Haveil Havalim #40

Ze'ev at Israel Perspectives has done an incredible job. Check it out!

Women And Fasting On Tzom Gedaliah

My daughter told me that some girls in her Beis Yaakov Seminar did not fast on the Fast Of Gedaliah. I told her that as far as I know they are required to fast, unless they are pregnant or nursing. Of course, nobody in her 10th grade class fits that description. She wanted proof so I showed her the appropriate chapter in the Shulchan Aruch.

Is there anyone out there that can explain why some women do not fast?

Before The Zionist Period

Check out Emet m'Tsiyon's latest post. An excerpt:

It is clear from this post and other sources from that period of history, that the Arab Muslims in Israel saw themselves as superior to the non-Muslims and as having the duty to defend the Empire and its social system which kept the dhimmis in thrall. NeoPhytos and other 19th century authors quoted on this blog make it clear that the Jews in Israel at that time were the low man on the totem pole, more oppressed and humiliated than even the Christian subjects of Sultan. In other words, contrary to currently widespread conventional views of the pre-Zionist period in Israel, views promulgated by Arabs, by Leftists, and by Western journalists, diplomats, and statesmen, Muslims lorded it over non-Muslims, exploiting them economically, extorting money and valuables from them, often keeping them in a state of fear, and habitually humiliating them.

As The Stomach Growls

Cosmic X and Jews all over the world are fasting today. This is not because that we are trying to lose all of the weight that we put on after two days of holiday meals! Today is the Fast of Gedaliah:

"Tzom Gedaliah (Fast of Gedaliah) is an annual fast day instituted by the Jewish Sages to commemorate the assassination of Gedaliah Ben Achikam, the Governor of Israel during the days of Nebuchadnetzar King of Babylonia. As a result of Gedaliah's death the final vestiges of Judean autonomy after the Babylonian conquest were destroyed, many thousands of Jews were slain, and the remaining Jews were driven into final exile."

Read more about the Fast of Gedaliah here, here, and here.

Last Post Before Rosh HaShannah?

This will probably be the last post before Rosh HaShannah. Best wishes to all for a good, sweet New Year.

Some links for Rosh HaShannah:

Yaak

Bluke

Akiva

R' Moishe Passed Away

Last Friday R' Moishe passed away in the hospital. Friends and family took part in the funeral of this wonderful man who left this world with a good name. Tears flowed for the man who had not an enemy. He returned his soul to his Creator, while his body rests in the holy soil of the land of Israel. May his memory be a blessing and may his family be comforted with the rebuilding of Zion.

Still Orange In Jerusalem

It's amazing how many cars are still sporting the orange strips of cloth in protest of the "disengagement." The Jewish communities in Gush Katif and Northern Shomron were destroyed over a month ago by the Israeli government. The government knowingly trampled on our Torah, the Torah that states unequivocally that we are obligated to settle these places: "...for I have given you the land to possess it."(Numbers 33:53) More than a month has gone by since these areas have been ethnically cleansed of Jews by other Jews, to the great applause of the "civilized" nations of the world. In spite of the time that has passed, the orange can still be seen on the backpacks of many as well as on numerous automobiles.

Are the people sporting the orange strips just too lazy to remove them? Are they living in denial of the tragedy that has befallen the nation? Do these people believe that displaying orange will spare the communities have been bulldozed into a pile of rubble by the IDF or salvage the synagogues that have already been torched by Islamofascist beasts?

I can only speak for myself. The orange symbolizes my solidarity with those who were unjustly driven from their homes and deprived of their livelihoods. It is my way of showing to them and to the whole world that I was not part of this despicable act, and that I actively protested against it. It is my way of showing the criminals that took part in the expulsion that I have not forgotten what they have done. "The day after" that they spoke about is here, but their reprehensible acts have not been forgotten. They will not be swept so quickly under the rug. The wound is open, it is festering, and it will not heal until the settlers are returned to their homes and livelihoods, and those that ravaged the democratic process and defiled the IDF are held responsible for their deeds.

So if you see Cosmic X walking or driving through Jerusalem, still sporting anti-expulsion-orange, you'll know why.

What Is Jerusalem?

After lacking inspiration to write anything today, I finally got some after reading this humorous post by David at Treppenwitz. Read the post. It really is funny.

I detest shopping malls. For me they represent something that I totally despise: crass materialism. The last time that I was in the mall at Malcha, I remember the feeling of not being able to wait to get out of there. The place makes me ill. Cosmic X and shopping malls don't mix.

For me Jerusalem is not the shopping mall in Malcha. Jerusalem for me is the neighborhoods that are full of Batei Midrash and steeped with piety. Jerusalem is the men who get up before dawn to say selichot and to pray shacharit before heading off to work. Jerusalem is the boys and girls that fill the streets and busses in the morning on the way to their respective places of learning. Jerusalem is the soldiers on Sunday morning at the Central Bus Station on their way back to their units after spending the Sabbath at home. Jerusalem is the shuk in Machane Yehuda. Jerusalem is the City of David, the Old City, and the Temple Mount. Jerusalem is the yearning for the redemption of Israel and of the entire world.

That's Cosmic X's Jerusalem folks. I left the shopping malls behind in New Jersey.

Somebody Needs To Know The Time Glad That I'm Here

The title of the post is from the lyrics of a Beatles tune. I think John Lennon was trying to describe the life of a boring guy and his boring life. But what does this have to do with Cosmic X in Jerusalem?

About a week ago I was walking down Jaffa Street and somebody asked me where the Central Bus Station was. I pointed him in the right direction, quite pleased that I was able to help a total stranger who was unfamiliar with the territory. All of a sudden I thought about that lyric, "Somebody needs to know the time, glad that I'm here." Well, I thought to myself, that's me, isn't it?

The fact is that I lead a very hectic and interesting life, and it is really too bad that I have only 24 hours a day. Is it ridiculous to be happy that you were able to help somebody? Is it a sign of being bored and/or boring?

I saw this today at Mystical Paths:

Sometimes one has an opportunity to do a favor, a kindness, for another. It may seem like a small thing, even insignificant in fact. However, to the recipient, it may be a life saver. And if so, one may have saved a life! Or a family! An impact that could literally, if we had such vision, be counted for generations!

Being kind to another, helping each other out, goes beyond the obvious impact of the event. Don't hesitate when the moment arrives, help your fellow!

I think that says it all. I'd be happy to give you the time of day.

Havel Havelim #38 At Kesher Talk

Judith at Kesher Talk has put together a nice collection of links from all over the jblogosphere. The links are oraganized by subject: Yamim Noraim and Everything else. Enjoy.

Biur Chametz On Israeli Road Deaths

Biur Chametz has posted the second post in his series analyzing road deaths in Israel. Instead of the usual hype that accompanies this subject in the Israeli MSM, Zman Biur gives us data, graphs, and a thoughtful analysis. Thanks ZB!

The City Of Faith

Here is a must see photo-essay about the "City of Faith" that was set up by those who were expelled from Atzmona by our evil government. (Hat tip: IsraelReporter)

CodeScripter To The Rescue!

Good news for all of us who have struggled trying to understand our Blogger templates. Mirty has started a new blog, CodeScripter, to make this stuff understandable even to non-geeks.

Thanks Mirty.

Getting Rid Of The Television

I remember being told that Rabbi Avigdor Miller zt"l once said that having a television at home because "there are some good things on televsion" is like installing a sewer pipe in your home. Perhaps you'll find a dime among all of the sewage that floods your house! (This I heard in the 1980s. I understand that the content of television programs from a Torah point of view has plummeted since then.)

I thought about this after seeing the following in a post by Rabbi Gil Student:

My dilemma in writing this post was that some (most) readers will simply ignore this and continue watching TV. My hope, though, is that in the spirit of the upcoming Yom Kippur season readers will actively reduce their television watching. I don't expect anyone to change years-old habits from one quick blog post. But try cutting down. Think about it. It's easy, fairly painless, and can only yield positive results.

Kol HaKavod to Gil for writing this! My advice, however, is to throw the television away, period. You'll be happy that you did so.

As Rockets Fall

I enjoyed a wonderful Shabbat in my Jerusalem home unaware that Israel was again reaping the fruits of "disengagement." The residents of the Western Negev and Sderot in particular have my deepest sympathies. I also send my deepest sympathies to IDF soldiers that will have to risk their lives to clean up the mess that our government has made.

In the meantime, the suffering of those expelled from their homes in the Gaza Strip continues. Read this article by Rachel Saperstein to get an idea of what they are going through.

Eldad: Don't Pay State Television Tax

From Arutz 7:

"If only a hundred people let them know they are no longer willing to pay [state television anchor] Chaim Yavin's salary, they will confiscate their television and refrigerator. But if the 100,000 people who show up for demonstrations in city squares will refuse to pay the TV tax, it will become impossible to enforce this outrage, whereby we are forced to fund the production of slander against us. Citizens must inform the Broadcasting Authority that they are not prepared to buy for themselves the rope by which they will be hanged."

I have a better solution that does not involve breaking any laws: Just get rid of your television.

Female Soldiers And Beis Yaakov Girls

I was walking down Malchei Yisrael Street yesterday. On one side of the street some female soldiers donning green uniforms entered the Schneller Army Base. On the other side of the street were some Beis Yaakov seminar girls dressed in their the blue-skirt-and-shirt school uniform. I saw two sides of the street and two different uniforms.

I wondered if members of these two groups of young women ever struck up a casual conversation. I imagine that such an occurrence would be very rare. If they did, they would find that the ideological gap that separates them is much wider than the width of Malchei Yisrael Street. Although both girls speak Hebrew, they would find that many words in the lexicon of one of them just don't exist in the lexicon of the other. Even the words that are common for both often carry different meanings and connotations.

This is Israel as we approach Rosh Hashanah 5766.

Getting Stuck On Stupid

Now this is hilarious! (Hat tip: Michelle Malkin.)

And You Thought That All The Jews Left Gaza!

Check out this post from the Muqata!

Meet Avri Ran

NRG, the online version of the Israeli newspaper Maariv, published an interesting article on hilltop settler Avri Ran. As I read it I thought to myself that it is too bad that only those that know Hebrew can read this piece.

Someone from Arutz 7 must have been reading my thoughts. They published an article in English based on the NRG article. I recommend it.

Letters All Over The Jblogosphere

After you are done reading the letter that I posted, check out this letter at Shiloh Musings and this one at Israel Perspectives.

A Letter From A Female Officer To The Family That She Evicted From Their Home In Gush Katif

Blogmaster note: This letter appeared in last week's BeSheva magazine. I found this letter quite interesting, and therefore translated it from the original Hebrew into English for my readers. Without further ado .....

To the dear Goldschmidt family,

Shalom. I am sure that you remember me as the officer that evicted you from (your) home. I hope that after this letter you will remember me differently.

For a long time, since that Tuesday in Ganei Tal, I wander about with a great feeling of distress. Approximately like all the soldiers that took part in the eviction of (the residents of) Gush Katif and (Northern) Samaria.

I've been wounded with a deep emotional wound. I regret every minute and I wish that this feeling would pass. Your pain affected me a lot, perhaps because you were the first family that I, with much sorrow, had to evict. That week it was very difficult for me to go home, because of the fact that I have a home to return to and also because I cried a lot and I did not want to see anybody. The sorrowful experience that I went through with you touched my heart. My dear father suggested to me that I write you this letter, in order to unload the emotional burden that lies upon me since then. To begin with I really want to say that I am sorry. I am sorry about the entire eviction process. I'm sorry that I had to stand there opposite you and hold back my tears, in spite that I felt that I am entirely one of you. I am sorry about the distress that was brought upon you and the rest of the families in your charming settlement. Ironically, Ganei Tal, which did not forcefully resist, pained us the most. I am sorry that I harmed you, and I wish you a happy life and a new start with a minimum of problems. I strengthen you from my little abode in the (army) base and believe in you with all my heart.

I write this letter in tears and sadness, and hope that you won't throw it out, or that it won't return you to the terrible day of the eviction. To your two charming daughters please send my deep sorrow with regards to everything that happened and my sincere (request for) forgiveness. And to you, the parents of the family that so touched my heart, you were so right in what you said to me and the other officer that was with me in your home - that the difficult mission of continuing life and guarding your children at this hard time has fallen upon you. At the end of this letter my personal telephone (number) is attached. I am sure that you do not want any connection with me and that you are trying to forget the past and to look towards the future, but if in spite of this you want to talk, I'll be happy to hear your voice again.

I am happy that the opportunity to contact you again was given to me, even if it is by means of a letter. Would it were that I could meet you again, but of course only at happy occasions. Forgive me for my terrible handwriting. I decided to turn to your hearts in a more personal manner, and not in printed form.

Again I want to write and summarize my words in such that never in my life have I gone through such a difficult situation, a situation of helplessness and deep emotional partnership with people that I do not know. At that time I felt hate and anger towards the governmental factors that sent us on this difficult mission, that caused us to look like robots opposite you, opposite charming people that I had the pleasure to meet even in sorrowful circumstances.

I hope that you do not hold a grudge against me, and that you will truly forgive me and the rest of the soldiers that against their will had to take part in the eviction of (the residents of) Gush Katif. Believe me that we did not want to do this. If I could turn the wheel back and cast off the emotional burden that I had that morning in your house, I would release the tears in order that you would know that it is hard for me as well and that I'm crying with you.

With this I'm finishing my letter again with a blessing of success for your charming family.

Oh that you should find only gladness and happiness in your life.

Violent Left-Wing Activist On The Way To Jail

Deputy Chief Justice of the Haifa district court Rachel Hoza ruled Sunday in favor of Dr. Eli Buchbinder and Dr. Ronen Adar, who were brutally attacked by a group of Arabs wearing Meretz T-shirts and hanging signs for the Meretz municipal elections. Read about it here.

Weird Headline In Ha'aretz

Here's the Headline:

Five Jewish families move into Arab property in Hebron

The article itself, however, states the following:

Five Jewish families recently moved into a building purchased by residents of the Jewish settlement in Hebron, near a longstanding trailer park and a new apartment building intended to replace the trailers.

I don't get it. The building remains Arab property even after Jews have purchased it?

Going The "Right" Way With Torah

The Talmudic sage Rava said, "For those that go right with it (words of Torah), it is the potion of life, for those that go left with it (words of Torah), it is the potion of death" (Shabbat 88B). This is a seemingly strange statement. What does Rava mean? Rava's terminology reminds me of what Abraham said to Lot, "Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me; if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left.'" (Genesis 13:9). But here it is obvious that Rava is not talking about directions of the compass!

Fortunately for us, Rashi provides an explanation of Rava's words: "Those that go right- Those that are occupied (with the Torah) with all of their might and concerned to know its (the Torah's) secret, like a man that uses his right hand which is the main (hand)."

I understand that from Rashi's explanation that "those that go left" are not overly occupied or concerned with words of Torah. For them the Torah is like an unimportant hobby, something that they occupy themselves with only after all of the "really important" things are done. The Torah is the potion of death for such people. This is a very harsh statement! Rava is telling us that the Torah has to be the main thing. Even if one spends the majority of their day making a living, he must set aside time for learning Torah. While he is learning, he must strive with all of his might to understand and of course apply what he has learned.

I hope that in the coming year that I will merit, along with the rest of Israel to be among those that "go right" with the words of Torah, that the Torah will be for us an elixir of life, and as such we will all merit to be written and sealed for a good year.

R' Moishe In The Hospital

I went to visit R' Moishe in the hospital last Friday. R' Moishe, once a man of greater than average strength, was lying in his bed totally helpless. He cannot get up from his bed to go to the bathroom, and therefore he has to be diapered. He cannot feed himself. It's ironic that this old man is in many ways similar to a newborn baby, totally dependent on others.

R' Moishe has trouble breathing. That's the reason for the tubes that are in his nose. He sleeps most of the time. When he was awake I asked him if there was something that I could do to help him.

"Hakol Beseder," he said. Everything is okay.

I don't think that I could have received a better lesson in ethics before the New Year.

BeSheva Had Some Really Good Articles This Week

This week's issue of BeSheva (vol. 160) has some really good articles. If you didn't pick up a free copy of the paper, you can read it online here. (I must admit that I wish that Arutz 7 would translate the paper into English. It's not that I have a problem reading Hebrew, it's just that I read English about ten times faster!)

Soldiers Regret Taking Part In Expulsion

Arutz 7 has an interesting article dealing with this. An excerpt:

Yoni and Noa Katzover received a phone call from a Border Guard officer who evicted them from their house in Chomesh. "He asked how we are doing," Yoni said, "and told us of the hardships he's undergoing. He told us of his 10-year-old nephew who refuses to talk with him, and how he broke down crying in the middle of the Kiddush [pre-Sabbath-meal blessing]. He also told us about some of his soldiers who have requested emotional counseling."

A related note: The son of a friend of mine serves in the Golani Brigade. He told his father of an instance where Golani soldiers mercilessly taunted a soldier from another brigade that took part in the expulsion.(And that soldier knew that he better not mess around with Golani.)

Another related note: Rabbi Moshe Tzuriel is of the opinion that those that took part in the expulsion should not be allowed to lead prayers, be called up to the Torah, or be counted in a minyan, until they do teshuvah.

Final note: "Religious soldiers who participated in the evacuation are considered to have impaired their chances for a good match. A number of young women and their mothers said they would not consider marrying someone who had taken part in the operation."

Pallywood

The Second Draft, a web site that is "devoted to exploring some of the problems and issues that plague modern journalism," has a must see:

Pallywood, "According to Palestinian Sources..." a film by Richard Landes & Nidra Poller. International news media extract a few convincing instants of staged scenes - sight-bytes, and present them as news...

Don't miss it!

Hat Tip: Galileeblog

Cosmic X Tears His Shirt

During the reburial of the bodies from the Gush Katif cemetary, Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky mentioned that when he was expelled from his home he made a tear his shirt as a sign of mourning. He added that when the IDF turns over the settlements to the Arabs, everybody would be required to do so. In Hebrew this is called keri'ah.

I had forgotten Rabbi Kaminetzky's words about keri'ah until last night. Someone in my daf yomi class mentioned that Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu also required this.

So last night I tore the shirt that I was wearing in accordance with Jewish Law.

May all those who mourn the destruction of Jewish communitees in the land of Israel merit to rejoice in their rebuilding, as it is written with regards to Jerusalem: “Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her; rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her.” (Isaiah 66:10) “All who mourn for Jerusalem will merit to see its great joy." (Ta'anit 30B)

Beware Of Levity

One of the ways that the proponents of "disengagement" deal with the great injustice done to those that were expelled from their homes is levity. Before the expulsion someone sent me an email with a wmv file version of Channel 10's parody "Nechama Bat Yefune." I do not have a television at home and this is one of the reasons why. The portrayal of the settler woman as a scatterbrained idiot was just one of the devices to desensitize the nation to the great sin that it was about to commit. Let's laugh about kicking these scatterbrained idiots out of their homes!

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, in his book The Path Of The Just, warns us about the effect that levity can have on our spiritual growth:

Consider the great severity and destructive power of levity. Like a shield smeared with oil, which wards off arrows and causes them to fall to the ground, not permitting them to reach the bearer's body, is levity in the face of reproof and rebuke. For with one bit of levity and with a little laughter a person can cast from himself the great majority of the awakenings and impressions that a man's heart stimulates and effects within itself upon his seeing or hearing things which arouse him to an acconting and an examination of his deeds. The force of levity flings everything to the ground so that no impression whatsoever is made upon Him. This is due not to the weakness of the forces playing upon him, nor to any lack of understanding on his part, but to the power of levity, which obliterates all facets of moral evaluation and fear of God.

As we search our souls this Elul, levity is one of the things that must be done away with.

R' Moishe

R' Moishe was a regular at the daf yomi class. In spite of his advanced age, in spite of the stroke that left him partially paralyzed, R' Moishe almost always made it to the daf yomi class. He would limp in to the beis medresh with his cane, and I would help him remove his coat and sit down. He would pay close attention to what the rabbi said, and often the questions that he would raise were the same questions that the tosefos or other rishonim had already pondered. (This is a sign of a sharp mind and a proper understanding of the issue at hand.)

As the years went by R' Moishe's cane was replaced with a walker, and later on by a wheel chair. R' Moishe started having trouble concentrating during the daf yomi class. He has trouble breathing. His skin has become pale. His doctor says that his days are numbered.

R' Moishe has stopped coming to the daf yomi class. I miss him.

Jewish Rage Blogger

Read some Jewish Rage at Zaamyehudi!

Balagan In Jerusalem

Balagan at the western entrance to Jerusalem. The city is going through growing pains. Construction of the "Jerusalem Calatrava Bridge" has begun. Read more about it here.

Reaping The "Fruits" Of "Disengagement"

CNN Does It Again!

The Arabs didn't burn down the synagogue. The just lit a bonfire under it:

The synagogue in Netzarim was still standing, but there were no plans were in place to protect it or any of the synagogues from any Palestinian citizens who might want to damage them, the official said.

Several Palestinians stood atop the Netzarim synagogue with flags, firing weapons into the air. A bonfire was alight under the building.

I won't say that CNN lies but they sure have a hard time telling the truth!

Update: David at Israellycool also noticed this.

Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu: It Will Not Be (Hayo Lo Tihye)

This is an article that was published in the Mayanei HaYeshua parsha sheet, volume 213, Parshat Shoftim, 6 Elul 5765. I could not find the original Hebrew version online. If anyone finds it please let me know. The translation that follows is mine, except for verses from the Bible which are from the Jewish Publication Society's 1917 edition of the Hebrew Bible in English. Every translation is an interpretation, where the translator has to pick a word or phrase from a number of possibilities. Sometimes faithfulness to the original has to be sacrificed because of considerations of style and idiom. I believe that I captured the essence of what the Rabbi wrote, but in no way is this translation authoritative. That being said, drumroll....

It Will Not Be

We said and prayed and hoped and cried, "It will not be." We repeat and say, "It will not be." G-d swore to our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that this land will be ours. 1900 years we did not lose the faith and the trust that we will return to here, that "not one word of Your words will return unfulfilled." Blessed be G-d, we have returned to the land of Israel according to G-d's promise to our teacher Moses 3300 years ago. "That then the L-RD thy G-d will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the peoples, whither the L-RD thy G-d hath scattered thee. If any of thine that are dispersed be in the uttermost parts of heaven, from thence will the L-RD thy G-d gather thee, and from thence will He fetch thee. (Deuteronomy 30:3-4)

We merited to see the beginning of the fulfillment of this promise and we are confident that we will merit to see the fulfillment of G-d’s prophecy in its entirety. "And the L-RD thy G-d will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and He will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. And the L-RD thy G-d will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (Deuteronomy 30:5-6).

We are confident with regards to the fulfillment of G-d's promise. Because of it we pray. From its strength we came into the land, it gave us the strength to build, plant, and sow. From the midst of this certainty we pray for the continuation of its fulfillment.

Our struggle with regards to our settlement in Gush Katif also was also derived from this faith. It is impossible to fight without faith. It is impossible to fight without determination. It is impossible to fight from the midst of doubt. One must fight from the midst of trust (in G-d). And in truth the thing of utter importance in this struggle was the trust and faith that accompanied it the entire way. In the end, to our dismay, we lost the homes and the settlements, the orchards and the greenhouses, the Torah academies and the study halls, all of the special beauty of the Gush Katif settlements. But we did not lose the faith and the trust (in G-d). We did not lose hope. We were not partners to the destruction of the settlements. We were not partners to this awful wanton transgression.

It is correct that some of us lost part of his property, (however) the vast majority was saved. It is true that we are sitting today in hotels and not in our homes. However, "the money and the possessions” were never the main thing in our lives, they were important but they were secondary. The main thing for us was life, education, faith, and the way (of life). We went out from there with all of our values. We did not compromise on anything. We fought for our way (of life) till the last minute. We did not bend our ways because of weakness and weariness, surrender and compromises.

He who went out with his faith (intact) is able to continue, to build, to succeed, and to return (to himself) what was lost on the way. He who lost faith but kept (his) possessions, for him (life) is difficult. We continue with faith. We continue to say, "It will not be." We know that the path of surrender has no chance. There is no chance for a path that goes against the word of the living G-d. There is no chance to go against G-d's oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Many leaders arose in history that went against the word of G-d. They perished and their way perished, but "the word of our G-d will prevail forever."

We will return to Gush Katif in a greater and wider fashion. With the help of G-d we will dwell there in great security, with tranquility, and peace, serenity and safety. Amen may it be His will.

Israel Won´t Destroy Synagogues

One less Chillul Hashem for the Sharon government:

Overturning two previous decisions, the Cabinet voted to leave the Gush Katif synagogues intact. The Palestinian Authority is already threatening to raze them.

Some Goodies From The Machon Parashat Hashavua Sheet

Rabbi Dov Begon:

Today, we bear witness to a deterioration of morality and spirituality. The words of Isaiah 1:23 are being fulfilled: “Your princes are rebellious...Every one of them loves bribes and pursues reward. They judge not the fatherless nor does the cause of the widow come unto them.” How can the Israeli secular legal system, whose job it is to pursue justice and to defend the society and nation, instead provide backing to unethical, inhumane deeds? They are aiding in the expulsion of Jews from Eretz Yisrael. They are harming entire families and communities, and destroying homes, synagogues and yeshivot.

Instead of defending the Israeli nation and society, they serve the interests of Israel’s enemies. Instead of strengthening and protecting the unique Jewish identity of the Jewish People, they are determined to make us a nation like all others, without an identity, without a culture, without Jewish values. Those presently in the seat of power offer a religion of “disengagement” from the people, Torah and land.

Rabbi Shlomo Aviner:

I lament for our Holy Land liberated with our soldiers’ blood and now turned over to our enemies; for that section of the Land built with great toil over the course of generations, now destroyed and left desolate; for the pure and holy Jewish communities that have been shattered.

I lament for the precious families cast into the street without a home, without work, without agriculture and without schools for their children; for a people’s army that has been contaminated, ravaged and shattered, and the higher echelons of the army who did not say: “We can’t do it. We’re incapable of carrying out such an inhuman order.”

Israel Not Actually Disengaging from Gaza

What will the average Israeli think when he sees Arabs from the Gaza Strip are still running around Tel Aviv? "I thought we were disengaged! They are over there, and we are here." Soon the nasty truth that was religiously covered up by the Israeli government and MSM will come to light. 10,000 Arab workers from Gaza will continue to work in Israel every day:

Some 10,000 Arab workers from Gaza will be allowed, every day, to cross over into mainland Israel. This, despite the claim by many pro-disengagement elements that Israel must separate itself from Gaza, along the lines of, "We're here and they're there."

BTW, I posted about this a long time ago.

9/11 Roundup

It's hard to see this date on the calendar without posting something. Since I have nothing particularly original to say, I'm providing the following links from other bloggers:

Clarity And Resolve

Smooth Stone

Mystical Paths

Sultan Knish here, here, and here.

Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky At Machon Meir

Last night I heard a lecture by Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky at Machon Meir. Rabbi Kaminetzky was the regional Rabbi of the Gaza Strip. The lecture was fascinating and inspiring. It was hard to believe that the confident and commanding speaker was a man who was just forcefully expelled from his home in Neve Dekalim and is now living in a hotel room.

Rabbi Kaminetzky told those who had filled the study hall in Machon Meir about the special place that was Gush Katif. The Gush was a place of miracles: A place where nothing grew prior to 1967 became a world reknowned leader in agriculture. The remarkably low casualty rate in the face of over 5000 mortars and rockets was also a miracle.

Gush Katif was also a place of Torah and Chessed. A place full of Yeshivot and Kollelim. A place where the farmers would send part of their produce to charitable organizations all over the country. The Gush was a tight-knit community, where 70% of the population had come from development towns.

This post does not do justice to the lecture. If you get a chance to hear Rabbi Kaminetzky speak, please go and hear him. You will be inspired.

Court Okays Demolition of Synagogues

Hashiva Shofteinu K'Varishonah!

Rabbi Druckman Agrees With Cosmic X

Rabbi Druckman:

"Our reaction must not be from 'the gut,' such as in the case of the students who said they would not enlist in the army, but rather from 'the head' and from our sources. Serving in the army is a Biblical commandment, for we still are in a state of war and we have enemies surrounding us - even though there are those who like to fool themselves otherwise. If there is no army, who will protect us? The war in which we find ourselves is a defensive one, thus that it has the Halakhic [Jewish legal] status of a 'mandatory war.'

Cosmic X:

I really do understand these teens. The sight of IDF soldiers throwing these brave Jews out of their homes instead of protecting them, all for the benefit of a corrupt government will not be forgotten. However, let's remember that we are still surrounded by enemies, and until the day when "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" the army is still important. Let me rephrase that: Serving in the army is more than important, it is a mitzvah. Of course, if one receives orders that are in opposition to Jewish Law he should simply not fulfill them. This was the case before "disengagement" and it will always be the case.

Update: Rabbi Melamed's opinion:

"The ambition and goal of enlisting in, contributing to, and changing the army, has not proven itself. More than the religious officers changed the army, the army changed them."

Getting Into The Elul Mood

Yesterday my younger daughter and her friend were doing their mathematics homework together in our livingroom. I grabbed my shofar (ram's horn) and blasted away. They looked at me as if to say, "Can't you see that we are trying to study here!"

I said, "What's all of this x and y nonsense? It's Elul! Wake up sleepers from your slumber!"

They smiled.

The View From The Roof Of The Synagogue In Kfar Darom

(Photo by Moshe X)

A little note about those black uniforms that the police wore: Black is not the ideal color to wear in the hot Israeli sun. Black, as is well known, absorbs heat. The temperature during the expulsion of the Jews from the Gaza Strip hovered at about 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

A doctor who was in Gush Katif during the expulsion told me the following story: A policeman was brought by his colleagues to the clinic, apparently dehydrated. The doctor gave him an infusion and told the other policemen to wait outside. When they left, he asked his patient, "Why in the world are you wearing black in this kind of heat?"

The policeman replied,"Psychological warfare."

Update: See this interesting post by Jameel: Destroying the Gaza Synagogues: Deconstructing Zionism.

Update: See recent pics of Atzmona at Out of Step Jew.

Last-Minute Rescue Work for Gush Katif Property

The Bart Family Home

This was the home of the Bart family in Kfar Darom. Today, thanks to Israel's immoral and corrupt government, it is a pile of rubble. The mother of the family, Channah, was paralyzed from the waist down four years ago as the result of a terror attack. The Bart family bravely stayed in Kfar Darom. The Israeli government cowardly retreated from Kfar Darom, handing it over to the terrorists who wounded Channah and killed and wounded many others. (Photo by Moshe X)


We will not forget what was done and who was responsible!

More "Disengagement" Fallout: Teens State Intention Not To Serve In The IDF

Ynet reports:

Group of teens draft petition calling on country’s youth not to enlist in the army, as it “fights its own people and thus strengthens the terrorists.

The ynet article brings a quote from the petition:

“I hereby declare that even though I have reached the age of recruitment to the IDF, I will object to serving in an army that expelled Jews from their homes, that burned down synagogues and yeshivas, that destroyed the lives of 15,000 Jews in the Land of Israel...
Therefore, at the IDF recruitment center I will announce: I have no motivation to serve in an army that fights my Jewish brothers. I will not serve in the IDF.”

I really do understand these teens. The sight of IDF soldiers throwing these brave Jews out of their homes instead of protecting them, all for the benefit of a corrupt government will not be forgotten. However, let's remember that we are still surrounded by enemies, and until the day when "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" the army is still important. Let me rephrase that: Serving in the army is more than important, it is a mitzvah. Of course, if one receives orders that are in opposition to Jewish Law he should simply not fulfill them. This was the case before "disengagement" and it will always be the case.

Victims Of "Disengagement"

Check out what Batya has to say about this.

Also, see Pinchas' excellent photo essay of the reburial of those exhumed from Gush Katif's cemetary.

Media Backspin: Israeli Katrina Support, Unreported

I also noticed that CNN left Israel out. The CNN omission reminded me of an old post of mine.

Israeli Judicial Notes

Be´er Sheva Suicide Terrorist Had Been Freed by Israel

State Gives In, Releases Mother of Nine from Disengagement Wing

The Show Trial of Col. Leshem

Speaking of Moshe Leshem, here's a picture of him on the roof of the Kfar Darom synagogue. (photo: Moshe X). Col. Leshem is holding the megaphone.

Another Picture From The Moshe X Collection

The sun sets on Neve Dekalim, days before it was destroyed by Israel's corrupt government:


We will not forget what was done and who was responsible!

Jblogosphere Shorts

Haveil Havalim #35 is up at Israel Perspectives.

Smooth Stone has launced a new blog, Campaign to Divest from "Palestine".

Galileeblog reports that Israeli Arabs Try to run down Jewish hitcher in Galilee.

The Muqata has a before and after picture of a Jewish settlement that was destroyed.

Some thoughts for the month of Elul at Mystical Paths.

Those Exhumed From Gush Katif's Cemetery Reburied In Jerusalem

Cosmic X was there. Thousands gathered to accompany the dead to their (hopefully) final resting place. The crowd was almost entirely composed of "national religious" Jews, as Rabbi Lau keenly observed:

It's sad for me that I don’t see sections of the nation actively honoring the Gush Katif dead,” said Lau.

Excellent coverage of the event can be found on Ynet and Arutz 7. You can also read this lackluster account from The Jerusalem Post, which has apparently been edited to death. As far as I can tell Ha'aretz decided to ignore the event, although they do have an interesting article about how the graves were exhumed.

New Israeli Blogger Alert

Welcome Amkha Yisrael!

I Don't Know

I do not know if the "disengagement" plan caused the tsunami that wracked South East Asia. Nor do I know if the plan is responsible for Hurricane Katrina. I cannot say for certain that these conjectures are incorrect either.

In any case: "Let us search and try our ways, and return to the LORD." (Lamentations 3:40)

Profiting From The Calamity Of Others

After The destruction of Gush Katif the only "insect free" vegetables available in my local grocery store were from the Cohen-Mann farm of Moshav Batzra. I was about to buy a head of lettuce, until I saw that the price went up from 4 NIS to 5 NIS.

I told the grocer that I do not believe that his costs or the costs of the Cohen-Mann farm suddenly jumped 25%, and I object to this kind of profiteering. He started to explain to me the rules of the market, supply versus demand etc. I taught the grocer a lesson in "price elasticity of demand" by not buying a head of lettuce.

Speaking of "insect free" vegetables, here's a picture (courtesy of Moshe X) of the last days of Netzer Chazani, a thriving Jewish community destroyed by Israel's corrupt government. The workers are packaging bug free celery.




Update (Sept. 4): Alei Katif try to turn over new leaf

Passing The Site Of The Murder

I was just at the kotel. On the way home I walked through the Shuk. Near the end of the Shuk I passed the place where Shmuel Matt z"l hy"d was murdered by an Arab. Paper signs, written in Hebrew and English are posted on the wall, letting those who pass by know that they are passing the place where the detestable murder took place. A yahrzeit candle was also burning there. A young woman who was at the site asked us if I wanted to say Tehillim for Shmuel's soul, and pointed to a a stack of Tehillim. Of course I said yes.

The Generation After

I have no doubt that the Israelis that settled in the Gaza Strip will be remembered by future generations of Jews as heroes. They followed in the footsteps of the Vilna Gaon's students, settling the land of Israel with great personal sacrifice (mesirut nefesh).

On the other hand I have a feeling that future generations will attach the "shem resha'im yirkav" or even the "yimach shmo" suffix to the names of those who surrendered to Arab terrorism and decided to make the Gaza Strip judenrein. These Jews will be lumped together in the collective national consciousness with the biblical spies that rejected the land of Israel. In some repects they are much worse than the spies.

That's just my humble opinion.

So Much To Blog And So Little Time

I really have a lot to say about what has been happening in Israel, but it is vacation time! The X family is trying to enjoy itself in spite of the terrible tragedy that has befallen the country. The destruction of the Jewish communitees in the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria is an immense tragedy, a tragedy not only for those that were expelled from their homes but for the entire country and the Jewish people as a whole. The fact that many do not realize this only adds to the dimensions of the tragedy. "Dead flesh does not feel the cutting of the scalpel." Apparently it will take time for many Israelis to awake from their slumber.

Shavua Tov everybody! We will not fall prey to depression and mourning. We will redouble our efforts to serve G-d with joy, to build and to be built in the land of Israel.

We Are Still Orange

The orange strips are still attached to our car. I thought of removing them, but Moshe X convinced me to leave them where they are. The settlements may have been destroyed, but we remain orange.

Giving A Prize To Terror

From last Thursday's protest at the entrance of Jerusalem. The sign says, "Sharon the dictator is giving a prize to terror".




And this is only part of what is wrong with the destruction of the Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria.

A Good Question

Here's a picture from last Thursday's protest at the entrance to Jerusalem. The protester asks an interesting question:

"What happened to land for peace
now - land for terrorism?!?"

I do not think that he will receive a reasonable answer soon!

The Sunset Of Kfar Darom

Moshe X returned to Jerusalem last Thursday after being expelled from Kfar Darom. I asked him to put into writing his experiences, so perhaps I can post them in the future.

He also took some pictures. Here's one of the last sunsets in Kfar Darom before the expulsion of its residents:

Shalom Kfar Darom! We shall return!

A Terrible Crime Against The Entire Jewish People

From The Israel Reporter:

I went on the bus ride from hell today, which I will describe in greater detail with photographs tomorrow. At this time, I have had one 6-hour stretch of sleep in 4 nights, and I am frankly having trouble making this post. In summary fashion, being escorted by your own army (and if not dragged or carried) from your home (because you are Jewish) is a terrible crime against the entire Jewish people.

I couldn't have said it better.

Moshe X In Kfar Darom

I called my son last night. He said that Kfar Darom is beautiful. The people are wonderful and the air is nice.

This morning he called me and told me that he is in the synagogue and that the troops have entered the town.

Update 12:00 noon: My son is on the roof of the synagogue. He told me that the Chief of Staff has arrived in Kfar Darom.

Update 14:50: My mother-in-law reports that she saw Moshe X on Israeli television. The expulsion of the residents of Kfar Darom has begun. According to Israeli television those currently in the synagogue will be the last to be forcibly expelled.

Update 15:50: I talked to my son on the telephone. He is inside the synagogue. He is under the impression that the troops will come to expel them shortly.

Please Stop!

Enough is enough! Please stop these senseless killings! Also, please find better ways to protest.

Thanks.

Update: See Me-ander for background on the Shilo attack.

Photo Essay: JEWS EXPEL JEWS

Winners and Losers

The Jewish communities in the Gaza Strip are being destroyed one by one. Israel's corrupt government, acting against the will of the electorate, with the support of the Israeli media, is perpetrating an act of evil. Yes, this is evil. Comfortings words, hugs, apologies, and a sea of crocodile tears from the perpetrators will not wash away this fact.

These are the acts of Jews that have forsaken G-d, that have forsaken Torah. Their love of the land of Israel has been transformed into a pathological hatred. The result is the devastation of thriving Jewish communitees, the ability to throw brave, patriotic, pioneering families out of their homes, and to give them over to barbaric murderers. Rabbi Kook zt"l warned us about the danger posed by these people.

The losers in the "battle" raging in Gush Katif are not the settlers being thrown out of their houses or the "illegal residents" who may be thrown into jail. The losers are the "destroyers and monsters", the committers of this evil, from the highest echelons of the government until the lowest ranking soldier.

"When the wicked spring up as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they may be destroyed for ever." (Psalms 92:8)

Read The Black Blog

Biur Chametz, who went from orange to black, confronts Sharon's disengagement from common sense, and examines Sharon's latest speech to the nation.

Pics From Yesterday's Protest At The Entrance To Jerusalem

A policeman with peyos. Only in Israel!

The sign says, "I will never join the Israeli Expulsion Army."

The sign says, "Commander! I am not able!"

Ubiquitous Lubavitcher Rebbe pictures:

Protesting The Expulsion

From Arutz 7:

The Joint Committee Against the Expulsion is calling upon everyone who is unable to travel southward toward Gush Katif to gather groups of activists and take to the streets at 7 PM.

"It is unconscionable that life will go on as normal in Israel on the day the government of Israel prepares to uproot Jews," read a statement from the group, an amalgamation of extra-parliamentary groups opposed to the expulsion. "As long as Jews remain in Gush Katif, the struggle is not lost and everyone is drafted to take part."

The call is for people to take to major intersections and thoroughfares to protest, pray and block roads - according to their ability and preference.

A Conversation With My Cousin

My cousin (we'll call him Dr. Y) is one of Israel's leading doctors. He's a typical secular Ashkenazi Israeli who lives in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, what Israelis call Gush Dan. Dr. Y. is a very nice, intelligent guy who almost never votes in Israel's elections. This always struck me as strange, for two reasons:

1) My American upbringing caused me to associate lack of participation in the democratic process with the lower socioeconomic classes and

2) The percentage of Israelis that vote is usually high

The other day I called him to see how he was doing. He asked about the family and I told him that my eldest son is currently in Kfar Darom. He said that he is not surprised knowing our family's history and political orientation. I actually detected a little admiration in his voice. I then mentioned my disappointment with Israel's political system, law enforcement and media. I told him that the checks and balances that were supposed to protect us from corruption failed. He said that among his patients are Knesset members, and he proceeded to rattle off some names. "I know many of them personally," he added. Then Dr. Y. switched to English, as Israelis do when they want to emphasize something.

"Nobody there (in the Knesset) cares about us," he said.

Have You Met Joe Settler?

Here's a new blog: JoeSettler. I discovered him while visiting The Muqata, where he is guest blogging. Here writes good stuff, very good stuff. Highly recommended!

The Pillory Of Shame

'People, who operate the "Disengagement" are human beings, family men, high positions bearers. They are adults who are thoroughly knowledgeable of the implications of the felony they are committing by carrying out the uprooting and expulsion of their fellowmen. And yet they are willing to execute these commands, consciously and cold-bloodedly, for the sake of their promotion, false honor, publicity, and greed, or - "just" to preserve their breadwinning or else even out of blind, robotic obedience. Their aspirations for selfish welfare and career come at the expense of the safety and existence of the whole nation - in addition to the blood, the shattered dreams and the suffering, not mentioning the soundness and healthiness of their brothers and sisters.'

This is a quote from The Pillory Of Shame web site, which is documenting those who are behind the crime of destroying Gaza's Jewish communittees and those who are implementing the destruction. If you understand Hebrew, be sure to visit the Hebrew site as it contains information that the English site lacks.

It Was Awesome!

Yesterday's prayer at the Western Wall was a very special, unforgetable experience.

The prayers started on time at 6:00. Surprise! Hello, am I in Israel? After Minchah, the special prayers started. There were special booklets available containing the special prayers to be said, one of which I held in my hand. After the fact it turns out that some of the prayers said were not in the booklet, and some of the prayers in the booklet were not said. The plaza is full of people, but not packed tight like sardines.

Different people rabbis led the prayers at different points in time. The reknowned cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot was particularly impressive with his piercing tenor voice. When the crowd chanted the 13 midot together with the sounding of trumpets and ram's horns, I felt like my entire body was electified. Another memorable point was when Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef blessed the entire crowd.

During the prayers I could see that the entire plaza was full. What I did not know is that all of the streets and alleyways leading to the Kotel were also packed with people that were prevented by the police from going any further. Unlike a previous prayer rally, this time my promptness payed off. After Maariv, it took me perhaps an hour just to get out of the Old City. The crowd was well behaved, and as far as I know nobody got trampled.

This was an impressive event, reminiscent of the 1999 prayer/protest against Israel's Supreme Court. But in my mind, the location of yesterday's prayer made yesterday's event more special. It gave us all a taste of what aliyah laregel will be like, speedily and in our days, Amen.

Mazuz Denies Israeli Leftist Tenet

AG Mazuz denied one of the tenets of the Israeli Left:

Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz said on Wednesday that there was "no proof" that the killer of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 was driven to commit the murder because of incitement against the prime minister, and that the death was a direct result of the failure of his security guards to protect him.

These are obvious and simple truths as far as I am concerned, but for the leftists this is the denial of an article of faith.

Update: Check out what Am Echad has to say about this.

Update: Also this at Israel Perspectives.

Update: Rabin lackey Eitan Haber has a hard time dealing with the truth.

Tefillah At The Kotel Today

I will, Bli Nedder, be there!

Al Tishlach Yadcha El HaNa'ar *********

While the entire world was busy chatting about the latest Harry Potter book, I was reading "Al Tishlach Yadcha El HaNaar", by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau. Rabbi Lau is well known all over the world as the former Chief Rabbi of Israel, and is currently the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv. The book tells Rabbi Lau's life story, from his amazing survival of the holocaust through his event filled term as Israel's Chief Rabbi.

This book is simply fantastic! It is a best-seller here in Israel, and it will be no doubt be translated into many languages. There are certain things in the book that I don't agree with, for instance his flattering descriptions of Yitzchak Rabin, Nelson Mandella and Fidel Castro. However, this does not detract from the overall greatness of the book. I give it nine cosmic stars out of ten.

An Order That Is Against Jewish Law Has No Authority

Rabbi Avraham Shapira reiterates his halachic ruling that it is forbidden to take part in the destruction of Jewish communities in the land of Israel. Here is a link (in Hebrew) containing the ruling.

This Is Really A "Must See"!

Check out this great photo essay of last Sunday's civil disobedience in Kfar Darom. Compare it to this dry report from jpost.com.

Rabbi Shapira Calls on IDF Chief Rabbi to Resign

From Arutz 7:

Rabbi Avraham Shapira, the dean of Jerusalem’s Mercaz HaRav Kook Yeshiva and a former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi has called on his student, IDF Chief Rabbi Brigadier-General Yisrael Weiss to resign from the IDF.

From Ynet:

“IDF rabbis are also bound by Jewish law,” said Rabbi Shapira, and hinted that Weiss could “cleanse himself in an instant” by returning to civilian life.

Shapira added his opinion that the Jewish law forbidding giving parts of the land of Israel to non-Jews applied to civilians as well as soldiers.

“Expulsion of Jews is halachically (Jewish law) forbidden.”

Rabbi Weiss is now in a once-in-a-lifetime situation where he can sanctify G-d's name by listening to his rabbi and resign, in spite of the personal price he will pay. Let's see if he is up to it.

Update: Rabbi Shapira's own words.

Moshe X In Gush Katif

My son successfuly penetrated the pre-expulsion blockade, and is now residing in Gush Katif. Ken Yirbu!

Bibi Resigns!

It's about time! Here are some excerpts from his resignation letter:

“It’s becoming clear that the unilateral withdrawal under fire is not giving us a thing. The opposite is true, it undermines the security of Israel, splits the nation, entrenches the principle of withdrawal to the 1967 borders, which are not defensible, and is not the way to achieve peace,” Netanyahu wrote in his letter.

“What do we get in exchange for the withdrawal?” Bibi asks in his resignation notice. “What do we get in return for the uprooting of families and their children, homes, and graves? We’ll get an Islamic terror base. In recent months I hoped the government would open its eyes in the face of this clear reality and change course, but the opposite happened.”

“A balanced government reflecting the will of the people in the last elections has turned into a government that automatically executes a policy that contradicts Likud principals and the mandate we received from our voters.”

Let's hope that other ministers will follow suit!

Od Yosef Chai!

Before writing this post I have a confession to make. My knowledge of torat hanigle is quite limited, and my knowledge of torat hanistar is almost non-existent. Despite all this -

I had the privilege of taking part in the "Od Yosef Chai" prayer as outlined in the book Kol HaTor by Rabbi Hillel of Shklov, a disciple of the Vilna Gaon. About 30 people gathered at a place in Jerusalem which, according to tradition, is "Pitcha DeQarta" to say the prayers.

May G-d answer our prayers and may all the evil decrees be annulled!

Sharon And The Number 40

Here is something interesting that was published in Ha'aretz (surprise!). Read Letter from Gush Katif / A message to Arik .

Something Positive For A Change

People are making aliyah, even in these turbulent times. Check out this great post from Point of Pinchas:

But still, there are two ways to move a donkey with the stick or with the carrot. And when SEVEN Nefesh B'Nefesh planes full North Americans – that are living the "good life" go ahead and "throw it all away" to make Aliyah – not because we are being beaten by a stick but because we are chasing the carrot – that's something to sound the proverbial great Shofar about and announce to the world! I'm here because I WANT to be here. I'm here because I WANT to be Home!

Corruption, Disengagement, And The Israeli MSM

Does anyone involved in the "disengagement" (the Orwelliand word for expelling Jews from their homes in the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria in order to make these places Judenrein) have anything to gain financially? Eival Giladi sure does:

Yet a third such enterprise has as its managing director none other than Eival Giladi, the official in the Prime Minister's office whom Sharon has designated as the "coordinator" of the expulsion-retreat. The British-owned Portland Trust corporation has plans to raise US$500 million to build 150,000 housing units for Arabs on the land seized from the Jewish farmers. Giladi will substantially augment his meager income as an Israeli civil servant by directing the development of the land, whose present owners are to be "evacuated," after he supervises their expulsion himself. No public official, it would seem, has ever had a stronger incentive for getting his job done!

Will the Israeli MSM report about such corruption? Apparently not:

Independent Journalist David Bedein, speaking from the audience, asked Dankner a biting question, which the latter did not answer. Bedein wanted to know whether tomorrow's edition of Maariv would feature a report on the conflict of interest of Eival Giladi, recently appointed by Sharon to a high-ranking disengagement post - despite the fact that he represents major investors in Palestinian Authority housing projects. Bedein noted that reporters from the right-wing papers covered this story, but that no one from the mainstream newspapers did.

The IDF soldier or policeman who takes part in this, is not only sinning according to many important rabbis, he is also a pawn in a scheme to line the pockets of others with gold.

Update: Report: Israeli Gov´t Corruption Highest in Western World

I'm so surprised!

Blogging From The Grave

Did you all know that Yasser Arafat is blogging?

Memories Of Golus

I was walking down the street in Jerusalem the other day and I had a flashback to my days when I worked in Newark, New Jersey in the early 1980s:

Back then I used to commute by train from my suburban New Jersey town into Penn Station in Newark. After work, I would return to Penn Station and take the train home. The trains were quite prompt, and missing a train could mean waiting half an hour for the next one.

One day upon leaving work I glanced at my watch and I realized that if I walked at my usual leisurely pace to Penn Station I was going to miss the train. Dressed in a suit and tie, sporting a leather "Wall Street" yarmulke and carrying a briefcase in my hand, I immediately started sprinting down the street in Newark towards Penn Station. I must have looked pretty strange.

All of a sudden I saw a Afro-American guy, probably a resident of the city staring at me and shaking his head. He openned his mouth in wisdom and said, "Dat guy be wantin' to get out o' Newark real bad."

I think I caught the train.

The Ugly Face Of The Israeli Government And Judicial System

If you have a strong stomach, take a peek here.

We Really Do Need A Miracle

Barry at Galileeblog: We really do need a miracle. I couldn't agree more!

Thanks Yaak!

Yeranen Yaakov posted a nice translation of excerpts of an article that I recommended here. Thanks Yaak!

Some Police Also Refusing to Take Part in Expulsion

I really admire these guys. They gave up their careers because of their convictions. Kol Ha Kavod!:

(IsraelNN.com) Four policemen have notified that they will not take part in the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif.

Two policemen refused to take part in the exercises in Tze’elim to train the security forces in expulsion. They will be dismissed from the service. A soldier in the Border Guards was expelled from the corps and will be transferred to the army. Another policeman is planning to resign from the police service.

Another Excellent Article From Caroline Glick

Caroline Glick will no doubt go down in the annals of Israeli journalism as one of the few that refused to toe the line. While the overwhelming majority of Israeli journalists have decided to treat Prime Minister Sharon and his expulsion plan like an etrog, Glick remains one of the few journalists that have kept true to their role as "the watchdog of democracy". Read Caroline's latest, "Democracy's Descent To Darkness."

Eli Pre-Military Academy Head Calls for Insubordination in Inner Circle of Expulsion

From IsraelNN.com:

Rabbi Eli Sadan, one of the heads of the “Bnei David” pre-military academy in Eli, has called on his former students now in the army to refuse to take part in the inner circle of the expulsion from Gush Katif and the Northern Shomron.

Harav Sadan and his family recently moved to Sa-Nur in the Northern Shomron. He advertised his view from there. The pre-military academy in Eli is known for the high numbers of elite soldiers who studied there and still see it as their source of inspiration.

The Wonder Button

As the date that the government has set for the destruction of the Jewish communities of the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria approaches, the obligation to know exactly what this entails in terms of violating commandments becomes greater. I found an online copy of Rabbi Shaul Bar-Ilan's treatise Kaftor HaPele (The Wonder Button). Here Rabbi Bar Ilan elaborates on the multitude of commandments that will be violated by a soldier that takes part in the expulsion. It's a lot more than I would have thought. Especially interesting is the reason why the treatise is called "Kaftor HaPele". In short, this is a must read for all G-d fearing Jews.

Face To Face

Yesterday I took part in an activity of the "Panim El Panim" movement. What is Panim El Panim? I found an article by Channa Shapiro that describes the movement:

He tells us about Panim el Panim, the movement he (Rabbi Eli Adler) has started to counteract what he calls "the real disengagement, of the State of Israel from its roots, from Torah." Volunteers across the country knock on people`s doors spreading the concept of ahavat Yisrael – love for the people of Israel – as well as a spiritual message.

As one who has lived in Israel for the last twenty years, I couldn't agree with Rabbi Adler's analysis more. The disengagement from the land of Israel is only a symptom of a much larger spiritual malady.

I joined two busloads of people from my Jerusalem neighborhood that spent the evening in a city in the Tel Aviv area, going from door to door, and talking to people, face to face. The conversations dealt not only with "disengagement" but with all the other problems that Israeli society faces.

I must say that I really enjoyed the evening. It was a chance to meet people outside my usual circle of neighbors, professional colleagues and learning partners. It is also my impression that those who chose to open the doors and speak to us also valued to opportunity to see the "other" face-to-face, and not through a highly biased media report. These meetings not only open doors, they open hearts.

Will The Road Blocking Return?

Ynet reports:

Right-wing group ‘National’ home’ threatens to block roads across country Wednesday during mass anti-pullout march. ‘Police will be deployed in the south, so there will be no officers to stop the blockers’

It looks like the Cosmic X camera crew will have some work to do.