Internal Affairs Minister Lapid? No Thanks!

כ' לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

YNET: PM Offers Lapid FM Post or Treasury Portfolio

Netanyahu offers Yesh Atid chairman one of two top cabinet posts, sources say. Analysts believe Lapid in fact keener on housing, internal affairs portfolios

Yuval Karni, Tzvika Brot, and Itamar Eichner
January 25, 1013

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid a choice between the foreign affairs or finance portfolios, sources close to the two said. 

The two met at the prime minister's residence on Thursday away from the public eye in a meeting that kicked off the coalition negotiations. 

In a post on his Facebook page, Lapid said in response: "What's happening now is neither a coalition negotiation nor the beginning of one.  What's most important is patience." 

Big Winner: Yesh Atid Party Founder Yair Lapid, very pleased with himself

He further added, "I didn't come for a (ministry) seat, because I already have one." 

I'm not sure what that means,...that he's guaranteed one if his party joins the government's coalition?

Sources close to Netanyahu and Lapid said that the Yesh Atid chairman was also offered the defense portfolio but that he has no interest in it. Lapid is being pressured not to take the finance portfolio in light of the current economic situation and the deep budget deficit, sources said.

Nevertheless, it was noted that should he accept the proposal he may bring in an outside candidate. Conversely, it appears that Lapid is not so keen on accepting the foreign minister position.

Political analyst Sima Kadmon wrote in her Yedioth Ahronoth column that the Yesh Atid chairman finds the housing or internal affairs portfolios more appropriate in light of his party's campaign. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
It is well known that Lapid supports housing subsides.  I believe very strongly, that as Housing Minister, Lapid, son of the venomously anti-Torah, late MK Yosef "Tommy" Lapid, would use his position to create, a "balance," in his mind in the housing subsides.

That me very well and good, but I predict a fall in Haredi housing and rise in young couple (Read: non-religious couples) subsides specifically in Jerusalem.  The anti-Torah, Left may want Jerusalem to remain as Israel's capital.  But, it sees it as the ultimate symbolic prize in its quest for the de-Juification of the Jewish State.

Worse yet, as Internal Affairs Minister, watch for Lapid to continue his attack on Torah: 

1. The acceptance of "Conservative" and "Reform" as full-fledged religious denominations, and thus their "rabbis" and their pseudo-conversions, for the purposes of nationality.

2. Watch for kosher converts to have even more hoops to jump through, in order to gain Israeli citizenship.

3. Lapid may not be a fan of illegal aliens entering Israel, but what about foreign workers?  Would he use his position to extend visas, prevent deportations, and push for special right for foreign workers, and their children born in Israel?

4. Watch for easier acceptance and registration of marriages, forbidden under Jewish Law.

Coexistence In Israel

י"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

Someone on Facebook wrote...

Anybody ever suggest a three state solution?
One each for the haters on both sides, and one for us who have no problem coexisting.

(I would suggest just one for all the haters of both sides -they deserve each other-, but I feel sorry for their children)

Esser Agaroth (2¢): 

What would the borders be? Which one of us would have to move out of the neighborhood? Would the Arabs who have been attacking women in our neighborhood get to stay because they want to coexist? ...with our sisters' property, and eventually their honor (חו"ח). 

Sigh........

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

 Does that mean I'm one of the haters?  

I suppose that I'm not allowed to quote HaZa"L on these matters either.  I guess they are haters, too?

On the other hand, I have no problem with Arabs, only Arabs who want to kill us, take our land, and rape our women (and men).  After all...

אין זנות כזנות ישמעאל - אבות דרבי נתן.

There is no promiscuity, like the promiscuity of Yishma'el.
-Avoth d'Rabbi Nathan (among others)

Arabs who want to accept upon themselves the 7 Misswoth B'nei No'ah, avaduth u'missim (service and taxes).

Most authorities see Islam as a product of b'al tosif, among other things. Thus, that will have to be taken care of.

Also, don't forget, that in a milhemeth misswah (obligatory war), the entire people is lumped together.  The only "innocent bi-standards," exempt from punishment, are those who declare to their leadership that what they are doing to Yisrael is wrong.

The only question is whether they have to leave until Yovel (Jubilee) goes back into effect, no?

...And The Residents Of The Border Towns Will Not Find Comfort

י"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

Arutz 7: 165 Families Evacuated from Gaza in 2005 Face Expulsion Again
Families displaced in Gaza Disengagement were given urgent evacuation orders to leave the Nitzan caravan site.

Annie Lubin , January 29, 2013

165 families who reside in the caravan site in Nitzan were given urgent evacuation orders to leave their homes, Ma'ariv reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the families, who took up residence in Nitzan after being kicked out of their homes in Gush Katif, were ordered to pay rent to the government on the caravans but many were unable to or simply refused, citing poor living conditions and a feeling of frustration towards the government over the realty that seven years after the forced "Disengagement" from Gaza many of their lives are still in fragments.

Officials in the Tenufa Administration, tasked with resettling those who were expelled from Gaza, recently gave eviction orders to residents to leave their homes within 45 days.

According to the report, the State reasoned that within a certain time frame all residents would have to buy a plot of land on a new community established on the coast of Ashkelon and either bring their caravan there or build a home.

However, many families cannot afford to buy land or build a house, as many are still in financial distress over losing their jobs, businesses and homes during the Disengagement.

Other families, who wanted to finance the move by transferring the caravans to the permanent community, did not meet the State's conditions.

Families who managed to finance the purchase of land and have begun building homes and wish to remain in the caravan site until construction is complete will have to pay heavy fines and, even so, will only be allowed to remain in the site for another three months.

Tenufa responded to the eviction by claiming that it has repeatedly taken into account the delicate situation of the families but that the State would not be able to comply any longer.

"The vast majority of residents already live in permanent homes or are in the construction process," the Administration stated. "Those who received eviction notices from the state and for various reasons have not yet started building their homes, will be asked to pay rent in order to arrange the continuing existence of the residential mobile homes. It should be emphasized that the management repeatedly extended offers on families exempting them from paying rent, but now, following the government decision, families are required to follow these orders." (What were the conditions of those exemptions?  That's what I would like to know.)

As of January 1st 2013, residents of the caravan site were ordered to pay rent to the government to the tune of NIS 1,400 for a 60 meter caravan and NIS 2,400 for a 90 meter caravan.

(Tip Credit: Jews News)

Sound familiar?  This scenario was presented to us long ago by HaZa"L.

תלמוד בבלי, מסכת סנהדרין צז,א
תניא ר' יהודה אומר דור שבן דוד בא בו בית הוועד יהיה לזנות והגליל יחרב והגבלן יאשם ואנשי גבול יסובבו מעיר לעיר ולא יחוננו וחכמת הסופרים תסרח ויראי חטא ימאסו ופני הדור כפני כלב והאמת נעדרת שנאמר (ישעיהו נט,טו) ותהי האמת נעדרת וסר מרע משתולל

Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a
It was taught, Rabbi Yehudah said: In the generation when the son of David comes, the house of assembly will be for harlots, the Galilee will be in ruins, Gablan will lie desolate, the residents from the border towns will wander about from city to city, receiving no comfort (hospitality), the wisdom of scribes will be in disfavor, God-fearing men will be despised, people will be dog-faced, and the truth will be absent, as it is said, "And the truth is absent, and he who withdraws from evil makes himself prey." (Isaiah 59:15)

You will hopefully notice that this suggiyah also presents several other eventss which can be seen today, that is, if you open your eyes.

I can still remember the faces of those expelled from their homes in Azza, who filed into the Internet Cafe where I worked to receive the free time on-line my bosses offered to them, to help them find news places to live, new jobs, and to stay in touch with their friends and neighbors scattered around the country.

The shock in their faces was accompanied by words of shock that their government would ever have done such a thing to such loyal citizens.

Boy, did they get a wake up call.

I feel for these people, but I hope that by now they have learned their lesson, and will know better than to trust the Israeli government to do the right thing anymore.

Ambassador Dan "The Man" Shapiro, The Football Fan!

י"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

Life In Israel: All For The Love Of The Game
On January 23, 2013, Ambassador Dan Shapiro joined members of the Israeli Football League in a lively and competitive game between the Ramat HaSharon Hammers and the Judean Rebels. In a atmosphere of enthusiasm and competitiveness, Ambassador Shapiro, witnessed American football building bridges between Israelis of all different backgrounds, along with Americans, Palestinians, and expatriates who came together on the field, all for the love of the game. With the voices of cheering fans in the background, Ambassador Shapiro, a Chicago Bears fan, spoke of sports transcending social divides, building bridges, and promoting social understanding.

Chicago Bears Fan U. S. Amb. Dan Shapiro

Translation: "The U. S. policy is that you will eventually be flung together anyway in one big religious and cultural mess, so you might as well start getting used to it now.  After all, Israel WILL DO WHAT IT'S TOLD, OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES!!!"

Um,...what happened to being a distinct people, and the need to separate ourselves from others, and their foreign influences?  What about the various halakhoth (Jewish Laws) related to who can even live in the Land of Israel, besides Jews??

I'm sorry.  I can tell that I am way ahead of you.  I'll back up.

Apparently, the U. S. Embassy in Israel sponsors similar unity type sports events.

Court Jew Amb. Dan Shapiro has got another thing coming.  Perhaps, if he learned a little [more?] Torah, figured out which team he was supposed to be playing for, and where he was supposed to be living, then maybe he would get it.

I don't know, though.  There are already plenty of Jews who do know which team they are supposed to be playing for, and where they are supposed to be living, and still don't get it.

By the way, is the Christian missionary still playing for one of the Jerusalem teams?

Sounds like, yet, another way to bring together Esau (Christians/The West) and Yishma'el (Arabs/Muslims),...a sign of one kind of Erev Rav.

Does anyone care?

No. They all just love the game of football, one the quintessential strategies of the powers that be to keep the masses entertained and numbed-out.

What was it that the Romans, the Western powers' predecessors, promised the masses?  Bread and circuses?  Now, you don't just get bread and circuses, you get beer, too!  Whoopie!

(eyes rolling)

I'm sure you'll all just blow this post off as a reflection of my disappointment in the Chargers this, and almost every, season.

Nope.  Don't think so.  And, I'll prove it to you, too.  The Chargers beat the Jets not too long ago, so I got to see all of my New Yawker friends walking around Jerusalem with their heads hung in shame for a few days.

(grin)

Please feel free to leave your "party pooper" comments below.

By the way, did anyone bother to ask Amb. Shapiro why one has to pay a fee, in order to give up ones U. S. citizenship?

Hmm...Let's see if any FBI, or other, agent attempts to "speak" with me.

I'll let you know.

Obama's Holocaust Memorial Day: Never Again,...Until Next Time

י"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

Most of you know by now that although I appreciate that opportunities and standard of living I received, growing up and being educated in the U. S., I no longer see it as my country.   I do not care what goes on there, except for how it affects the Jews residing there.

If non-Jews get any benefit from what I write, and attempt to bring out into the open, great.

But, my primary goal in writing about the U. S., and what is taking place there, is to encourage Jews to leave, and to come back to their only, true homeland, the Land of Israel.

Obama does not give a rat's tuchus about Jews, except for how their actions, and their votes affect him and his agenda.

Obama does not care about preventing another Holocaust.  On the contrary, it appears that he may be involved in the early stages of another one,...or two.

My Esser Agaroth (2¢) are interspersed below in blue italics.

 Arutz 7: Obama: We Will Stay True to Principle of 'Never Again!' 
Obama commemorated Holocaust Remembrance Day by vowing “to stand in the way of any tyrant or dictator who commits crimes against humanity.”

Rachel Hirshfeld, January 28, 2013

President Barack Obama commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Sunday, January 27, by vowing to “to stand in the way of any tyrant or dictator who commits crimes against humanity.”

One who supports the so-called "Patriot Act," and all of its short cuts around Constitutional rights is not a tyrant?

One who wants to limit the quantity of bullets each American have in his possession is not a dictator?

“While this is a time for mourning and reflection, it is also the time for action,” the president said in a statement. “On this day, we recall the courage, spirit, and determination of those who heroically resisted the Nazis, exemplifying the very best of humanity. And like these courageous individuals, we must commit ourselves to resisting hate and persecution in all its forms. The United States, along with the international community, resolves to stand in the way of any tyrant or dictator who commits crimes against humanity, and stay true to the principle of ‘Never Again.’

Translation: Obama does not see Israel's eventual assimilation into Western culture (ie. oblivion) as a Holocaust.  Rather, he sees it as just one stage in the ultimate globalization manifesto,...something for the Jews own good.

Obama did not specifically mention any current conflicts in the international community, nor did he mention the Iranian regime’s affirmed desire to obliterate the Jewish State.

...nor apparently Hamas's, or Fatah's, or Islamic Jihad's, or Al-Qaeda's, or the Muslim Brotherhood's, nor the continued ban on Jews from Saudi Arabia...

Yet, the president affirmed that, “By remaining vigilant against those who seek to perpetrate violence and murder, we honor those we lost during one of the darkest periods in human history. And we keep their memory alive for generations to come.”

I'm lost here.  What about all those I just listed above who "seek to perpetrate violence and murder?"  What about Obama's desire to leave the American people vulnerable by personally chipping away at their Second Amendment rights?  Sounds like a dark period to me.

Translation: Obama is either extremely naive, extremely stupid, extremely afraid of whoever is pulling his puppet strings, or extremely brilliant and extremely evil, because he is doing an extremely lousy job "remaining vigilant."

The President stressed the importance of keeping alive “the memories of the 6 million Jews and millions of other innocent victims whose lives were tragically taken during the Holocaust over sixty years ago.”

 Hmm... I wonder what pals Jeremiah Wright ("G - - damn, America!") and Louis Farrakhan (Nation Of Islam) would say about that.

“Those who experienced the horrors of the cattle cars, ghettos, and concentration camps have witnessed humanity at its very worst and know too well the pain of losing loved ones to senseless violence,” Obama added.

Stay tuned!  There's a FEMA Camp coming soon to a neighborhood near you!

One More Sign That Jews Must Leave France!

י"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

Jewish Daily Forward: 39% of French Say Jews Hold 'Too Much Power' 
Survey Shows Both Positive and Negative Extremes

JTA, January 27, 2013

A new survey on how Frenchmen perceive Jews revealed widespread anti-Semitism alongside high support for Israel and pro-Jewish sentiments.

The survey, conducted earlier this month by the polling company Market Watch among 1,000 respondents, showed 39 percent of the men and women who replied agreed with the statement that “Jews possess too much power in business.” Another 21 percent disagreed and 40 percent said they were neutral.

Forty-seven percent of respondents said French Jews were more loyal to Israel than to France, while only 15 percent disagreed. The poll, published on Jan. 24 by the World Zionist Organization, which commissioned it, was performed online on Jan. 13 via a platform developed by the IPSOS polling firm.

But when asked about their sentiments regarding French Jews, 43 percent said they had a “positive” view and 53 percent said they were neutral. Only four percent said they had negative views of Jews.

Asked about their views on Israel, 20 percent said they had a “favorable” view of the Jewish state; 61 percent said they were neutral and only 19 percent said they had a negative opinion of Israel.

Fifty-four percent of respondents said “anti-Jewish sentiments” were the source of violent incidents targeting Jews; 19 percent attributed violence against Jews to “anti-Israel sentiments” and 27 percent had no opinion on the matter.

Do not be fooled by the 43% which claimed to have a positive view of Jews.  What kind of positive views?  Stereotypes?  Envy?  Jealousy?  Not so positive, are they?

The ethnicity of those surveys were not reported.  If it turns out that the majority of those surveyed were Muslim, that would be one thing.  It would still not encourage any optimism from me, as the Muslim population in France is on the rise, and we all know how such an increase will be reflected in their attitudes: increased distance from French culture, increased willingness to express Muslim-based opinions, and increased displays of Muslim attitudes publicly.

However, I do not see researchers marching into Muslim neighborhoods, where there has been a history of rioting anytime soon.  Do you?

The situation is much worse in France than this survey, of only 1,000 participants, appears.

I am not sure what the goal of the JTA is in presenting this survey.

Keeping us numbed out, and away from Israel?

I cannot be sure, but it would not surprise me.

So, exactly what power does the 39% of those surveys think that Jews in France have?

The power to get beaten up?  The power NOT to be able to wear Jewish head coverings in certain neighborhoods?  The power to get our children's schools attacked?  The power to killed in a violent manner?

How many more surveys do the Jews in France need?

It's time to get out already, and come to Israel, your only, true homeland.

Girl Who Spat On MK Tibi Is Suspected Of Monastary Of The Cross Graffiti

י"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

YNET: Suspicion: Girl who spat on Tibi sprayed anti-Christian slogans
Jerusalem Police arrest two girls suspected of spray-painting 'Jesus is a son of a bitch' on wall surrounding Monastery of the Cross in capital; one of the suspects spat on Arab MK following heated debate at Bar-Ilan University in December 

Itamar Fleishman, January 28, 2013

Jerusalem District police arrested on Sunday two young girls on suspicion that they spray-pained anti-Christian slogans on a monastery and damaging vehicles in the capital last month.

 The 17-year-old suspected spat on Arab Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi after a heated political debate (United Arab List-Ta'al) at Bar-Ilan University in late December, during the election race. Her remand was extended until Thursday.

The older suspect's remand was also extended until Thursday. Police presented to the court photos of items that were confiscated during a search of her home – allegedly linking her to the act.

"Happy Hanukkah, victory for the Maccabees" (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

The slogans, including "Jesus is a son of a bitch," were discovered in mid-December on the wall surrounding the Monastery of the Cross in Jerusalem's Emek HaMatsleva. The tries of three vehicles that were parked in the area were punctured, and the words "Happy Hanukkah, victory for the Maccabees" were spray-pained on one of them.

Following the incident at Bar-Ilan, the girl said aid she would "not do anything differently" and outlined the extreme rightist doctrine that guided her.

"Maybe it's not politically correct and may seem a bit disgusting, but some people deserve it," she told Ynet after a video of the incident was released. "(Tibi) should say thank you; he deserves much worse; he deserves a death sentence. There have to be people who give the enemies of Israel what they deserve."  

Esser Agaroth (2¢): 
"Extreme rightist doctrine?"

I think not.  We can debate whether this suspect's strategies were helpful or unhelpful to the cause.  But, the [politically-incorrect] bottomline is that hostile Arabs have no business being in the Land of Isreal, and neither practitioners of avodah zarah (foreign, thus forbidden worship).

Of course, this is only true when viewing the Torah as truth, and the basis for how Jews are supposed to exist and to behave.

If you still do not understand the Hanukkah connection, remember that the battle began with Matityahu HaKohen's execution of one who was "honored" by the Selucid Greeks with a role in performing avodah zarah.  Matityahu HaKohen was father of Maccabees.

So it seems that at least one Jew in this country (there are many more, of course) knows the dangers of Esau (Christians/The West), as well as that of Yisma'el (Arabs/Muslims), assuming that she really did it, and is not just being set-up, as punishment for displays of disloyalty to the State.

There are those who would claim that "these" Christians are different from "those" Christians.

Yet, regardless of any nuances in theology, dress, and rituals, all Christians share the same mythological (lying) sources. 

So, any Jew thinking that Christians are our BFF's,

Until we learn more about the case, please enjoy the infamous spitting video.  Go to time marker 2:35, and look for the yellow circle, indicating the spitter.

However, if you know Hebrew, I recommend that you listen to Ahmed Tibi damn himself with his words.

If you do not know Hebrew, I recommend that you watch the entire video, with Tibi damning himself with his disgusting behavior.

Note: Both MK Aryeh Eldad (Otzmah leYisra'el) and MK Ahmed Tibi are physicians, Tibi being a gynecologist.  Which one would you want to go to for medical assistance?

Get Ready For MK Yair Lapid's Attack On Torah

ט"ז לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

(Non-)Jewish Press: Lapid: Let Conservatives And Reform In
The (Conservative) Rabbinical Assembly [RA] shares remarks, photos from Yair Lapid’s address to its 2012 convention.

Jewish Press Staff, January 24th, 2013

Yair Lapid, chairman and founder of the Yesh Atid Party, which ended with a surprisingly strong second place finish in the Israeli election Tuesday, had his first and only major appearance in the United States at last year’s convention of the Rabbinical Assembly. In May 2012, Lapid addressed the Atlanta convention of the international umbrella organization for Conservative rabbis.

During his address to the RA, Lapid focused on the need for increased religious pluralism in Israel.... (cont.)

Lapid addressing the "RA," Atlanta, May, 2012 (screen shot)

Now, I am certainly willing to assume that the "RA" took Lapid's comments out of context.

After all, the "Conservative Movement" in Israel, likes to claim that the majority of Israelis are actually "Conservative." Polls consistently show that the majority of Israelis identify themselves as "traditional." In Hebrew, that is "masorati" (מסורתי). This is how the "Conservative Movement" in Israel identifies itself. Through its illogical, circular reasoning, it has deluded itself into thinking that the majority of Israelis are thus "Conservative."

You do the math.

And, what of Lapid's "need for increased religious pluralism in Israel?"

Translation: 
The Torah is powerful to attack head on.  So, let's try to chip away at it, bit by bit, instead.  First, we will convince everyone that the Torah is something that it's not, and includes "religious pluralism," even though it doesn't.

I guarantee you, this is only the beginning of his attack on the Torah.  Wose yet, it seems like he might have some help from Tzohar member, Head of the Petach Tikvah Hesder Yeshivah, and mamlakhti (undying State-loyalist) extraordinaire Rabbi Yuval Cherlow:

YWN: Rav Sherlow On Addressing Intermarriage In USA
December 12, 2012

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow

The rabbi warned of the many Jews who identify as Jews but are not halachically yidden, explaining some have not undergone any conversion, but nevertheless view themselves as Jews.

He feels “one step must be a separation between the halacha and policies of the State of Israel, true recognition (not halacha) for the different streams, and their conversions”. The rabbi explained he is quite aware of the argument of the other side, but he is playing the devil’s advocate in contemplating how this serious issue can and may be addressed. (cont.)

OK. So, it is not entirely clear from this snippet, but for me, it definitely raises a red flag.

I am not sure which is more disturbing, Lapid's desire to open the flood gates to two additional ways to attack the Torah, or The Jewish Press's acceptance of this view so "matter of fact-ly." I am certain, that when pressed on this matter, The Jewish Press will simply claim that it was only functioning as "an objective news source," or some other convenient excuse.

It is just one more reason for me to continue to call The Jewish Press, The Non-Jewish Press.

Shawn Is Not A Jewish Name

מוצש"ק פר' בשלח/ערב ראש השנה לאילנות תשע"ג

The Jewish Press: Shawn, Amit, Agam and Alicia
Yori Yanover, January 25th, 2013

Our photo agency, Flash90, presented this morning a few obligatory Tu B’Shvat images, to be used by harassed editors looking for a quick filler with their eyes still half closed and their lips touching the day’s first cup of coffee out of many.

Each image is always accompanied by a suggested caption, providing as much background information as possible, for the same half-awake editor to pick from for his/her readers.

Here’s the caption that accompanied the above image:

“Shawn, Amit, Agam and Alicia plant a tree on January 24 2013 celebrating the Tu Bishvat holiday. Tu Bishvat is a Jewish holiday that marks the “New Year of the Trees.”

(snip)

What got my attention instead were the names of these sweet, Israeli children: Shawn, Amit, Agam and Alicia.

Two out of the four are foreign! And the Israeli ones are very much not your run of the mill Yitzhak and Rivka.(cont.)

Yeah, Shawn isn't in the least bit Jewish.  It's a shame being in Israel, and not having a Jewish name.  Alicia I suppose can be played around with to fit it into Hebrew, albeit pushing it.

What I'd like to know is if "Shawn" is even Jewish.

If he isn't, then why is he here in Israel?

Why is he in my child's gan (Kindergarten), and why is he in a photo in a supposedly Jewish newspaper?

I leave the debate over mixed vs. separate ganim for another time.

And, if you're clueless as to what I am referring,...I am referring to gender.

But, that will have to wait until another time.

Who Leaked The "Blown-Up Mosque" Video?

י"ב לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

Times Of Israel: Jewish Home blames Likud for leaking Gimpel video 
MK Uri Orbach knocks Netanyahu’s party for attacks, calls Shas leaders the ‘three bandits’

Gabe Fisher, January 20, 2013

"The Mustache Brigade"

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is responsible for leaking a controversial 2011 video of Jewish Home party candidate Jeremy Gimpel speaking of a “blown up” Dome of the Rock and the construction of a third Jewish temple in Jerusalem, Gimpel’s colleague in Jewish Home, MK Uri Orbach, asserted on Sunday. (cont.)

Blah, blah, blah...

Yeah, we already know what MK (and premier member of the "Mustache Brigade") Uri "Jerusalem is too Haredi, so I'm moving to Modi'in" Orbach has to say.  And, quite frankly, I'm sick of it.

Jeremy Gimpel

He really should go back to his previous profession as a comedian.

Personally, I believe that Jeremy Gimpel himself, or one of his Christian-loving cohorts, leaked the video.

Of course, I do not have any proof of this.  It is only speculation.

Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" And Holding Ones Tongue

י"ב לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

The lyrics to Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" are found below after the video box.  Many have called this song one of Depeche Mode's trademark songs.

I suggest that there are hints to the Laws of Guarding the Tongue.

I believe that these hints are in the form of hakhmah (wisdom), hakhmah worthy of our attention.

I did not go through any body of halakhah (Jewish Law) vis-a-vis the lyrics, which records the Laws of Guarding the Tongue such as the Hofetz Hayim or the Mishneh Torah of the Ramba"m.  When going through the lyrics, I only made a few common sense notes here and there.

I believe that you will get the idea.

Warning: This video was filmed on top of one of the World Trade Center towers.  So, if you find this to be kind of creepy, or if this bothers you in any other way, you can easily find another version on your favorite video hosting site.

Dave Gahan-Lead Vocals, Martin Gore-Guitar,  
Andy Fletcher-Keyboards (short hair), Alan Wilder-Keyboards (long hair)

ENJOY THE SILENCE

Martin Gore, 1989

Words like violence 

Break the silence 

Come crashing in 

Into my little world 

Painful to me 

Pierce right through me 

Can't you understand 

Oh my little girl 

All I ever wanted 

All I ever needed 

Is here in my arms 

Words are very unnecessary 

They can only do harm 

Vows are spoken 

To be broken 

Feelings are intense 

Words are trivial 

Pleasures remain 

So does the pain 

Words are meaningless 

And forgettable 

All I ever wanted 

All I ever needed 

Is here in my arms 

Words are very unnecessary 

They can only do harm

Enjoy the silence 

*Lyrics obtained from Lyrics Freak

Words like violence...painful to me, pierce right through me
Words can be hurtful...  "Sticks and stone make break my bones, but names can kill me."

Vows are spoken, to be broken,...words are trivial
Talk is cheap.  It is more important to walk the walk, than to talk the talk. (See below)

Words are meaningless, and forgettable
Actions speak louder than words.

Words are very unnecessary, they can only do harm

And something else comes to mind...

 משנה אבות א,טז  [יז] שמעון בנו אומר, כל ימיי גדלתי בין החכמים, ולא מצאתי לגוף טוב אלא שתיקה; ולא המדרש הוא העיקר, אלא המעשה; וכל המרבה דברים, מביא חטא

Minshnah Avoth 1:16 [17] Shimon his son says: All my days I have been raised among the Sages, and I found nothing better for oneself than silence; not study, but practice is the main thing; and one who talks excessively brings on sin.

Just my Esser Agaroth (2¢)....

Haveil Havalim #395: The Israeli Elections Edition

י' לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

This week's edition of Haveil Havalim is pretty Israel focused (again), in light of the national elections this Tuesday.  Yet, I feel compelled to repeat my message of encouragement to those in the Diaspora (Exile) to participate in Haveil Havalim as well. 
  
While I was trolling scamming searching for posts for this edition, I found a long lost JBlogger (turned tweeter), who turned in one post for 2013 so far.  We'll have to see if he keeps it up.

So, if he can come out of hiding, then so can you! 

Spread the word to your fellow bloggers, and join us on our Facebook group to keep in touch with each other, and to keep up to date with this blog carnival.

Now, with all of our attention focused on these elections, I would like to ask all of us to take a few moments to read Crossing Yarden's post about his Beautiful wife Stella, who is battling cancer.

Then read Mama Blah Blah's Where's My Prize?

Then pray for their רפואה שלימה /complete recovery.

צוריה כוכבת בת שרה

Tzuriah Kokhevet bat Sarah

אריקה בת חווה אטה

Erika bat Chava Ehta

Amen. 

*Posting the above request and associated pieces is not to embarrass anyone (חו"ח), but only to bring us together in prayer.

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, jointly coordinated through our Facebook Group., and headed up by Jack.  The term 'Haveil Havalim,' whichmeans"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.'

 Torah

Yitzhak at Think Judaism asks "Would the Ramban say the Ten Plagues are miracles?"

Daniel at The Heart Of Adam writes about The Land And The People.

A Jew In The City brings us an important Torah lesson found in everyday life in Wiping Out Strict Justice And Choosing Kindness Instead. She also shares a letter she responded to in I Want to Return To the Jewish Heritage of My Ancestors But I Don’t Know Where to Begin.

 Tu b'Shevat

Shlomo at Thinking Torah brings us Rabbi Moshe Vaye's Quick Guide To Checking Fruit in Tu b'Shevat Is Coming.

Jacob from Good News From Israel presents  some Tu B'Shvat Educational Resources.

The Real Jerusalem Streets presents photos of Tu B'Shevat Time In Jerusalem. Several photos of the recent snowfall are included!

 Israel

Elections
The brand new blog Israeli Pundit reports on the recent call to Muslim prayer in the "Limousine Liberal," Ramat Aviv neighborhood of Tel-Aviv in You Gotta Love 'Em.  He also warns residents of Yehudah and the Shomron not to make the same voting mistake over again, and expect different results in We Can Always Hope.

Batya at Shiloh Musings wants Likud and Bayit Yehudi (NRP) voters to listen carefully to what she has to say.

In my Esser Agaroth, ask "Who's afraid of Jeremy Gimpel?" and then respond with a resounding, "I Am!"

Daniel Greenfield, posting at Front Page Mag, thinks that Young Israelis Are Increasingly Turning Right.

Yitzchak at Think Judaism responds to the Sha"S Party's recent, controversial ad, criticizing the conversion process in the U. S.: Spiritual Racism: The Jewish Response To Shas's Prejudiced Ad.

Israellycool brings us an English translation of The Simpsons Guide To The Israeli Elections.

Avi at Tel-Chai Nation suggests that Obama is interfering with Israeli elections.  And, A Soldier's Mother doesn't like it When Others Speak... (for Israel), including Obama.

Meanwhile, what does Ariel at The Torah Revolution think about Israeli elections?  What A Waste Of PPE.

 News and Current Events
Avi at Tel-Chai Nation reports that Muslim squatters removed from E-1 construction site.

Batya at Shiloh Musings tries to convince the world that E-1 Is Not Some Poisonous Food Additive.

Israeli Pundit reports that missionaries have been beaten at their own game in Buying Into The Lie.

Don't think it's a problem?  Read Jewish Israel's report that a Major Global Prayer Initiative in Jerusalem calls for Israel to recognize Yoshke (יש"ו).

Aaron Klein critiques the views of U. S. President Obama's choice for Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Ariel at The Torah Revolution gives us his take On Appeasing Terrorists.

Israellycool presents both his Apartheid Fail Of The Day and Palestinian Space Cadets.  I believe you will find that these titles are self-explanatory.

A Soldier's Mother discusses Israeli Profiling.

Life In Israel
Shlomo at Thinking Torah this section off with Saying Thank You.

Yael Yells Softly makes her Haveil Havalim debut, by bringing us her Israel snowfall experience in Little House On The Prairie.

Harley at Israel Seen reports on the recent beer festival in Tel-Aviv in Beer Deluge. 

Holy Land Vegan tells about her Last Meat.

And, don't forget to visit this month's edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival, hosted at Frugal And Kosher.

Wrap-Up
Well, we do not yet have a host for next week's edition.  So, it could be you!  Sign up at our Facebook page.

No Facebook?  No problem.

E-mail me directly at EsserAgaroth@gmail.com.

Who's Afraid Of Jeremy Gimpel? I Am!

י' לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

I was debating as to whether or not I should add to the highly undeserved publicity which publicity whore and K'nesseth candidate Jeremy Gimpel has been receiving lately.

The ruckus began with the rejection the Bar-Ilan Students' Union of Jeremy's participation in a multiparty debate, hosted by that university.

Arutz 7: So, Who's Afraid Of Jeremy?
Bar Ilan's student union apparently did not want Bayit Yehudi's Jeremy Gimpel in a debate.

Gil Ronen, January 16, 2013

Bar Ilan University's Student Union did not want Bayit Yehudi to be represented by Jeremy Gimpel in a three-way debate hosted by the Union Thursday. The reason, according to Bayit Yehudi campaign manager in the English language, Jeremy Saltan, is simply that Gimpel is too effective a debater, and someone on the other side is afraid of him. (cont.)

For the record, I disagree with the decision of Bar-Ilan University's Student Union.  Even though Israel is a deMOCKracy, it really should keep up the appearance of free speech.

What concerns  me a lot more than the above semi-censoreship is the fact that democracy has nothing to do with Torah, and thus Judaism, and the except, of course, inside the head of a "galus rabbi."

Hmm... I do believe I recall Mr. (Whoops!  I mean "Raaaaaaaabbi") Gimpel himself using this term on his former radio show on Arutz 7 with his buddy Ari.

Jeremy may have apologized for this very grave lahson hara'.  Nonetheless, calling the head of a special committee of Israel's Chief Rabbinate a "galus rabbi," with a listening audience of thousands, is no small thing to be brushed under the table.  The fact that there were non-Jews among the listeners only made the Hillul Hashem even worse.

 
Yes, ladies and gentleman, Jeremy apparently has a piece of paper stashed away somewhere saying that someone "made him" a "rabbi."

Believe me, when I tell you, though, that Esser Agaroth will be one of the last places you will find this lover of ovdei avodah zarah (practitioners of foreign and forbidden worship) called a "rabbi."
 
I'm sorry, but I'm supposed to call a protégé of Stevie Wonder,* or even someone remotely connected to him, a "rabbi?"

I think not.


The next stage in the publicity orgy excitement was when an old video of Jeremy's mysteriously surfaced only days before the election.  How convenient!

Gee.  I wonder how that got leaked ended up into the hands of journalists?

JPost: Bayit Yehudi Hopeful's Temple Mount Quip Starts Row

Gil Hoffman and Daniel Clinton, January 19, 2013

In 2011 video, Jeremy Gimpel addresses US Christian crowd, says "it would be incredible" if Dome of the Rock was "blown up."

Tzipi Livni's Movement party said Saturday that it planned to request the disqualification of a Bayit Yehudi candidate from running in Tuesday's election after a video emerged of him speaking of the Dome of the Rock being “blown up”.

The clip, which was first uncovered by Channel 2 television, shows the 14th candidate on the Bayit Yehudi list, Atlanta native Jeremy Gimpel, addressing a group of Christian Zionists in Florida in November 2011. (cont.)

While Tzippy Livni and other insane Jews and un-Jews were wailing over one of (in my opinion) Jeremy's rare moments of clarity, yet all too frequent, sensationalist theatrics, I was focused on the real concern of this JPost expose:

Asked about the connections of his Landofisrael.com to Messianic Christian organizations, Gimpel said: "We have a policy of staying away from Jews for Jesus groups. Our major donors are Jews. We don't take money from Christian organizations, but we do accept money from individuals of all backgrounds."

According to one of my sources, who has successfully infiltrated Jeremy and Ari's Christian Circus of the Stars, this is how Jeremy is able to make the above statement with a straight face.

"...is he and other Jews like him will go and speak at churches or they will speak in a public hall, which xians are invited to attend.  They do not "pay" them but they take up an "offering" or donations and that money is given to the speaker."

Did you notice that Jeremy never said that they did not have any connections to Christian organizations?  He only said that they did not accept money from them.  And I just demonstrated how easily they could get around that, if they so choose.

Oh, yeah, and who was connected to Jeremy and Ari's show in the U. S.?

Getting back to the part about the Temple Mount, Jeremy continues with:

Gimpel states in the clip, “Imagine today if the golden dome, I’m being recorded so I can’t say blown up, but let’s say it was blown up, right, and we laid the cornerstone of the Temple in Jerusalem. Can you imagine what would be? None of you would be here. You would be going to Israel. It would be incredible.” (cont.)

This part was also, undoubtedly, not in the least bit disturbing to most Jews.  Yet, I would still like to know why e? "None of you would be here. You would be going to Israel."

Is Jeremy suggesting that they would all be on their way to Israel?

It's possible.  after all, non-Jews did make offerings to the Temple.

However, their filthy avodah zarah was most unwelcome, and certainly not invited onto Judaism's Holiest site!  On the contrary!  The punishment for such practices within the Land of Israel could be said to be worse than Jeremy's vision for the mosques on the Temple Mount!

But, Jeremy's attitude here does not surprise me, though.

"They [Christians] are our lost brothers in Abraham!"

...is a direct quote from Mr. Gimpel's mouth, heard by no less than two witnesses.

No, Jeremy, they are not our "lost brothers in Abraham."  They are descendants of Esau, who believe that they are the true inheritors of HaShem's favor AND His Land!

Our Sages z"l teach us that עשו שונא ליעקב - Esau hates Ya'aqov (ספרי במדבר פיסקא סט ד"ה), yet we never learn. Instead we are continually fooled by Esau's next choice of weapon. We fool ourselves into thinking that this time it will somehow be different.

During the Crusades, the weapon was the sword, just like Esau tried to kill Ya'aqov.  Now the weapon is the smile, just like how Esau tried to kiss Ya'aqov, and convince him to come home with him.

Jeremy is No. 14 on the list of candidates for the Jewish Home/National Religious Party.

Now ask yourselves, if Jeremy Gimpel gets into the K'nesseth, who exactly will be whispering in his ear, hmm?

Be afraid.  Be VERY afraid.

*********

*Rabbi Shlomo (Steve) Riskin, of "Rabbi Jesus" video (ימח שמו וזכרו) fame, was nicknamed "Stevie Wonder," way back when, by some students at Yeshiva University, after expressing immense pride in figuring out how to turn something which might have been assur (I forget which inyan) into something mutar.

For more information, search on YouTube for "Riskin Rabbi Jesus," view at your own risk!

*********

Update:
Just as I was sending this post out to readers, I received a mass-recipient request from Ari Abramowitz to disseminate a video response of Jeremy's.

Yeah, right!  As if!

How ironic, don't you think?

Depeche Mode Returns To Israel!

ו' לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ג

OK. So, I'm late in blogging about this.  I wanted to coordinate this with another post, which hasn't happened yet, so no matter.

David Gahan, Ramath Gan, May 2009 (Photo: Yaron Brener)

YNET: Depeche Mode Returning To Israel
Four years after rocking 50,000 fans in Ramat Gan, British band to perform at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park in summer of 2013 

Or Barnea, October 15, 2012

British electronic music band Depeche Mode will be returning to Israel in the summer of 2013, four years after its first concert in the Holy Land. This time, the band will perform at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park, most likely in May.

The concert, which will be held as part of a new international tour, will include the band's songs from all times. Full details about the show will be revealed in the coming weeks.

In May 2009, Depeche Mode performed at the Ramat Gan Stadium to an audience of some 50,000 people. (cont.)

Depeche Mode didn't quite make it to Israel in 2006, and I didn't make it to their concert in 2009.  I would really like to make it this year.  Interestingly enough, they will playing on Yom Yerushalayim, the 45the anniversary of the reunification of the Holy City.

I am not sure how that date was decided upon.  But, it wouldn't be the first "coincidence" for Depeche Mode and Israel.  In 2006, their concert was scheduled for the night immediately following Tisha b'Av fast, when it is still forbidden to listen to live music, as the Miqdash (Temple) burned throughout the night and into the morning.  In the end, that concert was cancelled, due to concerns from their crew over the Second Lebanon War, engaged in at the time.

According to an article on Reuters, Gahan said at a press conference, "To be making music for more than half our lives ... it's pretty incredible to still be able to do that."

Andy Fletcher, Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, 1981

I started listening to Depeche Mode in 1984.  but, the band's first album "Speak And Spell," was released in 1981.  That's over 30 years ago!

Martin Gore, Dave Gahan, Andy Fletcher, 2012

The band members are now 50 or 51 years old.  They are getting older,...and so am I.  

They keep on keeping on, developing and improving upon their work.

They have always inspired me, and continue to inspire me to do the same.

*********

This year will also see the release of another album from Depeche Mode.

Depeche Mode - New Album From Depeche Mode Confirmed For March 2013

11 December 2012

Depeche Mode have confirmed that they will be releasing a new album in 2013. It’s confirmed what we all suspected; the band have hardly been secretive about the fact that they’ve been busy writing and recording new music, but this is the first time they’ve given concrete details about the forthcoming longplayer.

The follow-up to 2009’s Sounds of the Universe will reportedly be released in March 2013. Martin Gore and Dave Gahan have done most of the songwriting for this one. Gore has commented “I am very happy with how the album turned out,” Gore commented. “The music has a similar vibe to Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion and I think there are a few songs on the album that are among some of the very best we’ve done” whilst Dave Gahan was equally positive about the new release, saying “The album has a very organic and direct feel to it. It's not a blues record, but it definitely has a soulful vibe. During the recording process we really tried to get the elements of performing and the live show into the album more.”

In a recent interview with Clash magazine, Dave Gahan explained the secret behind the band’s long-lasting success. “We've been through so much. My band has been through everything together for thirty years. It's the one relationship weirdly enough that's survived… I think it's because we have an understanding, myself, Martin and Fletch, We're like brothers. We have the same quibble fights and the same crap going on that we've had for years. It's definitely a sort of family relationship."(cont.)