Wednesday, February 28, 2007

JEWISH STRENGTH

A copule of days ago Erez Levanon HY'D was murdered while praying in a forest a short distance from his home in Bat Eiyan. Reaction over this outrage has varried. Some noting how Dr. Goldstien HY'D attacked Moslems at prayer in the Cave of Machpalah in Hevron. The fact that Dr. Goldstein's actions may have averted a devasting attack against Hevron's Jews being lost amid the wastland of editorial discretion. R' Erez was without question a person of peace, priase and prayer. How does a Jew respond?

Some suggested that Jewish lack of outrage and rage over Erez Levanon HY'D murder is a sign of national weakness . Erez Levanon H'YD ZY'A was not weak his murders YM'S are weak. To paraphrase the Hadran paryer said at the conclusion of a volume of Talmud "We run and they run etc" We are selfless and they are selfless We are selfless to build and bind heaven and Earth and they are selfless to destroy and create chaos in creation .
As our zayde Yitzchak proclaimed there is the Voice of Yaakov and the Hand of Esaiv. Our memorial to Erez ZY'A is to live Torah as he did, live in defiance of Jihad either the Islamic or the lefist jihadesque assault on Jewish identity, destiny, heritage and values in Eretz Yisrael and Torat Yisrael . Instead of violent rage let our defiance be Evil will not move us , Evil will not taint our faith. The Nazis YM'S feared the Talmud Jude more than any other enemy. The Rebbe Reb Elimelich ZT'L, ZY'A taught saying shema should as a proclamation of Faith before all of Jewry's enemies. Draw strength from Hashem and His Torah, we need paitiant yearing for the time will come soon that the day of Mashiach is at hand.

Please do not think Torah is pacifist or fatalistic certainly in a place were an enemy only understands brute froce and anything less than dramatic and decisive action that vanquishes the enemy is preceived as weakness and surrender. Hesitation or restraint places the nation in danger and only those realities necessitate a firm unwaviering hand but not revenge, nor rage. Jews build and unite and not destroy.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Just say no bullies


The work on the Rambam Bridge linking the Western Wall to the Temple was put on hold by the Mayor of Jerusalem, a Hared, and devoutly observant Jew. Even though the bridge is not part of Temple Mount,is a repair to allow better access for all and was coordinated with Muslim authorities. However the violent protests of the Islamic community is only half heartedly responded to by the Police and their concerns are headed. This is the latest chapter in a situation that has recently begun festering.

A young Jew blew the Ram’s Horn,Shofar on the Jewish New Year at the small Western Wall was subjected to severe treatment by the police. Arabs are encroaching on Jewish presence throughout the land. Arab construction throughout the land of Israel is often without the required approvals and permits. Or Arab neighbors encroach and adversely possess common areas and create circumstances that amount to constructive eviction. Farmers in the Negev cannot defend themselves from Bedouin home invaders without fearing legal repercussions. Or Arab members of the government actively support enemy regime's or challenge the legitimacy of the national entity. Not to mix purely criminal and purely political action but, tolerating both types of activities only emboldens these folks to use the universal values of decency and tolerance which are the characteristics of democracy as means to engage in intimidation and terror.

Also the Arab call to change Israel’s flag and anthem to accommodate Israel’s non-Jewish population all flow from the source. The apparent reluctance of the State of Israel and part of the population to assert itself. The leadership is afraid to declare the State an s a Jewish state, a state were Jews would rule and exercise sovereignty.To alter these symbols of the state dilutes the Jewish claim of connection to the Land from national ideology to cultural and ethnic memory. This opens the door to justify the acquiesce to Arab bullying.

Instead Islamic Arab bullies carry the day The Jewish soul’s embers still burn, albeit dimly to ignite the future with light, with Torah and knowledge of G-D.Log ago Moredechai when confronted by an Persian/Iranian bully named Haman neither bowed or prostrated because he was a Jew (see Esther 3:2,4) Like Mordechai,it is time to just say no the Bullies that stand in the way of Jewry being where they belong.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Tu B'Shvat Aktion

The 15Th day in the Jewish Calendar month Shevat is when sap begins to flow anew in the Land of Israel's trees. This has significance in Jewish Law determine to which year of a sabbatical cycle produce belongs among other things.

Tu B'Shevat is a day of longing and connection to the land of Israel Many eat fruits connected with the land.

Sadly, those who wish to oppose and oppress Jews often do commit their acts of hate fueled violence on Jewish celebration days.
Therefore as Arutz Sheva, Israel National News reported that leftists, Arabs,American and other volunteers under the aegis of the Ta’ayush organization came to a Jewish community Sde Boaz, in the Gush Etzion region to plant olive trees on what they believed to be Arab land despite the existing community presence. However more distressing was the damage and destruction carried out in a community orchard. Additionally the Police/Authorities response was lackluster at best.
Call this an Aktion, a term used to describe organized intensification of prosecution of Jews by the Nazis YM'S may be harsh but it should evoke the same powerful images.
To consider this matter it should be clear that the failure by the State of Israel to have Jewish values and awareness serve as the fulcrum upon which policy and law enforcement turns leads to shameful results. To engage in acts of violence that fly in the face of the sacred character of a date in the Jewish calendar goes beyond political protest and touches on ethnic. Religious animus which cannot be tolerated in a civil society.
This incident should be seen for what it is - a provocation not just against the State of Israel or even the Jews of Yesha but Judaism itself.
Failing to act here is not restraint but self loathing. Nebach!