More Islamist Takeovers; I Told You So!

26 of the Eleventh Month 5771

In my recent post "I'm Shocked That Hizbullah Is Taking Over Lebanon!" I predicted eventual Islamist takeovers in various Muslim countries. I figured that Lebanon would be first. But, not it looks like Egypt may make it to the finish line first.

YNET: ElBaradei: Mubarak Must Leave Today

Egyptian opposition leader tells CNN 'it is loud and clear that Mubarak has to leave today, and it is non-negotiable for every Egyptian'; calls for government of national unity to fill void and hold 'fair and free' elections

Yitzhak Benhorin, January 30, 2011

Egyptian opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei on Sunday called for embattled President Hosni Mubarak to "leave today and save the country."

"This is a country that is falling apart," ElBaradei told CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS, adding that Egypt is entering a period of transition, and a government of national unity is needed to fill the void and hold "fair and free" elections.

On the sixth day of anti-government protests throughout Egypt, a leading member of the Muslim Brotherhood said Egyptian opposition forces have agreed to support ElBaradei to negotiate with the government...

Excuse me? But, did some just casually mention the Muslim Brotherhood? The same Muslim Brother which calls for the destruction of Israel, and has several associate groups out there, attempting to achieve this goal? Did someone mention that they are going to "help?"

Yeah, we all know what will result from such "help."

The article continues with...

...BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, Democracy, Democracy, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH...

"Egypt needs to catch up with the rest of the world. We need to be free, democratic, and a society where people have the right to live in freedom and dignity," he said.

Asked by CNN f he would serve as interim president of Egypt, ElBaradei said that if the people of Egypt requested his leadership, he would serve.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Sunday the US expects that the protests in Egypt will lead to free and fair elections as part of an "orderly" transition to "real democracy."

C'mon! We ALL know what's eventually going to happen. The Islamic Brother will be "democratically" elected to head the government. Will they succeed before Hizbullah does the same in Lebanon? Only time will tell.

"I want the Egyptian people to have a chance to chart a new future," said Clinton, who addressed the volatile situation in back-to-back interviews on the five morning TV news shows before leaving on a trip to Haiti....

Haiti? Yeah, we all know what a great "success" of U. S. intervention that was.

(eyes rolling)

IsraelNN.com: Tanks, Fighter Jets Enter Cairo

Chana Ya'ar, January 30, 2001

...Hundreds of Muslim terrorists and thousands of other inmates were freed by armed gangs from jails across the capital just before dawn on Sunday. The former prisoners rushed into the city with guns, sticks and clubs, indiscriminately smashing cars and robbing people....

Is there anyone out there who canNOT see the pattern here?

Which country will be next after Egypt and Lebanon? Turkey? Algeria? Who knows?

Just don't be surprised if you wake up and find out that Jordan has come out in front to win race toward and Islamic government. The disgruntled, ethnic "Palestinian" majority in that country sure doesn't add to any stability. That's for sure!

Haveil Havalim #302 Is Up!

26 of the Eleventh Month 5771

This week's edition of Haveil Havalim #302 is up at Just Call Me Chaviva.

It's the McFalafel w/Mustard Edition.

Livni = Kahane?

21 of the Eleventh Month 5771

Rafi G., who writes the Life In Israel Blog, posted Livni = Kahane.

Click the link to see the full post. Basically, according to a PA newspaper, according to an Al Jazeera leak, Israeli Opposition Leader Tzippy Livni (Kadima) made an offer to the Arabs which includes transfer of most Arabs out of Israel.

According to Rafi, this offer is similar to one suggested by Rabbi Me'ir Kahane hy"d. In my humble opinion, it is probably more akin to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's "plan."

Nonetheless, I believe that there are a few pertinent points which may be derived from this:

1. Double standards are alive and well.

2. Maybe some of those on the Left really do realize the need to rid the country of Arabs, and are just trying to negotiate a tight rope, for the sake of relations with the U. S. and Europe.

3. Maybe some on the Left are actually aware of the mainstream Israeli understanding of the Arab threat, and are in tune with it, after all.

These are all just speculation, of course.

This all being said...

1. Reports from Arab sources cannot be trusted anyway, of course.

2. Some Arabs are more patient than others. Some (Fatah) seem willing to wait until they [in theory] overpopulate the Jews in Israel. Others (Hamas, Islamic Jidhad, & everyone else) are not. But, don't be fooled. They all want us dead, on e way or another.

3. Will we have to wait until Hamas and Hizbullah rockets make it Tel-Aviv, before the rest of the Left wake up? They us pray that we won't have to.

What's Really Been Happening To Ya'akov Teitel?

20 of the Eleventh Month 5771

YNET: Teitel's associates: He's Gone Mad

Sources close to 'Jewish terrorist' say Prison Service trying to conceal his deteriorating mental state before court decides if he is fit to stand trial. In one incident, they say, he injured himself while 'fighting demons' in his cell

Yair Altman, January 23, 2011

"Jewish terrorist" Yaakov (Jack) Teitel, who was charged with murdering two Arabs, sustained light injuries to his hand at the Ayalon Prison when he imagined he was fighting demons and threw a pot at a mirror in his cell, Ynet learned overnight Sunday...

Funny how Jews who are "charged" with an offense, yet to be proven in court, are called "terrorists." Yet, Arabs, calling themselves "Palestinians," a made up identity based on a Roman applied word designed to wipe out the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel, are called "freedom fighters."

Actually, it is not funny at all. It is quite sad, especially when it's Jews doing the name calling.

Yitzhaq Rabin ysh"w was a real murderer, but I guess the killed the right people, Lech"I members, future Prime Minister Menachem Begin's band of Jewish terrorists freedom fighters, to prevent it from being acceptable to call him that.

Now, he appears to be a false deity. Remember this picture, courtesy of The Muqata (5768/2007)?



But, I digress...

...In one incident Teitel "fought a demon" he claimed was hiding in his mirror. He threw a pot at the mirror and lightly injured his hand. In another incident Teitel was found unraveling the velvet curtain covering the Ark of the prison's synagogue, claiming demons were hovering around it.

One of Teitel's associates said he should be committed to a mental hospital, "but the Shin Bet is preventing it because in a month's time there is a hearing on his mental state and the prosecution claims he is fit to stand trial. If he is committed the State would essentially be admitting its mistake, so for the time being he is suffering and other inmates are suffering from his behavior." (Read more...)

What is the current mental state of Ya'akov Teitel?

As usual, when Israel's Shabba"k (General Security Service) in involved, we shall never know for sure.

To the best of my knowledge, there has been no assessment of an established baseline. In other words, there does not seem to be any record of Ya'akov Teitel's mental state pre-incarceration.

If you recall, Teitel was in the custody of the Shabba"k for weeks before it was released to the public. The Shabba"k is accountable to no one, with the possible exception of the Prime Minister himself. So, who knows what occurred during the time of Teitel's initial custody, what "methods" of "questioning" were used, and what drugs were administered to "calm" and "subdue" him?

This blogger will not speculate to what or may have occurred, and thus risk "disappearing" for a time. You will have to use your imagination.

And, as I have suggested before, if you don't hear from me for extended periods of time, you should assume the worst.

Jewish Family Planning

18 of the Eleventh Month 5771

YNET: Rabbi, Plan Me A Family

Not every religious newlywed couple wants to start a family as soon as honeymoon is over. In light of problematic alternatives, Bar-Ilan University convention focuses on halachic perspective towards family planning, as more rabbis see way to approving birth control

Tzofia Hirschfeld, Israel Jewish Scene, January 23, 2011

Children are a blessing, or so people say, but when and how many to have – that is a different kind of blessing all together. Considerations like career, self-fulfillment or making the most out of your relationship, are causing young couples to postpone the idea of expanding their families. (Read more...)

This is not the first time the issue has come up, nor, I am afraid, will it be the last time.

I have heard this story countless times. Usually, it comes from the kallah (bride).

"We need time to get to know each other, and build our relationship, before we bring children in the world, and into a loving home."

My response? If you want to "get to know each other better," then have a long engagement.

Her response to that? "Um,..."

Translation: "I want to have marital relations with the marital relations consequences, and call it 'getting to know each other.'"

(eyes rolling)

I appreciate the need to be "modest" in expressing ones desires, even though the sexual component of a marriage is nothing to be embarrassed about (...just something to be modest about).

However, let's be honest, and honest with ourselves. How compelling is this argument really?

Many "rabbis," including those calling themselves students of Rav Solivechik, have given a heter (permission) for female birth control for the above reasons.

Funny, how in books of Shu"T (Q & A) of Rav Solivechick, the Rav has said that there is no such heter (...save for risks to life of the mother. Some others have also said health risks, including mental health, and health of the many children already born into the family. Tip credit: The Jewish Fist).

This kind of "pilpul," using "examining the reality of the current world in which we live," is nothing more than an example of the on going, increasing, and very unfortunate, confusion of the "let's be like the goyim" Western culture (ie. not Jewish) with Torah.

Don't care about halakhah, or just don't agree me? Then there are some very practical considerations for not post posing the additions to your new family.

With Arabs wanting to overpopulate us, if they don't kill us first, with Christians wanting to convert us, and with the problems of Jewish self-hatred and intermarriage, among others, this is the time to be producing more Jewish babies, not postponing pregnancy for selfish reasons like "...career, self-fulfillment or making the most out of your relationship."

Want to "get to know each other better?"

Have a long engagement.

I'm Shocked That Hizbullah Is Taking Over Lebanon!

18 of the Eleventh Month 5771

Here are two news reports on the fear of Hizbullah taking control of Lebanon. My commentary follows.

IsraelNN.com - Shalom: 'Grave Concern' Over Hizbullah Takeover of Lebanon

David Lev, Motza"Sh Par' Yithro 5771/January 22, 2011

Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom expressed grave concern Saturday over the real possibility of an Iranian-controlled Hizbullah regime taking control in Lebanon in the coming weeks. Shalom expressed the warning after an announcement by Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt that he would throw his party's support behind Hizbullah, as factions in Lebanon scrambled to build a new coalition. (Read more...)


YNET - Lebanese leader: Hezbollah will turn us into Gaza

Leader of Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea warns that if Hezbollah assumes power of government it will trample economy, human rights. 'Who will invest a single lira in us?' he asks, comparing group to Hamas

Roee Nahmias, January 22, 2011

A Christian Lebanese leader warned Saturday that Hezbollah would soon turn Lebanon into another version of the Gaza Strip if indeed it assumes political power in the country, trampling human rights and financial stability like Hamas. (Read more...)

Why is everyone acting like this wasn't inevitable? Are Westerners really that naive and/or stupid? Apparently, they are.

The only question here is which will be their next "shock?"

a. The Islamic Brotherhood takeover of Egypt.

b. The Islamic fundamentalist takeover of Algeria

c. The Islamist fundamentalist takeover of Turkey

(...after its admission into the European Union, of course. Watch for the overturning of the religious hair covering law as a sign.)

d. There is no difference between Fatah and Hamas corruption and aggression.

e. The Shi'ite fundamentalist takeover of Iraq

(...a significant period of time after the U. S. pulls out, so that the U. S. can say. "it's not our fault." Eh. What do Shi'a care about the U. S.?)

f. All of the above

Here's one of my favorite movie scenes, this one from "Casablanca." I have posted it before, and will probably post it again many times in the future. It beautifully sums up what I believe is really going on in the Middle East.

Looking Forward To The Jerusalem Light Rail! (רכבת קלה בירושלים)

18 of the Eleventh Month 5771

While running errands in the Mahaneh Yehudah (Shuq) area of town, I had the opportunity to see the trains running through the center of town. The Jerusalem Light Rail is not scheduled to begin service until around Pesah time, but testing, double-checking, and training have increased this week.

Local bus routes have changed yet again. Instead of Yaffo Street, most routes have shifted to Agrippas and/or HaNevi'im Streets. Hopefully, three months will be enough time for travelers to get used to the lack of access to Yaffo Street, and to find alternative routes to and from work.

Traffic on Yaffo Street is now closed completely from Davidqa Square/Klal Building all the way to City Hall, and is limited on other sections of the street.

I very much look forward to having the light rail in Jerusalem, and will be one who receives direct benefit from it, as I live only a block away from a station. Although there has been some criticism of the route of the first, of hopefully more, lines, of the poor management of funds, and that ridiculous looking $70 million bridge, I believe there are several positive moves which have been made by those building and operating the light rail.

The route passes many hotels and tourist spots, two hospitals, City Hall, follows along the edge of several neighborhoods, and connects northern neighborhoods with the center of town.

There will a light rail station across the street from the central bus station, and right next to the future train station, which will include speed train service to the airport and Tel-Aviv (est. 2014).

Additional routes can be easily connected to the existing line reaching the Jerusalem Mall and Teddy Stadium, Hebrew University, and several additional neighborhoods.

Unfortunately, there are also several concerns I have about the light rail, the main one being that of security. During the test runs taking place, several thousand sheqqels are being spent on personnel to direct traffic and to prevent accidents with the current absence of railroad gates.

So, who did they hire? Arabs. Arabs, yelling in people's ears as they communicate across the street to their fellow Arabs. Arabs, making fun of little old ladies trying to ask them questions. Arabs, standing two at one end of a crosswalk, and two more at the other end. Would you want to be stuck in between two sets of Arabs, who could easily block your way off the train tracks when train passes? I sure wouldn't.

Sure, they are a few police and border patrol officers scattered about. But, it just takes one head turn, and anything could happen, from an "accidental" trip to an "accidental" fall in front of a moving train, to an "accidental" bomb placed on the track just before the train passes, or stuck to the train itself.

What was the rail company thinking, giving the mice the key to the cheese cabinet?

Go figure...

Pray for the best, write your Jerusalem city council member, and be vigilant.

In the meantime, here's a day shot of the light rail in the northern section of the route from studiotor. The route begins in Pisgath Ze'ev, goes through the currently Arab neighborhood of Shu'afat, stops at French Hill, Ammunition Hill, continues down Derekh Shkhem (Road #1), runs along the northern wall of the Old City, and then to City Hall and Center City, along Yaffo Street.



Here is a cool night shot of the light rail from pluz18, coming into the future central station, from the center of town. The train route will continue on to skirt a few more Jerusalem neighborhoods, come within blocks of Sha'arei Tzedeq Hospital, and end (for now) at Har Hertzl and Yad VaShem Memorial Centers.

Two Rabbis On Messianism

11 of the Eleventh Month 5771

Here are two very different rabbis addressing the same, serious problem, Habba"d Messianism.

Rabbi Yossi Mizrachi

Click on the image to reach the video, or you can download the audio (mp3) file for this lecture by clicking here.

Rabbi David Bar-Hayim

The False Mashiah of Lubavitch-Habad
5 of the 8th Month 5771 / 13 October 2010

Question:

In your lecture “Rabbinical Paralysis” you mentioned (around the 24th/25th minute) a false Moshiach from the recent past. To whom do you refer? As far as I know there has been no false Moshiach since Shabsai Tzvi.


Answer:

1. I was speaking of the leader of the Lubavitch/Habad movement. There is no doubt whatever that the Lubavitch movement promoted its leader as the Mashiah. This was not the doing of wayward Hasidim; it was instigated, orchestrated and encouraged by their rebbe.

2. Upon assuming leadership of Habad in 1951, the last rebbe spoke openly about his deceased father-in-law, the former rebbe, being the Mashiah (see the first in a series of talks given on the occasion of his father-in-law’s yahrzeit, later published as a book entitled “Bathi L’Ghani Ahothi Kala”). At some point he apparently realized that his father-in-law was not returning from the grave to reappear as Mashiah; he eventually decided that the Mashiah was none other than himself.

3. In the early decades of his leadership, this was an esoteric teaching known only to his inner circle. In the late 1970’s, the Lubavitcher rebbe himself began alluding to the “fact” that the Mashiah was “living among us” and left none of his listeners in any doubt as to his meaning. This inane campaign became increasingly frenzied and irrational. Rather than faltering at the time of his death in 1994, the insanity continues to spread. At Habad headquarters in New York the expectation is that their rebbe will miraculously reappear. Shaharith is delayed each morning for 5 minutes just in case….at which point the gabai announces that “the rebbe” is apparently unable to make it today, and Shaharith begins. I kid you not.

4. This outrageous phenomenon is not as surprising as it may at first seem. Shabtai Ssvi’s followers were known as “Zoharisten,” an allusion to the fact that they, like their leader and demigod, were heavily influenced by the Zohar. Lubavitch Hasidism is rooted in a literalistic reading of the Zohar and Lurianic Qabala, which when uncritically combined with the radical and pernicious notions spawned by the speculative school of Hasidic thought founded by the Magid of Mezritch, could only have led to the present heretical state of affairs.

5. This, I believe, is why the Gr’a z’l (the Vilna Gaon) refused to meet with the original Lubavitcher rebbe even when the latter came to Vilna to convince him to rescind the herem (religious ban) the Gr’a had signed against Lubavitch and similar movements. In his great and profound wisdom the Gr’a saw that these Jews had crossed the point of no return. The Gr’a was able to be “HaRo’e eth haNoladh (One who sees that which is yet to come)” (see Avoth 2:12 or 2:9).


Additional Notes & Comments:

1. I cannot engage in a discussion of the history of Hasidhuth in general at this time – and not because it is not a worthy and legitimate subject. I simply do not have the time.

2. It is an objective and self-evident fact that Lubavitch-Habad is unique: a) of all Hasidic sects, only Lubavitch-Habad proclaimed, during his lifetime, that their rebbe was the Mashiah (all objective evidence to the contrary); b) only L-H could possibly have the gall to continue making this outrageous claim many years after his passing; c) only L-H proclaim “Long live Our Master” etc. 16.5 years after his death, because to them he was not human and cannot be dead (which should remind you of something); d) only L-H would publish their rebbe's claim that davening to their rebbe, dead or alive, is permissible and proper and does not constitute praying to a separate entity because “the [Lubavitcher] rebbe is simply an extension of Hashem”. His words, not mine.

3. Regarding Liqute MoHaRan: just as with any other “ism” within Tora Judaism, you can take it or leave it. It is my view that one should take, and benefit from, some of the teachings therein, because they are extremely insightful and beneficial; and leave, and not be bamboozled by, other teachings which are problematic and pernicious. As for discerning between the two, one needs to find a great Hakham to steer one in the right direction.

4. Regarding why the Nodh‟a BiY‟hudha (R. Yehezqel Segal Landau) ordered the public burning of the book entitled "Toldoth Ya'aqov Yoseph" (the first Hasidic work to be published) – I do not claim to know for certain. It is true that there are some problematic statements in that work. It is also true that many suspected at that time, and not without reason, that the new movement was, or would evolve into, a repeat performance of the Shabthai Ssvi debacle and heresy. This was also clearly in the back of the minds of the Gr‟a and other Hakhamim who placed Hasidhim in herem. In point of fact, this suspicion materialized and manifested itself only in the case of Lubavitch-Habad, a fact that today is plain for all to see.

*********

Audio shi'urim on "The Days Of Mashi'ah" may be downloaded here. They included coverage of the Ramba"m's Hilkhoth Melakhim u'Milhamothehem, Chapters 11 - 12.

Haveil Havalim #299

5 of the Eleventh Month 5771

Introduction

Welcome to Haveil Havalim Edition #299! It has been well over a year since I last hosted, due to some Internet connectivity issues that we do not need to get into right now. (Too boring) After such a long hosting hiatus, I am very happy to get back into the frey to do my part, instead of just throwing sending in my posts for someone else to deal with. Thank you very much to all of the hosts who have included them in their editions during the past year.

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.'

So, ups and downs aside, how has Haveil Havalim remained so successful?

Years ago, I asked Soccer Dad, and then later, Jack, what the HH policy was on post inclusion. I was told that hosts have full discretion on inclusion, and on commentary. The only caveat was that there should be no Israel-bashing bashing blogs included. Criticism of the Israeli government - yes; calls for Israel's destruction - no.

I am not a pluralist,...from far it. Yet, I strongly believe that Jews with differing views working together is the bottom line behind HH's success. Sometimes a particular issue will have a noticeable theme or skew to it, depending on the host. But, the following week could well provide a completely different one.

It is an interesting set of relationships we have been developing here. Do I include posts from people who disagree with me? Am I compromising my principles if I do? But, if I don't, then I sure can't expect them to include mine, right?

Velveteen Rabbi and I have [radically] different views on lots of things, and yet I would hate to think what my HH editions would be like without the inclusion of her weekly parashah-oriented poem.

On the other hand, Dan Ilouz and also disagree on quite a bit, and yet we both refer to ourselves as "Religious Zionists." Go figure....

Like I said, I am not a pluralist, far from it. But, if we take the time to look around and to listen (I mean REALLY listen), we can often be surprised at how much we really do have in common. Even if it's poetry or music, or a search for the best cappuccino in Israel, it's at least a start.

As they say, "It's a process." I don't know about you, but I am going to keep coming back to see how it continues to work out.

And, now, without any further adieu, I am proud to present Haveil Havalim edition #299.

Torah

Josh Waxman at the Parsha Blog brings us is always interesting parashath hashavu'a commentary in A Liver Is The Heart Of Pharaoh.

Comments on Parashath Bo also come from Amelah's Blog. Bringing Light Into Darkness is presented in memory of Amelah's grandmother Joan Blustein z"l who passed away 11 months ago.

Tomer Devorah has translated these important Messages From Rabbi Nir Ben-Artzi into English for us.

Israel

News

Debbie Schlussel comments on the UK Embassy Officials in Israel Who Sold Arms to HAMAS (to Attack Stadium).

On Shabbath, I was told about More Leftist Incitement in a religious neighborhood, which began a few minutes RIGHT before Shabbath. How conveeeeeeeeeeeeenient!

Eric at The Israel Situation reports on Abbas: No Jews In Palestinian State. Maybe it's just me, but that sounds like racism! (wink) He also lets us know that if Iran fires a missile at Israel, we have ten to twelve minutes to get ready. I was not aware of that. Pretty scary, huh?

Speaking of scary, what's bothering Tamar Yonah? Could it be that she is upset that her readers are none too happy that Christian-loving, Israel National News (Arutz 7) has turned over IP addresses of its commenters to the Shabba"k?

Jameel @ The Muqata reports on How Jawaher Abu Rahma Really Died. Batya at Shiloh Musings also chimes in here with So Easy To Lie.

Cosmic X In Jerusalem presents Amazing Scoop at Rotter.net: What is the Real Reason That Danny Rosen Wants to Sue Eli Yishai?

Harry at Israelity reports on Disney coming to Israel in Goofy And Pluto Find A Home In Haifa. Oy! He also reports on [Goyshe] New Year's At The Kotel. Apparently, Perez Hilton was in town, and couldn't even pick up the phone to call me! I'm insulted! If you get lost, you can use the New iPhone App Always Points To Jerusalem.

Moshe Katzav

Rafi at Life In Israel brings us one additional theory in Blaming Shas For Katzav.

Cosmic X In Jerusalem asks, and answers, the question Who Thinks Katzav May Be Innocent?

Jonathan Pollard

Rafi at Life In Israel brings us the Text Of The Letter PM Netanyahu Sent On Behalf Of Clemency.

Tomer Devorah would like you to help make this video viral to help get Jonathan Pollard released.

More About Israel

Dry Bones also weighs in on Jonathan Pollard.

Avi at Eretz Avot tells us about Marketing Israel.

Ruti Mizrachi at Ki Yachol Nuchal! vents her frustration in I Hear You, George Santayana.

Batya at Shiloh Musings comments on the recent fires in The Difference Between The Prisoner And The Prison Guard. Writing at Me-Ander, she tells us a little about the Israel [American] Football League.

Mrs. S. at Our Shiputzim gives us another lesson in Heblish.

Don't forget to read the appeal from Danny Halamish to support Honenu's Legal Defense Fund.

חוץ לארץ
(Outside of Israel)

Chavi at You're Not Crazy helps you to Plan Your Tzedakah/Charity for the 2011 Tax Year.

Elle at On Becoming Devoted recounts her experience, venturing into a Christian Coffee Shop in Beware The Coffee! She also tells us about The Un-Christmas Shabbos.

I must admit that I had to hold back the tears when I read The Mesh Of Our Sounds from Sheva at My Shtub.

The Rebbetzin's Husband goes Back To The Daf!

Lady Light at Tikkun Olam asks What Do The Talmud And The Chinese Have In Common?

Rivki at Life In The Married Lane gets some Much Needed Me Time at the museum.

יהדות
(Judaism)

Chavi at You're Not Crazy asks What Is The Ideal Conversion Process? (UPDATED Convert Questions)

Just Call Me Chaviva shares some of her Jewish journey with us in When Did You Know?

The Jewish Fist has A Pop Quiz For The RCA. That's the Rabbinical Council of America, and I do not think they are going to do very well on this quiz.

Ally at Modestly Fashioned tells us about Getting Comfortable With Covering Up.

Rivki at In

Cosmic X In Jerusalem points us to some sad news, and yet more hypocrisy, in K'nesseth in Einat Wilf's Sham and Shanty. Check out this post to see what exactly it has to do with Judaism.

Batya at Shiloh Musings presents Rosh Chodesh Shevat At Tel Shiloh.

Josh Waxman at the Parsha Blog presents The Rav, and Shadal, on Removing Yekum Purkan. And, by the way, I vote yes!

The Rebbetzin's Husband Does Not Want To Be Your Heter.

Rivki at Life In The Married Lane provides us with some Torah in the name of Rabbi Avigdor Miller z"l. in Torah Tuesdays, An A For Effort.

A Chassidishe Farbrengen brings us True Life - Bonding With HaShem, A Jew's Mission - Overcoming The World, and Don't Despair - Perfect Is Not Failure.

Lady Light at Tikkun Olam comments on an article from The Globe And Mail in Orthodoxy Or Secularism: Which Is More Fulfilling?

Education

Jacob Richman tells us about the educational resource he created at The Alef-Bet Page.

Music

Ruti Mizrachi at Ki Yachal Nuchal! reports on the Ayelet HaShachar concert in There is a Space for you... In the Fotress of Kindness.

Rivkah at Bat Aliyah also went to a couple of Concerts.

Humor/Commentary

Rabbi Dr. Michael Lemming, Rosh Yeshivath Har Shalom near Haifa weighs in on those Racist Rabbis of Tzfat from his blog Dancing Cousins.

The Jewish Fist comes clean regarding various Zionist conspiracies with We Have Other Plots.

Ima On The Bima has an old, Jewish Joke for us. And, by the way, it is still not too late too wish her Mazal Tov!

Elder Of Zion has become addicted to doing these.... Find out what he's talking about. (Hint: It's a fantastic poster!)

Aussie Dave at IsraellyCool also takes another crack at making a poster. Check it out! It's also cool.

I am embarrassed to admit that I laughed at the first video presented in Gefilte Fish, the Secret To A Good Marriage (Hebrew with English subtitles) at JewTribe. It was sent in by the My Panim Blog.

Meta-Blogging

Aussie Dave at IsraellyCool is hosting the 2011 Pro-Israel Blog-off. You had better hurry up, though, because submissions close this Tuesday!

Batya is hosting this month's Kosher Cooking Carnival at Me-Ander! It's the Finally Winter/Shvat Same'ach! Edition. Batya is also looking for more KCC hosts!

Adventures In Mamaland presents Jewish Homeschooling Blog Carnival #4.

The Kehila bloggers will soon be kicking off its new monthly schedule of blog carnivals, beginning with the Adar Alef Edition. The carnival is expected to be out every Rosh Hodesh, with the deadline for submissions set three days beforehand. But to submit a post for consideration, you must be a member of The Kehila! To become a member contact Eric @ The Israel Situation. You may submit posts via The Kehila on-line submission form.

I go away for just a year, and I have to come back to some unwanted changes. Ron at The Hasmonean has been taking a break since August, and Jacob Da Jew hasn't blogged since October! Soccer Dad himself has decided to go on hiatus,...for now. Well, people have to make choices which are good for them, so these bloggers have my full support, even though they are missed.

The good news is that The Hasmonean may be back as early as February, and you can still follow Jacob Da Jew on Twitter,...his mini-blog.

Also, Fearless Leader Jack is working out the kinks at his blog's new location. Check out this preview of posts.

Wrap-Up

Well, HH #299 is a wrap! To Kiss A Mezuzah will be hosting next week's edition. Please use the handy-dandy on-line submission form at Blog Carnival to send her your posts.

Anyone interested in hosting (It ain't so hard, and it's fun to do!) may contact Fearless Leader Jack via talktojacknow@sbcglobal.net.

Leftist Incitement Continues In Religious Jewish Neighborhoods

4 of the Eleventh Month 5771

Leftist incitement continues in Jewish, Shimon HaTzadiq neighborhood of Jerusalem.

I saw a friend of mine on Shabbath. He is a resident of the Shimon HaTzadiq neighborhood. He reported that last Friday, minutes before sheqi'ath hahamah (sunset), three Leftist agitators convinced an Arab boy to commit an act of vandalism against one of the buildings in the neighborhood, by ripping down an Israeli flag hung from a window by the building's residents.

These leftists have done their homework, and know full well that the religious residents of the neighborhood are powerless, or at least very limited in what they can do in the form of a response during Shabbath.

1. Torah observant Jews will not contact the police, unless it is necessary to save a life.

2. They will not risk going after a minor over such a small thing, which would invariably lead to the arrest of Jews, and portrayal of the Arab minor as a victim.

3. Even if they succeed in retrieving the flag, the would not return it to its proper place, during Shabbath.

Apparently these leftists think that it is quite alright that Arabs have been squatting in Jewish homes since the 1940's, rent free.

When justice is served, and Jews are able to reclaim their stolen homes, the Leftists have a problem with that.

Furthermore, the above strategy targeting Torah-observant Jews is parallel to the anti-Torah strategy employed by Leftists in Yehudah & Shomron.

Before the last Shemitah (Land Sabbatical) year (תשס"ח/2007-2008), Leftists ripped out newly planted trees, and encouraged Arabs to do the same, knowing full well that the Torah-observant residents would not violate Torah law by replanting them after Rosh HaShannah, 2007, the beginning of the Shemitah.

Yet, these same Leftists try to accuse the residents of destroying trees in a manner which is also forbidden under Torah Law, during ANY year.

Truly a nasty strategy which demonstrates great hatred towards HaShem's Torah, and toward the Jews who follow it.

Haveil Havalim #298 Is Up! Plus - Accepting Submissions For Next Week's Edition!

28 of the Tenth Month 5771

This week's edition of Haveil Havalim, the largest Jewish/Israel-related blog carnival, is up at Random Thoughts.

I will be hosting next week's edition here at Esser Agaroth.

Please use Blog Carnival's on-line submission form. In the event, that site goes down, you may submit your posts here, by leaving a comment below. But, please give the on-line submission form a try first.

Thanks!

Honenu Appeal From Danny Halamish

27 of the Tenth month 5771

Honenu Appeal From Danny Halamish

Dear Friends,

These are hard times. And what can you or I do about it?

Some of us go and settle on a hill somewhere – the pioneers of our time. But most people can’t just drop everything and go and live on a hill. Others go to mixed Jewish/Arab cities, to strengthen the Jewish presence there. That’s not for everyone, either. But today, there is no longer a front line and a back line: the front is everywhere. And so, even those who cannot interrupt their daily lives can participate and can support the Jewish struggle. How can you do this? Donate to the "Honenu" association.

The Honenu association helps the victims of the Israeli legal system. This is mostly legal support. And who are the “victim of the Israeli legal system”? These are Jews who found themselves – by choice or otherwise – at the front of the struggle. And the front reaches us all. A few weeks ago Arabs have invaded the land of two farmers in the town of Alma, Galilee, and assaulted them. The legal system is accusing the farmers. They were arrested and are kept in custody until the end of the trial. Sadly, this is not unusual. Such cases rarely make headlines, but they occur almost on a daily basis. A few days ago Arabs have tried to kidnap a soldier in Jerusalem. The soldier had armed his gun but did not fire – because he was afraid of the Israeli legal system…

The Israeli legal system is acting methodically against Jews and in favor of Arabs.

If you think this claim is exaggerated or even ridiculous, I have one thing to say to you: thank god it hadn’t happened to you. Yet. I have always thought that if a soldier or a civilian is accused, he must have done something wrong. Until it happened to me… Now I donate to the Honenu association every month. And if, perhaps, you are thinking “it won’t happen to me” – S., A dentist, not a settler, made “Aliya” from the United States, had never thought anything like this could enter his life. Until he was attacked by a few Arabs. Some of them had knives. Fortunately, S. studied some martial arts, and defeated all the attackers while sustaining minor injuries only. Unfortunately, he then ran into the Israeli legal system, which accused him of assault and gave him 5 years in jail. None of the Arabs were accused of anything. I met him in the Ramla prison. If they gave him time off for good behavior, he should be out by now. And why was I in Jail? I was a member of the quick response team in my settlement. Arabs invaded into the village lands and attacked me and other members of the response team. Just like S., we also came out of the encounter in good shape – until we ran into the legal system… I was lucky: I only got seven months imprisonment.

Honenu have helped me a lot during the trial. Without their help, I would have come off much worse. When I was in jail, Honenu have helped my wife and kids. It is hard to describe the feeling of standing alone in front of a big, strong legal machine – and the great relief when someone comes and helps out.

Obviously the solution is to have an honest, decent, legal system, one that recognizes reality and supports the Jewish people; but until we have such a system, we need to defend against the harm that the current system does. And it is here that we all can help.

Honenu is dealing with hundreds of cases. Their budget is over $30,000 per month. And every cent of this money comes from donations. Donations to Honenu are tax deductible, both in Israel and in the US. This is almost the end of the year – you can get the tax rebate almost immediately.

For Donations click here. Please help!

Thanks, Danny Halamish, Gush Etzyon, Israel

P.S. If you wish to hear some more about Honenu or about my case specifically, feel free to email me at dindanny@gmail.com.