This blog is officially closed for business.

I would like to say thank you to every person who's visited here. Blogging just takes too much time if one is to do it right and I don't have any more of that for a while now. I guess I'll keep it up online for now and let it collect dust. I hope everyone has themselves a great afternoon.



--------Closed for Business----------------

Moshiach Is Almost Here.

Things really are moving incredibly fast. Many evil regimes are falling in the world. While the American president is not taking a stance on the world stage as he should. When will the final redemption come? Will it be on Purim or Pesach or simply today? When the Moshiach does come how can we expect it to be someone totally unknown to us? I believe it has to be a Jewish figure that we are all already familiar with. With so much turmoil in the Middle East the world is not focusing so much on Israel's "sins" so to speak. So it's a good time for Israel to show her moral strength and return to God almighty and his Code of law. Is the fall of the arab leaders comparable to the tenth plague of the killing of the first born child?

What a time to be living. When one can simply open the news and see so clearly Moshiach is coming at any moment. Rejoice yidden all that God had done he had done for you!

Life in Gaza looks good from here.

Half a shekel

B"H

In this week's Torah reading of parsha Ki Tisa, we are commanded in the mitzvah of "machatzit hashekel", giving a silver coin valued half a shekel.

This is a commandment which is the same for every Jew, rich or poor. It represents the most intrinsic and essential level of all the Jewish people being a complete whole and unity together and with G-d.

All of the mitzvahs, commandments of G-d, are to be understood in a spectrum of ways. From the deepest most lofty understanding of each commandment, down to the most important and essential way of knowing exactly how to fulfill the mitzvah and to actually do it. The most important thing is to do what G-d wants us to to, because He commanded us to do so. Both Jews and non-Jews have to do G-d's commandments with the intention of doing so to fulfill His will. With this in mind, we can learn many other teachings that come from the Torah.

There is a special way to see this mitzvah of the half-shekel and it's different meanings in light of the "success principals". Besides all of the varied lessons and concepts in being successful, such as having very clearly defined goals, persistence, having a master-mind group etc, the most important and essential "tool" is the complete trust in G-d. This such a powerful reality and of such importance to success, that America made it a point of constant reminder by minting every-single coin and bill with the phrase "In G-d we trust".

It's truly amazing to see that non-Jews who are not commanded in the mitzvah of the half-shekel, had so clearly seen the importance and truth of this lesson that they wanted to dedicate not only the half-dollar to G-d but every single coin and bill.

The Lubavitcher spoke out about this in an amazing way, see the video in the link below:
http://www.chabad.org/1180692

The Rebbe and Mubarak.

We see from this video that when a Jew follows the shulchan aruch and resolves not to give away or even consider giving away any part of Eretz Yisroel the goyim respect them and honor them. The Rebbe is shown to be once and again the real Prophet and Leader of our generation.

Has Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah passed away?

http://www.businessinsider.com/abdullah-dies-report-2011-2

Whats is happening to the middle east? So much upheaval and turbulence lately. It seems that Hashem is preparing the way for the Jews to come home to Eretz Yisroel with Moshiach.

Before the Jewish People left Egypt there was a big miracle on Shabbos Hagodol where the Egyptians rebelled against their own government and demanded that the Jewish people go and serve God. So now we can again see the world demanding that all Jews find themselves in a state of Geula.

Moshiach's Request

B"H

Most people know that when the Baal Shem Tov ascended on high to the spiritual chamber where Moshiach resides, the famous indication and cause of geula proclaimed was "when your wellsprings will spread forth to the farthest depths and reaches".

Few people know that the Baal Shem Tov became greatly pained and distraught, however, because Moshiach told him that he will come only when "even the laymen will make spiritual unifications like you (the Baal Shem Tov) do".

The Baal Shem Tov learned 3 segulas and 3 holy names, which helped relieve him in thinking that it will be possible for all of us average people to do and therefore attain his (the Baal Shem Tov's) spiritual status and reveal Moshiach. But, he was not allowed teach this and we were not privileged to have this information.

However, the Baal Shem Tov was very generous to give us a 'simple' way to do spiritual unifications which will BS"D cause Moshiach's arrival immediately if not sooner:

בעת תפלתך ולימודך וכל דיבור ודיבור ומוצא שפתיך תכוין לייחד שם, כי בכל אות ואות יש עולמות ונשמות ואלהות, ועולים ומתקשרים ומתייחדים זה עם זה, ואח"כ מתקשרים ומתייחדים האותיות <ונעשה> [ונעשים] תיבה ומתייחדים יחוד אמיתי באלהות, ותכלול נשמתך עמהם בכל בחינה ובחינה מהנ"ל, ומתייחדים כל העולמות כאחד ועולים, <ונעשה> [ונעשים] שמחה ותענוג גדול לאין שיעור, בהבינך בשמחת חתן וכלה בקטנות וגשמיות, וכ"ש במעלה העליונה כזאת
(http://www.chabadlibrary.org/books/)

In english:

When you pray, learn Torah, and everything you speak about (every word that leaves your lips) have the intention to unify a holy name. Because, in every letter there is the aspect of worlds, souls, and G-dliness. These aspects rise spiritually, and connect and unite together, and afterwords the letters connect and unite. Then [they become] a word, and unite in a ultimate way with G-dliness. Also you should combine your soul with them (the letters) and all the aspects (worlds, souls, G-dliness), and all the worlds unify as one and ascend [and they become] an extraordinary joy and enjoyment without measure. When you understand the joy of a bride and groom in this world (in simple terms), and how much more so in this incredibly elevated spiritual level.

Israel Never Looked So Good.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-suissa/israels-never-looked-so-g_b_816661.html

 Interesting read. they are saying that the Muslim world is making Israel look good. 

Clear thoughts on the Land of Yisrael

Storytelling

Storytelling a piece by Yosef Anshel.

“This past Shabbos was Shabbos Mevarchim (the Shabbos before a new month begins and therefore a new moon cycle).  Each month...”

Wait, wait, wait.  Stop the presses.

How can I write a story with universal appeal when I begin with words that almost no one can understand?  Having been living a religious jewish way of life for several years I cannot simply tell a story the way I would as when I am speaking to another religious jew who is accustomed to hearing these words.

Just the background of a story can be burdensome to a reader who is not familiar with the culture.  Take this for example:

I was with Fischel this past Shabbos at a Sholem Zochur of a friend he knows from California.  This week happened to be Shabbos Mevorchim, Teves.  Every Shabbos Mevorchim the yeshiva we study at has the full time and part time students all get together for a friday night meal. This coincided with third night of Chanukah this year.

I simply wanted to tell a short story of what happened when we went to a house for a 

friday night party.  But every few words of my telling of the story are words that would likely cause an ordinary reader to say, “Huh? What’s that?”

Okay, so Fischel is a name, Shabbos is the day of rest, a yeshiva is a school for jewish learning and Chanukah is that holiday where candles are lit.

But please tell me what a Sholem Zochur on Shabbos Mevorchim, Teves is?  That is just too far out there to wrap my mind around.  I may even have to resort to Google for that.

To a religious jew these words would make perfect sense providing the transliteration is recognizable.  These words are hebrew words that may look different when using the english letters.  It’s not so easy to transliterate the gutteral “ch” sound.  You just have to know that the “ch” is the one that sounds like you are clearing your throat.  English doesn’t have such a sound.  Most non-jews say Hanukah and don’t bother with the gutteral “ch” sound.   The true pronunciation is more like Ch-kh-kh-kh-anukah.

There’s just too much to define in order to describe what a Sholem Zochkhkhur on Shabbos Mevorchkhkhim is while at the same time keeping the reader interested in the main point of the story.

Before telling a story of the time me and Fischel went to the friday night party for the newborn baby boy I needed to first take a side track and define all of these new terms.  It makes for a tough story - especially in this world of soundbite storytelling.  If you miss a single beat the audience is ready to change the channel on you... [bell goes off- bing] “thank you for playing, next contestant please” [exit stage left].

In order to tell my story it really wasn’t necessary to know what a Sholem Zochur is (it literally means “hello, boy” - it is a celebration for a newly born jewish baby boy on the first friday night after he is born).  Nor was it necessary to know what Shabbos Mevorchim is (it is the shabbos just before the new month begins when the new month is blessed by the congregation in shul.)

Nor was it necessary to know that Teves is the name of the new month being blessed.

So, every sentence is a fight to keep the story moving.  The next word may be the last word before the reader gives up.  “And that’s all the time we have, thank you for playing.” - never getting to the main point of the story.

When we stopped by this Sholem Zochur, the family asked Fischel to recount a story that they remember him telling them once in California.

I heard him saying, “Oh, that’s a long story.  I don’t think I can tell that over here.”

“Yes you can,” hollers one of the brothers.

“Let’s here it,” shouts another brother.  “Tell us the story.  We want to hear it.”

Fischel knew that it wasn’t the time to tell the story.  But his protests fell on deaf ears.  And, he finally agreed to tell it.

Sure enough, it fell flat.  It became a burden for people to stop what they were doing to listen to Fischel tell this story.  I can’t remember the basic idea of the story let alone any of the details.  I think it had something to do with preparing someone’s tax return.  I just remember watching Fischel go through the motions of telling a story that they requested while no one cared to hear him tell it this time.  (Good thing they didn’t know about the Moped story or else they would have insisted on him telling that one too.)

The next day Fischel and I were invited to another friend’s house for a shabbos day meal.  At one point in the meal I was asked by the host what I thought about Chabad.  This was supposed to be answered in a word or two, I think.  There wasn’t much time to dally.  I thought of a short story to tell that might capture what I was feeling at the time.  I thought of a whole chunk of a story that wouldn’t be too long.  But as I began I could sense the tension.  “Is this going to be a long story?” the host asked.

“No.  It’s not very long at all,” I continued telling the story.  I can’t remember what I said because no one was interested in more than a five second answer.  I just wanted to get to the end of the story.  I stated when the story was over so that they could go back to whatever they were more interested in talking about.

After we left the house, Fischel commented on how funny the turn of events was.  I was asked to answer a very loaded question that shouldn’t be answered in a single word.

“First they ask you a question that you could write a thousand page novel about and still not get to any definitive conclusion.  Then they cut you off after the first sentence.  Your whole answer may have taken all of about 40 seconds.  And, their complaints about how long winded you were took up more time than your whole answer.”

I didn’t think about it that way until Fischel pointed out the exact timing from an accountant’s perspective.  40 seconds.  That’s all it was.  I try not to take up too much time when I write or speak.  But in their minds it was too long.

I could probably write a whole short story about this but this is all the time I have to write about this.  And, I perhaps this is all the time you have to read about this.

 

The Dreidel Device

B"H

Almost everyone knows that on Chanuka, we play with the special toy called the Dreidel. But where is the source for this custom, and why do we still do it till today?
The secret is that when the evil Greek King Antiachos decreed Torah study forbidden, we played the dreidel in order to cover-up the fact that we were really learning Torah... Check out the dreidel wizard:
http://www.chabad.org/library/howto/wizard_cdo/aid/597255/jewish/The-History.htm

How-to the Dreidel:
http://www.chabad.org/media/images/104/dYdR1047057.jpg

The Secret of Chabad

B"H

The secret of Chabad chassidus, and the Torah in general, is the power of Daat:

כי אף מי שהוא חכם ונבון בגדולת אין סוף ברוך הוא, הנה אם לא יקשר דעתו ויתקע מחשבתו בחוזק ובהתמדה

For even one who is wise (by utilizing his faculty of Chochmah) and understanding (by exercising his faculty of Binah) in the greatness of the blessed Ein Sof, yet, unless he applies his Daat and fixes his thought firmly and diligently on his understanding of G-d’s greatness,

לא יוליד בנפשו יראה ואהבה אמיתית, כי אם דמיונות שוא

he will not produce in his soul true fear and love, but only vain fancies.

He will only imagine that he fears G-d and loves Him. True fear and love are attained only by way of Daat.

ועל כן הדעת הוא קיום המדות וחיותן

Thus, Daat provides the substance and vitality of the middot (and is therefore termed a “mother” of the middot, another parent side by side with Chochmah and Binah).

והוא כולל חסד וגבורה, פירוש: אהבה וענפיה ויראה וענפיה

It comprises Chesed and Gevurah; that is to say, love with those other middot that are its offshoots, and fear with its offshoots.

These emotive attribute are the catalyst for keeping the whole Torah and it's mitzvas. This is why we only heard the first two of the ten commandments. This also the only true way to G-dly experiences and enlightenment. This is why we are commanded to recite the Shema Israel at least 3 times daily, and to pray three times a day, while including all of our in-between day to day activities in this energy of cleaving to Hashem. The sages say, halevai (wish you could) ve'hitpalel kol hayom (pray the whole day). The word for praying comes from the word meaning to unite and cleave (consciously, not just in deed but with feeling) ...

Does the fact that other nations are helping Israel mean that Moshiach is here?

Nation & World | Nearby nations help Israel battle raging forest fire | Seattle Times Newspaper

Does the fact that other countries are coming to help the Jewish people with the forest fire mean that the Moshiach is here? Have nations realized that we need to help each other in order to have a peaceful world? Has Esov been refined and is willing to help his brother Yaavov? Well we cannot say that Moshiach is here in full revelation but we can see that whatever the motives of the non-Jewish nations are in coming to help the Jewish people put out the forest fires in Carmel, they are coming to help and we do thank them for their help.

The Laws Concerning Moshiach
Chapters 11 & 12 of Hilchos Melachim from the Mishneh Torah of the Rambam

CHAPTER TWELVE

1. One should not entertain the notion that in the Era of Moshiach any element of the natural order will be nullified, or that there will be any innovation in the work of creation. Rather, the world will continue according to its pattern.

Although Yeshayahu [Yeshayahu 11:6] states, "The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat," these [words] are an allegory and a riddle. They mean that Israel will dwell securely together with the wicked gentiles who are likened to wolves and leopards, as in the verse [Yirmeyahu 5:6], "A wolf of the deserts despoils them, a leopard watches over their cities." [In this era, all nations] will return to the true faith and no longer plunder or destroy. Instead, at peace with Israel, they will eat that which is permitted, as it is written [Yeshayahu 11:7], "The lion shall eat straw like the ox."

Similarly, other prophecies of this nature concerning Moshiach are analogies. In the Era of the King Moshiach, everyone will realize what was implied by these metaphors and allusions.

2. Our Sages taught: [Berachos 34b] "There will be no difference between the current age and the Era of Moshiach except [our emancipation from] subjugation to the [gentile] kingdoms."

The simple meaning of the words of the prophets appears to imply that the war of Gog and Magog [Yechezkal ch. 38] will take place at the beginning of the Messianic age. Before the war of Gog and Magog, a prophet will arise to rectify Israel's conduct and prepare their hearts [for the Redemption], as it is written: [Malachi 3:23] "Behold, I am sending you Eliyah(u) [6] [before the advent of the great and awesome Day of G-d]."

He will not come [in order] to declare the pure, impure, nor to declare the impure, pure; nor [will he come in order] to disqualify the lineage of those presumed to be of flawless descent, nor to validate lineage which is presumed to be blemished. Rather, [he will come in order] to establish peace in the world; as [the above prophecy] continues [Malachi 3:24], "He will bring back the hearts of the fathers to the children."

Some of the Sages say that Eliyahu will appear [immediately] before the coming of Moshiach.

All these and similar matters cannot be [clearly] known by man until they occur, for they are undefined in the words of the prophets. Even the Sages have no established tradition regarding these matters, beyond what is implied by the verses; hence there is a divergence of opinion among them.

In any case, neither the sequence of these events nor their precise details are among the fundamental principles of the faith. One should not occupy himself at length with the aggadot and midrashim that deal with these and similar matters, nor should he deem them of prime importance, for they bring one to neither the awe nor the love [of G-d].

Similarly, one should not try to calculate the appointed time [for the coming of Moshiach]. Our Sages declared: [Sanhedrin 97b] "May the spirits of those who attempt to calculate the final time [of Mashiach's coming] expire!" Rather, one should await [his coming] and believe in the general conception of the matter, as we have explained.

5. In that Era there will be neither famine nor war, neither envy nor competition, for good things will flow in abundance and all the delights will be as freely available as dust. The occupation of the entire world will be solely to know G-d. The Jews will therefore be great sages and know the hidden matters, and will attain an understanding of their Creator to the [full] extent of human potential; as it is written [Yeshayahu 11:9], "For the world will be filled with the knowledge of G-d as the waters cover the ocean bed."





http://www.kesser.org/moshiach/rambam.html

Tanya -- Likutei Amarim, end of Chapter 1 -- the four evil characteristics of man.

שהן שתי נפשות

These are two nefashot — two souls and life-forces.

נפש אחת מצד הקליפה וסטרא אחרא

One soul originates in the kelipah and sitra achra.

והיא המתלבשת בדם האדם להחיות הגוף

It is this nefesh that is clothed in the blood of a human being, giving life to the body;

וכדכתיב: כי נפש הבשר בדם היא

as it is written, “For the nefesh of the flesh (i.e., the nefesh that sustains physical and corporeal life) is in the blood.”

וממנה באות כל המדות רעות מארבעה יסודות רעים שבה

From [this nefesh] stem all the evil characteristics, deriving from the four evil elements within it.

דהיינו: כעס וגאוה מיסוד האש שנגבה למעלה

Namely: anger and pride [emanate] from the element of Fire which rises upwards;

Once ignited by anger and pride, a man (like fire) soars aloft. Pride is the state of considering oneself superior to others. Anger too is an offshoot of pride. Would a person not be proud, he would not be angered when someone defied his will.

ותאות התענוגים מיסוד המים, כי המים מצמיחים כל מיני תענוג

the appetite for pleasures [emanates] from the element of Water, for water promotes the growth of all kinds of pleasure-giving things.

The ability of water to make pleasurable things grow indicates that concealed within it is the element of pleasure. Thus, the appetite for pleasure derives from the element of Water.

והוללות וליצנות והתפארות ודברים בטלים מיסוד הרוח

frivolity and scoffing, boasting and idle talk [emanate] from the element of Air; like air, they lack substance;

ועצלות ועצבות מיסוד העפר

and sloth and melancholy [emanate] from the element of Earth.

Earth is characterized by heaviness. A man encumbered by sloth and melancholy likewise senses a heaviness of the limbs.

וגם מדות טובות שבטבע כל ישראל בתולדותם, כמו רחמנות וגמילות חסדים, באות ממנה

From this soul stem also the good traits inherent in every Jew’s character, such as compassion and benevolence.


As the fires in Yerez Israel rage and most of us feel helpless to help, it is sad that the happy fires of Chanukah have been outdone in the news by the fires in Carmel. The only thing that many of us can try to do is to put out the raging fires of the etzer hara and the nefesh habahamis (animal soul) which rages inside of us and tells us to follow our base desires. Hashem should help us to put out the physical fires in Eretz Yisroel and bring on the geula shlema.

a Good Shabbos.

Wikileaks exposes truth about Obama Israel and the World -- video cartoon.

I believe this came from Omri Ceren

http://www.mererhetoric.com/2010/11/30/wikileaks-i-will-make-a-lot-of-peace-in-the-middle-east-video/






Congrats on God-World's 200th post!!!

Happy Chanukah everybody!!!

Matisyahu's Chanukas Song is a big Shame.

Matisyahu has made a big splash in the news with his new Chanukah single. I tried watching it but was shocked to see a half-dressed woman and him dressed up in a santa suit.
I understand the appeal to secular Jews and non-Jews, but the fact is, this kind of action takes the message of Chanuka and drags in down to the lowest of levels. The miracle of Chanukah is that the oil remained pure. The Torah was not lowered to worldly standards. The Godly wisdom remained Godly and holy, and was not brought down into the mud. The Greeks are יון in hebrew. the yud is chochma, the vov is hamshacha downward into the world and the final nun is that they took G-dly chochma and made it impure.
To make a video like this is to make fun of frum Jews, unfortunately, and I think it was a big mistake on the part of Matisyahu and Co.


This Chanukah, let's illuminate the world with the light of Torah and Mitvohs.
Chanukah starts tonight! May Moshiach come when we light the first candle tonight!


you can read about the video here:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/allsongs/2010/12/01/131699442/matisyahu-light-a-fire-for-chanukah-music

Very cute Chanukah video. The Story of Chanukah.

Thanksgiving and Chanukah

B"H

The Rebbe many times spoke publicly about Thanksgiving. He explains that the national holiday marks a time for us to give thanks to G-d from the depths of our hearts. We should recognize how fortunate we are to have a country who's laws govern our freedom to practice our religion, even publicly such as the Chanuka menoras around the country...

Now the pit was empty there was no water in it.

Chumash with Rashi for Vayeishev

24. And they took him and cast him into the pit; now the pit was empty there was no water in it.

Rashi: now the pit was empty-there was no water in it: Since it says: “now the pit was empty,” do I not know that there was no water in it? For what purpose did the Torah write,“there was no water in it” ? [To inform us that] there was no water in it, but there were snakes and scorpions in it. [From Shab. 22a, Chag. 3a]

In ruchnious terms snakes and scorpions represent the forces of evil. And water represent the Torah, as it says ein maim elo Torah. This comes to teach us a profound lesson. If there is no Torah in ones mind then you can be sure that evil thoughts will be prevail. If a person is not thinking good positive thoughts proactively then he will not remain a neutral person eventually not good and not holy thoughts will preoccupy his mind.

Evev Yud Tes Kislev 5771.

Yeshiva guy says over a vort

according to Chassidus the avos performed all the mitvzos but in a spiritual manner. every mitzva that we do brings down a certain G-dly light. The Avos being on a grand spiritual standing knew which mitzva brings down what kind of hamshaha so they were able to bring down those lights in their own way. they didn't do all the mitvos like we do them with physical objects but they did accomplish the same ends so you can say that the Avos kept all the mitvos even before they were given. One example is when Yacov used the striped sticks, it is explained that at that time he accomplished the mitva of teffilin. These are my thoughts on the matter, hope it helps more than confuses. lol.:)

--Understanding The World Of Dreams --

A shiur by Yoseph Paltiel is always gishmak. Here is one on this weeks parsha VaEshev. Why was Joseph always dreaming?

UNESCO: PROTECT, NOT DENY, JEWISH HERITAGE Petition

got this is my in box. it looks like a proper petition to me. hope it helps to spread the truth.

UNESCO: PROTECT, NOT DENY, JEWISH HERITAGE Petition

To: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization�s (UNESCO)

H.E. Mrs. Eleonora Valentinovna Mitrofanova, Chairperson of the Executive Board of UNESCO
Ms. Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
Mr. Davidson L. Hepburn (Bahamas), President of the General Conference
Bureau of the World Heritage Committee
Chairperson: H.E. Mrs. Mai Bint Muhammad Al Khalifa (Bahrain)
Rapporteur: Mr. Ould Sidi Ali (Mali)
Vice-Chairpersons: Mr. Tyronne Brathwaite(Barbados,H.E.Mr. NarangNout(Cambodia),H.E.Mr. Margus Rava(Estonia),H.E.Ms.Dolana Msimang(South Africa),H. E. Mr. Rodolphe Imhoof (Switzerland)


We the undersigned protest The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization�s (UNESCO) ruling that Israel has no right to add the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, where almost all of Israel�s patriarchs and matriarchs are buried, to the National Heritage list. The Tomb of the Patriarchs, the oldest Jewish shrine and the second holiest site in Judaism, centers around the Cave of Machpelah, an ancient double cave revered for almost 4,000 years as the burial site of the Hebrew patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their wives. The connection of the Jewish people to the Cave of Machpelah was established some 3,800 years ago, when Abraham, the first Hebrew, purchased it for the express purpose of using it as a burial site for himself, his wife Sarah, and their future generations. It is the cradle of Jewish history and the focal point of Jewish identity. The rectangular enclosure over the caves is the only fully surviving Herodian structure. Thus the Tomb of the Patriarchs is of inestimable historical value as well as great sacred significance for the Jewish people.

We also protest the decision by UNESCO to re-label as an Islamic mosque the tomb of Rachel, Israel�s other matriarch, and to demand that Israel remove the site from its National Heritage list. The Tomb of Rachel, Judaism's third-holiest site, has been the scene of prayer and pilgrimage for more than three thousand years, and has an especially meaningful connection for Jewish women. Rachel, the matriarch who died in childbirth and was buried at that spot on the road to Hebron, has been a comfort and hope to Jews since biblical days. �Thus says the Lord, 'Refrain your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; for your work shall be rewarded�and they shall return from the enemy's land and there is hope for the future'� 'Your children shall return to their own country.� Jeremiah 31:16-17. Until 2000, the Palestinians recognized the site as Rachel�s Tomb. It was called �Rachel�s Tomb� in Al-mawsu'ah al-filastiniyah, the Palestinian encyclopedia published after 1996 and in PALESTINE, THE HOLY LAND, a Palestinian publication, with an introduction by Yasser Arafat. However, during the second intifada, Al-Hayat al-Jadida, a Palestinian daily, announced a new-found historical connection to Rachel�s Tomb, declaring that is was "originally a Muslim mosque.�

In an effort to erase Jewish history and supersede Jewish religious sites with Islamic institutions, Muslims have intentionally built mosques upon numerous synagogues and Jewish holy sites. The clearest examples are the Al-Aqsa mosque which sits on Jerusalem's Temple Mount, and the Dome of the Rock, which was built on Judaism�s holiest site of the two biblical Jewish Temples. This pattern repeats itself at the second and third holiest sites. Thus at the Tomb of the Patriarchs, there are domes over the tombs of Abraham and Sarah and a mosque over the tombs of Isaac and Rebecca. Photos from the early 1900's show no Muslim cemetery near the Tomb or Rachel. After 1948 Muslims built their own cemetery surrounding three sides of Rachel�s tomb and now claim that Rachel's Tomb is one of their burial plots and that it contains a Muslim rather than Jewish notable.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu�s office decried the ludicrous nature of the UNESCO decision:
�The attempt to detach the Nation of Israel from its heritage is absurd. If the nearly 4,000-year-old burial sites of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Jewish Nation � Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah �are not part of its culture and tradition, then what is a national cultural site?�
�Sites such as the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Rachel�s Tomb (which sits on the edge of Bethlehem) present an inconvenient truth for the pro-Palestine movement and its supporters, who want to claim that the Jews have no historic ties to this land.�

In cooperating with efforts to erase Jewish historical ties to Israel, UNESCO is aiding and abetting those who hope to and obfuscate Israel�s Jewish past and undermine Israel�s Jewish future.

The UNESCO mission states: �Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.�

We demand that there be no exception to UNESCO�s mission when it comes to Jewish heritage. Israel�s Jewish legacy must be recognized and preserved and not swept away to conform with the pro-Palestinian narrative. In attempting to sever the Jewish cultural, religious and natural heritage bond with the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Rachel�s Tomb, UNESCO denies the history it is mandated to preserve, engages in a political maneuver designed to weaken a member UN nation, and undermines its own principles. It aims to rob the Jewish people not only of two sacred sites, which are irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration, but also of their past and a legacy to pass on to future generations. We demand that UNESCO, whose purpose it is to protect heritage, also protect Jewish heritage, rather than deny it.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Jewish Genome

interesting article in Newsweek a while ago says that Jews come from a common ancestry. Also it disproves the claim of some anti Semites that the European Jews descended from a group called the Khazars.

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Jews have historically considered themselves “people of the book” (am hasefer in Hebrew), referring to sacred tomes, but the phrase is turning out to have an equally powerful, if unintended, meaning: scientists are able to read Jewish genomes like a history book. The latest DNA volume weighs in on the controversial, centuries-old (and now revived in a 2008 book) claim that European Jews are all the descendants of Khazars, a Turkic group of the north Caucasus who converted to Judaism in the late eighth and early ninth century. The DNA has spoken: no.

In the wake of studies in the 1990s that supported biblically based notions of a priestly caste descended from Aaron, brother of Moses, an ambitious new project to analyze genomes collected from Jewish volunteers has yielded its first discoveries. In a paper with the kind of catchy title you rarely see in science journals—“Abraham’s Children in the Genome Era”—scientists report that the Jews of the Diaspora share a set of telltale genetic markers, supporting the traditional belief that Jews scattered around the world have a common ancestry. But various Diaspora populations have their own distinct genetic signatures, shedding light on their origins and history. In addition to the age-old question of whether Jews are simply people who share a religion or are a distinct population, the scientific verdict is settling on the latter.

more from Time

funny but true short vid =We're the TSA and You Can Count on Us! (to overreact to tiny threats and ignore big ones) .

recording of the Rebbe's yechidus.

Amazing recording about the situation with the youth in Eretz Hakodesh.