November 24, 2006

Bubbie go boom.

New low for the Muslim world. LA Times needs to buy a dictionary.

Bolding is mine.
______________________________________________________

From the LA Times

Clashes continue as the army looks for rocket launchers in Gaza. A top Palestinian militant is among the dead.

JERUSALEM — Fighting in the Gaza Strip on Thursday killed at least six Palestinians, including a militant commander, as Israeli forces continued a drive to stop cross-border rocket attacks into southern Israel.

Amid the clashes, a 57-year-old Palestinian woman blew herself up near Israeli soldiers, slightly injuring three. The suicide bomber was identified by family members as Fatma Najar, a grandmother and member of the military wing of the ruling Hamas movement.
Female suicide bombers are relatively rare, and those older than 30 rarer still.The Israeli army said the woman approached troops near the farming town of Beit Lahiya, in northern Gaza, and set off the explosives after soldiers spotted her and hurled stun grenades.

It was the second time in recent weeks that a female suicide bomber set off explosives near soldiers operating in northern Gaza. On Nov. 6, a woman blew herself up near soldiers during a raid in the town of Beit Hanoun, slightly injuring one of them.

"I received the news with happiness. We are all proud of our mother. She was always hoping to be a martyr," her 32-year-old son, Fuad, said as well-wishers handed out sweets and tossed flowers outside the family home in Jabaliya.

Elsewhere in Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed Fayek abu Qumsan, the northern Gaza commander of the Popular Resistance Committees, one of the groups that fire homemade Kassam rockets over the border into southern Israel. He is the brother of one of the organization's founders, who was killed in an Israeli attack three years ago.

Palestinian militants clashed throughout the day with Israeli troops, who were backed by tanks and aircraft, on the edges of several communities in northern Gaza. Also killed in the fighting were gunmen belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. A 22-year-old Palestinian civilian also died, medical workers said.

The Israeli push, which began this week, is the army's latest attempt to prevent militants from launching the Kassams. Previous efforts, including raids, shelling and airstrikes, have failed.

Militants have launched 166 rockets this month, including five Thursday, the army said.

Palestinian officials criticized the Israeli incursions as a dangerous escalation."

It's not enough for Israel to control every aspect of life in Gaza, it has to visit untold horrors on an imprisoned and embattled civilian population," said Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator. "This is a war crime that the international community must address."

Late Thursday, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad said militant groups, including Hamas, had agreed to stop firing rockets if Israel ceased attacks on Gaza and the West Bank.

But an Israeli government spokeswoman quoted by Reuters said Israel would stop its military activities only when militants also halted the smuggling of explosives and the manufacture of rockets.

The fighting took place as the Syrian-based political leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, was in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials who are seeking to broker a deal to free Israeli army Cpl. Gilad Shalit.

Shalit, now 20, was captured and taken into Gaza on June 25 after militants tunneled under the border. Egypt has sought to have him freed in return for Israel's release of hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians. Meshaal's visit raised hopes for a deal.

Israeli military commanders have considered plans for a wide-scale incursion into Gaza to stem the attacks, but a major offensive in the crowded enclave carries political risks for Israeli leaders and the possibility of high casualties on both sides.

Me: Here's a translation for those of you who don't speak "pandering"

Miltant = Terrorist
Captured = Kidnapped

Hope this helps.

November 22, 2006

Drool.

I am vehemently against giving gifts on Channukah as I believe it is a foul imitation of the gentile practice of gift giving on Xmas (they should live and be well). Imitating non-Jews is the exact opposite of what Channukah is about.

That being said... for this I'll make an exception!

Click HERE

Thanks to A Simple Jew for bringing this to my attention.

Muslim Debates Tucker on Removal of Imams from flight

Judah get's his MySpace on.

Check out my new MySpace site that connects to this blog. Weird world, MySpace. Not sure just yet how I feel about it.

Anyhow, it can be found HERE

November 21, 2006

Hodu LaShem Ki Tov...

Here is my Thanksgiving d'var Torah:

Nothing is by chance. What is one way to say thanks and praise to Hashem in Hebrew? Hodu.

How do you say Turkey (the bird) in Hebrew? Hodu.

Where did Columbus think he was going before landing in North America? India, which in Hebrew is... Hodu.

I have extreme Hakaras HaTov to the United States. All American Jews should. America is truly a special country and I don't take my liberties and fredoms lightly. I am proud to be a citizen.

But here's my question: When I make aliyah, do I have to hold two days of Thanksgiving?

November 19, 2006

Save Israel. A great site.

Click picture at left.

ZING!

Click HERE and enjoy.

Hoyvin mayvin!

November 15, 2006

Wow. Thank goodness the Democrats are in office

Muslim Brotherhood Office in US
(Turban tip: Little Green Footballs)

The Syrian Muslim Brotherhood (SMB), in alliance with the ex-vice- president of Syria, Abdul Halim Khaddam, a staunch Ba’athist, have opened an office in Washington DC. The aim of the office is to infiltrate the US government and influence its apathy towards political Islam. Ammar Abdul Hamid, a Syrian intellectual who works at Brookings Institute, will be running the office for the National Salvation Front. His duties are to sell political Islam and Ba’athism to reluctant US government officials and to give the Muslim Brotherhood a platform in the Think Tank community of Washington from which they can preach democracy.

November 09, 2006

Arutz Sheva gets it right once again!


Huh?

Many people are saying the parade is "called off." It's not. They are still gathering in Yerushalayim and in my humble opinion the protest must be brought there.

Is their gathering in a stadium any less disturbing or wrong?

I was very saddened by this statement (A7 report):

"Afterwards, at approximately 4 PM, it was learned that the leaders of the largest groups of protestors - hareidi-religious sage Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv and Eida Hareidit head Rabbi Yitzchak Tuvia Weiss - had agreed not to protest against the planned stadium rally tomorrow. However, their conditions include: the release of all the hareidi protestors arrested this week, no parade next year, and no signs of the rally outside the stadium. It is likely that only the first condition will be fulfilled."

What? How is that okay? With all due respect to the Rabbaim, toeiva is toeiva. Torah Jews must stand up for Kiddushas Eretz Yisrael and Hashem's word.

Last time I checked, Givat Ram was still in Jerusalem.

וְגַנּוֹתִי אֶל הָעִיר הַזֹּאת לְהוֹשִׁיעָהּ"
For I will defend this city to save it"

November 08, 2006

The Gedolim Speak

(turban tip to Elisheva)

"We have heard the news and the earth trembles and shakes from the voice of masses of reshoim who seek to defile the holy city of Jerusalem, the King's palace, with one of the worst abominations and ugliness of the nations of the world. Woe be the ears that hear such things and woe unto us in whose days this is transpiring.

The holy Torah warns against the serious repercussions, chas vesholom, therefore we are worried and fearful over the repercussions acts such as these could bring upon the entire Yishuv, Hashem yishmor.

Therefore we call on every Jew who has a reverent fear for the honor of our holy Torah and the honor of Jerusalem, the holy city, to protest against the above abomination in Ir Hakodesh in particular, and in Eretz Hakodesh in general.

And may He Who spreads his succas sholom spread His succas sholom over us and over all of His nation of Israel and over Yerushalayim. "

Signed in reverent fear for the honor of the holy city of Jerusalem, may it be built and established, Cheshvan 5767

Yosef Sholom Eliashiv
Yochonon Sofer
Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg
Shmuel Auerbach
Yitzchok Sheiner
Ovadia Yosef
Shalom Cohen
Moshe Tzedakah

Hey, no rush. Take your time.

Vatican condemns planned parade in Jerusalem
(jpost.com)

The Vatican on Wednesday asked Israel to ban a gay parade this week in Jerusalem, saying the march in the city considered holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians would offend the faithful.
Thousands of gay activists are expected to march in Jerusalem on Friday.

"The Holy See has reiterated on many occasions that the right to freedom of expression ... is subject to just limits, in particular when the exercise of this right would offend the religious sentiments of believers," the Vatican said.

"It is clear that the gay parade scheduled to take place in Jerusalem will prove offensive to the great majority of Jews, Muslims and Christians, given the sacred character of the city of Jerusalem," it said.

וְגַנּוֹתִי אֶל הָעִיר הַזֹּאת לְהוֹשִׁיעָהּ"
For I will defend this city to save it"

Here come da Judge! Gettin' scared?

ISLAMerica: HEZBOLLAH JUDGE ELECTED in MICHIGAN!

By Debbie Schlussel

Open Hezbollah supporter and extremist Muslim, David Turfe, was unfortunately elected Michigan District Court Judge in Dearborn Heights' 20th District. (Dearborn Heights is home to North America's second largest mosque, headed by the former spiritual leader of Ayatollah Khomeini's Iranian Navy, Imam Mohammed Elahi--a domestic agent of Iran & Hezbollah.)

Go to Debbie's awesome site and read the whole thing HERE


וְגַנּוֹתִי אֶל הָעִיר הַזֹּאת לְהוֹשִׁיעָהּ"
For I will defend this city to save it"

An Amendment

I would like to add the following to yesterday's post.

I caled for peaceful demonstration against the "gay pride" marchers. However, Jews have a right to defend themselves against physical aggression. If the Israeli police continues to use force against Jews who are protesting, then there is no reason not to fight back.

See MYSTICAL PATHS great round up of the horrible police over-reaction HERE


וְגַנּוֹתִי אֶל הָעִיר הַזֹּאת לְהוֹשִׁיעָהּ"
For I will defend this city to save it"

November 07, 2006

More Islamic Revisionism (read: lies) - and my thoughts on the "Parade"

Israeli Sheikh: Temple Mount is Entirely Islamic
(Arutz Sheva - bolding is mine)

Responding to a plan to build a synagogue on Judaism's most sacred site, Sheikh Raad Salah warns that the entire complex is Moslem. Islam was founded 550 years after the Jewish Temple was destroyed.

Sheikh Raad Salah - head of the Islamic Movement in Israel, a Hamas supporter, and an outspoken enemy of Israel - warns that Israeli plans to build a synagogue on the Temple Mount could lead to violence and bloodshed. "The day will never come when a Moslem or an Arab will have the right to cede even one foot of the Al-Aqsa Mosque or of Jerusalem," the Sheikh's Al-Aqsa movement announced.

Why is this man allowed to be "Israeli?"

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem was the site of the two Jewish Holy Temples, the first of which was built by King Solomon in the year 832 BCE, close to 1,500 years before Islam was founded. For most of the next 1,000 years, Holy Temples stood on the site, until the Romans conquered the entire land and destroyed the Second Temple. Though the area came under the control of the Romans, Byzantines, Moslems, Christians, Turks, British and others over the coming centuries, Jerusalem and the Temple Mount were always the focus of Jewish religious and national yearnings and continued to be the Jews' "capital in exile." In the Six Day War of 1967, the modern state of Israel liberated the Temple Mount area, placing all of Jerusalem under Jewish control once again after a hiatus of 1,900 years.

Israel, however, never actualized its sovereignty over the holy Temple Mount site, but rather granted the Moslem Waqf nearly total control. Jews, in fact, have not been allowed to pray there ever since then-Chief IDF Rabbi Shlomo Goren led a prayer service there on the first Tisha B'Av after the liberation.

As Arutz-7 reported nearly two months ago, MK Uri Ariel (National Union) is preparing a plan for the construction of a synagogue on the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount. The plan must be approved by the Jerusalem municipality's planning committee - an unlikely eventuality - and Ariel is set to meet with rabbis and public figures on the issue later this week.

MK Ariel notes that such a building would "rectify a historic injustice," and that every Supreme Court ruling on the issue has recognized the right of every Jew to pray on the Temple Mount.

"The synagogue will not interfere with believing Moslems who wish to pray at the Al-Aksa Mosque," Ariel said. "On the contrary, this is an opportunity for the Moslem world to demonstrate and prove that it is tolerant enough."

The "Moslem world" is not jumping at said opportunity. The announcement by Sheikh Salah's organization states, "We hereby warn aloud about the existence of a Jewish national consensus that is trying to build the Holy Temple at the expense of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. We warn that similar plans were submitted to Ariel Sharon and Ehud Barak and their publication led to violence, the ramifications of which have not ended to this day."

"The timing of the publication [of this plan] is not coincidental," the Islamic Movement states, "and it jibes with the increased calls for expulsion [of Arabs], the implementation of the policy of religious persecution and national discrimination, and the giving of a green light to the construction of the Third Temple."

I thought they didn't recognize any of the Temples. Hmmmmmm.

"We remind, for the 1,000th time, that the entire Al-Aqsa mosque, including all of its area and alleys above the ground and under it, is exclusive and absolute Moslem property, and no one else has any rights to even one grain of earth in it."

"We remind the Israeli establishment, which stands behind these plans, that the problem of Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem is not just a Palestinian problem, but a Palestinian, Arab and Islamic problem. The day the Al-Aqsa Mosque is harmed, Heaven forbid, all the Arab and Islamic nations will call to prevent this damage. Watch out! Beware of merely the thought of hurting or desecrating the mosque."

___________________________________________

Me: I have, for a while, wanted to post on Ariel's idea to build a synagogue on the Mount.

I think the idea is a Chilul HaShem.

Here's why... We, as Jews, believe in the coming of Mashiach. Even the nutty NK-niks believe that there will be Ultimate Redemption. The Mount does not need a synagogue. It needs a Temple. And a Temple, our Temple, will only be built (and rebuilt) when Mashiach comes.

Should Jews be allowed to pray on the Mount? Yes. If the Israeli Government would grow a pair and ensure the safety of the worshippers, then it's a no brainer. It shouldn't be our problem that the State decided to give up the religious, spiritual and historic home of Judaism to our enemies. It is ours whether the Waqf says so or not. It's ours regardless of the UN. It's ours whether the State of Israel says so. It should be the Muslims who have to go through security and have Jewish religious courts watching them with eagle eyes, not the other way around.

If Israel is truly democratic then Jews should be allowed to pray wherever they want, especially our holiest spot. See
HERE

ALL Muslim construction on the Mount must be immediately halted. All "addtions" to the Muslim structures must be immediately halted. (See HERE) All Muslim clearing of "rubble" (read: Jewish artifacts) must be immediately halted. Every person leaving the Mount must be searched. Jews must be granted access and allowed to pray without Muslim harassment.

That being said, as for a shul on the Mount, I say no way. The Mount is not political, it is religious. It is Holy and one of a kind. We need to re-earn our right to build on it. It's not some plot of land you can just throw a building on with a head Rabbi, Sisterhood and Kiddush Committee.

This is how we are going to eventually get our "building" on the Mount...

1. Respect the Mount and educate. This should be in the forefront of all Jewish thought. Make the history and right to the Mount mandatory in all Israeli education. It should be a national Religious Jewish symbol for all as much as the Kotel (if not more)

2. Respect Jerusalem. Don't throw your cigarette butts on the ground or litter. It goes without saying that lighting your garbage in the street in protest should be assur. This is the holy city. Treat it that way. Jerusalem should be treated like gold... it's much more precious.

3. Respect your fellow Jew. See him as your brother. Invite the non-religious over for Shabbos and be a Kiddush HaShem. SHOW him or her the proper derech. Let's bring our secular brothers and sisters back to G-d through love and example.


Finally, as you all know, I am dead set against this "Toeva" parade. But I strongly urge all Jews to avoid violence at all costs.

Sit in the middle of the road. Daven. Say Tehillim. Shout. Cry. Wail. Beat your chest. But throwing rocks at policemen or stabbing a marcher? No. We have right on our side. Don't give the world, or other Jews, any reason to see us as fanatic or violent.

Protest, don't riot.

A lot of these marchers will be Jews. Show them that they can change. That Hashem wants them to repent. That they can give up their sin.


Am I saying sit back and let the marchers provoke you? Not at all. Defend Jerusalem's sanctity. Just don't be violent.

Let's bring Klal Yisrael together. Then HaShem will rebuild our Temple.


וְגַנּוֹתִי אֶל הָעִיר הַזֹּאת לְהוֹשִׁיעָהּ"
For I will defend this city to save it"

November 06, 2006

Hocking for my Tribe!

Just ordered Shlomo Katz's new CD VeHakohanim

I have not heard it yet, but I understand it is something special. I invite all my readers to give it a try. It can be purchased from CD Baby HERE

Shlomo Katz's website can be found HERE

From his bio: "Shlomo Katz was born into a family of musicians. This rich musical heritage goes back many generations including his father, master musician and chazzan, Avshalom Katz. Shlomo was born in New Jersey but grew up in Raanana, Israel. From his youth, he has sung in choirs, on television and demonstrated his of love music and passion for Torah. He is a prolific composer of beautiful music, both solo and in collaboration with his brother, Eitan, Yehuda Solomon and Chaim David."

Help a Kohain out...

Linkim Chadashim (added to side bar)

Joe Settler

Elisheva Blogs

Sharei Shechem (Torah Resources)

Hebrew Books (cool site)

November 02, 2006

Stop the hate.

From Haaretz.com

Tel Aviv synagogue sprayed with warnings not to cancel parade.

A Tel Aviv synagogue was sprayed Wednesday night with a slogan warning against attempts to cancel the parade. The slogan read "if we can't march in Jerusalem, you won't walk around in Tel Aviv."

Mmmmmmmmm that's good sarcasm.

Reforms present: Fast of Rabin
(from ynetnews.com)

'Fast of Rabin,' initiated by Reform movement, set to be added to other fast days in Jewish calendarTo commemorate Yitzhak Rabin's death, the Jewish Reform Movement has initiated The Fast of Rabin, similar to The Fast of Gedaliah.

The Fast of Gedaliah commemorates the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed official charged with administering the Jewish population remaining in Judah following the destruction of the Temple and exile in 586 B.C.E.

Ahead of the memorial day commemorating Rabin's murder, the reform movement's rabbinical council issued a public statement confirming that the memorial day will be deemed a public fast day. It is set to be added to other days of fast in the Jewish calendar.

Me: but Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av are stil optional (hiyo!)

The rabbinical council has emphasized the need for personal and public introspection on this day in wake of the murder and its circumstances.

Me: Deep introspection. Like, "why don't I follow the Mitzvos" and "why do I follow a religious sect that goes against the very foundations, traditions and beliefs of the religion? Are there Muslims who don't believe in Muhammed and the Quran? Are there Christians who don't belive in Jesus or the 'New' Testament?" Hmmmm. Deep thoughts.

Similar to other public fast days, the movement's rabbis will not conduct weddings and other joyful events on this particular day. The reform community is set to conduct special prayer sessions to mark the day of Rabin's murder.

Me: What a shame. So many intermarriages will have to be postponed.

Here's a sneak peak at the prayer:

"To Whom it May Concern: If you are up there, ma'am, please forgive us. Rabin was like a god to us and even though the circumstances surrounding his death are still sketchy, we hope you will not be angry with us. Ps. Look forward to seeing you at the Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem on November 10th! Amen."

November 01, 2006

Parade Update #2

Police Considering Calling Off Homosexual March
Arutz Sheva

Jerusalem Affairs Minister Edri has asked the police to consider banning the Homosexual Parade in Jerusalem, scheduled for nine days from now. The police are leaning towards calling it off.

The police announced last night (Tuesday) that they were planning to deploy in top-level strength for the event - a declaration perceived by some to be a salvo in the public-opinion war over whether or not to allow the march. One internal police source said the announcement was publicized merely to stir up anti-march sentiment; official police sources denied this.

Hareidi-religious affairs commentator Yossi Elituv said, "The fight against the march has knocked down all barriers in the hareidi and religious camps. The Hassidic sectors - Belz, Gerrer, and others - together with Litaim (non-Hassidic), as well as the Sephardi-hareidim and the religious-Zionist sectors - all are standing together against this parade."

The police say they have received word that protestors are planning to throw eggs and razor blades at the marchers, flood the streets with sewage, block roads in Jerusalem and elsewhere, and even possibly perpetrate fake terrorist attacks. Elituv says these fears are "ridiculous and totally unfounded." He said he does not believe any violence is planned, but cannot rule out unpredictable acts by individuals.

Official: March Would Not be Held in Mecca or Vatican

Army Radio's Micha Friedman asked a police official whether the police were "actually yielding to the threats of violent groups." The official said, "Let's not be naive. Such a parade would never be held in the Vatican nor in Mecca..."

Members of the Islamic Movement have also called for the cancellation of the parade.

The police said they are planning to field 6,000 policemen in Jerusalem, with the addition of another 2,000 Border Guardsmen from their patrols in Judea and Samaria, on the day of the march, if it is held.

Protests Have StartedHareidi protests against the march have already begun. Last night, hundreds attempted to block the main highway leading to the Old City from northern Jerusalem. Some protestors wore sackcloth and burnt garbage bins; the police used violence to remove them, and several protestors threw rocks. Four policemen were reported injured, while no word was received on how many protestors were hurt. Several of the latter were detained.

Thousands of religious Jews legally blocked off the Sabbath Square intersection in the Me'ah She'earim neighborhood of Jerusalem two weeks ago, threatening to be out in even stronger force if the march is actually held.

Religious and political leaders have called for, and said they will lead, active protests against the march. Tens of thousands are expected to take part in protests against the march on the day itself, and Jerusalem residents are signing up to host Jews from other parts of the country for the Sabbath that begins immediately following the end of the march.

Noa Satat, the head of the Jerusalem Open House, which is organizing the march, said that the police have been working for weeks on plans to protect the march, and therefore she is certain that the police will "fulfill their legal obligation and protect freedom of expression."

The Sanhedrin - a group of rabbis who say they have re-established the religious-legal assembly of 71 sages that convened as the Supreme Jewish Tribunal during the Holy Temple period and for several centuries afterwards - has called upon all synagogues to hold their upcoming Sabbath services on the streets. "Close your doors and pray outside," the organization calls, "as a sign of shame, warning and pleading for the abominable march to be canceled. We must not continue our regular routine while the police and courts force a march of abomination in Jerusalem upon millions of Jews against their faith and belief in the holiness of the city and the Torah's dictates."

Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi announced that he has postponed his scheduled trip to Turkey next week, in light of the preparations needed for the march. Karadi was to have signed a cooperation agreement between the police forces of Israel and Turkey.

וְגַנּוֹתִי אֶל הָעִיר הַזֹּאת לְהוֹשִׁיעָהּ"
For I will defend this city to save it"