161202
2nd
December 2016
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends.
Thanksgiving
has been and gone, with many Americans enjoying the festival but not allowing
themselves to give thanks for the democratic process. However, Turkeys were
devoured and families got together, which is a good part of the celebrations.
Kaf
Tet b'November
has also been and gone with 98% of us not even noticing or remembering. Quite
incredible that we don't remember and do not give thanks, because the 29th
of November 1947 was the most important day in Jewish life for many, many
centuries. It was the day that the State of Israel was officially brought into
being at the United Nations. So often misinterpreted, so often ignored, we were
ratified! To understand the many misconceptions and the truth please read this
fascinating article by Eli Hertz. While disagreeing on some issues this is a
clear explanation of a complex issue. http://www.think-israel.org/hertz.unresolutions181and242.html
Misinterpretations
and lack of compassion have become a sad part of some Rabbis – a very few I am
happy to say – who make proclamations without thought of situations. After
losing their homes to fire one Rabbi in the North announced that since their
Ketubot (Jewish marriage licences) had burned along with their homes, married
couples could not live as husband and wife. It earned well-deserved outrage,
both Chief Rabbinates denounced the edict since every Ketuba has at least two
more copies, and was the epitome of the "sticking to the rules and
throwing compassionate interpretation to the winds" of recent years.
Reading my thoughts as always my dear friend Rabbi Jeremy Rosen wrote
about this very subject this week. It was more personal, talking about a
wonderful Glasgow family, but expresses my feelings on the subject. http://jeremyrosen.blogspot.co.il/
An
aeroplane crashed
with an entire football team on board and it made headlines; what barely
touched the news - thousands more innocents died in Syria; hundreds more
innocents died in Iraq; wars continue unabated - Central African Republic (armed
clashes between Muslims and Christians), Democratic Republic of Congo (war
against rebel groups), Egypt (war against Islamic militants of Islamic State
branch), Libya (civil war), Mali (clashes between army and rebel groups),
Mozambique (clashes with RENAMO rebels) Nigeria (war against Islamic
militants), Somalia (war against al-Shabaab Islamic militants), Sudan (war
against Islamic rebels in Darfur), South Sudan (clashes with Islamic rebels),
Nigeria (war against Boko Haram) and so the list goes on and on, yet what
distresses the media and the current Administration? a few houses on disputed
land. Our world has gone mad! We cannot fight every war or settle every dispute
but we can at least be given the truth. When will journalism return to being
just that – a journal, a diary, reporting the truth without opinions, without
determinedly twisting our knowledge to their point of view?
Combining
the UN vote
of 1947, the media and warfare, let's watch this excellent video explaining why
despite the fact that Israel is given special status by the WHO and the UN for
her medical education to third world countries and the fact that Palestinians
have the best healthcare in the entire Middle East, in Israeli hospitals
(190,000 of them) we are condemned more than any other country by the
supposedly august institution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH0MoSHPr6g&feature=youtu.be
A large delegation of African Diplomats
created a diplomatic tidal wave yesterday. Why? Because they flouted diplomatic
protocol and visited the Old City of Jerusalem. Why on earth would anyone be
offended? The Palestinians were of course! The visit of the African Diplomats reflected
the increasingly warm relationship between Israel and her African friends. When
the West betrays us we obviously turn to friendlier nations. http://www.timesofisrael.com/african-diplomats-go-on-rare-enlightening-tour-of-old-citys-jewish-sites/
Following
the diabolical UNESCO
vote denying Jewish and Christian connection to Holy sites in Jerusalem, Mayors
from countries on five continents, including the United States, Ukraine, Kenya,
Tanzania, South Africa, Portugal, and Panama came to see the situation for
themselves. The delegation, headed by American Jewish Congress President Jack
Rosen, told the Jerusalem Post that its goal is to show potential
decision makers a side of Israel not shown by media outlets – "To see
facts on the ground, so that they be a voice of reason concerning issues surrounding
Israel"
http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/130379-161117-international-delegation-of-mayors-slams-unesco-resolution-on-jerusalem
The BBC made a series of programmes called Jihad
in the UK (a title too similar to Steve Emersons prophetic book Jihad in
America just before 9/11) Here you have the full series. Essential viewing. Britain
and, for once, the BBC have faced the dragon, unlike many other countries. GENERATION JIHAD -
BBC SERIES - MUST WATCH
http://www.
And so
it rained!!! Yes the rain finally came, too late for the horrific fires set
all over the country but welcome nonetheless. When I say rain I mean RAIN! High
winds, sheet lightening with no sound, no thunder, and blessed, beautiful
water. The blue skies have given way to heavy clouds but that is fine, tomorrow
will be glorious again except that Israel will be sparkling clean, all the dust
of summer washed away.
When I
see Jerusalem, I see the wonder of a city that is diverse, troubled, exquisitely
beautiful and so important she became the heart of conflict – many so jealous
of her beauty and spirituality they chose her as their enemy and their goal.
Why? The answer is simple, they know how deeply important and central she is to
Jews and Christians so made her the way to control and conquer.
That is my view, Jill
sees it differently. For Jill, Jerusalem gives her life, warms her soul and renews
her faith. Each time she returns she feels the tingle of excitement as we wend
our way ever upwards toward the Golden City. The tall buildings, the modern
City – all gleam white in the wintery sun, giving a special magic even before
going to the Old City, where our faiths were born. Whenever a guest comes to
Jerusalem I think of Zvi's amazing late Mother. She always said "I am
jealous of those who come to Jerusalem for the first time. No matter how many
times you come back the magic of first seeing the city for which we yearned for
2,000 is the most magical"
This week's
parasha, Torah reading, speaks of the exquisitely beautiful Rebecca's
difficult pregnancy. She waited 20 years to become pregnant and was carrying
twins. It was so hard that G-d told her "You have two nations fighting
within you". So Jacob and Esau were born, Jacob the second twin clutching Esau's
heel. Esau was rough and ready, Jacob gentle and thoughtful. Their Mother caused untold pain and division
when she and Jacob stole Esau's birthright from their father Isaac – causing Esau
to leave the fold, marry out of his faith and ultimately marry the daughter of
Ishmael. As always the moral is absolute – as we speak our birthright is being
taken from us by a wolf in sheep's clothing. The script is different but the
plot remains the same.
Jill and I are about to
go and collect the children from school. It is always early on a Friday, before
Shabbat, which barely gives Rachel time to prepare our Challot! The panorama
from Samuel's Tomb will be doubly spectacular today, the rain still glistening
on the undulating hills that make up the city.
Supper is ready. We
have both pea and pumpkin soups; salmon in plum, sweet chilli, garlic and
ginger marinade; Nile Perch in Chraimeh, a multitude of salads and Hassenback
potatoes; plain rice for the children; and Oh my goodness, I forgot the
homemade ice-cream I promised little Ella!!!!
Zvi has gone already, his
Parliament is in the Coffee Shop of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on Givat
Ram, where he also goes to the luxurious gym and health spa.
Music, music music!
Hallevai! Is more
than "if only" even more than a prayer, one word incorporates our
hopes, dreams and desires. Boaz Sharabi sings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0bvAjR8VFw&list=PL1WC0PL2DeIVjVwcYgdtTe80V-UhLomRk&index=36
Uzi
Hitman wrote the ultimate Israeli song "I was born for
peace" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fz18D68Vdw&index=38&list=PL1WC0PL2DeIVjVwcYgdtTe80V-UhLomRk
I couldn't resist one
more. "Rain" sung by the exceptional Eli Luzon. It was
the theme song for the movie Afula Express (well worth seeing) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8HlStOESOU&list=PL1WC0PL2DeIVjVwcYgdtTe80V-UhLomRk&index=52
Shabbat Shalom dear
friends. I wish you a wonderful Shabbat, be it Friday, Saturday or Sunday. To
all men and women of peace, of love, of tikkun olam, I wish you a joyous day.
With love from
Jerusalem
Sheila
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