“I don’t speak because I have the power to speak; I speak because I don’t have the power to remain silent.” Rav Kook z"l
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Moetzis Gedoilei Issue a Bizaare "Kol Korah" Showing its Total Disconnection to Reality
'Black kippah doesn’t exempt one from IDF service': says senior Shas haredi Mk Challenging His Own Torah Leaders
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel of the Shas party emphasized the importance of equal conscription into the IDF, declaring that wearing a black kippah does not exempt one from military service
Speaking at the Aaron Institute for Economic Policy annual conference at Reichman University on Wednesday, Arbel underscored the need for every eligible individual to be drafted, highlighting the necessity of upholding state laws.
This stance is particularly notable given the traditional position of the Shas Party, which has historically opposed mandatory IDF service for haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Torah students.
Arbel’s remarks, which courageously challenge the views of Shas chairman Arye Deri, who has firmly stated that “no one will be drafted into the army, not even one Torah student,” and that the party will fight against such measures with all its strength, are a source of inspiration.
Arbel addressed the broader societal context, stating, “The citizens of Israel are not merely tools for creating GDP (gross domestic product) and GNP (gross national product) – beyond economic importance, Israeli society also holds significant spiritual value, and we must not ignore this aspect when discussing Torah scholars.”
DESPITE THE IDF’s calculation that it needs 7,000 new troops, Monday’s vote to revive an older haredi draft bill was approved by the majority of the Knesset members. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
He emphasized the utmost importance of understanding and respecting the haredi community’s perspective, especially regarding segregated academic studies, and the necessity of allowing haredim to pursue bachelor’s degrees in segregated environments to prevent their disconnection from Israeli society.
This statement marks a significant departure from Shas’s established stance, reflecting internal tensions within the party and the broader haredi community. Shas has long fought against changes to conscription laws that would mandate IDF service for haredi yeshiva students, viewing such measures as an attack on their religious lifestyle and values. The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled existing exemptions unconstitutional, leading to ongoing legal and political battles.
Moshe Arbel, a member of the Knesset for the Shas Party, has had a notable political career. Born in 1983, Arbel is a lawyer and has served as the legal adviser for the Shas Party and the Interior Ministry.
He entered the Knesset in 2019 and has been involved in various legislative activities, mainly focusing on issues affecting the haredi community. Arbel’s recent remarks highlight his willingness to address the contentious problems head-on, even if it means challenging the traditional positions of his party.
Britain’s Newly Elected Prime Minister and His Jewish Wife Abandon Support for Israel
The British have returned to their ancestral roots of deep seated Jew Hating.
From its persecution of Jews in the Middle Ages and onward to the cursed British Mandate, Britain has performed crimes of Genocide against the Jewish people.
Britain’s new Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to drop the challenge to the ICC's jurisdiction over Israeli PM Netanyahu, supports Palestinian statehood, calls for a Gaza ceasefire, and reinstates funding to UNRWA, signaling a shift in UK foreign policy towards Israel.Britain’s newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer appears to be faltering in his commitment to stand with the Jewish state.
According to the Guardian, Starmer’s Labour government is expected to abandon its bid to delay the International Criminal Court (ICC) from issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The previous British government under Rishi Sunak filed a challenge on June 10, questioning the ICC’s jurisdiction over Israeli nationals. Following Sunak’s petition, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber had given the UK until July 12 to submit its full claim, but now under Starmer that challenge is being tossed away along with any hope he would side with the Middle East’s lone democracy.
In a conversation with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday, the British leader expressed his belief that the Arabs have an “undeniable right” to an independent state. During the call, Starmer also addressed the “ongoing suffering and devastating loss of life” in Gaza, seemingly placing the blame squarely on Israel’s shoulders while ignoring Hamas’ guilt in starting the war following its October 7 massacre.
In a separate call with Netanyahu, Starmer emphasized the “clear and urgent” need for an immediate ceasefire and his desire to see a two-state solution that ensures the PA has the financial means to operate effectively.
Moreover, the appointment of David Lammy as foreign secretary raises further concerns regarding the UK’s foreign policy under Starmer’s leadership. On Monday, Lammy announced his intention to reinstate funding of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), an organization that has been repeatedly found collaborating with Hamas
IDF Drafting the Lying Charedim Who Work and Receive Salaries Despite Declaring ‘Torasam Umanusam’
In a dramatic change in strategy, the IDF is preparing to send draft notices to 3000 young charedim who are working and receiving salaries despite lying and declaring that Toratam Umanutam (i.e. they are solely involved in Torah study).
This is the first time that the IDF is attempting to conscript charedim, since most of the previous soldiers who enlisted from charedi backgrounds were at-risk youth or those who had ceased to maintain religious practices. The current target group are those who are working in tandem with their yeshiva studies or instead of studying in yeshiva, and who are receiving official salaries according to the National Insurance Institute.
The charedi parties are maintaining silence at present, since they have not yet received instructions from the gedolim on how to react if thousands of draft notices are submitted to charedim.
Some members of Agudas Yisrael believe that if draft notices are sent, the charedi parties should create a coalition crisis and even topple the government.
“The IDF had never demanded the conscription of thousands of charedim in a few months, next year they want 5000 more, how can we accept this?” one Aguda MK questioned.
“We already know that in the current coalition we won’t be able to pass an acceptable law to regulate the status of Torah learners, so what are we waiting for? We need to get answers from the gedolim.”
Shas MKs also didn’t respond, preferring to wait for the gedolim to decide. One of them said that “We heard a clear ruling from the head of the Sephardi council of Torah sages Rabbi Moshe Maya, who said that it is forbidden to conscript even those charedim who aren’t learning and they shouldn’t show up at the base. The rabbi stressed this in the past, we are now waiting for his decision on the matter.”
In a recorded discussion of the matter, Rabbi Maya stressed that even those not studying should not enlist: “Even if you have no framework [don’t go], you will become secular there, it is a shmad- a coercion to leave religion. One who causes to sin is greater than one who kills others, this is clear.”.
Rabbi Shlomo Machfoud, another member of the council said that “We must fight this with all our power, as it will lead to a spiritual holocaust like they did to us when we immigrated to this country. They used to tempt us in different ways and now they come with this- another way to cause sweet bachurim to abandon their faith.”
Rabbi Machfoud warned all charedim who had studied in yeshiva- even those who have left – not to agree to be drafted to the IDF.
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Gimmel Tammuz ..Rabbi YY Jacobson talks about what it was like growing up with Rebbe Schneerson as a mentor
A teacher and mentor to tens of thousands, Jacobson is considered to be one of the premier Jewish scholars in Torah and Jewish mysticism and one of the most successful communicators of Judaism today, culling his ideas from the entire spectrum of Jewish thought and making them relevant and accessible to contemporary audiences across the world, using his unique sense of humor and emotional intelligence.
IN MONSEY, New York, a vibrant ultra-Orthodox community awakens. Rabbi YY’s lavish home reflects the prosperous neighborhood, where I was graciously welcomed by Esti, his beautiful wife. It is almost inconceivable that this young-looking woman is a mother of seven.
Fifteen minutes later, in a whirlwind, Rabbi YY enters the room exuding energy and warmth, full of vibrant optimism.
His schedule is dizzying. He had just finished giving a morning lesson, and in one hour will be leaving to the airport on his way to attend a weekend gathering in Israel with survivors of the Supernova music festival massacre.
The rabbi was assigned the role of being one of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson’s transcribers at the age of 17. I asked YY whether such a role was too heavy and stressful a burden on such young shoulders.
“So I was there from a very young age,” he said. “My father was in close relationship with the Rebbe. And when I was a teenager, I had the merit of joining the team of oral scribes. It was a small team of people, and their job was to memorize [the Rebbe’s public addresses on Shabbat and Jewish holidays] and then transcribe [them afterward] throughout the week. I did it for a few years until the Rebbe fell and had a stroke in 1992.
“The pressure was profound. But there was a tremendous sense of privilege and a historic thrill because the Rebbe’s talks were, first of all, very brilliant, profound, intricate; they also covered all segments of Jewish thought. He would bring the Talmud and the Zohar and the Kabbalah and Hassidism and philosophy and psychology and biblical studies and midrash and all of the different commentators. And then he would apply it psychologically to life and would talk about the contemporary issues.
How significant was this experience in your life?
“This really shaped a lot of my identity as a Jew, as a human being, my thought process. And today I feel that I have the privilege of sharing a lot of that wisdom and experiences with many people.”
How did it work exactly?
“These talks went on usually for six to seven hours; on holidays they could even reach 15-20 hours. I would usually stay up the whole of Saturday night and very often Sunday night. We would sit together, the group, and review [the talk]. There were a lot of arguments and debates, and then it would be transcribed into different languages. Sometimes, if there were questions, I would send to him a letter with different questions, and he would address [the questions] in writing.
You got to the top at such a young age. How do you continue from there?
“You’re asking a very interesting question. It almost felt like I was on top of the mountain before I climbed it. So, after the Rebbe passed away, I had to start climbing the mountain.”
What do you think is the secret of the Rebbe? What made him so appealing to so many people?
“After the Holocaust, everybody was just looking for a little peace, a little security, a little comfort. It was a crisis that shook the Jewish world on so many different levels, physically, spiritually, socially, psychologically, emotionally, societally, and religiously, and after the Holocaust, I think God gave the Jewish world two smiles. One was Israel, and the second one was the Rebbe.
“I have ever met a person so self-effacing, no ego. The Rebbe saw himself completely as a channel, and because of that he was successful in identifying the spark and the greatness within the people. His greatness is because of the greatness of the people.
“He managed to revive a nation in unprecedented ways. And he did it through selflessly becoming a channel, a channel for history, for faith, for love, for empathy, and for hope, and for the unshakable belief and conviction that the goodness in the human spirit is much more powerful than the evil and the toxicity.
“I would say that since the destruction of the Second Temple, we don’t know of, I don’t know of, another leader who had such an impact on every Jewish community in the entire world.”
Where do you see the Rebbe’s influence today, 30 years later?
“I can sum it up to three major things. Number one, he represents a voice of hope, the unshakable faith in the potentiality of an individual and the Jewish people as a collective. No despair. No surrender. A belief in the indestructible spirit and destiny of the Jewish people, in Israel and also in the whole world, after so many years of exile, war, persecution, and pain.
“Number two, he represents, more than anybody else, unity and ahavat Yisrael. Because there are so many different types and different opinions and perspectives, it’s so easy to divide us. He strongly believed that the unity of the Jewish people is the core of our success. He believed that if you go to the deepest soul, you’ll find connections. So I think he embodies that very powerful idea.
“The third element that represents the Rebbe is that he was a voice that made Judaism as relevant as could be. If it’s relevant, it’s alive.”
JACOBSON WAS born in 1972 in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, to a Chabad hassidic family. Both his parents are emigrants from the former Soviet Union; both grew up under the tyranny of Stalin. Their families suffered horrifically but ultimately made it out to the United States. He is the youngest of five children. His father, Gershon, was a journalist for 50 years; he was the UN correspondent of Yediot Aharonot.
YY married Esti when he was 27. They have seven children between the ages of nine and 24.
About two years ago, he founded CHI in israel, which introduces hassidic Torah to journalists and influencers in Israel through a journey to the roots of the Hassidic movement in Poland.
Rabbi YY, an enthusiastic supporter of Israel, said that since October 7 “half of my heart is in Israel.” He comes frequently to Israel, visiting families of the hostages and helping the Supernova music festival survivors.
In sharp contrast to his open and inclusive stands in matters of education, where he maintains a very liberal approach that sees each child’s soul as unique and urges the parents to find and encourage its strengths, the rabbi’s stands on the subject of Judaism and the Land of Israel are uncompromising.
And he has clear and decisive conclusions about the events of October 7.
“I think one of the biggest lessons is that every concession that Israel makes and has made based on goodwill and good intentions has proven to be a disaster and catastrophic for the Jewish people and a complete misunderstanding of reality. So I think that a major lesson from October 7 is that the entire approach has to be changed.
“The second conclusion is we will never appease the world by stretching out our neck. On the contrary, the world respects Jews who respect Judaism and respect their faith and respect their homeland. And the more Jews have the ability to be able to stand proud as Jews, the world will respect them.
“I think another major lesson is that all the secular arguments that we made to explain why the State of Israel is ours have not worked. And I think we have to tell the world that God, the Creator of the world, gave one piece of land to Abraham, even if they don’t care.
The fact that they know that the Jewish people believe it, that’s powerful.”
I asked the rabbi whether he is worried about the faith of the Jewish people in light of the growing antisemitism.
“I am extremely optimistic about the Jewish people if they are open to becoming the people they’re supposed to be. We define nature. I’m not afraid of nature; we defeated all our enemies. I’m not afraid for the Jewish people. I’m afraid for us not knowing who the Jewish people is. We don’t understand our power. When people make fun of tefillin or Yom Kippur, we’re stripping ourselves of our power, of our infinity.
“If we can each transcend our ego and tune in to our deepest truth as individuals and as a collective, we have an amazing way forward. Miracles will happen.”
In the USA Aguda US will appeal Core Studies curriculum to New York Supreme Court'
The New York State Court of Appeals ruled that the state may require haredi yeshivas to include core studies.
The decision was made by a majority of four judges to one who supported the original ruling in favor of the yeshivas.
In response, haredi educational institutions plan to appeal the decision in the New York Supreme Court.
The court decision allows the state to continue enforcing regulations that could require parents to remove their children from yeshivas that do not pass government inspections.
The court based its decision on the Felder Law from 2018, which gave the state the authority to determine which yeshivas meet legal requirements.
Nevertheless, the court ruled that the PEARLS organization representing haredim in the US and the yeshivas that joined the lawsuit have standing to file a lawsuit against the law.
Additionally, the court noted that the state's requirement to remove children from yeshivas is only a "recommendation" to parents.
The haredim hope that this determination can be used to limit state actions against parents who continue to send their children to institutions that are deemed illegal.
Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel, leader of Agudath Israel of America and CEO of PEARLS, said: "We are disappointed with the decision, but determined to continue the legal struggle to protect the educational rights of our community. We believe that ultimately, justice will prevail."
Shas Ready to Surrender to Hamas Fumes At Ben-Gvir ...Religious Parties Would Join the Left Just so They get $$$$$$$$!
None of the Religious parties can be trusted to keep Israel safe! They would and have sat with the Left with Arabs as long as they get funding!
A political drama played out on Monday evening, ending with the members of Shas leaving the Knesset in protest and later issuing a statement saying they have to “consider their continued path.”
The incident began with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s anger at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu regarding his party’s lack of influence on government decisions on the ongoing war and ceasefire negotiations.
Ben-Gvir accused Netanyahu on Monday of running a “one-man government” and making important decisions himself without consulting his coalition partners. He threatened to refrain from voting with the coalition until he is granted a seat on the war cabinet
Ben-Gvir’s statement wasn’t an empty threat and he refused to vote with the coalition in the Knesset on Monday evening, forcing Shas to withdraw a bill regulating the budget for religious councils.
The Shas members were furious, and warning that Ben-Gvir’s behavior will lead to the dissolution of the government, they left the Knesset in protest.
Shas later issued a dramatic statement: “Shas views the irresponsible conduct of Minister Ben-Gvir with great severity, a systematic and blatant violation of the coalition’s commitment and a vote against laws approved by the Ministers’ Committee. Due to his behavior, Minister Ben-Gvir once again gave a reward to the opposition which jumps at every opportunity to overthrow the right-wing government.”
“In light of this, Shas MK Yinon Azoulay ordered the members of the Knesset to leave the plenary session. Shas will meet soon, consult with its Rabbanim and decide on the continuation of its path.”
Ben-Gvir then issued a statement in response, accusing Deri of idolizing the left and opposing Ben-Gvir’s appointment to the war cabinet because he “supports surrender and weakness.” In return, Shas called Ben-Gvir an inflated balloon and warned that his irresponsible behavior will bring down the government.
Earlier on Monday, a separate incident occurred with UTJ chairman Moshe Gafni, who serves as the head of the Knesset’s Finance Committee. The committee was discussing increasing the budget for protecting Israeli citizens and Yesh Atid MK Naor Shiri asked Gafni to intervene and ensure that the budget increase is approved.
Gafni responded: “I don’t have that much power.” Yesh Atid MK Naor Shiri retorted: “If you’re weak, you can disperse this building.”
Gafni: “That’s where we’re going.”
Shiri: “To where?”
Gafni: “To what you said now.”
Litvishe Gedoilim Seeking to keep Bnei-Torah in Poverty Slam Belz-Boyan-Karlin & Sanz Who Want to End This Vicious Cycle!
I have to laugh! They spend $175,000 on a plane ride to the US to schnor $100 Million (they came up 50 million short) and who are they schnorring from? From Business People!!! What utter Hypocrisy!!
They preach that "hishtadles" is enough! But I guess they don't really believe in this concept from the Chovas Halevavois. Hishtadlus would have been to make to make a simple phone call, who wouldn't donate getting a phone call from Gedoiei Hador? Who wouldn't donate if Rav Landau or Rav Hirsch would make that personal phone call?
But they, the Gedoilim unfortunately didn't practice what they preach! An "hishtadlus" phone call wouldn't do, they needed to spend $175,000 to travel halfway around the world; but Hashem had other plans. Not only couldn't they meet their goal but the news in Lakewood was dominated by two awful tragedies. And the Lakewood and other communities weren't in the mood to meet them properly! Even if they had met their goals, that would have been a drop in the Atlantic Ocean! The Israeli Zionists gave Mosdois HaTorah last year over $325 million dollars! They would have to be back in 3 months!
And this whole campaign is disingenuous to begin with. The government only discontinued funding Yeshiva guys who were under 26, those over 26 in Kollilm continue getting their funds! In fact in the Kollel that I learn in, not one avreich was effected, not one!
Now they want to drag Belz and others who want to better their lives into their cesspool of poverty. Thankfully, Chasidim are much smarter and won't be influenced by this lunacy!
In recent weeks several Chasidic groups, including Belz, Boyan, Karlin and Tzanz, have decided to join the new State-Charedi educational system, which provides full funding in return for studying a core curriculum (designated for charedim) including English, Math and civic studies. Despite assurances that they would receive funding even if they maintained their own systems, the money has not been forthcoming and the chasidic groups decided of their own initiative to join the new system.
The heads of the Lithuanian charedi community, Rabbi Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, have strongly condemned those who joined the state charedi system. At a recent gathering for Degel Hatorah representatives, Rabbi Landau’s opinion was stated and a letter from him was read. The letter was published Tuesday in the Yated Neeman newspaper, as well as a similar letter from Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch. Both the heads of the Slabodka yeshiva sharply opposed the moves to join the state charedi system.
Rabbi Landau wrote that “the matter of pure education was always the focal point of our teachers, the Gedolim of the generation and they stood firm not to allow foreign elements to be involved in it. I offer encouragement to the heads of institutions maintaining the pure and unadulterated education according to our tradition. They are bravely withstanding all the temptations despite growing economic difficulties. Everyone recalls the strong stand of Rabbi Gershon Edelstein in his last years against the attempts to place Talmud Torahs into the state charedi education.
“Now we have heard the sad news that some intend to accept the ministry of education’s programs. Heaven forfend that we place institutions in the state charedi network. Woe to us that this has happened. They should realize that besides the evil they are causing themselves and their children, they are causing great damage to the entire charedi community, making such a great breach in the house of Israel, that we don’t know the end of it. We therefore call upon all those who have veered towards this worrying and awful program, renege on all of your plans to change the face of the education, and Hashem will provide for you.”
Rabbi Hirsch added in his letter that the “State Charedi program being sponsored by the ministry of education has a dangerous involvement in the independence of our education, as is known from the severe results of this education until now. Therefore the Gedolim in every generation dedicated themselves to this basic concept, that there should be no influence and meddling in the education of our children.”
Sodom and Gomorrah in Israel? A week of moral distortions and sparks of hope*
Rabbi Menachem Yaveh of Yerushalyim allegedly sexually abused boys while making them believe he was the messiah behind closed doors
Reader discretion is advised
France’s New Far-Left Leader Promises to Recognize ‘Palestine’ Immediately*
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the France Insoumise extreme left-wing party, following his surprise French election victory: “We will recognize the state of Palestine as it is one of the available means for us to exert pressure.”
Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party, which won the first round of elections, was defeated in a crushing blow in the second round of the French parliamentary election.
According to the exit poll, Le Pen’s right-wing National Rally Party will win 132-152 seats, while Mélenchon‘s extreme left-wing alliance Popular Front will get 172-192 seats.
This likely means a coalition government between President Macron (LEFT) and the left wing Popular Front.
In 1948 Agudas Yisroel called on all men ages 17-25 to serve in the Israel’s War for Independence.
In 1948 Agudas Yisroel called on all men ages 17-25 to serve in the Israel’s War for Independence. pic.twitter.com/Iz7TTGeLUd
— David/Dovid Bashevkin (@DBashIdeas) July 7, 2024
Special Place in Hell for Ilana Glazer @ilazer
There’s a special place in hell for a woman who builds her career by capitalizing on her Jewish identity and Holocaust jokes, only to sell out her people so she can remain popular with the antisemites who want to kill them.@ilazer, you think we didn’t notice how silent you were… pic.twitter.com/RrAiaOlZCc
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) July 7, 2024