Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parashath Eiqev 5770
My mother always used to tell me (p’saq din perhaps?) that...
“Jews may use mayonnaise in only three recipes: tuna salad, egg salad, and potato salad.”
Mayonnaise was a non-Jewish condiment; mustard was a Jewish condiment. Then what about Ketchup? Ketchup was universal. After all, American Jews and non-Jews alike ate French Fries, right?
Imagine my surprise when I first saw how much mayonnaise was stocked in the average Israeli grocery store! What they use it for?! They couldn't possibly be eating tuna salad, egg salad, and potato salad THAT often. Could they?
I quickly learned about Babaganoush, an eggplant salad made with mayonnaise. Yep, I've heard of that.
Then, of course, mayonnaise was added to chopped liver to give it a smooth consistency. Yeah, I remember that.
I have also seen mayonnaise used as an ingredient in pareve (non-dairy/non-meat) sauces. OK. That makes sense, I suppose.
I have even seen friends dip gefilte fish in it (ew!), and add it to chrain to make “chrainaise.” OK. Whatever floats your boat.
Then I remembered putting mayonnaise on cheese sandwiches as a kid. But, I have yet to see that done in Israel.
I also remember that my mother would rub a little bit on the leaves of the house plants, something which I still do. It seems to be good for the plants, but I couldn't tell you why. I haven't seen that done in Israel either.
I'm sorry. But all of these minimal uses for mayonnaise cannot possibly account for all of the mayonnaise I see stocked in the stores. Can it?
So, what DOES all this mayonnaise in Israel get used for?
For now, I suppose that will have to remain one of life's little mysteries. In the meantime, I will provide you with my versions of tuna salad, egg salad, and potato salad. All three of these are standard fair for Shabbath Se'udath Shelishith (third meal), for the summer in general, and for school lunches. Kids will be going back to school before you know it!
I must also apologize in advance for my lack of exact ingredient amounts. In the tradition of my Great-Grandmother Lilly z”l, all of the quantities are “however much it needs.” Alright. I'll keep working on this.
NOTE: Ever since I was a kid, I have never been able to stand the consistency of chopped onions. Yet, I like the flavor. You may use clopped onions for these recipes if you like, but I prefer onion which has been pureed or onion powder. I also leave out black pepper, not because I do not like it, but because it does not sit well with. Black pepper would go well in any of these recipes.
Tuna Salad
tuna
mayonnaise
garlic
chopped
parsley
salt
onion power (optional)
Combine all of the ingredients, except for the tuna. I find it to be much easier this way. I use freshly grated garlic, but power works well, too. Fold in the tuna. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Great on slices of toasted hallah or fried pita or with pasta salad!
Egg Salad
hard boiled eggs
mayonnaise
garlic
chopped parsley
chopped dill
salt
onion power (optional)
Mash up the cooked yolks, keeping them as smooth or as chunky as you like. Mix in the spices, adding only a little of the dill. More can always be added later. Fold in the mayonnaise. Chop or food-process the whites, again as finely or as chunkily as you prefer. Fold in the prepared whites. Adjust the spicing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
TIPS: When preparing eggs from the cholent, peel them, allow them to cool down before preparation, and taste a little first before deciding upon spices.
Potato Salad
boiled potatoes
mayonnaise
puréed onion – not more than one onion for every five potatoes, start with a half an onion first, you can add more later
garlic
chopped parsley
salt
Optional Ingredients:
chopped dill (Be careful not to use too much!)
peas
grated carrot
Before boiling the potatoes, you may decide to peel them. I personally like to keep the peel on. However, more than one argument has been had over this rather contentious issue, even more than whether to squeeze the toothpaste from the middle or from the bottom of the tube. So, you may want to take a survey of your guests first. When in doubt, peel the potatoes.
Prepare the sauce first. Fold in the potatoes which have chopped according to preference. Add the peas and/or grated carrot if you like. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Enjoy!
*Feel free to list links to your recipes for any of the above in the comments section!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Red Cross Harbors Hamas Fugitives
Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parashath Eiqev 5770
I received the following from a friend of mine, Shmuel Sokol:
I think it to be more telling, though, to read the ICRC's responses to Shmuel's questions,
Additional related articles by Shmuel Sokol:
Hamas Four Renounce Their Party
Hamas Parliamentarians To Defy Israeli Ban
I received the following from a friend of mine, Shmuel Sokol:
ICRC Harbors Hamas Fugitives
Samuel Sokol, Five Towns Jewish Times, July 22, 2010
The International Committee of the Red Cross [ICRC] stated Tuesday that it is knowingly sheltering three wanted fugitives from the Israeli police in its East Jerusalem headquarters. Ahmad Atoun, Khaled Abu Arafa, and Muhhamad Totach, all representatives of Hamas’ Change and Reform list in the Pales tinian Legislative Council [PLC], have camped out in the Sheikh Jarrah building since the June 30 rearrest of Hamas MP and former Al Qassam Brigades leader Muhhamad Abu Tir.
Dorothea Krimitsas, a spokeswoman for the ICRC, stated that the three men requested Red Cross “protection” from Israeli security forces and were informed that “they could remain on ICRC premises, but also that the ICRC could not prevent the Israeli authorities from taking action against them.”
All three are wanted by Israel for illegally residing in Jerusalem after the recent revocation of their blue residency cards. The cards were confiscated following their refusal to renounce their affiliation with Hamas. Without a repudiation of their membership, Israeli authorities warned, the four men face deportation. (Read more....)
I think it to be more telling, though, to read the ICRC's responses to Shmuel's questions,
Dear Mr. Sokol,I think that Dorothea would like to get some additional feedback on this matter, don't you?
Here are my answers to your questions, which I copied below for the sake of clarity:
I would like the position of the Red Cross on this matter and to know if this is being done as a matter of policy.
On 1 July, the three persons (two PLC members and a former Minister for Jerusalem Affairs) asked the ICRC's delegation in Jerusalem to provide them with protection. They were told that they could remain on ICRC premises, but also that the ICRC could not prevent the Israeli authorities from taking action against them. (What's stopping Israel from "taking action?" Worries over bad PR?)
The ICRC has also been in contact with the Israeli authorities from the very beginning, asking them to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law:
- East Jerusalem is occupied territory, and the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem are considered protected persons under international humanitarian law (Article 4 of the Fourth Geneva Convention).
- Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to protect the Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem and cannot lawfully undertake to forcibly transfer them from their homes. Under Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, forcible transfers of protected persons are explicitly prohibited regardless of their motive.
Does the ICRC make a differentiation between the civilian and militant sides of Hamas and does it recognize Israel's categorization of all parts of the organization as terrorist entities?
It is not up to the ICRC, as a humanitarian organization, to confer a particular status on people or organizations or to recognize their legitimacy, neither does international humanitarian law. Under international humanitarian law – which is applicable in Israel and the occupied territories and is the law on which the ICRC's mandate and activities are based – everyone who is not a combattant (as defined in the Third Geneva Convention and in the First Additional Protocol), is a civilian.
In a recent study (A study? Study of what? Study with whom?), ICRC also interpreted (?!) that members of organized armed groups belonging to a party to the conflict lose protection against direct attack for the duration of their membership (i.e., for as long as they assume a continuous combat function). (http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/htmlall/direct-participation-ihl-feature-020609) This principle of distinction is particularly relevant for the conduct of hostilities.
Has the ICRC been in touch with Israel in order to resolve this matter?
Yes. See my answer above.
I hope this information is helpful.
With best regards,
Dorothea Krimitsas
International Committee of the Red Cross
Media and Public Relations, Middle East
office +41 22 730 25 90, mobile +41 79 251 93 18
dkrimitsas@icrc.org
The ICRC - working to protect and assist peopleaffected byinvolved in armed conflict and other situations of violence (...against Jews. Remember Terezinschadt?). Find out more: www.icrc.org
Additional related articles by Shmuel Sokol:
Hamas Four Renounce Their Party
Hamas Parliamentarians To Defy Israeli Ban
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Haveil Havalim #276 Is Up!
Erev Tzom HaHamishi 5770
This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at Ima 2 Seven!
This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at Ima 2 Seven!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Eating Shuwarmah During The "Nine Days" Oy! Geeeeevaaaaald!!!
I try to plan and shop for food as well as I can. Otherwise, I end up eating out, which does not just affect my health, but my wallet, too. After all, I gotta eat, right?
A couple of days ago was one of those food outtings. On a break from work, I went to my favorite Yemenite-owned, shuwarmah places (no Arab employees, by the way). and ordered a shuwarmah b'laffah. I was surprised when “Moti” the owner gave me a puzzled look, and asked if I was Sefardi. I looked at him funny, and said, “Um,...no. Why?”
“It's the 'Nine Days,'” he replied.
“The Ramba”m doesn't even mention the 'Nine Days.' We actually talked about this last year.”
Moti smiled, and then started preparing my shuwarmah, making sure I wanted my “usual” stuff in it.
The religous lady standing next to me chimed in. “Oy. My husband drives me crazy with this stuff!”
Moti and I chuckled.
While preparing my shuwarmah, he and I and the other owner "David," bantered on about the relatively new “invention” of the “Three Weeks,” and other such things.
Moti lifted his arms into the air and made a face, as if to say, “Where do they come up with these things?!”
I gave him my trademark “Diasporah Mentality” response.
Then after paying, Moti left me with an expression I had never heard:
“Ashkenzim have the custom to... Sefardim are strict [on the halacha]... And Yemenites do not have the custom to...”
Obviously, Yememites have do customs regarding certain practices. So, what was he talking about?
The jist of it was that, in Moti's opinion, Yemenites just stick with the halacha, and do not go out of their way to find new ways to make things difficult for themselves.
So, the next you someone eating meat during the “Nine Days,” or who just cut his hair to look good for Shabbath, don't jump to any conclusions.
Not everyone has the same customs as you.
Furthermore, one needs to ask oneself, “Why is there such diversity of customs amongst Jews in Eretz Yisra'el anyway?”
But, that's another blog post at another time.
Shabbath Shalom and have an easy fast!
A couple of days ago was one of those food outtings. On a break from work, I went to my favorite Yemenite-owned, shuwarmah places (no Arab employees, by the way). and ordered a shuwarmah b'laffah. I was surprised when “Moti” the owner gave me a puzzled look, and asked if I was Sefardi. I looked at him funny, and said, “Um,...no. Why?”
“It's the 'Nine Days,'” he replied.
“The Ramba”m doesn't even mention the 'Nine Days.' We actually talked about this last year.”
Moti smiled, and then started preparing my shuwarmah, making sure I wanted my “usual” stuff in it.
The religous lady standing next to me chimed in. “Oy. My husband drives me crazy with this stuff!”
Moti and I chuckled.
While preparing my shuwarmah, he and I and the other owner "David," bantered on about the relatively new “invention” of the “Three Weeks,” and other such things.
Moti lifted his arms into the air and made a face, as if to say, “Where do they come up with these things?!”
I gave him my trademark “Diasporah Mentality” response.
Then after paying, Moti left me with an expression I had never heard:
“Ashkenzim have the custom to... Sefardim are strict [on the halacha]... And Yemenites do not have the custom to...”
Obviously, Yememites have do customs regarding certain practices. So, what was he talking about?
The jist of it was that, in Moti's opinion, Yemenites just stick with the halacha, and do not go out of their way to find new ways to make things difficult for themselves.
So, the next you someone eating meat during the “Nine Days,” or who just cut his hair to look good for Shabbath, don't jump to any conclusions.
Not everyone has the same customs as you.
Furthermore, one needs to ask oneself, “Why is there such diversity of customs amongst Jews in Eretz Yisra'el anyway?”
But, that's another blog post at another time.
Shabbath Shalom and have an easy fast!
*********
Notes from the Ramba"m can be found below in the comments section, with thanks to fellow blogger HaMekubal.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
More On Jewish Criticism Of Israel
4 of the Fifth Month 5770
The following was written as a talkback to my friend Yo'el Meltzer's “Jewish Criticism Of Israel,” posted on YNET, as well as here on Esser Agaroth.
Yo'el, I thnk that you are being to kind in regard to the typical, left-wing, American Jew.
At best, such a Jew is a super-assimilated, tinoq shenishba. He simply does not know any better. At worst, he is a pseudo-”rabbi,” a full fledged member of an organization which works day and night to fight against Torah values, Torah Jews, and the Jewish claim to parts of Eretz Yisra'el. He colaborates with enemies of the Jewish People, killers of Jewish babies. He confuses Western culture and sensibilities with Torah, and is thus more assimilated and entrenched in America (Am Reiqa - “empty people”) than the tinoq shenishba...no matter how well he can supposedly parce out a daf of gemara.
He distorts true, Torah thinking, believing that he knows better than Haza”l, the Ge'onim, and the Rishonim. Some of these Jews believe that “the past has a vote, not a veto,” which is code for “do want you want,” and find a misinterpreted or utterly distorted source for it later. Most of these Jews believe in the notion of being led by ones “feelings.” This is a Western (Esau) concept, not a Torah one, and thus, not a Jewish one.
We, or rather Jews in America, are in big trouble....
The following was written as a talkback to my friend Yo'el Meltzer's “Jewish Criticism Of Israel,” posted on YNET, as well as here on Esser Agaroth.
Yo'el, I thnk that you are being to kind in regard to the typical, left-wing, American Jew.
At best, such a Jew is a super-assimilated, tinoq shenishba. He simply does not know any better. At worst, he is a pseudo-”rabbi,” a full fledged member of an organization which works day and night to fight against Torah values, Torah Jews, and the Jewish claim to parts of Eretz Yisra'el. He colaborates with enemies of the Jewish People, killers of Jewish babies. He confuses Western culture and sensibilities with Torah, and is thus more assimilated and entrenched in America (Am Reiqa - “empty people”) than the tinoq shenishba...no matter how well he can supposedly parce out a daf of gemara.
He distorts true, Torah thinking, believing that he knows better than Haza”l, the Ge'onim, and the Rishonim. Some of these Jews believe that “the past has a vote, not a veto,” which is code for “do want you want,” and find a misinterpreted or utterly distorted source for it later. Most of these Jews believe in the notion of being led by ones “feelings.” This is a Western (Esau) concept, not a Torah one, and thus, not a Jewish one.
We, or rather Jews in America, are in big trouble....
Life In Israel's “Interesting Posts”
4 of the Fifth Month 5770
I would like to make a plug for the Life In Israel Blog's “Interesting Posts” series. Rafi occasionally points out a few “interesting posts” to his readers, kind of like a mini-blog carnival.
He searches them out, so that we don't have to, saing us a lot of time.
Of course, I am biased, as he has had the kindness to include some of posts during the tenure of this series.
Be that as it may, go ahead and check it out!
I would like to make a plug for the Life In Israel Blog's “Interesting Posts” series. Rafi occasionally points out a few “interesting posts” to his readers, kind of like a mini-blog carnival.
He searches them out, so that we don't have to, saing us a lot of time.
Of course, I am biased, as he has had the kindness to include some of posts during the tenure of this series.
Be that as it may, go ahead and check it out!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Three Weeks & Nine Days Shi'ur Portal
3 of the Fifth Month 5770
1. Jewish Unity Before Tisha B'Av (Audio: Israel National Radio interview
The purpose of the Jew in exile is different from the purpose of the Jew in the land of Israel. We need to stop focusing on our ethnic associations and reconstitute ourselves as a Jewish nation.
Thursday, 08 July 2010
2. The Three Weeks, Tisha b'Av and the Four Fasts (Audio)
Should we or should we not keep all humroth of the week of Tisha b'Av? The Sema"q writes that keeping the humroth of the week of Tisha b'Av during the previous week is “an unnecessary humrah.”
Thursday, 24 June 2010
3. Laundry During The 9 Days (Text)
Question: Regarding the 9 Days and laundry. We are blessed with two boys, one three and the other 9 months. We use cloth diapers. It's permitted to do their laundry as needed, correct?
Monday, 27 July 2009
4. What is the Status of 10th Av: May One Eat Meat? (Text)
Question: My father has his birthday on 10th of Av (Friday this year) and I wanted to make a barbecue for him. Is it permissible to eat meat, drink wine and be joyful on the 10th of Av?
July 27, 2009
5. Yerushalmi Ta'anith 18 - Running Shoes on Tisha b'Av, Washing hands, etc. (Audio)
Ta'anith 18 - Running Shoes on Tisha b'Av, washing hands, etc. You can wear slippers on a fast day, but it is hard to permit wearing non-leather running shoes on Tisha b’Av or Yom Kippur.
July 6, 2009
6. Yerushalmi Ta'anith 20 - Tisha b'Av and the 3 Weeks (Audio)
Ta'anith 20 - Which type of mourning is the more severe - mourning for the Temple or for a family member? One may get engaged on Tisha b'Av. Haza"l did not enact a mourning period of three weeks - Why?
July 6, 2009
7. Music Throughout the Year and During the 3 Weeks (Hebrew Audio)
שמיעת מוזיקה בשלושת השבועות ובכל ימות השנה Music Throughout Year and during the 3 Weeks in Hebrew
July 6, 2009
8. The Four Fasts: Halakha or Minhagh? (Audio)
The Four Fasts: Halakha or Minhagh? 1. When don’t you fast? Rash"i says when Jews are sovereign, Ramba"n says during Temple times. Are Jews sovereign today? 2. Ramba"n says a majority can decide ...
July 6, 2009
9. Tisha b'Av (Text)
... 4:6) that when Tisha b'Av falls on Shabbath (in which case it is deferred till Sunday), both weeks – the week prior to Tisha b'Av, and the week following – are not considered to be the week of Tisha b'Av, ...
December 14, 2008
1. Jewish Unity Before Tisha B'Av (Audio: Israel National Radio interview
The purpose of the Jew in exile is different from the purpose of the Jew in the land of Israel. We need to stop focusing on our ethnic associations and reconstitute ourselves as a Jewish nation.
Thursday, 08 July 2010
2. The Three Weeks, Tisha b'Av and the Four Fasts (Audio)
Should we or should we not keep all humroth of the week of Tisha b'Av? The Sema"q writes that keeping the humroth of the week of Tisha b'Av during the previous week is “an unnecessary humrah.”
Thursday, 24 June 2010
3. Laundry During The 9 Days (Text)
Question: Regarding the 9 Days and laundry. We are blessed with two boys, one three and the other 9 months. We use cloth diapers. It's permitted to do their laundry as needed, correct?
Monday, 27 July 2009
4. What is the Status of 10th Av: May One Eat Meat? (Text)
Question: My father has his birthday on 10th of Av (Friday this year) and I wanted to make a barbecue for him. Is it permissible to eat meat, drink wine and be joyful on the 10th of Av?
July 27, 2009
5. Yerushalmi Ta'anith 18 - Running Shoes on Tisha b'Av, Washing hands, etc. (Audio)
Ta'anith 18 - Running Shoes on Tisha b'Av, washing hands, etc. You can wear slippers on a fast day, but it is hard to permit wearing non-leather running shoes on Tisha b’Av or Yom Kippur.
July 6, 2009
6. Yerushalmi Ta'anith 20 - Tisha b'Av and the 3 Weeks (Audio)
Ta'anith 20 - Which type of mourning is the more severe - mourning for the Temple or for a family member? One may get engaged on Tisha b'Av. Haza"l did not enact a mourning period of three weeks - Why?
July 6, 2009
7. Music Throughout the Year and During the 3 Weeks (Hebrew Audio)
שמיעת מוזיקה בשלושת השבועות ובכל ימות השנה Music Throughout Year and during the 3 Weeks in Hebrew
July 6, 2009
8. The Four Fasts: Halakha or Minhagh? (Audio)
The Four Fasts: Halakha or Minhagh? 1. When don’t you fast? Rash"i says when Jews are sovereign, Ramba"n says during Temple times. Are Jews sovereign today? 2. Ramba"n says a majority can decide ...
July 6, 2009
9. Tisha b'Av (Text)
... 4:6) that when Tisha b'Av falls on Shabbath (in which case it is deferred till Sunday), both weeks – the week prior to Tisha b'Av, and the week following – are not considered to be the week of Tisha b'Av, ...
December 14, 2008
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Jewish Criticism Of Israel
3 of the Fifth Month 5770
Yoel Meltzer
While criticizing Israel, US Jews must beware of biased agendas around them
When American Jews are confronted with actions of the Jewish state that they believe to be wrong or immoral, do they have the right to publicly criticize Israel? Moreover, assuming for a moment that they have the right, should they exercise it? In other words, is their criticism actually helping Israel or is it only providing ammunition for our enemies to further harm Israel?
While American Jews are faced with such difficult questions, not surprisingly their counterparts in Israel are strongly against Diaspora Jewry publicly criticizing Israel in any shape or form. In addition, feeling increasingly threatened and ostracized, Israel now more than ever expects to receive strong support from Diaspora Jewry, especially from the large and powerful American Jewish community.
What then is the proper path to follow? For starters, since the Jewish nation is comprised of every Jew and the land of Israel, eretz yisrael, belongs to every Jew, then certainly American Jews can speak their mind about events in Israel. No one is suggesting that these two cornerstones of our tradition, namely that all Jews have an intrinsic connection with each other as well as with a common land, be tinkered with. However, since we don't live in a bubble and the situation is obviously more complex, the subject needs to be further analyzed from both sides of the coin.
From the Israeli perspective, one argument frequently heard is that American Jews should not speak out against Israel since they have little or no understanding of the reality of life in the Middle East. Bluntly stated, Israel's neighbors are not Canada and Mexico. This line of thinking helps explain why many left-leaning Israeli Jews are frequently very different from their American counterparts.
Unlike a Jew living in America, the typical left-wing Israeli has to deal with army service, wars and terrorist attacks. Thus, although he may support certain policies that are considered left-wing, he usually doesn't do this out of a naïve belief that Jews and Arabs will soon become best of friends or that relinquishing more land will actually bring an end to the region's hostilities.
Another common assumption in Israel is that those American Jews who feel uncomfortable about Israeli actions or policies are probably struggling with their own Jewish identity. With assimilation ravaging American Jewry, it's only natural that one's Jewish identity frequently takes backstage to other identities that are a part of one's psychological makeup. For this reason, it should come as no surprise that the most steadfast supporters of Israel usually come from Jews who are more traditional since for them the Jewish component is a dominant factor of their identity.
Finally, on a psychological level some claim that Israeli activities that appear harsh or unjust would make an American Jew with a relatively weak Jewish identity feel uncomfortable in his non-Jewish environment. Thus, by criticizing Israel perhaps he is subconsciously trying to be accepted by the non-Jewish world around him.
These are some of the claims from the Israeli angle, in addition to the ubiquitous "if you don't live here, don't tell us what to do" claim.
Nonetheless, in spite of any truth that these arguments may contain, as previously stated American Jews have the right to express their beliefs. True, perhaps they should ask themselves why they are criticizing – to honestly help Israel or to merely alleviate their own uncomfortable situation – but this is a side issue. The point is they can criticize.
Non-Jewish Morality
Having said all that, perhaps there is something else going on here. Unlike the Middle Eastern culture that has an aspect of tribal affiliation and less internal criticism, American culture is hypothetically based upon an objective pursuit of truth and justice. Therefore, being influenced by the surrounding culture, American Jews tend to give precedence to what they consider the pursuit of truth and justice as opposed to simply granting unconditional loyalty to other Jews.
On the surface this is quite a noble quality, one worthy of exporting to the rest of humanity. However, this otherwise praiseworthy approach also contains two potential flaws. One is the assumption of objectivity and the second is the very understanding of such terms as “truth” and “justice”.
The combined effect today of both the media and the many powerful public relations, marketing and advertising firms is arguably more influential than ever before in shaping the mindset of the average person. Together with this powerful group there is the academic world with its own unique ability to penetrate all sorts of ideas into society.
The problem is that many of the people who have the power to influence are heavily biased when it comes to Israel. For instance, I remember being fed seemingly endless Edward Said and Noam Chomsky while working on my master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies. Although a small minority of students sensed that something was wrong and that the studies were biased, most did not have the tools to argue with our well published and seemingly brilliant political science professor. For the majority of the students, the professor's words were simply accepted as irrefutable truth.
The point is that there are many intelligent and powerful people, be it in the media or in the academic world, with a very biased approach when it comes to Israel and through their positions of influence they easily blow away the assumed theory of objectivity.
The second problem is frequently just an outgrowth of the first problem since it is people with an agenda that often shape our understanding of what constitutes truth and justice or right and wrong when assessing Israel. Moreover, even in the best-case scenario where this is not happening, the basic understandings that most American Jews have of these concepts usually come from non-Jewish sources. Although occasionally these are similar to Jewish concepts of morality, sometimes they’re not.
Thus rather than judging the Jewish State based upon the rich tradition of Jewish morality and ethics, Israel is ironically being judged by good-intentioned Jews according to non-Jewish morality.
To summarize, American Jews definitely have the right to express their opinion regarding the Jewish State since Israel, like any nation, is certainly not absolved from criticism. However, while continuing with the pursuit of the lofty ideals mentioned above, American Jews need to be more cognizant of the fact that both their understanding of these very ideals and of the actual events that transpire in Israel are frequently influenced by people with a very clear and biased agenda.
Cross-posted on YNET.
Yoel Meltzer
While criticizing Israel, US Jews must beware of biased agendas around them
When American Jews are confronted with actions of the Jewish state that they believe to be wrong or immoral, do they have the right to publicly criticize Israel? Moreover, assuming for a moment that they have the right, should they exercise it? In other words, is their criticism actually helping Israel or is it only providing ammunition for our enemies to further harm Israel?
While American Jews are faced with such difficult questions, not surprisingly their counterparts in Israel are strongly against Diaspora Jewry publicly criticizing Israel in any shape or form. In addition, feeling increasingly threatened and ostracized, Israel now more than ever expects to receive strong support from Diaspora Jewry, especially from the large and powerful American Jewish community.
What then is the proper path to follow? For starters, since the Jewish nation is comprised of every Jew and the land of Israel, eretz yisrael, belongs to every Jew, then certainly American Jews can speak their mind about events in Israel. No one is suggesting that these two cornerstones of our tradition, namely that all Jews have an intrinsic connection with each other as well as with a common land, be tinkered with. However, since we don't live in a bubble and the situation is obviously more complex, the subject needs to be further analyzed from both sides of the coin.
From the Israeli perspective, one argument frequently heard is that American Jews should not speak out against Israel since they have little or no understanding of the reality of life in the Middle East. Bluntly stated, Israel's neighbors are not Canada and Mexico. This line of thinking helps explain why many left-leaning Israeli Jews are frequently very different from their American counterparts.
Unlike a Jew living in America, the typical left-wing Israeli has to deal with army service, wars and terrorist attacks. Thus, although he may support certain policies that are considered left-wing, he usually doesn't do this out of a naïve belief that Jews and Arabs will soon become best of friends or that relinquishing more land will actually bring an end to the region's hostilities.
Another common assumption in Israel is that those American Jews who feel uncomfortable about Israeli actions or policies are probably struggling with their own Jewish identity. With assimilation ravaging American Jewry, it's only natural that one's Jewish identity frequently takes backstage to other identities that are a part of one's psychological makeup. For this reason, it should come as no surprise that the most steadfast supporters of Israel usually come from Jews who are more traditional since for them the Jewish component is a dominant factor of their identity.
Finally, on a psychological level some claim that Israeli activities that appear harsh or unjust would make an American Jew with a relatively weak Jewish identity feel uncomfortable in his non-Jewish environment. Thus, by criticizing Israel perhaps he is subconsciously trying to be accepted by the non-Jewish world around him.
These are some of the claims from the Israeli angle, in addition to the ubiquitous "if you don't live here, don't tell us what to do" claim.
Nonetheless, in spite of any truth that these arguments may contain, as previously stated American Jews have the right to express their beliefs. True, perhaps they should ask themselves why they are criticizing – to honestly help Israel or to merely alleviate their own uncomfortable situation – but this is a side issue. The point is they can criticize.
Non-Jewish Morality
Having said all that, perhaps there is something else going on here. Unlike the Middle Eastern culture that has an aspect of tribal affiliation and less internal criticism, American culture is hypothetically based upon an objective pursuit of truth and justice. Therefore, being influenced by the surrounding culture, American Jews tend to give precedence to what they consider the pursuit of truth and justice as opposed to simply granting unconditional loyalty to other Jews.
On the surface this is quite a noble quality, one worthy of exporting to the rest of humanity. However, this otherwise praiseworthy approach also contains two potential flaws. One is the assumption of objectivity and the second is the very understanding of such terms as “truth” and “justice”.
The combined effect today of both the media and the many powerful public relations, marketing and advertising firms is arguably more influential than ever before in shaping the mindset of the average person. Together with this powerful group there is the academic world with its own unique ability to penetrate all sorts of ideas into society.
The problem is that many of the people who have the power to influence are heavily biased when it comes to Israel. For instance, I remember being fed seemingly endless Edward Said and Noam Chomsky while working on my master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies. Although a small minority of students sensed that something was wrong and that the studies were biased, most did not have the tools to argue with our well published and seemingly brilliant political science professor. For the majority of the students, the professor's words were simply accepted as irrefutable truth.
The point is that there are many intelligent and powerful people, be it in the media or in the academic world, with a very biased approach when it comes to Israel and through their positions of influence they easily blow away the assumed theory of objectivity.
The second problem is frequently just an outgrowth of the first problem since it is people with an agenda that often shape our understanding of what constitutes truth and justice or right and wrong when assessing Israel. Moreover, even in the best-case scenario where this is not happening, the basic understandings that most American Jews have of these concepts usually come from non-Jewish sources. Although occasionally these are similar to Jewish concepts of morality, sometimes they’re not.
Thus rather than judging the Jewish State based upon the rich tradition of Jewish morality and ethics, Israel is ironically being judged by good-intentioned Jews according to non-Jewish morality.
To summarize, American Jews definitely have the right to express their opinion regarding the Jewish State since Israel, like any nation, is certainly not absolved from criticism. However, while continuing with the pursuit of the lofty ideals mentioned above, American Jews need to be more cognizant of the fact that both their understanding of these very ideals and of the actual events that transpire in Israel are frequently influenced by people with a very clear and biased agenda.
Cross-posted on YNET.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Response To Hecht's “Anti Semitism USA, Circa 2010”
2 of the Fifth Month 5770
Nonetheless, you decided to write this piece, and within it, express your surprise/shock.
I can only assume that the audience to which you direct this is a non-Jewish one, for the following reasons:
1. We learn a rule: עשו שונא ליעקב - ספרי בהעלותך ס"ט (Esau hates Ya'aqov - Sifrei B'ha'alotehca 69) This does not suddenly change, or get overturned somehow, by Jewish, co-dependent, bending over backwards to please the goyim, to show them that we are just like them, and contribute positively to American society. Only through a final revelation, so to speak, when as many of us as possible reside in our Homeland, with a Miqdash, Sanhedrin, and kingship in place, and with the final defeat of our enemies, will they finally accept the truth. Then maybe Esau will cease this senseless resentment carried against us for 1,000's of years.
2. Even when you say “we are in big trouble,” I can only assume that you are referring to Americans in general. You are concerned with their collective, spiritual health, as well as the physical safety of those Jews still residing there, may they come back to their true Homeland soon
3. Equality and tolerance? These seem to be those modern, Western concepts you are throwing back into the faces of the goyim who invented them. Granted there are various times when equality does apply in Judaism, and when outside of Israel, we must negotiate the local, goyshe authorities when applying our Torah-based inequalities. To justify the different roles of men in women in Judaism, we do not try to explain it to the goyim, we simply cite the “establishment clause” in the U. S. Constitution, likewise when hiring a waiter to serve wine, a supervisor in a restaurant, a dairy, or a meat processing plant. Clearly, we are not all equal (...and I am only mentioning the politically-correct examples here).
4. In this day and age, of confusion and difficulty, we certainly must be patient with those Jews who do not know better, so that we can bring them back to Torah and misswoth. But, I would hardly call that tolerance. Al pi halacha, we are NOT to be tolerant of several categories of people, quite the opposite, in fact: participants in avodah zarah, participants in forbidden, sexual activities, as well as enemies of the Jewish People, out to kill us and our children regardless of how much land or prisoners or money we bend over backwards to give them. As you know, we are exempt from chasing after avodah zarah outside of Israel, and must take under consideration the local laws outside of Israel when dealing other members of the community. Dealing with our enemies in the U. S. is done through protests, lobbying government officials, and writing (including blogging!). Nonetheless, an all emcompassing value of tolerance is not a Jewish one. Tolerance of our diverse customs and ethnicities, yes; tolerance of those who represent the antithesis of our Holy Torah, no; Thus, you must be speaking to a non-Jewish audience, and not to a Jewish one.
5. You never mentioned that the solution is for “us” to return to our true Homeland. No, this is not “running away from the problem,” it is the correction of a 2,000 year old displacement of a People from its Homeland. HaQadosh Barukh Hu (The Holy One, Blessed Be He) has opened up the gates for us to return to the Land he has promised to us. Don't like the governmental system and the way things are done here? Neither do I. So, come and help change things,...even though it will be far from easy. [Three good gifts were given] ...through suffering. They are Torah, Eretz Yisra'el, and HaOlam HaBa (TB Berakhoth 5a). Many Jews are repeating the sins of the spies, the forsaking of the Land and hoser emunah (lack of faith); other Jews simply do not know any better. Since your focus is not on correcting this, you must be speaking to a non-Jewish audience, and not to a Jewish one.
As helpful as it has been for Jews to reside in the U. S. for six generations or more, it is not where we are supposed to reside leKhathilah. It is not our true Homeland; Israel is.
America is not going to save us. If Jews would open their eyes, they would also see that France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the U. K., South Africa, and Turkey are not going to save us either, let alone protect us from Anti Semetism, circa 2010.
History has shown us that sometimes HaQadosh Barukh Hu has had to give us a proverbial kick in the pants to see this. How hard that kick in the pants has to be is up to us.
Have you ever thought that being called a “dirty Jew” is your kick in the pants? And if you insist on staying in the U. S. anyway, then perhaps you can increase your efforts in getting this message out to the Jews there.
It is time that we stand on our own feet, in our own homeland, and depend upon HaQadosh Barukh Hu instead of goyim or their governments.
In conclusion, Rabbi Hecht, I would like to thank you for your article. It is a positive and helpful message to the goyim,...but not to the Jews.
See also:
Esser Agaroth: Some Thoughts On The Fast Of The Fourth Month
*about the Jewish relationship with the U. S.
Lamrot Hakol: The Morality of Flattery and Christian Zionists *about our relationship with Christians and being a “light unto the nations”
Anti Semitism USA, Circa 2010 Rabbi Hanoch Hecht, 19 Tammuz 5770/1 July 2010Rabbi Hecht, I cannot imagine why you are surprised about this boy's behavior, or for that matter, his mother's passive approval.
(Israelnationalnews.com) Last week I was walking in Manhattan going from one meeting to the next, when I heard a voice chanting the words "dirty Jew" at me. As I turned around to see who had said them, I was slightly surprised to see a young boy, a Caucasian, of about 11 or 12 years of age. What was even more astonishing was that his mother was standing right behind him, apparently not caring what her son was saying, not rebuking him in any way or even apologizing to me on his behalf...
...I think it is safe to say that we are in big trouble.... (Read more...)
Nonetheless, you decided to write this piece, and within it, express your surprise/shock.
I can only assume that the audience to which you direct this is a non-Jewish one, for the following reasons:
1. We learn a rule: עשו שונא ליעקב - ספרי בהעלותך ס"ט (Esau hates Ya'aqov - Sifrei B'ha'alotehca 69) This does not suddenly change, or get overturned somehow, by Jewish, co-dependent, bending over backwards to please the goyim, to show them that we are just like them, and contribute positively to American society. Only through a final revelation, so to speak, when as many of us as possible reside in our Homeland, with a Miqdash, Sanhedrin, and kingship in place, and with the final defeat of our enemies, will they finally accept the truth. Then maybe Esau will cease this senseless resentment carried against us for 1,000's of years.
2. Even when you say “we are in big trouble,” I can only assume that you are referring to Americans in general. You are concerned with their collective, spiritual health, as well as the physical safety of those Jews still residing there, may they come back to their true Homeland soon
3. Equality and tolerance? These seem to be those modern, Western concepts you are throwing back into the faces of the goyim who invented them. Granted there are various times when equality does apply in Judaism, and when outside of Israel, we must negotiate the local, goyshe authorities when applying our Torah-based inequalities. To justify the different roles of men in women in Judaism, we do not try to explain it to the goyim, we simply cite the “establishment clause” in the U. S. Constitution, likewise when hiring a waiter to serve wine, a supervisor in a restaurant, a dairy, or a meat processing plant. Clearly, we are not all equal (...and I am only mentioning the politically-correct examples here).
4. In this day and age, of confusion and difficulty, we certainly must be patient with those Jews who do not know better, so that we can bring them back to Torah and misswoth. But, I would hardly call that tolerance. Al pi halacha, we are NOT to be tolerant of several categories of people, quite the opposite, in fact: participants in avodah zarah, participants in forbidden, sexual activities, as well as enemies of the Jewish People, out to kill us and our children regardless of how much land or prisoners or money we bend over backwards to give them. As you know, we are exempt from chasing after avodah zarah outside of Israel, and must take under consideration the local laws outside of Israel when dealing other members of the community. Dealing with our enemies in the U. S. is done through protests, lobbying government officials, and writing (including blogging!). Nonetheless, an all emcompassing value of tolerance is not a Jewish one. Tolerance of our diverse customs and ethnicities, yes; tolerance of those who represent the antithesis of our Holy Torah, no; Thus, you must be speaking to a non-Jewish audience, and not to a Jewish one.
5. You never mentioned that the solution is for “us” to return to our true Homeland. No, this is not “running away from the problem,” it is the correction of a 2,000 year old displacement of a People from its Homeland. HaQadosh Barukh Hu (The Holy One, Blessed Be He) has opened up the gates for us to return to the Land he has promised to us. Don't like the governmental system and the way things are done here? Neither do I. So, come and help change things,...even though it will be far from easy. [Three good gifts were given] ...through suffering. They are Torah, Eretz Yisra'el, and HaOlam HaBa (TB Berakhoth 5a). Many Jews are repeating the sins of the spies, the forsaking of the Land and hoser emunah (lack of faith); other Jews simply do not know any better. Since your focus is not on correcting this, you must be speaking to a non-Jewish audience, and not to a Jewish one.
As helpful as it has been for Jews to reside in the U. S. for six generations or more, it is not where we are supposed to reside leKhathilah. It is not our true Homeland; Israel is.
America is not going to save us. If Jews would open their eyes, they would also see that France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the U. K., South Africa, and Turkey are not going to save us either, let alone protect us from Anti Semetism, circa 2010.
History has shown us that sometimes HaQadosh Barukh Hu has had to give us a proverbial kick in the pants to see this. How hard that kick in the pants has to be is up to us.
Have you ever thought that being called a “dirty Jew” is your kick in the pants? And if you insist on staying in the U. S. anyway, then perhaps you can increase your efforts in getting this message out to the Jews there.
It is time that we stand on our own feet, in our own homeland, and depend upon HaQadosh Barukh Hu instead of goyim or their governments.
In conclusion, Rabbi Hecht, I would like to thank you for your article. It is a positive and helpful message to the goyim,...but not to the Jews.
See also:
Esser Agaroth: Some Thoughts On The Fast Of The Fourth Month
*about the Jewish relationship with the U. S.
Lamrot Hakol: The Morality of Flattery and Christian Zionists *about our relationship with Christians and being a “light unto the nations”
Sunday, July 11, 2010
How Bad Is The Oil Spill Really?
Rosh Hodesh of the Fifth Month 5770
Link Credit: Tomer Devorah
Sea Shepherd at Deepwater Ground Zero ***Exclusive footage***
Link Credit: Tomer Devorah
Sea Shepherd at Deepwater Ground Zero ***Exclusive footage***
Haveil Havalim #275 Is Up!
Rosh Hodesh of the Fifth Month 5770
This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at She Writes Like She Talks.
It's the “I’m so busy that putting together this blog carnival is actually what substitutes for taking a break” Edition....
Rosh Hodesh of the Fifth Month 5770
This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at She Writes Like She Talks.
It's the “I’m so busy that putting together this blog carnival is actually what substitutes for taking a break” Edition....
This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at She Writes Like She Talks.
It's the “I’m so busy that putting together this blog carnival is actually what substitutes for taking a break” Edition....
Rosh Hodesh of the Fifth Month 5770
This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at She Writes Like She Talks.
It's the “I’m so busy that putting together this blog carnival is actually what substitutes for taking a break” Edition....
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Do You Pay Attention To The Google Ads On Your Site?
26 of the Fourth Month 5770
Do you bloggers ever bother to look at the Google Ads which are displayed on your sites?
Pretty amazing how some of these ads get through your AdSense settings, huh? If you have not already set your AdSense settings to accept only those ads relavent to your site's topics, you may want to do so.
In any event, ask yourself if you want ads to be dislayed on your site for organizations, companies, products, and services you would prefer not to support.
Bloggers are a diverse group, indeed, and often with very strong opinions. We may have very different ideas about which ads we want to be displayed on our sites. But, regardless of the diversity of our opinions, we do not have to be afraid to filter out unwanted ads. It is a lot easier than you may think!
When you see a questionable ad displayed on your site...
In any event, I believe that most of you, regardless of how you self-identify religiously or politically, will agree with me that it pays to pay attention to your Google Ads. (No pun intended.)
Why would you want to provide free space for organizations and companies with which you disagree?
Christian Sites:
Check out some of the euphemisms and Jewish sounding names they use.
NOTE: I do not use the term “Messianic Jew,” as there is no such thing. A “Messianic Jew” is really one of three things: 1) A brainwashed Jew who does not know better, 2) A Christian pretending to be Jewish, or use “replacement theology” as a missionary tactic, 3) A false convert who never rejected Christianity, and thus was never a kosher convert to begin with. Am I forgetting any others?
anointed-one.net – Christian missionaries
centerforbiblicaldialogue.org – “Messianic” missionaries with the hutzpah to have their site in English AND Hebrew! Rabbi Yosef Solevechik ztz”l was against this, and as far as I know, so is Rabbi Simha Kook shlit"a (Rehovoth). But, of course, this isn't a "dialogue;" it's missionizing!
gnmagazine.org – Christian magazine
gracelawandsonship.com – Christian group, currently pushing a “Messianic” book to Jews
half-jewish.org - goyim trying to latch onto our heritage, in part by denying the authority of Torah sheb'al Peh (Oral Torah)
hebrewroots.com – Messianic Christians praying on Jewish souls
israel-holyland.com – (site currently down)
intoafricaproject.org - village church building in Africa?
jewishvoice.org – Messianic ministries
jewsforjesus.org – Self-explanatory
nativityhall.com – Memorial project at the Church of the Nativity
qodesh.co.nz – Christian messianic publishers – “Two House” theologists – the latest in Christian attempts to latch onto Jews and the Land of Israel.
realtruth.org - Christian magazine
thedavidproject.com – Christian leadership organization
Religious/Political:
betterworldlinks.org – Leftists/Globalization
facebook.com/jshawnlandres - Phrases on one of his websites include “evolving religious civilization” and “post-denominational.” These are code words for “make Judaism up as you go along, and call it Torah.” Although, he would probably tell you otherwise. No thanks.
footstepsorg.org – Support for Jews who leave Torah life.
neshamah.net – Member of [fake] “Rabbis For [so-called] Human Rights,” which IMO supports and grants encouragement to enemies of the Jewish People.
scientology.org – self-explanatory
Additonal Sites:
arablounge.com – Arab dating site; mixed feelings. If Arabs are dating Arabs, then they are not dating Jews. On the other hand, do I want to encourage to reproduce at all?
desihits.com – Hindi, Punjabi, Ballywood movie portal
desizone.tv – Another Hindi, Punjabi, Ballywood movie portal
(What do you think? At least they are not Christian missionaries….HA! HA!)
visit.liveriga.com – Latvian travel,…I think. Page is currently down. See Israel before spending money in a country whose friendliness to Jews has been questionable.
kimba.co.il – hall and catering, no indication that it is under rabbinical supervision. Maybe it is, but I couldn’t find it.
lavaplace.com – blocked by Internet Rimon, so who knows?
Do you bloggers ever bother to look at the Google Ads which are displayed on your sites?
Pretty amazing how some of these ads get through your AdSense settings, huh? If you have not already set your AdSense settings to accept only those ads relavent to your site's topics, you may want to do so.
In any event, ask yourself if you want ads to be dislayed on your site for organizations, companies, products, and services you would prefer not to support.
Bloggers are a diverse group, indeed, and often with very strong opinions. We may have very different ideas about which ads we want to be displayed on our sites. But, regardless of the diversity of our opinions, we do not have to be afraid to filter out unwanted ads. It is a lot easier than you may think!
When you see a questionable ad displayed on your site...
Open a new tab or window, and go to: http://www.google.com/adsenseHere are some of the websites, found in my Google Ads, which I was able to catch and to block. Some of you will agree with me about some of these sites. Others will agree with me regarding others. Some of you even thank me for leading you to sites that you actually might like. What can I do? It was a judgment call. I wanted to demonstrate how tricky some organizations can be.
Log-in to your Google account, if you have not already done so.
Click the “AdSense Set Up” tab.
Click “Competitive Ad Filter.”
Ad the web addresses [URL's] of those ads you do not want to be listed
on your website.
NOTE: It is crucial that you DO
NOT click on your own ads, as that is a “terms of service” violation, and
grounds for being kicked out of the Google Ads program. Do NOT even try to copy
and paste the URL into a different tab. Type the URL into the new tab
manually.
Click “Save changes.”
In any event, I believe that most of you, regardless of how you self-identify religiously or politically, will agree with me that it pays to pay attention to your Google Ads. (No pun intended.)
Why would you want to provide free space for organizations and companies with which you disagree?
Christian Sites:
Check out some of the euphemisms and Jewish sounding names they use.
NOTE: I do not use the term “Messianic Jew,” as there is no such thing. A “Messianic Jew” is really one of three things: 1) A brainwashed Jew who does not know better, 2) A Christian pretending to be Jewish, or use “replacement theology” as a missionary tactic, 3) A false convert who never rejected Christianity, and thus was never a kosher convert to begin with. Am I forgetting any others?
anointed-one.net – Christian missionaries
centerforbiblicaldialogue.org – “Messianic” missionaries with the hutzpah to have their site in English AND Hebrew! Rabbi Yosef Solevechik ztz”l was against this, and as far as I know, so is Rabbi Simha Kook shlit"a (Rehovoth). But, of course, this isn't a "dialogue;" it's missionizing!
gnmagazine.org – Christian magazine
gracelawandsonship.com – Christian group, currently pushing a “Messianic” book to Jews
half-jewish.org - goyim trying to latch onto our heritage, in part by denying the authority of Torah sheb'al Peh (Oral Torah)
hebrewroots.com – Messianic Christians praying on Jewish souls
israel-holyland.com – (site currently down)
intoafricaproject.org - village church building in Africa?
jewishvoice.org – Messianic ministries
jewsforjesus.org – Self-explanatory
nativityhall.com – Memorial project at the Church of the Nativity
qodesh.co.nz – Christian messianic publishers – “Two House” theologists – the latest in Christian attempts to latch onto Jews and the Land of Israel.
realtruth.org - Christian magazine
thedavidproject.com – Christian leadership organization
Religious/Political:
betterworldlinks.org – Leftists/Globalization
facebook.com/jshawnlandres - Phrases on one of his websites include “evolving religious civilization” and “post-denominational.” These are code words for “make Judaism up as you go along, and call it Torah.” Although, he would probably tell you otherwise. No thanks.
footstepsorg.org – Support for Jews who leave Torah life.
neshamah.net – Member of [fake] “Rabbis For [so-called] Human Rights,” which IMO supports and grants encouragement to enemies of the Jewish People.
scientology.org – self-explanatory
Additonal Sites:
arablounge.com – Arab dating site; mixed feelings. If Arabs are dating Arabs, then they are not dating Jews. On the other hand, do I want to encourage to reproduce at all?
desihits.com – Hindi, Punjabi, Ballywood movie portal
desizone.tv – Another Hindi, Punjabi, Ballywood movie portal
(What do you think? At least they are not Christian missionaries….HA! HA!)
visit.liveriga.com – Latvian travel,…I think. Page is currently down. See Israel before spending money in a country whose friendliness to Jews has been questionable.
kimba.co.il – hall and catering, no indication that it is under rabbinical supervision. Maybe it is, but I couldn’t find it.
lavaplace.com – blocked by Internet Rimon, so who knows?
The Harry Potter 7 Trailer Is Here!
26 of the Fourth Month 5770
Well, the official trailer is out for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It presents the two part presentation idea pretty well. It includes scenes which have to be from the second part, as well.
Part one is expected out this November, and part two in July, 2011.
It will be interesting to see where they ended up splitting up the two parts. There has been some discussion about this. Imdb.com has a break posted. Who knows what will be in the end.
Personally, I think the best place to break it up is after "Ron's return." That's all I'm going to say, so as not to ruin it for those of you who have not read the book.
The trailer looks good, but then so did the trailer for Harry Potter 6, and that film did not live up to its expectiations. Neither did the Harry Potter 5 film. OF course, that book was over 900 pages. it was crazy to try to jam it all into one film. It looks like they learned from this mistake by splitting up Harry Potter 7.
Some say that this is a ploy by author JK Rowling to drag out the franchise. So, what? It's still a good idea.
In the meantime, enjoy the trailer!
Well, the official trailer is out for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It presents the two part presentation idea pretty well. It includes scenes which have to be from the second part, as well.
Part one is expected out this November, and part two in July, 2011.
It will be interesting to see where they ended up splitting up the two parts. There has been some discussion about this. Imdb.com has a break posted. Who knows what will be in the end.
Personally, I think the best place to break it up is after "Ron's return." That's all I'm going to say, so as not to ruin it for those of you who have not read the book.
The trailer looks good, but then so did the trailer for Harry Potter 6, and that film did not live up to its expectiations. Neither did the Harry Potter 5 film. OF course, that book was over 900 pages. it was crazy to try to jam it all into one film. It looks like they learned from this mistake by splitting up Harry Potter 7.
Some say that this is a ploy by author JK Rowling to drag out the franchise. So, what? It's still a good idea.
In the meantime, enjoy the trailer!
Monday, July 05, 2010
Loyalty To The State?
25 of the Fourth Month 5770
Loyalty to the State? Hold on a minute. What happens when the next, major conflict between Torah and State rears its head?
On which side will your loyalties lie?
I certainly have gratitude to the State,...for providing various services. But, hey, I pay taxes for those services, just as I would pay a fee to any private company.
I have gratitude to the IDF soldiers who keep Jews safe,...most of the time, and when the “powers that be” allow it. I do NOT have any loyalty whatsoever to the State's lacky generals and officers who execute orders to throw Jews out of their homes, and turn over parts our Homeland to goyim. And I most certainly do NOT have any loyalty to the puppet “rabbis” who condone, if not order such actions! Rabbis, indeed!
How could one even consider being 100 percent “loyal” to such an entity? -- an entity which orders unnecessary autopsies, sends out social workers to encourage secular indoctrination, and through its courts, rules that the Rabbanuth must certify treif meat as kosher.
But, MK Rotem is targeting Arabs,...as far as we know. So, how could I have a problem with that?
My problem is with who could be next on the list to be targeted.
Haredim? Hey, NO ONE likes riots in Jerusalem, anyway, right? They disrupt traffic and waste a great deal of money cleaning up after them! It may be OK, for a spoiled, secular, rich kid to use daddy's connections to get an exemption from army service. But when a Haredi kid does it, that's just hutzpah!
Who's next after them?
Settlers? Not the “loyal” settlers, like from Ofra and Alon Sh'vuth, of course. Just those trouble-making “fanatics” and “extremists” from places like Yitzhar, K'far Tapu'ah, and the Hevron Hills.
Then who's next?
What about Jews who legally purchased land from Arabs, like in Havath Gil'ad? Yep. They will also be targets, having the hutzpah to refuse to do what Big Brother tells them to do.
And what about you? --future immigrants to Israel? Will you have to sign your “Declaration of Loyalty to the State” at JFK or LAX before you are even allowed on the plane?
Let us be wary of such laws. The second that such a law is passed, alledgedly with Arabs in mind, the far-left will jump at the chance to test it in court against Jews. After all, Israel is a democracy, in which all citizens are treated equally. Yeah, right!
And think about it. When the far-left first noticed MK Rotem's proposal, or perhaps even orchestrated it, maybe using it against Jews was what they had in mind in the first place.
To show just how absurd this law is, here is a video clip from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." In this clip, a "loyalist" teacher begins to question the loyalty of other teachers toward the Ministry of Magic. Many believe that JK Rowling was making a satirical reference to the British government. I do not recall if she actually said so herself.
Fast foward to time marker 6:55. Enjoy!
MK Rotem: Citizenship Requires Loyalty To State
Israel National News Flash, 16 Tammuz 5770/28 June 2010Knesset Constitution Commettee Chairman, MK David Rotem (Israel Our Home), said in response to the revelation of as Israeli Arab terror cell that murdered a Jewish taxi driver, “Again we see that there are citiens who adopt radical Muslim ideology in order to carry out terror attacks within Israel. The group that murered taxi driver Yafim Weinstein, carried out a number of assaults on Jews, Christians and een Muslims who they did not consider extreme enough.”
“Let us not forget, these are Israel citizens, that have Israel identity cards in their pockets and enjoy allowances and benefits of the Israel taxpayer. This is a cynical exploitation of the rights of an Israeli citizen. This illustrates and emphasizes the need for adopting the bill that I submitted that will tighten the connection between loyalty to the country and citizenship.” Rotem added.
Loyalty to the State? Hold on a minute. What happens when the next, major conflict between Torah and State rears its head?
On which side will your loyalties lie?
I certainly have gratitude to the State,...for providing various services. But, hey, I pay taxes for those services, just as I would pay a fee to any private company.
I have gratitude to the IDF soldiers who keep Jews safe,...most of the time, and when the “powers that be” allow it. I do NOT have any loyalty whatsoever to the State's lacky generals and officers who execute orders to throw Jews out of their homes, and turn over parts our Homeland to goyim. And I most certainly do NOT have any loyalty to the puppet “rabbis” who condone, if not order such actions! Rabbis, indeed!
How could one even consider being 100 percent “loyal” to such an entity? -- an entity which orders unnecessary autopsies, sends out social workers to encourage secular indoctrination, and through its courts, rules that the Rabbanuth must certify treif meat as kosher.
But, MK Rotem is targeting Arabs,...as far as we know. So, how could I have a problem with that?
My problem is with who could be next on the list to be targeted.
Haredim? Hey, NO ONE likes riots in Jerusalem, anyway, right? They disrupt traffic and waste a great deal of money cleaning up after them! It may be OK, for a spoiled, secular, rich kid to use daddy's connections to get an exemption from army service. But when a Haredi kid does it, that's just hutzpah!
Who's next after them?
Settlers? Not the “loyal” settlers, like from Ofra and Alon Sh'vuth, of course. Just those trouble-making “fanatics” and “extremists” from places like Yitzhar, K'far Tapu'ah, and the Hevron Hills.
Then who's next?
What about Jews who legally purchased land from Arabs, like in Havath Gil'ad? Yep. They will also be targets, having the hutzpah to refuse to do what Big Brother tells them to do.
And what about you? --future immigrants to Israel? Will you have to sign your “Declaration of Loyalty to the State” at JFK or LAX before you are even allowed on the plane?
Let us be wary of such laws. The second that such a law is passed, alledgedly with Arabs in mind, the far-left will jump at the chance to test it in court against Jews. After all, Israel is a democracy, in which all citizens are treated equally. Yeah, right!
And think about it. When the far-left first noticed MK Rotem's proposal, or perhaps even orchestrated it, maybe using it against Jews was what they had in mind in the first place.
To show just how absurd this law is, here is a video clip from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." In this clip, a "loyalist" teacher begins to question the loyalty of other teachers toward the Ministry of Magic. Many believe that JK Rowling was making a satirical reference to the British government. I do not recall if she actually said so herself.
Fast foward to time marker 6:55. Enjoy!
Honenu Event
24 of the Fourth Month 5770
Below you will find information about an upcoming event supporting HONENU, a civil rights and legal aid organization.
I have many friends who have directly benefited from HONENU's services, when they were jailed for exercising their freedom of speech (C'mon! Does such a thing really exist in Israel?), for civil disobedience, or for having the hutzpah to live in Yehudah & Shomron.
I myself was assisted by HONENU indirectly, when I received their helpful advice, second-hand. So, I am happy to spread the word about this event. Please help by doing the same!
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Any support by or affiliation with Esser Agaroth by Honenu should not be implied by this post.
Below you will find information about an upcoming event supporting HONENU, a civil rights and legal aid organization.
I have many friends who have directly benefited from HONENU's services, when they were jailed for exercising their freedom of speech (C'mon! Does such a thing really exist in Israel?), for civil disobedience, or for having the hutzpah to live in Yehudah & Shomron.
I myself was assisted by HONENU indirectly, when I received their helpful advice, second-hand. So, I am happy to spread the word about this event. Please help by doing the same!
The Artistic & Pro-Civil Rights Event of the Summer:
Saluting YESHA Artists
Encouranging, Strengthening, Supporting our talented astists throughout Judea, Samaria, and Gaza (including Gush Qatif). A fabulous assortment of Judaica, stunning gifts and art will be on display and available for puchase.
Benefiting HONENU
Inaugural Event of the Friends of Honenu
English Speaking Group
The organization the assists soldiers, policemen and other citizens who are confronted on a daily basis with legal issues an are in distress, relating to their personal commitment to the struggle for the Land of Israel.
10 percent of the event's sales revenue
will be donated to Honenu.
http://www.honenu.org/
Tasting of selected wines
from YESHA to tweak your flaor buds.
Cornucopia of fresh, seasonal fruit platter.
No charge for admittance.
Thursday, 11 Av 5770/22 July 2010
15:00 – 21:00
At the Israel Center main floor auditorium:
22 Keren HaYesod – Jerusalem
For more information:
Michael Heymann, CEO
Phone: (972) 77 700 8162
Cellular: (972) 50 9506665
POB 9676 – Jerusalem, Israel 91096
http://www.judaicaboutique.com/
Saluting YESHA Artists
Encouranging, Strengthening, Supporting our talented astists throughout Judea, Samaria, and Gaza (including Gush Qatif). A fabulous assortment of Judaica, stunning gifts and art will be on display and available for puchase.
Benefiting HONENU
Inaugural Event of the Friends of Honenu
English Speaking Group
The organization the assists soldiers, policemen and other citizens who are confronted on a daily basis with legal issues an are in distress, relating to their personal commitment to the struggle for the Land of Israel.
10 percent of the event's sales revenue
will be donated to Honenu.
http://www.honenu.org/
Tasting of selected wines
from YESHA to tweak your flaor buds.
Cornucopia of fresh, seasonal fruit platter.
No charge for admittance.
Thursday, 11 Av 5770/22 July 2010
15:00 – 21:00
At the Israel Center main floor auditorium:
22 Keren HaYesod – Jerusalem
For more information:
Michael Heymann, CEO
Phone: (972) 77 700 8162
Cellular: (972) 50 9506665
POB 9676 – Jerusalem, Israel 91096
http://www.judaicaboutique.com/
*********
Any support by or affiliation with Esser Agaroth by Honenu should not be implied by this post.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Haveil Havalim #274 Is Up!
23 of the Fourth Month 5770
This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at The Rebbetzin's Husband.
It's The Experimental Edition....
This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at The Rebbetzin's Husband.
It's The Experimental Edition....