May 30, 2013
The fighting that may lead to the dreaded non-Zionist Chief Rabbi
If the people of Habayit HaYehudi and their allies really felt it important to select a Zionist Chief Rabbi this time around, it should have been fairly simple to for them to get that accomplished. They should have decided who they would promote, even coming to a conclusion prior to the election if not shortly after, and quickly after the formation of the government just push it through.
Instead, there has been fighting among themselves and then with the others whom they thought were their allies. There have been deals and backstabbing, name-calling and accusations and threats. Candidates are coming and going and coming back.
The entire process has turned into an embarrassment. I hope they wont be running every campaign and effort in a similar fashion. As it is, they do not even deserve to have their candidate, whoever it might eventually be, as the Chief Rabbi, and with all the potential for deal-breaking and backstabbing, it is probably more likely that they will be surprised to find a Haredi Chief Rabbi than to find one of their own end up in the office. And they will deserve it.
Instead, there has been fighting among themselves and then with the others whom they thought were their allies. There have been deals and backstabbing, name-calling and accusations and threats. Candidates are coming and going and coming back.
The entire process has turned into an embarrassment. I hope they wont be running every campaign and effort in a similar fashion. As it is, they do not even deserve to have their candidate, whoever it might eventually be, as the Chief Rabbi, and with all the potential for deal-breaking and backstabbing, it is probably more likely that they will be surprised to find a Haredi Chief Rabbi than to find one of their own end up in the office. And they will deserve it.
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The Google Glass Tefillin Stand - harnessing technology for promoting religion
Chabad has never been afraid to incorporate the latest technology into its kiruv efforts, whether it was satellite tv, internet, mobile connectivity...
Chabad has now found a way to get hold of a Google Glass (is it a pair of Google Glass? Google Glasses? a set of Google Glass? just "a Google Glass"? what's the correct usage?) and turn it into what they are claling the "Google Glass Tefillin Stand".
The Chabad rabbi on the campus of Stamford University has somehow gotten a Google Glass, and has publicized around campus that anybody who wants to give it a whirl is welcome to do so - on condition that they come to the stand and put on tefillin, along with reciting the shema, which would be displayed on the screen (lens?) of the Google Glass.The rabbi said "many Jewish students who had never wrapped Tefillin before came out to do so." "Some of them told me it was their first time wearing Google Glass and Tefillin,"
I wonder how many non-Jewish students put on tefillin also just to get the opportunity to try the Google Glass.
Good job to the good rabbi in harnessing technology, albeit it in a low-tech way, to promote religion...
(source: SERoundtable)
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Waze says staying Israel is worth a billion dollars
If this is true....
All Things Digital is reporting that Waze has cut off talks with Facebook, rejecting their bid. The reason is, supposedly, that one of the conditions of the deal that Facebook was insisting on was that Waze relocate their headquarters to the USA. Waze insisted on remaining in Israel, and this was a deal-breaker. They rejected a $1-billion offer over this!
In the words of All Things Digital:
Waze was already a great app and a great successful company Israelis could be proud of. Now they [might have] given us another reason to love them!
All Things Digital is reporting that Waze has cut off talks with Facebook, rejecting their bid. The reason is, supposedly, that one of the conditions of the deal that Facebook was insisting on was that Waze relocate their headquarters to the USA. Waze insisted on remaining in Israel, and this was a deal-breaker. They rejected a $1-billion offer over this!In the words of All Things Digital:
After months of negotiations, Facebook is no longer in talks to acquire Waze, the Israel-based social mapping and navigation startup, according to sources familiar with the matter.Totally unexpected and out of the ordinary to reject such a mega-deal over such a clause. Israeli pride and patriotism in ths day and age, especially when everyone is upset about tax increases and brain drains and all that, yet Waze chooses to stay in israel despite all that, even giving up all that money in the process... unbelievable!
The two companies had been in discussion for a potential acquisition, with a price tag that could have reached up to $1 billion.
But the talks dissolved in recent days, according to sources, due in part to conflicts over whether or not the Waze team — which is predominantly based in Israel — would move over to the United States and fold itself into Facebook’s Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters, among other reasons.
Reps from both Facebook and Waze declined to comment.
Waze was already a great app and a great successful company Israelis could be proud of. Now they [might have] given us another reason to love them!
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Pashkevil announces Charedi underground that will beat up soldiersphoto credit: Dos Machmad
This is the latest pashkevil up... it announces the existence of a "Charedi underground" called "Machteret Negged Giyus Charedim" - or, "The Underground Against the Drafting of Charedim"
The pashkevil announces:
To the Army Leadership:
You should know that you have made a mistake
Every charedi student who will be arrested
for his opposition to being drafted into the army
the Charedim will take revenge!
for each student, and for each day he sits in jail
an IDF soldier [even though he is completely innocent]
will be lashed with 18 lashes
Beware, you have been warned!
(signed by the Underground N.G.C.)
I hope the pashkevil is either an empty threat or a fraud.
This entire "draft the haredim", "equality of service" took a bad turn a while back. There are a lot of people at fault for the deterioration, on both sides of it. If these people carry out their threats I would expect them to be treated like a terrorist organization. When a soldier is abducted and then lashed, I would expect the army will crack down, place a siege on the house the soldier is being held in, raid the house, kill people. This is just going to get worse and worse...
Some people need to get off their ladders and talk rationally to each other and work out an acceptable system to both sides.
 |
| photo credit: Dos Machmad |
To the Army Leadership:
You should know that you have made a mistake
Every charedi student who will be arrested
for his opposition to being drafted into the army
the Charedim will take revenge!
for each student, and for each day he sits in jail
an IDF soldier [even though he is completely innocent]
will be lashed with 18 lashes
Beware, you have been warned!
(signed by the Underground N.G.C.)
I hope the pashkevil is either an empty threat or a fraud.
This entire "draft the haredim", "equality of service" took a bad turn a while back. There are a lot of people at fault for the deterioration, on both sides of it. If these people carry out their threats I would expect them to be treated like a terrorist organization. When a soldier is abducted and then lashed, I would expect the army will crack down, place a siege on the house the soldier is being held in, raid the house, kill people. This is just going to get worse and worse...
Some people need to get off their ladders and talk rationally to each other and work out an acceptable system to both sides.
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Book Review: The Conversation, by Joshua Golding
NOTE: I was not paid to review this book. It is an unbiased and objective review. If you have a book with Jewish or Israel related content and would like me to write a review, contact me for details of where to send me a review copy of the book.
Book Review: The Conversation, by Joshua Golding
The Conversation, by Joshua Golding, is a book on philosophy. Specifically, Jewish Philosophy.
The Conversation is listed as a book of fiction, because the philosophy is couched in a story, but do not doubt that philosophy in the book is far more dominant than the fictional story in which it is couched. The story makes it readable - to non-philosophers, but the story is clearly secondary to the philosophy.
The story is of a young Jewish college student who is not at all connected to his Jewish heritage, beyond having had a bar mitzvah. So much so, that he is even dating a non-Jewish fellow student and thinks nothing of it. As the story goes, David Goldstein is a student of Philosophy. As a freshman he starts to forge his way in his studies, delving into philosophy and developing his relationships with his friends and professors. An experience by a Holocaust Museum entices him to go in, and he gets touched by something that sparks a search about his Jewish roots and the philosophy of Judaism.
David breaks up with his girlfriend as his search about Judaism becomes more intense. Eventually he begins to focus almost completely on Jewish philosophy, develops a relationship with an Orthodox female student, and finds mentors to add to the professors he talks with. David eventually learns of an Orthodox cousin, and later in the book makes a connection with him as well, which greatly influences David and his studies.
I don't want to give away too much of the story, so I will leave it at that.
The truth is, I found the story very interesting, despite some questions it raised and despite the fact that it felt a bit incomplete. For example, I wondered, about the fictional story aspect (in no particular order):
NOTE: I was not paid to review this book. It is an unbiased and objective review. If you have a book with Jewish or Israel related content and would like me to write a review, contact me for details of where to send me a review copy of the book.
Book Review: The Conversation, by Joshua Golding
The Conversation, by Joshua Golding, is a book on philosophy. Specifically, Jewish Philosophy.
The Conversation is listed as a book of fiction, because the philosophy is couched in a story, but do not doubt that philosophy in the book is far more dominant than the fictional story in which it is couched. The story makes it readable - to non-philosophers, but the story is clearly secondary to the philosophy.
The story is of a young Jewish college student who is not at all connected to his Jewish heritage, beyond having had a bar mitzvah. So much so, that he is even dating a non-Jewish fellow student and thinks nothing of it. As the story goes, David Goldstein is a student of Philosophy. As a freshman he starts to forge his way in his studies, delving into philosophy and developing his relationships with his friends and professors. An experience by a Holocaust Museum entices him to go in, and he gets touched by something that sparks a search about his Jewish roots and the philosophy of Judaism.David breaks up with his girlfriend as his search about Judaism becomes more intense. Eventually he begins to focus almost completely on Jewish philosophy, develops a relationship with an Orthodox female student, and finds mentors to add to the professors he talks with. David eventually learns of an Orthodox cousin, and later in the book makes a connection with him as well, which greatly influences David and his studies.
I don't want to give away too much of the story, so I will leave it at that.
The truth is, I found the story very interesting, despite some questions it raised and despite the fact that it felt a bit incomplete. For example, I wondered, about the fictional story aspect (in no particular order):
- for a philosophy student, David seems kind of lacking. Almost all the philosophy in the book is presented by teachers and mentors, and very little by David. As the main character of the book, and a philosophy student, I would have expected him to discuss philosophy himself, and argue with others. Mostly he is listening to philosophy and asking the occasional questions. Not a big deal, but I would have expected more of his character.
- I don't get how the relationship with Esther, the Orthodox student, went from friends to an expectation of something more (from her side) that appears later in the book. it almost comes out of nowhere, and it seemed very abrupt.
- When David meets his cousin, Chaim, Chaim begins to teach him kabbala. I don't get that - Chaim is presented as extremely Orthodox - even learning in kollel and writing a mussar sefer - yet he meets this not frum kid studying philosophy and starts to teach him kabbala right away, even after realizing that David had barely even learned any gemara or most other standard Jewish texts? It seemed a little strange to me.
Despite these questions, the story of the book is actually pretty good. It definitely makes the book readable to a non-philosopher like me. And, some questions left open at the end of the book leave room for a sequel!
Regarding the philosophy aspect of the book, The Conversation is a powerhouse. David learns his philosophy mainly from Professor Maimon, Rabbi Low - a philosopher who is now a rosh yeshiva in Israel, Rabbi Abraham - a rabbi on campus, his cousin Chaim who takes on a central role in the last 30% or so of the book, and some fellow students.
the philosophy discussed is very deep, which is actually why it took me a long time to read. The philosophy was so in depth that for the first about 60% of the book I could not read more than 2-3 pages at a time. I particularly liked David's discussions with Professor Maimon and his correspondence with Rabbi Low. the role of Professor Maimon actually surprised me, as her character eventually becomes clearly that of a Conservative Jew (based on how she explains her belief of the Oral Torah, the Written Torah and even of God), or something close to it, but in her role she is very influential on David through their discussions. David regularly took thoughts from his discussions with Professor Maimon and shared them with Rabbi Low for clarification, and obviously we then got the more classical Orthodox explanations.
The philosophy was very deep, and not being a philosopher, I can offer no comment on how thorough it was, or argue with the content. I would add that having a yeshiva background, which means I never studied philosophy and even Jewish philosophy is barely broached, it was a fascinating read and caused me to think about manyof the issues discussed.
I would not say I understood every point, but overall this book was not just a novel and a piece of fiction, but a book that makes one think. The story was good, and the philosophy was deep. I recommend this book to any thinking-Jew.
- buy The Conversation on Amazon.com ($26)
- buy The Conversation on Urim Publications ($26)
- buy The Conversation on Book Depository ($27.28 + free shipping)
NOTE: I was not paid to review this book. It is an unbiased and objective review. If you have a book with Jewish or Israel related content and would like me to write a review, contact me for details of where to send me a review copy of the book.
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Facebook Status of the Day
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PM Netanyahu hosts special needs children for bar and bat mitzvah (video)
here is a beautiful video of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting children with special needs for their bar and bat mitzvah celebrations. How could I not post this after seeing what the young boy says near the end of the video after Netanyahu offers them to sit around his table and be Ministers, even PM, in the government for a day!
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Yeruchem Estreicher opposes equality of service law (video)
He is just a private guy, though he is involved somehow in TOV, so I don't quite know why anybody cares what he thinks (just like I don't know why anyone cares what I think), but Yeruchem Estreicher from Bet Shemesh is against the new "Equality of Service" law that passed the committee vote yesterday.. He speaks well and with confidence..
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The Old Jerusalem Train Station has a new face (video)
looks nice
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bar mitzvah boy emotionally sings Melech alchei Hamlachim (video)
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May 29, 2013
Interesting Posts #492
1. 6 reasons I love being on LSD in the early morning (I hope any policeman who picks up on that title doesn't stop there and arrest him)
2. see God's salvation
3. students and soldiers: a meaningful encounter
4. honesty is the best policy
5. shuk shopping annoyances
6. who makes the best kosher hot dog in America? perhaps they did not include Romanian because it is only sold in Chicago, but it should definitely be on the list, if not at the top of the list!
7. is shorter hesder service morally defensible?
8. the founder of the IAF's international squadron
9. its magic you know
10. I have factories, family - aliyah is not for me
11. is it bizarre to prepare your kids for annihilation?
12. surrogate mothering by religious owmen
13. a global tsunami of anti-semitism
14. what did Rav Pinkus do when he saw immodest sign? (hebrew)
15. the importance of being somewhat reasonable
16. Tower of David's new threads
17. Hebrew immersion for teaching Talmud
18. the sefer Torah is how old?
19. Women of the Wall: a possible solution to endless fighting - this solution has irked many, on both sides
2. see God's salvation
3. students and soldiers: a meaningful encounter
4. honesty is the best policy
5. shuk shopping annoyances
6. who makes the best kosher hot dog in America? perhaps they did not include Romanian because it is only sold in Chicago, but it should definitely be on the list, if not at the top of the list!
7. is shorter hesder service morally defensible?
8. the founder of the IAF's international squadron
9. its magic you know
10. I have factories, family - aliyah is not for me
11. is it bizarre to prepare your kids for annihilation?
12. surrogate mothering by religious owmen
13. a global tsunami of anti-semitism
14. what did Rav Pinkus do when he saw immodest sign? (hebrew)
15. the importance of being somewhat reasonable
16. Tower of David's new threads
17. Hebrew immersion for teaching Talmud
18. the sefer Torah is how old?
19. Women of the Wall: a possible solution to endless fighting - this solution has irked many, on both sides
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Kofrim should not be involved in selection of Chief Rabbis
It turns out that the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Ono, Rav Ratzon Arusi agrees with me, sort of!
I think the politicians should not be involved in the selection of the Chief Rabbi. That Chief Rabbinate, in my opinion, is sullied by the involvement of the politicians, the way they make deals and pass personal laws to get "their candidates" advanced...
Rav Arusi also thinks the politicians should not be involved, but for a slightly different reason. Rav Arusi says the Rabbanut should be outside of the realm of the Knesset because there are kofrimi inside the Knesset.
Rav Arusi said, "When there was a Sanhedrin, it would give instructions and make decrees regarding the selection of judges and members of Sanhedrim and for any religious issue, because the Sanhedrin operated according to the Torah and anything it did was from that perspective.
In the State of Israel we have merited on the one hand from sovereign rule in the land, which according to Rav Kook has the status almost of a kingdom and form that perspective can establish laws that are meant to obligate its citizens. But on the other hand, one cannot ignore the problem that the parliament of today consists of representatives of the entire spectrum - Jews and non-Jews, religious and secular and some with different worldviews and even those who oppose and are deniers of the Torah, all within the framework of pluralism.
[While they should be encouraged to continue establishing appropriate laws], we would expect the Knesset to understand the sensitivity of the issue of over-legalization regarding a religious institution that has its own uniqueness to it... The lawman must know not to get involved in these issues, just as he does not get involved in issues of the courts. If he did that, there would be an outcry.
It is a shame that the State of Israel limited rabbonim based on age. As the rav gets older, he gets smarter and has more influence. The only limitation should be on actions.
(source: INN)
When you want people to do things your way, you probably should not call them insulting names (like kofrim), but his point is correct.
I think the politicians should not be involved in the selection of the Chief Rabbi. That Chief Rabbinate, in my opinion, is sullied by the involvement of the politicians, the way they make deals and pass personal laws to get "their candidates" advanced...
Rav Arusi also thinks the politicians should not be involved, but for a slightly different reason. Rav Arusi says the Rabbanut should be outside of the realm of the Knesset because there are kofrimi inside the Knesset.
Rav Arusi said, "When there was a Sanhedrin, it would give instructions and make decrees regarding the selection of judges and members of Sanhedrim and for any religious issue, because the Sanhedrin operated according to the Torah and anything it did was from that perspective.
In the State of Israel we have merited on the one hand from sovereign rule in the land, which according to Rav Kook has the status almost of a kingdom and form that perspective can establish laws that are meant to obligate its citizens. But on the other hand, one cannot ignore the problem that the parliament of today consists of representatives of the entire spectrum - Jews and non-Jews, religious and secular and some with different worldviews and even those who oppose and are deniers of the Torah, all within the framework of pluralism.
[While they should be encouraged to continue establishing appropriate laws], we would expect the Knesset to understand the sensitivity of the issue of over-legalization regarding a religious institution that has its own uniqueness to it... The lawman must know not to get involved in these issues, just as he does not get involved in issues of the courts. If he did that, there would be an outcry.
It is a shame that the State of Israel limited rabbonim based on age. As the rav gets older, he gets smarter and has more influence. The only limitation should be on actions.
(source: INN)
When you want people to do things your way, you probably should not call them insulting names (like kofrim), but his point is correct.
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Headline of the Day
'World's oldest Torah' scroll found at Italy university
-- BBC
"found" is a funny word to use, considering the Torah scroll was there all along. They say "found" because, despite, it being in their archives for so long they did not realize how old it was until now. They say it had been mislabled, and they had thought it was just a few hundred years old..
In the words of the BBC:
The University of Bologna in Italy has found what it says may be the oldest complete scroll of Judaism's most important text, the Torah.
The scroll was in the university library but had been mislabelled, a professor at the university says.
It was previously thought the scroll was no more that a few hundred years old.
However, after carbon dating tests, the university has said the text may have been written more than 850 years ago.
The university's Professor of Hebrew Mauro Perani says this would make it the oldest complete text of the Torah known to exist, and an object of extraordinary worth.
The university says that in 1889 one of its librarians, Leonello Modona, had examined the scroll and dated it to the 17th Century.
However, when Mr Perani recently re-examined the scroll, he realised the script used was that of the oriental Babylonian tradition, meaning that the scroll must be extremely old.
Another reason for the dating is that the text has many features forbidden in later copies under rules laid down by the scholar Maimonides in the 12th Century, the university says.
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Quote of the Day
We are here today, during the discussions of the committee about the advancement of equality of service.. This is definitely an issue that Kadima does not just support... (interrupted by snickering and laughter) uh, Kadima definitely supports it... (she then continued and made her point)
-- Minister of Justide Tzippi Livni at a faction meeting of Hatnua. Livni accidentally called her party Kadima. I guess being in so many parties in such a short time span can make one slip like that...
-- Minister of Justide Tzippi Livni at a faction meeting of Hatnua. Livni accidentally called her party Kadima. I guess being in so many parties in such a short time span can make one slip like that...
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Penina Rosenblum's picture covered with a sticker, but she doesn't care
Penina Rosenblum, former Israeli actress, fashion model, politician, media personality and always a businesswoman, sells a line of hair products - shampoos and conditioner - under her name.
Upon hearing that in the Haredi neighborhood in Ashdod stickers were being affixed to the bottles of her product to cover up her image, Rosenblum gave one of the smartest responses I have heard.
Many would be insulted and threaten to remove the product from the area if the locals continue to deface it.. Rosenblum said, "I am selling this shampoo all around the country for 25 years already and haven't had a problem anywhere. Machsanei HaShuk is a chain of stores we work with a lot, and is a chain that hasn't had a problem in any of its stores. Maybe n the area of this specific store there are some more religious people, even though I am not exposed in the picture, it is only my face. But what is most important to me is that they buy the shampoo. Wherever there are religious people who want to put a sticker on the shampoo, I have no problem. The main thing is that they buy my shampoo."
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Upon hearing that in the Haredi neighborhood in Ashdod stickers were being affixed to the bottles of her product to cover up her image, Rosenblum gave one of the smartest responses I have heard.
Many would be insulted and threaten to remove the product from the area if the locals continue to deface it.. Rosenblum said, "I am selling this shampoo all around the country for 25 years already and haven't had a problem anywhere. Machsanei HaShuk is a chain of stores we work with a lot, and is a chain that hasn't had a problem in any of its stores. Maybe n the area of this specific store there are some more religious people, even though I am not exposed in the picture, it is only my face. But what is most important to me is that they buy the shampoo. Wherever there are religious people who want to put a sticker on the shampoo, I have no problem. The main thing is that they buy my shampoo."
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proof Yated is more liberal than Hamodia
I think the Yated must be undergoing some changes...and becoming more liberal in the process. they are now at least more liberal than the Hamodia newspaper. They will soon be going out on a marketing campaign billing themselves as the newspaper for the liberal Haredi.
How do I know this, you ask?
A few months ago Hamodia printed an image of a drawer of shoes with the womens shoes edited out. While the policy had been to blur out images of women, they took it to the next level when they edited out the shoes.
Yated Neeman however printed the following picture in their newspaper yesterday.
If you look carefully and pay attention to the details, you might notice that they took a picture and swapped out a female protester for a male protester. Though they swapped out the protester, they left the original lady's shoes.
So, Hamodia wont print pictures of womens shoes, but Yated will. Clearly yated is more liberal than Hamodia!
(hattip on catching the Yated mistake to photographer Yaakov Lederman)
How do I know this, you ask?
A few months ago Hamodia printed an image of a drawer of shoes with the womens shoes edited out. While the policy had been to blur out images of women, they took it to the next level when they edited out the shoes.
Yated Neeman however printed the following picture in their newspaper yesterday.
If you look carefully and pay attention to the details, you might notice that they took a picture and swapped out a female protester for a male protester. Though they swapped out the protester, they left the original lady's shoes.
So, Hamodia wont print pictures of womens shoes, but Yated will. Clearly yated is more liberal than Hamodia!
(hattip on catching the Yated mistake to photographer Yaakov Lederman)
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MKs Lipman and Zeev have follow-up debate on TV (video)
Last week, MKs Lipman and Zeev held a joint interview/debate on Knesset TV.. this is a follow-up interview/debate.. Lipman pulls a move that surprises Zeev, and he doesn't know how to respond.
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Eli Beer at TEDMED 2013 (video)
(this is an old friend of mine from yeshiva days...)
and he just participated in the World Economic Forum in Jordan as part of the young leaders group... He described United Hatzolah to the Queen of Jordan, who expressed interest in establishing something similar there, and he offered his services to help set it up.
As well, the King of Jordan was curious what he was doing when Beer said the bracha one says upon seeing a king...
and he just participated in the World Economic Forum in Jordan as part of the young leaders group... He described United Hatzolah to the Queen of Jordan, who expressed interest in establishing something similar there, and he offered his services to help set it up.
As well, the King of Jordan was curious what he was doing when Beer said the bracha one says upon seeing a king...
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PM Netabyahu: "Fight & win the battle of truth" (video)
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Nosson Zand - Believers feat. Matisyahu [Official Video]
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May 28, 2013
VAT increase almost desecrated the Shabbos
As part of the "reforms" passed by the Finance Ministry, the VAT will be going up on June 1 from 17% to 18%.
Does anybody remember when it was actually dropped a few years ago from 16% to 15.5% with a timetable of it being lowered even further in the following years? Since then it was raised back to 16%, then 17% and now it is being raised to 18%.
By law, when the VAT is changed, prices must be updated immediately. That means on June 1, at midnight, all stores must have already, by law, updated the pricing of the products on their shelves.
The problem is that Friday is May 31, and Shabbos is June 1. That means, according to the law, there will be a lot of chilul shabbos involved in the changing of the prices this week. Stores will have to hire extra employees to work Friday night to change all the prices in time for midnight.
MK Nissan Slomiansky (Habayit Hayehudi) realized the problem and petitioned the Finance Minister to therefore postpone the VAT increase to June 2, in order to avoid potentially mass chillul shabbos. Lapid agreed, and the VAT increase was delayed by a day.
(source: Israel Hayom)
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Shas disapproves of woman running for City Council in tzfat
Just a few days ago I mentioned the [Haredi] woman in Tzfat who is making a run for a seat on the City Council, despite the opposition of some of the men, and despite being relatively new to town and hardly known.
Mynet has now followed up with the story, considering the publicity she has received over the past week.
Shira Georgi's candidacy for City Council is largely being met with skepticism within the political community of Tzfat. The Shas representative has a sharper take on the candidacy than just skepticism. Zeev Shvavo says that "women in Shas do not have the luxury of making choices. Their place is in the house. It is not for naught that we do not have female representation in the Knesset and in the various City Councils, it is by the decision of Rav Ovadiah Yosef who believes the tzniyus of a woman is more important than anythign else. She claims she wants to advance issues of the women - might one think that we in Shas aren't concerned about proper representation for our women? She would be smart if she would connect to one of our representatives and advance her issues through him... I myself am prepared to bring her to Rav Ovadiah Yosef or to Aryeh Deri and she can ask them, despite my not having any doubt as to what their answer will be."
A former mayor of Tzfat dismissed Shvavo's claims, saying in the past women have served on City Council and it is important that women continue to do so.
Shira responded to Shvavo's attack on her saying "I would remind him that women in the haredi community mostly go out to work to support their husbands learning Torah. So it is ok for us to go out to work, but not ok to work for the public? If a woman wants to stay home, she is welcome to. I am not going to do that and I would recommend to Rav Shvavo, who is seemingly afraid of new things, that he should check himself. Besides for that, Deri is not my rav, nor was he ever my rav, and I have no intention to ask him what I should do. The fact that I am a Sfardi woman and Haredi does mean I necessarily am connected to Shas - Rav Shvavo should pay attention."
Way to go Shira!
Mynet has now followed up with the story, considering the publicity she has received over the past week.
Shira Georgi's candidacy for City Council is largely being met with skepticism within the political community of Tzfat. The Shas representative has a sharper take on the candidacy than just skepticism. Zeev Shvavo says that "women in Shas do not have the luxury of making choices. Their place is in the house. It is not for naught that we do not have female representation in the Knesset and in the various City Councils, it is by the decision of Rav Ovadiah Yosef who believes the tzniyus of a woman is more important than anythign else. She claims she wants to advance issues of the women - might one think that we in Shas aren't concerned about proper representation for our women? She would be smart if she would connect to one of our representatives and advance her issues through him... I myself am prepared to bring her to Rav Ovadiah Yosef or to Aryeh Deri and she can ask them, despite my not having any doubt as to what their answer will be."
A former mayor of Tzfat dismissed Shvavo's claims, saying in the past women have served on City Council and it is important that women continue to do so.
Shira responded to Shvavo's attack on her saying "I would remind him that women in the haredi community mostly go out to work to support their husbands learning Torah. So it is ok for us to go out to work, but not ok to work for the public? If a woman wants to stay home, she is welcome to. I am not going to do that and I would recommend to Rav Shvavo, who is seemingly afraid of new things, that he should check himself. Besides for that, Deri is not my rav, nor was he ever my rav, and I have no intention to ask him what I should do. The fact that I am a Sfardi woman and Haredi does mean I necessarily am connected to Shas - Rav Shvavo should pay attention."
Way to go Shira!
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Quote of the Day
I was debating between potential quotes of the day, when this one hit the media, and this one was crazy enough to beat the rest out by a lot...
I want to tell you, I am a Jew who believes, we are playing with fire, and you should know and accept that we believe it, that when they did not harm the Torah, there was quiet - quiet with security, Syria was a distant country, there was quiet. The credit rating of the State of Israel went up, from a financial standpoint everything was excellent. They began to harm the Torah - suddenly Syria is very close, rockets are suddenly pointed at Tel Aviv, I believe this with complete faith, and like me there are hundreds of thousands and maybe millions who believe this. There is no way to be smart about it, they harmed the Torah... forget about the idea of teaching us. We will not change even a hairsbreadth..
-- Mk Moshe Gafni (UTJ)
I want to tell you, I am a Jew who believes, we are playing with fire, and you should know and accept that we believe it, that when they did not harm the Torah, there was quiet - quiet with security, Syria was a distant country, there was quiet. The credit rating of the State of Israel went up, from a financial standpoint everything was excellent. They began to harm the Torah - suddenly Syria is very close, rockets are suddenly pointed at Tel Aviv, I believe this with complete faith, and like me there are hundreds of thousands and maybe millions who believe this. There is no way to be smart about it, they harmed the Torah... forget about the idea of teaching us. We will not change even a hairsbreadth..
-- Mk Moshe Gafni (UTJ)
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Yeshivat Har Etzion as screened on Korean TV (video)
the Korean's interest in gemara still seems strange to me..
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The 1,000 Year Wait: Hidden Tidbits from the Cairo Genizah (video)
I always found the Cairo Geniza very intriguing..
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Lapid: Equal Army Service or this Gov't is History (video)
different approaches.. even among brothers..
though plenty of people in the government were not happy with Lapid's threat. With his low polling right now after his budget cuts, he probably does not have much behind his threat of dismantling the government and going to elections... Danny Danon, the Deputy Defense Minister said Lapid's threats don't move us. We want real "equality of service" - the kind that includes everyone, even Israeli Arabs, not just for haredim. Defense Minister Moshe Bogie Yaalon also weighed in against Lapid saying that he is being so harsh on the issue of "equality of service" for haredim in order to make up for his mistakes with the budget cuts and thereby regain some popularity.
though plenty of people in the government were not happy with Lapid's threat. With his low polling right now after his budget cuts, he probably does not have much behind his threat of dismantling the government and going to elections... Danny Danon, the Deputy Defense Minister said Lapid's threats don't move us. We want real "equality of service" - the kind that includes everyone, even Israeli Arabs, not just for haredim. Defense Minister Moshe Bogie Yaalon also weighed in against Lapid saying that he is being so harsh on the issue of "equality of service" for haredim in order to make up for his mistakes with the budget cuts and thereby regain some popularity.
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Running for Israel (video)
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May 27, 2013
Interesting Posts #491
1. double vindication in the case of Modiin bigotry
2. the Israeli stranger who left me her baby on the plane
3. 39 beautiful resume ideas that work for Israelis
4. can Tesla take over Better Place charging stations?
5. the aliyah question
6. what is keeping mashiach away?
7. the US big city jewish mayor club grows again
8. when nutty doesn't cut it
9. would you kill an Amalekite?
10. dean decries drinking debacle
11. first, understand "the burden"
12. the Kotzker Rebbe in Omaha
13. 10 photos of jewish women being awesome - I expect this title will bring in millions of hits...
14. the Doheny kosher scandal and the erosion of daas torah
15. my spot at the Kotel
16. why is it so important for charedim to learn secular subjects?
2. the Israeli stranger who left me her baby on the plane
3. 39 beautiful resume ideas that work for Israelis
4. can Tesla take over Better Place charging stations?
5. the aliyah question
6. what is keeping mashiach away?
7. the US big city jewish mayor club grows again
8. when nutty doesn't cut it
9. would you kill an Amalekite?
10. dean decries drinking debacle
11. first, understand "the burden"
12. the Kotzker Rebbe in Omaha
13. 10 photos of jewish women being awesome - I expect this title will bring in millions of hits...
14. the Doheny kosher scandal and the erosion of daas torah
15. my spot at the Kotel
16. why is it so important for charedim to learn secular subjects?
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MK Amram Mitzna proposes alternate solution for Haredim
The committee headed by Yaakov Perry to find a solution to "equality of draft", which has become synonymous with simply formulating a plan to draft the haredim, has been making waves. It has drawn more opposition in its final days, opposition from across the spectrum, than it has found support.
MK Amram Mitzna (Hatnua) has now joined the group of those attacking Perry and his committee for missing the mark and even accusing them of hypocrisy and anti-haredi sentiments..
Mitzna counter-proposes something that I have said many times in the past. It is actually far more important to get the haredi community out into the workforce than it is to get them into the army. The army issue is an ideological one, and it will not be solved easily or quickly. After 65 years, these quick plans being formulated are turning into an ideological battle rather than an actual plan that could work. Sure, absolving them of army service is the height of unfair, when considering all those who are obligated to serve, but the real problem is not that they are not in the army, but that there are not enough of them in the workforce. The economy suffers because of it, they suffer because of it, the general population suffers because of it, etc.
So Mitzna is proposing that the law that prevents someone from working if he/she did not complete their army service (whether in actual service or via an exemption of some sort) should be removed. He says haredim should be allowed into the workforce, immediately and without it being connected to army service.
Obviously the army part of the issue cannot be ignored, as the entire country would be up in arms that they have to serve and one group does not with no obligation at all. Mitzna recommends that after releasing the haredim into the workforce, we can then look for ways to incentivize them to join the army.
(source: Ladaat)
In my opinion this is probably the best solution. it solves the real problem, and it solves the problem that is fairly easily solvable. The army issue is also important, and the government should continue looking for a solution to it, but that should not stop the more important issue from being resolved..
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Adelson joining Buffet in leaving majority of wealth to charity
There is a charitable initiative happening around the world. I don't know when it started, but it was big when Warren Buffet pledged to donate 99% of his wealth to charity. That is a considerable sum, considering his estimated worth is in the range of $46 billion. To date, he has already given away close to $13 billion, according to Forbes. Most of his money is going to the Gates Foundation, and some will also be going to a few foundations run by his children. In addition, Bill Gates pledged a large percentage of his wealth to charity, and together they founded the Giving Pledge through which they encourage wealthy people to donate at least 50% of their wealth to charity before they die.
Sheldon Adelson, MOT supporter of Israel, Birthright, and especially of PM Benjamin Netanyahu (along with having given a lot of money to Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney supporting their efforts to unseat Barak Obama from the presidency), has now made a similar pledge.
Adelson is estimated to be worth $27 billion, and is in the top 20 wealthiest people in the world. His Deputy Director, Michael Leven, has now said that Adelson will be donating 75% of his wealth to charity. He disagrees with Buffet's style, saying Buffet chose to give the bulk of his money to the Gates family foundation to distribute, while Adelson prefers to donate the money to charities and institutions whose objectives are dear and important to him.
Similar to Buffet, he believes he has left enough money for his kids and they don't need so much money that was earned by other people.
(source: NRG)
Sheldon Adelson, MOT supporter of Israel, Birthright, and especially of PM Benjamin Netanyahu (along with having given a lot of money to Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney supporting their efforts to unseat Barak Obama from the presidency), has now made a similar pledge.
Adelson is estimated to be worth $27 billion, and is in the top 20 wealthiest people in the world. His Deputy Director, Michael Leven, has now said that Adelson will be donating 75% of his wealth to charity. He disagrees with Buffet's style, saying Buffet chose to give the bulk of his money to the Gates family foundation to distribute, while Adelson prefers to donate the money to charities and institutions whose objectives are dear and important to him.
Similar to Buffet, he believes he has left enough money for his kids and they don't need so much money that was earned by other people.
(source: NRG)
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Haredi woman from Jerusalem earns prestigious UN internship
Congratulations to Naomi Avraham of Jerusalem for achieving an internship at the United Nations. This internship had thousands of applicants, and it is a great honor that one of our own was able to qualify for it above and beyond all the other applicants.
Avraham is a 21 year old Haredi woman studying in Machon Lev. She speaks four languages - English, Hebrew, Chinese and Yiddish. Naomi is one of ten siblings, studied in Bais Yaakov, and is completing her accounting studies at Machon Lev.
The internship is for two months at the Department of Field Support (DFS) for peacekeeping missions, in the United Nations' budget office. Only 200 people from around the world are selected for such internships.
The selection of Naomi Avraham, was, in addition to her general qualifications, due to her knowledge of Chinese. She studied Chinese, she says, because she considers it at least as important a language as English. Machon Lev, supremely proud of the achievement, has decided they would fund her entire trip for the summer UN internship.
(source: Ynetnews)
Machon Lev continues to make headlines with the success of their students. They must be doing something right.
Avraham is a 21 year old Haredi woman studying in Machon Lev. She speaks four languages - English, Hebrew, Chinese and Yiddish. Naomi is one of ten siblings, studied in Bais Yaakov, and is completing her accounting studies at Machon Lev.
The internship is for two months at the Department of Field Support (DFS) for peacekeeping missions, in the United Nations' budget office. Only 200 people from around the world are selected for such internships.
The selection of Naomi Avraham, was, in addition to her general qualifications, due to her knowledge of Chinese. She studied Chinese, she says, because she considers it at least as important a language as English. Machon Lev, supremely proud of the achievement, has decided they would fund her entire trip for the summer UN internship.
(source: Ynetnews)
Machon Lev continues to make headlines with the success of their students. They must be doing something right.
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Headline of the Day
Sirens and Ululations: Will the drill mess up Hotovely's wedding?
-- Srugim
The chupa of the wedding of Hotovely and Alon is called for 7 PM. At 7:05 PM there is a national drill scheduled, with a siren to be blared, during which everyone is expected to head to their closest bomb shelter or sealed room.
It is a good thing Israeli weddings, really most Jewish weddings, don't start on time.
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From the Rabbanut update: Does Palestinian Coca Cola require a hechsher?
One item from the latest Rabbanut kashrut update:
The item states that some coca cola is being sold in Israel with Arabic writing on the label and no kashrut certification symbol at all. These bottles are being sold at a cheaper price.. Upon investigation it has been found that this item is manufactured in the village of Kfar Bitunia, near Jerusalem with no kashrut supervision.
The Rabbanut therefore warns the public that they should be aware and not buy this product, both due to the issue itself (i.e. it might not be kosher), and for educational reasons so people should not get used to buying food with no kashrut supervision. And either way, a place with supervision should not have these bottles present...
The first reason to not consume this item is important - the item has no kashrut supervision and perhaps there might be a problematic ingredient. if there is, it should be pointed out what that is. Coca Cola is using just about identical recipes around the world - they want their product to retain a certain level of uniformity and the same taste everywhere, with perhaps slight changes to accommodate local markets. It should not be difficult for the Rabbanut, or Rav Landau who authorizes the Israeli Coca Cola, to find out what, if anything, is different about the PA Coca Cola.
the second reason to not consume this, for educational reasons, is a crock. That is their way of keeping a stranglehold on the people even when it is not necessary. Foods that do not require a hechsher, and I am not saying this applies to Coca Cola, do not need a hechsher for educational reasons. I would say just the opposite - for educational reasons it would be better to not put a hechsher on so people can learn that certain foods are perfectly kosher and do not need external certification. This would apply to plain coffee (not flavored), regular beers (not flavored) and many other food items. I do not know if Coca Cola falls into theis category or not, but saying people should be trained to not buy food without a hechsher is false, unless they are saying this is an item that requires one. In this case of Coca Cola, they failed to make that case.
The item states that some coca cola is being sold in Israel with Arabic writing on the label and no kashrut certification symbol at all. These bottles are being sold at a cheaper price.. Upon investigation it has been found that this item is manufactured in the village of Kfar Bitunia, near Jerusalem with no kashrut supervision.
The Rabbanut therefore warns the public that they should be aware and not buy this product, both due to the issue itself (i.e. it might not be kosher), and for educational reasons so people should not get used to buying food with no kashrut supervision. And either way, a place with supervision should not have these bottles present...
The first reason to not consume this item is important - the item has no kashrut supervision and perhaps there might be a problematic ingredient. if there is, it should be pointed out what that is. Coca Cola is using just about identical recipes around the world - they want their product to retain a certain level of uniformity and the same taste everywhere, with perhaps slight changes to accommodate local markets. It should not be difficult for the Rabbanut, or Rav Landau who authorizes the Israeli Coca Cola, to find out what, if anything, is different about the PA Coca Cola.
the second reason to not consume this, for educational reasons, is a crock. That is their way of keeping a stranglehold on the people even when it is not necessary. Foods that do not require a hechsher, and I am not saying this applies to Coca Cola, do not need a hechsher for educational reasons. I would say just the opposite - for educational reasons it would be better to not put a hechsher on so people can learn that certain foods are perfectly kosher and do not need external certification. This would apply to plain coffee (not flavored), regular beers (not flavored) and many other food items. I do not know if Coca Cola falls into theis category or not, but saying people should be trained to not buy food without a hechsher is false, unless they are saying this is an item that requires one. In this case of Coca Cola, they failed to make that case.
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No injured (video)
This short film was made to show the irony of the statement "there were no injured" when rockets fall...
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IDF Chief of Staff Prays at Tomb of Rachel, Bethlehem (video)
IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz went to Kever Rachel to daven, and said the tefilla for the IDF soldiers...
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Peres: Peace Between Israel, PA 'Real Possibility' (video)
Peres, who spoke of peace and dividing the land, upset some in the government for overstepping his position and for projecting his long-standing vision of peace, one that the people rejected when he was in politics, on the people of Israel. Minister Yuval Steinitz said Peres is not the government spokesman, and Minister Naftali Bennet said most Israelis reject a withdrawal to the 67 borders and understand it would bring Hamas terror to the center of the country.
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Hatikva and Ani Maamin by Nahal Haredi (video)
from yesterday's ceremony for the Nahal Haredi
Hatikva:
followed by Ani Maamin:
from another view..
and part of the ceremony..
Hatikva:
followed by Ani Maamin:
from another view..
and part of the ceremony..
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May 26, 2013
Quote of the Day
Hizballah should change its name to Hezb al-Shaitan -- "the Party of Satan." How can an organization's name could be Hezbollah (which means "the Party of God") while it declares a war to kill innocent men, women and children... Those who stand by the Assad regime and kill their own Muslim brothers, kill indiscriminately women and children in the battlefield, should not appeal to Islam and the Quran to legitimize their actions.. There is no difference between Pharaoh, who ordered the killing of newborn boys based on a dream, and today's Assad, who he accused of killing thousands of people in order to stay in power.
-- Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Bekir Bozdağ
-- Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Bekir Bozdağ
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Darwin Award Winner in Israel
This criminal is a real winner - of the Darwin Awards..
According to Globes, a criminal broke into an apartment in Ranaana. He went through the apartment wreaking havoc, causing a lot of damage. All the efforts he exerted causedhim to be so tired that he decided to take a nap. He went into the bedroom and fell asleep on the bed.
The homeowner came home at some point, saw the state his house was in and went to check what was stolen. You can imagine his surprise at walking into his room and finding the crook taking a little beauty rest.
The homeowner called the police who came and woke up Sleeping Beauty. Upon awaking, the crook asked the police for a cigarette..
According to Globes, a criminal broke into an apartment in Ranaana. He went through the apartment wreaking havoc, causing a lot of damage. All the efforts he exerted causedhim to be so tired that he decided to take a nap. He went into the bedroom and fell asleep on the bed.
The homeowner came home at some point, saw the state his house was in and went to check what was stolen. You can imagine his surprise at walking into his room and finding the crook taking a little beauty rest.
The homeowner called the police who came and woke up Sleeping Beauty. Upon awaking, the crook asked the police for a cigarette..
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Headline of the Day
Instead of a Bachelorette Party for Hotovely: She went up to Har Habayit
-- NRG
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The tactics of softening the decrees at the last minute
hmmmm
I wonder if there is a tactic in play here.
The Perry Committee has been meeting to formulate a plan for "equality of service", that would deal with all the issues of increasing the number of haredim drafted into the army, and making those exempt due to learning Torah the exception rather than the rule. It was looking like the decisions to be presented to the Knesset would be fairly harsh, and the Haredi parties and askanim were gearing up for a battle.
Sure enough, at least based on what I read in the Mishpacha newspaper over Shabbos, at the last minute the Perry committee has decided to sfoten up their decisions a bit. The "decrees" won't be as harsh as originally planned. There was a list of changes, such as the institutions being sanctioned for not meeting the right numbers of draftees produced rather than personal sanctions, the target numbers were lowered a bit, etc.
I think I am seeing a pattern here.
The past few weeks had all the talks of general budget cuts and especially budget cuts applied to the haredi community, to the haredi educational systems. The picture painted was that the budget cuts would be very harsh on the haredi community. If it was being painted as harsh by the Finance Minister and his people, from the side of the haredim it was being painted as much worse. Yet, at the last minute things were changed, some budget cuts were canceled, some delayed, some altered. And it passed with little serious opposition. it seems that the Haredim, while smarting from the cuts, figured they had at least lessened the damage and it could now be lived with.
And now the same is being done with the issue of the draft. Talk was of very harsh changes, "decrees" as they are being called in the haredi media, and at the last minute things are being changed, decrees are softened, the decisions are made more palatable.
It might be in my mind alone, but I suspect that this is a tactic being used. By talking everything up and making it look really bad, when they come in and soften things at the last minute, both sides get satisfaction out of the conclusion and it passes easier.
I wonder if there is a tactic in play here.
The Perry Committee has been meeting to formulate a plan for "equality of service", that would deal with all the issues of increasing the number of haredim drafted into the army, and making those exempt due to learning Torah the exception rather than the rule. It was looking like the decisions to be presented to the Knesset would be fairly harsh, and the Haredi parties and askanim were gearing up for a battle.
Sure enough, at least based on what I read in the Mishpacha newspaper over Shabbos, at the last minute the Perry committee has decided to sfoten up their decisions a bit. The "decrees" won't be as harsh as originally planned. There was a list of changes, such as the institutions being sanctioned for not meeting the right numbers of draftees produced rather than personal sanctions, the target numbers were lowered a bit, etc.
I think I am seeing a pattern here.
The past few weeks had all the talks of general budget cuts and especially budget cuts applied to the haredi community, to the haredi educational systems. The picture painted was that the budget cuts would be very harsh on the haredi community. If it was being painted as harsh by the Finance Minister and his people, from the side of the haredim it was being painted as much worse. Yet, at the last minute things were changed, some budget cuts were canceled, some delayed, some altered. And it passed with little serious opposition. it seems that the Haredim, while smarting from the cuts, figured they had at least lessened the damage and it could now be lived with.
And now the same is being done with the issue of the draft. Talk was of very harsh changes, "decrees" as they are being called in the haredi media, and at the last minute things are being changed, decrees are softened, the decisions are made more palatable.
It might be in my mind alone, but I suspect that this is a tactic being used. By talking everything up and making it look really bad, when they come in and soften things at the last minute, both sides get satisfaction out of the conclusion and it passes easier.
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Pashkevil in RBS B against Superbus for opening the gates of lewdness
Wow! This is one of the latest pashkevils up in RBS B... against Superbus for the evil crime of operating a bus line (bus #17) through the neighborhood that also goes to the secular parts of the city. In the words of the pashkevil author, Superbus by doing so has opened up the gates of the lewdness of the streets into the neighborhood!
I would note that bus #14 has always operated on the route from RBS A through RBS B and into all areas of Bet Shemesh, so the presence of a bus from RBS B to the secular areas is really nothing new.
They threaten that if the bus line is not canceled, the battle will be brought back to them and the good relations from which both sides have benefited will come to an end, that Superbus will be responsible for!
I would note that bus #14 has always operated on the route from RBS A through RBS B and into all areas of Bet Shemesh, so the presence of a bus from RBS B to the secular areas is really nothing new.
They threaten that if the bus line is not canceled, the battle will be brought back to them and the good relations from which both sides have benefited will come to an end, that Superbus will be responsible for!
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MK Stern and MK Gafni spar in Knesset about the Stern Law for Chief Rabbi (video)
I am not too impressed with Stern's defense of his law not being personal, but he makes a good point calling into questions Gafni's fighting for the honor of the Rabbanut that he himself does not respect or follow...
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Peek-A-Jew: Yeshiva Bochur on SportsCenter (video)
(Tip of the Kippa to Rabbi Fink... though neither of these videos contain the comment that he quotes from a different broadcast about trusting the guy in the cap)
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A Response To The NYPost's Holy Chic: Extreme Makeup and Shabbos - JITC Unplugged (video)
I actually don't think this video is so great. I like JITC's "plugged" videos far better, but the point of it is good - don't let the mainstream media paint the picture they want, which often distorts the truth.
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Pinny Schachter from out of the depths (video)
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May 25, 2013
Show support for Nahal Haredi soldiers
This past week was supposed to see the ceremony of the conclusion of basic training for the latest inductees to the Nahal Haredi. It was canceled due to the fear that the event would be targeted by haredi extremists, who have begun a campaign of delegitimizing haredi soldiers, and even leading to violence against haredim seen in uniform.
The even was rescheduled for tomorrow at 5:30 PM at Givat HaTachmoshet - Ammunition Hill - in Jerusalem.
Somebody came up with the idea to turn this into a show of support. To oppose the calls against Haredi soldiers, and especially the violence, he suggests that people should show up at the ceremony and show their support of Haredi soldiers.
He created a Facebook event to that effect, and it has received many shares on Facebook and has been picking up steam. I think it is a great idea, a great way to show support at a time when they are being threatened and future potentials are being scared away. If I could go I would, If you can go, I think you should.
The even was rescheduled for tomorrow at 5:30 PM at Givat HaTachmoshet - Ammunition Hill - in Jerusalem.
Somebody came up with the idea to turn this into a show of support. To oppose the calls against Haredi soldiers, and especially the violence, he suggests that people should show up at the ceremony and show their support of Haredi soldiers.
He created a Facebook event to that effect, and it has received many shares on Facebook and has been picking up steam. I think it is a great idea, a great way to show support at a time when they are being threatened and future potentials are being scared away. If I could go I would, If you can go, I think you should.
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May 23, 2013
Bet Shemesh produces the strangest news items...
I don't know what it is, but the strangest news in Israel seems to usually come from Bet Shemesh....
the latest is a story with very murky details.. a family of 8, 2 parents with 6 kids, "wandered" across the border into Jordan. It seems there is a restraining order on the father for being part of the Lev Tahor cult, and not being able to leave via the airports, he was trying to sneak out via Jordan and then to make his way with his family to Jordan. This family is from Bet Shemesh.
The Jordanians took the family into custody and has returned them to Israel.
The details of what and why are still murky, but what a strange story!
the latest is a story with very murky details.. a family of 8, 2 parents with 6 kids, "wandered" across the border into Jordan. It seems there is a restraining order on the father for being part of the Lev Tahor cult, and not being able to leave via the airports, he was trying to sneak out via Jordan and then to make his way with his family to Jordan. This family is from Bet Shemesh.
The Jordanians took the family into custody and has returned them to Israel.
The details of what and why are still murky, but what a strange story!
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Feldheim children's book sale!
Feldheim is having a big sale for the next few days - 20-80% off of kids books.. just until Tuesday night at midnight (NY time, giving us Israelis a little more time) though, so take advantage now!
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Haredi women continue to demand their equality
It might just be a trickle, but little by little it is happening. One woman here, one woman there, demanding the equality they feel is lacking. Whether it is for more public respect, for more public presence, no more separate seating (outside of some select places like shuls, etc), advertising, whatever.
A haredi woman in Tzfat is now running for a seat on the City Council of the city. She says she has been receiving threatening calls pressuring her to cancel her campaign, but she insists on running.
of course some would say that once she demands change, once she disagrees, at least publicly, with the position of the haredi leaders and the rabbonim, she loses the right to be considered haredi. So now, according to that view, she is not a haredi woman demanding equality, expressing her right to run for city council, rather, it is just a woman, a religious woman, running, nothing to do with haredim...
Shira and her family moved from France to Tzfat less than a year ago. She admits that being new to Tzfat can be seen as a problem, but she prefers to see it as someone bringing a different perspective with a clean slate.
In her interview to Mynet she says some interesting statements, such as "I dont want my kids to think that mother is only there to deal with household chores and raise them. I want to break that stigma. I want to get out of that box." and "there can be 20 men in city council and me, and whether they like it or not my vote will be exactly equal to each of theirs. there voice will not be more influential or stronger. Their strength and my strength will be the same. Let them deal with it.", "I am not naive. I know in the haredi community people vite according to what the rav says. but not everybody does... I do not expect the men to vote for me but I will do everything to reach out to the hearts of the women and plant some hope"...
and the statement she ends the interview with is the one that might get her into the most trouble. She says, "I am following what is happening in the "Country club" in Tzfat recently, and am very angry. As a religious woman, I do not understand what the haredim care about that place being open on Shabbos... I would be happy if everyone would live as they wish to and respect the others. It also does not bother me if a coffee shop would be open on Shabbos, if it does not bother a secular person that I go to the mikva, for example.".
The main attack on her will to deny that she is haredi. If she is calling herself haredi (and maybe she even has lived a haredi lifestyle until now, I have no idea), and based on what she said about haredi women supporting her, she is clearly looking for the haredi vote, or the female haredi vote at least..My guess is their strategy to oppose her will be painting her as non-haredi and pointing to these statements. At the same time, more and more women even within the haredi community are taking such public initiatives...
A haredi woman in Tzfat is now running for a seat on the City Council of the city. She says she has been receiving threatening calls pressuring her to cancel her campaign, but she insists on running.
of course some would say that once she demands change, once she disagrees, at least publicly, with the position of the haredi leaders and the rabbonim, she loses the right to be considered haredi. So now, according to that view, she is not a haredi woman demanding equality, expressing her right to run for city council, rather, it is just a woman, a religious woman, running, nothing to do with haredim...
Shira and her family moved from France to Tzfat less than a year ago. She admits that being new to Tzfat can be seen as a problem, but she prefers to see it as someone bringing a different perspective with a clean slate.
In her interview to Mynet she says some interesting statements, such as "I dont want my kids to think that mother is only there to deal with household chores and raise them. I want to break that stigma. I want to get out of that box." and "there can be 20 men in city council and me, and whether they like it or not my vote will be exactly equal to each of theirs. there voice will not be more influential or stronger. Their strength and my strength will be the same. Let them deal with it.", "I am not naive. I know in the haredi community people vite according to what the rav says. but not everybody does... I do not expect the men to vote for me but I will do everything to reach out to the hearts of the women and plant some hope"...
and the statement she ends the interview with is the one that might get her into the most trouble. She says, "I am following what is happening in the "Country club" in Tzfat recently, and am very angry. As a religious woman, I do not understand what the haredim care about that place being open on Shabbos... I would be happy if everyone would live as they wish to and respect the others. It also does not bother me if a coffee shop would be open on Shabbos, if it does not bother a secular person that I go to the mikva, for example.".
The main attack on her will to deny that she is haredi. If she is calling herself haredi (and maybe she even has lived a haredi lifestyle until now, I have no idea), and based on what she said about haredi women supporting her, she is clearly looking for the haredi vote, or the female haredi vote at least..My guess is their strategy to oppose her will be painting her as non-haredi and pointing to these statements. At the same time, more and more women even within the haredi community are taking such public initiatives...
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When even protexia doesn't help
Protexia is the secret weapon of most Israelis. It is sometimes known as Vitamin P. Protexia opens doors and opportunities that are normally sealed shut.
But protexia does not always work. And I don't think there is anyone with more protexia than Avner Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the news report, Avner Netanyahu applied for a job at a pizza shop in Jerusalem, but his application was rejected. Young Netanyahu was willing to do whatever work would be asked of him, but they had to turn him down due to his not being licensed to drive a moped. Every employee, according to their hiring rules, must hold a moped license. No exceptions. not even for the Prime Minister's son.
What a silly decision! Had they hired him, maybe the Prime Minister would have moved over his ice cream budget to be spent at this pizza shop!
I guess there are some doors even protexia cannot open...
Or maybe unemployment is worse than we thought - even the Prime Minister's son can't get a job!
But protexia does not always work. And I don't think there is anyone with more protexia than Avner Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
 |
| Avner Netanyahu in China |
According to the news report, Avner Netanyahu applied for a job at a pizza shop in Jerusalem, but his application was rejected. Young Netanyahu was willing to do whatever work would be asked of him, but they had to turn him down due to his not being licensed to drive a moped. Every employee, according to their hiring rules, must hold a moped license. No exceptions. not even for the Prime Minister's son.
What a silly decision! Had they hired him, maybe the Prime Minister would have moved over his ice cream budget to be spent at this pizza shop!
I guess there are some doors even protexia cannot open...
Or maybe unemployment is worse than we thought - even the Prime Minister's son can't get a job!
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Quote of the Day
In the previous elections I was the sole alternative for Prime Minister, and I have no doubt that I have remained the sole alternative. Forgoing the ego, even if just temporarily, and going in a partnership to bring about change is my true objective on the way to the office of Prime Minister... Yes, it is just a matter of time... In the meantime I am preparing for the position of Prime Minister. I am the only one who is appropriate for the position.
-- MK Shaul Mofaz
-- MK Shaul Mofaz
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A day of Knesset activity for Moshe Feiglin (video)
I particularly enjoyed his argument in favor of legalizing Cannabis (marijuana), and his comments about Arafat..
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CCTV Video Shows Killer, Police at Bank (video)
Who stars in this bank robbery movie?
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Help Neil Bike the Drive for Chai Lifeline (video)
My friend, Neil, is riding the Bike the Drive, for Chai Lifeline...
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Yosef Chaim Shwekey (video)
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May 22, 2013
no Jewish divorce, no Jewish burial
The Beis Din HaGadol has upheld a psak of a minor Beis Din that had ruled regarding a person who is withholding a get from his wife that he should not be allowed to be buried in a Jewish cemetery.
The specific case is of a person who has withheld the get from his wife for nearly two years, and he has since run off to the USA. The beis din has already ruled that he should not be offered any consular services in the embassy or consulates in the USA. I wonder how strictly the consulate clerks adhere to the ruling, but that has so far failed to persuade or pressure this guy to give the get.
The beis din has now ruled that they can create restrictions, including social restrictions, that are not already detailed within the purview of the beis din, including this new restriction to prevent him from a Jewish burial.
(source: Kipa)
I commend the beis din for thinking of new ways to pressure the husband to give the get, but I wonder whether this will have any effect. What do you think? Does someone like this think or care about a burial he probably isn't concerned about right now, thinking his death will only come in 40, 50, 60, 70 years down the line?
The specific case is of a person who has withheld the get from his wife for nearly two years, and he has since run off to the USA. The beis din has already ruled that he should not be offered any consular services in the embassy or consulates in the USA. I wonder how strictly the consulate clerks adhere to the ruling, but that has so far failed to persuade or pressure this guy to give the get.
The beis din has now ruled that they can create restrictions, including social restrictions, that are not already detailed within the purview of the beis din, including this new restriction to prevent him from a Jewish burial.
(source: Kipa)
I commend the beis din for thinking of new ways to pressure the husband to give the get, but I wonder whether this will have any effect. What do you think? Does someone like this think or care about a burial he probably isn't concerned about right now, thinking his death will only come in 40, 50, 60, 70 years down the line?
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Irena Sendler
The 70th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising has renewed interest in many of the stories and incidents that occurred in Poland during the Second World War. Every time that it seems that there are no new stories to be told, another, previously unknown episode seems to come to light.
This was the case of the Irena Sendler story. Although Irena Sendler managed to save almost three times as many Jews as Oskar Schindler, the account of her activities was almost lost to history until a group of Kansas schoolgirls unearthed the events as part of their general research of the Holocaust and publicized the story.
Irena Sendler was a young social worker in Poland when the Nazis invaded. She immediately joined the Polish underground, the Zagota, and undertook daring rescues of fleeing Jews -- researchers estimate that she was involved in the escape of over 500 Jews during this period.
When the Nazis created the Warsaw Ghetto Sendler obtained false documents that identified her as a nurse, enabling her to enter the ghetto as a specialist in infectious diseases. Sendler brought food and medicines into the ghetto but as soon as she realized what the Nazis intended to do to the Jews, she began to play ways to save as many of the ghetto children as possible.
Sendler walked through the ghetto every day, speaking to parents and convincing them that, unless their children were removed from the ghetto, they had no chance of survival. In her own words she "talked the parents out of their children." Many of the children that Sendler rescued were already orphans when she found them and, each day, she would smuggle a new group of children out of the ghetto, sometimes by sedating them and carrying them out in a bag or a toolbox and other times by hiding them under her legs as she sat on a city tram. There were additional smuggling sites as well including through sewer pipes located under the city streets and via the old courthouse that was situated along the ghetto border.
Sendler documented each of the children that she rescued by writing their real name on tissue paper and sealing these names in jars that she buried in her garden. Sendler hoped against hope that she would be able to reunite the children with their families at the end of the war but if that proved to be impossible, to at least return them to their Jewish community.
Sendler was arrested and tortured by the Gestapo in 1943 but did not reveal any information about "her" children. She escaped from prison and spent the rest of the war in hiding.
Sendler's story was uncovered by a group of schoolgirls in 1999. Their discovery propelled them to create a project, Life in a Jar, which tells the story of Irena Sendler. The project together with the assistance of the Lowell Milken Center has developed into a website, a book and a play which is performed many times each year for audiences around the world.
This was the case of the Irena Sendler story. Although Irena Sendler managed to save almost three times as many Jews as Oskar Schindler, the account of her activities was almost lost to history until a group of Kansas schoolgirls unearthed the events as part of their general research of the Holocaust and publicized the story.
Irena Sendler was a young social worker in Poland when the Nazis invaded. She immediately joined the Polish underground, the Zagota, and undertook daring rescues of fleeing Jews -- researchers estimate that she was involved in the escape of over 500 Jews during this period.
When the Nazis created the Warsaw Ghetto Sendler obtained false documents that identified her as a nurse, enabling her to enter the ghetto as a specialist in infectious diseases. Sendler brought food and medicines into the ghetto but as soon as she realized what the Nazis intended to do to the Jews, she began to play ways to save as many of the ghetto children as possible.
Sendler walked through the ghetto every day, speaking to parents and convincing them that, unless their children were removed from the ghetto, they had no chance of survival. In her own words she "talked the parents out of their children." Many of the children that Sendler rescued were already orphans when she found them and, each day, she would smuggle a new group of children out of the ghetto, sometimes by sedating them and carrying them out in a bag or a toolbox and other times by hiding them under her legs as she sat on a city tram. There were additional smuggling sites as well including through sewer pipes located under the city streets and via the old courthouse that was situated along the ghetto border.
Sendler documented each of the children that she rescued by writing their real name on tissue paper and sealing these names in jars that she buried in her garden. Sendler hoped against hope that she would be able to reunite the children with their families at the end of the war but if that proved to be impossible, to at least return them to their Jewish community.
Sendler was arrested and tortured by the Gestapo in 1943 but did not reveal any information about "her" children. She escaped from prison and spent the rest of the war in hiding.
Sendler's story was uncovered by a group of schoolgirls in 1999. Their discovery propelled them to create a project, Life in a Jar, which tells the story of Irena Sendler. The project together with the assistance of the Lowell Milken Center has developed into a website, a book and a play which is performed many times each year for audiences around the world.
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