Sunday, March 09, 2008

Re: The Massacre at Mercaz Hara and G-ds message to us. Milchemet Mitzvah

bs"d
 
In a message dated 3/9/2008 4:03:10 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 613yos@gmail.com writes:
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

 
Thank you for allowing to clarify.  I also don't think that this message was to Mercaz Harav Kook for the reasons that you have pointed out.  They fight and they learn.  But because of Areivus with Am Yisroel, I believe they were the chosen Karbanos to warn us. They died Al Kiddush Hashem. They are the best of the best. Ov Vavoy for the rest of us.   I think the message was meant for Lakewood!  It was meant for the entire Chareidi approach to what is happening in Eretz Yisroel which is to learn and to daven, daven and learn. It was a message to the 33 great Gedoilim that signed  the ban of separate seating concerts because of  "Vehaya Machanecha Kadosh",
 
 "Vehaya Machanecha Kadosh" Peshuto Kemashmao, Peshuto shel Mikre which is how to keep our MILITARY CAMP Kadosh because in our generation we are being attacked and we need a military camp to fight back. 
 
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.
 
 
 
On 3/9/08, FaigeRayzel@aol.com <FaigeRayzel@aol.com> wrote:
bs"d
 
What 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

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

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: 
"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).

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.

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?
"Why are you crying out to me, speak to the children of Israel, and tell them to move forward." (Shemot 14:15)

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:
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)

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.

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,
"We will have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us."

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 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.

May Hashem comfort the families of the slain young men, from Mercaz Harav Yeshiva, among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

 


----------------------------------------------------------
IZZY KAPLAN
416 824 2858




 



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The Massacre at Mercaz Hara and G-ds message to us. Milchemet Mitzvah

bs"d
 
What 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

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

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: 
"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).

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.

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?
"Why are you crying out to me, speak to the children of Israel, and tell them to move forward." (Shemot 14:15)

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:
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)

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.

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,
"We will have peace with the Arabs when they love their children more than they hate us."

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 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.

May Hashem comfort the families of the slain young men, from Mercaz Harav Yeshiva, among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.



----------------------------------------------------------
IZZY KAPLAN
416 824 2858



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Friday, March 07, 2008

Action Alert: Tamar Edelstein, Pressure Shas, reTzvia call Israel Embassy inDC

 
BS"D
EREV SHABBOS/ROSH CHODESH ADAR SHENI 5768
 
DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
 
SURELY BY NOW YOU'VE HEARD OR READ ABOUT THE HORRIFIC TERROR ATTACK THAT TOOK PLACE LAST NIGHT, "MAY HASHEM AVENGE THEIR BLOOD" ON THE YOUNG STUDENTS LEARNING IN YESHIVA MERCAZ HARAV.  MAY THEIR FAMILIES BE COMFORTED AMONG THE MOURNERS OF TZION AND YERUSHALAYIM.
 
WHAT CAN WE DO!!! 
 
FIRST, MAY WE SUGGEST THAT THERE BE A CONTINUED EFFORT TO PRESSURE SHAS INTO QUITTING THE GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO BRING IT DOWN SO THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN IT AND THE ARABS ARE BROUGHT TO A STOP.  ALL PAST NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS GOING BACK TO THE INFAMOUS CAMP DAVID ACCORDS MUST BE DECLARED NULL AND VOID. ERETZ YISROEL IS OUR ETERNAL INHERITANCE.  WE MUST INSIST ON OUR JEWISH RIGHT TO LIVE AND SETTLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WITHOUT FEAR OR SHAME.
 
ISRAELI LEADERS ARE OBLIGED TO PROTECT THEIR JEWISH CITIZENS, NOT LEAVE THEM OPEN TO THREAT, ATTACK, OR WAR BECAUSE OF THEIR PERSONAL OR JEWISH INSECURITIES.  AS THE REBBE ONCE SAID ABOUT YITZCHAK SHAMIR PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION IN THE MADRID ACCORDS:  "IF SHAMIR CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE, THEN LET HIM RESIGN!"
 
NEXT, PLEASE SEE THE ARTICLE ON TZIVIA SARIEL IN YESTERDAY'S, MARCH 6TH, ARUTZ SHEVA REPORT (WWW.ARUTZSHEVA.COM).  TZIVIA IS BEING USED A TEST CASE BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT IN PREPARATION FOR ITS ALREADY PLANNED EXPULSION OF THE REMAINING JEWS IN JUDEA AND THE SHOMRON.  CALL THE ISRAELI EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON  (202-364-5500) AND ASK WHY HER BASIC HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS CONTINUE TO BE VIOLATED BY THE ISRAELI JUSTICE SYSTEM. TELL THE EMBASSY YOU WILL LODGE A PROTEST WITH THE AMERICAN STATE DEPARTMENT IF SHE IS NOT FREED IMMEDIATELY.
 
FINALLY, PLEASE TUNE IN TO THE SHLEIMUS HA*ARETZ TALK SHOW.  THE TECNICAL ASPECTS OF THE SHOW ARE DEFINITELY IMPROVING AND YOUR LISTENING SUPPORT MEANS A LOT TO THE GUESTS WHO JOIN US. 
 
MAY WE ALL MERIT VICTORY, B'GASHMIUS AND B'RUCHNIUS, OVER OUR ENEMIES IN THIS MONTH OF ADAR JUST LIKE WE WERE IN THE TIME OF PURIM SO LONG AGO AND MAY OUR PEOPLE NEVER KNOW SORROW AGAIN.
 
A GUT SHABBOS AND ROSH CHODESH!
TAMAR ADELSTEIN Cadelstein@aol.com
Shleimus Ha'aretz Talk Show
 
 
 




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Buddy Macy chastising JCPA (Jewish Council of Public Affairs) Annul resolution!

Forwarded Message:
Subj: Thru Your Support of Olmert & a 2-State Solution, You Have Blood on Your Hands 
Date: 3/7/2008 10:49:27 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: vegibud@gmail.com
To: howard.rieger@ujc.org, joseph.kanfer@ujc.org, malcolm@conferenceofpresidents.org, samastrof@ujc.org, jwalker@hadassah.org, aronson@jfmd.org, stevennasatir@juf.org, hgoldman@philafederation.org, barrys@cjp.org, jsolomon@gmjf.org, ruskayj@ujafedny.org, shoffman@jcfcleve.org, lwunsch@houstonjewish.org, mterrill@associated.org, harrisd@ajc.org, afoxman@adl.org, sgutow@thejcpa.org, mraffel@thejcpa.org, afucito@hadassah.org, laltshuler@hadassah.org, jellenson@Hadassah.org, mlevin@hadassah.org, fellowship@ajc.org, isaacsonj@ajc.org, sinenskyj@ajc.org, surloffc@ajc.org, rosend@ajc.org, gaerf@ajc.org, grossmanl@ajc.org, shapiroh@ajc.org, ngoldstein@ajcongress.org, bellr@ajc.org, dtwersky@ajcongress.org, singerd@ajc.org, mucznikm@ajc.org, kelsteinj@ajc.org, levyh@ujafedny.org, levinj@ujafedny.org, barchasa@ujafedny.org, shapiroj@ujafedny.org, divond@ujafedny.org, UJALI@ujafedny.org, lehrerc@ujafedny.org, phoffman@jfcspb.org, joseph.lucas@jewishpalmbeach.org, gerald.carter@ujc.org, thetrust@ujc.org, michelle.wasch@jewishpalmbeach.org, hope.cutler@jewishpalmbeach.org, michael.karmelin@jewishpalmbeach.org, sean.mandell@jewishpalmbeach.org, rachelle.neumann@jewishpalmbeach.org, juliette.rohr@jewishpalmbeach.org, deskofmw@ujc.org, deskofel@ujc.org
Sent from the Internet (Details)
 
To the Members of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA):
 
Yesterday afternoon Israel's "peace partners" responded to your resolution supporting a two-state solution. (See the linked article, below.) 
 
Immediately annul the resolution and call for the resignations of Olmert, Peres, Livni & Barak.  Then, visit the mothers and fathers of the slain Yeshiva students and beg for forgiveness. (You may not claim ignorance.)
 
Buddy Macy / 973-785-0057
 
 
Report: Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades responsible for Jerusalem terror attack

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.




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Ed Koch on American Jewish Leadership during Holocaust, by Dr. Rafael Medoff

bs'd
 
In the front page article in the Jewish Press February 29th, 2008, entitled "Ed Koch Still Pulls No Punches. " Dr. Rafael Medoff writes:
 
"Koch was also critical of the American Jewish leadership's response to the Holocaust.  "Jewish leaders did not do enough," he said.  "Did they get arrested?  Maybe they would have, if some other group was being persecuted.  They should have stormed the gates of the White House to demand action.  But they were afraid of antisemitism--afraid they would 'make things worse'.  Only a few people, like Ben Hecht, spoke out."
 
This article was also posted on
 
 

Do we really need history to repeat itself, we the Children of the Survivors?  Each and every person, whether or not he/she considers himself a leader, must speak out and yell and insist that our official leaders speak out and claim our Jewish Heritage. WE ARE ENTITLED TO ERETZ YISROEL and not the Arabs.  They are the imposters.  We must observe the Torah and the Commandments. The Land belongs to G-d.This is the Promised Land, Promised to the seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob and we in turn are obligated to keep the Commandments thereby infusing the world with holiness.  Only the nation of Israel has that mandate.
 
 
In response to my last email  posted on http://shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com/2008/03/rabbi-weinreb-mr-savitskybreak-silence.html Sara Lehmann,  formerly an editor at Bantam Doubleday Dell, and currently a mother and freelance editor for the Jewish Press among others commented.
 
Fantastic and heart-wrenching letter Robin!!
 
I feel as if we are all responsible for what happened in Yerushalayim. American or Israeli, religious or non-religious, we all are to blame for the silence that we practiced or let others practice while the best of the best are murdered. This is truly a time of "Hester Panim".
 
Shabbat Shalom,
Sara
 
Shabbat Shalom and thank you Sara for your activism and your voice as well (See Sara's Op Ed article in the Jewish Press http://www.jewishpress.com/print.do/30216/Of_Apathy_And_Multitudes.html) in breaking the Silence.
 


 



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