Has Tel-Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai Sealed his City's Fate?

 ערב ראש החודש החמישי תשע"ד

YNET: Tel Aviv's rabbi slams mayor: City is annulling Shabbat
Following proposal to allow service-providing businesses to operate in Tel Aviv on Saturday, Rabbi Lau hits at Mayor Huldai: 'Cry of Shabbat breaks through walls of my heart'.

Gilad Morag, March 18, 2014

Tel Aviv's Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau slammed City Mayor Ron Huldai for his bid to allow businesses to operate within the city on Saturday, the Jewish day of rest.

Out of respect of observant Jews and in accordance with the Jewish character of the State, Tel Aviv, like many other cities in Israel, respects the Shabbat and does not allow businesses or public transportation to operate in the city.

The city's chief rabbi sent a letter to the mayor on Monday, nothing that "this is the breaking of the pattern of the city's life since its establishment 105 years ago. Let us consider what is at stake in the decision that stands before you."

Rabbi Lau added that he had never before turned to the mayor. "I am going out of my way because the cry of Shabbat breaks through the walls of my heart and I cannot remain silent." (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Gid'on Sa'ar
Interior Minister

Well, at least there is one rabbi wiling to stand up for Torah, in the face of "democracy." But, that is a post for another time.

This is an old article, but far from the end of the story. Interior Minister Gid'on Sa'ar has since intervened, and has said that he overrule any such local decisions to allow increased categories of businesses to operate on Shabbath. Apparently, the Interior Minister has the power to do so.

Nu? Who knew? Yet, I wonder how this would conflict, or rather, collide, with MK Elazar Stern's proposal to allow for restaurants, to obtain Kashruth certification from Israel's Chief Rabbinate, even if open on Shabbath. Since the Jewish Home Party has blocked Stern's proposal, hopefully, we will never have to find out.

But, the story does not end there, either. Tel-Aviv business owners were all ready to protest the Interior Ministry's intervention, and open up on Shabbath anyway.

Mayor Ron Huldai
(Photo: Reuven Castro)

However, because of the rockets from Gaza, I wonder just how consistently these businesses have been able to stay open, not only on Shabbath, but during the regular week as well.

No, I am suggesting that increased Shabbath violations are behind the City of Tel-Aviv being the primary target of rocket fire. Actually, I remember, during the first Gulf War, this was part of the the reasoning applied by some, as to why Tel-Aviv incurred Scud missile damage, and neighboring B'nei Braq did not. Personally, I believe that Tel-Aviv differentiating between these Yishma'elim (Arabs) and those Yishma'elim is more likely to be connected to Tel-Aviv getting hit 23 years ago, and being under fire again today.

But, who can say? I sincerely doubt that Shabbath violations have done anything to aid the situation.

I have been suggesting for years that any serious solution of the Gaza problem, or for that matter the Hezbollah problem to the north, would only be taken once rockets reached Tel-Aviv and its "limousine liberal" power base.

Mayor Ron Huldai
(Photo: Oren Zin)

Well, now we shall see just how deeply in denial Tel-Aviv residents are able to remain.

How many will run away, thinning out the Erev Rav?

How many of the African "refugees," who have been terrorizing the residents in the southern part of the city, will get sick of the rockets, and finally get up and leave?

There are countless reasons why Tel-Aviv has been, and continues to be, a target, not the least of which is the attempt by Yishma'elim to strike a blow to Israel's economic and banking center.

YNET, and possibly the City of Tel-Aviv, believes that being  respectful to observant Jews is the only legitimate reason to keep [not even all] businesses closed on Shabbath. The Holy One, Blessed Be He, never appears to enter their reasoning.

And so, it appears that He has been having to remind them that he is, in fact, present and watching over them.

If only they would pay attention and acknowledge Him, if not cry out to Him.

Setting Precedents for Arabs to Secede from Israel

ח' לחודש הראשון תשע"ד

Events during the last 30 years have included the shift of borders, according to the will of various peoples, and how they have identified ethnically.

Even the United Nations' original Partition Plan of Israel was based on the demographic data of the time. The lines drawn dividing Pakistan and India, and India and Bangladesh, were similarly based.

The constituents of Yugoslavia broke up along ethnic, albeit a made-up country in the first place, and a mish-mash of various different peoples in the first place. the end.

Czechoslovakia broke up into its constituent Czech and Slovak peoples and territories, as soon as the opportunity arose.

Back to collapsing Yugoslavia, Kosovo's autonomy was not sufficient for it, so it took more. Even "loyal" Montenegro finally broke away in the end.

The struggles of Muslim Chechnya and Dagastan have yet to be resolved.

Ethnically Russian, South Osetia seceded from Georgia.

And now, we have Crimea, and possibly all of eastern Ukrainian breaking away from The Ukraine. Whether they end up under Russian control or not is irrelevant, as they identify as the same people or ethnicity.

Israeli President Shimon Peres and Russian President Vladimir  Putin

Meanwhile, Arabs in the Galilee have been watching these events closely. If Europeans can get away with it, then why can't they? The murmuring spreads...

Were all of the previous events orchestrated for the sake of sending "Israeli" Arabs the hint? Sounds too much like a crazy conspiracy theory, even to me. And yet, one of the roots of this issue can be traced back to the United Nations. In 1947, they had a plan for borders in this area of Israel. Even though it was the Jews who said fine, and the Arabs who said no, the United Nations has never forgotten nor forgiven the Jews for taking what they have always considered more than their fair share.

I believe that the United Nations will be very please with themselves when they get their way, and have will then be able to say, "See? We told you so. Do NOT mess with the U. N.!"

Of course, the Jew-hating U. N. would not mind in the least if Arabs ended up taking more than their fair share. Serves us right!

Exposure to cockamamie ideas such as Lieberman's "Land Exchange" plan, emboldens Arabs even further. See? Even right of center members of the Israeli Government see their own countries borders as being flexible,... not carved in stone, as it were.

Naftali Bennett's plan for Arab autonomy does as well, even though it has been presented, recycled, and re-presented many times over.

Israel's borders are to be determined by The Holy One, Blessed He, alone. We fight for the Land. We retain what we have, win more, or lose parts, according to The Almighty's Will.

Did we fight enough against the giveaways of the Sinai and Azza? Apparently not, as neither are currently in our hands.

Why are we, including those of us who walk around in public with head coverings, so desperate to chop up our Land which was Divinely promised to us?

We even won back the northern parts of Asher and Naftali's ancient, tribal territories, more commonly known to the outside world as Southern Lebanon, up to the Litani River.* But, then we retreated, effectively giving back which had been handed to us on a silver platter.

These kinds of conflicts over which nationality belongs to which piece of land in the world.may be good for the goyim, just like democracy may be their preferred manner of fulfilling one of their seven misswoth, that of setting up courts.

But, we are a people, separate and distinct. Neither are for us. Whether discussing the borders of Land, or how is should be administrated, it has already been determined for us, and communicated to us.

Eretz Yisra'el belongs to Am Yisra'el, not to the Arabs (Yishma'el), and not to the Christians (Esau), sneaking in through the back door, ready to khop (grab) Land at the soonest opportunity.

Much has been reported on the so-called demographic issues in our region. However numbers are irrelevant to the Arabs and to Jew-hating "international community." The Arabs residing in Israel have enough precedents built up to form not only the Islamic Republic of the Galilee, but the Bedouin Principality of the Negev, both sitting adjacent to  to the Oligarchy of "Palestine," three additional made up countries in the world.

Until we, as a People finally stop expressing such virulent lack of gratitude, stand up, and declare, once and for all that this is our Land, and not anyone else's, and its borders are not negotiable, we will always have less than 100 percent security that it will remain so.

*********

*Opinions vary on the exact location of Eretz Yisra'el's norther border.

More ADL Kishen Tuches and It's Germany's Turn!

כ"ב לחודש השנים עשר ב' תשע"ד

YNET: Merkel receives ADL human rights prize
Jewish group presents German chancellor with its distinguished Joseph Prize in recognition of her 'abiding commitment' to protecting human rights of Jews, defending Jewish religious freedom.

March 23, 2014

VIDEO – The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has presented German Chancellor Angela Merkel with its distinguished ADL Joseph Prize for Human Rights in recognition of her "abiding commitment to promoting and protecting human rights at home and abroad."

In presenting the prize, ADL cited a number of accomplishments and actions that it said showed Chancellor Merkel’s unwavering commitment to human rights.

"They include Merkel’s efforts to protect the human rights of Jews through her commitment to the security of the State of Israel; raising her voice against Russian President Vladimir Putin and his arbitrary exercise of power; her defense of Jewish religious freedom in Germany, including the protection of the right to male circumcision; and her courageous public criticism of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s actions against protestors last year, in which she stated that 'our European values – the freedom to demonstrate, the freedom of speech, the rule of law, the freedom of religion – they apply always. They are non-negotiable for us.'"

The prize was presented at the German Chancellery in Berlin by members of a leadership delegation currently traveling in Germany, headed by ADL National Chair Barry Curtiss-Lusher and ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman.

"As the head of government, the pursuit of human rights is not your only responsibility,” Foxman said in his remarks to Chancellor Merkel.

"Internationally, we have seen you, time and again, speak frankly to other leaders on human rights issues. On your first visit to Moscow as chancellor, you made a point of inviting human rights campaigners to a reception at the German embassy. And since then you have raised your voice publicly when meeting with Vladimir Putin on behalf of those targeted by his arbitrary exercise of power.

"It is clear to all," Foxman added, "that your actions are based on deep personal convictions. We are fortunate that someone with such convictions leads one of the most important countries in the world, and that you have made clear to other leaders that their records on human rights play a weighty role in determining Germany’s relations with their nations." (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

I have absolutely no idea why Putin is mentioned in the citation, just more proof perhaps that the ADL, which claims to be a Jewish organization, isn't.

I wonder if this wasn't perhaps some kind of lame, consolation prize for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent, accidental shadow puppetry (below).

We have rabbis in the Crimea and other parts of the the Ukraine declaring the "everything's fine. don't worry about us." We have and yet the non-profit, a-political ADL doesn't happen to like what Putin is doing, and so it says so.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
...playing shadow puppets.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Merkel and the rest of her European Union continue to support a so-called two-state solution," in other words the establishment of yet another Arab state which desires the annihilation of Israel.

How does this support the Jewish "human" right of self-determination? How does this guarantee Israeli's security, by trusting Yishma'el (the Arabs),...this time?

So, how different is slaughtering an entire people yourself versus having some "Palestinian" lackeys do it for you?

Food for thought...

It seems to me the Vladamir Putin appears to be doing more to support the rights of his own people, those of his own people/nationality, than the Israeli government does for its own.

The delegation also presented Chancellor Merkel with a framed paper-cut that repeats, in several languages, the Hebrew phrase "V'ahavta L'reakha Kamokha," which translates "Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself," which is one of the most sacred admonitions of the Torah.

...not to mention one of the most misunderstood verses in the entire Tana"kh (Bible).

I'm get soaked by all of the ADL's, and in particular Foxman's, slobbering all over the German Chancellor, including some serious kishen tuches.

May Chancellor Merkel never recover to a state of complete dryness.

Delusions Of Peace

י"ז לחודש השנים עשר ב' תשע"ד

YNET: 'Abbas is a true partner for peace,' says Peres
President Shimon Peres expresses sheer support for PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who will meet with US President Obama later Monday.

Noam (Dabul) Dvir, March 17, 2014

Shimon Peres
Israeli President

President Shimon Peres said on Monday that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is a "true partner for peace." Peres made the remarks upon an expected summit later Monday in Washington between Abbas and US President Barack Obama.

During a meeting Peres held with human right activist Rose Mapendo, the president stressed that Abbas is a man of principle who objects to violence and terror.

"We are at a crucial stage of the negotiations and we must do everything we can to ensure they carry on," said Peres. "There is clear majority and agreement on a solution of two states for two people."

Peres added: "We must continue working with the Palestinian Authority and Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas). He is a good partner and I am glad our government is negotiating with him. Disagreements are a normal thing and that is why there are negotiations – to solve disputes. There are also issues that we do agree on such as the war on terror." (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I am wondering just exactly how many times I have to post this photo. Unfortunately, I will probably have to post it many more times.

President Mahmud Abbas's "Vision of Peace"

I have I already asked if President Peres is delusional,...

Should Jews be allowed to fend for themselves within Palestinian controlled Yehudah and Shomron?

...or just plain evil.

The only difference between Fatah controlled Palestinian Authority, occupying most of Yehudah and Shomron, and Hamas control Azza, is that Fatah has typically shown more patience, while working toward its goal of Israel's annihilation; whereas, Hamas wants it all now.

How could anyone be so delusional that he real believes that Abbas's is a partner for peace? Unless, of course, Peres's "Vision of Peace" is the same as Abbas's, a truly disturbing idea.

Many will say this is far fetched, and even praise Peres for any number of accomplishments for the [supposed] sake of Israel.

All I can recommend to these individuals is to look deeper, and look harder.

The Shabbak Is Looking For You!

י"ז לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Recently, I have being seeing this ad pop up on Facebook.

Translation:
The Shabba"k* is looking for you!

Come be integrated into a unique and challenging position in the field in the General Security Service. [Click] for additional details.

*Shabba"k is a Hebrew acronym (שב"כ) for the General Security Service (שירות הביטחון הכללי).

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Well, I have to admit, this is a clever advertising slogan. "The Shabba"k is looking for you!" has a double meaning, assuming that was the Shabba"k's intention,...and I am not 100 percent that it was.

You see, the Shabba"k has several nicknames, not the least of which is the "Israeli Secret Police." In fact, it is so secret that agents offer testimony in court behind screens or in disguise. I believe that may even go beyond the protection of informants in the U. S., as each citizen has the right to "face his accuser."

The point is that while the Shabba"k is looking for you, as a prospective agent employee, it also may be looking for you, because the Israeli government takes issues with some of your actions,...perhaps even some of your opinions.

Of course, I am only speculating that last part,...speculating from personal experience.

Is the Jewish State Jewish?

פורים תשע"ד

Jeremy Gimpel

Two different pieces prompted me to write the following, diehard Christian-lover Jeremy Gimpel's Dodging the Draft Because of God?! (Tip: The Torah Revolution, which I also recommend that you read his response.), obviously written without the knowledge that the Haredi Draft Issue has never been about the Haredi Draft, and Ya'el Shahar's A New Sanhedrin: A Leap Forward or a Step Backward.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
As far as the State of Israel, and its army [IDF] being Jewish, well, let's see....

1. Fighting for democratic (Hellenist) rights, instead of fighting for us to perform the Will of The Almighty.

2. Continuing to insist on being just like the goyim (non-Jewish), a member of the international "family of nations," instead of striving to be the separate and distinct people we are supposed to be.

3. Watering down Shabbath, kashruth, marriage and conversion regulations, for the sake of democracy.

4. The indoctrination of even religious children into Israeli, secular society, to make sure that the authority of the State is central, instead of the authority of The Almighty through His Holy Torah.

5. The suicidal giving away land, not even ours to give away, and to hostile enemies no less.

6. Increasing levels of romiscuity in the IDF, due to male and female close contact in fighter units.

7. Sacrificing the lives of our IDF soldiers for the sake of protecting enemy "civilians" instead of following halakhah related to war.

8. Feminism, egalitarianism, and other "do what we want" libertine concepts.

9. The silence of the State-employed "rabbis" on most of these issues, acting little more than puppets, rather than the halakhic authorities they are supposed to be, how on earth can you call the State and its army Jewish?

Is this what you mean by "Jewish?".

Who was it who said that we'll have a truly Jewish state, when we have Jewish street cleaners, Jewish Prostitutes, and Jewish criminals?

What I mean by "Jewish" is that of being Torah-focused, which is the primary purpose of the Jewish People.

As a religious Jew, I would not want my son entering such a an un-Jewish army, unless it was for one of these reasons, such as having influence on other soldiers for the good of the Jewish People and its eternal Homeland.

The State is only occasionally Torah-focused, and then only cosmetically so. Thus, when it comes to being Jewish, the State of Israel is only occasionally Jewish, and then only cosmetically so.

Haredi Draft Bill Passes: Now What?

י' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Well, even though the Haredi Draft issue has never really been about the Haredi Draft, the Haredi Draft Bill passed the K'nesseth with 65 MK's voting in favor.... No surprises here.

YNET: With a near-empty plenum, Israel approves haredi draft Legislation compels yeshiva students to enlist for national service or face penalty.
Haredi MK: This is a black day, we will not forget or forgive Netanyahu

March 12, 2014

Israel News A near-deserted Knesset on Wednesday passed controversial legislation to draft ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students into the army, after a political row saw the opposition boycott the vote. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

(Photo Credit: used with Anonymous Facebook Friend's permission)

MK Yoni Chetboun
(Jewish Home Party)

MK Yoni Chetboun (Jewish Home) was the only government coalition member to vote against this bill. Whether you agree with his vote or not, you have to handed to him for standing by his principles over the fear of the possible loss of his seat in government the next go around.

Previously, I mentioned MK Chetboun's railing on Yesh Atid Party Leader and Finance Minster Yair Lapid for his offensive comments directed toward the State of Israel's Chief Rabbis.

So, at least one more MK appears to have some principles, and who stands by them.

I believe that the Israeli Government will eventually come to regret its decision, training all those Torah-observant Jews to use weapons, Jews who see The Almighty and His Holy Torah as their ultimate authority, and not the State.

The State's minyons will no doubt attempted its most sophisticated brainwashing indoctrination techniques on these young men, and they will fail!

In honor of the upcoming Purim holiday, I will relay what I heard was said in a Me'ah She'arim restaurant. Me'ah She'arim is a Jerusalem neighborhood whose residents can be safely said to be virtually 100% against the draft of their Haredi sons.

One Hassidishe man suggested to a friend of mine that the government should take all Haredi yeshivah students into the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF]. The IDF commanders will simply not be able to handle their various demands.

This one eats Rav Mahpud, this one She'aris Yisroel, this one Rav Landau, and this one Bet Yosef.

This one waits three hours after eating meat before dairy, this one six hours.

This one davens minhah now, and this one later.

This one holds by Rabbeinu Tam's end of Shabbath time, and this one does not, not too mention the possible need for five minyanim on Shabbath! This one accepts dancing, and this one does not.

Will the Prayer for the State be a requirement in schul?

Come Pesah (Passover), the eating of matzah meal based and/or qitniyoth (legumes) based foods will come up.

Hanukkah, too. This one lights inside by the door, and at this time and this one lights at the window at a different time, and this one lights outside.

The bottom line is that even though Yair Lapid has said that Haredim will be taken only some at a time, no doubt to ease the Erev-Rav controlled State's brainwashing indoctrination process, the IDF is just not ready, unless, of course, they have already decided to play hardball with the new recruits, and plan on being very, very, very nasty.

Which Israeli Court Overstepped its Bounds?

ח' לחודש השנים עשר ב' תשע"ד

Arutz 7: Rabbinic Court Cannot Decide on Circumcision
A rabbinic court overstepped its bounds when it ruled in parents’ circumcision battle, Attorney General says.

Maayana Miskin, March 6, 2014

Yehuda Weinstein
Israeli Attorney General

A beit din (rabbinic court) overstepped its legal authority when it ruled in the case of divorcing parents who disagree over whether to circumcise their young son, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein said Thursday.

Weinstein submitted his opinion to the Supreme Court as part of the ongoing legal battle between the parents.

The parents in question are in the midst of divorcing via the rabbinic courts. In Israel, Jewish couples may divorce through either the rabbinic courts, which rule according to Jewish law (halakha), or through the Family Court system.

During the divorce process, the father raised a complaint against the mother for refusing to have their infant son circumcised. Circumcision is considered an important Biblical command in Judaism, and the circumcision ceremony is when infant boys fully join the Jewish nation.

The court ruled in the father’s favor, and ordered the mother to have the baby boy circumcised or else pay a fine. The mother has appealed to the Supreme Court.

Weinstein previously told the Supreme Court that he does not believe the beit din had the right to rule in the specific case at hand, due to the fact that in this particular case, the circumcision would need to be performed under anesthesia or other pain-killing medicine.

In his statement submitted to the court Thursday, which came to complete his earlier opinion, Weinstein said that when parents disagree over circumcision, the Family Court system – and not the beit din system – has the right to rule in the case.

The question of circumcision cannot be considered an issue directly pertaining to divorce, he explained – and therefore, it is outside the beit din’s jurisdiction.

Weinstein noted that while he believes the beit din should not have ruled in the case, it is possible that a family court, too, may rule that it is in a minor child’s best interests to undergo circumcision.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
The Israeli Justice System, not to mention the Israeli Government, is not Jewish System. Worse yet, the Israeli Attorney General himself appears to be battling again the only, relatively Jewish System which exists in this country.

...as if it, besides piqu'ah nefesh (saving a life), it should EVER be considered NOT to circumcise a Jewish son?

How Jewish of a question is this? Not very... Rather it is a question out of the Western galuth (exile) mentality, underneath which we discover the Greco-Roman concept of the perfection of the body. Of course, it is buried under the Western Galuth concepts found closer to the surface, such as freedom of religious expression and democracy, or in Israel's case, deMOCKracy, and the co-dependent need to be acceptable by the goyim (non-Jews) as their equals and peers, one member of the international family of nations. Even though it is our role to remain a separate and distinct people.

I find the only odd element of this case is Weinstein's apparent inconsistency.

(Wikipedia) Criticism
Weinstein came under intense criticism for his inaction regarding a number of rabbis [including Rabbi Shmu'el Eliyahu shlit"a] in Safed, who, according to Haaretz called on Jewish homeowners to not rent to Arabs—an action they claim is prohibited by Halakha. A number of MKs, mainly from Meretz, and public intellectuals, attacked him for dallying on pursuing an investigation against the rabbis, who they argued, as civic officials, were in severe violation of Israeli law. 

Rabbi Shmu'el Eliyahu

So, Weinstein apparently did the right thing (ie. the halakhic thing), regarding a previous issue, by seemingly letting Rabbi Shmu'el Eliyahu of Tzfath (Safed) off the hook, so to speak. Yet goes after a beth din (rabbinical court) over its decision to retain the sanctity of a male, Jewish infant's entrance into Klal Yisra'el.

The only logical conclusion drawn from speculation is that he has been moving farther and farther away from Jewish-based decisions, and closer and closer toward un-Jewish ones.

Either that, or he knows that a beth din functioning under the auspices of the Israeli Government is a much easier target than the Chief Rabbi of Tzfath, who is uncompromising on Torah principles.

"Sheeple" = "Sheep" + "People"

Clearly, it was the Israeli secular court which overstepped its bounds, by asserting power over a case which it has absolutely no authority over,...even when numb-out "Sheeple" Jews allow it.

The battle between Torah and Israel's Western galuth-based excuse for a government continues.

Which side are you on?

Has Arutz 7 Gone "Reform?"

ח' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ג

"Ah, Jerusalem!" animated banner ad on Arutz 7 (screen shot)

I received the following tip from blog commenter Shy Guy:

...I thought you [Esser Agaroth] might find it interesting but sad that INN/Arutz 7 has been running ads (shocking pink) for a musical, "Ah, Jerusalem", which is on stage at the Beit Shmuel Theater in Jerusalem.

Besides the Kol Isha aspect, the theater is run by the Reform movement's Hebrew Union College and they profit from ticket proceeds. Is Arutz 7 OK with all this? Did you [Arutz 7] get Rav Melamed's (or any other rav's) approval for such advertising income?

Apparently, Arutz 7/Israel National News was contacted at least twice, pointing out the problems with this ad.  To the best of my knowledge, replies to these attempted contacts have not been issued.

Was the acceptance of this ad just an honest mistake by Arutz 7, and did the station not actually mean to accept this ad, promoting a "Reform" movement-supporting event?

If it was not a mistake, then what will be the next line to be crossed by this alternative-gone mainstream internet radio station?

It is interesting to note that this is the same radio station which refuses even to put "rabbi" in quotation marks when referring to "Reform" spiritual leaders, claiming that "rabbi" [without quotes] is used in its reports for "clarity."

So, what are Arutz 7's listeners and readers supposed to infer from this?

Please contact Arutz 7 about this.  Perhaps if the station receives enough inquiries, it will have no choice but to respond,...or at least pull the ad, and pretend that never existed. (A-hem!)

Personally, though, I will not be holding my breath. 

Doctor, Lawyer, Broker, Loser

22 of the Twelfth Month 5770

You have probably all heard the joke about the first, Jewish President of the United States...

The first Jewish Presient of the United States invites his mother over to the White House for Thanksgiving. He meets with a lot of resistance, but eventually convinces his mother to come.

After the plans have been formalized, his mother receives a call from a friend who asks her what she is doing for Thanksgiving. The President's mother says that she will be going to her son's house. Her friend asks, “Oh! You're going to your son, the doctor's house?”

The President's mother replies, “No, I'm going to the other one.”

Here is another joke you also may have heard....

An elderly, Jewish lady who is frought with anxiety over a dilemma she is in, meets with her friend in the park to discuss it. You see, she is very upset after being informed that her grandson is gay.

Her friend asks her, “So, nu? What's the dilemma?”

The grandmother replies, “Well, he IS dating a doctor.”

Enjoy the funny jokes during this month of Adar. The truth is, though, that these are anything but jokes, depicting the true prestige of being a doctor in the American, Ashkenazy world, where if you are not a doctor or a lawyer or a broker, then you are a loser.

There is, of course, a symbolic drop of leaway here. Many such families will tolerate one “creative type” (actor, musician, or other artist), one academic, one scientist, and even one “rabbi,” but only one, and not even one of each. Women may become therapists, but men who choose such a profession are always referred to as “the son who didn't become a 'real' doctor.”

Cousins who have absolutely nothing in common with each other are often thrown together into the same box in conversation, their parents vying for the title of who had to raise the more difficult, “problem child” or the blackest sheep.

I am writing of men primarily, but women feel the pressure, too, either to become, or to marry, one of the above.

I have a friend who has always been down on himself for not having gone to college. “But what about the eight years you spent in yeshivah?” I would ask him. “Is that not worth anything? Did you not learn and grow and become a better person from that experience?” But, this friend would just continue to sulk.

Another friend recently told me about how not having a college degree is affecting his search for a shidduch (match), even in Israel. “What about all those years you spent in Hesder Yeshivah?” I asked. “Doesn't that count for something? Who cares if you have some piece of paper?”

His response was one word: “Women.”

And, he is right,...unfortunately. In most every Religious Zionist or Modern Orthodox, shidduch ad I have seen in Israel, women are looking for a man who is “academi” (has a college degree).

But, where did this mentality come from? Jews in America often talk about their respect for education and their support for educational institutions. And, they think this is it. Afterall, this is how Jews not only survived in Galuth (exile), but excelled. Jews were not only able to compete with the goyim, but often beat them. Now that we no longer have to compete with the goyim, let us get our priorities straight.

Yes, we need doctors and lawyers and even brokers. But we also need plumbers, electricians, and garbage men.

“Oh, don't worry, in the U. S. we have the goyim for that; in Israel that's what the Arabs are for!”

Sorry, but that attitude is just not going to cut it, depending on others for what we need to learn to do for ourselves.

Just like in the U. S., these guys do pretty well financially in Israel. Yet, my friend the garbage man (Yes, such creatures as Jewish garbage men do exist), who has always made more money than I have as a teacher (and isn't that one of the American, Ashkenazy ideals? Money, money, money...), is now a supervisor of garbage men, and making even more money than I am. Still, I see it in his eyes. Pride in providing for his family, their security, and his children's Jewish education is not enough. Unfortunately, neither is pride in keeping our Holy, Jewish Homeland clean, nor doing more to protect its environment than most other professions. Society still looks down upon him because of what he does, and because of what he doesn't do.

The fact that he is intelligent, friendly, and working in his free time on projects to help his community garners nothing more than a forced smile, from the “cultural elite” to acknowledge how quaint he is. But, the reality is that the elite does not even see him as being quaint. Rather, there is something wrong with him.

By now you are probably all saying, “That's easy for you to say, Ya'aqov. You HAVE a college degree,...two of them!”

I, myself, currently work with my hands (Oy! Geeeeeeeeevaaaaaaaaaaaaald!), and get treated as “less than” by those patronizing my work. Some still even think that I am a volunteer. After all, no self-respecting [American, Ashkenazy] Jew would ever do such a thing for parnassah!

You can only imagine what parents would say about Jewish farmers. (Yes, such creatures also exist in present day.)

“David went to experience the outdoors for a while. Don't worry. His therapist
says that he'll grow out of it.”

“Michael is just going through a phase. He'll be going to Harvard next year,...whether he wants to or not!”

“What's with my daughter Rachel? Oh, you know. She's just 'finding herself.' When she comes home to visit this summer, I have three young eligible bachelors in the wings to whisk her off her feet. Then she'll gladly turn in her shovel and rake for diamonds and choice of china patterns.”

Even worse, this mentality, this virus, has long since infiltrated Israeli society. Sephardim and Teimanim now feel they have to get that piece of paper, or else they are “less than.”

And, what of those with learning styles which do not cut it in the Western classroom? Well, let's just say that the world needs ditch diggers, too!

The non-religious, Ashkenazim started it, looking down on the Sephardim and Teimanim for not sharing their culture, language, nor dress, and for having that “holy” college degree. What was a Hacham (scholar) with 20 years in yeshivah worth to them? Absolutely nothing. It was a battle between East and West. The East didn't have a chance, now that the Ashkenazim were in charge, pushing their culture and agenda on everyone else, who they considered to be inferior.

The Iraqim who came were given tent cities for their dwelling places, and told that the must give up their traditional (Read: too authentically Jewish) garb for the preferred, Western clothing of assimilation amongst the nations.

Teimanim were told that they did not need their simanim (side locks) anymore; they were in Eretz Yisra'el now.

Shomrei Torah HaS'phardim [Sha”S] the Sephardi, Haredi, political party and movement was a great idea at its inception, yet went horribly wrong. Raising up Sephardi pride, creating a community no longer willing to take it from the Ashkenazim anymore was a noble goal. Now look what has happened. With the exception of celebrating with different foods and music, including eating qitniyoth (various legumes and seeds) during Pesah, and pronouncing Hebrew differently, Sha”S has turned into a group of Sephardim which tries to out-Ashkenazy the Ashkenazim.

There is even a verb in Hebrew for the process of turning Ashkenazy: le'hishtaknez. I kid you not.

Racism you say? I'll let you be the judge.

There is one “ism,” though which simply cannot be swept under the carpet.

The attitude and practice in communities where differential respect is accorded not to professions, but to people themselves, based only on their professions, is nothing less than classism.

The Most Un-Jewish Things Of All

Mossa'ei Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Emor 5769

12. Bright Magenta Hair

11. Calling New York a holy city

10. The Meretz Party
(Like my Photoshopping?)

9. Uncovered Married Women's Hair

(Women who know better, take heart; women who don't, please talk to a rav.)

8. Black, Brimmed Hats


7. Neckties
(Croatian origins)

6. Hyphenated Surnames

5. Surnames period
(Try "son of"/"daughter of," your profession, HaKohen, HaLevi - if applicable, or even "from..." )

4. A non-Hebrew First Name
(I guess Aramaic is OK,...sort of.)

3. Inviting Christians to live in Israel

2. Mens' Wedding bands

1. Mustaches

List your favorite un-Jewish things below in the comments section!

Fear Of Jewish Revenge Attack?

Erev Shabbath Partshath Tzav/HaGadol 5769

חשש פיגוע נקמה יהודי

Fear Of Jewish Revenge Attack

That was the headline of the Hebrew newspaper Ma'ariv's weekend edition.

That's what the lives of "settler" children are worth to the un-Jew-controlled, Israeli press.

That's what the life of 13-year-old Shlomo Nativ HY"D is worth to the Eruv Rav government.

...and, 7-year-old Ya'ir Gamliel is [the words of the un-Jewish press], after all, "just the son of a 'terrorist.'"

Ya'ir's father Ofir Gamliel is serving a 15-year sentence, after having been convicted of participating in a failed attempt to bomb of an Arab girls' school.

The same un-Jews who are quick to cry that "not all Arabs support acts of terrorism," are just as quick to throw a 7-year-old "settler" to the dogs.

The typical double standards of the un-Jewish media are certainly no surprise.

As I have mentioned before, I believe the government has been trying out various ways to scare, intimidate, and expel settlers in Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria) from their homes.

After all, it will be much cheaper for us to get up and leave on our own, than for the millions, if not billions, the government will need in order to expel 100,000 Jews from our homes in heart of our People's homeland.

We know that the police has been involved in questionable activities, such as in Ma'oz Esther last summer, when they popped out from behind bushes to arrest Jews defending themselves against the threat of an Arab attack.

Arabs are sought out and encouraged by officials to file claims against Jewish building on alleged Arabs lands, when such Arabs might not have even known of the plots in question, such as near Adei Ad, again last summer.

"Stay away" orders, often issued under the pretense of "protecting" Arabs during the fall olive harvest, are also quite common, orders causing tremendous stress and economic strain on families, young and old. Fathers are simply plucked out of the fields and told to find another place to live. If they want their families with them and their businesses to survive, then that's just too bad.

And, of course, un-Jewish activists are given free reign to destroy those very Jewish fields and vineyards, hardly an environmentally-correct thing to do, but the political-correctness of the battle against the "settlers" seems to outweigh that.

My question is this: Is this what's next on the government's list of expulsion experiments, allowing, if not encouraging Arabs to attack key Jewish towns with a number of residents whose loyalty is to The Holy One, Blessed Be He, over the "almighty" state?

Stay tuned....

*********

May the Almighty comfort the Nativ Family and Beth Bath Ayin with all the mourners of Tzion and Jerusalem.

May He grant Ya'ir ben Michal as complete and speedy recovery.

Thanks to Batya at Shilo Musings for help with this post.