Recent Violence and Unrest in Crown Heights Mah inyan Shemitttah....

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This past weekend and in recent weeks there has been significant increase of unrest and violence in Crown Heights. There have been stabbings and assaults which seem racially motivated by the African American community since there is no report of theft.

 These incidents are being dealt with lightly and those that act aggressively in self defense are dealt as equals as the perpetrator and being put into jail. Charles Hynes DA is treating a recent incident where the Jew was the apparent aggressor extremely harshly.  In contrast, this Bloomberg administration and Charles Hynes DA is turning a blind eye to recent antisemitic attacks in the Crown Heights community and barely addressing the homicide of a Jew, Klein 2 years ago in Crown Heights. .

A community spokesman Barry of Crown Heights said that the residents of  Crown Heights are fearful in their neighborhood and the Jewish community feels that since the Jews are generally peaceful, the administration will not respond forcefully to the perpetratorsof  these acts of violence, not recognizing them as racial or antisemitic,  in fear of possible reprisals from extreme members of the African American community.   In other words they are responding with appeasement. 

To the Jews in Yesha this sounds vaguely familiar.  They too are persecuted as the aggressors and aggression against them is ignored unless it involves extreme loss of life and suffering.

How is the violence in Crown Heights related to Shemittah?  It is my belief and understanding that Shemittah is the root cause for all anti-Semitism including the local variety  that is now hitting us Brooklynites in our backyards.

If all Jews would desire to keep Shemittah properly we would proclaim our entitlement to the entire Land of Israel and be willing to defend our entitlement militarily etc.  This would put fear in the hearts of the Islam fundamentalist that have stolen our identity and call us the occupiers. Perverted Islam theology is influencing the African American community throughout the US including Barak  OBAMA.  This perverted Islamic "theology" is awakening feelings of antisemitism all over the world especially Europe and now against the Jewish community in Crown Heights.

Please stand with your Jewish  brothers in Crown Heights and call your elected officials to respond in a forceful manner not to tolerate antisemitic attacks taking place and not to have a double standard.   While you are speaking to your local elected officials speak out for the entitlement of our Land in Israel, against the Roadmap and tell them that Judea and Samaria has suffered similar attacks by the Palestinians and the gov't of Israel has turned a blind eye  to attacks against their citizens removing roadblocks etc...  This is due to the pressure of the United States gov't to promote and endorse the Roadmap.  American Dollars are being used to build up the Palestinian territories whose goals are the destruction of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and the destruction of the entire Israel.  This has empowered Islamic fundamentalism which has spread to our local communities.

We do not stand by the blood of our fellow Jew, neither in the Holy Land nor in Crown Heights!

The Land of Your Possession on Behar 2 Rabbi David Algaze - Must Read Ohr Hachayim

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This is a second recent article by Rabbi Algaze regarding Eretz Yisroel and our obligation to go and possess it in our time.  Rabbi Algaze quotes the Ohr HaChaim "What is the role of the righteous leader of Israel?  It is awaken the hearts of his brethren in Exile and to tell them "Is it better for you to reside outside, removed from the Table of your Father, the Master of the World?"  They should be encouraging the people to return to their position as a full-fledged model nation in the world. The leaders of Israel, however, do not convey this message to their brethren. Instead, they preach to them only a spiritual message,"

My comments on the above paragraph.

Bedamayich Chayii.  In your blood shall you  live. Jewish life life is linked to blood.  If we keep the Mitzvoth it will be the blood of the Mitzvoth, Korban Pesach and Brit Milah.  Otherwise Rachmana Litzlan to awaken us, it has been the blood of suffering. 

"Im Bechukotai Teileichu.." If you will go according to my laws and precepts,   "Uveshavtem Betach Baaretz", You will dwell securely in the Land. This verse from this weeks Parsha, is in close proximity to Mitzvoth of Shemittah and Yovel,  Mitzvoth Teluyot Baaretz, commandments dependent on the Land.

We as a nation must strengthen the yearning and desire to keep these Mitzvoth that are dependent on the Land.  The fact that we do not assert our entitlement of the Land is evidence against us since if we had the yearning our religious leaders would simply say "Only we have entitlement in order to keep these commandments. The roadmap plan won't work even with a peace loving Palestinian State that shows reciprocity, since they have no obligation to observe these commandments and only we do."

If possible, please forward Rabbi Algaze's message to the OU, Young Israel, Agudath Yisroel of America and Chabad Headquarter since my emails to them are being returned as spam.  Thanks for reading and acting.

ISRAEL-THE NATION OF G-D

by Rabbi David Algaze

 

 

"If your brother becomes impoverished and sells part of his ancestral heritage his redeemer who is closest to him shall come and redeem his brother's sale. If a man will have no redeemer…his sale shall remain until the Jubilee year." (Vayikra 25:25ff)

 

This parasha deals with the decline of an individual, both financially and socially. A poor man, unable to sustain himself and his family is robbed of his dignity and enters a state of depression and despondency. The Torah in a magnificent method of social intervention and support describes the ways in which we are obligated to come to the aid of such people, with open hearts and hands, with kindness and empathy. This section is one of the most glorious pages of social planning ever written in any literature for the breadth of its program, the psychological wisdom with which it is designed and for the wisdom of its long-term economic repercussions.

 

Deterioration and failure occur not only with individuals but with societies and peoples as well. The great commentator, Rabbi Hayim ben Attar in his book "Ohr Hahayim" explains this entire passage in an allegorical manner and suggests that this parasha is a warning to the world about the preservation and health of society in general and specifically about the nation of Israel. He says "This parasha refers to a very great matter and is a great warning to the inhabitants of the universe."

 

"When your brother becomes impoverished" is a reference to G-d. When people in the lower worlds behave in an improper manner, then the influence of the upper spheres is dimmed and the current of holiness that comes from above becomes impoverished. The deprivation of a good spirit is the result of the conduct of the people in the world. This reciprocal relationship is the basis of the energy, success and the blessing in the world. A good analogy may be the case of a heart. Even when the heart may be strong and has energy to pump the blood adequately, any serious blockage can actually stop the flow and even create a greater damage. A heart attack is not the fault of the heart but the consequence of a blockage in the recipient of the blood. In a similar vein, when the recipients of G-d's blessings and spiritual power are blocking the flow, the stream itself suffers and becomes weaker. The determining factor in the spread of G-d's light in the world is the conduct of people. When we act well, we receive a strong and blessed spirit. But if we sin and stray from the right path, that spiritual power wanes. The Midrash adds, "When Israel does the will of G-d, they add energy to the Higher Power. When, however, they act against G-d's will, it is as if (kibyachol) the power of the Above is weakened.

 

The verse "he will sell his possessions" refers to the Possession of the Temple which through our sins was sold to the nations. Our sad condition today does not stem from the might or right of the nations but from Israel's sins. The enemies are holding on to our possession only because we allowed the Power to be diminished through our behavior. But this hold is transient.

 

"And the Redeemer who is close to him shall come and redeem the sale of his brother."  But here the Ohr Hahayim enters into the strongest analysis of the condition of the people of Israel as a nation. We are not merely a religion, or a spiritual movement. Israel is a nation, intended by G-d to live in a Land and to create an ideal society that will become a Light unto the Nations. Through our national life, we will exemplify the best ideas that G-d had for mankind and become the teachers of the world. Only through our assuming a national life we can become the nation that G-d had in mind when He chose us. With this point of view, the Ohr Hahayim reviews the present condition of our people.

 

We live in Exile, away from our land. Our material success has blinded us from our destiny and we choose to remain in Exile.  This verse implies that  the Redemption is in the hands of the righteous, who are close to G-d, for G-d addresses His beloved as "My brothers and friends" (achai vere'ay).  What is the role of the righteous leader of Israel?  It is awaken the hearts of his brethren in Exile and to tell them, "Is it better for you to reside outside, removed from the Table of your Father, the Master of the World?"  They should be encouraging the people to return to their position as a full-fledged model nation in the world. The leaders of Israel, however, do not convey this message to their brethren. Instead, they preach to them only a spiritual message," Just improve your deeds and G-d will redeem you." However, by doing this they are not fulfilling their role as envisioned by G-d and hence they will be called to account for their failure.  In one of Rabbi ben Attar's strongest condemnation of this disease of the leaders, he adds, "From them will G-d demand redress for the insult caused to His House." The failure to motivate Israel to go back to the Land and to renew Israel's role as G-d's Nation on Earth is an insult to G-d's House and His master plan.

 

The role of the Jewish leader is therefore not just to propagate a spiritual, abstract idea. They have an additional and primary obligation to inspire the people to return to the Land, to be near the Table of their Father, to redeem the Land from its enemies. They have a duty to develop the Plan that G-d had for them in the universe, to be "G-d's witnesses." To reduce Israel to an abstract spiritual enterprise only is to rob Israel of its national destiny and ultimately to diminish the design of G-d and His purpose. As Jeremiah asks, "Is Israel a slave?" (Jeremiah 2:14) that we should live without power, without independence and without the dignity that is associated with a nation?

 

"But the man who has no redeemer…" If the leaders fail, however, all hope is not lost. G-d will intervene in mysterious ways.  The bitterness of the Exile will increase until the Jewish people will find its way back to the Land. Rabbi Issachar Teichtal, the author of the book, Em Habanim S'mecha ,  who perished during the Holocaust, writes, "All the injuries we suffered is to awaken us to return to our Holy Land." Through the every pain inflicted upon us, G-d is bringing closer the Salvation and the realization of our national objective.

 

"But if he cannot redeem back his property…it will be released at the time of the Jubilee."  The Ohr Hahayim explains that this refers to the ultimate Redemption. When the Master sees that His subjects cannot endure any more pain, then G-d will bring the Redemption despite the merit of His children. There is a set time for the Redemption and it will surely come. There will be Redemption to the people, the House shall be redeemed and "The children shall return to their borders." (Jeremiah 31:17)

Petition to please forward to former Combat Volunteers of the IDF

Hi as a former combat volunteer of the IDF I have started the "Resolution Of The Former IDF Volunteers" Its very strongly worded letter to the Israeli Government and the idea is to get at least 100 guys who volunteered in the IDF to sign the resolution. Once we reach that number we will send it to the news, Israeli Embassy and each Knesset Member. Because this is the first time this is being done it might have some shock value and maybe get people to open their eyes for at least a second.

 

If you could help to spread the word and get more former chayalim to sign that would be great

 

To read the resolution please go to http://www.petitiononline.com/Res613t/petition.html

 

Thank you,

Yosef Rabin

Fwd: Arab Vandalism, Land-Grabbing in Hebron -- YOU WONT HEAR ABOUT IT IN MAINSTREAM NEWS!

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Can you help? Money is needed for camera.  Contact Rafael Rabinovitch who is raising monies for surveillance cameras for here and for other Yishuvim  to record incidents of theft such as these so that there is hard core evidence of such incidents. It's just one small way to help the yishuv in Eretz Yisroel and give them chizuk.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rafael Rabinovich <rafvrab@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 16, 2008 at 2:05 AM
Subject: Arab Vandalism, Land-Grabbing in Hebron -- YOU WONT HEAR ABOUT IT IN MAINSTREAM NEWS!
To: "rafvrab@gmail.com" <rafvrab@gmail.com>


This is a first-hand report by Elchonon Hellinger who lives in Kiriat Arba, a few blocks away from where this took place.  The main-stream media will not dare report on things like these, they're too busy trying to give the impose the US State Dept.'s view of reality.  Here's what Elchonon witnessed:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=13860613605

Elchonon Hellinger's Notes

Elchonon's Profile

Update from Chevron - what you WONT see on the news.

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Yesterday at 6:49pm

Arab vandalism against Jewish holy sites continues unopposed. On Monday, Arabs stole the water pump (1000$) by the kollel next to the kever of Rebbetzin Menucha Rachel a'h. Today Thursday the Arabs brazenly stole a 20 foot section of the ancient chevron cemetery.

Not a peep in the Israeli news, had the tables been turned and Jews vandalized a Arab cemetery, I need not tell you the uproar that would follow.

Yet again another example off double standards against Jews in Eretz Yisrael.

This follows a continues number of incidents of Arabs violating and desecrating the holy sites in chevron. How much longer will we remain silent ? How much longer will we allow them to desecrate our holy sites ?!?

I am getting Elchonon a digital camera to record these type of things on film.  If anyone wants to contribute to the cost, or wants to volunteer to take it to him in Kiriat Arba, please contact me.

Rafael

Update on Shdema. Olmert-Livni promised to Arabs overlooking Har Choma endangering also Gush Etzion and the road

This morning, Friday May 16th tens of lovers of Israel have returned to Shdema.

 

As you recall, Shdema is the vacated army camp close to Har Choma, Jerusalem. At the spot , close to the road, we found today building measurements which confirm the news we had gotten that the Olmert-Livni have promised the Arabs to build a town there.

 

 We haven't emphasized enough what madness this would be. Not only from a ideological point of view (for no Jew is allowed to give away parts of the Land of Israel) but simply from a security point of view, Shdema overlooks Har Choma and the road- thus a Arab town there would be endangering Har Choma, Gush etzion and the road.

 

This time we came with a tourguide, Aryeh Klein from Hevron, who gave us some new information about Shdema:

* the area of Shdema is where there was a Hasmonean fortress. Close to where the abandoned army camp is located today, ruins were found from the time of the Greek siege on the Hasmoneans. The Jews managed to burst the siege. In that battle Johanan the Hasmonean died.

 

During the Jordanian occupation the place was a Jordanian army base built to control the Tekoa desert. During the Six day war the Jordanian force located there fled to Jordan.

 

In addition to try and physically take over Shdema like we have been doing in the past two days and will continue to do in order to turn it into a Jewish city, it is important for all lovers of Israel to exert public pressure (phones, faxes) to Mk's, public figures, Rabbis , etc...and urge them to get involved in preventing Shdema from becoming a Arab town.Instead it should be turned into a Jewish town. By the way,that would certainly help the many young israeli couples who keep on, rightfully, complaining that yong couples cannot buy any affordable place in Jerusalem.

 

Attached are 4 pictures of today's return.Today we managed to hang a large Israeli flag  on the broken water tower.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

The committee for the creation of a Jewish City in Shdema