1,000 Christians Seek To Convert, Or Do They? We May Never Know.

24 of the First Month 5771

Erev Pesah, I spotted an article on IsraelNN.com, declaring the intention of 1,000 Christians to pursue conversion to Judaism, and to make aliya. Their efforts appear to be supported by MK Lea Shemtov (Yisra'el Beiteinu).

I responded with I Warned You About Christian Infiltration In Israel, And You Would Not Listen!

I wrote to IsraelNN.com, asking why this was publicized on Erev Pesah, the busiest day of the year for Jews. Who would have time to see such an important article? YNETnews.com published an article on the subject, four days earlier.

Then, the IsraelNN.com was taken down. It was explained to me that the story was probably a hoax anyway. I asked why someone could not simply pick up the phone and call up MK Lea Shemtov, and get a reaction from her (...or for that matter, call up the author of the YNETnews.com article). I have yet receive a response.

I was invited to write an op-ed. I am still considering the option.

They have yet to publish my talkback to Christian Group Seeks To Convert, Move To Yesha. So, I am not optimistic that they would be willing to print an op-ed from me, unedited that is.

In this second article, IsraelNN.com, again, fails to ask the hard questions, such as....

"Do you still believe in Jesus as messiah, or as anyone divine?"

"Did you know that this, and similar, beliefs disqualifies you from becoming Jewish?"

"Did you know that even a Jew who has such beliefs does not have full halakhic status as a Jew, if any at all?"

"Did you know that causing other Jews to have such beliefs is a serious sin, according to the Torah?

Is it possible that IsraelNN.com is more concerned about losing donations from Christians, than investigating and publicizing the news?

Christians have been "Hebraicizing" Christianity for years now, in order to pray on ignorant Jews in the U. S., as well as to lay claims to the Jewish Homeland, by asserting ridiculous notions of being descended from one tribe or another.

Given the history of false converts sneaking through, these Christians must be treated with suspicion.

Lets hope that the Interior Ministry does not grant their request for aliya before conversion. Why on earth should they?

Lets also hope that the rabbis involved in the process do ask the hard questions, which others have failed to ask.

A Leftist Passover

Isru Hag HaPesah 5771

The report of Leftist solidarity with the family of the Yishma'elite murderers of the Fogel Family hy"d of Itamar in the Shomron was not what I wanted to see right before Pesah (Passover).

But, it was what I needed to see.

Before you read the report below, presented in its entirety, and followed by my comments, please take a few moments and look at this picture of the murdered members of the Fogel Family hy"d....

(Rav Udi Fogel, 36, Ruth, 35, Yoav, 4, Elad, 11, Hadas, 3 mos., HY"D)

IsraelNN.com: Israeli Left's Solidarity with Itamar Killers

Maayana Miskin

Shortly before the IDF revealed the identities of the two murderers of five members of the Fogel family, activists with the extreme Israeli left went to visit one killer's family – and condemn Israel for detaining him.


Members of Women for Peace (Nashim L'Shalom), Gush Shalom, and Adam Lelo Gvulot traveled to the Palestinian Authority-controlled village of Awarta, next to Itamar, where the IDF had been conducting intensive investigations into the recent attack.

“The atrocity we saw in the home of Mohammed Awad can only be described as a pogrom, as primitive and brutal revenge aimed at putting fear in residents' hearts,” activist Yaakov Manur wrote of the visit one week ago. “The father, 45-year-old Mohammed, his son Majdi, 20, a third-year student in university, son Amjad, 19, a second-year student at university, and Hakem, 17, were arrested.”

Amjad, 19, was later revealed to be one of the murderers. He and fellow murderer Hakim Awad told investigators they had received help and support from their relatives after murdering Udi and Ruti Fogel and their children Yoav, 11, Elad, 4, and Hadas, three months old.

The leftist activists apparently did not realize that the Awad family was involved in the murders, and simply believed the family's claims that Israel was treating them badly for no reason.

If this were really true, where is their apology? Where is their commitment to research a situation more fully, before reaching out to avowed enemies of the Jewish People?

The Yisrael Sheli (My Israel) Movement said Sunday that the leftist groups had crossed a line. “The time has come to make leftist groups that support murderers illegal. Whoever supports baby killers has no place in a democratic society,” the group said in a statement.

“Leftists groups' encouragement for terrorists, which joins the Palestinian Authority incitement, and author Amos Oz's support for murderer Barghouti, ultimately creates human monsters like the murderers from Awarta.”

MK Michael Ben-Ari (Ichud Leumi) called on Attorney General Yehudah Weinstein to investigate the groups that went to Awarta to provide support to the terrorists' families. “By their acts, they incited to violence,” he wrote.

He added, “Today we see the extreme Left's true face. These are their friends, these are the people they defend!”

MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) said the Israelis who expressed solidarity with the Awad family had reached a moral low. “They cannot comfort their brothers in Itamar, but run to show solidarity with the enemy,” she said.

Now look at this picture...


Ben Yosef Hai Livnat hy"d

IsraelNN.com: PA Arabs Celebrate Murder By Desecrating Joseph’s Tomb

IsraelNN.com: PA Spokesman: Settlers Are Not Normal People

How more Jews have to be murdered before these Leftists stop battling they own people, spitting on their own Land, and trashing the Torah? At the very least, how many more times must they "repeat the same mistake over again, and expect different results," before they realize how truly insane their beliefs and behaviors are?

I am not sure I should even call them Leftists. I know Leftists who were disgusted by these murders!

These people go out to show solidarity with murderers, right before we are to celebrate, not only our physical freedom from bondage, but the birth of our peoplehood, the People which God brought out of Egypt. That is how we are often described.

Whether these people, calling themselves Jews, are truly evil, and actively battling HaShem, or are tinoq shenishba, who are so out of touch with their Jewish souls, they just "don't know any better," is only a question of detail at this point. Their actions must be stopped.

The collaboration of organizations like Mahsom Watch, Women In Black, [non] Rabbis For Peace, and the New Israel Fund [NIF] (Wipe those surprised looks off your faces!) with murderers is disgusting. Allowing them to continue is suicidal, and the ultimate expression of the virulent self-hatred Am Yisra'el must overcome, before true peace in the world can be manifested.

The fact that the Israeli government, stands idly by, and allows this to continue is even worse. Worse yet, is when its minyons target those very Jews going to pray at Qever Yosef (Joseph's Tomb)!

The fact that there are religious Jews out preaching that we must actually love these people is the icing on this insanity!

These Leftists forsake the Land, they chop apart the Torah, put it back together like Frankenstein's monster, and otherwise spit on it and on HaZa"L, and they reach out to unify Yishma'el (Arabs) with Esau (Europe, etc.).

That spells Eruv Rav to me....

Shimon Peres's Passover Message...To The Egyptians!

2 Hol HaMo'ed Pesah 5771

IsraelNN.com: Peres Offers Blessing of Freedom to the Egyptian People

President Shimon Peres visited Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and discussed with him the political developments in Egypt.

"This Passover is different than any other. This year the Egyptians themselves are struggling to be liberated from slavery," said Peres as he expressed his wish that the Egyptian people "quickly emerge out of the hunger, shame and deprivation they were in."

Peres further said that the connection between Israel and Egypt are historic, warning against a shift away from these ties in the wake of the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak, the president of Egypt from 1981 until February 2011.

Hey, Shimon Peres! What about your own people!

This is so typical. The Eruv Rav pining after Egypt, and how wonderful it was, and is.

The Eruv Rav (mixed multitude/false converts) cried when they heard we were leaving Egypt, and heading for Eretz Yisra'el. They knew that as they were not members of any tribe, they would not have any inheritance in the Land. Their descendants have been bitching and moaning, and causing trouble from within, since leaving Egypt.

The legitimate converts who left with us, were just that, legitimate converts who gladly embarked on their new spiritual and physical paths.

The Eruv Rav continues to forsake the Land, and to attempt to bring together Yishma'el (Arabs) with Esau (Rome/West/Christians), among other things, clinging to non-Jewish ideas, and battling against Torah, which they fear greatly.

It also looks like Shimon Peres is the source for U. S. President Obama's understanding of Pesah.

Concern for everyone else, over their own people, has always been the approach of the Left, including concern for those who would destroy us. There is no difference between Mubarak and the Islamic Brotherhood rallying against him, when it comes to Israel.

Shimon Peres knows that.

Obama Mocks Passover; Jews Grovel For Shirayim

2 Hol HaMo'ed Pesah 5771

IsraelNN.com: Obama, the Interpreter of the Message of Passover

Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

Passover recalls the bondage and suffering of Jews in Egypt and the miracle of the Exodus, but U.S. President Barack Obama says its message is reflected in Muslim uprisings.


In his annual message, prior to his third straight participation in the Passover Seder, President Obama stated, “The story of Passover…instructs each generation to remember its past, while appreciating the beauty of freedom and the responsibility it entails. This year that ancient instruction is reflected in the daily headlines as we see modern stories of social transformation and liberation unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa.”

I understand the logic from a Western or an American/Globalist perspective. Yet, as a Jews, I find it disturbing that Obama makes a parallel between Divine intervention removing Am Yisra'el (The Jewish People) from slavery and spiritual oppression, with the activities of the Arabs who want to wipe Jews off the map. The rebels and dictators are united in this goal, if nothing else.

Having constructed a link between the Arab uprisings and Chosen People's experiencing the miracles of the Creator that led them out of Egypt and towards the receiving of the Ten Commandments, the President concluded, "As Jewish families gather for this joyous celebration of freedom, let us all be thankful for the gifts that have been bestowed upon us, and let us work to alleviate the suffering, poverty, injustice, and hunger of those who are not yet free.”

...towards the receiving of the Torah, not just the Asereth HaDibroth (10 Commandments), and on our way to the eventual goal of taking possession of Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel) which The Almighty took away from the K'na'anim (Canaanites), and promised to us. Obama demonstrates a rejection of this through his daily speeches and actions.

For good measure, he also added the Hebrew term “Chag Samayach,” which means “Have a happy holiday.”

President Obama chanced into a Seder during his presidential campaign in 2008, when the polls were not in his favor. At the end of the Seder, when Jews chanted, "Next year in Jerusalem,” Obama responded, “Next year in the White House.” (Read the entire article...)

Wishful thinking...

I can see it all now. Just like some Hassidic Jews wait patiently for shirayim, symbolic portions of food handed to them at their Rebbe's Tish (rabbi's festive table), Obama's court Jews at the White House grovel for the leavings on their false Messiah's his plate.

I actually feel sorry for these Jews, having participated in a pseudo-Seder, probably their most Jewish experience of the year, eating treif (non-kosher) food, including hametz (leaven foods, forbidden on Pesah). Of course, who knows how many of these participants are actually Jewish, considering all of the years of intermarriage and pseudo-conversions infecting American Jewish communities, which produce non-Jewish children, and promulgate assimilation and pseudo-Jewish culture.

It is truly frustrating, not knowing what else I can do to prevent any further damage.

Only 20 percent of our ancestors made it out of Egypt. It is said that only 20 percent may make it out of our current exile of Rome (Esau/Edom). With so many Jews lost already, by not even having been born, and by so many Jews, who are lost spiritually, that they cannot even acknowledge that they are in exile, I am not terribly optimistic.

Perhaps one lost Jew will read this, and decide to search out what it really means to be Jewish.

One can only hope and pray, during this Pesah "Z'man Herutheinu" (the Time of our Freedom).

*********

(News Tip c/o The Torah Revolution)

Arabs Stealing? You're Just Noticing This Now?

1 Hol HaMo'ed Pesah 5771

IsraelNN.com: Transformer Thefts Hurt Binyamin Families

The theft by Arabs of electrical transformers has resulted in a growing wave of blackouts in Binyamin area, north of Jerusalem. The theft of a transformer Wednesday evening, in the Highway 60 area, left a number of area communities without power until Thursday afternoon.

Benny Gal, a resident of Givat Asaf, told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew service that the timing of the power shortages is extremely harmful to area residents, who have stocked their refrigerators with food for the upcoming Pesach (Passover) holiday. He said that instead of preparing for the holiday, residents are occupied with cutting their losses. He blamed the security establishment's pursuit of "settlement activities" for leaving a vacuum in which not only terror attacks are growing but criminal activities as well.

Duh!

Where have you been all these years?

Arabs have been stealing transformers and other "spare parts" as the call 'em for years. Two years ago, I was returning to Jerusalem from Teqo'a (east of Efrath), stopping occasionally, where I saw transformers ripped out of the street lights.

Only last year, Mitzpeh Ramon, in the south of Israel near the Egyptian border, had phone line and Internet services cut off for a week, due to Bedouin vandalism, and that's being kind.

Just read the Tana"kh (the real Bible), and you will be enlightened to the thieving (and raping, and pillaging, and marauding...) history of the Yishma'elim.

Well, I suppose it is better late than never, posting this non-news, news item now.

This Is A Victory? A Jew Gets Re-Elected Speaker Of The Texas House Of Representatives

1 Hol HaMo'ed Pesah 5771

IsraelNN.com: Texas - Jewish House Speaker Re-elected Despite Smears

Gil Ronen

Tea Party opponents of Texas State Republican Representative Joe Straus fought unsuccessfully against his re-election to the position of Speaker of the House with an anti-Semitic campaign, FightHatred.com reported Wednesday.

The rivals stressed Straus' Judaism, ascribing negative stereotypes to him, while calling on fellow Republicans to place a "true Christian" in the important position. Despite the smear campaign against Straus, his colleagues voted to keep him on as speaker, and he went on to win the house vote. (Read the entire article...)

And this is supposed to be a victory? ...a victory against anti-Semetism, no less?

"Speaker" Joe Straus, the Tea Party does not want you. The "true Christians" do not want you.

What are you doing, worrying about what goes on in Texas anyway? You are a Jew. Your place is here in Eretz Yisra'el. It more than just a place for you to visit, and mull over your heritage. If you really are Jewish, this is your home, not Texas.

If you are offended by that suspicious tone, then good. You should be offended, and you should be passionate about your heritage, and the destiny of your people. You must understand, though, it is so hard to tell these days, with intermarriage, and pseudo-conversions.

We are in the middle of the holiday of Pesah (Passover); we just commemorated, not only our departure from Egyptian slavery last night with the Seder Leil Pesah, but the birth of Am Yisra'el, the People Israel, the people which The Holy One, Blessed Be He, took out of Egyptian bondage.

Leave the land of your exile, stop wasting time on the affairs of goyim, and come home.

Hey, U. S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor,...the first Jewish House Majority Leader! Are you reading this?

What about...

Henry Waxman
Barney Frank
Gary Ackerman
Howard Berman
Sander M. Levin
Eliot L. Engel
Nita Lowey
Bob Filner
Jane Harman
Jerrold Nadler
Steve Rothman
Shelley Berkley - Nevada's first Jewish Congresswoman
Jan Schakowsky
Brad Sherman
Anthony D. Weiner
Susan Davis
Steve Israel
Adam Schiff
Allyson Schwartz
Debbie Wasserman Schultz - Florida's first Jewish Congresswoman
Steve Cohen - Tennessee's first Jewish Congressman
Gabrielle Giffords - Arizona's first Jewish Congresswoman, Refu'ah Shelemah
John Yarmuth - Kentucky's first Jewish Congressman
Jared Polis
Ted Deutch
David Cicilline

All of these firsts are supposed to be a victory for Jews? They are victories for assimilation, for showing non-Jews that we are just like them, even though we are not, and even though they have never, and will never accept us as one of them.

You do not belong there, in the land of your exile. Leave, and come to your true home. If you enjoy politics, then have no worries. There is plenty of it here in Israel.

The same goes for the U. S.'s illustrious, Jewish Senators...

Carl Levin
Frank Lautenberg
Herb Kohl
Joe Lieberman - the first, Jewish Vice-Presidential candidate
Barbara Boxer
Ron Wyden
Charles Schumer
Ben Cardin
Bernie Sanders
Michael Bennet
Al Franken
Richard Blumenthal

Non-Jews have a misswah (Torah commandment) to set up courts (laws) in their countries, not you. Yours is to live here, and contribute to your own people's Homeland, and destiny.

During this Jewish Holiday of physical and spiritual freedom, take the opportunity to think on yours.

For more on the misswah to live in Eretz Yisra'el, and its relevance to your congressional lives TODAY, see Living Outside Israel – Living Outside The Community.

Hag Same'ah

I Warned You About Christian Infiltration In Israel, And You Would Not Listen!

Erev Pesah 5771

IsraeNN.com: 1,000 Evangelists Want to Convert, Make Aliyah to Samaria

Gil Ronen

A group of about 1,000 American Christians want to convert to Orthodox Judaism and make Aliyah to Israel. Specifically, they seek to make Samaria their home.
MK Lia Shemtov (Israel is Our Home), who is involved in the initiative, told Arutz Sheva's Hebrew-language service that the Christians are all members of a single large community who decided to move to Israel, convert and serve in the IDF, after realizing that they feel a special bond to Israel.

Are these Christians aware that one must give up Christian theology in order to become Jewish? That includes believe in Yesh"u (May his name and memory be blotted out), in any way, shape or form.

Shemtov said that the group requires special treatment because it wishes to make Aliyah first, and then convert. Otherwise, it could have been absorbed simply based upon the Law of Return, which grants citizenship to all Jews, converted or Jewish-born. (Read the entire article...)

And why should they be given special treatment?

The article does mention...

Asked whether the Christians' request could be part of an unstated plan to change Israel from within, Shemtov said she thinks it is not. Most of the applicants come from evangelical families that support Israel in action and assist it financially, she said, but the group's members have gone a step further in requesting giyur. In the past - so they told her - they believed that the Nation of Israel should be strengthened only so that one day it would accept Christianity. However, they now believe in the coming of the Messiah as it is predicted in Jewish tradition.

Nonetheless, they should be treated with suspicion. All of their connections should be checked. Are they connected with the Ortiz or Waller Families in Ariel? Are they willing to condemn their actions? Are the willing to condemn Christian missionary activity in Israel, and around the world? Do they realize that as converts they will not be considered a member of any tribe, and thus not entitled to any land? There are already many Christians posing as descendants of Efraim and Binyamin, hoping to grab some of the Land when the U. S. falls (their belief). Members of K'nesseth look the other way, and apparently so does the Binyamin Area Council.

I am appalled at how this article paints this story as something positive, when it should have painted it as something worthy of extensive investigation only, especially when a violation of halakha is suggested, the allowance of ovdei avodah zarah (practitioners of foreign/forbiden worship) to settle in the Land.

The welcoming of goyim to convert is a Western, non-Jewish concept, adopted by Leftists. Worse yet, their are nuts out there, claiming to be religious Jews, who are chasing after goyim to convert!

Anyone ruled to be a kosher convert by a valid Beth Din (Rabbinical Court), should be welcomed with open arms, and treated a heck of a lot better than converts are generally treated. But, until then, those mentioned in the article should welcome the scrutiny like so many former Christians have, before them.

With the recent infiltration by Christians, feigning conversion in order to settle in Israel, and work to missionize Jews from within, we must be particularly scrupulous in the examination of prospective converts.

Al-Qaeda Rebukes Hamas?

Erev Pesah 5771

The following are my comments on a report I heard that Al-Qaeda has rebuked Hamas for the Fogel Family hy"d murders. I, myself, have yet to see this report. I am waiting on a link. Nonetheless, my comments still stand, the report being true or not...

The rule of thumb is that one cannot trust the words of any enemy of the Jewish people. The Yishma'elim (Arabs/Muslims) have always been liars, rapist, marauders, pillagers, you name it. Just read the Tana"kh. The Talumd, and other sources from that time, elaborates further. Talking to them has simply been "repeating the same mistakes over again, expecting different results."

The liberal West doesn't believe in accepting and understanding Arab culture like I do. The liberal West in Europe and the elite in the U. S. believe very strongly that Western culture is superior, and that the Arabs will eventually come to see and embrace that.

The reality is that the Arabs know this, since at least the '60's, probably earlier, and have learned to lie like Esau, the West, lies, with a smile on their faces. The West has been in complete denial about this, unable to accept that maybe, just maybe, liberal, Western culture is not the ultimate culture to strive for, in its goal for world, cultural domination. The words of Arabic translators seem to have fallen on deaf ears, proclaiming that Arafat has always said different things in English than in Arabic.

Even U. S. President Bush, with all of his flaws, proclaimed the need for more Arabic speakers in the Intelligence community.

No. the West insists on talking, but in reality, it wants to conquer the world, like the Arabs do, but in a different way, with words. The [Christian] Dominionists (Sarah Pallin, etc.) are much more willing to use force, on top of their sneakiness with words. They HAVE been paying attention to the Arabic translators.

So, what's my point?

It's all a rouse.

True, there is a lot more fighting amongst various Arab groups, which is starting to come out more and more. Yet, if there is any truth to the above report, then the correct translation would be:

"You killed the wrong Jews at the wrong time. You should have killed these other Jews over here, at such in such time. It would have been much more effective."

Al-Qaeada has always seemed to have a superior attitude when it comes to global Jihad, and have little tolerance for the insolence of "upstarts" like Hamas.

This can be the only reasonable explanation for the above report. Remember, the Arabs want to wipe Israel off the map. The symbol pictured left is the Fateh (Arafat, Abbas, etc.) emblem. Their aspirations include wiping Israel (in green) off the map, and creating a 24th Arab country with the made up name of Palestine. Pictured right is Mahmoud Abbas ysh"w, holding a statuette, representing the same borders for his dream state.

They do not just want Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria) and Jerusalem. They want it all, save for the Golan, which they would give to Syria. These are the aspiration of all Yishma'elim, Fateh, Hamas, Islamic Brotherhood, Hizbullah, Al-Qaeada, Sunni, Wahabe, Shi'ah. Do not be fooled by names, categories, and in-fighting. In this they all stand united.

The second rule of thumb is not believe everything you read in Israeli news sources, right or left wing.

*********

The report I received turned out to be a supposed Hamas condemnation of an Al-Qaeda associated group for killing a Italian, pro-Palestinian activist.

It doesn't matter. The above post still stands.

Furthermore, these animals even kill those supporting them, this Italian activist, and the pro-Palestinian, leftist Jew the other week. His father was even an Arab.

Go figure....

Haveil Havalim #312 - It's Time To Talk About The Elephant In The Room

6 of the First Month 5771

Introduction
Welcome to Haveil Havalim Edition #312!

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.'

It's Time To Talk About The Elephant In The Room...

The Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival [HH] has gone through many trials and tribulations, as it were. As I attempted to point out in a recent edition of HH I hosted...

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?...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.

Something has happened. I am not exactly sure what it is.

After some recent editions of Haveil Havalim, I may just start changing my tune. Maybe I will start refraining from including posts which I find to be offensive, and/or encourage behavior with which I do not agree.

What do I find offensive?

I find it offensive when Jews confuse Western culture and sensibilities for Jewish ones. Whether we are talking about "innocent civilians" during a milhemeth misswah (obligatory war), turning Jews into non-Jewish authorities, or a[Italian] black hat, none of these are Jewish concepts.

I find it offensive when Jews accuse other Jews of suborning mass-murder, when murder is an act which may only take place between Jews (Mekhilta, Ramba"m, Sefer HaHinukh). "Killing" is universal; "murder" is not. Please get your terminology right.

I find it offensive when Jews distort the Torah according to their pre-established beliefs and [galuti/diasporan] feelings, like when a Jew quotes the Talmud Bavli...

...that to save a life, it is as if one has saved a world.

...and neglects to mention that HaZa"L was not talking about just any old life, but rather a Jewish one.

Whoops! I forgot. I am not allowed to express what offends me, because I am not politically-correct!

Oh, well. Too late.

One HH host suggested that we do not have to include him, if he did not include us. Well, I am afraid that might qualify as neqamah (revenge) against another Jew, which is forbidden, unlike neqamah against a non-Jew, which sometimes mandated.

So, will I get banned from hosting due the opinion expressed above? Maybe yes, maybe no. All I know is that HH is very much in need of hosts. So, we either tolerate each other, or we alienate each other. Either way, I intend to stick around to see how it all works out.

Those reading the opinions expressed above probably take more issue with the length of the introduction more than with anything else.

I await your comments....

And, now without further adieu, I am proud to present this week's edition of of Haveil Havalim,...elephants included.


Pride Of Place

First, here is a list of posts which were deemed offensive, or otherwise undesirable, by previous HH hosts. Here, I give them "pride of place."

If I Were PM For A Day

Amalek In The Flesh - Part II: A Call For Vengeance

Nachas! A Former Student Declares Intention To Refuse Anti-Torah Orders!

Torah

Josh Waxman at the Parsha Blog brings us An Interesting Peshat On The Importance Of Nissan.

Mr. Cosmic X connects last week's parasha with the infamous Goldstone Report in Judge Goldstone And The Metzora.

Israel

Current Events

Netivot Girl at Shiloh Musings reports first hand what it is like to live in Southern Israel in Once There Was A Bus....

Yoel Meltzer warns us about what The Next War in Israel will look like, and brings us his point of view on Our Claim To The Land. Yoel has been posting articles on YNET and on Israel National News for a while now. He has just opened up his own blog. Please welcome him to the JBlogosphere, by paying him a visit!

Tomer Devorah show us the Is-reality.

The Jewish Fist reveals the truth in Inauthentic Bedouins: Another Top Ten List.

Ariel at The Torah Revolution reminds us that Nothing Is By Chance.

Batya brings us two at Shiloh Musings, No "Moderates" Among The Moslem "Peace sic Partners" and IMF Thinks The Pseudistinians Are Ready For What?

Elder Of Ziyon announces that the Muslim Brotherhood has Already Won.

Amy at Zionism Israel brings us an extensive analysis in Muslim And Arab Anti-Semitism.

I ask What's Bothering The Jerusalem Post?

And, finally, for something completely different... Jessica at Israelity wants us to Save The Trees. I believe this to be an important post, as well as an interesting one.

Life In Israel

Jacob at Good News From Israel bring us photos of the A. H. A. V. A. H. Readathon Awards in Ma'aleh Adumim.

David at Tzedek-Tzedek tells us about a harrowing experience in Sheleg And Me.

Natan at Lines Writing Lines tells us about his decision to leave Israel in My 301 Direct. Natan, you will surely be missed

Hutz la'Aretz

(Outside Of Israel)

Current Events

Tomer Devorah waits and prays for Jonathan Pollard to come home in Please, Please, PLEASE HaShem!?

Sultan Knish brings us A Revolting Middle East Policy.

Susan Esther Barnes at To Kiss A Mezuzah Doesn't Want To Have Passover This Year. Find out why.

Judaism

Mystery Woman brings a touching story from her experience as a member of the Hevra Qadisha in her community, in Last Kindness.

Jessica at Israelity tells us about Paying Homage To The Piyyut.

The Rebbetzin's Husband explains why Rabbis Cannot Agree On Halachah [sometimes]. Brain death al pi halakhah appears to be the focus of this post. He mentions four points which he believes can be applied to other issues under debate. I would like to include one more,... 5. Too often hashqafah (pre-existing POV), sometimes including a galuth mentality, gets in the way of the determination of halakhah.

Pesah & Pre-Pesah Preparations

Tomer Devorah reminds us to Bring The Korban Pesah.

Batya at Me-Ander asks What Makes Your Seder The Best?, and includes a video of "The Passover Song."

Isramom brings us Learning To Ask - Passover Preparations,...classic video included!

If these two videos weren't enough, Jacob at Good News From Israel brings us 145 Passover Videos,...including some new ones!

Josh Waxman, posting at DovBear, reviews The 2001 Absolut Haggada.

Adventures In Mama-Land brings us Passover Haggadah Printable Overview: This Seder Night, to help you provide explanations to your children regarding the various aspects of the Seder. Notes: This is NOT a complete haggadah, and the customs represented here are NOT everyone's customs.

Frozen Challah tells us why Passover Scares Her.

Batya at brings us Backwards Planning Or Planning From Both Ends.

You must check out the latest Kosher Cooking Carnival at Ima On The Bima, because Pesach Is Coming!

Isreview checks out some Kosher l'Pesah products for us in Osem & Elite's Kosher For Pesach Cakes and Nougat Filled Cereals For Pesach.

Culture

First of all, thanks to Amy Meltzer for reminding about the category of "Culture." Here's her post The Long And Winding Road That Leads To Canaan, from Homeschuling to start off this section.

Ilana-Davita reviews the book The Pity Of It All: A Portrait Of The German-Jewish Epoch, 1743 - 1933 by Amos Elon.

Just Call Me Chaviva recounts the touching, yet intriguing, story of the journey of her husband Tuvia's family through the Holocaust, and mourns the loss of his great aunt Rozy in Baruch Dayan ha'Emet.

Personal

The Rebbetzin's Husband shares with us how Dancing In The Middle Of The Circle has affected him.

Kvell Corner recounts for us The Lesson She Learned From Blue Cheese.

Independent Patriot, writing at Liberty's Spirit explains why She's Glad He Does Not Consider Himself A Reform Jew Anymore. Do politics mix with "religion?" See what IP has to say on the matter.

Paul at Or Am I? brings us some thoughts from one his students in Making God Feel Real.

Humor

Here are two posts from Benji Lovitt: I Haven't Been To A Government Office In A While, Why The Hell Not? and Hey, Yemen-Ever heard Of Babysitters? Personally, I still don't get Benji's stuff, but maybe somebody will enjoy it.

Wrap-Up
Once post I did not include because I felt it was too misleading of Jews into thinking that certain things were authentically Jewish, when in fact they were not. If this blogger had said "In my opinion..." I probably would have included the post in question. There were two more posts which I did not include, because they seemed to be the all too usual fronts for Haredi bashing, without any commentary, let alone any constructive commentary. Everything else which was submitted, I included.

Next week, To Kiss A Mezuzah will be hosting. You can submit posts by using Haveil Havalim's on-line submission form.

חג כשר ושמח

A Happy and Kosher Pesah!!

What's Bothering The Jerusalem Post?

Erev Shabath Qodesh Parashath Metzora 5771

On Monday, The Jerusalem Post reported:

Report: Israel Faces "Existential Threat" Of Becoming A Religious State

Ben Hartman, April 4, 2011

Israel is on its way to becoming a religious state - a reality that would pose a threat to its survival, according to a report released by [Prof. Arnon Soffer of] the University of Haifa on Sunday.

The report, entitled "Israel 2010 - 2030, on the Path to a Religious State," examines the demographic factors set to change Israel in the coming years, through a comparison of the religious, haredi, and secular and Arab birthrates in the country.

The report concludes that by the year 2030, the majority of Israel's Jewish population will be religious - a reality that could lead to several different results, including an increase in poverty, the annexation of the West Bank settlements, and Israel's deterioration into an anti-democratic country....

Sounds like very good news to me!

The potential increases in unemployment and unemployment certainly need to be addressed.

Nonetheless, we should rejoice in the author's last two "fears" listed. Yehudah & Shomron (the so-called West Bank) should have been annexed ages ago, and democracy should only be seen as a temporary management solution, until a proper, Jewish government can be established. For all those of you in galuth (diaspora), both physically and spiritually, this may come as a shock to you, but democracy is a Western concept, not a Jewish one. A king or Nassi, Sanhedrin, and local batei din (courts) are the basic components of Jewish government, not the throwing of major decisions to the fate of the masses' so called "majority rule."

Absolute equality among all? This, too, is a Western notion, not a Jewish one. A Yisra'el may not do a job, designated by the Torah exclusively for a Kohen; a woman may not perform certain duties which only a man may perform; a Jew and a non-Jew do not have the same halakhic (Jewish legal) status, nor does a Jew who keeps misswoth (Torah commandments) vs. a Jew who does not.

Just yesterday, the same Jerusalem Post reported:

Jewish Nationalism, No Democracy, holds Top Place For Israel's Youth

New book reveals radically opposing views among Israeli Arabs and Jews

Ruth Eglash, April 3, 2011

Jewish Nationalism - and not democracy - emerged as the most important objective for Israel's youth in 2010, according to research featured in a new book by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, published last week.

Entitled All Of The Above - Israeli Youth: Identity Paradoxes, the book...includes research carried out last summer on the attitudes and beliefs of some 1,600 young people - "both Arabs and Jews" - living here.

The article comes off as if it is reporting bad news. Quite the contrary! This is good news!

In spite of the Israeli government's attempts at anti-Torah indoctrination, even in the mamlakhti datti (MaMa"D: state religious) schools, the sparks of these teens' Jewish souls are glowing brightly, and overpowering the strong influences to stay assimilated within Western/non-Jewish culture.

The "Israeli" populace clearly senses that something is not quite right with the world and its government, which was established to protect it, and to encourage it to flourish.

The average Israeli youth on the street knows that something has got to give, even if he is not quite sure what that is.

Hey! Maybe try living like a Jew instead of a goy for a change?!

Aside from the constant bombardment of rockets in the South, it has certainly been a week of good news.

Maybe this coming Pesah, we will finally be free.

Haveil Havalim #311 Is Up!

Rosh Hodesh of the First Month 5771

Haveil Havalim Edition #311 is up at Frume Sara's World.

It's The Warp And Woof Edition.

I will be hosting next week's edition. Please use the [sometimes] convenient on-line, submission form, to submit your posts. No more than three per person, per blog, please.