Sunday, September 23, 2018

Accused Sex Pervert Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro Writes Book Against Israel Called "The Empty Chair"

This dirty rat that calls itself "Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro" is an accused sexual predator, who has a history of molesting frum teenage girls way back when he was a teacher in a Yeshiva High School for Girls. His answer is always that these stories have been fabricated because of his anti-Israel ideology. But no one ever made those accusations against the Satmar Rebbe or for that matter Reb Amrom Blau founder of the Neturei Karta ..

He now authored a Nazi-like propaganda book called "The Empty Chair." You can find this book in practically all bookstores and I found that the Zundel Berman and Judaica Plus book stores in Cedarhurst sell this filthy thrash!

If you thought that radical religious anti-Zionism is solely the purview of a few crazed chassidim in Neturei Karta, you are tragically mistaken.

A glossy new book has recently been published:
"The Empty Wagon: Zionism's Journey from Identity Crisis to Identity Theft."

It seeks to persuade religious Jews - especially charedim - into an extreme anti-Zionist approach.

The author is Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, who is not to be confused with the Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro who authored the fabulous book Halachic Positions. This Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, breaking the popular image of Israel-haters, is highly intelligent and well-read, the rabbi of a shul in Bayswater, Long Island, and a Litvak, though he is also a grand-nephew of the Satmar Rebbe. He used to anonymously operate the creepy website FrumTeens, in which he infamously quoted (or probably misquoted) the Chafetz Chaim as saying about Rav Kook, "Kook, Shmook."

Trump mocks Kavanaugh's accuser

'Why didn't somebody call the FBI 36 years ago?

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the Senate Judiciary Committee should move swiftly to finish vetting Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and ridiculed Democrats who are calling for an FBI investigation into a sex-assault allegation dating back to 1982.

Committee Republicans are trying to secure a commitment from accuser Christine Ford to appear at a hearing on Monday, but Democrats are calling for an FBI investigation before the process can move forward.

'I say let her say what she has to say and let's see how it all comes out,' Trump told Fox news Channel host Sean Hannity inside a Las Vegas arena before a scheduled rally.

'But they've delayed it a week, and they have to get on with it.'

Minutes later the president stood behind his podium and exclaimed: 'Look at our judges! What's going on?'

Thousands spontaneously began chanting Kavanaugh's name before Trump could mention it himself.

In his pre-rally interview, Trump called Kavanaugh 'an outstanding person' and dismissed the demands for an FBI probe.

'You say, "Why didn't somebody call the FBI 36 years ago?"' the president said, declaring that Kavanaugh's opponents have tried to 'besmirch' him.

The FBI has conducted six background checks on Kavanaugh, including some when he was first nominated to a federal judgeship in 2006.

Trump’s Iran sanctions prove the establishment and Satmar Rebbe .. wrong — again

Remember when the Satmar Rebbe of Monroe backed Obama's "Iran Deal?" Remember when the "asken" Ezra "the Capo" Friedlander tried convincing Holocaust survivors to vote for FAT NADLER beause he was familiar with the Iran Deal and "it was good for the Jews.?"

Well read on ..

When President Trump withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal back in May, the foreign-policy establishment was unanimous in its opposition.

Their dismay was rooted in loyalty to Barack Obama’s legacy and personal contempt for Trump. But there was at least one point the critics made that seemed irrefutable, in warning against the re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran’s oil exports.

Trump’s unilateral move would certainly fail because of the interest of America’s European allies as well as the Russians and Chinese in continuing to do business with Iran. But if by some chance it worked, the experts were sure that would result in a severe hike in oil prices that American consumers would feel at the gas pump.

But the experts were wrong. Reports in Bloomberg News, echoed by The New York Times, tell us that three months into the new sanctions — and less than two months before the Trump administration plans to implement even more far-reaching restrictions on doing business with Iran that will affect US allies — the move has succeeded in crippling Iran’s oil exports without causing a significant increase in oil prices.

Iran’s principal source of foreign exchange is drying up, ratcheting up the pressure on an unpopular despotic regime without Americans having to pay appreciably more for gas.

How is that possible?

'End attacks on IDF soldiers'

Three Frum IDF Soldiers needed to be rescued by police in Meah Shearim on Thursday.

It happened at around 3:00PM at the Ohr Hachayim Seforim Center (also known as Manny’s), when three soldiers visited the store to purchase Seforim.

It started with a small crowd screaming and protesting, and soon grew into an angry mob of a few hundred angry people. The usual shouts of “Nazi” and “Chardak” were heard, as police arrived to extricate them from the area.

Various items were thrown at the soldiers and police.

Boruch Hashem there were no injuries reported.

New Jerusalem – Tel Aviv Express Train Up And Running

The inauguration of the express train line from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv took place on Thursday, 11 Tishrei 5779, in the presence of the prime minister and other senior state officials. The event took place at noon. Travel time for the line between the cities is less than 30 minutes.

The express train line will arrive at the initial stage, only to the station at Ben-Gurion Airport and not to the Tel Aviv stations as planned, due to the failure to complete the infrastructure work on portions of the route of the express train.

The express line project from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv is considered the largest and most significant project of the Ministry of Transport and is one of the most complex engineering and technological projects ever undertaken in Israel. The cost of the express line is estimated at NIS 7 billion.

The project includes a double track length of 56 kilometers. Works on the train included the mining of five tunnels, 38 kilometers in length and eight bridges totaling 7.5 kilometers. The line passes through an 11-kilometer-long tunnel, considered to be the longest in Israel, and over a bridge about 100 meters high and considered the tallest bridge in Israel.

The train will operate at a relatively minimum frequency of one train per hour in each direction. This frequency will increase gradually after the run-in phase to two trains per hour, and finally to a frequency of four trains per hour. During the first three months, the trip is expected to be free in both directions.

During the initial stage, the first three months, one will have to obtain a ticket via the railway website as tickets will not be available at the stations.

Nisan Krakanowski Holocaust Survivor Killed by Car

A Holocaust survivor was R”L struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn on Thursday night.

Nisan Krakanowski Z”L (90) of Flatlands 6 Street was struck by a vehicle at Ralph Avenue and East 69 Street. Canarsie Hatzolah EMTs and paramedics responded to the scene and found him in traumatic arrest. He was transported to Brookdale Hospital, but was unfortunately Niftar shortly after arriving.

The Niftar was leaving Shul, where he went every day to say Kaddish for his youngest daughter who was Niftar just a few months ago. She was his last surviving family member. His wife and another daughter were previously Niftar.

Misaskim Volunteers are on the scene, and working to ensure Kavod Hames.

The NYPD tells YWN that an investigation revealed that a light blue colored Jaguar was heading south bound on Ralph Avenue when it struck the 90 year-old pedestrian, who was attempting to cross Ralph Avenue from the west side to the east outside of a marked crosswalk. The operator of the vehicle remained on scene. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing by the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Yom Kippur

PA TO PAY FAMILY OF FULD’S MURDERER NIS 1,400 A MONTH FOR 3 YEARS

Khalil may hg rot in hell

The family of Khalil Yusef Ali Jabarin, the terrorist who murdered 45-year-old father of four Ari Fuld on Sunday, will receive NIS 1,400 a month for the next three years from the Palestinian Authority, as part of its policy of funding what they call “martyrs” for the Palestinian cause, according to information supplied by the PA.

The PA’s terror-reward budget for 2017 and 2018 amounted to NIS 1.2 billion for each year, according to its Finance Ministry’s website.

On Tuesday, erev Yom Kippur 5779, air traffic in Ben-Gurion International Airport will halt. Incoming flights halt at 1:40PM, and the last takeoff is scheduled for 1:55PM, an El Al flight. With that takeoff, the international airport will be closed for the holy day.

On motzei Yom Kippur, the first flight will land at 9:30PM and the first takeoff is scheduled for 11:30PM.

On Monday, 8 Tishrei, 90,000 travelers passed through the airport on 543 flights. On Tuesday, erev Yom Kippur, that figure is 84,000 passengers on 314 flights.

On erev Sukkos, 84,000 passengers are expected on international flights. During the Sukkos vacation, airport officials report 650,000 passengers will pass through the airport. On a total of 3,870 international flights.

September will continue the sharp increase in passenger traffic at Ben-Gurion International Airport with over 2.2 million passengers in 14,000 international flights, a 17% increase in passenger traffic and it will total over 2.2 million passengers at Ben-Gurion Airport.

The most popular destinations in September are: Greece, Turkey (transit country), Ukraine, Italy, and Russia.

The Airports Authority advises Ben-Gurion passengers to check in for a flight from the home at the airline’s website or at the Ben-Gurion International Airport site, and for passengers to use automatic passageways for biometric passport holders. Therefore, it is recommended that one obtains a biometric passport.

Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur Appeal

My name is Alexander Shekhtman. I have been reading your website for maybe a year now. Currently, I live in Tzfat, Israel, but due to financial hardships, I had to come back to the U.S. to look for work.

I have been living on my SSDI, which is around 915 dollars per month, for 10 years. So far, I have not been able to find employment, especially since no one will hire me when I am requesting 7 days off from the start. Now it will be only 5 days, but that is still too much to ask in the beginning.

I am living in a motel in Eden Prairie, MN, that costs me around 1000 per month. So that means I am already in minus by 85 dollars, and I still need money for food, gas, car insurance, cell phone and other minor expenses.

I am kindly requesting from you or your readers help in finding tzedokah or at least a gemach that can loan me the money. Maybe, if you are able to, please call me to discuss what kind of work I am able to do or what my skills and experiences are. As you know, giving a Jew a job is the biggest tzedokah ever. It has been very hard of me in life in general, but not it is more difficult than ever as I already am in massive debt on my credit card for over 3000 dollars. Please help me in any way you are able to. I await to speak to you.

All the Best,

—Alexander Shekhtman

651-808-4731

p.s. I can provide references of people that know me in MN, CA, NY, Etc.

Nadvernah Rebbe Does Tashlich At a "Kiddie Pool"

Satmar Monroe Fires two Melamdim Because They Traveled To Uman

As mentioned in an earlier post, R' Arom Teitelbaum, Satmar Rebbe Monroe chastised those who travel to Uman for Rosh Hashana.
The Rebbe followed up on his Shabbos Teshuvah drasha with extreme measures promptly firing two melamdim who flew to Uman.

דרשת שבת שובה של האדמו"ר מהר"א מסאטמר כבר מיושמת הלכה למעשה:

שני מלמדים פוטרו מעבודתם בתלמוד התורה של החסידות בקרית יואל - כי היו באומן בראש השנה (חסידים

Arabs Should Not Walk Free In Israel ....

R' Tzvi Fishman

by Tzvi Fishman

In my opinion, there is no justification for Arabs to walk around freely in any Jewish community in Israel.

Last week, I did some shopping in the Rami Levy Supermarket located at the Gush Etzion Junction, meters away from the spot where Ari Fuld was murdered by an Arab terrorist who was walking around freely in the parking lot. The supermarket was filled with Arab shoppers, loading up their shopping carts to the brim. The cashiers were mostly Arabs. This wasn’t Ramallah, but in a supermarket in Gush Etzion, a community of thousands of Jews. If Arabs were denied access to the area, Ari Fuld would still be alive.

Too extreme, you say?

The fact is that all over Israel, at the junction of roads leading to areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, there are large signs warning, in bold red lettering, that Jews are forbidden to enter the area. The same thing must be done on roadways leading to all Jewish communities in Israel – large signs with bold red lettering forbidding Arabs to enter the area.

Have you ever asked yourself why Arabs can walk around freely in Jewish communities, supermarkets, hospitals, and shopping centers all over Israel without worrying that someone will kill them, when, in contrast, a Jew entering an Arab community or Arab hospital is likely to be slaughtered within minutes?

Brett Kavanaugh’s Mother Presided Over Foreclosure Hearing Involving Accuser’s Parents

Don't you guys just love internet ...... ? The drama never ends!

The woman behind the letter accusing Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault, Christine Blasey Ford, has naturally been herself the subject of much news since her name was made public on Sunday. Among reports coming out, Fox News Channel’s Laura Ingraham tweeted a story a short time ago that says Ford’s parents were defendants in a case that was presided over by Brett Kavanaugh’s mother, of whom he has spoken at length during confirmation hearings.

Judge Martha G. Kavanaugh was the judge for a foreclosure case in 1996 in Maryland, according to the site, which contains mostly embedded tweets from a single Twitter user but also two screenshots from Maryland’s case search site.

Those shots outline a case involving Ralph and Paula Blasey, Christine Ford’s parents, that was presided over by Judge Kavanaugh.

Ingraham tweeted the story on Monday without follow-up. The suggestion of promotion this story, of course, is that recent allegations of sexual misconduct may be some sort of revenge play by Dr. Ford. There is no evidence yet that the past foreclosure decision had any impact on allegations, but we can be certain to hear more about it in the coming days.

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 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.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

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!

DUS IZ NIES !! Rare View...