Response to Hernroth-Rothstein's "Seeking Shelter"

י"ב לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Mosaic: Seeking Shelter
Why I am filing for asylum in my own country, Sweden.
Annika Hernroth-Rothstein | November 17, 2013

Norway, Sweden, and Finland

Here in Stockholm this fall, we in the Jewish community have enjoyed our 21st annual Jewish film festival, a klezmer concert, and a number of other cultural diversions. I choose the word “diversions” advisedly. It’s thanks to such entertainments that so many of my fellow Jews can allow themselves to say that we’re doing okay here—that there’s no need to rock the boat or cause trouble...

...Absurd? No doubt. I can only expect that my application will be summarily dismissed. But the situation is beyond absurdity, beyond op-eds and strongly worded letters of protest. The situation calls for action. I would like to think that in making this statement, I am fighting on behalf of Swedish Jewry as a whole for the right to live a religious life, to preserve our cultural identity, and to be who we are without fear of persecution—the same rights enshrined in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and guaranteed in the Swedish constitution. Is Sweden, is Europe as a whole, truly no longer willing to enforce its own standards of justice where European Jews are concerned? (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Annika, you are brave, and raising awareness about very important issues regarding our people. And, yes, I get that this is for publicity.

I believe you one fundamental error, though.

Sweden is not your homeland, nor is the U. S., or Canada, France, or the U. K.

We have so easily forgotten that exile is a punishment. We have worked hard to be accepted as "one of them," but that was only supposed to be for our survival, while temporarily residing in "their" lands.

I appreciate your care and concern for your fellow Jews in Sweden, in Europe, and around the world facing similar or identical forms of oppression. Let's call it what it is. Oppression.

But, now we are able to return to our only true home, Eretz Yisra'el (the Land of Israel).

Will it be difficult? I can say from experience as resounding Absolutely!

But, it's home. Not only that, but The Almighty gave it to us. Let us not forsake it.

Israeli Aid To Africa: It's A Lot More Than You Think

י"א לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Arutz 7: Israel Pledges 24 Million Shekel in Aid to Africa

Marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, Israel and Germany launch joint effort to combat poverty in Africa.

Tova Dvorin, February 11, 2014

In honor of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany, the two countries announced Sunday that they would be launching a joint project for humanitarian relief in developing countries, specifically in Africa.

According to Channel 1, the project, entitled “the Africa initiative,” will see Israel pledge 24 million shekel ($6.8 million) toward humanitarian relief in developing countries from 2015-2020. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Photo courtesy of Dr. Micha’el Ben-Ari

As recently as the summer, 2012, reports began filing in as to just how much money the Africans infiltrating Israel were actually costing the country. The above photo informs us that at one Tel-Aviv hospital alone (Ichilov), a collective bill of 28 Million Sheqqels (approx. $7 Million) was racked up alone, just for the sake of delivering the babies of these infiltrators!

What about other hospitals? Other medical departments? What about food, shelter, the necessity for additional law enforcement hours? Other parts of the country? The list goes on.

And, don’t forget. The above report was from the summer, 2012. Not only that, but it was not just then Micha’el Ben-Ari (Strong Israel) who was an MK at the time, complaining about the financial burden of these infiltrators. It was Ya’ir Lapid (Yesh Atid), a politician not often found to be in agreement with Ben-Ari.

So, when you are told that the Israeli Government is giving 24 Million Sheqqels in financial aid to Africa, whether you agree with this decision or not, know that this is a gross misrepresentation.

How many millions of sheqqels has the Israeli Government already forked out for the sake of citizens of African countries?

And, who foots the bill? You and I, the Israeli tax payer, of course.

An Escape Plan from Israel? Or A Filtering Out?

י״ד לחודש השנים עשר תשע״ד

My father, an experienced traveler, and who is fluent in five languages, keeps harping on me about “having an escape plan.” If it gets to hot, he says, then I should have a trip by boat to Italy on my list of contingency plans. I have repeatedly told him that I am “here for the long haul.” I have no intention of leaving, but that he should come here to Israel, and consider staying.

“I don’t speak Hebrew,” he tries to use as an excuse. I counter this easily with, “You are an English and Yiddish speaker. You will have no problem getting around Jerusalem.” (…or Beth Shemesh, or any number of other places)

I reassure him that I do have a “go bag,” with ID, cash, documents, an address book, matches, pencil and paper, etc. But, that if I were ever actually to leave Jerusalem, it would be north or south to friends with land. In order to grow food, one needs land. Even if there is enough food during a crisis, there is still the issue of getting it to the people who need it, and who even have money to buy it.

My father is either in deep denial about my “insane” ideology, or is in deep denial about my “insane” ideology.

He also has yet to opine on my 99% certainty that I will renounce my U. S. citizenship this spring. I think it was just too for much for him to handle in one e-mail. My mother, on the other hand, has said quite clearly that I am a “dope,” if I go through with it.

Meanwhile, my father is apparently not the only one to be concerned about having an escape plan for leaving Israel. The recent news out of Spain regarding a freshly passed piece of legislation has apparently given Israelis a new, personal project to work on, in order to increase their lifestyle choices.

YNET: The pursuit of European passports: ‘There’s somewhere to escape to’The Spanish law allowing Jews to claim Spanish citizenship gives many Israelis a chance to dream, have a backup plan

Michal Margalit, February 10, 2014 

For years, Israelis have been searching for the Ashkenazi connection that would allow them to receive the sought-after European passport. Thousands of them discovered over the weekend that the path to obtaining the passport is shorter than ever – and will actually be acquired through a Sephardic connection…. 

…what are the reasons for the pursuit for the European passport? 

Professor Yossi Shain, head of the Political Science Department at Tel Aviv University, believes that the main goal is to “open up options”. “Some will say that these options are in case of times of emergency, and that it is part of the history of the Jewish people, but we live in a global world in which many people have multiple citizenships. This is not a matter of lack of patriotism, but an economic opportunity and a chance to be a citizen of the world.“ 

However, the security aspect is also part of the considerations. “Because of the reality in the Middle East and our geographical location, Israelis are always traveling,” said Shain. “People who apply for Polish passports are taking advantage of opportunities. On the other hand, for many Israelis these options are not appealing. Others do not want to start a family abroad. Israelis are very connected to Israeli culture and to some extent can’t manage without Israel, and so in many cases people are only utilizing their options.” 

The never-ending pursuit for the European passport does not surprise Zeev Tzahor, Professor of History at Ben-Gurion University and former President of Sapir College.

“The Zionist assumption that the establishment of a Jewish state would give them a ‘safe haven’, as stated in the Zionist Congress in Basel, seems very distant today. If there’s a place that’s the least safe for Jews, it’s the Jewish state. Even if not everyone admits it, some Israelis who are aware of the Jewish history, prepare a shelter for themselves, like every generation tends to do, to be on the safe side. That’s the main reason for the attraction of the foreign passport.”

Here are some of the reasons mentioned in the article by those desiring a passport in addition to their Israeli one:

… was happy to have the French passport not because he was thinking of emigrating from Israel, but so he could have the option to live in Europe for several years.…did not look at his foreign passport as an “insurance policy” in case something forces him to escape the Jewish State, but rather as “a tool in the global village, making my life comfortable. I have no interest in leaving the country; only an interest to live abroad, see the world. …we see ourselves as part of the world. 

…despite the fact that it was easier on the pocket to stay in Germany, they decided to return to Israel – “because of the weather, the distance from our families and friends… but anyway,” he stressed, “in case there’s an economic and security apocalypse, we have somewhere to run away to.” 

…In case there’s a security threat, the passport will give an alternative. At the moment, we’re not considering moving there, but it opens up some possibilities for when the kids grow older.”

Esser Agaroth (2¢): 

Since the fall, 2012, Spain has been seriously mulling over this proposal to extend citizenship to those Jews able to demonstrate that they are descendants of Jews, which Spain expelled in 1492. A bill was finally submitted at the end of 2013, by Spain’s ruling party, and subsequently passed into the law mentioned above.

Before the Spanish made their offer to Jews, even a former Speaker of the K’nesseth Avraham Burg (Labor) suggested that Israelis obtain a foreign passport. Burg even wore a kippah on his head, albeit a relatively small one. Burg now has French (ie. EU) citizenship. Why he chose France, of all places, with its well-publicized Jew-targeted violence, I have no idea. I would wish him luck, because he will certainly need it.

But, I think former Speaker of the K’nesseth Avraham Burg needs to sleep in his own personal bed which he has made for himself, if for no other reason, as an example to others, who will hopefully think twice before making his same mistake.

According to the above news report, there are at least some Israeli citizens who are excited about the prospect of a second passport. Some simply want “more options” in life or to be “part of the world.” Not all appear to want some sort of escape plan, if things get bad here.

Well, let me tell you, countless prophecies already tells us that things WILL get much worse, that is if we do not do teshuvah (repentance) to a sufficient degree. (See Ezeqiel, Zekhariah 12-14, Joel, Obadiah, etc.)

And so, I ask you to consider the possibility that although such “escape plans” seem reasonable, even prudent, this may simply be another test. When an increasing number of governments are showing their true colors of hatred toward the Jewish People, vis-à-vis “anti-Zionist” and “pro-Palestinian” stances, and the Spanish [and the Canadian, and a few other] governments open up their hearts and borders to Jews, our recent historical pattern predicts massive slobbering over those expressing a perceived love for us.

However, just as it does not matter who hates us, it also does not matter who loves us.

The only opinion which should matter to us it that of The Holy One, Blessed Be He.

We need to stand on our proverbial, “own two feet,” and hold firm, and consider the possibility that those who believe that they are leaving or escaping Israel, may actually be HaShem’s way of beginning a filtering out from Israel.

This may sound harsh. But, do not forget that according to many, only 20% made is out of the Egyptian Exile (Rashi on “חמושים” Par. Beshalah).

Ask yourselves, how many will make it out of the current Exile of Edom? So many have forgotten that Exile is, in fact, a punishment; returning to Israel is the Divinely-promised gift. How can any Jew give that up so easily, even just for the sake of being “part of the world?”

I don’t know about you, but as I continually try to tell my father, I’ am here for the long haul. I recommend that you all get on the plane, so as not be left behind, not to Spain, France, or any land besides Israel.

Christian Enlistment in the IDF: What the News did not tell you.

י"א לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Just when you thought you knew the details of the various Christian threats to Israel, this piece surfaces to remind us that there is always another surprise around the corner with these descendants, spiritual or otherwise, of Ya'aqov's nasty brother Esau.

Ha'aretz: Israeli army sees increase in Christian Arab recruits
Although there are only some 300 Christian Arabs serving in the Israel Defense Forces, 84 reportedly signed up in the last half of 2013 - three times the average rate.

Jack Khoury, Feb. 9, 2014 

[Photo of IDF soldier wearing crosses around his neck] 

The past six months have seen a significant rise in the number of Arab Christians joining the Israel Defense Forces, although their number is still minuscule. The actions of people within the Arab Christian community to integrate their members into Israeli society may be behind the rise – actions that raise the ire of many others, who believe that army service is intended to strike a blow at Palestinian unity. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
When Arutz 7 reworded and reported this piece, which it often does, it left out the word "Arab." Doubtful that Arutz 7 would the increasing number of Christians enlisting in the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF] from foreign countries, such as the U. S., in a negative light, I clicked on the report anyway.

Sure enough, the title of its version left out the word "Arab."

Israel has a two-front, if not three-front battle with Christians:

1. Christians from the U. S., continue to search for ways to khop land, believing that they are entitled to it, for one reason or another. Volunteering to serve in the IDF has been used to boost a Christians application for Israeli citizenship in the future. Yep! The Israeli Government grants such dispensations, while Jews in the Ukraine rot, because they cannot afford the cost of a train ticket to Kiev or Harkov, in order to process their applications for aliyah (immigration to Israel) assistance.

2. Arab Orthodox Christians, who want to assimilate into what this piece mentions, Zionist melting pot of Israeli society. They next thing you know "Yossi" from a Christian village, whose Hebrew is flawless is dating "Rachel" from the U. S. during her year of study abroad at an Israeli university. "Rachel's" parents support Israel, and although not religious, are against intermarriage. They thought their daughter would be safe from at least this threat of residing in galuth (exile) while studying in Israel. Little did they know, "Yossi" would be studying there with her.

3. This brings us to the third threat, a recurring threat we have experienced throughout history, from the Vatican. Not only does the Vatican wants to buy up chunks of Jewish lands, either by laying historical claim to them, or simply buying up whatever Shimon Peres is willing to auction off to them. After all what does he care about Eretz Yisra'el (the Land of Israel)? One of the signs of Erev Rav, is it lack of connection to Eretz Yisra'el, and its forsaking of it. You do the math.

And now, this report in Ha'aretz reminds us of another front in the Vatican's battle with Am Yisra'el for the crown of David"

...Leaders of the Catholic Church in Israel have recently published a statement against youngsters from their community joining the army. They say Christians are being encouraged to join the army to bring them “into the Zionist melting pot of Israeli society to create a unified national Zionist narrative,” which will lead to a loss of their Arab-Palestinian identity. “This goes against all human values and the national Palestinian conscience,” the statement said...

Such rhetoric from Arab Catholics continues to amaze me. Aren't they supposed to believe in the truth of the Tana"kh (Torah, Prophets, Writings)? The Tana"kh could not be clearer as to whom the Land belongs. Even if these Catholics hold to one of the Christian philosophies that they have taken on the role as The Almighty's Chosen (God Forbid!), and thus are the inheritors of the Land, that still leaves out the Muslims, who are well know to harass their Christian "brethren,..." often.

So, perhaps they are being dishonest, by omitting the tiny piece of information that Islam flies in the face of Christianity, even more than Judaism does. Nevertheless, just like the Arab Christians, and the various Christian groups from abroad, they are following their own respective doctrines, however counter to Torah they all are.

I wish that the so-called Jewish State would do the same, by following Jewish Law (ie. halakhah/Torah Law), and disallow their enlistment.

Even the ger toshav, the "good non-Jew" who fully accepts the Torah, and rejects all forms of worship contradictory to it, such as worshiping or revering a false deity, messiah, intercessor, or whatever they are calling Yoshke these days, maybe allowed to reside in Eretz Yisra'el, but with limitations, so as not to be able to have any influence over Jews (Mishneh Torah, Hil. A"Z 10:4).

So, קל וחומר, those who do not fully accept the Torah as the only truth, and who do not reject these forbidden forms of worship should be kept away from us even farther (Mishneh Torah, Hil. A"Z 10:9).

Young Israel Calls Out the U. S. State Department on its Hypocrisy

י' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Matzav: Young Israel Calls State Department Stance On Yerushalayim Contrary To Us Law And Inconsistent With Secretary Kerry’s Record As A US Senator
February 9, 2014

The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) on Friday defended Israel’s right to build new housing for its residents and condemned those who reprimanded the Jewish State for its recent decision to construct new residential units in Jerusalem.

Following the announcement that Jerusalem officials approved the construction of a total 558 new housing units in the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Har Homa, Neveh Yaakov, and Pisgat Zeev, the U.S. State Department expressed opposition to the new construction.

The following is a statement from NCYI President Farley Weiss:

“With its religious, historical, and cultural significance to the Jewish people, the importance of Jerusalem’s status as the eternal capital of Israel cannot be overstated. The State of Israel has a legal and historical right to construct new housing units within the confines of its capital city.

We are especially troubled by the U.S. State Department’s criticism of the decision to build new housing units in Jerusalem and its further questioning Israeli sovereignty over the city. The State Department’s position runs counter to the provisions of the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which makes clear that it is U.S. law that a united Jerusalem is recognized as the capital of Israel and called for the moving of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. The State Department cannot assume a position that is diametrically opposed to U.S. law, which is what it has inexplicably chosen to do in this situation.

It is especially ironic that although Secretary of State John Kerry voted for the Jerusalem Embassy Act during his time in the U.S. Senate, the State Department under his leadership contends that the future status of Jerusalem is somehow up for discussion.

In July 1999, 84 Senators wrote a letter to then-President Clinton and urged him to comply with the Jerusalem Embassy Relocation Act (a copy of the letter is attached). Among the signatories of the letter, which was spearheaded by Republican Senator John Kyl of Arizona and Democratic/Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, were current Secretary of State John Kerry, current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. In addition, Senators Charles Schumer and John McCain signed the letter. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Well, at least one American Jewish organization out is expressing something, somewhat related to the Torah justification of Jewish claims to Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital. Of course, I would have appreciated something a lot stronger and more direct. And, of coure, like any American Jewish organization it has a need for the employment of Western based reasoning, such as calling out hypocrisy.

Young Israel was right to do so. But, it would be nice if we, as a people, were finally ready to stand up and say, "All of Eretz Yisra'el belongs to us! End of story! Send us money or not! We don't care!"

Well, at least Young Israel did not express any offensive by any of the recent, Torah-based statements of religious Members of K'nesseth. Whereas, even the Orthodox Union [OU] and Rabbinical Council of America [RCA] did.

You get what you get. But, what do I know? I have only lived here in Israel, in spite of the difficulties in doing so. (sarcasm here)

Young Israel has it partly right, and part of their communities are in Israel. That is more than what can be said of most other American Jewish organizations, whose support for Israel as the only true Homeland of the Jewish People is lukewarm at best.

Haveil Havalim, Parashath Tetzaveh 5774

י' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

This coming week includes Purim Qatan and Shushan Purim Qatan. So I decided to share with you some of me recent toying with the photoshopping of photos to be used as visual aids in my posts. Actually, I do not use PhotoShop the program, but something much, much, more primitive, thus the horrid quality. I hope your eyes do not hurt from them too much.

But, first, what is this Jewish-Israeli (AKA: Haveil Havalim) thing?

Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs -- a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It's hosted by different bloggers each week, jointly coordinated through our Facebook Group.The term 'Haveil Havalim,' which means"Vanity of Vanities," is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other 'excesses' and realized that it was nothing but 'hevel,' or in English,'vanity.' Submissions may be may through our on-line submission form on BlogCarnival.com, which requires you to log-in first.

This week's No. 1 pick:
Tomer Devorah exposes the un-Jewishness of the Anti-Defamation League [ADL] in The Torah Is Offensive.

(L-R) Catherine "Leather Mama" Ashton, Martin "In The Navy" Indyk, John "Ask me about Land for Peace" Kerry, Ban-Ki "Thumbs-Up Cowboy" Moon, Sergei "I'm bored. Give me something to hammer." Lavrov, and Tony "Always a cop around when don't need one" Blair.

Meet the Peace Negotiations Quartet AKA "The Village People"

Yoel Meltzer tells Naftali Bennet, Leave The Coalition Now! and also warns us of The Propaganda Game being employed to pressure PM Netanyahu into signing a treaty.

The Shiloh Muse seems to think that Bibi is Betting on the Wrong Horse.

Israel Unseen brings us Raw Video: Mass prayer rally at Western Wall against “John Kerry’s Decree”

Jameel Rashid @ The Muqata wants to know Why is US Ambassador Dan Shapiro's Boss Such a Moron?

Life In Israel reports that The U. S. State Department's feelings get hurt over John Kerry spoof.

MK Moshe Feiglin is More Awesome than I Thought! but Ariel at The Torah Revolution Disagrees

And here, MK Moshe Feiglin speaks for himself, offering an alternative to Netanyahu - Bennett bickering.

According to Elder Of Ziyon, a Jordanian Sheikh says that Israel belongs to the Jews. How 'bout that?

Meanwhile, Jewish Israel exposes the use by the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem [ICEJ] of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin's Universal Message to promote false deity and Christian worship in Israel.

Ariel at The Torah Revolution is, shall we say, not pleased with the Red Cross Red Crescent Red Crystal organization.

Saeb "Pull My Finger!" Erakat
"The escalating escalations are escalating to escalations of escalations! Oh, yes! I almost forgot! Everything is Israel's fault!"

Elder Of Ziyon reports on the "Work Accidents" occurring in Gaza. Plus, how do you tell the difference between an Arab and a European anti-Semite?

By the way, Jews! France is not yours! 

Elder Of Ziyon reports on the Defaced Yiddish Cultural Mural in Los Angeles.

Daniel Greenfield has an interesting expose on the differences between Islamic and Jewish and Christian traditions of modesty.

Real Jerusalem Streets presents a very comprehensive photo essay of this past week's events (18 photos!), including the Jerusalem Conference, Rosh Hodesh at the Kotel, and the Mothers for Sovereignty over Judea and Samaria Vigil in Inspiration from the Story of Esther Today.

It's Just Something to Think About... shares a quintessential personal, Israel experience (my favorite kind!) in My Jewish Family. She then gets interviewed by Eitan at A Jewish Israel, a very interesting read.

Mama Bla Blah updates us on her roller coaster ride, battling cancer in Mania And My Happylanche.

A Soldier's Mother tells us about The Lull Before Shabbat.

Shiloh Musings celebrates NCSY At 60, Havdalah, What I'm Not Unique? and discovers that the Phoenix Botanical Gardens left out Israel.

Yael Shahar announces that the book A Damaged Mirror is now available for Kindle!
"This holocaust memoir is a gripping journey into the grey zone between right and wrong, freedom and slavery, and the hope the lies on the other side of despair." 

According to Israel Brews and Views, Shapira's is making Personal Beer for Purim.

Jewish Music

The Orthobox presents Beatboxing in Jerusalem's Old City - I wanted to post the video here, but did not want to take the traffic away from Israel Unseen. Please go check it out!

A Jewish Israel reports on the recent controversy in the Israeli Music Industry in Foreign Minister Liberman Harshly Critical of Left-Wing Capitulation.

It's Just Something to Think About... posted Saturday Night Nigun in Jerusalem.

That's a wrap for this edition. We still need a host for next week, and the week after that, and the week after that, and so on, and so on.

Join our Facebook Group for more details on how to host!

AIPAC Backs Down on Iran Sanctions

ט' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Arutz 7: AIPAC Backs Down from Support of New Iran Sanctions
Pro-Israel lobby says Congress should wait before passing new sanctions on Iran.

Elad Benari, Canada, February 7, 2014

The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC on Friday backed down from its support of a new bill in the U.S Congress that would impose new sanctions on Iran.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

This is AIPAC.

This is Iran.

 This is AIPAC on drugs:

"The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC on Friday backed down from its support of a new bill in the U.S Congress that would impose new sanctions on Iran."

Any questions?

Religious Feminism?

ט' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

YNET: Religious feminism within rabbis' home
Never has Orthodox Rabbinate felt so threatened. Feminism is pulling the rug out from under the rabbis' authority and they are indistinctively rejecting anything which even slightly smells of freedom and human rights. Abandonment makes them irrational and irreligious

Dr. Ruchama Weiss, February 9, 2014

It would not be an exaggeration to argue that the feminist revolution is among the most decisive events in human civilization. This revolution changes the life of the individual, the family and the community of all people in a fundamental way.

Prior to the feminist revolution, one half of humanity ruled over the other half. Every place through which the path of the revolution passes, the female half of humanity is liberated, and the male half is liberated from the tormenting chains on their conscience of oppressing others. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
There's no such thing, only confusion between Western "progressive," assimilationist principles and authentic Torah principles.

They are not one and the same, and are often in conflict.

Unfortunately, galuth (exile) has brainwashed us into thinking otherwise.

These women are lost. But, their men are even worse off. At least these women are searching, just in the wrong places. When they have a valid question, the men often do not have an answer. If they do, then they will not know how to express it.

Ruchama Weiss makes this argument for me, as her piece does not include anything even remotely related to Torah-based reasoning, rather based on the very Western assumptions which I point to feminists for not only possessing, but cherishing and elevating.

In other words, they appear to cherish and elevate a galuth mentality, in other words a non-Torah mentality.

Israel Mishandles Documentation of Jewish Property in Arab Lands: Surprised?

ט' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

YNET: Israel did not properly document property of Jewish refugees from Arab lands
State Comptroller opinion reveals only 14,000 claim forms were filed until 2009. Property rights of those forced to flee Arab states, Iran were not adequately defended by Jewish State's administration

Yaron Druckman, February 5, 2014

Israel did not properly document Jewish property in the Arab states from which they were forced to flee, wrote State Comptroller ret. Judge Yosef Shapira on Wednesday afternoon.

Compensations for Jewish refugees was included in the framework agreement presented by the Americans to Israelis and Palestinians, which will grant indemnifications to those who were forced to flee their homes and property without being able to recoup their losses.

According to the opinion by the state comptroller, many Israelis will find it difficult to receive the compensation because – despite numerous, conflicting government decisions to document and evaluate the massive amounts of property left behind – the issue was not handled properly over the years. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Since the Ashkenazy secular, intellectual, Labor Zionist elite has had control of over the Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel) through the State of Israel, non-Ashkenazy Jews have been treated like crap.

Whether...

• being thrown into tent cities when arriving to Israel from Iraq, told to change their custom of dress, and forgotten,
• welcomed from Morocco, only because they were good fighters, and would die in battles, in place of their secular, university bound, Ashkenazy children would not, 
• looked down upon for studying in yeshiva instead of universities,
• irradiated,
• kidnapped,
• or simply pressured להשתכנז to "Ashkenize," and assimilate with the rest of us into progressive, Western society,

non-Ashkenazim have been treated like second class citizens in the State of Israel.
.

The Jewish Nakba النكبة

And so it is no wonder that that the Israeli Government has mishandled the documentation of the property owned by these Jews, having fled Arab countries.


The only question remaining is whether this was done on purpose, or simply out of a laziness.


I wonder....

Israel's New and Improved Hellenist Rabbinical Courts! -Thought Police Included!

ט' לחודש השנים עשר תשע"ד

Arutz 7: Candidates Being Interviewed for Rabbinical Courts by Livni
January 29, 2014

This evening 15 candidates were interviewed for positions as judges in rabbinical courts.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said, "We have just finished interviewing the latest batch of candidates for judgeship in the Chief Rabbinical Court. We sat there for hours, all the members of the committee, and spoke with the 15 candidates. It was a long and tedious procedure, but we needed to find those best suited to the job, not those who would interpret (Jewish) law in its most rigid manner," Livni explained.

The following is a summary in English, and excellent commentary by Life In Israel on a proposed law, regulating the rabbinate on a local level.

Life In Israel: Proposed Law: what City Rabbis can and cannot say
Freedom of speech out the window, thought police front and center.. That's been the trend. Even when it sometimes makes some sort of sense, such as when it was proposed to make it illegal to call someone a Nazi, or when it does not make all that sense, such as when Yair Lapid threatened the Chief Rabbis for sticking to an opinion held by the Chief Rabbinate for 65 years.. either way the thought police are gaining more traction.

Now, they want to further legislate what can and cannot be said..

Minister of Justice Tzippi Livni and Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan are cooperating to propose a law that would limit the freedom of expression for rabbis employed by the State of Israel as city rabbis.

The main part of the proposal is that it would be illegal for City Rabbis to express themselves in opposition to a position held by the government, by a government ministry or by the decision of any minister.

The proposal would also have a judge at the head of the disciplinary board for city rabbis, instead of the way it is today with a dayan at the head of the disciplinary board. This makes rabbis different than other State employees, in that others, such as judges, lawyers, accountants, and other State employees are judged by their professional peers.
source: NRG

Examples of the ramifications of this law proposals:
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against women being drafted to the army..
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against public transportation on Shabbos
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against some aspect of the peace process
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against the television tax
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against migrant policy
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against price regulation of milk and bread
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against gay rights
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against the drafting of yeshiva bochurim
* if a city or chief rabbi speaks out against forcing general education in the haredi school system

(regardless of my position on some of these issues, I do not believe people who think differently than me should not be allowed to express their opinion)

and so on and so forth. you get the point. Basically, if the rabbi says anything against government policy, if he expresses what he thinks the halacha or Jewish tradition should say in opposition to any government policy on anything, he will be brought for disciplinary hearings and possibly fired. If he appeals the decision of the disciplinary board, the case will be heard by the Supreme Court.

I can understand not letting a State employee, chief or city rabbi included, speak against government policy regarding issues not relevant to his job... but to not allow a rabbi to voice his opinion on halacha or Jewish tradition just because it goes against government policy? What's the point of the rabbinate of that's the case? If this becomes law, it is just another reason to cancel the State rabbinate - it is a meaningless office if their only mandate is to uphold any position held by any minister, no matter its position in regard to the Torah.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Israeli Supreme Court
How many Illuminati symbols
can you find in the photo?

The process of reducing the power and influence of the already castrated Israeli Rabbinate started eons ago.

• The Israeli Government and its courts have already asserted its power over Israel's Chief Rabbinate, if not  "overruled" it, on many occasions:
• Awarding a kashruth certificate to a meat company, not meeting the Rabbinate's standards.
• Deciding who should or should not be a kashruth supervisor.
• Deciding the prayer set up at the Kotel (Western Wall).
• Threatening the Chief Rabbis with removal, by the Finance Minister, for going against government policy.
• Arresting and detaining rabbis, such as Rabbi Yisrael Ariel (Temple Institute) and Rabbi David Drukman (Qiriyath Hayim), convicting Rabbi Elitzur Sege"l, and threatening others for daring to speak out against government policies, citing halakhah (Torah ie. Jewish Law). The list goes on.

How many "rabbis" can you find in this picture?

Mamlakhti (undying State loyalist) "rabbis" have even come out and said that certain other rabbis are unfit for the Chief Rabbinate, due to a lack of connection to the State and the Zionist Enterprise. Even though rabbis in question, such as Rabbi Shmu'el Eliyahu shlit"a are more "Zionist" than most, if not any, mamlakhtim.

These "rabbis" have also said that there is no conflict between halakhah and IDF policy.

Clearly, we are headed in a direction, not of rabbis becoming puppets, but of more "rabbis" being added to the State's army of de-Juification of Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel). I say "Land" because the State's Jewishness has pretty much been thrown out the window.

Do I sound harsh? Then let me be even harsher. Albeit, I believe that the Chief Rabbinate is a currently necessary evil, it is not even a Jewish institution.

The Rabbinate and the Anglican Church

לעברית ללחוץ כאן: הרבנות הראשית והכנסייה האנגליקנית

The Israeli Rabbinate is well on its way to becoming just like those "rabbanim mita'am," the rabbinic appointees of Czarist Russia, if it hasn't already.