Message from a viewer
Wish I had found your site 8 years ago, when I was trying for a conversion. I have a MATS from McCormick
Theological Seminary and would love to go back to visit Chicago.
I was very blessed to study for conversion with my daughter under the tutelage of Rabbi Samuel Lerer, of
blessed memory, who was retired in San Antonio until his death several years ago. As we are from a Spanish Jewish Background, he was just who we needed. When he died, we "found" Jacques Cukierkorn in Kansas City who also has devoted his career to Spanish Jews. We could have gone to the Mikvah here but it was wonderful to go to Kansas City.
I really love the video lessons you have and will continue to enjoy them.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Britain Muslims efforts
British Muslim Leaders Propose ‘Code of Conduct’
By JOHN F. BURNS
Published: November 30, 2007
LONDON, Nov. 29 — Moderate British Muslim leaders on Thursday proposed guidelines that aim to root out extremism, promote a culture of “civic responsibility” and foster women’s rights in the country’s mosques, Islamic centers and Muslim schools.
The guidelines, circulated in draft form to Muslim groups across the country, represent a sweeping new effort by the moderate leaders to combat alienation among disaffected Muslim youth and to foster a new atmosphere of openness and tolerance among Britain’s two million Muslims, particularly in the country’s 1,500 mosques.
The 10-point “code of conduct” will be put before Muslim groups for public discussion, with the aim of producing a final version by March 2008. The proposals would commit groups that accept the code to “actively combat all forms of violent extremism” within their communities and to “promote civic responsibility of Muslims in wider society.”
...The proposed charter would commit mosques to stricter vetting of imams and other religious leaders, including a check for criminal records. It would require mosques and other Muslim religious institutions to commit to “open, democratic, accountable management,” including making the details of their spending and fund-raising public.
...The Muslim organizations would be required to cooperate with other agencies, including the police and non-Muslim community groups, to bring about what the proposals referred to as a “reconciliation in fractured relationships” between Muslims and non-Muslims.
The 23-page charter won rapid approval outside the Muslim community.
An editorial on Thursday in The Times of London said the charter “implicitly acknowledges some of the failings that have allowed extremists to gain a foothold — poorly educated imams, a lack of financial transparency, little pastoral training and barriers to the participation of women.”
One of the groups involved in drawing up the charter, the British Muslim Forum, posted a statement on its Web site on Thursday defending the proposed charter against critics who say the document sells out Muslim principles and independence.
“What other government has sought to proactively engage with its Muslim population following a terrorist incident, instead of condemning it outright and creating a ‘them and us’ situation,” said the statement, signed by Zareen Roohi Ahmed, the forum’s chief executive.
More Articles in International »
By JOHN F. BURNS
Published: November 30, 2007
LONDON, Nov. 29 — Moderate British Muslim leaders on Thursday proposed guidelines that aim to root out extremism, promote a culture of “civic responsibility” and foster women’s rights in the country’s mosques, Islamic centers and Muslim schools.
The guidelines, circulated in draft form to Muslim groups across the country, represent a sweeping new effort by the moderate leaders to combat alienation among disaffected Muslim youth and to foster a new atmosphere of openness and tolerance among Britain’s two million Muslims, particularly in the country’s 1,500 mosques.
The 10-point “code of conduct” will be put before Muslim groups for public discussion, with the aim of producing a final version by March 2008. The proposals would commit groups that accept the code to “actively combat all forms of violent extremism” within their communities and to “promote civic responsibility of Muslims in wider society.”
...The proposed charter would commit mosques to stricter vetting of imams and other religious leaders, including a check for criminal records. It would require mosques and other Muslim religious institutions to commit to “open, democratic, accountable management,” including making the details of their spending and fund-raising public.
...The Muslim organizations would be required to cooperate with other agencies, including the police and non-Muslim community groups, to bring about what the proposals referred to as a “reconciliation in fractured relationships” between Muslims and non-Muslims.
The 23-page charter won rapid approval outside the Muslim community.
An editorial on Thursday in The Times of London said the charter “implicitly acknowledges some of the failings that have allowed extremists to gain a foothold — poorly educated imams, a lack of financial transparency, little pastoral training and barriers to the participation of women.”
One of the groups involved in drawing up the charter, the British Muslim Forum, posted a statement on its Web site on Thursday defending the proposed charter against critics who say the document sells out Muslim principles and independence.
“What other government has sought to proactively engage with its Muslim population following a terrorist incident, instead of condemning it outright and creating a ‘them and us’ situation,” said the statement, signed by Zareen Roohi Ahmed, the forum’s chief executive.
More Articles in International »
have a new blog for those interested specifically in Conservative Judaism
I have a new blog for those interested specifically in Conservative Judaism
www.conservativejew.blogspot.com
www.conservativejew.blogspot.com
Thursday, November 29, 2007
website in order to help discredit antisemitism and enlighten the public about the kind heart of the Jewish people
JewStrong.org
Details: Rabbi, I began recently began a website in order to help discredit antisemitism and enlighten the public about the kind heart of the Jewish people. The website is Jewstrong.org. I am having trouble attracting people to the website because I am mostly relying on word of mouth (do to limited funding). I just thought you would find the website interesting, and hope you would not mind informing others of it. Thank you for your time.
Details: Rabbi, I began recently began a website in order to help discredit antisemitism and enlighten the public about the kind heart of the Jewish people. The website is Jewstrong.org. I am having trouble attracting people to the website because I am mostly relying on word of mouth (do to limited funding). I just thought you would find the website interesting, and hope you would not mind informing others of it. Thank you for your time.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Note from video viewer
Hi Rabbi,
Just to let you know, my plan is to make it through every Jew U video you have (I'm up to 100!), however, I have not yet come across anything that can answer my question--perhaps it's not worthy of a video, but I could really use an answer!
I am going to attend a Shabbat dinner at a Lubovitch rabbi's house (!!) and I need some help...
You must understand that Shabbat dinner for me growing up was basically: show up at appointed time. Mom lights candles and benches lecht (spelling?), man will say the blessings for the wine and bread (first line only??). We chow down and then everyone runs off to do their thing. Without a doubt, this is NOT what will happen at the Rabbi's place.
What I hope to get from you, Rabbi, is a quick run-down of what I can expect from dinner Chez Rabbi, as well as a recommendation of what would be appropriate to bring as an invited guest (kosher wine, candies, flowers?) and any dos or don'ts you can come up with.
(ok, at this point, you probably don't even believe I am Jewish! haha) Actually, I am strongly rooted in my Jewish identity--it's the observance part that I have not got a handle on yet. Working on it. Dinner with the Rabbi is probably as good a place to start as any!
Can you assist so that I won't make an idiot of myself?
Just to let you know, my plan is to make it through every Jew U video you have (I'm up to 100!), however, I have not yet come across anything that can answer my question--perhaps it's not worthy of a video, but I could really use an answer!
I am going to attend a Shabbat dinner at a Lubovitch rabbi's house (!!) and I need some help...
You must understand that Shabbat dinner for me growing up was basically: show up at appointed time. Mom lights candles and benches lecht (spelling?), man will say the blessings for the wine and bread (first line only??). We chow down and then everyone runs off to do their thing. Without a doubt, this is NOT what will happen at the Rabbi's place.
What I hope to get from you, Rabbi, is a quick run-down of what I can expect from dinner Chez Rabbi, as well as a recommendation of what would be appropriate to bring as an invited guest (kosher wine, candies, flowers?) and any dos or don'ts you can come up with.
(ok, at this point, you probably don't even believe I am Jewish! haha) Actually, I am strongly rooted in my Jewish identity--it's the observance part that I have not got a handle on yet. Working on it. Dinner with the Rabbi is probably as good a place to start as any!
Can you assist so that I won't make an idiot of myself?
Iran, Iran, Iran what are we going to do about Iran?
Iran, Iran, Iran what are we going to do about Iran?
Video sent by rjhgins
rabbi@ehnt.org
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
www.esynagogue.org
Can Iran and Hamas Sink Annapolis?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can Iran and Hamas Sink Annapolis? By SCOTT MACLEOD
2 hours, 26 minutes ago
As would-be peacemakers bask in the international limelight of the Annapolis conference, back in the Middle East two other parties are serving up notice that no deal will come to pass, if they can help it: Iran and its Palestinian ally, Hamas. "The Annapolis conference was already a failure," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told journalists after a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday. The U.S. could sponsor a hundred such meetings, he added, and the result would be the same. In Gaza, which is effectively ruled by the fundamentalist Hamas group, anti-Annapolis protesters filled the streets. "They can go to thousands of conferences and we will say in the name of the Palestinian people that we do not accept," Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told the demonstrators.
The warnings are not to be taken lightly, if history is anything to go by: Iran and Hamas have played a spoiler role in the past, and they could well do so again.
see my video above about iran
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg
Can Iran and Hamas Sink Annapolis? By SCOTT MACLEOD
2 hours, 26 minutes ago
As would-be peacemakers bask in the international limelight of the Annapolis conference, back in the Middle East two other parties are serving up notice that no deal will come to pass, if they can help it: Iran and its Palestinian ally, Hamas. "The Annapolis conference was already a failure," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told journalists after a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday. The U.S. could sponsor a hundred such meetings, he added, and the result would be the same. In Gaza, which is effectively ruled by the fundamentalist Hamas group, anti-Annapolis protesters filled the streets. "They can go to thousands of conferences and we will say in the name of the Palestinian people that we do not accept," Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told the demonstrators.
The warnings are not to be taken lightly, if history is anything to go by: Iran and Hamas have played a spoiler role in the past, and they could well do so again.
see my video above about iran
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg
Catholic Cardinal George Chicago Board of Rabbis
Catholic Cardinal George Chicago Board of Rabbis
Video sent by rjhgins
www.esynagogue.org
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
www.ehnt.org
www.jonathanginsburg.net
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg, Rabbi of the Ezra-Habonim, Niles Township Jewish Congregation of Skokie, is a native of Chicago. Rabbi Ginsburg received his B.A. in religion from the University of Chicago where he was the valedictory orator and received his Masters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary where he received the Krasne Award for outstanding student. He was a National Merit scholar and 1974 National High School Debate Champion. Rabbi Ginsburg, before returning to Chicago, he was the senior Rabbiof synagogues in Minnesota and New York. and adjunct faculty of St. Catherine College and Metropolitan University.s. He is now President of the Niles Township Clergy Association.
Caroline Glick and 60th anniv. UN resolution of partition
Is November 29 a day to celebrate?
By Caroline B. Glick
There is a bit of perverse poetry in the fact that the Annapolis
conference is taking place the same week as the 60th anniversary of the
UN General Assembly's resolution recommending that the British Mandate
of Palestine be partitioned between a Jewish and Arab state
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/1107/glick112807.php3
By Caroline B. Glick
There is a bit of perverse poetry in the fact that the Annapolis
conference is taking place the same week as the 60th anniversary of the
UN General Assembly's resolution recommending that the British Mandate
of Palestine be partitioned between a Jewish and Arab state
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/1107/glick112807.php3
Annapolis-what gives?
If pictures are 1000 words, the NYT photo of the big three 2 days in a row have Bush looking at Abbas, and not Omert. The President keeps referring to Israel as the Holy land. Even Abbas calls it Israel. What gives?
1 billion trees planted
News :
More than one billion trees were planted around the world in 2007, with Ethiopia and Mexico leading in the drive to combat climate change through new lush forest projects, a UN report said Wednesday.
My points
1. Tu Bishvat is coming.
2. 1 tree takes away 13 cars pollution
3. As usual Israel and specifically JNF, are ahead of the curve
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg
More than one billion trees were planted around the world in 2007, with Ethiopia and Mexico leading in the drive to combat climate change through new lush forest projects, a UN report said Wednesday.
My points
1. Tu Bishvat is coming.
2. 1 tree takes away 13 cars pollution
3. As usual Israel and specifically JNF, are ahead of the curve
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Below is my video intro to the parasha of the week
Below is the my video intro to the Torah parasha of this week.
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg
Torah portion Vayeshev Genesis 37 and 38 Dec. 1 2007
Torah portion Vayeshev Genesis 37 and 38 Dec. 1 2007
Video sent by rjhgins
www.esynagogue.org
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
www.ehnt.org
www.jonathanginsburg.net
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg, Rabbi of the Ezra-Habonim, Niles Township Jewish Congregation of Skokie, is a native of Chicago. Rabbi Ginsburg received his B.A. in religion from the University of Chicago where he was the valedictory orator and received his Masters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary where he received the Krasne Award for outstanding student. He was a National Merit scholar and 1974 National High School Debate Champion. Rabbi Ginsburg, before returning to Chicago, he was the senior Rabbiof synagogues in Minnesota and New York. and adjunct faculty of St. Catherine College and Metropolitan University.s. He is now President of the Niles Township Clergy Association.
Conversion request
Hello Rabbi
Please excuse my form of address, if it is
inappropriate, I know very little about the language
or customs of Judaism.
I have been looking over many of the fascinating video
clips you have posted on YouTube. Thank you for taking
the time and considerable efforts to explain in terms
a non-jew would understand, the various rites,
attitudes and even the humour of the Jewish faith.
Having thought long and hard over the past few months
about my own faith, I have decided that conversion to
Judaism is a very real option, and a step I am
prepared to take. I was raised Church of England
(protestant) but have not been actively involved in
religion or attending church for the past twenty five
years or more.
I found your video on conversion very informative, and
have a couple of questions I hope you have the time to
answer.
Firstly, I work at a job where I am required to work
on a rota of days, including Saturdays. Will this be
permitted if I were to convert to Judaism ?
Secondly, you touched on the matter of converts being
married to non-jews. I don’t have a significant
partner, however, I am gay. Is it likely that I will
find it difficult to convince a Rabbi to convert me,
given that in my experience, many Jews still consider
homosexuality a sin against G_d ?
Finally, as you can probably tell from my email
address, I live in the UK. I have looked online,
but cannot find any references to conversion courses
in my area. I don’t expect you to know of any,
personally. However, you might be able to point me in
the right direction, as it were.
Thanking you for your time in reading this, I look
forward to any reply you can give. Thank you again for
the videos, they are well worth the effort you clearly
put into them.
Regards
Please excuse my form of address, if it is
inappropriate, I know very little about the language
or customs of Judaism.
I have been looking over many of the fascinating video
clips you have posted on YouTube. Thank you for taking
the time and considerable efforts to explain in terms
a non-jew would understand, the various rites,
attitudes and even the humour of the Jewish faith.
Having thought long and hard over the past few months
about my own faith, I have decided that conversion to
Judaism is a very real option, and a step I am
prepared to take. I was raised Church of England
(protestant) but have not been actively involved in
religion or attending church for the past twenty five
years or more.
I found your video on conversion very informative, and
have a couple of questions I hope you have the time to
answer.
Firstly, I work at a job where I am required to work
on a rota of days, including Saturdays. Will this be
permitted if I were to convert to Judaism ?
Secondly, you touched on the matter of converts being
married to non-jews. I don’t have a significant
partner, however, I am gay. Is it likely that I will
find it difficult to convince a Rabbi to convert me,
given that in my experience, many Jews still consider
homosexuality a sin against G_d ?
Finally, as you can probably tell from my email
address, I live in the UK. I have looked online,
but cannot find any references to conversion courses
in my area. I don’t expect you to know of any,
personally. However, you might be able to point me in
the right direction, as it were.
Thanking you for your time in reading this, I look
forward to any reply you can give. Thank you again for
the videos, they are well worth the effort you clearly
put into them.
Regards
Monday, November 26, 2007
Prozion: Hamas and Likud denounce Annapolis
By SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press Writer
Mon Nov 26, 2:28 PM ET
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Leaders of the Islamic militant group Hamas called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a traitor Monday and vowed to reject any decisions made at the Mideast peace conference in the United States.
ADVERTISEMENT
In Jerusalem, meanwhile, more than 20,000 Israelis gathered at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, to protest the conference. Many marched to a square near the residence of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a noisy demonstration.
Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu also denounced the meeting. "The Palestinians are not lifting a finger to stop terror or recognize Israel as a Jewish state," he told Channel 2 TV. "I see this summit as a continuation of one-sided concessions."
Coming as the Israeli military killed four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in an airstrike and a ground clash, the angry comments on both sides showed that both Olmert and Abbas face stiff opposition at home in trying to achieve a peace agreement.
Hamas has been staging daily demonstrations in Gaza against the conference and Abbas, restating their rejection of the existence of a Jewish state in an Islamic Middle East.
"The land of Palestine ... is purely owned by the Palestinians," Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said in a speech, referring to the territory that includes Israel. "No person, group, government or generation has the right to give up one inch of it."
Speaking at a meeting of 2,000 activists from local militant groups, Zahar declared, "Anyone who stands in the face of resistance or fights it or cooperates with the (Israeli) occupation against it is a traitor" — a clear reference to Abbas and his dealings with Israel.
Mon Nov 26, 2:28 PM ET
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Leaders of the Islamic militant group Hamas called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a traitor Monday and vowed to reject any decisions made at the Mideast peace conference in the United States.
ADVERTISEMENT
In Jerusalem, meanwhile, more than 20,000 Israelis gathered at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, to protest the conference. Many marched to a square near the residence of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a noisy demonstration.
Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu also denounced the meeting. "The Palestinians are not lifting a finger to stop terror or recognize Israel as a Jewish state," he told Channel 2 TV. "I see this summit as a continuation of one-sided concessions."
Coming as the Israeli military killed four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in an airstrike and a ground clash, the angry comments on both sides showed that both Olmert and Abbas face stiff opposition at home in trying to achieve a peace agreement.
Hamas has been staging daily demonstrations in Gaza against the conference and Abbas, restating their rejection of the existence of a Jewish state in an Islamic Middle East.
"The land of Palestine ... is purely owned by the Palestinians," Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar said in a speech, referring to the territory that includes Israel. "No person, group, government or generation has the right to give up one inch of it."
Speaking at a meeting of 2,000 activists from local militant groups, Zahar declared, "Anyone who stands in the face of resistance or fights it or cooperates with the (Israeli) occupation against it is a traitor" — a clear reference to Abbas and his dealings with Israel.
Jerry Seinfeld in Israel
Jerry Seinfeld in Israel finds bigger buzz than he got as kid
BY MATTHEW KALMAN
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
Monday, November 26th 2007, 4:00 AM
JERUSALEM - Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, greeted like visiting royalty on his first trip to Israel in 37 years, joked Sunday that things have changed since his teenage days working on a banana farm.
"When I was here at the age of 15 and I worked in the kibbutz, nobody really was very interested in meeting me," he said.
"Every day I would be in the fields and nobody wanted my autograph. And nobody wanted to take their picture with me. They just let me hack away at those banana leaves. I didn't meet the prime minister even once back then," he said in mock shock.
But during his visit to premiere the Hebrew version of his animated film, "Bee Movie," Seinfeld was lionized.
He met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres, shopped in Tel Aviv, visited Masada and the Sea of Galilee and stopped to pray for a half-hour at the Western Wall.
"I love meeting Israeli people. They look at me like a son," he said.
Israeli reporters hit him with questions he doesn't generally get in Hollywood. He had to deny "Bee Movie" was referring to the Holocaust in a scene where a honey factory is gassed and was asked if he had any new terrorism material.
"Coming out with a movie with [Steven] Spielberg, [Jeffrey] Katzenberg and Seinfeld, a successful movie, certainly is annoying, I think, to the terrorists," he said, referring to the flick's Jewish producers.
BY MATTHEW KALMAN
SPECIAL TO THE NEWS
Monday, November 26th 2007, 4:00 AM
JERUSALEM - Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, greeted like visiting royalty on his first trip to Israel in 37 years, joked Sunday that things have changed since his teenage days working on a banana farm.
"When I was here at the age of 15 and I worked in the kibbutz, nobody really was very interested in meeting me," he said.
"Every day I would be in the fields and nobody wanted my autograph. And nobody wanted to take their picture with me. They just let me hack away at those banana leaves. I didn't meet the prime minister even once back then," he said in mock shock.
But during his visit to premiere the Hebrew version of his animated film, "Bee Movie," Seinfeld was lionized.
He met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres, shopped in Tel Aviv, visited Masada and the Sea of Galilee and stopped to pray for a half-hour at the Western Wall.
"I love meeting Israeli people. They look at me like a son," he said.
Israeli reporters hit him with questions he doesn't generally get in Hollywood. He had to deny "Bee Movie" was referring to the Holocaust in a scene where a honey factory is gassed and was asked if he had any new terrorism material.
"Coming out with a movie with [Steven] Spielberg, [Jeffrey] Katzenberg and Seinfeld, a successful movie, certainly is annoying, I think, to the terrorists," he said, referring to the flick's Jewish producers.
Palestinian Refugees should not be brought to Israel
Palestinian Refugees should not be brought to Israel
Video sent by rjhgins
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
www.esyangogue.org
rabbi@ehnt.org
Iran, Iran, Iran what are we going to do about Iran?
Iran, Iran, Iran what are we going to do about Iran?
Video sent by rjhgins
rabbi@ehnt.org
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
www.esynagogue.org
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky today
A small group of Rabbis met with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who serves our district. She told us she was recently appointed to the House Intelligence Committee that overseas the 15 agencies, including CIA, FBI, NSA etc. She talked about the Congressional Jewish delegation, her view to Iran (no evidence leading to bombing now), the Annapolis talks (low expectations-maybe a joint statement), Iraq (costs $10 billion a month, was very pro Israel, very anti-Bush, as expected. She is co-chair of the Obama campaign for President and got many questions about his views-including President Carter appointed Brezinski as his national security adviser, and Brezinski being, supposedly, a top advisor to Obama. We met at KINS on Californoa. The Rabbi there told us they were expecting 1000 Orthodox Jews tonight to recite psalms on behalf of Israel because of the Annapolis talks. Above are a couple of my 12 videos on Israel.
The Truth about Hannukah
The Truth about Hannukah
Video sent by rjhgins
rabbi@ehnt.org
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
www.esyangogue.org
Christmas Hannukah dilemma for Jews
Christmas Hannukah dilemma for Jews
Video sent by rjhgins
rabbi@ehnt.org
www.esynagogue.org
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
Sukkah Hannukah connection
Sukkah Hannukah connection
Video sent by rjhgins
rabbi@ehnt.org
www.esynagogue.org
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
How to sing Chanukah Menorah songs
How to sing Chanukah Menorah songs
Video sent by rjhgins
rabbi@ehnt.org
www.esynagogue.org
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
Gail's new sites
Gail's website
http://neshamah.org (link to Website)
http://web.mac.com/gailginsburg/Neshamah/Spirit_Builder_Blog/rss.xml (link to subscribe to Spirit Builder blog)
Welcome to Gail's new blog! She will no longer be emailing her Spirit Builders. If you wish to subscribe to her messages, click the “RSS subscribe” button there.
http://neshamah.org (link to Website)
http://web.mac.com/gailginsburg/Neshamah/Spirit_Builder_Blog/rss.xml (link to subscribe to Spirit Builder blog)
Welcome to Gail's new blog! She will no longer be emailing her Spirit Builders. If you wish to subscribe to her messages, click the “RSS subscribe” button there.
prozion AIPAC on the parsha
November 26, 2007
Parashat Vayeishev
Below is a summary of AIPAC's Synagogue Initiative Sermon Tidbits for Vayeishev. A quick reading of the summary below should indicate if this tidbit interests you. If it does then you can click on the link that follows for the full two page edition of Sermon Tidbits.
Sweet Dreams – Vayis'n'u oto "And they hated him" (Genesis 37:4) Ramban explains that Yosef's brothers hatred stems from a combination of factors: Yaakov's favoritism and Yosef's dreams and behavior. Since the beginning of her modern history, the State of Israel has had a dream. After two thousand years in exile, the dream to return to our homeland was realized. In the past sixty years, living in peace has become the dream. No more suicide bombings. No more Katyushas and Kassams. No more talk of driving the Jews into the sea or wiping the Jewish state off the map. Making the dream of peace a reality will take a great deal of hard work and commitment. It is clear that such a commitment exists on the Israeli side. We pray that the events of this week provide evidence of similar intentions and abilities on the part of the PA and Arab states. Click here to view the complete Tidbits for Vayeishev.
Taking Action – Vayeired Yehudah mei'eit echav "And Yehudah went down from his brothers" (Genesis 38:1) Rashi explains that Yehudah's decision to move on and settle down elsewhere is because of what the brothers did to Yosef. After seeing their father's grief, the brothers removed Yehudah as leader because it was his idea to sell their little brother. Despite the fact that the other brothers wanted to kill Yosef, they say to Yehudah, "You said to sell him. Had you said to return him, we would have listened." The truth is that we never know the impact we can have on a situation until we try. Similarly, it is not too late for us to take action to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. We don't want to be like Yehudah – wondering what we might have done differently and what pain our actions might have spared. Click here to view the complete Tidbits for Vayeishev.
In the Open – V'chisinu et damo "And covering his blood" (Genesis 37:26) Obviously, the brothers' behavior is so horrible that they would have to conceal it or face punishment. The Kotzker Rebbe taught of this verse, "when you have to cover up your behavior, it is a sign that you are doing something wrong." (HaRebbe MeKotzk 94). There is no shortage of deception in the politics of the Middle East – Iran alone spent twenty years lying to the international community to cover up its illegal nuclear program. But Hamas has turned covering up into an art form with its ongoing attempt to build Gaza into a terror stronghold. Think of the benefit to the Palestinian people if the money, creativity, and effort used to smuggle in these weapons were redirected to building civil and economic infrastructure! Click here to view the complete Tidbits for Vayeishev.
Parashat Vayeishev
Below is a summary of AIPAC's Synagogue Initiative Sermon Tidbits for Vayeishev. A quick reading of the summary below should indicate if this tidbit interests you. If it does then you can click on the link that follows for the full two page edition of Sermon Tidbits.
Sweet Dreams – Vayis'n'u oto "And they hated him" (Genesis 37:4) Ramban explains that Yosef's brothers hatred stems from a combination of factors: Yaakov's favoritism and Yosef's dreams and behavior. Since the beginning of her modern history, the State of Israel has had a dream. After two thousand years in exile, the dream to return to our homeland was realized. In the past sixty years, living in peace has become the dream. No more suicide bombings. No more Katyushas and Kassams. No more talk of driving the Jews into the sea or wiping the Jewish state off the map. Making the dream of peace a reality will take a great deal of hard work and commitment. It is clear that such a commitment exists on the Israeli side. We pray that the events of this week provide evidence of similar intentions and abilities on the part of the PA and Arab states. Click here to view the complete Tidbits for Vayeishev.
Taking Action – Vayeired Yehudah mei'eit echav "And Yehudah went down from his brothers" (Genesis 38:1) Rashi explains that Yehudah's decision to move on and settle down elsewhere is because of what the brothers did to Yosef. After seeing their father's grief, the brothers removed Yehudah as leader because it was his idea to sell their little brother. Despite the fact that the other brothers wanted to kill Yosef, they say to Yehudah, "You said to sell him. Had you said to return him, we would have listened." The truth is that we never know the impact we can have on a situation until we try. Similarly, it is not too late for us to take action to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. We don't want to be like Yehudah – wondering what we might have done differently and what pain our actions might have spared. Click here to view the complete Tidbits for Vayeishev.
In the Open – V'chisinu et damo "And covering his blood" (Genesis 37:26) Obviously, the brothers' behavior is so horrible that they would have to conceal it or face punishment. The Kotzker Rebbe taught of this verse, "when you have to cover up your behavior, it is a sign that you are doing something wrong." (HaRebbe MeKotzk 94). There is no shortage of deception in the politics of the Middle East – Iran alone spent twenty years lying to the international community to cover up its illegal nuclear program. But Hamas has turned covering up into an art form with its ongoing attempt to build Gaza into a terror stronghold. Think of the benefit to the Palestinian people if the money, creativity, and effort used to smuggle in these weapons were redirected to building civil and economic infrastructure! Click here to view the complete Tidbits for Vayeishev.
Annapolis, The surge, from Richard Baehr
Subject: Annapolis overload
1. Those seeking a rational reason for the US effort to kick start a peace process that can lead nowhere, but could endanger both the US and Israeli interests by demonstrating weakness to our enemies, may, repeat, may, feel a bit better after reading these two articles. They suggest the conference is not so much about the Israeli Palestinian negotiations , which are grounded, as in reasserting US primacy in the region. I would like to believe this is all that is going on, but I don't. I think these events build a momentum of their own.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3475530,00.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/927520.html
2. Plenty of skeptics remain, including the incomparable Bernard Lewis. the 3rd and 4th articles below deal with real security issues which would accompany any Israeli territorial concessions or easing of Wset Bank roadblocks.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119604260214503526.html
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/hazony/1378
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/927846.html
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1195546718842&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.nysun.com/article/66954
3. Hizbollah says any new Lebanese government must be committed to fighting Israel. Hamas is committed to stepping up attacks . And the Arabs say this conference is not about normalizing relations with Israel. So if the radicals want more war and terror, and the "moderate" Arabs still do not think Israel is permanent , what does Israel gain from this charade?
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1195546712955&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/927852.html
4, Mark Steyn looks at the Presidential field. And how did Hilary Clinton spend her summer during law school before her need to triangulate to get elected?
http://www.nysun.com/article/66981
http://www.nysun.com/article/66933
5. The Democrats' failed surge against the surge. And Amir Tehari takes a balanced look at the situation in Iraq
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/405lrbpc.asp?pg=1
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11262007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/iraq__beyond_the_drop_in_violence_473299.htm
6. Our friends, the Saudis
http://www.israpundit.com/2007/?p=6588
http://www.t-g.com/story/1292985.html
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58853
1. Those seeking a rational reason for the US effort to kick start a peace process that can lead nowhere, but could endanger both the US and Israeli interests by demonstrating weakness to our enemies, may, repeat, may, feel a bit better after reading these two articles. They suggest the conference is not so much about the Israeli Palestinian negotiations , which are grounded, as in reasserting US primacy in the region. I would like to believe this is all that is going on, but I don't. I think these events build a momentum of their own.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3475530,00.html
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/927520.html
2. Plenty of skeptics remain, including the incomparable Bernard Lewis. the 3rd and 4th articles below deal with real security issues which would accompany any Israeli territorial concessions or easing of Wset Bank roadblocks.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119604260214503526.html
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/hazony/1378
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/927846.html
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1195546718842&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.nysun.com/article/66954
3. Hizbollah says any new Lebanese government must be committed to fighting Israel. Hamas is committed to stepping up attacks . And the Arabs say this conference is not about normalizing relations with Israel. So if the radicals want more war and terror, and the "moderate" Arabs still do not think Israel is permanent , what does Israel gain from this charade?
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1195546712955&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/927852.html
4, Mark Steyn looks at the Presidential field. And how did Hilary Clinton spend her summer during law school before her need to triangulate to get elected?
http://www.nysun.com/article/66981
http://www.nysun.com/article/66933
5. The Democrats' failed surge against the surge. And Amir Tehari takes a balanced look at the situation in Iraq
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/014/405lrbpc.asp?pg=1
http://www.nypost.com/seven/11262007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/iraq__beyond_the_drop_in_violence_473299.htm
6. Our friends, the Saudis
http://www.israpundit.com/2007/?p=6588
http://www.t-g.com/story/1292985.html
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58853
ask the rabbi series 4
ask the rabbi series 4
Video sent by rjhgins
Questions about: Ryan Braun MVP, Satan, Talmud Study, kosher meat delivery, Conservative Judaism in Israel, Chrisitanity and the Holocaust, convert the child, kabbalistic safegaurds from danger, Jeremiah and a new covenant email me at rabbi@ehnt.org www.esynagogue.org for all my videos and Long distance conversion program www.jewcyberworld.blogspot.com www.jonathanginsburg.net www.jewishconversionchicago.com www.convertjudaism.blogspot.com www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
Featured video of the day
I have finally learned how to embed videos on the blog so I will feature my video of the day, and will post all new ones I make. Watch for it.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Why does Genesis say "OUR image"?
Greetings from one of your subscribers,
I wanted to ask you a question...a little background to this question being that I'm Jewish and i have this certain person I argue with that is attempting to have me believe in Jesus and such(him trying to save me, yada yada yada)
Would you happen to know why genesis 1:26-27, god says let US, as if he is a plural (in hebrew it being Na-A-Se)?
Your answer would be greatly appreciated.
Answe-if that person suggests its because of thge trinity that is just absurd. If God wanted to say the trinity, God would have. Just like thy think the Hebrew Bible predicts jesus. if it wanted to predict Jesus, it would have named him. Watch my series on jews not for Jesus.
On this question OUR is one of several things
1. angels
2. Just God talking like a MKing-who used roayal we
3. the animals since humans are 1/2 animal; 1/2 spritual
I wanted to ask you a question...a little background to this question being that I'm Jewish and i have this certain person I argue with that is attempting to have me believe in Jesus and such(him trying to save me, yada yada yada)
Would you happen to know why genesis 1:26-27, god says let US, as if he is a plural (in hebrew it being Na-A-Se)?
Your answer would be greatly appreciated.
Answe-if that person suggests its because of thge trinity that is just absurd. If God wanted to say the trinity, God would have. Just like thy think the Hebrew Bible predicts jesus. if it wanted to predict Jesus, it would have named him. Watch my series on jews not for Jesus.
On this question OUR is one of several things
1. angels
2. Just God talking like a MKing-who used roayal we
3. the animals since humans are 1/2 animal; 1/2 spritual
Q: Am I Jewish if my dad is?
My mom is Catholic and my dad is Jewish... when I was 13 I went to Israel to visit and did my bar-mitzba in jerusalem in the Kotel....
I have always felt jewish, but what would I be really consider????
Subject:
Your reply: Reform and Reconstructionist Jews would if you were raised Jewish but Conservative and Orthodox would not unless you convert formally.
I can help if you ever want to.
Original Message:
I have always felt jewish, but what would I be really consider????
Subject:
Your reply: Reform and Reconstructionist Jews would if you were raised Jewish but Conservative and Orthodox would not unless you convert formally.
I can help if you ever want to.
Original Message:
Saturday, November 24, 2007
jews
The Jerusalem Post confirms the Vanity Fair story.
October 19, 2007
Dear Friends,
In this months Vanity Fair magazine, there are two articles that I want
to
draw to your attention. One is entitled "The New Establishment, the 100
most
powerful, most influential people in American society." What is
absolutely
amazing about the article is that 51 out of the 100 are Jews. Wow! In a
country where we comprise a little more than 2% of the population, 51%
of
the listed "most influential" are Jewish.
The magazine also has a separate list of what it calls "The Next
Establishment" - younger people it believes are destined to make the
list
soon. Of the 26 on that list, 15 are Jewish! And it doesn't stop
there.
There is a list called the "Pit Stop Club." These are people who
haven't
made it, but will make a comeback soon. Nine names are on the list.
Only one
is not Jewish and that is Don Imus.
I don't bring this information to be haughty or triumphal, but rather
want
us to think about why. And will we continue to make great contributions
to
the world? On Shabbat I will talk more about this.
There is also another article. This one is called "Talk of the Town."
Its
the story of the intense competition between two of the most powerful
men on
Wall Street. Each one tries to outdo the other, top the other, and even
destroy the other. They are also both Jewish.
The article mentions the charities they support: museums, symphonies,
hospitals, universities, nothing for Jewish education or synagogues. I
see
something in the juxtaposition of these two articles. And what this
means
for the future of Jewish contribution to causes that matter, cultural
improvement, advancement in society, etc., etc.
The generation of Jewish genius which contributed to the world as Jews
first
emerged freely is now being realized. It comes from a culture that was
emerged in a value system and learning. We need to figure out how to
preserve that in a world that gives us freedom. We need to create
synagogues
and centers and institutions that people want to be in and to support
and
enjoy. That's our challenge to make this venture continue.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Steinhardt
Boca Raton, FL
This year Islam and Judaism's holiest holidays overlapped for 10 days.
Muslims racked up 397 dead bodies in 94 terror attacks across 10
countries
during this time... The Jews worked on their 159th Nobel Prize
____________________
October 19, 2007
Dear Friends,
In this months Vanity Fair magazine, there are two articles that I want
to
draw to your attention. One is entitled "The New Establishment, the 100
most
powerful, most influential people in American society." What is
absolutely
amazing about the article is that 51 out of the 100 are Jews. Wow! In a
country where we comprise a little more than 2% of the population, 51%
of
the listed "most influential" are Jewish.
The magazine also has a separate list of what it calls "The Next
Establishment" - younger people it believes are destined to make the
list
soon. Of the 26 on that list, 15 are Jewish! And it doesn't stop
there.
There is a list called the "Pit Stop Club." These are people who
haven't
made it, but will make a comeback soon. Nine names are on the list.
Only one
is not Jewish and that is Don Imus.
I don't bring this information to be haughty or triumphal, but rather
want
us to think about why. And will we continue to make great contributions
to
the world? On Shabbat I will talk more about this.
There is also another article. This one is called "Talk of the Town."
Its
the story of the intense competition between two of the most powerful
men on
Wall Street. Each one tries to outdo the other, top the other, and even
destroy the other. They are also both Jewish.
The article mentions the charities they support: museums, symphonies,
hospitals, universities, nothing for Jewish education or synagogues. I
see
something in the juxtaposition of these two articles. And what this
means
for the future of Jewish contribution to causes that matter, cultural
improvement, advancement in society, etc., etc.
The generation of Jewish genius which contributed to the world as Jews
first
emerged freely is now being realized. It comes from a culture that was
emerged in a value system and learning. We need to figure out how to
preserve that in a world that gives us freedom. We need to create
synagogues
and centers and institutions that people want to be in and to support
and
enjoy. That's our challenge to make this venture continue.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Steinhardt
Boca Raton, FL
This year Islam and Judaism's holiest holidays overlapped for 10 days.
Muslims racked up 397 dead bodies in 94 terror attacks across 10
countries
during this time... The Jews worked on their 159th Nobel Prize
____________________
Basic Jewish belief
Basic Jewish belief
Video sent by rjhgins
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg, Rabbi of the Ezra-Habonim, Niles Township Jewish Congregation of Skokie, is a native of Chicago. Rabbi Ginsburg received his B.A. in religion from the University of Chicago where he was the valedictory orator and received his Masters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary where he received the Krasne Award for outstanding student. He was a National Merit scholar and 1974 National High School Debate Champion. Rabbi Ginsburg, before returning to Chicago, he was the senior Rabbi at the Temple of Aaron, a 1400-family Conservative synagogue for 17 years, and adjunct faculty of St. Catherine College and Metropolitan University. Prior to that, he served as senior Rabbi at the Kane street Synagogue in Brooklyn for 5 years. He is now President of the Niles Township Clergy Association.
websites and blogs
www.jonathanginsburg.net
www.jewishconversionchicago.com
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
www.ehnt.org
Learn Live Love jewishly
Learn Live Love jewishly
Video sent by rjhgins
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg, Rabbi of the Ezra-Habonim, Niles Township Jewish Congregation of Skokie, is a native of Chicago. Rabbi Ginsburg received his B.A. in religion from the University of Chicago where he was the valedictory orator and received his Masters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary where he received the Krasne Award for outstanding student. He was a National Merit scholar and 1974 National High School Debate Champion. Rabbi Ginsburg, before returning to Chicago, he was the senior Rabbi at the Temple of Aaron, a 1400-family Conservative synagogue for 17 years, and adjunct faculty of St. Catherine College and Metropolitan University. Prior to that, he served as senior Rabbi at the Kane street Synagogue in Brooklyn for 5 years. He is now President of the Niles Township Clergy Association.
websites and blogs
www.jonathanginsburg.net
www.jewishconversionchicago.com
www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
www.ehnt.org
prozion report from Conference of Presidents
Prepared for the
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
View this page at www.dailyalert.org
Subscribe RSS-XML
DAILY ALERT Friday,
November 23, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In-Depth Issues:
The German-Iranian Connection - Benjamin Weinthal (Ha'aretz)
During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Ali Mobaraki, an Iranian who managed Zenith Rollers Germany, a print roller company in Dusseldorf, orchestrated the transfer of 10 satellite navigation systems to Iran, with the help of his father, who owns Zenith, and a British engineer living in Germany since 1986.
This type of global positioning system (GPS) is routinely found in unmanned aerial vehicles used to survey or attack enemy territory.
FAKT, a German news program, reported last year that navigation systems used in Iranian drones employed by Hizbullah against Israel in the Lebanon war were manufactured by a company in the south German state of Baden-Wurttemberg.
Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO), the country's military procurement enterprise, maintained an office in Dusseldorf until 1996-97.
Der Spiegel reported in April 2007 that, "according to a high-level investigator, at least two representatives of DIO are still active on a wider front in Germany."
Exiled head of the Iranian Green party Dr. Kazem Moussavizadeh told Ha'aretz that Iran's ambassador in Germany, Mohammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh Basti, "is responsible for coordinating the secret procurement of nuclear material and logistics from Europe and for the atomic project of the Mullahs."
Moussavizadeh says that "160 diplomats work for Ambassador Basti in Berlin and an additional 650 Iranians are working for the Islamic government across Germany. These are not normal Iranian diplomats; rather, they are preoccupied with military affairs and the nuclear project."
See also Germany Probes 50 Firms that Sold Nuclear Equipment to Iran - Benjamin Weinthal (Ha'aretz)
German customs police have uncovered in recent years 50 German companies that sold Iran equipment to finish building its nuclear reactor at Bushehr.
Coordinating this smuggling operation was a Berlin-based front company called Vero, headed by Dimitry Solotarev. The value of the equipment transferred to Iran is estimated at $150 million, Potsdam's public prosecutor told Ha'aretz.
Solotarev's company claimed it was supplying the equipment to a Russian nuclear reactor in Rostov.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Helps Palestinian Activists Hone Advocacy Skills - Grace Bradley (U.S. State Department)
Recently, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem invited an experienced U.S. activist to work with local advocacy groups on communicating their message through the media as part of the U.S.' continuing support for democratic development in the Palestinian territories.
Tarek Rizk, the associate director of the Global Interdependence Initiative at the Washington-based Aspen Institute, discussed ideas with Palestinian activists on choosing the target audience and ensuring their message is noticed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamas Seeks to Undermine Annapolis by Claiming Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem Is in Danger (Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center)
Using the false slogan that Al-Aqsa is in danger, Hamas has undertaken a campaign to put Jerusalem at the top of the Palestinian agenda in order to undermine the Annapolis meeting and deflect attention from criticism of the massacre of Fatah supporters in Gaza at the memorial rally for Arafat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peres: Peace Deal Impossible Before Bush Term Ends (Ha'aretz)
A final Middle East peace accord will be impossible to reach before U.S. President Bush leaves office in January 2009, Israeli President Shimon Peres said in remarks published Thursday.
"It is theoretically possible to reach an agreement during the term of President Bush, but it is practically impossible," Peres told Japan's Tokyo Shimbun.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IDF Boosts Patrols in West Bank after Fatal Shooting - Yuval Azoulay (Ha'aretz)
The Israel Defense Forces have stepped up patrols of major roads in the West Bank following a shooting attack west of Nablus Monday night that claimed the life of Ido Zoldan.
The IDF is concerned that as the Annapolis summit draws near, terrorist groups will intensify their efforts to carry out attacks throughout the territories in an effort to torpedo the conference.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
333 Palestinians Killed in Hamas-Fatah Fighting This Year (Maan News-PA)
333 Palestinians have been killed so far this year in fighting between Hamas and Fatah, the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem reported Wednesday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Egyptian College Student Arrested in Florida Discussed Explosives in Video (AP)
An Egyptian college student arrested after authorities found explosive chemicals in his car made a video suggesting that "martyrdom" can be avoided by using remote-controlled explosives, authorities said.
The video is a key piece of evidence in the case against University of South Florida student Ahmed Abdellatif Sherif Mohamed, who faces federal explosives charges.
A laptop belonging to Mohamed contained the video he made that demonstrates how to convert a remote-control toy car into a detonator for bombs, the FBI said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who Will Protect the Yazidis? - Tom Gross (TomGrossMedia)
Four coordinated explosions in the northern Iraqi villages of Qahtaniya and Jazeera on August 14, 2007, targeted Iraq's Yazidi ethnic and religious minority.
527 people died and over 1,500 were wounded, many burned alive, in the deadliest terror attack since the World Trade Center.
The Yazidis are Kurdish-speaking, are not considered Arabs, and they may number as many as 700,000.
The bombers were the Muslim Sunni supremacists of al-Qaeda in Iraq, who openly say that the moment they get the chance (i.e., when the Americans leave) they will wipe out every last Yazidi man, woman and child.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palestinian Car Thief Phones Knesset Member to Negotiate Car's Return - Amnon Meranda (Ynet News)
MK Effie Eitam's car was stolen by a Palestinian early Thursday in Jerusalem. The vehicle contained Eitam's cell phone, and the thief phoned him.
"He said to me: 'I stole your car. I'm in Ramallah. If you want it back, I'm willing to hand it over for NIS 12,000 (about $3,000)'."
"Unfortunately, a meter from our house exists a lawless entity (Palestinian Authority), with no order or security."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Israel Gives Uganda Flood Victims Medicines - Florence Nakaayi (New Vision-Uganda)
The government of Israel has donated 2.5 tons of medicine to flood victims after 13 districts were hit by floods between August and October, leaving 300,000 people displaced.
The Israeli ambassador, Jacob Keider, handed over the items to the First Lady, Janet Museveni, at State House Nakasero on Monday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lebanon Enters a New Crisis - Anthony Shadid
Lebanon's worst crisis since the 1975-90 civil war builds to a climax at midnight Friday, when the term of President Emile Lahoud ends. Despite weeks of French-led mediation, Lebanon's factions appeared unlikely to reach a consensus on Lahoud's replacement by the deadline, plunging the country into a constitutional limbo. Unlike Lebanon's civil war, often characterized as a Christian-Muslim conflict, this crisis has mobilized the country's Sunni and Shiite Muslim communities against each other, with Christians divided between the two camps. (Washington Post)
See also Syria Is Accused of Blocking a Deal on a New Lebanon President
The U.S. and Lebanon's main anti-Syrian Christian leader on Wednesday accused Syria of blocking a deal on a new Lebanese president. Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces group, said the Syrian-backed opposition was threatening chaos if its preferred consensus candidate did not replace the pro-Syrian president, Emile Lahoud. "It really ought to be decided without foreign interference, and certainly without any foreign intimidation," Secretary of State Rice said. "Those messages have been very clearly sent." (Reuters/New York Times)
See also Lebanon President Deadline Looms (BBC News)
Arab League: Israel Won't Get "Normalization for Free"
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said Friday that Arab countries will not offer Israel "normalization for free" during the upcoming U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference. "Arabs are going to participate in the (Annapolis) meeting, to show support for the Palestinians, based on the Arab peace initiative," he said. (AP/International Herald Tribune)
UN Atomic Watchdog Says in Dark over Iran's Nuclear Intentions
The UN atomic watchdog said Thursday it was in the dark about Iran's nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "has so far not been able to verify some important aspects of Iran's nuclear program," its director general Mohamed ElBaradei told a board meeting in Vienna. He specifically cited key questions related to the scope and nature of Iran's centrifuge enrichment activities, "as well as those relevant to alleged studies and other activities that could have military applications." As a result, the UN watchdog was "unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities," ElBaradei complained. (AFP)
Iraqi Shiites Protest Iranian Takeover of Southern Iraq - Amit R. Paley and Sudarsan Raghavan
More than 300,000 Shiite Muslims from southern Iraq have signed a petition condemning Iran for fomenting violence in Iraq, according to a group of sheiks leading the campaign. "The Iranians, in fact, have taken over all of south Iraq," said a senior tribal leader from the south. "Their influence is everywhere." The petition, signed by 600 sheiks, calls on the UN to investigate what it termed crimes committed by Iran and its proxies in southern Iraq. The effort is being supported by the Mujaheddin-e Khalq, an Iranian opposition group that is listed by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization but that nonetheless enjoys U.S. military protection in Iraq. (Washington Post)
Chavez Ally Turned Critic Slammed for Ties with Jews - Simon Romero
Venezuelan army commander Raul Isaias Baduel led the paratrooper raid that returned Hugo Chavez to office after he was briefly deposed by a coup in 2002. But Gen. Baduel broke with Chavez this month over proposed sweeping changes to the Constitution that, among other things, would abolish presidential term limits. Since going public with his criticism, Gen, Baduel, a Roman Catholic, has been criticized over his close friendships with members of the country's small Jewish community, many of whom are increasingly concerned about Chavez's growing alliance with Iran and the government's tense diplomatic relations with Israel. Gen. Baduel described his outreach to Jews as part of his "ecumenical" beliefs, but Tarek William Saab, the governor of Anzoategui state and an ally of the president, told the daily newspaper El Nacional: "He has been captured by the international ultra right wing, by international Zionism." (New York Times)
News Resources - Israel and the Mideast:
Israel: Palestinian Authority Doesn't Want a Joint Document for Annapolis - Herb Keinon
The Palestinian Authority is not interested - because of domestic political concerns - in issuing a joint document at the upcoming meeting in Annapolis, according to current assessments in Jerusalem. It is believed to be wary of making any compromises because they would be roundly criticized by Hamas and much of the Palestinian "street." If the document is not finished before Tuesday, then Olmert and Abbas are expected to "jointly announce the launching of core issue negotiations" instead of unveiling a joint document.
Israeli officials said Bush will hold bilateral talks with Olmert next week. Olmert's meeting with Bush on Monday is expected to deal with the Palestinian issue and how to move the diplomatic process forward, while his meeting with Bush on Wednesday is expected to focus on the Iranian nuclear issue. (Jerusalem Post)
See also Hamas Calls on Arab Nations to Boycott Annapolis Conference - Khaled Abu Toameh
Speaking in Gaza Thursday, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh urged Arab countries to boycott the Annapolis conference and resist attempts to normalize relations with Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel to Start Reducing Gaza Power Supply on Dec. 2 - Yuval Yoaz
Israel is to begin gradually reducing the power supply to Gaza on Dec. 2, in response to the ongoing Kassam rocket fire at Israeli communities, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz told the High Court of Justice Thursday. The Palestinians will be given a one-week notice of the intent to begin reducing the power supply. The defense establishment would "follow the effect of the power reductions on Gaza residents with attention to the commitment not to cause a humanitarian crisis." (Ha'aretz)
Egyptian Schools Ignore Israel Peace Accords - Yoav Stern
Shalom Cohen, Israel's ambassador to Cairo, says that 30 years after Sadat's visit to Jerusalem: "Peace with Israel is not a central tenet of the [Egyptian] school curriculum." Cohen attends many cultural events surrounded by bodyguards that separate him from the general public. He is not invited to all the events the rest of the city's diplomatic corps attends. The media never interviews him.
Relations with Egypt don't worry him; he says there have been ups and downs over the years, but a minimum connection has always remained. "Menachem Begin said the troubles of peace are better than the agonies of war....This is not a cold peace. There are matters on which the dialogue is very good." (Ha'aretz)
Palestinians Vandalizing Jewish Farmers' Property - Nadav Shragai
There has been a recent spate of Palestinian vandalism on property belonging to Jewish farmers in the West Bank, and a Ha'aretz investigation has found evidence of arson, sabotage of equipment, and destruction of crops. A new report - "Who Will Protect My Olive Tree?" - describes the torching of 900 dunams of grazing ground, a stable, and 30 pomegranate trees belonging to Yehuda Cohen of Bat Ayin. Shamai Pozak at Ofra had young saplings chopped down, tons of grapevines destroyed before the harvest, and irrigation pipes torched. Moshe Kedem of Pnei Kedem had 500 olive tree saplings uprooted. At Sde Calev in the Hebron Hills, arson consumed more than 100 cherry trees, and buildings and storage sheds were set on fire. Just recently, another 400 grapevines were uprooted. Shlomi Cohen's vineyard in the Dolev region was uprooted four times. (Ha'aretz)
Palestinians in Gaza Fire 20 Mortar Shells at Israel Thursday - Yuval Azoulay
Palestinian militants in Gaza fired nearly 20 mortar shells at Israel on Thursday, according to Army Radio. (Ha'aretz)
Global Commentary and Think-Tank Analysis (Best of U.S., UK, and Israel):
The Annapolis Meeting
Foreign Minister Livni: Annapolis Conference to Jumpstart Talks - Roni Sofer
The Israeli stance that the Annapolis conference is the beginning of a diplomatic process for the establishment of two states for two people is now accepted by the entire world, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told Ynet on Thursday. "The question now is not what Israel will give the Palestinians. The question now is which Arab countries will join the train whose engine is Annapolis," she said. "I see great success in the fact that Annapolis will jumpstart a move in which the security of the State of Israel is an inseparable part," she added. Livni believes that "the fact that this conference is being held, with 40 countries supporting it including Arab states, is a success." "In any event," said senior officials involved in the negotiations, "Israel has proved that its intentions are serious." (Ynet News)
Strengthening the Palestinians Again - Natan Sharansky
I asked a player from the international elements engaged in building up the Palestinian economy why they weren't making aid to Mahmoud Abbas contingent on stopping the anti-Israeli incitement on the official television channel and in the Palestinian education system. He replied, "Abbas is so weak, and this is not a popular step. First of all, it is necessary to strengthen him and afterward it will be possible to demand something of him." I have never understood this strange reasoning: Once anti-Israeli positions have made him popular, he will suddenly lead his people toward peace?
It is true that to carry out courageous reforms and educate the people to peace, a strong and bold leader is needed. Leaders like that, who understand the need for education toward peace and reforms, do exist - but not in the Muqata in Ramallah. These are people who are not afraid to challenge the tyranny of the weak leader and who believe in building a civil society as a necessary foundation for any progress on the road to peace. It is true that they are weak, but for one reason only: We ourselves are weakening them by giving unreserved support to "moderate" tyrants. It is precisely the strengthening of an antidemocratic regime and the absence of an alternative that are pushing the public into the arms of fundamentalists, into the arms of Hamas.
Another generation of Palestinians is being educated to hatred, violence and the aspiration to destroy Israel. A look back over the years since the Oslo Accords shows clearly that the direction in which Palestinian society has marched is not the direction of peace. Annapolis is doomed to failure because it is built on distorted reasoning to the effect that it is possible to move ahead and make a deal with some leader and totally ignore what is really happening in Palestinian society. The writer is head of the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center. (Ha'aretz)
Will It Be Sadat or Arafat at Annapolis? - Kenneth J. Bialkin
Anwar Sadat faced the realities of the Egyptian economic, political and military condition and decided to go to Jerusalem. His message was "No More War" and he was received in Jerusalem in November 1977 by Menachem Begin with an open, fulsome and conciliatory response, leading to the Camp David Agreement in 1979 where the details of Sadat's message were implemented. It is time for the Arab world to engage in the same calculus as did Sadat and recognize that "No More War" is the only message that might give any promise of accomplishment to the Annapolis meeting.
Israel should demand that as a predicate to its attendance at Annapolis, the Arab world must convincingly demonstrate that it accepts Israel's right to exist, forswears any intention to destroy the Jewish state, and agrees that Arab refugees from prior wars may return only to areas that will be included in the anticipated Palestinian state when it is permitted to emerge. Without those assurances, Israel should not accept a conference that might agree on abstract concessions that will only become the starting points of demands when future negotiations occur. Unless the Arab world and its acolytes and supporters accept an "end of conflict" to the Arab-Israel struggle, the status quo will not be altered. (Wall Street Journal)
Iran a Driving Force for Mideast Meeting - Anne Gearan
The most important player in the push for Mideast peace that President Bush launches with a conference in Annapolis next week may be one that's not on his long list of invited guests. For varying reasons, Iran is a force driving the U.S., Israel, the Palestinians and their Arab backers to seek a deal now. Long the chief U.S. adversary in the region, Iran stands accused of funding and arming terrorist groups, including Palestinian factions that do not want a peace deal with Israel. According to U.S. and other Western intelligence, Iran has helped establish what amounts to a client state in Gaza. Shiite Iran is also a worrisome power for majority-Sunni Arab states which have watched with alarm as Iran angles for influence in Iraq and seeds Islamic extremists bent on overthrowing secular or U.S.-allied Arab governments. (AP/Washington Post)
The Condoleezza Story - Emmanuel Sivan
This is the real story of Annapolis: a story of fierce personal emotions, disappointment, affront and desperation. But what action did Rice set in motion, and to what end? The action is not based on an American assessment that the conflict is ripe for resolution and/or that there are leaders in the region capable of deciding. In Annapolis we will see no more than an extravagant media gimmick; an orchestrated performance whose Middle Eastern actors are taking part in it halfheartedly because "the president expects it." (Ha'aretz)
Other Issues
Iran's Expanding Influence - Ibrahim Nawar
In its modern history Iran has never had such an influential role in the Middle East as now. The removal of Saddam Hussein and the destruction of Iraq fueled Iran's desire to spread its wings across the Gulf and Arab Middle East. The unenthusiastic foreign policies of Saudi Arabia and Egypt have encouraged Tehran's political leadership to build and develop close relations with other key players in the region, especially ruling groups in Syria, Lebanon (Hizbullah) and Palestine (Islamic Jihad and Hamas), and with political groups in the Gulf, Yemen, Sudan, North Africa and even inside Egypt and Saudi Arabia, forcing retreat and a defensive approach on its regional rivals.
The rise of Hizbullah has weakened the role of Saudi Arabia in Lebanon, while the electoral victory of Hamas in Palestine left Egyptian diplomacy paralyzed, proven lately in Gaza when Hamas took control amid conspicuous anti-Egyptian sentiment. While these developments were grim for Cairo and Riyadh, Tehran looked on in celebration.
As some Gulf Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, became targets for al-Qaeda attacks, the leadership of Iran felt the time had come to start an offensive campaign of mobilizing Shia minorities in the Gulf, mainly those who come historically from Persian and not Arab origin. Some Shia political figures have appeared moderate reformers, as in the Eastern province in Saudi Arabia, while some took the fundamentalist route as their way to confront Sunni political elites, as in Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen. The writer has worked as an adviser to the UN mission to Iraq. (Al-Ahram-Egypt)
Sense on Settlements - Editorial
Under the plan named after Labor defense minister Yigal Allon, Labor governments worked toward the goal of defensible borders - as stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 242 - by establishing 21 settlements along the Jordan Valley and the eastern slopes of the north-south ridge bisecting the West Bank. While most Israelis are extremely skeptical that the Palestinians will be ready for peace anytime soon, most agree that it is Israel's interest not to rule over the Palestinians in the territories. At the same time, almost no Israeli can imagine going back to the 1967 lines and dismantling the settlement blocs. Further, following the aftermaths of the unilateral withdrawals from Lebanon and Gaza, there is little stomach for continuing with that model.
More explicit recognition by the U.S. of settlement blocs would help the process by giving Israelis confidence that a two-state plan will truly take Israel's requirement of defensible borders into account. There will be no return to the pre-1967 lines, so stubbornly sticking with a "zero settlement" policy makes a two-state plan less realistic, not more so. (Jerusalem Post)
The Historical Fact of Israel - David Warren
The Palestinian side has declared that, while Arafat "recognized" the "State of Israel" as part of the "Oslo accords" in September 1993, neither he then, nor they today, recognize it as a "Jewish state." Israel is there, by the fact of history. And it is also there as the only reliably free, democratic, pro-Western state in a dark region where the most open societies (Jordan, Egypt) are arbitrarily ruled by moderate tyrants, and the worst are unspeakable. There are today more than five million Jews living in Israel, who have no citizenship anywhere else. The overwhelming majority were born there. This is what I mean by an historical fact.
There may well be as many Palestinians scattered through the region under subsidy from the UN, who claim the "right of return" to what is now Israeli territory, but who were not born there. It should be remembered, constantly, that they descend from Palestinian ancestors who were one half of a population exchange that happened in the 1940s. And that an approximately equal number of Jews were uprooted from their homes throughout the Arab world - under pressure of both the state and the mob - many of whom found refuge in Israel. The Palestinians are ill served by the failure of Ms. Rice and all other diplomatic authorities in the West to remind them of the facts, plainly. (Ottawa Citizen)
Weekend Features
Why Gal Luft Is the Most Hated Man in Riyadh, Detroit, and Des Moines - Tim Heffernan
Energy-independence advocate Gal Luft, a former lieutenant colonel in the Israel Defense Forces and counterterrorism expert, fervently believes that the only way to make America safe is to make it energy independent. As executive director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, he has a single goal: freeing America from the grip of foreign oil now. He says we should "mandate that every vehicle sold in the U. S. is flex-fuel compatible so that it can run on just about any blend of hydrocarbon-based fuels - gasoline, ethanol, methanol, etc. The technology already exists, and the process is cheap, about a hundred dollars per vehicle."
"Panama, Kenya, and Thailand grow sugarcane from which you can make ethanol at half the cost of making it from corn," he says. "65% of our garbage is biomass: food, paper, scrap wood. All of it could be converted to methanol.... Coal can be converted to clean-burning methanol for the equivalent of one dollar per gallon." (Esquire)
A Fifth of Israeli Jews Say They Do Not Observe Religious Traditions - Matthew Wagner
Religious and traditional Israeli Jewish populations are on the rise while the secular population is shrinking drastically, according to a survey released Thursday by the Israel Democracy Institute's Guttman Center. Israelis who say they do not observe religious traditions have become fewer, especially over the past decade, making up just a fifth of the population in 2007, according to a survey conducted by Eliyahu Sapir, a doctoral student at Hebrew University supervised by Professor Asher Arian. In contrast, in 1974, 41% of Israelis said they were secular. Moreover, from about a fifth of the population in 1974, the proportion of those who say they are strict observers of religious traditions has now grown to a third. The number of moderately traditional Israelis has grown from 38% to about half. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel Offers U.S. Doctors Training in Emergency Response - Matthew Kalman
Raymond Rappaport, a veteran primary care doctor from Redwood City, Cal., is one of 30 American doctors who recently participated in a grueling five-day course in emergency medicine hosted by Israeli civilian hospitals and military medics. The course included a visit to the Israel Center for Medical Simulation, a state-of-the-art training center for emergency medicine at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer near Tel Aviv. After each exercise, which was carried out using real equipment on electronic mannequins that breathed and spoke to them, the U.S. doctors watched a video playback and received feedback from Israel's top medical trainers. "A lot of these things are not available in the United States. A lot of the medicine is different," said Rappaport. "They're up on the cutting edge of the latest technology."
Israeli emergency medicine is not just about surgery. Within minutes of a suicide bombing or another crisis, a central hot line handles inquiries from concerned families trying to locate their missing loved ones. The hot line provides updated information, including the cataloging of photographs and other details. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Airtime for Israel's Arabs - Ken Ellingwood
Every week, Maram abu Ahmad, 12; Tony Khleif, 11; and Shahd Shahbari, also 11, get together on camera with an adult host to discuss, in Arabic, their lives and views during freewheeling chats that regularly veer into the minefields of politics and identity. The children have aired opinions on religion, their relations with Israel's majority Jews and the ever-tricky issue of being Arabs who are citizens of the Jewish state. (Maram got in trouble with her mother by saying on air that she considered herself Israeli, not Palestinian.) The half-hour program, called "Haki Kibar," or "Grown-Up Talk," is part of a new effort by the country's dominant commercial broadcaster, Channel 2, to put more Arab citizens on the small screen. (Los Angeles Times)
Britain's Respect Party: The Leftist-Islamist Alliance and Its Attitude toward Israel - Eran Benedek
The Respect Party has introduced a fresh example of sectarianism and communalist politics into mainstream British politics. Respect comprises a coalition of the Socialist Workers Party and elements associated with the Muslim Association of Britain, along with antiglobalization activists and antiwar protesters. Its ideology is thus an amalgamation of radical international socialism and Islamism and offers a basis for cooperation around a shared agenda. Although Respect preaches peace and social justice, it is intensely anti-Zionist and rejects the right to independent Jewish statehood in Israel. (Jewish Political Studies Review)
Observations:
Towards Annapolis: Is U.S. Policy Changing on Israel's Rights in a Peace Settlement? - Dore Gold (Institute for Contemporary Affairs/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)
After being sworn into office in 2001, the Bush administration informed the Israeli government that the Clinton proposals "were off the table." The Bush Letter of April 14, 2004, received by Israel as a quid pro quo for the Gaza Disengagement, introduced new elements into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process that completely superseded the Clinton proposals.
Prime Minister Sharon explained the significance of the Bush Letter to the Knesset on April 22, 2004: "There is American recognition that in any permanent status arrangement, there will be no return to the '67 borders. This recognition is to be expressed in two ways: understanding that the facts that have been established in the large settlement blocs are such that they do not permit a withdrawal to the '67 borders and implementation of the term 'defensible borders.'"
There is a serious question about the exact standing of the Bush Letter on the eve of Annapolis. Secretary of State Rice stated on November 13, 2007: "I believe that most Israelis are ready to leave most of the - nearly all of the West Bank, just as they were ready to leave Gaza for the sake of peace." Yet all serious public opinion polls actually show strong Israeli support for retaining strategic areas of the West Bank, like the Jordan Valley.
It has been frequently stated, particularly in Washington, that, "We all know what the final outcome of an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement will look like," an assertion usually followed by some reference to the Clinton proposals and the talks at Taba. Such statements try to introduce inevitability into the expected parameters of a peace settlement, even though they are based on a whole series of failed negotiating attempts seven years ago that cannot possibly bind the State of Israel, and completely ignore the fact of opposition by the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces to the Clinton proposals as endangering Israel's security.
It is critical for Israeli diplomacy to protect the Bush Letter against those who seek to undercut and replace it with a new set of Israeli-Palestinian documents. Israelis have learned from their experience with Gaza what can happen to their most vital security interests if they are not safeguarded at the same time that far-reaching territorial concessions are made.
Rabbi Jonathan ginsburg
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
View this page at www.dailyalert.org
Subscribe RSS-XML
DAILY ALERT Friday,
November 23, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In-Depth Issues:
The German-Iranian Connection - Benjamin Weinthal (Ha'aretz)
During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Ali Mobaraki, an Iranian who managed Zenith Rollers Germany, a print roller company in Dusseldorf, orchestrated the transfer of 10 satellite navigation systems to Iran, with the help of his father, who owns Zenith, and a British engineer living in Germany since 1986.
This type of global positioning system (GPS) is routinely found in unmanned aerial vehicles used to survey or attack enemy territory.
FAKT, a German news program, reported last year that navigation systems used in Iranian drones employed by Hizbullah against Israel in the Lebanon war were manufactured by a company in the south German state of Baden-Wurttemberg.
Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO), the country's military procurement enterprise, maintained an office in Dusseldorf until 1996-97.
Der Spiegel reported in April 2007 that, "according to a high-level investigator, at least two representatives of DIO are still active on a wider front in Germany."
Exiled head of the Iranian Green party Dr. Kazem Moussavizadeh told Ha'aretz that Iran's ambassador in Germany, Mohammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh Basti, "is responsible for coordinating the secret procurement of nuclear material and logistics from Europe and for the atomic project of the Mullahs."
Moussavizadeh says that "160 diplomats work for Ambassador Basti in Berlin and an additional 650 Iranians are working for the Islamic government across Germany. These are not normal Iranian diplomats; rather, they are preoccupied with military affairs and the nuclear project."
See also Germany Probes 50 Firms that Sold Nuclear Equipment to Iran - Benjamin Weinthal (Ha'aretz)
German customs police have uncovered in recent years 50 German companies that sold Iran equipment to finish building its nuclear reactor at Bushehr.
Coordinating this smuggling operation was a Berlin-based front company called Vero, headed by Dimitry Solotarev. The value of the equipment transferred to Iran is estimated at $150 million, Potsdam's public prosecutor told Ha'aretz.
Solotarev's company claimed it was supplying the equipment to a Russian nuclear reactor in Rostov.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Helps Palestinian Activists Hone Advocacy Skills - Grace Bradley (U.S. State Department)
Recently, the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem invited an experienced U.S. activist to work with local advocacy groups on communicating their message through the media as part of the U.S.' continuing support for democratic development in the Palestinian territories.
Tarek Rizk, the associate director of the Global Interdependence Initiative at the Washington-based Aspen Institute, discussed ideas with Palestinian activists on choosing the target audience and ensuring their message is noticed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamas Seeks to Undermine Annapolis by Claiming Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem Is in Danger (Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center)
Using the false slogan that Al-Aqsa is in danger, Hamas has undertaken a campaign to put Jerusalem at the top of the Palestinian agenda in order to undermine the Annapolis meeting and deflect attention from criticism of the massacre of Fatah supporters in Gaza at the memorial rally for Arafat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peres: Peace Deal Impossible Before Bush Term Ends (Ha'aretz)
A final Middle East peace accord will be impossible to reach before U.S. President Bush leaves office in January 2009, Israeli President Shimon Peres said in remarks published Thursday.
"It is theoretically possible to reach an agreement during the term of President Bush, but it is practically impossible," Peres told Japan's Tokyo Shimbun.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IDF Boosts Patrols in West Bank after Fatal Shooting - Yuval Azoulay (Ha'aretz)
The Israel Defense Forces have stepped up patrols of major roads in the West Bank following a shooting attack west of Nablus Monday night that claimed the life of Ido Zoldan.
The IDF is concerned that as the Annapolis summit draws near, terrorist groups will intensify their efforts to carry out attacks throughout the territories in an effort to torpedo the conference.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
333 Palestinians Killed in Hamas-Fatah Fighting This Year (Maan News-PA)
333 Palestinians have been killed so far this year in fighting between Hamas and Fatah, the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem reported Wednesday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Egyptian College Student Arrested in Florida Discussed Explosives in Video (AP)
An Egyptian college student arrested after authorities found explosive chemicals in his car made a video suggesting that "martyrdom" can be avoided by using remote-controlled explosives, authorities said.
The video is a key piece of evidence in the case against University of South Florida student Ahmed Abdellatif Sherif Mohamed, who faces federal explosives charges.
A laptop belonging to Mohamed contained the video he made that demonstrates how to convert a remote-control toy car into a detonator for bombs, the FBI said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Who Will Protect the Yazidis? - Tom Gross (TomGrossMedia)
Four coordinated explosions in the northern Iraqi villages of Qahtaniya and Jazeera on August 14, 2007, targeted Iraq's Yazidi ethnic and religious minority.
527 people died and over 1,500 were wounded, many burned alive, in the deadliest terror attack since the World Trade Center.
The Yazidis are Kurdish-speaking, are not considered Arabs, and they may number as many as 700,000.
The bombers were the Muslim Sunni supremacists of al-Qaeda in Iraq, who openly say that the moment they get the chance (i.e., when the Americans leave) they will wipe out every last Yazidi man, woman and child.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palestinian Car Thief Phones Knesset Member to Negotiate Car's Return - Amnon Meranda (Ynet News)
MK Effie Eitam's car was stolen by a Palestinian early Thursday in Jerusalem. The vehicle contained Eitam's cell phone, and the thief phoned him.
"He said to me: 'I stole your car. I'm in Ramallah. If you want it back, I'm willing to hand it over for NIS 12,000 (about $3,000)'."
"Unfortunately, a meter from our house exists a lawless entity (Palestinian Authority), with no order or security."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Israel Gives Uganda Flood Victims Medicines - Florence Nakaayi (New Vision-Uganda)
The government of Israel has donated 2.5 tons of medicine to flood victims after 13 districts were hit by floods between August and October, leaving 300,000 people displaced.
The Israeli ambassador, Jacob Keider, handed over the items to the First Lady, Janet Museveni, at State House Nakasero on Monday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lebanon Enters a New Crisis - Anthony Shadid
Lebanon's worst crisis since the 1975-90 civil war builds to a climax at midnight Friday, when the term of President Emile Lahoud ends. Despite weeks of French-led mediation, Lebanon's factions appeared unlikely to reach a consensus on Lahoud's replacement by the deadline, plunging the country into a constitutional limbo. Unlike Lebanon's civil war, often characterized as a Christian-Muslim conflict, this crisis has mobilized the country's Sunni and Shiite Muslim communities against each other, with Christians divided between the two camps. (Washington Post)
See also Syria Is Accused of Blocking a Deal on a New Lebanon President
The U.S. and Lebanon's main anti-Syrian Christian leader on Wednesday accused Syria of blocking a deal on a new Lebanese president. Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces group, said the Syrian-backed opposition was threatening chaos if its preferred consensus candidate did not replace the pro-Syrian president, Emile Lahoud. "It really ought to be decided without foreign interference, and certainly without any foreign intimidation," Secretary of State Rice said. "Those messages have been very clearly sent." (Reuters/New York Times)
See also Lebanon President Deadline Looms (BBC News)
Arab League: Israel Won't Get "Normalization for Free"
Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said Friday that Arab countries will not offer Israel "normalization for free" during the upcoming U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference. "Arabs are going to participate in the (Annapolis) meeting, to show support for the Palestinians, based on the Arab peace initiative," he said. (AP/International Herald Tribune)
UN Atomic Watchdog Says in Dark over Iran's Nuclear Intentions
The UN atomic watchdog said Thursday it was in the dark about Iran's nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "has so far not been able to verify some important aspects of Iran's nuclear program," its director general Mohamed ElBaradei told a board meeting in Vienna. He specifically cited key questions related to the scope and nature of Iran's centrifuge enrichment activities, "as well as those relevant to alleged studies and other activities that could have military applications." As a result, the UN watchdog was "unable to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities," ElBaradei complained. (AFP)
Iraqi Shiites Protest Iranian Takeover of Southern Iraq - Amit R. Paley and Sudarsan Raghavan
More than 300,000 Shiite Muslims from southern Iraq have signed a petition condemning Iran for fomenting violence in Iraq, according to a group of sheiks leading the campaign. "The Iranians, in fact, have taken over all of south Iraq," said a senior tribal leader from the south. "Their influence is everywhere." The petition, signed by 600 sheiks, calls on the UN to investigate what it termed crimes committed by Iran and its proxies in southern Iraq. The effort is being supported by the Mujaheddin-e Khalq, an Iranian opposition group that is listed by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization but that nonetheless enjoys U.S. military protection in Iraq. (Washington Post)
Chavez Ally Turned Critic Slammed for Ties with Jews - Simon Romero
Venezuelan army commander Raul Isaias Baduel led the paratrooper raid that returned Hugo Chavez to office after he was briefly deposed by a coup in 2002. But Gen. Baduel broke with Chavez this month over proposed sweeping changes to the Constitution that, among other things, would abolish presidential term limits. Since going public with his criticism, Gen, Baduel, a Roman Catholic, has been criticized over his close friendships with members of the country's small Jewish community, many of whom are increasingly concerned about Chavez's growing alliance with Iran and the government's tense diplomatic relations with Israel. Gen. Baduel described his outreach to Jews as part of his "ecumenical" beliefs, but Tarek William Saab, the governor of Anzoategui state and an ally of the president, told the daily newspaper El Nacional: "He has been captured by the international ultra right wing, by international Zionism." (New York Times)
News Resources - Israel and the Mideast:
Israel: Palestinian Authority Doesn't Want a Joint Document for Annapolis - Herb Keinon
The Palestinian Authority is not interested - because of domestic political concerns - in issuing a joint document at the upcoming meeting in Annapolis, according to current assessments in Jerusalem. It is believed to be wary of making any compromises because they would be roundly criticized by Hamas and much of the Palestinian "street." If the document is not finished before Tuesday, then Olmert and Abbas are expected to "jointly announce the launching of core issue negotiations" instead of unveiling a joint document.
Israeli officials said Bush will hold bilateral talks with Olmert next week. Olmert's meeting with Bush on Monday is expected to deal with the Palestinian issue and how to move the diplomatic process forward, while his meeting with Bush on Wednesday is expected to focus on the Iranian nuclear issue. (Jerusalem Post)
See also Hamas Calls on Arab Nations to Boycott Annapolis Conference - Khaled Abu Toameh
Speaking in Gaza Thursday, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh urged Arab countries to boycott the Annapolis conference and resist attempts to normalize relations with Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel to Start Reducing Gaza Power Supply on Dec. 2 - Yuval Yoaz
Israel is to begin gradually reducing the power supply to Gaza on Dec. 2, in response to the ongoing Kassam rocket fire at Israeli communities, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz told the High Court of Justice Thursday. The Palestinians will be given a one-week notice of the intent to begin reducing the power supply. The defense establishment would "follow the effect of the power reductions on Gaza residents with attention to the commitment not to cause a humanitarian crisis." (Ha'aretz)
Egyptian Schools Ignore Israel Peace Accords - Yoav Stern
Shalom Cohen, Israel's ambassador to Cairo, says that 30 years after Sadat's visit to Jerusalem: "Peace with Israel is not a central tenet of the [Egyptian] school curriculum." Cohen attends many cultural events surrounded by bodyguards that separate him from the general public. He is not invited to all the events the rest of the city's diplomatic corps attends. The media never interviews him.
Relations with Egypt don't worry him; he says there have been ups and downs over the years, but a minimum connection has always remained. "Menachem Begin said the troubles of peace are better than the agonies of war....This is not a cold peace. There are matters on which the dialogue is very good." (Ha'aretz)
Palestinians Vandalizing Jewish Farmers' Property - Nadav Shragai
There has been a recent spate of Palestinian vandalism on property belonging to Jewish farmers in the West Bank, and a Ha'aretz investigation has found evidence of arson, sabotage of equipment, and destruction of crops. A new report - "Who Will Protect My Olive Tree?" - describes the torching of 900 dunams of grazing ground, a stable, and 30 pomegranate trees belonging to Yehuda Cohen of Bat Ayin. Shamai Pozak at Ofra had young saplings chopped down, tons of grapevines destroyed before the harvest, and irrigation pipes torched. Moshe Kedem of Pnei Kedem had 500 olive tree saplings uprooted. At Sde Calev in the Hebron Hills, arson consumed more than 100 cherry trees, and buildings and storage sheds were set on fire. Just recently, another 400 grapevines were uprooted. Shlomi Cohen's vineyard in the Dolev region was uprooted four times. (Ha'aretz)
Palestinians in Gaza Fire 20 Mortar Shells at Israel Thursday - Yuval Azoulay
Palestinian militants in Gaza fired nearly 20 mortar shells at Israel on Thursday, according to Army Radio. (Ha'aretz)
Global Commentary and Think-Tank Analysis (Best of U.S., UK, and Israel):
The Annapolis Meeting
Foreign Minister Livni: Annapolis Conference to Jumpstart Talks - Roni Sofer
The Israeli stance that the Annapolis conference is the beginning of a diplomatic process for the establishment of two states for two people is now accepted by the entire world, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told Ynet on Thursday. "The question now is not what Israel will give the Palestinians. The question now is which Arab countries will join the train whose engine is Annapolis," she said. "I see great success in the fact that Annapolis will jumpstart a move in which the security of the State of Israel is an inseparable part," she added. Livni believes that "the fact that this conference is being held, with 40 countries supporting it including Arab states, is a success." "In any event," said senior officials involved in the negotiations, "Israel has proved that its intentions are serious." (Ynet News)
Strengthening the Palestinians Again - Natan Sharansky
I asked a player from the international elements engaged in building up the Palestinian economy why they weren't making aid to Mahmoud Abbas contingent on stopping the anti-Israeli incitement on the official television channel and in the Palestinian education system. He replied, "Abbas is so weak, and this is not a popular step. First of all, it is necessary to strengthen him and afterward it will be possible to demand something of him." I have never understood this strange reasoning: Once anti-Israeli positions have made him popular, he will suddenly lead his people toward peace?
It is true that to carry out courageous reforms and educate the people to peace, a strong and bold leader is needed. Leaders like that, who understand the need for education toward peace and reforms, do exist - but not in the Muqata in Ramallah. These are people who are not afraid to challenge the tyranny of the weak leader and who believe in building a civil society as a necessary foundation for any progress on the road to peace. It is true that they are weak, but for one reason only: We ourselves are weakening them by giving unreserved support to "moderate" tyrants. It is precisely the strengthening of an antidemocratic regime and the absence of an alternative that are pushing the public into the arms of fundamentalists, into the arms of Hamas.
Another generation of Palestinians is being educated to hatred, violence and the aspiration to destroy Israel. A look back over the years since the Oslo Accords shows clearly that the direction in which Palestinian society has marched is not the direction of peace. Annapolis is doomed to failure because it is built on distorted reasoning to the effect that it is possible to move ahead and make a deal with some leader and totally ignore what is really happening in Palestinian society. The writer is head of the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center. (Ha'aretz)
Will It Be Sadat or Arafat at Annapolis? - Kenneth J. Bialkin
Anwar Sadat faced the realities of the Egyptian economic, political and military condition and decided to go to Jerusalem. His message was "No More War" and he was received in Jerusalem in November 1977 by Menachem Begin with an open, fulsome and conciliatory response, leading to the Camp David Agreement in 1979 where the details of Sadat's message were implemented. It is time for the Arab world to engage in the same calculus as did Sadat and recognize that "No More War" is the only message that might give any promise of accomplishment to the Annapolis meeting.
Israel should demand that as a predicate to its attendance at Annapolis, the Arab world must convincingly demonstrate that it accepts Israel's right to exist, forswears any intention to destroy the Jewish state, and agrees that Arab refugees from prior wars may return only to areas that will be included in the anticipated Palestinian state when it is permitted to emerge. Without those assurances, Israel should not accept a conference that might agree on abstract concessions that will only become the starting points of demands when future negotiations occur. Unless the Arab world and its acolytes and supporters accept an "end of conflict" to the Arab-Israel struggle, the status quo will not be altered. (Wall Street Journal)
Iran a Driving Force for Mideast Meeting - Anne Gearan
The most important player in the push for Mideast peace that President Bush launches with a conference in Annapolis next week may be one that's not on his long list of invited guests. For varying reasons, Iran is a force driving the U.S., Israel, the Palestinians and their Arab backers to seek a deal now. Long the chief U.S. adversary in the region, Iran stands accused of funding and arming terrorist groups, including Palestinian factions that do not want a peace deal with Israel. According to U.S. and other Western intelligence, Iran has helped establish what amounts to a client state in Gaza. Shiite Iran is also a worrisome power for majority-Sunni Arab states which have watched with alarm as Iran angles for influence in Iraq and seeds Islamic extremists bent on overthrowing secular or U.S.-allied Arab governments. (AP/Washington Post)
The Condoleezza Story - Emmanuel Sivan
This is the real story of Annapolis: a story of fierce personal emotions, disappointment, affront and desperation. But what action did Rice set in motion, and to what end? The action is not based on an American assessment that the conflict is ripe for resolution and/or that there are leaders in the region capable of deciding. In Annapolis we will see no more than an extravagant media gimmick; an orchestrated performance whose Middle Eastern actors are taking part in it halfheartedly because "the president expects it." (Ha'aretz)
Other Issues
Iran's Expanding Influence - Ibrahim Nawar
In its modern history Iran has never had such an influential role in the Middle East as now. The removal of Saddam Hussein and the destruction of Iraq fueled Iran's desire to spread its wings across the Gulf and Arab Middle East. The unenthusiastic foreign policies of Saudi Arabia and Egypt have encouraged Tehran's political leadership to build and develop close relations with other key players in the region, especially ruling groups in Syria, Lebanon (Hizbullah) and Palestine (Islamic Jihad and Hamas), and with political groups in the Gulf, Yemen, Sudan, North Africa and even inside Egypt and Saudi Arabia, forcing retreat and a defensive approach on its regional rivals.
The rise of Hizbullah has weakened the role of Saudi Arabia in Lebanon, while the electoral victory of Hamas in Palestine left Egyptian diplomacy paralyzed, proven lately in Gaza when Hamas took control amid conspicuous anti-Egyptian sentiment. While these developments were grim for Cairo and Riyadh, Tehran looked on in celebration.
As some Gulf Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, became targets for al-Qaeda attacks, the leadership of Iran felt the time had come to start an offensive campaign of mobilizing Shia minorities in the Gulf, mainly those who come historically from Persian and not Arab origin. Some Shia political figures have appeared moderate reformers, as in the Eastern province in Saudi Arabia, while some took the fundamentalist route as their way to confront Sunni political elites, as in Bahrain, Kuwait and Yemen. The writer has worked as an adviser to the UN mission to Iraq. (Al-Ahram-Egypt)
Sense on Settlements - Editorial
Under the plan named after Labor defense minister Yigal Allon, Labor governments worked toward the goal of defensible borders - as stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 242 - by establishing 21 settlements along the Jordan Valley and the eastern slopes of the north-south ridge bisecting the West Bank. While most Israelis are extremely skeptical that the Palestinians will be ready for peace anytime soon, most agree that it is Israel's interest not to rule over the Palestinians in the territories. At the same time, almost no Israeli can imagine going back to the 1967 lines and dismantling the settlement blocs. Further, following the aftermaths of the unilateral withdrawals from Lebanon and Gaza, there is little stomach for continuing with that model.
More explicit recognition by the U.S. of settlement blocs would help the process by giving Israelis confidence that a two-state plan will truly take Israel's requirement of defensible borders into account. There will be no return to the pre-1967 lines, so stubbornly sticking with a "zero settlement" policy makes a two-state plan less realistic, not more so. (Jerusalem Post)
The Historical Fact of Israel - David Warren
The Palestinian side has declared that, while Arafat "recognized" the "State of Israel" as part of the "Oslo accords" in September 1993, neither he then, nor they today, recognize it as a "Jewish state." Israel is there, by the fact of history. And it is also there as the only reliably free, democratic, pro-Western state in a dark region where the most open societies (Jordan, Egypt) are arbitrarily ruled by moderate tyrants, and the worst are unspeakable. There are today more than five million Jews living in Israel, who have no citizenship anywhere else. The overwhelming majority were born there. This is what I mean by an historical fact.
There may well be as many Palestinians scattered through the region under subsidy from the UN, who claim the "right of return" to what is now Israeli territory, but who were not born there. It should be remembered, constantly, that they descend from Palestinian ancestors who were one half of a population exchange that happened in the 1940s. And that an approximately equal number of Jews were uprooted from their homes throughout the Arab world - under pressure of both the state and the mob - many of whom found refuge in Israel. The Palestinians are ill served by the failure of Ms. Rice and all other diplomatic authorities in the West to remind them of the facts, plainly. (Ottawa Citizen)
Weekend Features
Why Gal Luft Is the Most Hated Man in Riyadh, Detroit, and Des Moines - Tim Heffernan
Energy-independence advocate Gal Luft, a former lieutenant colonel in the Israel Defense Forces and counterterrorism expert, fervently believes that the only way to make America safe is to make it energy independent. As executive director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, he has a single goal: freeing America from the grip of foreign oil now. He says we should "mandate that every vehicle sold in the U. S. is flex-fuel compatible so that it can run on just about any blend of hydrocarbon-based fuels - gasoline, ethanol, methanol, etc. The technology already exists, and the process is cheap, about a hundred dollars per vehicle."
"Panama, Kenya, and Thailand grow sugarcane from which you can make ethanol at half the cost of making it from corn," he says. "65% of our garbage is biomass: food, paper, scrap wood. All of it could be converted to methanol.... Coal can be converted to clean-burning methanol for the equivalent of one dollar per gallon." (Esquire)
A Fifth of Israeli Jews Say They Do Not Observe Religious Traditions - Matthew Wagner
Religious and traditional Israeli Jewish populations are on the rise while the secular population is shrinking drastically, according to a survey released Thursday by the Israel Democracy Institute's Guttman Center. Israelis who say they do not observe religious traditions have become fewer, especially over the past decade, making up just a fifth of the population in 2007, according to a survey conducted by Eliyahu Sapir, a doctoral student at Hebrew University supervised by Professor Asher Arian. In contrast, in 1974, 41% of Israelis said they were secular. Moreover, from about a fifth of the population in 1974, the proportion of those who say they are strict observers of religious traditions has now grown to a third. The number of moderately traditional Israelis has grown from 38% to about half. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel Offers U.S. Doctors Training in Emergency Response - Matthew Kalman
Raymond Rappaport, a veteran primary care doctor from Redwood City, Cal., is one of 30 American doctors who recently participated in a grueling five-day course in emergency medicine hosted by Israeli civilian hospitals and military medics. The course included a visit to the Israel Center for Medical Simulation, a state-of-the-art training center for emergency medicine at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer near Tel Aviv. After each exercise, which was carried out using real equipment on electronic mannequins that breathed and spoke to them, the U.S. doctors watched a video playback and received feedback from Israel's top medical trainers. "A lot of these things are not available in the United States. A lot of the medicine is different," said Rappaport. "They're up on the cutting edge of the latest technology."
Israeli emergency medicine is not just about surgery. Within minutes of a suicide bombing or another crisis, a central hot line handles inquiries from concerned families trying to locate their missing loved ones. The hot line provides updated information, including the cataloging of photographs and other details. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Airtime for Israel's Arabs - Ken Ellingwood
Every week, Maram abu Ahmad, 12; Tony Khleif, 11; and Shahd Shahbari, also 11, get together on camera with an adult host to discuss, in Arabic, their lives and views during freewheeling chats that regularly veer into the minefields of politics and identity. The children have aired opinions on religion, their relations with Israel's majority Jews and the ever-tricky issue of being Arabs who are citizens of the Jewish state. (Maram got in trouble with her mother by saying on air that she considered herself Israeli, not Palestinian.) The half-hour program, called "Haki Kibar," or "Grown-Up Talk," is part of a new effort by the country's dominant commercial broadcaster, Channel 2, to put more Arab citizens on the small screen. (Los Angeles Times)
Britain's Respect Party: The Leftist-Islamist Alliance and Its Attitude toward Israel - Eran Benedek
The Respect Party has introduced a fresh example of sectarianism and communalist politics into mainstream British politics. Respect comprises a coalition of the Socialist Workers Party and elements associated with the Muslim Association of Britain, along with antiglobalization activists and antiwar protesters. Its ideology is thus an amalgamation of radical international socialism and Islamism and offers a basis for cooperation around a shared agenda. Although Respect preaches peace and social justice, it is intensely anti-Zionist and rejects the right to independent Jewish statehood in Israel. (Jewish Political Studies Review)
Observations:
Towards Annapolis: Is U.S. Policy Changing on Israel's Rights in a Peace Settlement? - Dore Gold (Institute for Contemporary Affairs/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)
After being sworn into office in 2001, the Bush administration informed the Israeli government that the Clinton proposals "were off the table." The Bush Letter of April 14, 2004, received by Israel as a quid pro quo for the Gaza Disengagement, introduced new elements into the Israeli-Palestinian peace process that completely superseded the Clinton proposals.
Prime Minister Sharon explained the significance of the Bush Letter to the Knesset on April 22, 2004: "There is American recognition that in any permanent status arrangement, there will be no return to the '67 borders. This recognition is to be expressed in two ways: understanding that the facts that have been established in the large settlement blocs are such that they do not permit a withdrawal to the '67 borders and implementation of the term 'defensible borders.'"
There is a serious question about the exact standing of the Bush Letter on the eve of Annapolis. Secretary of State Rice stated on November 13, 2007: "I believe that most Israelis are ready to leave most of the - nearly all of the West Bank, just as they were ready to leave Gaza for the sake of peace." Yet all serious public opinion polls actually show strong Israeli support for retaining strategic areas of the West Bank, like the Jordan Valley.
It has been frequently stated, particularly in Washington, that, "We all know what the final outcome of an Israeli-Palestinian peace settlement will look like," an assertion usually followed by some reference to the Clinton proposals and the talks at Taba. Such statements try to introduce inevitability into the expected parameters of a peace settlement, even though they are based on a whole series of failed negotiating attempts seven years ago that cannot possibly bind the State of Israel, and completely ignore the fact of opposition by the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces to the Clinton proposals as endangering Israel's security.
It is critical for Israeli diplomacy to protect the Bush Letter against those who seek to undercut and replace it with a new set of Israeli-Palestinian documents. Israelis have learned from their experience with Gaza what can happen to their most vital security interests if they are not safeguarded at the same time that far-reaching territorial concessions are made.
Rabbi Jonathan ginsburg
Pro Zion latest from Richard Baehr
1 My article today on settlements and the "occupation"
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/11/road_to_nowhere.html
2. Caroline Glick and Dore Gold on Annapolis
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?
cid=1195546703899&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?
DRIT=1&DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=376&PID=0&IID=1942&TTL=Towards_Annapo
lis:_Is_U.S._Policy_Changing_on_Israel’s_Rights_in_a_Peace_Settlement?
3. An interview with John Bolton
http://www.onejerusalem.org/blog/archives/2007/11/ambassador_john.asp
4. And another one with Bolton and Natan Sharansky
http://www.zoaphilly.org/zoaradio/MER082907.mp3
5. Get sterilized so you can save the planet. The new eco warriors
who think babies are not carbon neutral. Hey even Al Gore had 4 kids,
and heats and air conditions a 25,000 square foot house. But he buys
carbon credits to cover his misdeeds
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?
in_article_id=495495&in_page_id=1879
6. Nidra Poller on the Al Dura case
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/poller/1370
7. Robert Kagan on Musharraf's game
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/21/
AR2007112101858.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
8. Yossi Melman with a theory on the bombing in Syria
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/926815.html
9. Anthony Cordesman plays Dr. Strangelove, or at least a modern day
version of Herman Kahn and estimates the death count from an Israel
Iran nuclear war
http://www.metimes.com/Opinion/2007/11/22/
analysis_a_mideast_nuclear_war/4411/
10. A mixed bag from Turkey
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=IA40607=
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/11/road_to_nowhere.html
2. Caroline Glick and Dore Gold on Annapolis
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?
cid=1195546703899&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?
DRIT=1&DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=376&PID=0&IID=1942&TTL=Towards_Annapo
lis:_Is_U.S._Policy_Changing_on_Israel’s_Rights_in_a_Peace_Settlement?
3. An interview with John Bolton
http://www.onejerusalem.org/blog/archives/2007/11/ambassador_john.asp
4. And another one with Bolton and Natan Sharansky
http://www.zoaphilly.org/zoaradio/MER082907.mp3
5. Get sterilized so you can save the planet. The new eco warriors
who think babies are not carbon neutral. Hey even Al Gore had 4 kids,
and heats and air conditions a 25,000 square foot house. But he buys
carbon credits to cover his misdeeds
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?
in_article_id=495495&in_page_id=1879
6. Nidra Poller on the Al Dura case
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/poller/1370
7. Robert Kagan on Musharraf's game
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/21/
AR2007112101858.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
8. Yossi Melman with a theory on the bombing in Syria
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/926815.html
9. Anthony Cordesman plays Dr. Strangelove, or at least a modern day
version of Herman Kahn and estimates the death count from an Israel
Iran nuclear war
http://www.metimes.com/Opinion/2007/11/22/
analysis_a_mideast_nuclear_war/4411/
10. A mixed bag from Turkey
http://memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=IA40607=
Kabbalistic prayers from danger
I'll explain a little more clearly about what I need for my story.
Two Jews (one seems to have mystical powers) are being chased by enemies who are firing arrows at them. One of the Jews says a prayer as they run. Immediately after he says the prayer, one of his enemies is struck by lightning.
Essentially the prayer is for his own protection, but it could also be to ask for a higher mystical power to smite his enemy.
Do you have any suggestions are to what one might say (maybe Kabbalistic prayer, maybe not, something definitely in Hebrew)?
I really do appreciate your help!
Answer
1. Make a golem
In Jewish tradition, the golem is most widely known as an artificial creature created by magic, often to serve its creator. The word "golem" appears only once in the Bible (Psalms139:16). In Hebrew, "golem" stands for "shapeless mass." The Talmud uses the word as "unformed" or "imperfect" and according to Talmudic legend, Adam is called "golem," meaning "body without a soul" (Sanhedrin 38b) for the first 12 hours of his existence. The golem appears in other places in the Talmud as well. One legend says the prophet Jeremiah made a golem However, some mystics believe the creation of a golem has symbolic meaning only, like a spiritual experience following a religious rite.
The Sefer Yezirah ("Book of Creation"), often referred to as a guide to magical usage by some Western European Jews in the Middle Ages, contains instructions on how to make a golem. Several rabbis, in their commentaries on Sefer Yezirah have come up with different understandings of the directions on how to make a golem. Most versions include shaping the golem into a figure resembling a human being and using God's name to bring him to life, since God is the ultimate creator of life..
According to one story, to make a golem come alive, one would shape it out of soil, and then walk or dance around it saying combination of letters from the alphabet and the secret name of God. To "kill" the golem, its creators would walk in the opposite direction saying and making the order of the words backwards.
Other sources say once the golem had been physically made one needed to write the letters aleph, mem, tav, which is emet and means "truth," on the golem's forehead and the golem would come alive. Erase the aleph and you are left with mem and tav, which is met, meaning "death."
Another way to bring a golem to life was to write God's name on parchment and stick it on the golem's arm or in his mouth. One would remove it to stop the golem.
Often in Ashkenazi Hasidic lore, the golem would come to life and serve his creators by doing tasks assigned to him. The most well-known story of the golem is connected to Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the Maharal of Prague (1513-1609). It was said that he created a golem out of clay to protect the Jewish community from Blood Libel and to help out doing physical labor, since golems are very strong. Another version says it was close to Easter, in the spring of 1580 and a Jew-hating priest was trying to incite the Christians against the Jews. So the golem protected the community during the Easter season. Both versions recall the golem running amok and threatening innocent lives, so Rabbi Loew removed the Divine Name, rendering the golem lifeless. A separate account has the golem going mad and running away. Several sources attribute the story to Rabbi Elijah of Chelm, saying Rabbi Loew, one of the most outstanding Jewish scholars of the sixteenth century who wrote numerous books on Jewish law, philosophy, and morality, would have actually opposed the creation of a golem.
The golem has been a popular figure in the arts in the past few centuries with both Jews and non-Jews. In the early 20th century, several plays, novels, movies, musicals and even a ballet were based on the golem. The most famous works where golems appear are Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Karel Capek's R.U.R. (where the word "robot" comes from), Isaac Bashevis Singer's The Golem and The X-Files. There is also a character named Golem in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic series The Lord of the Rings. Today, there is even a golem museum in the Jewish Quarter of Prague.
Sometimes, someone who is large but intellectually slow is called a golem. Other civilizations, such as the ancient Greeks, have similar concepts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources: Wigoder, Geoffrey , Ed. The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia. NY: Facts on File, 1992.
Encyclopedia Judaica
Bridger, David. Ed. The New Jewish Encyclopedia. NY: Behrman House, Inc. 1976.
2. Psalms
Psalms in particular were popular in practical Kabbalah, and were used to ward off evil, drive away demons, and in amulets used in protection and healing. This section contains an overview of uses; for additional information and examples, see the sections on demonology and amulets.
Psalms 91: Widely regarded as the "Anti-Demonic Psalm", it was often recited at night and before sleeping. Said with other Biblical selections 72 times, it was supposed to deliver one from prison.
Psalms 85:2: This verse was used in the expulsion of demons from a place. Personally I find Psalms 85:1-8 particularly graceful in its hopeful appeal for mercy.
Psalms 10: Recited multiple times in a procedure to expel a demon from a person.
Psalms 121 and 126: These two Psalms were used, particularly on amulets, to ward off Lilith, Queen of Demons. Psalms 121 eventually became the favored choice.
Psalms 3: Another anti-demonic Psalm, though not as popular as Psalms 91.
There was a book called Shimmush Tehillim ("On the Use of Psalms"), which was very popular and widely translated, even in Christian circles, though it was banned by the Catholic Church.
The Shema, V'Ahavta, and the Mezuzah
The Shema is regarded as the most important phrase in Jewish liturgy. It is Deuteronomy 6:4:
Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.
Shema Yisroel, Adonai Elohainu, Adonai ekhad.
The Shema is an affirmation of faith, and it was often recited by martyrs who chose death over revocation of Judaism or conversion. While I have found no indication that this was ever used as "magic" in and of itself, it is a powerful statement. It does appear on some amulets, and it is also used with other Biblical passages in the mezuzah, an object which has been viewed as one with protective power.
The mezuzah (lit., "doorpost") is small fixture (a sort of box, locket, or similar container) attached to doorposts containing a piece of parchment with the Shema and other verses. What follows the Shema is often referred to as "V'Ahavta" ("And you shall love"), the opening word to the first of these verses, Deut. 6:4-9. Following are Deut. 11:13-20 and Numbers 15:37-41. The word Sheddai, a Name of God meaning "Almighty", is written on the reverse of the parchment. The mezuzah verses not only state that one should be devoted to God and carry out and remember His commandments, but also teach this to one's children, and display one's devotion in various physical ways, including the marking of the doorpost.
The mezuzah was believed to protect the home. In medeival times, in some countries, extra verses or charms were added for further protection, and they were believed to be powerful devices; I have read one account, quoted in two sources, of a bishop asking for one for his home! Mezuzot should be checked periodically to make sure the parchment is intact and in order; in centuries past this was very important, especially if one wished to keep evil out of their home. Today, some Jews wear a miniature mezuzah as a charm on a necklace, as an affirmation of faith. Although I'm not certain, the custom of wearing a mezuzah as jewelry may have gained popularity during World War I, when some Jewish soldiers attached them to their watch-fobs for luck and protection, and "...to deflect bullets," as Trachtenberg noted in 1939.
Some scholars consider the mezuzah an amulet or talisman, or at least feel that in certain eras it should be classified as such. To support this theory they relate examples of medieval mezuzot which contain extra materials, such as extra Names of God, angel names, and even magic symbols. Others disagree, insisting it is simply the fulfilment of a commandment and an affirmation of faith.
In my personal experience, it's been mostly the latter, but with a hint of the former. One incident comes to mind: When I moved out of my parents' house, my father, who is a well-educated and rational person, said, "Make sure you get a mezuzah." I replied I was thinking of taking the one from my bedroom door, since the room would be empty once I was gone. "No," he said, "Get a new one for the new place. Besides, it's good luck."
The Priestly Benediction
I feel that special mention needs to be made of the Priestly Benediction or Priestly Blessing, Birkhat Kohanim, which is Numbers 6:24-26:
The Lord blass you and keep you, The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and grant you peace.
This blessing was originally to be said Aaron and his sons of the Israelites; it was later said by the Kohanim (priests) over the people. Today it has been worked into the liturgy. The speaker(s) of the blessing hold their hands up to the congregation in a particular fashion while reciting it. The best way I can describe it is this: imagine holding both your hands in the Vulcan "live long and prosper" position. Before anyone accuses me of being silly or disrespectful, you should know that this is where Leonard Nimoy got the idea in the first place!
The Priestly Benediction was used in popular application not only for blessing, but for protection against the Evil Eye. One Name of God used in Practical Kabbalah is derived from it; for more information see the section on the Names of God.
I have in my possession a small "prayer token" made of bone, supposedly dating to the early 1900s, which contains the first line of the Priestly Benediction around its circumference, with the Shema at its center. Such a thing was probably intended as a sort of good luck charm.
Other Biblical Verses Used in Practical Kabbalah
There were many, many uses for Biblical passages. Verses were believed to have power either by virtue of containing one or more Names of God, or because they applied to the situation at hand. A Tzaddik or Ba'al Shem, by virtue of his righteousness, could draw on the power of these words, but ordinary people also included specific verses in their prayers. It was even said that a truly pure and righteous person could kill with combinations of verses and certain Names of God.
One book on this topic was Sefer Gematriot, a book of numerology which evaluated and compared Biblical verses based on their numerical value (see Names of God). It also contained a list of appropriate Biblical terms for use in wards, charms, curses, blessings, etc.
There are far too many uses for me to list here, so below is a short list of interesting and particularly useful examples. For an entire chapter on the use of the Bible in practical Kabbalah and folk practice, see Joshua Trachtenburg's Jewish Magic and Superstition.
In many cases each word and the entire verse was to read forward and backward.
To counteract magic, recite the following verses, which all begin and end in the Hebrew letter nun, in the following order: Lev. 13:9, Nu. 32:32, Deut. 18:15, Song of Songs 4:11, Prov. 7:17, Prov. 20:27, I Chron. 12:2, Jer. 50:8, Ps. 78:12, and Ps. 77:21. You may also recite Ex. 22:17 and Is. 41:24; Lev. 1:1; or Nu. 23: 21-23.
Exodus 30:34-8: When meditated on properly, protects against magic, plagues, and demons, and can postpone a visit from the Angel of Death(!).
For protection from sorcery: Numbers 23:22-33
For general protection at night: Genesis 49:19
Recite before bedtime and over infants for protection from demons: Numbers 6:24-27, Deuteronomy 32:10-12
To have a prayer answered: Exodus 34:6-7, Exodus 15:2
For love: Song of Songs 1:3
To dispel a fever: Numbers 12:13; Deuteronomy 7:15
For success: Genesis 39:2; Exodus 15:11
For safety on a journey: Ex. 15:13; Numbers 10:35-36
Salvation from impending danger: Exodus 6:6-7
Against an enemy: Ex. 15:5-6, 15:9, 15:19; Duet. 22:6; Is. 10:14, Prov. 1:17
For the death of an enemy: Numbers 14
For invisibility: Genesis 19:11
For victory in war: Exodus 15:3; Deut. 21:10
Against wild beasts: Deut. 18:13
To dissipate illusions, mirages, and hallucinations: Ex. 15:16
For divination in dreams: Deut. 29:28; Song of Songs 1:7
Two Jews (one seems to have mystical powers) are being chased by enemies who are firing arrows at them. One of the Jews says a prayer as they run. Immediately after he says the prayer, one of his enemies is struck by lightning.
Essentially the prayer is for his own protection, but it could also be to ask for a higher mystical power to smite his enemy.
Do you have any suggestions are to what one might say (maybe Kabbalistic prayer, maybe not, something definitely in Hebrew)?
I really do appreciate your help!
Answer
1. Make a golem
In Jewish tradition, the golem is most widely known as an artificial creature created by magic, often to serve its creator. The word "golem" appears only once in the Bible (Psalms139:16). In Hebrew, "golem" stands for "shapeless mass." The Talmud uses the word as "unformed" or "imperfect" and according to Talmudic legend, Adam is called "golem," meaning "body without a soul" (Sanhedrin 38b) for the first 12 hours of his existence. The golem appears in other places in the Talmud as well. One legend says the prophet Jeremiah made a golem However, some mystics believe the creation of a golem has symbolic meaning only, like a spiritual experience following a religious rite.
The Sefer Yezirah ("Book of Creation"), often referred to as a guide to magical usage by some Western European Jews in the Middle Ages, contains instructions on how to make a golem. Several rabbis, in their commentaries on Sefer Yezirah have come up with different understandings of the directions on how to make a golem. Most versions include shaping the golem into a figure resembling a human being and using God's name to bring him to life, since God is the ultimate creator of life..
According to one story, to make a golem come alive, one would shape it out of soil, and then walk or dance around it saying combination of letters from the alphabet and the secret name of God. To "kill" the golem, its creators would walk in the opposite direction saying and making the order of the words backwards.
Other sources say once the golem had been physically made one needed to write the letters aleph, mem, tav, which is emet and means "truth," on the golem's forehead and the golem would come alive. Erase the aleph and you are left with mem and tav, which is met, meaning "death."
Another way to bring a golem to life was to write God's name on parchment and stick it on the golem's arm or in his mouth. One would remove it to stop the golem.
Often in Ashkenazi Hasidic lore, the golem would come to life and serve his creators by doing tasks assigned to him. The most well-known story of the golem is connected to Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the Maharal of Prague (1513-1609). It was said that he created a golem out of clay to protect the Jewish community from Blood Libel and to help out doing physical labor, since golems are very strong. Another version says it was close to Easter, in the spring of 1580 and a Jew-hating priest was trying to incite the Christians against the Jews. So the golem protected the community during the Easter season. Both versions recall the golem running amok and threatening innocent lives, so Rabbi Loew removed the Divine Name, rendering the golem lifeless. A separate account has the golem going mad and running away. Several sources attribute the story to Rabbi Elijah of Chelm, saying Rabbi Loew, one of the most outstanding Jewish scholars of the sixteenth century who wrote numerous books on Jewish law, philosophy, and morality, would have actually opposed the creation of a golem.
The golem has been a popular figure in the arts in the past few centuries with both Jews and non-Jews. In the early 20th century, several plays, novels, movies, musicals and even a ballet were based on the golem. The most famous works where golems appear are Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Karel Capek's R.U.R. (where the word "robot" comes from), Isaac Bashevis Singer's The Golem and The X-Files. There is also a character named Golem in J.R.R. Tolkien's classic series The Lord of the Rings. Today, there is even a golem museum in the Jewish Quarter of Prague.
Sometimes, someone who is large but intellectually slow is called a golem. Other civilizations, such as the ancient Greeks, have similar concepts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources: Wigoder, Geoffrey , Ed. The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia. NY: Facts on File, 1992.
Encyclopedia Judaica
Bridger, David. Ed. The New Jewish Encyclopedia. NY: Behrman House, Inc. 1976.
2. Psalms
Psalms in particular were popular in practical Kabbalah, and were used to ward off evil, drive away demons, and in amulets used in protection and healing. This section contains an overview of uses; for additional information and examples, see the sections on demonology and amulets.
Psalms 91: Widely regarded as the "Anti-Demonic Psalm", it was often recited at night and before sleeping. Said with other Biblical selections 72 times, it was supposed to deliver one from prison.
Psalms 85:2: This verse was used in the expulsion of demons from a place. Personally I find Psalms 85:1-8 particularly graceful in its hopeful appeal for mercy.
Psalms 10: Recited multiple times in a procedure to expel a demon from a person.
Psalms 121 and 126: These two Psalms were used, particularly on amulets, to ward off Lilith, Queen of Demons. Psalms 121 eventually became the favored choice.
Psalms 3: Another anti-demonic Psalm, though not as popular as Psalms 91.
There was a book called Shimmush Tehillim ("On the Use of Psalms"), which was very popular and widely translated, even in Christian circles, though it was banned by the Catholic Church.
The Shema, V'Ahavta, and the Mezuzah
The Shema is regarded as the most important phrase in Jewish liturgy. It is Deuteronomy 6:4:
Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.
Shema Yisroel, Adonai Elohainu, Adonai ekhad.
The Shema is an affirmation of faith, and it was often recited by martyrs who chose death over revocation of Judaism or conversion. While I have found no indication that this was ever used as "magic" in and of itself, it is a powerful statement. It does appear on some amulets, and it is also used with other Biblical passages in the mezuzah, an object which has been viewed as one with protective power.
The mezuzah (lit., "doorpost") is small fixture (a sort of box, locket, or similar container) attached to doorposts containing a piece of parchment with the Shema and other verses. What follows the Shema is often referred to as "V'Ahavta" ("And you shall love"), the opening word to the first of these verses, Deut. 6:4-9. Following are Deut. 11:13-20 and Numbers 15:37-41. The word Sheddai, a Name of God meaning "Almighty", is written on the reverse of the parchment. The mezuzah verses not only state that one should be devoted to God and carry out and remember His commandments, but also teach this to one's children, and display one's devotion in various physical ways, including the marking of the doorpost.
The mezuzah was believed to protect the home. In medeival times, in some countries, extra verses or charms were added for further protection, and they were believed to be powerful devices; I have read one account, quoted in two sources, of a bishop asking for one for his home! Mezuzot should be checked periodically to make sure the parchment is intact and in order; in centuries past this was very important, especially if one wished to keep evil out of their home. Today, some Jews wear a miniature mezuzah as a charm on a necklace, as an affirmation of faith. Although I'm not certain, the custom of wearing a mezuzah as jewelry may have gained popularity during World War I, when some Jewish soldiers attached them to their watch-fobs for luck and protection, and "...to deflect bullets," as Trachtenberg noted in 1939.
Some scholars consider the mezuzah an amulet or talisman, or at least feel that in certain eras it should be classified as such. To support this theory they relate examples of medieval mezuzot which contain extra materials, such as extra Names of God, angel names, and even magic symbols. Others disagree, insisting it is simply the fulfilment of a commandment and an affirmation of faith.
In my personal experience, it's been mostly the latter, but with a hint of the former. One incident comes to mind: When I moved out of my parents' house, my father, who is a well-educated and rational person, said, "Make sure you get a mezuzah." I replied I was thinking of taking the one from my bedroom door, since the room would be empty once I was gone. "No," he said, "Get a new one for the new place. Besides, it's good luck."
The Priestly Benediction
I feel that special mention needs to be made of the Priestly Benediction or Priestly Blessing, Birkhat Kohanim, which is Numbers 6:24-26:
The Lord blass you and keep you, The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and grant you peace.
This blessing was originally to be said Aaron and his sons of the Israelites; it was later said by the Kohanim (priests) over the people. Today it has been worked into the liturgy. The speaker(s) of the blessing hold their hands up to the congregation in a particular fashion while reciting it. The best way I can describe it is this: imagine holding both your hands in the Vulcan "live long and prosper" position. Before anyone accuses me of being silly or disrespectful, you should know that this is where Leonard Nimoy got the idea in the first place!
The Priestly Benediction was used in popular application not only for blessing, but for protection against the Evil Eye. One Name of God used in Practical Kabbalah is derived from it; for more information see the section on the Names of God.
I have in my possession a small "prayer token" made of bone, supposedly dating to the early 1900s, which contains the first line of the Priestly Benediction around its circumference, with the Shema at its center. Such a thing was probably intended as a sort of good luck charm.
Other Biblical Verses Used in Practical Kabbalah
There were many, many uses for Biblical passages. Verses were believed to have power either by virtue of containing one or more Names of God, or because they applied to the situation at hand. A Tzaddik or Ba'al Shem, by virtue of his righteousness, could draw on the power of these words, but ordinary people also included specific verses in their prayers. It was even said that a truly pure and righteous person could kill with combinations of verses and certain Names of God.
One book on this topic was Sefer Gematriot, a book of numerology which evaluated and compared Biblical verses based on their numerical value (see Names of God). It also contained a list of appropriate Biblical terms for use in wards, charms, curses, blessings, etc.
There are far too many uses for me to list here, so below is a short list of interesting and particularly useful examples. For an entire chapter on the use of the Bible in practical Kabbalah and folk practice, see Joshua Trachtenburg's Jewish Magic and Superstition.
In many cases each word and the entire verse was to read forward and backward.
To counteract magic, recite the following verses, which all begin and end in the Hebrew letter nun, in the following order: Lev. 13:9, Nu. 32:32, Deut. 18:15, Song of Songs 4:11, Prov. 7:17, Prov. 20:27, I Chron. 12:2, Jer. 50:8, Ps. 78:12, and Ps. 77:21. You may also recite Ex. 22:17 and Is. 41:24; Lev. 1:1; or Nu. 23: 21-23.
Exodus 30:34-8: When meditated on properly, protects against magic, plagues, and demons, and can postpone a visit from the Angel of Death(!).
For protection from sorcery: Numbers 23:22-33
For general protection at night: Genesis 49:19
Recite before bedtime and over infants for protection from demons: Numbers 6:24-27, Deuteronomy 32:10-12
To have a prayer answered: Exodus 34:6-7, Exodus 15:2
For love: Song of Songs 1:3
To dispel a fever: Numbers 12:13; Deuteronomy 7:15
For success: Genesis 39:2; Exodus 15:11
For safety on a journey: Ex. 15:13; Numbers 10:35-36
Salvation from impending danger: Exodus 6:6-7
Against an enemy: Ex. 15:5-6, 15:9, 15:19; Duet. 22:6; Is. 10:14, Prov. 1:17
For the death of an enemy: Numbers 14
For invisibility: Genesis 19:11
For victory in war: Exodus 15:3; Deut. 21:10
Against wild beasts: Deut. 18:13
To dissipate illusions, mirages, and hallucinations: Ex. 15:16
For divination in dreams: Deut. 29:28; Song of Songs 1:7
New Covenant in the prophets?
1st post.Can you please tell me what Jeremiah 31:31-34 says in a Hebrew published Tanuch (Artscroll preferred). I already know what the KJV says as well as other Gentile published scriptures say. But I'm interested in what the Jewish original script says. Is their any difference?
2nd post. Thank you...
However, I believe the NIV was published by Gentiles as well...
I was seeking possibly a Rashi or an Artscroll translation (ANYTHING JEWISH).
Let me explain...
I am a missionary here in China.
As I study scripture in depth, the more I am finding out certain things have been changed by Gentiles and I am starting to be a bit concerned.
The reason I am asking for this specific scripture is because (to my understanding) the original Hebrew scripture DOES NOT say anything about a NEW COVENANT that will be with the house of Israel. So I thought it would be best to seek out a Rabbi (........and there aren't to many Jews here in China).
2nd post. Thank you...
However, I believe the NIV was published by Gentiles as well...
I was seeking possibly a Rashi or an Artscroll translation (ANYTHING JEWISH).
Let me explain...
I am a missionary here in China.
As I study scripture in depth, the more I am finding out certain things have been changed by Gentiles and I am starting to be a bit concerned.
The reason I am asking for this specific scripture is because (to my understanding) the original Hebrew scripture DOES NOT say anything about a NEW COVENANT that will be with the house of Israel. So I thought it would be best to seek out a Rabbi (........and there aren't to many Jews here in China).
From the Israeli consulate
Israel and the Annapolis Talks
The Consensus Conference - Aluf Benn (Ha'aretz)
Why is it worth Olmert's while to go to Annapolis? First, because Bush invited him, and one doesn't say no to Bush. Second, because Israel is interested in talks with its neighbors and in good behavior in the international arena. Third, because the diplomatic step that will begin after the conference can help reduce friction with the Palestinians. Fourth, because it is too early for Israel to abandon Fatah, and it is worthwhile for Israel to resuscitate Abbas' government in a hope for better days. Fifth, and most important, Israel is interested in consolidating an international front against Iran and its supporters in the region, and in diplomacy there is no free lunch.
See Also: Iran a Driving Force for Mideast Meeting - Anne Gearan (AP/Washington Post
Palestinians and the Annapolis Talks
Will It Be Sadat or Arafat at Annapolis?
- Kenneth J. Bialkin (Wall Street Journal)
Anwar Sadat faced the realities of the Egyptian economic, political and military condition and decided to go to Jerusalem. His message was "No More War" and he was received in Jerusalem in November 1977 by Menachem Begin with an open, fulsome and conciliatory response, leading to the Camp David Agreement in 1979 where the details of Sadat's message were implemented. It is time for the Arab world to engage in the same calculus as did Sadat and recognize that "No More War" is the only message that might give any promise of accomplishment to the Annapolis meeting.
Palestinian Politics and the Annapolis Meeting
- Mohammad Yaghi (Washington Institute for Near East Policy)
The push for diplomatic progress at Annapolis has already exacerbated the confrontation between Fatah and Hamas. As the meeting approaches and final-status negotiations begin, Palestinian violence may increase and possibly erupt in the West Bank. Moreover, diplomatic prospects have raised the stakes of the debate over who has the political legitimacy to negotiate with Israel. Regardless of what transpires in Annapolis, the PA views implementing the Quartet Roadmap's phase-one security requirements as essential to demonstrating its credibility and authority.
See Also:
Hamas Seeks to Undermine Annapolis by Claiming Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem Is in Danger (Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center)
Poll: Palestinians in Gaza Support Early Elections, Peace Settlement with Israel (Near East Consulting/IMRA)
According to a survey of Palestinians in Gaza conducted by Near East Consulting on Nov. 12-14: 77% support early legislative elections (Hamas supporters, 23% vs. Fatah supporters, 99%). If legislative elections were held next week, 54% of Gazans would vote for Fatah, 15% would vote for Hamas. 74% of Gazans support a peace settlement with Israel (Hamas supporters, 33% vs. Fatah supporters, 91%). However, 31% of Gazans believe that Hamas should maintain its position on the elimination of Israel.
The Amnesty Plan for Fatah Operatives on Israel's Wanted List - Interim Summary (Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center)
One of Israel's gestures towards the PA was the amnesty plan for 170 Fatah operatives on Israel's wanted list, whose implementation began on July 12, 2007. The amnesty plan makes it possible to take numerous terrorist operatives out of the circle of terrorism using a precise, monitored apparatus. The dynamic created by the plan has a positive influence on the Palestinian street, and might prompt other wanted operatives to abandon the path of terrorism. The implementation of the plan is not dependent upon the progress of the PA buildup, which is still far from demonstrating any enforcement capabilities.
Iran - The Source of Instability
Saudi Columnists Call on Gulf States to Form Anti-Iran Front (MEMRI)
Following recent threats against the Gulf countries by leading Iranian officials, several Saudi columnists have criticized the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries' passivity in the face of the danger posed by Iran. In the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa, Saudi columnist Abdallah al-Mutairi wrote that the Gulf countries must not remain silent in the face of Iran's threats, but must instead formulate a joint defense plan. "We all remember the editorial by Hossein Shari'atmadari, advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and editor of the Kayhan newspaper, in which he stressed that Bahrain was a region belonging to Iran and that there are documents proving full Iranian sovereignty over the three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Moussa). We also cannot forget [Shari'atmadari's] comment that among the Gulf states there are illegitimate regimes."
Chavez Jokes He's in Iran to Get an A-Bomb (Oil Week-Canada)
Making his fourth trip to Tehran in two years, Venezuelan President Chavez has built a strong bond with Ahmadinejad that has produced a string of business agreements as well as a torrent of rhetoric presenting their two countries as an example of how smaller countries can stand up to the U.S.
"Here are two brother countries, united like a single fist,'' Chavez said.
When a reporter asked about the aims of his visit, Chavez quipped: "As the imperialist press says, I came to look for an atomic bomb, and I've got it here. If anyone should cross me, I'll fire it."
See Also: UN Atomic Watchdog Says in Dark over Iran's Nuclear Intentions (AFP)
Deepening China-Iran Ties Weaken Bid to Isolate Iran - Robin Wright (Washington Post)
The rapidly growing relationship between Iran and China has begun to undermine international efforts to ensure that Iran cannot convert a peaceful energy program to develop a nuclear arsenal. At the UN, U.S. and European officials now worry more about a Chinese veto than about opposition from Russia. U.S. and European officials charged Friday that Beijing is deliberately stalling to protect its economic interests. China now gets at least 14% of its imported oil from Iran, making it China's largest supplier. Tehran in turn gets major arms systems from Beijing, including ballistic and cruise missiles and technical assistance for Tehran's indigenous missile program.
A Nuclear Iran = A Nuclear Middle East
Russia Agrees to Provide Nuclear Know-How to Egypt
Russia has agreed to provide nuclear know-how and technical expertise to Egypt to help Cairo with plans to build civilian nuclear power stations to meet growing energy needs, Egyptian state media said on Tuesday. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said last month Egypt would build several nuclear power stations. (Reuters)
Iran and the Exportation of Terrorism
Iran's Expanding Influence - Ibrahim Nawar (Al-Ahram-Egypt)
In its modern history Iran has never had such an influential role in the Middle East as now. The removal of Saddam Hussein and the destruction of Iraq fueled Iran's desire to spread its wings across the Gulf and Arab Middle East. The unenthusiastic foreign policies of Saudi Arabia and Egypt have encouraged Tehran's political leadership to build and develop close relations with other key players in the region, especially ruling groups in Syria, Lebanon (Hizbullah) and Palestine (Islamic Jihad and Hamas), and with political groups in the Gulf, Yemen, Sudan, North Africa and even inside Egypt and Saudi Arabia, forcing retreat and a defensive approach on its regional rivals.
See Also: Iraqi Shiites Protest Iranian Takeover of Southern Iraq - Amit R. Paley and Sudarsan Raghavan (Washington Post)
Iran, Syria Stepping Up Support of Terrorists - Yaakov Katz (Jerusalem Post)
A day after Ido Zoldan, a young father, was gunned down in a Palestinian shooting attack near Kedumim, IDF officers warned Tuesday that Palestinian terrorist groups would continue trying to perpetrate terror attacks in an effort to derail peace talks ahead of the Annapolis meeting. Fatah's Aksa Martyrs Brigades took responsibility for the West Bank shooting attack, saying it was "a protest against the Annapolis conference." Defense officials said there was growing Iranian and Syrian involvement in motivating Hamas and Islamic Jihad to carry out terrorist attacks, including the transfer of funds and instructions.
U.S. Judge Orders Iran to Pay $2.65 Billion to 1983 Beirut Attack Families (AP/FOX News)
Iran must pay $2.65 billion to the families of the 241 U.S. service members killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, a federal judge declared Friday. U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth described his ruling as the largest-ever such judgment by an American court against another country.
More News From the Middle East
Syria
Something Far More Vicious than a Syrian Nuclear Reactor Targeted by Israel - Yossi Melman (Ha'aretz)
Ten weeks after the Israel Air Force attacked in Syria, the prevailing assumption is that the target was a 5-megawatt nuclear reactor under construction that would have enabled Syria to produce plutonium to manufacture a nuclear bomb.
But Prof. Uzi Even of Tel Aviv University, who until 1968 worked at Israel's Nuclear Research Center in Dimona, is challenging this conclusion. "In my estimation this was something very nasty and vicious, and even more dangerous than a reactor," says Even. "I suspect that it was a plant for processing plutonium, namely a factory for assembling the bomb."
Lebanon
Lebanon Enters a New Crisis - Anthony Shadid (Washington Post)
Lebanon's worst crisis since the 1975-90 civil war builds to a climax at midnight Friday, when the term of President Emile Lahoud ends. Despite weeks of French-led mediation, Lebanon's factions appeared unlikely to reach a consensus on Lahoud's replacement by the deadline, plunging the country into a constitutional limbo. Unlike Lebanon's civil war, often characterized as a Christian-Muslim conflict, this crisis has mobilized the country's Sunni and Shiite Muslim communities against each other, with Christians divided between the two camps.
See Also: Trying to Save Lebanon, Again - Editorial (New York Times)
Business News
RAFAEL Signs $25M Deal with US Navy - Naama Sikuler (Ynet News)
Armament Development Authority, BAE Systems land joint contract to supply US navy with advanced naval weapons systems. Contract second of its kind, to be completed by end of 2009.
Israel...A Light Unto the Nations
Israel Offers U.S. Doctors Training in Emergency Response - Matthew Kalman (San Francisco Chronicle)
Raymond Rappaport, a veteran primary care doctor from Redwood City, Cal., is one of 30 American doctors who recently participated in a grueling five-day course in emergency medicine hosted by Israeli civilian hospitals and military medics. The course included a visit to the Israel Center for Medical Simulation, a state-of-the-art training center for emergency medicine at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer near Tel Aviv. After each exercise, which was carried out using real equipment on electronic mannequins that breathed and spoke to them, the U.S. doctors watched a video playback and received feedback from Israel's top medical trainers. "A lot of these things are not available in the United States. A lot of the medicine is different," said Rappaport. "They're up on the cutting edge of the latest technology."
Israel Gives Uganda Flood Victims Medicines - Florence Nakaayi (New Vision-Uganda)
The government of Israel has donated 2.5 tons of medicine to flood victims after 13 districts were hit by floods between August and October, leaving 300,000 people displaced.
Israeli Doctors Help Swaziland Battle AIDS - Roee Nahmias (Ynet News)
In wake of findings that male circumcision decreases chances of HIV infection by 60%, Israeli doctors instruct surgeons in Swaziland how to perform safe circumcisions on thousands of men
The Consensus Conference - Aluf Benn (Ha'aretz)
Why is it worth Olmert's while to go to Annapolis? First, because Bush invited him, and one doesn't say no to Bush. Second, because Israel is interested in talks with its neighbors and in good behavior in the international arena. Third, because the diplomatic step that will begin after the conference can help reduce friction with the Palestinians. Fourth, because it is too early for Israel to abandon Fatah, and it is worthwhile for Israel to resuscitate Abbas' government in a hope for better days. Fifth, and most important, Israel is interested in consolidating an international front against Iran and its supporters in the region, and in diplomacy there is no free lunch.
See Also: Iran a Driving Force for Mideast Meeting - Anne Gearan (AP/Washington Post
Palestinians and the Annapolis Talks
Will It Be Sadat or Arafat at Annapolis?
- Kenneth J. Bialkin (Wall Street Journal)
Anwar Sadat faced the realities of the Egyptian economic, political and military condition and decided to go to Jerusalem. His message was "No More War" and he was received in Jerusalem in November 1977 by Menachem Begin with an open, fulsome and conciliatory response, leading to the Camp David Agreement in 1979 where the details of Sadat's message were implemented. It is time for the Arab world to engage in the same calculus as did Sadat and recognize that "No More War" is the only message that might give any promise of accomplishment to the Annapolis meeting.
Palestinian Politics and the Annapolis Meeting
- Mohammad Yaghi (Washington Institute for Near East Policy)
The push for diplomatic progress at Annapolis has already exacerbated the confrontation between Fatah and Hamas. As the meeting approaches and final-status negotiations begin, Palestinian violence may increase and possibly erupt in the West Bank. Moreover, diplomatic prospects have raised the stakes of the debate over who has the political legitimacy to negotiate with Israel. Regardless of what transpires in Annapolis, the PA views implementing the Quartet Roadmap's phase-one security requirements as essential to demonstrating its credibility and authority.
See Also:
Hamas Seeks to Undermine Annapolis by Claiming Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem Is in Danger (Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center)
Poll: Palestinians in Gaza Support Early Elections, Peace Settlement with Israel (Near East Consulting/IMRA)
According to a survey of Palestinians in Gaza conducted by Near East Consulting on Nov. 12-14: 77% support early legislative elections (Hamas supporters, 23% vs. Fatah supporters, 99%). If legislative elections were held next week, 54% of Gazans would vote for Fatah, 15% would vote for Hamas. 74% of Gazans support a peace settlement with Israel (Hamas supporters, 33% vs. Fatah supporters, 91%). However, 31% of Gazans believe that Hamas should maintain its position on the elimination of Israel.
The Amnesty Plan for Fatah Operatives on Israel's Wanted List - Interim Summary (Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center)
One of Israel's gestures towards the PA was the amnesty plan for 170 Fatah operatives on Israel's wanted list, whose implementation began on July 12, 2007. The amnesty plan makes it possible to take numerous terrorist operatives out of the circle of terrorism using a precise, monitored apparatus. The dynamic created by the plan has a positive influence on the Palestinian street, and might prompt other wanted operatives to abandon the path of terrorism. The implementation of the plan is not dependent upon the progress of the PA buildup, which is still far from demonstrating any enforcement capabilities.
Iran - The Source of Instability
Saudi Columnists Call on Gulf States to Form Anti-Iran Front (MEMRI)
Following recent threats against the Gulf countries by leading Iranian officials, several Saudi columnists have criticized the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries' passivity in the face of the danger posed by Iran. In the Kuwaiti daily Al-Siyassa, Saudi columnist Abdallah al-Mutairi wrote that the Gulf countries must not remain silent in the face of Iran's threats, but must instead formulate a joint defense plan. "We all remember the editorial by Hossein Shari'atmadari, advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and editor of the Kayhan newspaper, in which he stressed that Bahrain was a region belonging to Iran and that there are documents proving full Iranian sovereignty over the three islands (Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Moussa). We also cannot forget [Shari'atmadari's] comment that among the Gulf states there are illegitimate regimes."
Chavez Jokes He's in Iran to Get an A-Bomb (Oil Week-Canada)
Making his fourth trip to Tehran in two years, Venezuelan President Chavez has built a strong bond with Ahmadinejad that has produced a string of business agreements as well as a torrent of rhetoric presenting their two countries as an example of how smaller countries can stand up to the U.S.
"Here are two brother countries, united like a single fist,'' Chavez said.
When a reporter asked about the aims of his visit, Chavez quipped: "As the imperialist press says, I came to look for an atomic bomb, and I've got it here. If anyone should cross me, I'll fire it."
See Also: UN Atomic Watchdog Says in Dark over Iran's Nuclear Intentions (AFP)
Deepening China-Iran Ties Weaken Bid to Isolate Iran - Robin Wright (Washington Post)
The rapidly growing relationship between Iran and China has begun to undermine international efforts to ensure that Iran cannot convert a peaceful energy program to develop a nuclear arsenal. At the UN, U.S. and European officials now worry more about a Chinese veto than about opposition from Russia. U.S. and European officials charged Friday that Beijing is deliberately stalling to protect its economic interests. China now gets at least 14% of its imported oil from Iran, making it China's largest supplier. Tehran in turn gets major arms systems from Beijing, including ballistic and cruise missiles and technical assistance for Tehran's indigenous missile program.
A Nuclear Iran = A Nuclear Middle East
Russia Agrees to Provide Nuclear Know-How to Egypt
Russia has agreed to provide nuclear know-how and technical expertise to Egypt to help Cairo with plans to build civilian nuclear power stations to meet growing energy needs, Egyptian state media said on Tuesday. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said last month Egypt would build several nuclear power stations. (Reuters)
Iran and the Exportation of Terrorism
Iran's Expanding Influence - Ibrahim Nawar (Al-Ahram-Egypt)
In its modern history Iran has never had such an influential role in the Middle East as now. The removal of Saddam Hussein and the destruction of Iraq fueled Iran's desire to spread its wings across the Gulf and Arab Middle East. The unenthusiastic foreign policies of Saudi Arabia and Egypt have encouraged Tehran's political leadership to build and develop close relations with other key players in the region, especially ruling groups in Syria, Lebanon (Hizbullah) and Palestine (Islamic Jihad and Hamas), and with political groups in the Gulf, Yemen, Sudan, North Africa and even inside Egypt and Saudi Arabia, forcing retreat and a defensive approach on its regional rivals.
See Also: Iraqi Shiites Protest Iranian Takeover of Southern Iraq - Amit R. Paley and Sudarsan Raghavan (Washington Post)
Iran, Syria Stepping Up Support of Terrorists - Yaakov Katz (Jerusalem Post)
A day after Ido Zoldan, a young father, was gunned down in a Palestinian shooting attack near Kedumim, IDF officers warned Tuesday that Palestinian terrorist groups would continue trying to perpetrate terror attacks in an effort to derail peace talks ahead of the Annapolis meeting. Fatah's Aksa Martyrs Brigades took responsibility for the West Bank shooting attack, saying it was "a protest against the Annapolis conference." Defense officials said there was growing Iranian and Syrian involvement in motivating Hamas and Islamic Jihad to carry out terrorist attacks, including the transfer of funds and instructions.
U.S. Judge Orders Iran to Pay $2.65 Billion to 1983 Beirut Attack Families (AP/FOX News)
Iran must pay $2.65 billion to the families of the 241 U.S. service members killed in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, a federal judge declared Friday. U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth described his ruling as the largest-ever such judgment by an American court against another country.
More News From the Middle East
Syria
Something Far More Vicious than a Syrian Nuclear Reactor Targeted by Israel - Yossi Melman (Ha'aretz)
Ten weeks after the Israel Air Force attacked in Syria, the prevailing assumption is that the target was a 5-megawatt nuclear reactor under construction that would have enabled Syria to produce plutonium to manufacture a nuclear bomb.
But Prof. Uzi Even of Tel Aviv University, who until 1968 worked at Israel's Nuclear Research Center in Dimona, is challenging this conclusion. "In my estimation this was something very nasty and vicious, and even more dangerous than a reactor," says Even. "I suspect that it was a plant for processing plutonium, namely a factory for assembling the bomb."
Lebanon
Lebanon Enters a New Crisis - Anthony Shadid (Washington Post)
Lebanon's worst crisis since the 1975-90 civil war builds to a climax at midnight Friday, when the term of President Emile Lahoud ends. Despite weeks of French-led mediation, Lebanon's factions appeared unlikely to reach a consensus on Lahoud's replacement by the deadline, plunging the country into a constitutional limbo. Unlike Lebanon's civil war, often characterized as a Christian-Muslim conflict, this crisis has mobilized the country's Sunni and Shiite Muslim communities against each other, with Christians divided between the two camps.
See Also: Trying to Save Lebanon, Again - Editorial (New York Times)
Business News
RAFAEL Signs $25M Deal with US Navy - Naama Sikuler (Ynet News)
Armament Development Authority, BAE Systems land joint contract to supply US navy with advanced naval weapons systems. Contract second of its kind, to be completed by end of 2009.
Israel...A Light Unto the Nations
Israel Offers U.S. Doctors Training in Emergency Response - Matthew Kalman (San Francisco Chronicle)
Raymond Rappaport, a veteran primary care doctor from Redwood City, Cal., is one of 30 American doctors who recently participated in a grueling five-day course in emergency medicine hosted by Israeli civilian hospitals and military medics. The course included a visit to the Israel Center for Medical Simulation, a state-of-the-art training center for emergency medicine at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer near Tel Aviv. After each exercise, which was carried out using real equipment on electronic mannequins that breathed and spoke to them, the U.S. doctors watched a video playback and received feedback from Israel's top medical trainers. "A lot of these things are not available in the United States. A lot of the medicine is different," said Rappaport. "They're up on the cutting edge of the latest technology."
Israel Gives Uganda Flood Victims Medicines - Florence Nakaayi (New Vision-Uganda)
The government of Israel has donated 2.5 tons of medicine to flood victims after 13 districts were hit by floods between August and October, leaving 300,000 people displaced.
Israeli Doctors Help Swaziland Battle AIDS - Roee Nahmias (Ynet News)
In wake of findings that male circumcision decreases chances of HIV infection by 60%, Israeli doctors instruct surgeons in Swaziland how to perform safe circumcisions on thousands of men
Christians who celebraye Hanukah and not Christmas
Dear Rabbi,
I just watched your video on "Jews and the Christmas Dilemma." I really can appreciate the sensitive nature of an interfaith family and the whole Christmas holiday. For my wife and I (who are gentile) we were able to remove Christmas and Easter from our lives. In fact, when we both read Jeremiah 10:2-4 we were shocked to find that G-d mocks the very practice of placing a piece of wood or tree in the home and decorating it. With that said, it breaks our heart when we hear of Jewish people adopting Christmas either in part or in whole as a so-called "American tradition." It is clearly a pagan tradition that has been sanitized so to speak. In fact, the whole concept of Christmas really being a secular holiday is sickening. Or when Christians say it is no longer pagan, but now has a meaning that honors G-d and his son. When I hear of Christmas being trivialized in this manner, I am reminded of the Israelites forming the golden calf and then calling it a 'feast to Adonai.' Whether we are Jew or Christian or unaffiliated gentile, to call Christmas anything other than a pagan holiday is a self deception.
With that said, my wife and I are very sensitive to those who celebrate Christmas and try to keep in mind, that our ways are not necessarily their ways. So, we live by example alone and when asked about our reason, we give them. We have found that our secular friends are very understanding to our beliefs. It is our religious friends who we seem to lock horns with. Even when we try to avoid the subject, there is always this underlying tension. It is as if it is our religious and American duty to keep Christmas.
We keep Hannukah. Not as a replacement for Christmas. That is a whole different subject that irritates me and I won't get into it here. My wife and I feel that gentiles need to embrace Hannukah. It is an excellent account of the Jewish people and their plight with gentile/pagan culture. It's a great example of being in the world, but not being of the world. So much so, that many people gave their lives to defend the Torah. To my confused Christian friends, I liken Hannukah to our American 4th of July (no offense). But, it is a lesson in religious and political freedom that all Americans need to understand and embrace. In fact, I believe, that if Judah did not lead his small band of Jewish warriors into Jerusalem to defend the Torah and the temple..... then Jesus would never have been. And so, Christianity and America may never have been. It's kind of ironic.
Anyway, shalom Rabbi. Have a great shabbat
I just watched your video on "Jews and the Christmas Dilemma." I really can appreciate the sensitive nature of an interfaith family and the whole Christmas holiday. For my wife and I (who are gentile) we were able to remove Christmas and Easter from our lives. In fact, when we both read Jeremiah 10:2-4 we were shocked to find that G-d mocks the very practice of placing a piece of wood or tree in the home and decorating it. With that said, it breaks our heart when we hear of Jewish people adopting Christmas either in part or in whole as a so-called "American tradition." It is clearly a pagan tradition that has been sanitized so to speak. In fact, the whole concept of Christmas really being a secular holiday is sickening. Or when Christians say it is no longer pagan, but now has a meaning that honors G-d and his son. When I hear of Christmas being trivialized in this manner, I am reminded of the Israelites forming the golden calf and then calling it a 'feast to Adonai.' Whether we are Jew or Christian or unaffiliated gentile, to call Christmas anything other than a pagan holiday is a self deception.
With that said, my wife and I are very sensitive to those who celebrate Christmas and try to keep in mind, that our ways are not necessarily their ways. So, we live by example alone and when asked about our reason, we give them. We have found that our secular friends are very understanding to our beliefs. It is our religious friends who we seem to lock horns with. Even when we try to avoid the subject, there is always this underlying tension. It is as if it is our religious and American duty to keep Christmas.
We keep Hannukah. Not as a replacement for Christmas. That is a whole different subject that irritates me and I won't get into it here. My wife and I feel that gentiles need to embrace Hannukah. It is an excellent account of the Jewish people and their plight with gentile/pagan culture. It's a great example of being in the world, but not being of the world. So much so, that many people gave their lives to defend the Torah. To my confused Christian friends, I liken Hannukah to our American 4th of July (no offense). But, it is a lesson in religious and political freedom that all Americans need to understand and embrace. In fact, I believe, that if Judah did not lead his small band of Jewish warriors into Jerusalem to defend the Torah and the temple..... then Jesus would never have been. And so, Christianity and America may never have been. It's kind of ironic.
Anyway, shalom Rabbi. Have a great shabbat
Does Christinaity have responsibility for the Holocaust?
I just finished watching your three videos Jews not for Jesus.
Very interesting.
But I don't understand why you seem to imply that it was Christians that were in charge of the holocaust. Hitler was NO Christian. He was as Satanic and evil as Satan himself with his own evil book.
I come from a ideology that Jesus tells us to protect his own, which clearly explains why America has been blessed (our protection of Israel).
HOLOCAUST AND CHRISTIANITY
by Alexander Kimel
Saul Friendlander, a noted Holocaust scholar, wrote: "Does Christianity bear a historic responsibility for the Shoah, or should Nazism be considered as a fundamental revolt against the "Judeo-Christian" interpretation of the sense of human life and history? Any answer to these questions cannot but leave unresolved questions and continuous doubts"
I do believe that both those thesis are right. Without doubt, for Hitler and his clique, Nazism was a revolt against the Judeo-Christian ethics. On the other hand, anti-Semitism, fueled by teaching of the Churches numbed the conscience of the perpetrators and bystanders secured their cooperation or silence, and this made the Holocaust so devastating.
Nazism and Christianity:
Hitler dreamed of world domination to be achieved through wars and conquests, and for this he needed the brutalization of the German people. Christianity was in his way. For Hitler terror, brutality and violence were necessary tools; he admired brutality in others, even in his enemies. Goebbels notes in his Diaries about Hitler's admiration for Stalin's brutality:
"The Fuhrer, incidentally, has a rather high regard for the Soviet war leadership. Stalin's brutal hand has saved the Russian front. To hold our own we shall have to apply similar methods our side."
Rauschning quotes Hitler saying: "Brutality is respected. Brutality and physical strength. The plain man in the street respects nothing but brutal strength and ruthlessness - women and children too. The people need wholesome fear. They want to fear something."
Hitler wanted to establish a new religion, with himself as the prophet. Felix Kersten, Himmler's confidante, found a variety of religious books in Himmler's library, and Himmler explained to him " I am to prepare a new Nazi religion. I am to draft the new Bible, the Bible of the faith.... The Fuhrer has decided that, after the victory of the Third Reich, he will abolish Christianity throughout Great Germany, and establish the faith on its ruins. The latter will preserve the idea of God, but it will be very vague and indistinct. The Fuhrer will replace Christ as the savior of humanity. Thus, millions and millions of people will say only Hitler's name in their prayers, and a hundred years from now nothing will be known but the new religion, which will endure for centuries."
Holocaust and Christianity:
The Bystander Nations, could not overcome the awesome power of the Nazi war machine to resist the total annihilation of their compatriots, but they could have saved Jews by hiding them, helping them to blend into the general population. Without the help of the Bystander Nations, the Germans could have killed a large percentage of Jews, but thousands upon thousands of Jews who run away, hid the forest, hid on Aryan papers, or took up arms would have survived. In order to proceed with the extermination the Germans had to identify their victims, isolate them, demoralize them, ship them to the death camps, and conduct a mop-up operation against the enterprising individuals who escaped. The degree, in which the Bystander Nations (Christians) helped the Nazis, determined the Jewish survival rate. Judging from the dismal survival rate, especially in Eastern Europe, the Germans received extensive cooperation from the Bystander Nations.
Christianity and the Perpetrators
. Almost all perpetrators arose from Christian culture and some of them were devout Christians. For example the commandant of Auschwitz Hoess was a devout Catholic, Tiso the President of Slovakia was a Catholic priest. In many camps the killing was suspended on Sundays, so that the murderers could attend Church services. At no time were the killers censured by the religious authorities or denied the last rites in time of their execution.
A noted theologian, Prof. Littell stated:
"It is amazing to me, a Christian theologian, to see how the idea of "the silence of the churches" during the Nazi genocide of the Jews still is passed on. Why couldn't we hear "the silence?" Could it be because of the thunderous adulation accorded the Fuehrer by so many of the church "leaders," leading the mobs that after the Enabling Act passed for repositories of "public opinion?" Cardinal von Galen, actually in some respects one of the better clerics, in MARCH of 1942, in a Pastoral Letter to memorialize those fallen in battle, wrote: "They intended to defeat Bolshevism through a new crusade with the battlecry "God wills it" - as a few years before the liberator Franco in an address in Seville proclaimed Christian goals. They died for Europe, to hold back the threatening red flood and to create a protecting wall for the entire western world." There are many similar documents in the record. We may regret deeply the self-deception and misreading of the historical situa- tion that led to the churches' - and not just the German! - optimism about Hitler, but have we now come to a time of re-writing history? The bitter truth is that the Christians faithful unto death - Bonhoeffer, Lichtenberg, Delp, Jaegerstaetter, von Moltke - were FEW IN NUMBER, and almost universally abandonned by the Princes of the Church and other Eminenten of the established churches.
Conclusions:
Christianity does not bear a historical responsibility for the Holocaust, but because of the anti-Semitism it fostered, Christianity bears a moral responsibility for the supporting roles or inaction of the Christian population during the Shoah, and for the general indifference and silence of the Christian Churches
Very interesting.
But I don't understand why you seem to imply that it was Christians that were in charge of the holocaust. Hitler was NO Christian. He was as Satanic and evil as Satan himself with his own evil book.
I come from a ideology that Jesus tells us to protect his own, which clearly explains why America has been blessed (our protection of Israel).
HOLOCAUST AND CHRISTIANITY
by Alexander Kimel
Saul Friendlander, a noted Holocaust scholar, wrote: "Does Christianity bear a historic responsibility for the Shoah, or should Nazism be considered as a fundamental revolt against the "Judeo-Christian" interpretation of the sense of human life and history? Any answer to these questions cannot but leave unresolved questions and continuous doubts"
I do believe that both those thesis are right. Without doubt, for Hitler and his clique, Nazism was a revolt against the Judeo-Christian ethics. On the other hand, anti-Semitism, fueled by teaching of the Churches numbed the conscience of the perpetrators and bystanders secured their cooperation or silence, and this made the Holocaust so devastating.
Nazism and Christianity:
Hitler dreamed of world domination to be achieved through wars and conquests, and for this he needed the brutalization of the German people. Christianity was in his way. For Hitler terror, brutality and violence were necessary tools; he admired brutality in others, even in his enemies. Goebbels notes in his Diaries about Hitler's admiration for Stalin's brutality:
"The Fuhrer, incidentally, has a rather high regard for the Soviet war leadership. Stalin's brutal hand has saved the Russian front. To hold our own we shall have to apply similar methods our side."
Rauschning quotes Hitler saying: "Brutality is respected. Brutality and physical strength. The plain man in the street respects nothing but brutal strength and ruthlessness - women and children too. The people need wholesome fear. They want to fear something."
Hitler wanted to establish a new religion, with himself as the prophet. Felix Kersten, Himmler's confidante, found a variety of religious books in Himmler's library, and Himmler explained to him " I am to prepare a new Nazi religion. I am to draft the new Bible, the Bible of the faith.... The Fuhrer has decided that, after the victory of the Third Reich, he will abolish Christianity throughout Great Germany, and establish the faith on its ruins. The latter will preserve the idea of God, but it will be very vague and indistinct. The Fuhrer will replace Christ as the savior of humanity. Thus, millions and millions of people will say only Hitler's name in their prayers, and a hundred years from now nothing will be known but the new religion, which will endure for centuries."
Holocaust and Christianity:
The Bystander Nations, could not overcome the awesome power of the Nazi war machine to resist the total annihilation of their compatriots, but they could have saved Jews by hiding them, helping them to blend into the general population. Without the help of the Bystander Nations, the Germans could have killed a large percentage of Jews, but thousands upon thousands of Jews who run away, hid the forest, hid on Aryan papers, or took up arms would have survived. In order to proceed with the extermination the Germans had to identify their victims, isolate them, demoralize them, ship them to the death camps, and conduct a mop-up operation against the enterprising individuals who escaped. The degree, in which the Bystander Nations (Christians) helped the Nazis, determined the Jewish survival rate. Judging from the dismal survival rate, especially in Eastern Europe, the Germans received extensive cooperation from the Bystander Nations.
Christianity and the Perpetrators
. Almost all perpetrators arose from Christian culture and some of them were devout Christians. For example the commandant of Auschwitz Hoess was a devout Catholic, Tiso the President of Slovakia was a Catholic priest. In many camps the killing was suspended on Sundays, so that the murderers could attend Church services. At no time were the killers censured by the religious authorities or denied the last rites in time of their execution.
A noted theologian, Prof. Littell stated:
"It is amazing to me, a Christian theologian, to see how the idea of "the silence of the churches" during the Nazi genocide of the Jews still is passed on. Why couldn't we hear "the silence?" Could it be because of the thunderous adulation accorded the Fuehrer by so many of the church "leaders," leading the mobs that after the Enabling Act passed for repositories of "public opinion?" Cardinal von Galen, actually in some respects one of the better clerics, in MARCH of 1942, in a Pastoral Letter to memorialize those fallen in battle, wrote: "They intended to defeat Bolshevism through a new crusade with the battlecry "God wills it" - as a few years before the liberator Franco in an address in Seville proclaimed Christian goals. They died for Europe, to hold back the threatening red flood and to create a protecting wall for the entire western world." There are many similar documents in the record. We may regret deeply the self-deception and misreading of the historical situa- tion that led to the churches' - and not just the German! - optimism about Hitler, but have we now come to a time of re-writing history? The bitter truth is that the Christians faithful unto death - Bonhoeffer, Lichtenberg, Delp, Jaegerstaetter, von Moltke - were FEW IN NUMBER, and almost universally abandonned by the Princes of the Church and other Eminenten of the established churches.
Conclusions:
Christianity does not bear a historical responsibility for the Holocaust, but because of the anti-Semitism it fostered, Christianity bears a moral responsibility for the supporting roles or inaction of the Christian population during the Shoah, and for the general indifference and silence of the Christian Churches
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
