The Battles Between The Torah And The State Of Israel Continue

27 of the Third Month 5771

The Religious Zionist community has been outraged by yesterday's arrest of Rabbi Dov Lior shlit"a (Hevron-Qiriyath Arba) for questioning.

Rabbi Zalman Melamed (Beth El) condemned the arrest, saying...

“Rabbi Lior Shlita’s arrest, more than it affects his dignity or that of Torah, detracts from the dignity of the State of Israel and even more so, of the police and prosecution,” he said, adding “A police force that arrests a great rabbi because of his agreement with a book – an arrest that in no way helps the police gain any new knowledge – is a shameful and despicable act that besmirches the police, the prosecution, and all who had the ability to prevent it and did not do so, be they in the Ministry for Public Security or the Ministry of Justice.”

“I have two words for these people: for shame!”

Known mamlakhti (undying State loyalist) Rabbi Ya’akov Ariel (Ramat Gan) stated that this was not a matter for the police.

(IsraelNN.com) “It is no secret that I oppose the book and I think Rav Dov Lior should not have given the approbation [to it]," Rav Ariel told Arutz Sheva in Hebrew, but that is another plane: an internal Halakhic one. Even if this or another Halakhic edict is wrong, it is no police matter. [The authorities] could have turned to the Chief Rabbinate and it could have published an opinion disavowing the Halakhic soundness of The King’s Torah"

Mamlakhti rabbis from the Tzohar organization joined in condemning the arrest, even though they too often disagree with the rulings of rabbis like Rabbi Lior.

Members of K'nesseth (MK) from the National Union, Jewish Home,and Sha"S Parties also condemned the arrest.

Yesha Council Chairman Danny Dayan pointed out the double standards at play here.

(IsraelNN.com) “Did the police arrest the lecturer from Ben Gurion University who called to break the necks of the celebrants of Jerusalem Day? Are there investigations against other leftists who incite against the State of Israel on a daily basis?”

It seems as though the mamlakhtim are concerned about rabbinical autonomy, even though they are often the defenders of the Israel Government's policies which contradict Torah Law.

Members of the Sha"S Sefardi Religious party must also be wondering who will be next andc how long their spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef shlit"a's ties with members of the politically-correct Labor Party will continue to keep him insulated from similar persecution.

But, with all these illusions of Ahduth Yisrael (Jewish Unity) presented before us, many in the Religious Zionist camps have still missed the point.

The Federation of Higher Yeshivas, an organization not unwilling to criticize the government, chimed in.

(IsraelNN.com) “a sage and yeshiva head has been publicly shamed.” It decried attempts “to block freedom of opinion and rabbinical halakhic rulings.”

The Hesder Yeshivas Federation expressed shock at the arrest and called it “an offense to the Torah and its students and an attempt to block rabbis’ freedom of expression through severe, unacceptable and anti-democratic means.”

The Rabbi Melamed, Rabbi Ariel, the Tzohar rabbis, and the Federation of Higher Yeshivas all avoid the most important point in the conflict. They use "democratic"/Western logic to defend their position, not Torah logic.

Their same logic also defends the rights of the left to call for removal of Jews from their homes, and the turning of Jewish land over to Arabs. Their logic also defends calls from the Left to use violence against the residents of certain Jewish towns in Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria).

There is a right and a wrong. Why are they so afraid to say it? They afraid of frightening Jews away from Torah, so they hold back. They "good intentions" cause them to use logic which they believe the masses can understand and accept better than the ultimate truth, the Torah.

Yigal Walt comes much closer to understanding the real conflict here, more than the Federation of Higher Yeshivas, or any of the other community leaders who have condemned the arrest of Rabbi Lior.

(YNETNEWS.com) The hundreds of religious rightist protesters who blocked the entrance to Jerusalem, burned tires in the capital’s streets and raided the Supreme Court, made their views clear: The Torah, as they interpret it, takes precedence over law and order. Israeli courts have sent a former president to jail and are currently hearing a case against our former prime minister, but a rabbi is above the law, we are now told.

The true conflict emerging in Israel is the conflict between the Torah and the State.

Walt may come closer to understanding this, but he still misses the boat.

The Torah does not take precedence over law and order; the Torah IS law and order.

"as they interpret it" - is Walt's way of denigrating Torah interpretation according to halakhic sources. He appears to be more comfortable Torah interpretation according to feelings and the sentiments of Western Golah (exile). There is just one problem with this. That kind of Torah "interpretation" is not Torah, and thus not Jewish.

I have written this so many times, I will no doubt sound like the broken record of the beating of a dead horse.

We Jews must make up our minds. Do we want to live in a Jewish State? Or do we want to live in a State where the Torah, and thus Judaism, is being continually picked away?

When are we Religious Zionists finally going to accept that we cannot have our cake and eat it, too. We can have the Torah or an anti-Torah state, but not both.

The conflict between the two becomes greater with the passing of everyday. I pray that we make up our minds soon, before it is too late.

Tel-Aviv Bus Lines Revamped

25 of the Third Month 5771

Beginning July 1, 2011, bus routes in and around Tel-Aviv will be revamped.

(Tip-off from Jewtastic @ Twitter)

Check out the following links. The links are in Hebrew, so if you have difficulties, the maps may be easier for you to check out.

Canceled Bus Routes & Their Replacement Lines

Bus Route Maps
*divided into sections, such as NW Tel-Aviv, NE Tel-Aviv, N Ramat-Gan, B'nei Braq, etc.

Click to enlarge the image below to see the bus routes of the central Tel-Aviv area.

South Carolina's Resolution Supporting Israel Distorts The Torah

24 of the Third Month 5771

Many have been raving in hysterical adoration over the recent South Carolina House of Representatives' resolution made in support of Israel.

Has anyone bothered to read the exact text of the resolution?

The tip-off that it would be a good idea to do so came when I heard Danny Dayan, Chairman of the YeSh"A Council, mention this resolution last week. The part he quoted seemed rather odd to me (red). So, I searched for the exact text to confirm the quote.

The first part of the resolution is found below, followed by my comments.

South Carolina General Assembly
119th Session, 2011-2012
H. 4339

STATUS INFORMATION

House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Clemmons, Sellers, Hardwick, D.C. Moss, Bedingfield, G.R. Smith, Hosey, Henderson, McCoy, Sottile, Norman, Delleney, Pope, Hiott, Skelton, Parker, Pinson, J.M. Neal, Willis, Pitts, Atwater, Quinn, Bingham, Allison, Crawford, Lowe, Loftis, Forrester, Chumley, Patrick, Long, Neilson, Brannon, Daning, Crosby, Anderson, G.A. Brown, Limehouse, J.R. Smith, Bales and Thayer

Introduced in the House on June 2, 2011
Adopted by the House on June 2, 2011

Summary: Israel

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

     Date      Body   Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/2/2011  House   Introduced and adopted
6/2/2011  House   Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hardwick,
                  D.C.Moss, Bedingfield, G.R.Smith, Hosey, Henderson,
                  McCoy, Sottile, Norman, Delleney, Pope, Hiott,
                  Skelton, Parker, Pinson, J.M.Neal, Willis, Pitts,
                  Atwater, Quinn, Bingham, Allison, Crawford, Lowe,
                  Loftis, Forrester, Chumley, Patrick, Long, Neilson,
                  Brannon, Daning, Crosby, Anderson, G.A.Brown,
                  Limehouse, J.R.Smith, Bales, Thayer

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

6/2/2011

A HOUSE RESOLUTION

TO COMMEND THE NATION OF ISRAEL FOR ITS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND WITH THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, Israel has been granted her lands under and through the oldest recorded deed as reported in the Old Testament, a tome of scripture held sacred and reverenced by Jew and Christian, alike, as the acts and words of God; and

Whereas, as the Grantor of said lands, God stated to the Jewish people in the Old Testament; in Leviticus, Chapter 20, Verse 24: "Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey"; and

Whereas, God has never rescinded his grant of said lands; and

Whereas, along with the grant of said lands to the Jewish people, God provided for the non-Jewish residents of the land in commanding that governance must be in one law for all without drawing distinction between Jewish and non-Jewish citizens, as contained in Leviticus 24:22; and

Whereas, the Nation of Israel declared its independent control and governance of said lands on May 14, 1948, with the goal of reestablishing their God-given lands as a homeland for the Jewish people; and

Whereas, the United States of America, having been the first country to recognize Israel as an independent nation and as Israel's principal ally, has enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship with Israel and her people; and...

(Read the entire resolution)

What does Leviticus 24:22 actually say?

ויקרא כד,כב מִשְׁפַּט אֶחָד יִהְיֶה לָכֶם, כַּגֵּר כָּאֶזְרָח יִהְיֶה: כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה, אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

Lev. 24:22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for the home-born; for I am the LORD your God.'

Sounds like the South Carolina Legislature got it right, doesn't it?

Not hardly.

First off, this verse being taken WAY out off context does not surprise me in the least. It was quoted by Christians, who lack half of the Torah, Torah sheb'al Peh (Oral Torah), and their outlook on the half they do possess is distorted by their latter texts related to the preaching of a false deity.

Jews who distort or reject outright the Torah sheb'al Peh (Oral Torah), have done the same, even Jews who cover their heads and call themselves "Orthodox." The most basic Torah tenant seems foreign to them, that one cannot fully understand the Torah shebikhtav (Written Torah) without the Torah sheb'al Peh (Oral Torah).

So what this verse really mean?

When it says "one law," it is referring to all of the laws and rulings immediately preceding this verse. It is a verse which concludes this section of laws and punishments.

Furthermore, the word גר (stranger) is more likely referring to a convert (eg. a Jew) than not, as RaSh"I explains on Deuteronomy 24:17. When this word refers to a non-Jew (גר תושב), it refers only to a non-Jew who has accepted the 7 Noahide Laws and has permission to live in Israel. This category does not include members of another religion, such as Islam or Christianity.

A בן נח (Ben No'ah) is a non-Jew following the 7 Noahide Laws who has not necessarily received permission to live in Israel. Words such as גוי (goy) and נכרי (nokhri) refer to non-Jews who do not 7 Noahide Laws, such as Muslims and Christians.

There are countless other sources which contradict the South Carolina Legislature's gross misinterpretation of the Holy Torah. The Talmud speaks very clearly of the differences between Jews and non-Jews, and their respective statuses both in and outside of the Land (eg. Ramba"m, Hil. Melakhim u'Milhamothehem).

Enemies who want to kill us are not welcome. Non-Jews who worship The Almighty in ways deemed forbidden under Jewish Law are not welcome. This is the case, whether such non-Jews wish to come to Israel to convince Jews to worship as they do, or not.

Non-Jews who follow the 7 Noahide Laws (Gen. 9), which includes the acceptance of Torah as truth, and the rejection of other religions (Mahara"tz), are allowed to settle in Israel under limited circumstances. Most authorities agree that such individuals would have to complete a process under the auspices of a high rabbinical court not currently in existence. Others argue as well, that such a process could not even take place until Yovel (Jubilee) comes back into effect.

And, if and when such non-Jews would be allowed to enter the Land to live, they would be subject to service and special taxes (all authorities), and have several other limitations imposes upon them, such as living outside of Jerusalem, outside of additional cities, and living in groups of families of three or less.

They definitely not have share the same rule of law. Furthermore, under the 7 Noahide Laws, they would be required to set up their own courts, courts which would have no authority over Jews, yet the Sanhedrin would always have the authority to overrule them.

For several reasons, the South Carolina House of Representatives incorrectly stated that "governance must be in one law for all without drawing distinction between Jewish and non-Jewish citizens, as contained in Leviticus 24:22."

This statement is simply not true.

The South Carolina House of Representatives is right about one thing. The Almighty makes the decisions as to who possesses which lands, not human beings.

The Almighty took Eretz Yisrael away from the practitioners of forbidden worship, the Canaanites, and gave it to Am Yisrael...

...but not to the Yishma'elim (Arabs), and not to other practitioners of forbidden worship (eg. Christians).

Thanks, South Carolina, for your support. But, please leave the interpretation of Torah according to Jewish Law, and well as our Homeland, to us.

Hormonal Aliyah

17 of the Third Month 5771

Periodically I noodge a buddy of mine about getting his tuchus on a plane to Israel, being that he's such the Zionist. He's finished his college degree, so he doesn't have THAT excuse.

I recently realized probably the only thing which might get him here is "Hormonal Aliyah."

"Hormonal Aliyah" is the overwhelming attraction to Israelis over those from ones country of origin, causing one to settle in Israel.

I did a search on Google, and I was very surprised to see that the only instance of "Hormonal Aliyah" was a comment I had left on someone else's blog a few years ago. I was very surprised, because I had first heard the term 14 years ago, shortly after I arrived in Israel. The term was credited to a professor at Tel-Aviv University.

After only a few weeks in Israel, I fully understood and accepted this concept as a truth. In my case, I had already come, and was committed to stay. The "attractiveness" of native Israelis to me was just the icing on the cake: Their eyes, their accents, how they wore their clothes, and of course, how they stood closer to each other than we did in the U. S.

One the primary goals of Esser Agaroth is to encourage Jews to make aliyah (immigrate to Israel). I could talk about idealism, Torah, and the dangers of staying in galuth (exile) until I am blue in the face. But, perhaps Hormonal Aliyah will succeed in encourageing Jews to return and settle their ancient and eternal homeland, when other reasons fail to make even a dent in our stubbornness.

It's sure worth a shot! Anything which gets Jews to come!

More Missionary Sightings And What To Do About Them

14 of the Third Month 5771

The other day I reported on seeing some suspicious people walking around Ben Yehuda Street.

Well, today I saw some more. Well, I cannot say for certain that the lady pictured in the photo is a missionary, or even a Christian, and I certainly cannot say this about her male companion either. However, she was wearing a T-shirt with the fundamental Christian belief written in Hebrew on the back. Can you make it out? Maybe, she did not understand what she was wearing. I will let you make your own judgments. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a face shot.

I saw another "messianic" activist around Ben Yehuda St. today as well. He used to hang out at an Internet cafe where I used to work. He used to like to engage the customers in theological arguments,...but not on my shift!

The other day I also I teen-aged boy walking into a camping supply store. At first glance, he T-shirt had half of the Hebrew alphabet on the front. Then I noticed something else at the top in English: "So, who is he?" As he entered the store, I got a chance to see the back of his shirt. It had the other half of the Hebrew alphabet, with the address for a "messianic" website below that.

My point in reporting these incidents is two-fold. Jews in Israel, and elsewhere, need to wake up to this very serious problem of soul snatching.

When I can get decent photos, you will be able to help identify them, or at least be able to recognize them, so that you can stay away. Don't engage them. They love that! Ignore them. They hate that! Warn others in the area if you can.

Get their literature and report it to Yad LeAchim in Israel (toll free: 1-800-620-640).

In the U. S., U. K., Australia, be in touch with Jews For Judaism.

Keep up to date on Christian missionary activities in Israel at Jewish Israel.

Sneaky, Sneaky, Christian Missionary!

12 of the Third Month 5771

Well, there I was, minding my own business, on Ben Yehuda Street in Down Jerusalem, when all of a sudden, a group of tourists (I hope they are only tourists!) were walking down the street from King George Street. I could not help notice them, as they stuck out out like sore thumb more than the usual goyshe, ugly American tourist.

The color coordinated red tops with blue pants or skirts were the first thing which caught my eye. It was not too soon after that, though, that I noticed their ridiculously fake tzitziyoth (fringes required for a Jewish male's four-cornered garment) were the first sign that something very odd was up with these people. They were attached to the belt loops, and the women had them, too. (Even a self-respecting "reform" or "reconstructionist" would know better about wear to attach them!)

Only once did I see this ridiculous belt loop-tzitzith combination on someone who was NOT some kind of Christian missionary. That individual was a mentally ill Jew who thought he knew better than HaZa"L (Our Sages z"l). Colleagues confirmed my understanding that this belt loop error is almost always a sign of Christian missionary error. Mostly these are goyim g'murim. Once in a blue moon, they manage to dupe a vulnerable Jew into believing in their false deity. This is, of course, the unfortunate occurrence of a Jew raised by brainwashed parents.

I prefer not to use the misnomer "Messianic Jew," because we all know you cannot be both a Jew and Christian, only a false convert or an apostate.

The apparent leader of the group I saw bore the two stars of a Major General on his collar, whatever that was supposed to mean. Either he was a member of the American military at one point, or seems himself as a Christian soldier of some sort. In addition, his fake tzitziyoth were red, white, and blue! (eyes rolling)

He saw that I was taking their pictures. He did not seem to mind, as these people LOVE to be in the spotlight! I told him that the photos would help me to expose missionary activity. His response was a giggle.

Just be aware that these people exist, polute our Land with their beliefs, practices, and desire to brainwash Jews, and pull us away from our true God and His Holy Torah.

No matter what anyone says, their intentions ARE nefarious.

How apt that the so called Gay Parade occured in Tel-Aviv last week. One of this community's chants is...

We're here!
We're queer! (ie. different)
We're everywhere!
Get used to it!

Christians should take this chant for their own. After all, Jews in Israel are so numbed out to their presence, and to the dangers of their presence. Many Jews are even happy to take their money.

In other words, they are already used to it.

I, for one, refuse to stand idly by, and get used to it!

Protesting The Reprehensible Occupation

12 of the Third Month 5771

The [Am] Ha'Aretz news site reports...

Video Shows Police Violently Arresting Jewish Man In Jerusalem

19-year old 'Lucas' from Philadelphia was detained on Jerusalem Day earlier this month for 'attacking and biting a police officer'

Nir Hasson, June 13, 2011

For one American Jewish teenager, this year's Jerusalem Day earlier this month turned out to be an event not to remember, as he was detained for two days on suspicion of attacking and biting a police officer.

"Lucas," a 19 year-old from Philadelphia, cut a rather different figure in the Jerusalem Day flag parade in the capital. Like many participants in the event, he wore a skullcap on his head; unlike the others, however, a Palestinian flag and a keffiyeh were also part of his outfit....

Lucas's statements of protest included....

"Israel is occupying the Palestinian people in my name, in the name of world Jewry," Lucas, clutching his American passport, tells the camera. "And I myself, an American Jew, is here to say that is completely unjustified and ethically reprehensible.

"And we, world Jewry and all people of the world, will not stop until this occupation ends and until the Palestinian people have their right - the right of return, the right to live without occupation, and equal rights within Israel. That is why we are here."(video below)

(SIGH)

Just to be clear, this post should not be taken as a personal attack on Lucas Koerner, but rather as an indictment of the low spiritual state in which we Jews have sunk.

What is reprehensible is that Jewish residents of Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria) continue to live under occupation. Some of the lands are occupied by the Israeli Defense Forces; some of them by Arabs, thus preventing Jewish settlement and expansion.

What is reprehensible is the brainwashing education Lucas received, and which obvious did not include any Torah whatsoever, or for that matter, any history.

What is reprehensible

Lucas is the perfect example of the results of 2,000 years of exile, of assimilation amongst the goyim, which began as a survival mechanism, taken to the extreme.

He is the perfect example of what is wrong with Jewish education, American Jewish understanding of Torah, Judaism, and Israel, and Jewish spiritual development in exile.

He is the epitome of what happens when Jews confuse Western culture and sensibilities with what they think are Jewish ones.

Is their hope for Jews like Lucas? First of all, who knows if he is even Jewish? It is so hard to tell these days, with all of the fake conversions, intermarriage, and Jewish self-hatred.

Who in their right mind would name their "Jewish" child after one of the most famous epikourim, even inadvertently?? I sincerely doubt that he was named after Luke Skywalker,...or maybe he was.

What is reprehensible, Lucas, is the kind of un-Jewish education you were forced to incur.

So, is there hope for Jews like Lucas,...assuming he is really Jewish??

Lucas, and Jews like him, are often used an excuse by American Jews not make aliyah (the true "right of return to Israel"), believing they have to stick around and help in "saving" them.

As difficult as it may be to accept, we may just have to cut our losses, and let Jews like Lucas go.

Jews like him are not responsible for their assimilation, but they must take responsibility for their recovery from it. The first step is the admission of a problem. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be happening anytime soon. And so, it may be in our best interest to focus our energies elsewhere.

Watch this video of Lucas, if you are interested in an intimate examination of Jews who know nothing of what it is to be a Jew. Lucas may still have a spark of a Jewish-like soul. After all, he demonstrates his sense of tzedeq (justice), hachmah (wisdom), and the warrior's passion. Unfortunately, he is directing all of energy produced these traits toward the destruction of his people, and toward his own self-destruction.

Lucas is proof that the ge'ulah (redemption) is just around the corner. Before ge'ulah, everything in the world, and the world itself, is operating upside down and backwards.

I believe that the only hope for Lucas, and Jews like him, is our tefilloth (prayers). And perhaps if his passions are sufficiently inflamed, he will accept the challenge to learn something of his inheritance, Torah and Israel.

Haveil Havalim #319 Is Up!

10 of the Third Month 5771

This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim Blog Carnival is up at To Kiss A Mezuzah.

It's Edition #319.

Haveil Havalim #318 Is Up!

4 of the Third Month 5771

This week's edition of the Haveil Havalim blog carnival is being hosted at Frume Sarah's World.

It's the Yom Yerushalayim Edition.

European Jews Need To Wake Up, And Israelis Need To Help Them

3 of the Third Month 5771

Today I received yet another disappointing e-mail from Women In Green, a "Zionist" organization, which encourages and supports the settling of Eretz Yisra'el.

Women for Israel's Tomorrow (Women in Green) join the call to all to
do all we can to help Philippe Karsenty, a true fighter for Israel, to
get elected to the French Parliament.

With love for Israel,

Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar
________________________________

Doc's Talk: French Political Cuisine
Philippe Karsenty, "the worst nightmare of the French media outlets"
Written by Nurit Greenger, from the original speech, as was delivered
by Mr. Philippe Karsenty
June 4, 2011

Philippe Karsenty, is a French national of the Jewish faith, who is well known for, so obstinately, standing up to France 2 TV Channel news when they reported a hoax story about Mohamed al Dura, an Arab-"Palestinian" they claimed the Israeli army killed. Mr. Karsenty won his case and truth prevailed.

Mr. Karsenty is now seeking to be elected to the French Parliament. I cannot think of a better than Mr. Karsenty, an honest, freedom loving person to take ranks in the French political arena....

I can understand the misguided, yet "good intentions" of Phillippe Karsenty. But, what of Women In Green's attitude?

Shehitah (kosher slaughter) has been banned in Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland, Iceland. A similar ban has been considered in The Netherlands. Restrictions have been placed on brith milah (Jewish, ritual circumcision) in Sweden. France banned the wearing of kippoth in public schools. Muslim clerics in England incite their communities to violence against Jews AND non-Jews. A friend of mine in Belgium gets spit on by Muslims. Jews in France get beaten to death by Muslims!

European Jews need to wake up. Phillippe Karsenty is one of the few Jews who has woken up, yet has missed the boat when it comes what to do about what he woken up to.

The only course of action for a Jew is to make aliyah, immigrate to Israel.

Making aliyah is not running away, it's not abandoning ones fellow Jews, it's not being impractical, not in the least.

It is setting an example.

And, speaking of setting an example, what the heck is Women In Green doing by encouraging everyone to support this Jew's run for a seat in the French Parliament?!

Phillipe Karsenty needs to be here, in Eretz Yisra'el, with the rest us, focusing and investing our time, money, and energy on our own Homeland, not someone else's.

Organizations like Women In Green need to encourage aliyah, not discourage it.

Aliyah, and the rescuing of Jews from their physical and spiritual demise, is black and white.

There is no gray area.

Circumcision-Hatred: What's Next? Why Wait Around To Find Out?

3 of the Third Month 5771

Most of you have already heard of the drive to ban ritual circumcision in the City and County of San Francisco. Here is the report from HotAir.com.

Circumcision-Hatred: It Was Only A Matter A Time
J. E. Dyer, June 4, 2011

You have to wonder if these people are sane.

The San Diego-based group that is laboring to get circumcision banned in San Francisco has perpetrated a comic book. In it, a superhero named Foreskin Man saves a baby boy from being circumcised by the evil Monster Mohel, a vicious-looking Orthodox Jewish rabbi who could have been drawn by an acolyte of Joseph Goebbels.

Indeed, Foreskin Man has a distinctly Hitlerian “Aryan” look to him.

It’s crystal clear from the dialogue that the perpetrator of this literary opus intends to depict the Judaic religious view of circumcision as evil and repulsive. The “comic” hauls out every theme of Jew hatred in the arsenal.

Note that these circumcision-haters could have addressed the issue as one of science, medicine, personal autonomy, or even just a social issue on which reasonable people can disagree.

But they didn’t. The case they’re making is that circumcision is evil because Jews do it as a religious observance.

In targeting religious observance, they left out the other major religion which insists on ritual circumcision.

Do you really think they would ever publish comparable, comic book with Muslim characters?

Of course, they wouldn't. The radical left (for some reason I still cannot fathom) traditionally panders to Muslims. The rescuing of boys could never hope to outweigh this.

I can imagine the justification as to why not, already. Many Muslims have the tradition of circumcising their sons in their teen years, as is even mention in the Torah regarding their forefather Yishma'el (Gen. 17:23-26). Thus, they have reached a stage of cognitive development allowing them to give informed consent.

Do you think that in Islamic regimes, teen-aged boys really have choice in the matter? Ironically, Muslim men and boys residing in Israel do have that choice.

Elder Of Ziyon has more images and commentary here.

Besides the general Anti-Jewish sentiment out there, there are a few additional points which need to be emphasized.

1. There are Jews behind this move to ban circumcision in the City and County of San Francisco. This may surprise you, but not me.

In the '90's I was already hearing some of those identifying themselves as "Reconstructionists" and "Jewish Renewalists" call brith milah "ritual sexual abuse," "ritual sexual mutilation," and other, similar, nasty, catch phrases.

How can anyone say that these people (I suppose some of them are real Jews) practice the religion know as Judaism?

Even the generally, self-hating Anti-Defamation League [ADL] got it right this time.

The Anti-Defamation League is right. The attempt to ban circumcision in San Francisco is driven by anti-Semitism. The case could have been made without depicting a scary rabbi named Monster Mohel slavering over a naked infant – but it wasn’t.

2. What's next? Most Jews in the U. S. downplay or selectively forget the shootings, muggings, vandalism directed toward them. They cannot handle the disturbance to their numbed-out existence as upstanding "American citizens."

When the Jews assimilated into 15th Century, Spanish society. Torquemada still tortured them. When the Jews tried to become Lutheran, the Lutherans still did not accept them. When the Jews proclaimed their German-ness, Hilter יש"ו still killed them.

But that was all in the past, right? The world has evolved, and becoming more open and progressive, right?

Apparently not.

Some of you will continue the same ol' rhetoric:

"It's an isolated incident."

"You're just paranoid."

"It's only these nuts in San Francisco."

"The Israel-loving Christians will save us."

"Surely, the Muslims will not let this happen. They'll be next!"

When are you going to learn? You are a stranger in a strange land (Ex. 2:22). You are Jews, and our natural home is in Eretz Yisrael., not in the U. S.

For those of you who simply cannot get this message, because you are so "pragmatic," will see the warning signs, and realize that you are not welcome.

Hopefully, you will add up all of the warning signs from recent history and start making plans to leave.

Why wait around to find out what the next gezeirah (decree) against the Jews will be?

Jerusalem Day 5771 Musings (יום גאולת ירושלים ומקום המקדש תשע"א)

The day after...
Jerusalem and Temple Mount Redemption Day 5771

Tuesday night, I had planned on praying at Reshimu, in Nahla'oth, and then listen to a shi'ur given by Rabbi Shmu'el (ben Mordechai Tzemah ztz"l) Eliyahu of Tzfath. Reshimu has an outdoor venue, beautiful and serene, the perfect place for prayer, meditation, contemplation, or socializing. I recommend the Thursday night "jam sessions." It is about as close as you can get to a frum night club, if such a thing exists. Yet, the "meat market" atmosphere often associated with clubs was absent. Homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches were on the menu, along with an invitation to bring your musical instruments.

Check out Reshimu's Website and Facebook Group for information on classes, social, and Shabbath prayer schedules.

Feng Shui Note: I rate this venue as Good, with only one or two, minor problems. Inside is Good, but not as good. Still, it is a pleasant and positive atmosphere.

As it happens, I was running late, so I decided to head on over to Kol Rina, on the western side of Nahla'oth. I find the people and the gabbai to be very nice and welcoming. Rosh Hodesh, Hol HaMo'ed, Israeli Independence Day, and today, Jerusalem Day are special days at Kol Rina, for that is when members of the community bring their musical instruments to the beth k'nesseth, and enhance their prayers and Hallel with accompaniment.

I was tired for some reason, and so I left early. The sometimes crowded bomb shelter space is not for everyone. My favorite event so far was Kol Rina's Hanukkah party, which was co-sponsored by NachlaOr, and featured a variety of musical performers, latkes, and micro-brewery beers.

Continuing in the spirit of trying to lighten up, I have been increasingly testing the waters of attendance at "mixed" social events. (Oy Gevald!)

So, after helping fellow blogger Yoel Meltzer (Everyone, please visit his blog!) with some networking tips this morning, I decided to check out the Jerusalem Day Barbecue at Ezra Amichai's Jerusalem Soul Center. I only stayed for a while, because I was meeting other friends later in town, something which had been arranged quite some time ago.

When I arrived, many people were in the living room singing, with accompaniment from local musician Maury Epstein, and others. Ezra made a brief d'var Torah about the unification of the Holy City of Jerusalem, I ventured upstairs, attracted by the scent of barbecue. I discovered more people, and an incredible view of Saqqer Park and the K'nesseth.

Vegetarians would be happy to know that they were not to be left out! Vegie burgers, pasta, beans, salads, and roasted garlic were on the menu, in addition to marinated chicken breast and hot dogs.

Apparently, I had missed out on Matthew's Sushi. Well, there's always next time.

After saying hello to several friends, and meeting one or two new ones, it was time for me to move on.

Coming back outside, after meeting with friends Downtown, the sun was setting, and the evening, desert breezes began to whip through Zion Square. People continued to stroll up and down Yaffo Street, and file through Ben-Yehudah Street, among the musicians, stores, and occasional street vendor.

My day ended with a series of crowded buses passing us by. They were already too full of those returning from the Old City, to pick up any more passengers. When one finally did stop for us, it was a chore to get on, and to secure a place even just to stand. Eventually, I could feel that my fellow passengers, like myself, had finally surrendered to the uncomfortable ride home.

I was grateful to reach my stop, the end of a very special, yet relaxed, Jerusalem Day.