The Only Redeeming Quality Of Lag b'Omer

ו' לחודש השני תשע"ג

(Israeli Independence Day - observed)

The Nicholsberger Rebbe
with bow and arrow

One of the only redeeming qualities of Lag b'Omer is the custom of shooting a bow and arrow. Children play bow and arrows, but even the adults get involved for at least one shot.

You may have thought that this custom originated from the use of bows and arrows during the Bar-Kokhba revolt, or from some other Jewish warrior oriented era. After all, the students of Rabbi Aqiva whose deaths Jews mourn during the Omer, were not only scholars, but warriors who fought against the oppressive rule of the Romans.

However, this custom apparently did not originate from Jewish heroic feats, but rather from a time for which the bow is simply something symbolic.

The story is told that during the time of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, not a single rainbow was seen. The rainbow represents the punishment of a flood which we deserved, yet the also the promise from HaShem that he never implement it. The story continues that in Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's merit, the punishment was never deserved,...thus the absence of rainbows. Get it?

So, then why do I believe this is one of the only redeeming customs of Lag b'Omer?

Well, because maybe one, even one kid shooting a bow and arrow, might just get the juke idea in his head that shooting a bow and arrow is cool, and want to learn archery for real. Then, when the Israeli government completes its task of taking all of our guns away (חו"ח ולא עלינו), this one kid, but hopefully more, will be able to pass on this skill to others, when the need arises.

Of course, Jews are hardly strangers to archery. When Yehonathan ben Sha'ul tells David how he will signal him...

 שמואל א כ,כ ואני, שלשת החצים צדה אורה, לשלח לי, למטרה.

I Samuel 20:20 And I will shoot three arrows to the side-ward, as though I shot at a mark.

And, after Yehonathan's death in battle, King David remembers him.

 שמואל ב א,יז וקנן את-הקינה הזאת, על-שאול, ועל-יהונתן בנו. יח ויאמר, ללמד בני-יהודה קשת...כב מדם חללים, מחלב גברים--קשת יהונתן, לא נשוג אחור; וחרב שאול, לא ישוב ריקם.

II Samuel 1:17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Sha'ul and over Yehonathan his son,  18 and said--To teach the sons of Yehudah the bow....22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Yehonathan did not recoil, and the sword of Sha'ul did not return empty. 

Jews should also be encouraged to learn martial arts, as well as how to use knives, sling shots, and slings. You know, "just in case."

Remember the sling?

שמואל א יז,מט וישלח דוד את-ידו אל-הכלי, ויקח משם אבן ויקלע, ויך את-הפלשתי [גלית], אל-מצחו; ותטבע האבן במצחו, ויפל על-פניו ארצה.

I Samuel 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slung it, and smote the Philistine [Goliath] in his forehead; and the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth.

Here's a great video on how to make a sling. It's not as difficult as I thought, and, unlike firearms, is not regulated by the government,...yet.


If we are going to have a holiday, which interrupts the mourning of Rabbi Akiva's students, then let us at least remember why they died in the first place. Let us also learn from history, instead of repeating it, and be prepared to deal with oppressive, foreign governments, just like they did.

Who Stood For The Israeli Memorial Day Siren?

ה' לחודש השני תשע"ג

Israeli Independence Day

(Israeli Memorial Day - observed)

The siren went off this evening at 8:00 PM, one of two sirens sounded on Israel’s Memorial Day. The second will go off tomorrow morning.

"Day of Remembrance for fallen IDF Soldiers and for those slain in terrorist acts"

I was traveling on the #4 bus when it went off. The driver stopped the bus, and everyone stood, including the Haredim on the bus. Where they were going on the #4 on a night when everything was closed, I have no idea. The #4 goes from the center of town to the southern neighborhoods of Qatamonim, Pat, and Malhah, ending at the Jerusalem Mall.

But, I digress....

I bring up the issue of Haredim, because this community has often been criticized for not standing in place quietly during the sounds of sirens. This past week, when the sirens went off for Holocaust Memorial Day, a new past time was initiated amongst Haredi bashers, that of taking photographs of those not standing in place. Of course, those individuals running around taking pictures were, themselves, desecrating the somber observance.

And what about all of the Arabs who do not stand in place? That's OK, is it?

At least Haredim have a way in which they do honor those who were murdered during the Holocaust, the Fast of the Tenth Month (10 b'Teveth) and the Fast of the Fifth Month (9 b'Av).

Regarding Memorial Day, there are also plenty of more appropriate Jewish observances than standing for a siren.

I stand for the fallen soldiers for one reason. I stand, because in spite of all of the flaws of the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF], and the government which runs it, and there are many such flaws, those soldiers who fell, fell protecting the Land in which I live, and my life which I still enjoy.

I stand in solidarity with those civilians who were slain, because I was almost one of them.

So,now, let me take the opportunity to remember one IDF soldier whom the Israeli government would gladly keep brushed under the carpet, if it were not for pesky writers like myself.

Eden Natan-Zada, may HaShem avenge his blood, was brutally murdered in the Arab city of Sh'far'am, while in the hands of the Arab police officers of that city.

He allegedly killed four Arabs on a bus. And, for that reason, Shfar'am Police could not hold these vicious animals at bay? What happened to the Israeli government's "sacrosanct democracy?" Everyone receives a fair trial in Israel, except "certain Jews?"

Where was the thorough investigation into what really happened on that bus in midsummer, 2005? Was Eden, perhaps, simply defending himself from the already present hatred, ignited by the sight of his IDF uniform?

And what happened to Eden's murderers? They are still "unknown" and at large. Case closed, in perfectly executed, State of Israel "equality" for all citizens and equal treatment of all of its agencies.

Double standards are rampant in Israel. But, I for one will not stand for them.

The Israel government, and the leadership of ALL communities within Israel must be held accountable.

Memorial Day and Independence Day should be about building unity among the Jewish People, not divisions.

Will you be a part of the unity, or of the divisions?

Haveil Havalim #404: Israel Independence Day Edition 5773

ד' לחודש הראשון תשע"ג

Spring Holiday Season is upon us. Past, present, and soon to be holidays are all represented here, along with the usual Torah, news, current events, and slices of life posts.

But, first, don't forget to check in to see how Sam is doing at Superman Sam. Sam is the son of fellow blogger Ima On The Bima, not to mention a big inspiration!

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.'

 

Torah

Daniel Pinner, posting at Tomer Devorah, teaches us about Parshat Tzaria-Metzora in Afflictions.

Josh Waxman at the Parsha Blog gives us a video lesson on the first part of Parshat Tazria.

Daniel at The Heart Of Adam brings us The Social Contract And The first Four Tribes.

The Omer

David at NeoHasid.org brings us an Omer counting aid in the form of The Omer Widget. Looks like a great help in fulfilling this misswah!

Holocaust Memorial Day

Rafi at Life In Israel addresses the issue of this year's attacks on Haredim for not participating in the State's commemoration of the Holocaust in Seculars Desecrate Holocaust In Geula, as well as his take on those Haredim in Not Commemorating The Holocaust, with the State's set observances.

Then I give my Esser Agaroth (2¢) on why Haredim have every right NOT to participate.

Philip at Blood And Frogs tells us about going From Despair To Celebration.

Doni at Deficit Of Attention brings us Holocaust Humor And The Illusion Of Never Again.

Ahavah Ehrenpreis posting at Yaelle Yells...Softly writes a memorial in Suspended In A Gallery Forever In Washington DC.

Yom HaAtzma'uth

(Israeli Independence Day)

Real Jerusalem Streets brings us photos of this year's Airshow Rehearsals, posted at Israelly Cool.

Rabbi David Bar-Hayim of Machon Shilo video blogs the answer to the question, "Do frum Jews celebrate Yom HaAtzma'uth?"

Batya at Shiloh Musings reveals what Arabs are worried about on Independence Day in Don't Take My Picture! THEY'll Kill Me. Then see how she is Preparing For Yom HaAtzma'ut.

Jacob at Good News From Israel brings us some helpful Educational Resources And Cool Videos For Israeli Independence Day.

Israel Seen reports that Israel's Fallen Now Reaches 25, 578.

Real Jerusalem Streets at Israelly Cool Remembers Fallen Israeli Soldiers.

Pesah

(Passover)

Ima 2 Seven, who will be hosting next week's edition of Haveil Havalim, writes about her First Pesach In Israel.

News

Erev Shabbath saw the passing of prominent Rabbi Ya'aqov Yosef ztz"l. I remember him with my I reveal Esser Agaroth (2¢).

Here's one the featured "Pictures of the Day" by Rafi at Life In Israel. This was taken after Jack Teitel's sentencing.

Here's Aussie Dave's not so funny, and probably not meant to be, Photo Of The Day (#103), here at Israelly Cool.

Tomer Devorah makes a connection between U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry's declarations and his Sinkhole Nation.

I reveal Esser Agaroth's (2¢) new, offensive rating system in Arab Rock Throwers And The Journalist.

Batya at Shiloh Musings explains why she does not understand former U. S. President Jimmy Carter is a recipient of YU Cardozo Law School's Advocate For Peace Award in Where's The Justice?

And Elder Of Ziyon reminds us when President Carter called Hafez Asad a close personal friend,...even after the Hama Massacre.

Jewish Israel responds to Michael Freund's article "When Christians Repent," and warns of the Vatican's impending take over of the Cenacle on Mt. Zion. 

Debbie Schlussel reminds us that Margaret Thatcher let Islam take over the UK, was an early pal of Arafat, and put pressure on Israel.

Life In Israel

Samantha at Derech Eretz Israel shares a story of how one child changed his entire family's impact on the environment in Five Year Olds Will Save The World. It's good to know that someone else is talking about the environment!

Rafi at Settlers Of Samaria tells us this is what would happen if Israel were under the gold standard.

Life Elsewhere

America's Funniest Rabbi show us a more serious side in this Haiku poem.

Hey, did anyone see this movie? Snoopy The Goon at Simply Jews tells us about "Jews Got Money?"

Send your posts for next week's edition to ima2seven at gmail dot com, with "HH" in the subject line.

That's a wrap!

Where Are My Backstage Passess??!!

ד' לחודש השני תשע"ג

Ben Bresky

Last Thursday, I was at an engagement party. I speaking outside with a friend of mine, when local celebrity Ben Bresky arrived. Before going into the party, he came up to say hello.

Good, I thought to myself. I've been waiting for the opportunity to speak with him.

I finished up talking with my friend, and went inside. I quickly spotted Ben, host of Arutz 7's Israel Beat radio show, and then cornered him.

"Do you have an Israeli Press Pass?" I asked him innocently.

"Yes, of course," he calmly replied. Perhaps, he knew what was coming.

"How would you like to take me to the Depeche Mode Concert, in Tel-Aviv, May 7...and get us backstage passes?"

Martin Gore, Dave Gahan, Andy Fletcher
Depeche Mode, 2012

"Sure," he again calmly replied. He then proceeded to recount for me, in tedious detail, the various steps needed to be taken in order to get backstage passes. His rote explanation from memory of the intensely bureaucratic procedure was flawless, never missing a beat (no pun intended).

As he proceeded, my facial expression became increasingly revealing of my dismay and disappointment.

Usually, when I corner him about something or another, he can get a little freaked out by the confrontation. I thinks it's just me, though.

But, not this time. His calm and centered demeanor never wavered throughout his explanations of the various options which can be taken in order to obtain backstage passes, for big groups, for small groups, for jazz groups, and for rock groups.

This had obviously happened to Ben before, people noodging him about getting them backstage passes.
At the conclusion, all I could muster to say was, "It's so much easier in California. All you have to do is sleep with the right people."

Normally, I would have expected an awkward pause at this juncture.

But, not this time. Ben just gave me a shrug of his shoulders, then after the pause, said, "Ill see what I can do."

Overhearing our conversation, by accident, of course, was another friend. This one worked for the Jerusalem Post.

"Why didn't you just ask me?" he exclaimed. "I work with the guy who does the music reviews. He gets tickets and backstage passes all the time!"

Apparently, he had NOT overheard the part about how complicated it was to get backstage passes, let a lone concert tickets, in Israel.

"Yeah, sure," I said, desperately trying to hold up a smile, and not let it seem too fake. "Give it a shot. Let me know."

Meanwhile, somewhere in the back of my mind, a tiny little voice was whispering, "Maybe God doesn't want you to go to the Depeche Mode concert."

"Perish the thought!"

In 2006, they canceled their concert. In 2009, I couldn't go, no money and no time off from work besides.

The third time's the charm, as they say.

Will The Almighty allow me to hang on to this last bit of galuth (exile) enjoyment? Should I feel guilty about going, and paying enough money for two weeks of food, to sit in the crappiest seats possible? What about feeling guilty about going, while everyone else is celebrating the reunification of the City of Jerusalem in 1967?

Stay tuned.

More will be revealed. 

Cultural Differences In Israel

מוצש"ק פר' תזריע-מצורע תשע"ג

There I was, minding my own business and grabbing a few last minute items before Shabbath. Very last minute: floating wicks, spoons, and bathroom tissue. You know, the essentials.

I got to the check-out line, and saw that the lady before me, a native English-speaking Jew from a non-American country, by the sound of her accent, was fishing for her money. I had my money out already, so I asked the store owner's daughter behind the counter how much my total was. Just then, this lady said to her friend in English, "Welcome to Israel."

I turned to her, and in English, I said that I thought I could get my total and pay before she got her money together, that I wasn't trying to jump in line, just be efficient with time. By all means, now that she had her money out, she should pay first.

As she was paying, and apparently still perturbed, she told me that I could clearly see that she was in the middle of paying.

I said that, yes, I could see that, and repeated that I was not trying to be rude, just trying to be efficient with time.

She said that she knew that I wasn't trying to rude, and that I should have a Shabbath Shalom, but still...

That wasn't enough. Her initial comment REALLY irked me, making such a gross generalization about Israelis! But, how could I convey that to her, in a way that she might actually be able to hear it?

So, without seeming like I was trying to get in the last word, I suggested to her that we just operated differently than in either of our countries of origin.

In other words, things were not always the way they initially appeared through our Western galuth (exile) upbringing.

She said, in a bit of smarmy, yet more relaxed way, that, yes, things were different here.

"But, we're home," I said.

"Yes," as she left the store, "We are home," she agreed.

Rabbi Ya'aqov Yosef, ztz"l

מוצש"ק פר' תזריע-מצורע תשע"ג

Erev Shabbath, the neshamah of HaRav HaGa'on Ya'aqov Hai ben HaRav Ovadiah Yosef ztz"l, passed into the next world, and he was laid to rest in Jerusalem.

About a year and half ago, a tumor was found in the rav's pancreas, and, in spite of treatment, it spread throughout his body.  (from Kikar Shabbat)

Rav Ya'aqov Hai was the rav of the Jerusalem neighborhood Giv'ath Moshe. He was a renowned poseq, unafraid to defend the Torah and speak the truth, even if that meant going up against his own father, Rav Ovadiah, may he and his family be comforted in their time of sorrow, proclaiming that it is forbidden to give up pieces of the Land of Israel. The father and son rabbis, B"H, have since made shalom between them.

Rav Ya'aqov Hai was also unafraid to go up against popular rabbis, unabashed in their distortions of the Torah, and in their leading Jews down the path of sin. Rav Ya'aqov Hai refused to remain silent, even in the face of the potential consequences.

Rav Ya'aqov Hai's Torah leadership will be sadly missed.

Pictured below are three generations of the Yosef family in happier times, almost two years ago.

R' Ovadiah, Yehonatan, R' Ya'aqov Hai, ztz"l
at Yehonatan's engagement

In the following video, you can see one of the ways in which Rav Ya'aqov Hai's children honor him, and will continue to honor his memory. Here his son Yehonatan gives a guided tour of the reclaimed Jerusalem neighborhood of Shimon HaTzadiq. Notice the mixed group of Haredi, Religious Zionist, and Secular participants. Yehonatan has already been establishing himself as a leader in the direction of Jewish unity.

סיור מודרך בשכונת שמעון הצדיק - לשעבר שייח ג'ראח

Holocaust Story: From Three Boys To Three Rabbis

ראש החודש השני תשע"ג

Once upon a time, there were Jewish boys who were born in Europe, one in Germany, one in Poland, and one in Belgium. Unfortunately for them, their Europe was not so gradually being taken over by Nazis.

Thank God, all three of these Jewish boys survived World War II, and the Nazi atrocities of one sort or another.

Also, thank God, all three successfully found their way to the only true homeland for Jews, Eretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel).

All three were able to do what so many others had pined for, yet would never make it. All three did what countless American Jews could do in a heartbeat, if they really wanted to, if they really put their minds to it, and stopped making excuses. 

R' Aharon Mordechai Zilberstrom ztz"l, R' Yisrael Meir Lau shlit"a, R' Meir Bransdorfer ztz"l

All three were or still are prominent, HAREDI rabbis.

Rabbi Aharon Mordechai Zilberstrom ztz"l who passed away last summer, was a prominent Chabba"d rabbi, who even taught at Machon Lev for a time, and was also known for his correspondence with the late Lubavitcher Rebbe. During the Holocaust, he lived and learned in the forests of France, with a group of boys connected with the Jewish Partisans.

On a personal note, I would see him when I spent Shabbath in Me'ah She'arim. He was very humble. Yet, when he spoke at a farbrengen, for example, which was not often, you could he a pin drop. Everyone attended to what he had to say.

Yisrael Meir Lau
leaving Buchenwald
(Israel's National Photo Collection)

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau shlit"a served as Israel's Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi from 1993 - 2003, and currently serves as Tel-Aviv's Chief Rabbi. Along with his two brothers, he survived Buchenwald.

Rabbi Meir Bransdorfer ztz"l was a hasid of the Toldos Avraham Yitzhak Rebbe, and sat on the Beis Din Tzedek [BaDa"Tz] Eidah Haredis, in charge of Kashrus, and in particular Shehitah. His responsa were published under the title Knei Bosem. During the Holocaust, he and his family survived in hiding in France.

 But, that's not the end of the story.

These three rabbis, with their shared experiences of having survived the Holocaust, knew each other as boys.

One story I heard was that they met on the same ship, the "Mataroa," which brought them to Israel. R' Zilberstrom was several years older, and I could not find any collaboration for this his knowing the other two. I did find that both R' Lau and R' Brandorfer were in the Atalit Transit Camp at the same time.

If anyone has any additional information to offer, I would appreciate it.

It would be quite a story, these three prominent rabbis, who knew each other, and were even friends, coming to Israel together, yet in the end, followed relatively different paths.

Leftist Israeli Paparazzi

ראש החודש השני תשע"ג

A Hassidishe rav friend of mine and I were speaking on the street in the Ge'ulah neighborhood of Jerusalem yesterday. Two men passed us. My friend said that they had photographed us. My back was turned towards them, so I could not see what they were doing. I asked the photographers where were from.

They said "Ma'ariv."

I wonder what kind of Haredi-bashing these photographers from the well-known, leftist-controlled, Torah-hating, "Ma'ariv" newspaper are going to use this photograph for.

I jokingly asked my friend why the photographers hadn't asked us if we wanted to get paid to pose with rocks in our hands, ready to throw them at someone.

He responded with, "What? You don't think actually do that?"

His completely straight suggested that "they" actually do such things.

Instead of "Ma'ariv," I prefer to call this newspaper "Ma'ariv" (West), as in a tool used toward the Labor Zionists' goal of the full assimilation of Jews into a globalizing, Western society.

Arab Rock Throwers And The Journalist

ל' לחודש הראשון תשע"ג

The Jewish Voice: Beth-El - The IDF Does Not Respond To Attacks - The Residents Act

Elhanan Gruner, 27 Nissan 5773/April 7, 2003

(Translated) After the daily rock throwing stones by the Arabs of [neighboring] Jilazun and the tire burning at the fence of the town without any response from the army, residents from Beth-El decided to act on their own. During the course of Shabbath, when the Arabs of Jilazun began their daily barrage, Jews returned with their own rocks, by which a number of vehicles were damaged, and one Arab injured. (cont.)

Arab thugs in their spare time
Photo Credit: Rotter.net Archive

It seems to me that the residents of Beth-El came to the only logical conclusion as to how to respond, ESPECIALLY when the IDF has NOT been responding, even after an 8-year-old boy was wounded in the face.

And, why is that? I have no idea,...but I can guess.

Where is the outrage?!

...with help from MSPaint

Meanwhile, (Am) HaAretz "journalist" Amira Hass called Arab rock throwing justified. Then when she's called on the carpet for that comment, she claims it was "metaphorical."

Yeah, whatever.

Adele (bat Advah) Biton

Baby Adele is still in the hospital, and that's NOT a metaphor. Adele's mother Advah even invited Amira Hass to come visit her daughter there.

If a Jew had said such a comment, in particular a Haredi Jew or a "settler" had made such a comment, that Jew would have been arrested for "incitement of violence," and put in non-metaphorical jail until his non-metaphorical, "mockery of a travesty of a sham"* trial.

You will be seeing a new rating system going into effect at Esser Agaroth, starting now. Writer Debbie Schlussel uses "Reagans" (+) and "Marxes" (-), among others, for her ratings.

I, too, will be using icons of a sort for my new rating system, and Amira Hass has the "honor" of being first to receive a score on Esser Agaroth (2¢).

Amira Hass receives 3 1/2 Sea Hags for her "metaphor," and a Hanin Zoabi for her "metaphorical" support of terrorist, Arab rock throwers.

  & 

*********

*From Woody Allen's flim "Bananas"

Haveil Havalim #403 Is Up!

כ"ט לחודש הראשון תשע"ג

The Shiloh Muse is the host of this week's edition of the Jewish and Israel-related blog carnival, Haveil Havalim.

It's The Cyber-Threat Edition.