Tikkun Olam

You might have seen this earlier (the date is October 16th), but I only just saw this video today, sent to me in an email by a friend, a mother of a young man who fought with the IDF in Jenin. Read the entire speech at the U.N. Watch site. This is what the world, for some reason, doesn't want to know. Can you figure it out?

So, some of you want to show your displeasure with that terrible, inhumanitarian, terrorist state of Israel by boycotting Israeli industries or products? Because Israel, of course, has only done bad things to the so-called Palestinians, wait--and I forgot the rest of the world--it hasn't done much of anything for them, either. Israel is just always-well- there- with it's annoying Zionism, annoying smart people, annoying love of life. Gosh, they're so annoying , it's no wonder you want to boycott them! So, good riddance, I say! Go, boycott Israel (just hope you enjoy moving back into your cave and starting your new life hunting and gathering.) Watch this (found on WeJew ) to show you exactly how to do it right: PURIM SAMEACH!

I was asked by a representative of LIBI (as was Jameel , and probably other bloggers as well) last week to write about the organization on my blog. After my last post about my kids having served and one currently serving in the IDF, I think it is appropriate to write about LIBI now. LIBI is an acronym which stands for למען בטחון ישראל , "For the Sake of Israel's Security." It was founded in 1980 (at the very time that we lived in Israel) by then-Prime Minister Menahem Begin. It's purpose was to strengthen the defense of Israel by educating its soldiers in Zionism and their mission, and by providing them with extra equipment and supplies in addition to what they get from the army, such as thermal gloves or underwear, special food, care packages, etc. Their general purpose is according to what Ben-Gurion said: "Our soldiers prevail not by the strength of their weapons but by their sense of mission; by their consciousness of the justness of their cause, by a de...

First and foremost, the latest War in Gaza Update is UP at Jack's, here . Saw this on a blog, can't remember which one (I'm bleary-eyed reading through blog after blog and article after article at the same time as listening to Radio Darom and watching emergency split-screen Israel TV while fasting) by Bret Stephens of the Wall Street Journa l . The lead is very telling; Stephens wrote, "Maybe this column would get a better reception if it were titled, "No Endgame for Israel." Many pundits are commenting and arguing that Israel is lost, no matter what it does in Gaza. This author has, in my opinion, a good analysis of what Israel can accomplish with this war, but it has to not succumb to international pressure for a cease-fire and continue with its mission. There are those who think that this war will enable Israel to 're-occupy' Gaza (which Israel has stated it wouldn't do). I personally think Israel should retake Gaza and annex it; the Arabs h...

I'm trying to rationalize this out, and that is the only conclusion I can arrive at. A psychologist would have a field day with this. Why else would the world rail against Israel for fighting back to protect its citizens? Why else would the world accuse Israel of using "disproportionate force?" Why else would the world cry out that Israel is ' indiscriminately killing civilians?' Why else are there 'demonstrations' against Israel's offensive in Gaza? I'll tell you what is disproportionate response . What is disproportionate is the world's reaction to tiny Israel making a belated attempt to defend itself and prevent further murder of its own civilian population. The world's response (with the exception of the United States') is generally negative towards anything Israel does to defend itself. It's outrageous. Where was this world when Hamas was lobbing rockets into Sderot? When Hizbollah was firing Katyushas into northern Israel? ...

Another terror incident just happened in Jerusalem: a 'copycat' terror attack by a highjacked Arab-driven bulldozer , attacking and overturning cars and buses. I am laughing with tears in my eyes at the stupid politicians and fools who allowed this to happen again, by not firing the Arab construction workers and hiring Jews. I am livid that nothing major was done to deter these barbarians from attacking again. I am crying at outgoing Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Gillerman's impassioned speech whining to the world about what Israel lives through day after day: "Sitting in a coffee house in Paris, Moscow and New York, costs a few dollars. Sitting in a coffee house in Jerusalem could cost many lives." And blah, blah, blah... It sounds like pleading, to me. How dare our leaders (Israel's; which equals "The Jews'") whine and plead to the world 'please understand what we are going through? I am appalled. What happened ...

Today there was a new type of terror attack in Yerushalayim. An Arab drove a bulldozer through a major street deliberately targeting civilians in private cars and public buses. He drove into two buses repeatedly until they overturned, and he drove over several cars, crushing the occupants. A brave young off-duty soldier took the initiative and climbed onto the bulldozer in an attempt to stop the murderer. He succeeded in shooting the driver several times, and finally a police officer also climbed onto the 'dozer and put the final shot into him. Read more about this young man who helped save countless lives, here . Below is the Israel Channel 10 video (also on Tamar Yonah's blog on Israel National News, Arutz Sheva): This is the second terror attack on civilians since the Mercaz HaRav murders of eight young unarmed Yeshiva students. Thank G-d, at least in this attack in Jerusalem, there more people who were ARMED, were already there and ready to TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATE...

I remember many years ago being thrilled by the movie Fantastic Voyage , (yes, I know it dates me) all the while believing that it was science fiction. Little did I know then, that by the time I would be an adult it would actualize and become science fact. . . Appropos this, you might remember that some time back I posted on this blog about the myriad things Israel has done and still is doing over its short history as a modern state to benefit humanity (many of which go unrecognized by the rest of the world). Well, here's one that is being recognized (albeit quietly, for now): Fantastic Voyage has become Fantastic Fact: Israel is involved in break-through research and cutting-edge applications in the area of Nanotechnology , an applied science based on controlling matter on the atomic and molecular level. Nanotechnology-" nano " deriving from the Greek nanos or nannos meaning "little old man" refers to a measure of one billionth, e.g., a nanometer is o...

I received an interesting comment from someone who read my short post (unusual for me, eh?) " Israel is Israel " (see post of October 28th). As my reply became longer and longer, I decided her comment bothered me enough to post my answer here-be forewarned: I have lotsa links in this one, so get your clicking-finger ready (Miri, I hope you are reading this.): My post was about Tamar Yonah 's blog on Arutz Sheva (Israel National News-see the whole article again, here ) in which she wrote about what she termed "The Isaiah Plan," Isaiah being our Navi (prophet)from the eighth century, B.C.E. (Before the Common Era), whose time seems to eerily mirror our own , with its corrupt and power-hungry ruling "class" (e.g., certain Prime Ministers, Knesset members and the like) victimizing or at best ignoring the common people, while trying to make pacts with the enemy. I don't believe that Tamar said that we are 'righteous.' What she said was, we sho...

My loyal readers (yeah, that means you! ), you know that I sometimes-- well, ok--most of the time--intersperse various and sundry Hebrew words in my posts. Sometimes I translate them, and sometimes not; so here is your big chance to learn Ivrit, free, and online at your convenience--so that you will never be in the dark about those untranslated words again. Here is a sample, but click on the title link to get the full lesson from Uncyclopedia* (Disclaimer: the following is a bit irreverent, has graphic content, and gets even raunchier the further you read; click on title link at your own risk. Blog author NOT responsible for contents. Adults over 18 only. No refunds.): HowTo: Learn Hebrew *From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia. Goys may not have enough chutzpah to understand Jewish wit. Kvetch about it all you want, but that won't help you understand it. Fill your kepellah with knowledge more suited for you. “Mchh Mchh Mcht, Chht Chht Mchht Hey! you speak fluent Hebrew!...

I knew my daughter chose the אב"ך combat unit (nuclear, biological & chemical) for her army service. I also knew that it was in the חיל הנדסה (Engineering Division). But until she sent me the link to this video, I didn't realize what it entailed: She must get her "gung ho" attitude from her father, who served in Vietnam. Well, maybe also her brothers, both of whom who served in the IDF (I am so proud! ). May G-d protect her and all the brave men and women who are serving in Tzahal , and bring a Just Peace onto Israel.

This is a longer post than usual. It is a compilation of links and articles which a friend sent me and which I edited somewhat and am posting here for your edification. These are important. Please read and click on at least some of them. I promise you, you will not regret it. (Hat Tip to my friend Maddy in London, UK, who did all the compilation work). Firstly, I would like to thank all my readers who come from כל רחבי העולם - the far reaches of the world, including Bourg-la-Reine, Ile-de-France; Ratingen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Haifa, Israel, Washington, D.C. , Sunnyvale, CA, Villawood New South Wales, Australia and Brooklyn, New York - to name just a few. You are the reason I continue blogging, and I thank you so much for your visits - keep 'em coming (and bring your friends, if you have any) :- ) Now for the subject of this post; below are various links to articles and videos illustrating the side of this war which you rarely see in the media: The Truth of what is happeni...

yalla ya Nasrallah - song from Israel Okay,okay- I know it's during the nine days and we're not supposed to listen to music, but this is WAR, and if this little piece inspires Tzahal and builds morale, then it will help us WIN and turn Tisha b'Av into the joyous chag it is going to be b'aharit ha-yamim when Moshiach is here. Besides, it's in lishon ha-kodesh (give or take a coupla words...) [ Hat Tip: The Bagel Blogger and several others; no time to link them now--it's erev Shabbat, so Shabbat Shalom!]

View this 6 minute video on the Israeli Air Force and 3 infantry units- NO MORE JEWS GOING TO THEIR SLAUGHTER WITH BOWED HEADS. DAVID IS RISING UP (finally) AGAINST GOLIATH. MAY HASHEM PROTECT THE JEWISH PEOPLE AND STATE OF ISRAEL AND BRING THE GEULAH. NEVER AGAIN!!! (-thank you to The Muqata and Jerusalem Cop)