Wednesday, March 05, 2014

Its All Good - Letter sent to Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky and Founder and Director Michael Rothschild of the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation re: Chareidi Draft, Torah Solution: Elef L'Mateh, Elef L'Mateh: Rav Chaim Kanievsky Partners with Rav Kook and Rabbi Pesach Lerner to help fight War in 2006

bs"d

Tonight, in honor of the 8th Annual Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation Dinner held in the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Manhattan are my thoughts regarding the recent Chareidi Rally in protest of the Chareidi Draft: 

Lichvod: Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky Shlita Chairman of the Rabbinical Board -  Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation
             Mr. Michael Rothschild Shlita Founder and DirectorChofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation

Thank you for your ongoing Leadership in the Torah world in America especially when it comes to teaching children and grownups the language of Ahavas Yisroel! Our generation has benefited greatly from your educational materials and programs. May Hashem and Torah be your guiding light in this period of darkness!

Please forgive me for addressing you in matters that are out of my league. The words that follow have merit of their own and comes from being influenced from having lived near Hevron and being very connected to Hevron.

I cannot in good conscience remain silent....

HKBH is way ahead of us ..

Let us try to reconcile the two sides.....

Is being a part of the Israeli Army such a problem from a Torah perspective?

Here in just the past 2 days in the news, is a stark reminder that if Hashem wills it, we can be drafted anywhere.

  • Haredim Being Drafted – to Ukrainian Army Will the Haredim escape to Israel before or after the gates are closed


"Unlike in the IDF, Jewish soldiers in the Ukrainian army cannot get kosher food, cannot have beards, and must work on Shabbat – which is the day they clean the base..."

Also please read the following article.
  • Americans in Israel Targeted by IRS for Tax Audits Published Monday, March 3, 2014
Suspected Child Credit Fraud Among Hasidim Prompts Scrutiny By Nathan Guttman

Even this leftist author feels the IRS is being overzealous... Is America truly a safer haven for Chareidim than Israel?

Mr. Rothschild, amv"sh

The choice of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, a Holocaust Museum, as a venue for the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation Dinner tonight is a wise one considering that Am Yisroel is now facing a threat from those whose ideology and leaders partnered with Hitler Yemach Shemo VeZichro and then denied the Holocaust happened. I am referring to our modern day Amalek, PLO/Fatah and Hamas who consider the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem yemach shemo their leader and hero.  I am also referring to our modern day Persian Amalekites,  Ayatollah Khomeini and Hassan Rouhani yemach shemum vezichrom who have made no secret of their intentions towards Israel (at least to their own people).

It is shocking to me and others that Chareidim gathered en-mass in the hundreds of thousands against the Jewish government of Israel consisting of Prime Minister Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid to accuse them of  uprooting Torah because of the draft enlistment.

I do not wish to minimize the legitimate grievances of the Chareidim in any way which are indeed  painful, but honestly these grievances pale in comparison with the threat our Nation is facing, from such evil coming from Iran and Fatah/Hamas/Hezbollah aligning themselves with Nazi ideology. There is surely room to Dan Lecaf Zechus, judge favorably,Israeli government elected officials like the Prime Minister and his coalition for wanting Chareidim to be part of a Jewish army.

How did the Chareidim fail to acknowledge that Israel is facing an existential threat from our enemies which threaten Chareidm, Dati Leumi and/ or Chilonim alike right, left and center, (not to mention north and south) irrespective of political leanings?

Surely it is not too late to do so as I have been told that a rally is being scheduled for this coming Sunday in New York. Perhaps, we in New York, a bit removed from the fire, can channel the flames of passion in a positive direction.  Whether or not this rally materializes I hope both sides can unite to at least acknowledge that Israel is indeed facing the modern day Amalek.  As it says Bechol Dor veDor... 

The letter below from Rav Simcha HaKochen Kook might be extremely helpful as it was a collaborative effort with Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Rabbi Pesach Lerner - a true display of Achdus.  

We can learn from the war Moshe Rabbeinu waged against Midyon, a Milchemet Mitzvah,  as per how to combine those who are learning with those who are actually fighting into one unified army. Surely, the masses of Chareidim that attended the rally as well as those from the Dati Leumi camp are all interested in learning and implementing how a Jewish army must maintain a level of Holiness as prescribed by Torah while defending the Land and People of Israel from those who wish to annihilate us.

Rambam includes Milchemet Mitzvah within the count of Mitzvoth and I believe no one is exempt.

Surely the absolute best soldiers to fight Iran, Hamas or Hizbollah is a Holy army and those strong in Yirath Shamayim, as it says in the Torah "Vehaya Machanecha Kadosh!", Devarim 23:14-15 "For Hashem your G-d walks in the midst of your camp to rescue you and to deliver your enemies before you;  So your camp shall be holy" 

There is no disagreement that this Pasuk, Pshuto Kemashmao, it's plain and literal translation is referring to a military camp.

A quick glance in the Concordance of the word Milchama will bring pages of references throughout Tanach where we have clear precedents that fighting for Jewish survival is indeed considered  a Mitzvah. Purim and Chanukah are both examples of actual fighting in battles and being victorious and bringing forth a tremendous Kiddush Hashem!


Email Yanki Schneck
Assistant of Chief Rabbi of Rehovot itsallgood84@juno.com to get signed up.
 
Subject: REQUEST FROM RAV SIMCHA HAKOHEN KOOK
 
PLEASE SHARE WITH ALL YOUR CONTACTS, THANK YOU.  
 
DEAR COLLEAGUES
 
SHALOM ALEICHEM.
 
IT IS NOW 7:30 PM, THURSDAY EVENING IN NEW YORK,  2:30 AM, FRIDAY MORNING EARLY IN ERETZ YISRAEL.
WITHIN THE LAST 30 MINUTES I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM RABBI SIMCHA HAKOHEN KOOK, SHLITA, CHIEF RABBI OF RECHOVOT, A SPECIAL
INDIVIDUAL KNOWN TO MANY OF US, PERSONALLY. HIS CALL WAS FOLLOWED BY A FAX AND  PHONE CALLS  FROM HIS ASSISTANT, RABBI YAAKOV SCHNECK.
 
RABBI KOOK EXPLAINED TO ME HOW SERIOUS THE SITUATION IS IN ISRAEL, MORE SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS THAN ANY OF US CAN IMAGINE.
ERETZ YISRAEL NEEDS OUR CONSTANT AND SPECIAL TEFILLOS.
 
RAV KOOK SHARED WITH ME HIS VERY RECENT, WITHIN THE LAST FEW HOURS, CONVERSATION WITH RAV CHAIM KANIEVSKY, SHLITA
AND ASKED OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL TO SHARE THE FOLLOWING TORAH INSIGHT AND TORAH REQUEST.
SPEARHEADING THIS EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN IS RAV KOOK AND THE BOSTONER REBBE, SHLITA.
 
I SHARE WITH YOU THEIR OPEN LETTER AND REQUEST. PLEASE SHARE THE LETTER, CONCEPT, REQUEST WITH YOUR CONGREGANTS THIS SHABBOS.
 
 
TO ACHEINU BNEI YISRAEL:
 
AFTER HEARING THE HEART-RENDERING APPEAL OF GEDOLEI TORAH TO INTENSIFY OUR TEFILOS AND TORAH LEARNING
DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR KLALL YISRAEL IN ERETZ YISRAEL, WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO JOIN AND ADD TO THEIR REQUEST.
 
THE TORAH INFORMS US THAT IN THE WAR THAT MOSHE RABBEINU AND KLALL YISRAEL WAGED AGAINST MIDYON, MOSHE "DRAFTED"
ELEF L'MATEH, ELEF L'MATEH---ONE THOUSAND SOLDIERS FROM EACH SHEVET/TRIBE. THE MEDRASH RABBA AND THE YALKUT SHIMONI EXPLAIN
THAT IN FACT, EACH SHEVET SENT ONE THOUSAND PAIRS, TWO THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS--ONE THOUSAND TO FIGHT AND ONE THOUSAND
TO DAVEN.  EACH SOLDIER HAD HIS DESIGNATED PERSON WHOSE TASK WAS TO DAVEN AND LEARN FOR HIS SPECIFIC SOLDIER COLLEAGUE.
AND THE TORAH TELLS US--V'LO NIFKAD MIMENU ISH, NO ONE WAS KILLED FROM AMONGST THE JEWISH ARMY.
 
WE BROUGHT THIS IDEA TO RAV CHAIM KANIEVSKY, SHLITA,. HE WAS QUITE HAPPY ABOUT THE IDEA AND POINTED OUT THAT
DOVID HAMELECH INSTITUTED THE PLAN, AS WELL. EACH INVDIVIDUAL WHO WAS IN COMBAT HAD A DESIGNATED PERSON WHO WAS
DAVENING AND LEARNING IN HIS MERIT.
 
THEREFORE, WE ASK OF EVERYONE --SOLDIERS, RESIDENTS OF CITIES AND TOWNS THAT ARE UNDER ATTACK, THOSE THAT ARE IN SHELTERS,
ALL THAT FIND THEMSELVES IN DANGER, TO CONTACT US, TO GIVE US YOUR HEBREW NAME AND THE HEBREW NAME OF YOUR MOTHER.
WE WILL FIND A JEW WHO WILL ACCEPT UPON HIMSELF/HERSELF TO DAVEN AND LEARN, SPECIFICALLY AS A MERIT FOR YOUR SAFETY AND SECURITY. 
 
WE CALL UPON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY--MEN AND WOMEN, ADULT AND YOUTH, IN THE DIASPORA, TO JOIN IN THIS HOLY
ENDEAVOR, ACCEPT A NAME OF A  SOLDIER OR CIVILIAN WHO FINDS HIMSELF/HERSELF IN DANGER. BOND WITH ACHEINU
BNEI YISRAEL IN ERETZ YISRAEL AND "PARTNER" IN TORAH AND TEFILAH WITH A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL, HAVE THAT PERSON,
BY NAME, INCLUDED IN YOUR TEFILOS, TORAH LEARNING AND ACTS OF CHESED.
 
IF YOU WISH TO PARTNER WITH A JEW IN ISRAEL, PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE WILL SHARE WITH YOU A JEW WHO WOULD BE HONORED AND
APPRECIATIVE TO BE PART OF YOUR TEFILOS AND TORAH LEARNING.
BY TELEPHONE, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8-10 PM IN ERETZ YISRAEL, 011-972-2-581-1911; BY FAX, 011-972-2-651-2950;
 
IN THE MERIT OF OUR CONCERN FOR EACH OTHER, MAY WE SEE A SUCCESSFUL END TO THIS WAR, AS IT SAYS IN THE PASUK, V'LO NIFKAD MIMENU ISH,
WITHOUT THE LOSS OF EVEN JUST ONE MORE PERSON.
 
--THE LETTER IS SIGNED BY THE BOSTONER REBBE, SHLITA AND RAV SIMCHA HAKOHEN KOOK
 
--IF WE AT NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG ISRAEL CAN ASSIST IN MATCHING A CONCERNED JEW WITH A BROTHER OR SISTER IN ISRAEL,
A SOLDIER OR CIVILIAN, PLEASE DO CALL UPON US. TEL 212-929-1525 EXT 100/101; FAX 212-727-9526; E-MAILEXECVP@YOUNGISRAEL.ORG
 
--THANK YOU, TIZKU L'MITZVOT
 
 
Rabbi Pesach Lerner

from:
 Elisha Klausner
 Menahel
 Veitzener Cheder
Rav at  Kahal Tiferes Yisroel

"Osa Shalom bimromav ho yaesa shalom elaneu val kul yisrael bimeranu AMEN!!!!!!!!!!"

--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. T

Monday, March 03, 2014

Chareid Mass-Prayer Rally - It's all Good!

bs"d


If you have been reading and following my posts on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com  it is clear that I did not see this rally as a positive because I sensed that some of the energies was coming from an unholy source.  This played out with Motzei Shem Ra (slander) on members of the Gov't and Religious Zionists accused of wanting to uproot Torah, a false perception especially in the ranks of the Dati Leumi community who serve in the Army and consider their service in the army as a Biblical commandment and a  Milchemet Mitzvah.   Apparently the hard feelings against the Chareidi draft was a  result of criminal and economic sanctions that threatened  the Chareidi population and deeply and painfully affected those who learn Torah. 

The Mass Chareidi - Prayer happened and between 300,00 and 800,00 attended depending on the news report.  Let's see how this rally can be viewed and actually turn into a positive and let us use the rally as a starting point for long needed discussion and education and debate leshem Shamayim, for heaven's sake, a Machlokes, like a dispute, between Hillel and Shamai.  Let this be a call for a Kosher Debate, without slander and defamation or name calling,  as per how the Torah views a Military Draft in a Sovereign Jewish Homeland so that it does not chas veshalom, G-d forbid uproot Torah but serves the opposite purpose of actually fulfilling the commandments of the Torah to defend the Land and the people.  

The positives of the Mass - Prayer Rally


Watch: Hareidi Mass-Prayer Rally Ends With Shema Recital

This is what one of the largest-ever Jewish prayer sessions looks and feels like.

Jerusalem Rally Reflections: When Thoughts Win Wars
It was an experience of a lifetime. To be part of the biggest minyan since the Beit Hamikdash. To daven mincha with so many people…"


Tremendous Ahavas Yisroel:

http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2014/03/rabbi-shmuel-eliyahu-explains-why-he-is.html

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Unfortunately, media incitement seemed to fuel motzei shem ra.

 Association of Community Rabbis Skips March Over Incitement
Group headed by Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu cancels plans to attend until Yated Ne'eman retracts incitement against Religious Zionist leader.



If there was so much negative incitement, how can we view this rally as good?  Let us learn from the Lubavitch Rebbe as per how to respond with what appears to be a bad situation.  The situation came through a relative of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. Instead of viewing the removal of precious books from the Chabad Library a simple act of theft, The Rebbe approached these troubling events as a Heaven-sent call to increase our efforts in studying and publicizing these and other holy books, as in the following statement made after their return: "…We must say that the reason for these problems was only to bring a greater level of ascent. The only reason for the troubling and uncertain situation was to accomplish greater things many times over, in the area of spreading Yiddishkeit." Read more at: http://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/jerusalem-rally-reflections-when-thoughts-win-wars/2014/03/03/

The Chareidi SideThe resolutions of the Rally according to the accepted and respected Sages of the Chareidim 

 Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman, Rav Shalom Cohen, Vizhnitzer Rebbe  

Decisions by consensus of the three major councils of Torah sages, which met last week in Bnei Brak – that of Shas, Degel Hatorah and Agudat Yisrael.  Mass Tefillah Gathering Called For Sunday In Yerushalayim  by Dovid Hoffman and Avi Yishai http://www.yated.com/mass-tefillah-gathering-called-for-sunday-in-yerushalayim.7-1184-7-.html

"First to speak at the conference was Rav Shteinman, who decried the terrible chillul Hashem embodied in criminal sanctions. Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman said at the meeting that "chillul Hashem is a worse sin than avodah zarah, for which we are obligated to give up our lives rather than transgress.

 

"Everyone knows that there is no greater chillul Hashem than to be rodef those who learn Torah, because Torah and Klal Yisroel are one and the same, and Yisroel and Oraisa and Kudsha Brich Hu are also chad. If there is no Torah, the world will be destroyed. Our tachlis is to learn Torah, and there is nothing worse than to disrupt those who learn Torah.

 

"This is our life, the life of Klal Yisroel from the time of Matan Torah until this very day… May Hakadosh Boruch Hu ensure that all those who wish to impede this will fail, and that we will merit to be saved from them, and to learn Torah and more Torah."

 

"The whole purpose of existence is to study Torah and there is nothing worse than harassing those involved in this mitzvah. This is our life, the life of Klal Yisroel in all generations from the time the Torah was given until today. We must know that there is nothing except Torah. This is our life!


 

Rav Shalom Cohen of the Shas Moetzes said that the danger hanging over the heads of Sefardi bnei Torah is even greater.

 

"All the Sefardim are like hanefesh asher asu beChoron [the people Avrohom and Sarah saved from spiritual destruction]," he said. "I know from my yeshiva that many talmidim's parents want them to go to the army. They don't understand anything. If their sons were not close to their rabbonim, they would go to the army. The rabbonim watch over them. If they don't do something and announce that there should be no army [enlistment] at all, it won't work, chas vesholom.

 

"The media incites against the bnei yeshivos. This influences Sefardim. Our community may be the hardest hit from this decree. We must learn from hanefesh asher asu beChoron and draw as many people to Torah as we possibly can. I request that a decision be issued from here that there be no army [enlistment] and nothing [else]. Their money doesn't interest us. We are only interested in Torah."

 

The Vizhnitzer Rebbe emphasized the importance of putting up a united resistance to the draft law.

 

"The posuk says, 'Yisroel encamped there opposite the mountain,' and Chazal explain, 'Like one person, with one heart.' The goal is unity," he said. "I think that the many rebbes and rabbonim present here must unitedly, publicly, and clearly announce that we will not enlist at all. We have nothing to do with the army, nothing at all. This is the message that must come out from here. If we all unite, with Hashem's help we will persevere and merit the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, soon in our days."

 

At the end of the meeting, the joint decisions of the three Mo'atzos Gedolei Hatorahwas announced:

 

"This is not a time to keep silent. Under the prime minister's directive, a plot has arisen among the authorities to rebel against Hashem's Malchus. Their intention is to uproot the Torah and to impart criminal sanctions upon those [for whom] Torah is their livelihood to the extent of throwing them into prison.

 

"We tremble at the terrible chillul Hashem and humiliation of the Torah this entails. We are fearful of what may result, and pained at the continued attacks directed against the Torah world and the unending attempts to put obstacles in their path. In light of this, we have decided as follows:

 

1. The Moetzes Gedolei Vechachmei HaTorahdemands that the government immediately annul the decisions of the committee that seeks the coercive draft of talmidei yeshivos and kollelim. We call upon all bnei yeshivos and kollelim not to enlist in the army under any circumstance, not be persuaded by any blandishment or punishment, and not to participate in the army's plan to set up a central sorting center for chareidi [IDF inductees], but instead to continue studying Torah day and night.

 

2. If, chas veshalom, those who persecute religion enact their plots and make a coercive enlistment law, the Mo'atzos Gedolei Vechachmei HaTorah will convene to make plans against them and their plots, and consider forbidding  visiting army induction centers [even to merely receive deferments].

 

3. The Mo'atzos Gedolei Vechachmei HaTorah demand that the government cease persecuting the Torah world and instead help the growth of Torah and chinuch institutions in the Holy Land in the path forged by our forefathers.

 

4. The Mo'atzos Gedolei Vechachmei HaTorahturn to the Jewish people with this message: 'Nothing is left to us but this Torah.' Torah study and fulfilling its mitzvos in holiness and purity are a defending wall for the Jewish people against every distress and tribulation wherever they live. This is a protection from public and private, physical and spiritual difficulties that oppress them in all the places they dwell. We must hugely increase Torah study and the holy performance of its mitzvos, and the precise performance of every detail of halachah.

 

5. The Mo'atzos Gedolei Vechachmei HaTorahcall upon our Jewish brothers in every place they dwell, in Eretz Yisroel and abroad, to grasp the skill of our forefathers [prayer]. All Jews must gather, men and children, to cry out and plea to our Father in Heaven to have mercy upon us as a father spares his children. We hereby announce that those who fear Hashem's word will gather at a rally of prayer and outcry and mass protest… This will be a kiddush Hashem to counteract the chillul Hashem made by those who plot to uproot religion.


Rabbi Tuvia Schulzinger, the Rabbi of the city of Kiryat Ata and a close associate of prominent hareidi leader Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach

The hareidi public will fight the enlistment of Torah students in the IDF no matter what sanctions the government imposes, warned Rabbi Tuvia Schulzinger, the rabbi of the city of Kiryat Ata and a close associate of prominent hareidi leader Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva, Rabbi Schulzinger compared the expected anti-enlistment protests to recent violent riots in Ukraine.

"Remember what happened in Ukraine, the President had to step down. Here, too, if the powers that be fight us and religion, they will not succeed, none of them will succeed," he declared.

"One million people will flood Jerusalem, and [Prime Minister] Netanyahu will need to step down," he predicted.

Hareidi Jews would rather die than enlist, he predicted. "Rabbi Shach already said that we won't stay in the country. People need to sacrifice for this, and it's likely some will be killed in this war.

"But under no circumstances will we allow young men to be prevented from learning Torah," he declared.

He expressed skepticism over the government's ability to counter hareidi resistance to the enlistment law. "What are they going to do, put tens of thousands of men in jail?" he asked.

Rabbi Schulzinger argued that the real motive behind the enlistment law is a hatred of hareidi Jews, and a desire to change their way of life. "There is a deep hate of hareidi Jews, a hate led by Yair Lapid," he accused.

"They want to change our faith. It won't work," he continued. "Tanks, APCs – nothing will crush us. The Torah is eternal." http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/177918#.UxTX6fldVps

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My comments:

 

 I lived in Kiryat Arba for many years and have a deep connection with Hebron. I pray for Hashems help that this bond remains an eternal one for me and my children and my children's children. 


Living near Chevron and Maarat Hamachpela, brings forth a passion and Love for the Torah, Eretz Yisroel and love for all of our people, Chareidim, Dati Leumi and Chiloni. 

I admire the leadership that it took to unite 600,000 to say Tehillim. But it deeply pains me to suspect that some of the energy from this rally came from an unholy source. Surely not Chevron!

As we say in davening " LeOlam Yehei Adam Yirei Shamayim BaSeser Uvagalui, Umodeh al HaEmes VeDover Emes Bilvavo..

My question to you and to all the Rabbanim and Yeshivoth who participated is as follows: How is it that the organizers of the chareidi million Man Rally didn't acknowledge the real Haman of today,  the Palestinians whose founder the Grand Mufti partnered with Hitler Yemach Shemo VeZichro or the Iranians like the Ayatollah Khomeini   or Rouhani Yemach Shemum, busy preparing nuclear gallows for the State of Israel.  Why such a harsh attack, surely not as deserved in comparison, on the Jewish govt, and religious Zionists and their Rabbi's. There was too much Rechilus and  Motzei Shem Ra, Diba Raah  in the rhetoric reported in their meeting and subsequent news articles that promoted and called for "Leich kenos es kol haYehudim"

Lapid's position:  How would the Chareidi community view army service if indeed they were running the gov't of Israel in a Torah State based on Torah law?  Would they say there is no need for a Jewish army????This is a point Lapid brought up when talking to Chareidim when he acknowledged their strength that has grown over the years. I read this speech and it is not anti Chareidi rhetoric in my opinion. There are some very valid points Lapid makes and I believe he is sincere when he calls the Chareidim his brothers.  I do think that in other speeches he and others in the Chareidi parties lost it by getting angry especially when money and funding was being discussed.  But deep down there is a love of his fellow Jew and I believe it is authentic. But judge for yourself! Video and Translation of Yair Lapid's Speech to Chareidim in the Wake of the New Law - Delivered at the Knesset  http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/print.php?ARTICLE_ID=39819 By Yair Lapid Posted on 07/08/13


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The Dati Leumi Position:

Is the govt of Israel defying Torah when they call Chareidim to be included in the draft?  Are they being Rodef those who learn Torah as Rav Shteinman seems to say?  Lehefech, the opposite the Religious Zionist Rabbis teach their students.  They  are consistent with Torah and in keeping with and fullfilling the Torah of defending the Land in fighting a Milchemet Mitzvah. 

I looked up the word Milchama in the Concordance and found numerous examples and precedent (several pages of fine print) from Tanach where going to War was a Mitzvah and required,  (Avraham Avinu, Yaakov Avinu prepares for war, Moshe Rabbeinu with Amalek and then with Sichon and Og, Moshe Rabbeinu rebuking Reuvein and Gad for wanting to settle on the other side of the Jordan and asking them if they will allow their brother to fight alone?  Yehoshua and the many battles, Shoftim, Deborah and Balak and Shirat Devorah which rebukes the tribes who did not fight, Dovid Hamelech and the many battles not to mention Mordechai and the Jews in the time of Purim after they were given permission to fight back and destroyed those who wanted to implement Haman's evil decree and what about the Chashmonaim? etc). There are many commandments associated with counting the people according to those of army age, and going to war and making sure that the army is Holy and conditions as per who is exempt from army service etc....  How can we honestly call a draft into a Jewish army anti Torah?


Learning Torah is indeed very important. But that doesn't mean that the army isn't necessary. Both are necessary. Recently, the Rabbanim of Kiev felt that Israel would come to their rescue of they were attacked. For that operation you need an army. Pikuach Nefesh!  Would we be able to respond in kind without an army?

During the Holocaust did Jews have that option?  What was the end result?

Moshe assembled and disassembled the Mishkan even though Hashem actually built it so it stood. The Jews all participated and Hashem needed their Hishtadlus, participation, as a Kli a vessel for His Blessings. Their pure intentions and motives in their Melacha, their work, was a necessary precondition. They didn't only learn about how to build the Mishkan. They actually used the tools of their trade and material to build it!


Why is the act of going to war any different from any other Mitzva especially when one goes to War to Battle for the Torah and for the Land of Israel? 

Isn't it true that those most G-d fearing were especially, chosen for fighting since they are considered the best soldiers, the necessary vessel through which Hashem fights for us and through which Hashem's Salvation can happen?

Weren't the people reprimanded for allowing their brethren to go to war alone and not sharing the burden? 

To deny parts of Torah and to pick and choose is to deny Torah. Rather than condemn the draft unconditionally, why not negotiate how being in a Holy and Jewish army is an honor and privilege and will enhance Torah and actualize Torah!  Even a student who learns Torah day and night should belong and be an integral part of a G-d fearing Jewish army. I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu, MK Naftali Bennett and MK Yair Lapid might all agree with that as well.


All comments are welcome!  


--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 

Friday, February 28, 2014

Belz Rebbe: Prepare for Mass Emigration. US Rejections of Israeli Visa Requests Rose 80 Percent in 2013. Lessons from the Struma, 70 years ago, Feb 24, 1942: 768 Jewish refugees on boat perished, one survivor. Is the Government of Israel the real Reshaim?

bs"d


Belzer Rebbe: Prepare for Mass Emigration! http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/215703/belzer-rebbe-prepare-for-mass-emigration.html

Belz Hasidim threaten mass exodus over Israel draft reform One of the largest ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel says it is considering seeking refugee status in the U.S. if Knesset passes draft bill.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/1.576970

It might not be so easy.....


Another Tack: Lessons from the floating coffin by Sarah Honig 02/23/2012 http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Another-Tack-Lessons-from-the-floating-coffin 

The world's apathy-cum-enmity toward Jews hasn't disappeared, it has simply mutated.

 Exactly 70 years ago – on February 24, 1942 – 19-year-old David Stoliar terrifyingly clung to bobbing debris in the Black Sea. At first he heard screams in the frigid waters but the voices died down. It eventually emerged that Stoliar was the sole survivor of the Struma, an un-seaworthy vessel chuck-full of frantic Jewish refugees.

World War II was already in fever pitch. Against the enormity of the then-unfolding Holocaust, the loss at sea of 768 Jewish lives (103 of them babies and children) was at most blithely overlooked as a marginal annotation.



My comments: Chareidim don't want to be drafted into the army.  They call the Gov't of Israel Reshaim.  They have lost compass as per who the real Reshaim are.   They think America will welcome them with open arms.  They have forgotten why Jews need to be able to defend themselves.  I highly recommend that you go on this link http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Columnists/Another-Tack-Lessons-from-the-floating-coffin and print out a copy of this article about the Struma and show it to Belz Chassidim and to Satmar as well.  "Dimmed memory and self-destructive perverse morality hinder our ability to protect ourselves from the offspring and torchbearers of the very Arabs who doomed the Struma. They haven't amended their hostile agenda. We just don't care to be reminded.... The Struma's story is seminal in understanding why the Holocaust was possible and why a second Holocaust cannot be ruled out. More than anything, the Struma powerfully illustrates what happens when Jews rely on others' goodwill."


Is the Government of Israel the real Reshaim (evil)?  Decide for yourself after watching these links and youtubes. It is Lashon Hara and Motzi Shem Ra to suggest it. Hotzaat shem ra ("spreading a bad name"), also called hotzaat diba, consists of untrue remarks, and is best translated as "slander" or "defamation".

I admit.   I too have at times been critical of the Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Conference of Presidents.  However, let us please put things in their proper perspective.  Here is a Prime Minister clearly working to protect the Land of Israel and the Nation of Israel from destructive forces no less threatening and probably more so than the Nazi Regime.  

  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Remarks at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations  17/02/2014
[Transcription]


  • Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in 1970 and his response to the German Consul demand for the establishment of a Palestinian State (What Netanyahu should say)
                                            מה שנתניהו היה אמור להשיב לקנצלרית גרמניה  בנושא מדינה פלשתינית - בדקה אחת!!!
(תשובת מנחם בגין לדרישת קנצלר גרמניה בשנות ה--70 להקים מדינה פלשתינית)           

  • MK Moshe Feiglin  - Amazing Tour of Temple Mount and speech in Knesset     
 Shlomo comments " Moshe Feiglin is not a Rebbe, but one senses from him the glory and pride of being a Jew in a way that I've only seen before in Rebbe."       
                                                                
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. b

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Fwd: I PRETENDED I DID NOT SEE by Evelyn Hayes, Author of the Plague Series because their hearts were softened to accept the unacceptable.

bs"d

Dear Friends, Family, Activists for Israel, Activists for Kids, Activists for any righteous cause amv"sh

I hope this poem will inspire you to take action before tragedy strikes and hits closer to home. 

We don't need to go very far back in time, (our parents generation) to see the horrific tragedy and consequences of  pretending one didn't know or see the dark skies threatening the world and our people. Read the news. Ukraine, Iran, Benghazi, Turkey,  Fort Hood, Obamacare, 2 State Solution (they want a Final Solution...)

This also holds true as per how we respond to warning signs affecting family members or members of our immediate community, not only global terror.  When we ignore the wakeup call and we go on with our lives and pretend everything will miraculously fix itself and fail to act, this leads to great tragedy both to individuals and also for society.  

As an example let me quote Shlome Katz a father whose 3 year old son, was accidentally dragged by a school bus when the little boy's jacket got snagged in the automatic door.  (Mishpacha Story entitled "Steering a Safer Course" by Riva Pomerantz Issue 496, 5 Adar, 5774) . The byline reads  "Over and Over again.  Shlomi found himself visiting Shivah Houses of Accident Victims offering words of comfort even as their own wounds lay painfully open".  She writes "He and his wife gathered shards of their heartbreak and created a way to make Israel's notoriously dangerous roads safer for others".   Shlomi was quoted as saying "With education, you can change things around before tragedy strikes.  You don't have to wait for something terrible and then get a nice budget to effect change".  

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Evelyn Hayes <rachelschildren@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Feb 25, 2014 at 12:23 AM
Subject: I PRETENDED I DID NOT SEE by Evelyn Hayes, 
To:


I PRETENDED I DID NOT SEE

By Evelyn Hayes,

Author of the Plague Series because their hearts were softened to accept the unacceptable.

© February 24, 2014


I pretended I did not see.

I pretended I did not hear.

I pretended I did not know.

 I pretended I wasn't there.

I pretended I was not we.


And I saw the bullying, the slandering, the intimidating, the vicious thuggery-

So smug and cruel

Against the rules.


I pretended it wasn't so bad.

I pretended there was some glad.

I pretended they were right.

I pretended majority means truth -so what if they are uncouth!


And I saw the ruthlessness, the abusiveness, the comradery against their ridiculed.

Shame, I wasn't a fool:

There was a duel against righteousness.


I pretended as their brazenness got more evil, inconceivable, more provocative, more distasteful, less lawful.


I pretended I was not responsible.

I pretended I was not irresponsible.

I pretended I was innocent Just a bystander

And I saw the sadness from their madness

And I saw the tears from the jeering, jabbing, jabbering, damaging demented actions.

And I saw no smiles nor gladness, just stress and strain, loneliness, loss,

 from such cruelty without restraint.

And when  I thought, "So Shameful" It was too late.


The pain had been too great.

It was too late.

Because of the meanness of those ravaging against correctness,

a royalty for such a comradery created  such dejectedness


And I reflected: I could have interfered

And there would have been another fate

A better act than hate.

But I had failed to react

And I cried, tried to hide that I could have done something.

I could have been a righteous friend

And not let there be such an end to innocence, uniqueness, blessedness, dreams so grand. 

I could have stopped the recklessness, the offensive. Oppressive. Massiveness, divisiveness of a misguided majority 

riding on the power of disempowerment for an unheavenly stake.


If only I had done what I could, what I should have done

Against what I saw, heard, witnessed, knew…

I pretended and now I know I am guilty too.

I would have made a difference if not pretending indifference.


I pretended, but I was aware

And I cared but did nothing

And the victim is now nothing, is no more. Is no more.

I failed the test of reaction, action.

I did not give support. I did not retort. I did not report the crime.

I did not fight for right.

I did not make an alliance against noncompliance, violence, wrong.

I failed the test.


Will I be next? 




--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog. 

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

re: Action Alert. My letter to Kerry

  bs"d  

 (United Coalition for Israel had a great one as well but I decided to write my own so they get a variety of letters) Friends, you can send your personal letter via UCI *United Coalition for Israel

CLICK HERE to send the sample letter below or edit the letter as you wish. 

by voices@unitycoalitionforisrael.org..    


Dear Secretary of State Kerry,

Ones Heritage by definition cannot be given away.  Our Land, the Land of Israel is called "Morasha", a Heritage.  Netanyahu or members of his government have no right to make any deals to give the Land away since it does not belong to Netanyahu nor to the gov't of Israel. That is why you can not force him to give parts of the Land away.  The only one you can try to convince is G-d himself.  The Land actually belongs to the Creator of the World and He and He alone decides to whom He wishes to bequeath the Land.  The Bible, aka as the Torah is quite clear as per who G-d considers the rightful caretakers to be. The boundaries of the Land of Israel are clearly delineated and Judea and Samaria is unquestionably withing the delineated boundaries.  G-d's Promise and the Covenant He established individually with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob our forefathers was to take the Land from the Canaanites and to give it as an everlasting Heritage to the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is for this reason the Land of Israel is commonly called "The Promised Land". 

It is for this reason that all your efforts and the efforts of the Obama Administration to make peace in the Middle East  via establishing a Palestinian State is futile and has only resulted and will continue to result in an increase of  terror and rocket and missile attacks aimed at civilians killing innocent people, men, women and children, Jews and non Jews alike.  

Arabs under Jewish Sovereignty, who wish to be under Jewish Sovereignty have it very good.  Israel is not racist nor apartheid.  They protect their residents so long as their residents are peaceful and willing to be living under  Jewish Sovereignty peacefully.  

The living standards, education, life expectancy, medical care are greatly enhanced from what they are accustomed to under Muslim regimes. However, if they are not happy residing under a Jewish Sovereign Nation in spite of all the material and humanitarian benefits, they are free as far as Israel is concerned, to leave and settle  elsewhere.  There are many Muslim and Arab Nations to choose from.  The problem probably is that the 22 Arab countries, probably closer to their own ancestry, are unwilling to absorb them.  That is something that should be addressed.  Why should Israel absorb a population that is hostile to its very existence? Shouldn't families take care of their own rather than demand that others do it for them. Many of the Palestinian Arabs trace their lineage to specific clans.  Jews trace their ancestry to the 12 Tribes and welcome their brothers to Israel with open arms.  Palestinians refugees and their succeeding generations have suffered terribly not because of Israel.  Rather it's because their own people forced them a deprived life and blamed it all on Israel.  Jews absorbed their own refugees and the next generation, my generation are now fully absorbed and all independent, productive and on the giving end while UNRWA Palestinian refugee numbers have exploded to crazy exponential numbers always blaming Israel for their lot in life.

I hope you take this message seriously and refrain from pressuring Israel to give away it's birthright and force an expulsion of families  and communities who are living productive lives in homes that they rightfully own with a deed or contract.  How would you or others who are promoting this 2 State Solution like being called "occupiers" and then thrown out of your home and community with your family for no moral, legal or legitimate justification but rather because of some false, fabricated lie!   Not very much I would venture to say......

--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) and Howard Chaim Grief great activists and lovers of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichronum Baruch.  May their memories serve as a blessing.

Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com 

Personal emails to individuals will not be posted to my blog.