סיכום הבחירות: עוד לא סיימנו / Israeli Elections Summary: It's Not Over Yet

ט׳ לחודש השמיני תשפ״ג

English follows the Hebrew.

ב A vote for Ayelet - a vote for the trash!
The Jewish Home under the leadership of Ayelet Shaked

עשר אגורות (2¢):

עד כאן נראה שלמפלגות הימינות מהמרכז זכה ברוב, 65 מתוך 120מנדטים, וכנראה ימליצו לנשיא הרצוג על בנימין נתניהו (הליכוד) להקים ממשלה. אסור שהמנצחים להיות שאננים. אסור למצביעי המנצחים להיות שאננים. מדווחים שויכוחים על תיקים כבר מתחילים.

״על תיק האוצר נאבקים ישראל כץ שר האוצר לשעבר וניר ברקת ראש עיריית ירושלים לשעבר.״ (מורן אזולאי - YNET)

יו"ר הכנסת לשעבר יריב לוין וח״כ דוד אמסלם, שניהם רוצים את תיק המשפטים שר המשפטים לשעבר אמיר אוחנה גם רוצה לחזור לתפקיד הזה.

ח״כים אלי כהן, מיקי זוהר, שלמה קרעי ויואב קיש גם מצפים שיקבלו תיקים בממשלה.

נתניהו יודע הטיב שכל מנדט חשוב. כעת מוטלת עליו המשימה הקשה לשמח את כולם. הוא לא יכול להסתכן בעצבנות אפילו ארבעה ח״כים בקואליציה שלו. ראינו מה קרה לקואליצייה של בנט ולפיד. לאחר שח״כ אחד, ואז שני ח״כים, עזבו את הקואליציה, נפילתה היתה בלתי נמנעה.

שגריר ישראל באו"ם האחרון, דני דנון, מציע את עצמו כיו"ר הכנסת. במשך שנים נתניהו רואה בדנון איום על מנהיגותו. כתוצאה מכך הוא שלח אותו משם, בדיוק כפי שהוא עשה לאחרונה לגדעון ארדן וציפי חוטובלי. אף על פי שיש טוענים שאולי הוא יבחור את חוטובלי כיורשת שלו לכס הליכוד.

בעבר נתניהו פשוט דחק החוצה את איומים אחרים, כמו משה פייגלין.

אין לי שום ספק שהוא ינצל את איתמר בן גביר (עוצמה יהודית) עד כמה שיוכל. "שמור את חבריך קרוב ואת אויבך קרוב עוד יותר"

נתניהו גם יודע שהשמאל יעשה בשבילו את העבודה המלוכלכת שלו נגד בן גביר. ולכן אין לו מה לדאוג.

תוצאות נוספות של הבחירות שראוי לציון כוללות את הרווח של יהדות התורה משבעה לשמונה מנדטים, כפי שחזיתי, ולמרות חשש האדישות של החרדים.

ש"ס גם זכה. אבל ידוע שהמצביעים לש"ס עוברים בין ש"ס, הליכוד ומפלגות הקשורות לרב מאיר כהנא הי"ד.

המנצחת העיקרית הייתה הישראלי הממוצע שהוא די ימיני, וניצח פשוט בהגעה לקלפי. מסתמן שיא של למעלה מ-20 שנה בשיעור ההצבעה (שרית אביטן כהן - גלובס)

אבל כדאי לנו להזהר. ח״כ מתן כהנא (המחנה הממלאכתי) שר הדתות בעבר,חובש כיפה ובעל מהפחות של תהליך הגיור ודרישות לקבל תעודות כשרות, טייס חיל האוויר לשעבר, עדיין בכנסת. הוא מסוכן יותר מפעילה למען תחבורה ציבורית פעילה בשבת מרב מיכאלי (עבודה).

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
So far, it appears that the right of center parties have won a majority, 65 of 120, seats, and will mostly likely recommend Binyamin Netanyahu (Likud) to President Herzog as their candidate to form a government.

The winners must not be complacent. The voters for the winners must not be complacent. Arguing over cabinet positions has already been reported. 

Former Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barakat is arguing with previous Finance Minister Yisrael Katz over who will be the next Finance Minister. (Moran Azulay, YNET)

Former Speaker of the Knesset Yariv Levin and Member of Knesset [MK] David Amsalem and  are vying for, openly gay, Amir Ohana's old job as Justice Minister, who wants it back.

MKs Eli Cohen and Mikki Zohar are also reported to be expecting cabinet minister positions.

Netanyahu knows that every mandate counts. He now has the difficult task of keeping everyone happy. He cannot risk upsetting even four MKs in his coalition. We saw what happened to the Bennett-Lapid coalition. After one, then two, left the coalition, its downfall was sealed.

Israel's recent Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon is offering himself as Speaker of the Knesset. For years Netanyahu has seen him as a threat to his leadership. As a result, he sent him away, just like he has recently done to Gidon Erdan and Tzippy Hotovely. Although some have suggested that he is considering Hotovely as his heir to the Likud throne.

Other threats he has simply pushed out, like Moshe Feiglin.

I have no doubt that he will exploit Itamar Ben Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) to the extent that he can. "Keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer."

But Netanyahu also knows that the left will do his dirty work against Ben-Gvir for him. And so he does not have too much to worry about.

Other results of the election worth noting include United Torah Judaism's [UTJ] gain from seven to eight seats, as I have forecasted, and in spite of concern over this community's reported apathy. UTJ is the coalition of Ashkenazy Haredi (ultra-orthodox) parties. 

Sha"s, the non-Ashkenazy Haredim and its religious, traditional, and secular supporters, also gained. But Sha"s has a history of its voters switching between Sha"s, Likud, and parties associated with Rabbi Meir Kahane hy"d.

The main winner was the average Israel, who really is right of center to right-wing, and who won simply by going to the polls. The voter turn out this election was reportedly the highest since 1999. (Sarit Avitan Cohen, Globes)

But be warned. We have not seen the last of kippah-wearing, former air force pilot and Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahana (Mamlakhti), who has authored transformations in conversion and kosher certification, and who is more dangerous than Shabbos transportation activist Merav Michaeli (Labor).

Ms. Hotovely Goes to the United Nations!

ג׳ חול המועד סוכות תשע״ו

Arutz 7: Deputy FM Demands Abbas Stop Incitement
Conflict will only end when PA changes its priorities of violence, Tzipi Hotovely tells international officials in New York.

Eliran Aharon. 10/1/2015

While attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely held a series of high-level meetings with several international counterparts.

Ban-Ki Moon
UN Clown General

Hotovely met Wednesday with US Secretary of State John Kerry, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other senior officials, including the foreign ministers of the European Union, Jordan and Norway.

She also spoke at the annual donor conference held at the UN, where she stressed Israel's commitment to fighting terrorism.

"The world today is faced with the rapid spreading threat of radical Islam. In the face of [this threat], Israel is both committed to preserving the concept of international as well engaging in an uncompromising battle against terrorism," she said.

In the context of the Israeli-Arab conflict, Hotoveli told the forum of foreign ministers that the conflict would only be resolved when "the moral infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority has changed."

"As long as Palestinian children dream of becoming an engineer to bomb the Jewish state, all the economic efforts have failed," she said.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also addressed the recent change in the international narrative regarding Israel's rights to Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria.

"I call to restore freedom of religion to the Temple Mount, to stop the violence, to stop the 'robbed Cossack' cry of Mahmoud Abbas in regard to the Temple Mount, which he persists in inciting over," she concluded, using an old Jewish adage in which the perpetrator pretends to be the victim.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Hotoveli told the forum of foreign ministers that the conflict would only be resolved when "the moral infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority has changed."

"As long as Palestinian children dream of becoming an engineer to bomb the Jewish state, all the economic efforts have failed," she said. 

Seriously? She thinks the moral infrastructure of B'nei Yishma'el (Arabs/Muslims) could possibly change?

Fatah Emblem

This "dream" of Pseudostinian children ever has a chance of ceasing to exist?

She cannot see that "economic efforts"  have absolutely no chance of succeeding?

Has Hotovely ever taken a look at the insignia of Abba's Fatah Party? Apparently not. Dep. FM Hotovely, they want it ALL!

But Hotovely's last statements about Har HaBayith (Temple Mount), and blaming the victim (which I wrote about 12 years ago) sure sound good, right? Wrong! The only correct statement would have been proclaiming Jewish control over Har HaBayith.

Dep. FM Tzippy Hotovely with U. S. Sec. of State John Kerry

Naftali Bennet
Jewish Home Party Head

A House of Prayer for all nations? Umm,...not quite. But, that is a post for another time. Anyway you look at it, though, HaBayith necessarily being completely under Jewish control cannot be disputed.

Oh sure, Hotovely is saying all of the right "diplomatic" (Hasbarah/PR) things. But, as long as she continues to insist on identifying herself as a "religious" Zionist, just like Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home), I will continue to call her out on her statements, which are contrary to Torah,...not to mention posing for photos with filthy Jew-haters like John Kerry.

Most of the time, I feel that the best way to describe the Israeli Government's approach to solving the so-called "Arab-Israeli Conflict" can be summed up by the following video clip starring Pee-Wee Herman



I know. Pretty sad, huh?

********

Note: I have posted photos of women on this site before. So, no one can say that the greyed out face and neckline of Hotovely above is anything more that a commentary on Hotovely herself, and not women in general. OK, well, I suppose that the neckline part is.

Was Esser Agaroth Too Quick to Judge MK Tzippy Hotovely?

י"ח לחודש האחד עשר תשע"ד

Arutz 7: MK Hotovely: Ya'alon Shouldn't Have Apologized to Kerry
MK Tzipi Hotovely rips into Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon's apology, says Israel should not bow to US pressure.

Tova Dvorin, January 15, 2014

Deputy Transportation Minister Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) fired back at US pressure Wednesday, maintaining that there should have been no need for Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon to apologize for his harsh criticism of US Secretary of State John Kerry, in which Ya'alon referred to Kerry as "obsessive and messianic" in his quest to force a deal between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

"I congratulate the Defense Minister on his courage; what he said was right." Hotovely stated, in an interview with Arutz Sheva. "The American stance is disconnected from the reality of the situation in the Middle East. They are trying to force a solution on us which is unacceptable to most members of the [ruling party] Likud."

Hotovely notes what many Israelis feel: that it is inconceivable that one sovereign state should be subject to the whims of another state.

"There is a blatant attempt here to bind Israel, a sovereign country, to foreign considerations and interests," Hotovely explained. "Moshe Ya'alon stands up for our own interests - and that is exactly his job."

"An apology was uncalled for, because the [criticism was spoken] in private conversations," she continued. Hotovely noted that the case bears similarities to the in 2011 incident in which then French President Nicholas Sarkozy criticized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

"[Sarkozy] did not apologize. What they are asking here is not an apology, but a fundamental change in principles"; namely, Israel's defending its right to defend itself she said.

The comments made by Ya'alon in a private conversation were made public by Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot.

Ya'alon was quoted as saying that "Secretary of State John Kerry – who came here very determined, and operates based upon an unfathomable obsession and a messianic feeling – cannot teach me anything about the Palestinians."

"I live and breathe the conflict with the Palestinians, I know what they think, what they want and what they really mean," he continued. "The American security plan that was presented to us is not worth the paper it was written on.”"

The US responded with shock Tuesday, calling the remarks "offensive" and "inappropriate." Ya'alon responded Tuesday to the US with more criticism, stating that the US knows that the source of instability in the Middle East is not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Some things cannot be solved in one [day]," Ya'alon stated, addressing US efforts. "Note that we still we have not solved all the problems of medicine and mathematics; it is not like we don't have special challenges also facing us."

He called on Israel "not to panic and give in to these [statements] and other intimidation, because this (standing up for oneself) is the only way to protect the security of Israel."

Ya'alon later apologized for the remarks, stating that he had no intention of "offending" Kerry. The apology itself has garnered a backlash, as many see the statements as yet another bow to US pressure.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Previously, I suggested that MK Tzippy Hotovely had lost it based on her ridiculous comments about having to give Palestinians Israeli citizenship, as well as her criticism of the criticism of Tzohar head Rabbi David Stav, during the elections for Chief Rabbis.

So, she happened to do the right thing in defending Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon's comments on U. S. Secretary of State's delusional, not to mention anti-Torah, "Piece Plan" (spelled correctly) for the region.

So, does that mean I was too harsh with MK Hotovely regarding her past actions?

Nope. Not in the least.

OK, fine. I'll give her 2 Brownie Points. Happy now?

Gil Hoffman: All in Good Fun? Or Just a "Crass" Act?

ד' לחודש השמיני תשע"ד

Gil Hoffman Tweet, October 6, 2013, 11:35 PM

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Hey, Gil! I don't know which Jewish Universe you grew up in. But, where I grew up, one did not stare at married women and speculate on future parental status. In fact, one did not stare at married women, or at women, or even stare period. It was considered rude, not to mention immodest.

Yeah, I know. YOU didn't do the staring. You're only upset because you "missed the scoop!"

I know you have a kippah hidden back there somewhere. Maybe you should risk the occasional snicker from a goy or a leftist, and pull it forward a bit. It may help keep your attitudes in check. You know, remembering that you are a Jew, and how inappropriate it is to objectify a Bath-Yisrael. (There never seems to be a radical feminist around when you need one, is there?)

Just because the British, and probably even more gossipy than American, press does it with their future King's consort, does not mean that we must follow suit, and do it, too.

In fact, we are not supposed to carry and cherish these silly attitudes from our Western exile, from which we supposedly escaped. We are supposed to get rid of them!

Oh, and pul-eaze do not give me any of that "we're living in the modern era" crap, or that it's all in good fun and MK Hotovely wouldn't care anyway. All of that is irrelevant.

You're not a class act; you're a crass act.

Likud vs. Likud

מוצש"ק פר' נח תשע"ד

Arutz 7: Bibi Boots Elkin from Plane for Embarrassing Him
Prime Minister tells deputy foreign minister to fly El Al to New York, after Elkin embarrasses him with old quote against PA state.

Gil Ronen, September 25, 2013

MK Ze'ev Elkin
(Likud - Beteinu)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has punished Deputy Foreign Minister, MK Ze'ev Elkin, by barring him from joining the prime ministerial flight to New York's UN General Assembly as was planned, reports Yisrael Hayom. The decision is reportedly Netanyahu's way of disciplining Elkin, after Elkin embarrassed Netanyahu politically.

Elkin will have to take a regular El Al flight that leaves Saturday night. He will be replaced on the prime minister's plane by Minister Gilad Erdan. Both Elkin and Erdan are members of Likud.

According to the report, Netanyahu is upset because of a speech Elkin delivered at a Likud event ten days ago, and also because of a petition he co-signed with about 30 other MKs, calling on Netanyahu to cancel any further releases of terrorist prisoners.

In the speech, Elkin quoted Netanyahu's own words, 11 years ago, regarding the possible establishment of a Palestinian state. “The Palestinians will enjoy all of the rights,” Netanyahu said then, “except for one right – the right to annihilate Israel. Self rule – yes. A state – no.”

Netanyahu added, then: “They tell us that the Palestinian state is a vision for the future. Well, our nation also has a vision for the future. 'And the wolf will dwell with the sheep. When that vision is realized in the Middle East, we will go back and reconvene the Likud Central Committee and discuss the issue again.”

By quoting Netanyahu, Elkin was showing that he has backtracked on his stated principles. Netanyahu now favors a "demilitarized" Arab state inside Judea and Samaria.

Israel's "Fearless Leader?"
(Photo Credit: YNET Archives)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I just LOVE this picture of Bibi! Don't you?

So now, do we applaud MK Zev Elkin for getting up to the plate, and declaring the truth?

Do you Likudniks out there condemn him for embarrassing your precious prime minister, and working in the opposite direction of Party unity?

Do the "pragmatists" out there condemn him for not choosing his shots in a terribly efficient manner?

Do those of us on the sidelines ask whether MK Elkin really thinks he has the backing to get on the next Likud list of candidates without Bibi's rubber stamp, especially now that he has stepped on even more toes?

Should we even care?

Well, in between yawns, I applaud MK Elkin for not only speaking up, and calling the prime minister on his shenanigans, but for also not second guessing himself. At least, that's my take on what happened.

You are more than welcome to leave a comment suggesting that I've got this all wrong, and that I do not know MK Elkin as well as you do. I'll probably publish it. I do not have enough emotional investment in the Israeli governmental regime to care, and you'll only be doing me a favor by providing me with some additional insight.

But, until then, MK Elkin if one of the few MK's and even fewer Likud MK's who still have my attention, and positive view.

In case you are wondering who the other Likud MK's are still on my "smiley face" list (for lack of a better term), they are MK Moshe Feiglin, of course, and MK Yariv Levin.

Nope, not Christian lover MK Danny Danon, who was never on said list, and MK Tzippy Hotovely recently revealed her true colors, and so was immediately removed.

Chief Rabbis Anyone?

ו' לחודש השישי תשע"ג

Last Friday, the 3rd day of the 6th Month (Ellul) was the 83rd Anniversary of the Passing of Rabbi Avraham Yitzhaq HaKohen Kook ztz"l, First Ashkenazy Chief Rabbi of Israel, not coincidentally, Parashath Shofetim.

Well, there you have it, ladies and gentleman, our brand spanking new, deMOCKratically elected Chief Rabbis, as if democracy had anything to

Rabbi Yitzhaq Yosef and Rabbi David Lau
Israel's New Chief Rabbis

Here's what some of our Israeli "leaders" have to say about it. There is so much to comment on, that I have interspersed my comments within the below reports in blue italics.

Arutz 7: Rabbi Ben Dahan: Disappointed with Results
Deputy Religions Minister says he hopes the secular public will not “give a kick to the institution of the Rabbinate.”

Gil Ronen, July 24, 2013

Deputy Religions Minister, Rabbi Eliyahu Ben Dahan, voiced his disappointment with the failure of religious Zionist candidates to be elected to the posts of chief rabbis Wednesday. Rabbi Ben Dahan is a member of the religious Zionist party, Bayit Yehudi.

"As a member of the Bayit Yehudi I am certainly disappointed that we failed in the mission to at least have one rabbi from the religious Zionist camp elected,” he said. “We put in the maximal effort possible but regrettably, it failed."

The rabbi added that he hopes the secular public will not “give a kick to the institution of the Rabbinate” out of disappointment with the hareidi candidates elected. “They need to understand that the importance of the institution of the Rabbinate is much more important than the chief rabbis....”

So, since your candidate did not win, so we should not listen to him?? What happened to your precious democracy, or in this case, deMOCKracy? Haven't the representatives of the people spoken?

For the record, I happen to like Rabbi Ben-Dahan. I am, however, disappointed that he involves himself in such politics. Either the Torah is correct, or it is not. Either the one representing the Torah ideal should win or not.

Of all MK's, I would have expected Rabbi Ben-Dahan to call for the implementation of a"real" Chief Rabbinate. (More on what that is below.) Or in the worst case scenario, to support a candidate who would speak Torah, and follow Torah, and encourage others to do the same, no matter how many toes he ended up stepping on,...and no matter how many State laws he violated.

...Deputy Minister of Transport, religious Zionist Tzipi Hotovely (Likud), said that the religious Zionist stream “once again missed the opportunity to put in place a Zionist chief rabbi."

“I regret that the campaign of harsh mudslinging against Rabbi David Stav – Chairman of the Tzohar Rabbis, who has indisputably shown wonderful public Torah work – came from within religious Zionism itself,” she accused.

I wrote to MK Hotovely, informing her that there are at least Two Religious Zionist Camps: Real Religious Zionists and Mamlakhtim (undying State loyalists). then I asked her who she thought Rabbi David Stav was. I have yet to receive a response from her or her staff. She is right about one thing. Some of the mudslinging did come from Religious Zionists.

In addition, it is interesting to note that the Batyit Yehudi (Jewish Home Party) members hold both the positions of Minister of Religious Affairs and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs. Yet, that apparently did not help them very much, did it?

Arutz 7: Lapid: Rabbinate Irrelevant
Lapid: Rabbinate ‘irrelevant' - what Israel needs is civil marriage, gay marriage and freedom from religion.

Maayana Miskin, July 25, 2013

Finance Minister Yair Lapid posted his response to Wednesday’s election of two new Chief Rabbis on Facebook on Thursday morning.

Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid

“The elections for the Chief Rabbinate are over. The institute that was irrelevant before many Israelis were born or formed their worldviews will remain so for the next ten years,” he wrote.

“Whoever wants to use the Rabbinate’s services – that is, of course, his right,” Lapid continued. “But it cannot be that they will have no alternative.”

He concluded with a commitment to continue his struggle for civil marriage and for making the Reform movement equivalent to orthodox Judaism in terms of state support.

“It will be a dirty political battle, and maybe a long one, but we will fight for this like Yesh Atid fights for everything: without giving up, without taking our eyes off the goal, until it happens,” he declared.
The only good thing about the Chief Rabbinate is that it's giving us lots to write about! (If we so choose.)

"Political battle"
Translation: Not a Torah battle, but rather a battle against the Torah!

The fundamental flaw in thinking of most MK's is this notion that Western values and sensibilities acquired in galuth (exile), such as pluralism, have anything in the least to do with the structure of a Jewish institution. The fundamental flaw in the thinking of Jews living in Israel is that the K'nesseth is in the least bit interested in creating an authentically Jewish country (...government, military, rabbinate, etc.)

The final goal of the Lapids and Pereses and Beilins is to have a fully assimilated, Western State, accepted by the goyim, if not a full member of the European Union. Prime Minster Netanyahu stands out from the crowd, in that he sprinkles kosher salt on the State, as if to make it kosher, yet ends up rubbing it into the People's wounds.

And, speaking of complete assimilation, one MK really hammers this home with her insistence, above and beyond that of Lapid's, that pluralism is supposed to have some kind of connection to Judaism and a Jewish identity....

Sheretz

Meretz

MK Zehava Gal-On (Meretz) called the Chief Rabbinate a corrupt and nepotistic institution. She continued that the Chief Rabbinate is an institution that "promotes homophobia and the exclusion of women and none of the candidates intend to change this." She added that the institution represented Orthodoxy and was "not interested to forward a more progressive and pluralistic Judaism." Gal-On called for the need to separate religion from state in Israel, abolish the official standing of the Chief Rabbinate and cease its funding.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Well, MK Gal-On's comments are self-explanatory. So, I will just move on to the conclusion.

The Chief Rabbinate is highly problematic, to say the least, yet for reasons, not even Rabbi MK Ben-Dahan touched upon (that I am aware of).

Since when have Chief Rabbis made public, and necessary, unpopular rulings on halakhah (Jewish Law)?

Did Chief Rabbis tell the Israeli Government that it is forbidden to give away Jewish Land to hostile Yishma'eli enemies (ie. mesrirah)?

Did Chief Rabbis at least warn the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF] leadership of the possibility of increased promiscuity, due to the"integration" of women into predominantly male units?

What about the unnecessary, free for all, Shabbath violations of the IDF? What about Shabbath violations around the country, period? What about even encouraging the non-religious public to think about Shabbath observance?

Has there been a Chief Rabbi in recent history to admonish the IDF for putting Jewish soldiers at risk, for the sake of "innocent civilians," especially those who have turned out to be collaborators with our enemies? In fact, has a Chief Rabbi ever instructed the State's generals in anything related to Hilkhoth Milhamoth, the Torah Laws related to conducting a war, or even the defense of Israel's borders?

Has a Chief Rabbi in recent memory EVER criticized its boss, the Israeli Government?

Hasn't anyone in Israel, perhaps with an MBA or PhD, ever heard the term "a conflict of interest?"

This brings us to last week's Paratshath Shofetim.

שֹׁפְטִים וְשֹׁטְרִים, תִּתֶּן-לְךָ בְּכָל-שְׁעָרֶיךָ, אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ, לִשְׁבָטֶיךָ; וְשָׁפְטוּ אֶת-הָעָם, מִשְׁפַּט-צֶדֶק. לֹא-תַטֶּה מִשְׁפָּט, לֹא תַכִּיר פָּנִים; וְלֹא-תִקַּח שֹׁחַד--כִּי הַשֹּׁחַד יְעַוֵּר עֵינֵי חֲכָמִים, וִיסַלֵּף דִּבְרֵי צַדִּיקִם. (דברים טז,יח-יט)

Judges and officers you shall appoint for yourselves in all of your gates, which the Lord your God has given to you, tribe by tribe; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not wrest judgment; you shall not show respect to [some] people [over] others; neither shall you take a gift; for a gift blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous. (Deuteronomy 16:18-19)

Does the Rabbinate have any real power to judge, as it is stated in the Torah? Their authority over marriage, divorce, burial, and kashruth is being swiftly eroded away, which should be a welcome comfort to MK's Lapid and Gal-On, among many others.

I cannot say anything against Rabbi Yitzhaq Yosef or Rabbi David Lau. My criticism is of the institution of the Chief Rabbinate itself, founded on the remains of the liaison to the Ottoman Empire, with some meddling by the British Mandate thrown in for good measure. I am afraid that the Chief Rabbinate simply does not cut it as an authentically Jewish institution, if for none other reason, then for its complete inability to act independently.

Does the Talmud hint of what we are experiencing already?

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

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

Those who appear to support the institution of the Chief Rabbinate either hang on tight to the idea that we must wait around for Mashi'ah to fix everything, or do not really want a Chief Rabbinate after all, but rather puppets.

Just how long are Israeli citizens going to buy the illusion? Just how long will it take for us to stand up and say, "Hey! Who's behind the curtain?" (alla "The Wizard Of Oz")

As in all battles against HaShem and His Torah (ie. Korach, Bil'am, Haman, etc.), Lapid's and Gal-On's (and Peres's) will backfire Sure, maybe the government will manage to eliminate the Chief Rabbinate. But, I doubt that he will like what he will eventually get as its replacement, assuming he will even be around to see it...

The Sanhedrin.

MK Hotovely, I have some words for you!

ט"ו לחודש הרביעי תשע"ג

YNET: MK Hotovely: Must give Israeli citizenship to Palestinians

June 20, 2013

Deputy Transport Minister Knesset Member Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) participated in an event marking 20 years for the Oslo Accords and said: "The Oslo paradigm has crashed. It is time to abandon the two-state solution in favor of an annexation resolution, meaning applying Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and giving an Israeli citizenship to all Palestinians."

Hotovely added that in order to "keep a demographic advantage", a national goal of bringing a million Jews to Israel in the next decade should be set. (Moran Azulay)

Esser Agaroth (2¢): 
"Must?"

MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) has truly lost it.

That's all there is to it. At least, I hope that's all there is to it.

רמב"ם, הל' עבודה זרה וחוקי הגויים י,ט 
[ו] אין כל הדברים האלו אמורים, אלא בזמן שגלו ישראל לבין האומות, או בזמן שיד הגויים תקיפה. אבל בזמן שיד ישראל תקיפה על אומות העולם, אסור לנו להניח גוי עובד עבודה זרה בינינו; אפילו יושב ישיבת עראי, או עובר ממקום למקום לסחורה, לא יעבור בארצנו, עד שיקבל עליו שבע מצוות שנצטוו בני נוח--שנאמר "לא יישבו בארצך" (שמות כג,לג), אפילו לפי שעה. ואם קיבל עליו שבע מצוות, הרי זה גר תושב. ואין מקבלין גר תושב, אלא בזמן שהיובל נוהג; אבל שלא בזמן היובל, אין מקבלין אלא גר צדק בלבד.

Ramba"m, Laws of Avodah Zarah and Statutes of the Goyim 10:9
These things mentioned (above) are only in effect during the time when Yisra'el was exiled among the nations, or when the attacking hand of the goyim is upon us. But, when the hand of Yisra'el is upon the nations of the world, it is forbidden for us to place goyim who practice foreign worship among us; even one dwelling here temporarily, or one who moves from place to place for business, he will not pass through our land, until he accepts upon himself the seven misswoth that B'nei No'ah were commanded--as it says "They will not be in. And if he accepted upon himself the seven misswoth [B'nei No'ah], he has the status of a resident alien. But, resident aliens are not accepted, except at the time when the Jubilee [year] is in effect; but when is is not, only converts are accepted.

Please forgive me, but I do not recall Yovel (Jubilee) being back in effect, nor any Arabs going before a beth din to declare formal acceptance of the seven misswoth B'nei No'ah. As a people, they are certain guilty of three of these, if not more.

Wikipedia:

Hotovely practises Orthodox Judaism and is a self-described "religious rightwinger." At the age of 34, she was the 18th Knesset's youngest member. She is described as the "ideological voice" of the Likud Party.

I think she needs to do a little bit more "practicing" of that Orthodox Judaism of hers. "Rightwinger?" "Ideological voice?"

How does giving citizenship to Yishma'elite enemies, who want to annihilate us, make her a "rightwinger" or an "ideological voice?"

Of course, I agree with the one million But, let's set that aside for the moment

Although screaming and yelling on the surface, I am sure that underneath it all, the "Pseudostinians" will be quite happy to accept Israeli citizenship. It will much easier for them to travel abroad. Then, when the commit terrorist acts in other countries (and they will!), those very countries critical of Israel's current treatment of the "Pseudostinians" will criticize Israel for allowing the anger of "poor, poor Arabs" with "battered wife syndrome" to spill over into their backyards.

So, why are you recommending this "plan" of yours, this plan which has already had various incarnations, and which has already died several times?

The Techiyah Party, Rabbi Benny Elon (Moledeth), and now Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home) have "invented" virtually the same plan. In fact, MK Hotovely even goes farther than Bennett, who has already incurred the wrath of Esser Agaroth's criticism several times.

Why is that? I suspect that this is exactly what the powers that be want. I will assume for now that you are not "in on it," and just a pawn in their schemes. Although, I seriously doubt you appreciate being called a pawn.

For years now, there has been this illusion of an adversarial relationship between those favoring yet another independent Yishma'elite country adjacent to Israel, and those who do not.

Yet, the major force behind the only viable option to those who truly value Jewish life, the emigration of the Yishma'elim from Israel, was assasinated.

Why is that?

I am certainly not suggesting that we will be able to that next week, or even next year. But, it is truly disturbing that politicians feel the need to be silent about this alternative, supposedly for the sake of the greater good which can be accomplished be hanging on to ones seat in the K'nesseth.

Getting back to those one million immigrants who like to arrive within the next decade. Getting them to come, even with money (which I never got, BTW), free Hebrew lessons, and Nefesh b'Nefesh handholding, is already harder than convincing them to pull their own teeth. So, how do you expect them to get on the plane knowing that the newly chosen country's government's idea of protecting them from Arab terror, is to give millions of potential Arab terrorists the same citizenship, rights, and passport.

I guess the "Pseudostinians" would end up receiving some form of their demand for the "right of return" of the second, third, and fourth generations of Arabs of those who saw that the Jews meant business, and ran away.

Thanks a lot, MK Hotovely!

One by one, Likudniks have shown themselves to be disappointments: Begin and Netanyahu land giveways, Danon and Asulin Christian chumminess, and of course, we do not even have to mention Sharon's despicable actions. Even Shamir, the lease worst prime minister of Israel, accepted that ill-fated invitation to Madrid.

And, now you...

Oh, before I forget, Mazal Tov on your marriage! You know, you may want to consider spending more time with Or, now that you're married,...A LOT more time, as in ALL of the time.

But, however you choose to spend your time, please keep your unoriginal and insane ideas to yourself, and out of the K'nesseth.

In fact, how about putting that Orthodox Judaism to good use. Set aside, just for a moment your "practical," political ideas, and spend some searching out some, authentic, Torah ideas.

The Nice, But Ineffective Likud Party List Of Candidates

י"ד לחודש התשיעי תשע"ג

IsraelNN.com: MK Ben Ari: Likud List Is Nice, But Ineffective 
'Elkin, Levin, Hotovely and Danon were in the Knesset when Netanyahu froze construction.'

Gil Ronen, November 27, 2012

MK Michael Ben-Ari

MK Michael Ben Ari (Power to Israel) said Tuesday that the newly selected Likud list contains good nationalist names – but those names are not enough to keep Likud's leader from steering the nation in the wrong direction. "Without a doubt," he said, "Elkin, Hotovely, Yariv Levin and Danny Danon are honest ideologues and they mean what they say. However, we must remember that they were already in the Knesset in the previous term, and that did not prevent Netanyahu from recognizing a Palestinian state and freezing construction in Judea and Samaria."

"The influence of these members is marginal, I am sorry to say, and it will continue to remain marginal. We see this already this morning, with Netanyahu saying that he wants to keep Dan Meridor and Benny Begin at his side."  What does that tell you about the Likud's true direction?

Ben Ari did not mention the newly elected Moshe Feiglin in his statement.

Ben Ari also blasted Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman. "The man is an elections hound, and history proves that on the eve of elections he always makes right wing statements and is suddenly deep within the Right, but it is no secret that inside, at home, in critical government votes, Lieberman turns out to be an opportunist, and he was a partner to all of this government's failures."

Ben Ari noted the government's "surrender" in Gaza as a case in point. "Instead of entering Gaza, erasing the enemy and bringing Hamas down on its knees, the Netanyahu-Lieberman government delivered a disappointment, and not for the first time."

Ben Ari heads the newly formed Power to Israel faction together with MK Aryeh Eldad.

MK Ben-Ari is right on point.

However, he failed to mention Danny Danon's history of collaboration with Christian missionaries, nor his infamous, and completely unnecessary, apology to Turkey.  He also neglected to mention the destruction of 10-year old neighborhood in Beth-El, the destruction of Migron, and the destruction of any number of other Jewish strongholds in Yehudah and Shomron (Judea and Samaria).

Nevertheless, it looks Ben-Ari and Eldad's "Power To Israel" Party will be getting my vote, come this 11 Shvat (January 22, 2013).

A Leftist Passover

Isru Hag HaPesah 5771

The report of Leftist solidarity with the family of the Yishma'elite murderers of the Fogel Family hy"d of Itamar in the Shomron was not what I wanted to see right before Pesah (Passover).

But, it was what I needed to see.

Before you read the report below, presented in its entirety, and followed by my comments, please take a few moments and look at this picture of the murdered members of the Fogel Family hy"d....

(Rav Udi Fogel, 36, Ruth, 35, Yoav, 4, Elad, 11, Hadas, 3 mos., HY"D)

IsraelNN.com: Israeli Left's Solidarity with Itamar Killers

Maayana Miskin

Shortly before the IDF revealed the identities of the two murderers of five members of the Fogel family, activists with the extreme Israeli left went to visit one killer's family – and condemn Israel for detaining him.


Members of Women for Peace (Nashim L'Shalom), Gush Shalom, and Adam Lelo Gvulot traveled to the Palestinian Authority-controlled village of Awarta, next to Itamar, where the IDF had been conducting intensive investigations into the recent attack.

“The atrocity we saw in the home of Mohammed Awad can only be described as a pogrom, as primitive and brutal revenge aimed at putting fear in residents' hearts,” activist Yaakov Manur wrote of the visit one week ago. “The father, 45-year-old Mohammed, his son Majdi, 20, a third-year student in university, son Amjad, 19, a second-year student at university, and Hakem, 17, were arrested.”

Amjad, 19, was later revealed to be one of the murderers. He and fellow murderer Hakim Awad told investigators they had received help and support from their relatives after murdering Udi and Ruti Fogel and their children Yoav, 11, Elad, 4, and Hadas, three months old.

The leftist activists apparently did not realize that the Awad family was involved in the murders, and simply believed the family's claims that Israel was treating them badly for no reason.

If this were really true, where is their apology? Where is their commitment to research a situation more fully, before reaching out to avowed enemies of the Jewish People?

The Yisrael Sheli (My Israel) Movement said Sunday that the leftist groups had crossed a line. “The time has come to make leftist groups that support murderers illegal. Whoever supports baby killers has no place in a democratic society,” the group said in a statement.

“Leftists groups' encouragement for terrorists, which joins the Palestinian Authority incitement, and author Amos Oz's support for murderer Barghouti, ultimately creates human monsters like the murderers from Awarta.”

MK Michael Ben-Ari (Ichud Leumi) called on Attorney General Yehudah Weinstein to investigate the groups that went to Awarta to provide support to the terrorists' families. “By their acts, they incited to violence,” he wrote.

He added, “Today we see the extreme Left's true face. These are their friends, these are the people they defend!”

MK Tzipi Hotovely (Likud) said the Israelis who expressed solidarity with the Awad family had reached a moral low. “They cannot comfort their brothers in Itamar, but run to show solidarity with the enemy,” she said.

Now look at this picture...


Ben Yosef Hai Livnat hy"d

IsraelNN.com: PA Arabs Celebrate Murder By Desecrating Joseph’s Tomb

IsraelNN.com: PA Spokesman: Settlers Are Not Normal People

How more Jews have to be murdered before these Leftists stop battling they own people, spitting on their own Land, and trashing the Torah? At the very least, how many more times must they "repeat the same mistake over again, and expect different results," before they realize how truly insane their beliefs and behaviors are?

I am not sure I should even call them Leftists. I know Leftists who were disgusted by these murders!

These people go out to show solidarity with murderers, right before we are to celebrate, not only our physical freedom from bondage, but the birth of our peoplehood, the People which God brought out of Egypt. That is how we are often described.

Whether these people, calling themselves Jews, are truly evil, and actively battling HaShem, or are tinoq shenishba, who are so out of touch with their Jewish souls, they just "don't know any better," is only a question of detail at this point. Their actions must be stopped.

The collaboration of organizations like Mahsom Watch, Women In Black, [non] Rabbis For Peace, and the New Israel Fund [NIF] (Wipe those surprised looks off your faces!) with murderers is disgusting. Allowing them to continue is suicidal, and the ultimate expression of the virulent self-hatred Am Yisra'el must overcome, before true peace in the world can be manifested.

The fact that the Israeli government, stands idly by, and allows this to continue is even worse. Worse yet, is when its minyons target those very Jews going to pray at Qever Yosef (Joseph's Tomb)!

The fact that there are religious Jews out preaching that we must actually love these people is the icing on this insanity!

These Leftists forsake the Land, they chop apart the Torah, put it back together like Frankenstein's monster, and otherwise spit on it and on HaZa"L, and they reach out to unify Yishma'el (Arabs) with Esau (Europe, etc.).

That spells Eruv Rav to me....