Showing posts with label Environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Environment. Show all posts

Friday, April 09, 2021

פרשת שמיני: עופות נוצה נוהרים יחד / Parashat Shemini: Birds of a Feather

ערב שבת קודש פר' שמיני תשפ״א
English follows the Hebrew.
וְאֶת-אֵלֶּה תְּשַׁקְּצוּ מִן-הָעוֹף, לֹא יֵאָכְלוּ שֶׁקֶץ הֵם: אֶת-הַנֶּשֶׁר, וְאֶת-הַפֶּרֶס, וְאֵת, הָעָזְנִיָּה. וְאֶת-הַדָּאָה--וְאֶת-הָאַיָּה, לְמִינָהּ. טו אֵת כָּל-עֹרֵב, לְמִינוֹ. וְאֵת בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה, וְאֶת-הַתַּחְמָס וְאֶת-הַשָּׁחַף; וְאֶת-הַנֵּץ, לְמִינֵהוּ. וְאֶת-הַכּוֹס וְאֶת-הַשָּׁלָךְ, וְאֶת-הַיַּנְשׁוּף. וְאֶת-הַתִּנְשֶׁמֶת וְאֶת-הַקָּאָת, וְאֶת-הָרָחָם. וְאֵת, הַחֲסִידָה, הָאֲנָפָה, לְמִינָהּ; וְאֶת-הַדּוּכִיפַת, וְאֶת-הָעֲטַלֵּף. (ויקרא יא,יג-יט)
עשר אגורות (2¢):
העורב לא כשר לאכילה.



היונה כן כשרה לאכילה.



נשלחו אליי הסרטונים האלה. הם דומים לסרטוני אילוף החתולה שלי. הבנראה לי שהביטוי הזה "עופות נוצה נוהרים יחד" לא שייך כל-כך לעורב. אלא אולי העורב, הידוע כציפור נבונה, לומד לעקוב מאחרי היונים מפני שבני אדם (מקורות האוכל) נמשכים לציפורים החמודות כאלה ודווקא לא לעורבים.

אני לא בטוח.

בכל מקרה, הסרטונים נמצאים כאן כדי להציג את האפשרות ללכוד יונים בקלות למען השרדנות אם (חס וחלילה) בעתיד תתקיים בעיה באספקת המזון במצב מלחמה או דומה כזה.

כנראה חל איסור לצוד ולשחוט יונים לפי חוקי מדינת ישראל. אני לא בטוח. לפחות יכול להיות איסור כזה באזורים ו/או בעונות מסויימים. ולכן כדאי לברר את העניין לפני שיוצאים לשטח לצוד או אפילו להאכיל את הציפורים.

And these you will have in detestation among the fowl; they shall not be eaten, they are a detestable thing: the great vulture, and the bearded vulture, and the osprey; and the kite, and the falcon after its kinds; every raven after its kinds; and the ostrich, and the night-hawk, and the sea-mew (seagull), and the hawk after its kinds; and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl; and the horned owl, and the pelican, and the carrion-vulture; and the stork, and the heron after its kinds, and the hoopoe, and the bat. (Lev. 11:13-19)
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
The crow is not kosher for Jews to eat; the pigeon is.

The above videos were sent to me. They are similar to my kitten training videos

It seems that the phrase "Birds of a feather flock together" doesn't quite fit the crow so much. But perhaps the crow, well-known as a particularly intelligent bird, learns to follow the pigeons because humans, ie. sources of food, are attracted to them, and not necessarily to crows. 

I'm not sure.

In any case, the videos are here to show the possibility of capturing pigeons easily for survival's sake, if, God forbid, a future problem with obtaining food during a state of war or similar situation.

In the meantime, I suggest that it could very well be against the law to hunt and slaughter pigeons in the State of Israel. I'm not sure. At least there may be restrictions in certain areas and/or seasons. And so, I recommend getting clarification about this before going out to hunt or even feed the birds.

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

נפתלי בנט בסדר עם הסכם אוסלו באמת? / Is Naftali Bennett Really OK with the Oslo Accords?

ג׳ לחודש האחד העשר תש"פ
YNET: בלי שהרגשנו, נפתלי בנט דווקא בסדר עם אוסלו
אף שעל? שתי גדות לירדן? הרשות היא אסון? מי נתן נשק לערבים? לא ולא: שר הביטחון הזמני נתקל במציאות ואימץ כצפוי את צעדי השמאל 
סני ארזי:  20.01.20 
בשבוע שעבר, בשקט בשקט, התכנסו אנשי פורום הימין המתנחלי-דתי "קהלת", והריעו לשר הביטחון הזמני נפתלי בנט על הצהרותיו לשינויי המדיניות שהוא מבצע. וכך אמר כבוד השר הזמני: "המדיניות של מדינת ישראל היא ששטחי C שייכים לה, אנחנו לא באו"ם. לפני חודש כינסתי במשרד הביטחון את כולם והסברתי את המדיניות הברורה של הדרג המדיני, והיא שמדינת ישראל תעשה הכול כדי שבשטחים האלה תהיה בנייה ישראלית". (המשך...)
עשר אגורות (2¢):
ראשית אני רוצה להדגיש שאני כותב את זה לא כדי לתקוף את סני ארזי אלא אני משמש בגיוי דעה שלו כמבוא לתקוף את נפתלי בנט, ...מה שאני נוהג לעשות שנים כבר.

נפתלי בנט
אני שמח שסני ארזי כתב את הקטע הזה. כמובן אני לא מסכים עם חזון או עם ההשקפה שלו. אבל, עם רוב התצפיות שלו אני כן מסכים.

לעתים קרובות השמאל האמיתי מבטא באופן בבירור לגבי חזונו. לא תמיד, אלא לעתים קרובות. בזכות הביררות הזו יש לי הנכונות לדבר איתם מכיוון שאנו מסכימים לחלוק על מראש. לא תמיד, אלא לעתים קרובות. ואז אנו יכולים לדבר על שמירת הטבע, הקיימות, ניקוי חופי הים שלנו, צמצום שימוש האריזה ומוצרים מיותרים קשורים, קומפוסט וכדומה לאלה. כלומר, בהנחה שיש לנו נכונות להקשיב אחד לשני.

ואחרי כמה זמן בשיחה, אני הייתי מזכיר לידיד החדש שלי שהעניינים האלה גם חשובים מאוד לדתיים הלאומיים האמיתים (למשל, מתנחלים אמיתיים) ... או שככה הם צריכים להרגיש לגבי העניינים אלה. הקב"ה נתן לנו את הכוכב הזה לטפל בו ולא להרוס.

אני כותב "השמאלנים האמיתים", מכיוון שיש גם השמאלנים הכאילו -- הצבועים האליטיסטים החילונים ורוב הזמן אשכנזים -- הלעולם לא יתנו לבניית מסגד בשכונה שלהם, ולעולם לא יתנו לפליטים למסתננים האפריקאים הנמצאים בארץ ללא אישור לשחות בבריכות הציבוריות שלהם.

אני אומר "הדתיים הלאומיים האמיתית", מכיוון שיש גם הדתיים מבולבלים באופן אידיאולוגי. הם נאמני המדינה כאילו נאמנות המדינה שווה ל נאמנות התורה ואפילו נאמנות להקב״ה עצמו. אין ביכולת היהודים המסכנים האלה להבחין בין חוקי התורה לחוקי המדינה. לפעמים מכיוון שהרבנים שלהם לא יודעים את ההבדל בעצמם, או שהם כן יודעים את ההבדל, אך מסרבים ללמד להם על כך.

בינתיים, הילדים שלהם עוברים אידוקטרינציה על ידי מערכת החינוך הממלכתי "הדתי". ב״ה, עדיין יש המורים המגנים על השפיות של הילדים שלנו. בעיקר המורים האלה הם עירקיים, פרסיים, תימניים, או צפון אפריקאיים שזוכרים היטב איך התייחסו אליהם בילדות שלהם. יתכן ואף יש להם אחים שנחטפו או עברו קרינה כשהם היו ילדים. אנו עדיין יכולים לסמוך על המורים האלה למנוע מללמד שמדינת ישראל "מושלמת", קל וחומר שהיא "יהודית ומושלמת". (אפשר לנשום עכשיו)

אולי אתם חושבים שהפסגות הקודמות לא שייכות לעניין כל כך. אבל להסביר את ההבדל בין הדתיים הלאומיים האמיתיים למזויפיים (אני פגעתי במישהו בשימוש מילת התואר "מזוייף?) מביא אותנו בחזרה לשר הביטחון הנוכחי נפתלי בנט.

כפי שכתבתי הרבה פעמים, מעולם לא היה למפד"ל חזון חוץ מהפסקת הפצצות והירי (והדקירות והדריסות ע"י הטרקטורים). יותר ויותר התבררה הדעה שלהם "להיות דתי" לא קשורה לתורה כמו שצריכה. והדעה שלהם "להיות ציוני" גם לא כל-כך ציוני. אפילו שהתורה היא המקור האמיתי לאמונה שארץ ציון (ירושלים, ארץ ישראל) היא מולדתו המובטחת ע"י אלוהים של עם ישראל.

הם הצביעו לשינויים בחוק השבות לומרואומרים כי כמה עולים חדשים לא-יהודים לא יפגעו בנו.

הם שאלו רבנים רציניים כמו הרב מרדכי אליהו זצ"ל שאלות להדרכה, ואז עשו את ההפך.

הגלגול הבא של מפד"ל היה מפלגת הבית היהודי. לחץ על הקישור כדי לקרוא תיעוד של השטויות שלה הכוללות את המעורבים של בנט, שמאז עבר למפלגת הימין החדשה וכעת ימינה. פשוט יש רבים מדי לרשום כאן.

הרב רפי פרץ לקראת גירוש
היהודים מעזה בשנת תשס"ה.
כיום הרב צה"ל לשעבר הרב רפי פרץ יו"ר מפלגת הבית היהודי . ולדעתי הוא לא נלחם מספיק על "הבית היהודי" האישי שלו בעזה (היא כוללת גוש קטיף). אלא הוא העדיף לשיר ולבכות על זה עם החיילים המבצעים את גירוש היהודים. בינתיים ראש הישיבת מרכז הרב קוק הרב אברהם שפירא זצ"ל אמר לחיילים לשבת בכלא ולא לעבור התורה.

אתם מתבלבלים?

אל תדאגו. אתם בהחלט לא היחידים המתבלבלים. עם זאת, אתם במעוט. אתם הכנים לגבי זה.

אני תוהה אם נפתלי בנט מבולבל.

פרסמתי לראשונה את המפה הזו ע״י אומן אנונימי לפני כשבע שנים. היא מציגה השוואה בין תכנית הסכם הקטלני אוסלו לתכנית של נפתלי בנט.

הסכם אוסלו ותכנית בנט: מה ההבדל?
יש טוענים שהוא פשוט יהיה מציאותי ויצליח בדרך זו. אבל, זו אסטרטגיה. אסטרטגיה יכולה להיות תירוץ להתקדם באטיות, או בעקיפין, אפילו נגד אינטואיטיבי לעבר המטרה. אבל אסטרטגיה בכלל לא תירוץ להזדהות כדתי לאומי (ציוני) ולהזניח להצהיר אולפחות להודות את העקרונות קבועים של הציונות הדתית. לצערנו חייבים להזכיר שאסטרטגיה בכלל לא תירוץ להתעלם מעקרונות התורה כדי להשיג מטרות מבוססות בתורה.
בנט הסביר כי פקודות [צבמסוימות אינן חוקיות וכל חייל צריך להחליט לבצע או לא לבצע אותן. 
(ערוץ 7, 03.12.12)
ואיזה פקודה לא חוקית? לא חוקית לפי מי? לא חוקית לפי מה?

אם נפתלי בנט כבר הצהיר פעם בעבר את אמונתו שארץ ישראל בסופו של דבר תונחה על ידי תורה, והיא תכלול ממשלה מבוססת תורה, מלך, סנהדרין, בית מקדש שנבנה מחדש ודרישות מגורים, בכל דרך, אנא יידעו אותי .

נראה שהוא עדיין רוצה אוטונומיה לכמה ערבים ואזרחות לערבים אחרים.

בנט מדבר על ריבונות ביהודה ושומרון, אבל מה זאת אומרת בדיוק? מפלגת תחיה כבר ניסתה את "האסטרטגיה" הזו של התעלמות מדרישות התושבות מבוססות התורה.

כל מה שנקרא דתיים הלאומיים צריכים לעשות הוא לקבוע שאנחנו לא יושבים בארץ ישראל במצב של "יד ישראל תקיפה". אז לפחות תהיה להם אסמכתא לתכניות שטות שלהם ולעוד מספר עקרונות הנוגדים את התורה.

אבל האגוים פשוט שלהם לא יתנו להם לעשות דבר כזה, מפני שלארה"ב, האיחוד האירופי, והאו"ם יותר שליטה על ארץ ישראל מאשר על עם ישראל עצמו. (יד הגויים תקיפה.)

יש לשמאל "האמיתי" יש את הכנות להודות את המטרה שלהם, להיות מדינה חילונית דמוקרטית כמו האומות האחרות בעולם. ויש לחרדים הקיצוניים הכנות להצהיר את המטרות שלהם, להתפלל וללמוד תורה ולחכות בסבלנות עד המשיח יבוא להציל אותנו.

עכשיו, עם חשיפתו של מה שנקראה "Deal of the Century" של הנשיא טראמפ, בואו נראה אם ​​"הדתי הלאומי" (הציוני) נפתלי בנט קיבל את משאלתו.

YNET: Bennett is actually fine with the Oslo Accords
Opinion: Right-wing tenets like Israel holding both sides of the River Jordan, the PA being a disaster and a complete refusal to retreat from any territory have fallen from favor with the defense minister, who seems to have adopted some of the left's most deep-rooted beliefs about West Bank 
Sany Arazi, 01.25.20 
Last week, under right everybody's noses, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett essentially told the pro-settlement, religious-Zionist Kohelet Policy Forum that large swathes of the West Bank should be under Palestinian control.

It even came as the Forum praised him for his policy turnaround regarding the West Bank. (cont.)
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Just to be clear, I am not writing to attack Sany Arazi. Rather, I am using his piece as a platform to come after Naftali Bennett,...yet again.


I am glad Sany Arazi wrote this piece. Obviously, I do not agree with his vision. But, his observations are very much on the mark.

The real left is often clear about its vision. Not always, but often. For this reason I can often speak with them because we agree to disagree right off the bat, and then talk about the environment, sustainability, cleaning up our beaches, reducing the consumption of packaging and related unnecessary products, composting and the like. That is, assuming we have the willingness to listen to each other.

When the time is right, I mention that the real religious right (eg. real settlers) also feels strongly about these issues,...or should feel strongly about these issues (A-hem!). After all, The Almighty gave us this planet to take care of. Not to trash it.

I write "real left," because there is also the often Ashkenazy secular elitist, hypocritical left who would never let a mosque into their neighborhood, nor let an African refugee insurgent swim in their local, public pools.

I write "real right," because there is also the ideologically confused religious die hard State loyalists (mamlakhtim) who do not know the difference between Torah law and State law, sometimes because their rabbis don't even know the difference themselves, or actually do know the difference, but refuse to tell them. Meanwhile, their children are being indoctrinated in the Israeli "religious" public school system. Fortunately there still are the occasional disenfranchised Iraqi or Yemenite teachers, getting ready to retire, who remember all too well how they were treated as children. They may even have siblings who were kidnapped or irradiated when they were babies. We can still count on them to disavow any notions of a "perfect," or better yet a "perfectly Jewish," State of Israel. (take a breath)

Now, you may think that I have gotten off on a big tangent here, as I sometimes do. But this talk of real right vs. (what should we call them, so as not to hurt anyone's feelings?) the unreal right, leads us right to current Minister of Defense Naftali Bennett.

As I have said time and time again, the National Religious [NRP] never had much of a vision other than making the bombs and shootings (and not stabbing and tractor races) stop. More and more it became obvious that its idea of "religious" had very little to do with Torah. Neither did its idea of Zionism. Even though the Torah is the actual source for the belief that the Eretz Tzion (Jerusalem, Land of Israel) is the Divinely Promised homeland of the Jewish People.

Supporting changes to the Law of Return, saying that "a few non-Jews won't hurt us.

Asking serious rabbis like Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu ztz"l questions for guidance, and then doing the opposite.

The next incarnation of the NRP was the Jewish Home Party. Click the link for a record of its shenanigans, which includes those involving Bennett, who has since moved on to the New Right Party and now the Yamina Movement (Rightward). There are simply too many to list here.

Rabbi Rafi Peretz during the expulsion
of Jews from Gaza in 2005.
Now the Jewish Home Party is headed by former Chief IDF Rabbi Rafi Peretz who didn't fight terribly hard for his personal "Jewish Home" in Azza (Gaza), preferring to sing and cry over it with soldiers. Meanwhile the Rosh Yeshiva of Merkaz HaRav Kook Avraham Shapira ztz"l was telling soldiers to sit in jail, rather than violate the Torah.

Confused?

Do not fret. You are certainly not the only one who is confused. However, you may be one of the few who is willing to be honest about it.

I am beginning to wonder whether Naftali Bennett is confused after all.

I first posted this map comparison from an anonymous artist almost seven years ago.

The Bennett Plan vs. The Oslo (Death) Accords: What's the difference?
Some might claim that he simply be practical, realistic if you will. But, that's strategy. Strategy may be an excuse for moving slowly, or indirectly, even counter-intuitively toward ones goals. But is is a legitimate excuse to identify as a Religious Zionist, and neglect stating core Religious Zionist principles as ones eventual goals?

Also from seven years ago:
Arutz 7: Bennett: IDF Radio Misquoted Me
Bayit Yehudi chairman says he did not say he would evict people from Jewish communities. 
Arutz 7: 12/30/2012 
Sources close to Bayit Yehudi chairman Naftali Bennett told Arutz Sheva that he was misquoted Sunday by IDF Radio. The radio station's website quoted him as saying that “any IDF soldier who is given orders that are not clearly illegal and were handed down by the government… must follow those orders, and that includes Naftali Bennett.” Sources near Bennett said that the quote in IDF Radio, which included a reference to the possible eviction of Jewish communities, was false. Speaking at a political event in Herzliya Sunday, Bennett explained that some orders are obviously illegal and every soldier must decide if he will carry them out. He added that he explained his views on the matter when he was asked how he would handle such orders in the Channel 2 television interview ten days ago.
And which orders are illegal? Illegal according to whom? According to what? The Torah? State Law? International Law?

If Naftali Bennett has ever stated his belief that the Land of Israel will eventually be guided by Torah, and will include a Torah-based government, a king, a Sanhedrin, a Temple, and residence requirements, by all means, please let me know.

It seems that he still wants autonomy for some Arabs and citizenship for others.

Bennett talks about sovereignty over the West Bank, but what exactly does he mean by this? The Techya Party, a break off from the NRP and the Likud, already tried this "strategy," of ignoring Torah-based, Land of Israel residency requirements.

All any so-called religious Zionist has to do is to state that we are not fully in control of the Land of Israel. Then they would at least have support for their Land giveaways and the implementation of any number of other anti-Torah deMOCKratic principles.

But that is simply something which their egos will not allow them to do, admit that the Untied States, the European Union, and the United Nations have more control over the Land of Israel than the Jewish People themselves. יד הגויים תקיפה. Talk about a Zionist failure!

Anyway, what do these people care about citing halakha (Torah Law)?

The "real" left and has the intellectual honesty to acknowledge their goals, to be a secular democratic state like the rest of the nations of the world. The extreme Haredim have the honesty to declare their goals, to pray, to learn Torah, and to wait patiently for Mashi'ah to come and save us. They do not make any bones about it.

And so, with the revealing of the so-called "Deal of the Century," let's see if "Religious Zionist" Naftali Bennett got his wish.

Thursday, November 24, 2016

מי שורף את הארץ?/Who is Burning Israel?

כ"ג לחודש השמיני תשע"ז

English follows the Hebrew.

לפי מבזק החדשות של ynet.co.il שריפות קיימות בכל רחבי הארץ. הטכניון צריך להחליט לפנות את הקמפוס. רה״מ נתניהו מבקר אתרי השריפות. והשב״כ מחקר את האפשרויות שהתחילו את השריפות בגלל מוטיבציה לאומית.

Photo: Stand With Israel
אחד המקומות שנשרף הוא...

שריפה בקיבוץ נווה שלום
מה זה נווה שלום? נווה שלום הוא קיבוץ שבו גרים יהודים וערבים ביחד,...ב"שלום."

הערבים גם רוצים לשרוף אותם.ֿ

According to ynet.co.il news flash, there are fires all around the country. The Techion University is deciding whether to evacuate its campus, Prime Minister Netanyahu is visiting sites of the fires. And the ISA` (Shabba"k) is investigating the possibility of nationalistic motivations behind the fires.

The map above shows the major sites of the fires. A closer look reveals that one of those sites is the Neveh Shalom kibbutz, where Jews and Arabs, live together,...in "peace."

However, the Arabs apparently want to burn them, too.

Food for thought.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

בישראל חוזרים לחוף הים!/Israel Back to the Beach!

כ' לחודש הרביעי תשע״ו

ערב שבת הייתי בחוף הים הדתי בתל-אביב. המציל הודיע ברם קול לכל הנמצאים שנלכד מזודה מזן נדיר בדלי ומי שרוצה לבוא לראות את זה יבוא.

הצבע של המדוזה בתמונה מסולפת בגלל הצל. הצבע האמיתי שלה לבן בהיר.

עונת המדוזות מתקיימת עכשיו, לכן להזהר. אתם לא רוצים להיעקץ על ידי דבר כזה!

Erev Shabboth, I was at the separate (religious) beach in Tel-Aviv. The lifeguard made an announcement on the load speaker that they had a meduza (jellyfish) of a not so common species in a bucket, and that anyone wanted to come see, should come.

The meduza's color is distorted here, due to the shadow. It is actually a milky, translucent white.

It is meduza season now, so be careful. You do not want to get stung by one of these!

Saturday, August 08, 2015

Ariel Residents Get a Wake-up Call: Store Water!

מוצש״ק פר׳ עקב תשע"ה
Arutz 7: Water Shutoffs Have Ariel Residents Hot and Bothered
Extreme heat and doubled water usage places undue strain on Ariel's water systems, leading to shutoffs at the worst of times.

Talia Blatman, 8/4/2015

Water supply malfunctions in the Samaria city of Ariel have many of the city's residents on edge.

This week's extreme heat wave has led the citizens of Ariel to double their regular water usage, putting undue strain on the city's water supply infrastructure and causing electrical malfunctions with the water pumps.

Israel's national water supply company, Mekorot, will be intermittently shutting off water supply to different areas in Ariel beginning on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in an attempt to correct the situation.
Map included here to show just how isolated the City of Ariel is, with its population of about 20,000, not to mention all of the other towns, closer to Jordan than the Mediterranean Sea.
(Click To Enlarge Image)
A notice issued to the citizens of Ariel by the city's municipality warned of the impending water shutoffs and stated that the shutoffs may continue for three days.

Ariel Mayor Eliyahu Shaviro advised the city's residents via Facebook to reduce water usage and gather a minimum of four liters of water per family member per day for the next three days.

Community volunteers are stepping up to the task and distributing water to locals in need. Six water distribution stations are currently set up in various locations around the city.
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Store water!

What else can I say?

Storing water is not just for government shut offs, take overs, and expulsions, or future sieges by Arabs or foreign troops. It is also for those "regular" mishaps too, natural or orchestrated. It does not matter. We need water.


At the risk of being called an apocalyptic, alarmist nut job, I suggest that you have a heck of lot more water stored, than just for three days. Plus, do not count on having water distribution stations set up for you in in the future. And if by chance that you are provided with them, do not count on your neighbors to be their usual polite and friendly friendly selves, waiting patiently for their turn for that precious governmental gift, when they are extremely thirsty.

Take this incident as a friendly wake up call to get prepared, and stay prepared!

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

What are they not Telling us about the Radioactivity Detected at the Ashdod Port?

י״ט לחודש החמישי תשע״ה
JPost: Ashdod Port workers evacuated due to container emanating high levels of radiation
Sharon Udasin, 08/03/15

Environmental Protection Ministry officials stressed that the container posed no threat to people in the area.

Emergency teams identified radioactive material emanating from a shipping container at the Ashdod Port on Monday.

As a precaution, port workers were evacuated, enabling Fire and Rescue Services and hazardous materials teams to perform checks to classify the material, a statement from Fire and Rescue Service’s southern district said.

The container arrived on a Chinese ship, Channel 2 reported.

Environmental Protection Ministry officials stressed that there was no threat to the area.

“At the instruction of the Environmental Protection Ministry, the container was transferred to an insulated area at the Ashdod Port,” a statement from the ministry said. “There is no risk to the public.”

The Ashdod Port likewise emphasized that although emergency teams activated hazardous materials procedures, the facility continued to function as normal.
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
That's it?!

A radioactive, Chinese cargo container shows up at the Ashdod Port without any apparent expectations from the Port Authority, and all we get from them is...

“There is no risk to the public.”

Are we supposed to be that stupid and trusting?! Seriously?!

If South Park's Officer Barbrady worked for Israel's Environmental Protection Ministry.
I also wonder just how insulated "insulated area" at the Ashdod Port is.

Think about it.

Either the Ashdod Port receives radioactive materials requiring storage or in an appropriately "insulated area."

OR

The Port Authority does not really have such an "insulated area," at least not one to protect the public sufficiently from radioactivity.

What? They have an "insulated area" taking up space,...just in case?

Furthermore, just in case of what, exactly?? Medical equipment with minute amounts of radioactive substances, which break open during transport?

Possible, but doubtful, in my opinion.

Just ask these kids irradiated, and their parents told that it was an experimental treatment for ringworm.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

In How Many of the United States is it Illegal to be Off the Grid?

ט"ז לחודש השנים עשר ב' תשע"ד

Real Farmacy: Florida Makes Off-Grid Living Illegal – Mandates All Homes Must Be Connected To An Electricity Grid

Arjun Walia, March 10, 2014

It’s no secret that an opposition to sustainable living exists. Earlier this year, Texas state brought several SWAT teams to a sustainable community and threatened to shut it down. Each one of the community members were initially handcuffed at gunpoint. It was called “The Garden of Eden Community,” and was totally self sustainable. You can read more about that here.

This time, it’s Robin Speronis that’s come under fire. She lives off the grid in Florida, completely independent of the city’s water and electric system. A few weeks ago, officials ruled her off-grid home illegal. Officials cited the International Property Maintenance Code, which mandates that homes be connected to an electricity grid and a running water source. That’s just like saying our dependency on corporations isn’t even a choice. The battle to live without most utilities has been ongoing for Robin, the self-sufficient woman has lived for more than a year and a half using solar energy, a propane camping stove and rain water.

In the end, she was found not guilty of not having a proper sewer or electrical system; but was guilty of not being hooked up to an approved water supply. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Wind Turbine
Jewish town, Samaria
Besides the aforementioned Texas, Colorado has apparently also been causing problems with those who would like to collect their own rainwater.

"Unbelievable!" would be a gross understatement.

How many other states have been practicing such shenanigans?

I have no doubt that these states have been doing this for their constituents "own good," safety reasons and the like. After all, why should the states foot the bill for an illness contracted by an "unapproved" water supply or sewage system, or from lack of electricity? Anyway, that has appeared to be their logic.

It is the same old story. Governments find ways to show its populations that they need them. The truth is that they need us more than we need them.

In some areas of Israel, towns are supplied with water from wells. This can even be more convenient for the government.

Fortunately, solar heating has been encouraged, and it does not make any money from the electricity we do not have to use to heat our water. From April through as far as the beginning of November, heating water in the past few apartments where I have lived has been free from the sun.

In fact, if you are willing to foot the bill for your own alternative electrical power system, which I have heard can run around $100,000, the Israeli electric company will even by any surplus from you.

Pictured above is a friend's wind turbine, which has taken him and his family completely off of the electric grid. In his area, heating homes during the winter is often done with wood burning stoves. The homes are small, insulation can be added, and the wood from is plentiful, if you are willing to be apart of the tree pruning projects during the fall. The electricity collected is used for washing machines, perhaps a luxury, big help to growing families with small children, power tools, and cooking back-up, in case gas suppliers are unable to make their deliveries, or if their supplies suddenly cease.

So far, the Israeli government has been focusing on other ways to control its populace.Nonetheless, it pays to be prepared for the possible worst case scenarios popping up in the future.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Will Israel Railways Finally Reach Eilat?

ט"ו לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד
The New Year of the Trees 5774

JPost: Cabinet rejects environment minister’s appeal against Eilat rail line
Sharon Udasin, January 6, 2014

The cabinet first approved plans for the 260-kilometer line, which will stretch from Beersheba to Eilat, on October 6. The cabinet on Sunday rejected an appeal by Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz against the approval of a rail line connecting the country’s center to Eilat.

Israel Railways Commuter Train

Amir Peretz (HaTenu'ah)
Environmental Protection
Minister
The cabinet first approved plans for the 260-kilometer line, which will stretch from Beersheba to Eilat, on October 6. Cabinet approval followed authorization by the National Council for Planning and Building in March, after a February decision by the Southern District Committee for Planning and Building approving the final stretch of the rail line from Dimona to Hatzeva. Environmentalists, including ecologists from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, had particularly opposed that final stretch, claiming that placing the rail line there would be destructive to nature that has thrived since the biblical era.

“It is impossible to discuss the train route and approve it when we do not know how it will connect to its final destination,” Peretz said. “Thus far, about a million shekels have been invested in planning the project and no one is willing to say how the train will arrive at Eilat – on trucks or via a new port constructed north of Eilat.”

---- Proposed passenger and freight rail extension from Be'er Sheva to Eilat
Although the train is supposed to be used as a land bridge between Eilat and the Mediterranean Sea, it is expected to make its final stop north of Eilat, the Environment Ministry explained.

Cargo would therefore have to arrive at the train station either via trucks or by means of a deepwater channel from the Gulf of Eilat northward – the latter which environmentalists argue could destroy the bay’s coral reef. In their October 6 decision, Peretz argued that ministers approved the plan without either a vote on this route or an environmental impact assessment.

Peretz’s appeal on Sunday was rejected by a majority of the ministers, with 11 voting against and five in favor, the Environment Ministry said.

In addition to Peretz, one of the other five ministers to support his appeal on Sunday was allegedly Finance Minister Yair Lapid, according to the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI).

Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, on the other hand, has long hailed the project as one of strategic national importance, which would not only increase tourism but would also enable the passage of goods from Asia to Israel and on to Europe.

“The project will provide the basis for a rail link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea and between Eilat Port and the ports of Ashdod and Haifa, and will enable the transfer of cargo to Eilat and from there to the train, while taking advantage of the train for long distances and simultaneously reducing road congestion,” Katz said, following the the rejection of Peretz’s appeal. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Like most writers in Israel, I love to laugh at MK Amire Peretz (HuTenu'ah). But, I will not be laughing this time.

I certainly have mixed feelings about this project.

In a nutshell, trains are cool. On the other hand, I would like to have more detailed information about this potential environmental impact on the Negev, the Arava, and Eilat's coral reef.

The idea of a land bridge between the Mediterranean and Rea Seas is brilliant, and will not only boost cargo transport efficiency, competition with the Suez Canal, and, of course, tourism.

On the other hand, we need to know how cargo will finally reach the port in Eilat. In the Israeli's government's original request for information [RFI] (p. 5), a pre-bidding stage in project development, it was posted that the three kilometer track from north of Eilat to the Port of Eilat was optional. Perhaps, there was a desire to get the ball rolling, and worry about that last piece later on in the process.

How does this change the status of President Shimon Peres's proposed Valley Of Peace Initiative, which already includes a "Dead Sea to the Red Sea" railway and canal along Israel's current border Jordan? Is the piece presented on the map from the aptly named Seddom (Gen. 19), to the main Be'er Sheva-Eilat Line, a replacement for Peres's Valley of Peace Initiative? Or is it the result of the initiative itself?

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Fukushima And The Kennedys

ט"ו לחודש התשעי תשע"ד

Washington Post: Caroline Kennedy sworn in as ambassador to Japan
Emily Heil, November 12, 2013

No more “Sweet Caroline” — you can call her Madam Ambassador now.

Caroline Kennedy was sworn in on Tuesday to be the U.S. envoy to Tokyo. Kennedy is one of the highest profile (if not the highest profile) members of the U.S. diplomatic corps, and her new role was marked in a fashion one might expect. Secretary of State John Kerry administered the oath at a private ceremony at the State Department headquarters, followed by a reception at the Japanese ambassador’s residence at which Kerry — and plenty of other dignitaries interested as much in the swank company as the fine sushi sure to be served — was slated to attend.

The event comes 10 days before before the 50th anniversary of the assassination of her father, President John F. Kennedy, an anniversary that has prompted much reminiscence lately of all things Kennedy. She’s expected to take up her post by the end of the month.

Caroline Kennedy's Wikipedia Page:
United States Ambassador to Japan nomination

On July 24, 2013, President Barack Obama announced Kennedy as his nominee to be Ambassador to Japan, to succeed Ambassador John Roos. The prospective nomination was first reported in February 2013 and, in mid-July 2013, formal diplomatic agreement was reportedly received from the Japanese government.

On September 19, 2013, Kennedy sat before the the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and responded to questions from both Republican and Democratic senators in relation to her potential appointment as the US ambassador to Japan. Kennedy explained that her focus would be military ties, trade, and student exchange if she was selected for the position.

On October 16, 2013, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kennedy by unanimous consent as the next Ambassador to Japan. She is the first female American ambassador to Japan. On November 12, 2013, she was sworn in by Secretary of State John Kerry. Kennedy arrived in Japan on November 15, 2013.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Unlike most, I am not writing this to point anything related to political reward for being an early Obama supporter, or anything at all related to the legends of "Kennedy Royalty."

Rather, I am writing this in order to ask one, and only one, question:

Why on earth would Caroline Kennedy, or anyone else for that matter, want to spend even three days in radioactively contaminated Japan, let alone three years?

No, the following video is not alarmist or conspiratorial, albeit a compilation of various sources. I highly recommend that you take the 10:21 minutes to watch it.


(Video Tip: Ya'akov The Meteorologist)

Ambassador Kennedy "explained that her focus would be military ties, trade, and student exchange."

Military ties makes sense I guess, albeit chiché. Student exchange also makes sense. Let's glean radioactive Japan for its best and brightest, who would be happy to take any deal to get out of Tokyo, and into a prestigious American, academic program or position.

But, trade? Trade American products in exchange for what? Radioactive fish? Radioactive seaweed? Radioactive rice? (Did you listen to the young, guilt-ridden farmer speak at time marker 1:24?)

I wish I had an answer to this very puzzling question,...but I don't.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Why is the Price of Tuna Really Decreasing?

מוצש"ק פר' וירא תשע"ד

Northern Bluefin Tuna in real life
(Credit: Gavin Newman/Greenpeace, via Zuma Press)
Life In Israel: Price of Tuna Set to Decrease
October 16, 2013

Yes! Thank you Yair Lapid. Everything was worth it just for this!

We have watched the price of tuna fish consistently rise... I remember the good old days when 4 packs of tuna (Starkist and other brands) sold for about 16 NIS. In the past few months, the price for the same four-pack has been sitting at 26 NIS. Sometimes you can get some on sale for less, but that's the regular price.

Finance Minister Yair Lapid signed an order lowering import tariffs on canned tuna fish. Lapid signed the order and constructed the decrease so that the final price will be lower for the consumer.

The decrease in price will be staggered between 2013 through 2016.

The tax rate currently paid is 12% + 3.51 NIS per kg.
From November it will drop to 12% + 3 NIS per kg until the end of the year. .
For the entire 2014 it will decrease to 12% + 2 NIS per kg.
For the entire 2015 it will decrease to 12% + 1 NIS per kg.
Starting 2016 it will be taxed at just 12%.

So, with each can being 160grams or so (I dont know if they include the water or oil in the weight for taxes, or just the 112 grams of filtered tuna), I think the four-pack of tuna will drop in price, at the end of the 3 year process, by 2.25 NIS - if I did the math right.

Thank you Yair Lapid. Those are some amazing savings!

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Um,...yeah. Hurray for Yair Lapid. 

Ya'ir Lapid
Yesh Atid (There is s future) Party Founder and Head

Now, let's check out the real reason is for proclaimed decrease in tax on tuna.

R-A-D-I-O-A-C-T-I-V-I-T-Y

Yum! Where are my
chopsticks?!
That's right. Thanks to the Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Disaster, which, by the way, is FAR from being over, and could still blow another reactor, the radioactive levels in tuna have been going up worldwide.

That's right, worldwide, not just in the California/Mexico fishing waters. The Pacific Ocean currents from Japan northward, turn east following Alaska, then down the North American coast (See "Coreolis Effect"). Still pretty frightening, though, when you take a look at just how much those levels have gone up in these waters alone, how many thousands of miles away from Japan?

Tuna: Now with Mercury
AND Radiation!
The four major industries behind my hometown of San Diego's economy include the military, tourism, algae (for ice cream, margarine, shampoo, etc.), and tuna. So, so you can say goodbye to San Diego.

In conclusion, Esser Agaroth (2¢): is unable to get excited about the impending decrease in the cost of tuna in Israel as Life In Israel is.

I prefer my fish to be radioactivity-free, not to mention free of all of the other toxins this large fish picks up during its relatively long lifetime.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

K'far HaYarok (כפר הירוק)

7 of the Fourth Month 5772

I was in K'far HaYarok yesterday for work.  K'far HaYarok is just northeast of Tel-Aviv.

As you might guess, K'far HaYarok (Heb.: "The Green Village") has a vision connected with the environment.  It is a "youth village for environmental leadership."

However, it did not start out that way.  Founded on Zionist and socialist principles, and the pioneer spirit, the town's name actually came from David Ben-Gurion, whose birth name was David Green, thus "The Green Village."

For many years, people did not automatically make the connection between "Green" and the founding prime minister of Israel.  After the death of the third prime minister of Israel, Levi Eshkol, the name of the town was officially changed to "The Green Village, named for Levi Eshkol."

I guess they gave up.

What K'far HaYarok is know for are the peacocks which roam freely around the town.

Throughout the time I was there, the peacocks' calls were prominent features in the background.  It felt as if I was in a jungle.  After a while, though, I habituated, I got used to them, so they were no longer terribly distracting.   

K'far HaYarok also has a small pen filled with yaelim (wild goats) and chickens.

Penned in animals, milk-giving and egg-laying animals, no less!

For a "youth village for environmental leadership," there must not be too many vegans involved in its leadership. 


Sunday, July 11, 2010

How Bad Is The Oil Spill Really?

Rosh Hodesh of the Fifth Month 5770

Link Credit: Tomer Devorah

Sea Shepherd at Deepwater Ground Zero ***Exclusive footage***

Friday, June 05, 2009

Summer Is Here!

Erev Shabbath Qodesh B'ha'aloth'kha 5769

If you're in the U. S., the official start of the summer season began two weeks ago with Memorial Day weekend. If you're in Israel, you know that the summer season fades in very gradually, in several stages. Then all of sudden, it's hotter than heck, and there's no denying that summer is here. This year it took it's own sweet time to get here.

The onset of summer to me, and countless other Israelis, means it's time to hit the beach. Whether you live in Tel-Aviv, and can walk to the beach, or live farther inland and have to tremp or bus it in, those of us of with tanorexia have already begun working on our tans. I got a late start this year. I usually begin as early as March. Here is a tip from yours truly, a former California lifeguard:

When applying sunscreen, do not forget your nose, ears (how many of you thought of your ears?), under your eyes, cheekbones, shoulders, and collarbones, areas receiving direct sunlight. If you're sitting in a chair at the beach all day, don't forget the tops of your thighs and knees. Wear a hat, and apply lip balm. After sun exposure, shower with soap, to keep your skin clean. After patting dry, apply (color-free, scent-free) body lotion. I suggest something with aloe. Consult your dermatologist, dermatological nurse, pharmacist, or herbalist (preferably those who live in beach cities) about the right skin products for you.

Also, don't forget your UVA/B protective sunglasses, and for goodness sakes, drink plenty of water, adult men at least five liters on beach days.

Here's another friendly beach tip/reminder, wherever you live.
Don't just clean up after yourselves. Pick up two of three extra pieces of trash, and if you see that that trashcan is overflowing, pack up your trash and take it with you. Dump your old charcoal into an appropriate receptacle. Don't just bury them. Someone still might end up burning his feet on your coals.

If you're an artsy, nerdy environmentalist like me, you'll also be on the look out for sea glass, to line the bottom of your fish tank or Shabbath candle holders or what have you.
Also...
NEVER go into the water without someone with you or watching you from the beach. It doesn't matter how strong a swimmer you are, or think you are, or how well you know how to navigate currents. All it takes is a bump on the head or getting tangled up in seaweed, for your strength and know-how to become virtually useless.
And, here in Israel...
Watch out for meduzoth.

Enjoy the summer, and stay safe!