Plato's 'Allegory of the Cave'

 Plato's 'Allegory of the Cave'

By Kristine Frederickson, Columnist Oct 4, 2009, 12:26am MDT

The Greek philosopher Plato (c. 428-347 BC), student of Socrates, helped to

lay the foundations of Western philosophy. His best known work, written

about 380 B.C., is the philosophical and political treatise,

The Republic, and includes the "Allegory of the Cave," that discusses the role of

learning in attaining a higher state of awareness and spiritual

consciousness. The full text of the allegory is widely available and I

recommend it to readers.

It is powerful in and of itself and points to the eternal. It also offers

insights into today's doubting, secular world. It emphasizes the

necessity of developing the spiritual side of our beings and holding to

belief in the face of mocking and derision by those who see believers

as deluded fools. The allegory elaborates the truth that the spiritual

world supersedes the temporal existence and when a person acknowledges

the spiritual a window is opened onto eternity.

Plato

begins by describing for his brother, Glaucon, a group of people who

have spent their entire lives in a cave. Their legs and necks are

chained so they cannot move and they face a blank wall with a fire

blazing behind and above them. The wall the prisoners see is like a

thin white screen behind which marionette players manipulate puppets.

These blurred shadows and the smothered echoes of words are the

prisoner's reality although they merely represent actual figures who

pass behind them in front of the sunlit entrance to the cave.

Plato

asks the question he seeks to answer, "Is a resident of the cave likely

to want to make the ascent to the outer world?" He asks if humans truly

seek light or are satisfied with life in the dark cave. He

hypothesizes, "Like ourselves...the (prisoners) see only their own

shadows, which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave."

Then

he imagines the prisoner released from his bonds and turning to face

the light. When he "looks toward the light, he will suffer sharp pains;

the glare will distress him" and he will be unable to grasp the true

reality before him. Plato then asks, "conceive someone saying to him,

that what he saw (in the cave) was an illusion, but that now, when...his

eye is turned towards the real existence, he has a clearer

vision, —what will be his reply?" Won't he be perplexed and believe the

shadows are truer?

If

the former prisoner is then forced "up a steep and rugged ascent, and

held fast in...(the) presence of the sun, is he not likely to be pained

and irritated?" He will be so dazzled he won't be able to see anything

at all until "he grow(s) accustomed to the sight of the upper world."

Eventually however, "he will be able to see the sun, and not mere

reflections of him,...but he will see him in his own proper place...and he

will contemplate him as he is."

Once

the individual is exposed to the glorious metaphysical world he will no

longer be satisfied with the false reality of viewing shadows floating

on the wall of the cave. He "would rather suffer anything than

entertain these false notions and live in this miserable manner." If

required to re-enter the cave to reside among men still consumed with

the shadows, and he shared what he had seen, the cave dwellers would

call him "ridiculous" or mad. If he tried to re-ascend or take another

with him "they would put him to death."

Plato

then explains the allegory. The cave is our "world of sight, the

light...and the journey upwards (is) the ascent of the soul into the

intellectual (and spiritual) world ...and is seen only with an effort;

and...(what we see) is the universal author of all things beautiful and

right, parent of light and of the lord of light."

Describing

those who reject or mock the divine Plato speaks of, "the evil state of

man, misbehaving himself in a ridiculous manner." Of those who make the

effort to pursue the things of divinity he says, "You must not wonder

that those who attain to this beatific vision are unwilling to descend

to human affairs; for their souls are ever hastening into the upper

world where they desire to dwell."

He

concludes, "The power and capacity of learning exists in the soul

already. ...The instrument of knowledge can only, by the movement of the

whole soul, be turned from the world of becoming (this temporal world)

into that of being (the world of the divine), and learn by degrees to

endure the sight of being and of the brightest and best of being."

While many in today's world mock the things of the spirit this is, as

Plato attests, the true world of reality.

As

members of the church our quest — so eloquently described by Plato — must

be to avoid the "evil state of man, misbehaving himself in a ridiculous

manner," to leave the world of shadows and make the steep ascent into

the light. Enduring the mockery of those that live in the darkened cave

we must ever "hasten into the upper world where we desire to dwell.”

The path to enlightenment is painful and arduous, says Plato, and requires that we make four stages in our development.

• Imprisonment in the cave (the imaginary world)
• Release from chains (the real, sensual world)
• Ascent out of the cave (the world of ideas)
• The way back to help our fellows.

Shalom Pollack: WHO NEEDS YOU!

 

 Who Needs You!

George Shultz, secretary of state in the Reagan cabinet visited Israel  when he left government and politics. Now , as a private citizen he allowed himself to speak freely. Known as one of the most pro Israel secretaries of state, he visited  Israel as a private citizen and delivered  a speech. 

IN CONCLUSION, he offered Israel some personal advice:  ”Israel should not rely on any country for its security, not even the United States.“

"There was a time when Israel did not need that sound advice. She was the world model for self reliance and  independent decision making. This model began with its declaration of independence  against the stern warning of the USA and the subsequent victory against seven invading armies.

In 1967, Israel was told by her closest allies, France and the USA not to initiate hostilities even as the Arab noose tightened  around her neck as the world watched. Israel preempted the Arab /Soviet juggernaut and won the greatest victory in history, in six days.

This  spirit and success  of tiny Israel was a source of hope and admiration for the  entire world. Israel became the  model of good, standing up to evil and winning. It would seem that for this alone Israel was created. It was indeed a light unto the nations.

Ominously, in the victory parade after the war, a large banner read "Israel believes in the IDF'', a play on the well known Jewish saying, "Israel believes in G–d”. 

Instead of annexing the liberated lands of the bible and allowing the enemy population to leave as they wished to do, he did the opposite. Most glaringly, Dayan allowed the enemy continued control of our holiest site. This told the whole story and was to have dire consequences.

Moshe Dayan, the defense minister, basked in the credit . leaving  no place for God and the spirit that can come only from Him. This was a turning point. In place of faith and humility appeared arrogance.

The Entebbe rescue and the destruction of the nuclear reactor in Iraq took the breath away of the entire world. Once again against all odds and norms, little Israel of the prophets stood out as a beacon of hope for good.

 Alas, this spirit was not maintained.

The decision to defer to the USA and not preempt in the Yom Kippur war of 1973 almost ended in the destruction of the Jewish state.

In the  1970 the "war of attrition " over the Suez canal drew to a close. The armistice called for both sides to limit their forces on the banks of the canal. The Egyptians broke the agreement when they brought anti aircraft missiles to the  prohibited areas. This was a crucial moment in Israel's history and national psyche. 

US Secretary of state Rogers pressured Israel not to make an issue of the Egyptian infraction. Israel submitted.She  began to lose it's  independent spirit  and famous  confidence and began to rely on the USA to protect her. The US now  replaced the spirit that made Israel what it was.

On October 6, 1973  when Israel allowed the Arabs to strike first as the US (Kissinger) demanded, its air force was decimated by the same missiles that were ignored two years earlier. Shock  and desperation grabbed  the military leadership. They looked to the US to save Israel.

The US dragged its feet in resupplying Israel  and the Jewish state almost perished were it not for the superhuman fight its soldiers put up. After the Yom Kippur trauma, Israel has not been the same.

While other nations exist as nations, the people of Israel are a  reminder of God's involvement in history. The Jews are the lessons of what happens when right or wrong choices are made.

As a result of  the sins of arrogance and apostasy, depression and lack of confidence set in. Israel felt desperate for friends and protectors in the military and diplomatic realms.

Even as Israel prospered economically and advanced technologically and militarily, her confidence and spirit weakened.

The world  once thought there was a unique  model of hope  to follow but in the  end , Israel failed them. The Jewish state has become just another player on the board of politics ; of  greed, fear, and personal  opportunity, of playing the game.

Israel's growing desire  for acceptance  rather than being an independent and unique model for the world, sent it down the road of destruction  and despair. When Israel abruptly ended its war against the PLO that was established to destroy Israel and  invited Arafat to share the land of Israel, the Jews lost their claim to any of the land. All of a sudden everything was for sale. 

The world lost its respect. Israel hoped they would be seen as reasonable and moral in the eyes of the world .They earned only scorn and hatred as pressure mounted for Israel to give more and to not defend herself against the very terrorists she conceded her lands to.

Israel continued to grow in every material  field in exceptional ways but  her all important spirit kept shrinking. A great body without a soul can't stand.

Israel is fighting for that soul today. Some Israelis want to rekindle the spirit that made us who we were. Others want to snuff it out completely and erase the Jewish state. They strive for as  close a copy of a totally secular, materialistic  country as possible. They feel that by allowing anti-Israel Arab parties   into the government they can finally erase the Jewish nature of the country.

The paradox is that the world has no need for another copy of itself. 

In tiny, scruffy, confident Israel, the world saw hope for mankind.

Alas.

My book, "Jews, Israelis and Arabs" is available.

Shalom Pollack Tours

Jerusalem 99386

shalompollack613@gmail.com

Welcome to Israel

Israel’s Knesset considers ‘Extension of Powers Act’ that would ‘transfer legislative powers to the government, granting near-absolute power to exercise parliamentary control’

The Six Constant Mitzvot

1. To believe in the existence and providence of G-d.

2. Not to believe that there are any other gods.

3. To believe that G-d is an absolute unity.

4. To love G-d.

5. To fear G-d.

6. To guard oneself from foreign thoughts.

A bill before Israel’s Knesset would extend the validity of the Special Authorities for Dealing with the New Coronavirus until the end of December 2022, and amend the law to grant government authority to obligate COVID-19 tests and mete criminal penalties for noncompliance.

The bill proposes to extend the Special Authorities validity until the end of 2022 “to continue to enable legal infrastructure for imposing restrictions and maintaining public health.” It seeks to determine that COVID state of emergency declarations be extended from two to four months each.

The bill would add a clause authorizing the government to obligate presenting a negative coronavirus test, recovery certificate (“which includes a valid recovery or vaccination certificate”) as a condition for entering places that are open to the public, businesses, workplaces, and more. “This section is intended to anchor the authority to require a test or Green Pass,” “without detracting from the authority already given to establish these regulations.”

It is proposed to delete the list of ministers who are members of the Ministerial Committee to deal with the coronavirus crisis and its implications, and instead determine that the number of its members should not exceed half the number of members of the government.

It is likewise proposed to “add to the list of offenses for which an administrative fine of up to NIS 10,000 can be established in the regulations, also the offense of violating the obligation to prevent entry of a person who did not present a negative result in an up-to-date coronavirus test or of a person who did not present a recovery certificate.”

Several amendments are proposed to allow technological supervision of those required to isolate: First, it is proposed to determine that the period for extending the declaration of technologically supervised isolation be generally extended to periods not exceeding 60 days each (and not 28 days as currently prescribed), with the approval of the Knesset Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee.

Second, it is proposed to determine that the consent of a minor over the age of 14 will be sufficient, and no consent from his parents will be required.

The proposed legislation would enhance authority of HMO heads and district doctors to close venues, and to add the possibility of issuing administrative closure orders.

Additionally, “the possibility of adding an amendment to legislation is being considered, in the framework of which the authority to determine the obligation to perform a coronavirus test will be determined, while a criminal offense will be determined for not performing the examination, to be enforced by imposing a fixed administrative fine.”

Attorney Oren Pasternak responded to the proposed legislation: “It establishes a dictatorial regime” and establishes “a government with near absolute powers to impose restrictions on all walks of life by December 2022.”

He continues: “The Knesset transfers its legislative powers to the government, and gives it almost full power to exercise parliamentary control. To date, they had declared ‘state of emergency’ periods of two months. In the new law, we are told that each ‘state of emergency’ will take place over a period of four months.

“Note that this law makes it possible to establish a mandatory coronavirus test. I repeat, these are forced tests!

“Under the new law, any refusal to perform a test will be considered a criminal offense that will trigger a fine. Now you have to understand that forced testing will de facto result in forced vaccines. Why? Because we’re going to tire people out by forcing them to get tested day after day after day, and again, and again, until they crack and end up getting vaccinated against their will.”

Pasternak and other activists urged citizens to register their objections to the proposed legislation on the Justice Ministry website(Hebrew) by scrolling down to “add your comments,” clicking “login,” selecting the Special Powers for Dealing with the New Coronavirus Law (Temporary Order) (Amendment) (Extension of Validity and Additional Provisions), 2021, and filling in the box that says: “Write your comments here” with: “I oppose the law!”

realize that this follows Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, France, and more in draconian edicts against humanity; this is our final test before Mashiach, and we must stand up for G0D and not consent to this science/medical idolatry. It will be very very difficult. I wish everyone the ability to strengthen their Emuna and Bitachon

Rabbi Weissman – Who’s the Crazy One

I was a guest on The Glazov Gang with Jamie Glazov, which you can watch here.

[ME:  This was a great interview. But on the same site, down a little are more video interviews, especially of Vera Sharav - NOT to be Missed]

Wednesday at 7PM Israel time will be episode #12 of my Root and Branch Medical War Crimes podcast.  This week's title is Unmasking JOWMA.  There's a lot of bacteria under their mask...

The link to join live is here, and the recording will be available on my Rumble channel.

Who's the Crazy One

In an insane asylum, where insanity is the norm, a normal person needs to constantly remind himself that he isn't the crazy one. The world is a massive insane asylum right now, run by the most evil of people. Until Hashem redeems us from this impossible situation, we need to cling to our sanity and goodness. How do I know that we aren't the crazy ones? Because the Torah says so. Right and wrong is not determined by a show of hands or by authoritarian decree, but from God's objective teachings.

Here are some common-sense lessons from the Torah to remind us of our sanity in a world gone mad.

The satan [prosecuting angel] replied to Hashem and said, “Skin for the sake of skin, and all a man has he will give for the sake of his life.” (Iyov 2:4)

Ironically enough, this common sense comes from the satan himself. If a person is attacked with a sword, he will instinctively put his hands in harm's way to protect his head. All the more so will a person sacrifice all his money for the sake of his life.

The majority of people recognize by now that the crapcines pose a serious threat to their health and their very lives. If given a truly free choice, without blackmail of any kind, very few people would continue to take these injections. However, many such people are buckling under the threat of losing their job or other coercive measures.

As difficult a test as this can be, one must remember the fundamental Torah teaching that your life is worth more than any job or material consideration. No one should be forced to make such a choice, and those doing the forcing should be punished soon with all of God's fury. However, if we must face such a test, the correct choice is not debatable.

Even the satan expects people to get this one right!

*

א

The father of Shmuel said, “We estimate how much a person would be willing to take to have his hand cut off.” To have his hand cut off?! He is not liable for pain alone, but for all five things! Furthermore, are we dealing with fools? (Bava Kama 85A)

The Gemara is discussing the five types of damages one must pay for injuring someone. One of these is the physical pain he caused his victim. How is this determined?

The initial suggestion is to evaluate how much money the average person would take to have his hand cut off (or whatever the specific injury was inflicted). This is rejected both because this involves all five categories of damage, and because no person in his right mind would take any amount of money to lose his hand. There might be people who would sacrifice life and limb for something so profane, but they are fools, and the general laws of society are not predicated on the distorted values of fools.

Those who are far from the Torah, who see everything in material terms, will calculate how much their body is “worth”. How many people wouldn't take a few million dollars for their pinky finger? How many people dream of achieving fame and fortune from violent sports, which they know is likely to cripple their bodies and take years off their lives? How many people submit their bodies to experiments in exchange for a small payment?

How many people are doing it today for a job, or a tyranny pass, or nothing at all?

Once again, the Torah teaches that sacrificing one's body for any amount of money is utter foolishness. (For more sources on this topic, see But what if I lose my job?)

*

In much of the English-speaking world, illegal aliens are being given preferential treatment over citizens. We should not need a Talmudic source to teach us that this is absurd, but we live in unusual times.

א

Rava said, The citizen is on the ground, and the foreigner is in the highest heavens!

The Gemara had previously raised the possibility that the owner of an ox that had not previously caused damage would be more liable in some cases of damage than one who had been warned that his ox was harmful. Rava retorted that this was preposterous – as preposterous as elevating foreigners over citizens.

There is more wisdom and decency in an offhand remark in the Gemara than all the world's governments put together.

*

Therefore, so says Hashem about the men of Anasos who are seeking your life, who say to you, Do not prophesy in the name of Hashem, lest you die by our hands. (Yirmiya 11:21)

How could Yirmiyahu say “And Hashem informed me” [that they planned to kill him, verse 18] when they were saying it to his face that they would kill him if he prophesied? Rather, Yirmiyahu was not worried about what they said to his face, because he thought this was the usual way of intimidating and exaggerating, for it couldn't be that they would kill him openly, and he was not afraid of this. However, that they would kill him in secret through a poison, that could be, for that is something that wouldn't be known, for there are poisons that one who eats them will not die immediately, but only after eight or ten days. If he died that way, they wouldn't say that he died from a deadly poison. (Radak)

Once again, this lesson should be obvious. Those who wish to murder people without being detected will often resort to a slow-acting poison.

Our governments devote limitless resources to developing new ways to kill people. Imagine if all those resources were devoted to improving life in this world. Instead, they are devoted to destroying life and controlling whoever they don't destroy.

If the rich and powerful wanted to “reduce the population” by millions and billions of people, without destroying the land, and without being too obvious about it, what better way than toxins that would take months or years to complete the job?

*

We are surrounded by people who are deathly afraid of Covid. They will do anything to potentially reduce their chance of catching it. They cover their faces with ugly, harmful, ineffective, disgusting, idolatrous masks – even when there is no one around them. They live in terror of other people's company, even if those people are perfectly healthy, and cannot possibly spread an illness that they do not have. (After all, “asymptomatic” is just a dystopian way of saying “not sick”.)

These people will gladly get injected with crap – they don't know what it is, and they don't want to know. The more they can get, the better. Every few months, every few weeks, every day if possible! Offer them an IV drip of the latest crapcines, and they will take it.

Then, in spite of everything, their greatest fear is realized: they get “Covid”. Some powerful new “strain” has “broken through” their fortress of artificial defenses, for which they forfeited so much.

One would expect these people to be filled with terror. If they were so terrified of Covid before they were diagnosed with it – if they were willing to go to any lengths to protect themselves from it – their fear levels should be exponentially higher now that the dreaded Covid is inside them.

Yet, oddly enough, they have just the opposite reaction. It's no big deal. Don't worry. I'll just stay home and rest. Vitamin D? Zinc? Ivermectin? Nah, I don't need any of that. If I have trouble breathing I'll go to the hospital, but otherwise I don't need to take anything.

Before Covid enters their body, they will do anything to keep it out, and anything to reduce their chance of a serious case. But once they have Covid, they will refuse vitamins and simple treatments that might get it out of their system sooner and reduce their chance of a serious case.

Only the most gullible skeptics, true oxy-morons, could behave like this.

According to the Torah, you're not the crazy one.

__________________________

chananyaweissman.com/

rumble.com/c/c-782463

If you received this from someone else and want to receive future articles directly, please send a request to endthemadness@gmail.com.

*   *   *

They say that making comparisons to the Holocaust cheapens the Holocaust.

They also say you are a murderer and a terrorist for not wearing a mask or taking a crapcine.  This doesn't cheapen murder and terrorism.

*   *   *

The English translation of a recent Beis Din ruling is attached

Rabbi Mendel Kessin – The Blueprint of Creation *****

 This is fascinating; at least I believe it to be

The Blueprint of Creation (Olam HaBriah - Hazeh 6000 years)

6 Fundamental Phenomena of the Briah (actually 7 components)

*Energy

Matter and Energy are identical 

*Matter is frozen energy

Space allows matter to expand into (length, width, height)

*Space is ‘nothing’ its a paradox

*Time allows matter to have a duration, a continuity

*Life = properties = 

*Consciousness, awareness (greatest mystery)

*Motion, movement = every atom is in motion = heat (molecules in motion) 

Nothing is still? = 

When all atoms in an object do not move (molecular motion) = absolute zero

motion excelerated is heat, and when almost stopped is cold

459.67 (237) below zero

Outer space is 3 degrees above zero

_____________________________________

Motive? 

To do good to your end = to bestow infinite state of goodness to beings

What’s the motive of the motive = ?? the Ultimate Motive

Comforting

What is the greatest “Good” = Existence (I want to be)

G-D IS EXISTENCE

Man attaches to G-D = this is our existence = Devekus

Dichotomy of existence (a) and (b) = either you do or you don’t

Can one exist “more”

Yes = Devekus = existing more, bc G-D is existence i.e. closer to G-D

In a spiritual world one is closer to G-D and exists “more”

This is the essential Goodness HE wants to give

In the Future World - Tzadikim Sit and Derive Pleasure from the attachment

NOW OUR PART IN ALL THIS :

Devekus is a reward = 

Justice - Din = Cause and Effect (consequence of actions) (expounded in Shiur: Bread of Shame)

________________________________________

Olam HaBa (eternal)

Partzuf

Skull = Kesser

Chochma and Bina =  2 (3) brains

Physical Model of the Ten Sefiros  = (613 parts = 365 sinews 248 organs) = Mitzvos

R Arm = Chessed

L Arm =  Gevurah 

Torso = Teferes

R Leg = Netzach

L Leg = Hod

Yesod and Malkus = reproduction

Y

u

d

H

I

H

Sefer Raziel HaMalach = A Sefer that revealed which organ connected to which Sefira and which organ (which was hidden somewhere in Jerusalem).

The most dangerous book to B…Farmah

__________________________________

ME:  Continue listening, but be aware that we are being tested in our time, and we have to ‘do something’ to prove to G-D that we want to be attached to HIM. 

'Don't worry, we're on it'

 the funniest article i ever read on JPost:

Facebook's 'Meta' rebrand translates to 'dead' in Hebrew

The Israeli emergency rescue unit Zaka, whose job is to collect human remains to ensure proper burials, shared their take on the rebrand last week, tweeting: 

'Don't worry, we're on it’

Dr Zelenko – Ze’ev Ben Leah

 

 

 DR Zelenko KNOWS and he is not afraid of leaving this world (his statement). the Good Doctor has terminal ..... and will be going under extreme treatment. so whatever he is telling the world is (for lack of a better term) 'his last will and testament' for our benefit. whoever is fighting the good fight also knows this and is working behind the scenes to topple and eliminate this evil force. And yes Hashem is in control, so fasten your proverbial seatbelts because this will be a wild ride to the finish line.

______________________

Dr. Zelenko’s Work – https://vladimirzelenkomd.com
Zelenko Protocol –  http://zstacklife.com/x22

Dr. Zelenko  Board Certified Family Physician with over 20 years experience. Dr. Zelenko was nominated for the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nobel Prize , Dr. Zelenko’s team was one of the first in the country to successfully treat thousands of Covid-19 patients in the prehospital setting. Dr. Zelenko developed his now famous “Zelenko Protocol,” which has saved countless lives worldwide. Dr. Zelenko  recommended that President Trump take hydroxychloroquine. Dr. Zelenko begins the conversation explaining we are living through a global bio weapon attack, the people have the cure to fight it. But this attack was well coordinated and the world elite were in on it. There main goal is depopulation and control.

See also: https://educated-choice.co.il/. And https://educated-choice.co.il/video/zelenko-interview/

Bonhoeffer‘s Theory of Stupidity

 

Rules For Entering a P….. State

 YERUSHALAYIM -

The new policy allowing recently vaccinated tourists to enter Israel is set to take effect on Monday, November 1.

However, due to widespread confusion and misinformation regarding the plan, Chaim V’Chessed reports here the details of the arrangement, as confirmed with government officials.

IMPORTANT: Permits issued prior to November 1 (under the previous rules) will be honored if travelers depart on October 31, even if they land on November 1. There is some uncertainty whether existing permits will be honored after November 1. Hence, if you have already obtained a permit, you may wish to consider moving your flight up to today, October 31.

We can now confirm that visa holders will not be allowed entry to Israel if they do not meet the new criteria. Hence, if this applies to you, do not leave Israel at this time, if you wish to return in the near future. This is particularly relevant for children holding visas, who have not recovered in the last six months and cannot be vaccinated.

The following are the new rules for entry of foreigners to Israel. The official Ministry of Health guidance may be viewed here.

Vaccinated or Recovered Abroad

Non-Israeli citizens or residents who meet one of the following criteria are eligible to enter Israel as of November 1:

1. Vaccinated: You have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognized by the World Health Organization*, and 14 days have passed since your last vaccine, and you will leave Israel within 180 days of your last vaccine.
2. Recovered: You have a positive PCR/NAAT Covid test taken at least 11 days before travel, and not more than 190 days before you leave Israel. However, these results must be digitally verifiable, such as in EU countries. Other results will not be accepted. This means that recovered patients from the United States, Canada and other countries will not be granted entry if they are not fully vaccinated, with the last dose in the last six months.
3. Recovered and Vaccinated: You have a digitally verifiable, positive PCR/NAAT Covid test and at least one vaccination from anytime.

Once again, positive PCR/ NAAT results to prove recovery must be digital and verifiable. Vaccination records need not be digital. At this time, it is unclear whether a valid Tav Yarok or a Michtav Hachlama based on serology will be accepted. Positive serological results (antibodies) are not acceptable documentation to prove recovery.

Vaccinated or Recovered in Israel

Non-citizens who are recognized by the Ministry of Health as vaccinated or recovered in the last six months, or who have recovered and received at least one vaccine (regardless of time elapsed), are eligible to enter Israel.

Entry Process

All travelers, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, will need to verify their documents and receive clearance to enter Israel via this online entry form, which can be submitted beginning 48 hours prior to travel. Once verified, travelers will receive a Tav Yarok by email before their departure. Additionally, travelers of all ages need to show proof of a negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours of departure. The only exception to this are travelers who tested positive for Covid in the previous 90 days.

Upon entry, all travelers must take a PCR test in the airport, as before. Upon receipt of a negative result, or after 24 hours, whichever comes first, they will be able to leave quarantine. There will no longer be a need for a serological test on arrival.

At this point, it is unclear whether babies under 12 months will be allowed to enter Israel without providing proof of recovery.

The rules for entry and quarantine for Israeli citizens and permanent residents, whether vaccinated or not, will remain the same as previously.

Sanctions for Violations

Foreigners who contract Covid while in Israel will be compelled to quarantine in government Corona hotels, at their own expense. The details of this rule are not yet known. It is unclear if this will apply to visa holders or only tourists. Those who refuse to comply will be banned from entering Israel for five years.

Authorities will randomly check documentation for authenticity. Foreigners arriving in Israel who are found not to be in compliance with entry criteria will be returned to their place of origin. Those who have presented fraudulent documentation will be banned from entering Israel for five years.

Chaim V’Chessed adds: “We strongly urge all travelers to comply fully with the new entry rules. Failure to do so may cause a Chillul Hashem and have serious legal consequences. Please do not contact Chaim V’Chessed or our partner organizations in cases of persons utilizing fraudulent documentation. We will not assist in such cases, in any fashion.”

[NOTE:  as much as i respect Chaim V’Chessed, one should NOT take “it" in order to enter Eretz Yisrael. We are now reading the parshiot about Hashem, Avraham Avinu, Yitzchak Avinu and our connection to Eretz Yisrael. He/she who is brave should challenge this insane jestopoh entry rule. FYI those who take “it" are those proven to succumb.]

Climate Change Hoax in Glasgow

 

Picture of the Day

 

anonymous telegram pic

Masks and Chilul Hashem

Is it a chilul Hashem (desecration of the Divine Name) for a Torah-observant person to not wear a mask in public? Since the public perceives it as recklessly endangering others and might cause people to dislike Jews, doesn’t that effectively desecrate G-d’s Name? And wouldn’t it be a kidush Hashem (sanctification of the Divine Name) to dutifully comply with these policies that are publicly associated with being responsible, conscientious, and respectful to others’ wellbeing?

Answer:

It's a kiddush Hashem to keep G-d's law even if people disagree or don't understand. This is the very first law in the Code of Jewish Law: “Do not be embarrassed of the scoffers…” i.e. don’t desist from doing what’s right even if others look askance, disapprove, or are scornful.

It's a chilul Hashem to comply with policies that violate G-d's law, and it's a public chilul Hashem to violate G-d's law in public.

There is a common misconception about "chilul Hashem." It does NOT mean doing something that society disapproves of or deems reckless. There is indeed a concept of "mar’is ayin" – i.e. to avoid doing something that gives people the impression that one is committing a sin [1] – but that's only when the specific action that the public presumes was committed is a deed specifically prohibited by the Torah.

Likewise, a Torah scholar who committed an action that the public perceives as sinful has desecrated G-d’s Name [2] only when:

1) that specific action (i.e. taking a purchased item but not paying for it right away, etc.) has objective value that the Torah recognizes as unbecoming, and more importantly

2) it does not itself violate the Torah. For example, many probably argued that Mordechai was causing a "chilul Hashem" for defying the government’s order to bow before Prime Minister Haman, but in reality, the opposite was true.

Mask-wearing is not an objective value in Judaic Law, but just the opposite. Covering one’s face is prohibited by halacha and falls within the rubric of “darkei Emori”[3] – i.e. any man-made ideology, policy, or dogma that’s societally enforced and may not be questioned, since our religion regards such reverential compliance to man-made ideas or policies as idolatrous.

Public policies aside, there are numerous other Judaic problems with wearing masks as mentioned in rabbinic texts. [4]

There is objective Judaic value to exposing one’s face and not masking it:

When Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (the previous Rebbe of Lubavitch) was fleeing the Nazis -- may their name be erased -- his son-in-law R. Shmaryahu Gurary suggested he cover his face so he not be seen.

The Rebbe responded: "Ah yid darf zich nisht shemen mit zain tzura -- a Jew should not be ashamed with his face.”

Covering one's face is a chilul Hashem. Covering one's face in public is a public chilul HaShem.

It is a kidush Hashem to expose one’s face. Doing so in public is an act of public kidush Hashem.

Don't be ashamed.

Sanctify G-d's Name and show your face.

Notes:

[1] The Talmud derives this principle from the verse “And you shall be clean, from G-d and from Israel.” (Bamidbar 32:22)

[2] Sefer Hachinuch commandment 295

[3] Such practices are called darkei emori, “ways of the Amorites.” Leviticus 18:3, Sifra ibid. Shabbat 67a.; Masoret Moshe, page 313; Responsa of the Rashba, 1:413 and Beit Yosef on Yoreh Deah 179:20. “If there is actual curative benefit “רפואה” to the particular custom, then the prohibition of darkei emori doesn’t apply – this means that its curative benefit must be perceivable to a person by natural observation. Otherwise, it is forbidden.” 

If a policy’s alleged medical benefit to the individual cannot be unambiguously demonstrated by natural observation – i.e. empirical evidence, or in legal parlance, strict scrutiny – then blind adherence to it is categorically prohibited under the rubric of darkei emori, irrespective of alleged societal benefit.

[5] https://westbororabbi.blogspot.com/2020/10/mask-policy-in-judaic-thought.html

Masks raise numerous halachic and hashkafic concerns:

a) It is categorically forbidden to wear a mask outdoors on Shabbos unless within an eruv. Even when worn on one’s face, a mask is not considered a garment or an ornament, but a load. [Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 301:20. Shabbos 66a; Rif ibid 30b. Or Zarua Hilchos Shabbos 84.]

b) It is forbidden to wear a mask during prayer. [Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch in a recent responsum.] It is not appropriate to stand before a king wearing a mask on one’s face. How much more so before the King of kings, the Holy One blessed be He. Furthermore, one is prohibited from praying whilst holding a load that isn’t for the purpose of prayer. [Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 96:1.] A mask is a load according to halacha.

c)One may not wear a mask while teaching or learning Torah. This principle is derived from Moses removing his veil when he taught Torah to the Children of Israel. [Exodus 34:35. Torah Shleima vol.21, pages 179 and 183 in miluim siman 6. Note that Rabbi Shlomo Parchin wrote that Moses’ veil had openings for his eyes, nose, and mouth.] Students need to see the face and mouth of their teacher. This is for the benefit of both the student and the teacher. The world stands on the merit of the breath of children learning Torah that ascends heavenward. A mask blocks this breath.

d) It’s forbidden to get an Aliyah or read from the Torah in a mask.  [Torah Shleima ibid cites Sefer Chasidim that early elders would expose their faces during Torah reading.]

e) A Jew is required to greet every individual with a smiling face, בסבר פנים יפות (Avot 1:15). A mask violates this principle by making it impossible.

(f) It's not a Jewish practice to wear a mask. Masks were never mentioned in Tanach, and only appear in halacha for the dubious and discouraged function of frightening children. (Shulchan Aruch O.C. 301:20). Masks are commonplace in pagan worship, and have polytheistic origin. As such, wearing a mask amounts to אביזרייהו דעבודה זרה, and should be discouraged among G-d fearing Jews.

Hashkafic concerns:

1. In kabala, one’s mouth and nose should never be covered. [Likutei Torah (by Rabbi Yitzchak Luria) states that there is no garment for the mouth or nose. Similarly, Rabbi Shalom DovBer of Lubavtich writes in Sefer Maamorim 5665, that there is no garment for the mouth. Rabbi Moses Cordovero writes in Tomer Devorah that one’s mouth and nose should always remain uncovered, in resemblance of the Divine.]

2. Masks ominously symbolize idolatry, division and estrangement from G-d. [Ohr Hachaim Leviticus 19:4]

3. In esoteric Judaic thought, a person’s face is the tselem Elokim, a reflection of the Divine Face. Placing any barrier or blockage over one’s face is an act of obscuring the tselem Elokim in Whose image the human face was fashioned, and reduces a human being to a faceless droid, as the prophet lamented: “They turned their back to me, and not their face.” [Jeremiah 2:27]

4. Hiding one’s face is reminiscent of G-d hiding His face from us [Deuteronomy 31:17-18]

See also:

https://westbororabbi.blogspot.com/2020/11/no-authentic-halachic-source-for-masks.html

https://westbororabbi.blogspot.com/2021/03/take-it-off.html

https://westbororabbi.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-mask-scam.html

https://westbororabbi.blogspot.com/2020/07/yearning-to-breathe-free.html

https://westbororabbi.blogspot.com/2020/09/show-me-your-face.html