Special Bolshevik and Holocaust Edition

This week, as I promised last week, I start a series of stories. Parshiyos Tzav and Shemini will appear next week. I just wanted to write something that I left out of last week’s Parsha. It says “Adam” who makes a mistake and sins shall offer up a Korban. Just as Adam, the first man, sinned out of innocence and a mistake of disobedience so too a person who qualifies for a Korban must be an accidental sinner like Adam (Shogeg in Hebrew). A person who willfully sins (Mayzid) cannot atone with a Korban but only Teshuva and perhaps Yom HaKippurim. Adam after the first few chapters is not found elsewhere in Chumash. We find though that Yechezkel is Ben Adam (son of Adam).

Last week I promised stories that I heard. Each one an individual tale of noteworthiness. I can’t question HASHEM on what happens. Everything that HASHEM does even when it appears bad to me is for the good. Remember a soul is put in this world for a reason and transferred to the next. The body may die but the soul does not. It is a hard concept for many in a physical world. Why did most of European Jewry perish or was destroyed in spirit I do not know. The Sephardim I believe survived because they were united and honored each other so that when the Nazis occupied their lands, they were spared. What saved American Jewry when Roosevelt offered to deliver to the Arabs the 6,000,000 US Jews at Yalta is perhaps his death caused by the burnt offerings of Europe and the trampling of the Russian Jews by the Soviets. Perhaps some of the heroism in these stories and even a few miracles that saved Ivan was what was needed to spare US Jewry.

I have one Bolshevik Story as told by Rabbi Solomon to his niece, his brother’s daughter. He told about her mother’s side. I believe that I wrote about my former boss, Chaim Feldhahn who suffered in Siberia under Stalin and lost a leg. Then thanks to my FL neighbors and former Holocaust Memorial of Miami Director Avi Weiss, three neighbors spoke: Julia Janek, Ivan Gluck and Aryeh Lyster with a brief mention of my former boss Zvi Shalit who was a toddler. Each story of survival more interesting than the next. For over an hour the Minyan was glued to their seats.

Rabbi Solomon Shlita heard it from the girl’s maternal great-grandmother. Her father was a Mohel among other things. He was called to perform a Bris. The mother of this woman pleaded with her husband not to perform the Bris for the penalty under the Bolsheviks most likely was death. He told his wife that he had to go to do this holy Mitzvah. He went and performed the Bris. On his way home, he was arrested and for 8 days of torture his wife was an Aguna (woman who cannot marry because her husband has disappeared and may be alive). On the eight day she was informed that she was a widow thanks to the Bolsheviks.

Chaim Feldhahn was a teenager and member of the youth group Betar along with Moshe Ahrens. He was in the free Baltic State of Lithuania. He was from a German Jewish Family in Vilna. They were not religious but Zionistic and everybody knew Hebrew and wanted to move to Tzion. He plotted with a few other Jews to resist the Soviet invasion. Somebody got wind of it. Worse fates awaited some of the plotters especially the leaders but he was sent to a labor camp in the Gulag of Siberia. There from either a wound or frost bite he lost one leg. In the came the food was measly and to survive a rat or cat was meat and they would entice cats with bread to come near them and the cats were grabbed. He survived and after the war Molotov freed the political prisoners. Chaim got his masters in electrical engineering. (Contrary to some ‘degrees’ from Russia of people whom I met, he actually knew his engineering quite well.) Eventually he worked his way up to the head of engineering or higher up in the TV manufacturing plant. They had a quota to fill of 17,000 TV’s a month which they met. Most did not work and needed a warranty repair but the quota was met. Soviet Officials came to inspect and from the petty cash a nice tidy sum was placed in Chaim’s suit jacket in an envelope. Somehow, during the time that Chaim left the room for a minute the sum disappeared and the inspection turned out glowing.

Julia was sixteen and a half when the Nazis marched in. Julia said 1943 but the Wikipedia wrote: By 1938, Hungarian politics and foreign policy had become more stridently nationalistic. Hungary benefited territorially from its relationship with the Axis. Settlements were negotiated regarding territorial disputes with the Czechoslovak Republic, the Slovak Republic, and the Kingdom of Romania. In 1940, under pressure from Germany, Hungary joined the Axis. In 1941, Hungarian forces participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia and the invasion of the Soviet Union.

While waging war against the Soviet Union, Hungary engaged in armistice negotiations with the United States and the United Kingdom. Hitler discovered this betrayal and, in March 1944, German forces occupied Hungary. 

[At work I heard the story of my Director of Logistics, George (Zvi) on how as a child the Nazis put him and his mother on a transport to Auschwitz and the railroad was bombed. He was saved by the fact that they sent the Jews as slave laborers to a factory and there the women could work with their toddlers near them.]

Julia was sent away by her family to a safer area but she wanted to come home for Pessach or Purim despite begging by the family members in that area. She went back and forth a few times but she kept returning until she could no longer leave the area. She was rounded up and deported to Auschwitz with her family. She would never see her parents again. Her sister and brother worked as she did. He sister took sick and went to Dr. Mengele’s Hospital and returned to work again! They were sent to a labor came as able-bodied men were drafted as cannon fodder to stall the Russian invasion of Germany and they needed Jews to replace them in the factories. Somehow the three survived the war in the meager came rations which were better than Auschwitz as they had to be strong to work. All three are B”H alive today.

Ivan Gluck was lucky to be in the safe zone of Raoul Wallenberg but it was no picnic and Aryeh Lyster was in Poland fleeing the Nazis towards Russia in 1939.

I will have to continue these stories in the week(s) that come.    

New course explains the Seder of Pessach for beginners (maybe more?) it is good for Baalei Teshuva and Gerim. http://www.chabad.org/tools/feedback_cdo/aid/3266916/jewish/The-Seder-Explained.htm

Inyanay Diyoma

Dr. Martin Sherman's Ed -Op http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Into-the-Fray-Two-states-dogma-The-inanity-and-the-insanity-448354

Finally a chance for the right to appoint judges in Israel: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4780135,00.html

Two captured and one Shachid on Friday: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209589#.VuwfZ_l96M8

Leftist “breaking the silence” group working for the enemy not human rights: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209561#.VuwgjPl96M8

Russia withdrawal from Syria the strategy of Putin: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/18569#.VuwnP_l96M8

Paris Terrorist Mastermind caught! http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/03/18/fugitive-paris-attackers-prints-found-in-raided-belgium-apartment.html?intcmp=hpbt1http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/03/18/fugitive-paris-attackers-prints-found-in-raided-belgium-apartment.html?intcmp=hpbt1

Russia gives the Kurdish enclave backing something with Obama lacked: http://debka.com/article/25306/Russia-backs-self-ruling-Kurdish-buffer-state-at-Turkey%E2%80%99s-back-door

Turkey – A homicide bomber kills 3 Israelis at least and wounds 11. Among the dead two Americans so it could be one with dual citizenship. http://debka.com/article/25308/Three-Israelis-killed-in-Istanbul-suicide-attack-Six-missing-

Nasrallah makes a new threat: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4781428,00.html

Turkey got itself into terror: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4780792,00.html

Terrorist was not murdered in the end: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209685#.VvBzzPl96M-

Turkey’s false claim: http://debka.com/article/25312/Claims-that-Istanbul-bomber-targeted-Israelis---Turkish-disinformation-

AIPAC Convention Republicans Vow support. Hillary will not move the Embassy as Bill did not. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4781598,00.html

  

Brussels 34 dead 200 plus wounded and it is no wonder why I have been calling the area Belgistan for years: http://debka.com/article/25316/Abdelsalem-capture-laid-red-herring-for-double-terror-attack-in-Brussels

Wednesday search for bomb maker and third terrorist continues as taxi driver tips off Police. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/03/23/manhunt-on-for-belgian-bomb-maker-terrorists-idd-1-arrested-in-overnight-raids.html?intcmp=hpbt1

From Shona the source: Israel is the little Satan but the USA the big one. http://www.truthandaction.org/4-star-admiral-iran-prepping-emp-attack-america-obama-kerry-handing-weapon/

Soon every I-phone can be cracked thanks to Israelis. Idiotic Apple they forgot who invented the Wi-Fi and most chips if not all! http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4782246,00.html

Turkey warned Belgistan of the terrorist. Israel warned of the airport attack. And Political Correctness won the day: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209834#.VvN01o9OKM8

Two bomb cases left behind and a jammed gun miraculously lowers the intensity of the attack: http://debka.com/article/25318/The-Brussels-airport-terrorists-were-not-suicide-bombers-A-jammed-gun-averted-a-mega-massacre

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens to potential risks of travel to and throughout Europe following several terrorist attacks, including the March 22 attacks in Brussels claimed by ISIL.  Terrorist groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe, targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants, and transportation.  This Travel Alert expires on June 20, 2016.

U.S. citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation. Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowded places. Exercise particular caution during religious holidays and at large festivals or events.

U.S. citizens should also: 

• Follow the instructions of local authorities, especially in an emergency.
• Monitor media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities.
• Be prepared for additional security screening and unexpected disruptions.
• Stay in touch with your family members and ensure they know how to reach you in the event of an emergency.
• Register in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).                                                  European governments continue to guard against terrorist attacks and conduct raids to disrupt plots. We work closely with our allies and will continue to share information with our European partners that will help identify and counter terrorist threats.

For further information: See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information.

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Hacking into IDF Drones: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4782445,00.html

ISIS planning Nuclear Strike: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209849#.VvPpPY9OKM8

Soldier shoots Arab on ground during a hot day with jacket on after being shot. Soldier claims he was moving and did not know if there was a suicide/homicide vest under the jacket. Left and PM blame soldier. But they were not there: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209866

Thursday – six more arrests in Belgistan: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/six-arrested-in-brussels-after-attacks-prosecutors/ar-BBqTlyg?ocid=spartanntp

Big boys, lobby money and power vs. somebody who cannot be bribed: RIGHT IS LEFT or as Adolf Hilter wrote – Heaven is hell! Dmitry Kiselyov, presenter of Russia's main weekly TV news show "Vesti Nedeli," claimed this month that the Republican party elite had struck a secret deal with the Democrats to derail Trump, in part because of his sympathy for Russia. http://www.jpost.com/US-Elections/From-Russia-with-love-Why-the-Kremlin-backs-Trump-449103

This says it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APsYihdXPRE

Obama gives up on ME Peace. http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Obama-admits-defeat-but-Kerry-says-Mideast-peace-is-still-on-the-agenda-449154

Good Shabbos to all and have a healthy and peaceful one,

Rachamim Pauli

Parsha Vayikra, Remember Amalek, stories

Prayers for­ Men: Eliezer David HaCohain ben Naomi, Avraham HaCohain ben Yocheved, Asher ben Esther Malka, Avraham ben Devorah, Shalom Charles ben Gracia, Yoel ben Esther, Yehonatan ben Malka, Zvi ben Chava, David Zvi ben Sarah Leah, Daniel ben Rivka, Nehemiah Arieh Liab Peretz ben Esther Rachel, Eliyah ben Chana, Reuven David ben Rachel, Shmuel Carmi ben Ita, Aharon Chayim ben Ruchama, Mordechai ben Nina, Menashe Ben Golda,

Women: Karen Neshama bas Esther Ruth, Chaya Melecha Rachel bas Baila Alta, Rachel bas Chana, Hodaya Nirit bas Mazel, Rivka bas Idit, Kayla bas Chana, Tsvia Simcha bas Devorah Yachad, Miriam bas Irene Taita Malka, Kayla bas Chana, Esther Rachel bas Sarah Golde Chaya bas Esther, Lydia bas Elvira, Shulamis bas Etta, Chana Friedel bas Sara, Drorah Rivka bas Chana

The following person is recovering from long term non-threatening injuries and need Psalms. Binum Benyamin Tuvia ben Chana Friedel,

Parsha Vayikra

This week we start a new Sefer but it also called Toras Cohanim for it describes the functions of the Cohain and holiness. This week we have an overview into the Korbanos.

1:1 And the LORD called unto Moses, and spoke unto him out of the tent of meeting, saying: 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When any man of you brings an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd or of the flock.

This excludes other kosher animals that are not usually domesticated like deer, elk, moose, bison and giraffe. 

3 If his offering be a burnt-offering of the herd, he shall offer it a male without blemish; he shall bring it to the door of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD.

We stopped having door of the Ohel Moed when the Temple was built by Shlomo. Since then it is in Yerushalayim in the yard of the Beit HaMikdash.

4 And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt-offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.

The laying of the hands and the saying of “for the sake of the Oleh” [burnt offering].

5 And he shall kill RITUAL SLAUGHTER (with special knife and blessings) the bullock before the LORD; and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall present the blood, and dash the blood round about against the altar that is at the door of the tent of meeting.

The Korban had to be mentioned per name, with the hand on the head, and the blood collected and sprinkled also in the name of the Korban. Thoughts of doing it outside of the Temple or after the time period by the Cohain would make it Pigul which is the special work for invalid for Korbanos and not the regular word Pasul. Like I wrote a deer is Pasul for a Korban.

Furthermore in the middle of the very long Rashi we are taught something else about sprinkling blood: [The kohanim, shall bring] the blood, and dash the blood: Why does Scripture say, “blood, blood” here twice? To include [the cases of blood from a burnt offering,] that was mixed up with the same type [of blood, i.e., the blood of burnt offerings from two different people being mixed up, and [blood from a burnt offering] that was mixed up with a different type [of blood, i.e., from another type of sacrifice]. One might think that this would also include [the case that the blood was mixed up with blood of] an unfit sacrifice, or [blood from] inner sin offerings [the blood of which is to be sprinkled on the inner altar] or [blood from] outer sin offerings [the blood of which is to be sprinkled on the outer altar] even though [the latter, have their blood dashed] above [the chut hasikra , the red line, of the altar], while this [the burnt offering has its blood dashed] below [the chut hasikra of the altar]. Scripture [therefore] states [regarding a burnt offering] in another place: “its blood” (verses 11 and 15). [This expression teaches us that only cases in which the blood of a burnt offering is mixed up with the blood of another sacrifice which is also to be dashed below the chut hasikra on the altar, no problems arise, and these bloods can both be dashed at that level of the altar. This excludes the case of inner sin offerings whose blood is sprinkled inside and outer sin offerings whose blood must be dashed above the chut hasikra]. — [Torath Kohanim 1:39]

6 And he shall flay the burnt-offering, and cut it into its pieces. 7 And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay wood in order upon the fire.

There were Cohanim who were in training or elderly who did not participate in the hands, slaughtering, etc. but they were ritually pure and would fray the animals and cut them up. For if the Cohain had a Moum (blemish) he could not offer up the animal but he could sharpen the knives for slaughter or do work like the fat removal etc.

8 And Aaron's sons, the priests, shall lay the pieces, and the head, and the suet, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar;

In fact the Cohanim who were with a Moum could also gather or supervise the gathering of wood for the Mizbayach or prepare the wood and transport in or out of the storage facilities.

9 but its inwards and its legs shall he wash with water; and the priest shall make the whole smoke on the altar, for a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.

Chabad translates this as pleasing or perhaps pleasant fragrance before the LRD. This is a counter to animal rights groups as if this is the SUPREME BEING who created heaven, earth and placed animals with men on the earth so why protest “slaughter” and these actions. There is a good reason for this.

Pleasing: Heb. נִיחוֹחַ [This word stems from the same root as the expression נַחַת רוּחַ, “contentment.” God says: “This sacrifice] gives Me contentment, for I said [My commandment], and My will was fulfilled!”

10 And if his offering be of the flock, whether of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt-offering, he shall offer it a male without blemish.

All animals for Korbanos had to be without blemishes (Moum).

11 And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD; and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall dash its blood against the altar round about. 12 And he shall cut it into its pieces; and the priest shall lay them, with its head and its suet, in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar. 13 But the inwards and the legs shall he wash with water; and the priest shall offer the whole, and make it smoke upon the altar; it is a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.

Because of the size of the animal, it did not have to chopped up for placement on the Mizbayach.

14 And if his offering to the LORD be a burnt-offering of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtle-doves, or of young pigeons. 15 And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and pinch off its head, and make it smoke on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be drained out on the side of the altar. 16 And he shall take away its crop with the feathers thereof, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, in the place of the ashes. 17 And he shall rend it by the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder; and the priest shall make it smoke upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire; it is a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD

The intent (Kavannah) and timing plus place for all the Korbanos are required. The saying out loud of “For the sake of a Korban …” is required. This continues with all the animal or fowl Korbanos and the meal offerings.

2:1 And when any one brings a meal-offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon. 2 And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests; and he shall take there out his handful of the fine flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, together with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall make the memorial-part thereof smoke upon the altar, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD. 3 But that which is left of the meal-offering shall be Aaron's and his sons'; it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire. 4 And when thou bringest a meal-offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers spread with oil. 5 And if thy offering be a meal-offering baked on a griddle, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil. 6 Thou shalt break it in pieces, and pour oil thereon; it is a meal-offering. …

They shall be Matzos that are without any Chametz. All the requirements shall not be changed and this goes for all the Korbanos mentioned in our Parsha. The only non-Cohain that can work is the Levy who sings the songs or Psalms for the Korbanos.

Ignore the Bolsheviks by Rabbi Yerachmiel Tilles

http://ascentofsafed.com/cgi-bin/ascent.cgi?Name=955-27

The bitter cold chilled the officer's bones and fear made his heart tremble. Ivan was not a coward, but the rumors of the sadistic Bolsheviks who were nearing the city of Rostov frightened him terribly. He paced the streets, waiting anxiously for the light of day. He was oblivious to the two men following at his heels, not making a sound.

Suddenly he felt powerful hands grabbing him. He screamed a loud and bitter scream, but the two held him. In the morning the body of the officer was found with the warning: "Beware! The Bolsheviks are coming!"

The Jews were the most shaken by news of the Bolsheviks' approach, as the study of Torah and observance of its precepts was a serious crime to the Bolsheviks. There was only one part of the city where life went on as usual, where fear of the Bolsheviks was not felt: in the Yeshivacalled Tomchei Temimim.

The yeshiva students continued their studies without disruption. They drew their strength from their Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Dovber of Lubavitch - the fifth Rebbe of the Chabad dynasty. The Rebbe encouraged them to study and pray as usual, and the yeshiva bustled with life.

It was Zundel the Beggar who brought the news: "The Bolsheviks are on their way into the city!" Soon Rostov became a city of flames and the Bolsheviks beat and killed anyone they chanced upon.

Thus passed several weeks. The holiday of Purim was approaching. The Rebbe isolated himself and didn't speak to anyone. The students could not make peace with the Rebbe's isolation. They remembered the great joy of Purim, when Jews celebrate the victory over Haman who tried to "destroy, kill and annihilate."

And then it was Purim. Not a soul smiled. Finally, two yeshiva students who could no longer bear the thought of Purim passing in such a manner, summoned up their courage and entered the Rebbe's room. After a few silent moments they heard the Rebbe's voice: "The Bolsheviks are in the city. I cannot exist together with them. But for the sake of Purim, we'll forget about the situation. Go buy plenty of vodka and let there be light for the Jews!"

The good news spread through the city and the yeshiva students took their places for the Purim gathering. The Rebbe spoke and all listened. When the Rebbe concluded, an older Chasid began singing a soulful Chasidic niggun (melody). Everyone joined in, singing from the depths of their hearts. Suddenly the door burst open. At the entrance stood a Chasid. "The Bolsheviks are coming," the Chasid cried out in fear.

The singing stopped at once; everyone was gripped with terror. The Rebbe, however, disregarded the news, and began softly singing a niggun. The melody touched and calmed the frightened crowd. Having concluded the melody, the Rebbe began saying a Chasidic discourse. The room was silent; the only audible sound was the Rebbe's voice.

Suddenly the silence was broken by loud knocking. The Rebbe continued speaking as though nothing was happening. After a few moments one of the members of the Rebbe's family said: "Rebbe, the Bolsheviks are demanding that we let them in. If they see us gathered here it will be our end...G-d forbid." The Rebbe interrupted the discourse and said, "Open the door for them."

In the doorway stood two tall and fearsome looking Bolsheviks, their eyes darting all about, hungry for prey. "What is this gathering? What is going on?"

Trembling, one of the Chasidim called out, "This is the Rebbe Sholom Dovber of Lubavitch. He is teaching Torah to his Chasidim. The Rebbe is busy with his talk and he cannot be bothered." He could hardly believe the words that came from his mouth. The two soldiers were astounded at the Chasid's nerve, and they turned on their heels and departed.

"An open miracle!" the Chasidim exclaimed to one another. They felt protected and sang with greater fervor. Thus passed two hours. So immersed were they in their joy, that they did not hear the Bolsheviks knocking again... "Rebbe, what shall we do?" several frightened Chasidim cried out.

The Rebbe freed himself from his thoughts and said, "Open for them! I don't fear them." The Chasidim understood that another great miracle was about to occur. The Bolsheviks burst through the door, their weapons in hand. The Rebbe ignored their threatening presence and said, "We will begin saying some words of Torah." The Rebbe raised his voice and began, "Amalek is first among the nations but his end will be destruction" (Num. 23:20).

The Bolsheviks' faces softened. They returned their guns to their holsters, and watched with growing perplexity as the Chasidim listened to the Rebbe. They looked at one another and then, without a word, turned and left.

The Chasidim thanked G-d for miraculously saving them and for giving them their Rebbe in whose presence evil had no power.

Everyone was deeply moved, feeling in their hearts without knowing why that this would be their last gathering with the Rebbe. Painful tears flowed from their eyes, tears of parting.

A week after Purim the Rebbe became very weak, and on the second of Nissan his soul departed in holiness and purity.

---

Source: Supplemented by Yerachmiel Tilles from lchaimweekly.org (#1061), with permission.

Biographical note:
Rabbi Sholom-Dovber Schneersohn [of blessed memory: 20 Cheshvan 5621 - 2 Nissan 5610 (Oct. 1860 - April 1920)], known as theRebbe Reshab, was the fifth Rebbe of the Lubavitcher dynasty. He is the author of hundreds of major tracts in the exposition of Chasidic thought.

Connection: Seasonal/Weekly Reading (added section - Deut. 25:17-19) -- "Remember what Amalek did to you" - May his name and all traces of him be blotted out.

Three neighbors of mine told their holocaust experiences and I plan to write about them in a future issue. However, I was on duty taking care of grandfathering and other things this week and the time flew. If the stories waited 70 years about the Nazis in Hungary and Poland they can wait another week or so.

Raiders of the lost treasure: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4779273,00.html

Obama wants to pack the court: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4779367,00.html

From Joseph: http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/03/16/merrick-garland-five-facts/

Judith sent me this with the last sentence added by me: Some may not know this story about the song "Somewhere over the Rainbow"

At the 2014 Oscars, they celebrated the 75th anniversary of the release of the "Wizard of Oz" by having Pink sing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with highlights from the film in the background. But what few people realized, while listening to that incredible performer singing that unforgettable song, is that the music is deeply embedded in the Jewish experience.

It is no accident, for example, that the greatest Christmas songs of all time were written by Jews. For example , "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer"  was written by Johnny Marks and  "White Christmas"  was penned by a Jewish liturgical singer's (cantor) son, Irving Berlin.

But perhaps the most poignant song emerging out of the mass exodus from Europe was  "Somewhere Over the Rainbow".  The lyrics were written by Yip Harburg. He was the youngest of four children born to Russian Jewish immigrants. His real name was Isidore Hochberg and he grew up in a Yiddish speaking, Orthodox Jewish home in New York. The music was written by Harold Arlen, a cantor's son. His real name was Hyman Arluck and his parents were from Lithuania.

Together, Hochberg and Arluck wrote "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", which was voted the 20th century's number one song by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).

In writing it, the two men reached deep into their immigrant Jewish consciousness - framed by the pogroms of the past and the Holocaust about to happen - and wrote an unforgettable melody set to near prophetic words.

Read the lyrics in their Jewish context and suddenly the words are no longer about wizards and Oz, but about Jewish survival:

Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high, There's a land that I heard of Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue, And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me. Somewhere over the rainbow Bluebirds fly.

Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh why can't I? If happy little bluebirds fly Beyond the rainbow Why, oh why can't I?

The Jews of Europe could not fly. They could not escape beyond the rainbow. Harburg was almost prescient when he talked about wanting to fly like a bluebird away from the "chimney tops". In the post-Auschwitz era, chimney tops have taken on a whole different meaning than the one they had at the beginning of 1939.

Pink's mom is Judith Kugel. She's Jewish of Lithuanian background. As Pink was belting the Harburg/Arlen song from the stage at the Academy Awards, I wasn't thinking about the movie. I was thinking about Europe's lost Jews and the immigrants to America.

I was then struck by the irony that for two thousand years the land that the Jews heard of "once in a lullaby"  was not America, but Israel. The remarkable thing would be that less than ten years after  "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"  was first published, the exile was over and the State of Israel was reborn. Perhaps the" dreams that you dare to dream really do come true".

Anyway US TV may broadcast an Jewish Fred Astaire (my cousin wrote me only his father was Jewish) singing “In Your Easter Bonnet … at the Easter Parade” by Irving Berlin.

If Netanyahu’s concessions to the Reform remain the government will fall: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209439#.Vuh9zvl96M8

More: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4778871,00.html

Inyanay Diyoma

Stabbing just before the Shabbos in Israel: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4777184,00.html

Until 120 years, the oldest living man is a Holocaust Survivor: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209275#.VuL0bfl96M8

ISIS chemical attack kills 3 year old wounds others: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209278

Arab League designates Hezballah as a terrorist organization: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209277#.VuMmCvl96M8

As I am about to close for Shabbos there has been a shooting on road 443 where my niece uses daily and I use occasionally. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209282

An attempted assassination or danger to Donald Trump? http://www.aol.com/article/2016/03/12/secret-service-surrounds-donald-trump-at-campaign-event/21326805/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D-848946938_htmlws-main-bb

As I was closing for Shabbos and my grandson on vacation in the Negev a Kassam was fired not far from where he was: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4777296,00.html

IDF raids PLO munitions depot: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209314#.VuYEXPl96M8

New underground Iron Dome System: http://debka.com/article/25292/New-Iron-Dome-version-can-destroy-tunnels

Missile tests – so punish Iran: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4777981,00.html

Turkey - bomb murders 34: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209341#.VuYN3Y9OIeE

Elevated security for Yerushalayim: http://debka.com/article/25294/Elevated-security-for-Jerusalem-Marathon-Alert-for-Palestinian-car-bombs-

Three terrorists dead in two vehicular attacks: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4778137,00.html

Terror in my backyard by Ben Dror Yemeni: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4776525,00.html

New way to stop bleeding in stabbing victims invented by Israelis: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209371#.VubCyvl96M8

9th Tunnel of Hamas collapses killing one this time.

Attack by two female  terrorist foiled in Yerushalayim: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209382#.Vubxzvl96M8

Which candidate did not pay for services provided for the Iowa Primaries: http://www.aol.com/article/2016/03/14/police-frustrated-with-clinton-campaign-over-unpaid-bills/21327449/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl5%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D-323537141_htmlws-main-bb

Putin will not be dragged further into the Middle-East with a possibility of a conflict with the IDF caused by Iran-Syria: http://debka.com/article/25296/Putin-to-Assad-Tehran-You-want-to-carry-on-fighting-Count-me-out

Israeli Navy develops a new command and control system: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-Navy-developing-new-command-and-control-system-448060

Russia leaves the S-400 until the Saudis pull their planes out of Turkey: http://debka.com/article/25298/Russia-to-keep-S-400-in-Syria-until-Saudi-warplanes-leave-Turkey

This is like the Haifa Ammonia Plant – warned and warned and the politicians ignored until somebody died from smoke inhalation in a metro fire last week and another fire this week. Electric cables need maintenance or an upgrade: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/03/16/dc-workers-brace-for-nightmare-commute-as-subway-system-to-shut-for-emergency-inspections.html?intcmp=hplnws

Attack in Mall in Yerushalayim: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209535#.VurWT49OIiQ

Female Soldier stabbed condition improving: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4779689,00.html

Have a wonderful Shabbos all and expect the Holocaust stories soon,

Rachamim Pauli