Passover BBQ תשע״ו/2016

ערב שביעי לפסח תשע״ו

I know this may sound crazy, but i am sitting here on my roof, barbecuing before Yom Tov. Nope. No balcony in my current apartment.

Of course, it is mutar (permissible) to cook on Yom Tov, even for Shabboth, via Eruv Tavshilin. However, after you read this, I believe you will know I chose to doing the על האש/Al HaAish (barbecuing) before Yom Tov.

Pardon the blurriness. It is either due to the smoke, or to the angling of my laptop's
built-in webcam, which wobbled, or both.

First off, I live on the fourth floor, called the fifth floor in the U. S., without an elevator. Since my floor is also the top floor, I thought it would be easier to go up on the roof. I believe I remember seeing it done. Nevertheless, I can see small barbecues like my own on the roofs of neighboring buildings. So, I thought I would give it a shot.

My first mistake was climbing up the ladder to the roof barefoot. At first, I did not mind, but when I starting having to carry things up one-handed, my feet started to hurt. Most of you know that I am not a big fan of shoes, but am willing to tolerate sandals. Although I am not representative of all San Diegeños, this is certainly an artifact from having been born and raised there. Fortunately, we are also no strangers to barbecuing, albeit my friends from Texas may argue about our relative barbecuing skills.

Fellow bloggers Jameel @ The Muqata and Rafi @ Life In Israel may also want to chime in on barbecuing, one of their favor pastimes. Lucky them, they do not have to climb up onto roofs!

But, I digress...

My second mistake was carrying things up, which are going to be a lot harder for me to carry down,...one-handed.

My worries included silly things like the smoke blowing back [down] into the building, disturbing the neighbors, and serious things like falling off the roof and/or burning the building down. The main reason for barbecuing before Yom Tov was safety. I would rather stick around by the coals, and wait for them to burn down, instead of chancing leaving the barbecue on the roof unattended.

The photo also shows pipes running out of a neighbor's dude shemesh (water heater). There are more than a few pieces of equipment up here to avoid damaging.

I was also worried about something falling off the roof, and then being the lucky one to get a citation for littering, something which is not as strange in Israel as you might think. And speaking of life in Israel.

I am not so worried about the time. I am going out tonight, and can just cook everything else tomorrow morning for lunch. Of course, once these hosts of mine read this post, they may regret telling me not to "...worry about bringing anything." (Tee-Hee!)

I am using an particular brand of American charcoal, which is probably even more poisonous, and industrial strength carcinogenic than other brands (...and thus will remain nameless, so that I do not get sued). But, it got started very quickly, saving me some time. Olive wood is recommended.

Now that the grill is starting to cool down, I am going to risk beginning to bring things down from the roof. Before I leave the house, I intend to come back up, and take down the barbecue, just in case.

Needless to say, after the first trip down, I put sandals on.

Oh, and by the way, a bag of mine just fell off the roof. I'll let you know if I get that citation, I mentioned above.

Hag Same'ah and Shabboth Shalom!

"Blessings Of Israel:" Whose Land Is It Anyway?

מוצש״ק/א׳ חוהמ״פ תשע״ו

Blessings of Israel
(screen capture)

Dear "Blessings of Israel,"

I see that your "About Us" page includes the following:

The Land of Israel was given to Abraham and his descendants through a covenant from God. In ancient days, this was the blessed land desired by all nations. It was the most magnificent land in all the earth, a land flowing with milk and honey.

All of this is, of course, true.

However, it is not as precise as it could be.

First of all,...

It IS the most magnificent land in all the earth, a land flowing with milk and honey.

This should be in the present tense, not past. But posting this in the past tense, you have already undone your own adaption of Genesis 12:3, in which you encourage others to take part.


Second,...

In ancient days, this was the blessed land desired by all nations.

Actually, this IS the blessed land, STILL desired by all nations.

The descendants of Ishmael, whether they be physical or spiritual descendants, want it. These are Arabs, and Muslims in general, who have laid claim to the Land.

The descendants of Esau, whether they be physical or spiritual descendants, want it. The multifaceted Esau, which is the West, produced a variety of different descendants, many of whom fight among one another. The progressive, libertine segment of Europe, the oil greedy USA, as well as Christianity in all of its forms, albeit each stream claims to be the "real Christians:" The Vatican, the various Christian Orthodoxies, and, last, but not least, the Evangelicals, as well as those hiding their agenda, Hebraizing the worship of their false deity/messiah, while staking out plots of the Jewish homeland for their own. "Grafting on" to the Jews is the current manifestation of Esau's kiss of friendship toward Jacob.

The war between Yishmael and Esau has been ongoing since time in memorial: The Crusades, the Battle of Vienna, the British vs. the Ottomans, the Persian Gulf Wars, and the U. S. vs. the Taliban, are only some of the battles of this conflict.

We are not fooled by the sneaky, temporary alliances between factions on either side. Neither will give up his fight

This brings us to the beginning of this highly imprecise paragraph...

The Land of Israel was given to Abraham and his descendants through a covenant from God.

This is true. But, God did not give the Land of Israel to all of Abraham's descendants, only to those though Isaac, and then Jacob. In other words, not to Ishmael, and not to Esau.

This is a crucial distinction. I have no doubt that your customer base needs no convincing the Ishmael is a threat to Jewish sovereignty over the Land of Israel. But, so are all of the Christians groups I mention above.

So, whether your organization has Christian connections, or you are just Jews, pandering to Christians with code words censored language, I challenge you to adjust the language of this page to reflect, not just the truth, by the entire truth.

Here is a suggested replacement paragraph:

The Land of Israel was given to Abraham and his descendants through a covenant from God, carried on through his son Isaac, and his grandson Jacob. In ancient days, this was, and still is, the blessed land desired by all nations. It is the most magnificent land in all the earth, a land flowing with milk and honey.

The Land of Israel is promised to the People of Israel, and to no other.

קטין הנחקר בשב"כ פונה למרכז רפואי: מה עכשיו?/?Shabak Interrogated Youth Rushed to Hospital: Now What?

י' לחודש הראשון תשע"ו

הקול היהודי: קטין הנחקר בשב"כ פונה באופן דחוף למרכז רפואי
ז' ניסן התשע"ו 15.04.2016 

משפחתו: "כעת החשש כי הוא מעונה הופך מחשש לוודאות. אנו קוראים לכל מי שבידיו לעשות משהו. מדובר הפיקוח נפש של ממש" קטין יהודי הנחקר בימים האחרונים בשב"כ ונמצא תחת צו מיוחד המונע ממנו מלפגוש בעו"ד פונה באופן דחוף ממתקן השב"כ למרכז רפואי וזאת בעקבות בעיה רפואית דחופה.

גורמי החקירה הודיעו למשפחתו לפני זמן קצר (שישי) כי הוא מובהל ברגעים אלו למרכז רפואי החוקרים סרבו בשלב זה לאפשר לבני המשפחה ללוותו ולפגוש בו.

עו"ד עדי קידר מארגון חוננו אשר פנה בבקשה דחופה לגורמי החקירה כי הקטין יקבל את זכויותיו מכח חוק וינתן לו להיות מלווה בידי נציג מטעמו למרכז הרפואי מסר כי "הזילזול בזכויות הנחקרים עולה מדרגה לזילזול גם במצב בריאותם. אנו רואים בחומרה את העובדה שעל אף הקושי הרפואי שהתגלה עדיין ממשיכה החקריה האינטנסיבית והסרוב לאפשר לבני משפחתו ולעורכי דינו לפגוש בו".

בני משפחתו מסרו כי "לקחו לנו ילד בריא וכעת הוא מובהל לבית החולים. כעת החשש כי הוא מעונה הופך מחשש לוודאות. אנו קוראים לכל מי שבידיו לעשות משהו. שלא יחריש. מדובר הפיקוח נפש של ממש", אמרו.

עשר אגורות (2¢):
הדבר היחיד שמפתיע לי מהאירוע הזה הוא שדו״ח האירוע מופיע בחדשות. למה האירוע הזה מופיע בחדשות?

או אפילו לשב״כ לא היה הכוח למנוע את זה מלהגיע לתקשורת, או מופיע בחדשות בכוונה. זה או זה, אותה התוצאה יוצאת, ניסיון להפחיד את נוער הגבעות,...או אולי כדי להתגרות בהם.

כשהרבה יהודים מרגיזים, יש יהודים שמזדהים כדתיים ציונים ש ״הפושעים האלה לא הילדים שלנו.״ דתיים, באמת?!

אני לא מופתע שהם לא נותנים להורי הקטין לראות אותו. ואין צריך לומר שהם לא נותנים לעורך הדין שלו לראות אותו.

כשכמה הישראלים הוא כועס בגלל זה, יש הרבה "דתיים הציונים" מעדיפים לההציר: ״׳הבריונים׳ האלה הם לא הילדים שלנו." הם הציונים אבל הם באמת הדתיים?! בואו נראה אם חברי הציבור הדתי-הלאומי יתעוררו בגלל זה, או אם הם ימשיכו להאמין שהם חיים במדינה דמוקרטית.

אני בכלל לא אופטימי. אני חושב שלממשלת מדינת ישראל יש הרבה בטחון עצמי שהיא עדיין יכולה לעשות לאזרחים שלה את מה שהיא רוצה לעשות.

Jewish Press: Jewish Minor Under Shabak Interrogations Rushed to Hospital
David Israel, April 15th, 2016 

A Jewish minor who was picked up by Shabak for interrogations a few days ago, without seeing an attorney or his family, was rushed to hospital Friday afternoon from the Shabak facility. He is suffering from urgent medical complications.

His family has issued a statement saying, “Now the suspicion that he was being tortured has become a certainty. We call on anyone who can do anything to help. It is a matter of life and death. They took from us a healthy child and now he is being rushed to hospital.”
The Shabak informed the family that their child was being rushed to a medical center but interrogators refused to permit his parents to meet or accompany him. 

Attorney Adi Keidar of legal aid society Honenu whose appeal to let the minor be accompanied by a parent was rejected, said that “the contempt for the right of people under interrogation has gone up a notch to a contempt for their state of health. We view very seriously the fact that despite the medical complications the intensive interrogation persists as does the refusal to permit family or an attorney to see him.”

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
The only thing which surprises me by this event is that it made the news. And why did it make the news?

Either the Shabba"k (ISA) did not even have the power to prevent it from reaching the news. Or it reached the news on purpose. Either way, the result is the same, an attempt at intimidating the hilltop youth,...or perhaps to provoke them.

I am not surprised that they would not allow the child's parents see him. Needless to say, they would not allow his lawyer to see him.

While some of the Israeli public is outraged, many "Religious Zionists" still maintain that "these 'hooligans' are not our children." Religious Zionists, indeed! Let's see if the national religious public will ever wake up, or if it will continue to believe they live in a democratic country.

I am not optimistic. Rather, I believe that the State of Israel's government is very confident that it can still whatever it wants to its citizens.

Tel-Aviv, Palestine: Why So Surprised?

מוצש״ק פר׳ מצרע תשע״ו

Anna Berg
Enough Is Enough

(Tip: Ari Yashar, Arutz 7)

Why not expect a German company to wipe Israel from the map, or at the very least, make a ridiculous "mistake" such as this?

עשו שונא ליעקב.

Esau hates Ya'aqov.

...the multifaceted Esau being the ancestor of the West, Christians and libertine progressives alike.

Whether desiring the domination of Israel, or its assimilation into a globalist society of Western progressives, potential Jewish sovereignty over the Land, stands in the way of its ultimate objective.

Meanwhile Palestinian Pseudostinian Arabs have publicly declared Tel-Aviv to be part of Palestine, as much as Jerusalem, Hevron, or Shchem (which they call Nablus). Just look at the maps, embedded in the emblems, below.

Fata"h Party Emblem

PLO Emblem
worn by Arafat ysh"w

As a matter of fact, North Tel-Aviv, including Tel-Aviv University, was built on top of the conquered (I'm not afraid to say the word "conquered.") Arab village of Sheikh Munis. But, we're not allowed to talk about that.

Hamas Emblem

However, when forced to talk about it...

"But, that was won in Israel's War of Independence?!" 

"The United Nations gave us permission!"

"And, we wanted the Arabs to stay!"

Typical co-dependent, pseudo-Zionist, Labor Zionist hasbarah response,...to pretty much everything.

If you bother to look, you will find videos of Arabs, so-called ISRAELI ARABS, teaching their children. Do you really think they don't include Tel-Aviv in this list? That they'll allow it to remain an isolated island of what's left of Israel? Seriously?

PA President Mahmud Abbas's Vision of Pseudostine

So, back to Germany, why would think that it's that big of a stretch from manifestations of B'nei Yisma'el's envy to Esau's envy?

Both are koferim, deniers of Torah truth (Mishneh Torah, Hil. Teshuvah 3:17 [8]). Our tradition suggests that both are going to fight for the Land they see as theirs, and Israel will get stuck in the middle. We have already seen hints and build-ups to this in various times in history: The Crusades, The Battle of Vienna (1683), The Gulf Wars.

The only difference is that Esau (The West) had been sneakier about it.

If you were surprised by this "mistake" on a package to Israel, which said "Palestinian Territory" instead, the you ain't seen nothin' yet!

Is Wall Climbing Tourism Appropriate in Jerusalem's Old City?

ג' לחודש הראשון תשע"ו

YNET: Rappel down the old city walls
A new attraction is coming to Jerusalem's old city this Passover. In conjunction to the world famous old city wall tour, visitors will be able to rappel down the walls as well. 

Eli Mandelblum, 04.09.16 

Israelis and tourists from all over the world will descend upon Jerusalem during the Jewish holiday of Passover. The Jerusalem Development Authority and East Jerusalem Development LTD have come up with a new and interesting attraction for visitors to the old city this holiday season, repelling down the side of the Old City walls. 

Although this idea sounds relatively simple in theory, it is quite complicated, especially in light of the security situation and concerns about damage to the archaeological sites.

Old City Walls, Jerusalem

"This (attraction) requires many permits from the different organizations and ministries who are responsible for the area. It even requires a special type of harness so that will protect the archaeological site from damage, but also not detract from the repelling experience," stated Roee Menes, CEO of the "B'marom" company which will be operating the attraction.

Besides rappelling, there will be a wide range of attractions in the Old City throughout the Passover holiday, including tours along the top of the Old City walls with a bird's eye view of the Old City and their juxtaposition with the new city, and an interactive area where visitors can learn how the Old City walls were constructed. This is a fun and challenging attraction for the whole family to do, literally putting you in touch with history. The minimum age to participate is nine-years-old.

There are two tracks to take, a north and a south track. The south track starts at Jaffa Gate and goes to the Dung Gate. Meanwhile, the north track starts at Jaffa Gate and ends at the Lions Gate. Tickets can be bought at the Jaffa gate.

The Old City wall tours are open from 9am to 5pm. Keep in mind, this attraction is not wheelchair accessible. The tour takes approximately an hour.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
At first glance, this newfangled, tourist attraction seems like something you would find at an American amusement park. Wall climbing and rappelling have become increasingly popular over the years. And, now it seems that Jerusalem wants to get into the act as well.

Wall Climbing complex, HaYarqon Park, Tel-Aviv

Why?

To attract a broader base of tourists? Young tourists, who would otherwise avoid such a richly religious and historical site? Is this supposed to be a clever way of showing parts of Jerusalem's Old City, which would normally be overlooked? Or is someone just gunning to make a buck sheqqel anyway that he can?

Anyway you slice it, the addition of rappelling to the Jewish People's Holiest city cheapens it, lowering it to the level of base, material gratification.

But, as often is the case, perhaps there is something to be gleaned from such acts of denigration.

After all, how did the spies, whom Yehoshu'a sent, escape from Jericho? They climbed down from Rahav's window... (Josh. 2:15)

Those paying attention will notice this as a strong suggestion that we need to be prepared, and rappelling may actually be valuable skill in the not too distant future.

And so, I suggest that anyone insisting on taking this opportunity to rappel down a wall of Jerusalem's Old City, after touring its rooftops, do so with the kavannah (intention) of learning or practicing a lifesaving skill.

Think about it.

Top 11 Pieces of Advice for IDF Lone Soldiers

ערב שבת קודש פר׳ תזריע/החודש תשע״ו

Don’t shoot anyone who is attacking you, because you might get arrested.

Don’t refuse orders, which violate the Torah. You might arrested.

Don’t pass on any information to organizations which protect Jewish women from Arab men. You might get arrested.

Don’t protest weddings between Jews and non-Jews. You might get arrested.

Don’t call any government official a nasty name. You might get arrested.
(Just ask Nadia Matar of Women In Green.)

Don’t talk about freedom of speech, if you radically disagree with the State of Israel’s policies. You might not get arrested. But, you’ll definitely be demonized.

Don’t talk about freedom of religious expression. Only non-Jews and Jewish distorters of Torah are allowed to do that. If you're a religious Jew, then you're out of luck!

Speaking of which, don’t refuse to listen to lectures from the Messianic Jew Christian Missionary. You might get thrown out of officer candidates school.

Don’t grow a beard without permission. Various bad things may happen to you.

Don’t hitchhike in uniform or post selfies on the Internet in uniform. You might get kidnapped.
(This one is actually pretty good advice.)

Don’t worry too much about getting kidnapped, though. After a few years of torture, in exchange for your release, the State of Israel will finally negotiate the release of a bunch of convicted terrorists, who will go out and perpetrate more acts of terrorism.

The Israeli "Justice" System does not Equal a Jewish Justice System

כ״ז לחודש השנים עשר ב׳ תשע״ו

The Israeli public finally seems to be onto to the shady activity of the Israeli "Justice" System, in particular the self-perpetuating Israeli Supreme Court. How do we know this? The complaints have been making the mainstream (leftist controlled) news media.

Shaked slams High Court 'hypocrisy': Why didn't they strike down the Oslo Accords?
No. This is actually not the plot of an Israeli sitcom, nor a belated April Fools' Day joke. What on earth is the State of Israel's Minister of Justice thinking?

Gas bombshell: Netanyahu's policy struck down by High Court
This was after Netanyahu made the unprecedented move of appearing before the Court as a sitting prime minister. Many were either appalled, impressed, or both by this move. Clearly, it was to emphasize the overreaching power of the Court, which has repeatedly confounded attempts to reform the selection of justices, in favor of the status quo of its own self-perpetuation.

Supreme Court denies Jewish radical's request for leave from jail to attend son’s brit mila
Notice the quasi-"right-wing" Jerusalem Post's use of the word "radical" to describe a Torah-observant Jew, sitting in jail, without charges, without any evidence of the non-existent charges, apparently In almost any other country in this world, he would be referred to as a "political dissident." Since Israel would desperately like to be considered as any other country, the Torah just gets it the way.

Soldier arrested for shooting subdued terrorist after Hebron attack
Usually in Israel, whenever several different segments of Israeli society come together to protest a common cause, it is a distraction from something else occurring simultaneously. This is no exception. Some Jews are worth more than others.

But, if you believe that the fall of the court will change anything, then you are mistaken.

No. Rather the powers that be intend to let the Israeli masses believe that they have control. They will simply find another, more efficient way

The Israeli Supreme Court Building
notoriously filled with Masonic symbolism, both inside and out.

Israeli Supreme Court
with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Rivlin

....previous rulings of the Supreme Court designed to usurp those of Torah authorities having fallen on death ears.

Kashruth

Conversions 

Over 10 years ago, Israel's Supreme Court also intervened in the dispute between Rabbis Sherman and Rabbi Drukman over the proper approach to conversions. Why was this dispute not resolved by the Rabbinical Courts by Rabbinical judges knowledgeable in these halakhoth?

More Conversions (YWN)

Gee. You don't that the Supreme Court has been aiding and abetting those truly in control of the State in their quest to de-Jewify Israel, do you??

Now, why would you think that?

The Designated Mixed Prayer Area at the Western Wall

כ״ז לחודש השנים עשר ב׳ תשע״ו

YNET: Archeological council slams mixed-prayer area at Western Wall
The government's decision last January to expand the prayer area to include Conservative, Reform and mixed-gender prayer has raised the ire of archeologists who warn of great damage to a Jewish and world heritage site of primary importance. 

Itay Blumenthal, 04.04.16

Israel’s Archeological Council announced, in a letter that it sent on Monday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that it greatly opposes what it called "the major damage to the archeological park at the foot of the Western Wall", the place where the government decided last January to establish an expanded prayer area for Conservative, Reform and mixed-gender worship.

“Recently a prayer and events area consisting of an additional 500 square meters has been established, as one can see when visiting the site; these stages cause great damage to the site's appearance, in the site’s visiting path and the ability to explain the site to visitors - they should be removed as soon as possible," they determined. "The current plans to add and multiply the amount of prayer stages will only cause more damage to the site."

The Western Wall

The harsh message followed a hearing that was held on the subject two weeks ago, and the hearing’s head, Prof. Roni Reich, explained that "this is a Jewish and world heritage site of primary importance. Preservation of the ruins is a prime archeological, public, educational and cultural duty." 

The Archaeological Council explained that "the archaeological park at the southern tip of the Western Wall now extends over less than 60 meters of the total length of the Western Wall. Immediately after the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967, the area south of the Mughrabi Gate, known as Robinson’s Arch, was designated for uncovering and displaying the ruins of Jerusalem's past. This was done to distinguish it from the prayer area at the Western Wall. For decades Prof. Benjamin Mazar and others excavated here, and found very well preserved impressive artifacts from the Second Temple period."

Professor Mazar explainsed that "the highlight here is the entirely preserved cobblestone street along the Western Wall, flanked by shops that served the pilgrims to the Temple Mount. On the street and the shops a landslide of huge blocks of the Wall that was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD were revealed." (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
The report concludes with...

“This is the only place you can see and can touch the remains of the destruction that befell the people of Israel, which is commemorated with the yearly fast on Tisha B'Av. The remains of this landslide have immense educational and historical value. " 

How apropos. The area designated for "Conservative, Reform and mixed-gender worship" is "the only place you can see and can touch the remains of the destruction that befell the people of Israel."

It is no coincidence that a location, filled with evidence of Israel's past, physical and spiritual downfall, was chosen as a`"worship" site for those posing the greatest threat of a repetition of this history.

Israeli Opposition Leader Under Investigation: Big Deal.

כ"ו לחודש השנים עשר ב' תשע"ו

JPost.com: Herzog, Deri under investigation for corruption charges
Herzog joined Shas chairman Arye Deri, who was revealed overnight to be the subject of an investigation whose circumstances are still under a gag order.

Gil Hoffman, 30/03/2016

Yitzhaq "Bougie" Herzog

Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit initiated an initial probe into alleged campaign fund-raising violations by Zionist Union leader Isaac Herzog, Mandelblit’s office confirmed on Wednesday.

Herzog joined Shas chairman Arye Deri, who was revealed overnight to be the subject of an investigation whose circumstances are still under a gag order. The police probe of Herzog has been going on for months but was revealed on Wednesday.

The allegations about Herzog focus on the November 2013 Labor leadership primary, in which he defeated incumbent party chairwoman Shelly Yacimovich. Police are checking whether Herzog used nonprofit organizations to fund campaign spending that went unreported.
Politicians and activists have been questioned by investigators, who are looking into whether companies spent large sums to try to help Herzog defeat Yacimovich.

Herzog said the investigation was “an attempt at political character assassination” by the Likud and “frustrated Labor activists” who no longer support him. He vowed to cooperate with law enforcement authorities.

“I am sure the probe will prove once and for all that the allegations are delusional,” he said. “I will cooperate fully with whomever necessary in order to get to the bottom of this matter as soon as possible.”

Yacimovich made a point of not responding to the press, but MK Erel Margalit, who is considering challenging Herzog for the Labor leadership, gave him his full support and warned that Labor’s political opponents had reached a new low.
The Likud Youth organization called for opening a full-blown investigation of Herzog, noting that he remained silent when he was questioned in a similar probe in 1999 when he helped Ehud Barak win the premiership from current prime minister and Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

“A man like this is unfit to head the opposition in Israel, so he should suspend himself until the truth comes to light,” the organization said.

Zionist Union/Labor Party MK Miki Rosenthal said Herzog and Deri must be treated equally and properly investigated. He said he hoped both men emerge unscathed but if an indictment is issued against either of them, he would need to resign. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
One of four things could be happening here.

PM Netanyahu looking over Herzog's shoulder?

1. The first possibility is obvious. The Likud controlled government, namely Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, feels threatened by Herzog, and has decided to remove him from the playing field.

But, this is Israeli politics we are talking about here. Nothing about The State or its politics should ever be explained away this easily.

"I think I am a little screwed up." - Isaac Herzog
Herzog laughing with Jewish Home Leader Naftali Bennett at a campaign event.
(Gil Cohen Magen/AFP/Getty Images)

2. Possibility number two is that Herzog as pissed off the wrong people, those who truly in control of the State of Israel. Anyone who is actually paying attention, should see that it does not really matter if a politician commits a crime or not. If he pisses off the wrong people, say bye-bye.

3. The third possibility is that Shelly Yachimovich is more to the liking of the Powers That Be [PTB], and were only waiting for the right opportunity to put her back into a position of power.

4. The final possibility is that this is all just a set-up. Herzog will be exonerated, and shown to be clean as a whistle, and thus more appealing to the Israeli voter, and more easily slipped into a position of power to carry out the PTB's wishes.

Arutz 7 reports Herzog as saying...

"In the past 48 hours something has happened that our party has not seen for many years. Our party always ensures that its leader is spotless, and that includes me. So, as far as I am concerned, there should not be an investigation. Instead, they should call me, and I will come with answers to any charge, any story. I know that I acted honestly, cleanly and in a reasonable manner, just as I have acted all my life. Being a leader means you have to deal with malicious lies."

Labor Party leaders have always been spotless? Seriously?

Who appears to be delusional now?

And if you think that there is really any difference between the Likud and the [un-] Zionist Camp Parties, the you may be, too.

Invitation to the Bris of Meir Ettinger's Son

כ"ה לחודש השנים ב' עשר תשע"ו

Esser Agaroth (2¢) Translation:
Meir Ettinger, a Jew and lover of Israel, has been in "administrative detention" for eight months. This week, Meir's first child, a son, was born, Baruch HaShem. The Shabba"k (ISA) and Israeli Courts refuse to allow Meir to participate in the brith milah of his firstborn son.

Abba will not be there. All of us will be there instead!

The Ettinger Family invites the public to the brith milah of their son which will take place with great happiness on Monday, 25 Adar II at the "Qahal Hassidim" Hall, HaSh'lah Street 11, Jerusalem (Sha'arei Hessed) at 2:00pm.

From לשחרר את אטינגר via DS.

Why is Meir Ettinger Still in Jail?

ערב שבת קודש פר׳ שמיני/פרה תשע״ו

Tablet: Let Meir Ettinger Attend His Son’s Bris
Meir Kahane’s grandson has been held under administrative arrest for more than seven months

Liel Leibovitz, March 30, 2016

The 25-year-old, who is the grandson of the slain rabbi Meir Kahane, was arrested by Israeli authorities more than seven months ago. He is allegedly suspected of playing a part in underground efforts to overthrow the government and establish halakhic rule in its stead. Despite the weight of the accusation, however, the state has, to date, produced no evidence to support its case, said Yuval Zemer, Ettinger’s attorney. Instead, it placed Ettinger under administrative arrest. A legacy of the British Mandate’s martial laws, this judicial tool, signed by Israel into law in 1979, allows the government to detain individuals for a period of six months, with three-month extensions thereafter for as long as is necessary, without presenting a suspect or his legal representatives with any concrete evidence of wrongdoing. Ettinger, then, remains under arrest, permitted only minimal contact with his lawyer and his family, and now, unless the government has a change of heart, denied partaking in his son’s bris as well. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Of course, there's nothing to judge. He is in administrative detention for writing articles which the State does not like and feels threatened by.

Furthermore, how can any Jew who identifies as "Torah-observant," himself not also agree with the eventual implementation of Torah Law across Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel)? Does he not also pray three times per day for the Ge'ulah (Redemption), and coming of the Mashi'ah?

Doesn't "Religious Zionism assert that we are supposed to be a part of this process? And although prayer and Torah study are crucial, doesn't Religious Zionism encourage us to do more than this, as participants in the process? Are we to encourage aliyah (immigration of Jews to Israel), observance of Shabboth, kashruth, tefillin, and family purity, and that is it, even though this is only a portion of the Torah?

Aren't all Religious Zionists at supposed to be talking about the eventually spread of Torah throughout the Land, and its eventual place as the ultimate authority on all matters? Or have I gotten Religious Zionism all wrong, and most of those identifying as Religious Zionists are not really Religious Zionists at all, and are actually Mamlakhtim, those who believe that there is no conflict between State law and Torah Law?

In any event, on one side of this conflict, we have a Torah-observant Jew accused of encouraging the overthrow of the State's government, and on the other side, the anti-Torah State. Given the evidence, or in this case, the lack of evidence, who are we supposed to believe?

I believe that the answer can be found in the Torah itself, where the answer to every other question can also be found.

יהושוע בן פרחיה וניתאי הארבלי קיבלו מהם. יהושוע בן פרחיה אומר, עשה לך רב, וקנה לך חבר; והוי דן את כל האדם לכף זכות.(משנה אבות א,ו)

Yehoshu'a ben Perahiyah and Nittai the Arbelli received it [the Torah] from them. Yehoshu'a ben Perahiyah says make for yourself a rav, acquire for yourself a friend; and judge each Jew favorably. (Mishah Avoth 1:6)

As politically-incorrect as it may be, the Ramba"m, and others teach that the word אדם/adam indicates "Jew" in this mishnah. R' Ovadiah meBartenura goes a step further, and says this refers to a "kosher Jew," those who believe in the Torah, and observe it.

The Ramba"m also states a time when we should do the opposite, and this is when dealing with a known rasha (evil person). In this situation, we should assume that he have evil intentions, even if his actions appear to be beneficial on the surface.

Granted, we do not determine halakhah (Torah Law), based on a single source alone. Nevertheless, I ask you, to whom are we to give kaf zekhuth (benefit of the doubt)? To the Torah observant Jew? Or to the State, which happens to have some symbolic, Jewish sprinkles on top, while implementing its anti-Torah agenda at every step of the way?

The main objective of the State's imprisonment of Meir Ettinger, under an old law from the British Mandate used to imprison Jewish freedom fighters, is to break him, and to demonstrate to the masses that the State's laws are greater than Torah Law.

Of course, the State will never succeed in this endeavor.