A PRAYER FOR EHUD OLMERT

May Hashem grant you the blessing of sleep



May Hashem grant the blessing to sleep deeply



May Hashem allow you the blessing to dream



As you dream Mr. Prime Minister May Hashem bless you to see a vision of your Savta and Saba.



As you dream Mr. Prime Minister May Hashem bless you to see a vision of your Savta and Saba’s all the Sabaim and Savtot, Bubbies and Zaydehs of the entire Olmert family as far back as it goes.



As you dream Mr. Prime Minister May Hashem bless you to see a vision of your Grand mothers putting coins in the Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes charity box to support the Yishuv Shabbat Eve.



As you dream Mr. Prime Minister May Hashem bless you to see a vision of your Grandfathers praying to rebuild the Jerusalem, Beit HaMikdash, the ingathering of the exiles and arrival of Mashiach. The declaration “Next Year in Jerusalem” the punctuates the observance of the Seder and Yom Kippur observances.



As you dream Mr. Prime Minister May Hashem bless you to hear these sounds and see these images night after night until they consume your waking hours as well.



May Hahsem bless you Mr. Prime Minister to see your place in the context of Jewish history and heir of a legacy that no human has a right to relinquish.

May Hahsem bless you Mr. Prime Minister to fulfill destiny and embrace G-D’s gift of the land and emerge from the isolation that is faithlessness to join with generations past and yet to welcome the rule to David’s scion Mashiach

FAIRNESS

Prime Minister Olmert insisted on the Arab side accept Israel as a Jewish State. FM Livni stated further that a new Arab state would be a solution not just for Arabs living in Judea and Samaria but even Israeli Arabs could call the new State home. Arab MK Ahmed Tbibi termed this Chutzpa PA negotiator Yasser Abed Rabbo refused this as well as that would frustrate Arab demands to flood Israel with Arabs claiming a right to return to Israel.


The refusal of Arab negotiators to acknowledge Israel as a Jewish State only underscores the absurd nature of the Annapolis conference.

If the Arabs want a Jew free Palestine then why should Arabs be allowed to remain within Israel?

Certain things are not the subject of negotiation. Just as civility precedes Torah (Drech Eretz Kadma L'Torah)a certain degree of comity must exist to facilitate any type of dialogue .

Failing to recognize Israel as the national homeland of Jewry would be as absurd as insisting the United States was still rightfully a British colony or merely usurped Native American lands with no rightful sovereignty of its own.

Demanding the establishment of yet another Arab State in the region Along with demanding the right to populate Israel with Arabs and deny The State of Israel its National character as a Jewish State -that sets a bold new frontier for Chutzpah.

However positive FM LIVNI's words are positive suggesting that a new state would serve as a solution for Arab Israelis, MK Eldad has it 100% correct. Why create an additional state, Jordon already exists as a state with a majority identifying itself as Palestine?

If the State of Israel is indeed the Jewish people's national home it must without equivocation occupy all of the Historic -Biblical borders.That is Jewry's heritage and no one person or cabal have a right to give it away.

NOT YOUR PARENTS' ISRAEL

,

The Prime Minister’s remarks at the Saban Conference call to memory Rav Chaim Zanzer’s pre Passover appeal. As tradition dictates the Rav gave his major pre-Pesach address focusing on the laws requiring residents of a city to contribute for supplying the holiday needs of the less fortunate.
When he returned home the Rebbe’s wife asked how did it go?
The Holy Zanzer said he was only half successful.
What? Asked the Rebbitzen
“Yes”, replied the Rav I convinced the poor to accept charity.

Two States for two peoples sounds good, even makes some sense in some hypothetical construct but if only Israel acknowledges compromise and not the Arabs why go forward? Olmert’s position becomes delusional and Secretary Rice if she believes Mr. Abbas is a real partner for peace such naïveté calls in to question whether her distinguished list of accomplishments was earned or merely a function of promoting diversity.

As if it needs saying, but agreeing not to try to kill you today is not a compromise!! Aside from being a territorial retreat to return to the 1949 boundaries, relinquishing Yehudah Shomron and any part of Jerusalem is a retreat from national identity.

Creating two states out of one Eretz Yisrael estranges the State from its status as the national home for the Jewish people in the national homeland. The State becomes little more than a Uganda, a state with a Jewish majority but without the history or heritage.

In this type of Zeitgeist does the recent call by Minister Shetrit to do away with the law of return seem so strange? Israel as haven means, the State of Israel is indeed the national homeland of Jewry and how could that exist independent of a Medinat Yisrael completely occupying Eretz Yisrael?

Similarly, anyone with the ideological basis of faith, belief, a sense of personal and national history become the antithesis of current government’s agenda. This why Nefesh B’ Nefesh, Shuvai Yisrael, and each child born to a religious family are seen as public enemies. A child born to a religious family is more of a threat to the Olmerts, Livnis, Pereses than Iran and even Hamas and Fatah

Rav Lazer Brody Shilita observed that Lot preferred to live in a cave than live in civilization with Avraham. Because living with Avraham means one must abandon materialism and hedonism.

A choice to be who we really are, is the pre-condition for any conference One can only be a participant when one is genuine and not a compromised lie.

UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE'RE DYSFUNCTIONAL

Last week something happened that only underscores the fractious nature of Israeli politics. The proposed Israeli budget for 2008 contains dramatic budget cuts for Torah study in Yeshivoth and Kolellim{advanced institutions of Torah study leading to ordination }. Whether this is necessary or not is not what is interesting, how Torah political parties reacted.

The newspaper affiliated with Degel HaTorah depicted Shas as a willing partner with the secular parties in the coalition in making these cuts which ostensibly targets Degel HaTorah supporters drowning them in poverty. Shas the Sephardim Torah party denounced the cartoon as an ethnic slur by European Jews to Jews of Middle Eastern and North African origin.

The cartoon is not ethnic but political, however unlike the US, political affiliation elsewhere is ideological and includes youth groups social benefits etc. The ideological diversity in Israel’s society made parliamentary representation based on party affiliation through the population seem like a good idea to protect the points of view representing a cross-section of the country.

Maybe the system worked as long as there was an overall agreement to the State’s survival and security. Instead, the breakdown of nationalism in favor of individualism has lead each party and its Keenest Members in particular. Instead of being part of a national body with specific interests, advancing its interests to the exclusion of others’ is the guiding principle. How to serve the nation is replaced by how to retain power as well as how to keep the prestige and privilege that come with being in office.

Budgets then become nothing more than gathering of vultures fighting over a carcass. Therefore, taking money from the UTJ sphere when it is perceived that Shas has kindred values is seen as betrayal.

One of the Chassidic greats pointed out when holding even a small coin against one’s eye so that is all one can see it can even blot out the Sun . . . .

If the nation needs to come together to survive it must start with those who lives revolve around Torah and its values unite under Torah and fraternal love [Ahavas Yisrael

Be True to Yourself

FM Livni made some excellent points when speaking before the UN.
However, is there a real partner for peace with the stature to fulfill the obligations outlined in an agreement or treaty? Why are Jews who chose to do so are prohibited from living in and under a PA government yet Israel will not require a similar treatment of Arabs/Gentiles living within Israeli territory?

The late Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries saw Zionism as a secular Messianism. The return to Zion, the reclaiming of the land, the emergence of a full Jewish society as a participant among the community of nations as equals. The call still echos for Jews to leave the Exile and return to their Homeland, Eretz Yisrael. Eretz Yisrael is an undivided Jerusalem. Eretz Yisrael is Bethlehem and where Mother Rachel waits for her children to return, as is Hevron , Sechem, Zefat, Teveria, Beit EL,Efrat, Tel Aviv, Petach Tikva,Sederot, Bersheva, Lod, or Bene Brak etc. . . .

The present proposal made between two weak leaders forced together by a lame duck administration retreats from more than territory, it abandons core values. Instead of a Messianic fulfillment if Olmert, Abbas, Bush/Rice have their way the Jewish State becomes nothing more than a new Pale of Settlement. May a D-vine spark kindle the yearning for Zion and have the people of Israel proclaim "The Land of Israel is Jewry's and Judaism's natural habitat, accept no substitutes!!!
Anything else means to live a lie denying who the Jews are and their legacy as well as their destiny

Embarrassed or Emboldened

Yesterday’s (September 24, 2007) appearance at Columbia University by Iran’s President Ahmadinejad and the introduction by University President Bollinger expose in microcosm America’s fundamental naiveté.

President Bollinger to his credit excoriated the tyrant of Teheran in no uncertain terms. President Bollinger did what would be ordinarily unthinkable. What type of host lambastes a guess? Certainly, if anyone deserved a verbal dressing down it would be Ahmadinejad.

Yet prefacing Ahmadinejad’s speech with the litany of his twisted evil-inspired world view may have mollified irate Donors, Faculty, Students and Alumni but totally misses the point. President Bollinger’s rebuke was wasted on Ahmadinejad. President Ahmadinejad knows but one thing ‘My message is so valued by Americans, I was invited to speak at the most prominent university in New York’

Ahmadinejad only sees that he is center stage and nothing else. Ahmadinejad can boast how he stood up to his detractors that he is strong, proud and fearless.

Americans, raised in liberty and cherishing a robust diversity of opinion were given the opportunity to see Ahmadinejad for the twisted debasement of humanity that defines who he and his fellow travelers are. Ahmadinejad’s sympathizers only see the appearance at Columbia University as a victory and reason to be emboldened. This twisted point of view is why Columbia University should never have allowed Ahmadinejad a venue to spew his ignorant and belligerent diatribe against civility, decency and humanity

Academic Freedom or Feebilness?

The visit of Iran's president for the United Nations General Assembly should cause the United States rethink its relationship with the world body. A treaty called the Headquarters agreement supersedes domestic law. Yet, it is disturbing to consider mass murders and unstable heads of states can be shielded by Diplomatic Immunity.

Yet, the outrage of an evil emperor traveling to the US under the auspices of the UN is paled by Columbia University giving a forum to promote hate. How is human knowledge served by hearing an Anti America-West, Anti Semitic-Anti-Israel tirade? One can only surmise Columbia is beholden to certain donors sympathetic to Iran;s support of Islamic Terror. Otherwise is this simply academic freedom run amok?

Though Columbia is a private entity, free to do as it wishes. However, it is suggested that Alimni,Students and Tenured faculty protest and withhold donnations.

Six years ago when I spoke with the Admur of Falticheim Shlita about the destruction and death visited on the USA the Rebbe asked me what about feeling of rage and a sense of lose for the Beis HaMikdash?

About visiting the Har Habayit. Certainly, there are venerable Torah Scholars like Rav Richman shlita from the Temple Institute and others who have determined as a matter of Halacha one may ascend to the Temple Mount. There are others who follow what is a more traditional approach to prohibit Jews from going atop the Holy Mountain.

Personally, I could not ascend to the Temple Mount. How could anyone with even a drop of Jewish sensitivity go on top the Temple Mount and not tear one's clothes in mourning? Or breaking down in uncontrollable river of tears at seeing other than the Beit HaMikdash resting the Holy place.

It took 6 years but the Rebbe's words echoed in my ears. Now does the surreal feelings I had at the Kotel in 1977, 1996 and 2005 how could I be at this holy site, [and that was the Kotel Plaza] it seemed so unreal.

While the attacks of 9/11 were horrible and should serve as a rallying point for at decent people against evil. However the loss of the Temple transcends time and endures as a symbol of more profound loss. The loss of G-D'S honor and Jewry's stature perpetuating discord throughout creation. Maybe as Rosh HaShana comes our thoughts and prayers be towards correcting ourselves so that harmony can reign throughout creation and Temple be rebuilt in our lifetime.

AN UNAVOIDABLE TRUTH

The discovery of walls belonging to the actual Second Temple should be cause of excitement. However, this was an unintended result of the Waqf’s laying of electric cables atop the Temple Mount. Any assertion of inadvertence by the Islamic trust is refuted by the fact that most profound link to Jewry’s as well as humanity’s heritage treated as just so much rubbish. Please keep in mind this is coming from the folks accused Israel of attempting a conquest of the Temple Mount by reinforcing the Mugrabi bridge earlier this year.

Of course, this is only the most recent outrage out of many concerning the Temple Mount that should make any Islamic, Arab or international assurances of religious plurality, tolerance , access or sensitivity to other faith communities unreliable, at best to all but the most naïve.

How to react? First after Gush Katif, Amona, Hevron, Sederot and statement by the Israeli government there is little room for outrage. How many times can one’s sensibilities remain intact when constantly being assailed before one become completely numb?

Maybe there is a positive spin to put on this event. It is well known that a competition exists between Israeli/Jewish and Arab Archeologists for artifacts verifying each group’s version of history. An impressive pseudo scholarship denying the Temple’s existence let alone its being located on the Temple Mount itself. How providential is this? The architects of Temple denial become the agency for Temple affirmation!

Verifying the existence of the Temple of course implies an ancient Jewish presence and most likely Kingdom in the location. The embarrassing consequences to the Arabs as well as to the “there is nothing to learn from history” crowd occupying positions of power and influence within Israel. Hence the need for official silence. However among those whose world view revolves around G-D and His Torah there is a basis for rejoicing the plans of evildoers are frustrated.

Further, consider the timing of this remarkable find. Just at the close of the year leading in to a Sabbatical (Shemitah) the Temple’s walls become exposed maybe, just maybe by the end of 5768 the Temple itself will reappear?

OVENS OR WHY HISTORY MATTERS

Recently a religious newpaper disclosed the location of a Jewish owned cremation facility in Israel. The crematorium was burnt down. However MKs have lined seeking legislation on either side of matter.

The presence of or even a debate over cremation in Eretz Yisrael should shock the conscience. An oven for dead Jews has no place in the Jewish State. It is amazing that some survivors’ organization has not yet found an advocate and filed a petition with the Supreme Court to close down and collect damages from the Crematorium’s owners.

With all due respect to the MKs from both Meretz and Shas this is not merely a religious or civil rights issue, not in Israel. Being contrary to Jewish Law only makes cremation a new frontier in Israel’s on going Secular/Religious kulturkampf. However, failure to recognize this facility as evoking the specter of the Shoah speaks volumes on even a more fundamental plane. Tolerance of cremation in Israel lessens the sense of outrage the depraved cruelty of the Final Solution should arouse. A public sentiment that Putting people in ovens is OK is a foreseeable result especially with the ever decreasing numbers of eye witnesses to these crimes against humanity. Imagine the irony the image of a Jewish operated crematorium in the Jewish homeland! Similarly, only addressing cremation to a civil right should be a warning sign of what happens when a people’s educational and philosophical orientation promotes estrangement from its history and heritage. President Peres this why history matters.