Tikkun Olam

I know there's a big fuss about Thanksgiving coinciding with Chanukah this year, and I can understand that. The former is an important American secular (as opposed to Christian, although it was that as well, generically) holiday, and Chanukah, although a "minor" holiday-as opposed to a Holy holiday such as Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Pesach/Passover and Shavuot-designated by our sages thousands of years ago (it ain't new, that's for sure), is quite big in the United States, giving Jews, both affiliated and not something to celebrate while their Christian brethren are making a big commercial deal about Christmas. But what is the reason we celebrate Chanukah? The popular narrative is that the one little cruse of pure, un-contaminated oil was only enough to last for one day, but miraculously, it lasted for eight!  Of course, I loved this legend growing up; it made Chanukah magical to me, and I'm sure to many others.  Here is an interview with Rabbi David...

In light of the political upheavals around the Arab world in North Africa and the Middle East, the price of a barrel of oil has shot up to over $100 a barrel, consequently the price of gasoline in my state alone has risen to $3.39/gal, and in some areas even higher. The world has become dependent upon MIddle Eastern oil (read: Arab controlled), which does not seem to bode well for Israel.  Except for this: it is now known that there were major discoveries of natural gas off the shore of the Mediterranean (about which I had written, complete with maps,  here - ) in areas mainly under Israel's jurisdiction. I have just read an article in the Jerusalem Post by Dore Gold which states that back in November, the World Energy Council based in Britain reported that Israel has oil shale reserves from which billions--yes, billions --of barrels of oil can be extracted.  Dr. Yuval Bartov, chief geologist for Israel Energy Initiatives presented, at a Colorado School of Mines sym...

Is it possible? Is it a miracle? At long last, tiny, seemingly resource-poor Israel has found abundant natural gas and oil resources offshore in the Mediterranean! In 2009, American company Noble Energy based in Houston, Texas, found (in their drilling for the Israeli Delek fuel company) vast reserves of natural gas and then oil, in the sea offshore from Haifa. Original estimates of around 87 billion cubic meters were apparently conservative, and were revised to 850 billion cubic meters, enough to supply Israel's domestic gas requirements for up to thirty-five years.  There is the strong possibility that Israel will become--and this is truly miraculous--an exporter of natural gas and maybe even oil. Of course, Lebanon and Hezbollah have already laid claims to some of these discoveries, saying that it is in their territory, and that they will "not allow" Israel to take possession of these oil and gas fields.  Well, let's take a look now, shall we? Funny, ...

(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.

(nablopomo day 8) Human beings are ruining the planet.  If events continue the way they are, human beings will ensure that, in the not-too-distant future, --between violence against innocents in Rwanda, Darfur, and other areas in Africa and across the world, --because of the vicious massacre of innocents in Mumbai, which were not universally condemned by the world at large , --because of aggressor-nations such as Iran, threatening another sovereign nation with annihilation, --with the world's virulent condemnation of a country which tried to defend itself against a surprise attack, and now, --with the utter devastation of the natural environment because of a company's greed and not caring, --the world will come to an end.  Unless we stand up and stop it.  All of it. There are no words.  There are just no words. Visit msnbc.com for breaking news , world news , and news about the economy

(As seen on Not Quite Perfect ) Did you know that Chanukah is good for your health? Just pop a pill to get your essential Chanukah OIL; or better yet, just light the menorah. . .