Thursday, June 09, 2016

Fwd: Im Tirtzu: A Month of Hard Work fighting BDS


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: מתן פלג <matan.p@imti.org.il>
Date: Thu, Jun 9, 2016 at 7:24 PM
Subject: Im Tirtzu: A Month of Hard Work
To: Robin Ticker <faigerayzel@gmail.com>


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "מתן פלג" <matan.p@imti.org.il>
Date: Jun 8, 2016 9:14 PM
Subject: Im Tirtzu: A Month of Hard Work
To: <gesund7@gmail.com>
Cc:


Shalom Chaverim, 

This past month has been an extremely busy and productive month for Im Tirtzu.
 
We were able to see tangible results from our efforts throughout the month, climaxing today with an emergency session of the Knesset Education Committee that was held following our report highlighting the involvement of Israeli academics in the BDS phenomenon.

 

We started the month by combating the lies of the Nakba and continued to make media headlines with our campaign against the politicized conference of Ben-Gurion University featuring "Breaking the Silence." Our report on the involvement of Israeli academics in the BDS movement was the culmination of a month of hard work against those who are seeking to delegitimize Israel from within.

 

At the same time Im Tirtzu defended Zionism in two additional fronts. We published two reports, one exposing the organizations that work to divide Jerusalem backed by Palestinian foundations in Ramallah, and the other detailing the activities of the anti-Israel organizations included in the proposed "Transparency Bill." We were also present in the Knesset committee that discussed the bill, and spoke out against these organizations and their financial interests.

 

Lastly, I am attaching two pictures from the final lecture of this year's Program for Zionist Thought in Tel-Aviv University.

 

Below is a list of the English news that we appeared in over the past month:

 

June 8: Jewish Press - Heated Debate at Education Committee Emergency Session on Pro-BDS Israeli Academics http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/heated-debate-at-education-committee-emergency-session-on-pro-bds-israeli-academics/2016/06/08/

 

June 8: Israel Hayom - Israeli academia narrowly escapes massive boycott http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=34183

 

June 8: Israel National News - ADL: Anthropologists' rejection of BDS an important milestone http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/213412#.V1go55F97IV

 

June 7: Ha'aretz - Im Tirtzu: Those Affected by NGO Bill Denigrate Israel, Defend Terrorists http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.723621

 

June 7: Electric Intifada - Full might of Israel lobby ekes out razor-thin win in anthropology vote https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/charlotte-silver/full-might-israel-lobby-ekes-out-razor-thin-win-anthropology-vote

 

June 7: Ha'aretz - Hillel Can't Be a Soapbox for Jewish Millenials' anti-Israel Crusade http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.723597

 

June 5: Israel National News - Im Tirzu report: Millions transferred to organizations acting to divide Jerusalem http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/361509#.V1gofJF97IU

 

June 2: Jerusalem Post - NGOs hit back: Im Tirzu says NGO list shows European anti-Semitism http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Exclusive-Almost-all-organizations-targeted-in-Israeli-NGO-bill-are-left-wing-455751

 

May 29: Israel Hayom - MK pushes for Knesset meeting on anti-Israel academic boycott http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33987 

 

May 29: Hamodia - Israeli Academics Slammed for Promoting Boycott http://hamodia.com/2016/05/29/israeli-academics-slammed-promoting-boycott/

May 29: Jerusalem Post – Free speech for BDS… http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/May-29-Free-speech-for-BDS-455383

http://hamodia.com/2016/05/29/israeli-academics-slammed-promoting-boycott/

 

May 27: Press TV (Iran) – Israeli academics promoting campaign to boycott Israel: Report http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/05/27/467644/Israel-Im-Tirtzu-report-Israeli-academics-BDS


May 27: Algemeiner - Jewish Leader Blasts Guggenheim Museum for Website Post Accusing 'Racist' Israel of Censorship, Oppressing Palestinians https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/05/27/jewish-leader-blasts-guggenheim-museum-for-website-post-accusing-racist-israel-of-censorship-palestinian-oppression/


May 27: Jerusalem Post – 20 Israeli academics encourage BDS, Im Tirtzu says http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/20-Israeli-academics-encourage-BDS-Im-Tirtzu-says-455181

 

May 26: San Diego Jewish World - Middle East Roundup: May 26, 2016 http://www.sdjewishworld.com/2016/05/26/middle-east-roundup-may-26-2016/


May 26: Algemeiner - Report: 20 Israeli Academics Encourage Anthropology Association's Boycott of Israel http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/05/26/report-20-israeli-academics-encourage-anthropology-associations-boycott-of-israel/


May 26: Israel National News – Irony: Israeli academics lead academic boycott of Israel http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212844


May 26: Jewish Press – New report: 22 Israeli academics in the service of BDS http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/new-report-22-israeli-academics-in-the-service-of-bds/2016/05/26/

 

May 26: San Diego Jewish World – Israeli college's dispute reaches San Diego http://www.sdjewishworld.com/2016/05/26/israeli-colleges-dispute-reaches-san-diego/


May 26: JNS - Report: 20 Israeli academics encourage anthropology association's boycott of Israel http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2016/5/26/report-20-israeli-academics-encourage-anthropology-associations-boycott-of-israel#.V0ds5L5Pxh4

 

May 26: Israel Hayom – 20 Israelis behind massive US academic boycott vote http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=33933


May 25: Jerusalem Post – Another hard left turn for BGU http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Another-hard-left-turn-for-BGU-455058


May 24: Israel National News – Let's lay off the "f" word in Israeli politics http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/18926#.V0_vG75Pxh4

 

May 24: 972Mag - Facing down Breaking the Silence, Israel tries to play the underdog http://972mag.com/facing-down-breaking-the-silence-israel-tries-to-play-the-underdog/119547/


May 23: Israel National News – Ben Gurion U to host group accused of anti-IDF espionage http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212671#.V0_qDr5Pxh4

 

May 20: Algemeiner - Watchdog: Ben-Gurion University Actively Supporting Delegitimization of Israel With Sponsorship of Conference Featuring Breaking the Silence http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/05/20/watchdog-ben-gurion-university-actively-supporting-delegitimization-of-israel-with-sponsorship-of-breaking-the-silence-conference/

 

May 19: Israel National News – Nakba counter-protest 'banned' at Haifa University http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212503#.V0_pkb5Pxh4

 

May 18: Jewish Press – Ben-Gurion University sponsoring 'Breaking the Silence' event http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/ben-gurion-university-sponsoring-breaking-the-silence-event/2016/05/18/

 

May 17: Jewish Week – Nakba ceremonies highlight continued rift http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/israel-news/nakba-ceremonies-highlight-continued-rifts

 

May 15: Jewish Press – Protesters: Tel-Aviv U 'Nakba Day' an anti-Israel event aiming to rewrite history http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/protesters-tel-aviv-u-nakba-day-an-anti-israel-event-aiming-to-rewrite-history/2016/05/15/

 

May 15: Breitbart – Watch: Arab lawmakers join Nakba Day ceremony at Tel-Aviv University http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/05/16/watch-arab-lawmakers-join-nakba-day-ceremony-tel-aviv-university/


May 15: Jerusalem Post – Arab lawmakers join Nakba Day ceremony at Tel-Aviv University http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Arab-lawmakers-join-Nakba-Day-ceremony-at-Tel-Aviv-University-454058


May 15: Israel National News - Watch: 'We came to wish a happy Nakba holiday' http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/212278#.V0_mnr5Pxh4


May 15: Times of Israel - Palestinians mark Nakba Day with sirens, marches http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-mark-nakba-day-with-sirens-marches/


May 15: i24 News - MK Odeh: Nakba not just a painful past, also possibility for shared future http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/113431-160515-mk-odeh-nakba-not-just-a-painful-past-also-possibility-for-shared-future


May 15: Times of Israel –Nakba rally faces right-wing protest at Tel-Aviv University http://www.timesofisrael.com/nakba-rally-faces-right-wing-protest-at-tel-aviv-university/

 

May 13: Algemeiner – At 68, Israel is growing comfortable in its own skin http://www.algemeiner.com/2016/05/13/at-68-israel-is-growing-comfortable-in-its-own-skin/


May 11: Israel National News – Nakba Nonsense http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/18854#.V0_mLL5Pxh4

 

May 10: 972 Mag - The role of Israeli Jews in planning for Palestinian return http://972mag.com/how-israeli-jews-can-help-plan-for-palestinian-return/119223/

 

May 10: Israel National News – Arab students protest on Memorial Day eve http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.718823

 

May 9: Haaretz – Israel's New Civics Text Sugarcoats Reality http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.718823



Best,
Matan



ארץ ציון וירושלים
מתן פלג
מנכ"ל תנועת אם תרצו
052-3582213

For Zion
Matan Peleg
CEO
Im Tirtzu – Building the Zionist Dream
972-52-358-2213
http://en.imti.org.il/





--

ארץ ציון וירושלים
מתן פלג
מנכ"ל תנועת אם תרצו
052-3582213

For Zion
Matan Peleg
CEO
Im Tirtzu – Building the Zionist Dream
972-52-358-2213
http://en.imti.org.il/






--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Israel Advocacy Calendar (www.IsraelAdvocacyCalendar.com).
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. 
Posted by at No comments:

Counter-Rally to Code Pink rally supporting BDS and attacking Cuomo,Today, June 9 5:30pm 633 Third Ave. bet. 40th and 41st , AFSI Newsletter Chiizuk Mission cont. June 8, 2016 Visiting the Shomron - The Heartland of Israel

http://afsibrooklyn.blogspot.com/2016/06/counter-rally-to-code-pink-rally.html

--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Israel Advocacy Calendar (www.IsraelAdvocacyCalendar.com).
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. 
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, June 08, 2016

ISIS Burns 19 Yazidi Sex Slaves Alive in Cages; ISIS Now Using Facebook to Sell Sex Slaves

bs"d

Republican's, Democrats and Independents.... My Fellow American: 

WHY ISN'T/HAVEN'T CONGRESS TAKING EMERGENCY ACTION TO  LIBERATE THE YEZIDI SLAVES  and invite all members of the Yezidi faith as honorary citizens of the USA and to make sure that they have first priority before any other Migrant?  

For this to happen Congress needs to stand up strong against the Obama Administration who can't differentiate between a fundamental Islamic Terrorist and a persecuted victim!!!!

We have known about the Yezidi Holocaust since August 2014.  It happened around Tisha Baav Time.  Yet, the world is standing by as they did by the Holocaust in Nazi Germany,  allowing ISIS to gain power, wealth, territory rather than  stopping their barbaric subhuman crimes against humanity.
 


--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Israel Advocacy Calendar (www.IsraelAdvocacyCalendar.com).
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. 
Posted by at No comments:

Fwd: [Mattotarim] חג השבועות: הילד שלך צריך ללמוד ממך Shavuot: What your Kids MUST Learn Straight From You

bs"d

Thank you Matot Arim for sending this out!  

My additional comments.

Besides the links below, the Tefilla, the liturgy,  from beginning till end is focused on Eretz Yisroel.  Starting from Mah Tovu...VeAni BeRov Chasdecha Avo Beisecha...Parshiot of Tefillin, Korbanot, Pesukei D'Zimra, Shma and Shemoneh Esreh, Bentching Mezuzah all have references regarding Hashem's Covenant with our Forefathers promising Eretz YIsroel as an everlasting Covenant to the People of Israel for all generations. There are also constant references in the liturgy regarding the Commandments we must keep in the Land, Mitzvoth Teluyot Baaretz and the H-ly Temple, The Beit Hamikdash.  Our nation's deep and constant yearning for the rebuilding of the Temple is a repetitive theme as well!   The book of Ruth and Naomi is a story of a wealthy family that left their poor brethren in the Holy Land to fend for themselves only to return to the Land impoverished.  

Let us all be worthy of G-d's Salvation, the Geula,  by desiring the precious gift that G-d has bestowed upon HIs people Israel,The  Beautiful Land of Israel!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <mattotarim@mattotarim.org>
Date: 2016-06-08 10:57 GMT-04:00

Hebrew & unsubscribe info -- see below

Do Our Kids Know About Eretz Yisrael?

 This Shavuout, when it is customary to study the Torah with our children, make sure your children hear about Eretz Yisrael – straight from you.

Because being faithful to Eretz Yisrael is a character trait that is passed on individually -- from parent to child and from each teacher to her or his student.

 Here are some bare essentials for you to learn personally with your own children!

 1. Rashi on the very first verse in the Torah - Breshit 1 1. The best known commentator on the Torah explains prophetically that Jews will be accused of stealing the Land of Israel. He's referring to the "occupation" argument!

 

2. Breshit, Lech-Lecha (12:1): Note the FIRST topic G-d raises with the first Jew in the world (Abraham) is not democracy or even Shabat - it's Eretz Yisrael.

3. VaYikra 25:23. Eretz Yisrael must not be sold to others (and obviously not given away to them for free!)

4. BaMidbar 33:53. The commandment to settle the land of Israel.

5. Dvarim 7: 2. The famous "lo te-chanem". Has 2 separate meanings. The first  is not to glorify or prettify foreign cultures which contradict our own, such as the Palestinian culture of terrorism. For example, the Israeli artist who compared a suicide bomber to Snow White http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_and_The_Madness_of_Truth; fortunately a heroic Israeli ambassador, Zvi Mazel, was on hand to deal with the problem. The second meaning of "lo te-chanem" is not to allow Eretz Yisrael to fall into the hands of other nations.

6. Joshua Chapter 15 -- description of the borders of Eretz Yisrael which most certainly include Jerusalem and the entire Judea and Samaria as well as Gush Katif (note the clear reference to Gaza (the vicinity of Gush Katif) being part of  the inheritance of the  tribe of Judah.

7. Gemara (Talmud), Eruvin, 45 Daf 1.  Emphasizes that border communities must be defended even against petty thieves (minor property crimes), even on Shabat. For those familiar with Talmudic logic, this teaches the importance of protecting one's borders hence one's country.

8. Israel's Declaration of Independence does not start with the words "Holocaust" or "peace". It starts with the words ERETZ YISRAEL!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Declaration_of_Independence#cite_note-Shelley-13

Please study with your children -- and please ask your children's principal and teacher to teach these source materials -- and many more!

Thank you from Mattot Arim


רוצה להימחק מרשימת התפוצה? ראה בסוף

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 https://www.facebook.com/MattotArim/posts/1172036629487386

 


 חג השבועות: הילד שלך צריך ללמוד ממך

 

בחג השבועות נהוג ללמוד תורה.


בעידן 929-תנ"ך-ביחד, ולאחר ששמענו את נאום רות קלדרון החילונית בכנסת http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktDfdxLcUtk – הסתבר, שמנהג לימוד התורה מתאים לא רק לציבור הדתי – אלא גם לציבור החילוני.

 

בחג השבועות הקרוב - נצלו את ההזדמנות ללמד את ילדיכם על קדושת ארץ ישראל ביהדות.


ילדינו שומעים יום-יום על שתי מדינות לשני עמים. הם לא שומעים ולא לומדים על קדושת ארץ ישראל!  


נאמנות לארץ ישראל עוברת מהורה לילד וממורה לתלמיד.


לכן חשוב מאד, בחג השבועות הקרב ובא, להסביר במילים שלך לילדיך, על ארץ ישראל.


ככל האפשר, העבר גם למורים שאיתם אתם בקשר, כדי שהמורים - יעבירו  לתלמידיהם. זה עובד. ואין סיבה שזה יקרה רק בבתי הספר הדתיים, זה חשוב בכל בתי הספר במדינת ישראל.

 

מקורות ללימוד עם ילדיכם בחג השבועות הקרוב:


רש"י הראשון על התורה (בראשית א' א') . רש"י, המפרש הידוע ביותר על התורה, פותח את פירושו המפורסם באזהרה שהיהודים ייאלצו להתמודד עם טענה שהם גזלו את ארץ ישראל ("ליסטים אתם" - כלומר, בעברית מודרנית - "כיבוש"). רש"י מבהיר שתיאורי המצוות לכאורה יותר חשובים מסיפור בריאת העולם. אבל סיפור בריאת העולם (שמופיע בספר בראשית) הוקדם לתיאור המצוות - כדי לסתור  את טענת הכיבוש (טענת "לסטים אתם").

 

בראשית, פרשת לך-לך: נשים לב שהנושא הראשון שעולה בין האלוקים לבין היהודי הראשון, אברהם אבינו, הוא לא דמוקרטיה, לא "ואהבת לרעך כמוך", ואפילו לא שבת -- אלא ארץ ישראל ("לך לך מארצך...אל הארץ אשר אראך").

 

ויקרא פרק כ"ה פסוק כ"ג. אסור לנו, בני העם היהודי, למכור את ארץ ישראל (ובוודאי שלא לתת אותה לאחרים  חינם אין כסף במהלך מדיני ולא עסקי).

 

במדבר פרק ל"ג פסוק נ"ג: מצוות יישוב הארץ. ב"מקראות גדולות" ניתן למצוא את פירוש הרמב"ן לפסוק הזה: "לא נעזבנה  ביד זולתנו מן האומות (כגון הערבים) או לשממה (למשל: השממון בצפון השומרון, בימינו)"

 

דברים פרק ז' פסוק ב'. מצוות "לא תחנם" המפורסמת. נזגרו ממנה כמה איסורים, למשל:

1.     "לא תיתן להם חניה בקרקע"; איסור על מכירה או השכרה של ארצנו לגויים.

2.     "לא תיתן להם חן" - לא לשבח וליפות תרבות של גויים שסותרת את התרבות היהודית. למשל, בדורנו אמן ישראלי הציג בשבדיה "יצירת אמנות" שניסתה ליפות את הטרור. ה"יצירה" כללה בריכת-דם, אדומה ואלגנטית, שעליה צפה תמונה של מחבלת מתאבדת יפה שנראית כמו שלגיה. למזלנו, שגריר ישראלי אמיץ בשם צבי מזאל הזדעזע והשחית את "יצירת האמנות":  http://rotter.net/cgi-bin/forum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&forum=gil&om=5216&omm=27

 

יהושע פרק ט"ו - תיאור גבולות הארץ, הכוללים כמובן את כל יהודה ושומרון. אפשר לחפש במפת ישראל, ערים ומקומות שמוזכרים בפרק, שמוכרים לנו עד היום. להראות לילדים במיוחד את גבולות שבט יהודה שכוללים (פסוק מ"ז) את "עזה בנותיה וחצריה" (עזה והסביבה). כלומר, גוש קטיף שנקרא גם מועצה איזורית חוף עזה, היה בהחלט חלק מן הארץ המובטחת.   לא כל שכן יהודה ושומרון – כולה.

 

תלמוד (גמרא), מסכת עירובין, דף מ"ה, עמוד א' (מתאים לילדים יותר גדולים ומצריך הסברים). הנושא: דיני שבת. באופן כללי, מותר לחלל שבת אך רק כדי להציל חיי אדם ("פיקוח נפש") - לא כדי לחסוך כסף. עם זאת, מוסבר שאם גויים באים לגנוב אפילו קש ותבן (או חפץ פעוט-ערך אחר), מיישוב שנמצא על הגבול, מחללים את השבת כדי למנוע זאת מהם. המסר? שוב - כמה חשוב לשמור על ארץ ישראל -אפילו בשבת!!!

 

המדרש על דברים י"ב: "ישיבת ארץ ישראל שקולה כנגד כל המצוות"

http://he.wikisource.org/wiki/%D7%A1%D7%A4%D7%A8%D7%99_%D7%A2%D7%9C_%D7%93%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%99%D7%91#.D7.A4.D7.A1.D7.95.D7.A7_.D7.9B.D7.98_.28.D7.9B.D7.9C_.D7.94.D7.A4.D7.A8.D7.A7.29.28.D7.9B.D7.9C_.D7.94.D7.A4.D7.A1.D7.95.D7.A7.29

כל תנועת גוש אמונים שביקשה והצליחה ליישב את ארץ ישראל השלמה, מושתתת על המקורות הנ"ל ורבים אחרים. 

למשל, הנה נאומו המפורסם ("איפה שכם שלנו??" של האב הרוחני של גוש אמונים, הרב צבי יהודה הכהן קוק.

הנאום הושמע זמן קצר לפני שחרור יהודה ושומרון במלחמת ששת הימים: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLywerLqZa0

גם מגילת העצמאות של מדינת ישראל אינה פותחת במילים "דמוקרטיה", "שלום" או "שיוויון זכויות" אלא במלים "בארץ ישראל":  http://main.knesset.gov.il/About/History/Pages/Declaration.aspx

 




--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Israel Advocacy Calendar (www.IsraelAdvocacyCalendar.com).
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. 
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Sunday, June 05, 2016

Leah's Goldsmith's Blog. Itamar (near Shchem) and Archeology. Fighting BDS and Their False Given of an Unlawful Jewish Occupation.

bs"d

Why do the Arabs get over emotional and hostile when we talk about our rights to the Land of Israel based on the Bible? Because they know we are hitting the truth.  They tantrum  to silence and intimidate. But remember, "There is no "Occupation of Palestine."

http://touritamarsupportisrael.com/leahs-blog-june-3-2016/

http://touritamarsupportisrael.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_14051-420x315.jpg

"For behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo- my sheaf rose up and stood erect. Your sheaves gathered around and bowed to mine."

A few years ago I found by chance a heavy stone bowl used for grinding barley. See the flat rock nearby it, obviously ancient, decorated by hundreds of little tiny impressions of barley and whatever other grains became embedded into it thousands of years ago. This is the Land of Yosef, a fertile place that had storerooms and grain pits. It was an agricultural paradise and our people ate figs and broad beans, date palms, olives and chick peas. They were herders of sheep and goats and made wine. Around this time of the year the grains would blow in the hot chamsin winds and would turn golden dry. The hard figs would begin to ripen on the trees and the first bright red buds would appear on the pomegranate trees. The olives also emerge as tiny green pearls. There are a lot of wells and cisterns on the sides of the hard rocky ground of the Tels all around these hills. The water was stored in them when the soil became dusty like now. I am sure there is a story to this bowl I have found. For sure it has a legend, has a torah of just how the fields and harvest time directly brought to bear our identity as a people bound to this precious Land. It's a story about the baskets of grain, the jugs of olive oil and of course, the Omer, the refined barley all grown right here in the Land of Shechem and brought to the Temple and offered.

For Shavuot, the mood is agricultural Israel. The fields in Bethlehem are illuminated, flourishing again and the bounty is being gathered in. "Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor." Ruth's redeemer gave her 6 measures of barley and soon afterwards the heir that will be iy"h, Mashiach.

Way earlier, even before Matan Torah, Avraham Avinu made a kinyan in Chevron when purchasing the field, taking ownership and not only for a burial spot but for an achuzat Olam. "The field with its cave from the Hitties". "Vaykam Sde Efron"- meaning –the field and cave were elevated UP to a new level of spiritual heights in the physical realm. Avraham made a personal connection with the terrain, fulfilling the covenant and purchasing and preparing it for future generations.

Ruth's great grand – son, David Hamelech purchased the Temple Mount in Jerusalem from Arvnah HaYevoosi when it was only a field, a threshing floor- for 50 shekels of silver. It began that way before the Temple stood erect on it ,bikurim were offered there and it became the highest pinnacle in our history.

Settling the Land, the desolate country side, widening its borders and cultivating the Land affects every Jew. The materialness of it is not one of a personal interest but of national identity. Israel's target goal, its aims and objectives all are tied into this actualization of life in and on the Land. Shavuot is all about after leaving the exile state of mind (on Pesach) and going on to offering the Omer, the barley grown right on this soil- the refining process- entering a new realm of independence, of our own physical place that we have to refine and refine many times over till we can offer it back to Hashem.

The fields that were asleep have arisen.

The tillage, cultivating and farming going on here on that same rocky ground are nothing less than a miracle. For years now, the world has been super obsessed with it. They want to separate our Yesod-Malchut bond with our Land. They would like to rip us apart. This effects every Jew no matter where s/he may be. We can either bow or stand upright. It is a battle. "Many nations bow down to you- be master of your brothers! Cursed be those who curse you and blessed are those who bless you!" Genesis 27:29

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Shavuot Sameyach! Leah

--
Sincerely,

Robin Ticker

Israel Advocacy Calendar (www.IsraelAdvocacyCalendar.com).
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. 
Posted by at No comments:
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