BBC 4 Interview: Shira and Daniel Gil'ad, Ramath Migron

11 of the Sixth Month 5769

Tipped off by Rafi at Life In Israel, I feel this video is well-worth re-posting.

BBC Channel 4 News interviews newlyweds Shira and Daniel Gil'ad of Ramath Migron, north of Jerusalem. Shira and Daniel actually met on Ramath Migron, and have returned as a married couple to continued their important work.

Shira is a daughter of fellow blogger David Morris of Ramath Beth Shemesh, who brought this interview to our attention on his Tzedek-Tzedek blog.



Shira did all of the speaking, being the native English speaker of the two. I thought that she came off very well.

As most of you know I am against PR/Hasbarah. (Who cares what the goyim think?!) That being said, I thought that the content of what Shirah said was clear and informative to those who don't have a clue as to the truth of what actually goes on in Israel. Shira succeeded in conveying important messages, even in spite of the biased comments of the news reporter and anchor.

I especially like how it was mentioned that Shira was proud of her grandparents being decorated by the Queen for their charity work. However, when she was in England a few years ago, she felt as if something was missing, and that she belonged in Israel.

Album Release: "Raza D'Shabbos"

11 of the Sixth Month 5769

Sunday night in Jerusalem, Yerachmiel "Rocky" Ziegler and Aaron Razel celebrated the release of their collaborative album "Raza D'Shabbos" (The Secret Of Shabbos).

Here's a sneak peek with a video of their song "Shamor v'Zachor."





Here, Rocky plays at the debut of the Tapu'ah Nights Melaweh Malkah concert series last summer.



A few weeks later Aharon Razel made an appearance at Tapu'ah Nights, as well. His set begins at the 1:11:50 time marker.

Torah-Hardcore-Punk Rock?

11 of the Sixth Month 5769

I guess maybe I haven't gotten out much in the past,...oh, I don't know,...six years, but this is the first time I have been confronted by Torah-Hardcore-Punk Rock.

You see, I did actually know it existed. I was just trying to stay in denial about it for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, I am no longer able to do so, thanks to a certain musician by the name of Yerachmiel "Rocky" Ziegler.

(Thank you, Rocky...)

Now, I am actually one who can appreciate some good, punk rock. But, I just didn't get the video below. Maybe I will have to listen to more of this group's work.

That being said, never underestimate the power of using unusual methods for the sake of qiruv (Torah outreach). After all Aish HaTorah, Chabba"d, Kahane and Carlebach circles, for example, often attract very different kinds Jews.

So who's to say that Torah-Hardcore-Punk Rock will not fill an important qiruv role in a neglected segment of Jewish society?

And now, without further adieu, please meet Moshiach Oi! with their song "This World Is Nothing," from their newly released debut album “Better Get Ready.”

...Or you made want to read about them first, in this week's edition of The Jewish Forward.

Hello?! There Already Is A Ban On Land Sales To Arabs!

11 of the Sixth Month 5769

Rabbis Meeting to Consider a Ban on Selling Houses to Arabs
Gil Ronen, 10 Ellul 5769/August 30, 2009, 7:40 PM

(IsraelNN.com) Hareidi and national-religious rabbis will meet Monday in Jerusalem to discuss ways of dealing with the Arab influx into Jewish neighborhoods in northern Jerusalem, as well as the purchasing of agricultural land in the Galilee by wealthy foreign Arabs.

The rabbis are expected to call for an end to the phenomenon of sale of land and houses by Jews to Arabs. The organizer, Aryeh King, who heads the Israel Lands Fund, told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew service that he is hoping to see the rabbis issue a pronouncement that sale of land and houses to Arabs is forbidden....

This is awfully frustrating, as we already have such a law (see sources below). It is a shame such a meeting even needs to take place.

However, since Rabbi Ya'aqov Yosef and Rabbi Shmu'el Eliyahu, legitimate halachic authorities, are said to be involved, I have confidence that this meeting will be used as a some sort of strategy to publicize the 3,300 year old halacha mid'Oraitha.

Unfortunately, I must offer the prediction that this will be on the first stage in the next set of battles between Torah and anti-Torah Israeli laws. The Israeli Supreme Court will undoubtedly decry "racism."

In recent years, we have already seen the Israeli Supreme Court order the Chief Rabbinate around with regard to kashruth (dietary laws) certification. We have also seen prominent rabbis, such as Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, arrested for daring to discuss halachoth (Jewish laws) which appear to be in contradiction of Israeli law.

Stay tuned...

רמב"ם הלכות עבודה זרה פרק י
ד [ג] אין מוכרין להם בתים ושדות, בארץ ישראל; ובסוריה, מוכרין להם בתים, אבל לא שדות. ומשכירין להם בתים בארץ ישראל, ובלבד שלא יעשם שכונה--ואין שכונה, פחותה משלושה. ואין משכירין להם שדות; ובסוריה, משכירין להם שדות. ומפני מה החמירו בשדה: מפני שיש בה שתיים--מפקיעה מן המעשרות, ונותן להם חניה בקרקע

Ramba"m: Laws of Foreign Worship 10
4 [3] One does not sell them houses or fields in Eretz Yisrael; but in Suriyah one may sell them houses, but not fields. One may rent them houses in Eretz Yisrael, provided that one does not make them a neighborhood -- and there is no neighborhood with less than three [households]. One does not rent them fields; but in Suriyah one rents them fields. And why were they strict regarding fields? For two reasons -- [because they would] expropriate the tithes and be allowed to settle the land.

The negative commandments "do not make a covenant with foreign worshipers" and "do not have mercy on them" come directly from Deuteronomy.

דברים ז,ב ונתנם יהוה אלהיך, לפניך--והכיתם: החרם תחרים אתם, לא-תכרת להם ברית ולא תחנם

Deuteronomy 7:2 and when the LORD thy God shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them.

For additional information on these negative commandments, you can download the shi'urim (audio) given by Rabbi David Bar-Hayim, part 1 and part 2.

Jewish Cover-Up

10 of the Sixth Month 5769

As I have mentioned previously in my report on Festival HaMiqdash - The Temple Festival, there are things taking place in Israel which certain people have a vested interest in keeping covered up.

It's what the secular leftists do not want you to see...

It's what the Ashkinazy Haredi leadership does not want you to see...

It's what even the Mamlakhati "all you need is love for your fellow Jews (except for Haredim)" leadership does not want you to see...

And it's certainly what the Datti Le'umi (national religious) Jews, who put secular Jerusalem Mayor Nir Baraqat into power, do not want you to see...

Hilltop and Haredi youth working together to rebuild a Jewish ma'ahaz (stronghold) in Judea and Samaria.

That's right. Those than run around, proclaiming the need and desire for Ahduth Yisrael (Jewish unity), don't always approve of those of us who actually practice it on a daily basis.

If you don't have the patience for this 2:03 minute video on the rebuilding of the Ba'al Hatzor stronghold between Kokhav HaShahar and Rimonim, north of Jerusalem, then check out time markers :58 and 1:25.

Some will try to tell you this is the exception to the rule, and that it is either staged or that it will certainly never happen again.

Well, I am here to tell you that this is where the grass roots of the Jewish spiritual revolution are being planted, not at some qiruv (Torah outreach) table on Nahalath Binyamin Street in Tel-Aviv....

Shabbath Leftovers - Ki Tetzei 5769: What Was Wrong With The Soup?

10 of the Sixth Month 5769

Last Shabbath was alright, even though I was still recovering from the trauma of having my Shabbath Leftovers Series REJECTED from this month's edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival.

Erev Shabbath was also my birthday. *sigh* ...yet another traumatic experience to endure...

Believe it or not, I actually did not spend all of Shabbath being a hermit in my cave alone at home. I went visiting at night, then again during the day. I walked all the way to Qatamon, then ended up walking home through Nahla'oth, as a friend needed assistance finding a particular schul in that neighborhood.

Surprisingly, I didn't have any rocks thrown at me in either of those neighborhoods. I guess that's because no one recognized me as the author of "A Tale Of Two Neighborhoods." While in Qatamon, though, I could've sworn that some Jews were giving me "the eye." I guess that's either because I stood out in their neighborhood due to my livush (How dare I wear a white shirt, dark blue pants, and a big, black "settler" kippah in their neighborhood!), or because I was almost recognized because my avatar being a very good likeness of me. Who knows....

I bumped into two friendly faces in Nahla'oth. So, that turned out to be a less scary experience than I thought it would be.

But I digress...

I didn't actually eat at other people's homes, unless, of course, you count the several pieces of cake I scarfed down. (There goes my "no wheat" diet, I now have to start over) No. I made my special "all-in-one," chicken soup as per usual (B).

(Gross-Out Alert)

But, here's the rub. The soup gave me gas. It had to have been the soup (...or was it the humous?), as I also had it for melweh malkah.

Why did it give me gas this week, and not on previous weeks?

Here's the basic preparation. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is figure out which ingredient(s) was the perpetrator.

chicken, 6 pcs.
qishu'im (green squash)
butternut sqaush, puréed
kolrahbi
carrots
onions
garlic
rice
parsley
dill, 1 sprig
soy sauce
turmeric

(Soup Preparation Tip: Remove the chicken before 30 minutes of boiling, so it doesn't become rubbery and lose all of its flavor. Then replace in the soup while its on the warmer, so that it can absorb the flavors in the soup.)

So, what's your verdict? Why did the soup give me gas?

Shabbath Leftovers - Shofetim 5769

4 of the Sixth Month 5769

What do you get when you cross an anti-Zionist Yerushalmi who's not really so anti-Zionist, with his Karliner grandson turned hilltop youth, a Litvak friend who walks around with telkheleth...in Ramat Shlomo, and a Hassidish son-in-law from Ramath Beth Shemesh...who pokes fun at the kanoim there?

No leftovers.

(These are the kind of people I like to hang out with, Jews comfortable with thinking and being out of the box, and really impossible to categorize, like some of the Jews in K'far Tapuah, but wearing mostly black. Discuss amongst yourselves....)

That's right! I actually got a Shabbath dinner invitation last week, thus no need for soup, and thus no leftovers.

But so you won't be disappointed, I made an Open-Face Tuna Omelet, mixing together a can of tuna, three eggs, and garlic. Pour out onto pre-heated and oiled pan, and cover. When it looks like it's almost been cooked through, flip and let cook for half a minute.

Sprinkle with soy sauce, and top with a little leftover, homemade tehinah.

Enjoy. Then get to the store, before you starve....

Until next, week, Shavu'a Tov.

Haveil Havalim #231 - The Rav Kook Memorial Edition

3 of the Sixth Month 5769

74th Anniversary of the death of Rabbi Avraham Yitzhaq Kook ztz"l ("Rav Kook"), first Ashkinazy Chief Rabbi during the British Occupation of Eretz Yisra'el.

Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs -- a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It's hosted by different bloggers each week and coordinated by Jack. The term 'Haveil Havalim,' which means "Vanity of Vanities," is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other 'excesses' and realized that it was nothing but 'hevel,' or in English, 'vanity.'

As an azkarah (memorial) for Rav Kook, I have included 74 posts,...well, maybe a little more. Yeah, I know this edition is long. (You'll see below.) What can I say? I just can't say no. (Scroll all the way down to see what I DID exclude.) There was a lot of good stuff submitted week, so I figured that I would err on the side of including too much, and provide enough annotation so that your clicking choices will be easier to make.

I was thinking of hijacking this edition with my own rant about being true to Rav Kook. entitled "Who Is A Kooknik?" (Intrigued?) But instead, I decided to leave it for next week's edition, which will be hosted by West Bank Mama.

Maybe the next time I host, I'll include only the best of the best of the best, but not this time. Enjoy!

Torah

I would like to open this edition with some comments on Parshath Shofetim from Rabbi Chanan Morrison, based on Rav Kook's Igrot HaRe'iyah and Orot. Here are his comments on this week's Parshath Ki Thetze as well.

Josh Waxman provides in-depth and fascinating comments on Parshath Shofetim in Why send back the betrothed man, if all is preordained?

Yisroel at Artzeinu brings us The Holiness of Making a Tiyul In Eretz Yisroel. Rav Kook actually did something similar with Rabbi Ya'aqov Moshe Harla"p and Rabbi Yosef Hayim Sonnenfeld ztz"l almost a hundred years ago.

The "Velveteen Rabbi" and I often (always?) disagree. But, she keeps alive a very important mode of spiritual expression: poetry. So, I like to check out her weekly parsha poem. Here it is.

Jewish Tradition

Avi at The Orthodox In Me takes on the question of... Well, in my opinion, he takes on several questions. His post Where It All Begins... is an interesting read.

Eliyahu Fink, the "Rabbi on the Beach," brings us Brett Favre, Treason and Tshuva.

A Simple Jew brings us The Yetzer Hara & Aleinu.

Allison Josephs of Jew In The City is interviewed by Tamar Yonah. You can listen to the interview here. If you haven't had the chance to check out Jew In The City's video episodes, make sure that you do!

Naomi at Climbing Sinai asks an open question to Jews By Choice, "What’s the best way to approach a Jew By Choice about his or her conversion, if there’s a way to do it at all?"

Hadassah Sabo Milner at In The Pink presents A Piercing Rant (not a screaming rant, but a rant about piercings,...literally).

David Morris at Tzedek-Tzedek addresses the issue of the agunah in Happily Ever After?

Some of you may be wondering why this next post is found here, and not reserved solely for the Kosher Cooking Carnival. Well, this Mock Chopped Liver recipe is presented by Craft Stew in honor of Shabbath, and "...offering a delicious vegetarian alternative to the usually fleishig Shabbat treat." Now, what could be more Jewish than that?! Besides, I was just thinking about searching for this recipe. Craft Stew must have read my mind.

This post by Jewish Side of Baby Sitter at Kosher Cuisine is must, too. C'mon! Bissli Chicken?! You've got to check this one out!

By the way, the next edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival is due out this Thursday at Healthy Kosher Eating With Chana!

Israel

News

Eric at The Israel Situation would like to know why we hear so little about Guy Hever, who has been missing in action since 1997.

Yekutiel Ben-Ya'akov, guest posting at The Torah Revolution, wants to know Who Murdered Raphael Miriashvili and Leonard Karp?

Find out why The Jewish Fist is unhappy with Yona Metzger: Chief Rabbi/Druze Defender.

Speaking of rabbis, regardless of how you self-identify, you will probably get your blood boiling by reading my With "Zionist" Rabbis Like These, Who Needs Neturei Karta? I also report on this week's Likud Party Drama.

Elder Of Ziyon Scoops The World on the Latest Blood Libel. Meryl Yourish then takes the baton with What If They Published A Blood Libel And Nobody Rioted? Yisrael Medad chimes in with Atrocity You Want? Atrocity You'll Get, posted on From The Hills Of Efraim on Arutz 7 (Israel National News).

Carl at Israel Matzav wants to know, is an Israeli Cabinet Shakeup Coming?

Judeopundit brings us a A "Nachas Note"--from Gideon Levy! ...touching on the issue of the so-called "settlement freeze."

Tomer Devorah reports some important, breaking developments in More Flu News. I am surprised that more bloggers have not been following this.

Current Events

Bar-Kokhba is Proclaiming Zionism at For Zion's Sake. Schvach Yid gives his take, too, in What Treaty?

Batya at Shiloh Musings presents Voted for Feiglin And Got Barak or The Jewish National Psychosis. I think the title here is self-explanatory.

Sultan Knish presents What A Real Middle East Process Would Look Like.

Elder Of Ziyon presents Fatah And Peace Now: It Must Be Love. This title is also self-explanatory.

Soccer Dad provides the perfect analogy in HRW Responds.

Yisrael Medad criticizes the International Red Cross's logic in Does Monsieur Wettach Think We're Idiots? posted on JPost's "Green-Lined" Blog.

Here is Part One of Yisrael Medad's take-down of Rashid Khalidi's academic "Canaanite Eyes" theory. Keep your Jewish eyes out for Part Two, out soon!

Ellen Horowitz of Jewish Israel responds to Jews who "appreciate" Evangelical Christians with Think Like A Jew, posted at Israel Insider.

Jessica, posting at Israelity, reports on the partnership between the Cities of Los Angeles and Tel-Aviv in The Industry, and what happens as a result.

David Morris at Tzedek-Tzedek exposes exploitation of disabled Israelis in Earning One Shekel An Hour.

Miriam at Shearim has the courage to address our serious real estate issues in Israel with Housing For The Rich.

Jacob Richman brings us more Good News From Israel with New Israeli Educational Stamps Posted Online

Exposées

With friends like these, who needs enemies? Ge'ulah Girl at The Key To Redemption exposes so-called "friend of Israel" Jim Vineyard's shady activities. She then goes on to expose the ulterior motives of Christians visiting Karnei Shomron and of the HaYovel Organization implanted in the town of Har Brachah, in other words, right in our backyards.

The New Israel Fund [NIF] has been in the news a lot lately. Batya exposes its shady operations with New Israel Fund, Paving The Road To Hell With "Good Intentions?"

Shmu'el at Torat Yisrael fires back against the NIF's attacks on him for daring to expose where their money's going (ie. your donations),...to groups dangerous to Israel.


Life In Israel

366 olim hadashim (new immigrants) arrived in Israel on 29 b'Av/Aug. 19. Jacob Richman has the photos, all 453 of them! They are open to "Facebook-tagging," too. If you see your self in one of Jacob's photos, give a shout out in the comments section. Several Haveil Havalim participants are veteran olim. Ask us your questions, and access us for additional support.

Although this is response to a "meme," Isramom would like to emphasize that this post of hers is really about some of the things she loves most about her life in Israel.

Gila at My Shrapnel provides us with a quintessential "slice of life" in Israel post with An Urge, so well-described, you'd think you were there with her.

Take a vicarious trip to the North with Rafi and his family, posted at Life In Israel. With his description and photos, you will think you were there with them. (...and I wish I was)

Even though Benji at What War Zone??? didn't bring me anything back from his trip to the U. S., I SUPPOSE I'll have to include his post about a special contest he's holding, anyway.

Mrs. S. at Our Shiputzim presents Heblish: Sefer HaChinuch Edition. I think that all English speakers in Israel will be able to related to this post, one way or another.

You will also be able to relate to this one from Toby at A Sign Of The Times. In What To Choose? Toby reveals all of the horrendous errors in English she found in her local community center's new catalog. This is one time where the huge numbers of English speakers in her town of Efrat need to step up to the plate and the Hebrew speakers need to step aside.

Jacob Richman at Good News From Israel posts links to photos from the Photos of the Emek Refaim Street Fair in Jerusalem. Check out the posted Facebook link as well for "photo tagging" opportunities.

Rachel Neiman at Israelity takes a walk down Memory Lane with Nostalgia Sunday – Young Judaea Year Course 1978-9.

Batya at Me-Ander posts on some local weddings in And While I'm At It... and I Don't Think They Did They "Mezinka," But....

Hey, ever heard of Rusty Mike Radio?? It's an internet radio station for the Anglo-Israeli community. Check it out!

Hutz la'Aretz
(Outside of Israel)

News

The on-going search for Ami-Chai Shtainmitz, an Israeli lost in India, is reported by Levi Pekar at Lubavitch News.

The Jewish Fist provides his Reflections On President "Hussein" Obama, and includes a "land for peace" deal the U. S. President can't refuse.

Meryl Yourish reveals that a Palestinian refugee created the Obama Joker poster.

Someone is being foulmouthed about foulmouthed Rahm Emanuel: the infamous Rahm Emanuel video is here with translation, only at Yisrael Medad's MyRightWord.

Debbie Schussel reveals the truth about recently deceased Robert Novack, as does Sultan Knish.

JewishByte reports that a New Baltimore Yeshiva Gets A New Home.

Life In Hutz la'Aretz

Jack at Random Thoughts tells us about attending his grandparents' 75th wedding anniversary celebration in Save The Last Dance For Me. Wow! 75 years! The Rebbetzin's Husband and his Rebbetzin celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary.

Leora at Here In HP interviews Elke Reva Sudin.

Just Call Me Chaviva shares her summer trials and tribulations (AKA Kosher Catastrophe in Central Vermont) with Kosher Catfish? I Think Not. This one is definitely a jaw-dropper.

Chaya Sara at Inspire Yourself wants you to see the video she posted, The Chinese Bamboo Tree.

On a rather sad note, I am Battling The Erev Rav Mentality,...Again.

In this next post, Harry-er Than Them All seems to be arguing against Big City Life.

The Real Shaliach takes us on a trip, honoring...Minnesota? Hmm... Check out his photos!

Music

David at Israelity wants you to Get Your Israeli ‘Mojo’ Working. Check out his piece on the up and coming Israeli cross-over band the Asaf Avidan and the Mojos.

Movies

What is a movie review doing in Haveil Havalim? Check out Debbie Schussel's Review Of Inglorious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino's latest about Jews getting revenge on Nazis, and you'll see why.

Humor

For years, Jews have gone back and forth on whether "to categorize or not to categorize." Itamar at Jew ✡ News has the answer in Jewish Sects: Are you a DOS, PC, or Mac? By the way, Itamar is getting married in a week! Mazal Tov! What better wedding present is there in the blogosphere than to help him achieve a super spike in hits on his site?! (Hey, Itamar! You didn't even submit this to me. Now, how's THAT for protexia? Don't worry. I'll be coming to collect soon. Just kidding!)

Our resident JBloggers mascot, Heshy warns of the coming haberdashery revolution in Gray, Blue, and Straw Hat Associations Merge, posted at Frum Satire.

While in hutz la'Aretz, Benji at What War Zone??? tried to explain the rules of baseball to an Israeli. Oy!

The Real Shaliach examines your "demons," in Misunderstood. He lists this under "jokes," but take a closer look, and you may find something deeper than a joke.

Lady-Light brings us Let's Hear It For Comic Sans! at Tikkun Olam. Yes, you read correctly. Lady-Light is indeed cheering for,...a font. Just read it. You'll see. Don't skip the video, either.

Meta-Blogging

Jack at Random Thoughts addresses the issue of anonymous blogging in Anonymous Blogging- Pulling Back The Curtain.

Many bloggers are now using Twitter, and even having their "tweets" automatically posted to blogs and Facebook pages. This edition was particularly easy to find posts thanks to Twitter. I just clicked on the links of the bloggers I follow, to check out their posts, much easier that opening up my web-based aggregator (I use Google Reader.)

The Jewish Internet Defense Force brings us the Gilad Shalit Twitter Campaign! Quite a few different organizations are working in support of this project. This Wednesday, 6 Ellul/Aug. 26, tweet 4 shalit by using the hashtag #GiladShalit as much as you can.

Just when you thought you knew everything about "social networking," here comes Twoozer, the "Jewish Twitter." As Bob Martin says, "Twoozer is like Israel; Twitter is like hutz la'Aretz." Don't worry. Your Twoozer posts can be set up to post on Twitter and Facebook automatically. Check it out, and use Twoozer for the #GiladShalit campaign!

Also, check out WeJew, your Jewish YouTube alternative! Check out their special page only for bloggers. It's not yet on the menu, so you'll have to click here.

Wrap-Up
Well, that's a wrap for Edition #231! I excluded a few posts from this edition. That's hard to tell as it's so large, huh? One was spam. One presented a very old item seen previously on HH. One came from a site I just don't get. It seems to try to pass itself off as objective, but I have no doubt that it's not. (For goodness sakes, be proud to be left-wing!)

Don't forget that you can already start submitting your posts for next week's edition which will be hosted, as I said, by West Bank Mama. For your convenience, bookmark this link to Haveil Havalim's on-line submission form. See past editions and who is hosting future editions by clicking here. If you would like to host, contact Jack at talktojacknow (at) sbcglobal (dot) net.

And don't forget to submit your favorite photos to the JPix Blog Carnival, to be hosted next by Batya on her Me-Ander blog. You may submit your posts via the on-line submission form.

Likud Party Drama

3 of the Sixth Month 5769


This week's Likud Party Drama began on Wednesday with...

Ya'alon calls Peace Now "A Virus"
30 b'Av 5769/Aug. 19, 2009, 9:29 PM

(YNET) Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Strategic Affairs Moshe "Bogie" Ya'alon (Likud) attended a conference of Jewish Leadership activists this week, headed up by Moshe Feiglin. The Jewish Leadership group is considered the far right-leaning segment of the Likud....

When asked by one of the attendees about plans to dismantle the B'nei Adam outpost, he responded, "We again are dealing with the issue of the virus, Peace Now – the elitists, if you may – who have incurred great damage. From my perspective, Jews can and need to live in all of the Land of Israel for all eternity."

Prime Minister Netanyahu (Likud), who recently expressed his shock that Arab lynchings of Jews occur in Israel, responds...

Netanyahu: Ya'alon Remarks Unacceptable
30 b'Av 5769/Aug. 19, 2009, 11:58 PM

(YNET) Prime minister condemns vice prime minister's statement that Peace Now is 'a virus,' while left-wing politicians claim remarks inflaming violence. 'He should not be part of the Israeli government,' says Labor MK Pines-Paz. Kadima: These are Netanyahu's true colors.

Meanwhile...

Danon: "I Will Bring Down My Government if Bibi Divides Israel!"
30 b'Av 5769/Aug. 19, 2009, 9:58 PM

(IsraelNR) In a stunning interview [with Tovia Singer], maverick (a word popularized by the McCain-Palin '08 Campaign) Likud member of the Knesset, Danny Danon, unequivocally declares that he and other Likud MKs will allow the Netanyahu government fall rather than surrender one inch of the Holy Land to terrorists.

Why give such an interview?

Danon: Land Compromise Against Likud Principles
Maayana Miskin, 30 b'Av 5769/Aug. 20, 2009

(IsraelNN.com) MK Danny Danon, a member of the Likud party, says Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's agreement to a building freeze in Judea and Samaria goes against traditional Likud values. “It's outrageous that this is happening while we are in power.”

If you recall, one recent poll found that...

Who's The Most Right?
Gil Hoffman, 20 b'Av 5769/Aug. 9, 2009, 10:25 PM

(JPost.com) The MKs most loyal to the right-wing's agenda in the Knesset term that just ended were the Likud's Danny Danon....

The issues identified as dear to the Right that were monitored included opposing the creation of a Palestinian state and the release of terrorists from prison and supporting Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria and the fight against terrorism.

Will Danon gamble on Israelis being more to the right than Netanyahu, and play the "I'm more right-wing" card? Does he really have the Likud votes to force Netanyahu out? Will he team up with Moshe Feiglin? Will he form and alliance with the National Union , whose leader Ya'akov Ka"tz recently told those who voted for the Likud in the last election, "I Told You So?"

Would Moshe Feiglin also like to see the Likud government fall? You be the judge. Here is Feiglin defending Bogie's comments made at his recent conference (IsraelNNTV).





As Bogie and Bibi Shake Hands over "Misunderstanding," I guess the answer is that there will not be any government downfall nor Likud Party takeover taking place today. There will not be any secret inner-Likud Party negotiations nor alliances being revealed today.

There's only one thing that's for sure. At only 38 years of age, there is no doubt that we haven't heard the last of Danny Danon.

Too bad he's buddy-buddy with Christians.

Battling The Erev Rav Mentality,...Again

Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Shofetim 5769

An Open Letter to the "Jew," or rather the "un-Jew," who identifies with the liberal, cultural elite of Europe and North America:

As Rav Kahane hy"d has said, Jews have been attempting to fit in with the goyim through assimilation, since at least 1400's Spain. We act like the goyim; we adopt goyshe, cultural ideals. Yet it hasn't worked. So, let's try to live like Jews.

How do Jews live? They follow the Torah. The Torah guides EVERY aspect of our lives, including how to run a Jewish government and how to deal with goyim. The Torah is not just there to answer your Kashrus shailos.

You appear to be confusing Western values and sensibilities with Torah values and sensibilities. There are not one in the same, not at all. This so typical of the American, Ashkinazy-centric, galuth (diaspora) mentality, totally clueless of the influence of 2000 years of struggling to survive amongst the goyim,...often having to do so by assimilating.

The values of Jews from Arab countries and countries farther east are meaningless, because after all, EVERYONE knows that Western, liberal culture is far superior to any other culture. After all, it is "enlightened" and "progressive."

Liberals talk about accepting Arab culture, but truth is they really want to fit them into a Western cultural box. In Israel, Ben Gurions of the world (ie. Maskilim) did this to our own, forcing Eastern Jews to fit into the Western "gotta have a college degree," "gotta wear pants like the goyim" culture.

The last few hundred years have been the toughest on us. And you wonder why the Haredim have chosen to insulate their communities? This is why: To keep their kids far away from you. After generations of pseudo-conversions and unapologetic intermarriage, just how many of you are Jewish anyway?

Here are a few additional points to combat the myths you have been indoctrinated to believe:

1. There is no democracy in the Torah. Now that we are here, we are commanded to appoint a king, build the Beth HaMiqdash (The Temple), set up a Sanhedrin, and destroy Amaleq. (pretty politicall-incorrect, huh?)

2. Jews did not take any addition land not apportioned to them. It is all ours to conquer, and those goyim not accepting missim, avduth, and the 7 Misswoth No'ah... well, just take a look at Bamidbar 33:54-56.

3. According to Torah Law, the only law a real Jew should be concerned about, is that all members of a people have a joint status. All members of a people which are enemies are enemies. The only exceptions are those who stand up to their own leadership and declare that what they're doing to Israel is wrong.

4. Attempting to unify Esau (the West) and Yishma'el (the Arabs) and forsaking the Land (sound familiar?) are two significant signs of membership in the Erev Rav, the false converts who came with us out of Egypt, and who have been causing us trouble ever since. Think on this.

Word Of Advice:
Act like Jew, learn what it is to be a Jew, or leave us alone to work toward Ge'ulah (Redemption). Stick around North America with the rest of the 80 percent who won't make it out of Galuth this time,...just like the 80 percent who stayed in Egypt.

May The Almighty save you,...from yourselves.

Shabbath Shalom.

Sneak Peek: Haveil Havalim #231

Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Shofetim 5769

Here's a sneak peek at Sunday's edition of Haveil Havalim. the Jewish and Israeli Blog Carnival. I wanted to make sure you had the opportunity to check out posts related to Parshath Shofetim, so that you can check them out or print them out before Shabbath. There are a couple of other posts listed too, which may inspire you before Shabbath.

I wanted to make particular mention of Josh Waxman's in-depth and fascinating comments on the parshah in Why send back the betrothed man, if all is preordained? I am not sure why I haven't yet included the Parsha Blog in my blog roll, but surely will now.

As Sunday is also the 74th Anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Avraham Yitzhaq Kook ztz"l ("Rav Kook"), I have included Rabbi Chanan Morrison's comments on Parshath Shofetim, collected from the works of Rav Kook.

Yisroel at Artzeinu brings us The Holiness of Making a Tiyul In Eretz Yisroel. Rav Kook actually did something similar with Rabbi Ya'aqov Moshe Harla"p and Rabbi Yosef Hayim Sonnenfeld ztz"l almost a hundred years ago!

If that doesn't make you want to make aliyah, then Rafi at Life in Israel's post on his family's trip to the North will!

You can also check out "Velveteen Rabbi," and see if she has posted her weekly parsha poem yet. She and I often (always?) disagree. But, she keeps alive a very important mode of spiritual expression: poetry. So, I like to check out her parsha poem. ...and here it is, just published.

Eliyahu Fink, the "Rabbi on the Beach," brings us Brett Favre, Treason and Tshuva, in honor of Rosh Hodesh Ellul.

If you haven't yet met Allison Josephs of Jew In The City, Erev Shabbath (or Mossa'ei Shabbath) would be the perfect opportunity to check out an episode of her show! Each episode is only a few minutes. (Tip Credit: Heshy at Frum Satire)


Shabbath Shalom!

With "Zionist" Rabbis Like These, Who Needs Neturei Karta?

28 of the Fifth Month 5769

Tensions at Bnei Adam; Waiting for Rabbi Levinger
Hillel Fendel, 23 b'Av/August 13, 2009, 5:16 PM

(IsraelNN.com) Despite reports to the contrary, former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu has not issued an opinion on whether the residents of Bnei Adam should go along with the decision to remove three caravans from their outpost.

On the other hand, Rabbi Chaim Druckman, one of the leading rabbis of the religious-Zionist camp for over 40 years, has ruled that they should.

The residents themselves do not feel bound by this decision (GOOD!), however, and have gone to consult with Rabbi Moshe Levinger of Hevron instead. “I don’t believe he will say that we should leave,” said long-time Yesha activist and settlement pioneer Daniella Weiss, “as it is clear what this would mean in terms of [Prime Minister Binyamin] Netanyahu’s plan to allow a Palestinian state to be established here.” (Read more....)

Everyone is now waiting with baited breath for Rabbi Levinger's ruling.

C'mon! It's not rocket science. Our own Rabbeinu Tzvi Yehudah [Kook] ztz"l sure didn't think it was.

One must do everything in order to delay and prevent the evacuation of Jewish strongholds.
- Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah Kook ztz"l

When I little known rabbi in Ofra, Rabbi Elitzur HaLevy Seg"el, quoted this back in 2002 in response to the IDF's expulsion of Jews from Havath Gil'ad on Shabbath, there was great outrage. Even though Rabbi Sege"l, too was a student at Merkaz HaRav Yeshivah, while Rabbenu Tzvi Yehudah was the rosh yeshivah in the 1980's.

Who the heck is he?

I've never heard of him?

Of course, one may only learn the teachings of Rabbeinu Tzvi Yehudah from Rabbi Tau, Rabbi Aviner, or Rabbi Druckman.

Who the hell made up that rule? I'll tell you who: The students of Rabbi Tau, Rabbi Aviner, and Rabbi Druckman, selectively leaving out Rabbi Dov Lior, Rabbi Zalman Melamed, and Rabbi Moshe Tzuri'el.

How convenient. But it gets worse. They have also attempted to hijack the works of Rabbi Avraham Yitzhaq Kook ztz"l by stating that one may only learn his Torah from his son, and thus only from the rabbis mentioned above. Some of Rav Kook's work was suddenly discovered in the Merkaz HaRav Yeshivah, after certain rabbis had left the yeshivah. It is no coinsidence that some of this work appears to contracict much of comes out of the Mamlakhti camp.

When Rabbi Dov Lior (Hevron-Qiriyath Arba) and Rabbi Zalman Melamed (Beth-El) four full years later, no one was as courageous to shoot down the statements of two of Rabbeinu Tzvi Yehudah's very prominent students. Then Shlomo Aviner came along, and insisted on declaring that Rabbeinu Tzvi Yehudah never explicitly said "to refuse orders."

Although Rabbi Melamed walks a very careful line Beth-El for the sake of "shalom" in that town, he could not stand idly by after this statement of Aviner's. In the b'Sheva Hebrew weekly, he made the following statement, without mentioning any names.

"Rabbeinu Tzvi Yehudah did not have to say 'refuse orders,' as he said 'everything.' Anyone who ever learned by him and knew him should know that." (paraphrase)

During the last days in Azza, Rabbi Aviner and other like-minded rabbis were stationed in Neveh Deqalim synagogues keeping an eye on residents who were unknowingly being prepared for their final expulsion (Deep inside, Neveh Deqalim residents could probably feel what was coming). It is crucial to keep this fresh in all of our minds.





Rabbis Lior and Melamed, on the other hand, were barricaded on the roof of the synagogue in K'far Darom. Only when they heard that they were the last ones standing. I believe this was not a caving into the government, but rather like the decision of Rabbi Yohanan, who, acknowledging the reality of the situation, knew that Jerusalem had fallen and the there was nothing left to be done, save for damage control (Avoth d'Rabbi Nathan).

Some have suggested that we all have "our own rabbis."

So, then which rabbis would you follow?

The ones with the money, the publicity machine, and the cameras and microphones constantly at their heels, who see no contradiction between Torah and Israeli Law?

Or ones who place Torah Law before all else, contradiction or not, the ones whose "rulings" are supported by halachic sources, and hold up to scrutiny?

Here is a final note, regarding the B'nei Adam stronghold itself. In this video, Zambish Hever, head of Amana, encouraging the residents to leave B'nei Adam, instead of encouraging them to stay, like you would expect those connected with the Yesh"a Council to do.

Those hold up in the structure slated for removal are yelling various things at him, including, "You destroyed Gush Qatif!" "Put your head down!" and "Take off your kippah!"



Could the tide be changing? Could Jews be waking up, seeing who is a traitor, and fighting back? Or is this attitude still limited to the outposts surrounding Hevron and Shchem?

Update:

Bnei Adam Clash Dissipates – For Now
Hillel Fendel, 26 b'Av/August 16, 2009, 1:33 PM

(IsraelNN.com) Rabbi Moshe Levinger of Hevron ruled that a fight for an outpost can’t be waged without the agreement of the residents – who haven’t decided yet. (Read more...)

I suppose that is a reasonable ruling,... on the surface. Now we will have to see who appears on the seen to try to influence the decisions of the residents.

Cross-posted on The Israel Situation.