Jewish BDS

י״א לחודש השישי תשע״ה

In answer to BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) against Israel, which Jews around the world seem to be freaking out about, and begging the goyim to love us, through Hasbarah nonsense, I suggest that we just give them as taste of their own medicine.

We could be more self-sufficient than we think, if we would only stop exporting what we need, such as food from the southern end of Israel, exempt from shemitah (sabbatical year), and other agricultural laws.

Instead of selling telephone and computer parts, desert irrigation and solar power technologies and products for cash or credit, we could get guarantees of sales of food and other things which really need. They reneg on their agreements with us, then they do not get their technologically wondrous, adult toys and toy parts.

Of course, this is all just a pipe dream, as the Israeli Government seems to have other, totally co-dependent and otherwise ridiculous, strategies in mind.

So, if the government is not going to help us do something productive, then why don't we just implement our own Jewish BDS (ie. Torah BDS) against those who are the real problem, those who pander to the non-Torah standards of the "international community?" This includes many Jews in Israel who do not realize that BDS is actually doing the Jewish People a favor, as well as the "Jewish" supporters of BDS against Israel, who are doing so for completely the wrong reasons.

So, who should Jews Boycott, Divest, and Sanction?

Lo Techonem - Do not have mercy (Deut. 7:2)
I have two, local choices for health food: Olam HaTeva (Nature World), owned by a religious family, or the store which employs an Arab, both on Agrippas Street near the Shuq. Which do you suppose I patronize?

You see, if Jews believe that Israel is now in a position of power (יד ישראל תקיפה), within its own Land, then we are not to make it easy for any non-Jews to reside here, save for gerei toshav (resident aliens). This is the position of the Ramba"m (Mishneh Torah, Hil. A"Z, ch. 10).

How anyone identifying himself as a "Religious Zionist" could possible think the Israel is not in such a position of power, I have no idea.

Israel's Chief Rabbinate recently demonstrated its understanding of this halakhah (Torah Law) by granting one non-Jew the status of ger toshav (דעת הראב״ד), desiring someone non Jewish to whom it would be permissible halakhically (according to Torah Law) to sell parts of Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel), in order to exempt these Lands from keeping the Laws of Shemitah, the Sabbatical Year (ie. Heter Mekhirah).

Even from a Western perspective, it seems that Jews have bought in to the same old double standards the goyim continue to preach.

LGBTQ's support LGBTQ businesses.

African Americans support African American businesses as a form of self-empowerment.

So do women, and in particular feminists.

But, when a Jew wants to support a Jewish-owned business, then all of a sudden, it's racist.

And, when Muslims and Arabs support Muslim and Arab businesses, it is somehow justified, and we are not allowed to call it discriminatory?

Tura Winery and the P'sagot Winery benefit from Christian "volunteers." Of course, they say that they are committed not to missionize Jews. When they praise God while picking grapes and olives, just exactly who do you think they have in mind? Why, their false deity (and/or messiah and/or intercessor and/or rebbe) of course! Take your pick. It doesn't matter. That's because they have changed their strategies,...for now.

They want a foothold on our Land, believing that they are the true inheritors of The Almighty's favor, and thus Eretz Yisr'ael (Land of Israel). Some believe this inheritance comes with the Jews; some believe it comes without. ( They just a foothold in our Land, and to get some pieces for themselves. Boy do they have a rude awakening coming! LOL!

More and more, Christian missionaries are being protected by the spirit of the State of Israel's spirit of democratic, "freedom of religious expression."

Of course, this deMOCKratic protection applies to everyone, except for those Jews the government feels threatened by, and thus calls "extremists," as they dare to hold Torah Law above that of the man-made mishmash of laws from the Ottoman Empire and British Mandate.

No one, however, is protected from the choices we make as to where we spending our hard earned sheqqels.

Do your own Internet search for "Jewish Labor Israel" and you will see just how scathing the opposition is against this one time source of Jewish national pride.

Although demonized as racist, Avodah Ivrith (Jewish Labor) is a highly effective form of BDS.

For referrals of Jewish owned businesses providing the products and services you need in your area of Israel, visit the Moqed Avodah Ivrith website in Hebrew or contact them in English or Hebrew by phone 1-599-588-588 or by e-mail mokedai@gmail.com.

Treif Sellers
In Jerusalem, there are more stores on Agrippas Street in the area of the Shuq, selling treif (non-kosher food) than ever, not to mention those butcher shops in the center of town!

Need something kosher, an imported product perhaps, which they happen to sell there? Don't think that you can get anywhere else? Well, then take the extra time, and the extra money to buy it at a store which does not sell treif, and which is not open on Shabbath!

Can't find one? Then live without it.

I mean, why on earth would any Religious Jew patronize a store which sells treif ??!!

Why don't you ask the Religious Jew who posted his excitement about "Tel-Aviv's newest hot spot" via Twitter. You can also ask him why he would give them the free publicity.

Prosciutto and shellfish,...but also a selection of kosher products!

Shabbath Violators
I obtained the following list of restaurants opened on Shabbath in Jerusalem from TimeOut טיים אאוט which we should also boycott, except for using it to keep an eye on these issues, I suppose.

...not everything is closed for the Sabbath.

Café Bezalel, Bezalel St. 12
Bezalel is a new entry to the list of Jerusalem businesses which are open Saturdays, and we're already asking ourselves how we ever managed without it. The café, located opposite the building that used to house the founder of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, is a young and vibrant coffee house. Its menu changes throughout the day and fits any and all meals. On Fridays the external seating area becomes part of the Bezalel arts and crafts fair, filling the street with people and colors.

Talbiya, Chopin St. 3
Israeli top chefs Assaf Granit, Yossi Elad and Uri Navon long ago established the famous Machne Yuda group, which operates restaurants all over the city. Though the eponymous flagship restaurant is not open on weekends, the group's Mona and Hasadna certainly are. Now the two are joined by a third sister, Talbiya. Talbiya is defined as a wine bar and functions during the day as a café. Next to your coffee you can enjoy freshly made baked goods, while next to your wine you can choose from various elegant dishes by chef Nir Levi. The meticulously designed space and selection of seating options make Talbiya the perfect host for your weekend.

Zoni, Yoel Moshe Salomon St. 15
Zoni is your regular around-the-clock brasserie, except for the view out the windows: instead of Paris you get to look out at the picturesque back streets of Nahalat Shiv'a. The atmosphere inside, however, still maintains a certain European air, with black leather seats, dark hardwood floors, a wide bar and waiters in fine uniform. The menu, which changes between breakfast, lunch and dinner, is similarly full of treats from far away lands. Recommendations are endless but you will be wise to keep one thing in mind: the french toast – available in all three menus – is by itself reason enough for pilgrimage.

Uganda Bar, Aristobulus St. 4
...Uganda is simultaneously a bar, a café, a hummus joint, a music venue and a CD, vinyl and comic book store. Its different parts all fit in harmoniously under a single roof while still making you feel right at home. Tourists, students, youth and adults all fill the space from noon to the following morning, with the atmosphere constantly changing.

Beit HaKava, Yanay St. 3
“Every drink has its place,” wrote S. Y. Agnon, nearly prophesying this unique café, which in turn is named in an appropriately Agnonesque fashion. Decorating the walls are items as carefully chosen as the dishes on the menu. Some of the dishes are regular while others change daily, and all are written casually on the chalkboard. The small café is located in the renovated Yanai street, hiding from the ever noisy Shlomzion street like a well kept secret. Beit HaKava is slowly turning into a true weekend gem and was recently joined by another weekend-strong café, Etz Cafe.

Adom, David Remez St. 4
The opening of the First Station Plaza is great news for Jerusalem weekenders, as it does not entirely shut down for Shabbath. Adom, which became a serious establishment since its opening in 2001, relocated to First Station from its previous location at Feingold Yard. Here it continues to host guests even – or maybe especially – on weekends. You will feel truly privileged to sit in Adom's sleek space and glance at their menu, which specializes in fresh seafood and fish. Completing the culinary experience is a selection of meats, pastas, salads and a wide array of wines.

Cafe Smadar, Lloyd George St. 4
On weekends the German Colony gets to show its quiet side, as the businesses on Emek Refaim street close shop and all that's left is a green and peaceful residence area. One who seeks carefully will be reworded with finding Cade Smadar...

Link, HaMa'alot St. 3
...Surrounded by a green yard and with plenty of seating arrangements, this bar-restaurant offers a lovely pastime option for the whole family...

Aroma Espresso Bar

Notice some of the words I highlighted, some probable code for treif, as well as suggestions of being in a hidden away location. Good! These restaurants should be embarrassed, as should be their customers!

Personally, I would add Aroma to this list. The Aroma in town on Hillel Street and the one on Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus are also open on Shabbath, not to mention countless other branches.

I was pretty surprised that Aroma, with its crappy coffee, and even worse service, but which everyone slobbers over anyway, did not make the top ten favorite Shabbath hangouts.

Besides boycotting such places, operating on Shabbath, some have suggested more active protesting as well.

Many have heard of Haredi protests against businesses open on Shabbath. But, Haredim are not the only ones organizing protesting. There have been public tefilloth Shabbath (Shabbath prayers) outside of a restaurants on Azza Street and Betzalel Street.

By the way, do you want to see a movie? Well, don't see it at Yes Planet. No doubt you have heard of the complex's recent, grand opening, and commitment to operating on Shabbath.

What's the problem if you see a movie during the week? The problem is that you are supporting a business which is open on Shabbath., and thus encouraging countless Jews to violate Shabbath.

Yes Planet - Jerusalem

Nir Barakat
Mayor of Jerusalem

Last, but definitely not least on the Jewish BDS list is the Mayor of Jerusalem himself, Nir Barakat.

How was this Kadima Party, and now independent, mayor was able to get elected in a city with a majority of voters registered with United Torah Judaism, Likud, and Jewish Home parties?

...An internal, Haredi squabble and left-wing, anti-Haredi fear mongering targeting the Religious Zionist voters in the city.

And, now, we see even see Haredi politicians willing to settle for a compromise on the Yes Planet Shabbath debacle!

Mayor Barakat does not just support the Yes Planet Mall, and its operation on Shabbath, he supports more than a few initiatives which contradict the Torah.

You see, it is crucial to keep in mind that the Torah is not just about "Shabbos and Kashrus shailos;" it concerns every facet of a Jew's life.

Do you want Torah or democracy? You do not honestly believe that you can have both, do you?