UNIVERSAL TORAH: BEREISHISUNIVERSAL TORAH: BEREISHIS

UNIVERSAL TORAH: BEREISHIS

By Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum

Torah Reading: Gen. 1.1-6.8. Blessing the month of MARHESHVAN

With G-d's help, UNIVERSAL TORAH is a weekly series sharing thoughts and lessons we may draw from the current parshah having universal significance -- both for the Children of Israel, the appointed Guardians of G-d's Torah, and for all the families and nations of the earth. In our troubled times, when the world is facing war, violence, crime, illness and destruction on an unprecedented scale, mankind is in desperate need of the oldest living system of wisdom in the world: G-d's holy Torah. For "G-d is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should change His mind. He spoke -- will He not do it? He pronounced -- will He not fulfill it?" (Numbers 23:19). "For I am G-d, I have not changed." (Malachi 3:6). "Go and let us ascend to the Mountain of G-d, to the House of the G-d of Jacob." (Isaiah 2:3).

* * *

IN THE BEGINNING

"How fortunate we are that Moses our Teacher showed us the right way. The Torah begins without any philosophical proof, with the simple words, 'In the beginning G-d created the heaven and the earth.' We are commanded to believe in G-d through faith alone, and not to enter into speculation." (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov).

"In the beginning G-d created.": In the three opening words of the Hebrew Torah, G-d "signs" Himself as the G-d of Truth. The last letters of these three words, BereshiS barA ElokiM, are: Sav [according to the Ashkenazic pronunciation, or "Tav", according to the Sefardic pronunciation] - Aleph - Mem, forming an anagram of the word EMeS, TRUTH.

The Rabbis taught that Teshuvah ("coming back to G-d") was created even before the world. This means is that the world is not merely random. Everything that exists in the entire universe is part of a vast, unfathomable system serving a purpose that goes way beyond the system itself, a purpose that existed before the system itself in the "mind" and "will" of the One Who created it. The purpose of the system is to bestow good on all G-d's creatures. We can receive this good only when we "return" to G-d -- by seeking out and following the wisdom of God's teaching to mankind: the Torah.Teshuvah!

Today the world seems to be on a helter-skelter path to self-destruction. The only way for us to stop it is by "coming back" to G-d.

* * *

THE GLORY OF ADAM -- AND HIS FALL

At the climax of the account of the creation is the story of the creation of Adam. The Hebrew word ADAM cannot simply be understood as "man" or "human being", "homo sapiens" or the like without further elaboration. The fact that there is a resemblance between the physical form of a human being and that of an ape does not mean they are both in the same category or on the same level. The defining qualities of homo sapiens are precisely those that differentiate him from the ape: his uniquely human powers and abilities. Similarly, the fact that two humans resemble each other in physical structure does not mean that they must be equal and identical in all respects. One may be highly intelligent, creative, loving, etc. while the other could be a psychopath, a terrorist or even a demon incarnate in a human body. What makes the two different is the mind, soul or spirit that inhabits each of their bodies. One may have an elevated soul. The other may have a "fallen" soul or the spirit of a demon. Are they both homo sapiens? Are they both Bney Adam, "Children of Adam"?

While the human body is the physical manifestation of ADAM, what makes him unique is the soul that animates his body. The soul that G-d breathed into Adam came from His very essence. Adam's soul was created by G-d to be a separate creature, giving him the ability to connect with G-d OF HIS OWN FREE WILL. Adam's destined role in the creation is to lead the entire world to return to G-d. He was appointed ruler over all: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the world and conquer it and rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and over all the living creatures swarming over the earth" (Gen. 1:28). Man has responsibility for the whole world. His task is to attain global peace and ecological balance and harmony, in which all are united in the service of G-d.

Adam was created to attain this exalted destiny of his own free will. As part of G-d's plan, Adam therefore had to be confronted with a choice: to serve G-d by obeying His command, or to follow the "serpent" in his own heart, who tells him he can disobey G-d, do what he wants, and still get away with it. G-d says "If you disobey you will die". But the serpent in the heart lies to us: "Do what you want -- you won't die!" Time after time, man falls for the trick.

Adam was created to rule the entire world, but he cannot even rule over his own heart -- and sins. When a person comes to his senses and understands what he has done by eating the forbidden fruit of evil, he discovers the painful truth. "With the sweat of your brow you will eat bread until you return to the earth, for from it you were taken, for you are dust and to dust you will return" (Gen. 3:19). After Adam's sin, life is a constant struggle, leading only to the grave. Only with death can sin be finally atoned. "To dust you will return". This is because everything must "return"! Everything must come back to G-d! Teshuvah! Man's task is to return to his destiny, which is to conquer the world and join it back to G-d. "Who is mighty? He who conquers his evil inclination" (Avot 4:1).

* * *

THE COMMANDMENTS THAT APPLY TO ALL MANKIND

"And the L-rd G-d commanded the Man saying, from all the trees of the garden you may surely eat" (Gen. 2:16). The Rabbi's taught that G-d's commandment to Adam implies six universal laws which are all allusively contained in the Hebrew words of this verse (as discussed in Midrash Rabba Bereishis 45:5 and Talmud Sanhedrin 56a; see Rambam Mishneh Torah Laws of Kings 9:1):

1. Idolatry is forbidden.

2. Blasphemy is forbidden.

3. Murder is forbidden.

4. Sexual immorality is forbidden.

5. Robbery is forbidden.

6. Men must govern their affairs under a system of law and justice.

These six laws, together with the prohibition of eating a limb from a living animal (see next week's Parrshah, Gen. 9:4) make up the Seven Commandments of the Children of Noah, also known as the Seven Universal Laws.

* * *

THE PROHIBITION OF MURDER

In the intricate, endlessly profound tapestry of the holy Torah, the Seven Universal Laws are deeply bound up and meshed in with the 613 commandments that apply to the Children of Israel. Thus every portion of the Torah has profound significance for all humanity and each one contains lessons that may deepen our understanding of the Seven Universal Laws.

Of the seven, one that stands out particularly in Parshas Bereishis is the prohibition of murder. The Torah is the "book of the generations of man" (Genesis 5:1): man was commanded to "be fruitful and multiply" -- to breed children and children's children, to cherish and nurture LIFE. The antithesis of life is death. The Rabbis taught that when "G-d saw all that he made and behold it was VERY good", the word "very" teaches that even death is beneficial (as it atones for sin). However, death is in the hands of G-d: "See now, for I, I am He, and there is no god with Me; I kill and make alive, I smote and I will heal and there is none to redeem from My hand" (Deut. 32:39). A person who arrogantly takes G-d's prerogative into his own hands and appoints himself as the angel of death to kill another is a shameful, counterfeit ADAM, a criminal who should be stoned and then hung ignominiously on a tree before being buried (see Deuteronomy 21:22-3 and Rashi there). Such a man is a "curse of G-d" (ibid). In the words of Rambam (Laws of Murder 1:4): "There is nothing to which the Torah takes greater exception than bloodshed, as it is written (Numbers 35:33): And you shall not pollute the land. for blood -- that is what pollutes the land."

The story of Cain's killing of Abel over the inheritance of the world is the story of human history. Mankind's task is to learn how to settle disputes amicably instead of fighting and killing one another. In our times, it is particularly important to emphasize the criminality of murder because of widespread insensitivity to the seriousness of killing. Many voices can be heard defending killers, and protesting against their execution as prescribed by the Torah. Many in the world even rationalize and justify wholesale murder and violence when committed for the sake of a "cause", and celebrate terrorist attacks against their enemies. This simply illustrates the depths to which "Adam Beliya'al", the Worthless Man, can descend, as in the story of Cain and Abel.

The Torah clearly teaches that murder is an abominable crime which must be requited with death in order to punish the villain and protect human society. Yet at the same time as seeking to impose justice, our societies must also ask themselves why killing, murder and violence are so rampant. These are not inexplicable scourges that have no cause. Our rabbis revealed what causes murder to become rampant: "The sword comes into the world because of the failure to execute justice without delay, because of the perversion of justice and because of those who issue Torah rulings which are not in accordance with the halachah" (Avot 5:8).

Developing a system of law and government that is just and free of corruption (in fulfillment of the Seventh Universal Law) is the key to cleansing the world of the scourge of murder and violence.

Is it our responsibility to attempt all this? That is the question of Cain: "Am I my brother's keeper?" The lesson of the story is that the answer must be a resounding YES! As brothers and sisters, Children of Adam, Children of Noah, we are and must be our brothers' keepers. We must take responsibility. We must seek the welfare of our brothers and sisters everywhere. How can we best do this? Through studying, practicing and promoting G-d's Torah, which is the master plan for universal peace and harmony.

Shabbat Shalom! Chodesh Tov UMevorach -- a Good and Blessed Month!

Avraham Yehoshua Greenbaum

AZAMRA INSTITUTE
PO Box 50037 Jerusalem 91500 Israel
Website: www.azamra.org

Love of the Land: Hezbollah Isn’t a Model for Afghanistan

Hezbollah Isn’t a Model for Afghanistan

Michael J. Totten

Contentions/Commentary

14 October 09

In a new Web exclusive, Michael J. Totten deconstructs the argument that turning the Taliban into a version of Hezbollah should be the focus of our efforts in that war-torn country. Here’s a preview:

According to the Washington Post, some White House foreign-policy hands may be willing to call it a day in Afghanistan if the U.S. military can beat the Taliban down into something that resembles Hezbollah. I suppose I can see why this appeals to those who know just enough about the Taliban to think it’s possible, and just enough about Hezbollah to think it’s desirable.

Hezbollah is moderate and almost reasonable compared with the Taliban. It participates in democratic politics and even conceded the most recent election to Lebanon’s “March 14″ coalition. Not even its worst fanatics throw acid in the faces of unveiled women as the Taliban does. Its secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, doesn’t require women to wear headscarves, let alone body-enveloping burkhas, in territory he controls. While the Taliban destroyed ancient Buddha statues in Bamyan with anti-aircraft guns in 2001, the Roman Empire’s Temple of Bacchus, where Western imperialists used to hold pagan orgies, remains an unmolested tourist attraction bang in the middle of Hezbollah’s Bekaa Valley stronghold. Oh, and Hezbollah hasn’t killed any Americans in Lebanon lately.

So, yes, Afghanistan would be a better place if it suffered the likes of Hezbollah instead of the Taliban. But prosecuting a war for that outcome would be bonkers. Hezbollah is an Iranian proxy militia and a Lebanese guerrilla army that starts wars with the country next door and violently assaults its own capital. It’s also a global terrorist network with cells on five continents. … [read on]

Related: Legitmizing Terrorist Organizations Will Not Make ...

Love of the Land: Hezbollah Isn’t a Model for Afghanistan

Love of the Land: BBC: Downplaying Sderot's Suffering

BBC: Downplaying Sderot's Suffering

Honestreporting.com
Media Critiques
14 October 09

Katya Adler's report pays lip service to the plight of Israeli schoolchildren.

As part of its Hunger to Learn series, the BBC's Katya Adler "meets children in Gaza whose schooling has been repeatedly interrupted by conflict." Undoubtedly, Palestinian children have suffered as a result of difficult conditions in Gaza. However, Adler's report demonstrates typical BBC bias:

• The report implies that Israel deliberately bombed a primary school during the recent Gaza conflict. Israel's motivations for taking military action are subtly questioned: "Israel says this is in response to rocket and mortar fire by Gaza militants, aimed at Israeli citizens." Does the BBC believe it possible that Israel took military action in Gaza simply for the sake of it?

Indeed, while Israel does not deliberately target schoolchildren, the same cannot be said of Palestinian terrorists who have deliberately launched rocket attacks at specific times when Israeli children are travelling to their schools, considering it an achievement if a rocket lands (as they have done on numerous occasions) on schools or kindergartens.

• Adler discusses the mental scars of Gazan children due to Operation Cast Lead, referring to psychological and social problems and difficulty concentrating. While this may be the result of Israel's three-week operation, the same descriptions could be equally applied to the Israeli children of Sderot who have suffered from 8 years of rocket attacks from Gaza.

According to a 2008 NATAL study (Center for Victims of Terror and War), between 70% to 94% of Sderot children suffer from symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder while 28% of children are diagnosed with PTSD. About 30% of Sderot adults are also diagnosed with PTSD.

In addition, over 5,500 patient files have been opened in the Sderot Mental Health Center in light of continuous rocket fire. In the year 2007 alone, 1,117 trauma victim files were opened. Anxiety symptoms among children often include sleeping difficulties, nightmares, sweating, development regressions, wetting beds, and fear of the outside.

• Despite this, nowhere in the online text is any reference to the suffering and trauma of Israeli children whose education and daily lives have also been affected by conflict. However, perhaps in a poor attempt to claim a semblance of balance, Adler interviews two Israeli pupils from Sderot in the second of two short video segments.

Deliberately downplaying the situation in Sderot, Adler says to them:"When you talk to schoolchildren in Gaza they say look at us, so many of us are killed in wars with Israel, whereas in Sderot not many children die, not many are injured, not many rockets are actually fired." Would Adler consider questioning Gazan pupils about their views on rockets fired at their Israeli counterparts?

In fact, some 12,000 rockets and mortars have been fired from the Gaza Strip since 2001 while over 1,000 people have been wounded as a result.

• Indeed, the attitude and presentation between the two videos is striking. Israeli pupils are interviewed in a sterile and quiet school playground environment, pictured talking directly to Adler. In stark contrast, the segment in Gaza is interspersed with dramatic scenes of conflict and destruction to accompany the interviews with Palestinian children. There are plenty of images and footage available of rocket attacks on Sderot but the BBC evidently chose not to use them thus downplaying their effects.

Katya Adler's lip service to balance is yet another example of the BBC's anti-Israel bias.

Perhaps more disturbing is an almost identical video clip adapted from Adler's report for Children's BBC Newsround, aimed specifically at British schoolchildren. Complete with images of the Gaza conflict, there is no attempt to provide context to the military operation other than to say that a school had been bombed by Israel "to protect its own soldiers from attack."

There is no mention of Sderot, Hamas, Palestinian terror or any other details, even in a simple form that might aid a child's understanding of the situation. Instead, young minds will invariably perceive Israel as the bad guy in the story. Yet more pernicious reporting from the BBC - poisoning children against Israel.

You can send your comments to the BBC Complaints website -http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints (for detailed instructions on how to navigate the BBC Complaints website, click here).

Love of the Land: BBC: Downplaying Sderot's Suffering

Love of the Land: Goldstone Backs Away from Report: The Two Faces of an International Poseur

Goldstone Backs Away from Report: The Two Faces of an International Poseur

Alan Dershowitz
Hudson New York
13 October 09

With so much (though not all) of the civilized world justly condemning (or ignoring) the Goldstone report for its distortion of the facts and its one-sided condemnation of Israel, Richard Goldstone himself now seems to be backing away from the report’s conclusions—at least when he speaks to his Jewish audiences.

In an interview with Jewish Forward, Goldstone denied that his group had conducted “an investigation.” Instead, it was what he called a “fact-finding mission” based largely on the limited “material we had.” Since this “material” was cherry-picked by Hamas guides and spokesmen, Goldstone acknowledged that “if this was a court of law, there would have been nothing proven.” He emphasized to the Forward that the report was no more than “a road map” for real investigators and that it contained no actual “evidence,” of wrongdoing by Israel.

“Nothing proven!” No “evidence!” Only “a road map!” You wouldn’t know any of that, of course, by reading the report itself or its accompanying media release. In the text of the report itself, Goldstone neither sought to clarify nor explain what he now claims is the limited scope and legal implications of the report. The language of the report reads like a judicial decision, making findings of fact (nearly all wrong), stating conclusions of law (nearly all questionable) and making specific recommendations (nearly all one-sided). According to the Forward:

“…the report itself is replete with bold and declarative legal conclusions seemingly at odds with the cautious and conditional explanations of its author. The report repeatedly refers, without qualification, to specific violations of the Fourth Geneva Convention committed by Israel and other breaches of international law. Citing particular cases, the report determines unequivocally that Israel “violated the prohibition under customary international law” against targeting civilians. These violations, it declares, ‘constitute a grave breach’ of the convention.”

It is as if there were two entirely different “Goldstone Reports.” The first submitted to the United Nations and the second to the Jewish community. In speaking so differently to different “audiences,” Goldstone is reminiscent of Yassir Arafat, who perfected the art of double-speak, by using bellicose language when addressing Arab audiences and more accommodating language when addressing western audiences.

Goldstone apparently lacked the courage to stand up to the other members and staffers of his commission and to insist that his clarifying language be included in the report itself. Nor did he have the courage to file a dissenting or concurring statement. Instead, he spoke out of both sides of his mouth, sending one message to those who read the actual report and a very different message to those who read his words in the Jewish Forward (and the New York Times for whom he wrote a more ameliorative op-ed on the day after the release of the Report). In doing so, he is trying to have it both ways.

Goldstone went so far as to tell the Forward that he himself “wouldn’t consider it in any way embarrassing if many of the allegations turn out to be disproved.” This is total nonsense. Goldstone has put his imprimatur—and his reputation—behind the reports’ conclusions. The only reason anyone is paying any attention to yet another of the serial condemnatory reports by the United Nations Human Rights Council is because Richard Goldstone—a “distinguished” Jew—allegedly wrote it and signed on to its conclusions. If he really doesn’t stand by its conclusions—if he doesn’t care one way or another whether they are true or false, proven or unproven—then no extra weight should be given to its findings or conclusions because of the “distinguished” reputation of its Jewish chairman.

But weight is being given by some to its “unproven” and uninvestigated allegations which Goldstone admits may be wrong. There have been calls for boycotts, divestments, war crime prosecutions and other forms of condemnation based on the conclusions reached (or not reached, depending on which side of Goldstone’s mouth one is listening to) by the Report.

If Goldstone stands behind what he told the Forward, then he must come forward and condemn those who are treating his report as if the allegations were based on “evidence” and “proven.” Don’t hold your breath, because such a statement would be heard by bothof Goldstone’s audiences at the same time.

Love of the Land: Goldstone Backs Away from Report: The Two Faces of an International Poseur

Israel Matzav: Blood libel: The final nail in the coffin of Israel's relations with Turkey?

Blood libel: The final nail in the coffin of Israel's relations with Turkey?

Turkey's TRT-1 network, a 'family channel,' broadcast a show this week that is loosely based on Operation Cast Lead. It shows IDF soldiers as bloodthirsty men who aim to kill civilians. There is a scene, which you will see in the video below, that shows an IDF soldier pushing a child against a wall and shooting her at point blank range (Hat Tip: Benny).

The series is called Ayrilik (Frieda) and it is a love story that takes place against the background of Operation Cast Lead. For those who read Hebrew, there's an article about it here. For those who can't, I'll summarize the article.

But first, let's go to the videotape, which is in Turkish with no translation, but you'll get the idea....

TRT-1 shows this series at 7:50 pm, during Prime Time, on Tuesday nights. TRT-1 is considered a 'family' channel. It is one of the most popular stations in Turkey and home to many leading television series.

In the video, you see 'Palestinians' - some armed and some using only rocks and the like - fighting with IDF troops. At the end of the battle, an IDF soldier picks up the leg of a dead 'Palestinian' and then you see the mother come out in tears and remove her son's body.

Then you see an IDF soldier push a little girl against the wall. She stares into his eyes pleadingly, but he shoots her in the chest at point blank range and kills her.

The opening preview also shows soldiers acting brutally to 'Palestinians' - kicking and hitting them at random and sowing destruction everywhere. For a moment, you see a row of 'Palestinians' standing in front of a firing squad.

This is the series' description from the station's web site:

It brings to the screen the world's open wound that is happening in Palestine. The series shows all dimensions of the tragedy. A tragedy that is taking place in the place that hurts the eyes most over generations. The series brings to the screen the people who are living on the land that was conquered from the Palestinians in 1948.

The site goes on to say that the new season focuses on the stories of the women and children "and places at its center the Palestinian question, which can only be resolved through love, mercy and peace in the world."

Anyone wonder any more whether the Turks hate us and why? Can this relationship be saved? I doubt it.

This is a blood libel that's worthy of Syria or Iran (or Egypt for that matter), but it's on television in supposedly 'moderate' Turkey.

So much for the 'secular Muslim country.'

Israel Matzav: Blood libel: The final nail in the coffin of Israel's relations with Turkey?

Israel Matzav: Miami Herald: US should use its veto

Miami Herald: US should use its veto

In an editorial in Wednesday's editions, the Miami Herald calls on the United States to use its veto to put a stop to the Goldstone Report in the Security Council. Here's part of it.

The Israelis cannot get a fair hearing from the council, nor impartiality from any of its offshoots. Mr. Goldstone, a Jewish South African and trustee of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, is a distinguished former prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal and points to the report's criticism of Hamas for ``serious war crimes and crimes against humanity'' as proof of the commission's even-handed approach.

Mr. Goldstone's record and good intentions aside, this formulation is both naive and mistaken.

Such symmetry fails to make obvious and necessary moral distinctions. For countries like Israel, the death of civilians is an unintended tragedy of war. Prior to the Gaza incursion, the Israeli Defense Forces dropped leaflets in civilian areas and otherwise tried to warn of an impending attack in an extraordinary effort to avoid collateral casualties.

For terrorist groups like Hamas, inflicting civilian casualties is a way to score points and advance an evil agenda.

They deliberately target noncombatants and routinely use human shields to protect their fighters.

Regardless of the report's ``even-handed'' contents, it is being used as a cudgel against Israel. Criticism of Hamas's methods and conduct is routinely ignored by Palestinian advocates, who see the document as a great opportunity to smear Israelis as war criminals.

Read the whole thing.

Using the veto is something that would grate on the Obama administration, especially if it's done to benefit Israel. I don't believe it will use the veto. I believe that the Obama administration will try to water down whatever resolution is presented (and I have a pdf of a draft of one - it can be found here) to the point where it can vote in favor - something which is likely to hurt Israel. And if the Obama administration cannot vote in favor of the resolution, it will abstain. But I believe that it's highly unlikely that the United States will use the veto for Israel.

Israel Matzav: Miami Herald: US should use its veto

Israel Matzav: Turkey delivers a strategic blow

Turkey delivers a strategic blow

Ron Ben Yishai explains why despite the efforts of Israel's foreign and defense ministries to downplay it, Turkey's cancellation of Israel's participation in a military exercise last week is a serious strategic blow to Israel.

However, the cancellation of Israel’s participation in the aerial drill is a truly negative shift, even though we are dealing with a demonstrative propaganda move meant to appease domestic public opinion; the decision does not undermine Israel’s security directly or immediately.

However, Turkey (which is interested in gaining acceptance into the European Union) would not have dared adopt such move in defiance of Washington and its European allies had its government not reached the conclusion that the benefit it can expect among regional states by shunning Israel is greater than the potential damage.

In order not to sabotage whatever is still left of the relationship, officials in Jerusalem prefer to maintain a low profile and refrain from a significant response. However, we must recognize the fact that Ankara, for the time being at least, is no longer a dependable strategic and security partner for Israel. This fact already constitutes a substantial blow to our national security because it erodes our deterrent power vis-à-vis Iran and Syria. Anyone who looks at the regional map can easily understand this.

I'm sure the Iranians are jumping for joy.

But the role of the lack of European reaction to this incident (other than Italy following the United States and canceling its participation) needs to be underscored. The Europeans have left Israel high and dry. And the Americans may yet do the same. Listening to Barack Obama at the United Nations in the Goldstone Report's aftermath, the Turks were smart enough to see that coming. The events are out of Israel's control.

Israel Matzav: Turkey delivers a strategic blow

Israel Matzav: Goldstone apes Yasser Arafat

Goldstone apes Yasser Arafat

Yasser Arafat was notorious for speaking out of both sides of his mouth. He would say what the West wanted to hear in English and would tell his 'people' in Arabic what he really wanted them to do and where he really stood.

Richard Goldstone seems to have learned from Arafat. In an interview with the Forward, he has 'backed off' the report that bears his name, minimizing its impact. In the Forward, the report suddenly became a 'fact finding mission' based on 'material we had' and not the authoritative 'findings of fact' and 'conclusions of law' that are contained in the report itself.

So which is it? Alan Dershowitz tries to get into Goldstone's head to sort it out.

Goldstone apparently lacked the courage to stand up to the other members and staffers of his commission and to insist that his clarifying language be included in the report itself. Nor did he have the courage to file a dissenting or concurring statement. Instead, he spoke out of both sides of his mouth, sending one message to those who read the actual report and a very different message to those who read his words in the Jewish Forward (and the New York Times for whom he wrote a more ameliorative op-ed on the day after the release of the Report). In doing so, he is trying to have it both ways.

Goldstone went so far as to tell the Forward that he himself “wouldn’t consider it in any way embarrassing if many of the allegations turn out to be disproved.” This is total nonsense. Goldstone has put his imprimatur—and his reputation—behind the reports’ conclusions. The only reason anyone is paying any attention to yet another of the serial condemnatory reports by the United Nations Human Rights Council is because Richard Goldstone—a “distinguished” Jew—allegedly wrote it and signed on to its conclusions. If he really doesn’t stand by its conclusions—if he doesn’t care one way or another whether they are true or false, proven or unproven—then no extra weight should be given to its findings or conclusions because of the “distinguished” reputation of its Jewish chairman.

But weight is being given by some to its “unproven” and uninvestigated allegations which Goldstone admits may be wrong. There have been calls for boycotts, divestments, war crime prosecutions and other forms of condemnation based on the conclusions reached (or not reached, depending on which side of Goldstone’s mouth one is listening to) by the Report.

If Goldstone stands behind what he told the Forward, then he must come forward and condemn those who are treating his report as if the allegations were based on “evidence” and “proven.” Don’t hold your breath, because such a statement would be heard by both of Goldstone’s audiences at the same time.

If this is what really happened, Dershowitz is right and Goldstone ought to come forward and clarify that his report proves nothing. Even that would not explain the weight given to the 'Palestinian' narrative in the report and why so much exculpatory evidence was ignored. But it would be a start.

I don't believe what Goldstone told the Forward. I believe that he sees his report (and it's HIS report and not the committee's - everyone else has maintained a studied silence and let him do the talking) the same way it's seen in the 'Human Rights Council.' I believe that he has convinced himself that he has 'discovered' the truth, because he wanted to be convinced. Goldstone has sold his soul for a shot at being Secretary General of the United Nations - the FIRST JEWISH SECRETARY GENERAL - as the headlines would undoubtedly scream. He'd have no shot at that if his report told the truth: That Hamas fired thousands of rockets at Israel, that Israel absorbed them for eight years before reacting, that Israel did everything possible to minimize 'civilian' casualties and that Hamas - and not Israel - used 'civilians' as human shields.

The only comparison I can think of for Goldstone is Richard Falk. And Falk is despicable.

Draw your own conclusions.

Read the whole thing.

Israel Matzav: Goldstone apes Yasser Arafat

Israel Matzav: Escape into Sinai?

Escape into Sinai?

On Tuesday, 'moderate' 'Palestinian' President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen accused the Hamas leadership of escaping into Sinai in ambulances during Operation Cast Lead.

Speaking during his first visit to the West Bank city of Jenin since he took office, Abbas said, “Hamas is making up pretexts to avoid conciliation agreement because they are happy with their emirate in Gaza.”

Abbas reiterated that he refuses to use force to end what he called the “Hamas coup” in the Gaza Strip. “This coup must come to an end through any means except the use of force. The means could be dialogue, and negotiations, but we will never agree to open fire on our own people,” he said.

Abbas also called on Hamas to accept new elections. “Come to the ballots through which you gained your legitimacy, to find out whether this legitimacy will be renewed or not. I will be the first one to give congratulations if the answer will be positive.”

In an unprecedented remark, Abbas accused Hamas leaders of fleeing to Sinai Peninsula in ambulances when the Gaza strip was under Israeli fire last winter. He also suggested that Hamas was responsible for provoking Israel’s war against the Gaza Strip. “Two weeks before the war, we telephoned Hamas leadership in order to extend the ceasefire.”

It's curious to see Abu Bluff admit that the 'Palestinians' use ambulances to transport terrorists - have to file that one away for the future. It's also curious that this is the first time he's been to Nablus (Shchem) since he took office in 2004. It's just so far away from Ramallah.

But no, the Hamas leadership didn't hide in Sinai. It was in a bunker underneath Shifa Hospital in Gaza City and everyone knew it. Unfortunately, then-Prime Minister Olmert didn't have the you-know-what's to do something about it.

Israel Matzav: Escape into Sinai?

Israel Matzav: Israel files complaint with UN

Israel files complaint with UN

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gabriela Shalev, has filed a complaint with the United Nations over Hezbullah's violations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the Second Lebanon War. The complaint was filed in light of Monday night's explosion (pictured) at a Hezbullah ammunition dump that was maintained in a home just outside the Lebanese city of Tyre.

The compliant referred to Monday evening's explosion at the home of a Hezbollah operative in south Lebanon, which according to Israel proved the Shiite group was illegally storing weapons south of the Litani River in violation of the UN resolution. Shalev mentioned another explosion which took place at a Hezbollah arms cache three months ago.

"In the aftermath of the explosion, Hizbullah operatives sealed off the area and, according to reliable information, used two trucks to remove evidence from the scene to a nearby village three kilometers from Tyre Filsi," Shalev wrote in the complaint letter.

The ambassador said Hezbollah was using residents of villages in south Lebanon as human shields.

"The aforementioned incidents leave no doubt regarding Hizbullah’s modus operandi to place its military weapons and facilities in civilian villages and houses. Such use of civilians as human shields endangers their safety," Shalev wrote.

...

Shalev said in the complaint that elements in the Lebanese army were purposely ignoring the rebuilding of Hezbollah's infrastructure, adding that Israel considers the Lebanese government responsible for any incident that occurs in its territory and therefore expects it to take necessary measures to prevent Hezbollah's rearmament in south Lebanon.

The ambassador demanded that UNIFIL forces stationed in south Lebanon launch an investigation into Monday's blast and called on the Security Council to address Hezbollah's rearmament when it convenes at the end of the month to discuss the implementation of Resolution 1701.

Shalev urged the Security Council to disarm Hezbollah and enforce the weapons embargo on Lebanon.

It's good that Shalev mentioned the Lebanese army in her letter. You see, it's a funny thing about UN resolutions, but they only bind member states. Hezbullah isn't a member state so it isn't bound by 1701.

On the other hand, there's not a whole lot to discuss with UNIFIL either. 1701 says that UNIFIL can't go anywhere unless the Lebanese army asks it to go there. So UNIFIL has no authority to go into the Lebanese villages and put a stop to their being used as ammunition dumps even if it was inclined to do so (which it is not).

That was clear to anyone who read and understood Resolution 1701 back in 2006. Unfortunately, then foreign minister Tzipi Livni did not understand what Resolution 1701 said. We've been paying the price ever since.

Israel Matzav: Israel files complaint with UN

Israel Matzav: The next war in Lebanon

The next war in Lebanon

On Tuesday night, I posted video from the IDF of Monday night's weapons explosion (picture) in a village next to Tyre. But where did those weapons come from and how did they get into that house in the first place? Haaretz explains.

The senior IDF source said that weapons are now being smuggled from Syria into Lebanon on a regular, weekly basis. "Iran pays, Syria smuggles and Hezbollah receives," he explained.

According to the officer Hezbollah has tens of thousands of rockets, many of which are kept in about 300 storage facilities spread throughout the 160 or so Shi'ite villages in southern Lebanon.

"Syria feels quite comfortable," the army source said. "There is no international pressure [on Damascus] to break off its ties with Iran or the 'axis of evil.' It pays no price for its role in the smuggling."

The officer added that the IDF has taken notice of increasing concern among the UNIFIL peacekeepers when they enter Shi'ite villages to search for weapons. "In places where they still try to carry out searches, there is such intense friction with Hezbollah that the UN people usually opt to give up," the senior IDF source said.

Isn't that just great? And it was even predictable three years ago.

Like Hamas in the south, Hezbullah uses the local population as human shields and their homes as weapons storage facilities. That's why that explosion took place in a home.

The video you're about to see is from the Second Lebanon War in July 2006. It's an IAF video and it shows Hezbullah firing rockets from within residential areas. It also shows rocket launchers driving off into garages that are located alongside people's houses. There are thousands of these throughout southern Lebanon today - many more than existed in 2006. UNIFIL has been predictably unwilling and unable to stop them.

As you watch this video, I'd like you to think about something in light of the events of the last month or so: What will Goldstone say? When there is another war in Lebanon and when Israel has no choice but to risk 'civilian' casualties by hitting those homes with rocket launchers, there's also going to be another Goldstone Commission that will 'investigate.' I take those points as a given. What will Goldstone say? I'll tell you after the videotape.

Let's go to the videotape.

What do you think Goldstone will say? My guess is that - if Goldstone looks at all at evidence that Hezbullah was shooting rockets from those homes - he'll say that they were done shooting and that therefore there was no more justification for coming after them. And when Israel itself orders the IDF not to shoot at firebombers, we're just encouraging Goldstone and his fellow travelers to believe that kind of standard is sustainable.

What could go wrong?

Israel Matzav: The next war in Lebanon

Israel Matzav: Hamas and Iran trying to smuggle rockets to hit Tel Aviv

Hamas and Iran trying to smuggle rockets to hit Tel Aviv

Hamas had a miserable winter in Gaza this past year and is trying to recoup its wounded pride by smuggling Fajr-5 rockets (pictured), which have enough range to hit Tel Aviv, into Gaza. It's not easy.

Most locally made Hamas rockets (Kassams), are based on the older Russian B-12 rocket. This is a factory made, 107mm, 42 pound, 33 inch long, rocket that is very popular with terrorists. This rocket has a range of about six kilometers and three pounds of explosives in its warhead. Normally fired, from a launcher, in salvoes of dozens at a time, when used individually, it is more accurate the closer it is to the target. This 107mm design has been copied by many nations, and is very popular with guerillas and terrorists because of its small size and portability. Hamas has little need for the B-12, because their locally made Kassam rockets match it in range and lack of accuracy. But some B-12s are smuggled in anyway, usually by non-Hamas terror groups that Hamas shelters in Gaza.

Iran is apparently concentrating on smuggling longer range rockets into Gaza, like their Fajr-5. This 10 meter (31 feet) long, 333mm (13 inches) diameter, .9 ton rocket has a range of 75 kilometers. It could reach Tel Aviv, and most of central Israel. But the Fajr-5 is as big as a telephone poll, and is based on a similar Chinese rocket that Iran bought in the 1990s. Fajr-5s can be moved through the smuggling tunnels to Gaza only if broken down into 8-10 sections, and then reassembled on the other end. Getting the pieces into Egypt is not easy, and trying to smuggle them in by sea is very risky. But the Fajr-5 carries a 200 pound warhead, with about a hundred pounds of explosives. Makes a big bang, and is only effective if aimed at a large urban area. That means that the most likely victims will be civilians. Iran is betting that Israel will not retaliate when Israeli forensics experts examine the pieces of the missile after landing in an Israeli city, and identifying it as of Iranian manufacture. Israel did not strike back at Iran when smaller Fajr rockets were fired at Israeli cities in 2006, by Hezbollah in Lebanon. But Israel would certainly go into Gaza if a Fajr ever landed in Tel Aviv.

Iran feels humiliated now, by the country it says, loudly and frequently, should be destroyed. So there apparently is an effort to get Fajr-5s, or similar large rockets, into Gaza. But getting Hamas to fire them is another matter. Hamas is under a lot of pressure from European and Arab supporters, to give up its genocidal plans for Israel and to concentrate on improving the lives of Gazans (many of whom blame Hamas for the war earlier this year). Even Hamas hardliners have to confront the fact that they put in a pitiful performance against Israeli troops back then. Firing a few Fajr-5s into Israel, and then getting blasted by a thousand Israeli smart bombs, missiles and artillery shells, gives one pause. But Iran is supplying Hamas with much of the cash that keeps the organization alive. So Hamas is trying to replace the 2,000 rockets it lost in that war (including 1,400 destroyed by Israeli bombs, shells and troops), will continuing to upgrade the skills of Hamas fighters. Iran is also smuggling in anti-aircraft missiles (like the SA-7/18 types), to be used against the Israeli helicopters that are frequently seen over Gaza. These are easier to get through the tunnels, but the Israelis have equipped their helicopters and low flying fighters with countermeasures to SA-7 type missiles. So the main Iranian goal remains getting rockets that will hit Tel Aviv and other large Israeli urban areas and military facilities.

But given the Goldstone Report, can we be sure that Israel really would enter Gaza even if Tel Aviv were hit? My sense is that it would take more than a hit on Tel Aviv at this point: It would take a mass casualty event (God forbid) so that the next time we don't hear stories that say "1400 'Palestinians' and 13 Israelis were killed in the war." If we hear that last headline again, you know that we will be facing complaints about being 'disproportionate' and that the government will find an excuse not to go into Gaza and defend its population. The next time we go into Gaza (and I actually believe there will be a next time), it's all-out war or not at all. So it will take a much 'greater provocation' than 'crude' rockets that kill a few Jews and terrorize thousands over the course of eight years.

What would it take for the IDF to go back into Gaza in the post-Goldstone era? My guess is that it would take something like this simulated attack on Tel Aviv's Azrieli Center, which I showed in a post in January.

See video and read more at :
Israel Matzav: Hamas and Iran trying to smuggle rockets to hit Tel Aviv

Israel Matzav: US state and local governments to be empowered to divest from Iran

US state and local governments to be empowered to divest from Iran

On Tuesday, the US House of Representatives debated legislation that would make it easier for state and local governments to divest from Iran. The legislation is part of the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act that is currently making its way through Congress.

Under the bill, U.S. state and local governments would acquire new legal authorities that would make it easier to divest from companies investing more than $20 million in Iran's energy sector.

Like other Iran-related legislation, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act has broad support from Democrats and Republicans who favor maintaining pressure even as the Obama administration and other nations continue talks with Iran over its nuclear program.

...

While the legislation itself does not impose sanctions, it extends legal protections to shield state and local governments, and investment fund managers, from civil or criminal lawsuits in response to divestment decisions.

In particular, the measure states a sense of Congress supporting decisions by employee pension plans to divest from or avoid investing assets in persons or companies with more than $20 million in Iran's energy sector.

Erik Paulsen, a Minnesota Republican, referred to the revelation in September of Iran's second uranium enrichment site, and asserted that the legislation would help persuade Iran that it must respond to international concerns about its nuclear program. "The Iranian government will be more responsive if the U.S. can isolate the regime and apply some distinct pressure that will help force Tehran to deliver on its commitments and not merely to do what it has done in the past, and that is [to] use negotiations to merely run out the clock," he said.

Similar legislation sponsored by Republican Senator Sam Brownback and Democrat Bob Casey is pending in the U.S. Senate where it has 34 co-sponsors.

Too little, too late.

For those wondering why this legislation is necessary at all, an argument could be made that trustees and investment managers who shun Iran investments are doing so out of political motivations and are therefore not acting in the best interests of the state and local governments and particularly, their pension funds.

Senators Brownback and Casey have written an article in support of the legislation here.

Israel Matzav: US state and local governments to be empowered to divest from Iran

Israel Matzav: No 'peace talks' unless Goldstone dropped?

No 'peace talks' unless Goldstone dropped?

Monsters and Critics (a left-wing blog) is quoting Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Gabriela Shalev as saying that Israel will not resume 'peace talks' unless the Goldstone Report is dropped.

'Our argument is that as long as the Goldstone report is on the table and everywhere they are quoting it and supporting it - also states that are considered our friends - we cannot make progress in the peace process,' Israel's ambassador to the UN Gabriella Shalev said.

'We will not sit at the table and will not talk with bodies and people who accuse us of war crimes. That is simply unacceptable,' she said in an interview with Israel Radio.

Shalev called the report 'distorted' and 'one-sided,' reiterating Israel's argument that the fact-finding committee headed by South African judge Richard Goldstone included members who had expressed advance judgements against Israel and that it was established by a Human Rights Council hostile to it.

Now was not a 'comfortable time' to revive negotiations, as half the Palestinian areas continued to be controlled by the radical Islamist Hamas movement, Shalev said.

'So if they expect us to renew the peace process and to freeze settlements, we expect the international community to enable us to take risks (for peace) and not deny us - as this report does - our right to self-defence.'

I don't believe she's threatening to cut off 'peace talks' (I did not hear the original interview with Shalev, but Monsters and Critics says "Israel threatened Wednesday that it would not renew peace talks with the Palestinians, unless a United Nations report accusing it of having committed war crimes during last winter's Gaza war was dropped)." What she's doing is stating reality that Israel cannot make the types of 'concessions' that the 'international community' expects us to make so long as the Goldstone Report is hanging over our right to self-defense. And I believe that nearly all Israelis would agree with that assessment.

There may be 'peace talks' while Goldstone is pending, but they're going to be about the shape of the table. And no one is threatening anything. Just stating reality.

Israel Matzav: No 'peace talks' unless Goldstone dropped?

Israel Matzav: Report: Turkey dispute not about Gaza after all

Report: Turkey dispute not about Gaza after all

A Turkish newspaper is reporting that Turkey canceled Israeli participation in a multi-national military exercise last week because it was angry over a late delivery of an order of unmanned aerial vehicles. This contrasts with previous reports that the dispute was over Gaza.

The Turkish official told Today's Zaman that the deal struck between Israel and Turkey was supposed to involve a shipment of Israeli-made spy drones, known as Herons, to Turkey, but that the shipment did not arrive on time.

"Turkey needs those vehicles in its fight against terror. What led to the recent crisis between Turkey and Israel was the delay in the delivery," the official said.

Several years ago, Turkey signed a deal to purchase 10 Herons from Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit for a sum of $180 million. Israeli media reported that Turkey was considering scrapping the deal when Israel failed to meet production deadlines, but Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul said in May that Turkey would not break the contract. The Israeli company later announced that it would deliver four Herons in August, followed by another two and then the last four by the end of October.

The Turkish army has yet to use two of the 10 drones, which arrived in Turkey last November after an almost two-year delay, due to persistent technical problems, the Turkish paper reported.

The report went on to quote Turkish government spokesperson and Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek as saying that a proposal for the cancellation of the drill came from the General Staff as a response to yet another delay in the delivery of the Israeli UAVs to Turkey. "The proposal for cancellation came from the General Staff, not the government. However, there was no disagreement between the two bodies on the decision," Cicek was quoted as saying.

I don't buy this. It doesn't fit with Erdogan's statements about Gaza, it doesn't explain why they're holding exercises with Syria and if it were true, the Turkish government would have said so earlier.

There's too much bad blood between Israel and Turkey in the last year for this to be the explanation. No.

Israel Matzav: Report: Turkey dispute not about Gaza after all

Israel Matzav: Hamas accuses Egypt of torture

Hamas accuses Egypt of torture

The pot calls the kettle black? Hamas is accusing Egypt of torture in the death of 38-year old Youssef Abu Zuhri, the brother of Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. Youssef died after being imprisoned in Egypt on April 28 after illegally crossing into El-Arish using an underground tunnel from the Gaza Strip.

During a Hamas press conference in Gaza on Tuesday, Sami Abu Zuhri said his brother had been brutally tortured over the past two weeks, leading to internal bleeding and ultimately a massive hemorrhage that caused his death.

"My youngest brother died because of the barbaric torture he suffered in the Egyptian jail," Abu Zuhri said in an e- mailed statement.

Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman General Hamdi Abdel Karim denied that torture had been the cause of death; rather, Abu Zuhri "died a natural death from a drop in blood circulation," according to a report from Agence France-Presse.

Other unnamed Egyptian security officials quoted by Reuters refuted Hamas's claims of torture, claiming that Abu Zuhri had suffered from liver and chest ailments and been transferred to Egypt's Alexandria Hospital for treatment in late September.

Any doctors out there? What are the odds of a 38-year old suddenly dying a 'natural death' from a 'drop in blood circulation'? I'd guess they're somewhere between slim and none.

More likely that Egypt is trying to force Hamas to concede something in its 'negotiations' with Fatah.

What could go wrong?

Israel Matzav: Hamas accuses Egypt of torture

Israel Matzav: J Street goes after Michael Oren

Israel Matzav: J Street goes after Michael Oren

Israel Matzav: UN 'Human Rights Council' to hold special session on Israel

UN 'Human Rights Council' to hold special session on Israel

The UN 'Human Rights Council' will hold a special session on Israel on Thursday and Friday. It's the 12th special session since the Council came into existence three years ago, the sixth to deal solely with Israel and the first in which the United States will participate.

But this session will not just deal with the hopelessly biased Goldstone Report and Israeli 'war crimes' in Gaza. The 'Palestinians' have asked that Jerusalem also be put on the agenda.

According to a political source in Jerusalem, the PA's ambassador to UN institutions in Geneva, Ibrahim Khraishi, told the ambassadors of the countries involved, most of them Arab and Muslim, that the main motivation behind the Palestinian request to discuss the Goldstone report stemmed from "Israeli provocations in Jerusalem." The Palestinians had originally decided not to have the report discussed.

...

The new draft resolution is entitled "The human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem."

The resolution, which Foreign Ministry sources have described as "very extreme," has three parts: East Jerusalem, the Goldstone report on Operation Cast Lead, and the report by the UN's human rights commissioner on conditions in the Gaza Strip.

An official at the Foreign Ministry says the draft "will only serve to show how excessive the Palestinian claims really are."

Read the whole thing.

The entire discussion of Jerusalem is truly amazing. The 'Palestinians' invent a cause, riot over it and then go to the UN to complain that Israel is (with amazing restraint) putting down the riots. And the world buys into it.

What could go wrong?

Israel Matzav: UN 'Human Rights Council' to hold special session on Israel

Israel Matzav: US blasts Turkey over cancellation; Turkey holds exercise with Syria

US blasts Turkey over cancellation; Turkey holds exercise with Syria

Yet another Muslim country is thumbing its nose at President Obama. This time it's Turkey. Syria announced that it conducted a military exercise with Turkey on the same day that the Obama administration blasted it for causing the cancellation of a joint exercise with NATO by excluding Israel.

US State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said that "as to the question of whether there was a government that was invited to participate and then removed at the last minute, we think it's inappropriate for any nation to be removed from an exercise like this at the last minute."

He was asked whether that was what happened, and if Israel was the spurned country. He confirmed both.

...

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, meanwhile, revealed Tuesday that Turkey and Syria had held military maneuvers last week - the same week Ankara canceled the annual Anatolian Eagle exercise because the IDF was to participate.

"One week ago, Syria and Turkey carried out maneuvers near Ankara," Muallem said, according to Al-Jazeera. "This is important because it refutes reports of poor relations between the military and political institutes in Turkey over its strategic relations with Syria."

Muallem's comments came on the same day that 10 Turkish cabinet ministers traveled to Syria for the first meeting of the newly formed Turkey-Syria High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

As you may recall, Turkey and Syria held joint military exercises in April as well. At the time, there was concern that Syria could gain access to US and Israeli military technology as a result of the joint exercises with Turkey. Turkey is also a member of the joint strike force that is developing the American F-35 stealth-enabled fighter jet.

While Israel may be the immediate target of Turkey's wrath (something our foreign and defense ministries are bending over backward to minimize), their behavior is also clearly a snub to the United States. While the United States did not have to cancel the military exercise because of Israel's exclusion, you can bet they were not pleased that Turkey conducted an exercise with Syria last week. The United States has apparently dropped earlier efforts to 'engage' Syria.

What could go wrong?

Israel Matzav: US blasts Turkey over cancellation; Turkey holds exercise with Syria

Israel Matzav: Wexler resigning from Congress

Israel Matzav: Wexler resigning from Congress

The Torah is Optimistic

Posted by Mordechai Friedfertig at 10:31 PM

[Commentary on the Torah - Reishit, p. 24-25]

Hashem separated between the light and the darkness, and He saw that the light was good (Bereshit 1:4)! Baruch Hashem, there are good things in the world. The expression "it was good," is repeated over and over, and at the end of creation: "Very good" – an optimistic outlook. If the ancient religions of the Far East wrote the Torah, they would have written: "And G-d saw that it was bad," "And he saw all that He did and it was very bad." These are pessimistic religions. Everything is bad, everything is lost, everything lacks hope, everything is despair, the body is bad and the soul is bad.
We, however, say that the world is good. But there are so many trials and tribulations? – I know. I do not live on the moon. I noticed. I learned that Adam sinned and Kayin killed Hevel. I know that this is not exactly the Garden of Eden. But we are talking in principle – this world is the Garden of Eden. The world is good. The second day of Creation was even better, even if it is not written in the Torah. And the third day was even better still. In fact, this is the best of all worlds! But this does not happen in one day, rather in stages. And we are partners with Hashem in this work. Hashem Himself testifies that this world is good, and that it is the Garden of Eden. And if it is not currently the Garden of Eden - it is a temporary setback, and with the help of Hashem, we will succeed in freeing ourselves from it. All-in-all the world is good, the world is wonderful and the world is full of light.

Originally posted by Torat HaRav Aviner

Goldstone or Peace Talks: You Can't Have Both

Goldstone or Peace Talks: You Can't Have Both

Israel Matsav has a report that Israel is demanding the Goldstone report be taken off all tables before any peace talks resume; he then adds that this probably isn't tactical manouvering but rather a fundamental requirement:

I don't believe she's threatening to cut off 'peace talks' (I did not hear the
original interview with Shalev, but Monsters and Critics says "Israel threatened
Wednesday that it would not renew peace talks with the Palestinians, unless a
United Nations report accusing it of having committed war crimes during last
winter's Gaza war was dropped)." What she's doing is stating reality that Israel
cannot make the types of 'concessions' that the 'international community'
expects us to make so long as the Goldstone Report is hanging over our right to
self-defense. And I believe that nearly all Israelis would agree with that
assessment.

Of course, had the findings of the report been in any way credible, it would have been wrong to allow Israel to browbeat anyone this way - even tho the story of diplomacy is always about who can browbeat whom, Norwegian professors notwithstanding. So far, I've read perhaps a quarter of the report, and am wearily making my way through it, and it's ghastly. Not for its findings, but for the extent to which it is a blatant attempt to smear Israel irrespective of what the reality was. Should it not go away, it really will make any future Israeli concessions suicidal.

I'll write more about this if and when I ever finish reading the abomination.

Originally posted by Yaacov Lozowick's Ruminations

Stop History, I'm Tired and Spoiled

Stop History, I'm Tired and Spoiled

About a month ago Jay Michaelson wrote a much quoted article in The Forward, with the sad title How I'm Losing My love for Israel.

Michaelson says there are four reason's for his falling out of love with Israel, but it seems to me they're all the same: He can't really defend it anymore, and he's tired of the effort.

I admit that my exhaustion is exacerbated because, in my social circles, supporting Israel is like supporting segregation, apartheid or worse. I know this is a sign of weakness of will on my part, and I hope that the Times-magazine-sanctioned rise of J Street changes things, but I don’t think advocates of Israel understand exactly how bad the situation is on college campuses, in Europe, and in liberal or leftist social-political circles. Supporting Israel in these contexts is like supporting repression, or the war in Iraq, or George W. Bush. It’s gotten so bad, I don’t mention Israel in certain conversations anymore, and no longer defend it when it’s lumped in with South Africa and China by my friends. This is wrong of me, I know, but I’ve been defending Israel for years, and it’s gotten harder and harder to do so.

This week Daniel Gordis responds. I like Danny, we live in the same part of town, and if you read his column you'll see that he sometimes comes to our synagogue to hear our rabbi. We probably agree about most essential things, but I tend to use a different writing style.

The real exhaustion here comes from sending a smart but relatively naïve nineteen-year-old daughter off to the army (in Intelligence, in this case) and have her begin to learn things about Israel’s enemies that she will never be able to discuss. The exhaustion comes from the hollow look of an unfathomable sadness in her eyes when she’s home, from her bewilderment at the evil of which human beings are capable – an awareness a young woman shouldn’t have at that age. And you grow exhausted because you want to take care of her, to protect her. But you can’t.
You can’t take care of your kid because this is Israel. Because she can’t tell you what she knows. She can’t talk to you about the human capacity for hatred that she now confronts every single day. And because this is Israel, you can’t take of her – because here things are reversed. She’s out there taking care of you.

My response to Michaelson would have been less agonizing and perhaps less affirming than Danny's:

Well, Jay, Jews have usually lived in a world where most of their neighbors believed in lies about them; often these lies were fundamental to how the neighbors understood the world. The Jews have also never ceased to argue among themselves about how they should be doing things. The Jews you see today are the descendants of those who were strong enough to keep at it no matter what.

Being Jewish isn't about Me Me Me and what I like or don't. Being Jewish is about being part of something larger than you while contributing to it. At this particular moment in time, we have the magnificent opportunity of participating in and contributing to the renewal of the Jews as an actor in history, as a functioning nation. If you wish to participate, great. If you're too tired, or too narcissistic, or too worried about what other people are saying, or even just too worried that we're not doing things as you'd like us to be doing - well, in that case, you can decide to drop out and go do something else. Your decision will be proof that you're not really committed, we'll have to do without you, and your descendants won't have the choice.

Originally posted by Yaacov Lozowick's Ruminations