The uneven distribution of collective Jewish Responsibility

The most harrowing tragedy has struck at the most well known and visible of Israeli families in the world. When the spaceship Columbia exploded and all crew members were killed the world was in shock. The Israeli public was in even greater shock as Ilan Ramon the first Israeli astronaut was on that ill fated flight. His Jewish pride and sensitivity to Jewish customs were a very touching part of his stay in space. He literally mesmerized the Israeli public with his incredible personality. His death left many Jews completely heartbroken including the writer of these lines.

Very few people knew that his son Asaf had embarked on a military career very similar to his father. He had become a fighter pilot like his father and apparently a very good one at that. The IDF demands that anyone who has lost a sibling or father needs special permission to serve in a combat unit. Tragedy striking twice is almost too difficult to bear. Asaf apparently received that permission from his mother; he probably pressured her to give it. When he was killed in a training accident it brought back old memories to very many.

Families like the Ramons will continue to bear the burden of defending Israel. Those who shirk that responsibility should be feeling very small around now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jewish national day of mourning, 9th of AV

A very sad day for Jews everywhere.

The saddest day in the Jewish calendar is the 9th day of Av. This day has so many tragedies connected with it that there is really no serious hardship for a Jew to fast. Thinking about all the suffering that is connected to this day makes one lose his appetite.
Some of the events that happened around this time. Both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. A massive public burning of Jewish texts happened in Paris circa 1292 and the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. There are so many more events that did not specifically happen around this time but still are commentated on this all encompassing day of sadness.

What practicing Jews do on such a day is refrain from any food or water for about 25 hours, No washing is allowed and even wearing of leather shoes is not permitted. That is an additional hardship that is to remind someone of the sadness of the day. They sit for hours reading Lamentations on how bad it was from the ancient tragedies to the modern ones and everything in between. This sad dirge like reading recalls specific events that speak volumes on why Jews and Judaism still exist today. One Story that seams to define Jewish Martyrdom is the story of Rabbi Akivah. This fervent Jewish nationalist symbolized for all Jews who came after him what martyrdom meant. His complete faith and piety even in the throngs of excruciating torture inspired all those after him. He was executed proclaiming his faith in Judiasm buy uttering the Shema prayer that is to be on the lips of every Dying Jew.

Many Jews before and after R’Akivah vexed their tormentors with this faith clinging to their Judaism no matter what the cost.

For those who want to understand the resilience of the Jews this day speaks volumes.

The Peace Process

Obama says no and Bibi says yes, now what?

In the latest spat between Presiden Obama and the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Jerusalem has become the point of contention. Netanyahu says that building and buying houses in Jerusalem will continue as Jerusalem is under the jurisdiction of the Jewish state and will continue to be so. Obama thinks differently and looks at east Jerusalem as he looks at west bank settlements. Obama wants the building to stop and Bibi refuses. Now what?

Even before negotiations have started on a permanent status solution there is a cardinal disagreement on a core issue. That is Jerusalem. Neither side is willing to budge one inch on this issue. How then can there be negotiation on something no one wants to negotiate on? No one is sure but all sides want to continue the peace process. That process is at a dead end and has been for some time. This reality doesn’t seem to bother the parties involved as they continue to talk meet and haggle.

The stark truth is that there is no real solution to this problem and there never really was. The Jews are not wanted in their historical homeland and that’s it. Everything else is meaningless time wasting hogwash.

Well at least there is a peace process.

Amnesty international helping Hamas

Amnesty international accuses Israel and Hamas of War crimes.

In the newest report of Amnesty Israel is accused of deliberately targeting civilians and causing the death of nearly four hundred noncombatants. Hamas is accused of firing rockets into Israel that cause wide spread havoc this was also labeled a war crime.

Hamas strategy has been for a long time to use the very dense population centers of the Gaza strip as human shields for its members. This strategy was designed to hamper or completely eliminate Israel’s ability to target its members. Amnesty has become another weapon in the arsenal of hamass psychological warfare. Israel will still need to target terrorists who are hiding behind civilians as these terrorists put in danger its soldiers and civilians. The concern for the Israeli military establishment is the hesitation that may be over emphasized when seeing civilians near terrorist targets. This hesitation may ultimately cost Israeli lives. It is mostly incorrect to say that these reports have no effect on the Israeli military, Their effect is the slow erosion of the ability of the IDF to properly target its enemies. The Hamas has once again scored points by sacrificing its own women and children in a virtual public opinion battle with Israel. In the next conflict which will surly come sooner or later the Hamas will once again resort to tactics that seem to win it points in the eyes of the world. They will shoot from schools and hospitals from homes and places of worship. The Israeli army will react as any responsible army would and by doing so noncombatants will be killed. Then Amnesty will come out with another mostly anti-Israel report.

In one main area the Hamas has it wrong. The ultimate resolve for Israel may be undermined somewhat but there will be enough left to continue to defend itself.

Israel won’t just go away.

The King of Pop was not such a nice man

Michael Jackson- the worst role model possible


Many seem to be very upset at the sudden death of Jackson who was addicted to pain killers and was taking an assortment of drugs. His very bizarre personnel life which almost landed him in jail on allegations of sexual child abuse are a very good reason not to mourn this weirdo. Though he was obviously a very talented musician he had a profound negative influence on hundreds of millions of people who emulated his every move. When it became clear that he had started losing his sanity many started distancing themselves. His constant plastic surgery procedures and later his possible criminal activity made people think that they had a freak on their hands. He may have brought some happiness to some thru his music but that was overshadowed by his bizarre and unethical behavior.

The world was not very sad when Mother Teresa or Jonah salk died and there will be a bare whimper when Steven Hawkins goes. Michael Jackson was not someone to be mourned, he added very little to the good of the world. The hysteria surrounding his death is a sad commentary on the values of those glorifying Mr. Jackson.

The fact that he was so addicted to pain killers and led a life of decadence seems to be lost on some. Not on all.

Israels anti-Israel former chief justice

Former Israeli chief Justice speaks his mind



Famed jurist and former chief justice of the Israeli supreme court has said some eye opening things at a lecture in Tel-Aviv. Aharon Barak who retired from the bench a few years ago tells us a little bit about his politics and world philosophy.

The most startling thing that he mentions is his full support for the concept of a country of all its citizens. This means simply that for all intensive purposes he wants to do away mostly with the concept of a Jewish state (he says he still supports the law of return) and have a state that defines itself by its citizens and not by its Jewish character. This very extreme view was made famous by a former Knesset member who has run away from Israel for fear of prosecution for treason. His name is Azmi Bashara and he lives in Damascus while still receiving a pension from the Knesset ( that’s the Israeli parliament ). This view is particularly disturbing when one considers that this man was supposed to be neutral and fair while sitting at the highest point of the Israeli judicial system. As many suspected his extreme left leaning politics manifested itself in his many legal decisions that are still shaping the Israeli judicial system. There is no man who had more clout and leverage on Israeli life than Mr. Barak had in the last 20 years as many decisions of the Israeli parliament were struck down by this man. Adding to all this is the latest demand of the Israeli prime minister that Arab countries and especially the Palestinian authority recognize Israel as a Jewish state. They could rightfully claim that the former Supreme Court head thinks that the country should have a very limited Jewish character we will not disagree with him.

Those who opposed Mr. Barak over the years are not completely surprised at these statements. Many fear that his successor and others on the high court bench have similar political leanings.

This is one of Israel’s main problems.

The peace process

George Mitchell is mad at Bibi

Isn’t that upsetting that George Mitchell is refusing to meet the Israeli prime minister. Most Israelis are laughing and not upset at all. That’s what the Israeli press has reported. The reason for the cancellation of the meeting is Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to a complete freeze on settlement activity. Mitchell and the Obama administration are living in a bit of a dream world. There are additions to houses going on all over Judea and Samaria in almost every town. Bibi has gone against all of his campaign promises and agreed to a Palestinian State. He has even agreed to completely cease new building or new settlements. What exactly do they want?

Mr Mitchell is acting like a schoolboy that is mad when everyone doesn’t do exactly what they want. Israel sadly seems to be doing almost everything the United States says and that still is not good enough. What Mitchell maybe does not understand is that Israel is a democracy and has some independence to do things its own way.

The entire process is a lesson in futility as very few Arabs will accept Israel’s conditions for their state and it’s hard to imagine any solution to the status of Jerusalem and refugees.

George would be better off fishing.