The Time for Redemption

The Reunification of Jerusalem

28 Iyar  -  May 22

The following is from Time for Redemption, by Matityahu Glazerson (Jerusalem 1994)

The Passover song Chad Gadya/1 contains a clear allusion to the process by which Jerusalem will fall into the hands of various conquerers, until being restored to her rightful position as seat of the Holy of Holies.

The song tells of the slaughterer, who slew the ox, which drank the water, that put out the fire, etc. 

In Kabbalistic thought, water often represents the Roman Empire, destroyers of the Beit HaMikdash. The ox similarly symbolizes Yishmael (the Moslems who were in control of Yerushalayim for many centuries. Ultimately, Moshiach ben Yosef will arrive, slay the ox, and prepare the way for Moshiach ben David to complete the Geula.

It is important to recognize that Moshiach ben Yosef's impact on the Geula process is based on the precedent set by his namesake, Yaakov Avinu's son, Yosef the Tzaddik. He was the one to set the stage for his brothers, the forebearers of the National of Israel, to come to Egypt in the fact of the famine then raging, and it was he who supported them in various ways. Thus it is stated, "Yosef settled his father and brothers [in the land] and gave them a possession in the best of the land of Egypt... and nourished them with bread."

According to the Arizal, this story provides us also with an allusion to our times as a potential milestone in the progression of the Geula.

Pharoah's dream, which predicted the famine, happened "two years after" [Yosef's interpretation of his fellow prisoners' dreams]. Two years equal 730 days. which when added to the six letters of the Hebrew word for 'two years', give a total of 736, or the year 1976. This is related to that which is quoted in the name of the Arizal, that the year 1968 is to begin an important period in the Redemption process.

As noted, the end of our long, troubled Golus is alluded to by the Zohar on the verse, "And it came to pass after two years". The Zohar brings a supplementary verse from Iyov, "He put an end to the darkness." the Hebrew word for darkness, is an acronym for three words which stand for some of the main agents of our suffering in the Golus, ches, stands for chamor (donkey), symbol of Yishmael and his descendants; shin stands for shur (ox), the X-tian Roman Empire; and kuf is for kelev (dog), which represents Amalek.

[...T]he year 5728 (1968) was earmarked to herald the dawning of the Era of Redemption. The number 5728 is to be found in the name Yitzchak, whose binding and near-sacrifice by Avraham has come to symbolize Jewish history almost more than anything else. The milui values of the letters of Yitzchak's name totals 728, equal to the year 5728. The thousands of Jews who returned to the Light of Torah following the miracles of 1967 are living examples that this prediction of the Arizal came true.

Yaakov, whose life symbolized in so many ways the route to be taken by his descendants in Golus, and whose return to Eretz Yisrael similarly foretold our own return, also has an important date concealed in the milui value of his name. The total is 748, which is the year 5748 (1988). In addition to its ending with the digits 48, which we have seen is significant in itself, it is also specified as a year of Geula in the contemporary work Aseh Lecha Rav, by the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, Rav Chaim David HaLevi. He quotes the following passage from the Talmud:

Rabbi Eliezer said:

"The days of the Messiah are to be 40 years,

as is stated, 'Forty years did I loathe this generation.'"

Rabbi Eleazar ben Azarya said:

"70 years, as is stated, 'It shall come to pass

on that day, that Zor shall be forgotten

for seventy years, as the days of one

king.' Who is the 'one' king? Say,

then, that it is the Moshiach."

Rebi [Rav Yehudah HaNasi] said:

"Three generations, for the verse states,

'May they fear thee as long as the sun

and the moon endure, for a generation

and generations

 [i.e., a minimum of three].'"

The phrase "days of the Moshiach" clearly refers to the period of Moshiach ben Yosef, preceding the arrival of the actual Geula; for the Davidic Moshiach is certainly not limited to forty years or even three generations.

This preliminary period, then, may be viewed in three ways. Considering each generation as 30 years, three generations before the year 1987 leads us to 1897, the year in which began concrete actions toward bringing Am Yisrael back to Eretz Yisrael. Unfortunately, this also saw an increase in woldwide anti-semitism. A more advanced stage in the Geula process was attained 20 years later, in 1917, with the Balfour Declaration "viewing with favor the establishment of a national Jewish home in Palestine"; this was 70 years before 1987, in accordance with Rav Eleazar ben Azaryah's opinion. The culmination was reached 30 years later when the UN voted to establish the Jewish State and the Jewish People regained their independence in their Land after 1880 years. This of course was some 40 years before the indicated 1987 as Rabi Eliezer said.

All opinions [of the Sages] are the words of the Living G-d; all three views point to the same year. One counts from the spiritual arousal in 1897, one from the permission granted by the caretaker government of Great Britain, and the final opinion considers the worldwide consensus to be the determining factor./2

We see that the year 5748 (1987-88) is a central year in terms of Redemption. 5748 may yet be proven to have harboured the seeds of the coming of Moshiach, leading to eternal joy in the merit of Yaakov, about whom is written "Yaakov shall rejoie, Israel shall be ever happy."

Let us note that this year is only two years removed from the date that the Vilna Gaon indicated, 5750 (1990). Similarly, there is a difference of two years between two Zohar specified dates regarding the beginning of the Geula period: 5726 and 5728 (1966-1968).

The Six Day War, 

with its abundant blessings, 

occurred exactly during that time, in 1967.

1/ a song at the end of the Haggada
2/ "During our recent history, Klal Yisroel had a chance to be mekabel Moshiach four times which were each considered ashaas hakosher:

At the time of the Balfour Declaration in 1917;
During the Israeli War of Independence in 1948;
During the Six-Day War in 1967; and
During the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

Had Klal Yisroel done teshuva during any of those times, Moshiach would be here. The dates were mesugal. Unfortunately, we blew it all by not doing teshuva."

Attributed to Rav Elya Svei zt"l

The May 18 Eclipse

An Administration of physical effects & dramatic gestures eclipsed by A Yiddishe Neshoma

A picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, two pictures.

Vintage Rabbi Jacobson

For an exceptional and inimitable experience 

Visit theyeshiva.net for a powerful mp3 shiur that turns Darkness into Light: 

The Two Ingredients to Preserve Judaism

Rabbi JB Soloveitchik and the Lubavitcher Rebbe on 

the Two Layers Covering the Tabernacle 

* * * * * *

And

For Parshas BaMidbar

Entering Into The Wilderness

by Rabbi YY Jacobson, Shlit"A

The Desert

What was the significance of the fact that Torah was given in a wilderness, in a barren and infertile desert, not in a civilized terrain, nor on soil conducive to human living and nature’s blessing. Why did G-d communicate His blueprint for life and enter into an eternal covenant with the Jewish people in the aridity and desolateness of a desert?

In a past essay, we discussed three explanations. 1. The Torah was given on soil not owned by any particular people or community, to signify that the Torah belongs to every single Jewish soul. 2. The giving of the Torah in the wilderness represents the idea that Torah is not a product of a particular culture and genre. It enriches all cultures, but transcends them. 3. The function of Torah is to confront and refine the “barren wilderness” within the human psyche and the world.

Today we will explore a fourth and deeper dimension, articulated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in a pre-Shavous address, 37 years ago. It is a message that may be particularly relevant to the modern Jew.

Feel-Good Religion

One of the errors that a Jew living in the modern era is likely to make is that Judaism makes no existentially profound demands on its believers. Judaism is a feel-good religion, and its objective is to make one feel comfortable about ones self. For many religious leaders and teachers today, the primary objective is to present a version of Judaism that will fit nicely in to the mind-set and living patterns of their constituents and will reassure them that they are wonderful people. Many rabbis are committed above all to teach a Judaism that will not shake up our comfort-zones.

In many ways this has become the hallmark of the American version of Judaism – designed to conform to the paradigms of modernity. “In the image of the modern, American Jew, have we created Judaism.”

“My goal is to study and practice a Judaism that does not interfere with my conveniences,” a man once told me. “I have my lifestyle, philosophy, schedule, habits, and social patterns; as long as Judaism can fit into this, I will make room for it and enjoy it too.”

But if we communicate a Judaism just to make people feel good, why do we really need it? Why not just figure out what works best for our lives and pursue that? Therapy, yoga, exercise, suburban living, meditation, nutrition, sports, the arts, music, etc. If Judaism is merely here to nurture my pre-defined identity and satisfy my ingrained appetites, why bother with it all together?

And can the feel-good Judaism inspire a future? Can such a type of Judaism take root in the hearts of the youth? Can it appeal to the idealistic dimension of the human soul, searching to touch the Divine?


A Tale of Two Images

But suppose that Judaism was real -- it was the authentic blueprint for life from the living G-d -- then the question should not be, “How do I find a Judaism that does not disturb me too much,” but rather – what does Judaism really say about my calling? What does Judaism believe about life, death and everything in between? What does Torah have to say about the most important question and dilemmas facing the human mind and heart? The question must be not how I can mold Judaism in my image, but how I can mold myself in the image of Torah? How can I revisit my image and recreate myself based on the visage of man articulated in Judaism?

If Torah is true, I must have the courage to take a hard, deep look at my preconceived notions, thoughts and behavior patterns, ready to discover truth that may challenge me.

This is why Torah was given in the barren desert, in uncivilized wilderness, where it had no predefined culture to contend with and to be compared with. Only in the physical and artistic silence of the desert can we open ourselves to a radical search for truth. Only in a desert, can we walk into something with our whole being, ready to find anything.

If Torah would have been given in a city or amidst a beautifully natural terrain, it would have, by definition, conformed to the culture prevailing in those particular areas. In the great river lowlands where civilization began (the Tigris-Euphrates rivers and the Nile), the eye is captivated by the shifting scenes of nature; in cities, the eye is overtaken by the works of man -- art and architecture. In such environments, the Israelites would only be able to absorb a religion that would fit into their psyches, patterns, and sensibilities, like all the Pagan religions of the time. The Jews could never attune themselves to the word of a G-d who transcends nature.

Sinai challenged the Jewish people to revisit all of existence from its deepest genesis; to reexamine life and history from its very nucleus; to see the world not from the human perspective, but from the perspective of G-d who cannot be confined in human modalities. A revolution of this magnitude cannot take place in a populated environment, not even in an environment where life blossoms and nature flourishes. Only in the emptiness and desolateness of the wilderness is the ego subordinate to the search for truth. Only in the silence of the desert, can a person bid farewell to all of his or her paradigms and allow his soul to absorb radical transcendence.

A Rash People

This explains a deeply enigmatic episode which occurred at Sinai.

The Bible relates that when Moses presented the covenant before the Israelites, they responded, "We will do and we will listen" (Exodus 24:7). This expression has always been a source of wonderment and surprise to rabbis and a refutation of the anti-Semitic portrayal of Jews as calculating and self-protective. "We will do and we will listen" implies a commitment to observe the covenant even before the Jews heard its details and understood its ramifications.

The Talmud (Shabbas 88b) tells a story about a Sadducee who once saw one of the great Talmudic sages, Rava, so engrossed in learning that he did not attend a wound in his own hand. The Sadducee exclaimed, "You rash people! You put your mouths ahead of your ears [by saying "we will do and we will listen"], and you still persist in your recklessness. First, you should have heard out [the covenant details]. If it is within your capacity, then accept it. If not, you should have rejected it”!

His argument was logical. Imagine somebody offers you to invest a large some of money in a developing company. To respond, “Sure, here is the money, and then afterward I will listen to the details,” is ridiculous. If you do not know what the company is all about, why subject your money to possible loss? And yet, in this case, the Jews declared that they were ready embrace a life-altering covenant, even before they heard all the details and knew what Judaism was all about! Why? How?

Rava answered the Sadducee with these words: "We walked [into it] with our whole being.”

What Rava meant was this: By definition, a relationship with G-d cannot be created on our terms; it must be on His terms. If there is something called Truth, if there is something called Reality, we cannot define it; it must define us. We cannot accept it on condition that it suites our senses and expectations. On the contrary, we must realign our condition to it. Once the Jewish people knew that G-d was communicating with them, they did not want to fit religion into their imagination; they had no pre conditions for a relationship with truth. It was in the desert that the Jews can declare, “We will do and we will listen.”

This process must occur each year anew. To receive Torah, we must have the courage to walk into a desert; we must strip ourselves from any pre-defined self-identity. We need to be ready to hear the sound beneath the sounds we are accustomed to. Torah is not merely a cute and endearing document filled with rituals, to satisfy nostalgia or tradition. Torah demands that we open ourselves up with our whole being and declare, “We shall do and we shall listen!”

(This essay is based on a talk delivered by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, on Shabbas Parshas Bamidbar, 29 Iyar, 5732, May 13, 1972.)

Life is More Than Politics

In Pictures: 

A Day at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Plants in Bloom in May

Visit to see the beautiful pictures of flowers in bloom

I Feel Perfectly Safe on the Subway

Bloomberg: "I Feel Perfectly Safe 

on the Subway"

Total 5000 cases

New York UPDATE

CONFIRMED CASES RISE TO 230

Jewish Assistant Principal 

Is First NYC Swine Flu Death

Many Worried About Mitchell Weiner, while Hundreds Of Students Sick And Parents Extremely Worried. Since Wednesday morning ... scores of people have come to visit ... Between my brothers' friends, my friends, family, his friends and people in the community, it's always full in the waiting room."

Here we go again! 

SCHOOLS TO BE CLOSED UNTIL MAY 22

Another round of closings has hit the New York City school system because of the swine flu. Three schools in Queens will shut down for five days ... 16 NYC Schools Now Closed Amid Swine Flu Fears

BLOOMBERG:   

'We Can't Stop The Virus; 

Goal Is To Minimize'

FRIEDEN:   'We Fully Expect 

To See More Severe Illness 

In The Coming Days'

Images from newsday.com

UPDATE:  Up to 100,000 cases in the 48 States

Hospitalization:  Unusual for those under 20 in Intensive Care

Hamas Sheikh's Daughter

An Unbelievable Film
The Daughter of a Hamas Sheikh

Just received a call about this presentation. If you are anywhere in the NY area you still have time to see this film about the rescue of a Jewish mother and her eight children from an Arab home in the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem.

Another Lesson in Geography

Well, while Bibi is giving a geography lesson in Washington DC today, over on the eastern side of the globe, the Pakistanis are learning a lesson from "their neighbors"!

Abuse of Statistics

Abuse of Statistics ... Muslim Demographics on YouTube

Postkiwi Duncan Macleod says "he's concerned about the Fear and Loathing “Muslim Demographics” video which has gone viral on YouTube over the last month. There are several copies out there, but it looks as though the original was posted by “Friendofmuslim”, a YouTube user based in Lebanon, who has received over 5 million views. What concerns me is that the video uses false statistics and fear tactics to stir Christians into raising larger families and converting Muslims."

Tiny Frog says "the point of the video is to say that Europe will be predominantly Muslim within fifty years or less, as a result of low birthrates among native Europeans and high birthrates among Muslim immigrants."


While I am in no position to verify or refute the statistics in either of the videos and their refutations, they present very good counter information and charts and their own numbers.

Before believing the dire statistics of any of these videos, consider the amazing statistics presented by Tamar Yonah in Your Grandkids May Be Moslem. Links to fascinating charts are provided in her article.

You may also like to read Atlas.

Seeing is Believing

You

won't 

believe

your

eyes

Video was provided by (preferred source) Tutim.net  

Several Rabbis across the US and around the world have tested strawberries to find the best meathod to clean them from these thrips and other infestations. Check out the links on the Rabbinical Opinions page to see the best way to clean strawberries and to see their opinions on eating strawberries. Check out the video on the video pages to see what the thrips looks like and check out the thrips link page to find out more information about these  little critters  and to see close-up pictures.

Everyone should see this video. 

Thank you Yerenen Yaakov 

for posting this link 

and bringing it to our 

attention. 

It speaks volumes, 

more than a plain 

statement that 

just ossers.

MUSLIM DEMOGRAPHICS

Arab Lands are Full of Jewish History

Ezra's Tomb in Iraq is now a Shiite Muslim Shrine

A quarter of all Biblical prophets are buried in Iraq. A fascinating photo-feature in the LA Times blog on the tomb of Ezra the Scribe in Amarah reveals that since the mass departure of the Jews, the site is now revered by Muslims. The tiny Jewish community is thought to have paid for repairs in 2000.

Expelled Jews Hold Deed 

For Five Times Israel's Size.

"In just 50 years, almost a million Jews, whose communities stretch back up to 3,000 years, have been 'ethnically cleansed' from Arab countries. These refugees outnumber the Palestinian refugees two to one, but their narrative has all but been ignored. Unlike Palestinian refugees, they fled not war, but systematic persecution. Seen in this light, Israel, which absorbed most of these Jewish refugees, is the legitimate expression of the self-determination of an oppressed indigenous, Middle Eastern people."

"Between 1948 and 1951 there were two refugee movements in the Middle East. One was the exodus of about 600,000 Arabs from the Palestinian areas that became Israel. The second was the movement of about 1 million Jews from Arab countries into Israel. Palestinian refugees were enticed by Arab countries to leave their homes while eight Arab armies invaded the newly established Jewish state. The Arab League passed two resolutions in 1949. One prohibited Arab governments from giving citizenship to Palestinian Arab refugees. The second ordered Arab governments to facilitate the expulsion of Jews living in Arab countries."

"About 850,000 Jews fled Arab countries after Israel's founding in 1948, leaving behind assets valued today at more than $300 billion," said Heskel M. Haddad, MD, President of WOJAC. "He added that the New York-based organization has decades-old property deeds of Jews from Arab countries on a total area of 100,000 sq.km. - which is five times the size of the State of Israel."


From The Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center:

It is really unique - one of its kind in the world. You are invited to travel with us through 2700 years of Babylonian Jewry history - Since they were exiled from the land of Israel and until their eventual return from Iraq to their former homeland. 

The Tomb of Nabi Yeheskel

The Babylonian Jewry Heritage Center is both a Research Institute and a Museum, with an impressive collection of ethnographic material, judaica, archival documents, books and manuscripts. The BJHC publishes research work and journals, organizes exhibitions and holds cultural events and conferences. We have strong ties with Jews of Iraqi origin both in Israel and in the Diaspora, and are in the process of compiling an extensive genealogical database of families originating in Iraq.

The Biblical Shrine of Oholiav in Southern Lebanon

Oholiav's shrine at Sojod (Soujud) in southern Lebanon is the presumed burial site for a minor, but significant, biblical character referred to in Exodus. Oholiav ("tent-builder" in Hebrew) was said to have been a carpenter and a builder of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Arab lands are full of Jewish history (venerated by Muslims as well as Jews). 

Sources for further reading:

The World Organization of Jews from Arab Countries (WOJAC)
Jewish Refugees
Expelled Jews
Holy Sites
Babylon & Beyond

Just Say "NO", Bibi!

Monday, May 18 is the BIG DAY!
A meeting between the BIG WIGS in DC.
And Bibi is invited.
It's the "JEWISH ISSUE" again.
What are they going to do with the Jews?
The WHOLE WORLD is kvetching about the Jews.
Well, there is someone who has some advice, 

And he says, Read This Bibi:

"...why has the world and the United Nations become obsessed with this tiny, tiny Jewish state, and the biblical backyard it occupies--actually the size of New Jersey. No oil, no gas, no minerals; just mud from the dead sea which sells in malls for $5.00 a bottle. Not exactly a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet Israel is the only country in the world where its citizens are not permitted to travel to 18 nations.

"There is a museum in Cairo dedicated to the Arab victories over Israel and the Jews in the '67 and '73 wars. Hezbollah still says it won the war in Lebanon, even though Beirut looked worse than Dresden. Hamas, Syria and Iran recently announced and celebrated a great victory after Operation Cast Lead where Israel literally devastated Gaza. In other words, do NOT believe your own eyes or the tv cameras, just believe our Arab propaganda."

Look Obama in the eye Bibi: "And the world almost always falls for such nonsense by offering to donate money and rebuild everything for a population that elected a Nazi-like government, whose entire raison d'etre is to destroy Israel. So my dear schoolyard buddies, Barak, Hillary and George, let's learn a lesson from all this fighting. My weak, pathetic fellow Jews in Israel will never, ever be forgiven for defeating and devastating the big macho Arab/Muslim armies in 1948, 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982 and 2009. Israel is the common enemy and necessary for the survival of the bizarre dictatorial governments throughout the Arab and Muslim world."

Raise your voice Bibi: "Even worse, how dare those Jews build a successful democratic society in our midst, that is a model for technology, medicine and scientific discoveries, while all the oil rich nations can do is hire outsiders to design and build palaces for their powerful, dictatorial leaders. Talk about embarrassing--the Prophet Mohammed is probably spinning in his grave."

Use your hands Bibi: "Arab and Muslim leadership understands that Israel must always retain its status as the common enemy that binds their populations together--just like Hitler used Germany to galvanize its own nationalism. Even the Saudi Peace Plan is a sham because it is just a typical example of Arab souk/market negotiations which offer results for impossible criteria.

Put your glasses on Bibi: "Right of Return" itself is a fraudulent negotiating request, because it shows quite clearly that the Arab and Muslim world has a particular talent for aggrandizing their own historical interpretations, by referencing a myth that has present day implications, and of course ignoring a truth that they do not wish to confront. How about "Right of Return" for hundreds of thousands of Jews who were absolutely thrown out of Arab countries against their will, had their homes, businesses and valuables confiscated, all for no reason. Virtually every Arab who left Israel in 1948 did so under their own free will, because they were promised by Arab leaders that they would return after the war to much more land and golden Jewish spoils."

Hands in pocket Bibi: "How about the so called "occupation," another fraudulent term commonly used. First it was the French occupiers, then the British, and now the Israelis and the Americans--all "occupiers." I mean, America gets rid of an Iraqi dictator who has tortured and murdered hundreds of thousands of innocents, and they call you an occupier instead of a savior. Talk about ingratitude."

Stand right next to George Mitchell, Bibi: "Hey Obama, you think Fatah is moderate? Pick up any newspaper or watch their tv on any given day. The hatred for Israel is incredible. Just recently, the PA passed a law that anyone who sells land to a Jew will be executed. Where have we heard that before?"

Sit on the corner of Obama's desk Bibi: "Two months ago, the so called moderate Palestinian Authority closed and disbanded a Palestinian Youth Orchestra and arrested its founder because they played music for Holocaust survivors. PA television just released a full length special devoted to the glorification of the 1978 roadside massacre where Palestinian terrorists commandeered some Egged buses carrying families going to a company picnic, killing 38 men, women and children and wounding 73 Israelis. Last week a Palestinian terrorist from the West Bank used an axe to murder a 13 year old Jewish boy."

"That's the type of rhetoric that Prime Minister Netanyahu must use. 

Otherwise, Israel is dead!!!!"

If you want to know what else Irwin Graulich suggested Read This Bibi!

Baruch Dayan HaEmes

VosizNeias: Charedi World Saddened 

By Sudden Passing of Rabbi Bransdorfer ZT'L

Jerusalem - HaGaon Rabbi Meir Bransdorfer, long-time member of the Eida HaCharedis rabbinical court of Jerusalem and author of the Seifer 'Knei Bosem' commentary, collapsed today in his home on Jerusalem’s Shivtei Yisrael St. and was found unconscious.

Despite over 40 minutes of rescue efforts on the scene, Hatzalah responders could not restore Rav Bransdorfer’s breathing and heartbeat, and a MDA doctor who later arrived at the scene declared Rav Bransdorfer no longer alive. The Rav had apparently collapsed of serious heart failure. Rav Bransdorfer was the head of the Eida HaChareidis’ Shechita Committee. He was born in Belgium 74 years ago, and was considered one of the poskei hador.

YeshivaWorldNews: regrets to inform you of the sudden Petira of Hagon Rav Meir Bransdorfer ZATZAL, a member of the Badatz Eidah Chareidis for many years, & the Dayan in Toldos Avrohom Yitzchok. Sources tell YWN that his family called Hatzolah after he collapsed, and emergency personnel worked on him for close to one hour. A large crowd gathered to say Tehillim outside his home on Rechov Shivtei Yisroel, and the Gavad Eidah Chareidis arrived as well. Tehiilim was recited in many Batei Midrashim in the area before he was Niftar….

Photos at Yeshiva World

Revisiting Meron

400,000 Neshomas Celebrating

with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai

Exceptional Photos of Meron at CoLLive.

President Peres:

MR PERES, YOUR FRIEND HAD THIS TO SAY:

He spoke of "suffering you had to endure" and "lifting an embargo" and "solidarity". These words were not in empathy with the millions of Jews murdered by his country and neighbors, no they were spoken to the people with a mission to kill more Jews, after blowing up buses, hotels and blasting rockets and missiles into homes with children. The "Mr President" he was speaking to was not the President of Israel, it was the so-called President of a people who worship death, and wish death  (G-d forbid) to Jews.

 And now, your friend's words to his friends:

"Mr. President, the holy see supports the right of your people to a sovereign Palestinian homeland in the land of your forefathers, secure and at peace with its neighbors, within internationally recognized borders," the pontiff said upon his arrival, standing alongside Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

And now his political message:

In Bethlehem, Benedict delivered a special message of solidarity to the 1.4 million Palestinians isolated in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. He has no plans to visit Gaza.

"In a special way, my heart goes out to the pilgrims from war-torn Gaza: I ask you to bring back to your families and your communities my warm embrace, and my sorrow for the loss, the hardship and the suffering you have had to endure," the he told thousands of Palestinians who packed an open-air Mass in Manger Square, some hoisting Palestinian and Vatican flags and pictures of the pontiff [...].

"Please be assured of my solidarity with you in the immense work of rebuilding which now lies ahead, and my prayers that the embargo will soon be lifted," he added.

ARE YOU SATISFIED MR. PRESIDENT?

PS. What this holy see doesn't see is that Islam has neither respect for Jews nor his followers .

A Tear ...

Today I received the premier edition of  

'The Rachel Tear' 

a monthly newsletter of 

Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation 1995-2009

Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation is a non-profit organization formed in 1995 to reclaim Jewish Identity, the Midos of the Matriarchs and Patriachs, to save Rachel's Tomb from Oslo Redeployment, and to reclaim Kever Rachel for her Children, Grandchildren and all her Jewish Generations. It has initiated writing contests, written a song, did Twinning Ceremonies, and acquired a Sefer Torah for Kever Rachel and another for Beit Bnei Rachel, the only Jewish owned property within the walled Rachel's Tomb complex of which Rachel's Children Reclamation Foundation is the majority owner. It is in the process of establishing a post-Ulpana Midreshet Chaya Rachel and Ruth, a Museum of Jewish Aliyah, a Beit Medrash, a Simcha/Bas Mitzvah Center and Biblical Garden with a Replica of the Old Kever Rachel with four columns and a pillar which will be as a Chuppah, Dais, and Bandstand for Garden events in the Grand Garden.

Beit Bnei Rachel 

The Rachel Tomb Complex
Beis Lechem Israel 054.224.2649
rachelschildren@gmail.com

A Tear for Rochel Imeinu and a Tear for Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai

A very beautiful song and video



As viewed on Gruntig