Opuscula Tweaking prayers

When I read the morning prayers, I make a couple of minor changes.

I am not a rabbi, or even a talmid hakham, nor do I play one on tv.

But “tweaking” prayers has a long tradition within Judaism.

 

FOR EXAMPLE,

תָנָא דבי אֵלִיָהו זָכור לטב כׂל הַשונֶה הַלָכות בֵכׂל יום

recited shortly before עלינו tells us to say this instead of that.

I use Sefardi sedurim, primarily סדור אבותנו and וזרח השמש .

The former is rife with comments about “optional” words, moreso than the latter.

The former also has a plethora of notes: the minhag here is this, the minhag there is thus.

שֶלׂא עָשַנִי גוי That you did not make me a non-Jew

Converts and those who are not Jews but participate in the prayers, can’t truthfully state:

שֶׁלׂא עָשַׂנִי גוי

Frankly, I take issue with the word “goy” when what is meant is “non-Jew.” The correct Hebrew for a non -Jew is “no-kare” (נוכר). “Goy” means “nation” but thanks to its misuse it has become a pejorative.

For all that, a convert could say שֶׁעָשַנִי ישראל

While a non-Jewish woman could say שׁעָשַנִי ישראלת

No female slaves in enlightened countries

The word “שִפחָה” pops up a number of times; firstly in the morning blessing (ברכות השחר), ibid.

It shows up again among the rules for sacrifices (just before רִִבִי יִשמָעֵאל).

In the section beginning “זִבחֵי שַלמֵ" we read that one of the errors includes “אשם שִפחה חרופָה”

Rather than a female slave (שִׁפחה), I prefer “conversation, words” (שִׂיחָה), replacing a shin with a sin and a yud for a pei. Now we have the sin of speaking badly of one another. It also reminds why the thousands of R. Akiva’s student’s died; for speaking ill of one another. (Much like politicians of today, alas.)

Changes to the Amedah (עמידה)

Before going on, it is best to identify the sedurs in use.

סדור אבותנו and וזרח השמש both of which follow Moroccan traditions. “Traditions” is correct; Morocco is a huge country and traditions — as noted in the אבותנו sedur — vary by area.

רֵפָאֵנו

To the paragraph asking HaShem to heal the sick (רֵפָאֵנו) I add “and all the world” (ואת העולם כולו).

Why? The Chinese virus, a/k/a Corona or Covid 19, spreads quickly around the world thanks to the wonders of modern airplanes and the reluctance of some countries to alert others to a danger. This is not the first pandemic and China is not the only source of past pandemics (e.g., Mexico gave us the so-called “Spanish flu” of 1918; it killed more people than WW1).

תעַקֵר וׁתשַבֵר

Rabbi Sholom Messas adds a word to the paragraph in the עמידה that begins תעַקֵר וׁתשַבֵר. In the sedur וזרח השמש, the rav adds one word —ותַשמִידֵם— “destroy them.”

The Amedah is from the rabbis, not the Torah, so changing a word or two to remain “au courant” (e.g., את העולם כולו) should not cause umbrage except perhaps from someone who wears blinders to the reality of today.

I am not suggesting changes to halakah — that’s the rabbis’ domain.

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PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on Embarrassed

Opuscula Bully’s crutch Kicked aside, PLO in a bind

GIVEN THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS IN THE U.S. perhaps it is not “fair,” but in all the years since 1948, no U.S. executive managed to broker a peace agreement with the PLO/PFLP and Hamas/Islamic Jihad.

The U.S. “leadership” cajoled and threw money at the “Palestinians,” and the Palestinians remained obstinate: No honest negotiations with Israel.

Yes, there was Oslo — a pact the “Palestinians” almost immediately abrogated.

During the Obama administration, the “Palestinians” had a friend in D.C. and the Israelis did not.

During the Obama administration, the ayatollahs were quieter than now; the administration allowed the mullahs to expand their nuclear objectives.

The presidents before Obama were little better.

 

BACK IN THE DAY, the “Palestinians” had the support of many Muslim-dominated countries.

Thanks to Iran and its saber rattling and gentle pressure from Washington, two and a half Muslim countries — United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain are “normalizing” relations with Israel and Saudia is allowing over-flights — are at least open to peaceful coexistence with Israel.

So far, both Bahrain and the UAE have shown a willingness to welcome Jews, both as visitors and residents.“Normalization” does not necessarily equate to “peace,” although initial indications are that the two nations will be more accepting of Israel and Israelis than Egypt and Jordan.

 

Dry Bones cartoon for 13 SEP 2020 @ https://drybonesblog.blogspot.com/)

 

Why are Bahrain and the UAE more welcoming than Egypt and Jordan?

At least three things.

One: Bahrain and the UAE and wealthy, certainly by comparison to Egypt and Jordan.

Two: Neither country has a large “Palestinian” contingent. Jordan IS Palestine and many so-called “Palestinians” came from Egypt.

Three: The general level of education in Bahrain and the UAE generally is higher than that of either Jordan or Egypt.

Both Egypt and Jordan have “shaky” governments; not so much with Bahrain and the UAE.

 

Pragmatism

Anyone who has lived and worked in Israel knows that Israel has been exporting to the more moderate Arab countries for decades. Saudis prefer Israeli-made air conditioners; they work better in Saudi conditions than European-made units.

Israeli-made refrigerators also are popular.

Indeed, if anyone travels to the PLO/PFLP or Hamas/Islamic Jihad-controlled areas, they will see an assortment of Israeli products.

The “Palestinians’” dilemma:

*  I won’t have anything to do with you politically, but I will buy Israeli-made products.

*  I won’t accept Chinese virus aid from Qatar since it came via Israel’s main airport (and if my people die, ah well.)

*  I won’t let my people go to Israel for medical treatment, but I will send my family there for treatment.

Meanwhile, other Muslim nations are quietly, often under-the-table, doing business with Israel.

 

Between Iran and the U.S.

Between the threat from Iran and encouragement from the U.S., more Muslim-controlled countries are inking “normalization” agreements with Israel.

Suddenly open trade is possible.

Suddenly technology transfers are possible.

The trade and technology will go both ways, although initially the balance of trade may be to Israel’s advantage.

Israelis are travelers.

If they cannot go to Egypt or Jordan, then Bahrain and the UAE are more than suitable replacements; they are closer that Tibet and India.

If Ramallah and Gaza City “leaders” really wanted what is good for their citizens, they would put down their weapons and make at least “normalization” agreements with Israel.

A real peace, such as between the U.S. and Canada, is a long way off; perhaps it won’t happen until the next century. But it would be a start.

To accomplish that, the “Palestinians,” regardless of where they live, must give up terror attacks on Israel and Israelis.

Eventually even the media will tire of making excuses for the intransigent “Palestinians” and start reporting the facts on the ground. To borrow a phrase, “The ‘Palestinians’ never miss a chance to miss a chance.”

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 Comment on Bully

But PLO/PFLP won’t come to table Arabs want “Palestine” Issue settled before Signing peace pact

IT IS RIGHT OUT OF JOS. HELLER’S CATCH 22^{1, 2}

Several major Muslim neighbors, in particular Saudia and Qatar — the later being the “bank” for Hamas — are willing to “normalize” relations — that does not necessarily equate with “peace — with Israel

IF

Israel first makes a peace deal with the PLO/PFLP and Hamas/Islamic Jihad.

* * * * * *

Qatar: Normalization with Israel only after two-state solution with Palestinians³

* * * * * *

Normalizing ties with Israel linked to Palestinian statehood, Saudi king says⁴

On the other hand, President Trump’s son-in-law, possibly a Pollyanna,⁵ suggests that the “Palestinians will get peace 'as soon as they are ready'.”⁶

 

Given that the “leadership” of the terrorist groups (ibid.) refuse to negotiate with Israel, particularly when they are confident the pro terrorist Democrats may regain the White House and Congress in November, there is no way, short of a devastating attack unleashed by Israel on the terrorist-controlled areas to which “the world” would condemn Israel, that the terrorists’ “leadership” will send delegates to a negotiating table.

Hamas has accepted Egypt to mediate between it and Israel. (Hamas arranges a short-term cease fire to once again stockpile materiel to use against Israel — and Israel’s “leaders” stupidly fall for this again and again and again.)

IF, THEN, the Saudis and Qataris want a peace agreement between the terrorists and Israel, they must push the terrorists to the negotiating table and they must convince the terrorists that attacks on Israel must cease — permanently.

The question is, what country or organization can guarantee the peace?

Not the UN; it has proven both useless (UNIFIL) and in the pocket of the terrorists (UNRWA).

The U.S. is tired of sending its troops into danger.

The Europeans, save for Russia, likewise will not endanger their personnel.

China, perhaps. It sees itself as the next (of not already) major world power.

Since Israel has repeatedly made concessions to the terrorists, and since the concessions were accepted by the terrorists as a sign of Israel’s weakness — perpetuated by Israel’s “leaders” — someone needs to stand as surety that the terrorists will indeed forego attacks on Israel and is citizens.

No one on any side should expect that a “peace agreement” will bring any more than a cessation of hostilities.

If “normalization” is what members of EuroCom have — passport-free passage over national borders — or what U.S. and Canadian and U.S. and Mexican citizens have, then this is not a “normalization” that can be expected.

While there are peace agreements between Israel and Egypt and between Israel and Jordan, true normalization is far from being achieved. Travel to and from Israel by citizens of the three countries is difficult at best. (Tourists are another matter and have fewer handicaps.)

It would be interesting to know what the Qataris and Saudis expect Israel to concede. The terrorists make it clear that they will accept nothing less than an end to Israel. Even with the Democrats controlling Washington and Israeli leftist controlling the Knesset and Supreme Court, allowing the terrorists to drive Israelis — Christian, Jew, Muslim, and “whatever” into the sea — is not going to happen.

Everything the terrorists have lost they lost due to wars of aggression started by Muslim states.

Had Jordan accepted the UN partition in 1948 and had the Muslims not repeatedly attacked Israel, the “Palestinians” might have a state of their own, assuming Jordan would allow it.

Had Syria not attacked Israel in 1948 (and again later), it might have all of Mount Hermon.

If Grandma had wheels . . .

Sources

1. “Catch 22,” book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22

2. “Catch 22,” expression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch-22_(logic)

3. Qatar: https://tinyurl.com/y3pqmvlg

4. Saudia: https://tinyurl.com/y43n3t8a

5. Pollyanna defined: https://tinyurl.com/yxhfortw

6. Kushner comment: https://tinyurl.com/y4et545j

PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.

Truth is an absolute defense to defamation. Defamation is a false statement of fact. If the statement was accurate, then by definition it wasn’t defamatory.

Web sites (URLs) beginning https://tinyurl.com/ are generated by the free Tiny URL utility and reduce lengthy URLs to manageable size.

 

Comment on Catch 22