Fwd: From hospital bed, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu letter hand-delivered to President at Knesset

bs"d

What a beautifully respectful well written letter!  I truly hope that the President finds merit and favor with this letter and executes it          

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Pesach <pashra@netvision.net.il>
Date: Sun, May 18, 2008 at 9:31 AM
Subject: From hospital bed, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu letter hand-delivered to President at Knesset
To: Pesach <pashra@netvision.net.il>

 
From hospital bed, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu letter hand-delivered to President at Knesset

Justice4JP Release – May 14, 2008

Hospitalized again this week following heart surgery and a series of intensive medical procedures, Jonathan Pollard's rabbi, the former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Ha Rav Mordechai Eliyahu nevertheless made a super-human effort to have a letter hand-delivered to President Bush today at the Knesset. Fortunately, the letter had been prepared prior to his hospitalization.

 In his letter, the former Chief Rabbi of Israel offers to be Jonathan Pollard's guarantor, and to accept him into his custody. The Rabbi points out that Pollard has been punished very harshly and that his survival after 22 years in prison is a miracle. He urges Mr. Bush to release Jonathan for the good of America, for the good of Israel, and for the good of the entire world. He assures Mr. Bush that both he and America will be blessed for rectifying this travesty of justice.

The text of Rabbi Eliyahu's letter to President Bush follows below.

 

 

RABBI MORDECHAI ELIYAHU                                                                                                                                                                  

FORMER CHIEF RABBI OF ISRAEL AND RISCHON LEZION

April 17, 2008 B"H

 

The Honorable President George W. Bush                                                                 

President of the United States
The White House
Washington D.C.

 

Dear Mr. President:

Peace and blessings upon you from Jerusalem!

I am turning to you both as a president as a man - as an honest man renown for helping and assisting others; and as a president who has virtually unlimited authority to act on behalf of the general public, and on behalf of the individual citizen.

My concern is Jonathan Pollard (May G-d protect him).

Jonathan Pollard has languished in American prisons for 22 years. He has been punished beyond measure and his survival is a miracle. His continued incarceration is a travesty of justice that is a blot upon America's reputation as a G-d-fearing nation. According to our sages, whoever shows mercy to G-d's creations, G-d shall be merciful to him. I urge you to release Jonathan Pollard and to send him home to Jerusalem. By correcting this long-standing injustice, you will bring blessing upon the American people and her armed troops which are fighting so valiantly under life-threatening circumstances.

I would like to point out that I am willing to act as Jonathan Pollard's guarantor, to take him into my custody and to accept full responsibility for him. I have visited Jonathan in prison on numerous occasions. He is a dignified man, a man of noble sensitivities who is deserving of special consideration.

Mr. President, do this good deed and I believe that in doing good for Jonathan Pollard, you will be doing good for the American nation, and good for the nation of Israel, as well as good for the entire world.

 It is within the power of one who rules to raise himself up and transcend the common fray. It is written in Psalms 130:4, "Forgiveness belongs to you that you may be feared." Our sages interpret this verse to mean that The Holy One, Blessed be He, forgives, and He is feared all the more so. Mr. President, G-d raised you up and made you president of a great country. It is incumbent upon you to emulate what is pleasing to G-d, and to be as He is - forgiving and merciful; to do what is just and right. Please release Jonathan Pollard at once.

My blessing is that G-d should lead you on the right and good path that you should act righteously and succeed, both personally and publicly. G-d is with you. Do and succeed!

With blessings and affection

 (signed)

Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu
Former Chief Rabbi of Israel

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YOUTUBE 4 YEAR MEMORIAL TO TALI HATUEL AND HER FOUR DAUGHTERS From: israelkaplan@yahoo.com

bs"d

Dear Fellow activists, amv"sh

It's important to remember what happened also so that we will not slacken our activism to prevent similar tragedies.

bs"d

 

 

4 years to the murder of Tali Hatuel

And her daughters Hila, Hadar, Roni, and Merav 

May 2, 2004 - Tali Hatuel, 34, and her daughters - Hila, 11, Hadar, 9, Roni, 7, and Merav, 2 – from Moshav Katif in Gush Katif  were brutally assassinated when two Palestinian terrorists shot on an Israeli car at the entrance to the Gaza Strip settlement bloc of Gush Katif.

They were on their way to campaign against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan. Their white Citroen station wagon spun off the road after the initial shooting, and then the attackers approached the vehicle and shot the occupants dead at close range. The Hatuels' car was riddled with bullets, and the carpet inside was stained with blood. The girls were killed hugging one another. On the car was a bumper sticker saying, "Uprooting the settlements, victory for terror."

In spite of the terrible tragedy, David Hatuel has decided to overcome the trauma and dedicate himself to education in Israel and build again a new family. Recently David got married and had a baby girl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPnyGCoeIXc

Fwd: Anti-Semitic violence right under my window!!! first hand report from Crown Heights

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rafael Rabinovich <rafvrab@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, May 18, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Subject: Anti-Semitic violence right under my window!!!
To: "rafvrab@gmail.com" <rafvrab@gmail.com>

New York City Hareidi Jew Unconscious After Attack

(IsraelNN.com) A young hareidi-religious Jew from the Chabad stream was violently attacked Thursday night in New York City and is currently unconscious, HNN reported. The attackers are thought to be Jew-haters. Passersby found the young man on Albany Avenue in Brooklyn and alerted the authorities.

Police and "Hatzala" emergency medical volunteers treated the victim and evacuated him to a hospital.

Attacks on Jews in the area have become more frequent recently, and the Jewish community's representatives met with police and demanded better protection.

Yet Another Bochur Viciously Beaten and Robbed

CROWN HEIGHTS, Brooklyn [CHI] — Thursday night at around midnight, a group of men walking down Albany Ave, between Empire Blvd and Leferts Ave, saw a Jewish teen lying on the floor, unconscious and bleeding from his head. They called Hatzalah and Shomrim, who quickly responded to the scene. Hatzalah revived the teen, who couldn't remember his name or why his head hurt.

Witnesses said, they believe there were two Black male assailants who were hanging around the scene before the attack, and were seen leaving the scene with a bike looked like the one taken from the victim. There were no witnesses to the actual assault.

Hatzalah transported the teen to the Kings County Hospital, where he is scheduled to get a CT scan. Shomrim members who responded to the scene could not get a proper description of the assailants from the victim, from memory loss due the trauma he sustained.

The teen, which is 16 years old, was cycling up Albany Ave, when he was attacked and viciously beaten, to the point of unconsciousness. Hours later the teen still could not remember exactly what happened, or who did it to him, but did tell detectives that he was missing his cell phone, watch, wallet and the bike he was riding on.

Many detective were observed at the scene of the attack along with brass of the 71st precinct, who were investigating the incident, which as this time is still not clear what its being classified as.

In case of an emergency never hesitate to call 911 and Shomrim at (718) 774-3333 24/7

http://www.crownheights.info/index.php?itemid=11964

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Well guys, this happened right under my window.  My wife woke up and got me out of bed with the commotion.  By then the attackers were gone and Shmirah could only call hatzalah to get the boy rushed into a hospital.
On Friday afternoon there was a demonstration than went from here to the 71st Precinct's headquarters, with a large crowd chanting "Jewish blood is not cheap!".  It is the 3rd incident of violence against Jews in the neighborhood within the past few days.

I took a few pictures of what was going on:


Carrying a picture of how the victim looked on the ER's bed




"Every Jew a 22"  -- it is becoming a Chabad slogan...


The crowd blocking the traffic on Albany.  I live in the building on the right.


From the entrance to my building, neighbors gathered to watch the crowd marching on to the 71 precinct, 4 blocks away.



The police was around through that night and the next day, and a double camera has been set on that corner looking both Empire Blvd. and Albany Ave., with a sign that warns about the 24/7 vigilance.

A non-Jewish neighbor demanded that the building remain locked at night, with only identified visitors being allowed to come in.

Next time someone ask me if traveling through Judea and Samaria is dangerous, I'll punch them in the face!

http://www.revava.org/forum/index.php/topic,4653.msg36394.html#msg36394

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

bs"d

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

bs"d

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)