Freedom of Religious Expression in Israel

י״ג לחודש השישי תשע״ד

Almost daily, there have been reports in the news of Christians being attacked, kidnapped, raped, and killed in Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, and Bangladesh, all at the hands of Muslims.

Although Muslims have been notoriously abusive of their own, in "honor killings" around the world, as human shields and a terrorist trainees, have maimed, killed, and otherwise abused non-Muslims regardless of their religion, Christians have certainly been a sometimes favorite target, albeit not as popular as Jews.

Recent events reminded me of the following grafted, I had seen posted on Jews News, earlier this year.

(Avodah Zara censored out.)

This Christian praises Israel for the religious freedom it affords its citizens.

Actually, though, not only do Christians enjoy such religious freedoms in Israel, but so do Muslims, Druze, and several others, in probably the only country in the Middle East that allows it.

In a way, non-Jews enjoy more religious freedom than religious Jews.

Bedouins in the South practice polygyny, without fear of reprisal from the Israeli Government. Even though polygyny is "illegal," under Israeli law.

The thugs from Chicago, calling themselves the Black [Non] Hebrews do the same. And had did they even get into Israel, you might ask? Well, they started creeping in, after being kicked out of Liberia. That's right, kicked out. Then when threatened with deportation by the Israeli Government, they Black Non-Hebrews threatened back,...with mass suicide if they were not allowed to remain. Well, the Israeli Government certainly did not want that on its hands, and so now they enjoy defacto autonomy, funneling in whomever they want, whenever they want.

Of course, if a Jew dared to petition the government to marry one than one wife, he would be demonized as an oppressor of women. If he were to marry one woman on the the government's books, and have one on the side, all of the parties involved would be jailed for tax fraud.

Meanwhile, Muslims may pray on Har HaBayith (Temple Mount), yet Jews are still forbidden. Even Christian tourists seem to be afforded more leniencies than Jews. Anyone who says that Jews have control over Har HaBayith is blind, an idiot, or both.

Even if there truly were freedom of religious expression for all peoples in Israel, "all" meaning religious Jews, too, where is the basis for this in the Torah? How is the concept of allowing, even encouraging, the practice of religions other that Judaism supported by halakhah (Torah Law)?

Actually, it isn't.

Freedom of religious expression simply does not exist in the Torah, with possible exception of the diversity of our religious customs.

The phrase שבעים פנים לתורה (Seventy Faces of the Torah) which liberal Jews, in particular, like to throw around, refers to the diversity within halakhic (Torah legal) parameters. This phrase can refer to midrashic interpretations, as well as hashqafah. It does not, however, refer to doing whatever you want, and calling it Judaism, let alone "Torah."

Any "face" absent of halachic basis is no face of the Torah. In fact, it is forbidden to interpret the Torah contrary to halakhah.

משנה אבות ג,יד [יא]
רבי אלעזר המודעי אומר ... והמגלה פנים בתורה--אף על פי שיש בידו מעשים טובים, אין לו חלק לעולם הבא.

Mishnah Avoth 3:14 [11]
Rabbi Elazar of Modi'in said: If a man ... teaches meanings in the Torah which are not according to Halachah, even though he has a knowledge of the Torah and good works, he has no share in the world to come.

See also TB Sanhedrin 99a.

This covers the so-called "movements," claiming to be full fledged denominations of Judaism, albeit they are anything but. Although, they, too are gaining ground in the way of "rights," as they also serve the Erev Rav's anti-Torah agenda.

The so-called religious "rights" of Christians and Muslims serve the same agenda, assisting in the attempting chipping away of the Torah's influence. Keeping the Christian-aligned, right-wing pitted against the Muslim-aligned, Left-wing is just an added benefit, as in "divide and conquer."

There have been several debates recently regarding Christians and Muslims in particular. Are Christians to be considered practitioners of avodah zarah (foreign/forbidden worship) or not? Land be sold, rented, or even given away to Muslims? Can we currently accept either of these, or any other, religious groups as gerei toshav (resident aliens)? But, these debates are irrelevant.

Neither Christians nor Muslim could ever be considered B'nei No'ah, and thus candidates for becoming gerei toshav, as they have added and subtracted from the Torah. They have not accepted the Torah 100%, as the truth.

The Ramba"m says this more clearly, when he provides Christians and Muslims as examples of koferim (Hil. Teshuvah 3:17). However, since everyone's favorite comeback line these days seems to be "We don't pasqin like so-and-so!" So, I figured that I would keep it as simple as possible.


Non-Jews who are forbidden from residing with in Israel, remain here anyway, not only because of the beliefs that we are unable to resettle them elsewhere and that the international community would become enraged, but because of the belief, even of "rabbis," that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the non-Jews remaining.

And so, whether Christian or Muslim, Bahai or Hindu, non-Jews may enjoy religious freedom while residing within the State of Israel's deMOCKracy, it is without any sanction from the Torah, the only Law which should really matter to Am Yisrael.

מתן כהנא מארח את ארוחת בוקר התפילה בירושלים / Matan Kahana Hosts the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast

י״ג לחודש השלישי תשפ״ג

English follows the Hebrew.

אני בכלל לא אוהב לצטט קטעים ממקורות נוצריים. אבל אם הם היחידים המפרסמים משהו, אז מה לעשות?

תרגום מאנגלית:
שר הדתות הישראלי לשעבר מתנצל בפני האוונגליסטים על התקיפות ליד הכותל
כהנא מודה לנציגים על 'ידידותם האמיתית' במהלך הנאום בארוחת הבוקר התפילה בירושלים
All Israel צוות חדשות, 31.05.2023

ח״כ מתן כהנא, מארח הרשמי שליח הכנסת של ארוחת בוקר התפילת ירושלים 2023, נאם במושב יום רביעי אחר הצהריים בכנסת בירושלים.

כהנא, חבר מפלגת אחדות הלאומית של בני גנץ, כיהן גם כראש המשרד לשירותי דת בממשלה הקודמת.

המנהיג הבכיר קיבל בברכה לישראל את צירי ארוחת בוקר התפילת ירושלים והודה להם על תמיכתם. הוא דיבר על "ידידותם האמיתית". "חברים שלי, אני שמח ומאושר להיות כאן עם כולכם היום", אמר כהנא. "כי אתם אוהבי ישראל בכל לבבכם. אנו עומדים בפני תקופה מאתגרת והידידות המתמדת והאמיתית במיוחד

שיש לך לעם היהודי היא כל כך חשובה ומשמעותית".

כהנא התייחס לאיומים האיראניים על היציבות האזורית וציין כי איראן "קוראת רשמית להשמדת מדינת ישראל, שאומרה בבירור שהיא רוצה להשמיד אותנו מעל פני האדמה".

...

בסיום נאומו, כהנא הודה שוב לנציגים שהגיעו והתנצל במפורש על ההפרעה ה"בלתי מתקבלת על הדעת" באירוע התפילה של חג השבועות 2023 ביום ראשון. מוקדם יותר השבוע התבטאה גם אחת מסגני ראש העיר ירושלים, פלר חסן-נחום. ההפגנות, ואמרו כי האוונגליסטים הם "הלובי הפרו-ישראלי העיקרי כיום".

"לפני כמה ימים, כמה קיצונים, מפגינים צעקו לעבר קבוצת מבקרים במקומות הקדושים", אמר כהנא. "המקומות הקדושים פתוחים לכולם וצריכים להישאר כך."

הוא המשיך, "אני רוצה להדגיש שלצעקות על האנשים שהם התומכים הגדולים של ישראל זה לא יעיל. בהזדמנות זו אני רוצה להתנצל בשם הכנסת על התנהגות זו".

לסיום אמר כהנא לנוכחים: "חברים שלי, כל מה שנותר לי להגיד לכם זה תודה. תודה לך על מה שאתה עושה עבורנו. אתם חברים אמיתיים. תודה."

*התרגום די טוב. בגירסה המקורית באנגלית הם טועים, למשל בשם מפלגתו (חוסן לישראל) ובתפקידו (שר). וגם האירוע המדובר לא התקיים בשבועות אלא בחג השקר הנוצרי ״פנטקוסט״.

עשר אגורות (2¢):

מתן כהנא
Matan Kahana

נאומו של ח״כ מתן כהנא לאוונגליסטים, וליהודים מעריציהם, מלא ברגשות של הגלות המערבי (אדום), ואף לא טיפה אחת של טיעון הלכתי מדוע טעו המפגינים הדתיים.

יש להניח שהוא דיבר עם אורחים שרובם גויים (כגון הנוצרי הזה שמקלל את המפגיהים), אז אי אפשר לצפות נאום יותר מבוסס בהלכה ממנו. הקטע החסר מהכתבה למעלה, פשוט על ״הסברה״. לא מפספסים כלום.

ברגע שאני קראתי ״האיומים האיראניים״ שאולי הוא מרמז לתיאוקרטיה (שלטון ממשלה דתית). לעתים קרובות מדי, היהודים ואפילו היהודים הדתיים המעדיפים לעשות מה שהם רוצים לעשות, ומשכנעים את עצמם להאמין שזה גם מה שהקדוש ברוך הוא רוצה מהם. היהודים כאלה מנסים להשוות את כל הביטויים האפשריים של התיאוקרטיה בישראל למשטר האיראני. זו השיטה שלהם לביזוי התורה. השוואה כזו מגוחכת.

אני ממליץ להם לפנות לארגוני קירוב, כמו חב"ד, אש התורה, או הידברות ואז הם יכולים לשאול איך להסתדר במדינה דתית בקלות יותר מהם חשבו.

וגם יהודים כאלה אוהבים לדבר על "מדינה יהודית ודמוקרטית", שמקורה של הדמוקרטיה הוא ההלניסטי (יוונית), דבר שנלחמנו בו וניצחנו בו לפני כאלפיים שנים, ואחת התוצאות מכך היא חג חנוכה. למרות כל החכמה שאפשר ללמוד מהגוים, ברור מאוד שהדמוקרטיה עצמה אינה מוזכרת בשום מקום בתורה. חשוב להדגיש לעתים קרובות הדמוקרטיה סותרת את המשמעות של חיים ממש יהודיים. זאת אומרת לעתים קרובות הדמוקרטיה סותרת את התורה.

מה חושבים הדתיים הממלכתיים האלה איך תהיה מדינת ארץ ישראל בימות המשיח? פלורליזם דתי? נשים בתפקידים כ"רבות" ו"דיינות"?

בכלל לא אלא תהיה לנו... תיאוקרטיה, עם מלך (ולא מלכה), סנהדרין וכהונה בבית מקדש.

אז למה ח״כ מתן כהנא התנצל? אישית אני יכול לחשוב על כמה אפשרויות בלבד:

1. אין לו שום מושג על דת הנצרות, ולא על הטקס שהתקיים בשבוע הקודם ליד הר הבית. נראה שהוא גם לא יודע את מטרות הטקס הזה. אחת מהן לציין את החג שבו טוענים המונית של יהודים התנצרו לפני אלפיים שנה. השניה היא התחלת ניהול המסע בן 10 השנים לנצר את העולם לעבוד לאלוהות-השקר שלהם, החל בעם ישראל. ארוחת הבוקר של התפילה בירושלים הייתה מלאה במיסיונרים, כולל כאלה שמטרתם הסופית היא להתגורר בתוך מולדתנו, ולהביא כמה שיותר נוצרים לחיות כאן.
2. הוא מקבל את דעתם של רבנים ש גם אין להם שום מושג בדת הנצרות או שהם מתעלמים מעבודה זרה ופעולות מסיונריות שלהם.
3. הוא מאמין ברעיון המגחך שהיהדות (התורה) מאפשרת למעשה חופש ביטוי דתי. האמת היא התורה מתנגדת בצורה נחרצת לחופש הביטוי הדתי. יש גבול לחופש הביטוי הדתי והוא נקרא הלכה. לכתחילה, במצב של יד ישראל תקיפה, רק שני ביטויים דתיים מקובלים בארץ ישראל והם 1. יהודים שומרי תורה ומצוות, ו- 2. גרי תושב שומרים על שבע מצוות בני נח (בר' ט'). הכוללים את קבלת התורה כאמת, וגם דחיית כל אמונת ומנהגי דת כוזבים.
4. הוא פשוט תלוי במשותף באהבה ובקבלה מהגוים, כהרבה יהודים של היום, למרות שיש לנו שליטה [בעיקרון] על המולדת שלנו.

לכן, איזו מהסיבות המפורטות לעיל עמדה מאחורי ההתנצלות של מתן כהנא בפני הנוצרים על המחאה על ידי יהודים שומרי תורה ומצצוות על טקס עבודה זרה ליד הר הבית ועל פתיחת מסע של פעילות מיסיונרית בכל רחבת העולם ובהתלחה לרדוף את עם ישראל?

אין לי שום מושג.

I do not at all like citing Christian media sources. But if they are the only ones reporting on something, then....

Former Israeli Religious Affairs minister apologizes to Evangelicals for attacks near Western Wall
Kahana thanks delegates for their 'genuine friendship' during address at the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast
All Israel News Staff, May 31, 2023

Knesset Member Matan Kahana, the official Israeli Knesset host of the 2023 Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, addressed the Wednesday afternoon session at the Knesset in Jerusalem.

Kahana, a member of Benny Gantz’s National Unity party, also served as head of Israel’s Religious Services Ministry in the previous government.

The senior leader welcomed JPB delegates to Israel and thanked them for their support. He spoke of their “genuine friendship.”

“My friends, I am happy and delighted to be here with all of you today,” Kahana said. “For you are those who love Israel with all your heart. We are facing a challenging period and the constant and especially genuine friendship that you have for the Jewish people is so important and significant.”

Kahana commented on the Iranian threats to regional stability, noting that Iran “officially calls for the destruction of the State of Israel, who says clearly that they want to wipe us off the face of the earth.”

... 

At the close of his speech, Kahana again thanked the delegates for coming and specifically apologized for the "unacceptable' disturbance at the Pentecost 2023 Prayer Event on Sunday. Earlier this week, one of Jerusalem's deputy mayors, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum also spoke out against the protests, saying that Evangelicals are “the main pro-Israel lobby today.”

“A few days ago, some extremists, demonstrators shouted at a group of visitors to the holy places,” Kahana said. “The holy places are open to all and should remain like this.”

He continued, “I would like to emphasize that shouting at the people who are the great supporters of Israel is counterproductive. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for this behavior on behalf of the Knesset.”

In closing, Kahana told the attendees, “My friends, all I have left to say to you is thank you. Thank you for what you do for us. You are true friends. Thank you.”

Esser Agaroth (2¢):

Matan Kahana's speech to Evangelicals, and to the Jews who love them, was filled with Western galut (exilic) feelings, and not a single drop of a Torah-based argument as to why the demonstrators were wrong.

He was presumably speaking to a significant number of goyim (non-Jews like this one), so what else could we expect. The piece clipped from the above, to save space, was just a lot of co-dependent Hasbarah.

I cannot help but wonder if the Iranian threats he mentions allude to theocracy. Too often, those Jews who prefer to do what they want, and fool themselves into believing that it is also what HaShem wants from them, like to compare any and all, potential manifestations of theocracy in Israel to the Iranian regime. This is their go-to demonization of Torah.

I suggest they contact any outreach organization, such as Chabad or Aish HaTorah, to confirm that their fears are completely unfounded.

Such Jews also like to talk about a "Jewish democratic state," the origin of democracy being Hellenism, something which we battled against, and won, 2,000 years ago, resulting in the holiday of Hanukkah. In spite of whatever hakhmah (wisdom) we can learn from the goyim, I assure you that democracy itself is not mentioned anywhere in the Torah, and is often contradictory to what it means to be authentically Jewish, in other words, contradictory to the Torah.

What do these Religious Zionists mamlakhtim (diehard state loyalists) think what Israel will be like when Mashi'ah (messiah) finally arrives? Denominational pluralism? Female "rabbis" and "dayanoth" (rabbinical court judges)?

Guess again. We will have a (wait for it)... theocracy, with a king (and not a queen), a Sanhedrin, and a Kehunah (Temple Priesthood).

So, why did MK Matan Kahana apologize for the protest? There are only a few reasons that I can think of:

1. He has absolutely no clue about Christianity, including but not limited to the communion ritual which recently took place next to the Temple Mount. He also seems to be ignorant of the purposes of this ceremony. One was to commemorate the Christian belief in a mass conversion of Jews two thousand years ago. The other was as a kick-off of their 10-year campaign to convert the world to the worship of their false deity-messiah, beginning with the Jews. The Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast was filled with missionaries, including those whose ultimate goal is to reside within our homeland, and bring as many more Christians to live here as possible.
2. He has fallen under the spell of rabbis who either have absolutely no clue about Christianity OR are in their pockets, happy to look the other way.
3. Believes in the idiotic notion that Judaism actually allows for freedom of religious expression. The Torah is quite emphatically in opposition to freedom of religious expression. There is a limit to freedom of religious expression and it is called halachah (Torah Law). In an ideal situation, only two acceptable religious manifestations within the borders of the Land of Israel are 1. Jews keeping the Torah and mitzwoth (commandments), and 2. Gerei toshav (resident aliens) keeping the Noahide Laws (Gen. 9), which include the acceptance of Torah as truth, as well as the rejection of any false religious practices.
4. He is simply co-dependent on the love and validation from the goyim (non-Jews), like so many Jews these days, in spite of having [theoretical] control over our own homeland.

Which of the reasons listed above was behind Matan Kahana's apology to Christians over Torah-observant Jews protesting a ceremony of avodah zarah next to the Holiest place in the world to Jews, and the opening of a campaign of world-wide missionary activities, focusing first on Jews?

I have absolutely no idea.

אני מתנגד להבעה דתית חופשית בהר הבית/I am Against Freedom of Religion on the Temple Mount

ערב שבת קודש פר׳ ויגש תשע"ח

English follows the Hebrew.

לפני יומיים, ביום האחרון של חג חנוכה, שלושלה יהודים נעצרו מפני שהם השתחוו בהר הבית וקראו בקול רם את קריאת שמע.

הסרטון ע"י תנועת חוזרים להר

עשר אגורות (2¢):
ברור שכוחות השלטון צריכים לתת ליהודים להתפלל בהר הבית. וגם ברור שהם צריכים לתת ליהודים לקיים את מצוות עשה של בניית בית המקדש. אבל יש אפילו הרבה רבבנים ממזדהים כ״דתי הלואמי״ שמתנגדים לזה. בכל מקרה, יש לשבח ולברך את המעשים של הצעירים האלה בצורת מרי אזרחי (הפגנה דרך פעולה בלתי אלימה) למען זכויות היהודים במולדתנו.

אין לי שום מושג איך אפשר ליהודים שומרי תורה ומצוות לטעון שמותר להתפלל לאל מזויף או אפילו להתפלל לקדוש ברוך הוא בצורה אסורה. הם טוענים ככה כל פעם שקוריא לממשלת מדינת ישראל לתת לכל מי שרוצה ובכל עת שהוא רוצה לעלות להר הבית ולהתיר לכולם להתפלל שם חופשי ולאפשר "חופש דת" בהר הבית, ולמעשה מעודדים יהודים להתפלל יחד עם נוצרים ומוסלמים, טעות לגמרי בפירוש של "בית-תפילה יקרא לכל-העמים"(ישעיהו נו,ז).

בסיכום שהפעילים של הר הבית צריכים להיות מדויקים בשפה שלהם. דמוקרטיה, או במקרה הישראלי דמוקרטי, היא מושג יווני. זוכרים את היוונים? נלחמנו נגד השפעתם על העם היהודי להתבוללות, שהגיעה לשיאה בהקדשה מחדש של בית המקדש, שבדיוק סיימנו לחגוג.

לכן אני מתנגד לחופש הביטוי הדתי בהר הבית. מותר להתפלל רק לקדוש, אלא רק בדרך הנכונה.

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Two days, on the last day of Hanukkah, three Jews were arrested for prostrating themselves and calling out Shema Yisrael on Har HaBayit (the Temple Mount), as you can see in the video above from the Hozerim leHar (Return to the Mount) movement.

Clearly, Jews need to be allowed to pray on Har HaBayith. We need to be allowed to fulfill the positive commandment to build the Beth HaMiqdash (the Temple). But, there are even many "Religious Zionist" rabbis who are object to this.

Nevertheless, the civil disobedience of these young men should be praised, in the struggle for Jewish rights in our own homeland.

However, I am against freedom of religious expression on allowed on Har HaBayith.

I have absolutely no clue as to how it is possible for Torah observant Jews to claim that it is permissible to pray to a false deity or even pray to the Holy One Blessed Be He, in a strange ie. forbidden) manner.

This is essentially what they are doing when they call upon the Israeli Government to allow for "religious freedom" on Har HaBayith, and actually encourage Jews to pray together with Christians and Muslims, a complete misunderstanding of the term they like to throw around "House of Prayer for all Nations" (Isaiah 56:7).

My point is that Har HaBayith activists should be precise in their language. Democracy, or in Israel's case deMOCKracy, is a Greek concept. Remember the Greeks? We fought against their influence on the Jewish People to assimilate, culminating in the re-dedication of the Beth HaMiqdash (Temple), which we just finished celebrating yesterday.

This is why I am against freedom of religious expression on Har HaBayith. It is only permissible to pray to the Holy One, Blessed Be He, and only in the proper manner.

רה״מ נתניהו עצר את הצעת החוק נגד פעילות מיסיונרית נוצרית מלהתקדם / PM Netanyahu Prevents Proposed Anti-Missionary Law from Moving Forward

ב׳ לחודש הראשון תשפ״ג

English follows the Hebrew.

למרות שהכתבה הזו ארוכה כולנו חייבים לקרוא את כולה. מודגשים באדום החלקים הכי חשובים לקצר לכם את זמן הקריאה.

YNET: הצעת החוק שהכעיסה את הנוצרים - וההבהרה של נתניהו
ח"כ גפני הגיש הצעת החוק שלפיה עונש מאסר יוטל בגין פעילות מיסיונרית בישראל, מתוך מטרה לאסור שידול להמרת דת. בעולם הנוצרי ראו במהלך כרדיפת נוצרים המאמינים בישו, והתרעמו: "איום עצום על זכויות האדם וחופש הדת". נתניהו מיהר להבהיר: "לא נקדם שום חוק נגד הקהילה הנוצרית"
איתמר אייכנר, סיון חילאי | 22.03.2023

ח"כ משה גפני (יהדות התורה) הגיש בתחילת כנס החורף של הכנסת הצעת חוק המבקשת לאסור שידול להמרת דת, הנעשה בפנייה ישירה לאדם. בעקבות ההצעה, שנתפסה בעולם הנוצרי כחוק המאפשר רדיפת נוצרים בישראל המאמינים בישו, נאלץ ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו להבהיר בחשבון הטוויטר שלו: "לא נקדם שום חוק נגד הקהילה הנוצרית".

לפי הצעתו של גפני, לצד האיסור הקיים בחוק על מתן הטבות כפיתוי להמרת דת, תיאסר לחלוטין פעילות מיסיונרית נוצרית במדינת ישראל. מוצע להבחין בין מצב שבו מלאו לאדם שאותו מנסים לשדל 18 שנים - אז העונש המרבי המוצע הוא שנת מאסר, לבין מצב שבו מנסים לשדל אדם שטרם מלאו לו 18 שנים - ובמקרה זה העונש המרבי המוצע הוא שנתיים מאסר.

בין היתר, נכתב בהצעת החוק: "בתקופה האחרונה התגברו ניסיונותיהם של גופים מיסיונריים, בעיקר נוצריים, לשדל להמרת דת. לעיתים ניסיונות אלה אינם כרוכים בהבטחת כסף או טובות הנאה חומריות, ולכן אינם אסורים על פי הדין הקיים, אולם השלכותיהם השליליות הרבות, לרבות נזקים נפשיים, מחייבות את התערבות המחוקק. זאת, בעיקר בשל העובדה שמרבית הניסיונות להביא אנשים להמיר את דתם מתמקדים בבני השכבות החלשות, שבשל מצבם החברתי-כלכלי נתונים ביתר קלות לניסיונות שכנוע מעין אלה". החוק גרם לסערה בעיקר בקהילת האוונגליסטים - המונה 600 מיליון חברים ברחבי העולם ו-60 מיליון בארה"ב - ונחשבת ידידת ישראל מובהקת, והמשענת האידיאולוגית של הימין והמתנחלים בישראל.

בכלי תקשורת נוצרים ברחבי העולם התפרסמו ידיעות שלפיהן חברי כנסת חרדים הניחו הצעת חוק האוסרת על שיתוף הבשורה של ישו בארץ הקודש - ומטילה עונשים פליליים על הפקה ופרסום חומרים על ישו בישראל - שבה חיה קהילה נוצרית גדולה ומשגשגת. מומחים לעולם הנוצרי הציגו את הצעת החוק כפיגוע תדמיתי למדינת ישראל, אך בעיקר סכסוך מיותר עם הקהילה האחרונה התומכת בישראל ללא סייג בעולם.

רשת "ניוזמקס" ציטטה מנהיגים נוצרים בארה"ב שקראו לנתניהו לעצור את החוק. במקביל, נציגויות ישראל בארה"ב ומשרד החוץ בירושלים כבר קיבלו כמה פניות מקהילות נוצריות בארץ ובחו"ל.

הדיווחים על הצעת החוק דיברו על שלילת חירויות דתיות של נוצרים בישראל כחלק מהמהפכה המשפטית בישראל, ועל פגיעה קשה בחופש הביטוי ובזכויות אדם וחופש פולחן. סם בראונבק, שגריר ארה"ב לענייני חופש דת בינלאומי בימי ממשל טראמפ, הזהיר שהצעת החוק מהווה "איום עצום על חופש הביטוי, זכויות האדם וחופש הדת". בראונבק אמר כי הוא מודאג מאוד מהצעת החוק, וציין: "מדינות חופשיות ודמוקרטיות פשוט אינן מוציאות מחוץ לחוק את חילופי הרעיונות החופשיים, וזה כולל אמונות דתיות. סעיף 18 של מגילת זכויות האדם האוניברסלית, שישראל חתומה עליה, מבטיח את חופש הדת, לרבות הזכות להחליט על אמונתך בעצמך".

כאמור, בלשכת ראש הממשלה מיהרו להבין את פוטנציאל הנזק, ונתניהו פרסם הבהרה שלפיה לא יקודם חוק כזה. גם גפני מיהר להבהיר: "הצעת חוק המיסיון הונחה כבכל תחילת כנסת ולא מקודמת בשלב זה, כך שהעיסוק בה כעת הוא לא רלוונטי. הצעת החוק הוגשה בעבר והונחה שוב על שולחן הכנסת באופן פרוצדורלי בלבד עם כינוס הכנסת הנוכחית לפני יותר מארבעה חודשים, ולא מתוכננת להתקדם בשלב זה".

עשר אגורות (2¢):

רה״מ נתניהו לא רק היה מהר בתגובתו להצעת החוק להחמרת העונשים על פעילות מיסיונרית. , אלא הוא גם היה חזק מאוד. הוא מכיר היטב את מקור הכספים הזורמים למדינת ישראל.

וְלֹא-תִקַּח שֹׁחַד--כִּי הַשֹּׁחַד יְעַוֵּר עֵינֵי חֲכָמִים, וִיסַלֵּף דִּבְרֵי צַדִּיקִם. (דברים טז,יט)

מלבד כסף, הנוצרים מנצלים את מחלת תלות שיתופית שלנו, הצורך של היהודים באהבה ובאישור.

ונחשבת ידידת ישראל מובהקת, והמשענת האידיאולוגית של הימין והמתנחלים בישראל.
אך בעיקר סכסוך מיותר עם הקהילה האחרונה התומכת בישראל ללא סייג בעולם.

כדאי להדגיש שהמתנחלים החזקים באמונה הם מתנגדים מאוד לכל תמיכה מהקהילות הנוצריות, ומכירים היטב את המניעים הנסתרים שלהם מעבר לניסיונות להמיר יהודים לנצרות.

סם בראנבק מצטט את החוק הבינלאומי ואת העקרונות הדמוקרטיים. האמת היא שהתורה אף פעם לא קובעת דבר על חופש הביטוי הדתי. אלא כתוב בה ההפך לגמרי, ובוודאי שום דבר על הדמוקרטיה. ברור מאוד שאכפת לממשלת ישראל מהחופש לעשות את זה מה שרוצים לעשות ממש יותר משמירת תורה ומצוות. במקרה הזה אכפת להם מאוד מלפייס את הקהילה הבינלאומית (הגוים).

חופש הביטוי הדתי הייתה האסטרטגיה של השמאל, ואשר הפכה אותם מחברים במאבק נגד המיסיונרים למכשולים במאבק הזה. נראה לי שהם מאמינים שברגע שאוסרים פעילות מיסיונרית נוצרית, מי תהיה המטרה הבא להאסר? הרפורמים? האתאיסטים? נְיוּ אֵיג' (תנועה רוחנית-תרבותית) וכיוצא בו?

האוונגליסטים בהחלט חשפו יותר מהאופי האמיתי שלהם. אבל למה היהודים ולפחות הדתיים לא שאולים ״מה קורה כאן״? למה היהודים לא מוכנים להודות שלנוצרים הללו יש מניעים נסתרים? הַכחָשָׁה?

לפני זמן רב כמה נוצרים הפסיקו להתאמץ במשימה להמיר יהודים לנצרות, ובמקום זאת התחילו להתמקד ברכישת בכיבוש אדמתנו.

בשנות ה-70 וה-80 מנהיגים נוצרים של דיברו על הצורך של היהודים לשוב לארץ ישראל כדרישה לאלוהות השקר/משיח שלהם לחזור לעולם הזה. שנאתם ליהודים הפכה להיות אהבה כביכול. השינוי הזה התפתח במשך הזמן. היהודים שזוכרים את הדיבורים כאלה פשוט אומרים, "אם הם רוצים לעזור לנו, אז למה לא?"

בעבר הנוצרים רצחו, גירשו, ומיסו להמיר אותנו. היום הם רוצים לחבק ולנשק אותנו ולתת לנו כסף.

וירץ עשיו לקראתו ויחבקהו, וייפול על-צוואריו ויישקהו; ויבכו (בראשית לג,ד)

אגב חובה לזכור: ״עשיו שונא ליעקב״ והשנאה הזו לועלם לא תתשתנה.

חלק הדתיים אפילו מתרצים למיסיונר הנוצרי, ומאשמים את עצמנו אם יש מאיתנו משודלים על ידם. הם מצהירים: ״אנו מתנצרים לא בגלל פעילות מיסיונרית נוצרית אלא בגלל חוסר אמונה.״

הגישה הזו מגעילה ודוחה. עוד גרוע שהם גם שוכחים בנוחות שלנוצרים אסור לגור בארץ ישראל -- במצב של ״יד ישראל תקיפה״ -- בלי שום קשר אם הם מיסיונרים פעילים או לא.

באמצעות עצלותם, הם מתבלבלים בין העניין של עבודה זרה לבין עבודת פסלים, שהיא רק ביטוי אחד מהרבה סוגי עבודה זרה. לפיכך, אם הם לא רואים שום פסל או תמונה של אלוהות שקר אז הם משוכנעים שהמחשבות והרגשות של הנוצרים הן כשרות איכשהו. שהחזיר מעמיד פנים שהוא לועס את הגירה שלו הוא לא הופך להיות כשר.

יש רבנים שפתאום החליטו ש"הנוצרים האלה שונים מהנוצרים ההם". אולם כל הנוצרים מאמינים בקדושתם של אותם טקסטים הנוגדים בתורה, למשל מה שנקרא ״הברית החדשה״. כנראה רוב הרבנים האלה פשוט מאמינים את כן מה שתלמידיהם דוברי אנגלית אומרים להם לגבי הנוצרים.

יש דתיים שטוענים מותר לגוים להתפלל דרך שיטות יותר גמישות מהיהודים. (אין לי מושג איפה עניין זה נזכר.) הם מתעלמים מהעובדה שיש"ו (ראשי תיבות של "יימח שמו וזכרו") אינו רק עומד בין המתפללים לאלוהים אלא הוא אלוהות שקר עצמו.

אין שום קשר בין איזה היתר לגויים להתפלל כך או כך להתישבות בארץ ישראל. אסור לתת להם חניה בקרקע (משנה תורה, הל׳ ע״ז וחוקות הגוים י,ה [ג]). וגם לאחר חידוש קיום מצוות היובל, כשלרוב הדעות מותר לנו לקבל גרי תושב, קבלת כל התורה בשלמותה היא אחת הדרישות הבסיסיות. אפילו אם מתעלמים ההאמונה של הנוצים באלוהות/משיח שקר, הם פסולים להתקבל משום אי קבלת התורה כולה.הם כופרים בתורה שבעל פה (משנה תורה, הל׳ תשובה ג,יז [ח]).

הנוצרים רוצים את הארץ שלנו. ומשום מה, יש יהודים שלא מתנגדים אלא הם מעודדים אותם לבוא.

ה׳ ישמור אותנו! שה' יציל אותנו מעצמנו!

שרי וואלר אשתו של טומי וואלר (2009): המאבק הוא על הארץ כי ה׳ נתן את זה לצאצאי אברהם - כוללנו
טומי וואלר מסייד ״היובל״ אגודת מתנדבים נוצריים ואפילו הקים התנחלות נוצרית בשומרון

The following article is long, but presented here in its entirety. It is incumbent on all of us to see with our own eyes to true colors shown by all of the players. It is recommended to read the highlighted portions at least, to save you some time.

YNET: Haredi legislator tables bill outlawing missionaries
Evangelicals are outraged claiming the proposed bill is an affront to Christians who are supportive of Israel; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rushes to post on his Twitter feed that there will not be any law against Christians
Itamar Eichner, Sivan Hilai | March 22, 2023

United Torah Judaism lawmaker, Moshe Gafni, a senior member of the ruling coalition on Wednesday tabled a bill outlawing the approach of Jews by missionaries.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to announce there would be no such legislation in a twitter post.

Gafni's proposal is an addition to a law that already exists that forbids giving money or gifts in exchange for religious conversions, to now outlaw any missionary work at all, under penalty of jail.

"There has been a recent rise in attempts by missionaries, primarily of the Christian faith, to promote religious conversions. At times, those attempts come with a promise of money or other material benefits," Gafni said. "Most such attempts concentrate on people in social and economic hardship who can be susceptible to persuasion," he said.

The proposal raised the ire of the evangelical community, which is 600 million strong around the world and includes 60 million in the U.S. alone. Evangelicals are predominately supportive of Israel's right wing and the settlement movement.

Christian media reported on the proposed bill and experts among Christian groups said it would be harmful to Israel's image and is a needless affront to a community that has been steadfast in its support of Israel.

Here is what is reported in Hebrew, but left out of the English version:

The law caused an uproar mainly in the evangelical community - which has 600 million members worldwide and 60 million in the US - and is considered a clear friend of Israel, and the ideological support of the right and the settlers in Israel.

Christian media around the world reported news that ultra-Orthodox members of the Knesset proposed a bill that prohibits sharing the gospel of Jesus in the Holy Land - and imposes criminal penalties on the production and publication of materials about Jesus in Israel - where a large and prosperous Christian community lives. Experts in the Christian world presented the bill as an image attack for the State of Israel, but mainly an unnecessary conflict with the last community that supports Israel without reservation in the world.

The "Newsmax" network quoted Christian leaders in the US who called on Netanyahu to stop the law. At the same time, the Israeli embassies in the US and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem have already received several requests from Christian communities in Israel and abroad. The reports on the bill talked about the denial of religious freedoms of Christians in Israel as part of the legal revolution in Israel, and about a severe violation of freedom of expression and human rights and freedom of worship. Sam Brownback, US ambassador for international religious freedom issues during the Trump administration, warned that the bill poses "a huge threat to freedom of expression, human rights and religious freedom."

Brownback said he was very concerned about the bill, noting: "Free and democratic countries simply do not outlaw the free exchange of ideas, and that includes religious beliefs. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Israel is a signatory, guarantees freedom of religion, including the right to decide about your belief in yourself."

As mentioned, the Prime Minister's office was quick to understand the potential damage, and Netanyahu published a clarification that such a law would not be promoted. Gafni also hastened to clarify: "The mission bill was introduced as usual at the beginning of the Knesset and is not promoted at this stage, so dealing with it now is not relevant. The bill was submitted in the past and was placed again on the Knesset table procedurally only when the current Knesset convened more than four months ago, and is not planned to move forward at that point".

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Netanyahu was not just quick, but very bold in his reaction to the proposed bill to strengthened the punishments for missionary activity. He knows which side of his bread is buttered.

וְלֹא-תִקַּח שֹׁחַד--כִּי הַשֹּׁחַד יְעַוֵּר עֵינֵי חֲכָמִים, וִיסַלֵּף דִּבְרֵי צַדִּיקִם (דברים טז,יט) 

...neither shalt thou take a gift; for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. (Deut. 16:19)

Besides money, the Christians are playing on the Jews' desperate need for love and validation. 

...the ideological support of the right and the settlers in Israel.
...the last community that supports Israel without reservation in the world.

I would add that those settlers demonized by the government are very much against any Christian support, and know all too well, the ulterior motives of Christians, above and beyond attempts converting Jews.

Sam Brownback cites international law and democratic principles. Well, the Torah never states anything about freedom of religious expression, quite the opposite in fact, and certainly nothing about democracy. It is pretty clear what the State of Israel cares more about, the Torah or the "freedom" to do it what it wants, in this case to placate non-Jews.

Freedom of religious expression seems to have been more a strategy of the left, and which turned them from the former allies against missionaries that they were into obstacles. Their attitude is that once we outlaw Christian missionary activity, who will be next? The Reform? The atheists? The New Age types?

The Evangelicals have certainly revealed more of their true colors here. But aren't Jews willing the ask ourselves why? Why are Jews so unwilling to consider that these Christians have, and have always had, ulterior motives? Denial?

Long ago Christians started to put missionizng on the back burner, and instead began focusing on acquiring Land. 

Christian leaders of the 1970s and 80s talk about the need for Jews to return to Israel as a requirement for their false deity/messiah to return. This was a sharp turn from their vile hatred of Jews, which had been developing over time. Those Jews who remember this, just go along with it, saying, "If they want to help us, then why not?"

Instead of killing us, Christians want to hug and kiss us, and give us money.

וירץ עשיו לקראתו ויחבקהו, וייפול על-צוואריו ויישקהו; ויבכו (בראשית לג,ד)

And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell upon his neck, and kissed him; and they wept. (Gen. 33:4)

Some religious Jews will even make excuses for Christian missionary, saying it is our fault if we fall prey to Christian missionary activity, that it is an indication of lack of emunah (faith).

However repugnant this attitude sounds, they also conveniently forget that Christians are not allowed to reside in Israel, as long Jews are in control of the Land, regardless of whether they are actively missionizing or not. Through their laziness, they confuse the concept of avodah zarah (foreign worship) with idolatry, which is only one or many manifestations of avodah zarah. Thus, if they do not see any statues or pictures, they have convinced themselves that what is going the heads of these Christians is somehow kosher. Just because a pig pretends to chew its cud does not make it kosher.

Many rabbis have summarily decided that "these Christians are different from those Christians." Yet all Christians believe in the holiness of the same counter-Torah texts. I am referring to their highly misleading New Testament.

Even those Jews in the know, and not just accepting what is fed to them about Evangelicals will claim that non-Jews are allowed to pray through an intercessor. However, Yesh"u (acronym for "may his name and memory be blotted out") is not just an intercessor. I have no doubt that Christians will pick up this strategy and run with it, though.

Allowance for non-Jews to pray through an intercessor has nothing to do with them being allowed to reside in the Land of Israel, even after the reinstitution of the Jubilee Year observances, when some non-Jews may be granted the status of ger toshav (resident alien). Acceptance of the entire Torah inits entirety is one of the fundamental requirements for being granted ger toshav status. With the belief in a false deity/messiah, or even an intercessor, they fail to fulfill this requirement.

The Christians want our Land. And for some reason, there are plenty of Jews who not only do not have a problem with this, but who are actually encouraging them.

May God help us! May God save us from ourselves!

ההמלצה לניצחון לשמאלנים בבחירות / Recommendation for an Israeli Left-Wing Election Victory

ב׳ לחודש השמיני תשע״ט

English follows the Hebrew.

למי שרוצה לגייס בחורים חרדיים לצה״ל [אבל באמת לא רוצה אותם בצבא בגלל החשש שהם ישפיעו לבנים שלהם]…

למי שמצפה את חיילים דתיים לראות ולהקשיב לבחורות שרות ורוקדות על הבמה…

למי שצועק/ת על הבחורים המעודדים ליהודים להניח תפילין…

למי שמתנגד לבניית ישיבה או מקווה חדשה בשכונה שלכם…

למי שמתנגד לבניית סניף חדש של תנועות הנוער ״עזרא״ ו-״אריאל״ בשכונה למרות קיום הגרעין הדתי המתגדל בעיר שלכם…

יש לי המלצה אחת להמליץ לכם:

ללדת יותר ילדים.

אם אתם באמת מאמינים בדמוקרטיה, לכו ללדת עוד ויותר ילדים כדי שאתם תהיו הרוב ולא המעוט.

יש כבר יותר תלמידים דתיים ומסורתיים [מוסורתים אמיתיים, ולא ה״קוסרבטיבים״] בכתות א׳ - ה׳ בבתי ספר במדינת ישראל מתלמידים חילוניים. אז בעיקרון לבסוף תהיה לנו כנסת שרוב החברים שלה יהיה דתי לאומי וחרדי.

אבל אני לא בטוח שאתם רוצים מערכת ממשלתית דמוקרטית אמיתית.

אלא אתם משיגים קולות נוספים לנצח בבחירות דרך קומבינות כאלה:

*עידוד לאתיופים נוצריים לעלות ארצה.
*לתת לעובדים הזרים מעמד חוקי ולבסוף תושבות קבע או אפילו אזרחות.
*לתת למסתננים האפריקאיים מעמד חוקי ולבסוף תושבות קבע או אפילו אזרחות.
*להקים מערכת נשואין אזרחי כדי לתת לישראלים להתחתן עם גוים בקלות יותר.
*לתת לבעלים ונשים הנוכריים האלה דרך לקבלת אזרחות.
*להגן על ״הזכויות״ של העברים [המזויפים] הכושים שמותרים להם להביא ארצה את כמה גוים שרוצים מארה״ב.
*לדרוש זכויות להבעה חופשית הדתות (חוץ מיהדות), קוראים לעניין הזה ״פלורליסטיות,״ ואגב עוזרים לנוצרים האבנג׳ליסטים, ״החברים״ של הכאילו ימינים, להשאר בארץ.
*ללמד את העניין ״כולנו חיים וגרים ביחד״ כדי להשפיע למדינת ישראל להפוך להיות מדינה דמוקרטית חילונית כמו המדינות של אומות העולם.

כבר ניסיתם את הסטרטגי לעודד גוים מברית המרצות. אבל הרבה מהם מצביעים למפלגת ישראל ביתינו של אביגדור ליברמן ולא למפלגות השמאלניות.

וגם הקומבינה הכי מעודפת שלכם היא לבטל, לסלף, לשנות, להחליף את החוקים שאתם לא אוהבים דרך הבג״ץ למרות רצון העם.(ומה אכפת לכם על רצון העם??) ככה אתם ממשיכים להיות להשאר כשלטונים האמיתיים בישראל.

אין לנו מערכת ממשלתית דמוקרטות אמיתית כבר הרבה זמן. היתה לנו בכלל? ומה קשר בין דמוקרטיה לתורה בכל מקרה?

אין קשר.

For those of you who want to enlist Haredim (utra-Orthodox) into the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF] (but who really don't want them in the army for fear of their influence on their sons)...

For those of you who expect religious soldiers to watch and listen to women sing and dance on stage...

For those of you who shout at the men who encourage Jews to put on tefillin...

For those who object to the building of a new yeshiva or mikveh (ritual immersion pool) in your neighborhood...

For those who oppose the construction of a new branch of the Ezra and Ariel youth movements in the neighborhood despite the growing religious sector in your town...

I have one recommendation for you:

Have more children.

If you truly believe in democracy, go and produce more children, so that someday you will be the majority who vote in elections, rather than the minority.

There are already more religious and traditional students than secular students in the first through fifth grades in Israel. Of course, by "traditional," I mean those who actually believe in the traditional version of the Torah, and not members of the co-called Conservative Movement. Theoretically, this means we could have a Knesset whose majority of members will be Religious Zionist and Haredi.in the not to distant future.

But I'm not sure you want a real democratic government system.

Instead, you prefer to increase your voter base through tricky strategies like the following:

• Encouraging Ethiopian Christians to immigrate to Israel.
• Working to provide foreign workers with a special status, and eventual permanent residency, if not citizenship.
• Working to provide foreign workers with a special status, and eventual permanent residency, if not citizenship.
• Working to establish civil marriage in Israel, allowing Israelis to "marry" non-Jews much more easily.
• Providing these husbands and wives a way to receive Citizenship, which include the so-called Black [Fake] Hebrews who allow them to bring all the non-Jews from the United States they want to bring into Israel.
• Fighting for "freedom of religious expression," calling it "pluralism," and benefiting Evangelical Christian "friends" of the quasi-right-wing.
• Preaching "Co-Existence," with the eventuality of having a secular, democratic state, just like the goyim.

You have already tried this strategy of actively encouraging the immigration of non-Jews to Israel from the Former Soviet Union. But, many of them ended up voting for the Israel Our Home Party of Avigdor Lieberman, instead of left wing parties.

In addition, your favorite strategy seems to be cancelling, distorting, changing, and replacing the laws you don't like through the Israeli Supreme Court, in spite of the wishes of the people. (What do you care about the wishes of the people??) In this way, you maintain your position of power.

We haven't had a real democratic system of government in Israel for years, now, assuming we ever had one. We have had a deMOCKracy. And what does democracy have to do with Torah anyway?

There isn't one.

The Hags Of The Wall

ג' לחודש השלישי תשע"ג

YNET: Jerusalem-Haredim attack Women of the Wall
Thousands of female haredi worshipers heed call of community leaders to hold a mass prayer at site to upstage arrival of Women of the Wall; mass brawl erupts. Reform Movement: Haredi leaders 'desecrated sanctity' of Kotel

Kobi Nachshoni, May 10, 2013

Haredi worshippers clashed with police in Jerusalem's Old City early Friday in the wake of the court authorization for the Women of the Wall to pray at the Jewish holy site. (cont.)

(Tip Credit: Ariel at The Torah Revolution)

Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I thought this was a great idea, for the Haredi rabbis to call upon these righteous women to come to the Kothel (Western/Wailing Wall) en masse. I waited with baited breath to find out what would happen.

It disgusts me to have to post this video of these despicable women. Their abuse of a Holy site for their own political agenda is a desecration of the sanctity. Yet, you MUST fast forward to time marker 1:15, to see Hey, if left-wing  YNET even reveals the truth, it must be true. My guess is that like-minded Israelis, as few as there must be, are not in the least bit embarrassed by this particular truth, and believe that the actions of these women are justified in some bizarre and distorted way.


*The YNET video is no longer available, so I replaced it with a JPost video from YouTube.

Adam The Radio Guy believes that fighting at the Kothel takes away the focus from the real battle, the fight to pray on Har HaBayith, the Temple Mount itself.

The Kalashnakover Rebbe feels similarly, suggesting that we not be concerned with what happens at the Kothel, which should be nothing more than a parking lot. Those of us who want to pray properly should work on being able to do so on Har HaBayith.

These two Jews are both correct to point out that which is being glossed over in this story. Nonetheless, we cannot stand idly by, and allow our fellow Jews to believe that such actions and blatant hypocrisy are acceptable.

Looking at some of the other videos, I see that most of these women are innocent, and misguided, completely under the spell of women who want excuses to do what they want. They scream and wail about "democracy," yet "democracy" has virtually no connection at all to Torah, and thus to Judaism. (A post on this specific issue is forthcoming.)

Yet, these "democratic" women who demand their "democratic rights," are preventing women with whom they disagree, or rather despise and believe to be brainwashed into a self-oppressive lifestyle, from exercising their "democratic rights," not to mention their "freedom of religious expression" (the latest left-wing buzz phrase) which these so-called "women of the wall" hold so dear.

How's that for hypocrisy?!

They are nothing more than elitist snobs!

I do not believe that these women are in the lease bit interested in "democracy" or "freedom of religious expression." They are only interested in doing what they want.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Justice System continues to reveal its true colors by agreeing with these women. The Labor Zionist, Erev Rav-controled government is clearly routing these women on. And, of course, they are not interested in anything, except for the de-Jewification and de-Israelization of Israel. And, so these "women of the wall" are simply doing some of its dirty work for them, a welcome relief from having to get its hands dirty.

These feminists leaders belong at a wall alright. But, look closely. This wall is not the Kothel. It is another wall.

5 Seahags in tallesim "praying" at their holy wall.

At this wall, the wall which Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu recently visited, they can pray whenever, however, and which which accoutrements they like. I recommend that they fly there immediately, in order to stake their claim. These "Women of the Wall of China" receive a score of 5 Seahags, the maximum, plus 3 "She Who Must Not Be Named" for their feminist hypocrisy and 3 Shimon Pereses for their fervent love of UN-Jewish, Western (assimilationist) culture and values.

3 "She Who Must Not Be Named"

3 Nose-Picking Shimon Pereses

The Pope's 2014 Visit to Israel

מוצש"ק פר' במדבר תשע"ד

Welcome signs all over Jerusalem: Who is paying for these?? Israeli tax payers are!
"Peace Faith Tolerance" - for everyone except Jews, that is!

So far, it appears that the head of the Roman Catholic church, ysh"w, will be coming to Jerusalem tomorrow, not only to disrupt the daily lives of its residents, but to insult us, step on us, encourage the establishment of another Yishmaelite, terrorist state (which he, himself, should know is absent from the Bible)., and possibly prepare to take possession of pieces of our Holy Land.

Do you really think that he, and his minions, have their eyes set only on one floor in one building on Mt. Zion? Guess again....

They want the Temple Mount; they want Jerusalem; they envision everyone in Israel, and around the entire world, under their eventual control.

Worse yet, the Israeli government has been complicit in these endeavors, including allowing him to practice his avodah zarah (foreign/forbidden worship) as the Kothel (Western Wall), while closing off this Jewish Holy site,...to Jews!

Israeli Postal Service commemorative stamps issued in honor of the Poop's visit,
avodah zarah included! (*censored out for presentation on this kosher site)

Not only that, but the Israeli Government has been shamelessly slobbering over this Prince of Avodah Zarah, and exploiting his visit as support for the government's commitment to "freedom of religious expression." Even though as far as religions go, other than Judaism and the gentile keepers of the 7 Commandments of No'ah, there is absolutely no room for "freedom of religious expression" within the Land of Israel. Such a concept does not exist in the Torah. In fact, it is the exact opposite case scenario which the Torah presents to commands of us.

So, why the hell is this walking, spiritual pollutant being allowed into the Land of Israel, let alone welcomed as an honored guest?

The proper welcome sign for the Poop!
No Welcome!

The following schedule comes courtesy of "Yosele." My Esser Agaroth (2¢) commentary follows. You can see the Poop's itinerary on Tomer Devorah, along with her insightful commentary.

Visit of Pope Francis - Traffic and Parking Arrangements
(21/05/2014 As of 11:52)

On Sunday-Monday, May 25-26, 2014, extensive security measures will be taken that will affect daily life and movement in Jerusalem.

Changes in traffic and parking arrangements:

No parking will be allowed from Sunday, May 25, 2014, 12:00 noon, until Monday, May 26, 2014, 8:00 p.m., on the following streets:

Chaim Yassky, Aharon Katzir, Yitzhak HaNadiv, Derech HaOfel, Ma'ale HaShalom, Hativat Yerushalayim, Yitzhak Kariv, Agron, Gaza Road, Herzog, Zalman Shneor, Shmuel Bait, Betzalel Bazak, Herzl (from Shmuel Bait to Yad VaShem), King George (from Smolenskin to Kakal), Arlozorov, Hanassi, Shlomo HaMelech, Hativat Hatzanhanim, Jaffa Road (from Kikar Tzahal (IDF Square) to Hativat Yerushalayim), Rabaa al-Adawiya, Martin Buber in the direction of the A-Tor neighborhood, Shmuel ben Adaya, Rockefeller Junction, Jericho Road

Any car parked on these streets will be towed by the police to the Gan HaPaamon or Givat HaTachmoshet parking lots. 

Holders of parking permits for Area 8 (Talbiya) will be permitted to park in Area 7 (Rehavia) during the days of the visit.

The Jerusalem Light Rail
The Jerusalem Light Rail will operate normally, except when the motorcade passes near or cuts across the track.

Public transportation
Disruptions are expected on public transport lines throughout the city. For details call *8787.

Sites that will be closed from the morning
The Western Wall Plaza will be for the visitors closed on Monday, May 26, 2014, until 10:30 a.m.

Jews will not be allowed to pray at one of their Holiest sites, so that the Prince of Avodan Zarah can pray to his false deity!

Transport for worshipers at the Western Wall will depart from the Karta parking lot between 5:00-5:30 a.m. and will return from the Western Wall between 6:15-6:30 a.m.

Access for the prayer at the Western Wall during the visit will be allowed from HaShalshelet and HaGai Streets.

Mt. Herzl and Yad VaShem will be closed to visitors on Monday, May 26, 2014, until 12:00 noon.

Updates on traffic arrangements and street closure times will be reported in the media and can also be obtained from the Information Center.

We apologize for the temporary inconvenience and are doing everything possible to avoid disrupting daily life. We thank you for your understanding and patience.

Further information is available from the Information Center at telephone 1-700-553-100, the Waze application, the 106 municipal hotline, the IsraelPolice website and the Jerusalem municipal website.

Rabbi Lior: There is No Freedom of Speech in Israel

27 of the Eighth Month 5772

I believe that this statement (the title above) of Rabbi Dov Lior pretty much covers it.

I found the article, in which he made this statement, to be important enough to re-post in its entirety, and have done so below.

Here at Esser Agaroth, I have pointed out several examples of the Israeli government cracking down on rabbis teaching and making Torah statements which stand in contradiction to Israeli law:

The Battles Between The Torah And The State Of Israel

The State Continues Its Battle Against The Torah

The Torah Will Not Stand For An Investigation!

Hello! There Already Is A Ban On Sales To Arabs

Religious Zionists, Make Up Your Minds!

The Real Religious Zionist

To Refuse Or Not To Refuse

Naveh's Crimes

What The Hell Was He Thinking?!

I must admit; I sound like a broken record.

Will you follow the Torah, or will you not follow the Torah?

Just what is it about this question which makes it so difficult for people to answer?

Bottom line?

The religious mamlakhti (undying State loyalists) will eventually have to make up their minds as to whether to follow the Torah or the State, because they will not be able to follow both. If they do not, then they will eventually fall off the tightrope they have been walking, and/or explode from the build-up of cognitive dissonance.

Unfortunately, there are still those who continue to insist that such stiroth (conflicts) do not exist between Torah and State.

It is for those individuals (as well as for those North American, religious Jews who have no clue as to what is really going here), that I post this article in its entirety.


Rabbi Lior: 'There is No Freedom of Speech in Israel'

Rabbi Dov Lior said the criminal probe into Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu for 'racism' proves free expression is stifled in Israel.

Gavriel Queenann, 11/22/2011

(IsraelNN.com) Chief Rabbi of Kiryat-Arba and Hevron Dov Lior told Arutz Sheva on Tuesday that the decision to launch a criminal probe into Tzfat [Safed] Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu for 'racism' showed there is no freedom of speech in Israel.

"There is no freedom of speech, but a stifling of expression," Rabbi Lior said after hearing of Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein's decision to launch the probe into statements made by Rabbi Eliyahu to Israel's press.

"It is difficult for me to agree this is incitement," Rabbi Lior said, dismissing the assertion the ruling had nothing to do with Rabbi Eliyahu's Torah views. "Rabbis focus on cultivating a love of humanity, and Judaism touches all righteous people, but Jewish law prohibits one from renting to non-Jews."

Rabbi Lior said, "What Rabbi Eliyahu said is a valid Torah opinion. To prevent rabbis from speaking their minds, which is their duty, is reminiscent of the methods of the Bolsheviks - who only allowed the Jews to express opinions they approved of.

"There's no freedom of expression, but a silencing of the truth. If a Torah scholar studies the Torah and justifies his opinion from sources - explaining his reasoning - even if there are others who disagree with him... it is still knowledge of Torah.

"The right of rabbis to express Torah opinions is on trial!" Rabbi Lior said. "This is against our holy Torah, let alone the rules of democracy."

"You cannot drown out the voices raising unpopular opinions. Rabbi Eliyahu is not a political person calling for insurrection against the laws of the state. He is merely expressing his Torah opinion on a relevant issue. Prosecuting him for this is no different than arresting a rabbi for teaching Sabbath [Shabbat] laws because the state allows people to drive on the Sabbath."

"Every investigation of this sort is an assault on the Torah of Israel, and against democracy and equality," Rabbi Lior concluded.

Weinstein has said he will not probe statements by Rabbi Eliyahu made that stem from his opinions on Jewish law, including his opinion - co-signed by 50 other rabbis - that one may not sell or rent a home to non-Jews when Israel's current socio-political circumstances are taken into account.

Instead, Weinstein claims, he will focus on comments made by Rabbi Eliyahu to Israel's press, such as “The Arab culture is very cruel,” and “When talking about Arabs, people speak in codes that normalize violence and turn into ideology.”

Critics, however, say Weinstein's probe into “public statements” is simply an oblique way of striking at Rabbi Eliyahu for expressing Torah opinions at odds with the ideology of Israel's secular left.

Civil Liberties advocates note Rabbi Eliyahu's statements – irrespective of their Torah content – would be considered protected speech in the enlightened Western democracies Israel's left claims it wants to emulate.

Shalom Hartman Jumps On The Christian Band Wagon

י"ג לחודש החמישי תשע"ב  

YNET: US Christian Leaders In Israel To Study Judaism  

Shalom Hartman Institute VP says initiative aimed at 'deepening American Christian leaders' understanding of Jewish people.' Reverend: Studies making me a better thinker, teacher, preacher, and pastor 

July 26, 2012

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Shalom Hartman Institute (SHI), co-sponsors of the 13-month Christian Leadership Initiative (CLI), welcomed this week a cohort of prominent American Christian leaders to the Shalom Hartman Institute in Israel for an opportunity to gain a more profound understanding of Judaism and the Jewish people. (cont.)

Am I really one of the only sane, "right-wing," religious Jews in Israel who knows how dangerous these people are?

Am I really one of the only Jews out there at all who knows that these is no such thing as Judeo-Christian Values?

The Shalom Hartman Institute is the antithesis of ", not to mention constantly pushing the limits of what it means to be called "religious."  But, that's not the point.

Although, there certainly seems to be a parallel between the Shalom Hartman Institute's watering down of the boundaries set up for the Jewish People in the Torah, and the melting down of boundaries between Jews and Christians.

Fortunately, the Left has mostly got it right about both the Christians and their right-wing puppets: money, manipulation, etc.  Hartman is hardly right, let alone "right-wing."

Unfortunately, some on the left are beginning to cry "freedom of religious expression," worrying that if Christians are limited at all in their activities, then they might be next?

Please don't be taken in by this.

The Christians don't just want to attack us spiritually; they want our Land, believing that they are its rightful inheritors.

The irony of this event is that these Christians wanted to learn about Judaism, and they ended up at the Shalom Hartman Institute.  (giggle)

One of the goals of all true Christians is to convince non-Christians that Christianity is correct, so to speak.  To accomplish this goal, they employ a variety of strategies, such as building a bridge between a group or individual's already established beliefs and Christianity.

The Catholics did this in Africa, and in other places, matching the deities of the indigenous peoples with their "saints," who appeared to shared similar attributes or legends.  One African goddess of war was replaced by S. Barbara, etc.

The current strategy, of those who adamantly distinguish themselves from Catholics, has been Hebraicizing Christianity, getting "back to their roots," so to speak.  They prey on Jews who know nothing of their own heritage, as well quote pesuqim (verses) in Hebrew, in order to connect with Jews who are knowledgeable.

Actually, thanks to Jewish Israel, I found out that the Shalom Hartman Institute  already jumped on the Christian bandwagon, along with the American "Jewish" Committee (Yeah, right!  More like the American NON-Jewish Committee...), at least two years ago.

And so, the attempt to join of Ya'aqov together with the hateful and sneaky Esau continues,... thanks to the Shalom Hartman Institute.

Rebellion On Jerusalem Bus No. 74

Erev Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Shemini 5770

The 74 is one of those “tricky,” Jerusalem buses, one which starts in a religious neighborhood, and then makes its way into nonreligious parts of the city.

Yesterday, I got on the 74, and sat at the back of the bus. When arriving at the Shuq, a woman approached me, wanting to sit down next to me. I either had to scoot over or let her through to the seat next to the window. Actually, there was another option. There were several seats available on the bus. Why did she davqa have to sit next to me? Usually, my simanim (side locks) and big black kippah, albeit crocheted, are enough to “scare away” such women, but not this time.

When this woman asked me if she could sit down, I asked her, in a very nice voice, why she couldn't sit down in the available seat directly across the aisle (next to a woman). She was in shock, and muttered something I could not hear.

I then said, “I didn't say 'no.' I simply asked a question. If you want to sit here, I would be happy to get up for you.”

“You don't have to get up!”

“Yes,...I would.”

(Funny how it's OK for her to decide where she can sit on the bus, yet I am not allowed to decide where not to sit!)

When we arrive at the next stop, one of the few seats available was next to me. I had already prepared myself to get up. I was getting off in a couple more stops, and it would be easier for me to be closer to the exit anyway.

An apparently religious woman approached me. I got up, and asked her to let me pass, so that she could sit down. It was a bit awkward, but we would take the few extra seconds necessary to negotiate the aisle. No big deal.

Then, out of the blue, a college age, Russian woman starts yelling at me, “Is that reasonable what you're asking her to do?!”

She was right next to me, so I motioned the palm of my hand toward her face (yes, I admit, that was rude and wrong of me to do), and told her not to mix in (an expression I learned from you, New Yorkers, one which is identical to the expression used in Hebrew).

Then, as I continued to pass toward the door, I received I smack in the back of the head. I turned around, and was in shock. It was from that same woman, who had started in on me.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze, and all eyes seemed to be upon us, waiting to see what would happen. Would the “evil, religious man, causing problems on the bus, and single-handedly threatening democracy,” actually hit her back? I honestly don't know how many people were actually paying attention. I also don't know how many of you reading this are waiting with baited breath to find out what happened. But, no, I did not hit her back.

As I began to move again toward the door of the bus, the first words out of my mouth were...

די לאלימות


“Stop The Violence,” an expression popularized by the Israel media campain against domestic violence.

Then a sense of peace fell over me, as I continued my way toward the exit, and began my diatribe, in a very calm and clear voice:

“Why is it that you can do such a thing? I could never do such a thing. Because you're female. That is a double standard.”

(No doubt, I would have gotten arrested, even if I had responded in self-defense.)

“Don't we have equality in this 'Holy State?' Don't we live in a democracy?...

“Why don't you think about that?...”

No response. What could she say? With that, I got off the bus.

Setting any judgments aside regarding my behavior,...which was far from perfect, my statements at the closing of the incident were right. Provoked or not, no one, man or woman, deserves to be hit. Yet, Western society still condones, if not supports, this double standard between men and women....

Men are animals, so women are entitled to be aggressive in overcompensation for the aggression they have incurred from men over thousands of years, AND we won't call women's aggression, “aggression.” We'll call it “assertiveness,” or “pre-emptive self-defense.”

The fact that Western culture and sensibilities have been allowed to dominate Israeli society is a discussion for another time. (Thank you very much, Ashkenazim and co-dependent Sefardim!)

I only mention the nations of origin of some of the players for a reason. Most of those coming to reside from the former Soviet Union now are goyim, up to 70 percent, and contribute to the perpetuation of foreign influences within the so-called Jewish State. This only complicates the already confused, national identity of the so-called, Jewish state.

I have written this in order to provide a perspective, different from the perspectives you will find not only in the leftist-controled, “mainstream,” Israeli media, but also in the anti-Haredi & Settler, Jerusalem Post and in the naive and “neutral on this issue” Arutz 7.

Still, most American Jews who read this piece will either think that I am nuts, or will have absolutely no clue as to what I am talking about.

So, there you have it, the spiritual state of the Jewish People,...still in galuth (exile).

Epilogue:
This afternoon I rode on another of those “tricky” buses, the 60. This time I didn't have a seat until the central bus station. Why? Religious women were scattered all around the bus, and none of them thought to get up and move.

If the situation had been reversed, and men were scattered about the bus, taking away seats from women uncomfortable sitting next to a man, it were have been perfectly acceptable for her to ask one of the men to move.

Not for me, though. I'm a man.

Jewish BDS

י״א לחודש השישי תשע״ה

In answer to BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) against Israel, which Jews around the world seem to be freaking out about, and begging the goyim to love us, through Hasbarah nonsense, I suggest that we just give them as taste of their own medicine.

We could be more self-sufficient than we think, if we would only stop exporting what we need, such as food from the southern end of Israel, exempt from shemitah (sabbatical year), and other agricultural laws.

Instead of selling telephone and computer parts, desert irrigation and solar power technologies and products for cash or credit, we could get guarantees of sales of food and other things which really need. They reneg on their agreements with us, then they do not get their technologically wondrous, adult toys and toy parts.

Of course, this is all just a pipe dream, as the Israeli Government seems to have other, totally co-dependent and otherwise ridiculous, strategies in mind.

So, if the government is not going to help us do something productive, then why don't we just implement our own Jewish BDS (ie. Torah BDS) against those who are the real problem, those who pander to the non-Torah standards of the "international community?" This includes many Jews in Israel who do not realize that BDS is actually doing the Jewish People a favor, as well as the "Jewish" supporters of BDS against Israel, who are doing so for completely the wrong reasons.

So, who should Jews Boycott, Divest, and Sanction?

Lo Techonem - Do not have mercy (Deut. 7:2)
I have two, local choices for health food: Olam HaTeva (Nature World), owned by a religious family, or the store which employs an Arab, both on Agrippas Street near the Shuq. Which do you suppose I patronize?

You see, if Jews believe that Israel is now in a position of power (יד ישראל תקיפה), within its own Land, then we are not to make it easy for any non-Jews to reside here, save for gerei toshav (resident aliens). This is the position of the Ramba"m (Mishneh Torah, Hil. A"Z, ch. 10).

How anyone identifying himself as a "Religious Zionist" could possible think the Israel is not in such a position of power, I have no idea.

Israel's Chief Rabbinate recently demonstrated its understanding of this halakhah (Torah Law) by granting one non-Jew the status of ger toshav (דעת הראב״ד), desiring someone non Jewish to whom it would be permissible halakhically (according to Torah Law) to sell parts of Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel), in order to exempt these Lands from keeping the Laws of Shemitah, the Sabbatical Year (ie. Heter Mekhirah).

Even from a Western perspective, it seems that Jews have bought in to the same old double standards the goyim continue to preach.

LGBTQ's support LGBTQ businesses.

African Americans support African American businesses as a form of self-empowerment.

So do women, and in particular feminists.

But, when a Jew wants to support a Jewish-owned business, then all of a sudden, it's racist.

And, when Muslims and Arabs support Muslim and Arab businesses, it is somehow justified, and we are not allowed to call it discriminatory?

Tura Winery and the P'sagot Winery benefit from Christian "volunteers." Of course, they say that they are committed not to missionize Jews. When they praise God while picking grapes and olives, just exactly who do you think they have in mind? Why, their false deity (and/or messiah and/or intercessor and/or rebbe) of course! Take your pick. It doesn't matter. That's because they have changed their strategies,...for now.

They want a foothold on our Land, believing that they are the true inheritors of The Almighty's favor, and thus Eretz Yisr'ael (Land of Israel). Some believe this inheritance comes with the Jews; some believe it comes without. ( They just a foothold in our Land, and to get some pieces for themselves. Boy do they have a rude awakening coming! LOL!

More and more, Christian missionaries are being protected by the spirit of the State of Israel's spirit of democratic, "freedom of religious expression."

Of course, this deMOCKratic protection applies to everyone, except for those Jews the government feels threatened by, and thus calls "extremists," as they dare to hold Torah Law above that of the man-made mishmash of laws from the Ottoman Empire and British Mandate.

No one, however, is protected from the choices we make as to where we spending our hard earned sheqqels.

Do your own Internet search for "Jewish Labor Israel" and you will see just how scathing the opposition is against this one time source of Jewish national pride.

Although demonized as racist, Avodah Ivrith (Jewish Labor) is a highly effective form of BDS.

For referrals of Jewish owned businesses providing the products and services you need in your area of Israel, visit the Moqed Avodah Ivrith website in Hebrew or contact them in English or Hebrew by phone 1-599-588-588 or by e-mail mokedai@gmail.com.

Treif Sellers
In Jerusalem, there are more stores on Agrippas Street in the area of the Shuq, selling treif (non-kosher food) than ever, not to mention those butcher shops in the center of town!

Need something kosher, an imported product perhaps, which they happen to sell there? Don't think that you can get anywhere else? Well, then take the extra time, and the extra money to buy it at a store which does not sell treif, and which is not open on Shabbath!

Can't find one? Then live without it.

I mean, why on earth would any Religious Jew patronize a store which sells treif ??!!

Why don't you ask the Religious Jew who posted his excitement about "Tel-Aviv's newest hot spot" via Twitter. You can also ask him why he would give them the free publicity.

Prosciutto and shellfish,...but also a selection of kosher products!

Shabbath Violators
I obtained the following list of restaurants opened on Shabbath in Jerusalem from TimeOut טיים אאוט which we should also boycott, except for using it to keep an eye on these issues, I suppose.

...not everything is closed for the Sabbath.

Café Bezalel, Bezalel St. 12
Bezalel is a new entry to the list of Jerusalem businesses which are open Saturdays, and we're already asking ourselves how we ever managed without it. The café, located opposite the building that used to house the founder of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, is a young and vibrant coffee house. Its menu changes throughout the day and fits any and all meals. On Fridays the external seating area becomes part of the Bezalel arts and crafts fair, filling the street with people and colors.

Talbiya, Chopin St. 3
Israeli top chefs Assaf Granit, Yossi Elad and Uri Navon long ago established the famous Machne Yuda group, which operates restaurants all over the city. Though the eponymous flagship restaurant is not open on weekends, the group's Mona and Hasadna certainly are. Now the two are joined by a third sister, Talbiya. Talbiya is defined as a wine bar and functions during the day as a café. Next to your coffee you can enjoy freshly made baked goods, while next to your wine you can choose from various elegant dishes by chef Nir Levi. The meticulously designed space and selection of seating options make Talbiya the perfect host for your weekend.

Zoni, Yoel Moshe Salomon St. 15
Zoni is your regular around-the-clock brasserie, except for the view out the windows: instead of Paris you get to look out at the picturesque back streets of Nahalat Shiv'a. The atmosphere inside, however, still maintains a certain European air, with black leather seats, dark hardwood floors, a wide bar and waiters in fine uniform. The menu, which changes between breakfast, lunch and dinner, is similarly full of treats from far away lands. Recommendations are endless but you will be wise to keep one thing in mind: the french toast – available in all three menus – is by itself reason enough for pilgrimage.

Uganda Bar, Aristobulus St. 4
...Uganda is simultaneously a bar, a café, a hummus joint, a music venue and a CD, vinyl and comic book store. Its different parts all fit in harmoniously under a single roof while still making you feel right at home. Tourists, students, youth and adults all fill the space from noon to the following morning, with the atmosphere constantly changing.

Beit HaKava, Yanay St. 3
“Every drink has its place,” wrote S. Y. Agnon, nearly prophesying this unique café, which in turn is named in an appropriately Agnonesque fashion. Decorating the walls are items as carefully chosen as the dishes on the menu. Some of the dishes are regular while others change daily, and all are written casually on the chalkboard. The small café is located in the renovated Yanai street, hiding from the ever noisy Shlomzion street like a well kept secret. Beit HaKava is slowly turning into a true weekend gem and was recently joined by another weekend-strong café, Etz Cafe.

Adom, David Remez St. 4
The opening of the First Station Plaza is great news for Jerusalem weekenders, as it does not entirely shut down for Shabbath. Adom, which became a serious establishment since its opening in 2001, relocated to First Station from its previous location at Feingold Yard. Here it continues to host guests even – or maybe especially – on weekends. You will feel truly privileged to sit in Adom's sleek space and glance at their menu, which specializes in fresh seafood and fish. Completing the culinary experience is a selection of meats, pastas, salads and a wide array of wines.

Cafe Smadar, Lloyd George St. 4
On weekends the German Colony gets to show its quiet side, as the businesses on Emek Refaim street close shop and all that's left is a green and peaceful residence area. One who seeks carefully will be reworded with finding Cade Smadar...

Link, HaMa'alot St. 3
...Surrounded by a green yard and with plenty of seating arrangements, this bar-restaurant offers a lovely pastime option for the whole family...

Aroma Espresso Bar

Notice some of the words I highlighted, some probable code for treif, as well as suggestions of being in a hidden away location. Good! These restaurants should be embarrassed, as should be their customers!

Personally, I would add Aroma to this list. The Aroma in town on Hillel Street and the one on Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus are also open on Shabbath, not to mention countless other branches.

I was pretty surprised that Aroma, with its crappy coffee, and even worse service, but which everyone slobbers over anyway, did not make the top ten favorite Shabbath hangouts.

Besides boycotting such places, operating on Shabbath, some have suggested more active protesting as well.

Many have heard of Haredi protests against businesses open on Shabbath. But, Haredim are not the only ones organizing protesting. There have been public tefilloth Shabbath (Shabbath prayers) outside of a restaurants on Azza Street and Betzalel Street.

By the way, do you want to see a movie? Well, don't see it at Yes Planet. No doubt you have heard of the complex's recent, grand opening, and commitment to operating on Shabbath.

What's the problem if you see a movie during the week? The problem is that you are supporting a business which is open on Shabbath., and thus encouraging countless Jews to violate Shabbath.

Yes Planet - Jerusalem

Nir Barakat
Mayor of Jerusalem

Last, but definitely not least on the Jewish BDS list is the Mayor of Jerusalem himself, Nir Barakat.

How was this Kadima Party, and now independent, mayor was able to get elected in a city with a majority of voters registered with United Torah Judaism, Likud, and Jewish Home parties?

...An internal, Haredi squabble and left-wing, anti-Haredi fear mongering targeting the Religious Zionist voters in the city.

And, now, we see even see Haredi politicians willing to settle for a compromise on the Yes Planet Shabbath debacle!

Mayor Barakat does not just support the Yes Planet Mall, and its operation on Shabbath, he supports more than a few initiatives which contradict the Torah.

You see, it is crucial to keep in mind that the Torah is not just about "Shabbos and Kashrus shailos;" it concerns every facet of a Jew's life.

Do you want Torah or democracy? You do not honestly believe that you can have both, do you?