Insights and Inspiration
from the
Holy Land
from
from
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
"Your friend in Karmiel"
February
19th 2016 -Volume 6, Issue 20 10th Adar I 5776
Parshat Tetzave
Be Leading Hearts
It’s pretty scary over there, I thought. There
I was up in the Golan Heights looking down over to our neighbor Syria to the
East of us. Kuneitra was pretty much in ruins, the soldiers that were standing
on guard by their posts, told us about how each night they hear the ‘booms’ and
machine gun fire and on many nights the sky is lit up with rockets and missiles
shooting back and forth. It’s Jabal al Nusra- an Al Quaida break-off group
fighting against Assad, with some other Isis and rebel groups mixed in for good
measure. Pretty much a bunch of lunatic Muslims killing each other over who
will get the right to wipe Israel and eventually the entire civilized West off
the face off the world. Nice. I wish them all luck in their battles. May Hashem
continue to have our enemies kill each other off, saving Him and us the work
later on.
Yet perhaps one of the great tragedies of this
insane civil war are the hundreds of thousands of death and millions of
casualties suffered by the truly innocent civilians, Men women Children
families, old and young that have lost everything. In Syria today, according to
the officer that was showing us the border, there are close to 8 million
refugees. That’s close to 1/3 of the entire population. Those are almost
Holocaust Level refugees. For a world that can’t seem to stop being ‘concerned’
about the Palestinian refugee problem which from 1948 only numbers 711,000, and
if one counts all the descendants of those refugees-which the UN does count
numbers about 5 million and that’s over 68 years or so. It is remarkable that
the Syrian atrocities merit so little media time and world condemnation. Yet
Israel can’t even kill a terrorist who has stabbed people without the world
calling for us to practice restraint. Incidentally the Jewish refugees that
were thrown out and expelled from Arab countries in from 1948 was over 850,000
and in total over the years number close 1.5 million. Yet that seems to concern
the world too much either. Hmmmm… they probably figure we’re used to it already
over the millennia.
As we were standing there on the border
though, our tour was cut short we were hurried off the outpost for it seems
that there was an operation in process. The army it seems was meeting with the
UN by the border as they were bringing over some injured refugees to be treated
in Israeli hospitals. From what the officers told us this seems to be quite the
regular and sometimes even weekly if not daily occurrence. Isn’t that
heartwarming. The evil despotic apartheid occupying State of Israel, bringing
in Syrian refugees, perhaps even former Al Qaida members to heal them, care for
them and get them back into shape. All on the Israeli tax-payers shekel. Yet
when I want to go to the doctor or my wife wants to get an appointment for some
check up in one fo the hospitals it’s like a three month wait. Maybe I should
start claiming to be a refugee from America. Who knows? Israel seems to be
suckers for the refugee thing.
The truth is it’s not even just a refugee. As
I’m sure most of you area aware Israel is perhaps one of the leading countries
in the world, in offering and sending boots on the ground to any country that
is in need or undergoing some type of crisis. In the past 60 years Israel,
which itself underwent more than a couple of major wars, has sent aid to over
140 countries including Albania * Angola * Argentina * Armenia * Azerbaijan *
Belarus * Bolivia * Bosnia * Brazil * Bulgaria * Gurundi * Cambodia * Cameroon
* Chad * Chile * China * Columbia * Congo * Costa Rica * Cyprus * Czech
Republic * Democratic Republic of Congo * Dominican Republic * Ecuador* Egypt *
El Salvador * Eritrea * Estonia * Ethiopia * Fiji * Gambia * Georgia * Ghana * Greece
* Guatemala * Guinea * Guinea-Bissau * Guyana * Haiti * Honduras * Hungary
* India * Indonesia * Jamaica * Jordan * Kazakhstan * Kenya * Kyrgystan
* Laos * Latvia * Leshotho * Liberia * Lithuania * Macedonia * Madagascar *
Malawi * Malta * Mauritania * Mexico * Micronesia * Moldova * Mongolia *
Morocco * Myanmar * Namibia * Nepal * Nicaragua * Nigeria * Palestinian
Authority * Panama * Papua New Guinea * Paraguay * Peru * Philippines * Poland
* Romania * Russia * Rwanda * Singapore * Slovakia * Somalia * South
Africa * South Korea * Sri Lanka *Swaziland * Tanzania * Thailand * Togo *
Tonga * Tunisia * Turkey * Uganda * Ukraine * United States *
Uruguay * Uzbekistan * Venezuela * Vietnam * Yugosloslavia * Zaire *
Zambia and Zimbabwe.
I don’t know how those poor countries Russia,
China and the good old US of A would have made it without us. Are there even places really called Tonga and
Togo? In addition by Hurricane Katrina,
Israel was from the first responders there and during the Tsunamis Israel sent
over 60 tons of aid to Indonesia and 80 tons to Sri Lanka alone. They must be
really glad to have friends like us. Similarly after the earthquakes in Japan
and in Haiti, Israel were the first responders with over 200 men on the ground
doing search and rescue. Not bad for a tiny country who probably has nothing
else going on its own playground to be busy with.
Now we are a smart people. One thing I can
guarantee you is that the Jewish people are good business men. We are not doing
this for PR or for even good-will. After about 60 years or so, we have kind of
learned that we will not be getting credit or even earning any brownie points
from the world media for any of our efforts, certainly not from the countries
that we are helping as well. These aren’t marketing stunts. If they were we
would have changed our agency and techniques long ago. Rather, Israel does what
it does, because of the sense of responsibility we feel to the world. We help
because we can. Because Hashem gave us the gifts that we need to shine out to
the world. It is this concept that I believe makes every Jew proud. There’s
nothing like seeing a world-crisis and the Israeli flag or the Magen David Edom
symbols being proudly in the center of it, doing what Jews are meant to be
doing. Helping and caring for the world. We were meant to be a light unto the
nations, and when we live up to that mandate it is truly inspiring.
Yetttttt… at the same time, it does strike me
that there is so much poverty and need in our won country. So much that we have
to take care of and invest in. Why don’t we find that same amount of concern,
generosity and magnanimity for our own brothers and sisters? Our own fellow
Jewish citizens.
Now I’m sure the answer is that, it is much
easier to do kindness and care for others than for one’s own family. For some
reason when it comes to our own flesh and blood, we expect more of them. We
look at their weakness, their failings, their lack of success as something they
should have been able to avoid, overcome and supersede. If we made it they
certainly could’ve. We forget that our own success, prosperity and ability to
overcome our challenges and adversity is only because Hashem was there for us.
We have a hard time connecting the dots that Hashem perhaps gave us what we
have not only to help those that are distant from us, but rather those that are
closest. The Jewish nature is not to judge another until we stand in their
shoes, and we therefore help whoever we can precisely because we have judged
them of being incapable of helping themselves. Yet when it comes to helping
those closest to us, our spouses, our children, our best friends and our
relatives, we are fearful that perhaps their frailties and lack of being able
to ‘make it’ or ‘do it’ on their own, will reveal that we are ourselves are
weak and only have what we have by the grace of Hashem. We may be viewed and
judged by our connection to them. We may be considered to be just like them, no
better than them. And most terrifying of all, the judgement we know is probably
correct.
This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Tetzave,
is the only one as we note almost every year, that does not contain the name of
our great leader Moshe, whose Yartzeit and birthday always falls out
around this Parsha. The Parsha in its entirety really is focused on his
brother, Aharon the first Kohen Gadol/ High Priest of the Jewish people.
The Parsha talks about his clothing, the sacrifices and services he would
perform and his inauguration as the Mishkan was being dedicated. Interestingly
enough, and perhaps even more poignant is that all of this was really meant to
be happening to Moshe. Moshe should’ve been the one doing all the service. He was
meant to be the Koehn Gadol. Yet he lost it. The Midrash tells us that when Hashem
spent a week with Moshe by the burning bush trying to convince him to go back
down to Egypt and take out His and his people, Moshe was reluctant. Moshe tells
Hashem “Shlach Na Biyad Tishlach-send them please with whomever else you may
send them with”. Rashi explains that this was a reference to his brother
Aharon, who didn’t’ have the same speech impediments Moshe did. Hashem, the
Torah tells us, gets angry at Moshe and agrees that Aharon will be the speaker
of the two. Yet, Rashi notes that the anger of Hashem expressed itself in the
punishment that the priesthood would be removed from him and instead be given
to Aharon. From then on it would be Aharon and only his descendants that would
serve as the Shaliach/ the intermediaries for the service in the Temple,
between Hashem and his people.
So here we are a few Parsha later and it’s the
portion of the priesthood and Moshe’s name is left out. It’s a Parsha about
Aharon. Yet Rav Shalom Shwadron notes a fascinating thing about this first
verse and an even more mind-blowing Midrash.
“And You shall command the Children of Israel
that they shall take for you olive oil, crushed for illumination to light the
lamp{of the Menora} continually.”
Rav Shwadron asks why is it that they are
commanded to bring the olive oil to Moshe. Moshe doesn’t light the Menorah,
Aharon does? There is a beautiful Psalm by King David. Many of you are familiar
I’m sure with the first part of it
Hinei Ma Tov U’Ma Naim Shevet Achim Gam
Yachad- How good and pleasant is it when brothers sit together.
The rest of the Psalm is a bit strange and
disconnected though. It continues
Like good oil that runs down the beard, the
beard of Aharon that comes down the collar of his garments
Like the dew of Mt. Hermon that runs down the mountains
of Zion
There Hashem commands the blessing, life
forever.
Huh? What does any of this have to do with
brothers sitting together by a campfire arm around each other’s shoulder and
singing together?
The Midrash tells us an amazing thing. It says
that when Moshe anointed Aharon with the oil, the oil ran down Aharon’s beard
and Moshe was so happy for his brother, that he took the oil and rubbed it into
his own beard. That it is why it says ‘ran down the beard’ and again the beard
of Aharon. The first beard being Moshe’s beard as well. The Midrash then continues
that Moshe was concerned that being that the oil was sanctified, he had misappropriated
a holy item, for his own pleasure unlawfully. So Hashem reassures him that the
oil he had used was like the dew of the Hermon. Yeah that Hermon. That
magnificent now snow-capped Mountain that overlooks the border of Syria where I
was standing. Now if you ask me the Hermon is the one Mountain where you don’t
really see much dew. It’s all covered in snow. That is what Hashem is telling
Moshe. You have so bonded with your brother. His joy is so much your joy. The
oil is like the dew of the Hermon. It is not even visible. It is one with the
snow. The holiness and closeness with your brother, Your Shevet Achim Gam
Yachad has made you one. It is when that closeness can flow down from the
Mountains of Hermon to the rest of Tzion, to the rest of our Jewish
brothers, then Hashem will bless with the eternal life, we have waited so long
for.
Moshe is the eternal symbol of leadership of
the Jewish people for this reason. The incredible strength it would take for
any of us to not just be able to see our brothers getting the greatest prize in
the world; the eternal promise and guarantee that your descendants would
forever be the holiest teachers and intermediaries between Hashem and his
nation. But even more than that to know that it should have been ours. It was
our job. And after-all that to then be the ones that have to not only anoint him
and hand him that incredible gift, and to have our name left out of the entire
Parsha. Think you could do it? Think that you could take that oil and rub it in
your own beard because you are so happy for him. Think that you can reach a
level that Hashem would testify that total connection with your brother doesn’t
have an ounce of personal begrudging. That’s what makes a leader. That’s what
we need. Someone who can look at those closest to them and feel their joy,
their pain, as if it was their own.
We are in the month of Adar now. It is a time
when we are meant to increase our happiness as we prepare for the holiday of
Purim. The pinnacle of course will come when we celebrate that special day. Yet
the Megilla explicitly says that the way to achieve that highest Simcha
is not necessarily by getting drunk, making a lot of jokes and wearing funny
costumes, although that is all admirable, it won’t give you the true Simcha and
joy of the holiday. The way the Megilla says it should be celebrated is
by giving presents to the needy, the destitute and not just the ones that you
don’t know. But rather send gifts to your friends. Those that are closest to
you. The ones that you may forget about, take for granted or perhaps feel that your
association with that relative or friend might not play out well.
That’s how a Jews gets the joy. That’s how we become one. Syrian refugees and
Tsunami victims are all very important and even essential things for a Jew to participate
in, and even lead the world in caring for. Yet, can you have that same
compassion for your brother as well. For the needy Haredi Jew in
Jerusalem that may bother you by the Kotel when you are trying to pray. For the
person knocking on your door at night, again and again asking for a handout so
he can support his family. For your children’s teachers who haven’t seen a
raise in years. For your estranged sister and brother who have never really
connected to you yiddishkeit and who you can share an invitation to, A Shabbat
meal, a kind phone call, a Purim Seuda ,despite how embarrassing they
may seem standing next to you? The answer is of course you can. We all can. It’s
Adar. Let’s get happy. Let the brothers sit together. The dew of Hermon will
flow down and we will receive that blessing of eternity. I can just taste it
already. Can’t you?
Have an
increasingly Happy Shabbos,
Rabbi Ephraim Schwartz
***************************
RABBI SCHWARTZ’S VIDEO OF THEWEEK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL4z3IOIP-U
– Cool Video of Trumpledor (in Hebrew) founding
Migdal
RABBI SCHWARTZ’S FAVORITE YIDDISH PROVERB OF
THE WEEK
“Di kats hot lib fish, nor zi vil di fis nit
einnetsen” The
cat likes fish but she doesn’t want to wet her paws
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S JEWISH PERSONALITY AND HIS
QUOTES IN HONOR OF THE YARTZEIT OF THE WEEK
“Through Torah study, we serve Hashem with our
words.
Through prayer, we serve Hashem with our thoughts.
Through acts of kindness, we serve HAshem with our deeds. ”
Through prayer, we serve Hashem with our thoughts.
Through acts of kindness, we serve HAshem with our deeds. ”
“The truest- Segula-forutitous omen, that can
help for any matter is to be truly modest in heart and spirit and to give
charity as much as one can afford and to toil in the word of Torah for the sake
of heaven.”
“We the undersigned friends in spirit in this
world and the next in prayer and in mercy to move the blood of our friendship
so that it may never be stagnant, to be as one man, friends for the sake of
heaven, to give pleasure to our Creator. We all accept the 12 of us like the number
of the tribes of Israel that we will love one another, a great love in spirit
and body. Each man will be bonded to his friend in to be as one glorious spirit.
And each man will feel his friend is literally in body and soul as himself with
is very all. And if god forbid there shall be pain or trouble to one than he
will assist him, all of his together and each man independently. We primarily
join together in this to reprove one antother if we see a sin in one another
and to elevate each other in the mightiest of bonds in any way we can with as
much as effort as we can.” – From the Agreement of the love of Friendship written by the
Chida
HaRav Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai, zt"l, 11th
of Adar this Shabbos (1724 - 1806)- a great Sephardic sage known by the acronym
"Chidah." Considered the Sephardic equivalent to the Vilna
Gaon. He was born in Yerushalayim / Jerusalem. His father was
Harav Yitzchak Zerachiah Azulai. The Chidah’s piety and brilliance in Torah
were already apparent in his youth. At 10 he began learning in the beit
medrash of his rebbi and uncle, Harav Yonah Navon,
author of Nechpah Bakesef; by the age of 12 he was already
composing chiddushim on Hilchot Melichah- the
difficult laws on salting meat.
On 15 Elul 5502 / 1742, when the Chidah was 18, Harav Chaim Ben Attar,
the Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh, arrived in Yerushalayim. The Chidah
immediately joined the holy Gaon’s yeshivah, Knesset Yisrael, for a
short period until the Ohr Hachaim passed away. For many years he served as a
roving emissary for Jews in Eretz Yisrael, traveling to hundreds of
Jewish communities throughout Europe and North Africa to raise money. When the
Chidah was 29 years old, he was sent as an emissary to collect funds for the
community of Chevron, which was suffering from extreme poverty. When he
presented his letters of introduction to the wealthy men of the Frankfurt
community, they told him they could not give him any money, for they had no one
among them who could verify the authenticity of the signatures.
The Chidah’s solution was to visit Harav Yaakov Yehoshua Pollack, the Pnei
Yehoshua, zt”l, who was able to match the signatures from letters
he himself had received from the Rabbanim of Yerushalayim verifying the
authenticity of the Chidah’s letters. With the warm haskamah, he
was able to collect huge sums of money.Perhaps the greatest love and passion of
the Chida was exploring ancient texts in museums and restoring an transcribing
them. He spent all available time in the libraries of the cities he
visited, studying ancient manuscripts and books.
In Shevat 5524/1764, the Chidah left Eretz Yisrael for the second time on a
mission to benefit the community of Yerushalayim. Instead of returning to Eretz
Yisrael, he became Chief Rabbi of Alexandria, where he served for five years.
While in Egypt he unearthed many "Genizoth" (buried treasures of
ancient manuscripts) and further added to his vast knowledge of books and
authors.
In 5529/1769, he left his rabbinical post in Egypt, returned to Eretz Yisrael
and settled in Chevron.
On Erev Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan 5533/1772, he was sent on a third mission, his
second on behalf of the city of Chevron. Once again ChIDA rummaged through dusty museums, libraries and private
collections in search of centuries-old treasures of wisdom. Only a man like
ChIDA, whose love for books was so great, could have the patience to devote all
his spare time to this kind of work. Thus, for instance, he was grateful for
the opportunity to visit Paris not for its beautiful boulevards and
curiosities, but for the five thousand manuscripts he discovered in the Louvre
and other collections.
ChIDA's beautiful features and majestic bearing made a deep
impression on everyone, Jew and non-Jew alike. He was regarded as a saintly
man, whose prayers were acceptable On High and whose blessing was therefore
very desirable. Many a diplomatic mission took him to the courts and castles of
kings and princes. When he visited King Louis XVI of France in the beautiful
castle of Versailles, and before he had a chance to introduce himself, the king
was obviously so greatly impressed that he asked what country's ambassador this
visitor was. The king, one of the most powerful rulers in Europe, had never
seen a more stately and impressive looking ambassador!
This and many other incidents we learn from ChIDA's diary, which
was later published under the name "Maagal Tov," (the Good Circle).
In it, the author records his observations and experiences in the course of his
travels. They give us an insight into the political, economic, and religious
life of those days.
Rabbi Azulal became known as a great authority on books and
manuscripts. His wonderful memory helped him to acquire a vast store of
knowledge and facts. He used to buy all the books he could afford, but he could
not afford to buy many. However, throughout his travels he gathered material,
made notes, and planned his writings.
Despite his extensive travels, the Chidah wrote some 80 works,
60 of which were published. They covered topics in Halachah, Aggadah and Kabbalah.
He wrote a collection of responsa known as Yosef Ometz, the Shem
HaGedolim (a biographical work on 1300 authors and 1200 writing,
dating back to the Gaonim), and the famous Birkei Yosef.
He also served for a time as chief rabbi of Egypt. He died in Livorno,
Italy.and interred there. In 5720/1960, when the authorities were planning to
desecrate his holy kever, his remains were brought to Eretz
Yisrael for reburial on Har Hamenuchot. Many open miracles occurred
for those who prayed by his gravesite, further attesting to the Chidah’s greatness
and holiness.
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S TOUR GUIDE EXAM QUESTION OF
THE WEEK
answer below at end of Email
Q. In afforestation in Israel Pine trees are
often used because they are:
A.
Fire resistant
B. Resistant to diseases and pests
C. Suitable to the local climate
and fast growing
D. Used for industrial purposes
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL RASHI OF THE WEEK
Once in a while Rashi will quote a Talmudic dispute
to shed light and perhaps point us to a lesson that is meant to be addressed when
reading the simple meaning of a verse. There is probably not a verse, maybe
even a word in the Torah that our sages did not discuss and explain in numerous
ways throughout the Talmud. Yet if Rashi is choosing to bring down one then he
is telling us it is certainly worth thinking about when reading the text. In
this week’s Parsha Rashi does exactly that. It’s probably a Pasuk that would
have slipped our eyes and seemed quite understandable. In describing the daily
offering-the Korban Tamid-the Pasuk tells you that
“It shall be for you for generations at
the opening of the Ohel moed- the tent of gathering before Hashem fromw where I
will arrange a gathering for you to speak to you there.”
Rashi notes there that-There are from our
Rabbis that learn from here that Hashem would speak to Moshe from above the
copper Altar-where the sacrifice was brought from. There are others however
that quote a verse that says that Hashem would speak from the covering above
the Ark-the Paroches. They therefore understand the end of this verse-
that Hashem will speak to us there- as referring to the Ohel Moed, the
Mishkan in general.”
The Meshech Chachma notes that this is not
merely a dispute about where the historical voice of Hashem would come from.
This is a lesson for generations- he brings a dispute in the Talmud between
Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Levi and Rabbi Yochanan if one is permitted to transform a
synagogue into a Beit midrash for the study of the Torah and vice versa. The
question being that once something has been dedicated to a holy purpose it is
prohibited to move it to a lower degree of holiness. So the question inherently
that they are debating is what is more spiritual. What is holier? A house of
prayer or a house of Torah. He connects that debate to our very verse. Where
did the word of Hashem emanate from? Was it the Altar where the sacrifices took
place-and being that our prayers are in place of that sacrifices, the service
of Hashem they are holier? Or maybe the word of Hashem came from the Ark which
contained the Torah. Perhaps the Torah study is more important. Rashi doesn’t
tell us which view is correct. Perhaps they each have their own legitimacy. Eilu
VEilu Divrei Elokim Chaim- each one is the word of Hashem. Rashi is perhaps
telling us that those whose service of Hashem is through their prayer and who
are perhaps not as fortunate to spend their time studying Torah all day have
equal standing. The word of Hashem maybe coming through them just as it is
possible that it is coming from the Torah Scholars. It’s an interesting idea. What
do you think? That’s what Rashi wants you to know and do. Discuss.
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S COOL HISTORICAL EVENT THAT
HAPPENED ON THIS DATE IN ISRAEL OF THE WEEK-
Battle of Tel Chai and death
of Joseph Trumpeldor- 11th of Adar 1920–
Jews have been fighting Arabs since forever we assume. Yet according to modern
history of Israel the first battle and fight began right up here in the North
in what became known as the battle of Tel Chai and the story of our hero Yosef
Trumpledor.
After WWII
the north of Israel was under the control of the French mandate. The Jews led
by Yosef Trumpeldor, had
established a farm settlement there. Near the border of Syria. Trumpeldor’
father was conscripted into the Nicolai army, where he served for twenty-five
years, he maintained his Jewishness and influenced Yosef in the spirit of
Judaism. Yosef knew that he was a Jew and was proud of it. After
attending the gymnasium school, he studied dentistry. Yosef Trumpeldor became
interested in Zionism after the first Zionist Congress, when he first learned
of Theodor Herzl.
In 1902, when the Russo -
Japanese war broke out, Trumpeldor volunteered for service in the Russian Army.
He explained that, even though Jews were persecuted in Russia, he felt
obligated to fulfill his duties as a citizen; and, what was more important he
wanted to prove by his action that the charge of "Jewish cowardice"
was false. During the defense of Port Arthur he volunteered for service in
the commando troops, which bore the brunt of the Japanese attacks. His name was
soon the pride of the regiment. Once the commanding officer expressed the hope
that, as he had no Jews in his section, there would be no cowards or traitors.
Trumpeldor immediately stepped out of line and announced: "I am a Jew,
sir."
During a fierce battle in
1904, Trumpeldor was hit in his left arm by a piece shrapnel. The arm had to be
amputated. On leaving the hospital, he wrote to his commander, requesting
permission to return to the front: "True, I have now but one arm, but it
is the right one capable of handling a sword or rifle."
Trumpeldor was promoted to a
non-commissioned rank. He displayed such outstanding heroism that he received
all four of the highest decorations for bravery - the only Jew in the Russian
army to receive such honors. He was taken prisoner when Port Arthur fell, and
spent a year in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, where he organized five
hundred fellow Jewish prisoners into a Zionist society.
In 1906, when the war was
over, Trumpeldor was by royal order was promoted to the rank of officer - the
first Jewish officer in the Russian army. But he was more interested in preparing
a group of Chalutzim (pioneers) to go to the Land of
Israel.
In 1912 he went with his
first group of Chalutzim to EretzIsrael. He worked
in Degania until the First World War
broke out in 1914 when he was deported by the Turkish Government. In
Alexandria, Egypt, he met Ze'ev Jabotinsky, who fascinated Trumpeldor with his
idea of forming the Jewish Legion.
In August 1919, Trumpeldor
set out on his third and last journey to the Land of Israel. The war was over.
There seemed to be fresh hope for the Jewish People's age old dream of a Jewish
return to the Land of Israel and the creation of a National Jewish
Homeland.
On the morning of March 1,
1920 (the eleventh of Adar 5680) a group of several hundred Arab raiders made
their first attack on the settlement of Tel Chai. A fierce battle erupted. At
the height of the fighting Trumpeldor exposed himself when he attempted to
close the gate to the settlement. He was fatally shot. When his comrades found
him, he smiled and said "Ein davar (It is nothing) I only want
a bandage." He then calmly directed the bandaging of his wound.
"These are my last
moments. Tell our comrades to defend the honor of our people until the
last." Trumpeldor said as he still directed the battle raging
outside.
When a doctor finally
arrived, he was too late to help Trumpeldor. His last words were: "Ein
davar, tov lamut be-ad artsenu." (It does not matter, it is good to
die for our land). Six Jews and five Arabs were killed in the fighting. The
survivors of Tel Hai found their position untenable and had no choice but to
withdraw, whereupon the Arabs set fire to the village. The city of Kiryat
Shmona is named after the 8 Jews-6 men and 2 women killed in this battle. Trumpeldor
was memorialized by Jabotinsky who named the militant youth group Betar, Brit(covenant)
of Yosef Trumpeldor, after him. A monument was erected over his grave at Tel
Chai in his honor - a huge roaring lion. May their memories be blessed.
RABBI SCHWARTZ'S LIBERAL JOKES OF THE WEEK
(If you are a liberal please do not take offense-
I promise to equally insult conservatives next week in the spirit of fair
play-but I figured I’ll start with you guys. You can handle it better? Right?
If not just unsubscribe and I’ll shame you next week for it J- after all you’re a liberal I’m allowed to express my view right?)
Why can’t a liberal dance? Cause he has two
leftist feet.
They say that Christopher Columbus was the
first Liberal. When he left to discover America, he didn’t know where he was
going. When he got there he didn’t know where he was. And it was all done on a
government grant.
Question – What is the only thing worse than
an incompetent liberal President? Answer -A competent liberal President.
A Liberal found a magic
genie's lamp and rubbed it. The genie said, "I will grant you one
wish." He said, "I wish I were smarter". So the genie made him a
Republican.
Q: What do you get when you
offer a Liberal a penny for his thoughts? A: Change.
Q: How do you confuse a
Liberal? A: You don't. They're born that way.
Q: What is the Liberal doing
when he holds his hands tightly over his ears? A: Trying to hold on to a
thought
Q: How many Liberals does it
take to change a light bulb? A: None. They prefer to walk in the dark.
Q: Why do so many Liberals
live in L.A.? A: Its the only city that is easy enough for them to spell.
Q: What's five miles long and has an IQ of
forty? A: A Liberal parade.
Q: What is it called when a Liberal blows in
another Liberals ear? A: Data transfer
Q: What's the difference between God and a
Liberal? A: God knows He's not a Liberal.
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Answer is C – I did not like this question and I disagree with the
answer although I got it right. I’m sure I’m not the only one that did. Pine
trees are all over Israel. The real reason why the used them is because they
were familiar to the Jews that came from Europe. They also spoke to Americans
who liked that nice Christmassy look and would give them to kids for Bar Mitzva
presents. I hated those presents. It was essential to plant trees because the
Turks had pretty much chopped em all down. For the railroad and coal trains
they were fueling. Yet the truth is they are pretty lousy trees that are really
not indigenous to Israel. They catch on fire very easily. As those who remember
the Carmel fire a few years ago. So that answer is wrong. I have no idea if
they are resistant to disease and pests but nobody really cared about that. And
they definitely were not planted for industrial use. They were planted to ‘green’
the country. To help the ecology, to show that the Jews came back and the land
flourished again and to demarcate Jewish property and land. They are very fast
growing. But the truth is they really are not made for our climate. They are fo
cold winter places. Not Mediterranean climate Israel. And they are dying and
falling down all over the place and nothing really grows underneath them In
fact you can see the JNF deforesting them all over. Shhhhh… there goes your Bar
Mitzva tree. But that is the correct answer, despite my objections. Oh Well..
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