing over again, expecting different results.” -Albert Einstein

May your managers receive a complete speedy recovery from this insanity.

There are no such things as "Judeo-Christian Values."

I Wish I Had A Camera

7th Candle of Hanukkah 5770

When I got on the second bus I needed to catch to work tonight, I saw some woman reading Christian texts. There were in English, or some other language using Roman letters.

I told her that it was "forbidden." She responded in Hebrew with "Why?"

"It's avodah zarah!"

She just kept reading. Such hutzpah!

Was she a Jew studying to do anti-missionary work? Doubt it.

What I should have done was to grab her forbidden texts, get off the bus, and destroy them. May the Almighty grant me the courage (and a reminder) to do so the next I am in the same situation.

I wish I had a camera. Then I could have asked her some questions, like her name, affiliation, and any number of other identifying tidbits. Then I could have taken her picture, and publish it on my blog.

For some reason, Jews in and outside of Israel are in big time denial about the increasing number of Christians in Israel, just going about their business, without any any fear of oppression, without any fear of deportation.

If I start putting such information on my blog, then I can inspire to get onto any number of U. N. (United Nothings) list of "subversives," attempting to "supress religious freedom," like Yad leAchim.

I would be SO proud!

But, alas, I do not own a camera. Anyone like to donate one? Make it a video camera. I'm thinking about getting into the vlogging (video bloging) scene. No doubt my vlogs would be different than Benji's or Heshy's, closer to stealth investigative journalism. I am think there would be room for one more.

I look forward to hear from you!

Why Make Aliyah?

7th Candle of Hanukkah 5770

For a Jew there is no better place than the State of Israel.

Yoel Meltzer

30 Kisleiw/December 17, 2009
Roughly 15 years ago I made a personal decision to leave the comfortable lifestyle and familiar surroundings of America in order to settle down and build my life in Israel.

As important as this decision was, it had nothing to do with any negative feelings that I had towards the US. In fact, just the opposite is true and most of my memories of life in America are very positive. From childhood vacations in the Lake George region of upstate New York, to a couple of cross-country ventures in my mid-20s, to a few years of life in the middle of New York City, I can honestly say that the United States is really one incredible, beautiful country. Furthermore, the variety of quality choices and lifestyles that are available in an enormous country of nearly 300 million residents truly makes settling down in America such an attractive option.

Nonetheless, despite all the wonderful things that can be said about America, I would not trade for a second the life that I have built in Israel. Moreover, I am 100% convinced that there is no place in the world that is potentially more suitable for a Jew to live than in the Land of Israel. To someone living outside of Israel this may sound like quite a bombastic declaration, but nonetheless this does not detract from the veracity of the statement.

The problem is the chicken and the egg factor. Only by living here and experiencing the reality of life in Israel can one honestly come to such an internal realization. Thus, to a Jew who still lives outside of Israel, it is only natural that such a statement will be somewhat incomprehensible or perhaps even irritating.

Nonetheless, I would like to present a short list of positive reasons for a Jew to consider building a life in Israel:

1. Percentage-wise the best chance to find a Jewish spouse is in Israel.

2. Statistically the lowest rate of intermarriage is in Israel.

3. Within a few short hours one can hike in the desert, swim in the Mediterranean, ski on the Hermon or float in the Dead Sea.

4. Jewish holidays are a natural part of the lifecycle here.

5. There is no Christmas shopping season in Israel.

6. The cost of Jewish education in Israel is a fraction of the cost in the US.

7. In Israel there is a feeling of "home" for the Jewish people.

8. Israel is the only Jewish country in the world. There are no others.

9. In Israel a Jew does not have to integrate into a non-Jewish society.

10. Although like any country there are many problems and issues, at least they are our problems and issues.

11. Mitzvah observance and their significance take on a whole different meaning in the Land of Israel.

12. There is only one Jerusalem in the whole world and it is here, in the Land of Israel.

13. After a few thousand years, Hebrew, the language of the Prophets, is once again heard throughout the Land of Israel.

14. Israel boasts the fastest growing Jewish population in the world.

15. After a long respite of nearly 2,000 years, Israel is once again the physical and spiritual center of the Jewish people.

16. History is literally unfolding here in front of our eyes. All that has transpired here during such a relatively short time period is nothing short of mind-boggling. As such, there is an incredible and unique opportunity available to any Jew throughout the world to come to Israel and to actually have an impact on the shaping of history.

Cross-posted on YNET.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Haveil Havalim #247 Is Up!

4th Candle of Hanukkah 5770

The Israel Situation is hosting this week's edition of Haveil Havalim, the world's largest Jewish and Israeli blog carnival.

It's the Hanukkah Edition.

If you're interested is hosting, just contact Jack at talktojacknow@sbcglobal.net.

If you'd like to submit a post, just use the handy dandy on-line submission form, which, as rumor has it, is supposedly working again.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The Politically-Incorrect But True Story Of Hanukkah

Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parashath Wayeshev/Hanukkah 5770

In a nutshell, here is the prelude to the valiant war fought by the Hashmonaim (Makkabim) about 2,165 years ago:

The powers that be at the time offered "the honor" of performing an act of avodah zarah to Mattithiyahu ben Yohanan, the High Priest.

He refused.

The powers that be offered it to another, who accepted.

However, before he had a chance to perform this act of avodah zarah, he was killed by Mattithiyahu.

As one could imagine, the powers that be were not at all thrilled the prospect of having their authority threatened. Sound familiar?

And so, Mattithiyahu, his sons, and increasing number of followers retreated, plotted and planned, and fought on of the most spiritually important wars, Israel has ever fought. Well, they were all important.

But who was it that they fought?

Do most Jews, inside or outside of Israel, even know the answer to this question?

Examples of attempted answers to this question include:
1. Syrians
2. Greeks
3. Syrian Greeks
4. Selucid Greeks

How about Jews? That's right. Jews. Jews were among those the Hashmonaim fought and killed.

Assimilated, Hellenized Jews.
"Oh, but that was then; this is now." (Huh?)

"No, the Westernized Jews of today have a different status now." (Why?)

"No, you don't understand. There aren't really any rasha'im (evil people) today. It's not their fault. We have to show them, and bring them back to Torah." (Even though the Gemara says otherwise. Uncensored Rav A. Y. says otherwise as well.)

And these responses are coming from religious Jews! I do not even have to complicate matters by listing some of the responses from the non-religious, or so-called "liberal" ones!

Now, I am by no means, suggesting the we go around killing people that we don't like, let alone try to sort out all who I think is evil or who you think is evil.

No. What I am suggesting is that we remember a very important detail behind the holiday most popularly celebrated by your average American Jew, and not allow it it to be edited out of our history.

We Jews were never afraid of a fight. It was only living in galuth (diasporah) and the need to kowtow to the goyim, so they wouldn't beat us up, try to convert us, kidnap us, or kill us, which has tamed us.

Today, now that we have begun the process of taking back our Jewish Homeland, there are actually plenty of Jews out there who do not hesitate to talk about "those who want to kill us" (Yishma'elim/Arabs) and "those who want to steal our souls" (Esau/Christians). There are even those who are willing to talk about the various traitors in our midst (Erev Rav).

Yet, there are very few Jews out there who have any clue as to what to do about combating any of these threats. We must learn Torah AND be physically strong and courageous.

It is high time we rediscovered the righteous, Jewish warrior of old, he who recognized evil, and following one with authority, did not hesitate to stamp it out. This is this Jew we need today, along with the hakham (scholar).

This is the Jewish image we must rediscover and develop within ourselves, and convey to our children, if we are going to survive as a people.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Another Christian Supports Israel: Big Deal

The following is a response to my good friends Yekuti'el Ben-Ya'akov's supportive comments regarding a black preacher's "support" for Israel and Judaism.

Yekuti'el's comments can be read below.

The video, in question, of the "supportive" black preacher can be viewed by clicking here.


Christians are from Edom/Esau. Please read the current parshioth hashavu'ah.

Esau wants his birthright back, and is being sneaky about it, as is his character to do so. There is no difference between "stam" Christians and Christian missionaries.

There is also the midrash of the four treifah hayoth representing the four malchuyoth. The hazir (pig) represents Edom, the animal which pretends to chew its cud and sticks its front hooves out to show that it is kosher. In other words, it lies.

The Christians are living a lie, and they are liars, but in a sneaky and eloquent manner, unlike Yishma'el which just lies. however, Yishma'el has been learning their lessons of how to lie from Esau very well lately, staging sympathetic interviews and planting fake victims in strategic sites.

The Erev Rav attempts to join Esau and Yishma'el, preventing Mashiach's arrival (Kol HaTor).

Arutz 7 (Israel National News) and the Likud Party appear to be in the pockets of the Christians, in contrast with the un-Jews (the Left) which is aligned with Yishma'el.

Goyim who are not B'nei No'ah showing "support" for Israel and Judaism are, in fact, exploiting Israel and Judaism, for their own gains.

Let us pray, as well as, actively prevent them from achieving their true, underlying goals:

1. Continued stealing of Jewish souls
2. Continued stealing of Jewish land
3. Continued attempts to usurp Am Yisrael's role as HaShem's Chosen People.

This is not the reaction of fearful ghetto Jews. Rather, this is reaction of the Jews know they must distance themselves, if not to do battle with, Esau as well as Yishma'el.

*********

Placing That Black Preacher in the Right Perspective

Why are we so excited about the accolades of a Black Preacher?


Are we also plagued with the Jewish-mental-genetic-disease contracted during our collective national experience in the ghettos, gas chambers, slavery and inquisitions? Are we showing signs and symptoms indicative of our uncontrollable obsession to seek the acceptance and the love of the gentiles? Do we find ourselves showing more respect and excitement at the gospel preached by representatives of other faiths and nationalities than to our own, when they show their admiration for Jews and Judaism? Do we suffer severe mental anguish and “national-collective-headaches” when a Jew does something “embarrassing”?


Yes, dear readers, many of us are also infected with the age-old ghetto-complex and the “Yiddishe” - Jewish mental disease that compels us to seek the admiration and the positive recognition of the gentiles. Oh how we “qvel” (for those of us who speak not Yiddish, Qvel is one of those graphic Yiddish words that is hard to explain in less than 200 words, meaning something like gush with joy, usually while uttering Yiddish sounding slurs or noises such as “Oy” and “gevaldig,” but in a unique positive upswing tone, not to be confused with the “Oy” shouted forth also when one is in pain) with “nachas” (Nahas is another one of those Yidish words, like Qvel and is often a paradoxical oxymoron – while it depicts personal and national “Jewish” pride often expressed when the gentile praises us, or when a Jewish bubby hears that her grandchild was admitted to Harvard or has graduated medical school or won the lottery).


Getting back to the Kvelling with Nachas when the gentile praises us, and the self-hating “kvetching” – complaining and criticism we make against ourselves and fellow Jews when our fellow Jew “looks too Jewish”, “makes us look bad” or when he lacks the necessary diplomatic savvy, political correctness, for example, when unsuccessfully trying to explain to a hateful world, Israel’s right to survive, build in Judea, or to launch wars to defend ourselves. The all too typical “Yiddishe” response is indeed to fall over ourselves kvelling with joy and Nahas when a gentile praises us and to condemn those Jews, who make us all look bad in the eyes of the “goy” - non Jew.


Wow – who expected such controversy after airing the pro-Jewish black preacher?

The recent wave of emails after our last post that showed the African American preacher, praising Kahane, Jews and Zion, brought out a colorful (no pun intended) flurry of emails. Some, calling us to task for publishing the speech and others overwhelmed with joy over Rev. Manning’s accolades for Jews and Kahane. I am including here two brief comments, one from Bereny Andras and another from Sam Abady a distinguished Civil Rights attorney from NY, and I would like to first state clearly that in no way should one think that I necessarily endorse the pro-Jewish preacher or support inviting him to speak from a synagogue pulpit. Here are the two emails:


Email from Esq. Samuel Abady:

“Mike and Fern,

There should be severe reservations about any endorsement from Rev. James D. Manning. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_David_Manning

Sam”


Excerpt of Email response sent from Ariel Ben Yochanan:


On the one hand we see someone who praises G-d, the Rav, the Jews and Zion and, objectively, this is good. On the other hand, he is, and he publicly presents himself as, an actively idol worshipping gentile. So, should we listen to him, just because he says a few things we like to hear? NO, according to the Rambam, we should not!”


I do think his speech to be a news-worthy item, and respect his courage to say the things that he did say publicly, coming from and going back to the hostile environment he lives in. I admit, initially, I too was excited about the speech, however, after thinking about it, and with the help of some of the sobering emails, it is clear that we need not get too excited, simply because we have found a token goy who likes us.


Goyim showing support for Judaism is a tool in waking Jews up to their mission

It is more important that we seek favor in the eyes of G-d and the eyes of our own people. However, using the words of a gentile will often serve as a greater eye-opener to fellow Jews than any words spoken by fellow Jews. That is the way of the Jewish world. If we wish to be most effective at influencing fellow Jews, nothing does more than bringing on the stage an Arab, or black preacher or former Klansmen to show confused Jews the proper path. This phenomenon is also reflected in many of our prayers such as the “Shir HaMaalot” the psalms said before grace after meals on Shabbat and on other happy occasions, describing the great joy upon the return of Jews to Zion, Psalms 126: The nations say, “The Lord has done great things for them (verse 2). And then in the following verse, “The Lord has done great things for us”. Many Jews will not see the hand of G-d and recognize the great miracles done on behalf of the Jewish people, until an outsider recognizes it and confirms it. As taught in the Talmud: “The one who was saved by the miracle, does not recognize the miracle” (Nida 31a).



In Jewish thought I have heard two central opinions that explain the apparent contradiction in the Bible, where in some instances the purpose mentioned in the verses behind the plagues against the Egyptians, the miracles on behalf of the Jews and other such events “so that the Jews will know G-d,” while other verses describing the same miracles and events state “so that the Egyptians shall know G-d”. One school of thought says that the recognition of the gentiles is never an end in itself, but only a reality, which is a means to help the Jew attain knowledge and a perception of G-d, that he might not have otherwise achieved by his own exclusive witness to the same events and miracles. Another school of thought claims that both are means in and of themselves. Surely there is a third view that recognizes the goal and purpose in Jew and gentile alike recognizing the existence and omnipotence of the G-d of Israel, yet the primary goal is that the Jew, G-d’s chosen reaches that level.


In conclusion – the non-Jewish preacher is hardly the key issue

In conclusion, while it may be viewed as a positive to show the way of Torah to all, even to non-Jews and one can use the words of gentiles as a tool to inspire Jews, however, our focus should be bringing Torah to Jews. Let us never fall into the trap or the obsession to seek favor in the eyes of the gentile. Regardless, we should never fall into that trap, at the expense of following Torah or doing the right thing. In the end, the Jew will be saved, because of his loyalty to Torah and not because of any alliances with the gentile. In most, if not all cases, the alliances will only give the Jews a false sense of security in gentiles. Such an alliance will ultimately distance faith and reliance in G-d, and that distances the day of redemption. In the end, the Jew will stand alone with G-d against the world and will have no one to rely on other than G-d, and no one to attribute their ultimate salvation to, other than G-d. For this reason let us not get too carried away with our mission of propaganda and hasbara to a world, that in most cases will hate us regardless, anyhow. And let us not get too excited about black preachers who sing their praise of Israel. Those of us who represent authentic Torah truth need to focus on exactly that, namely spreading Torah truth and doing the right thing, with faith in G-d, regardless of, and in spite of the obstacles often placed in our way by Jews and gentiles alike.