"Orthodox" Jewish Youth Pray for Syria?

ערב שבת קודש פר' נצבים-וילך תשע"ג

And, here's why...

Arutz 7: Orthodox Jewish Youth Pray for Syria
Israeli youth in the Bnei Akiva program pray for an end to the killing of innocent Syrian civilians.

Maayana Miskin, August 28, 2013

A group of youth involved in the religious-Zionist Bnei Akiva program have started organized prayers on behalf of Syrian civilians who are at risk due to the ongoing civil war in their country. The prayer initiative, which began in Petach Tikva, has now spread to Jewish communities around the world...

...They asked Rabbi Yuval Cherlow (left), a leading figure in the religious-Zionist world and the head of the Petach Tikva hesder yeshiva, to help them find the ideal wording for their request for divine assistance for Syrian civilians... (...a leading figure? Perhaps, but NOT when it comes to Real Religious Zionism)

...The rabbi praised the young volunteers for their initiative.

The secretary-general Danny Hirshberg heard of the initiative and was so inspired by the idea that he decided the movement as a whole should take part. Hirshberg called on Bnei Akiva youth in Israel and around the world, and on the Jewish community as a whole, to say a special prayer in synagogues this Sabbath for Syrian civilians.

“The Israeli public needs to look beyond the screen of hate and enmity to see the pain of those civilians being hurt by the Syrian tyrant,” Hirshberg said. (cont.)

Meanwhile,...

Arutz 7: Synagogue Vandalized in Jerusalem 
Bnei Akiva counselors horrified to find crude graffiti, mistreated Torah scroll in chapter's synagogue. 

Maayana Miskin, August 23, 2013

Bnei Akiva counselors who arrived at the headquarters of the group’s Shunra branch in the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood in northern Jerusalem on Tuesday morning were horrified to discover that the center, which includes a synagogue, had been badly vandalized.

Arutz Sheva spoke to chapter manager Dana Amar, who said the vandalism included “destruction of property and graphic images. Even in our synagogue.”

“They opened the ark [where Torah scrolls are stored – ed.] and took the Torah scroll out of its covering. Apparently they also broke into the supply room and took things out.”

The Torah scroll had been flung to the ground.

Among the graphic images on the walls was writing in Arabic. Amar said it was not clear who had carried out the attack, but noted that construction workers doing a project in the building above may have had access to the area. (Hello! 2 + 2 = 4!)

The counselors have reported the incident to the heads of Bnei Akiva in Jerusalem, but have not yet filed a complaint with police. (Why the hell not?)

The counselors forwarded pictures of the vandalism to Arutz Sheva, but it was decided not to print the pictures due to their highly graphic nature.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Now, correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't "Orthodox Jewish" mean having at least some connection to halakhah (Jewish Law)?

Praying for the health and safety of "innocent" Yishma'elim, which, as a people, would see us annihilated? I am sorry. But, I am afraid that I know any halakhic sources where it indicates the permissibility to do such a thing, let alone praise it.

As far as the sources provided by Rabbi Cherlow in the first article, he needs to do a MUCH better job in explaining how they are even remotely shayakh (relevant) to the situation in Syria.

Perhaps, Rabbi Cherlow needs to review the Laws of Kings and their Wars. Yes, there is such a thing,...as politically-incorrect and as foreign such a things may see to liberal, "progressive," and even your standard "I guess I'm Jewish" Jew, such a thing very much exists. And, it is very much a Jewish thing.

That all being said, it B'nei Akiva absolutely insists on praying (which is certainly a good thing), then how about for the courage, strength, and guidance to rebuild the Miqdash (Holy Temple), appoint a King, and re-establish the Sanhedrin, not to mention the true identity(ies) of the proper targets which will allow us to fulfill the misswah of destroying Amaleq?

Would such things ever cross their minds? I sincerely doubt it. After all, it the "State" doesn't say that it's OK, then it must not really be OK.

Rabbi Cherlow can be seen on the right, surrounded by illustrious stars,
such as Danny Hershkovits, Elazar Stern, and Eli Sedan.

And, if they still insist on praying for non-Jews, then how about the Kurds, whose interests might actually complement the interests of Ge'ulah-minded Jews, and who the Turks, Syrians, Iraqis, and Iranian pretty much despise. These sure gain the Kurds points in my book!

There's a joke I heard once: "B'nei Akiva,...before he was 40."
Don't get it? I'll explain it below.

But first, I must take a moment to make my declaration of shenanigans, on the part of B'nei Akiva, official...


This was not the first shenanigans talking place with the smoking gun held by B'nei Akiva, nor, I am afraid, will it be the last.

What is Danny Hirschberg doing, at his age, wearing THAT shirt?? B'nei Akiva obviously does not teach anything about fashion halakhah, let alone much else related to halakhah.

Last fall,...

Danny Hirschberg (mentioned and pictured above), the head of the [allegedly Religious Zionist] B'nei Akiva organization.  He recently spoke at the annual Rabin-Fest Kickoff Memorial. The following report from Arutz 7/IsraelNN is worth a read, posted here in its entirety.

And, now you also know why the Religious Zionist youth group Ariel was founded, and by none other than students and alumni from the Merkaz HaRav Kook Yeshiva. That's right! You read it correctly Merkaz HaRav Kook, the leading Relgiious Zionist yeshiva in the world.

And, why was that? Because 1)  B'nei Akiva wasn't frum enough, and 2) they did not want their children influenced by such shenanigans!

Now, about the joke I mentioned, if you don't get it, then chances are that you were a member of B'nei Akiva.