The Praying Edition of Haveil Havalim, the Jewish-Israeli Blog Carnival Is Up

י״ח לחודש השלישי תשע״ד

The Praying Haveil Havalim, this week's edition of the Jewish and Israeli Blog Round-Up is being hosted at Shiloh Musings.

We still need a host for next week's edition. Find out more information, and get involved by joining our Facebook Group.

How do we Bring Back our Kidnapped Jewish Boys? With a Nebach's Response? Or a Torah Response?

י״ז לחודש השלישי תשע״ד

Three Jewish boys were kidnapped by Yishma'elite (Arab) terrorists near Hevron.

By the way, how exactly did photos of these boys pop up in Saudi Arabia? The Arabs are not all working together against Israel, are they?? Gimme a break!


I certainly appreciate that the Israeli military cannot reveal any secret plans to get them back. So, this has been their public response thus far, a #hashtag campaign.

Here is one Jew's response to the IDF's #hashtag campaign.

"B"H - IDF, you don't have to make bold, propagandist declarations: Just do the job we pay you through the nose for!"

-Ariel Ben Yochanan of The Torah Revolution

In contrast to the Israeli #hashtag campaign, here is an Arab #hashtag campaign.

"3 Shalits"
The reference is to Gilad Shalit, whose release was negotiated in exchange for imprisoned Arab murderers with Jewish blood on their hands.

And here is another image getting lots of play on Facebook by the cartoonist Omar Radwan ysh"w, portraying these Jewish boys as vermin.

Tip: Elder Of Ziyon

Read more at Elder Of Ziyon on the double standards applied by the so-called "international community" to Jews vs. Arabs. Jews are expected to adhere to international "rules," such as those of the Geneva Convention. On the other hand, Arabs are apparently not expected to so the same. And how can they? They are too busy handing out treats, in celebration of the kidnappings of Jews!

In contrast to the namby-pamby, nebachy, "write a letter, feel better" attitude of Galuth-minded Jews, there are other Jews out there taking a much different approach, such as setting up the following page on Facebook. Notice that there are already 8,957 "likes," and that was only as of this morning.

I wonder how long it will take for their to be complaints about this page, and for it to be taken down, in typical Facebook fashion.

"Until the boys are returned, each hour, shoot an Arab Terrorist" [in our prisons]

I wonder how the silly Leftists, and even silly super State-loyalists with kippoth on their heads would feel about this. No doubt they will speak from Galuth (exile) perspective, that as Jews we are above this sort of "barbaric" thing.

Are they really that naive and brainwashed, that they are completely unaware that "this sort of thing" is more in line with a Torah response than the restraint imposed on the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF]?

Whoops! I forgot. What do either of these groups care about an authentic Torah response?

...אבל לאבדו בידו, או לדוחפו לבור, וכיוצא בזה--אסור, מפני שאינו עושה עימנו מלחמה. (רמב"ם, הל' עבודה זרה פרק י,א)

...But, to kill him by hand, or to push him into a pit, and other similar actions is forbidden, because he is not making war with us. (Ramba"m, Laws of Avodah Zarah 10:1)

In other words, since they ARE making war with us,....מי שמבין יבין....

The Ramba"m was very careful with the wording here. Of course, I doubt that we will find any state-"rabbis" willing to declare that we are indeed in a state of milhemeth misswah (obligatory war).

Let's Settle the Whole "LGBTQ Thing" Once and for All, Shall We?

ערב שבת קודש פר׳ שלח-לך תשע״ד

The Rainbow Kippah: A Gay Pride Symbol?
Or Just an Allusion to the Rainbow in the Torah?

A buddy of mine posted a criticism of the use of the rainbow symbol by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning [LBGTQ] community, believing that the rainbow was given to all, and not just for one community to take it for its own.

He did so, without condemning the LBGTQ community, and without condemning nor demonizing individuals with different wants and desires.

However, he was very clear...

"You can't have the rainbow."

Here is the comment I left...

Kol HaKavod! Nicely said. Men can show love and affection for one another, and experience intimacy. But, this can be frightening for us because we have always been taught in Western exile that if we feel this way, then there is something wrong with us, or on the other hand, than we are supposed to add a sexual component to the relationship. Neither are true! The Torah forbids certain sexual interactions between certain people,...but not love.

Meanwhile, someone left a comment via Google+ on my piece Gay Scandal in the K'nesseth?!

David's praise in 2 Samuel 1:26 for Jonathan's 'love' (for him) over the 'love' of women is considered evidence for same-sex attraction, along with Saul's exclamation to his son at the dinner table, "I know you have chosen the son of Jesse - 

To which I responded with the following Esser Agaroth (2¢)...

Evidence? No, I am afraid not. An hypothesis to attempt to support? Sure why not. I'll cut to the chase. א-ה-ב certainly is not indicative of any same sex attraction, let alone sexual relationship. In fact, sometimes it can also indicate an alliance, such in the case of...

  וַיִּשְׁלַח חִירָם מֶלֶךְ-צוֹר אֶת-עֲבָדָיו, אֶל-שְׁלֹמֹה, כִּי שָׁמַע, כִּי אֹתוֹ מָשְׁחוּ לְמֶלֶךְ תַּחַת אָבִיהוּ: כִּי אֹהֵב, הָיָה חִירָם לְדָוִד--כָּל-הַיָּמִים. מְלָכִים א ה,טו

And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father; for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
I Kings 5:15

I am not sure what kind of perspective and education you are coming from. However, I have found that such statements are often made due to the ignoring of Torah sheb'al Peh. Yet both the Written Torah and Oral Torah can only function together,...though many have tried.

Well, I am sure that we have not heard the last of this topic, what it means, what it doesn't mean, what it's implications are, what it's implications aren't.

The bottom line that we may feel one way, and believe that these feelings being counter to Torah. The Torah belongs to all Jews. So, don't run away and don't make excuses for ceasing to keep misswoth (Torah Commandments). Instead, meet your challenges, whatever they are, and keep your part of the Torah.

No need to water it down or pretend that the Oral Torah isn't what it is, or perhaps even doesn't exist (God Forbid!). This is simply not an option, unless you prefer to remain in a numbed out state of Galuth (exile), disconnected from your people, your only true homeland, and their Holiness, as it says,...

קְדֹשִׁים תִּהְיוּ: ויקרא יט,ב,

You shall be Holy. Leviticus 19:2

"They," whoever "they" are, may have hijacked the rainbow, but we will always have "Seinfeld."

The following clip is from the "Not That There's Anything Wrong With It" episode.

Gay Scandal in the Israeli Knesset?!

 י״ג לחודש השלישי תשע״ד

OK. No. Not really.

But, in honor of Israel's "Gay Pride" Week, I would like to share and comment on a news tidbit, which was pointed out to me by Life In Israel.

Either MK Ze'ev is really an odd ball, or someone grossly mistranslated his attempts at insults toward Bennett and Lapid. I favor the latter possibility.

MK Ze'ev
Hevron, 2008

As far as Sha"s MK's go, he is the least worst, and probably even pretty good. He has come out (no pun intended) against land giveaways, and even put his money where is mouth is by moving into Beth HaShalom in Hevron, when in was slated for expulsion of its Jews back in 2008.

So, actually, as far as MK's go at all, he is pretty good.

*Note: I also just found out that he and I share the same birthday, 8 Ellul, so he has got to have some positive qualities!

However, MK Ze'ev should learn that ust because Bennett has no balls male genitalia to speak of, and Lapid likes to bulk up his muscle mass at the gym, does not meant that they are gay. These are just silly and ignorant stereotypes, if you ask me.

After all, gay men DO have genitalia, and countless heterosexual men are body builders.

And anyway, this was so NOT a big deal. This sort of mudslinging about couples in government has certainly occurred before this.

Who remembers the this?

***Tzni'us Alert!***

The difference here was that this was done as a strategy to rally the LGBTQ, American communities, and to get them to the poles to vote!

...along with...

מי שמבין יבין!

Congratulations Israeli President Rivlin on your Election. May we now hear the real news?

י״ג לחודש השלישי תשע״ד

Reuven Rivlin
10th President of the State of Israel

"I am leaving politics and the Likud [Party]. From now on, I am a man for all of the people."

-newly elected Israeli President Reuven "Ruby" Rivlin (translated from YNET News Flash)

Well, I cannot think of too many other individuals than Ruby Rivlin suitable for the supposedly symbolic role of President within the State of Israel's excuse for a democratic system of government.

I am also certainly pleased that outgoing President Shimon Peres did not stick around for another year, if not indefinitely, as had been threatened suggested he might.

However, I am no longer fooled by the pomp, the ceremony, and the spin of the mainstream news media's attempt to tell me what is or isn't news, and what is or what isn't important.

Rather, I am interested in what is not being reported, or reported but with only a few lines, buried somewhere between the obituaries and crossword puzzle.

I am interested in the well-timed, simultaneous events which the election of a new president was supposed to distract us from?

The Vatican's take over of King David's Tomb, perhaps, which has been denied up and down by most every member of the Israeli government and his cousin?

More secret agreements, like the Oslo Death Accords, with those who would wipe Israel off the face of the globe?

More Land giveaways?

More releases of Arab murderers?

The possibilities are endless.

And speaking of Shimon Peres, remember the little boy who was willing to see, and willing to point out to his fellow subjects that the Emperor was indeed naked, and not dressed in his newly made finery?

Well, likewise, I feel like I am practically the only one who is willing to see, and willing to point out that in the supposedly apolitical role of Israeli President, Shimon Peres was anything but apolitical! In fact, he was political in almost everything he did and said!

And what about Shimon Peres's plans for the future? ...besides complicity in the Vatican takeover of King David's Tomb, of course.

Perhaps that was what we were being distracted from seeing.

Jewish-Israeli Blog Round-Up: Shavu'oth/Beha'alotecha 5774 Edition

י״א לחודש השלישי תשע״ד

Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs -- a weekly collection of Jewish and 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.

Tzivia at Adventures In AliyahLand will be hosting next week's edition. You can start submitting your material to her already via e-mail, Jay3fer@gmail.com.  

In the meantime, please enjoy this week's edition!

Daniel Pinner writes on Shavu'ot: A Lesson from the Torah, and on Parshat B'ha'alot'cha.

Avraham Ben-Yehuda presents his Exposition of the Book of Numbers.

52 Frames Celebrates Rosh Chodesh in Shiloh. This post from Batya at Me-Ander includes photos from Jerusalem Day as well. Then for Shavu'ot, she asks Do you Blintze or Barbecue?

Rafi at Life In Israel reports on the Attempt by Israeli Police to Arrest a 10 Year Old Jew on the Temple Mount. On the other hand, Rafi also reports on Only In Israel? Bris Before Arrest. Definitely an interesting report, and you probably will not hear of anything like this from any other place in the world, save for maybe Monsey, Borough Park, or Williamsburg...not sure. Give it a read.

MK Moshe Feiglin dares to ask Gun Control? Or Citizen Control? 
 
Natan Slifkin presents what he believes to be The Biggest Problem Threatening the Jewish People Today.

Double standards, anyone? Daled Amos translated this report for us, which almost slipped by: Uproar Over Painting Of Detroyed Mosque -- Relief When It's A Synagogue In Gush Katif.

Rafi at Life In Israel posts a video of The Fiery Speech by the Novominsker Rebbe at the Aguda Dinner. He "wowed the crowds calling those in open Orthodoxy heretics..." Sounds like my kind of Rebbe!

More information on the Brussels Jewish Museum Terrorist has been dug up by Debbie Schlussel.

Yeranen Ya'akov reports on Rav Kanievsky Telling Members of Knesset a Mashiah Message.

Tomer Devorah writes on American (Eisavian) Influence.

Speaking of America, Yeranen Ya'akov posts Pollard Surpasses Sad Milestones in Prison.

Batya at Shiloh Musings in on the same page. With Americans as Allies, You Don't Need Enemies! And I wonder what The Monster that Bibi Built is.

Rabbi Mendy Lipskier recounts for us why a Chabbad Boy Bravely Walked off the Baseball Field.

I write to my Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Ukraine,...imploring them to get out while they can!

I also wonder if U. S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro is a traitor or just innocently ignorant of his own heritage.

Jewish Israel asks Does the Vatican have a Political Agenda for Israel? Is the Pope Catholic?

Yeranen Ya'akov presents Rav Fish on the Papal Visit.

Finally, I tell you Why I Refused to be Interviewed by Arutz 7/Israel National News.

Israeli Expats: This Was Your Cue to Come Home

י' לחודש השלישי תשע״ד

Well, I am not at all sure how I missed this one from three years ago. Thanks to Ariel at The Torah Revolution for pointing it out to me.

I have posted only a few excerpts here, but it is well-worth reading the entire piece, even today, three years later.

Atlas Shrugs: Obama Administration Puts Israel On List Of Countries That Support Terrorism, Removes North Korea

Pamella Geller, June 29, 2011

It is only fair that deluded and self-loathing Jews who continue to support the despot in the White House despite his relentless campaign against the Jews should be the first on the Obama trains. And they are coming.

Obama's relentless pounding on the Jews mimics previous dictatorial leaders in recent history who promoted alienation of the Jews in concert with national socialism (another Obama favorite)...

...As a matter of policy, according to the inspector general’s report, citizens of Israel and other “specially designated countries” are subjected to a special security screening called a “Third Agency Check” (TAC) when they are actually detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the division of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing the immigration laws...

...Obama always says that despite his constant criticism of Israel, America will always have a special partnership with the Jewish State. Now we understand he means putting Israel on a "special" terrorism watch list.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Well, first off, I remember when the organizations, run by friends of mine, were placed on the U. S. State Department's list of "foreign terror organizations." Even though unlike the other organizations on the list, such as Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Hezbollah, had never been proven to be involved in any acts of terrorism, let alone involved in their planning.

Often, I have heard phrases such as "antisemitism" and "double standards" bandied about.

Now, of course, I realize that although unfair, and nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to the historical treatment of Am Yisra'el, these actions are in line with our role as a "separate and distinct" nation.

 Hopefully, Israeli citizens and future Israeli citizens alike will heed this warning, and take it seriously.

Hopefully, native and naturalized Israeli citizens, who believe they have left their only true homeland permanently, will wake up, and just get on the plane!

Do not miss your next cue either, or rather, your next wrning!

I am just as worried about you as I am of our brothers and sisters in the Ukraine, in France, in England, in Belgium, and elsewhere.

Ambassador Dan Shapiro: Traitor? Or Just Innocently Ignorant of his Own Heritage?

מוצש״ק פר׳ בהעלותך תשע״ד

Arutz 7: US Ambassador Condemns Construction Announcement
Washington opposes construction as a matter of principle, Shapiro claims - as well as negotiating with Hamas.

Tova Dvorin, June 5, 2014

U. S. Ambassador Dan Shapiro
American? Jew? Chicago Bears fan?

US Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro strongly condemned Israel's initiative to build over 1,500 new housing units in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem Thursday, in a move many perceive to be Israel's response to Hamas and Fatah's new "unity" government in the Palestinian Authority (PA).

“We oppose settlement construction in the West Bank as well as announcements regarding such construction,” Shapiro stated, in an interview with IDF Radio. “We would do so with or without this disputed case of a new Palestinian transitional government.” (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Who's "we?"

Is Dan Shapiro an American? Is he a Jew? What kind of Jew?

I am willing to bet that he not intentionally a trader against his own people. Rather he is just like most Jews living in the U. S., head deep in confusion between what are Western cultural values and sensibilities.

In all fairness to Dan Shapiro, he is not the only, highly confused, Jewish ambassador we have had imposed upon us by the U. S. Government. One of them even wore a kippah, if you can believe that.

Likewise many of those confused Jews living in the U. S. also don kippoth. Wouldn't want to lose those high paying jobs as clergyman in Modern Orthodox synagogues, by encouraging aliyah (immigration to Israel), would we? Such a shame, and lost opportunity to set an example for Jews, by meeting those challenges which so many are afraid of.

But, I digress...
The Torah forbids the giving up of Land to non-Jews, whether they want to annihilate us or not.

Anyone who disagrees with this understanding, has yet to demonstrate any justification for doing so, which has any halakhic (Torah Law) basis upon which to stand.

How can any Jew in his right mind still see the U. S. as a friend of Israel, breathing down our necks, telling us what to do, and waving money in front of our faces?!

The U. S. Government and Jews living in their only true homeland, the Land of Israel, are so very clearly not on the same side.

American Jews had better make up their minds as to which side they are on, and quickly, before it it too late for them.

I feel fortunate, having made up my mind long ago, recently reaffirming that decision as to which side I am on, by renouncing my U. S. citizenship.

In Dan Shapiro's case, he needs to change his mind. Is he an American? A Jew? A U. S. Government, minion class "Court Jew?"

Sorry, Dan, but you can't have your matzah balls (or latkes, or corned beef on rye), and eat them too.

Whose side ARE you on?

Why I Refused to be Interviewed by Arutz 7

אסרו חג השבועות תשע"ד

I was recently approached by the host of an Arutz 7 radio show who asked me to be on his show. I never asked his permission to make our communication public, so I have edited his side of the conversation, in order to protect his identity.

Arutz 7/Israel National News
...an excellent idea gone horribly, horribly wrong

Hi, my name is Ploni and I am interested in having you on my show. Can you please email me at XXXX@XXXX? 

Be well and speak to you soon. 

*********

Hi Esser, thank you for getting in touch with me.

...I .... host a show on israelnationaradio.com called XXXXXXX

....

Your blog is very popular to the point the director of IsraelNationalRadio, Tamar Yonah, asked me to contact you.

Can you come on for a 15 minutes interview this Thursday at 7:30 P.M.

It should give great exposure for your blog.

*********

Ploni,

Thank you for the offer.

Tamar Yonah and I firmly agree on several issues, and have exchanged information with one another over the years, for which I am very grateful.

I hope to be in touch with Tamar again in the future regarding how we can help each other with our common goals.

However, I must decline.

Yes, I do still cite Arutz 7, as there are definitely occasions when it provides the most accurate reports.

I find Arutz 7's relationship with various Christian groups to be very disturbing and damaging to Am Yisra'el, as well as to our sovereignty over Eretz Yisra'el, and I believe very strongly (though I cannot prove) that these relationships have tainted Arutz 7's objectivity.

I am unable to associate myself, or my website with such an operation, no matter how much exposure I would gain, and I believe that I would gain a lot.

Let's be honest. My site is a drop in the barrel, compared with other blogs, and thus has only a drop of the importance and influence which others have. Nevertheless, I am surprised that Arutz 7 approached me, given the anti-Christian, anti-Esau, anti-Avodah Zarah content I have written.

Feel free to be in contact with me in the future, in the event that you believe that we can assist each other on a one-on-one to further any common goals we may have.

Thanks again!

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Well, Ploni never responded to my decline of his offer. Quite frankly, I am hardly surprised.

Since then, I have also suggested that Ploni approach the father Moriah Goldberg for an interview. This certainly up Arutz 7's alley, an issue upon which we agree, and whether Ploni thinks so or not, an issue quite relevant to the theme of his particular show. Tamar Yonah, herself, has been quite open about her daughter's own arrest for keeping to her principles.

I was also planning on suggesting another interview, but now I am now so sure that I should bother.

I have also been made aware of the treatment of Jews on Arutz 7's discussion forums, Jews who dare to express opinions too distant from its own, yet will defend non-Jews..

I think that overall Arutz 7 is hopelessly lost, and beyond anybody's help, certainly mine.

ערב שבת קודש פר׳ בהעלותך תשע״ד

Update:
I receive a nice e-note from Tamar Yonah offering to address my concerns about Arutz 7 by phone or Skype, as she was currently too busy to write. However, the link to this post was deleted not once, but twice from the Arutz 7 - Israel National News Facebook Group.

Уважаемые еврейские братья и сестры в Украине Dear Jewish Brothers and Sisters in the Ukraine

ד' לחודש השלישי תשע"ד

English below...

Уважаемые еврейские братья и сестры в Украине,

Пожалуйста, покиньте землю своего изгнания и переезжайте в Вашу единственную истинную родную землю, Землю Израиля.

Вы не уходите. Вы не убегаете. Вы понимаете зловещее предзнаменование.

Вернитесь домой сейчас!

Russian language translation was provided with the help of A Jewish Israel.

Times Of Israel: Armed with bats, Kiev Jews look to combat anti-Semitism
Members of eight-man unit set up in recent weeks in Ukrainian capital have IDF experience or martial arts skills

JTA,  May 8, 2014

Members of Kiev's Jewish rapid-intervention force, some with faces masked or greyed out to protect their identities.
(Photo Credit: JTA)

Ukrainian Jews with combat skills formed a rapid intervention force to stop anti-Semitic attacks.

The force, which was set up in recent weeks, currently is made up of eight men who served in the Ukrainian or Israeli armies or have martial arts skills, the team’s founder, Tzvi Arieli, told JTA Thursday.

The defenders are armed with baseball bats that an American donor whose family hails from Kiev sent the team, he added. “We are trying to raise funds for bullet-proof vests which would greatly increase safety if the situation escalates,” said Arieli, a Latvia-born former soldier of a special forces unit in the Israel Defense Forces who lives in Ukraine.

Arieli said he set up the task force — which now has its own Facebook page – at the request of Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich, a chief rabbi of Ukraine, following a series of anti-Semitic attacks that occurred in Kiev and beyond in the wake of a bloody revolution that erupted in November over former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych’s alleged corruption and perceived allegiance to Russia. (cont.)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
To My Dear Jewish Brothers and Sisters in the Ukraine,

I admire you.

I love you.

I worry about you.

I appreciate that you are protecting yourselves, your families, and neighbors, instead of hiding, abandoning your community, or collaborating with the goyim. (God forbid!)

Jews are not just scholars traditionally. We are also warriors.

However, the only viable, long-term solution for Jews living in the Ukraine, or for that matter,

I was very surprised to hear that some of the members of Kiev's Jewish rapid-intervention force had lived in Israel previously, and were even members

The reasons you chose to return to the Ukraine, Russia, Latvia, or wherever are in the past, and no longer relevant.

For your own physical and spiritual safety, you must now leave the land of your exile, and return to your only, true

Some rabbis will tell you to stay, and not to give up on the Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Jewish Community.

DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM!

There are those of you who will want to stay, and protect the elderly, who do not believe that they would be able to come (immigrate). Try to encourage them anyway.

Also please do not worry about your feelings toward the State of Israel or its government. This is not about Jews returning to The State; this is about Jews returning to their Land. Dealing with the State's bureaucracy is the easiest way we have currently to stay in the Land.

Not getting help from the Jewish Agency? Can't afford the train ticket to its nearest office?

I would not be surprised; I have heard this many times before.

If you can afford it, then worry about the legalities later. Get a hold of any documents you have proving your status as a Jew (eg. letter from a rabbi, your mother's ketubbah/Jewish marriage contract, brit milah/Jewish Naming certificate, etc.)

If you cannot, it is high time to force the issue.

See? If you do your part, HaShem does the rest.