Motzai Shabbat, and an Ending

 (nablopomo, day the last: 31)

I am feeling very strange this motzei Shabbat.  Again, we had a pleasant Shabbat, with friends, in our beautiful setting here, right outside of our townhome.  It was a very hot day: in the 90s, but actually felt even hotter, as there was no cloud cover at all.

I had been sitting outside with my friend's mother (who lives with her, and is also a friend)--in the 90 degree sun; we were trying to get in our daily dose of vitamin D, but I think we over did it.  After twenty minutes or so, I felt as if I was going to melt, and we called it quits.  This was after 1:00 p.m. but before lunch (seudah sheniyah).  Believe it or not, my D. H. comes home late from shul, (Chabad) and I myself haven't been going to shul lately, enjoying my peace and quiet alone in the house, davening or reading the parsha. Or a book. Or the Wall Street Journal.

Good thing I didn't go today.  I would have had heatstroke, chas ve-shalom.  My D.H. came home barely walking, it was so hot.  We both went inside, he made kiddush, we washed and made hamotzi and sat down to eat lunch--and chain drank iced tea, chugging away our entire pitcher full (don't you dare say there is no global warming)!  We had begun to dehydrate, both of us.  It was worse for D. H., though, because he had just walked a mile from shul to home.  We needed an infusion of water and probably electrolytes; we settled for iced tea, however.

Even though we haven't lived in the home that we used to own, since the year 2003 when we had to sell it (D.H. had been unemployed once before, then...and the time had come when we couldn't continue paying the mortgage anymore), and I miss it--G-d has been good to us.  I say this, because we have been living now for six years in a cozy rental town-home in a beautiful setting, surrounded by good friends and neighbors.  It is like a little yishuv*.

I say this, even though we had lived in our house for 19 years, raised our children there, and now my D. H. is unemployed again, in this terrible economic downturn.  We could have been much worse off.  We are lucky to be living here, while looking for jobs.

But somehow I feel this is temporary; it is just an interlude, a lull before the 'storm,'  the Big Change: our ultimate goal is to go back to Israel.  We do not have a timetable yet (there are some important medical and financial things to take care of first), but that is our plan.  Maybe this is a holding pattern...we are in transition, preparing for the next phase in our lives.

With Divine intervention we were placed in an even better area, after the trauma of having to sell our house, and first move into a friend's basement for 4 months.  It's just a question of biding one's time during the transition, trying to keep an even keel, because "this too shall pass."

My dream is to have the means to help the Jewish people in some manner--relieve poverty and hunger, or help orphans, or support the IDF in some material way--and live next door to at least one of my children and my grandchildren, and be a part of all their lives.  I have no other ambition.  Not career, not fame.  I'm not planning on writing a book, although I had thought about it for a while.  But nobody would be interested in my memoir, as I'm just an ordinary human being, with no great accomplishment or ideas to impart to the world (okay, so I'll tack on buying a boat to that dream--for my D.H., who has it all planned out when we win the lottery--!).


With this post, Nablopomo is done for July.  I am not signing up for daily blogging during the month of August--I need a rest.  It's kind of sad, though.  All endings are.

I'm not sure what this mix of emotions is that I am feeling this motzai Shabbat, after hearing havdalah in a moving Carlebach melody, and singing my motzai Shabbat zemirot--just like on the Moshav.  I think it is merely an intense awareness of. . . the passage of time. 



*Yishuv: Hebrew for settlement

Turns Out Gaza is...Just Fine, Thank You, If You're Hamas.

 (nablopomo day 30)

What humanitarian crisis? What lack of material goods? What poverty and starvation? I'm certain that is going on, but it is not caused by the Israeli embargo.  It is caused by the current rulers of Gaza, Hamas, and their extremely uneven distribution of goods, services and money.  Gaza is now Hamastan, folks.

Here is a current example of what is going on in Gaza, told to us by none other than Ashraf Abu al-Houl, an Egyptian journalist (what? you've never heard of him? How about Tom Gross. Heard of him?), who was surprised to discover (GASP!) that Gaza is rich with abundant goods at low prices.  Wow. Who woulda thunk it.

If you'd like, you can even buy Zionist clothes (-and who wouldn't want to be seen wearing those?) at really affordable prices, in the new luxury mall. Then, after you bought all your cool Jew-clothes, go cool off at a water park.

Oh, but wait--although "supply is greater than demand," you may not be able to partake of these.  Well, let's see: are you a member of Hamas? Are you at least, an associate of Hamas, like a close friend of a member, perhaps?  Are you a member of UNRWA?  Or maybe, do you happen to own a smuggling tunnel to Egypt? 'Cause if you do, then you can definitely enjoy all these amenities--come on down!

What?  You're just an ordinary. . . citizen?  Well then, sorry--forget it.  Can't use 'em.  You're also probably unemployed (at the rate of 45%), anyway.

The evident prosperity is not enjoyed by all, or even most, of Gaza's residents, according to Al-Houl. The problem is the vast differences in the distribution of wealth. The luxury resorts and wide range of consumer goods are enjoyed by “only a few groups,” he said, primarily those who own smuggling tunnels to Egypt and those who work for international organizations such as the United Nations' UNRWA and who do not include or aid the rest of the population.
Most of the new resorts “are owned by members, or associates, of Hamas,” he reported. “In addition, the Hamas municipalities charge high fees, in Gaza terms, for the use of public beaches,” he added.

(Didn't I just write something about this, here?)

Obsession with Israel: A Psychologist's Dream

 (nablopomo day 29)

How often have I written about this phenomenon? Too often. The phenomenon that Israel is always to blame for something.  Anything it does is subject to critism, blame or a negative outcry: *Operation Oferet Yetzuka in Gaza was condemned by much of the world and a report on the war was later created by Judge Richard Goldstone and his "fact-finding" U. N. Commission, painting a very negative picture of Israel's alleged 'crimes against humanity' in the war, which were for the most part, proven false.

Recently at the end of May, there was the incident with the Turkish "Gaza Aid Flotilla."  Israel was severely condemned by most of the world at that time for killing nine people on the ship Mavi Marmara, after being attacked while boarding it.  Did you hear much that month about hundreds of people being murdered in Darfur, perhaps? I don't remember reading about that.

Everything, including retaliation against terrorist attacks and suicide bombings, are deemed "disproportionate."  Hey, let's just go back to the very creation of the state: according to the Arabs, it is "The Naqba," or 'the catastrophe.'

No other country is according the intense negative attention as is Israel.  Why do you think that is the case? Is it because Israel threatens to annihilate other countries? Is it because Israel is attempting to take over the world? Could it be because Israel committed terrorist atrocities such as (-to name just a few) the hijacking of TWA 847 on June 14th--Flag Day--in 1985? How about the U.S.S. Cole bombing in 2000? Disintegrating the World Trade Center Towers and almost 3,000 people in  9/11? (Nope. That was the Muslims.)

Or could it be because, the entire world hates Israel, which is really a substitution for hating. . . The Jews.  Gosh, what an awful people we must be, to be hated like that! I mean, we must have been barbaric and cutthroat for centuries, subjugating and committing "honor-killings" against women, imposing authoritarian regimes on our populations and leaving severed limbs and beheadings in our wake.  -Oh wait, that's the Muslims, too.
Then, what is the reason for all this hatred of the Jews?  Figure it out.  It's the Antisemitism, stupid: a psychologist's dream case-study, of a world's projection of repressed, unacceptable or threatening feelings onto someone else. Almost the entire world is blaming The Other--in this case the Jews, and Israel--for its own poor self-image and self-failure.

Maybe Israel should change its name to. . . Norway. 


*Operation Oferet Yetzuka: Hebrew code name for Operation Cast Lead, Israel's war in Gaza, winter 2008-2009, in retaliation for thousands of Kassam rockets being launched into southern Israeli towns.

Haveil Havalim - Forgot Again!

I think I'm getting senile (G-d forbid).  I forgot again to post the link to the latest Haveil Havalim*, the weekly Jewish Blog Carnival.  Here it is, on Jewish Boston.  Read to your heart's content.
(*As far as I know, they don't have numbers anymore. Everyone forgot the sequence.)

Remember Daniel in the Lion's Den?

(nablopomo day 28. again.)

I posted about this very brave young man at the beginning of last month , here.  There is now a follow-up interview with him, billed as "the sequel" - stating why he decided to do what he did.  *Am Yisrael Chai!




*Am Yisrael Chai: the people of Israel live!

Israelis are Happier!

(nablopomo day 28)

According to a new Gallup Poll, Israelis are happier than. . .their American counterparts!  Forbes Magazine published a Gallup Poll which surveyed the 'happiness quotient' of populations of various countries. The answers had a "life evaluation score" with the highest score being the happiest.

Israel came in at number 8, tied with Canada, Australia and Switzerland.  The United States came in 14th. Note that most of the African countries come in dead last: the lowest third of the scale, indicating the least happiest.  I have reprinted the table in part here, below, through number 26.

Wealth also figures in the results: generally, the richer the country, the happier its inhabitants. However, riches do not explain it all.  The United Arab Emirates, wealthy as they are, came in at number 20, and Saudi Arabia, at 58.

There is a very telling comment in the comments section, on why Israelis are happier than other populations.  I took the liberty of reprinting it (Joegelman, you are so right!):

Actually, I'm surprised that Israel isn't ranked even higher. Anyone who has been there can feel the sense of mission in the air, a pride in their incredible accomplishments against all odds. Having built from what was essentially nothing, one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. When a person has a positive purpose, larger than ones-self to wake up to in the morning, that brings happiness and eventually prosperity, as it has for Israel.

To see poll results, click on this link here.  Also see it on Israel National News.  Time for a Na-Na-Nachman video, don't you think?



So, nu? -When are you moving?  


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Murphy's Law Squared, uh, to the 15th

(nablopomo day 28)

Everyone is aware of Murphy's Law, right? - "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong."
However, are you familiar with MURPHY'S OTHER 15 LAWS...?

No? Well, never fear--I am posting them here for your enlightenment, so that your lives will improve immediately.  Here they are:

MURPHY'S OTHER 15 LAWS:

1. Light travels faster than sound, this is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

2. A fine is a tax for doing something wrong, a tax is a fine for doing well!

3. He, who laughs last, thinks slowest.

4. A day without sunshine is like, well, night.

5. Change is inevitable,  except from a vending machine.

6. Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.

7. Nothing is foolproof to a suffiently talented fool.

8. The 50-50 rule: anytime you have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll get it wrong.

9. It is said that if you line all the cars in the world end-to-end, someone would be stupid enough to try to pass them.

10. If the shoe fits, get another just like it.

11. The things that come to those that wait, may be the things left by those who got there first.

12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

13. FLASHLIGHT: a case for holding dead batteries.

14. The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in the dark.

15. When you go into court, you are putting yourself in the hands of twelve people who weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty.

(hat tip: email forward from my wonderful mom-in-law; no clue where it originated and I'm not researching it.  Wish I had thought of it myself, though, it's actually...intelligent!)

IDF Should Crack Down on Draft-Dodgers

(nablopomo day 27)

“there is no reason that my daughters are required to do national service and someone else’s aren’t.”

Those were the words of  Brig.-Gen. Orna Barbivai, who is only one of three women in Israel to hold such a high rank in the IDF.  She stated that because of "demographic challenges" and lower immigration, the Israel Defense Forces should start cracking down on draft-dodgers.  She was partially referring to the ultra-Orthodox who receive a religious exemption from serving in the armed forces, and have twice the birth rate of the regular population, or higher.

The ultra-Orthodox receive an exemption in order to study Torah, which is fine, for scholars--but it is now out of all proportion.  Even those who do not have an inclination nor an aptitude for studying and learning Torah get this exemption.  Initially, it was a reaction to the decimation of Judaism in Eastern Europe because of the Holocaust, when six million men, women and children were brutally murdered by the Nazis.

Jewish life, scholars, and Torah learning were wiped out in Eastern Europe, and this was an attempt to revive the generations of scholarship in the Jewish Holy books, and continue Jewish tradition.  It was important, at the time, and it achieved its purpose. Now, thank G-d, Jewish learning and scholarship have been revived in Israel and thrive there. 

The time has come to change national policy and award exemptions only to those who are illuiyim--prodigies and geniuses: to those who show an aptitude for study and who have the potential to become great rabbis and sages.

Everyone else, regardless of degree of piety, should serve, either by bearing arms in the IDF, or in Israeli National Service (sherut le'umi--see previous post).

Apparently many young people (especially girls, it seems) have lied about this 'piety' in order to get out of serving:

Barbivai praised the IDF’s efforts to counter the phenomenon of young girls claiming to be religious to get out of service. She said that since investigations into such claims were launched in late 2008, hundreds of young girls have been caught and a total of 1,200 have recanted on their claims of piety.

My own youngest child, my daughter "Rambo" was just discharged from active duty where she served for three years in a combat IDF unit, and attained the position of Commander (rank: Staff Sergeant). Yes, she decided against National Service, and opted to bear arms.  That was her choice.  But if she had chosen otherwise, she would have had to do her civilian National Service--not been exempt from everything.

Everyone who is eligible to serve, should enlist, or serve the state of Israel in some other, civilian capacity.  This draft-dodging should not be allowed any longer.

All Israeli 18-Year Olds Should Serve

(nablopomo day 26)

It seems that at long last, there is an official call for every Israeli teen, including the ultra-Orthodox or Hareidim, to serve to help defend the state of Israel.  Chief of Staff of the IDF (Israel Defense Force) Lt. General Gabi Ashkenazi said recently that all youth eighteen years old should serve Israel in some capacity, if not in the Israeli armed forces, then in the police, firefighters, Magen David Adom (the Israeli Red Cross) or in Zaka.

He said that they should follow the current Sherut Le'umi, or national service model, which is that those youngsters--young men as well as young women--who do not want to bear arms for religious reasons, or are not able to join the armed forces after high school, would be required to do at least a year or two of "national service" in another capacity.  Examples of this service could be volunteering in hospitals, working with disadvantaged youth, aiding the elderly,assisting in special education, internal security, and the like.


Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi said:

The chief of general staff suggested establishing an absorption base and virtual triage where every Israeli youth will pass through, with the IDF having priority over selecting teens first.

It is unthinkable that a released soldier will meet someone of the same age studying for a master's degree since he did not serve in the IDF, Ashkenazi said.

I agree.  Read the story in its entirety, here.

(*in checking my links in this post, I noticed that the last one does not link to the correct article; that is an error on the part of the Jerusalem Post.  As soon as it's corrected I will re-post the correct link. Apologies.)

Tu b'Av

 (nablopomo day 25)


Tu b'Av, or the fifteenth of Av, is a minor Jewish holiday which this year falls tomorrow, on the 26th of July.  It has ancient and modern origins.  In the era of the 2nd Temple (Beit HaMikdash ha-Sheni) it was a day of matchmaking, for single women to be married.  This was before the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E.

After the fall of the Temple, the holiday drifted into obscurity and went unobserved for centuries.  Now, with the resurrection of the State of Israel, it has popped back into popularity and is now sort of the Jewish Valentine's Day.  It is seen as chag ha-ahavah, or the "holiday of love."

During the days of the Beit HaMikdash, there were religious customs associated with it.  For one thing, the Talmud and Mishna state that it was a joyous holiday, where the young unmarried women would go out into the fields dressed in white (so as not to distinguish between rich and poor), and dance and sing in the vineyards.  The young unmarried men would go out to watch them, and choose from among them wives for themselves.

These days, it is considered an auspicious day to be married, and although there are no specific customs which continued on to this day, it can be and is considered by some the emotional and spiritual 'end' to the three weeks of mourning which culminated in Tisha b'Av, the day we mourned the destruction of both the first and second Temples, and Jerusalem, so many centuries ago.  It is the happiest day in the unhappy month of Av.

Some other informative sites for Tu b'Av, here and here.

A Social Shabbat

(nablopomo day 24)

I am posting today for yesterday, which was Shabbat, and which I explained in a previous post, here--why it is difficult for me to post Nablopomo (National Blog Posting Month) daily, for Shabbat, as I am not permitted, as an observant Jew, to use electrical devices or even write or type on the Sabbath, as they are mundane, workaday devices and activities and also related to the prohibition of creating fire (or a spark) on this day.

Saturday night I was too exhausted to post, because we had a very full, "social" day yesterday.  It started Friday night with a lovely first festive meal outside in the beautiful, cooler night air, a joint seudah with our friends and neighbors, right in front of their front door, on the grass.  It was wonderful (although their young daughter didn't agree with her parents about what time is bedtime.  So she stayed up, first with us; and then, just UP).

During the day, after davening (praying in synagogue, for you uninitiated) we had our second Shabbat meal (--late--my D.H. returned home from shul at 2:30 p.m.!!) and then the 'birthday party' began: our neighbor's (same one) four-year old had turned five, on Shabbat--so they brought out a festive table with all sorts of goodies, brownies baked before Shabbat, pareve ice cream, candy--while we brought out the healthy stuff, watermelon and canteloupe chunks.  I gorged myself on. . . candy.  Which I never do. Really.  All the candy and ice cream and brownies disappeared in a flash; only our watermelon was left!

There were at least five families gathered around, their children playing on the grass in the greenbelt which our townhomes and buildings surround--it really is a unique setting--and adults sitting on our and our neighbors' lawn chairs and settees, noshing and drinking (we only had the good stuff to drink: H2O in a big pitcher) and conversing. Then a sixth and seventh family walked over, both who live outside our complex, in their own homes--and we had a sort of reunion.  It was just lovely, relaxed and calm and enjoying each other's company.

I will miss this, when we leave.

Shabbat Nachamu

 (nablopomo day 23)

The Shabbat after Tisha b'Av is called Shabbat of Consolation, or Shabbat Nachamu, because of the passage which is read from the Haftarah, the prophetic portion read each Shabbat right after the Torah portion.

This week's portion is from the prophet Yishayahu (Isaiah) comforting the people after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash:

נַחֲמוּ נַחֲמוּ, עַמִּי--יֹאמַר, אֱלֹהֵיכֶם.	1 Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.
ב  דַּבְּרוּ עַל-לֵב יְרוּשָׁלִַם, וְקִרְאוּ אֵלֶיהָ--כִּי מָלְאָה צְבָאָהּ, כִּי נִרְצָה עֲו‍ֹנָהּ:  כִּי לָקְחָה מִיַּד יְהוָה, כִּפְלַיִם בְּכָל-חַטֹּאתֶיהָ.  {ס}	2 Bid Jerusalem take heart, and proclaim unto her, that her time of service is accomplished, that her guilt is paid off; that she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. {S}
ג  קוֹל קוֹרֵא--בַּמִּדְבָּר, פַּנּוּ דֶּרֶךְ יְהוָה; יַשְּׁרוּ, בָּעֲרָבָה, מְסִלָּה, לֵאלֹהֵינוּ.	3 Hark! one calleth: 'Clear ye in the wilderness the way of the LORD, make plain in the desert a highway for our God.
ד  כָּל-גֶּיא, יִנָּשֵׂא, וְכָל-הַר וְגִבְעָה, יִשְׁפָּלוּ; וְהָיָה הֶעָקֹב לְמִישׁוֹר, וְהָרְכָסִים לְבִקְעָה.	4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the rugged shall be made level, and the rough places a plain;
ה  וְנִגְלָה, כְּבוֹד יְהוָה; וְרָאוּ כָל-בָּשָׂר יַחְדָּו, כִּי פִּי יְהוָה דִּבֵּר.  {פ}

It is a message of the future end of the long exile of the Jewish People and the rebuilding of our capital city, Jerusalem, as well as the Beit HaMikdash.  This has already begun, in our day--with the miraculous return of Jewish sovereignty to the Land of Israel, and the subsequent re-building of Jerusalem.

Here is an interesting incident in recent past Jewish history which happened on Shabbat Nachamu, and relates to the inception of the State of Israel, written by my good friend Larry Domnitch, entitled A Message was Captured in Jerusalem One Shabbat Morning.  Read it in it's entirety.  It is a message of hope.


A video of Neshama Carlebach, continuing in her father's tradition,  singing the words of the Navi (prophet) Yishayahu (thanks, Rafi)

Daniel Schorr Dead at 93

(nablopomo day 23)

Our alarm clock and radio is set to automatically turn on to NPR (National Public Radio) early every morning, including weekends.  Even though that radio station is biased against Israel and is pro-Palestinian, it still was, for me, the most if not only intelligent radio station on the airwaves.  I looked forward every week to hearing long-time reporter Daniel Schorr's analysis of U. S. and world events, just before our radio shut itself off at 7:30 a.m.

We will no longer be hearing that weekly interview.  Daniel Schorr, son of Russian Jewish immigrants and former Watergate reporter who, for tough reporting while working for CBS managed to get himself on president Nixon's "enemies" list,  has died today.  He was ninety-three years old.  We will miss his weekly erudite analyses, which he gave on National Public Radio, incredibly almost up to the time of his death.

Barch Dayan ha-Emet.

For True Floridians: The Sunshine State

 (nablopomo day 22)

(Got this in an email from my eldest. Which is why I don't live here
(thank you, M.)

Finally, a  true map of Florida that explains this weird, but  wonderful state. Those of you who live in Florida will  recognize it, and those who don’t have been warned  !!!

You  know you're a Floridian if....

Socks are  only for bowling.

You never use an umbrella  because you know the rain will be over in five  minutes.

A good parking place has nothing  to do with distance from the store, but everything to do with  shade.
 
Your winter coat is made  of denim.

You can tell the difference  between fire ant bites and mosquito  bites.  
You're younger than  thirty but some of your friends are over  65.

Anything under 70 degrees is  chilly.

You've driven through Yeehaw  Junction.

You know that no other grocery  store can compare to Publix.

Every  other house in your neighborhood had blue roofs in 2004-2005.  


You  know that anything under a Category 3 just isn't worth waking  up for.
You dread love bug  season.

You are on a first name basis with  the Hurricane list. They aren't Hurricane Charley or Hurricane  Frances. You know them as Andrew, Charley ,

Frances ,  Ivan, Jeanne & Wilma...Irene. ..Cheryl. ..Rita Mary..Alison


You know what a snowbird is and when they'll  leave.

You think a six-foot alligator is actually  pretty average.
   
'Down South'  means Key West

Flip-flops are everyday wear. Shoes are  for business meetings and church, but you HAVE worn flip flops  to church
before.

You have a drawer full  of bathing suits, and one  sweatshirt.
   
You get annoyed at  the tourists who feed seagulls.

A mountain is any  hill 100 feet above sea level.

You know the four  seasons really are: Hurricane season, love bug season, tourist  season and  

summer.   
 
You've  hosted a hurricane party.
 
You can pronounce  Okeechobee, Kissimmee , Withlacoochee , Thonotosassa and  Micanopy.   And know where they are!

You understand why it's better to have  a friend with a boat, than have a boat  yourself.
You were 25 when you first met someone  who couldn't swim.

You've worn shorts and used  the A/C on Christmas and New Years.

You recognize  Miami-Dade as ' Northern Cuba '

You not  only forward this but you understand it

(me, I only understand 'bout half of it)

Humanitarian Crisis - in New Gaza Mall?

(nablopomo day 21)

Look at this "nice, new mall" which just opened in Gaza.  It looks like any new, modern mall with stores laden with merchandise.  So where is this "humanitarian crisis" in Gaza, where there is "no concrete to build anything because Israel isn't letting anything in?"
(hat tip, my friend M. in Israel)

Baloney. As usual, they are lying through their teeth (it's an Arab mentality thing.  Go to my labels and read everything I've written about "Arabs."), because it suits their purposes.  It's an Arab custom.

Read what Tom Gross has to say about it. Aside from not having any discretionary funds, by the looks of these pics, I would love to shop in a mall like that.  Wouldn't be able to eat in their food court, though; doubt if they'd have any kosher food emporia. . .

See the whole story and all the photos here.

 Happy shopping!

Remembering Gush Katif on Tisha b'Av

(nablopomo day 20)

How can we hope to rebuild the Beit HaMikdash if we are not allowed to build in all the land?  This is a reminder of the terrible mistake the Israeli government and the army made the day after Tisha b'Av, 2005.  Their entire attitude was wrong.  Jews do not expel Jews.  Jews fight for their land, and conquer swamps, diseases, and poverty--and build a holy civilization and life.

At the very end, the sign in Hebrew reads: "We will remember, and we will return.  Gush Katif."

A Tefilah for the IDF, and Amazing Israel - for Tisha b'Av

(nablopomo day 19)
(Thank you again to Arlene Kushner for the links to these videos.)

A prayer for our wonderful Israel Defense Forces, the IDF.  May G-d protect them.

"For it is the Lord your G-d who goes with you to battle your enemies for you to save you."




And now, for the Jewish People, chosen by G-d, and their accomplishments in their Alt Neu land.

The Power of G-d - in Our Hands on Tisha b'Av

(nablopomo day 19)

The lesson of Tisha b'Av (the 9th of Av) which starts tonight, applies to us today, in our times: the power is with us, and us alone--to be strong, to fight for and thus create a better future for ourselves as a nation of Jews in our ancient/new land, the State of Israel.  The power of Hashem is in our hands.  We just have to believe in ourselves, and act on that belief.

 Some say that we should just 'get over' this bit about mourning the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash for two thousand years, and 'move on.' I disagree: we should continue to remember, and to mourn--but that is not where it should end.  We should not merely be 'ghetto Jews' and cry about our fate, but get up and fight, and do something about it to change it. 

Let's actively work to get the Temple Mount back into it's rightful hands: ours.  This is long overdue, from the time we took Jerusalem back in the Six-Day War of 1967. At that time we could also have taken back the Temple Mount--after all, we defeated the Arabs in their attempt to crush the Jewish State, and they had controlled the area since 1948, and had not allowed any Jews into the Old City nor the Temple Mount area. 

But we didn't, because some of those who won the war, didn't believe.  They didn't see the need for the Jews to have access to their ancient Holy ground.  So they turned over the 'keys' to the area to the Wakf.  And look where it has gotten us.

So we need to get up and begin to take back what it rightfully ours  I truly believe that is when, and that is only when--Hashem will come to our aid, and will enable all of Jerusalem, including Har HaMoriyah, to be back in our hands.



(Thank you to Arlene Kushner for the link to this AISH video.)

My Weekly Haveil Havalim Notice

 (nablopomo day 18)

The latest Jewish Blog Carnival, Haveil Havalilm # I-can't-remember, is up now at Ima2Seven, and very nicely done, too.
Go get your cup o' Joe, sit down on your comfy computer chair, and read!

The Origins of Hava Nagila

(nablopomo day 17. and 18.)

Bet you'll never guess from where that popular song called "Hava Nagila," known to Jews and non-Jews alike, originated.  It is an ethnic staple, played at weddings, bar and bat-mitzvahs and parties across the world, sung and danced to by everyone, regardless of race or religion.

It featured in the early days of Jewish Palestine, before the declaration of the State of Israel, and evokes the early halutzim, or pioneers--who drained the swamps, tilled the land and built a country.

But not many people know that Hava Nagila, meaning "let us rejoice," is Hassidic in origin (hat tip, my D.H.).  It was, in the eighteenth century, a niggun (a wordless melody) of the Sadigorer Hassidim from the town of Sadigora in what is now the Ukraine, the home of the Rizhiner Rebbe,
Reb Yisroel Friedman (1798-1850).

The song was transcribed by musicologist Avraham Tzvi Idelsohn, who arranged it into four parts and added lyrics:

Hava nagila, hava nagila                             Let us rejoice, let us rejoice
Hava nagila ve-nismeha                             Let us rejoice and be glad 

Hava neranena, hava neranena*                  Let us sing, let us sing  
Hava neranena ve-nismeha*                        Let us sing and be glad

Hava neranena, hava neranena                  Let us sing, let us sing
Hava neranena ve-nismeha                        Let us sing and be glad

Uru, uru ahim                                            Awake, awake brothers
Uru ahim be-lev sameah                            Awake brothers with a joyful heart

(*these two lines are repeated)

It became an instant hit, and slowly began spreading, first in Jerusalem, then in Jewish communities throughout the country, then in Jewish communities outside of Israel, and finally, through performers in the United States, around the non-Jewish world as well.

And now, they are going to make a movie about it.  And they're looking for funding. What else? So be generous, open your pocketbooks, and let us rejoice!
(and they're not even paying me for this.)


Hava Nagila, What Is It? - Original Clip from Katahdin Productions on Vimeo.

"Only Israel. . ."

 (nablopomo day 16)

After that value-debased video and parody which I previously posted, I am returning to good, Jewish values.  This video below is not so new (I had seen it previously on a blog, don't remember which one, or I would have linked it), but it expresses, in a civilized, dignified manner, what is wrong with the world's attitude towards Israel.  It also expresses Israel's goodness, which can be attributed to the high morals and ethics of Judaism as taught us in the Torah, written and oral, which even if unbeknownst to them, have also been embraced by so-called 'secular' Jews.
I want you to understand something.  There are unfortunately, many corrupt Jews, some even outwardly "religious."  I do not, nor would anyone with intelligence call these driminals "religious."
In my book, they have missed the whole point of piety, and whatever religion they "practice" is just that: an outward show of religiosity, for mar'eet ayin.*  It is, as far as I'm concerned, meaningless drivel.
So watch this, and have a wonderful, meaningful Shabbat.



Shabbat Shalom!

*mar'eet ayin: מראית עין in Hebrew, meaning 'for the sake of appearance,' or 'for a false impression.'

Israeli Soldiers Should Dance to THIS

(nablopomo day 15) 

(2 Warnings: 1. un-tzniusdikeh* video: watch at your own risk.
                   2. some might consider this inappropriate for the nine days. watch. or not.)

First saw the video of the Israeli soldiers (on The Muqata) dancing in the middle of a patrol, to the song Tik Tok.  Not bad. Them's got rhythm, as they say (it's hard to dance with an M-16).  
My son told me that he (and apparently, all of Israel) likes this song.  At first, I didn't.  Still don't like the lyrics (I mean, what sort of role model is that, anyway?)--but the tune and beat are catchy.

So I found another one; much, much better lyrics.  Tells it like it is.  Same tune, same beat.  Those soldiers should dance to this (hey Michal, you listening?)



Cool, huh?

*un-tzniusdikeh: immodest

Home Again

(nablopomo day 14)

Left early this morning for a flight home.  The flight was good, we arrived a little early--made up for taking off fifteen minutes late--and I was exhausted.  Took an hour-and-a-half nap at 3:00 p.m.!

The leave-taking was hard, as it always is for me.  Hugging and kissing the kids--grand and regular--and saying I love them and will miss them is difficult ("goodbyes" are not one of my strong points).  I told my grandkids that we will write letters to each other and send pictures.

My middle daughter always calls me when she walks the dog, so I expect to hear from her soon. My eldest will be too busy working to call, but that's who she is: she is always running.  Maybe she is running from something as well as to something; but running she is, to work, to take her grandma places (shopping, lunch, doctor's appointment, etc.), to take the kids back and forth from camp (and during the winter, school), shopping, photo shoots, etc.

Too tired to do anything more than drop into bed.  Will unpack tomorrow.

KCC #56 is Up and Cookin'

Go to the latest KCC (Kosher Cooking Carnival) and savour the delicious articles on Beneath the Wings.  Then go into your kitchen and cook up a storm!

Tuesday Activities...Last, Bittersweet...

(nablopomo day 13)

Today, Tuesday, is my last day here, on this surprise-gift vacation-visit to my children and grandchildren.  Actually, I have much more family here than merely them; I also have my D. H.'s family here: his mom, sister and brother-in-law, and his brother-in-law's sister and husband with whom we are close, as well.

But because nobody knew I was coming (-if they had, they would've baked a cake. But you're too young to remember that song...), both my sister-in-law and her family and my sister-in-law's sister-in-law, whom I am also close with ('cause she reads my blog. Just kidding: 'cause she's a great person, and just happens to be a relative, relatively speaking. But she does read my blog. I think. She'd better.) were not here.

My D.H.'s sister and fam were on a cruise to Alaska, believe it or not. Why couldn't I be on a cruise to Alaska?  That is actually one of our dreams for after we win THE BIG ONE on Powerball or Mega Millions or Lotto or some other such lottery.  My D.H. has wanted to go on a cruise to Alaska since...forever.

Anyway, my sister-in-law's sister-in-law (there's GOT to be a shorter way to say this) is in, of all places, Wisconsin.  Why would anybody want to go to Wisconsin, for gosh sakes? What's in Wisconsin? mosquitoes.  And her son--but that's minor. The mosquitoes win every time, 'cause they bite and I would never go there, as long as they're there.  So she should've been here, to see me.  I left her a phone message, but to date, no response.

We just returned from dinner in yet another kosher restaurant (there are oodles here) with my sister and brother-in-law-just-yesterday-back-from-Alaska, and my two daughters.  I had already said my goodbyes to my three grandkids and told them that we will write letters back and forth, and send more pictures.  I started to cry, which I knew I would.  Said goodbye to my son-in-law.  Took more pictures.  And that is it.  I leave tomorrow morning for the 4.5 hour flight back home.

Where is home, actually? And don't tell me 'where the heart is.' My heart is in two places.  Okay, two-and-a-half places: each place where my kids are, and still where we are. I am torn.  It is bittersweet.  Life, is bittersweet.

Maybe we are all small parts of a whole, and we have to complete our lives on earth, in the physical world, often separately, apart by great distances. I am beginning to believe that we will all meet again and be together, in the great beyond. . .

Monday Activities (Second verse, same as the first)

(nablopomo day 12)

I should have said, 'second verse, same as the first, only MORE so!'  Today, my grandson took a day off from day camp at the Y, to go with his Savta to an extraordinary place called Wannado City. After training as a fireman, riding in a fire engine and putting out a building on fire with real water (it's amazing; that building fire was put out again and again, and it kept catching fire over and over again), my grandson re-trained in a new career and learned how to prevent ticks and fleas on dogs and cats.

The veterinary training culminated in an 'operation' where my grandson held the endoscope which explored a very sick 'doggie's' tummy to find the key that he swallowed.  I swear I thought that dog was real at first (his 'chest' rose and fell in breathing motion); poor thing didn't know kids from 2-13 were working on him with their grubby hands...

Last but not least, he decided to be a dentist, and 'trained' for that, too.  He brushed a giant model of uppers and lowers with a toothbrush sized to match.  After reading "X-Rays," he and all the other kid trainees there answered various questions on what they saw in the individual patients' X-Rays.

In between all this we rode the 'bus' and paid for a bus pass, had lunch (which we had brought from home) at the food court, and before we left, opened an 'account' in the bank there and deposited all my grandson's salaries from his various jobs.  We spent about four hours at that place, and didn't see half of it.

Now, he needs to get back there with his mommy or his aunt and train to be something else--he's got lots of wonga dollars he needs to spend!

And me? I'm still recovering!

Sunday Activities

(nablopomo day 11)

What did we do today? Oh, yes: we went to a nine-year old's birthday party.  The nine-year old is the son of the daughter of a very old friend.  My friend, who now has Parkinson's Disease and other ailments, and although she can walk with difficulty, needs to be in a wheelchair most of the time. It was good to see old friends, but difficult to see and understand the deterioration.  Her husband, also a close friend, passed away years ago.  I find that I am very aware these days of the passage of time.  My children are grown and getting older, my grandchildren aren't babies anymore (well, the ones here, at least), and I fear that rheumatoid arthritis is at my door, or rather. my hands and knees. 

All enjoyed the party, and the pizza and the cakes, and the raw vegies and dip.  I enjoyed the...vegies...(nothing  kosher).  Then we went to a friend of my eldest, and spent hours there, the kids swimmimg in their pool and playing, and we watching the World Cup and talking.  Again I had vegies (same reason), with kosher dressing, and I had bought myself a bagel and cream cheese and pomegranate juice, so I had that, too.
It was good to see my daughter's friends again: they are good people, each with a special needs child, who learned to live well and happily through their trials.

In the evening we met my daughter's father-in-law for dinner at an Israeli restaurant.  I had shawarma, which I hadn't in a long time.

I am now waiting to get picked up by another old friend of mine since we had our first children, many years ago.  Packing it all in, to fill me up enough to last a year, or. . .

Basking in Family, Seeing Friends

(nablopomo day 10)

Had a wonderful Shabbat with family on the beach, walked a mile on the broad-walk to shul--blisters to prove it! And when we got there, they had already finished davening--talk about fast!  Later, on a walk, saw a GIANT crab (anyway, it looked giganto to me), walking sideways as they do, searching for a big toe to grab.  Almost grabbed my son-in-law's (he was actually egging it on!)

Getting ready to get picked up by friends whom I haven't seen since the last time I was here a year ago,  in a few minutes, so posting mainly for Nablopomo.  Enjoy your Saturday night!

Received a Gift: an Unexpected Visit to Family!

(nabloppmo day 9)

I am writing this post erev Shabbat* from sunny south_______, where I am (suddenly!) here visiting two of my kids, my son-in-law, and three of my grandkids.  This is a last-minute gift from someone (thank you, D.!) who has a heart of gold.  So on 3 days notice I packed, called old friends to see if we can get together, and--arrived today, around 4:00 p.m. local time.  It is a very, very short visit: five full days, two half-days of travel.  Better a short visit, than no visit, I say.  I will get to see my mom-in-law whom I haven't seen in at least a year and who is approaching her 89th birthday (ad me'ah ve-esrim shanah*), and although these two daughters came with the grandkids for Pesach*, I was pretty sick then with a bout of bronchitis, didn't go with them to the mountains on their sledding trip on chol ha-mo'ed*, and didn't have much energy for anything (let alone "making Pesach," which my husband did almost entirely by himself. Suffice it to say it was a tough chag.)

It was so exciting to see the little grandkids (my oldest is just ten, the youngest, five) when we picked them up at camp.  They were so excited to see me, their faces lit up.  But I didn't cry.  I really didn't!  Am changing the way I view life; I need to emphasize joy and happness.  That's what they need to see from their Savta*, too.

I'll tell you when I have trouble keeping from crying (-from happiness, I mean); when I watch and listen to my middle daughter (Toodles), playing her guitar which we bought her when she visited.from Israel where she was in college, two years ago, and singing her own songs, which she composed herself.  She is so talented, and they (the songs) are excellent--and she also taught herself to play guitar.  Thank G-d, she is successful at everything she touches, and kind and respectful, to boot.
When I look at her, and listen to her, see her accomplishments, and know her character--that's when I have trouble composing myself.

G-d has blessed me with five special, wonderful children.  Each has her (and his) own specialty at which each excels: inventor and entrepreneur (and fantastic eema), talented drummer, singer & computer tech (and fantastic abba), hi-level para-military and talented with a beautiful voice (and fantastic abba), talented graphic artist, web-designer, dynamic marketing person who also sings, plays guitar and composes her own songs (not married yet--but she will be a fantastic eema, G-d willing!), and outstanding team leader and combat commander, who also is talented in drama and voice (her dream: to act and sing on Broadway!).

Most important of all, they all have very good midot* and character.  They really are loving, kind and exhibit kibud av va-em* (even grudgingly...).  Thank you, Hashem, for these crazy kids.  I love them all (the tears are coming...am gettin' old...).

Shabbat shalom, y'all.


*erev Shabbat: the eve of the Shabbat (Friday night)
*ad me'ah ve-esrim shanah: Hebrew expression:"['may she live'] to 120 years"
*Pesach: Passover
*chol ha-mo'ed: the intermediate days of Passover
*Savta: Aramaic for "grandma"
*good midot: good qualities, character traits
*kibud av va-em: honoring father and mother, a mitzvah from the Torah

Maybe We Should Drill?

(nablopomo day 8)

Why are we still dependent on Arab oil? According to the USGS (hat tip Hezbos), we have vast potential oil reserves of our own--possibly billions of barrels worth!  Our economy is in shambles, jobs are scarce and more are being depleted weekly--companies are still laying people off, closing positions and curtailing spending.

Wouldn't it make sense to begin drilling right here in the United States? An expanded oil industry would create many more jobs and boost the economy.  At the same time, we could be exploring alternative energy sources and increasing research and development.  And last but certainly not least, we wouldn't be filling OPEC coffers with money which could be fueling terrorists.

A Disturbing Assessment of President Obama

(nablopomo day 7)

In the following interview, professor Richard L. Rubenstein expounds upon the political views and agenda of President Barack Hussein Obama (hat tip Rafi G.), whom he calls "the most radical American president ever."

In 2009 Dr. Rubenstein wrote Jihad and Genocide, in which he asked the question, should we take the Islamists seriously when they call for the genocide of the Jews?  The answer, after his analysis, is "yes." Prominent Muslim thinkers, he says, mean what they say and say what they mean.  Their view is that "world peace" will come only after a global Islamic conquest.  Islam, he writes in this book, has to compensate for its past military and political humiliations, from the 16th century onward through the 1967 Six-Day War with Israel.  They are looking to take over the world (in many countries insidiously, through proliferation of their Islamic culture) and recreate an Islamic empire, such as there was in the height of their power after the Muslim conquests of  the seventh century.




In his article Why I Have Written Jihad and Genocide, published in the New English Review, he compares Islamic extremism--with its jihad and goal of destroying Israel (consequently the Jewish people)--with National Socialism--the Nazis--who set about methodically to destroy the Jewish people.  There was not yet, at the time, a state of Israel.  It was born, like the legendary Phoenix, out of the ashes of the Sho'ah.

Initially, the professor believed that the Arab/Israeli conflict was merely a dispute over territory, which could eventually be resolved.  The Muslim attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001 bagan to shock him into a different reality.  He realized then that the Muslim Leaders are bent on dominating the world.  Then-president George W. Bush, ten days after those attacks, declared in a joint session of Congress:

I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims throughout the world. We respect your faith… Its teachings are good and peaceful. And those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah. The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying in effect to hijack Islam itself.

Dr. Rubenstein decries that statement now, although at the time, he still hadn't completely realized the endemic hatred of the Muslims for the West, and the Jews. President Obama, in his speech in Cairo on June 4th, 2009--like Bush--reached out to the Muslims by making statements to the effect that Muslim violence was only perpetrated by a small minority who had "hijacked" the religion of Islam.

Neither president saw the truth, which is that the idea of domination of other, non-Muslim religions and cultures is part and parcel of Islam (emphasis mine):

In reality, Islamist enmity toward the infidel West, such as was manifest on 9/11, is not a consequence of a small, unrepresentative group “hijacking” a religion whose “teachings are good and peaceful.” On the contrary, the kind of Islamist hostility that drove Islamist terrorists to act on 9/11 and all too many other occasions is deeply rooted in centuries of Islamic tradition. As Professor Mary Habeck has observed concerning Qutb, al-Banna, and Mawdudi, the spiritual mentors of contemporary radical Islam:

None of these theorists could have had any impact in the Islamic world if their arguments had not found some sort of resonance in the religion of Islam.[6]

Professor Rubenstein concludes that what you see and hear the Muslim Arab religious leaders doing and saying, even those considered by world leaders (including Mr. Obama) as 'moderates', should be taken at face value: they say they want to destroy Israel and the 'decadent' West and institute a global Islamic polity.  So that's what they are going to attempt to do. And it is our responsibility to stop them.

Thus, his conclusion:

Having spent most of my career writing and teaching about the Holocaust, I now find myself once again confronted by sworn enemies of the United States and Israel who have promised to exterminate my people. With knowledge gained over many decades, I feel I have no option but to take these people at their word.
That is why I have written this book.

Meanwhile, Mr. Obama is doing outreach to the Muslim world.  While snubbing Israel.

Forewarned is forearmed...

Haveil Havalim #274...

...is up and running here, at The Rebbetzin's Husband.  Juicy articles for your perusal.  Don't just salivate--go, READ!

Fireworks Fotos From the Fourth

(nablopomo day 6)

This might be my only post for today, as I've got to get ready: flying out on Thursday to see my two daughters and grandkids, in that other state.

So meanwhile, enjoy some of our pics from our Fourth of July trip.

July 4th Day Trip, Part II

(nablopomo day 5)

Funny, a day after our day trip to that mountain town to see fireworks, I am still tired.  Traveling with a bunch of people (as opposed to a group of bananas) including two inquisitive, active kids with minds of their own and a baby who needs almost constant attention--let alone the parents--is exhausting work.  And lots of FUN!

But it shows me how my energy level has dropped since I was. . .thirty!  Believe it or not, the friends we went with are around that age.  You might consider it strange, but I get along with all age groups.  Another good friend of mine is 79 (as you probably surmised, my age is somewhere between those two friends'...go ahead, start guessing...).   I can't help comparing my situation when I was that age, to my friend's: when I was thirty, I had just had another child, making our number 2.  Our friends (The Shreimels) already have three!

Do you remember what is was like to travel with kids? Multiples of them?  You need a truck, nay--I veritable caravan, with equipment-laden horses and camels plodding along one behind the other (Maestro, may we have some Middle Eastern music, please!).

Remember, one of them is a baby, another still in diapers, and a third, a skinny (pants keep falling down) bright, inquisitive four-year-old.  They need diapers. Change of clothing. Their own personalized water bottles.  Snacks. Sweaters and hoodies (it was 50 degrees up there, and raining).  And the baby?! The baby comes with his own STORE, for gosh sakes: stroller, BABY K'TAN baby carrier (-and mom and baby love it. really!), blankets, diapers, hats, car seat-cum-baby seat to put on blanket, sweaters, rain sleeper with hood, and change-of-outfit, change-of-outfit and--a change of outfit!  And I'm sure there is something I've left out.  One thing they didn't have to bring for the baby, was baby food: he is a completely nursing baby.  How convenient!

Anyway, considering we're a lot older than baby, we also came with a plethora of. . .things!
We brought along a travel BBQ grill, three coolers, three camping chairs a blanket, giant thermos filled with homemade lemonade (thank you, D.H.--next time can you go a little easy on the sugar, eh?), sodas and sports drinks, water bottles, paper towels, cloth towel, cups.  Our friends brought paper goods: plates, utensils, napkins and more cups.  They also brought two flavors of potato chips and a few other things I can't remember.  By the time we were finished packing we were considering hiring a bus.

We brought enough food for two meals for six people (four adults, two eating kids): lox and bagels and cream cheese for lunch, and salami, hot dogs, salads, corn-on-the-cob and cantaloupe for supper.

It was sun showering  on and off, and a lot cooler than we thought it would be.  My D. H. and I were prepared (sort of): we had brought our parkas, just in case.  Of course, I was wearing skirt, so my legs were...freezing. But whatever.

Right after we started dinner it started raining in earnest, and we hastily started throwing stuff into the tush (cargo end) of the minivan.  I mean, I didn't even have a chance to put mustard and ketchup on my hot dog!  I was dreading the municipality canceling the fireworks, but I needn't have worried: the rain stopped in time, also cooling the temperature down another five to ten degrees.

We opened the chairs on the grassy south side of the lake, wrapped the two toddlers in blankets on top of their sweaters (their parents didn't think to bring winter coats for the kids; normally this late in the season it isn't this cold at night, but for the rain), they sat in my D.H.'s and their father's laps, and waited.

Where was their mom and I, you ask (well, you didn't, but that's irrelevant)? We were in the minivan, trying to keep warm, nurse (-well, not me, his mom) and calm a fussy baby, who was too excited to go to sleep.  It was way past his bedtime, and everyone else's, too.

The fireworks were held, and they were beautiful.  And scary:  at one point the wind changed, and they started landing on our side of the lake, and people in front of us starting screaming and backing up.  That was exciting. Sort of.  D.H. almost jumped into a foxhole.

All in all, it was a tiring but beautiful day.  What was really nice, was when we pulled up to enter the parking area where they charged a fee, they saw my D. H.'s hat and asked if he was a Veteran.  When he answered in the affirmative, they waved us in free, and said, "thank you for your service!"

That made my day.  Will post pics later...gotta go!

July 4th Day Trip, Part I

(nablopomo day 4)

We got home after midnight (my excuse for a late Nablopomo!) so there was no way I could post before the day was over.  We and our good friends and neighbors, the shtreimels*, went with their three kids under five to a town two and a half hours away northwest, to have a two-meal picnic and see fireworks.

The kids were great, the company was wonderful, the meals were yummy, and the fireworks were nice, too--over the lake.

Will write more tomorrow (bli neder), because I am too pooped to peep.  Hope you all had a happy family day on the Fourth, and remembered why America was once--and still could be--a great country.

*shtreimel: a type of large, round fur hat attached to black velvet center skullcap which married men of certain Hassidic sects wear.

Shabbat Mashgichim

(nablopomo day 3)

We just arrived home after 3 shifts as mashgichim (kosher supervisors) at an assisted living facility here.  I say three, because we had to be there Friday at 2 p.m. (at least, my D. H. had to; I came later).  We stayed overnight in the mashgichim apartment, had ourselves a nice Friday night Shabbat dinner (we brought our blech) after D.H. locked up the freezers, coolers and kitchens (there are three: milchig, fleishig, and in the middle separating the two, a pareve, baking kitchen).

Shabbat in the summer is lo-oooooong, ending after 9:15 p.m., so it is a bit hard: we have to walk up three flights of stairs to check each of three pantries and dining rooms, check the silverware to make sure it's the right kind for the coming meal--either fleishig or milchig--and make sure everything is just so.


D. H. did most of the supervising, because my legs were not in great shape (I used to do this hashgacha myself, years ago).  So I stayed in the apartment most of the day, read the parsha, and read a memoir of a Jewish writer's mother in Poland just before and at the start of the Holocaust.

I am extremely tired now, but I wanted to post for Nablopomo, so I am.
Lailah tov, and goodnight.

Jerusalem: From Time Immemorial, and Forever

I'd like to end the week, and go into Shabbat with this excellent and powerful video, made in 1969 by Stanley Goldfoot.  Shabbat shalom.

The Emperor Has No Clothes: Hareidim Exposed

 (nablopomo day 2) 

Why is it so hard for people to be honest about what they see?  Why are we Jews afraid to admit that there is a serious, serious problem with Hareidi* Judaism?

We experienced this ourselves, in our own family, when our daughter (Rambo) first went to Israel in 2004.  She was fifteen years old, and had completed her first year in high school here in the States. For her next three years of high school, she was in Israel, on the Na'aleh program, first attending high school at Kvutzat Yavneh. 

One of their first class trips to Jerusalem took them to the Me'ah She'arim neighborhood, an old  ultra-Orthodox neighborhood in the north-central part of the city.  The class was small, consisting of 7 or 8 girls and 3 boys.  Although it was a modern-religious school, they knew where they were going and were dressed modestly, wearing long skirts and long or three-quarter length sleeves, and walked through the neighborhood quietly and respectfully.

Suddenly, for no apparent reason, they were surrounded by so-called "Hassidic" men, shouted at, and pelted with garbage in plastic bags which burst all over them and their clothes.  Basically, these 15-year old girls and boys were attacked.  I'll never forget the call I received from our daughter, her voice shaking, describing what happened.

Afterwards, when I mentioned this incident--and how frightened and disgusted my daughter and her classmates were--to people in my community, they all said more or less the same thing: 'don't blame the Hareidim,'  or: 'this was perpetrated by only a few hooligans, a few out-of-control people who were a minority,' and:  'this does not represent Hareidim as a group.'

I wanted to believe them--I truly did.  But ongoing and recent events prove that this is not the case.

Some time back, there were riots perpetrated by Hareidim in Jerusalem over the city parking lot which was to be opened on Shabbat.  They rioted by trashing the streets, overturning garbage dumpsters, and generally desecrating the Sabbath.  This is Judaism?  No. It's actually a violation of Jewish law.

I have read stories of women who complained of being harrassed and verbally abused by Hareidi men on ultra-Orthodox 'segregated ' buses, where women are supposed to sit in the back of the bus, in order that the so-called 'religious' men won't have to look at them and 'be aroused. '  This is Judaism? No, it isn't. It's a stringency that is sheer nonsense, and criminal. 

The recent school-protest incident between the Ashkenazi Slonim Hassidim* and their Sepharadi counterparts in the town of Emanuel also illustrate this disconnect with the values and tenets of Judaism.

Everyone and his uncle has been writing about this, but I stayed out of the fray and left the subject alone, until I read this article (hat tip D.H.) in the Jerusalem Post, which prompted me to address this issue.

Here was another person--the author of the article--who had the courage to see what the majority of the Orthodox Jewish community refused to admit: that these so-called religious Jews aren't religious, and do not have true Yir'at Shamayim,* no matter what they profess.

They dress the dress and talk the talk, but their behavior does not match: they do not "walk the walk" - in essence, the Emperor has no clothes.  This is what Michael Hirsch (the author), himself an Orthodox Jew, writes:

Throwing dirty diapers and stones at police officers on Shabbat? Calling members of the riot squad Nazis? Setting public facilities on fire? What warped sense of Judaism allows one to desecrate the Sabbath in order to protect the sanctity of the Sabbath? How does one who knowingly injures a fellow Jew acquire the moniker “haredi”? I seriously believe those who are careful in their adherence to the kashrut laws should question the validity of kashrut supervision provided by an organization (Badatz) which condones and implicitly supports such anti-religious behavior.

 In addition, these ultra-Orthodox young men do not serve in the IDF* at all, ostensibly because they are carrying on the tradition of learning Torah full-time.  This should no longer be permitted, because Israel is surrounded by enemies wanting to annihilate her, and needs all her citizens to serve to protect her, not only the secular.

As a matter of fact,  there are religious Jews, Dati Leumi (National Religious) and Hardal (Hareidi Dati Leumi) who serve in the army, and also continue to study Torah part-time, and to accomodate them there have been special Hareidi units set up in the army--so it can be done, without compromising religious principles.  There are also Hesder yeshivot* where Torah study and army service are combined.

As Michael Hirsch states, the ultra-Orthodox segment which refuses to serve, does nothing to promote kiruv--bringing secular Jews closer to tradition.  On the contrary, by not serving, they push the secular further and further away.

When Israel is fighting an offensive war (milchemet reshut), the Levites (those responsible for maintaining religious observance and study) are exempt from serving in the army; when the nation is engaged in a defensive battle, no one is exempt. I am sorry, but however one attempts to twist the facts, at present the nation is in a state of siege. Surrounded as we are by those who seek our extinction – Iran, Syria, and their proxies (Hizbullah, Hamas) – we are clearly fighting a defensive battle, fighting for our very existence. Everyone is to serve in the army, period. Again, when secular Jews see their sons’ blood being spilled in defense of our country, while their religious counterparts sit ensconced in halls of learning, how many are drawn closer to Judaism and how many are driven away?

This phenomenon of very religious men and boys studying full-time stems from the time of the Shoah*, when millions of Torah scholars and religious Jews were slaughtered in the gas chambers by the Nazis, just for being Jewish.  There had been a drive to replenish the decimation, and so young ultra-Orthodox Jews had a heter* not to serve.  The time of this need has passed, thank G-d; instead of there being a vacuum of no Torah learning because of the Holocaust,  the Jewish People have since grown and flourished,  kept up their traditions and laws and continued their scholarship in learning--despite the attempt to exterminate them.  And serving in the army does not preclude Torah study.

It is time to revamp the system, emphasize service and support of Israel by all of her citizens, and bring in a new era of Ahavat Yisrael.*


*Hareidi: literally, 'fear [of G-d]'; refers to the Ultra-Orthodox Jews
*Slonim Hassidim: A Hassidic sect which is stringent in their traditions
*Yir'at Shamayim: Fear of Heaven
*IDF: Israel Defense Force
*Hesder yeshiva: Yeshiva combining learning with army service
*Shoah: Hebrew for Holocaust
*heter: rabbinic permission
*ahavat Yisrael: love of all Jews

Nablopomo for July: Somebody SAVE Me...

(nablopomo day 1. I must be insane.)

Gosh, I'm doing this again.  Thirty days in June weren't enough for me, so I'm going for July.  Am attempting to post daily, this time for thirty-one days, but to be honest, I'm skeptical.  I don't know if I will be able to succeed in doing this.  I probably am saying this because right now, I am extremely tired.  It's after nine p.m. and we haven't eaten supper yet...but we are having beer-butt chicken, so I am...psyched!  (-more on this at a later date.  Maybe.).

The Nablopomo theme for July is "Saved." I can relate to this theme, because I save everything.  I am the original bag lady, without the bags.  Except for saving old newspapers--and I think I do have a couple or three of those--I am a pack rat.  My D. H. wants to simplify, pare things down to just what we need (not what we think we need, what we actually need), and I view my life as a museum.

An example? Here's one: our eldest is almost at the big 4-Oh, and I still have her yalkut* from first grade, you know the one--the kind of kids' briefcase with metal clips for closure, and back straps, worn like a backpack before backpacks were even invented.  These days, backpacks are made to fit backs ergonomically with wide, comfortable straps and waist belts for balance, and sometimes even padding.  This is a hard leather briefcase with thin leather straps cutting into your back, which bounces against you when you walk.  And when it's loaded with textbooks, notebooks and a pencil case, it's like carrying an elephant on your back uphill, on rocks.

So there is no chance she'll give it to her kids.  They won't wear it.  Not only is it absolutely NOT cool, but it's also darned uncomfortable.  Last time she visited (actually, I think it was the time before last) I told her I had it in our utility room, and was she interested in taking it home with her.
No response.  I should have gotten the message, but I didn't.  Actually, I just couldn't part with it.  It brought back so many memories; my first child going to school, with an old-fashioned briefcase on her back, so independent, on her own, with a bright, shiny face full of anticipation.  How can I get rid of that?!

As a result of my nostalgia, we have in our utility room which is our laundry-room-cum-storage room (without which we couldn't have moved here from our house), cardboard boxes upon boxes of. . .stuff.  Some of them are actually mysterious, as I don't have a clue what is in them.  There is a good chance we will eventually have to downsize some more, and truth be told, I don't know how I am going to do it.

As it is, when we had to leave our house in a rush almost seven years ago, items I had intended to go through and keep were thrown out, given away or scooped up by the remainder company we hired, because we had to clear out A.S.A.P. for the new owners, or the sale would not have gone through.  This gave us no time whatsoever to peruse through all our possessions in that garage and sort what we wanted to keep and what we would discard.

Items, such as the onesie (how do you spell that word?) sleepers, the one with the green polka dots which was reminiscent of a clown's outfit, and the other, lavender one, with the Peter Pan collar with the embroidery edging which our babies wore home from the hospital after birth.  We had saved them, and several of our kids wore them.  And all the rest of the baby clothes we had saved, for our future grandchildren, maybe--all gone.

I also had in our garage a beautiful wooden table with one broken leg which I had been saving for one or another or our kids when they had an apartment of their own--that, too--gone.

So, I think what happened from that point on, was that subconsciously I vowed to save everything, no matter what it was, no matter if we needed it or not.  Because I would never, ever let anyone throw anything of mine away again.

So, now I hoard it all: old roller blades which don't fit my kids anymore, their old street hockey equipment, sticks, pucks, shin guards, gloves; cassette tape boxes, board games no one has played in years, scrapbooks, yearbooks, Star Wars paraphernalia, etc.  It's a wonder I don't still have my kids' old toys, the thousands of Lego pieces from their childhood, their dolls and cars and trucks.  All that must have been discarded by the remainder company: I have no recollection of what happened to them.

My older son said recently that he wants to keep his Star Wars collection, with its giant Millennium Falcon, accessories and cast of plastic characters.  In a matter of months they--my son, daughter-in-law and new baby--will be moving into their new home, and he'll have a place to keep them (we'll have to ship them, or bring them with us when we come).  At that point, he can continue his mother's tried-and-true-tradition of saving old memories in the form of JUNK in his and his wife's spare bedroom in the new apartment.

There's only one fly in the ointment: my daughter-in-law is like my D.H.; smart, rational, efficient, and ruthless.  I give the Millenium Falcon six months.

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