8 Tammuz 5768
Friday, July 11, 2008
This newsletter is dedicated to those that wish to follow the Rabbanim but pick Rabbanim who remain Silent regarding our entitlement to Eretz Yisroel.
1. Rabbi Moshe Tendler's visit to Temple Mount. Chareidi reaction. 102 comments before my own (see next item) which may or may not be published.
2. Robin Ticker's response to the comments on YWN Yeshiva World Network to above post on YWN.
3. Rabbi Chananya Weissman's reaction to the comments on YWN.
4. Meeting with Rabbi Yeshayahu Hollander member of Sanhedrin Rabbinical Court of Bnei Noach in Brooklyn, NY
5. The negotiations- Rabbi Shalom Z Berger Knowing that our claim to the Land is true and that the enemy's claim is spurious is a precondition for rallying the support that is necessary for a successful engagement with the enemy.
. People of the Book - The Rebbe says that the physical act is necessary: to settle the entire Land of Israel!-
7. Dr. Roy Neuberger - Thought about Tammuz
8. Lev U'neshama Help our Brethren in Tsefat
9. ACTION ALERT!!! MATTOT ARIM
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1. Rabbi Moshe Tendler's visit to Temple Mount. Chareidi reaction. 102 comments before my own (see next item) which may or may not be published. Go to link to read comments.
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=20793
Reprinted from Temple Institute:
(Click HERE for photos) Rabbi Moshe Tendler, rabbi of The Community Synagogue of Monsey, senior Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University's Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, the Rabbi Isaac and Bella Tendler Professor of Jewish Medical Ethics and Professor of Biology at Yeshiva College, and son-in-law of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, paid a visit to the Temple Mount on Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, 5768, (Thursday, July 3, 2008), in the company of the Temple Institute's Founder, Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, and Institute Director, Yehudah Glick. Joining them was Rabbi Tendler's grandson Avraham.
During the course of the visit the group recited prayers, including Kadish, Birkat Kohanim, and Barchu. The group also sat as a Bet Din, (Rabbinical Court) to perform Zecher Lekidush Hachodesh, ( a re-enactment of the Temple era pronouncement of the New Moon by the Sanhedrin).
Rabbi Tendler declared that he intends to encourage his students as well as members of his community to ascend Har Habayit (the Temple Mount).
bs"d
Ever since plans for the disengagement was announced, approximately following Pesach 2005, I and other lovers of Eretz Yisroel called and begged Rabbanim in Agudath Yisroel of America and MOetzet Gedoilei Hatorah and the Yeshivishe world to speak out for Eretz Yisroel. We begged them to put a Kol Korei that Hashem promised Eretz Yisroel to the seed of Avraham Yitzchok and Yaakov exclusively as an everlasting inheritance and we in turn our obligated to keep the Mitzvoth such as Shemittah and other Mitzvoth read at Hakhel and all the Mitzvoth of the entire Torah which reach ultimate fulfillment in Eretz Yisroel, Eretz Hakodesh.
Gush Katif was a farming community with millions of Shekalim if not billions in exports. I thought to myself, perhaps we should be concentrating on whether vidui maaser was done properly. Let me stop my discussion by saying that this is in no way to denigrate the righteous Jews of Gush Katif. Lehefach. They have such love for Eretz Yisroel that puts the rest of Am Yisroel to shame. Yet like all great and righteous people perhaps Hashem judges them with hairline precision. No. Even if there was lapses in their observance of vidui maaser the fault was primarily with the rest of Am Yisroel who simply did not value Hashem's gift of Eretz Yisroel. The fault I believe lies with the Hamonei Am that has failed to see that after 2000 years, with nissim geluyim that were so obvious in 1967, following the churban of Nazi Germany, there is finally Jewish Sovereignty and the possibility of actually observing Vidui Maaser in Eretz Yisroel. The majority of the "frum" and secular in Eretz Yisroel and in the Diaspora did not join the 250,000 precious Jews that davened bitterly at the Kotel and in Nevei Dekalim and the other shuls in Gush Katif, crying to the Rebonei shel Olam begging Hashem to allow Jewish presence to remain on Eretz Hakodesh. If there truly existed a yearning to keep the Mitzvoth teluyot Baaretz then surely the "frum" world would join with their brothers and cry to Hashem "but who will keep these Mitzvoth if not us?" Will a peaceful state of Palestine practice Shemittah and bring the Kedusha and blessings to the entire world?
How will all these worthy Tzedakas raise enough money for their poor in Bnei Brak and other areas if they have to compete with the newly poor 200,000 people of Judea and Samaria. The generous benefactors in Chutz Laaretz will be inundated with Tzedaka requests much too much to bear.
Torah can exist w/o Eretz Yisroel as it has for 2000 in Galus. All their prayers for Yerushalyim and the Bais Hamikdash are for when Moshiach comes and not for now.
3. Rabbi Chananya Weissman's reaction to the comments on YWN.
Normally I do not post messages on blogs, since they are a waste of time and they seem to attract the lowest elements of our society. However, Rabbi Moshe Tendler is both a great man and my Rebbe, and I will not be guilty of allowing him to be degraded by vulgar people without protesting.
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And, unlike the vast majority of you bitter fools, I have no problem signing my real name to my comments and standing by my words.
Shame on you.
The self-proclaimed "Yeshiva world" blows a lot of steam about respect for Talmidei Chachamim and following "Da'as Torah". Of course, only certain yeshivos merit to be part of this exclusive "Yeshiva world"; other yeshivos are smugly looked down upon as not being "real" yeshivos or part of this world.
Da'as Torah is code for the right to have an opinion about anything, and no one outside their narrow circles is so privileged. Yet, there are really no opinions in the world, only a party line. If the greatest of their Gedolim decided that studying science, working for a living, asking a girl out on a date, etc. is perfectly okay, he would be summarily stripped of his Da'as Torah. The same man who is assumed to be infallible and impossible to comprehend today would be thrown out like garbage tomorrow if he went against the party line. Da'as Torah comes and goes according to the pre-determined whims of an intellectual mob, who reserve the right to ridicule and abuse those they disagree with.
The rabbinic leaders of this exclusive world are supposed to be universally revered without question, and any implication that they are less than perfect, let alone far less than that, is met with a violent response. Of course, rabbinic leaders who do not subscribe to the narrow-as-a-pin ideology of the "Yeshiva world" are not considered to be rabbis altogether, let alone leaders who should be respected. At most the "Yeshiva world" will derisively refer to such rabbis as leaders of Modern Orthodoxy, which is a clever way of feigning respect for them while simultaneously dismissing them as irrelevant to the "frum community". Yet, again, THEIR leaders are supposed to relevant to everyone, and pity the one who suggests otherwise.
The "Yeshiva world" and its anonymous henchmen get to decide who has "Da'as Torah" and who doesn't. A clear formula has never been provided for us. We're just supposed to follow the crowd and cower before whoever yells the loudest.
This is not a new phenomenon. I only wonder how this Olam Ha'sheker has gained such dominance and how those of us who know better have meekly allowed this to happen.
Notice how Rabbi Moshe Tendler, a true Talmid Chacham and one of the finest people I have been privileged to encounter, is referred to in the most vulgar and degrading of terms by Chelmites who aren't worthy to shine his shoes. Notice how they presume superior knowledge, while presuming that Rabbi Tendler needs permission from their perverse "Da'as Torah" to make a decision.
These same monkeys would throw a fit if anyone suggested Rabbi Elyashiv, or Rabbi Kanievsky, or some such figure were less than perfect, yet a Talmid Chacham outside their immediate comfort zone is fair game for the most disgusting of attacks.
Did THEY consult their vaunted "Da'as Torah" before posting this "expose" on a great man who needs approval from no one, least of all anonymous fools? For that matter, didn't their "Da'as Torah" forbid the Internet?
People, wake up. Our Judaism and our Torah have been hijacked by people who resort to intimidation and intellectual suppression to insure that their community speaks with one voice. They have created a perverse religion of "Da'as Torah" that continues to drift farther and farther away from the Torah, even as their proclamations in the name of Torah become louder and more shrill.
No one from this community will stand up and defend Rabbi Tendler for the sake of Kavod HaTorah. Let our community, whose membership is diverse, contemplative, intelligent, educated, worldly, and self-supporting stand up for itself. Let us no longer allow others to proclaim themselves exclusive title-holders to a "yeshiva world", or "Da'as Torah", or frumkeit, or in charge of who is a Gadol and who is not even a rabbi.
Who are these people anyway, and what gives them any influence if not our own cowardice?
Well, YOUR cowardice, perhaps. They don't frighten me. But you do — if you will continue to stay silent.
Signed as always,
(Rabbi) Chananya Weissman, privileged to be a talmid of Rabbi Moshe TendlerComment by chananya_weissman — July 10, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
4. Meeting with Rabbi Yeshayahu Hollander member of Sanhedrin Rabbinical Court of Bnei Noach in Brooklyn, NY and in Queens.
Rabbi Hollander, Rebbe and educator par excellence, member of the Sanhedrin and Rabbinical court of the Bnei Noach met with a group of activists in Brooklyn and the next day in Queens. After a dvar Torah in Tehillim there was a very productive given and take between Rabbi Hollender and the activists regarding the collective silence of mainstream Jewish organizations and how we can effect change. Rabbi Hollendar also met with the World Committee forEretz Yisroel the next day in Queens. We walked away from the meeting feeling stronger and resolute. Rabbi Hollander is a member of the nascent Sanhedrin, subject to controversy and mockery but they did speak with clarity against the expulsion from Gush Katif and for those that have been imprisoned because of their activism and protest to any Land for peace negotiations.
5. The negotiations Rabbi Shalom Z. Berger
The Shiur was given on Tamuz 5767
Written by the rabbi
Dedicated to the speedy recovery of
Yehudah ben Hadasah Hinde Malkah
In our own day it is essential that we be knowledgeable about the history of Eretz Yisrael - both ancient and modern - so that we will be able to refute the false claims of others, and even more so, that we will understand that it is our right and destiny to live there.
6. People of the Book
Weekly publication by True Peace on issues related to peace and security in Israel.
Issue no. 198 • 1 Tamuz, 5768 - July 4, 2008 • www.TruePeace.org • E- Mail: LetsTalkPeace@TruePeace.org
The obligation to settle the land Part 2 of 2
In his address of Pesach Sheini, 5738 (1978), the Rebbe
said that there is an immediate need to populate the entire
eastern border of the Holy Land, adding: "This is literally
a matter of security for three-and-a-half million Jews!"
The Rebbe always mentioned in his addresses the saying
of the Sages, "Action is the main thing." He also mentions
this saying in connection with the indivisibility of the Land
of Israel, which is an important and fateful issue. In his
public address of 13 Tishrei 5738 (1977), the Rebbe stresses
that action is the main thing with regard to the integrity of
the land:
The entire Land of Israel should be populated, along its entire
boundaries. This is similar to that which is said regarding Torah
and mitzvos — just as we must perform the actual physical act,
so must it be regarding the integrity of the Land of Israel — the
physical act is necessary: to settle the entire Land of Israel!
7. Dr. Roy Neuberger THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF TAMMUZ
Dear Friends:
Now we enter the difficult days of summer. Is it not amazing that the non-Jewish world looks upon these days as representing FREEDOM, HAPPINESS, VACATION, RELEASE FROM RESTRAINT, PLEASURE, and we - lehavdil - the Nation of G-d , look upon them as the greatest challenge of our year, the days during which our greatest tragedies have occurred.
Just to walk down the street in the summer is a huge test. In Jerusalem last week, I saw a man with a cloth hanging down from the front of his hat to shield his eyes from what he should not see. He was negotiating the sidewalk as best he could. We must guard our eyes and our souls. We must try to erase the pollution which is eating away at our souls.
Under the burning sun of Eretz Yisroel, tragic and horrific events occurred during this season, and they did not occur for no reason.
Please, my dear friends, listen to the words of the Yom Tov Mussaf service, which we recently said on Shavuos: "Because of our sins we have been exiled from our land and sent far from our soil. We cannot ascend to appear and to prostate ourselves before You, and to perform our obligations in the ... great and holy House upon which Your Name was proclaimed, because of the hand that was dispatched against Your Sanctuary."
Someone said on our return from Israel, "Welcome back to Golus." Do you think our Exile is over? Is Exile only outside the Land of Israel?
No, my friends, it is not so. Ask anyone in Sderot if the Exile is over. In Ashkelon! In the Golan Heights! In Yehuda and Shomron!
Ask any perceptive Jew in the heart of Yerushalayim or Bnai Brak ... or Borough Park ... anywhere!
Why did it happen? "Because of our sins."
How will it be cured? Because of our teshuva, our repentance! It's all in our hands.
My dear friends, the headlines proclaim, "Truce with Hamas." On our recent flight an El Al stewardess said to me, "Now perhaps we will have peace."
LET'S WAKE UP BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
"Eichah... Alas, she sits in solitude. The City that was great with people has become like a widow. The greatest among nations the princess among provinces, has become a tributary. She weeps bitterly in the night and her tear is on her cheek."
We sit among ashes on the FORTY NINTH LEVEL of degradation, wandering aimlessly and leaderless, lost in Exile, a Nation almost devoid of unity and hope.
IS OUR HOPE TO MAKE A TREATY WITH A NATION THAT HAS HATED US SINCE THE DAYS OF OUR FATHER ABRAHAM? HOW NAÏVE CAN WE BE? HOW THIS SOPHISTICATED, BRILLIANT NATION GRASPS AT STRAWS!
ALL BECAUSE WE DO NOT WANT TO DO TESHUVA!
The Torah warns us [1] against making treaties with our enemies. There is absolutely NO SECURITY in that. ONLY ONE PEACE TREATY COUNTS: PEACE AMONG AM YISROEL AND PEACE WITH OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN! IT IS ALL THE SAME, MY FRIENDS. PEACE WITH G-D WILL COME IMMEDIATELY AS SOON AS THERE IS PEACE AMONG HIS CHILDREN.
It is well-known that we are in Exile today because of Sinas Chinom [2] unwarranted hatred among the Children of Israel. But the question is: do we believe it? We pay lip service to achdus and ahavas chinom, love among our family, but do we live as if our lives depend on it?
ANNOUNCEMENT: OUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT!
There is NOTHING ELSE of importance except this! NOTHING! If we would become once again like "one man with one heart" as we were at Mount Sinai, and stand together before our G-d saying once again, "Na'ase v'nishma," we will live Your Torah, the Redemption would come in the blink of an eye! The entire world would instantly be at peace, our internal and external enemies would have disappeared before we knew it, the Temple would stand upon Mount Zion and Moshiach ben Dovid would reign forever in Jerusalem the Holy City.
IT IS UP TO US AND ONLY US. HAMAS IS NOTHING! IRAN IS NOTHING! BIN LADEN IS NOTHING! THEIR THREATS AND BULLETS HAVE POWER ONLY BECAUSE THE POISON REMAINS IN OUR HEARTS!
As Kalev says to the Children of Israel: "You should not fear the people of the land, for they are our bread. Their protection has departed from them." [3]
TESHUVA! ACHDUS!
THERE IS NOTHING ELSE, MY FRIENDS. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! MAY WE SEE THE GLORIOUS DAY OF OUR REDEMPTION THIS MONTH, AND BRING HEALING TO THE WORLD!
With love and hope, Roy S. Neuberger
8. Lev U'neshama Help our Brethren in Tsefat
We are resending this invitation to remind you about our upcoming dinner in Denver as well as to correct the email address for reservations. Please note the correct e-mail address: tllidstone@aol.com
Heart and Soul
Tzfat, Israel
First Annual Benefit Dinner
Sunday July 27th, 2008
5:30 PM
East Side Kosher Deli, Banquet Room
499 South Elm Street
Denver, Colorado
Guest Speaker: Rabbi Yossi Serebryanski
Topic: Tzedakah, The other side of the coin
Silent Auction and Door Prizes
Reservations: Terre Lidstone
Phone: 303 750-1999
Email: tllidstone@aol.com
$36.00 per person
Proceeds to the Lev U'Neshama Food Fund
This invitation in its original format was sent to all our friends in Colorado. However we also want our friends and supporters outside of Colorado to know about this exciting event. The proceeds from this evening will be used to continue to provide the monthly food boxes for 144 needy families who are presently on our list.
We know that many people would like to attend this dinner but because of distance are not able to. However, if you cannot attend in person you can still be with us in spirit. We are planning a display that will include an empty plate to symbolize what many Tzfat families often face regardless of the time of year. This will be accompanied by a listing of those who have sent in donations to help us keep these plates filled. In this way you can join those who are attending the dinner.
Donations of any amount must be received by July 21st in order that your name and location will be included in the display. Please send your check payable to Lev U'Neshama to: Smolensky, c/o Quezada, 2285 Forest Street, Denver, CO 80207. If you want a tax receipt please contact Yaffa at: mortsmo@aol.com. Your participation will be gratefully accepted.
9. ACTION ALERT!!! MATTOT ARIM
29 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE IN DANGER -- YOU CAN HELP THEM
As you know, terrorists are about to be released into the streets of the free world, however, this "deal" is fortunately not yet final. The chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, MK Zachi Hanegbi, caused a sensation when he revealed to Maariv this week that last time, 29 Israelis were murdered by terrorists who were released by the Sharon government, within only 18 months of the release date.
Be part of the solution -- not part of the problem. We can all help save the next 29 lives. Jot down the telephone number of Prime Minister Olmert's office on a piece of paper: 02-6705555. Then, call that office EVERY DAY unless G-d forbid you hear that Samir Kuntar and the other terrorists have been released. Say to the phone-person who answers: "I would like to dictate to you, a message for the Prime Minister". Dictate a short message, and ask the phone-person to please read it back to you to make sure it's right.
Thank you so much for caring. Incidentally you are helping not only innocent Israelis but ALSO the families of the soldiers, because when people pressure the government to release terrorists, foolishly thinking they are helping the families, the result is in fact the exact opposite (as disclosed by Maariv deputy editor Ben-Dror Yemini this week): the terrorist organizations immediately jack up their demands. So, do the right thing - make a daily phone call to Olmert with a message: DON'T RELEASE TERRORISTS. You can fax, too: 02-6546717. Pass this on, please.
ARE YOU AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY TO ORANGE DEMONSTRATORS?
If you are against police brutality toward orange demonstrators, please join the people who attend the trials against violent policemen, who attacked young people (and some elderly people as well) in Amona, Gush Katif and other places where demonstrations were held. The next trial is this Wednesday in JERUSALEM. 9 July, 11:30 AM, Hashalom CourtHouse, Judge Berkley presiding. In case there are last minute changes in the schedule, call Evelyn at 0524831905 before you leave for the courthouse. Many thanks for participating in this and showing the justice system that there are people who care (that makes the judges "sit up" and take these matters seriously)
RAMAT HA-GOLAN, WE LOVE YOU
If you love the Golan and can devote one-half an hour to the Golan, from the privacy of your own home, please contact mattot.arim@gmail.com write "RAMAT HA-GOLAN" in the subject line of your email, and indicate your place of residence and name. Thank you!
HEADS OF GUSH ETZION CALL MEETING RE SHDEMA
Friday, Tamuz 8 (11.7.08) at 10:00, meeting in Gush Etzion Matnas, Alon Shvut, re Shedma. Shdema, between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion, is located in Zone C (under full Israeli control). Despite opposition by senior officers in the IDF, the government is favorably considering transferring the area to the Palestinian Authority -- a very dangerous precedent indeed.
Speakers: * Shaul Goldstein, Head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council * Rav Ya'akov Medan, head of the Har Etzion Yeshiva * Rav Yaron Dorani, Rav of Nokdim
At 11:00 -- bus to Shdema. Estimated time of return: 13:00. Monday, Tamuz 11 (14.7.08): all night kumsitz (bonfire) at Shdema
For Particulars please call the committee for Jewish Shdema:
Ruti Walfish (Tekoa) 02-9964956 Anita Finkelstein (Tekoa) 050-5777254 Eli Rodan (Elazar) 054-4993529
SUNDAY, July 13th,2008, at 10:30 am, VIGIL IN JERUSALEM
The Levinstein -Harel brothers are rotting in jail for 40 and 30 months for planning to block a highway with a burning car as a form of protest against the disengagement. Using a section of the Law, Section 332, which is intended for perpetrators who INTENTIONALLY endanger lives, the brothers, who did not actually block the highway at all, hurt no-one, are fathers of young children and have no criminal record, were sentenced to 30 and 40 months in jail.
*Vigil in front of the Presidents house in Jerusalem (Jabotinsky street) to demand their release. For details call Ayelet 054-8147151
