Kol Nidrei by Korean Orchestra.

The Real Reason Ari Fuld Died!

Ari Fuld z"l Gravesite

It may appear like it's a simple case of an Arab teenager stabbing him in the back. That's true and I don't intend to let this teenage monster off the hook. But there's a lot that you don't see.

Ari Fuld's death probably shouldn't come as such a shock and I was a big admirer of his. I cried a lot today for Ari and his family but I'm not surprised at this horrible tragedy. In fact, I'm surprised he lived as long as he did. As i see it, he had a Bulls-Eye target placed on his back for a long time. The reason is simple. He was one man doing a very dangerous job that the Israeli government abdicated years ago; advocating for Israel, defending the right of every Jew to live in the Jewish ancestral homeland and trying to deflect and protect the Israelis from a world of anti-israel hatred that has gone mad, ballistically mad.

The world is not the same as it was thirty or forty years ago. It's a much more violent place. Western Europe bursting with hundreds of thousands of young Arab immigrants combined with Islamic fundamentalism spreading terror around the Middle East and 8 years of an Obama/Kerry Administration fanning the flames of Israel-hatred have made defending Israel an impossible task at the UN or anywhere else. Enter onstage Ari Fuld, a passionate Zionist motivated by his love for the land, his love of Judaism, and his love for his people and he's ready to stand up and take on this violent Israel-hating world singlehandedly. This modern day courageous King David was an independent operator.

Let's be clear here, the Israeli government didn't walk away from Ari and they never abandoned him. They never even got out of the foxhole to back him up. In fact, they are still there. They still have their heads buried in the sand. But, it's not just Ari. Arab terrorism within Israel's borders ? What are you kidding me ? Who knew ? 

Satmar Rebbe R' Aron Teitelbaum Calls Those Going to Uman .... "Meshigoim

Satmar Rebbe of Monroe, R' Aron Teitelbaum in a drasha on Shabbos Tesuvah, said that those travelling to Uman for Rosh Hashana are  "Mishigoim" and that Rosh Hashana is not a day for "mishagas." 

He added that it would be proper to be "mevateil this minhag" to discontinue this custom.

Gmar Chasimah Tova!

Rabbi Sachs Speaks in English Parliament on Anti-Semitism

Trump freezes PA's bank accounts and Kicks Out PLO Envoy Out of USA

The United States is intensifying its pressure on the Palestinian Authority (PA). The Al-Jazeera network reported on Sunday evening that the US administration has decided to immediately close all bank accounts linked to the PA or the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in banks across the United States.

The US is not confirming the report at the moment, but the State Department hinted last week after the closure of the PLO's mission in Washington that there would be further steps against the Palestinian Arabs.

Earlier on Sunday, the Lebanon-based Al-Mayadeen television reported that the US orderedthe PLO envoy to the US, Husam Zomlot, out of the country.

According to the report, the visas for Zomlot and his family were cancelled, their US bank accounts were closed, and he was ordered to leave.

“The American authorities cancelled my visa and my family’s visa,” said Zomlot, “and closed our bank accounts. We’ve been ordered to leave Washington immediately.”

Zomlot and his family have reportedly left the country, and are en route to Ramallah, the PA-based Ma’an news agency reported.

PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi blasted the Trump administration for the move, calling it “cruel” and comparing the move to “blackmail”.

"As if the announcement that the U.S. would close our office in Washington D.C. was not enough, this vindictive action by the Trump administration is spiteful. The U.S. has taken its attempts to pressure and blackmail the Palestinians to a new level,” Ashrawi said, according to the Wafa news agency.

Zomlot was briefly recalled from Washington in December for consultations, following President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. However, Zomlot returned to Washington just one day later.

Ari Fuld Father of 4 Murdered in Cold Blood by Muslim Terrorist Laid to Rest

Thousands of people on Sunday night attended the funeral of Ari Fuld, who was murderedby a terrorist at the Gush Etzion junction, at the cemetery in Kfar Etzion.

Yona Fuld, Ari's father, eulogized him and said: "Zion is crying and the Land of Israel is crying. Ari affected thousands all over the world." The father said that his son would receive thousands of letters from all over the world, including from Saudi Arabia, noting that "he was the hero of everyone."

"If we asked him, he would say that this how he wanted to leave the world," the father added. "I can only be satisfied that the entire nation of Israel is grieving today for a true hero, a hero who is like a lion."

Ari's brother, Moshe Fuld, eulogized him and said, "So many people came here to pay their last respects to him. If there is one word to describe my brother, it is ‘hero’, simply a hero."

The brother added, "Who else can deal with a terrorist, take out a gun, jump over a fence and shoot the terrorist so that he does not harm others? Ari, I'm so sorry that I did not tell you about your greatness. You are a true giant.

Ari Fuld, a 45-year-old immigrant from the US and resident of the Gush Etzion town of Efrat, stabbed in the back by a 17-year-old Arab terrorist from the Hevron area. Before collapsing, Fuld managed to shoot the terrorist together with help of another civilian and a security guard. The terrorist was moderately wounded.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Jewish Home), Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein (Likud), and MK Bezalel Smotrich (Jewish Home) paid a condolence visit to the home of Fuld family.

During the visit, Minister Bennett spoke with Fuld’s family, who shared some of the family history going back to the Holocaust and through to their decision to move to Israel.

“He is an Israeli hero who in death saved others,” Bennett said.

Netanyahu also eulogized Fuld as a "hero of Israel", telling reporters shortly after his condolence call that Israelis would "always remember him".

"I met tonight the wonderful parents and brothers of the wonderful hero of Israel, Ari Fuld. I embraced them in the name of all the people of Israel during their terrible grief. We're alive, thanks to heroes like Ari. We will always remember him."

My Cleaning Lady Just Sued Me – YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

The following appeared in the YeshivaWorld Blog:

Added some of the comments on this post:

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Many in the community currently use the services of Spanish-speaking cleaning-ladies who hail from South or Central America, most of whom are in the country illegally.

I would like to bring to the unsuspecting public’s attention a story that is currently taking place, so that others can protect themselves when employing the above-mentioned people:

I employed one of these women full-time, for over eight years, paying her $10, then $11, and subsequently $12 per hour.

Before this past Pesach, she asked for $13 per hour, which I agreed to give her on condition that she would be willing to come for the next two Sundays before Pesach. Although she would work on Sundays when she needed extra money, this time she refused, and left the house with me being furious that she had turned me down.

She never returned, and I figured that she must have found a better paying job.

I must make it very clear that I was an extremely kind, lenient employer.

• I gave her $10 every day so that she could buy her own kosher food, plus she had a free lunch hour that she got paid for.
• Although, she damaged many clothing items, I never expected her to reimburse me.
• If she worked very late, I would feed her supper and send her home with an Uber, at a fare of approximately $30.
• When she complained that the workload was too heavy for her, (I live in a duplex with my husband and young daughter), I brought in a second lady to assist her.
• She would chat on the phone while working, even though it impeded her speed and distracted her, but I never told her to turn her iPhone off.
• I kept quiet when she would stay late because she wanted to make up her missed hours, even though I knew she was taking advantage of me.
• I gave her many items of used clothing when she hinted that she desired them, plus I bought her teenage daughter a new winter coat when she asked me to.
• Lastly, I tipped her very generously before the Jewish holidays.

This week I got a court summons.

This very woman, whom I wined and dined, and with whom I tried to make a “Kiddush Hashem”, treating her with utmost respect, is suing me!!! For the hefty sum of $75,000 dollars!!! She claims that she should have been paid time and a half for each of her hours of overtime. (She never, ever, mentioned time and a half in all her years of working at my home).

After consulting with three different lawyers, it is apparent that the law is on her side. (Ironically, she revealed to me recently that she has a deportation notice…). Sadly, there is little I can do but make a settlement with her. I do not know how much this joke will cost me in the end, but I am heartbroken to have to give my hard-earned money to such a disloyal, ungrateful person.

Moreover, I now know that I am not the first gullible “heimishe” woman who has taken in a Mexican housekeeper, and then been sent a summons. This trend is becoming increasingly popular. There are Spanish speaking lawyers who offer these workers their services, free of charge, on condition that they get a share of the settlement money. The complaints against employees can vary, but the motive is the same.

I know some might ask why I kept her all these years if I had complaints against her. The truth is that I trusted her. She may have lied occasionally, but she never touched my valuables though she had enough opportunities to snitch. Plus, she was a reliable worker overall, who arrived when she said she would. She knew the running of my home, and she took off many of my responsibilities.

I sincerely regret being so gracious to her, and I feel that she has punched me in the face.

Chareidi Soldiers Who Are Proud To Walk In Uniform In Bnei Brak

Chareidi soldiers who are serving in the 202nd Battalion are proud of their unit, the Arrow (Chetz) Company in the Paratroop Brigade. There are 77 members of the company, all viewed as “chareidim” by the IDF.

While many are not forgiven by their families and communities for entering the military, with some even ousted by their families, others are proud and some even dare to walk down the streets of Bnei Brak, in uniform.

Unfortunately, there are some, including those interviewed in the KAN News report, who have been placed in cherem and not in touch with parents for a year or longer.

A commander, Major Shai Juni, explains that 25-30 of his soldiers are designated as ‘lone soldiers’, Israelis, not foreigners, but they have been thrown out by their families. The major explains his parents have taken in one such soldier, and now accommodate his needs, including glatt meat.

Another explains how he wanted some kugel, and they entered Meah Shearim at about 9:00PM and were seated in a restaurant and enjoying their food. They soon heard shouts, stating there were about 300 people outside shouting against them. The police came and extricated them without incident.

Soldier Yigal Malka of Tzefas explains “One learning Torah should continue doing so 100% for he and the others are protecting Am Yisrael. However, others, those who do not, should consider entering the army. I am not chiloni (secular)” he explains, emphasizing how he maintains his frum lifestyle while serving. An officer of the rank of captain explains how and what is done to make sure they maintain their level of religious of observance.

These soldiers serve in Yehuda and Shomron and will soon be moved to the Gaza border and the battalion commander, Lt.-Colonel Ron Friedman, is responsible for the logistics, to maintain the separation between the frum soldiers and female personnel, even when serving along the Gaza border. Friedman explains “this is done if and where possible and if cases where it is not possible, I can send them with the limitations, such as minimal contact with female personnel”. When asked “Is the Chetz unit experiment a success or a pain in the neck?” Friedman says without hesitation “An absolute success, and these soldiers are the best”.

According to the report, today, there are 7,600 chareidi soldiers serving in the IDF.

Israeli Composer & Maestro, Dr. Mordechai Sobol Dies at 67

Famed Israeli composer and Maestro Dr. Mordechai Sobol Z”L, 67, was Niftar at a hospital in Atlanta after suffering a massive stroke last week.

Sobol was in the United States where he searved as Chazzan on Rosh Hashanah. Following Yom Tov, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with an aneurysm in the brain.

He remained in a coma until he was Niftar last night.

Sobol served as musical director and conductor of the Yuval Ensemble, composed of a symphony orchestra and cantorial choir, and produced a number of concerts a year and is considered one of the most prominent people in reviving cantorial music and bringing them to contemporary listeners. His son, Ophir Sobol, worked with him many times.

He trained many Chazzanim, including Yitzchak Meir Helfgott, Yaakov Lemer, Chaim Adler, Zvi Weiss, Netanel Hershtik, Shay Aberson and others.

In addition, Mordechai Sobol presented the program “Before the Ark” (לפני התיבה) on Kol Chai Radio every Friday afternoon, which presents a variety of cantorial works of all time and is considered one of the oldest programs on Kol Chai.

Bein Kese L'Asor - Reflections

Rabbi Shmuel Knopfler

Two Destructions and Two Redemptions: 
“You are standing this day all of you before the Lord your God, your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even every person of Israel.” (Deuteronomy 29:9)

Rashi quotes the Midrash Tanĥuma, explaining the connection between the multitude of grim warnings (tokhaha) unloosed in the prior portion of Ki Tavo, and this week’s opening words: 
You are standing. Our sages teach: since the Israelites heard one hundred curses minus two, in addition to the forty-nine in the book of Leviticus (chapter 26), their faces turned green and they didn’t understand how they would be able to stand up to so many chastisements (curses). Moses thus began to comfort them: “You are standing here today. You have greatly angered the Almighty [after all, you constantly complained in the desert, you worshiped the Golden Calf, you refused to conquer Israel] but nevertheless you have not been destroyed and behold you are standing here today.” In effect, therefore, our opening has to be taken as a divine statement of consolation: You may well suffer, but you will never be destroyed!