bs"d
Please read this article on last week's Haftorah about Shemittah Parshas Behar-Bechukosai Yirmiyahu 16:19
by Rabbi Dovid Siegel
Kollel Toras Chaim
Kiryat Sefer, Israel
The author is Rosh Kollel (Dean) of Kollel Toras Chaim,
Kiryat Sefer, Israel.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
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.
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!
"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!
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.
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.
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