Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Post Election thoughts - Why we lost.

bs"d

Why did the Right lose so badly? The only answer is that we did not speak up for the Covenant.

Everything comes down to the Bible. The Covenant with our forefathers is our source to our right to the Land. Nothing else. We in turn must keep the Commandments.

Yet such talk is considered "extremism", "religious fanaticism", "not politically correct", "paramount to creating a civil war".

All talk about religious freedom and the right to practice our religion in the Land that we consider is ours, and to practice the commandments in the Land that has been promised to us, is ok in theory but when it comes to application, well that's another matter.

There even isn't any brainstorming or talk allowed about what it would be like to have a gov't that is based on Torah. The gov't uses it's heavy hand against the Kahana internet cafe. Shabak does it's secret operations on individuals who talk about a Sanhedrin and Har Habayis. They do their best to intimidate these individuals from speaking and from allowing these ideas to blossom and develop form.

The Torah is not only a legitimate constitution for a gov't and for a political system, it is the only one that is appropriate for the Nation of Israel and the Land of Israel. True it is revolutionary and not put into practice for over 2,000 years.

Torah Jews believe as I do. They perhaps feel that the time is not ripe. Our survival depends on keeping the Torah, standing up for the Covenant and the Mitzvoth of the Torah.

But the process to reach this conclusion can be with pain and suffering or alternatively it could be with fear of the unknown, living like the Jews in the Desert in uncharted territory, working hard to uphold the Mitzvoth of the Torah, standing firm to our right to Eretz Yisroel and keepng the commandments, and above all with strong Emunah and putting our total trust in Hashem. Neither path is easy. The way we are choosing is coming with much tears and pain and sorrow. We choose rather to be expelled then to stand proud and strong and say we wish to live a life of Torah in the Land of Israel. We will do what we must to defend this right. Will this cause a civil war as many predict? In my opinion the opposite will cause a civil war. By allowing evil to win, and experiencing the consequences of allowing evil to prevail we will eventually have good reason to fight our brothers. By standing up strong for the Torah and for G-ds commandments and with strong Emunah, and much prayer, we will be zocheh to much joy at witnessing G-d's salvation coming to us directly. We will be one with our brothers who will clearly see that the Torah and the Mizvoth bring blessings to the entire world and it will surely be said Am Chacham Venavon! We will sing songs of praise and joy at the new found security and in Hashem's blessings as He has promised us in His Torah.

Monday, March 27, 2006

Letter to SHAS AND UTJ continued....

To Shas and UTJ Leadership in response to your decision to perhaps join KADIMA:

"Yes, expellees need your money desperately and you indeed have set up Pesach funds to "ease" the Pain, but your Torah is lip service and by your actions show that Torah is not relevant to today's reality. You have not come out for the Covenant and you are actually willing to be accomplice to those who have impoverished us and wish to do so to 70,000-100,000 others as well. Why have you aligned yourself with evil? What do you gain? Any money from the gov't for Torah education or to support large Torah families is blood money. It is worth speaking out against your willingness to join with a gov't whose actions model after Sodom and Gemorrah at the risk of losing your contributions. I would hope and expect that you too take that risk to speak out against this evil gov't and for the Covenant and for the Mitzvoth of the Torah, many of which can only be practiced on the Land of Israel. If you truly yearned to keep these Mitzvoth there is no way you could even think of giving Eretz Yisroel to any other governing authority that has no obligation, no desire, and no inclination to make this a Land of Kedushah . If you truly felt a yearning for Eretz Yisroel, you wouldn't even consider giving the Land to even a friendly democratic Palestinian State. Because such a secular State can never realize G-d's intention as is clearly expressed in the Torah countless times. UTJ, you are clearly unwilling to rise up to your purpose on this earth, our purpose as the Nation of Israel, to be a Mamlechet Kohanim Vegoy Kadosh for the betterment of all mankind. In fact you have the audacity to even show a willingness to hand it over to those whose actions, education and rhetoric clearly show that they hate the State of Israel, the people of Israel and wish to destroy whatever the people of Israel have built up over the years with their love and toil, sweat and tears for the Land.

Can't you see that your actions are not only hurting Am Yisroel but is detrimental to the entire world. The heavens and earth are the witnesses to the Covenant. They can either be on our side or against us. If we keep the Mitzvoth they can spit out our enemies like from the Yam Suf or Nachal Kishon with the heavens doing their part as well. If we don't keep the Mitzvoth, and how in the world can you keep the Mitvoth like Terumah, Maaser, Leqet SHickcha, Peah, Shemittah etc., if you are willing to give up the Land?

Read carefully the Mitzvoth the Nasi reads at Hakhel which promises security in the Land. Are the Rabbanim at all focusing on these Mitzvoth? Read SHirat Devorah in Shoftim Perek 5. Once Bnei Yisroel fight off the enemies the roads are once again safe. That alone is reason to sing Shira. When Bnei Yisroel chose other G-d's they couldn't even draw water without arrows being shot at them. They felt unprotected in unwalled cities. That is the exact situation today. Kassam rockets, building circuitous roads, building walls. All because Bnei Yisroel did not keep the word of Hashem. Devorah Haniviah gives credit to the The Torah Lawgivers. They were the ones that saved Am Yisroel. I ask you. WHERE ARE the TORAH LAWGIVERS of Today? Devorah Hanivia blasts Shevet Reuvein for their indecision and cowardliness by their wait and see attitude on whether to join the battle against the Canaanim. If the other shevattim would be winning, only then they'd join. Devorah Hanivieh calls for an investigation of their actions. She spares no words for those that picked up their valuables and left the scene of the battle. Her praises are for Shevet Naphtali and Zevulun, Binyamin and others that helped.

And if you don't see any connection with the security situation of today, surrounded by Hamas, Hizbollah, Al Quaieda, Kassam rockets within close proximity to the nuclear plant in Ashkelon area and even the threat of missionaries as not related to our own spiritual decline and alienation from the Torah and the MItzvoth in the Torah, please look again. There is no way you can disconnect from Eretz Yisroel and keep Torah in Galus without serious repercussions. Don't fool yourselves.

All we can say is SHAME ON YOU! SHAME ON YOU!

Friday, March 24, 2006

My Response to SHAS AND UTJ hinting to join with Kadima

ARutz7 reports:


Hareidi UTJ Party Hints: We Will Join Kadima Government
01:54 Mar 24, '06 / 24 Adar 5766


The time has come to challenge their observance of Yiddishkeit. Are all their prayers for Eretz Yisroel simply lip service. Is the Land and the Commandments not relevant? Is the Torah therefore not really relevant to them? Why isn't anyone challenging them? Why aren't National Union and all the Religious Zionists and Manhigut Yehudit challenging these Chareidi parties and beg them to join forces. Why is everyone playing politics instead of trying to keep Torah and Mitzvoth?

SHas and UTJ is unwilling to take that giant, scary step to say that this Land is promised to us and we must keep the Mitzvoth pertaining to the Land. Having a secular gov't is an excuse for them not to take responsibility. They then have the lame excuse, well we weren't in power. What could we have done?

The simple truth is that the Chareidy Leadership are misguiding their followers. They lack sincere yearning for Eretz Yisroel. Their prayers, and Torah Learning are hollow and not for the same of doing. Their actions are in direct conflict with their education. Their children will eventally see through their hypocrocy. Their Torah is not authentic. They lack regard for the Land of Israel and for the Torah and to keep the Mitzvoth in the Torah. Because if they had that strong desire to keep the Mitzvoth then there is no way that they can even contemplate joining with Kadima. SHAME ON YOU!

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Virtual Mishloach Manot - Makeup Consultant

bs"d

To My Dear Friends, Family and Neighbors, amv"sh

This Mishloach Manot to you is focused on Gush Katif VeHashomron, Gam Ani Mitchaber, also I am joined with you, people of Gush Katif and the Shomron. The Mishloach Manot is in an orange manilla envelope with these words in black.

Inside is a Blood Orange, a Carrot and a Hamantash and literature on orange paper. Is this literature too wordy, too long for you? I suppose it is. I bet you have no patience to read it. And my own dishes are piled up in my sink after Shabbos and it's after 5:00am, my eyes are drooping and I would still like to get some sleep. I'm so sorry for burdening you. I wish I didn't have to. But I do.

The bloody orange symbolizes the bloody pogrom at Amona on February 1, 2006. This description is not an exaggeration. See for yourself at the following video clips online.
MOVIES AND ARTICLES EXPOSING THE Amona "POGROM'

and this one

and this one

There are many more live video clips. I will be more than happy to forward the links to you.

Also read a first hand teachers report from Batya in Shiloh on February 7, 2006 "More on Police Violence in Amona. My students told me".

The Carrot is a siman for Sheyigzaru Gezar Dineinu, May the evil decree against the suffering families from Gush Katif and the Shomron be torn up. Acheinu Beyisrael Anachnu Imachem..

The literature includes: A letter to Hakhel USA, a very special organization here in Flatbush, begging them to get involved with current events in Eretz Yisroel.

Also please find an eye witness report by Katrin Levy of the Jewish familes from Gush Katif entitled "Whatever happened to the Jews of Gush Katif?" March 2, 2006. Also worthwhile is to read a March 8th article on Arutz Sheva, "Comptroller´s Report Scathes Disengagement Executors".

Finally there is a beautiful uplifting Torah Message of the month of Adar by Roy Neuberger, author of World Storm and From Central Park to Sinai: How I Found My Jewish Soul. (No web link that I know of)

So what is my own personal response to these very depressing happenings in Eretz Yisroel and around the world?

I have decided to become a makeup consultant. No, I am not joking.

Yes it's true. Yes I barely own any makeup aside from blush (no pun intended) and asked my talented neighbor to do my daughters makeup for her school play. I'm pretty (no pun intended) ignorant about makeup.

But the times have called for extreme measures. Doesn't it say Bizchut Nashim Tzidkaniyot Nigalu Bnei Yisroel MiMitzraim? In the merit of righteous women, the Bnei Yisroel were redeemed from Egypt? So this has become my new calling.

So Ladies, the time has come for us to take out our mirrors...

Wishing you all a very Freilichin Purim...(My husband and children may be totally embarrassed or actually welcome, my new calling I hope that they too will derive benefit - Acne you're out! Being beautiful, that's in) And if I survive this come-on letter, you can call on me regarding your cosmetic needs. I have a wonderful mentor friend by the name of Hannah... After Pesach please!

Esther's Royal Beauty Treatment (taken from 1. "Looking Good This Purim" by Malkah Fleisher on Kumah.org)

Crush a grape or two on your face, and lie down for 15 minutes (on your
back). Follow up with your moisturizer. With daily treatment, in two weeks
you will likely see smoother skin and the disappearance of fine lines – you
might as well be wearing a crown.

Sincerely,
Robin Ticker (and if they don't disengage from me) the Ticker Family

--------------------------

Correspondance between myself and Hakhelusa@yahoo.com regarding Amona.


-----------------
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Fwd: Arutz-7: Must-Watch Exclusive Israel Video Footage

Date: 3/1/06 12:30:08 A.M. Central Standard Time
From: FaigeRayzel
To: postmaster@hakhel.info


bs"d

I love your newsletters.

But when the house is burning the time is not to continue business as usual. One is obligated to put out the fire.

The Rabbanim have been silent about the Covenant. The Land of Israel is the inheritance of Am Yisroel.

The Rabbanim have been silent to what happened at Amona. If they do not have access to this film then please show it to them.

Perhaps a delegation can go to Rav Eliashiv, Rav Shteinman and Rav Kanievsky asking them to finally make a statement that Eretz Yisroel is the inheritance of Am Yisroel. The youth at Amona are fighting this battle for Torah alone. The silence from the Rabbanim forced them to fight this battle alone. They took on a battle that should be taken on by the Rabbanim and men ages 20-60.

The silence to the atrocities perpetrated against the youth is betrayal once again.

Veheishiv Lev Avos al Banim velev Banim Al Avosom.


They replied in the following manner.
In a message dated 3/1/06 3:27:37 P.M. Central Standard Time,
hakhelusa@yahoo.com writes:

but this matter is not something that our organization is involved with.

I responded back to them:

Dear Hakhelusa,

Thank you so much for responding to my email regarding expulsions of Gush Katif and Amona.

I really wish I did not have to write you letters. Your newsletters are beautiful Torah. I wish I could ignore what's happening also. I wish I didn't have to write to Rabbanim begging and pleading with them. I wish I could simply cook and clean and organize my house and do homework with the kids and prepare for Shabbos and close my eyes to what is happening.

There is no hiding from it. If we are involved with Torah it is something we are involved with. In Parshath Nitzavim Hashem says Devarim 29 Pasuk 13 "Not with you alone do I seal this covenant and this curse, but with whoever is here standing with us today before Hashem, our G-d , and with whoever is not here with us today. " (that means us). By being silent, isn't the message broadcast loud and clear is that the Covenant between Hashem and Am Yisroel is not relevant today?


I have been receiving beautiful heart rendering inserts from Vaad Harabanim Le'inyanei Tzedaka B'Eretz Hakodesh, not to mention Kupat Hair and Vaad Haartzi LeHatzalas Mishpachos Bimetzuka. Posters have been plastered over Boro Park and Flatbush in Brooklyn My heart truly cries out for the widows and orphans and sick people with large Torah families and heart rending tragic stories. Yet I can't help but think that if only these same Chashuv Rabbanim (at least 42 were listed on one insert) would have put out a one page flyer (this was a glossy 22 page insert) in all the papers saying that Eretz Yisroel is the rightful inheritance of Am Yisroel and is a stira to the Roadmap, that would have stopped the expulsion from Gush Katif. Agudas Yisroel of America was silent. I do not know if they even sent a delegation to Eretz Yisroel asking the Rabbanim there to please make a statement that Eretz Yisroel is the inheritance of Am Yisroel. Hashem says Ki Li Kol Haaretz and Hashem chooses the Nation of Israel to keep the Mitzvoth specific to the Land.

At an OU dinner honoring Hillary Clinton, my friend, who also became an expellee of Gush Katif, approached her and talked about her association with Arafat. The gist of what Hillary answered her was. I know he's a terrorist. But if Israel and the Jewish Community are not speaking out, why should I be holier than thou.

These families from Gush Katif are now Aniyei Eretz Yisroel. And they became this way because we didn't speak up. How do I know? Well, Rabbanim please prove me wrong and speak up. We'll see what will happen with the next scheduled expulsions. Read Page 3 of the Jewish Press - Kadima Pullout Plans Confirmed. Avi Dichter confirms Kadima party is planning out a further disengagement in Judea and Samaria if it wins the March 28th election. The names of the settlements are listed in the Jewish Press. Yisroel Meidad, a former mayor of Shiloh, says we're talking about sixty-seventy thousand people. That's a lot of Aniyim.

I pray to Hashem that none of the youth at Amona were made infertile by the beatings they received to their reproductive organs. Yes, the reproductive organs were targeted, not only their heads. It's sickening but it did happen but was not reported. Do you need first hand reports? Just let me know. Why did the youth have to go on the front line for Eretz Yisroel. Are they between ages 20-60 male soldiers?

These Aniyim from Gush Katif are not even mentioned in glossy inserts of the above mentioned organizations, because if we did, it would point a finger back at us. Why did we let it happen? And it's still happening.

The name of your organization is Hakhel. Where is that name from? It comes from Hakhel following the Shemitta year when all men, women and children were gathered to hear words of Torah read by the King or Nasi. What was read? Portions regarding truma, maaser, vidui maaser, shemittah etc. These are all Mitzvoth directly related to Eretz Yisroel.

We physically are living in USA but since we are Bnei Yisroel, we are also bound by the Covenant just like our brethren in Israel. The security of the Land and the blessing of the world at large is dependant on Am Yisroel to keeping the Mitzvoth. The Mitzvoth are spelled out. Rambam among others count the Mitzvoth. Appreciating and thanking Hashem for the goodness He has bestowed upon us is a beautiful concept. They are wonderful suggestions. However, when we are confronted with enemies surrounding us and within us in Eretz Yisroel, Hizbollah, Hamas, Al Qaeida now in Gaza, (Not to mention the threat of missionaries (the work of Yad Laachim) it makes sense to focus on the Mitzvoth that would bring security in the Land, specifically, the Mitzvoth read by the Nasi at Hakhel.

Friday, March 03, 2006

Yahrzeit Ilan Ramon

The following was a letter I sent on February 9, 2003 to the family of Ilan Ramon

bs"d

To the Dear Family of Ilan Ramon, zt"l

This letter is one of tens of thousands to you. I hope it will bring words of comfort to you, the family of a beautiful Jew. Ilan, as a pilot, bombed the Iraqi nuclear plant thereby saving the world from a potential holocaust. We are once again on the brink of nuclear, biological and/or chemical war. Ilan's message to the Jews before his death, when analyzed, is the one that is the key to preventing another holocaust. Please read this letter before the others because action is needed. A careful analysis of events will I believe, decode Hashems message to us. Necessary action will be spelled out later in the letter.

Before Ilan's death, Ilan did many Mitzvot to sanctify G-d's name and the Torah. He showed how important the Torah was to the world and to the Jewish people by taking with him:

A miniature Sefer Torah from Auschwitz,

A credit size microfiche of the Bible from President Katzav,

He instructed the Rabbi to read from the Pasuk in Chumash (Devarim 4:33) "Has a people ever heard the voice of G-d speaking from the midst of the fire as you have heard, and survived?"

He showed how he valued the Mitzvot by:

Taking a Mezuzah,

Saying Tefilat Haderech

Keeping Kosher in flight

Asking Sheelot about keeping Shabbos and trying to observe Shabbos up in space.

Bringing a Kiddush cup for Shabbos

Saying Shma over Yerushalyim

I am sure there are many more as well.

In the analysis, I will be quoting brief quotations, with permission from "The Medrash Says" the book of Devarim pps 62-69 by Rabbi Moshe Weissman. (Rabbi Weissman has allowed brief quotations in critical articles in his copyright statement.)

Ilan's message to us comes from the portion in the Torah in the book of Devarim (Deuteronomy). This is the portion from which the verse (Devarim 4:33) requested by Ilan, is from. This Parsha (Devarim 4:25-40), is the annual morning Torah reading on the fast of the Ninth of Av. In this Parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu admonishes the Jews to do Teshuvah and urges the Jews to return to Hashem amidst the tribulations of exile .

To quote from The Midrash Says:
"The greatness of Teshuva is illustrated in the time of Rabbi Elazar, R. Yehoshua and R. Gamliel when they visited Rome and the Roman Senate had just drafted a secret edict which required all Jews to be exterminated after thirty days. " One of the Roman Senators, in an act of sanctification of G-d's name prevented the tragedy from occurring by paying with his own life.

"Why did the Jews deserve such an unusual deliverance from the terrible decree of annihilation? When they heard of the edict, they did Teshuva and prayed. Thus we see the power of Teshuva."

In this portion in Devarim, Moshe foretold "When you will be in distress and all these things will come upon you at the end of days, if you return to Hashem, your G-d - He will not forsake you, nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your forefathers, which he swore to them."

We are told in the Torah that if we return to Hashem, we will be saved. The question is "how do we return to Hashem?" "Where did we go wrong?" What specifically can we do to change?

Ilan means tree. Ramon can be read as Rimon. Rimon is a pomegranate, one of the holy fruits of Israel. The seeds represent the 613 Mitzvot. Ilan recognized that for a tree to survive it needs to be connected to its roots. Ilans connection with the Torah was his attempt to connect with his roots. Though not to any fault of his own, the connection wasn't strong enough to save his life. His connection was very strong in a symbolic sense. The reason I believe that it didn't save him was because Ilan, was representing the Jewish people. His connection via Torah and Mitzvot to his roots corresponded to this particular generation's connection with its roots in Torah and Mitzvot. He consulted with Rabbinic Leaders, the President and Prime Minister of Israel. To quote Uncle Moishy, a popular childrens Jewish singer, "A family is like a tree, our roots go deep down in history, to our ancient ancestors Avraham Aveinu, throughout all the ages to me and you".

G-d has not forgotten his covenant with our forefathers, which he swore to them... But have we forgotten our part of the covenant? The covenant is to give the land of Israel to the Israelites and we in turn are obligated to keep the Torah and observe the Mitzvot. Our observance is presently on the symbolic level but we are not observant. Please read further and I will explain which Commandment specifically in the Torah we are not observing that has resulted in a weakness in connecting to our roots.

I quote from The Midrash Says. "Moshe continued to explain, 'And you should ask, 'Why does G-d treat us more strictly than the other idolatrous nations" - The answer is because of two historical events that no other nation experienced."

The first historical event is the verse Ilan asked the Rav to quote on Shabbat.

1. Matan Torah - "Ask all the peoples on earth since Creation whether anything similar was ever heard of. Did an entire nation ever become prophets and hear G-d's Voice reach them from amidst the fire, as you did at Har Sinai? Did it ever happen that an entire nation expired when they heard G-d's Voice and were then miraculously revived.

2. Yetziat Mitzrayim

I will address the historical event of Matan Torah and why Ilan specifically chose this verse. Ilan was an astronaut. His journey into space gave him first hand knowledge of the vastness of the heavens and of G-d's universe. He saw how fabulous and immense his journey to the heights was from Man's perspective while at the same time he recognized as a believing Jew, how miniscule it must appear from G-d's perspective, G-d is the master of the earth, the heavens and the stars. If Man's journey was so great up to the heavens, imagine G-d's journey so to speak, descending down to earth, on the lowly mountain of Har Sinal in order to present His revelation the Torah, to the Jewish people. Also in last weeks Parsha Teruma, we see that G-d, so to speak, constricts Himself to a finite space between the Cherubim in the Holy Ark.

"Why did G-d distinguish you from all the nations? It was in order to show you that Hashem is the ruler, there is none beside him." That realization was voiced by Ilan when he said the Sh'ma over Jerusalem.

Turn Pain into Action, Tragedy into Growth

Ilan talks about the revelation at Har Sinai. There is another Parsha in the Torah in the book of Leviticus Chapter 25 called Behar. Behar means "On the Mountain". The Parsha begins with the verse "Hashem spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai saying". The Torah then continues to talk about the commandment of Shemittah, the Sabbatical year. Rashi in his commentary on the words "On Mount Sinai" asks "What is the connection between Shmittah and Mount Sinai? The reference teaches that not only the broad outlines, but the details of all the commandments were given at Sinai - as were those of Shemittah. "

Now I will answer to the question above. Which commandment are we not observing properly today? I believe that performance of the Mitzva of Shemittah as specified in the Torah, is the answer. It is the key to our survival. It is the Mitzva where we proclaim that G-d is the ruler over the Land of Israel and the entire earth.

Please read the following letter to the Rabbis of our generation. Also please read the mentioned articles in the Torah Section of Arutz7 for a more thorough discussion about the Sabbatical year.

It is now the end of the 6th millennium. Most believe that it is the time of redemption, the end of days. Ilan ventured into unexplored territory in outer space. There is also unexplored territory here on earth. This unexplored territory is in the realm of politics and economics. It is the politics of setting up a State in Israel based on the laws of the Torah and all its ramifications. As you will see from the articles about Shemittah, trying to observe the laws of Shemittah, including leaving the land fallow and not planting trees in the Sabbatical year and not having to repay back loans results in an upheaval of the political and economic systems of our generation. Please raise consciousness and set up a Think Tank and fund in Ilan's memory. Call it "Ilan Rimon". Let's collectively study the laws of the Sabbatical year as specified in the Torah. Let's examine its political, social and economic ramifications. That is our way of Teshuva. It requires our full heart and soul and belief in Hashem and His Holy Torah and His commandments. We hope and pray to Hashem that our Teshuva will be accepted. Our connection to the Torah and our roots will thereby be strengthened. Hashem, in His infinite mercy will save us from our enemies and not destroy us as He has promised.

What follows is an open letter to the Rabbanim and leaders of our generation:

Adar 1 5763

Lichvod Harabbonim, biz 120

It is not my place to address the Gedolei Torah in words of Torah. I am a woman and my primary responsibilities over the past 14 years are family and household related. Before that I did some computer programming and word processing. I ask you to please spend a few minutes of your precious time to read through these articles. The reason I offer is that there are times when the emes is hidden in unexpected places. It is a way of fooling the Satan. Is it possible that a layperson such as myself, especially a woman, has words of Torah to address to the Gedolei Hador of this generation? It does say that Torah was first given in generalities to women and then with details and halachos to the men. Therefore it is conceivable that perhaps there is significance and something new to what I have to offer. Please do not reject it before you have read further. I pray to Hashem that the emes in these words will be recognized as being emes from Hashem and His Holy Torah and not mere foolishness of a female. I am simply the vehicle through which these words are delivered. I do not Chas Veshalom wish to in any way denigrate the role of Rabbanim and Torah Shebaal Peh. Torah and Halacha is what makes a marriage. It is the Torah Shebichtav part that I am addressing and the Halacha is left to you.

The purpose of this letter is to talk about Shmita. We have been told that 70 years of the Churban correspond with 70 years of not keeping Shmitta properly. Why bring it up now? I believe with my heart and soul that if we would keep Shmitta as the Torah specified, it is the key to Moshiach. I believe that the recent events on Shabbos Kodesh, of the space shuttle disintegrating over Palestine, Texas with 7 crewmembers on board as well as a Sefer Torah is not coincidental. Is it Hashem's way of warning us and foreshadowing future events if we don't keep the Torah.

It made us proud as Jews to see the Torah up in space. If we think about it however, The Torah is not meant for space. Lo Bashamayim hi. Shabbos can not be kept in space. Neither can Mitzvot Teluyot Baaretz.

You may argue that Jews in Eretz Yisroel are keeping Shmitta. They are keeping it with Takanot Rabbanim of Pruzbul and Heter Mechira. I, as a single girl, in search of the truth of Torah tried to understand what the Torah expected of us. How can I loan my money to someone in need and not expect to get it back. There are things that I too need. Do I dare ask for a loan knowing that I don't have to pay it back. Of course I would, if I could. Who wouldn't? What I realized was that this kind of economy was similar to Socialism. Here I was, a simple girl merely trying to keep the Mitzva, which resulted in trying to live with a breakdown of accepted economics, the economic system I was familiar with and treasured. I realized then that I was onto something revolutionary. Does Hashem want us to live in a capitalist society for 6 years and a socialist society for the Shmitta year. It was so new and scary. This happened in Shmita year 5747 when I was living in Kiryat Arba. That Shmitta year was an experiment for me. I was in no way trying to dictate the right way to live but simply trying to adhere to the laws of the Torah. Why not make life easy and adhere to Pruzbul? Pruzbul was a product of the Galus. It was because our emunah was weak that Pruzbul was instituted. With childlike Emunah, we need to believe and follow Hashem's word. We will see the blessings for sure. Even though, I personally do not have what to show as proof of material blessings of that year, I am patient. I have gained in wisdom and Emunah and love of Hashem and His Torah and of our role and mission of Am Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel.

Please read the article posted in the Torah Section of Arutz7 entitled "Israel Does Not Own the Land" and two articles posted on January 1, 2003 entitled "Not only "In Your Blood Live" Part 1" and "Not only "In Your Blood Live" Part 2"..

Sincerely,
Robin Ticker