For some Jews, the idea of celebrating New Year’s on December 31 makes them feel uncomfortable. They see the holiday as part of secular tradition and therefore not “Jewish.” Some choose not to participate because they see it as a betrayal of Jewish tradition. Why is commemorating an American custom viewed so suspiciously? Are we afraid that it will somehow make Jewish traditions...
Site of Temple Water Libation Festivities Uncovered
Folks, here’s more proof that Israel belongs to the Jews, not to some falsified and fabricated group of people recently named “Palestinians”. New excavations in Jerusalem’s City of David, now the Arab neighborhood of Silwan, have revealed the location of the most joyous of all Temple services. A large paved assembly area and water channel, used for the festive Simhat Beit...
Israel´s Major Contribution to Relief Effort
Israel is playing a major role in the international relief and rescue efforts in southeast Asia. Updated Dec 30, 2004. The IDF sent a shipment of aid and medical equipment to Sri Lanka, with more than 82 tons of supplies including 10,000 blankets, 3,680 liters of mineral water, 12 tons of food, 17.5 tons of baby food, over nine tons of medicine and additional supplies such as generators...
800 Years Since Death of Maimonides
This coming Shabbat, the 20th of the Hebrew month of Teveth, will mark exactly 800 years since the death of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon – the Rambam (Maimonides). The Rambam (1135-1204) was a religious scholar, physician, philosopher and writer. Born in Cordoba, Spain, he soon fled to Morocco after the Almohads conquered the area. He later lived in Morocco, the Land of Israel, and Egypt, where...
“The kindness of God is all day long.” (Psalms 52:3)
Folks, I’ve been a little dissappointed, dismayed, saddened and curious about my own reaction to the tsunami tragedy; I am moved but not moved as much as I thought I should be. Perhaps it’s because I am still grieving for my beloved father who just died three weeks ago, or perhaps I am still recovering from the shock of my spouse’s recent surgery and heart attack. Perhaps I am...
Chabad of Thailand
As the only Jewish service agency in the country dealing with this catastrophe, Chabad of Thailand’s offices and staff in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Ko Samui have put everything else aside, working 24/7 to assist those in need and comfort. Rabbi Nehemya Wilhelm was dispatched to the scene of the tragedy in Phuket to aid in the rescue efforts where he is making the rounds of the hospitals...
Vatican Raps Israel for Denying Help to Sri Lanka
Folks, where is heaven did the Vatican get the false notion that Israel refused to help Sri Lanka?! Check this out: “L’Osservatore raps Israel for declining disaster relief.” The Vatican newspaper has denounced what it called a decision by the IDF to deny emergency help to disaster victims in Sri Lanka. Calling for ‘a radical and dramatic change of perspective’ among...
Israeli Aid, unreported
Folks, a reader sent me the following in an email. I have not corroborated the facts but I present this info to you, as factual and in the interest of truth: “When disaster strikes anywhere in the world, Israelis can be counted on to help. So it’s no surprise that within hours of the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the following humanitarian missions all departed from the...
Enough already
Since the beginning of the Oslo Accords in 1993, Israel has fulfilled all of its commitments to peace: It has given the Palestinian Authority control over territories in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; It has dismantled Jewish communities on historically Jewish lands; It has released prisoners who have been convicted of committing terrorist acts against the Jewish state; It has used its schools and...
Sri Lanka rejects Israel rescuers due to help after Sunday’s tsunami disaster
Folks, Sri Lanka has rejected Israel rescuers due to help after Sunday’s tsunami disaster. Neither side has officially explained the change of plan, although some reports say the objection came from Sri Lanka’s military. Israel’s army had planned to send staff to set up field hospitals, including internal medicine and paediatric clinics, an Israeli army spokesman said. A rescue...