Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on August 4, 2020

In Lunenburg, N.S., a town that enthusiastically embraces its seafaring history, you'll find few public displays celebrating the Black and Mi'kmaw people who lived there.

Jessika Hepburn is trying to change that.

The community advocate who lives in the town started a petition earlier this month calling forthe renaming of Cornwallis and Creighton streets to reflect the town's Black and Mi'kmawhistory and Hepburnsays that's just the beginning.

She hopes the petition encourages residents of the town a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site to have frank conversations aboutracism and discriminationin the wake of the larger Black Lives Matter movement.

"My goal with this petition is to make it very clear that there are lots of people also in our community that are willing to have these conversations, and we're going to keep pushing until it's not a problem anymore," Hepburn said.

Hepburn, who is of Black and Jewish heritage, said she's not always felt welcome or safe in the town, and the petition, which now has more than 800 signatures, is further proof of that.

"While there's been hundreds of signatures in support of the petition there's also been a backlash of hateful messages, threats, insults, that I'm not intelligent, that I'm not sane," Hepburn said during a presentation to Lunenburg town council on Tuesday.

She said she was also banned from a local community Facebook page and barred from sharing the petition there.

On Tuesday, Hepburn asked members of council to show their solidarity with people of colour by issuing a statement that condemns racism andforming an anti-racism initiative, among other things.

Hepburn recommends changing the street named after Col. John Creightonto honour Sylvia, the Black woman who helped defend Lunenburg when it was raidedby Americans in 1782, but who was never recognized for it.

Sylvia was a slave whohid ammunition in her apron and carried it fromCreighton's house to the fort during the battle. An account of her bravery is included in the book,We're Rooted Here and They Can't Pull Us Up: Essays in African Canadian Women's History.

"When the house came under fire, Sylvia threw herself on top of the colonel's son to protect him with her own body," the author wrote.

And yet, Hepburn said Sylvia's story has largely been forgotten in town.

"Sylvia died in an unmarked grave in Halifax. We're 238 years later andthere's still no recognition of her in the Town of Lunenburg that's visible," she said.

Hepburn also suggests removing Edward Cornwallis's name from the town, and changing the streetto E'se'katik, the Mi'kmaqname for what would become Lunenburg, which translates to "at the place of clams."

Cornwallis was the governor of Nova Scotia who founded Halifax in 1749, and issued a so-called "scalping proclamation," offeringa bounty to anyone who killedMi'kmawmen, women and children.

Hepburn also wants to seeinterpretive panels installed in town that reflect this history.

The mayor of Lunenburg said the town will consult with Black and Mi'kmaq members of the community, and look into forming some kind of committee or task forceto address issues of racism, including the possible renaming of streets.

But what that group will look like and when it will start is still up in the air, said Mayor Rachel Bailey.

Bailey said the town is committed to doing better and that begins with consultation.

"We are not looking to do this within our own small circle, council and staff," she said. "We are looking to consult with those people who will tell us what we need to do to make sure that we see some positive movement in the right direction."

She said she was upset to hear about the backlash Hepburn faced to the petition.

"It's alarming and upsetting and disturbing. I've had other members of marginalized groups speak to me about their own personal experiences of discrimination and or racism, and it's always hurtful," Bailey said.

A staff report is expected to be presented at the next council meeting at the end of August.

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A town celebrated for its heritage is urged to look at the history it's ignored - CBC.ca

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Posted By admin on August 4, 2020

Image: Associated Press (AP)

Twitter has finally booted David Duke, a former KKK grand wizard and founder of the KKK revival group the Knights of the KuKlux Klan.

Why has it taken years for a company whose policies explicitly bar individuals who affiliate with and promote violent extremist groups? Gizmodo wondered about this earlier this month and asked Twitter, to which the company replied that Duke is not currently a member of the KKK and has distanced himself from the organization publicly. Nothing from Dukes daily ranting indicated that hed dropped the racism, just that he was a free-agent type of racist. Bewilderingly, it still doesnt explain why Richard Spencer, head of the white supremacist National Policy Institute, is still on the platform. (Today, Twitter declined to comment to Gizmodo on why this is.)

Dukes account has been active since 2009, and, as of yesterday, he had over 53,000 followers.

Previously, Twitter said that it had temporarily suspended Dukes account and culled content, telling Gizmodo earlier this month that it would permanently ban the account if he continued to violate rules. But generally, in a recap of its guidelines, Twitter indicated that the hate could stand so long as the tweets didnt explicitly call for hurting people or promoting violence against specific groups.

For years, Duke has screamed on Twitter about supposed Zioglobalism, called Black people radical savages, defended the Nazi salute, and constantly used the anti-Semitic triple parentheses, or echo symbol, intended to point at people of Jewish heritage. He spewed hate at homosexuality and transgender insanity, calling gender dysphoria a sick product of the media. Duke threateningly tweeted the names and faces of a group of Antifa protesters, calling them the faces of domestic terror, which I wont link to here. Even if all of that flies under a technicality, there is simply no excuse under Twitters hateful conduct policy, which prohibits inciting fear about a protected category, for which Twitters example is all [religious group] are terrorists. Duke loved to call people terrorists, but most specifically to Twitters example, Israel. That this guy espouses hate doesnt exactly require a nuanced reading.

G/O Media may get a commission

Toward the end of Dukes run on the platform, Twitter started putting sensitive material labels on his tweets, but it mostly blocked his racist memes and links, not his commentary.

The account you referenced has been permanently suspended for repeated violations of the Twitter Rules on hateful conduct, a Twitter spokesperson said in an email. This enforcement action is in line with our recently-updated guidance on harmful links. Those include links to content that harasses people based on race or ethnicity.

It took YouTube until last month to do the same. Weeks after that ban, Duke tweeted:

The fact that Google and Youtube are 100% owned and run by radical Zionists who give millions of dollars to Jewish causes and to proIsrael-biased Wikipedia - has no impact on the tech company that controls 85 percent of all Search engines. Got that? Goy?

In late June, an unverified account for Duke was created on the free speech Facebook copycat Parler. The social network is rife with fake accounts, but it looks to be a promising candidate for the right-wing exodus. Earlier this month, Republican Reps. Jim Jordan and James Sensenbrenner of the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to the platforms CEO extolling Parlers commitment to free expression, though they didnt necessarily point to what freedoms the other platforms are denying, which, based on virtually every prominent example of Twitter and YouTubes censorship, is freedom to spread misinformation, hatred, and threats. For whatever reason, theyve kept complaining about Twitter and used it anyway as perfectly good conservative-friendly, liberal-enemy-free alternatives have come and gone.

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Twitter Finally Bans the Nazi. No, Not That One. No, the Other One. - Gizmodo

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Posted By admin on August 4, 2020

If youve havent seen the Netflix miniseries Unorthodox perhaps these eight Emmy nominations will convince you.

The four-episode show follows Shira Haas as Esty Shapiro, a 19-year-old Jewish woman who flees an arranged marriage to try and lead a secular life. The series, which is primarily in Yiddish, is inspired by Deborah Feldmans 2012 autobiography Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots.

Haas and Amit Rahav, who portrays Estys husband in the show, posted a video of their Emmy nomination reactions. In the clip, the two are sitting on a bed watching the Emmy nods being rattled off when Unorthodox is named. The pair can hardly contain their excitement.

Yes! Yes! Yes! they scream together. Haas and Rahav hug and jump on the bed.

Unorthodox just got eight nominations for the Emmys including Best limited series! So proud of all of the people who took part in this amazing project. Couldnt be happier! Rahav wrote in the caption.

Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Lead Actress for Haas and nominations in directing and writing were the major categories Unorthodox nabbed.

I was really surprised! I always believed in the show, and I knew there was this possibility. I tried to be optimistic, but you can never tell, Haastold Vulture. We started filming this TV series a year ago. I was so concentrated on what I was doing and I believed in the show so much, but I never thought about words like Emmy.

If you liked this story, check out this Insecure star tear up telling parents about her first Emmy nomination

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Stars of Netflixs Unorthodox freak out over Emmy nomination in adorable video - Yahoo Sports

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Posted By admin on August 2, 2020

Shira Haas, the star of the Netflix limited series Unorthodox, about Esther, a young woman fleeing Hasidic Brooklyn, will always have a record of where she was when she received her first Emmy nomination.

She decided to film the moment alongside Amit Rahav, who plays her husband in the series, because the two actors live a three-minute walk from each other in Tel Aviv. It could have been a disappointing clip, but it wasnt. Haas, 25, earned a nomination for best lead actress in a limited series or movie, and the show itself was nominated for best limited series. Their reaction says it all.

Once she had given herself a couple of hours to process, Haas, whose primary language is Hebrew, got on the phone to talk about the exciting news. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

I was just on Twitter and I saw a video of you learning with Amit Rahav that you were nominated. Its such a wonderful display of your joy. Who decided to film it?

We talked a few days ago on the phone, and we were talking about the Emmys. And we were like, this is such a rare moment thats happening in life and we need to be together, first of all. And then we were like, why not film it? Even if we arent nominated, well have this amazing memory. It was amazing to do it with Amit because hes such a good friend of mine and were also neighbors. So it made sense.

Youre neighbors! Thats wild. How has your life changed since the show debuted on Netflix and youve become more internationally known?

It is amazing what has been happening and the amount of people who have been watching the show. We get messages from all over the world from different places. Something about the fact that theres this pandemic and Im at my home on lockdown is helping me, in a way, to take it in and really appreciate it. I did a lot of interviews and press, and at the same time I was sheltered in my home. I wish it was different circumstances, of course. But in a way its healthy to process the success of the TV series.

You said youve had a lot of people reach out to you about the show. Have you had any Orthodox women reach out to you?

Yes, of course. A lot of people wrote me messages. Lots of women are not necessarily Jewish but women that went through something similar. They were really moved by it, and it took strength for them to even write to me or put it out there.

The show was a surprise hit on Netflix. What do you think it was about the story that grabbed people?

When I read the script, I felt that even though its a different world from what I know, what attracted me was that I see myself within the character. Esther is going through a journey of finding herself and finding her voice and saying, Im a woman. And even though Im not coming from an Orthodox community and I dont know Yiddish at all, I can still really relate to this character. I had so much empathy for this character and this story. And maybe that is what really moves people. An amazing thing that art can do is to bring something that is really, really different and show that we can relate to it and were still human beings.

How did you study the details of Orthodox life in preparation for this role?

I did a lot of research before I arrived to Berlin and New York, where we shot it. I read a lot and had a lot of conversations with women [who left their Orthodox communities] not necessarily from the same community as Esther and I saw videos of Deborah Feldman, the woman the story is inspired by. And then I had an amazing Yiddish coach who really taught me the language, and I had an accent coach and a singing coach. Up until now, it was one of the most, if not the most, committed Ive been to a character. It was a very powerful experience.

Did you think you would have your first Emmy nomination by age 25?

No. The most honest answer is no. All of us put so much of us into this project, but I was not expecting to be nominated for the acting. The answer is definitely no, but I feel so very, very grateful. And I always believed in the show, but Im surprised, to be honest.

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Shira Haas of Unorthodox on Sharing the Joys of Her First Emmy Nod - The New York Times

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Posted By admin on August 2, 2020

Do all roads lead to Yavne?Among the most well-known Talmudic stories is the tale of R. Yohanan ben Zakkais daring escape from Jerusalem at the height of the siege by the Romans in 70 CE, found in the Babylonian Talmud, Gittin 56a-b. According to that account, R. Yohanan had himself smuggled out of the city in a coffin so that he could negotiate with Vespasian, the commander of the Roman forces and soon to be declared Emperor. He requested that the emperor give him Yavne and its sages. In doing so, R. Yohanan b. Zakkai ensured the spiritual continuity of the Jewish people despite the impending destruction of the Temple and the eternal capital. Yavne would become the center of the nascent rabbinic movement which was responsible for the reestablishment of Judaism in the post-Destruction world.Though this story is most closely associated with the fast of Tisha BeAv, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, marking the destruction of the First and Second Temples, its enduring appeal no doubt lies in its profound optimism. It is a story of the indomitable spirit of the Jewish people. Even after suffering a devastating defeat and the loss of their spiritual center, the rabbis immediately rebuilt, ensuring the continuity of Judaism. The rabbis of Yavne would teach that through the continued study and practice of Torah, the people could maintain their relationship with God and continue their historic mission in the world, even in the absence of the Temple.But there is another, less well-known version of R. Yohahan ben Zakkais escape that lacks this message of hope. Lamentations Rabbah, a midrash compiled in the Land of Israel probably about 100 years before the editing of the Babylonian Talmud, tells a much darker tale. This version makes no mention of Yavne. After repeatedly failing to save the city from destruction, all that R. Yohanan ben Zakkai requests is that prior to his final assault, Vespasian leave the western gate [of Jerusalem] which goes out to Lod open until the third hour, so that those who wish can escape and avoid being killed. This story offers no vision for life in the post-Destruction era. It does not look forward to the ultimate triumph of the rabbis in maintaining the continuity of Jewish tradition. It focuses on the bare physical survival of remnant of the Jewish people. This story reminds us that through much of Jewish history, heroism was defined simply by the will to live until the next day. Gods promise to Israel was manifest by the simple fact that some Jews were not killed. Most of the time, we prefer to dwell on the more optimistic vision of the Babylonian Talmud. But perhaps on Tisha Beav, it is the starker focus of the midrash which is most appropriate.The writer is a senior lecturer in Bar-Ilan Universitys Berman Department of Literature of the Jewish People. This article is based on his recent piece The Road to Lydda A Survivors Story: Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkais Flight from Jerusalem According to Eicha Rabba 1:5 that appeared in Jerusalem Studies in Hebrew Literature 31 (2020) 27-64.

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The indomitable spirit of the Jewish people - The story of Yavne - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on August 2, 2020

By: Ariel Natan Pasko

Any generation in which the Beit HaMikdash [the Temple] was not rebuilt in their days, its considered as if they destroyed it, (Talmud Yerushalmi Yoma 5a).

As we enter the Nine Days, before the fast of Tisha BAv, commemorating both Temples destructions, we need to investigate deeper into this situation.

If were responsible, we need to ask, whats the real reason the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed, why it hasnt been rebuilt and, how can we fix it?

Theyre hard questions to deal with, and even tougher answers, but if we (the Jewish people), want Geulah Shleima, complete redemption, the total truth must be confronted, and the real reason must be rectified.

To do the Tikkun (to fix, heal, repair) the sins of our forefathers and foremothers, we must know precisely, not just in a general way, exactly how they damaged their relationship with HaShem (the God of Israel).

What exactly caused the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash, Jerusalem, and the long exile of the Jewish people?

The rabbis in the Talmud Bavli ask, Due to what reason was the First Temple destroyed? [And answer] It was destroyed due to the fact that there were three things that existed [were out of control] during the First Temple era: Idol worship, forbidden sexual relations, and bloodshed, (Yoma 9b)

Then the rabbis of the Talmud ask, But why was the second Sanctuary destroyed, seeing that in its time they were occupying themselves with Torah study, Mitzvot, the [observance of] precepts, and the practice of charity and kindness?

They answer, Because there was Sinat Chinam, wanton hatred without cause. That teaches you that groundless hatred is considered equivalent to the three grave sins of idolatry, immorality, and bloodshed together, (Talmud Bavli 9b).

Then we are taught by the rabbis, that the Sinat Chinam was, brought on by the Lashon HaRa, slander of Jews by other Jews, that actually caused the destruction of the Second Temple, and relate the story of Kamtza and bar Kamtza. (Talmud Bavli, Gittin 55b56a).

Thats what were taught every year, senseless hatred and slander, caused the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple

But what caused the Lashon HaRa and wanton hatred?

There are many, many Shmirat HaLashon (be careful with your speech) groups operating around the Jewish world today. Many, many articles and books have been written, audios and videos made, since the big push of the Chafetz Chaim, almost 150 years ago, which put Shmirat HaLashon on the Jewish radar. Sincere people, try to watch their words and speak positively. Many work on loving all Jews regardless of affiliation.

So, why havent the Jewish people fixed the sin yet? Why hasnt the Beit HaMikdash been rebuilt? Why hasnt Mashiach, the messiah come?

I believe its because weve been focusing too much on the Talmud of Galut (exile), the Talmud Bavlis explanation, and havent learned well enough, the Talmud of Geulah, the Talmud of Redemption, the Talmud Yerushalmi.

We begin with the Talmud Yerushalmi (Yoma 4a) which comes to the same conclusion about the destruction of the Second Temple as does the Talmud Bavli namely, that it was due to Sinat Chinam.

However, the Yerushalmi (Yoma 4b) whose text is identical till this point with the Bavli, adds three important words, that explain everything, what Sinat Chinam really came from. R. Yochanan ben Torta, adds, Ohavin et HaMamon, having too much of a lust for money.

The 18thcentury commentator, from Germany, Rabbi David ben Naphtali Frankel, (his Korban Edah, is like the Rashi on the Bavli), explains this further in his glosses to his Korban Edah, the Shirei Korban.

It comes to teach, that their love for money, led to being jealous of each other, it wasnt that they lusted for money to buy necessities for themselves, and, they were careful to give their tithes [charity] etcBut, they lusted for the money [possessions] of their friends, and this is what led to the jelousy and senseless hatred.

It wasnt a lust for money per se, as anti-Semites have accused Jews of historically, but they were obsessive,in whats commonly called today keeping up with the Joneses.

Simply put, they broke the Tenth Commandment, as stated in Parshat Yitro, at Mount Sinai, You shall not covet your neighbors house. You shall not covet your neighbors wife, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or whatever belongs to your neighbor, (Exodus 20:14).

Then repeated by Moses, in the upcoming Parsha, Vaetchanan, And you shall not covet your neighbors wife, nor shall you desire your neighbors house, his field, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor, (Deuteronomy 5:18).

There you have it, the real reason for the Beit HaMikdashs destruction and why it hasnt yet been rebuilt.Instead of being joyful, about what they had received from HaShem, they wanted more, until it led to jelousy and hatred.

Are we any better today?

Talking about Lashon HaRa and Sinat Chinam out of context, doesnt help us repair the sin. We need laser beam focus on the real reason.

Modern marketing and advertisings main goal is stimulating the feeling of lack in people. Two minutes earlier, someonedidnt feel anything missing in their life, and now they do.

And, what about when the neighbor rolls up in a new car How do you feel?

Now that you know the cold hard truth; in a nutshell, beware of modern advertisings influence and the values of international consumer culture today, which leads to, if unchecked, covetousness, jelousy, dissatisfaction, Lashon HaRa, and finally Sinat Chinam

Maybe, if we learn the lesson quickly enough, God-willing, instead of fasting for Tisha BAv (the 9thof Av) this year, well be too busy, rebuilding the Beit HaMikdash instead.

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Masters Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.

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The Real Reason the Beit HaMikdash Was Destroyed - The Jewish Voice

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Posted By admin on August 2, 2020

For Zions sake, I will not be silent

QUESTION #9: Those of us who do not feel attached to the kedusha of Eretz Yisrael; how important is it for us to make us feel connected and appreciate Eretz Yisrael?

Rav Shacter: Spend the summer in Eretz Yisrael, tour the country like they do on Birthright. All who go fall in love with Eretz Yisrael.

A professor in Scranton wrote a book of comparative religions. She bought a home near the Kollel. Mark Shapiro encouraged her to take a trip to Eretz Yisrael. All of the professors who went were goyim. They went and fell in love with Eretz Yisrael. Jews, for sure should go and visit.

Question #10: How do we view anti- Eretz Yisrael views by various sects of Judaism?

Rav Shacter: They are mishugaim ! (crazy) Mamish lunatics!

One guy from MTA High school joined Neturei Karta, he was from the Breurs community. He was told dont go to YU or you will get ruined. He went to YU and then afterwards joined Neturei Karta and got ruined.

They are all crazy lunatics.

There is no one to talk to over there. Neturei Karta used to take out a full page ad in the New York Times, every year around the time of the Israel day parade. Now they cant afford it. They are a very small organization of people; they are seen at protests and rallies.

According the ADL, Neturei Karta is an anti-Israel group with only 100 active members. They were orgininally founded in 1937 Israel, by Rabbi Aharon Katzenelbogen.

Some of their protestors are Mexican people [paid protestors], not Jews, who dress up with peyos to look like Jews.

Satmar Chassidim are also Lunatics!

They respect their Rebbe so much, that they refuse to accept that their Rebbe (Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum 1887-1979) made a mistake. The Rebbe made a mistake, unfortunately! He thought that the State of Israel was going to destroy Judaism. That was the Founders intention for the state [if Israel], to replace the [Jewish] religion. This did not occur.

There is more Torah learning today in the world because of the establishment of Medinas Yisrael. Because of Medinas Yisrael there is more shmiras HaMitzvos, then there was ever before. They keep on perpetuating their mistake of the Rebbe. The whole thing is a joke.

Rav Velvele Soleveichik also thought the Medina is going to destry everything. Its an embarrassment that Brisk keeps on reprinting his predictions they were all wrong. In the same way, the Satmar Rebbe, was wrong its an embarrassment.

You see seventy years later, all their concerns were incorrect. Torah now in Eretz Yisrael is stronger than it ever was.

Rav Willig: Reform Jews, the vanishing American Jew are a much bigger number than Neturei Karta. They may not be Halachically Jewish. They are violent anti-Israel, Liberals , Leftists. They are very dangerous.

This is similar to the feminist movement, BLM and the Democratic Party.

American support is very important for the State of Israel. The Jewish Vote had influence and these numbers are shrinking. The Orthodox numbers are growing exponentially. We are getting bigger. But the big block of Reform, Conservative, and un-affiliated [Jews]; they used to be very pro-israel. They were culturally Jewish.

As intermarriage started to grow, people become more unaffiliated and less attached to anything Jewish. And now that the left wing BDS groups [also Not in my name, J Street] are anti-Israel. Jews vote Democratic. They used to be pro-Israel, now unfortunately, they are not.

We have to daven that these people should wake up and realize that they are making a mistake. American Jews are thinking that they are Americans and not Jews. Its not going to help them, unfortunatiely, if such a thing should come to pass.

You should try to establish any type of Jewish connection with any Jew that you meet; like Jews in the workplace. Not just for kiruv, to ensure that they should be shomer Torah and mitzvos. Even if they not shomer mitzvos, they should marry Jewish. They should think Jewish, feel Jewish. They should support the State of Israel, this is very important. We are talking about millions of people not just a few people. Look on Torah Web. This topic is discussed on Existing through Holiness.

The Midrash Tanchuma understands that it says [in the Torah] Kedoshim Tihiyu, your Holy deeds give you the zechus to continue. So many great things have happened since 1948. So much learning of Torah in Eretz Yisrael, more than ever before; probably, even [more learning Torah in Israel compared to] in America.

Tens of thousands are learning in Yeshivos. This was unimaginable in 1948. Ben Gurion gave 400 guys a petur from serving in the IDF. He thought that this was the end. Its less people than Neturei Karta. It [Torah learning Jews] will be over in a few years, he thought. He did not realize the reality. He thought that he would destroy the religion. Now, there are tens of thousands learing Torah with that same petur!

At the same time, [in the USA] the rate if inter-marriage is unimaginable what it is today. We do our best to mitchazek Clal Yisrael.

End Of Shiur

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G-d Chose Eretz Yisrael, He Desired it to dwell there (Tehilim 132:13)

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G-d is Great in Eretz Yisrael, and he is elevated over all the nations (Tehilim 99:2)

Since this Shiur was given in 2019, The Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (YU), has moved completely online. Every shiur, every chavrusa, every chaburah. (according the YU website)

Fourteen group Aliyah flights are to take place over the next three months (Nefesh BNefesh)unprecedented increase in Aliyah interest from North American Jews, with Nefesh BNefesh reporting its highest number of calls and applications this past May since the organization was founded in 2002.

What Questions are we asked in Heaven after we die?

: : ? ? ? ? ? ? , , .

Rava said: When they escort a person to his final, Heavenly judgement after his death, the Heavenly tribunal says to him: Did you conduct your business transactions faithfully? Did you set aside fixed times for Torah study? Did you engage in procreation? Did you wait in hope for the Messianic Salvation? Did you delve into wisdom? When you learned Torah, did you learn it deeply, and infer from one thing from another? But even so, all this is only of limited consequence; if fear of G-d as this persons storehouse, then yes his judgment is favorable; and if it was not, then no, his judgment is not favorable. (Talmud Bavli Shabbos 31a).

Rav Hershel Shachter

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook was once asked from where he got this deep desire to live in Israel?

Its Simple. The Chumash, he responded.

Starting from parshas Lech Lecha onwards its all about Eretz Yisrael. Israel is the main location of shmiras hamitzvos. Living in Israel is a fulfillment of a Biblical obligation.

Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik

It is a privilege to live here and that the first mitzvah given to a Jew was Lech Lecha, devoted to Eretz YisraelTo come here alive, instead of only to be buried, is something that we should all look forward to.

The Great Shofar

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, .

It shall be on that day that a great shofar will be blown and those who are lost in the land of Assyria and those cast away in the land of Egypt, will come together and they will prostrate themselves to Hashem on the holy mountain in Yerushalayim. (Yeshayahu 27:13)

Other Opinions from A Drop in the Ocean by Rabbi Moshe Lichtman

Tosefta, Avodah Zarah 5:2

dwelling in Eretz Yisrael is equal to all the mitzvos of the Torah.

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Talmud Bavli, Avodah Zara 8a

Rav Yishmael says, Jews in Chutz LaAretz are idol worshippers in purity.

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Talmud Yerushalmi, Moed Kattan 3:1; Korban HaEida

a Kohen is forbidden to go to Chutz LaAretz because the Chachamim decreed ritual impurity upon the lands of the nations.

Kli Yakar, BeReishis 47:27-28 (Rav Shlomo Luntschitz 1550-1619)

they will strive to settle permanently in the lands of the nations and acquire for themselves a portion in their lands, like full fledged settlers. Thus they will despair of the redeption. [G-d] wanted to prevent them from striving to settle in the lands of the nations.

there are many simpletons who settle down in the lands of the nations and build themselves prominent paneled homes stone edifices made to last. For this reason they do not seek G-ds countenance wholeheartedly, beseeching Him to bring them to their Land . Therefore, G-d leaves them there.

Sefer HaChayim, sec. 5 Sefer Geulah, ViYeshuah, chap. 1 (p. 105) (Rav Chaim Loew 1530-1588, brother of the Marharal)

reason for this bitter exileis that many members of our nation have all but given up hope on the redemption and consider themselves permanent dwellers in the lands of our enemies. They build themselves beautiful and prestigious homes and not in the Holy Land that G-d promised to give us.

Shnei Luchot HaBrit, end of Tractate Sukkah, Shelah Hakadosh (Rabbi Isaiah Halevi Horowitz, 1558)

whenever I see Children of Israel building houses like the fortresses of noblemen, making permanent dwellings in this world, and in a defiled landThis seems, G-d forbid, like a lack of interest in the redemption.

Yalkut Reuveini, VZot HaBerachah, p.141 (Rav Avraham Reuven Hakohen Sofer 1605-1673)

[In the time of Moshiach, those who come from Chutz LaAretz will be upset when they see the Jews of Israel or more spiritual beings]

those Jews who were outside the Land and endevoured to come to Eretz Yisrael, in order to gain a pure soul and they did not take pity on their money or their bodiessince they emphasized their spirits and their souls, not their bodies and their money, their spirituality returned to them when they were resurrected, measure for measure. You, however, who could have come to Eretz Yisrael like they did, but neglected to come because of your love of money and your bodies, emphasizing them and minimizing your spirits and your souls this is why you remained physical, measure for measure. Because of your love of money, Hashem will give you moneyThis concludes the words of our master, Rav Chaim Vital.

BeReishis Rabbah 96:5, Nechmad LeMareh

those buried in Eretz Yisrael will be privileged to new life at the time of the resurrection, and they will become new beings. They will be spiritual in both body and soul, like Chanoch and Eliyahu, and they will have the power to fly like eagles, and they will go to the Garden of Eden which is also called the Tree of Life and the Land of the Living to learn Torah from the mouth of G-dThis is not true of those who remain in Chutz LaAretz, alive or dead; they will not be privileged to experience this

the Chesed LeAvraham wrotethat the resurrection of the dead will occur in Eretz Yisrael forty years before the resurrection of Chutz LaAretz. However, anyone who died in Chutz LaAretz and has a familial relative in Eretz Yisraelthat relative who is in Eretz Yisrael has the power to bring those in Chutz LaAretz to life

Talmud Bavli, Kesuvos 111a

Rav Elazar said: The dead of Chutz LaAretz will not come back to life.

Kuzari

in the case of someone who had the opportunity to live in Eretz Yisrael during his lifetime but opted not to, it is forbidden to transport such a person to Eretz Yisrael after his death.

Mishneh Torah (Rambam), Hilchos Melachim, chap. 12

One should not think that in the days of Moshiach any aspect of the worlds way of functioning will be annulled or that there will be a new creation. Rather, the world will continue to function as normal.

The Netzivs Approbation for Lemaan Tzion, Shivat Tzion vol.1 p.17

the Blessed One wants the Land to be settled by His nation IsraelHe wants the dispersed of Israel to settle the Land

Siddur Beis Yaakov, Sullam Beis El 3:6 (Rav Yaakov Emden, 1700s)

It is well known that a Jew must face Jerusalem when he praysevery Jew must make a firm and steadfast decision in his heart to ascend and dwell in Eretz Yisrael

For even though it [Israel] is in ruins, the Shechina never left it.

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It is forbidden for Rabbis to Make Aliyah ? (part 2 of 2) - The Times of Israel

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Khalid Abdul Samad today called for an end to race supremacy, linking the notion to Zionism, Nazism and White supremacy but was quick to point out that that special privileges does not equate race supremacy. Picture by Miera Zulyana

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad today called for an end to race supremacy, linking the notion to Zionism, Nazism and White supremacy but was quick to point out that that special privileges does not equate race supremacy.

Jew supremacy created Zionism, Aryan supremacy created Nazi Hitler, White supremacy created White supremacist Trump, Malay supremacy is in the same stream as these three misguided teachings.

Reject race supremacy! Special position is not supremacy, the outspoken Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) leader said in a posting on his Twitter account.

Previously when he was the Federal Territories Minister, Khalid said that the Federal Constitution protects the special position and rights of the Malays, but has no links to race supremacy.

The term ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy) is not in the Constitution. It only cropped up some time during the 12th General Election to discourage the Malays from supporting the non-Malays or the opposition, he was quoted saying in The Star.

Astro Awani had also previously reported Khalid accusing Umno of capitalising on the term Malay supremacy, to obscure Malay voters.

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Khalid Samad calls for an end to race supremacy, links Malay supremacy to Zionism, Nazism and White supremacy - Malay Mail

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Posted By admin on August 2, 2020

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi has already rehabilitated one important Israeli institution in his career the battered IDF following the Second Lebanon War in 2006. He now has an opportunity to do the same for another significant institution the Foreign Ministry. Three key factors have coalesced to provide a rare opportunity to revitalize the ministry. The first is the ministrys serious decline in recent decades, with some of its responsibilities parceled out to other agencies, such as the Strategic Affairs Ministry, and its ongoing exclusion from decision making on foreign affairs and security issues. The ministry further faced deep budget cuts that forced our diplomats to declare an unprecedented labor dispute, and even threaten a strike in 2019. The crisis was further exacerbated as throughout most of the previous governments term, the ministry operated without a full-time minister at its helm.

The combination of these factors greatly eroded the ministrys standing as reflected, inter alia, in the halving of applicants to its prestigious cadet training between 2012 and 2017. We are not alone in this regard. Foreign ministries the world over have experienced declines in recent decades. Globalization has weakened the nation-state and significantly eroded the need for a unique state institution dedicated to conducting its foreign affairs, while technological developments have undermined the centrality of some of the ministrys most significant roles, such as managing communications between states, monitoring developments abroad and analyzing their impact. In the US, for example, President Trump has consistently sought to slash the State Departments annual budget, although Congress has blocked some of the cuts.

However, the emerging global reality of recent years increases the need for strong, effective foreign ministries. The post-World War II global order is being eroded. The US, which held a leading role in creating and leading that order (especially since the end of the Cold War) has withdrawn inward. China, the rising power, has yet to affirm its standing and the nature of its relationship with the US is unclear. The growing frostiness between Washington and Beijing has weakened globalization further, even before the coronavirus honed understanding of its limitations. Nation-states, as an idea and social institution that many had already dismissed as defunct, are experiencing a resurgence while competing frameworks, such as the European Union, are in decline. Meanwhile, the Euro-Atlantic world from which we emerged and within which we exist, is losing its centuries-long predominance, a continent we understand far less, is rising.

These systemic shifts will affect us as a small state. For example, the declining volume of international trade resulting from shrinking globalization could damage leading economic engines, especially the hi-tech industry. What is more, Israels room for maneuver in the global system stems, inter alia, from its close alliance with the US over the past 50 years. The decline of the US, the reservations some of its political elite have about Israel and the rise of a competing power are likely to shrink our room for maneuver accordingly. A significant measure of the Zionist movements success was its ability to navigate within the stormy international reality of the 20th century and to adapt quickly to the rise and fall of great powers, especially after the two world wars. The same is true today. The significant global change that is taking place around us requires a strong, confident cadre of diplomats capable of analyzing shifting trends and playing a leading role in shaping Israels response. Yet, again, early

signs of a resurgence in foreign ministries around the world is already evident. For example, after years of decline, the British government has undertaken a series of measures designed to bolster the Foreign Office, including a comprehensive review to be completed this year of its foreign affairs, security and international development goals and institutions. Just as important, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in mid-June the folding of the Department for International Development into the Foreign Office in order to mobilize every one of our national assets, including our aid budget and expertise, to safeguard British interests and values overseas.

The third part of the opportunity structure is the current internal political reality. In his debut as an elected official in a key cabinet post, Ashkenazi has a chance to lead a substantive change. His personal and political standing, along with his past leadership of Israels most important security organ (and his prospective appointment as defense minister starting in late 2021) will enable him to restore the Foreign Ministry to the nexus of decision-making processes. His impressive stand as IDF chief in pushing back against the prime minister regarding a strike on Iran a decade ago reflects his potential, and that of his ministry, to shape crucial policy issues. His overall dignified public record and the esteem with which he is held in Washington will help him shape a new relationship with a Democratic Party administration, especially given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus close relationship with the current Republican one. Finally, his success as foreign minister could well pave his way to further political advancement.

The writer is a senior lecturer of international relations at the University of Haifa and a board member of Mitvim The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies

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Ashkenazi revitalized the IDF, now he can do the same to Foreign Ministry - The Jerusalem Post

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Posted By admin on August 2, 2020

Over the last three centuries, the Swiss Confederation, with its spectacular alpine beauty and prosperous economy, has attracted aspiring immigrants including many Jews. In the mid-1970s, I went to Zrich to study German in response to a job offer. It took me a while to adjust to this somewhat insular fortress nation with its stringent rules and high standards. One of the first things I had to do was to surrender my passport to the Fremden Polizei (Foreigner Police) department at Zrichs City Hall. These rather draconian rules were established to protect the country from an invasion of foreigners. In those days, 20% of the population were foreign citizens; today that number has risen to 25%. I knew very little about Swiss Jews when I first arrived there. I ended up meeting and marrying a Swiss Jewish woman in Zrich.

My ex-wife (now sadly deceased) came from a long line of Ashkenazi Jews who could trace their origins to Switzerland of the mid-18th century. Jews have lived in Switzerland for well over 1000 years. Purportedly, Jews came to the region with the Roman armies and were responsible for supplying them with horses. The territory was part of the Roman Empire for six centuries from 2 CE to 5 CE. The first communities settled in Basel in 1214. Today there are around 20,000 Jews living in Switzerland, the 10th largest Jewish community in Europe. The majority of Jews live in Zrich, followed by Geneva and Basel. The communities of Zrich and Basel follow Ashkenazi customs, while Geneva has a large population of French speakers who follow Sephardi rites.

To this day, Swiss society is ultra-conservative and any form of radical change is not easily embraced. Women in Switzerland only achieved the right to vote in federal elections after a referendum was held in 1971. It has taken the Swiss almost as long to accord equal rights to its Jewish citizens. Soon after Napoleon invaded Switzerland and established the Helvetic Republic in 1798, life began to improve for the Jews. Approximately 200 years later, in 1999, Ruth Dreifuss became the first woman and first Jewish president of the country. Despite the countrys medieval history of virulent antisemitism, persecution and pogroms, life was not always that bad for Jews in Switzerland.

In 2000, my American wife and I happened to be in Zrich when friends of ours took us to see an extraordinary site in the Old Town one Sunday afternoon. It seems that a Zrich resident was renovating his rather prestigious town house at number 8 Brunngasse. During the renovations the builders discovered a series of murals dating back to the year 1330. Much to his amazement the murals depicted men and women, seemingly aristocratic figures dressed in their finery and sporting their coats of arms. Upon further inspection they discovered Hebrew inscriptions written on the banners that were displayed on the coats of arms. I remember the guide telling us that the Jews who lived in the house were involved in international finance with clients that included noble European families some of whom were depicted in the murals. The archaeological find at the time provoked great interest and the owner of the house generously agreed to preserve the murals and allow the public access to see these extraordinary relics of Zrichs ancient Jews. We were also taken to a site a few meters away from the house where an ancient Mikveh (ritual bath) was found, probably used by the family who lived in the house at Brunngasse. The word Brunn in German means well or spring, indicating that the house was built near a natural source of water. Some 19 years later in 1349, the same Jews of Zrich were accused of poisoning the wells and hundreds were burned at the stake in both Zrich and Basel.

By the 1620s, Jews were banished from all Swiss cantons and it was only in 1776 that Jews were allowed back into the country ushering in a Renaissance of Jewish life in Switzerland. They were given permission to live in the Surbtaler Valley in what is now Canton Aargau in just two villages, Lengnau and Oberendingen (now known as Endingen). My ex-wifes family came from Lengnau. Even though she was born in the Canton of Zrich, her identity documents referred to her and the rest of the family as coming from Lengnau. Jewish family surnames such as Bloch, Bollag, Guggenheim, Wyler, Dreyfuss and Brunschvig were associated with the Surbtaler Jews of Endingen and Lengnau.

Eventually in 1750, the Jews were allowed to buy woodland on a hill between Endingen and Lengnau. Both Lengnau and Endingen had their own synagogues. The Jewish residents of the two towns were constrained in terms of the professions they could follow. Houses were constructed with two separate entrances, one for gentiles and one for Jews. Jews from the towns had to pay special taxes including a firewood tax.

Sadly, the Napoleonic era did not bring full emancipation to the Jews of Switzerland. Swiss reformers tried to emancipate the Jews in the new Helvetic parliament but were unsuccessful. In Aargau in 1802, a mob looted the two Jewish villages and not much was done to protect the Jewish residents. Napoleon had other priorities. He depended on the Swiss for supplying regiments for his campaigns and he ended up passing the Act of Mediation in 1803 guaranteeing that no further rights would be granted to Jewish citizens.

By the mid-19th century, things began to change for the better and Jews began to leave setting their sights on Zrich and Basel. Today there are fewer than 12 Jewish people living in the Surbtal region. Nevertheless, the synagogues and cemetery are well preserved and meticulously maintained. It was only in 1874 after the constitution was revised, that the Jews were given free rights to settle anywhere in the country.

Despite this, shechita (Jewish ritual slaughter) was prohibited. In 1886, certain organizations launched a campaign against cruelty to animals and demanded that the government forbid kosher slaughter. The campaign succeeded and shechita was forbidden in Switzerland. The prohibition still exists and has not been lifted. By this time Jews from Germany and the neighboring Alsace region began to arrive. Jews were also fleeing the pogroms of Eastern Europe. Many tried to find refuge in Switzerland. They were called Ostjuden (Eastern Jews) and were looked down upon by the existing Swiss Jewish communities. There is a viewpoint that the ban on ritual slaughter was aimed at preventing further immigration.

The Jews entered the professions and began to do well as lawyers, doctors, bankers, commodity traders, entrepreneurs, and successful business people. The Jews from Lengnau and Endingen did particularly well and are considered to be the crme de la crme of Swiss Jewish society. To this day, they are very proud of their heritage and are extremely loyal to the Swiss Confederation. For the most part they are also Zionists. After all the very first World Zionist Congress was held in 1897 in Basel, an event that took place in that same city on 10 subsequent occasions.

During the Holocaust 23,000 Jews found temporary shelter in Switzerland, but 35,000 were turned away. The country remained neutral during the war, yet the Swiss treated Jewish refugees differently. They persuaded the Germans to stamp the letter J on German and Austrian Jewish passports to make it easier for the immigration authorities to deny them entry.

Today Swiss Jews enjoy a relatively good existence in the country. Jewish life is mainly centered in Zrich followed by Basel and Geneva. The communities are quite diverse from Orthodox to Reform, as well as Conservative and Sephardic. Swiss Jews are generally very pro-Israel and have contributed their time and money to philanthropic causes in the Jewish state. They speak different dialects of Swiss German and High German. Many also speak French and are familiar with Italian. Their Ashkenazi forebears also spoke a distinctive type of Yiddish peppered with Hebrew and Swiss German words.

Assimilation and aliyah are the two main reasons why the Jewish population has not increased. There are around 11,000 Swiss Jews living in Israel today. In the last few decades, antisemitism has begun to resurface in the country. A survey conducted in 2014 found that one in four Swiss residents are antisemitic. The dislike for Jews stems from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and all the biased media coverage that goes with it. Back in the late 1990s a new issue surfaced.

At the time, the international media drew attention to Switzerlands actions during World War II. Articles began to appear which exposed how the Swiss banking institutions concealed and withheld information about the lost assets of Holocaust victims. The controversy widened as myths of Switzerlands impeccable record during the war were exploded. This was not well received by the government or the people and resulted in a number of public inquiries being launched to examine the facts. This in turn led to a new wave of uninhibited racist and antisemitic views being expressed in both the media and in Swiss society in general.

In 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the country still maintains its reputation as one of the most resilient and stable economies in the world. No wonder then that its Jewish citizens are keen to hold onto their residency and Swiss passports.

The photographs are courtesy of Sara Guggenheim, a young Jerusalem resident and descendant of the Jews of Endingen

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The Jews of Switzerland - The Jerusalem Post

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