One of the first principles in Quality Control is not to put in charge the person in production to be the final inspector of the goods. Unfortunately, outside of Microsoft Word Spelling and Grammar checkup, I am on my own. Sometimes, I don’t even notice the warning signs. Last week the word “Does” was underlined but it slipped right past me.
Dr. Rabbi Ilana wrote me a little note like I should have started with “Do”: Does the clothes make the man or the man make the clothes? This week in the gym a few people came to me and told me how they see that I have lost weight. Actually all I did was change my work out pants from extra-large to 2X to be more comfortable and I bulged out less. It could be that I put back on some muscles and redistributed fat. Last year, I went into the details of the Jewels in the Choshen Mishpat of Aaron and this year into his clothing.
Furthermore, I often find others that make mistakes and correct them but sometimes I miss them too as I am pressured to get the Drasha out before Shabbos in Australia and New Zeeland if possible so that I rush a few things through. After I wrote this I found an error in Issue 943 of Torah Tidbits from last week. Dr. Moshe Kuhr wrote a very stimulating article about the Maharal on the Sedra. Referring to Shemos 29:31 he mentioned that Aaron and his sons’ cook the Ram - The JPS has seethe the Ram which is correct. For a general rule Korbanos that are from meat are roasted and that is why we used to have the Pessach Question “On all other nights we eat, boiled, broiled, fried and roasted meat on this night only roasted.”
Ki Sisa
After discussing the Mishkan and the garments of the Cohanim we start of our Pasha with a counting of the population. A donation per individual of a half Shekel was required for everybody over 20 through 60 for the maintenance of the Mishkan/Beis HaMikdash. This was dues and required of each individual in the congregation.
30:11 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 12 'When thou take the sum of the children of Israel, according to their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou number them; that there be no plague among them, when thou number them.
For some reason every time a complete census is taken among the children of Israel something bad befalls them. The solution here was to count the half shekels as ordered by HASHEM. Somehow I manage to avoid the census when it comes to Israel or the States. What is with the evil coming out of it by numbering the population? The only answer I can think of is G-D’s promise in Lech Lecha: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven and as sand upon the beach. Since the stars of all the Galaxies cannot be counted and every grain of sand on and below the beach so Yisrael cannot be counted.
13 This they shall give, every one that passes among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary--the shekel is twenty gerahs--half a shekel for an offering to the LORD.
The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less as this indicates that everybody is equal before G-D. So why does the L-RD make one man rich, another poor and a third middle-class? This is in order to perform in this world what is best for his soul. For a rich person might be too arrogant and precisely poverty is needed to make a soul humble while humility and charity in a rich person can project him into reaching the next world in one swoop.
14 Every one that passes among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the offering of the LORD. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of the LORD, to make atonement for your souls. 16 And thou shalt take the atonement money from the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for your souls.'
In the times of the second Beis HaMikdash, the money was used to repair the roads leading to Yerushalayim before Pessach and to obtain water supplies over this it went to the coffers of the Temple Maintenance.
17 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 18 'Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and the base thereof of brass, whereat to wash; and thou shalt put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. 19 And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat; 20 when they go into the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to cause an offering made by fire to smoke unto the LORD; 21 so they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not; and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.'
This section we say daily in the morning prior the daily (Tamid) Korbanos of the morning and evening.
31:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 'See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; 3 and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all that are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee:
As I wrote in the previous weeks these young men were given Roach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit, upon them to give them the prophetic insight within themselves.
… 12 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 13 'Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying: Verily ye shall keep My Shabbosos, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that ye may know that I am the LORD who sanctify you. 14 Ye shall keep the Shabbos therefore, for it is holy unto you; every one that profane it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a Shabbos of solemn rest, holy to the LORD; whosoever doeth any work in the Shabbos day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Shabbos, to observe the Shabbos throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He ceased from work and rested.'
Note the word Shabbos is written 5 times in single and once in the plural as it discusses observing Shabbos through all generations forever. As it is written in Pasuk 14 if we were a generation of Mitzvah Observers, we would have to deal with them later and either kill them via the Sanhedrin or get them to cease and desist. (Remember a killing Sanhedrin is one that kills once is 70 years) This does to work in a generation where the majority of Jews do not observe Shabbos either through ignorance or on purpose. Since we do not give a death sentence in this world – where will it occur? It will happen in the next world or the soul will reincarnate if it had enough Mitzvos and Charity. For not all Shomer Shabbos people are Tzaddikim and not all every violator of Shabbos is a Rasha for some were born at the wrong place and at the wrong time.
Six days will be sufficient for one to earn a living. I have to put my trust in G-D when I am in Israel as the NY Stock Exchange continues and I have to hope and pray that it does not crash on a Friday evening Israel time. This adherent trust is part of the Bris between the Bnei Yisrael and HASHEM to observe the Shabbos throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He ceased from work and rested.' This has the singular ME and the singular HE for one is a direct Mitzvah and the other is the reason. When G-D is talking to or warning us it is in the second tense and when it is the reason for the observation of Shabbos it is in the third tense.
It is our sign and our thing. So one who tells me that he is a good person and a good Jew but doesn’t observe Shabbos conflicts with: 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever;. The person who violates Shabbos and goes out and sows or sews is in violation of a contract between the good L-RD and the children of Israel. The following is a true story of a person who did not refresh his soul on Shabbos.
It once happened that after I left ELTA Electronics by some five to ten years, they were working on a project for a country in a different continent. They hired instead of a fellow like me or one of my colleagues a former military officer to get the job done. The fellow had retired with a rank of Major or above and had a good record. He worked hard on the project with 125 hours of over-time each week. He did not know from Shabbos to Chol or Ohr to Choshek (Shabbos to the week or light to darkness) only work. One Sunday after a few months he did not report to work. He worked so hard without rest that he landed himself in a hospital in La-La Land. The contract that HASHEM gives us is not for HIM but for us as we are the underlings. Would you drive a car without oil in the engine or cooling fluid in the radiator? So why run the human engine against the instructions from the DESIGNER and MANUFACTURER of human beings?
Shabbos is one of the three corner stones of Judaism along with Taharos HaMishpacha and Kashrus. The three corner stones for the whole of mankind is that one should not steal, commit adultery or murder. The three corner stones of the Universe is the Unity of HASHEM, reverence to HASHEM Yisborach and not making an image of HASHEM. For this will come the idea to not convent your neighbor’s wife or possessions as you will not want to commit adultery or steal. And as one honors his CREATOR so too one must honor his parents who supplied the sperm and egg to go along with the DIVINE Neshama to make him/her.
As the Gentile who wanted to convert asked Hillel, the elder, I want to convert on the grounds that I can learn the whole Torah on one foot and Hillel replied: Devarim 6:4 Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. He then said to the potential convert that the rest was commentary and now go out and learn the commentary to understand Judaism. I have given you some foundations above observe them properly and behave like a Mensch to your fellow man and you will deserve an honorable place in the next world. Rebel against them and you will be an anarchist in observance before the L-RD and wreak havoc on your own portion in the next world. As my mom told me as a small child if you do this or that you will not hurt me but only hurt yourself. PUT YOUR BRAIN IN GEAR BEFORE SPEAKING OR TRYING TO VIOLATE A COMMANDMENT ON PURPOSE. Rabbi Yacov London of saintly memory used to say, “For a man to sin he has to be Meshuga (crazy – loco) as it is written that ‘one does not sin unless a foolish spirit enters him;.” Now do you want to be known in the next world as a Meshugina?
The rest of the Pasha deals with the bringing down of the two tablets of witness and the nation going down to make a golden calf for they saw what Yechezkel in Chapter one said about the DIVINE Chariot having a foot of a calf. At the parting of the sea they had witnessed this and henceforth made the golden calf. 32:4 and they said: 'This is thy god, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.'
So instead of having whole two tablets written by HASHEM as described below we ended up with Moshe’s tablets.
18 And He gave unto Moses, when He had made an end of speaking with him upon mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
32: … 9 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people. 10 Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them; and I will make of thee a great nation.' 11 And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said: 'LORD, why doth Thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, that Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, saying: For evil did He bring them forth, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from Thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against Thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants, to whom Thou didst swear by YOUR own self, and said unto them: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.' 14 And the LORD repented of the evil which He said He would do unto His people.
G-D was saying to Moshe calm down my wrath and Moshe did but Moshe could not calm down his own wrath.
15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand; tables that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. 16 And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. 17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses: 'There is a noise of war in the camp.' 18 And he said: 'It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome, but the noise of them that sing do I hear.' 19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount. …
Moshe then asks for forgiveness in the section which we say on every fast day. Today is essentially Tanis Esther Ha Katan. Tomorrow Purim Katan and then on Shabbos Shushan Purim Katan. and they said: 'This is thy god, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.'
33:17 And the LORD said unto Moses: 'I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken, for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name.' 18 And he said: 'Show me, I pray Thee, Thy glory.' 19 And He said: 'I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.'
Halachos from Danny Shoemann
When a newborn boy is 8 days old, his father has to ensure he gets a Brit Mila (circumcision). So if a baby is born on Sunday, his Brit Mila is the following Sunday. If the father cannot do the Brit Mila himself, he asks a Mohel (a Jewish expert at circumcision) to do it for him. To show that he is appointing the Mohel to do his Mitzva, the father should put the baby on the Sandek's lap and hand the Mohel the knife. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:1
The person who holds the baby during the Brit Mila is called a Sandek. The custom is that the father never honors the same person twice with Sandeka'ut. (*) On the other hand, the custom is to always use the same Mohel, if he is available. Even if it was assumed that the original Mohel would be out of town, and another Mohel was asked to officiate, the original Mohel has precedence, if he's back in town on time. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 163:1
(*) The reason given is that being a Sandek is a Segula for prosperity, and we want to "spread the wealth". Similarly, each Cohen was only given one opportunity to bring the Ketores (Incense) in the Bet HaMikdash, since it's a Segula for prosperity.
The custom is for everybody to stand while a Brit Mila is taking place, except for the Sandek who is holding the baby. This is learned from the verse וַיַּעֲמד כָּל הָעָם בַּבְּרִית - "and the entire nation stood at the Brit" (Melachim-II 23:4) It is forbidden to circumcise a baby who is not 100% healthy; delaying a Brit Mila is better than risking a baby's life.
Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 160:2, 4
In a non-leap year the 13th of Adar is Tanis Esther. In leap years - like this year 5771 - תשע"א - we fast and celebrate Purim in Adar-II. However, in Adar-I we mark the days as "Purim Katan". One should eat a bigger meal to increase happiness on 14th of Adar-I. Even in "walled cities" where Shushan-Purim is celebrated (e.g. Jerusalem) this is done on 14th (not 15th) of Adar-I. During Adar-I the Megila is not read, nor does one say עַל הַנִּסִּים. Source: Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 142:10
This is one rare occasion where I agree with Rabbi Ovadia Yosef over my Rabbinical Leader’s Leader: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4029303,00.html
One must remember that there is some leniency on Gerim in the first place and one who is willing to give his life in the army all the more so. The conversion is Orthodox and not a Mickey Mouse conversion.
Knotty Situations II by Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
Mrs. Goldstein ties her tichel on Shabbos the way her mother always did.
Her son Yankie explains that she should not tie or untie her tichel this way since it is a double knot. Must Mrs. Goldstein tie her tichel differently? And may she untie the knot that is holding the tichel on her head?
Yankie’s older brother, Reuven returns from yeshivah and tells his mom that it is okay to tie the baby’s shoes with a double knot. Mom has never done this, always assuming that one cannot tie a double knot on Shabbos, even though baby Rivka’s shoes almost never stay tied on Shabbos as a result. Of course, Yankie does not miss the opportunity to disagree with Reuven and emphasize that one may not tie the shoes on Shabbos just as one may not tie the tichel.
What’s a mother to do? She calls the Rav, who continues his explanation ….
Last time we learned that some knots are prohibited min haTorah, others are prohibited midirabbanan, while others are completely permitted. Any knot that may not be tied may not be untied either. If tying it involves a Torah prohibition, then untying it is forbidden min haTorah (Mishnah Shabbos 111b). If tying the knot is only midirabbanan, then untying it is midirabbanan. If one is allowed to tie a particular knot, one may also untie it (Rambam Hilchos Shabbos 10:7). We learned that according to Rashi and most Rishonim, it is prohibited min haTorah to tie a permanent knot, midirabbanan to tie a semi-permanent knot, and that it is permitted to tie a temporary knot. Everyone agrees that Rashi permits tying any knot that will be untied within 24 hours from when it is tied (Beis Yosef 317). On the other hand, everyone agrees that Rashi forbids tying a knot that is left untied for a week or more. Authorities dispute whether Rashi prohibits tying a knot meant to last more than 24 hours but less than a week, some viewing this knot as semi-permanent and others as temporary (Rama 317:1). One may follow the lenient opinion under extenuating circumstances (Biyur Halacha 317:4 s.v. she’einam kevuim).
According to Rambam, a knot that is permanent is prohibited min haTorah only when it is a type of knot that a craftsman would use, called a “kesher uman.” A permanent knot that would not be used by a craftsman is only midirabbanan. In addition, a knot that a craftsman would tie but is not permanent is also only midirabbanan, whereas a knot that is neither permanent nor used by a craftsman is totally permitted. There is some uncertainty as to what is considered a “craftsman’s knot.” Because of this question, some poskim rule that one should not tie any knot very tightly even though one intends to untie it shortly (Shiltei HaGibborim).
According to both Rashi and the Rambam, one may tie a knot that will be untied within 24 hours if it is not extremely tight. Thus according to all opinions, one may tie a gartel on Shabbos or the belt on a bathrobe or any other garment that is usually untied as it is removed and is not tied very tightly. Similarly, a woman may tie her tichel in place because a woman always unties this knot when she removes it so that she does not dishevel her hair.
TYING A KNOT IN A PIECE OF STRING
Tying a knot with a piece of string or length of rope around itself so that it does not slip through a hole or unravel is usually prohibited min haTorah according to all opinions (Gemara Shabbos 74b; Rama 317:1). This knot usually remains permanent and thus is certainly a Torah violation according to Rashi. Even according to the Rambam that only a craftsman’s knot incurs a Torah transgression, this is a very tight knot that a craftsman would use for this purpose. (It is interesting to note that some people call this “a stevedore’s knot,” implying that it is a craftsman’s knot.) Thus, tying a knot on a threaded needle to hold it in place is prohibited min haTorah. For the same reason, making a knot on the end of one’s tzitzis to prevent them from unraveling is prohibited min haTorah. Similarly, it is prohibited min haTorah to tie a balloon on Shabbos. Therefore, some authorities prohibit blowing up a balloon on Shabbos because of the possibility that one may mistakenly tie it.
WHAT IS CONSIDERED A CRAFTSMAN’S KNOT?
The definition of a craftsman’s knot is difficult to ascertain. Obviously it has to be very tight, but are there other requirements? Because of this uncertainty, a custom developed not to tie any knot on Shabbos that involves tying one knot on top of another (Shiltei HaGibborim; Rama 317:1) which is how most knots are tied. Thus, one might assume that Mrs. Goldstein may not tie her tichel with a double knot as Yankie told her. However, most poskim permit tying the tichel as Mrs. Goldstein has been doing and as her mother did before her. This is because of a combination of several reasons: Several poskim contend that the custom not to tie a double knot is only when one ties a knot very tightly (L’vushei S’rad and Pri Megadim on Magen Avraham 317:4; also seeChazon Ish 52:17) whereas a tichel is tied fairly loosely. Other poskim contend that the custom not to tie a double knot is only if one intends to leave it tied for more than a day (Aruch HaShulchan 317:10). Thus there is substantive reason to permit tying a tichel with a double knot (Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchasah 15:ftn 167). It should be noted that many poskim permit double knotting a child’s shoes for the same reason since the knot is not very tight. Others prohibit it because the reason for the upper knot is to make the lower knot and bow very tight and that is considered tying a double knot tightly (Shmiras Shabbos K’Hilchasah 15:53).
ANIVAH
The Gemara concludes that it is permitted to tie an “anivah” on Shabbos. What is an anivah? Any knot that can be untied without undoing the original knot by pulling on one side of the knot is an anivah and is permitted. This includes tying bows (without additional knots, see below) and slipknots (Mordechai, Halachos Ketanos #940). A slipknot is so called because it slips easily along the cord on which it is made. The poskim dispute whether one may tie a temporary knot and then a bow on Shabbos. Does the bow make the knot more permanent and therefore a problem? Most poskim prohibit tying a bow onto a temporary knot, considering the knot thus created a semi-permanent knot that is prohibited (Rama 317:5; Taz; Magen Avraham ad loc.).
TYING RIBBONS AND BOWS
According to what we have explained, one may not tie a ribbon around a package on Shabbos in the usual fashion because this involves tying a double knot. However, one may tie the ribbon without a knot by making two bows even if one ties the bows very tightly (Mishnah Berurah 317:29; Biyur Halacha 317:5 s.v. anivah). If someone forgot to tie the aravos and hadasim to the lulav before Yom Tov, one cannot tie with a knot and bow on top of it unless it is a type of knot that one unties every day. One may tie it with a bow on top of a bow (Taz 317:7).
SUMMARY OF KNOTS
We have learned that one may not tie a permanent or semi-permanent knot or a craftsman’s knot, and also that one may not tie one tight knot on top of another. According to many poskim, one may tie a loose knot on top of another loose knot and therefore a woman may tie her tichel with two knots one on top of the other. Tying a bow or slip knot is permitted since the knot is taken apart without undoing it but by pulling it apart. Thus, Mrs. Goldstein may continue to tie her tichel and there are poskim who even permit double knotting baby Rivka’s shoes. (Although others prohibit double knotting shoes.)
PERMANENT BONDING
Tying knots in a permanent way not only affects halacha but also has hashkafic ramifications. When Moshe Rabbeinu asked to understand Hashem’s ways, Hashem told him that as long as he was alive he would only be able to recognize Hashem “from behind.” Chazal explain that Hashem showed Moshe the knot of His tefillin, which represents the permanent attachment that exists between Hashem and the Jewish people. Just as tefillin are tied with a permanent knot, so too Hashem’s relationship with the Jewish people is a permanent bond. And just as the tefillin straps tie what is below to what is above, so too their knot connects our mundane world below to the Heavenly world above.
The Precious Coin By Yerachmiel Tilles
The Ketav Sofer, Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Schreiber, was elated. So much of his time and energy in recent years had been involved in the fight to protect the traditional way of life, and now the government decision was finally official: the right of the religious community to their own educational system was now ensconced in law.
Feeling boundless joy and relief, he decided to sponsor an enormous celebration of thanksgiving, to which he invited the leading rabbis, Torah scholars and community leaders of Austria-Hungary, all those who had shared in the struggle and would benefit from the new law.
Perhaps there had never been a comparable gathering in Pressburg throughout its glorious history as a great center of Jewish scholarship. The evening was filled with new and exciting Torah interpretations, as one distinguished Rabbi after another offered his presentation. Hours passed unnoticed. The food and drink were secondary, barely registering in the lofty consciousness of this rarefied assembly.
The exhilaration heightened when the Ketav Sofer rose from his seat and began to speak excitedly. Without preamble, he announced that, in honor of the occasion, he wished to share something unique and thrilling with all those present; not only was it something they had never seen before, it was something they had never even imagined they would see.
With all eyes and ears continuing to focus upon him, he took out his wallet and withdrew from it a small object wrapped in silk. When he carefully removed the cover, they could see it was a small, ancient silver coin.
“Gentlemen,” he said, “my elders, my mentors, my peers. You are looking at a genuine machatzit hashekel [half-shekel coin], such as was donated to the Holy Temple two thousand years ago for the various holy purposes that all of you know well (as per Ex. 30:11–16, 38:25-28; Mishnah, tractate Shekalim, etc.). I inherited it from my holy father of blessed memory; it has been a prized secret possession in our family for many generations. I don't think there is another one in the world today. I never thought to display it publicly until this evening.”
The listeners all stared in amazement. An actual silver half-shekel from Temple times! Everyone wanted to touch it, feel it, and examine it closely. The coin passed from hand to hand. Spirited discussions erupted throughout the room as to its weight, its shape, and the manner of its use. Voices rose louder and louder.
A soft voice penetrated the din of scholarly argument. A rabbi who had yet to see the coin up close inquired as to its whereabouts. No one could answer him. The coin had disappeared!
Everyone began searching frantically. They felt all over the floor, and probed under whatever food and utensils remained on the table. The priceless coin, the artifact of inestimable value, was nowhere to be found.
Silence descended upon the crowded room. All eyes turned to their illustrious host. The Ketav Sofer was visibly upset, his face white as frost, at the loss of the unique coin which had been treasured in his family for so many generations.
He stood at his place. Casting his eyes around the room, he addressed them again. “Gentlemen, G‑d forbid thinking that I suspect any of the honorable people in this room of transgressing an explicit commandment of the Torah. However, we were all so engrossed in analyzing the half-shekel and its significance; it could be that by mistake someone got it mixed up with a current coin of his own and slipped it into his pocket by mistake. We have no choice: with all due respect, I must ask everyone to empty their pockets, wallets, and change-purses so that we can determine if such an accident has taken place.”
Everyone quickly agreed. They well understood the delicacy of the situation. But then a voice was heard from the side of the room. It was one of the oldest, most respected Torah scholars present, who had been an important rabbinical leader in Hungary for over forty years. “I oppose such a search,” he called out. “Better to wait a quarter hour or so, and perhaps in that time the coin will turn up.”
The Ketav Sofer had great respect for the venerable sage. He agreed to his suggestion. The quarter hour passed, with noticeable tension, but without a trace of the coin.
“All right,” said the Ketav Sofer, “let’s empty our pockets in front of each other, as we already agreed.”
To everyone’s surprise, the elderly rabbi again objected, and requested another fifteen-minute delay. The Ketav Sofer agreed, so again everyone sat impatiently, waiting for the second quarter-hour to pass. The tension increased, became palpable. Several of the guests stared bitterly at the old rabbi who had caused the delay, suspecting that he had indeed pocketed the coin and had asked for extra time in order to come up with a way to return it without being detected.
At last the time was up. As before, there was no sign of the coin. The Ketav Sofer rose again. Sorrow and impatience could be heard in his voice. “Gentlemen, I have the greatest respect for our venerable, illustrious colleague. But we cannot postpone it anymore. The search must begin.”
Even though they were half-expecting it, everyone was nevertheless astonished when the elderly sage once again stood up to halt the process. This time his voice shook, and tears streamed down his cheeks, as he addressed the Ketav Sofer. “Please, Rebbe, remember the great love of your father of blessed memory and me for each other, and let us wait another fifteen minutes. If the coin hasn’t been found by then, I agree that we shall do however you see fit.”
The Ketav Sofer hesitated briefly, then nodded his head in acquiescence. The tension in the room heightened again. The old rabbi stood in a corner of the room, his lips moving rapidly in silent prayer. The Ketav Sofer sat at the other end, his face extremely pale and etched with worry. It appeared that he might soon faint. The guests nervously waited the next turn of events. Many expected that the old rabbi would confess to the theft.
Suddenly, all eyes turned toward the door. Running steps could be heard in the vestibule leading to the great hall where they now sat. The door burst open, and the attendant of the Ketav Sofer charged in. “Good news!” he cried out. “The coin has been found.”
The emotional crowd stormed toward the attendant. Each one wanted to verify the half-shekel’s presence with his own eyes. The thick tension dissolved instantaneously. Instead, voices loudly proclaimed, “Thank G‑d,” “Baruch Hashem,” and so forth. Above all the noise could be heard the ringing voice of the Ketav Sofer, demanding of his attendant that he relate to everyone how he had found the precious coin. The crowd fell silent. Everyone turned towards the attendant anxiously, eager to hear his reply.
He smiled. “When I saw that everyone was so deeply involved in discussing the half-shekel, I decided to use the opportunity to begin cleaning up. I removed the tablecloths and shook them out over the garbage to get rid of all the crumbs and other food remains. When I heard that the coin was missing, I worried that it might have been put down on one of the tables, and that I had inadvertently thrown it out along with the rest of the garbage. I went to the trash pile and began to sift through a veritable mountain of refuse. Finally, something sparkling caught my eye. Here is the treasure I found in the trash,” he said, as he handed his precious find over to its owner.
Slowly the crowd quieted down and order was restored. Most of the guests returned to their seats. The elderly sage requested permission to speak. Everyone turned towards him eagerly, realizing that now they had not the slightest idea why he had acted as he did to delay the Ketav Sofer’s reasonable request for a search.
"Dear friends,” he began, “I’m sure you are all waiting for an explanation of my three requests for postponements. I suspect you will find it wondrous. You see, just like our esteemed host, I also have in my possession a genuine half-shekel coin from Temple times! It too was passed down from generation to generation in my family, just like in his. Today, in honor of this momentous festive gathering, I decided to surprise you by displaying it. But then the illustrious head of the yeshiva preceded me and showed his coin, along with the statement that it was unique in the world. I didn’t want to weaken the power of his presentation, so I left my half-shekel in my pocket.
“Now, imagine to yourselves, honorable colleagues, if the search had been conducted according to the instructions of our host. The coin in my pocket would have been immediately identified, and I certainly would have come under suspicion as having stolen it. That is why I tried everything I could to delay the process, the whole time praying that in the merit of the great Chatam Sofer of blessed memory I wouldn’t be subjected to such a terrible embarrassment. Thank G‑d, my prayers were accepted.”
Concluding his words, the venerable sage slipped his half-shekel coin from his pocket and passed it to his enchanted audience. As it made the rounds, they were astounded to see that it was an identical twin to the one of the Ketav Sofer.
The exciting evening finally drew to a close. Before the concluding blessings, the Ketav Sofer rose to speak one last time. Once again, his words surprised his listeners.
“Gentlemen, I truly believe that the inner purpose of this great gathering was that we all gain a deeper perspective of the true meaning of the Mishnah’s statement, “Judge every man favorably” (Avos 1:6). If the search had been conducted and the coin discovered in our venerable associate’s pocket, is there anyone in this room who can honestly say he wouldn’t have presumed that he had stolen my coin—especially after I had influenced you by saying there wasn’t another one like it in the world?
“No, this teaching is not as simple as its wording makes it seem. The lesson of tonight is that even if all indications point to a person’s guilt, we still have to presume his innocence until proven otherwise. That is the Divine Providence of the unforgettable events of this thanksgiving feast.”
[Translated and adapted from Shim’u U-Techi Nafshechem (#276), the teachings and stories of Rabbi Moshe Weber]
Biographical note:
Rabbi Avraham Binyamin Schreiber (1815–1875), known as the Ketav Sofer, was the son of the illustrious Torah giant, the Chatam Sofer, Rabbi Moshe Schreiber (1762–1839), and his successor as the head of the Pressburg yeshiva, the most prestigious in the Austro-Hungarian empire and the largest in all of Europe. Innocent until proven guilty is also in US Law but not instilled in the Israeli Press or court system. This goes for Jews making Aliyah especially assimilated families today. Most of my cousins on my mother’s side cannot produce a Ketuba of their parents and today neither could I. When my mother made Aliyah I had terrible difficulties proving that she was Jewish. She being a fifth generation Reform Jew had no Halachic records in her favor. I had been in contact with a Belgium Jew whom Satmar Chassidim would marry if he stayed in Belgium but would not certify that he was Jewish for Aliyah because they hated the State of Israel. THEN YOU WONDER WHY THE MOSHIACH HAS NOT COME YET. I am not saying not to check into the person and the family but as in my case if all my mother’s cousins from the same grandmother claim to be Jewish and attend Jewish functions so maybe there is a Chazaka (a strong basis) to this.
Sensitivity by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles (photos in link) http://www.ascentofsafed.com/Stories/Stories/5771/688-22.html
Rabbi Yehoshua Kleinlehrer, a shaliach [emissary] of the Beis Yisrael, the Rebbe of Gur for the first 30 years of the state of Israel, testified to the Rebbe's sensitivity and nobility revealed in their full glory. Countless times he saw how his soft heart and desire to do good for others caused him to notice the tiniest details. He went out of his way to make sure he never caused anyone a hint of annoyance or distress.
There were two brothers who studied in the yeshiva together. The younger brother was exceptionally brilliant; the older one was an ordinary student who did not excel in any area.
Once, the pair arrived at the Shabbos night Tisch (a Rebbe’s open table) just as the Rebbe was distributing wine. Amid the noise that naturally accompanied the distribution and the shouts of "L'Chaim" from all directions, the Rebbe instructed me to remember to give the older brother wine before the younger one, and to give him a larger amount, so that his extra respect for the older one would be unmistakable.
"The younger brother is a better learner, and his brother probably feels bad about that," the Rebbe explained. ''The older brother needs to be encouraged so that he doesn't feel uncomfortable."
Do you know what a Tisch is like? Reb Yehoshua asks. Hundreds of people standing, each one with his own personal thoughts - and the Rebbe thinks about a Chevron bachur who might feel uneasy during the distribution of wine.
* * *
Rabbi Yehoshua Kleinlehrer also told how the Rebbe was extremely considerate of others and went to great lengths to ensure that people's feelings were not hurt.
A certain Rosh Yeshiva who had only recently been appointed to the position once came to the Tisch. Afterwards, I accompanied the Rebbe. Also with us was Rabbi Yehoshua Noach Binke, z''l, the Rebbe's outstanding faithful attendant.
The Rebbe began complaining to Reb Yehoshua Noach. "So-and-so was recently appointed Rosh Yeshiva, and he should have received the respect due him at the Tisch, but when you announced his name, you said, 'Leizer Moishe' [name has been changed], as if he were just anyone! True, that's the custom among Chasidim, but he might think I don't want to acknowledge the fact that he's a Rosh Yeshiva. Don't we have to be considerate of his feelings?"
The Rebbe then turned to me and said, "Go to his house and tell him that you heard me express my distress to the Gabbai over the fact that he hadn't announced his name with proper respect. Why should a Jew feel resentful?" he asked.
As it was quite late at night, I suggested to the Rebbe that the Rosh Yeshiva might already have gone to bed.
''No," the Rebbe insisted. "He hasn't gone to sleep yet. Go tell him what I told you to say, and report back to me."
I followed the Rebbe's instructions, and indeed the Rosh Yeshiva was still up. When I told him what the Rebbe had said, he seemed enormously pleased. I reported this back to the Rebbe.
The Rebbe glowed. He smiled that special, broad smile of his and said, "Nu was he sleeping already?'' I confirmed that he had still been awake.
''Nu," the Rebbe said with satisfaction, "who has ["holy spirit"] -- you or me? Now he's sleeping well."
Then, after pausing for a moment, he added, "It is forbidden to hurt people's feelings.''
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Source: As translated and posted by Yitz for heichalhanegina.blogspot.com from "Shalheves Beis Yisrael," as told by R. Yehoshua Kleinlehrer.
Connection: Seasonal - 34th yahrzeit
Biographical note:
Rabbi Yisrael Alter of Ger (1894 - 2 Adar 1977), known as the Bais Yisroel, was the fourth Rebbe in the Gur dynasty. Following the death of his father in 1948, Ger grew under his leadership to be the largest Chasidic group in Israel. He lost his wife, children and grandchildren in the Holocaust, and although he married a second time, had no further children. He was succeeded by his brother, Rabbi Simcha-Bunim Alter, and then his youngest brother, Rabbi Pinchas-Menachem Alter.
Know your enemy: This week I was at a business conference prior to the announcement that Israel’s GNP grew 7.8% in ’10 which is in part one of the reasons why the Shekel is gaining in value recently against the Dollar and the Euro. Arab Affairs Correspondent for Arutz 10, Zvi Yeshezkeli spoke and stated that the real conflict in the middle-east is between the two Arab factions. The Sunni Muslims are more against Iran than Yisrael for they are Shiite.
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam,[1][2] and Sunni Muslims are referred to as Ahlus Sunnah wa Al-Jamā‘ah (Arabic: أهل السنة والجماعة "people of the tradition [of Muhammad] and the community") or Ahlus Sunnah (Arabic: أهل السنة) for short.
Sunni Islam is referred to as the orthodox version of the religion.[3] The word "Sunni" comes from the term Sunnah (Arabic: سنة), which refers to the sayings and actions of Muhammad that are recorded in hadiths (collections of narrations regarding Muhammad).[4] Followers of Sunni Islam consider Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim to be the authentic hadiths.
The Sunni branch of Islam has four legal schools of thought or madh'hab, which are all accepted among one another. Sunni Muslims accept the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad and accept hadiths narrated by Muhammad's companions.[5]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni
Shia Islam (Arabic: شيعة, Shīʻah), is the second largest denomination of Islam, after Sunni Islam. The followers of Shia Islam are called Shi'ites or Shias. "Shia" is the short form of the historic phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī (شيعة علي), meaning "followers of Ali", "faction of Ali", or "party of Ali"[1][2]
Similar to other schools of thought in Islam, Shia Islam is based on the teachings of the Islamic holy book, the Qurʻān and the message of the final prophet of Islam,[3] Muhammad.[4] In contrast to other schools of thought, Shia Islam holds that Muhammad's family, the Ahl al-Bayt ("the People of the House"), and certain individuals among his descendants, who are known as Imams, have special spiritual and political authority over the community.[3][5] Shia Muslims further believe that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the first of these Imams and was the rightful successor to Muhammad[6] and thus reject the legitimacy of the first three caliphs.[6][7]
Shias regard Ali as the second most important figure after Prophet Muhammad. According to them, Muhammad suggested on various occasions during his lifetime that Ali should be the leader of Muslims after his demise. According to this view, Ali as the successor of Muhammad not only ruled over the community in justice, but also interpreted the Sharia Law and its esoteric meaning. Hence he was regarded as being free from error and sin (infallible), and appointed by God by divine decree (Nass) to be the first Imam.[8] Ali is known as "perfect man" (al-insan al-kamil) similar to Muhammad according to Shia viewpoint.[9] As a result, Shias use Hadiths attributed to Muhammad and Imāms, and credited to the Prophet's family and close associates, in contrast to the Sunni traditions where the sunnah is largely narrated by companions.[10][11] Subsequently, the hadith contrasts between the Shias and Sunnis are one of the main reasons for friction between them, as Sunnis do not accept Shia hadith and vice versa.[12]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi%27a
Last week after arresting a Rabbi for giving out his Psak Halacha which went against the political correctness of the left, Religions Parties are introducing a bill to exempt Rabbis from being arrested for following the Torah (Eretz Yisrael of all places!) http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4029863,00.html
From Marty about Israel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8MSe9Ov5g8&feature=player_embedded#at=75
News Story from the extreme left to the Torah: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4027833,00.html
A G-D told Avraham to listen to Sarah, Yitzchak was comforted for his mother with Rivka and Yacov consulted with Leah and Rachel before leaving Lavan. The place of a woman in the house as equal or better at times from her husband was indicated in the Abba Hilkiaya story form Tanis 23. So the following survey of average Jews conducted by a local newspaper came of no surprise to me: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4028148,00.html
From Rachel L. : When Paul Newman died, they said how great he was but they failed to mention he considered himself Jewish (born half-Jewish).
When the woman (Helen Suzman) who helped Nelson Mandela died recently, they said how great she was, but they failed to mention she was Jewish.
On the other side of the equation, when Ivan Boesky or Andrew Fastow or Bernie Madoff committed fraud, almost every article mentioned they were Jewish..
However, when Ken Lay, Jeff Skilling, Martha Stewart, Randy Cunningham, Gov. Edwards, Conrad Black, Senator Keating, Gov. Ryan, and Gov. Blagojevich messed up; no
one reported what religion or denomination they were, because they were not Jewish.
This is a reminder of a famous Einstein quote: In 1921, Albert Einstein presented a paper on his then-infant Theory of Relativity at the Sorbonne, the prestigious French university.
"If I am proved correct," he said, "the Germans will call me a German, the Swiss will call me a Swiss citizen, and the French will call me a great scientist.
"If relativity is proved wrong, the French will call me a Swiss, the Swiss will call me a German, And the Germans will call me a Jew".
And Finally News from the 10 lost tribes: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/142383
Inyanay Diyoma
Obama and Hillary are they friends of the Jews or just take Jewish Money in the Campaign?
It is all about Sunni and Shia and who controls the Islamic World: http://www.debka.com/article/20677/
Egypt has become a Sphinx: http://www.debka.com/article/20660/ http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4027448,00.html
Thanks to Barbara - Islam is a growing threat more and more people are realizing that a religious and demographic war is on the way especially in Europe: http://www.macleans.ca/culture/books/article.jsp?content=20061023_134898_134898
From Shona just in case Egyptian Democracy allows the Muslim Brotherhood to take over: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGdNtU9VHw
The State of California is bankrupt morally and physically: http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=262485
From Ari: How is it possible that Al Gore is wrong? http://dailycaller.com/2011/02/11/is-al-gore-wrong-on-the-environment-global-warming-is-not-to-blame-for-snow/
Should another general enter politics? http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=208146
From Edwin – using Reagan to present a Liberal Progressive idea: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/02/02/reagans_true_legacy_108736.html
Is he really the richest man in the world? http://www.debka.com/article/20666/
The war on pain killers that become addictive: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/fl-pill-mill-forum-20110207,0,6475533.story
Something rotten behind the Muslim Brotherhood as viewed from Canada: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/33205
Iran has recovered: http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=208440
A thirty years ago my Paramedic Army Buddy told me about his service as a Paramedic in an Arab Prisoner Camp. At first a bunch of Arabs complained of dry lips and the next week a Proctologic Surgeon had to be called in to sew up the weaker and younger prisoners. A co-worker who heard the story told me about a UN human rights female who demanded from the young soldiers on the base that according to the Geneva Conversion that she see the Arab prisoners without Israeli guards and an officer for intimidation of prisoners present. The soldiers let her in with the prisoners violating the Israeli Standard Order. Within seconds her clothing had be ripped off of her. Fights were breaking out whose turn it was. After about 15 minutes and numerous tear gas canisters and rubber bullets she was rescued and hospitalized. What Happened in Egypt is just the tip of the iceberg of the animalistic behavior among themselves and towards westerners – 200 men in a public square in Cairo in my opinion this is a repeat of Sodom and Amorah: http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-generic-blog/lara-logan-raped-in-egypt/20110216-1avm3.html
Nancy G.R. Libyan leader Moammar Kaddafi said Thursday that he and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan have agreed to work together to influence U.S. elections and foreign policy. Kaddafi’s remarks were quoted by the official Libyan news agency, Jana... after a meeting Tuesday in Libya between Kaddafi and Farrakhan. Kaddafi also called for creation of a separate black state in the United States with its own army comprising black soldiers from the U.S. armed forces, Jana said.
The following came from retired Major General Paul E. Vallely: Chessboard Series V
Leadership in the White House, State Department and National Director of Intelligence and CIA is an Embarrassment to this Great Nation
By Paul E. Vallely
The national leadership in Washington, D C continues down the path of destroying American credibility and respect around the globe. President Obama, VP Biden, Secretary Hilary Clinton, James Clapper and Leon Panetta, your inept staffs and advisors must resign to save this country. They must be replaced by competent leaders who can lead America. Our new leaders chosen by the people must abide by the Constitution, honor their pledge and put America back on the track of security and strength. The chaotic events now occurring in the Middle East may be apocalyptic. The rapidly changing Chessboard is affecting America’s future role on the international scene in this regard. Political upheaval in the Middle East will have a striking effect globally, and if America treads down the wrong road, our way of life will decline even more rapidly. What is striking about the current Chessboard movements and the current crisis in Egypt is the rapidly changing scene and evolution of other events and uprisings. Mubarak protesters are joyful in the streets as President Hosni Mubarak steps down and the military hierarchy has stepped in to fill the political vacuum.
The Chess Masters in Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) are still playing out their moves very judiciously and both fully understand the domino effect of radical Islam, the caliphate, and Jihad spearheads by the MB and their network of mullahs and imams. The key is Egypt but it is not the only chess match in play. There is talk of a split between the old and new guard in the military over how to manage the transition, particularly about who will lead the post-Mubarak regime. How are these tensions contributing to confusion in talks and negotiations with the United States and Israel? Obama is still clueless as a leader in foreign and domestic affairs. He continues to read well from his teleprompter and what he is fed from his incompetent speechwriters and advisors.
The National Call to Action of the people begins now and we call to action all branches of government to do your constitutional duties. Senators, Congressmen, business leaders, Generals and Admirals…….Stand tall for America now and do your job to restore us now before we fall too far over the cliff! We need a serious Call to Action within Congress to make swift moves for a new government before it is too late. Business as usual will be national suicide.
Implement now an effective national security policy to defend America's interests against the threat of spreading Shariah (Islamic law), a nuclear Iran, and Islamic terror. Defend our borders and take on the onslaught of the drug cartels, illegal immigrants, and terrorists now pouring into our country. Ensure we fight to win the battles we must and win. We must get country back on track. The leaders must represent us, the People, and abide by and protect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence states: “To secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.
"I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul." From the Poem Invictus by English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) that was penned in 1875. Yes, America, WE are the Masters of our Fate and the Captains of our Soul.” on burns and self-destructs before our very eyes but now you are starting to awaken. The majority of the country and its citizens have experienced and seen our inept and incompetent leadership In Washington! The battle is on and we shall not retreat.
We will not permit the leaders in the White House and Halls of Congress to lead us down a road of Progressive Socialism and destruction of the Republic. The Patriotic Revolution that I forecasted well over a year ago is happening now. We Constitutionalists face a battle that is unknown to our generations so we must be aggressive in our collective efforts to continue to turn back the tide.
Lincoln issued this warning in his inaugural address, “Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power, have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government and form a new one. This is a most valuable and sacred right – a right which we hope and believe is to liberate the world.” Being a representative republic, not a democracy, and “rising up” means other than revolution by use of arms. The people must “rise up” (Stand Up) from the grass roots across this great country as we think of the greater good of this and future generations. We are limited in the peaceful transfer of power…resignation, elections, and impeachment. That is why the Patriotic Revolution must take place to ensure survival of the Union.
The oath is simple and reads: “I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” Sadly, we have seen them violate their oath. Fraud, lying, and corruption are rampant and some have engaged in treasonous activities, and they effectively thumb their noses at us and have sold you to the highest bidder.
The Articles of Confederation were replaced with the Constitution, which granted the federal government enough authority to cultivate, promote and secure the Blessings of Liberty. The balance of authority and individual liberty was understood. Power was confined to that which was enumerated in the Constitution with a certain and meaningful intent for check and balances. We must make it a local imperative and movement….of the People…by the People… and For the People.
“We, the People” have had enough. Enough is Enough. The Obama White House and identifiable Members of Congress must now depart from a progressive socialist and treasonous death march and bankrupting the country beyond expectations and resign. We have watched them violate their sacred oath of office. “We, the People” cannot solely depend on the results of the elections. It is now that many of these public servants (and you know who they are) must put the people and country interests above self-interest by resigning and stepping down immediately. Hopefully, our future will reflect the citizens changed the tide in a peaceful way. This means raising your voice now to your neighbors, family, co-workers, and friends. Be the Captains of your Souls. I pray for another George Washington to appear within the year and lead us. This is a National Call to Action.
Paul Vallely is Chairman of Stand Up America. Also more information regarding Hezballah etc. on: http://standupamericaus.com/
THE POISONED NECKLACE
Social Network Users Call for Days of Rage in Yemen, Bahrain, Libya and Algeria
Forwarded with major commentary by Emanuel A. Winston, Mid East Analyst & Commentator
The uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt have not been spontaneous but, were planned, funded, organized and armed by the Muslim Brotherhood – probably in sync with a nuclear Iran.
The “Social Networks” have done too good a job. They intend to reach their declared goal of a Global Caliphate for Islam by implementing their own form of “Shock-and-Awe” – a forced project by consecutive and sequential “Days of Rage” in every Muslim country in the encircling ring around the Middle East and North Africa.
They have laid out their plans precisely in “Facebook” with ‘pretty pictures’: DAYS OF RAGE to be held in YEMEN, February 3 and 11; BAHRAIN: February 14; LIBYA: February 17; ALGERIA: February 4,11,17 and 25.
We have previously written about these Muslim countries labeling them: “THE POISONED NECKLACE”. Count them left-to-right: Morocco (maybe), for sure: “Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. That numbers 15 or 16 Muslim countries in a row, ready to rumble for a Global Islamic Caliphate.
A total of 57 Muslim countries in the world are likely to join if any or all of these countries are successful in initiating a successful world uprising. Provoking an uprising against their own Arab/Muslim dictators is not that difficult, given their brutal treatment of their own people. The trick is to follow-up a popular uprising by riding in on the back of those rioting in the street, thinking they are going to get freedom, only to find that they have fallen into the hands of predatory Islamist/Jihadists who will rule them with even greater brutality in the name of Allah. The pattern was set by Iran and, so far it’s being repeated perfectly.
When the history of this colossal blunder is written, it will be laid correctly at the feet of an inexperienced man-child president, a pro-Arab State Department and America’s vaunted 16 Intelligence Agencies who either failed to detect the Islamic build-up or were ignored if they tried to alert a president who is appeasing Islam.
What do the countries of the Free West have ready to stop the imminent threat of Islamic Shari’a Law to the democratic, freedom of speech, religion, assembly, press and pursuit of happiness?
First, they need to understand what they’re up against. That means that they must commence an urgent, in-depth study of Islam and its well-known M.O. (Modus Operandi).
Second, they must unite in common purpose to defend our way of life and liberty.
Third, they must thoroughly internalize that this is a religious war.
Fourth, they must know that this is literally a fight for life or death.
Given recent changes in the Middle East, Israel must prepare for a battle in several theaters, outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi informed us this past Monday at the Herzliya Conference.
"The connection between the different players supported by the Obama regime requires us to contend with more than one theater of battle operations," he said. With the support of the Obama regime and the myriad of leftist organizations we know that are marching lock step with him are planning a regional Jihadist war against the State of Israel. Hosni Mubarak and his Intelligence Chief know this as well. Under the banner of "Democratic Reform" Obama has organized a Chicago style machine in the Middle East that is being funded by US Tax dollars and private donations which are now collectively running into the billions of dollars. Left wing and Islamic charities are matching more than dollar for dollar to promote this political machine.
Mubarak and other world leaders including Cameron of the UK, King Abdullah of Jordan, and the Saudi's see this as a direct threat to not only world peace but the National Security of the United States. The left in the US has for decades prevented drilling for oil or the building of processing plants in order to insure when the dominoes fall, the US will have little to no fuel to combat internal riots, ship food and operate industry and civilian emergency services.
The Obama regime has also made an "open door" policy when it comes to immigration from Islamic states while blocking the immigration of others. He has built up an army of insurgents in so doing.
The plan is well conceived and a secondary contingency has been brought into play. Obama is appearing to lean to the center in order to try and salvage his regime. This is orchestrated from Chicago as meeting between Unions, Leftist Non-Profits and Left Wing new manipulation masters have agreed to hold down the rhetoric so the American public will calm down and accept Obama's policies. It is our hope that the American people will see the direct similarities between the way the Democratic party "shoved" legislation down the peoples throats while calling it " the will of the people" and the way he is shoving "change" down the throats of the Middle East.
Mr. Obama is extremely mistaken in thinking that Israel will not resort to nuclear strikes. In the even that our borders would be over run a nuclear strike against the invading armed forces is a guarantee. We will not be subjected to another holocaust and this is our final word on the subject. "Never Again" is not a cute slogan, it is an oath before G-d.
Obama constantly speaks of "freedom" for people who are the singular biggest enemies of freedom, the Leftist and Islamics. Capitalism is NOT dead, it's only anemic from the parasitical attack from the Left. No Nation can ever continually feed the life sucking parasites known as the left. Islam cannot exist in a free society. Islam means submission and their favorite saying in the Middle East and other Islamic enclaves is; "Freedom Go To Hell".
Barak Hussein Obama has now far surpassed the idiocy of Jimmy Carter and has brought the world to the brink of a regional blood bath that will in fact result in World War III. There is no avoiding it as long as Obama and Biden are in power. Removing Obama will not stop the train that has left the station. Biden will merely pick up where Obama left of, that is the reason Biden was chosen over Hillary Clinton.
Currently Obama has the new Congress bogged down with the EPA and other irritations and he knows this takes up valuable time as he knows how to "run down the clock". I have said before and I will say again; "It will not turn out the way Obama thinks it will nor will it turn out the way he wants it to."
The Muslim Brotherhood has already begun it's "Cleansing" of Egypt by murdering Christians. It won't end now. US citizens have fled Egypt to Israel for safety, and Christians from Egypt are fleeing to Israel as well for safety. We know that the MB will come after them eventually but we will not give them up to a slaughter, we will fight and we will win. The MB is also planning massive attacks within the United States. Napolitano can no longer liberalize it and deny it. She is begging for help to deal with it and yet, she claims to be an expert. It matters not how much advise we give her, she will not listen because it's not accompanied by a back up chorus singing "Cum Ba Ya". G-d bless and G-d help America, they have disarmed you all and opened the doors.
The UK and Europe are both horrified, watch them closely and pay close attention to their actions. They too are arming themselves. They know what's coming.
Thomas Friedman, Court Jew by MK Yaakov Katz, (Ketzeleh) National Union
Forwarded with commentary by Emanuel A. Winston, Mid East Analyst & Commentator
We Jews still have among us many of the same unwilling Jews being led out of slavery by Moses who, being pursued by Pharaohs army, demand to return to slavery in the fleshpots of Egypt. They were called the “Erev Rav” (the mixed multitude).
Unaccustomed to freedom, they tried to adopt the pagan ways of Egypt and they built a golden calf idol to dance around and worship. Moses returned down from Mt. Sinai with the Holy Tablets engraved with the Ten Commandments. When he saw the pagan ritual around the golden calf, Moses ordered the miscreants killed; however, some escaped and blended in as “worthy” Israelites.
These creatures are still with us today, calling themselves “Leftists”. They still dance around today’s idols, determined to weaken and, thereby, destroy the Jewish people, returning to the slavery they once felt so comfortable within.
COMMENTARY BY EMANUEL A. WINSTON
###
Op-ed: Thomas Friedman, Court Jew by MK Yaakov Katz, (Ketzeleh) National Union
In his New York Times columns, Thomas Friedman the Jewish columnist, carries on an ongoing feud with the Jewish state. His articles on the current Egyptian crisis are no exception.
It doesn’t take much intellectual prowess or professional psychological training to realize that Mr. Friedman is actually attacking and denying his very own Judaism. Playing the role of the negative exemplars of the stereotypical Diaspora court Jew, he is filled with self-loathing, ashamed of his origins - and aims to ensure that this is common knowledge.
From his position, this is understandable. The steady Jewish population growth of 6% in eastern Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, presently nearing 650,000, actively threatens his hopes to shrink the Jewish state to narrow ghetto proportions. Those borders were aptly described by Israel’s eloquent foreign minister and UN ambassador, the late Abba Eban, who said that the pre-1967 state in its narrow borders “has for us something of a memory of Auschwitz."
Facts, such as the recent political developments in the Middle East, including the overthrow of regimes and the obvious fragility of Arab leaders, do not confuse Thomas Friedman. Had we hearkened to this prophet’s exhortations over the years, we would have put our futures in the hands of these same Arab rulers. That may be what Mr. Friedman is hoping for, a continuation of the Diaspora life led by our forebears for thousands of years.
Friedman attempts to call on the world to force the Jewish people and its state to return to the atmosphere of the days of submission and oppression in the ghetto. After all, he makes his home in the ghetto of a foreign land, lives as a Diaspora Jew, and perhaps would like to get us to join him.
The Jewish people, however, have healthy instincts, an inherited survival wish. A people who knew how to go from the valley of the shadow of death into light, from exile to redemption, and succeeded in building an independent, democratic state after 2,000 years of Gentile persecution, is wise enough to ignore the deleterious advice of Thomas Friedman, court Jew.
However, when the day comes that Mr. Friedman joins us in our mutual homeland—and if he doesn’t, perhaps his children will—I promise to welcome him with open arms, and to help him make his home in our ancestral land, near Hevron, Shechem, or Ramallah.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/12/world/middleeast/12israel.html?_r=1&hp
and what is next in Egypt???>....
The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintained the same studied silence it has sustained for more than two weeks on the assumption that nothing it said could serve its interests: if it praised the pro-democracy movement, it would be seen as disloyal to its ally, Mr. Mubarak. If it favored Mr. Mubarak, it would be dismissed as a supporter of dictatorships.
But behind the scenes, officials willing to share their thoughts anonymously expressed worry because they believed that whoever followed Mr. Mubarak would be less friendly to Israel.
“We don’t know who will be running things in the coming months in Egypt, but we have to keep two things in mind,” one top official said. “The first is that the only example we have of this kind of thing in the region is Iran in 1979. You can’t take that out of your mind. The second is that if Egypt pulls back in any way from its peace with Israel, it will discourage anyone else in the region, including the Palestinians, from stepping forward. So the regional implications for us are significant.”
The official said it was more likely than not that Egypt would maintain its peace treaty with Israel and added that, in any case, relations with Israel would probably not be among the first concerns of incoming Egyptian authorities.
Omar Suleiman, the former head of Egyptian intelligence who was recently named vice president by Mr. Mubarak, has longstanding relations with Israel and is respected here. But his role seems subordinate, at best, to the military council that appears to be running Egypt. Still, relations between the Israeli and Egyptian defense establishments have long been cordial. But officials worry that cooperative efforts could slow or halt.
Earlier this week, Mr. Netanyahu did speak publicly in Jerusalem about Egypt before the European Friends of Israel. He laid out three possible situations if Mr. Mubarak quit. “There are many possible outcomes beyond the liberal, democratic models that we take for granted in our own countries,” he said.
“First, Egyptians may choose to embrace the model of a secular reformist state with a prominent role for the military. There is a second possibility that the Islamists exploit the influence to gradually take the country into a reverse direction — not towards modernity and reform but backward.
“And there’s still a third possibility — that Egypt would go the way of Iran, where calls for progress would be silenced by a dark and violent despotism that subjugates its own people and threatens everyone else.”
Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, a former defense minister who is a longtime friend of Mr. Mubarak, said by telephone — and on Israeli television — that he had spoken with Mr. Mubarak hours before his Thursday night speech to the nation. Mr. Mubarak, he said, seemed to know he had no choice but to leave — and Mr. Ben-Eliezer agreed. But Mr. Mubarak saw great peril ahead.
“He spoke about a snowball that was starting to roll, which would not leave a single Arab state untouched in either the Middle East or North Africa,” Mr. Ben-Eliezer said. “He spoke of his disappointment with the Americans. He said, ‘You will have to grow accustomed to one fact — that you’re going to live in a radical Islamic world, and no one can promise what will happen tomorrow.’ For me, he was one of the pillars of the peace process.”
Israel’s entire strategic outlook relies in some fashion on its three-decade peace with Egypt. Thanks to the treaty, its military has minimal presence on its southern border, freeing it up for actions to the east and north; about 40 percent of Israel’s natural gas is imported from Egypt; Egypt has been supportive and helpful in negotiating with the Palestinians; and Egypt has played a big role in stopping the smuggling of weapons and militants into Gaza, and in helping Israel in its blockade policy aimed at squeezing Hamas.
The other regional countries that have diplomatic relations with Israel — Jordan and Turkey — have cooled significantly in recent years, especially after Israel’s 2006 war in Lebanon and its 2008-9 war in Gaza. …
Thanks to David H. B
Now for Matis Wolfberg’s Good Shabbos Story “Head Covering”
Good Shabbos Everyone. The Torah tells us this week how Hashem commands the Bnai Yisroel regarding making the holy clothing of the Kohanim. The commentator Rashi explains that the Kohen becomes holy through wearing the special clothes. We see from here the power of clothing to influence the spirituality of a Jew.
Everyone should be able to recognize a Jew from the way he dresses. A Jew who dresses differently will have a sense of pride of being Jewish. Just as a soldier is proud to wear his uniform, so too is every Jew a soldier in the army of Hashem, a soldier who is proud to sport the look of his ancestors.
How should a Jew dress differently? One way is that Jewish men should cover their heads by wearing a yarmulke or similar type of head covering. In general, a Jew must cover his head at all times.
Admittedly, in the Talmudic era, the wearing of a head covering was optional and fell within the category of midas hachasiddus - acting beyond the letter of the law. The deciders of Jewish Law have concluded, however, that today the wearing of a head covering is obligatory and not a matter of choice. (Yechave Da'as 4:1, see also Taz 8:3, Igros Moshe Orach Chayim 1:1) The widespread acceptance over many centuries of the custom of wearing a head covering, has imbued the custom with the significance of a halachic - legal requirement. Indeed, covering the head has assumed the status of symbolically demonstrating the adherence to mitzvos.
Most agree that it is forbidden to recite words of Torah or blessings without a head covering. Also, one must avoid walking four amos (approx. seven feet) without a head covering (P'ri Migadim 2:6, Mishna Berurah 2:11, etc.) Ideally however, one should not walk even less than four amos (cubits) or even sit in a house without covering one's head.(Mishna Berurah 2:11)
It is also interesting to note that it is necessary that the head covering be large enough to be seen from all vantage points. Tiny yarmulkes that are difficult to discern on the head are not adequate. (Yechave Da'as 4:1)
Although not required according to halacha - Jewish Law, one should also sleep with a head covering (Mishna Berurah 2:11, although one need not worry if it falls off during sleep--R'Shlomo Z. Auerbach) (All of the above is from The Laws of B'rachos Rabbi Binyomin Frost, with Rabbi Aaron D. Twerski, Artscroll publications Chapter 1, p.73)
One of the main reasons for a head covering is to remind a Jew that Hashem is above him at all times. A Jew who is meticulous in covering his head at all times shows everyone that he is proud to be in the Army of Hashem. Being a soldier in the Army of Hashem has its many privileges. The following amazing true story illustrates the amazing power a Jew has when he covers his head.
Isaac Schwartz is a plumbing-fitting salesman who often travels around the United States. As part of his business, Isaac is involved in bidding on large contracts to supply giant corporations. Isaac is a religious Jew, however, during his business trips he removes his yarmulke, so people have no idea that he is a religious Jew.
Several years ago, Isaac traveled to Chicago to take part in a bid for a large mid-west conglomerate. Isaac packed his samples and his brochures as he had done hundreds of times before. He felt like he was forgetting something as he left the house. Nevertheless, he was in a rush and so there was little time to think about what he had forgotten. As he boarded the early morning flight, he sent up a prayer that his trip would be successful and that he would arrive and return safely.
Once in Chicago, Isaac rushed to catch a cab to the corporate offices. The bidding was grueling and it lasted throughout the day. Finally, as the day grew long and the sunset approached, Isaac headed back to his hotel room. Exhausted from the traveling and the negotiations, Isaac settled into his comfortable hotel room. Suddenly, he realized that he had not yet davened (prayed) mincha (the afternoon prayers). He reached into his coat pocket for his yarmulke… it was not there. He reached into his pants pockets and then his jacket pockets once again… it was nowhere to be found. He searched his bags, but he simply could not find his yarmulke. He paced the hotel room right and left wondering what to do. As he passed by the large mirror in his hotel room, he noticed something on his head. He stopped in his tracks… He looked again and he felt his face turning red. He reached his hand on top of his head and felt the small piece of cloth; he had found his yarmulke.
He now knew what he had forgotten to do when he left his house. He had forgotten to take off his yarmulke! He had gone the whole day spending hours in negotiations wearing his yarmulke. His face burned with embarrassment. The next day, he received a phone call with some great news. The corporation had accepted his bid and they wanted him to sign a very lucrative supply contract. The president of the company told Isaac that they saw that he was a religious Jew and therefore they felt they could trust him. (Told by M. Zuckerbraun who heard it from R.B.Y.Grayden-some names and details have been changed)
Isaac was able to perform a tremendous act of Kiddush Hashem - making Hashem look good among the nations. Isaac distinguished himself among the nations and he was immediately rewarded. Let us learn from the example of Isaac. Let us be meticulous in covering our heads. And let us recognize the power of dressing Jewish. Good Shabbos Everyone.
M. Wolfberg’s stories are sponsored by: Refuah Shleima to Mordechai Menachem Mendel ben Tziporah Yitta Refuah Shleima to Tsviah bas Bracha Leah Refuah Shleimah to Chana Ashayra bas Dodi.
Have a wonderful Shabbos and pray hard for rain in Israel,
Rachamim Pauli
