Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Ministers, wake up
In recent weeks, we saw a wave of dismissals within Hamas’ military wing. Division commanders, brigade commanders, and lower ranking officers were dismissed and replaced. This is merely the tip of the iceberg of the process of drawing lessons from Operation Cast Lead.
The Palestinian media is dealing with this wave of dismissals because it cannot be hidden. Yet behind the scenes, the lessons are even more far-reaching.
Hamas is admitting to itself that it failed terribly on every front: Defense, offense, and in terms of public relations. The main lesson on the offensive front is that firing rockets on peripheral Israeli communities won’t bear the desired fruit. Hamas needs weapons systems that can reach central Israel. And it will get them. It may take six months or a year, but Hamas is working on it.
The Israeli-Egyptian cooperation on curbing smuggling efforts is delaying Hamas’ plans, but eventually they will find the way.
For the time being, Gaza is quiet. Operation Cast Lead paralyzed it. About 90% of Hamas’ military industries were destroyed. The scars of the destruction and defeat have been etched into the consciousness. As long as Hamas does not find an effective operational solution, the quiet will continue.
This quiet is the wet dream of any Israeli politician: Quiet in exchange for quiet. No need to do anything. No need to sign deals or agree on a long-term or short-term ceasefire. No need to open the crossings.
Nothing. If we wake up in a year or two and discover that they have rockets that can reach Tel Aviv, we will think what needs to be done then. If the Iron Dome anti-rocket system won’t solve the problem, we’ll destroy Gaza again.
This is the policy that the Netanyahu-Barak government inherited from its predecessors: Israel does not solve problems, it merely puts out fires.
Time to talk
The army delivered the goods. It created deterrence both on the Gaza front and on the northern front. Meanwhile, the American train to a deal in the Middle East is on its way, the strategic cooperation with Egypt is unprecedented, Jordan has relaxed in respect to its anxiety vis-à-vis Iran’s fundamentalism, the Syrians are seeks bridges to the US, and Hariri won the Lebanese elections. Our strategic situation isn’t bad at all. Why should we do anything?
Yet it is precisely now, when it’s quiet on the northern front, when Israel is in a position of power, when we have deterrence vis-à-vis Hezbollah, that we should be talking. This is the time, for example, to enter negotiations with Hariri in Lebanon – via the Americans – on Ghajar and the Shebaa Farms. After all, nobody thinks they belong to us. The Shebaa Farms can serve as a lever for changing the atmosphere vis-à-vis the Syrians as well, and for boosting Hariri’s regime and our American allies, who are building the Lebanese Army together. Why do we need to wait for another Hezbollah rocket barrage to start talking?
And what are we doing with the quiet in Gaza? Nothing. Gaza has been erased from the headlines and from our consciousness. This is the time to intensively renew the negotiations with Abbas. To give him, in cooperation with the Americans, strong cards to use vis-à-vis Hamas. The West Bank is starting to prosper. This is the time to start pushing the Gaza Strip’s rehabilitation project – via the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah.
Why shouldn’t we give this prize to Abbas? After all, this rehabilitation project will eventually be carried out, yet if we don’t get involved, Hamas will take the reins and Israel and the PA will have no say in what goes on there. Not to mention the expected clash vis-à-vis the European Union.
In order to facilitate the rehabilitation process, this is the time to reach an orderly long-term ceasefire agreement – via the Egyptians – vis-à-vis Hamas. Time to open the crossings and let goods into the Strip under Israeli monitoring. Precisely now is the time to do it, when we’re riding high. This is also the time to finalize the Shalit deal, which has been largely finalized already. Negotiator Hagai Hadas doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel; he needs to get a mandate from the government to close the deal.
So, government ministers, wake up.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Israel to Hit Iran 'as Part of Deal including Yesha Evictions'
“This is preparation that should be taken seriously,” the unnamed source told the London Times. “Israel is investing time in preparing itself for the complexity of an attack on Iran.”
“These maneuvers are a message to Iran that Israel will follow up on its threats,” he emphasized.
The exercises “come at a time when Western diplomats are offering support for an Israeli strike on Iran in return for Israeli concessions on the formation of a Palestinian state,” the Times said. It quoted an nanonymous British official as saying that if the deal completed, it would make an Israeli strike on Iran realistic “within the year.”
Diplomats said that Israel had offered concessions “on settlement policy, Palestinian land claims and issues with neighboring Arab states, to facilitate a possible strike on Iran. “ A senior European diplomat, also unnamed, said that “Israel has chosen to place the Iranian threat over its settlements.”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in a news conference Wednesday that the ships passed through the canal with Egypt’s permission, and that “ships may pass through the canal as long as they do not threaten the country which controls the canal.” He noted that the international agreements regulating which ships may pass through the Suez Canal date back to 1888.
The two Saar-class ships, INS Eilat and INS Chanit, sailed into the Red Sea Wednesday in what was the report described as “a clear signal that Israel was able to put its strike force within range of Iran at short notice.”
Ten days earlier, a Dolphin-class submarine with nuclear-missile strike capabilities passed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea as well. Later reports said it, too, was accompanied by two Israeli missile boats – meaning that four missile boats have now crossed the canal. Israel has six Dolphin-class submarines, three of which are believed to carry nuclear missiles, the Times said.
Later this month, the Israel Air Force will hold long-range exercises in the U.S. and will test a missile defense shield at a U.S. missile range in the Pacific Ocean.
While local Israeli media have played up alleged tensions between Egypt and Israel over past statements by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, the Times report says that Israel “has strengthened ties with Arab nations who also fear a nuclear-armed Iran” and quotes an Israeli diplomat who said that relations with Egypt, in particular, have grown increasingly strong this year over the “shared mutual distrust of Iran.”
The report estimates that Israel’s missile-equipped submarines and its fleet of advanced aircraft could simultaneously strike at more than a dozen nuclear-related targets in Iran.
The Arrow interceptor system that will be tested in the Pacific is designed to defend Israel from ballistic missile attacks by Iran and Syria. According to Lt.-Gen. Patrick O’Reilly, Director of the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency, this month’s test will be against a target with a range of more than 1,000km. This range is too long for testing in the eastern Mediterranean, where Israel held its previous tests of the Arrow.
The Israeli Air Force, meanwhile, will send F16C fighter jets to participate in exercises at Nellis Air Force base in Nevada later this month, and Israeli C130 Hercules transport aircraft will participate in the Rodeo 2009 competition at the McChord Air Force base in Washington.
“It is not by chance that Israel is drilling long-range maneuvers in a public way. This is not a secret operation. This is something that has been published and which will showcase Israel’s abilities,” an Israeli defense official said.
Children of Hevron
In sharp contrast, the Jews of Hevron are surrounded by scores of frenzied, terrorist series killers. Yet, they seem to fear nothing other than The Almighty. During a recent visit to Hevron, I visited a local cheder (religious boys' elementary school), curious to find out how the little guys - Israel's unsung heroes - are holding up under the pressure of their environment.
I was amazed to find calm, happy, well-adjusted, and highly-motivated children. They all knew their studies by heart, and were more than willing to tell me about this week's Torah portion, recite their mishnayos, or elaborate on Hevron's history.
What makes these little kids so stable, living in the eye of a hurricane? The answer is simple: uncompromising Torah education, simple and steadfast faith, and parents who are living examples of dedication to G-d, the Jewish people, and the Land of Israel.
Hashem is sending a stiff warning, Mister Obama (Psalm 105:16): "Don't touch My anointed, and don't harm My prophets!" If you do, a lot more than your teleprompter will smash all around you.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Palestinians of Jewish Origin
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Israeli Economy a Draw for North American Immigrants
(IsraelNN.com)
"For the first time in history, the Israeli economy is looking better than the American economy", says Danny Oberman, executive vice president of operations at Nefesh B'Nefesh. A leading organization which finds and assists Jews wishing to make Aliyah [immigration to Israel], the group has reported an average of 25 new inquiries each day from people looking to begin the application process. "We are seeing an unprecedented level of interest from North America," says Oberman, "and it's not just people who have lost their jobs but people who don't see a serious upside in the near future."
Powered by WebAds
Click here to hear interview with Oberman.
For young singles and couples, the advantages afforded by Israel's current economic edge are especially appealing. The job market is wider for recent university graduates, and families with young children can find more affordable Jewish or college education in Israel than back in the U.S. and Canada. Israeli health insurance, free for between the first six to 12 months for new arrivals and amounting to $50 to $100 a month after that, is also a cheaper option than many health insurance plans in the U.S.
Immigrants also are given a discount on car purchases and are eligible for free education if they are under the age of 27. For those generating income from overseas, no taxes are taken for the first 10 years of residence. These lower costs, combined with an overly burdened and strained American economy, are enticing more North American Jews than ever to emigrate.
In 2008, Nefesh B'Nefesh reported that 3,000 immigrants to Israel were from North America. This year, the organization is expecting upwards of 4,000.
"What we're seeing is…people who had considered Aliyah, people who had visited Israel in the past, people who had a connection, but who stayed in North America because they were doing well; they were comfortable," says Oberman. Now, however, with Israel faring considerably better in the global economic crisis, families are in a better position than before to line up their ideological and fiduciary concerns.
"Anybody who has visited here has seen that the opportunities here, and the ways kids are brought up and the social environment is different than North America. It's a healthy environment… For anyone who's looking for a different set of values, Israel's definitely an option."
Secular Pilot Sings Settlers' Praises
(IsraelNN.com) Lt.-Col. (res.) Danny Baz, a secular Israel Air Force pilot from Herzliya, says the Jewish pioneers of Judea and Samaria are Israel’s strategic weapon.
In an open letter published in several sources in recent weeks, Baz writes, “Most of us do not have the tools to understand the greatness of the strategic and historic contribution of the settlers; if we are still here in a few hundred years, our descendants will be able to chalk this up to the settlers’ credit.”
Excerpts from the letter:
Many years ago, I flew low over Judea and Samaria, and a strange sensation filled my body. A totally secular Jew, a lover of Israel – I thought I saw angels… Later on, I realized that what I had seen was angels and the sons of angels who were sent, by holy destiny, to save the land of our forefathers from gentiles and from the lost souls of our own nation.
I did not see the angel Gabriel, nor Michael or Raziel. I saw angels who are even more important to Israel: the settlers!
Don’t raise your eyebrows, don’t make a face, and don’t worry about my mental health… All I ask is that you open your eyes and peel your ears, and perhaps you too will understand that in light of the dangers that face us, these are not regular angels… These are people who are there so that in the future, we will be able to say with pride, ‘These are our borders, this is our land, we have guarded over the inheritance of our forefathers.’
The settlers are a very important part of the State of Israel’s array of deterrence, and their value is no less than our nuclear arsenal (according to foreign sources, of course).
The settlers carry on their shoulders a historic task, one that can be compared to the beginning of Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel in the times of Joshua bin Nun – a heroic period in which those first settlers carved out the image of the Land of Israel. This is precisely what is happening now in Judea and Samaria. The Divinely-sent settlers are the ones who will end up determining the future border of the Land of Israel.
The settlers are the true Zionism. This is the religious Zionism that some of us in the secular world love to hate and see as the root of all our troubles with the anti-Zionist Western nations. Religious Zionism has some amazing people, fighters and men of spirit that only a nation like Israel is worthy of being blessed with.
Only history will judge how very important was their tremendous contribution to the Nation of Israel.
With the blessing of Am Yisrael Chai (The People of Israel Live),
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Arutz 7 – The Next Best Thing to Being There
Yesterday, we saw that a Jew can only achieve optimum spiritual and mental health in the Land of Israel, though the higher attachment to Clal Yisrael and to Hashem that the Land of Israel affords.
In the continuation of his essay, Rabbi Kook explains:
"Revelations of holiness, on whatever level, are clean in Eretz Yisrael, according to their value; while outside the Land of Israel, they are mixed with abundant dross and Kleipot."
In an earlier essay in the book, “Orot,” Rabbi Kook explains that there exists a general universal kedusha (holiness) outside the Land of Israel which sustains the rest of the world (“Orot,” 1:3). The environment there, however, is spiritually polluted, and even halachically impure (Shabbat 14B; Nazir 54B, Tosefot beginning, “Eretz…”).
When kedusha (holiness) descends into the world in Chutz L'Aretz (outside the Land of Israel) it is immediately attacked by the impure “kleipot” and forces of evil which reign there. The Hebrew word סיגים which Rabbi Kook uses, refers to the dross that forms on the surface of molten metal. “Kleipot” is a Kabbalistic concept, translated as shells or husks. It refers to shells of impurity and evil which surround and imprison sparks of exiled holiness. The nations of the world are the “kleipot” of the Nation of Israel, just as “Chutz L'Aretz” is the kleipah of Eretz Yisrael. “Kleipot” such as the lower celestial beings which Hashem has set to rule over the gentile nations create barriers to holiness. Forces of evil are given free reign, creating the impure cultures, religions, and governments which dominate world history.
For example, what is the cultural world of America? Mickey Mouse, George Washington, Billy Graham, baseball, Christmas trees, Barbie dolls, comic books, Hollywood, Wall Street, slam dunks, marijuana, abortions, and Aids. Where is there holiness? Where is there something Jewish?
Outside of the Land of Israel, holiness is mixed up with polluted forces. The result is mixed dating, mixed marriages, and a mixed-up orientation to Torah. The Gemara says that because a Torah scholar in Chutz L'Aretz lives in a place of darkness, he speaks dark confused words (Pesachim 34B). In the Diaspora, one cannot be sure whether inspiration is true or false. For this reason, the Gaon of Vilna refused to receive the celestial messengers who visited him. Divine emanations outside the Land of Israel are polluted, not because they descend in that manner from heaven, but because they become contaminated upon contact with the dross and kleipot in the air of the nations. And even if they were to be pure, the thinking and imaginative faculties of a Jew in Chutz L'Aretz are not pure enough to receive them. Thus, Avraham Avinu is commanded to leave Haran and journey to Eretz Yisrael; Moshe Rabainu is commanded to bring the Jews up from Egypt to the Promised Land; and the celestial “Magid” tells the “Beit Yosef” to go to the Holy Land before their Divine conversation can continue, as we saw in yesterday’s blog.
"However, according to the magnitude of an individual's yearning for and connection to Eretz Yisrael, his contemplations become clear due to the foundation of the air of Eretz Yisrael which hovers over everyone who desires to see her."
What is "the foundation of the air of Eretz Yisrael which hovers over everyone who desires to see her"? This is a concept which Rabbi Kook explains in greater depth in essay six of “Orot.” The special "air of Eretz Yisrael" refers to a Gemara which states that "the air in Eretz Yisrael causes wisdom" (Baba Batra 158B). Not only is the Land of Israel holy - the air is holy too. The atmosphere of Israel is pure, without the polluted kleipot and polluted husks of the galut (exile). In Eretz Yisrael, the connection between the individual Jew and Hashem is direct, as the Torah testifies: "The eyes of the Lord are upon it from the beginning of the year till the end" (Devarim, 11:12). The purity of this direct attachment brings wisdom. And the beginning of this wisdom is to understand that life outside of the Land of Israel is detrimental to the spiritual health of a Jew.
One might wonder - if the air in Israel grants wisdom, why are not all Israelis bursting with Torah? Mainly because the Redemption of the Jewish People from the political, cultural, mental, and spiritual bondage of 2000 years of exile amongst the gentiles is a slow, gradual process requiring patience and diligent work. We should remember that in the days of Ezra, the return of the Jews to Israel was plagued with intermarriage and spiritual decline (Ezra, 9:1-2). Only gradually did the returning exiles form into a flourishing Torah society. As the prophecy of Redemption in the book of Ezekiel implies, the spiritual cleansing from the impurities of galut is a process of T’shuva (repentance) which can take generations to complete (Ezekiel, 36: 24-28).
However, one should not underestimate the wisdom of Israel's population, even today. Not only is Israel the Torah center of the world, every ordinary citizen comprehends that the Jewish People need their own sovereign nation and Land. This national awareness is a great understanding. It is a wisdom which elevates a man above his private life to the recognition that he is more than his passing, individual existence, who lives to satisfy his personal pleasures and wants. For this reason, even people on the extreme political left in Israel are prepared to give their lives defending the country.
The wisdom which the air of Israel affords is not only limited to the Jews who live in Israel, but, as Rabbi Kook tells us, it "hovers over everyone who yearns to see her." You do not have to be in Israel to be graced by its wisdom. Every Jew who yearns to live there has a share in its secret treasures (Ketubot 75A, beginning, “But of Zion…” see Rashi there). By yearning to be united with the soil of Eretz Yisrael, a person attaches himself to the soul of Clal Yisrael (the entire community of Israel), and is uplifted in its magnified light. In his or her attachment to the Land, he is freed from all kleipot and lower celestial forces. His soul ceases to be a private Diaspora soul and is transformed into the transcending, Divine soul of the Nation.
The meaning of yearning to see Eretz Yisrael is when a person truly longs to be there. If a Jew prays in the morning for the ingathering of the exiles, and does not think about Israel again until the next time he opens a prayer book, chances are that he is not really yearning (Kuzari, 2:24). If, on the other hand, his desire to live in Israel is an active, constant passion that he would act on if he could, then he merits to share in the Land's special blessings.
This is certainly true of many INN readers who click on every day to see what is happening in Israel. Their bodies are physically in exile, but their minds are bathing electronically in the air of Jerusalem.
Rabbi Kook tells us that the ability to share in the wisdom of Eretz Yisrael "hovers" over everyone who yearns to see her. The word "hovers" denotes something of a temporary nature, something which lacks permanence, something which comes and goes. A lifeline to Eretz Yisrael exists in galut, but it is not as permanent and lasting as being in Israel itself.
Once, as a youth, Rabbi Kook was asked how he enjoyed learning in the famous Volozhin Yeshiva in Russia, under the tutelage of the “Netziv,” author of the "Emek Davar."
"It is like being in Eretz Yisrael," Rabbi Kook answered. It is "like" being in Eretz Yisrael, because of the Rosh Yeshiva's ardent love for the Land of Israel - but it is not the real thing.
Rabbi Kook ends his essay with a verse from the prophet Isaiah:
"Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her" (Isaiah, 66:10).
Jerusalem is the meeting point between heaven and earth. It is the place of the Shekhina (the Divine Presence), and the eternal capital of Clal Yisrael. Not only those who reside in Jerusalem are able to experience her joy, but also all those who love her and seek her well-being with all of their hearts. The Jew who mourns over the destruction of Jerusalem, and over the exile of the nation from Eretz Yisrael, is the one who can participate in her great joy when her banished children return (Taanit 30B).
Thus, if a Jew longs to be closer to G-d; if he wants to be faithful to his thoughts, his talents, his creativity, and full spiritual potential, the place to live is the Land of Israel, at home, ever close to Jerusalem, in the holy Land, absorbing the holy air of our Forefathers, rooted in the higher, Divine life of the Clal.
The Land of Prophecy
“It is impossible for a Jew to be devoted and faithful to his contemplations, logical deductions, conceptualizations, and imaginations, when he is outside the Land of Israel, compared to the quality of their faithfulness in Eretz Yisrael.”
Thus writes Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak HaCohen Kook in the fourth essay of the book, “Orot.” The essay continues:
"Revelations of holiness, on whatever level, are clean in Eretz Yisrael, according to their value; while outside the Land of Israel, they are mixed with abundant dross and Kleipot.
“However, according to the magnitude of an individual's yearning for and connection to Eretz Yisrael, his contemplations become clear due to the foundation of the air of Eretz Yisrael which hovers over everyone who desires to see her.
"Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her."
Over the next two blogs, we will try to explain Rabbi’s Kook’s essay, relying on the commentary that I was privileged to write with the distinguished Torah scholar, Rabbi David Samson, in our book, “Lights on Orot,” which examines Rabbi Kook’s teachings on Eretz Yisrael.
Rabbi Kook begins by telling us that a Jew cannot be faithful to his thoughts, logic, ideas, and imagination outside the Land of Israel. When we understand the reasons for this, we can more readily comprehend why Eretz Yisrael is a vital foundation to the mental health of every Jew.
There is a famous story concerning the Gaon of Vilna which is related by his student, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin (Introduction to “Safra D’Zniuta”). “Magidim,” or Heavenly messengers, would regularly visit the Gaon, but he repeatedly refused to listen to them. He would not even glance at their heavenly form. When one of these messengers came to reveal Torah secrets to Rabbi Chaim's brother, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman, the Vilna Gaon commanded the Torah scholar not to receive him, or even glance at his celestial radiance. Rabbi Zalman asked why not - after all, the “Beit Yosef,” Rabbi Yosef Caro, author of the “Shulchan Aruch,” had a “Magid” who informed him of secrets from heaven. The Gaon of Vilna answered that, first of all, the “Beit Yosef” had lived several hundred years before, and secondly, he had made aliyah to Eretz Yisrael. The Gaon told Rabbi Zalman that outside of the Land of Israel, it is impossible to receive heavenly messengers without the polluted interference and Kleipot of Chutz L'Aretz (the Diaspora, lit. outside the Land). Heavenly information can only be properly received in its purity in Eretz Yisrael. This is why when a “Magid” first appeared to Rabbi Yosef Caro in Turkey, he told him to go to Eretz Yisrael if he wanted to continue their conversation (“Shlah HaKadosh” on Shavuot, Pg. 30).
Similarly, when Hashem first appears to Avraham, He tells him to journey to the Land that He will show him - the Land uniquely created to afford a special connection to G-d. Only in Eretz Yisrael can Avram be transformed into Avraham in order to fulfill his potential of leading mankind to the true knowledge of G-d. Only in Eretz Yisrael can he produce the offspring who will become the foundation for a holy nation destined to bring the word of G-d to the world.
Hashem created the Jewish people and the Land of Israel for each other. He created Eretz Yisrael with the spiritual and material properties uniquely suited for the life of His holy nation (Kuzari, 2:12). Put a Chinaman in Paris, and he seems out of place. Take a Jew out of Israel, and put him in Egypt, Babylon, Rome, Spain, Germany, Russia, or Brooklyn - as much as he strives to fit in, he simply does not belong.
We have mentioned on several occasions how the Ramban describes the very real differences between the spiritual environment of Eretz Yisrael and the Diaspora (Ramban on the Torah, Vayikra, 18:25). Outside of the Land of Israel, lesser celestial forces rule over the nations. The idol worship and hedonistic cultures they breed contaminate the environment. This spiritual pollution pervades the very air.
The world's preoccupation with sex, violence, money, adultery, robbery, Christianity, and murder all stem from the spiritual impurity found in the gentile lands. Outside of the Land of Israel, the physical world reigns supreme, cut off from the spirit. The quest for physical pleasure, fame, honor, and wealth all come to fill up the vacuum created by the distance from G-d.
Therefore, Rabbi Kook tells us that it is impossible for a Jew to be faithful to his true creative, intellectual, imaginative life when he is outside of the Land of Israel. The spiritual and cultural pollution enters his psyche and distorts his world of perception.
If, as Rabbi Kook asserts, a Jew cannot be true to his thoughts, intellect, ideas, and imagination outside of the Land of Israel - how are we to explain the magnitude of Jewish creativity and achievement in the Diaspora? Jews have excelled in all fields: in literature, song, comedy, theater, filmmaking, journalism, philosophy, law, science, medicine, government, banking, and the list goes on and on. The answer is that this outstanding creativity does not represent our unique Israeli creativity, but rather, as part of the general world inspiration which we share with all of mankind.
What then is this true Israeli creativity in thought and idea? “Emunah,” the true Torah belief in G-d, and prophecy, and the ability to bring sanctity to both the spiritual and physical worlds. This is why Avraham had to journey to Eretz Yisrael to become a Jew. To become complete in his worship of G-d, he had to dwell in the Land of prophecy and faith (Kuzari, 2:14), where spirituality and physicality combine.
Complete Jewish health and wholeness can be attained only in Eretz Yisrael. On the verse, "And Yaacov came Shalem to the city of Shechem" (Bereshit, 33:18), the Gaon of Vilna explains the word “Shalem” in its meaning of wholeness, and says that Yaacov was not complete until he came to Eretz Yisrael (“Kol HaTor,” 3:7).
Rabbi Avraham Azuli was the Rabbi of Hevron some 400 years ago. In his book, “Chesed L'Avraham,” he writes that when a Jew comes to the Land of Israel, he receives a new soul. The soul of the exile leaves him, and he undergoes a spiritual transplant. The egocentric soul which characterized his private, individual life in the fractured world of galut (exile) is exchanged for the exalted soul of Clal Yisrael (the entire community of Israel). His aliyah to Israel is an aliyah of the soul. In the Land of Israel, he becomes attached to the Divine soul and life of the Nation. In Rabbi Azuli's terminology, Yaacov's wholeness came only upon receiving his new soul of Clal Yisrael upon returning to the Land of Israel. Only in his attachment to the Clal could he earn his new name and calling - Yisrael.
Elsewhere in OROT, Rabbi Kook writes: "The general soul of Knesset Yisrael does not rest on the individual except in Eretz Yisrael, and the moment a person comes to Eretz Yisrael, his private soul is nullified before the great light of the general soul which enters him; and its exalted content exerts its influence whether he wants and recognizes its effect, or whether he does not want it, or is not aware of its value" (“Orot,” Orot Yisrael, 7:18).
Just by his living in Israel, a Jew attaches himself to the higher life of the NATION. The more he recognizes his new spiritual status, and the more he strives to unite with the Clal, the greater his elevation will be. As Rabbi Kook writes: "Whoever has a greater love for the Land of Israel, and whoever exerts himself more ardently in the settlement of the Holy Land, he is blessed first, and he is closer to perfection" (“Hazone HaGeula,” Chapter One).
Certainly, a Jew can be intelligent and imaginative in the Diaspora. But only on a personal, individual level. His creativity, no matter how gifted he may be, is limited to his own personal talents. In Israel, by attaching himself to the Nation, his intellectual and imaginative faculties are uplifted to the higher realm of the Clal, where the pure spring of Israeli inspiration flows freely. The unique Clal Yisrael talent which combines thoughts, logical reasonings, ideas, and imagination, is now open to him. This is prophecy, the special creative “segula” (treasure) of the Jewish People. It is the unique Israeli creativity which unites the spiritual and physical worlds by bringing the word of G-d down to earth.
Only in Eretz Yisrael can the people of Israel be steeped in the Ruach HaKodesh (Divine Inspiration) which rests on the nation as a whole. As Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi in the “Kuzari” makes clear, Eretz Yisrael is the unique land of prophecy, and “Am Yisrael” is the nation of prophets (Kuzari, 4:17).
Thus, when Rabbi Kook writes about Israel's creative potential, he is not only talking about art, poetry, music, or literature. He is referring to the inner creative power of Clal Yisrael which finds its highest expression in prophecy. This is a Jew's inheritance as a member of Clal Yisrael. Along with the genetic foundations of our bodies, we have spiritual genes as well. We are the children of prophets. The Hebrew letters which abound in our souls are our double-helixes of prophecy. Through his connection with Clal Yisrael, every Jew has the capability of experiencing G-d on an enhanced spiritual level - if not as a prophet, then on whatever level of “Ruach HaKodesh” which he or she can attain.
Unlike Western cultures which exalt the individual ego and the unfettered reign of the id, a Jew is to find his life's deepest meaning by connecting his life to the eternal life of the Nation (“Orot HaTorah,” 13:7). Through his devotion to the higher life of his people, he attains his true individual calling. The Divine Inspiration which rests on the Clal opens his vistas toward the horizons of transcendental expression.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Cherry-picking at Sde Kalev in Hebron
Includes interview with Menachem Livni, owner of Sde Kalev
Click here to see more photographs
The mother of abducted soldier Gilad Shalit writes open letter to people of Israel
Today, I mark three whole years since we were informed that my son Gilad was captured by Hamas.
I am not one of those people who find it easy to write or speak up. I was never like that and I cannot change. I am still Aviva, Gilad’s mother and the mother of Yoel and Hadas, who seek to live a quiet life in Mitzpe Hila in the Galilee.
For three years now I’ve been by my husband Noam’s side, trying to do everything possible in order to demand that decision-makers secure my son’s release. For three years now I attempted to bring the pain, confusion, and frustration to the attention of the entire public. Indeed, I hold back the tears, and I cannot scream.
I know that many people say that we are “noble” and admire the “quiet demeanor” we supposedly display. Others ask us: “Why don’t you raise a hue and cry?” And I’ll tell you the truth: We have not trained to become different than we are. We also did not intend to be noble.
Is this why the State is taking its time? Does the fact that we have shown faith in the State undermine Gilad? Is a State supposed to take quick decisions only because it is prompted to do so by a family’s fight for its son? Especially when this State is obligated to this son, who was sent on its behalf of perform a mission?
I feel great pain, but I will not be describing the nights and days that have continued for three years now. I am turning to you, our precious nation; a nation that has been showering us with love and enveloping us with great support.
Please, help us prompt the current leadership to do what needs to be done and bring Gilad back home. We only wish to return to our anonymity, to the life of a normal family that does not seek the limelight.
I am turning to you based on the knowledge that Gilad has become the son of an entire nation. I thank all of you for every expression of solidarity. Please accept my deep gratitude, even if I cannot travel to every community I am invited to.
This evening, at 7 pm, we shall gather again on behalf of Gilad outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, in order to again say: “Enough!”
I know that it isn’t easy, yet I hope to see you with us, marking this day in support of the call of a mother and father to the State and its leaders: Release our son, release Gilad; Show everyone that around here we do not abandon our children.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Jewish Leadership Movement
Who Are We?
Simply Jews.
We are simply Jews, with no added definitions. We do not call ourselves Orthodox, Conservative or Reform - neither "right-wing" nor "left-wing." Like the overwhelming majority of Jews, we believe in G-d, Who has brought us back to our Jewish home; the Holy Land of Israel. In Israel, the natural predisposition of the Jewish People to illuminate the world with God's light is brought to perfection, enabling us to perform our task in the most consummate way.
Our aim is to create a genuinely Jewish consciousness in the Land of Israel, motivated by the awareness that our faith and our country are intrinsically woven together. An Israeli society predicated on Jewish faith - the Torah - is an ethical and loving society whose ultimate goal is to illuminate the entire world with God's benevolence.
The Modern State of Israel in Crisis
The Zionist movement, which founded the modern State of Israel, was a product of the millennia of longing for return to the Land of Israel. However, it was also a product of the times in which it was born. Basing itself on secular 19th century Western values, Zionism came to fill the need for a safe haven for the Jews of the world. Miraculously, the Zionist movement succeeded in building the complete infrastructure of a modern state - replete with a strong army, high tech, immigration absorption etc. out of the wilderness.
In its essence, though, the secular Zionism on which Israel was built negates holiness. In doing so, it has stripped itself of the tools necessary to reflect the Jewish nature of Israel and its ultimate holy purpose.
We are now witnessing a complete unraveling of the fabric of Israeli society. The very Zionist ideology that built the modern state of Israel has now turned against itself as it seeks to counter its Biblical roots and Divine purpose. This self-destructive bent is the ultimate conclusion of the secular ideology upon which Zionism is based.
The Essential Question: Is Israel a State of Jews - or a Jewish State?
Until now Israel has been a state of the Jews. It is vital to our future to transform Israel into a Jewish state. Israel's elected officials must lead the country with policies based exclusively on Jewish identity, values and ethics.
An Alternative
In 1994, Moshe Feiglin began the Zo Artzeinu ("This is Our Land") protest movement that opposed the self-destructive Oslo Accords with a massive civil disobedience campaign.
It became clear, though, that it was not enough to protest; we had to offer a fundamental alternative - a new strategic objective - in place of the process of collapse that gave rise to the Oslo Accords. Such an alternative would need to be based on both an alternative ideology that would inspire the nation and possess the means for implementation.
Faith-Based Leadership
There is only one way to truly imbue the State of Israel with the meaning it deserves and needs: to promote an alternative leadership for the State of Israel that is based on Jewish belief. Only leadership motivated by an authentically Jewish vision will be capable of meeting all the challenges currently facing the State of Israel and the Jewish People. Only leadership of this kind will be capable of reinvigorating the State of Israel and the Jewish People and leading it towards the realization of the vision of the prophets.
Leadership of the Likud
In 1998, Manhigut Yehudit (The Jewish Leadership Movement) was established as the successor to Zo Artzeinu. Our aim is to register thousands of believing members in the Likud - the ruling party of the National Camp - and to elect a party leader who will be motivated by Jewish ideals and values. As the Likud's candidate for Prime Minister, this candidate would be the natural leader of the national camp and would be elected as the Prime Minister of the State of Israel.
What began as a dream has become a reality. Already today, Manhigut Yehudit (The Jewish Leadership Movement) has the largest bloc inside the Likud's Central Committee. In a very short time we became known as the group that "does not come with a price tag." Our weapon is our ideology and tens of thousands of supporters have already joined our ranks. Many Israelis throughout the political spectrum believe that we are the future of Israel's political life and the path we have chosen is correct and viable.
Our Future
With firm faith in the God of Israel, Manhigut Yehudit (The Jewish Leadership Movement) is confident that our future is bright. Indeed the totality of our strategic goals could be summed up in a single phrase from the traditional Aleynu prayer recited daily:
To perfect the world in the kingdom of the Almighty.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Settling the Land of Israel
An eternal, never-changing Torah commandment.
Equal to All of the Mitzvot
The sages teach (Sifri, Re'eh 53), "The mitzvah of settling the Land of Israel is equal to all of the other mitzvot in the Torah." This is due to the fact that, in addition to its own inherent value, the mitzvah of settling the Land of Israel serves as a foundation for the healthy national existence of the Jewish people. Such an existence allows the Jewish people - a people whose task it is to spread faith in God and the Divine word - to bring about the perfection of the entire world. It is for this reason that the prophets of Israel prophesied at length regarding the settlement and burgeoning of the Land of Israel; the poets crowned her with a thousand crowns, and all of the great rabbis longed to reach her soil.
This mitzvah also embodies the principle of unity and love among the Jewish people, because it is fulfilled by the people and for the people.
So central is the commandment to settle the Land of Israel that the Torah instructs us to risk our lives in order to conquer and hold on to the Land (Minchat Chinukh 425). The Torah even permits violating certain aspects of Sabbath in order to hold on to her - even if just to purchase one house (Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chaim 307:5). In extreme cases, the Torah even allows for divorce in order to fulfill this commandment (Shulchan Arukh, Even HaEzer 75:4).
Religious Zionism
The commandment to settle the Land of Israel - i.e., that the Land be in our hands, and not left barren - has always served as the foundation and underpinning of religious Zionism's approach to Aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel), settlement, defense and state. It lies behind our viewing today's events as the "first flowering of our redemption" as foreseen by the prophets.
True to this philosophy, all religious-Zionist educational institutions educate toward love of the nation, the land and the state; they advocate sharing the burden of military service, economic and social responsibility, and participation in all aspects of Jewish life, and in the entire Jewish world. In the words of Rabbi Moshe Sofer, the Chatam Sofer (on Sukkah 36): Any action or enterprise that serves to advance Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel is included in this mitzvah.
Joining Forces With Irreligious
With the appearance of modern Zionism, an intense dispute arose among rabbis. The debate centered on the question: Is it permissible to join forces with irreligious elements of the Zionist movement?
Because of the great importance of the mitzvah of settling the Land of Israel, and despite the great difficulties involved, our prestigious and eminent rabbis concluded that such cooperation was indeed necessary; this was the path that must be taken in order to settle the Land and harken the redemption of Israel. This was the position taken by renowned Torah authorities such as Rabbi Kook, Rabbi Reines, Rabbi Herzog, Rabbi Amiel, Rabbi Uziel, Rabbi Adaya, Rabbi Ratah, Rabbi Charlap, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook, and others.
Prohibition Against Uprooting
It is clear, then, that participating in any sort of action that aims at violating this great mitzvah - a mitzvah that guides our every step and for which we are willing to sacrifice so much - is forbidden.
Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook and Rabbi Shlomo Goren, of blessed memory, thus ruled that it is forbidden to hand over portions of the Land of Israel to non-Jews, not to mention uprooting a Jewish settlement for this purpose.
When, in time, the question arose as to what ought to be done in a situation where a ruling of the Israeli government clashes with the essential commandment to settle the Land of Israel, it was declared that there is clear and unquestionable preference for the law of the Torah. Eternal, never-changing Torah commandments take precedence over any type of government decision, which, by its very nature, is given to change.
This principle holds true not only regarding the commandment to settle the Land of Israel; it is the case
concerning all of the mitzvot of the Torah. It is forbidden to follow the law of a king or government that negates the word of the Torah. Then-Chief Rabbi of the Israeli Defense Forces, Rabbi Shlomo Goren, z.t.l., publicized this ruling and, despite the rebuke of the Chief of Staff, refused to reverse it. The precedent for this ruling can be found in Sanhedrin 49a and in Yad HaChazakah, Hilkhot Melakhim 3:9.
Clearly, it is preferable to do everything possible via the Knesset, the government and the public, in order to prevent the emergence of a ruling which negates such an important mitzvah. Yet, if this is not successful, then it becomes necessary to stand in adamant, passive opposition to the government ruling - a ruling which, in the words of Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook, is "null and void in comparison to the eternal law of the Torah."
Yet, even if we accept the fact that not all Knesset members understand the Halakhic prohibition involved here, how can anyone even consider commanding a Jew, for whom the mitzvah to settle the Land of Israel is so central, to destroy a settlement and to displace its residents? How is it possible to order a Jew to uproot with his own hands the very foundation of his faith? Could their hearts be so hard? Would they even command a person to dislocate his own parents? Are they not ashamed to command a person to assault that which is most dear to him?
Poor Public Image
Many are concerned about the bad image that resistance is liable to cause the settlers of Judea and Samaria. True, the issue of public image must be taken into account; the advice of rabbis and experts must be sought so that people know in what manner to speak and how to act. On the other hand, it must be remembered that it is not always the short-term effect that needs to be taken into consideration; sometimes the value of the long-range lesson is of greater importance. Sometimes, an act which results in severe short-term damage serves the important role of making a clear statement concerning the importance of settling the Land, and impresses upon all the preference of Divine law over transient political rulings.
Even if our efforts to settle the Land do not produce the sort of fruits we would like them to, we, in our determined stand, have at least established the desired goal - and eventually we will reach it. Indeed, Judaism and Torah leaders have followed this path numerous times throughout history.
Fear of a Rift in the Nation
The media's ranting that resisting settlement evacuation causes a rift in the nation is simply untrue. How can passive resistance to participating in civil action possibly have such extreme repercussions? The religious community is overly sensitive to these sorts of attacks and the leaders of the Left, along with the media, take advantage of this sensitivity.
The more we allow ourselves to be flustered by such accusations, the more they will be hurled at us. The more that we argue amongst ourselves and make biting allegations against one another, the more accusations will be made against us by the media. We will be labeled inciters, agitators, and criminals. This is precisely what the media did to Effie Eitam. He made rational and pointed remarks concerning the mass desecration of Sabbath, yet was portrayed as an inciter.
It is important to note that all of the accusations insinuating that somebody permits using violence against soldiers, police officers or anyone are complete lies. Only passive resistance was permitted by rabbis.
And if the Left should Choose to Refuse?
Do we not run the risk that our refusal to follow orders on Halakhic or patriotic grounds will bring in its wake a refusal on the Left to take part in protecting the settlers or conquering the Land of Israel?
In this matter, one must make a distinction between truth and falsehood. Our position is genuine, and based upon both Torah and human rationale. Their position, on the other hand, is based upon mistaken human leanings - of the sort which at one time led men to prostrate before Stalin, the "Sun of the Nations," or later to kiss and embrace Yasser Arafat and his cohorts. We come in the name of moral values that build the nation. Values that call for uprooting settlements and refusing to do battle with the enemy are outright destructive and undermining.
In the same respect, such people could claim that if it is permissible for Jews to sacrifice themselves for Torah
and faith, it is permissible for idolaters to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their beliefs. All of the prophets of Israel cried out against such rationale, for they were able to distinguish the essential differences. We pray to the living God; they pray to wood and stone. Countless sources could be cited to this effect.
The Present Dispute
During the reign of the Rabin government, a practical question arose: Does Halakha permit taking part in the dismantling of settlements and army bases? Leading rabbinical authorities, amongst them Rabbi Goren, Rabbi Yisraeli, Rabbi Yosef Kapach, Rabbi Nerya and Rabbi Shapira ruled that a Jew was obligated to refuse participating in such an action. At present, the question is slightly different: Is the dismantling of outposts considered a definitive act of Torah violation?
There are those who hold that where the intention is to uproot a settlement in order to hand it over to Arabs, then it is clearly a violation of the mitzvah to settle the Land, and one is obligated to refuse participation in such an act; when, however, an outpost whose site will not be given to Arabs is at issue, and opposition to its existence stems from formalities alone, the government's order does not contradict the Torah, and it is permissible to carry out such an act.
Other rabbis, among them myself, hold that the intention of the present dismantling violates the mitzvah to settle the Land of Israel, for it uproots vibrant Jewish settlements and leaves their locations barren. The fact that this act is being carried out, as some claim, for political reasons, certainly does not make it any more acceptable.
At any rate, in light of the above dispute, the Committee of the Rabbis of "Yesha" (Judea and Samaria) publicized the following statement: "We call upon all soldiers to approach their commanding officers with the request that they be released, on conscientious and faith-related grounds, from any activity connected to the evacuation of outposts." In addition they declared that "every outpost in the Land of Israel is seen as a fulfillment of the mitzvah to settle the Land; accordingly, it is forbidden to evacuate such outposts."
What, though, does a soldier do if his commanding officer refuses to respect his request? In this regard there are differing opinions among Halakhic authorities, and each individual must follow the decision of his own rabbi. The Committee of the Rabbis of Yesha plan to convene again in order to reach a clear and unified position on this issue.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Convincing people of The End
I don't want anyone being hounded like fugitives. Please come soon, Jews overseas. Anyone planning to come, please write me if I can help you in any way. Looking up apartments, sending you to job sites here, the Jewish agency, etc.
If you are a small family i can maybe set you up for shabbos here in my area. For those of you that did not read Yehudit's vision about the near future, please read this link, its unbelievably realistic and coincides with what the autistics have been saying as well as what is written about the days before Moshiach in the Torah (see: www.aharit.com)
The link about Yehudit's vision is: http://dreamingofmoshiach.blogspot.com/2007/09/od-yosef-chai-moshiach-ben-yosef.html
Come quickly precious Jews. Even if you are worthy of living in the days of Moshiach, by staying in America until then you are causing yourself and your family unnecessary suffering. This is a huge nissayon from Hashem now and your Rabbis and Rebbes are not going to be the ones to warn you in this generation. Rabbi Elkayam pointed out that in Sefer Yoel (Joel) Chapter 3, verses1-3 it says: "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions;"
2. "And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out My spirit."
In other words the prophecies before Moshiach comes will not come only from the shotim (i.e. the autistics and brain damaged) but also from simple regular people, as we've seen. Saada saw in a dream gog umagog (http://www.torahohr.net/showVideo.php?vid=127) as did Yehudit (mentioned above) and even Nava from Dreaming of Moshaich blog dreamt about this time a couple of years ago. Slowly, slowly, Hashem is revealing to us what is about to occur. It's up to us to open our eyes and our sechel (mind) and prepare now before its too late.
Let's understand better the last page of Masechet Sanhedrin that talks about the time before Moshiach comes.
"Chutzpah yisgeh": there will be a lot of chutzpa (kids to their parents and to adults, people to elderly, etc.)
"Hayoker yaamir": there will be inflation, drop in economy,
"Malchut tehapech leminut": the state (Israel) will be run be seculars and not Torah observant Jews
"chochmat sofrim tisrach veyirei chet yimaesu": the people will mock the words of the gedolim and ignore them, people will have no patience for true Yirei Shamayim Jews.
The rest is easy to understand according to pshat. see there. Sanhedrin 97
Come on everyone. The writing is on the wall. Don't ignore it, please....
