tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-102754432012-01-26T18:20:31.468+02:00A Jew's view from the capital of Israel and the future site of the Third Temple, may it speedily be rebuilt.Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.comBlogger17941100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-89112935174872078112012-01-26T18:20:00.000+02:002012-01-26T18:20:31.510+02:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-58131899338203476192012-01-16T18:02:00.000+02:002012-01-16T18:02:08.310+02:00

I blogged about this not too long ago. Now you can be there:

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-67196375413326039982012-01-12T17:50:00.000+02:002012-01-12T17:50:13.138+02:00

Who remembers the diplomatic tsunami that we were promised last September? Nostalgia:

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-51074877463834765662012-01-01T18:23:00.000+02:002012-01-01T19:05:32.900+02:00

Last Thursday the "Yerushalmi Institute" presented an evening of lectures devoted to the redeeming of captives. I cannot claim to be a Yerushalmi enthusiast, since I think that the only Yerushalmi tractate I ever learned was Sheqalim. However, I am a wannabe. The evening was quite interesting and I regret that I did not take notes. The first speaker was Rabbi David Bar Chaim: Rabbi Bar

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-33435504931055129842011-12-29T18:04:00.000+02:002011-12-29T18:06:37.720+02:00

Things have gotten way out of hand. They really have!:An indictment was filed Thursday against Jerusalem resident Shlomo Fuchs, 44, an ultra-Orthodox man who hurled sexist slurs at a female soldier on a public bus in the capital. Police officials said Fuchs' behavior was unruly, and that he sexually harassed the soldier, Doron Matalon, by humiliating her and making sexual remarks. What did he

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-49746088109104083762011-12-28T19:28:00.000+02:002011-12-28T19:28:51.864+02:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-24062248128792182642011-12-27T22:00:00.000+02:002011-12-27T22:00:58.901+02:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-10247050362773596862011-12-26T17:17:00.000+02:002011-12-26T17:18:49.733+02:00

The violent riots regarding the OROT National Religious school in Beit Shemesh gives us an opportunity to learn a few valuable lessons. Our Rabbis taught us (Avot 1:6) והוי דן את כל האדם לכף זכות which could translated as "judge every man favorably." If you see someone doing a certain act, which could be interpreted negatively or positively, we should judge the person in a positive light.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-16428317940845460352011-12-22T18:26:00.000+02:002011-12-22T18:26:19.108+02:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-40925633212587307352011-12-22T15:39:00.001+02:002011-12-22T17:01:54.998+02:00

This week's parsha sheet from Chabad has an interesting story - so interesting that I thought it was worthwhile to translate it into English:It happened several days after the fire in the Carmel forest, exactly one year ago, where 44 people lost their lives and tens of houses were burnt down. A group of Jews from New Jersey visited Beit Oren, with the willingness to help rehabilitate the village

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-82531076925382672922011-12-16T15:17:00.000+02:002011-12-16T15:18:48.088+02:00

In this week's Torah portion Ya'akov sends Yosef on a special mission: 12 And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem. 13 And Israel said unto Joseph: 'Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them.' And he said to him: 'Here am I.' 14 And he said to him: 'Go now, see whether it is well with thy brethren, and well with the flock; and bring

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-43817606959639248702011-12-11T18:04:00.001+02:002011-12-11T18:06:31.269+02:00

Check out this post at Daled Amos!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-60763990015307365812011-12-08T18:05:00.002+02:002011-12-08T18:12:16.644+02:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-73149999072373191542011-12-07T17:53:00.006+02:002011-12-10T21:57:19.645+02:00

In an out of court settlement, the IDF will pay 770,000 NIS in damages to Kedumim resident Nehemiah Perlman. What did the IDF do to merit paying such a large settlement? Some background first: Oct 19, 2000 - Rabbi Binyamin Herling, 64, of Kedumim, was killed when Fatah members and Palestinian security forces opened fire on a group of Israeli men, women, and children on a trip at Mount Ebal

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-46097948244665792762011-12-05T17:15:00.004+02:002011-12-05T17:57:44.340+02:00

Last week's Torah portion ends with Ya'akov's confrontation with the master swindler, his father-in-law Lavan. In this week's portion Yaakov faces another dangerous confrontation, this time with his brother Eisav. As he gets ready for this encounter the Torah tells us the following: וַיָּקָם בַּלַּיְלָה הוּא, וַיִּקַּח אֶת-שְׁתֵּי נָשָׁיו וְאֶת-שְׁתֵּי שִׁפְחֹתָיו, וְאֶת-אַחַד עָשָׂר, יְלָדָיו;

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-11026029931343820112011-12-02T14:42:00.001+02:002011-12-04T19:03:04.892+02:00

Great clip:Update: Ouch! The truth hurts! The Israeli Absorption Ministry received orders from above to remove the video from YouTube:Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu personally intervened over the weekend to halt an ad campaign aimed at Israeli yordim (former Israelis) living in the United States encouraging them to consider returning to Israel. The campaign was cancelled after Israelis living

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-57830552926203255032011-12-01T18:52:00.002+02:002011-12-01T18:58:21.365+02:00

What's new on the banks of the old Raritan?:The central New Jersey community of Highland Park was targeted Tuesday night in a series of anti-Semitic attacks on at least five Jewish-owned establishments. Vandals hurled bricks through the plate glass windows of a kosher restaurant, a kosher pizza shop, two Judaica stores, and a Jewish-owned hardware store. At least three other Jewish-owned

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-48400209611432087232011-11-30T17:51:00.007+02:002011-11-30T19:02:55.145+02:00

I read an interesting story about Rabbi Benny Eisner that I thought was worth sharing with the English speaking world.One time Rav Benny arrived at one of the veteran ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods in Jerusalem (Ge'ula or Me'ah She'arim) with an Israeli flag flying from his automobile. Suddenly he noticed that a "holy flock" of local youth was congregating around his car. He got out of the car

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-29039093516189313472011-11-21T21:43:00.006+02:002011-11-21T21:56:27.981+02:00

אמר ר' אבהו גדול יום הגשמים מתחיית המתים דאילו תחיית המתים לצדיקים ואילו גשמים בין לצדיקים בין לרשעים ופליגא דרב יוסף דאמר רב יוסף מתוך שהיא שקולה כתחיית המתים קבעוה בתחיית המתים אמר רב יהודה גדול יום הגשמים כיום שניתנה בו תורה שנא' (דברים לב, ב) יערף כמטר לקחי ואין לקח אלא תורה שנא' (משלי ד, ב) כי לקח טוב נתתי לכם תורתי אל תעזובו רבא אמר יותר מיום שניתנה בו תורה שנאמר יערף כמטר לקחי מי נתלה במי

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-30280118289042278452011-11-09T17:35:00.003+02:002011-11-09T17:42:28.708+02:00

Translation:Tuesday the 18th of Chesvan 21 years since the murder of the holy leader of IsraelRabbi Meir David Kahane (my God avenge his blood)Today everybody knows:Rabbi Kahane was right!The ascent to his grave on Har HaMenuchot at 4 PM.The Central Memorial GatheringWill take place on Tuesday the 18th of Chesvan (15.11.11) at 6:00PMat the Heichal David Hall14 Oholiav St. Jerusalem, near the

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-6969589387606412082011-11-08T18:09:00.006+02:002011-11-08T18:19:34.027+02:00

I'm busy learning the book Eim HaBanim Semeichah by Rabbi Yisachar Shlomo Teichtal zt"l hy"d.I think this is the third time around! Yeah, I really like the book. It is a must read for anyone wanting a true Torah outlook regarding the land of Israel. Here is a little of what Rabbi Berel Wein has to say about the book:There is an enormously powerful book about the Holocaust, Orthodox Jewry, the

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-72936932611679130502011-11-07T22:36:00.000+02:002011-11-07T22:39:05.392+02:00

Some very nice images here!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-51440231950417060782011-10-31T17:21:00.005+02:002011-10-31T17:48:51.832+02:00

To my great dismay Rabbi Benny Eisner passed away this Sabbath.Here's a little bit about Rav Benny:Rav Binyamin Eisner, affectionately known as “Rav Benny” is Rav and mentor to thousands of talmidim throughout Eretz Yisrael and the United States. Friends and talmidim have been captivated by the initial greeting of “Shalom, ani Benny”, his infectious smile, his passion for Torat Eretz Yisrael, and

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-82665853097491801372011-10-27T19:01:00.013+02:002011-10-27T19:20:06.661+02:00

As we leave the month of Tishrei behind and head into the holiday-less month of Marcheshvan, I thought that a few pictures from Sukkot would help us keep that "Tishrei feeling", with all of its holiness, with all of its purity, for the rest of the year. Near Jaffa Gate:Pirchei Yerushalayim:Armenian Quarter:Jewish Quarter:Churva Synagogue:View of Temple Mount:Lulavs and Etrogs:Minchah by the Kotel

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-87127881651454929652011-10-25T18:01:00.003+02:002011-10-25T18:38:12.665+02:00

The shameful release of 1027 terrorists in return for Gilead Shalit is continuing to make waves. Rabbi Yosef Elitzur, one of the co-authors of "Torat HaMelech", came out with a not so surprising suggestion following the deal. I will quote jpost's mistranslation of part of what he wrote:“When the state apparatus broadcasts in an unequivocal manner that there is almost no price to be paid for

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-25632909627671349132011-10-23T18:23:00.005+02:002011-10-23T18:44:09.591+02:00

The rabbis taught us that the redemption comes gradually. If the Jewish people were to be redeemed in a sudden fashion, it would be too much to handle. Imagine a person who was imprisoned for a long period of time in a dark cell. Immediately exposing him to bright light would be harmful to him.One of the good things about the Shalit deal is that it causes to realize just how lame the current

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-13866079749295793842011-10-23T18:16:00.001+02:002011-10-23T18:21:43.350+02:00

I have blogged several times about translations from Hebrew to English that were not exactly perfect. The mistranslations that I blog about are usually unintentional. To err is human, and sometimes these errors are humorous. There is another type of translation that is more sinister: these are deliberate mistranslations, apparently done for political and/or economic reasons. A news

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-5388510127266733812011-10-23T18:13:00.001+02:002011-10-23T18:15:59.612+02:00

The jblogosphere lives!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-36015590962397214322011-10-12T11:54:00.003+02:002011-10-12T12:13:04.489+02:00

Very bad news:The Israeli cabinet voted late Tuesday night on the deal to release kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The vote came following a stormy meeting.26 ministers supported the deal with only three – Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau, and Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon – voting against the deal.First of all, kudos to Avigdor Lieberman,

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-85348046254189554742011-10-06T21:26:00.002+02:002011-10-06T21:35:59.530+02:00

That says it all!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-15232094569668056552011-10-04T20:08:00.001+02:002011-10-04T20:09:42.876+02:00

A very informative film:

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-53649229782303848982011-10-04T19:53:00.001+02:002011-10-04T19:55:55.805+02:00

Read about it here. Rav Porat z"l devoted his entire life to Torah, the land of Israel and the People of Israel. He will be missed.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-56736019294495850052011-10-03T21:37:00.007+02:002011-10-04T19:50:33.915+02:00

Remember Larry Derfner? He's the guy that got fired from The Jerusalem Post because he wrote a blog post justifying the murder of Israelis by Arab terrorists. Well, he finally found someone who is willing to publish his drivel: Wait a minute! Isn't Lebanon at war with Israel? Didn't the Lebanese fire thousands of rockets at Israeli civilian targets just a few years ago? I guess he finally

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-65320854576973692202011-10-03T17:35:00.003+02:002011-10-03T17:48:15.373+02:00

1) You can see the latest edition of Haveil Havalim here.2) The latest wisdom from the Obama administration:U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Sunday that Israel is becoming increasingly isolated in the Middle East, The Associated Press reported.Panetta added Israel must restart negotiations with the Palestinian Authority and work to restore relations with Egypt and Turkey.Panetta made

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-53999739735077401432011-10-02T22:02:00.006+02:002011-10-02T22:21:29.786+02:00

It took a while, but I finally found out how to embed this important clip:MK Danny Ayalon responds:Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon reacted Sunday to the statement by a senior Fatah man that exposes the organization's plan to destroy Israel in stages, while pretending to seek a peaceful compromise. "As I have said on many occasions," said Ayalon, "here is further proof that the conflict is

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-8962171488188167432011-09-28T10:21:00.002+03:002011-09-28T10:23:49.535+03:00

There she goes again:U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned on Tuesday the Israeli decision to approve the construction of 1,100 new housing units in Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood.In a statement she released Clinton said that the decision is “an obstacle in the way to renew peace talks with the Palestinians.”When will she ever learn?

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-18759343362074526212011-09-28T10:12:00.003+03:002011-10-02T21:58:03.378+02:00

Is your tax rate that of a Jew, a janitor, or a Jewish janitor?Shana Tova!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-72433436990418601112011-09-26T18:22:00.009+03:002011-09-26T19:06:00.208+03:00

The savage murder of Asher Palmer and his one and a half year old son Yonatan made me recall something similar that happened to me about 22 years ago.Near the Ramot neighborhood of Jerusalem where I lived back then was a beautiful mountain covered with Jerusalem pine trees. A winding road lead up to its pinnacle. I saw the mountain on an almost daily basis. I decided that one day I would take

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-716113257529697762011-09-25T17:29:00.004+03:002011-09-25T17:41:58.195+03:00

I heard about this after the Sabbath was over. An incredible tragedy. I happen to know Asher personally. He was a truly fine young man. According to David Wilder, it seems that the Arabs have added a new method of murder to their terrorist arsenal:However, lately, our enemies have begun using a new method in their continued attempts to kill Jews. Instead of standing on the side of the road

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-9917652059333147922011-09-24T22:52:00.009+03:002011-09-25T20:44:27.545+03:00

Herb Keinon wrote an excellent article about Obama's latest speech. He makes a number of points that I really identify with. Here are some highlights from the article: It took some 34 months, but on Wednesday at the UN Israel finally heard the speech it wanted to hear from US President Barack Obama.Gone were so many elements of previous Obama speeches on the Middle East that rankled so many

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-110943922523611292011-09-20T18:15:00.000+03:002011-09-20T18:16:10.757+03:00

This week's edition can be found here.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-34622442718182117082011-09-16T10:05:00.004+03:002011-09-17T23:14:14.242+03:00

This post is a follow-up to what I wrote here. In this week's issue of BeSheva the scandalous expulsion of cadets from an IDF officer's course is dealt with from many different angles.Rabbi Eliezer Melamed agrees with me that the commander(s) that expelled the cadets should be punished (Update: Rabbi Melamed's remarks are now available in English): לאחר האירוע המצער והמשפיל של הדחת ארבעה צוערים

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-19441347277469106582011-09-14T18:39:00.000+03:002011-09-14T18:48:55.122+03:00

Elul is a time of introspection, a time when things long forgotten are remembered. As the month progresses and we approach the new year, I remembered something that I saw on television many years ago. I even found it on YouTube:A very special verse comes to mind: "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:32). It

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-69179010834620937942011-09-13T17:33:00.003+03:002011-09-13T17:43:22.709+03:00

I've written in the past about UNRWA and the negative role it plays here in the Middle East. Here we have a film that claims to show us what happens inside of UNRWA funded summer camps. Not surprising at all!Read more about this here.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-52579103092172628282011-09-08T17:02:00.003+03:002011-09-08T17:06:49.968+03:00

Not too long ago I wrote how the IDF is increase ultra-Orthodox participation in the Israeli Army by creating special frameworks for them. Back then I wrote:This is a simple solution that could have been implemented a long time ago: Create different frameworks within the army that do not contradict the Hareidi way of life i.e. do not force them to serve with women etc.However, the IDF is a large

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-88998938961541667702011-09-02T12:08:00.001+03:002011-09-02T12:10:48.238+03:00

Sultan Knish coins a new concept: The Shawarma Republic. Definitely worth reading!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-37418098090971156142011-09-02T11:38:00.003+03:002011-09-02T11:49:46.702+03:00

This is amazing:The University of Haifa announced on Wednesday its decision to postpone a conference booked for next week on the book Torat Hamelech (“The King’s Torah”) and featuring one of its authors, following pressure from numerous organizations on the school’s president, Prof. Aaron Ben-Ze’ev. “The university is firmly opposed to the stances expressed in the book Torat Hamelech, and it is

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-13549661245518129062011-08-15T22:11:00.008+03:002011-08-15T22:24:07.860+03:00

I discovered a new park today: Park Anava in Modi'in. It is very nice! In Jerusalem we also have a few nice parks, but nothing like this, with a lake and boats to rent. Here are some pics for your enjoyment: The place was full of black hatters..."Bein HaZmanim": In addition to boats you could also float on the lake inside a huge ball (click on pic for enlargement):

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-58874560425858185662011-08-10T23:20:00.005+03:002011-08-10T23:50:29.073+03:00

As the British are suffering an epidemic of rioting and looting, their security officials have spare time for other activities:British security officials banned Rabbi Yosef Elitzur from entering the country over opinions expressed in the book Torat HaMelekh (Law of the King), which he co-wrote with Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira. The book, which has generated significant controversy in Israel, is an

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-42004393540514071002011-08-07T18:02:00.003+03:002011-08-07T18:04:49.460+03:00

It seems that the housing protests are not influencing the electorate the way the Israeli Left and their cheerleaders in the Israeli MSM would have liked. Batya has the details.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-70983183037854980612011-08-07T17:53:00.003+03:002011-08-07T17:58:37.827+03:00

From Arutz 7:Protesters seeking housing they can afford are doomed to failure – unless they repent for standing by silently as Jews were expelled from their homes in Gush Katif. So says Rav Daniel Stavsky, in a brief segment of his weekly Torah lecture that has been making the rounds online.“Those who ask for homes, for housing, and six years ago did not protest the expulsion of 10,000 Jews from

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-12074730588808788442011-08-07T17:50:00.001+03:002011-08-07T17:52:41.759+03:00

This week's issue is up!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-64288320461961679332011-08-04T18:56:00.004+03:002011-08-04T19:08:29.361+03:00

From Arutz 7:Anarchists attacked nationalists who joined the housing protest in Tel Aviv's Rothschild Ave. Thursday. The anarchists set fire to one of the tents pitched by the nationalists but the flames were quickly doused and no one was hurt. The tent was slightly damaged.A photographer for Tatzpit who documented the arson was also attacked and his camera was damaged. He filed a complaint with

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-16371719072713700112011-08-04T18:38:00.002+03:002011-08-04T18:41:27.107+03:00

The latest issue of jpix is titled, "JPIX, Feast Your Eyes". So go there to feast your eyes!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-77664363060968456972011-08-02T17:36:00.003+03:002011-08-02T17:43:12.116+03:00

Ma'ariv reports that the New Israel Fund financed the purchase of 35,000 NIS worth of tents for the protesters. In the Jerusalem Post, Caroline Glick informs us who the protest leaders are:At every opportunity, the protesters claim they are apolitical and the media go along with them. Yet as a handful of bloggers have shown, more than eighty percent of the protest leaders are professional far

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-70127229158010914662011-08-02T17:19:00.002+03:002011-08-02T17:22:14.487+03:00

that this weeks issue of Haveil Haveilim is on line! Go for it!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-88104916365394164292011-07-31T17:25:00.004+03:002011-07-31T17:40:37.847+03:00

Yes the cost of housing in Israel is high. The question is "why"? Well you do not have to be Stanley Fischer to know the answer: it is called supply and demand. There is a lot of demand for housing, while supply is lacking, hence high prices. The expulsion of thousands of people from their homes in the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria six years ago did not help the housing shortage. Certainly

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-35553133458450505652011-07-31T16:58:00.005+03:002011-07-31T17:41:57.513+03:00

One may agree or disagree with the book Torat HaMelech. But before deciding which side you are on, it is a good idea to read the book!In Mishpacha, journalist Yonoson "Jonathan" Rosenblum weighs in on the Torat HaMelech controversy. Mr. Rosenblum admits that he did not read Torat HaMelech, is aware that the excerpts he saw may have been "deliberately crafted to provide ammunition for

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-620158186531310432011-07-27T18:55:00.003+03:002011-07-27T19:00:04.200+03:00

It's been in the news for a few days: Amy Winehouse passed away at the age of 27. They say she was a really talented singer. I've never heard her sing. I guess that I will take their word for it.And she was a Jew. Among the things I saw on the web concerned her burial. One writer mentioned the fact that she chose to be cremated, something which is clearly against Jewish law. True, however, I

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-35618874366837283872011-07-26T17:26:00.004+03:002011-07-26T17:46:12.909+03:00

A few days ago this guy left his magnetic calling card on my front door[click on the pic to enlarge]:A quick translation:With God's HelpGamliel the ultra-Orthodox PlumberImplementation of all water and sewage workQuick and reliable serviceWork is guaranteedHis magnetic calling card also mentions that his gives discounts to "Bnei Torah".One of the greatest libels against the ultra-Orthodox

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-46598633804484581552011-07-26T17:07:00.002+03:002011-07-26T17:12:06.619+03:00

This week's edition comes in two parts:Haveil Havalim - The Makeup Edition Haveil Havalim #322b - The Make Up Edition Supplement

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-30601232919372115032011-07-20T17:17:00.000+03:002011-07-20T17:21:15.427+03:00

Rabbi Menachem Brod of Kfar Chabad:If the definition of 'Zionism' is defined as detachment from Jewish roots and becoming a nation like any other, we oppose that – and so did all the great Torah leaders. But if Zionism is about loving the land, about national security, settling the land, then Chabad definitely supports those important activities

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-9710159746347613482011-07-20T17:12:00.002+03:002011-07-20T17:16:37.912+03:00

Rabbi Gil Student actually read "Torat HaMelech" and provides his analysis. The post and the talkbacks are interesting. Unfortunately Rabbi Student falls into the trap of trying to be "politically correct" by misusing the term "racist" and applying it to the book. I previously wrote about another misuse of this term here.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-31289825545764271242011-07-15T09:40:00.003+03:002011-07-15T09:43:49.646+03:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-7998906516062342892011-07-14T12:29:00.005+03:002011-07-14T15:39:03.525+03:00

The Israeli left and MSM are having a fit, shrieking away at this law . Unfortunately, the media does not provide enough objective information about the law for one to form an informed opinion about it. Feeling the frustration of many, I have translated the law into English. Now you can decide if the law is good or bad:The Law for Preventing the Harming the State of Israel By Means of Boycott

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-75412192173631763082011-07-12T21:24:00.001+03:002011-07-12T21:26:51.835+03:00

Check out this week's edition at Esser Agaroth.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-18312637619503364562011-07-11T17:04:00.004+03:002011-07-11T17:41:32.656+03:00

You may want to read parts 1, 2, and 3 of this series.For the fourth and final(?) installment in this series we'll examine the do's and don'ts of integrating into the Orthodox community for BTs and converts. This is what I thought of offhand: DO's:1) Find a community that you feel comfortable in. Look around. There are so many different communities to choose from, especially here in Israel.2)

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-26812768126212960802011-07-10T19:06:00.002+03:002011-07-10T19:09:55.613+03:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-67620950147556317132011-07-06T18:37:00.005+03:002011-07-06T18:44:28.908+03:00

The road to Tel Aviv:Can you see Jameel?Lifta on the right:

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-44218469959956624772011-07-05T17:31:00.005+03:002011-07-11T17:03:54.784+03:00

Before reading this check out parts 1 and 2.For the third post in this series we'll play matchmaker.Meet Oren. He grew up secular in Tel Aviv. After serving in the IDF, he spent a year in touring around the world. After checking out various different religions and cults he decided to look into Judaism. He returned to Israel and enrolled in a Yeshiva for BTs. He learned with great diligence

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-18565557959056279742011-07-04T22:56:00.001+03:002011-07-04T22:58:21.785+03:00

Here!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-15648382898851018192011-06-30T17:20:00.004+03:002011-07-01T11:21:52.508+03:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-71447379844894923342011-06-30T17:19:00.000+03:002011-06-30T17:20:48.074+03:00

Very, very good!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-86939296994065911182011-06-29T17:22:00.004+03:002011-06-29T17:36:53.518+03:00

Before reading this check out Part I, especially if you do not understand the abbreviations used in the title of this post.The purpose of this post is to take a closer look at the FFBs. In a previous post I described the FFBs as people who do not know what bacon tastes like. By that I meant to say that FFBs are different. They remind me of what F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote about "the rich":"Let

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-1925227693625167862011-06-26T22:18:00.002+03:002011-06-26T22:21:41.839+03:00

Looking South:Looking North:

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-31309873116822260832011-06-23T17:09:00.003+03:002011-06-23T17:12:01.485+03:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-281610378590125052011-06-22T18:59:00.003+03:002011-06-22T21:13:16.918+03:00

I thought that I would write about a subject that is often dealt with on other blogs: social stratification in the Orthodox community. There is stratification based on community (Ashkenazi, Sefardi etc.), and ideology (Hasidim, Mitnagdim, National Religious, Modern Orthodox, etc.). I may touch upon these, however the main focus of this post (and some upcoming ones) will be stratification that

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-12657322547947573492011-06-21T17:47:00.002+03:002011-06-21T17:51:40.794+03:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-33516332148969024502011-06-19T19:29:00.000+03:002011-06-19T19:30:46.443+03:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-9620326226557963762011-06-19T19:06:00.004+03:002011-06-19T19:20:49.067+03:00

Now that Anthony Weiner has lost his job in Congress, is he going to lose his wife as well? Is the humiliated Huma going to give Weiner the boot? That is the question that many who have followed this bizarre case are asking themselves.The truth is, according to Jewish law, Anthony Weiner and Huma Abedin are not married. A Jew cannot marry a non-Jew. Period. According to the Torah, their current

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-23470605332767638782011-06-17T08:48:00.005+03:002011-06-17T09:12:15.334+03:00

About a week ago I published a fictional post, "Anthony Weiner Resigns From Congress". Well, the post has been fulfilled, that is to say, the resignation part.:BTW, I found the heckling extremely distasteful. I've written a few posts about Weiner. People have arrived at these posts using a variety of search terms:weiner resignsweiner leave of absenceAnthony Weiner requests leave of

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-49155980027267116692011-06-16T19:06:00.002+03:002011-06-16T19:10:01.890+03:00

It started as "Birkat Rachel", afterwards it was called "Alef", and now it is "Yesh".

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-65121235666119407702011-06-15T18:03:00.004+03:002011-06-15T18:06:17.984+03:00

Givat Shaul Street looking west:The sun is going to set soon...minchah, minchah.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-74424006245310637882011-06-14T18:35:00.002+03:002011-06-14T18:40:15.766+03:00

Givat Shaul Street looking eastward:

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-41849329227773221402011-06-13T17:58:00.006+03:002011-06-13T18:08:06.945+03:00

I was in the town of Dimona recently. Yeah, that's the place with the nuclear reactor near by. It's a nice town and here are a few pics:This shot was taken from inside the Yeshiva high school. Nice mural:This is the exit gate from the Yeshiva high school, with a very educational message written above it:

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-48049370534575570822011-06-12T18:52:00.003+03:002011-06-12T19:17:29.772+03:00

I have already mentioned that Rep. Anthony Weiner can leverage Weinergate to his advantage. He has a golden opportunity to reexamine the way he has led his life until now. Now that he is officially taking a leave of absence in order to address his problems, let's hope that he will find a rabbi who will give him the spiritual guidance that he really needs. He must realize that the only cure is

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-15863403131171749842011-06-10T09:53:00.002+03:002011-06-10T09:58:11.912+03:00

Anthony Weiner is taking a leave of absence from politics in order to learn Judaism at an Israeli rabbinic academy. Rep. Weiner, looking sporting a turquoise yarmulke and the beginnings of a scraggly beard, looked relaxed as he explained his latest move."One of my lady Tweeter followers sent me a link from some blogger in Jerusalem. I can say with certainty that what the guy wrote really made

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-36289714009058103812011-06-09T16:48:00.002+03:002011-06-09T16:58:40.462+03:00

One might think that the disgraceful Weinergate scandal and the pathetic attempted cover-up spell the end for Anthony Weiner. I beg to disagree. This entire debacle can be a positive turning point for the man! I know what you are thinking: This guy must be kidding! After all the Weinergate narrative is as follows: Anthony Weiner is a young and rising star in Congress, the pride of his family,

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-40085516151181935062011-06-07T14:11:00.006+03:002011-06-09T16:59:31.267+03:00

As I was waiting for the chazan to start chazarat hashatz this morning I took a look at Sefer HaZohar. I opened up it up to this week's Torah portion and this is what I found: וַיְדַבֵּר יְיָ אֶל מֹשֶׁה לֵאמֹר. דַּבֵּר אֶל אַהֲרֹן וְאָמַרְתָּ אֵלָיו בְּהַעֲלוֹתְךָ אֶת הַנֵּרוֹת וְגוֹ', רִבִּי יְהוּדָה פָּתַח, (תהלים יט) וְהוּא כְּחָתָן יוֹצֵא מֵחוּפָּתוֹ וְגוֹ'. זַכָּאָה חוּלָקֵיהוֹן

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-63939977263389081712011-06-06T18:38:00.002+03:002011-06-06T18:50:01.102+03:00

מאיר שלו לא עומד בסטנדרטים של עצמו IDF Homefront Command to Hack "Kosher" phonesMore Than Cheesecake and BlintzesLebanese writer: "Would we want to be treated like we treat the Palestinians?"

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-66746387070916492572011-05-31T17:42:00.002+03:002011-05-31T17:50:45.162+03:00

What in the world is going on in Scotland?The European Jewish Congress spoke out on Tuesday against reports that Israeli books and products have been banned or distinctively marked in several districts in Scotland, near Glasgow.According to reports, the ban was initiated two and a half years ago, shortly after Operation Cast Lead. At the time, the West Dunbartonshire Regional Council, located

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-6306890314480833812011-05-25T17:21:00.006+03:002011-05-25T18:21:24.286+03:00

I did not hear his speech. However, from all reports, he really wowed the crowd:Interrupted dozens of times by standing ovations, after minutes-long applause as he entered the chamber, Netanyahu also said that there are 300 million Arabs in the MIddle East, but the only ones who are free are Israeli citizens.I saw some excellent analysis in the jblogosphere:Netanyahu’s Job Well DoneIsrael: My

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-52584649654879167312011-05-23T18:00:00.000+03:002011-05-23T18:01:41.971+03:00

You can find this week's issue here.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-56749831220143648012011-05-19T21:45:00.004+03:002011-05-19T22:39:41.708+03:00

U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama has finally made his long awaited policy speech. Here are the relevant parts to us Israelis according to Arutz 7:So while the core issues of the conflict must be negotiated, the basis of those negotiations is clear: a viable Palestine, and a secure Israel. The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-32552021018375334722011-05-17T17:20:00.005+03:002011-05-17T17:37:45.478+03:00

Who knows what V-E Day is?Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day) commemorates May 8, 1945 (in Commonwealth countries; May 7,1945), the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. The formal surrender of the occupying German forces in the Channel Islands was not until May 9, 1945.

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-21328980415036719672011-05-09T19:14:00.000+03:002011-05-09T19:15:56.724+03:00

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-55005125643992513402011-05-09T16:23:00.000+03:002011-05-09T16:24:52.937+03:00

Here!

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-28853862074063825122011-05-05T18:13:00.001+03:002011-05-05T18:14:52.455+03:00

This was expected:The Haifa District Court rejected a lawsuit by Danny Rozen, husband of late Haifa police chief Ahuva Tomer, filed against Interior Minister Eli Yishai.Rozen sued the state and Yishai for NIS 3 million in January, and demanded Yishai's resignation over what he said was criminal negligence of the Israel Fire and Rescue Service.In its reply to the law suit, the state said Tomer had

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-57588286118385234792011-05-04T18:32:00.005+03:002011-05-04T18:43:34.196+03:00

The expression, "you are what you eat" is well known. If you want to be healthy, you have to eat fresh and nourishing food. Where did the phrase come from?:Ger. Mann ist was Mann isst, man is what man eats; cf. the philosopher Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-72) in Jacob Moleschott Lehre der Nahrungsmittel: Für das Volk (1850) ‘Advertisement’: Der Mensch ist, was er isst, Man is what he eats. The saying

Cosmic Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13880746347107372827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10275443.post-76162743473583669282011-05-02T19:16:00.002+03:002011-05-02T19:21:15.678+03:00

Cheers! The evil Osama Bin Laden bites the dust! "When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, there is joy.(Proverbs 11:10)" Today is a happy day for the civilized world, and a sad one for Muslim extremists. Readers, please take note. The U.S. Army has no problem when it comes to human shields. If they are in the way, just kill them!:U.S. troops were

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