That is not fair!It is a Hesder Yeshiva, there they fight and learn - learn and fight!You cannot make reasons as to why Hakadosh baruch Hu allowed this to happen.I very much applaud your usual activities, but please do not play Hashem. Many of us are in great pain over what happened and your comments do not help the matter.Thank you,Yosef
On 3/9/08, FaigeRayzel@aol.com <FaigeRayzel@aol.com> wrote:bs"dWhat was G-d trying to tell us with a massacre in a Yeshiva with the yeshiva boys learning in the Library their Gamara's open after visiting the Kotel.My conclusion is that G-d is trying to tell us that davaning and sitting in Library and learning is not the solution. This is a Milchemet Mitzva and we must go out and fight.Rambam Laws of Kings 5:1
Which is a Milchemet Mitzva? This is a war to save Israel from an enemy that has attacked them.Are you Mad Enough to Raise the Dead?
March 9, 2008
Ellen W. Horowitz
"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."
Lao Tzu
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Rosh Chodesh Adar and they were dancing in the streets of Gaza, when they should have been cowering in dark corners - awaiting the response of IAF gunships.
Eight of our very young men, all G-d fearing and full of potential, were massacred in a hail of gunfire - while those who aspire to death found cause to celebrate yet another bloodbath.
The attack was termed "deranged" by America's very articulate Secretary of State - who continues to pursue a foreign policy that can at best be described as "depraved". But that we, once again, succumbed to outside pressure to resume talks with our killers is nothing short of "demented" .
Purim must be around the corner, because things are truly upside down - and Amalek rules the day.
An accurate, if not prophetic, definition of contemporary Amalek was penned by Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, forty-some years ago:
While in response to this attack some rabbis are speaking of our need for a "spiritual revolution," I think circumstances call for a more down and dirty approach.
- "Hatred brought them to the point where they were prepared to commit suicide if only to allow it to be expressed. He came to destroy and hate." (Book of Our Heritage).
Although it is said that prayer, charity and repentance reverse the evil decree, I hope the sages and very pious among us will excuse me if I add another ingredient: Fighting. Yes, fighting back can also reverse bad fortune.
So whereas Mordechai appropriately wailed and put on sackcloth and ashes, he could only get as far as the king's gate with that kind of dress and behavior ("... because it was forbidden to enter the king's gate while wearing sackcloth"). Esther prepared for a more physical battle, and got direct access to the throne room.
I think the situation calls for a reversal and serious change. We should approach The King with our loins girded, in full combat gear, and ready for action - and then we can petition and pray. Could it be that G-d is waiting for us to make the proper approach - one that is more terrestrial than celestial? Does anybody else hear what Moshe heard?
Personally, I fall a little short on the organized prayer front. I show up at shul three times a year: Hearing shofar wakes me up. Hearing Parshat Zachor reminds me of an awesome obligation. And hearing the Book of Esther is a cause for celebration. I think the order of those obligations sounds right. So much so, that when I penned the dedication of my book , the Oslo Years: a mother's journal - four years ago on Adar, I took that formula into consideration. The book was meant as a wake-up call, and the dedication to my children read as follows:
- "Why are you crying out to me, speak to the children of Israel, and tell them to move forward." (Shemot 14:15)
The news was grim and shocking last week, but my children expressed rage and anger, rather than despair. And this mother encourages, and will continue to encourage her sons to don combat gear, rather than sackcloth.
- Remember to
- "... blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!"
- (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)
- so that
- "...our mouth will be filled with laughter and tongue with songs of joy..."
- (Psalms 126)
Part of a mother's role is to create a positive atmosphere in the home. But what are we raising our childrens' spirits for? So that they have the strength to absorb the next catastrophe? Or so that we can rally the troops and give inspiration and courage to loved ones in a time of war, and at a time when revolutionary change is needed? Get the orders straight: First deal with Amalek, then you can dance and sing. And refusal to accept that obligation will only result in further mourning for our people.
We should take our cue from those young men who died while clutching their holy books. They were reportedly heard screaming "enough!" And if that isn't enough to get your blood moving than I don't know what is.
This mother - like all mothers of Israel looks forward to and prays for redemption, the resurrection of the dead, and all good spiritual things. But before we get there, we will have to come down to earth, get our hands dirty, and wake-up and raise the walking dead among us.
Another rather tough and earthy Jewish woman was quoted as saying,
But I wouldn't hold your breath while waiting for that to transpire. I don't think Golda would mind if, under the circumstances, I changed the emphasis a bit:
- "We will have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us."
May Hashem comfort the families of the slain young men, from Mercaz Harav Yeshiva, among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
- We will have peace when we love our children more than the Arabs hate us and our children - and when that love inspires us and gets us angry enough to take the initiative to change the situation.
----------------------------------------------------------IZZY KAPLAN416 824 2858
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| Published: | 03.06.08, 22:13 / Israel News |
A Palestinian source told Ynet that the Imad Mugniyah cells of the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Fatah's military wing, carried out the terror attack in Jerusalem that left eight dead along with another Palestinian organization whose named he refused to make public.
According to the source, the attack was carried out as a response to "the Israeli crimes in the (Gaza) Strip and the killing of (Hizbullah arch terrorist Imad) Mugniyah." However, other Palestinian sources said that the claim of responsibility was not credible. (Ali Waked)
And, a month before the resolution was passed, as reported on the ADL website: http://www.adl.org/Israel/israel_attacks.asp
February 4, 2008: A 73-year-old woman was killed and 40 people were wounded when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a shopping center in the southern city of Dimona. A second bomber was shot by a police officer who noticed him reaching for his explosive belt. Both Hamas' armed wing, Izaddin Kassam, and Fatah's armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, claimed responsibility for the attack.
