Navigation
Install the app
How to install the app on iOS
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
More options
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Who are the Israelis?
- Thread starter P F Tinmore
- Start date
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
Photographed from a plane from north of the Judean Desert
"And Said HaShem to Mosheh ascend to this mount of 'Avarim
and see the land that I gave to the people of Israel"
The Alon settlement in Judean mountains and Mount Hermon, on a clear day.
Our beautiful country...
"And Said HaShem to Mosheh ascend to this mount of 'Avarim
and see the land that I gave to the people of Israel"
- BaMidbar 27:12
The Alon settlement in Judean mountains and Mount Hermon, on a clear day.
Our beautiful country...
Last edited:
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
Last edited:
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
Naftali Kempeh - Ameich Ami (Your People Are My People)
"So will HaShem do to me and so will add,
for death will separate between me and You.
For towards what You go I go,
and where You lodge I lodge.
Your people are my people,
and Your God is my God."
"So will HaShem do to me and so will add,
for death will separate between me and You.
For towards what You go I go,
and where You lodge I lodge.
Your people are my people,
and Your God is my God."
- Megilat Rut
Last edited:
Mindful
Diamond Member
- Banned
- #2,468
Does Our Existence Depend on the IDF or on Torah?
Posted: 06 Feb 2020 11:45 AM PST
A few months ago, I posted an essay from Rav Eliezer Melamed about the importance of serving in the IDF. An anonymous commentator just submitted the following comment on an old post:
It amazes me once again that the author continues to hold by the common misconception in the Modern Orthodox community that while Torah learning is a mitzvah, serving in the IDF is a much greater one because Israel's existence depends on it. Does Am Yisroel's existence not depend on Torah learning as well? Is Torah learning not the basis of the existence of the Jewish people?
How many people can see the enormous fatal flaw in his argument? If you don't see it, take a moment to think before reading further.
Here goes!
Mr. Anonymous is committing the common fallacy of using the term "Torah" in an ambiguous way. Yes, Am Yisroel's existence depends on Torah learning as well - in fact, more so than it depends on the IDF (since the IDF only ensures the survival of Jews in Israel, whereas Torah is the lifeblood of the Jewish People everywhere). However, Am Yisroel's existence does not depend on the particular Torah learning of charedi men who are currently receiving a draft deferral. There are plenty of other people learning Torah - including people who are in the IDF!!!
Now, of course you could also make the same argument about Israel depending on the IDF - that it doesn't depend on particular service of 40,000 charedim. Indeed it doesn't. But that's not the point. The point is that since in general Israel requires an army, and in general it is a mitzvah to participate and share this responsibility, there is no reason for charedi yeshiva students to get a deferral.
Posted: 06 Feb 2020 11:45 AM PST
A few months ago, I posted an essay from Rav Eliezer Melamed about the importance of serving in the IDF. An anonymous commentator just submitted the following comment on an old post:
It amazes me once again that the author continues to hold by the common misconception in the Modern Orthodox community that while Torah learning is a mitzvah, serving in the IDF is a much greater one because Israel's existence depends on it. Does Am Yisroel's existence not depend on Torah learning as well? Is Torah learning not the basis of the existence of the Jewish people?
How many people can see the enormous fatal flaw in his argument? If you don't see it, take a moment to think before reading further.
Here goes!
Mr. Anonymous is committing the common fallacy of using the term "Torah" in an ambiguous way. Yes, Am Yisroel's existence depends on Torah learning as well - in fact, more so than it depends on the IDF (since the IDF only ensures the survival of Jews in Israel, whereas Torah is the lifeblood of the Jewish People everywhere). However, Am Yisroel's existence does not depend on the particular Torah learning of charedi men who are currently receiving a draft deferral. There are plenty of other people learning Torah - including people who are in the IDF!!!
Now, of course you could also make the same argument about Israel depending on the IDF - that it doesn't depend on particular service of 40,000 charedim. Indeed it doesn't. But that's not the point. The point is that since in general Israel requires an army, and in general it is a mitzvah to participate and share this responsibility, there is no reason for charedi yeshiva students to get a deferral.
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
SONG OF DEFIANCE | PARASHAT BESHALACH
And the Children of Israel departed defiantly." (14:8)
After decades of slavery and oppression, Am Yisrael tastes freedom. As they take their first steps toward the harsh desert, they face a future of hope, identity, faith; a future of Torah and Eretz Yisrael. With the cavalry of Egyptian soldiers on their heels, they reach the edge of the sea. Suddenly realizing they were trapped, their hearts filled with a double fear: on one hand, having to face their oppressors yet again, on the other, the unknown reality of the desert. For some, Egypt still embodied the place of life, while desert conjured up visions of death. "Better to serve Egypt than to die in the wilderness!" (14:12)
There is something powerful about the Jewish desire to live, and the willingness to compromise comfort and security for the sake of that life. And yet, just when their despair is at its peak, Bnei Yisrael watched as their pursuers were swallowed up by the sea. The miracle of the splitting of Yam Suf was yet another sign that God was watching over them, protecting them, and encouraging them in their pursuit of freedom. The feelings of relief overwhelmed them and they burst into song, led by Miriam, the sister of Moses. Their insecurity, shame, and fears were transformed into exhilarating prayers of thanks, and the people celebrated the next step to the fulfillment of their destiny as a nation.
Full article: Israel Forever - Parashat 'Beshalach'
And the Children of Israel departed defiantly." (14:8)
After decades of slavery and oppression, Am Yisrael tastes freedom. As they take their first steps toward the harsh desert, they face a future of hope, identity, faith; a future of Torah and Eretz Yisrael. With the cavalry of Egyptian soldiers on their heels, they reach the edge of the sea. Suddenly realizing they were trapped, their hearts filled with a double fear: on one hand, having to face their oppressors yet again, on the other, the unknown reality of the desert. For some, Egypt still embodied the place of life, while desert conjured up visions of death. "Better to serve Egypt than to die in the wilderness!" (14:12)
There is something powerful about the Jewish desire to live, and the willingness to compromise comfort and security for the sake of that life. And yet, just when their despair is at its peak, Bnei Yisrael watched as their pursuers were swallowed up by the sea. The miracle of the splitting of Yam Suf was yet another sign that God was watching over them, protecting them, and encouraging them in their pursuit of freedom. The feelings of relief overwhelmed them and they burst into song, led by Miriam, the sister of Moses. Their insecurity, shame, and fears were transformed into exhilarating prayers of thanks, and the people celebrated the next step to the fulfillment of their destiny as a nation.
Full article: Israel Forever - Parashat 'Beshalach'
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
Does Our Existence Depend on the IDF or on Torah?
Posted: 06 Feb 2020 11:45 AM PST
A few months ago, I posted an essay from Rav Eliezer Melamed about the importance of serving in the IDF. An anonymous commentator just submitted the following comment on an old post:
It amazes me once again that the author continues to hold by the common misconception in the Modern Orthodox community that while Torah learning is a mitzvah, serving in the IDF is a much greater one because Israel's existence depends on it. Does Am Yisroel's existence not depend on Torah learning as well? Is Torah learning not the basis of the existence of the Jewish people?
How many people can see the enormous fatal flaw in his argument? If you don't see it, take a moment to think before reading further.
Here goes!
Mr. Anonymous is committing the common fallacy of using the term "Torah" in an ambiguous way. Yes, Am Yisroel's existence depends on Torah learning as well - in fact, more so than it depends on the IDF (since the IDF only ensures the survival of Jews in Israel, whereas Torah is the lifeblood of the Jewish People everywhere). However, Am Yisroel's existence does not depend on the particular Torah learning of charedi men who are currently receiving a draft deferral. There are plenty of other people learning Torah - including people who are in the IDF!!!
Now, of course you could also make the same argument about Israel depending on the IDF - that it doesn't depend on particular service of 40,000 charedim. Indeed it doesn't. But that's not the point. The point is that since in general Israel requires an army, and in general it is a mitzvah to participate and share this responsibility, there is no reason for charedi yeshiva students to get a deferral.
Rabbi Melamed is a very dear warm person.
As to the theme of the article - the Jewish nation is a spiritual nation, and so the Jewish army was always divided so that for every soldier on the battlefield there was one in the back studying Torah to protect him. In every army there's a navy, air force, troops...in the Jewish army there's an integral 'Yeshivah corps'.
The interesting part, is that those who were on the battlefield were actually the most learned, those not, simply were not allowed into the camp.
Reminds me of that time when Baba Sali Ztzvk"l, who's Hillulah was previous week, recieved 2 Yeshivah students who got a draft bill, and expected to get excused. To which Baba Sali answered - "Go out in peace, return in peace! Strenghten and be brave!". When they tried to argue "but this...and that...", he only repeated "Why? Go out in peace, return in peace. Raise and succeed!".
Or the one when Rabbi Uziel Ztzvk"l, the 'First to Zion' who was living in Jerusalem when during the war of independence was under attack by Jordan. He gave out an order allowing to dig trenches during Shabat. And on that same night took a shovel and went to help the young men.
Last edited:
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
Sagiv Cohen - Song Of The Sea
"And HaShem redeemed Yisrael on that day from the hand of Egypt.
And Yisrael saw Egypt dead on the shore.
And Yisrael saw the great hand that Hashem did to Egypt.
And the nation feared HaShem, and had faith in HaShem and Mosheh his servant.
And then Mosheh and Bnei Yisrael sang this song..."
The Song of the Sea, which the Israelites sang after the Red Sea was ripped for them, and after the Egyptians drowned pursuing them, is the mother of all Hebrew singing.
This song that burst out of the new nation in such a momentous crisis and redemption was set to be told every morning by the people for generations. Recalling the miracles that occurred to Israel upon their birth as a nation, each morning at the end of this song, Israel declare what their forefathers declared when passing through the Red Sea - HaShem will reign forever!
This Shabbat was the 'Shabbat of Song'...
"And HaShem redeemed Yisrael on that day from the hand of Egypt.
And Yisrael saw Egypt dead on the shore.
And Yisrael saw the great hand that Hashem did to Egypt.
And the nation feared HaShem, and had faith in HaShem and Mosheh his servant.
And then Mosheh and Bnei Yisrael sang this song..."
- Shemot
The Song of the Sea, which the Israelites sang after the Red Sea was ripped for them, and after the Egyptians drowned pursuing them, is the mother of all Hebrew singing.
This song that burst out of the new nation in such a momentous crisis and redemption was set to be told every morning by the people for generations. Recalling the miracles that occurred to Israel upon their birth as a nation, each morning at the end of this song, Israel declare what their forefathers declared when passing through the Red Sea - HaShem will reign forever!
This Shabbat was the 'Shabbat of Song'...
Last edited:
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
Revivo Project in conversation with a fan from Saudia
Starts Hebrew, then English...in parts.
The Ravivo Project are mainly singing old Jewish songs and Israeli classics,
not much Arabic music, more of what's called Mediterranean, however seems to find new interest now, where previously it seemed unlikely.
Starts Hebrew, then English...in parts.
The Ravivo Project are mainly singing old Jewish songs and Israeli classics,
not much Arabic music, more of what's called Mediterranean, however seems to find new interest now, where previously it seemed unlikely.
Last edited:
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
WATCH: Praying for China at the Kotel
Thousands of Jews came to the Western Wall from across the country to pray for the good health of people in China at the behest of Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of the city of Tzfat and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, in response to his call on Thursday night for faithful Jews to assemble at the Western Wall on Sunday, to “pray for the people of China who are in great distress.”
“Tens of thousands of people are in isolation, millions under quarantine,” the rabbi’s press release said. “One fifth of the world’s inhabitants experience great anxiety. About each and every one of them it was said: ‘Beloved is man for he was created in the image [of God]’ (Mishna Avot, 3:14).”
Earlier on Thursday, Rabbi Eliahu posted an exceptionally moving message, saying, “There is a tradition held by the people of Israel, that one blessing draws another. And when there was an epidemic in the nation of Israel, King David taught us to thank and bless every favor we receive from God, and so the plague stopped (II Samuel 24). That gift which we received from King David, we want to pass on to the Chinese people.”
Rabbi Ouri Sherki explained in English:
“The People of Israel are in the heart of the world, and when there is one organ that is sick, our rabbis say that the whole world is also sick.
“So when we feel the suffering of the Chinese people and [thus] the whole world we pray for them; we pray because we are part of humanity and they are part of us.
“We want them, we beg them to pray also to the Creator of the world together with us when we pray for them, so they will pray also for the welfare of China and also all humanity."
Thousands of Jews came to the Western Wall from across the country to pray for the good health of people in China at the behest of Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of the city of Tzfat and member of the Chief Rabbinate Council, in response to his call on Thursday night for faithful Jews to assemble at the Western Wall on Sunday, to “pray for the people of China who are in great distress.”
“Tens of thousands of people are in isolation, millions under quarantine,” the rabbi’s press release said. “One fifth of the world’s inhabitants experience great anxiety. About each and every one of them it was said: ‘Beloved is man for he was created in the image [of God]’ (Mishna Avot, 3:14).”
Earlier on Thursday, Rabbi Eliahu posted an exceptionally moving message, saying, “There is a tradition held by the people of Israel, that one blessing draws another. And when there was an epidemic in the nation of Israel, King David taught us to thank and bless every favor we receive from God, and so the plague stopped (II Samuel 24). That gift which we received from King David, we want to pass on to the Chinese people.”
Rabbi Ouri Sherki explained in English:
“The People of Israel are in the heart of the world, and when there is one organ that is sick, our rabbis say that the whole world is also sick.
“So when we feel the suffering of the Chinese people and [thus] the whole world we pray for them; we pray because we are part of humanity and they are part of us.
“We want them, we beg them to pray also to the Creator of the world together with us when we pray for them, so they will pray also for the welfare of China and also all humanity."
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
New Era: Arab, African countries choose Israel over Palestinians
Many Arab and African countries are “coming to grips with the realization that the Palestinian issue … is not in their national interest.”
They say history repeats itself, but sometimes, history is made.
When eight Arab countries gathered in 1967 in Khartoum, Sudan, to condemn Israel just months after the Six-Day War and announce what became known as the “Three No’s” — no peace, no recognition, no negotiations — none of them could have imagined that 53 years later, Sudan’s leader would go out of his way to meet an Israeli leader to say “yes” to establishing diplomatic relations.
And that is exactly what happened this week when Sudanese Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s transitional government, flew to Uganda to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was there for a meeting with its leader, Yoweri Museveni.
Dore Gold, president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, told JNS the meeting between Netanyahu and al-Burhan was the “crowning achievement” of the prime minister’s visit.
“This week is a week in which the Arab world is being mobilized by the PLO to oppose the Trump plan,” he said.
“And if you are going to expect anything this week, it would be Arab states pulling back from Israel. What is so ironic with the Sudanese move is that Israel is being embraced by Sudan precisely at a time when the Arab League is pulling back.”
“That also makes this into a very big deal,” he added.
For Israel, the meeting marks a major step towards improving ties with both African and Arab countries.
Gold, previously director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had a hand in furthering Israel’s diplomatic ties in Africa.
Israel renewed diplomatic ties with Guinea in 2016. After Netanyahu visited Chad for a renewal of ties in 2019, it was reported that Israel was working to formalize ties with Sudan.
According to Gold, Sudan is a huge country with a contemporary history, “which made it one of the centers of jihadi Islam for many years.”
Gold referred back to the 1990s, when Hassan Turabi, Sudan’s leader at the time, hosted a dozen or more terror organizations for their annual meeting, and which included the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, the PLO and Hezbollah.
“The most infamous guest of the Sudanese government in the ’90s was a Saudi dissident named Osama bin Laden,” he said. “So that makes Sudan a very significant place.”
Sudan, which is an Arab-Muslim-majority country that borders Egypt to the south, has long been viewed as a hostile nation towards the Jewish state.
Full article: World Israel News
Many Arab and African countries are “coming to grips with the realization that the Palestinian issue … is not in their national interest.”
They say history repeats itself, but sometimes, history is made.
When eight Arab countries gathered in 1967 in Khartoum, Sudan, to condemn Israel just months after the Six-Day War and announce what became known as the “Three No’s” — no peace, no recognition, no negotiations — none of them could have imagined that 53 years later, Sudan’s leader would go out of his way to meet an Israeli leader to say “yes” to establishing diplomatic relations.
And that is exactly what happened this week when Sudanese Gen. Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s transitional government, flew to Uganda to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was there for a meeting with its leader, Yoweri Museveni.
Dore Gold, president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, told JNS the meeting between Netanyahu and al-Burhan was the “crowning achievement” of the prime minister’s visit.
“This week is a week in which the Arab world is being mobilized by the PLO to oppose the Trump plan,” he said.
“And if you are going to expect anything this week, it would be Arab states pulling back from Israel. What is so ironic with the Sudanese move is that Israel is being embraced by Sudan precisely at a time when the Arab League is pulling back.”
“That also makes this into a very big deal,” he added.
For Israel, the meeting marks a major step towards improving ties with both African and Arab countries.
Gold, previously director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had a hand in furthering Israel’s diplomatic ties in Africa.
Israel renewed diplomatic ties with Guinea in 2016. After Netanyahu visited Chad for a renewal of ties in 2019, it was reported that Israel was working to formalize ties with Sudan.
According to Gold, Sudan is a huge country with a contemporary history, “which made it one of the centers of jihadi Islam for many years.”
Gold referred back to the 1990s, when Hassan Turabi, Sudan’s leader at the time, hosted a dozen or more terror organizations for their annual meeting, and which included the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, the PLO and Hezbollah.
“The most infamous guest of the Sudanese government in the ’90s was a Saudi dissident named Osama bin Laden,” he said. “So that makes Sudan a very significant place.”
Sudan, which is an Arab-Muslim-majority country that borders Egypt to the south, has long been viewed as a hostile nation towards the Jewish state.
Full article: World Israel News
rylah
Gold Member
- Jun 10, 2015
- 21,170
- 4,489
- 290
Kinneret just 1 meter from maximum level
The level of the lake has been rising an average of 2 centimeters per day so that the lake is likely to be full by the end of April, if not before.
Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is fast approaching its maximum level for the first time since 2013. After the heavy rains this winter, the Kinneret's level on Wednesday morning was -209.86 meters, the Kinneret Authority reports, up 2 meters since the start of the rainy season, and 1.06 meters below its maximum level.
The level of the freshwater lake has been rising an average of 2 centimeters per day so that the lake is likely to be full by the end of April, if not before. When the lake is full, the dam at the southern end of the lake near Kibbutz Deganya is opened, allowing the water to flow down the River Jordan to the Dead Sea.
More rain is expected over the next few days. After the exceptionally heavy rains of the past two months, most parts of the country have had close to their annual average rainfall, according to Meteo-tech. 683 millimeters of rain has fallen in Safed this season (annual average 718), 531 millimeters in Haifa (550), 488 millimeters in Tel Aviv (560), 549 millimeters in Jerusalem (582) and 163 millimeters in Beersheva (205).
Globes
The level of the lake has been rising an average of 2 centimeters per day so that the lake is likely to be full by the end of April, if not before.
Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is fast approaching its maximum level for the first time since 2013. After the heavy rains this winter, the Kinneret's level on Wednesday morning was -209.86 meters, the Kinneret Authority reports, up 2 meters since the start of the rainy season, and 1.06 meters below its maximum level.
The level of the freshwater lake has been rising an average of 2 centimeters per day so that the lake is likely to be full by the end of April, if not before. When the lake is full, the dam at the southern end of the lake near Kibbutz Deganya is opened, allowing the water to flow down the River Jordan to the Dead Sea.
More rain is expected over the next few days. After the exceptionally heavy rains of the past two months, most parts of the country have had close to their annual average rainfall, according to Meteo-tech. 683 millimeters of rain has fallen in Safed this season (annual average 718), 531 millimeters in Haifa (550), 488 millimeters in Tel Aviv (560), 549 millimeters in Jerusalem (582) and 163 millimeters in Beersheva (205).
Globes
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Replies
- 1
- Views
- 79
- Replies
- 39
- Views
- 757
- Replies
- 96
- Views
- 1K
- Replies
- 8
- Views
- 187
- Replies
- 130
- Views
- 1K
Latest Discussions
- Replies
- 28
- Views
- 353
Forum List
-
-
-
-
-
Political Satire 8068
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ObamaCare 781
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Member Usernotes 471
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-