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Please daven for a complete recovery for Tamar bat Naama, Zev ben Miriam and Shlomo Yacov Yonatan ben Chana Raizel.
Parsha Va’era
6:2 And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him: 'I am the LORD;
He called him to account since he [Moses] had spoken harshly by saying, “Why have You harmed this people?” (Exod. 5:22)-[from Tanchuma Buber, Va’era 4] and He said to him, I am the Lord. [Meaning: I am] faithful to recompense all those who walk before Me. I did not send you [to Pharaoh] except to fulfill My words, which I spoke to the early fathers. In this sense, we find that it אִנִי ה is interpreted in many places [in Scripture] as “I am the Lord,” [meaning that I am] faithful to exact retribution. [It has this meaning] when it is stated in conjunction with [an act warranting] punishment, e.g., “or you will profane the name of your God; I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:12). When it is stated in conjunction with the fulfillment of commandments, e.g., “And you shall keep My commandments and perform them; I am the Lord” (Lev. 22:31), [it means: I am] faithful to give reward.
The Chiddush of Rashi (new knowledge) is that up until this time none of the Patriarchs or Tribes did any Mitzvah for reward but just as commanded. The whole concept of Mida kenegged Mida (measure for measure) was not known as part of the philosophy of the Bnei Yisrael. Everything unto now was for the sake of heaven now there was a reward, accountability and punishment involved.
3 and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name YHWH I made Me not known to them.
I made promises to them, in all of which I said to them, “I am the Almighty God.” but [with] My name YHWH, I did not become known to them. It is not written here לֹא הוֹדַעְךְתִּי, “but My Name YHWH I did not make known to them,” but לֹא נוֹדַעְךְתִּי, “I did not become known.” [I.e.,] I was not recognized by them with My attribute of keeping faith, by dint of which My name is called YHWH, [which means that I am] faithful to verify My words, for I made promises to them, but I did not fulfill [them while they were alive].
NOTE THE FOLLOWING I HAVE TRIED TO BRING DOWN TO THE LAYMAN’S LEVEL: The NAME Yod-Kay (Kay = Hay but we do not say it or write it so according to modern custom) and Tetragramation Yod Kay Vav Kay, the three 42 letter NAMES and the 72 letter NAME were unknown in the past. The Patriarchs and Tribes knew Kale Shadkai which one can translate as ALL MIGHTY or OMNIPRESENT.
With the full NAME(S) of the L-RD, Moshe learned about other things about the physical and spiritual universe around him. First he learned that what we see with our eyes is only a fraction of the spectrum. The spiritual world is capable of seeing the Gamma Rays, X-Rays, Ultra Violet and infra-red spectrum and with that many spiritual things on the same plane. With ones eyes closed or on a physics graph one can imagine this. The same for sound, smell, taste and touch. (The amazing thing about all this to me is that long before science caught up, the children of
Of course for other more serious sins, one would reincarnate as an animal. Years ago it used to be a domesticated animal so as to serve mankind. Recently as these animals became scarce it has turned to dogs and cats. Rav Shlomo Shwadron, the Magid (story teller), of righteous memory told the story of the cat in Shaarey Chessed in Yerushalayim who used to rub against the Talmidei Chachamim. The cat was a nuisance going from Rabbi to Rabbi or student to student crossing in front of their legs. One of the persons being bothered by the cat went to a well learned Rabbi to ask what to do. The Rabbi explained to him that the cat was bothering the Tzaddikim for a Tikun. If you go and say to the cat that the repentance or Tikun is complete, he will disappear. One day, one of the Tzaddikim said, “Your repentance is complete”. You see the cat was a Gilgul (reincarnation) of a man who did not honor Talmidei Chachamim. His Tikun (spiritual repair) was to honor Talmidei Chachamim. Chabad has the story about the businessman who used to go to Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Ladi Zatzal. One day the businessman came before his trip and the Alter Rebbe told him to bring along three Challos for Shabbos. He traveled and returned home. Again he went to the Rebbe for a blessing for success in business and again the Rebbe told him to bring along three Challos. This went on for a few weeks until in the middle of traveling on Thursday, the carriage on the way home broke down and the man tried to pull it out of the mud or fix the wheels but to no avail. So he decided to wait over-night in the carriage and continue the next day. Now he hoped that another carriage or local would come to help him but the road was completely deserted. So seeing that Shabbos would be approaching and he had no way to go home, he remembered the three Challos and went looking for a place to stay. By and by he came upon he came upon a house where the owner appeared friendly and invited him in. Inside the house, the owner changed his tune. With him was a large furious dog who growled at the hapless businessman. The owner with the aid of a knife and the dog threatened him and all his money and jewelry was stolen and he was locked in the room with the growling dog. The sun was setting so growling dog or not, he began to pray Mincha and the introductory prayer for Shabbos. To his surprise the dog stopped growling but stood guard at the door. Having no choice, the man prayed Maariv for Shabbos and made Kiddush over the Challos. He then began eating and threw some Challah in the direction of the giant dog. Again in the morning, he prayed, made Kiddush and gave the dog more Challah. At the end of the third meal as Shabbos ended the owner of the dog came back. This time the Chassid motioned to the dog to “sic the owner” without much ado the dog attacked him and eat his fill. The dog then pulled on the pants of the businessman and he followed the dog to a tree where the dog began digging down until a large box was found. Immediately, the dog died! In the box were money, jewels and other valuables. The Chassid managed in the morning to find a carriage going in his direction and immediately went to the Rebbe to ask what the meaning of this was. The Rebbe explained to the Chassid that dog was a Gilgul of a frum Jew who had not waited for making Kiddush upon returning from Schul but ate Challah immediately. His Tikun was listening to Kiddush and then eating which the businessman provided for him. The taking the businessman to the buried treasure was the soul’s way of thanking him for the Tikun. – As told to me by Rabbi Barak Kockavi Shlita.
Moshe learned also that one other Tikun for the soul was turning into an inanimate object such as marble that would be made into an entrance to a Synagogue or a kosher kitchen counter for those who never when to a Synagogue or kept Kosher, etc. Moshe was implanted with spiritual knowledge of each direction on earth and that of our solar system, galaxy, etc.
Moshe was taught by HASHEM the rule of the heavenly court starting with the Throne of Ayn Sof ruling over the spheres of the 10 Sefiros: Chochma, Bina, Daas, and the seven which we mention when we count the Omer. Each and every property was explained to Moshe from Tzion Malchus within Malchus to Malchus within Chochma all the 100 possible combinations of the properties of these attributes of HASHEM. Armed with this knowledge, Moshe went out upon his mission to liberate the Bnei Yisrael from bondage and bring them as a free Nation into their own land. It would be the people who would prevent themselves from occupying the land for another generation but Moshe educated them and prepared them. In this vain David HaMelech prepared the people for the Beis HaMikdash even though he never succeeded in building the
4 And I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the
And also, I established My covenant, etc. And also, when I appeared to them as the Almighty God, I established and set up a covenant between Myself and them. to give them the
It was now time for the Bnei Yisrael to receive the promises that G-D had made with their forefathers.
5 And moreover I have heard the groaning of the children of
Just as I established and set up the covenant, it is incumbent upon Me to fulfill [it]. Therefore, I heard the moans [complaints] of the children of
Don’t get mixed up by the words of remembrance. There is nothing hidden or forgotten from HIS eyes or memory.
6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel: I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments;
Therefore. according to that oath. say to the children of
7 and I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning which I lifted up My hand to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for a heritage: I am the LORD.'
I raised My hand. I raised it to swear by My throne. [following Onkelos]
9 And Moses spoke so unto the children of
They did not accept consolation. I.e., they despaired completely of ever being redeemed. because of [their] shortness of breath. Whoever is under stress, his wind and his breath are short, and he cannot take a deep breath. Similar to this [interpretation, namely that what is meant by I am the Lord is: I am faithful to fulfill My word] I heard from Rabbi Baruch the son of Rabbi Eliezer, and he brought me proof [of this explanation] from this [following] verse: “at this time I will let them know My power and My might, and they shall know that My name is the Lord” (Jer. 16:21). [Rabbi Baruch said,] We learn from this that when the Holy One, blessed be He, fulfills His words-even [when it is] for retribution-He makes it known that His name is the Lord. How much more so [does this expression apply] when he fulfills [His word] for good [because the Tetragramation represents the Divine Standard of Mercy]. Our Rabbis, however, interpreted it (Sanh. 111a) as related to the preceding topic, [namely] that Moses said [verse 22], “Why have You harmed…?” (Exod. 5:22). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, “We suffer a great loss for those [the Patriarchs] who are lost and [whose replacement] cannot be found. I must lament the death of the Patriarchs. Many times I revealed Myself to them as the Almighty God and they did not ask Me, ‘What is Your name?’ But you asked, What is His name? What shall I say to them?’” (Exod. 3:13). [4] And also, I established, etc. And when Abraham sought to bury Sarah, he could not find a grave until he bought [one] for a very high price. Similarly, [with] Isaac, [the Philistines] contested the wells he had dug. And so [with] Jacob, “And he bought the part of the field where he had pitched his tent” (Gen. 33:19), yet they did not question My actions! But you said, “Why have You harmed [the Israelites]?” This Midrash, however, does not fit the text, for many reasons: First, because it does not say, “And My Name, ה they did not ask me.” And if you say [in response to this] that He did not let them [the Patriarchs] know that this is His name, [and nevertheless they did not ask Him, (and we will explain לֹא נוֹדַעְךְתִּי like לֹא הוֹדַעְךְתִּי, I did not make known,) I will answer you that] indeed, at the beginning, when He revealed Himself to Abraham “between the parts” (Gen. 15:10), it says: “I am the Lord (אֲנִי ה), Who brought you forth from Ur of the Chaldees” (Gen. 15:7). Moreover, how does the context continue with the matters that follow this [verse]: “And also, I heard, etc. Therefore, say to the children of
While Moshe was learning all the spiritual elements and reinforcing his own belief and inner strength, the Bnei Yisrael were suffering worst than ever. The first thing a person does is to attack his leader. Withdrawal and humbling before Pharaoh would have been the popular public opinion thing to do if Moshe was a politician serving the people. However, Moshe was a servant of the Holy One Blessed be HE. He is called “Eved HASHEM” or slave unto the L-RD. A slave must do the will of his master. That was Moshe’s task. The Bnei Yisrael did not know what miracles and wonders were coming their way. (The people were ready to sing ‘Hit the road Moe and don’t you come back no more.) Yet they could not see beyond the bricks of the Pyramids before their noses they could not imagine anything out of their own Egyptian black box.
10 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 11 'Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of
Heb. עִרַל שְׂפָתָיִם, Literally, of “closed” lips. Similarly, every expression of (עָרְלָה) I say, denotes a closure: e.g., “their ear is clogged (עִרֵלָה) ” (Jer. 6:10), [meaning] clogged to prevent hearing; “of uncircumcised (עַרְלֵי) hearts” (Jer. 9:25), [meaning] clogged to prevent understanding; “You too drink and become clogged up (וְהֵעָרֵל) ” (Hab. 2:16), [which means] and become clogged up from the intoxication of the cup of the curse; עָרְלַתבָּשָָׂר, the foreskin of the flesh, by which the male membrum is closed up and covered; “and you shall treat its fruit as forbidden (וְעִרַלְךְתֶּם עָרְלָתוֹ) ” (Lev. 19:23), [i. e.,] make for it a closure and a covering of prohibition, which will create a barrier that will prevent you from eating it. “For three years, it shall be closed up [forbidden] (עִרֵלִים) for you” (Lev. 19:23), [i.e.,] closed up, covered, and separated from eating it. How then will Pharaoh hearken to me? This is one of the ten kal V’Chomer inferences mentioned in the Torah. — [from Gen. Rabbah 92:7] [I.e., inferences from major to minor, such as in this case. I.e., if, because of my speech impediment, the children of Israel, who have everything to gain by listening to me, did not listen to me, Pharaoh, who has everything to lose by listening to me, will surely not listen to me.]
There is a Medrash of Moshe putting on Pharaoh’s hat as a child and the Egyptians giving him a choice of a jewel or a hot coal. He put the coal into his lips and deformed them. Another interpretation is that he spoke with a stutter. It could also be that he spoke similar the way I speak Hebrew – unless I prepare an explanation in my head beforehand, I appear vague, uncertain and difficultly in speaking. Although I am not a Winston Churchill, I can speak well enough in English. This might have been Moshe who was at least 40 years outside of the country and was not used to speaking the language and the new nuances.
13 And the LORD spoke unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of
Because Moses had said, “I am of closed lips,” the Holy One, blessed be He, combined Aaron with him to be for him as a “mouth” [i.e., speaker] and an interpreter. and He commanded them concerning the children of
Aaron was like a barrister representing Moshe in the Court of Pharaoh. Moshe would speak and Aaron would put the words into a recognizable language flowing and firm.
A miracle within a miracle
On the night of Pessach as we sit at the Seder we hear the Rabbis arguing how many miracles there were at the splitting of the sea. On the last day of conflict after
What sparked the second miracle was a simple sign on one building to the left side of the house where there was no damage at all! The building had a sign on the porch like a flag: Yom HASHABBOS zeh HaYom HaKadosh sheli. (The Sabbath day that is my holy day.)
NO Atheists in fox holes: The past few weeks, because of the large number of religious soldiers fighting their fellow soldiers suddenly felt bad to be without Talisim, Tephillin, Siddurim and Tzitzis. The phenomena was over whelming. I received this site showing 233 photos of non-religious Jews putting on the religious items that were distributed. The site thanks to Cheryl: http://abbarichman.zenfolio.com/p96124659/h3eee7669#h3eee7669
Natural Gas in commercial export quantities were found off the coast of
Finally an update on Aaron Yehoshua who was injured that the doctors saw no hope for him. The prayers of Am Yisrael and tears of his bride must have helped; one doctor broke down with tears of joy as he began to respond. His eyes are now open and he his regained consciousness. It is still hard for him to communicate but there is such potential and hope for him still. As for the doctor that saved Aaron’s life though a field operation, Dr. Rotem Konet, was injured moderately a few days later but the prognosis is very good for him.
From Zvi: Rabbi Jonathan Sachs Shlita speaks out: http://www.bluetruth.net/2009/01/speech-by-rabbi-jonathan-sacks-in.html
From Annie: An amazing article about the war in Gaza ...
It is written by Rick Magder, who is a co-founder of Project Sinai, an exciting new online, interactive learning project, that JET is a part of.
May Hashem bring peace to
JET
We Wanted to Do Something Rick Magder January 14, 2009
Toni, Ezra and I are in
After the war broke out, our Rabbi Klibanoff in
Although not all we've been doing has directly involved the soldiers, just being here and connecting with the people has been very meaningful for us.
Today was an especially exciting one for us. We started our day working in a soup kitchen in
We began peeling lots, and lots, and LOTS of vegetables which we then shuttled to the kitchen where the chef was preparing a delicious lunch menu for the soon to be arriving guests. Once prepared, we traded in our kitchen aprons for cleaner ones that would identify us as waiters and busboys and we began serving.
The patrons arrived in shifts and it was hard to keep up with all the requests. Luckily, several seminary and yeshiva students arrived to help. What was most interesting was the diversity of the patrons of the restaurant. Some, as you would expect, looked very worn and tattered as if they had not seen a bed or a shower in months. Others though, were dressed fashionably. As we worked, I wondered what they thought of us cushioned Americans who showed up to serve them lunch until I realized that our differences are inconsequential because being part of the same family we gave each other strength. Their appreciation and their smiles said it all. Am echad b'lev echad. One nation in one heart. We are all here together.
Our next stop was the Ayalon Institute in Rechovot. This was a kibbutz founded several years before
Though there was a good possibility that the hospital wouldn't let us in, as was the case with others, we decided to go to Tel HaShomer hospital near Tel Aviv, after the tour, and try to visit with wounded soldiers. We had no idea of what to expect. Armed with only a bag of cakes and hope, we decided to try. To our surprise, the hospital staff let us in and directed us to a wing with many soldiers. Once on the floor, we asked a nurse to supply us with a list of soldiers that would appreciate a visit. She willingly obliged.
Our first stop was Zev, a young officer who commands 15 soldiers. He was so happy to see us. He told us how he and a few of his men were surprised by a terrorist outside a house in
Zev's father brought chairs for us and offered us food and drinks and made us feel right at home. They took a special interest in my 13 year old son Ezra and insisted he eat. We laughed and cried and felt in an instant we were one big family. Zev's father gave us his number and insisted that if we needed anything while we were in
How ironic.
After visiting with these young boys, we stopped in to see Noam. There he was in a room by himself with his father at his side. He had just lost part of his leg on the battlefield. He too was so appreciative of our visit. We talked for a while (thanks to my wife's command of Hebrew). When we told him why we came and that we are praying for him, he got all choked up and he said "I have been feeling so down, and now that you have come, I am so happy in my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you." His father held back tears. They want everyone to know how much our prayers and wishes mean to them. We gave them cake but of course they would not let us leave without making sure they reciprocated with a handful of treats for Ezra.
As we left Noam's room, two women standing outside asked that we visit their mother in the next room. She is in her 80's, lives in
At dinner the night before, a friend told us a story reported by a Rabbi in the military. The Rabbi had decided the soldiers could take a Sefer Torah with them to
In all our experiences and through all the people we met a single theme repeated itself. There is a unity of purpose. The people and the young soldiers realize God is on their side and they are not fighting this battle alone. Morale amongst the soldiers and throughout the country is extremely high and we must do what we can to give them strength and support any way we can.
Today my son along with my wife and I learned something important. Sometimes we avoid doing for others because we think that our efforts won’t mean much. But we are all part of Klal Yisroel. We are all one family, and each seemingly small act of chessed, of kindness, can have a significance beyond anything we could know or expect. I think the biggest impact was on me and for that I am forever grateful. Am Yisroel Chai!
Rick Magder is a freelance multimedia consultant, videographer and co-founder of Project Sinai.
Terrorist and innocent girls: Dr. Abu Aiyish's house was under fire because some terrorists were hiding in buildings near-by. The IDF upon hearing that the Dr's house was under fire stopped shooting at the area. The next day the terrorists started trying to kill soldiers and took over the house. The result from the shooting was that three of the good doctor's daughters were killed. It was not a matter of wanting to kill innocents but a result of the terrorist trying to take advantage of the Israeli recognition for the doctor using that to try to kill us.
From Rabbi A.L. Harry Truman after the presidency-
Harry Truman, from Missouri, was a different kind of President. He probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House. Historians have written the only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in
After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to
When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, 'You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale.' Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, 'I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise.'
He never owned his own home and as president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food. Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.
Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, 'My choices early in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference.'
From Newt Gingrich: When General Eisenhower left the presidency, a three car motorcade drove from
NOW YOU TRY TO PUT A SIMILAR STORY ABOUT EX-ISRAELI PRIME MINISTERS AFTER YITZCHAK SHAMIR AND YOU WILL WIN THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR BEST FICTIONAL NOVEL EVER!
It's good to give Tzedakah - charity - before praying. This is hinted to in the verse (Psalms 17:5) "I will behold Your countenance with Tzedek"
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 12:2 – After eating the Shabbat meal one may nap. However one may not say "I am going to nap in order to be able to do something on Motzei Shabbat". Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 77:23 This week is Shabbat M'vorchim of Chodesh Shvat. Rosh Chodesh Shvat will be on Monday. - Danny
Inyanay Diyoma
THIS MORNING I WOKE UP TO THE NEWS THAT JUST ONE DAY IN OFFICE, PRESIDENT OBAMA IS NOT INTERESTED IN HONORING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN LIVNI AND RICE THAT ENDED THE ‘CAST LEAD OPERATION’ IN GAZA. This is in contrast with this report: http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=5869
Great News for Moslem Pedophiles: The senior Saudi Arabian cleric, the ol' grand mufti Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Al Sheikh, decreed that contrary to the critics of child marriage, it would be an injustice to prevent 10-yr-olds from enjoying the benefits of holy matrimony. Daily Mail (
To Dream the Impossible Dream
Less than 100 years after Abraham Lincoln said, “All men are created equal.” I first saw Martin L. King Jr. in the 50's if it was 54 or 55 I can't remember as I was somewhere between 7 and 8 then. Nobody would think that a black could ever be much better than a shoe-shine boy, porter, janitor, policeman or sports player. In High School my friend Maynard had ambition to become President but I sort of laughed at him because a Jew and a Black could never be President.
We have come a long long way since those years. Despite my Conservative Republican philosophy, I am proud to see Barak Obama take the steps into becoming the 44th president. It does mean a lot to me as one who fought for equality for (at that time Negros) and Jews died for civil rights in
My fellow American Citizens be proud to be an American as the USA is a land of opportunity and to all freedom loving people that a woman can be leader of England, Germany, India and Israel and barriers that were there in the past have fallen.
The Minnesota
There's still plenty of time for the state to get it right. By MICHAEL STOKES PAULSEN
You would think people would learn. The recount in the contest between Norm Coleman and Al Franken for a seat in the
A disputed ballot in
This is Florida 2000 all over again, but with colder weather. Like that fiasco,
Remember
The
The Opinion Journal Widget
By a vote of 7-2, Bush v. Gore (2000) ruled that
Bush v. Gore is rightly regarded as controversial -- but not because of its holding regarding the Equal Protection Clause, which commanded broad agreement among the justices. The controversy arose because of the remedy the Court chose for
The problem with the remedy was that it arguably violated the same principle that led the Court to invalidate the recount: the need to treat all votes equally. It had the practical effect of awarding the election to Bush (though subsequent media counts confirmed that Bush won anyway, under any uniform standard). This has led to enduring partisan criticism of the case, some fair and some unfair.
But no matter: Bush v. Gore is the law of the land. On the question of how the Equal Protection Clause applies to state recounts, the ruling, which reflected a 7-2 majority, controls.
Consider the inconsistencies: One county "found" 100 new votes for Mr. Franken, due to an asserted clerical error. Decision? Add them.
Then there's
If Messrs. Franken and Coleman agreed, an absentee ballot could be counted. Either campaign could veto a vote. Dean Barkley of the Independence Party, who ran third, was not included in this process.
Thus, citizens' right to vote -- the right to vote! -- was made subject to political parties' gaming strategies. Insiders agree that Mr. Franken's team played a far more savvy game than Mr. Coleman's. The margin of Mr. Franken's current lead is partly the product of a successful what's-mine-is-mine-what's-yours-is-vetoed strategy, and of the Coleman team's failure to counter it.
The process is not over yet, since the state court decision in effect kicked the can down the road. The candidates can revisit these issues by contesting the legal validity of the election under state law -- which Mr. Coleman's team did last week.
But as matters stand now, the
What is the remedy? Unlike Bush v. Gore, there is no looming national deadline.
This means two things: First, the process must conform to
The standards for evaluating rejected absentee ballots likewise must be uniform, with decisions made according to legal standards, not by partisan campaigns. If the
And what if there is no reliable way to determine in a recount who won, consistent with Bush v. Gore's requirements?
The Constitution's answer is a do-over. The 17th Amendment provides: "When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct."
In a sense, a vacancy has already "happened." The
For now, the only thing certain is that the present "certified" result -- which is that Mr. Franken won by 225 votes out of more than 2.9 million cast -- is an obvious, embarrassing violation of the Constitution.
Mr. Paulsen is professor of law at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis,
DEBKAfile's military sources report that Israel relayed a warning to Hamas through Egypt that any more Iranian or Syrian attempts to smuggle rockets or other heavy weapons into Gaza by land or by sea would be deemed a breach of the ceasefire and generate Israeli military action to stop them.
Our sources further disclose that Iranian marine experts and engineers, after making a study of submerged Mediterranean currents, have designed special containers for the clandestine shipment of arms to
The containers are dropped from freighters out at sea, plummet to a calculated depth and carried by the undercurrent to a point close to the
This is only one of
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129520
Also try this for size: (IsraelNN.com) This week's momentous news events were the withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza and the inauguration of President Barack Obama, but nothing changed for American prisoner Jonathan Pollard and kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Howard is not a coward by Eti: America, Canada , all
**Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on
*
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'. 'We speak
mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society
. Learn the language!' *
'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.' *
*
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.' *
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'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'*
*
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.' *
*Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.*
*
If you agree, please SEND THIS ON.*
ANOTHER "
Before the Media gets all delirious in the "Gotcha" Doctor story, there’s something that has been revealed. Doctor Izzeldin Abuelaish, a
It looks like a ball bearing. IF it turns out that it is a ball bearing, the world will know that the girl was NOT killed by the Israelis, because the Israeli shells contain no ball bearings. But, the Hamas Arab Palestinian Terrorists do use ball bearing in most of their shells and explosive bomb vests, in order to cause as much maiming and damage as possible to their civilian victims.
Bomb residue from the doctor’s clothes and body reveal the substance is not military grade, not used by the IDF but used by Hamas. Investigators believe the doctor’s home was booby-trapped or contained explosives.
It is entirely possible that the Doctor was targeted by Hamas for crossing the line by working with the Israelis at the
It’s also possible that the Doctor’s home
Granted, the Israelis were quick to admit guilt when accused of anything - especially by the Media. We all recall the "Al Dura" fraud by the French Media. So let’s see what develops.
COMMENTS BY EMANUEL A. WINSTON
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From: Rachamim47@aol.com Rav Rachamim Pauli January 17, 2009
"
The Israeli government is ordering a cease-fire. Minutes before the press conference two Grad Katyushas fell in
A major tunnel network and Kassams and a front line headquarters were captured and exposed without much of a fight today.
IDF: Shots fired from doctor's home
Army says it fired at
Not so innocent? The daughters of a Gaza doctor were killed by the IDF after sniper fire from the family's home targeted Israeli soldiers, the army said Saturday. Earlier Saturday, Dr. Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish convened a press conference at
P.S. As you may or may not know, I put out a news update when I feel that it is necessary and have a direct list whom I send to. I purposely left my e-mail above for my blog for those who wish to subscribe to the news. (Right now silence due to a calming down of the situation) What is a calming down a shooting incident and some Molotov Cocktails in the Shomron, 4 mortars lobbed into
I received this for Hannah, Yacov and others it was the great help of Rafael that got this up at this site for downloading about why we went to war in
BUSH’S PARTING LESSON by CAROLINE GLICK forwarded with comment by Emanuel A. Winston, Mid East analyst & commentator
The unsurpassable stupidity of Olmert, Livni and Barak has broken all previous records of incompetence and malfeasance of office. This is a government bent on National Suicide - just to stay in power.
COMMENTS BY EMANUEL A. WINSTON
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BUSH’S PARTING LESSON by CAROLINE GLICK, JERUSALEM POST January 15, 2009
Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's diplomatic spat with outgoing US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been a bonanza for strategic minded gossips. Olmert says that Rice was "embarrassed" because she planned to vote in favor of UN Security Council Resolution 1860, which calls for an immediate cease-fire between IDF forces and Hamas terrorists. But, Olmert brags, he wrecked her plan by getting outgoing President George W. Bush to force her to abstain.
As far as the commentators are concerned, Olmert's puerile attack on the American secretary of state in the midst of a war shows that the he is still the same prideful, vain, motor-mouth that Israelis have come to know and despise over the past several years. Then, too, by responding with borderline hysteria to Olmert's statement, Rice has demonstrated, once again, that she remains a thin-skinned whiner.
These insights make for piquant news analyses. But they miss the most important truths that the Olmert-Rice slap-down brought to the surface. Their fight tells us two crucial things. First, it tells us that when President-elect Barack Obama enters office next week,
The
While Olmert presents the
The second aspect of the
What were
And while this fiasco provides just cause for recalling Shalev to
She had no notable experience in international affairs or public diplomacy to speak of before Livni - who insisted that she would only appoint a woman to the post - sent her to
But this has been anything but the case. On the issues of the most urgent importance to
FOR INSTANCE, this week The New York Times reminded us that the
And it isn't just that the Bush administration has in recent years preferred to indulge the Iraqi leadership's knee-jerk anti-Semitism over supporting
The
When
ftlinemilitary, the
As for the Palestinians, over the past three years, the
Far from cutting the Palestinians off, the
IN THE face of all of this clear US hostility toward Israel, marked as well by the continued criminal prosecution of former AIPAC lobbyists Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman, and former Pentagon analyst Larry Franklin for their "crime" of discussing their concern about Iran's nuclear weapons program, Israel has played the role of Chicken Little.
It is because of the government's refusal to contend with difficult truths that
This situation is liable to only get worse next week with the inauguration of President-elect Obama. Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton pledged in her Senate confirmation hearings that the new administration will immediately seek to engage
Obama has pledged that soon after taking office he will make a major speech in an Islamic capital to strengthen US ties to the Muslim world. And the source asserts that Obama intends to make that speech in
While
THROUGHOUT HIS tenure in office, Bush has been outspoken in his warm statements about
But as many of his friends and advisors have ruefully noted over the years, Bush never learned how to translate his personal views into policy. As former Pentagon official Richard Perle wrote in an article this week in The National Interest, Bush was undercut on the most crucial foreign policy issues he faced by the State Department and the CIA, which either ignored his policies or openly sought to discredit them.
As Perle described Bush's presidency, "For eight years George W. Bush pulled the levers of government - sometimes frantically - never realizing that they were disconnected from the machinery and the exertion was largely futile. As a result, the foreign and security policies declared by the president in speeches, in public and private meetings, in backgrounders and memoranda often had little or no effect on the activities of the sprawling bureaucracies charged with carrying out the president's policies."
This reality has been apparent since at least the middle of 2003, and yet,
The passage of Resolution 1860 could be a blessing in disguise if
caroline@carolineglick.com
This article can also be read at:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231950869050&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull
TZIPI LIVNI’S "BIRD" COSTUMES by Emanuel A. Winston, Mid East analyst & commentator
First, she flutters her wings as a "dove". She never was a "hawk".
Then, in a twinkling she becomes a "tweety bird", chirping about a "cease-fire" in a righteous war that leaves the Muslim Arab Palestinian Hamas Terrorists fully loaded with long range missiles and no closure of the smuggling tunnels which are enabled by
One is reminded of the sophomoric President George W. Bush, looking into Vladimir Putin’s eyes and seeing his "good soul".
However, when you look into Tzipi Livni’s eyes, all you may see is the back of her skull, with no visible brains to interfere. Livni may be the dumbest Foreign Minister
Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the malicious friend of the Muslim Arab Palestinian Terrorists, loves Livni because for her it’s no trouble to insert into the vacuum of Livni’s mind, any deal Rice wants.
We all recall the stupid bumbling of Livni agreeing to the Summer 2006 Lebanon War cease-fire UN Resolution 1701, which put HezbAllah into the hands of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) and the immediate re-building of HezbAllah arms and Terrorist militia, without a peep from the empty-headed Livni.
Instead of learning from her egregious errors, Livni has signed on to the same useless deal to end the
Livni is a clear and present danger to the Jewish nation, her soldiers, civilians - even to herself.
Now, if you should look into the eyes of Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (resigned due to imminent criminal indictments but, still in power) and Defense Minister Ehud Barak (whose election campaign posters proclaim he isn’t "nice"), you could see twisted wires, short-circuiting their thinking - except for a few remaining connections which are connected to their self-serving drive to survive with the power of their offices.
No sacrifice of others would be too great.
This group of uglies act as if they were infected by the dreaded Ebola virus that liquefies brains, among other bodily organs.
