Opuscula Should Israel compensate Egypt for plagues, exodus?

 

Ahmad al-Gamal, an Egyptian columnist for Egyptian daily Al-Yawm Al-Sabi, advocated in the newspaper on March 11 that Egypt sue the State of Israel for damages caused by the 10 Biblical plagues. (From an article in the Times of Israel, http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-pay-up-for-10-plagues/#ixzz2xZ2QZb2D.)

Good question.

The topic, along with Is Moses guilty of murder? for killing the Egyptian taskmaster and Did the Egyptians give us gifts out of friendship or out of fear? seem like excellent subjects for Jewish tweenagers and teenagers, especially if they are studying talmudic logic.

Al-Gamal, although I suspect he was writing with tongue in cheek, makes some interesting points in the Times of Israel article; points than deserve consideration.

It's a bit late for Pesach 5774 (2014), but it seems it might be worth consideration for pre-Pesach 5775 (2015) studies.

Teachers might take a group of youngsters and tell them they are the plaintiffs' attorneys - they would represent the Egyptians demanding compensation for all the woes Al-Gamal claims we inflicted upon them. Another group of youngsters could be the defense team, our lawyers. Still others could serve as a jury, and a well-respected and learned adult would act as judge (to assure the arguments were proper).

There might even need to be a team to defend Pharaoh against charges that it was his, not the Egyptian people's, fault that HaShem sent the plagues. ("Hey, I wanted to let the Jews go, but HaShem hardened my heart; what could I do?" This, of course, opens a discussion on "free will.")

We say, immediately after the four questions that עבדים היינו לפרעה במצרים - "we" were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt.

That statement makes two points.

1. We are to consider that we, along with our ancestors, were slaves in Egypt.

2. That we were slaves to Pharaoh, which plays into the plaintiffs' lawyers' hands as to assigning "fault."

The first point adds some personal involvement - part of the seder's purpose.

How would the children and young adults present the case for the Egyptians, the Pharaoh, and us; how would a peer jury rule?

Educators can "adjust" the trial to the youngsters' ages and abilities. Perhaps locaal lawyers can be enticed to advise and mentor the young lawyers.

Just to add interest, what about the descendents of the Egyptians who left with us? How are they to be treated? Do we sue them for sharing the man(na) and for the protection of the fire by night and cloud by day. Who would sue them for those things, anyway? HaShem?

What about Aaron and his staff/snake - is there any remedy the Egyptian magicians can seek because Aaron's snake devoured their snakes?

Pesach should be more than cleaning and a quick read of the hagadah. It is supposed to be an educational experience.

I wish that as a youngster someone had asked the question: Do we owe the Egyptians compensation? I think it's a great question.

Caveat: I am not a teacher (my spouse is) and I don't play one on tv. (Teaching truly is an art; I never learned to stay within the lines.)

Opuscula A few ideas to help Keep peace @ the seder

The article is titled 10 Tips for De-Stressing Your Thanksgiving, but many of the "tips" are valid for Passover's seders as well; some require a little editorial license, but all are worth a quick read.

The first recommendation is to "Focus on the meaning of the holiday. That means. According to Health Central:
The whole gist of this holiday is to connect with family and to count your blessings. It is not to cook the perfect meal or to have perfectly behaved child (although that would be nice sometimes). Take the time to laugh and have fun with your family. Be grateful for the happy moments.

Actually, the "gist" of the seder is to connect with the entire Jewish family - from the יציאת מצרים (the exodus from Egypt) to Jews today, wherever they may be on the globe. If there is enough to eat - and in most homes there will be more than enough - and if the hagadah is read without too many "But my rabbi said…" comments or "My mother used to grind her own horseradish and it was (pick an adjective) than tonight's, then welcome Elijah to שלום בית (a peaceful home).

Suggestions Numbers 2 and 7 seem to be contradictory, but maybe not.

Number 2 instructs Get outside and continues There is nothing which will drive a hyperactive child or adult more stir crazy than sitting in the house all day. Take a walk, play some touch football, go bike riding if the weather permits, play in the snow if it is snowing outside, but do get outside even if you have to bundle up. These, of course, are pre-sundown activities.

Number 7, titled Let your child be part of the meal preparation will at lest put extra hands to the task - both boys and girls can learn what goes into preparing a Passover meal, and usually, both boys and girls are more than willing to help out. The suggestion, after some editing, reads Children are much more likely to eat something that they had a hand in creating. Let your child help as they are able.

Suggestion Number 4 encourages Make merry with music. For us, that means practicing the Pesach favorites:

  *  הודו (Hodu)

  *  אחד מי יודע? (Who knows one?)

  *  חד גדיא (Had Gad'ya)

  *  אדיר הוא (Ader Who)

If some words are "mangled" or completely changed, go with it. Who knows, a new Passover tradition may have just been created.

Suggestion Number 6 is for anyone who travels with restless passengers anytime of the year. Basically, If traveling, pack an activity bag. Every parent should know that, but "just in case." It might be wise to also carry some pillows for sleepy passengers (of all ages). The Web site suggests Bring things like small toys, crayons, markers, and paper. You can pack an electronic game or even a small DVD player. The goal is to give them some independent activities to keep them busy during the less lively parts of your visit. Make certain also to pack non-electronic toys - the first day(s) of Pesach are "like Shabat" and, for the more observant, electrical - including battery operated - toys and devices remain tuned off - just like the cell phones.

Tip Number 8 builds on Number 6 and tells us to Play some games!. Some children like physically active games. There is twister and limbo as well as indoor bowling with plastic pins and ball. There are foam dart board games as well as magnetic fishing. Some other hands on games especially for younger kids are Hungry Hippos, Ants in the Pants, Don't Break the Ice and Mouse Trap. Keep in mind that the kids need to (try to) stay awake until they find the afekomin and everyone exclaims שנה הבאה בירושלים! (Next year in Jerusalem).

Tip Number 9 says Reward good behavior and suggests that parents (and wise hosts) Go to a dollar store and buy small toys and trinkets to give to your child at certain intervals for good behavior. Some good choices might be Slinkys and coloring books. You'll need a prize for whoever finds the afekomin anyway, but it's wise to have something for all the children of all ages.

Finally, Health Central recommends having what it calls a Cool Down Zone,, a place where the child can temporarily "get away from it all." There might be an "antsy" adult that would be prefect as a chaperone to read age-appropriate books or help with puzzles, flash cards, etc.

Opuscula US: Free Terrorists Israel: Free Pollard

The U.S. is demanding that Israel release even more Arab murderers of Jewish civilians while at the same time denying Israel's repeated requests that it release convicted spy Jonathon Pollard.

Pollard was sentenced to life in prison, with a recommendation of no parole, for passing "secrets" to Israeli intelligence. (See The Facts of the Pollard Case.) He has been incarcerated far longer than any other spy even though others worked as enemy agents.

Israel, in undeniably suicidal moves, has released hundreds of terrorists over the years; terrorists who, in many case, have proved recidivistic; terrorists who are glorified by their masters, the "Palestinian Authority."

The U.S. would have Israel free all terrorists from its prisons so they can once again attack Israelis.

Pollard did not kill any one nor did he even indirectly cause harm to any person.

Pollard did not commit treason.

Pollard did give classified information to Israeli agents, information that the U.S. was obliged to share with Israel but failed to do so. The information did not in any way endanger the United States or its interests any place around the globe.

It is possible that Israel's politicians are only giving the "Free Pollard" movement lip service; according to The Facts of the Pollard Case (ibid.), "In 1985, his actions were discovered by the U.S. government. His instructions from Israel were to seek refuge in the Israeli embassy in Washington. When Pollard and his former wife sought refuge there, they were at first received and then summarily thrown out into the waiting arms of the FBI."

Still, the double standard - Israel must free murderers and the U.S. continues to hold a non-violent "spy" - seems beyond comprehension.

Indeed, it seems more a way to punish Israel for being a Jewish state; this is, sadly, not out of character for U.S. government agencies (staring with the state Department, for decades notoriously anti-Jewish and pro-Arab).

Enough is enough.

It's time Israel tells the U.S. that no more terrorists will be freed until Pollard is allowed to immigrate to Israel as a free man.

At the same time, Israel's powers-that-be should tell its police and military that Israel no longer can afford to try and to house terrorists in its jails and order the police and military to shoot to kill. That's a very simple measure to reduce recidivism and, in the long run, will save the "Palestinian Authority" (and its sympathizers) millions in salaries for jailed terrorists.

We met the enemy And he is us

Pogo was right

>The stacked heds^cq in the Times of Israel read: Diplomats call full-blown strike, shuttering Foreign Ministry
For the first time in Israeli history, Workers Union shuts down ministry building in Jerusalem and 103 embassies worldwide

For a tiny country that depends so much on international trade and travel, allowing the Foreign Office to be shut down is, in a word, "בושה" - a national shame, an embarrassment for the state.

According to the Times of Israel, Ministry officials also said Pope Francis had canceled his May trip to Israel due to the labor sanctions, but Vatican officials later said the visit was still on. Israeli embassies and consulates stopped servicing Israelis abroad and diplomats were instructed not to arrange or conduct any work meetings and cease sending diplomatic cables or to engage in pro-Israel public diplomacy.

On the other hand, several foreign ministers and other officials have canceled their planned trips to Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly was forced to put the brakes on an upcoming visit to South America.

The Foreign Office union puts its position on the now static government Web page, stating:

As of March 23, 2014 at 15:00 a general strike has been declared at the Foreign Ministry. The Ministry in Jerusalem will remain closed and Israel's missions abroad will not open as of Monday morning, March 24.

As of Tuesday, March 4, 2014, Israel's diplomats will no longer engage with foreign representatives, take care of official visits of any kind, either in Israel or overseas, issue visas or provide any consular services. Requests for special dispensation should be sent by e-mail tounionmfa@israel.org

This is just part of an extended list of organizational measures which will take effect immediately, after the Ministry of Finance caused the failure of a seven-month mediation process led by the former Chief Justice of the Labor Court.

It may seem unusual for the diplomatic service of a country to become engaged in a labor dispute. Out of our deep commitment to presenting Israel's interests abroad, Israel's international standing and national security, we, the Israeli diplomats, insist that our reasonable demands be met.

There will be no updates on this channel until further notice. Regular updates will resume upon a satisfactory resolution of the dispute.

The government page links to a Jerusalem Post editorial titled Save the Foreign Ministry.

The Times of Israel article states that “The workers entirely locked the Foreign Ministry and Israeli embassies in the world, for the first time in Israel’s history,” the union declared in a dramatic statement headlined “The State of Israel’s first line of defense is falling apart.”

It continued Under the full strike, nobody will be allowed into the Foreign Ministry building, “including the political leadership and the ministry’s management,” according to the statement.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman called the development an “unfortunate decision of the workers union, reflecting hysteria.”

Had something similar happened in the U.S., the government would have stepped in to replace - in the U.S.' case, State Department - recalcitrant clerks (as it has done on several occasions in the past when government workers walked off the job.

True, tourist travel to and from Israel will continue for all those countries that enjoy "no pre-arrival visa requirement" status. For U.S. citizen's that status may be in jeopardy now that the U.S. has made it more difficult than usual for Israelis to enter the country; Israel could easily implement the same difficulties.

When I lived and worked in Israel (1975-1979), the Import/Export clerks struck and my employer, Tadiran, almost laid off a large portion of its workforce - including this scrivener. (When Labor and the socialists ruled - from 1948 until Menachem Began became Prime Minister on 20 June 1977 - Israel and Italy were in a race for the title of "Most Strike-Bound Country." With Begin aS PM, Italy had the title all to itself.)

While most visitors to Israel will not be impacted by the strike, all diplomatic activity is at a stand-still. Israelis who want a passport to travel will have to put their plans aside for the duration.

If the Times of Israel and the Jerusalem Post articles are accurate, the battle is between the Finance Ministry and the Foreign Ministry.

Both ministries are headed by Members of Knesset (MKs); Avigdor Liberman of  Yisrael Beiteinu heads the Foreign Ministry while Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party is Finance Minister - both ministers head their respective parties and both parties are in the Likud-led coalition.

It would seem than even in Israeli politics the two leaders of coalition parties ought to be able to come to an agreement that might possibly satisfy the union without causing more inflation and damage to the Israeli budget.

Truth in blogging: I once was in a union - the Newspaper Guild. I paid my dues but when I had a grievance, the union was nowhere to be found, ergo I am not, in most cases, a union sympathizer.

I can sympathize - a little - with the Foreign Office union if it has been in honest negotiations with the government for an extended period; however, I am privy to neither the union's demands nor Israel's budget constraints.

Meanwhile, Italy needs to watch its title - strikes seem to be coming more often in Israel; it seemed only yesterday medics went on strike.

Meat, Poultry, Fish at Passover Some things need K4P, others don't

 

According to R. Ya'aqob Menashe in his Torah Minute for 17 March/15 Adar, A man should inquire about the halakhoth (laws) of Pesah (Passover) thirty days before Pesah to teach himself, during these days, all laws pertinent to the holiday of Pesah, every day.

Do otherwise kosher meat, poultry, and fish need special Kosher for Passover (K4P) certification?

It depends on who you ask.

If you ask the local kosher market, the answer probably will be "They do (require specialK4P certification)."

And the butcher may be correct - for that particular store.

On the other hand, if you ask the Orthodox Union (the OU), the answer is "No, providing …"

Others weighing in on the question include:

* Jewish Virtual Library

* Ohr Somayach

* Shemay Israel

* Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle

* Young Israel of Staten Island (YISI)

 

WITH THE EXCEPTION of the Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle, all kashrut organizations in the U.S. are strictly Ashkenazi. Seattle's 2014 list is a mix of Sefardi and Ashkenazi and both are clearly marked. The cRc's list for 2014 flags products that are kitniyot and suggests that readers "contact their local Sefardi rabbi" to determine if the product is K4P for Sefardim and Mizrachim.

Seattle Vaad Sample Page

 

Since the entry was first written, the Jersey Shore Orthodox Rabbinate has revived its Recommended Passover Product List For Sephardic Communities so now there are again two trustworthy Sefardi lists.

The JSOR discontinued its list for 2013, relying on other (Ashkenazi) lists.

I'm glad its back.

Orthodox UnionThe OU's opinion comes from its web site and states that "Cuts of raw meat can be remedied for Pesach by an effective rinsing of their surface under cold water. Ground meat, though, cannot be sufficiently “cleansed” by rinsing as the meat is often processed in grinders that also process chametz-containing products such as kishke. Without a thorough sanitation of the machinery between different products, the ground meat can potentially contain actual kishke particles – nullifying its use for Pesach.
Products from local butcher stores and supermarkets, with the plethora of products (including Chametz ones) being processed nearby, cannot be recommended without a there being a special Passover program in place – even for raw meat and poultry products."

Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle GENERAL SEPHARDIC POSITION: Meats, Chicken, Fish, Fruits, Fresh Vegetables, etc. and all natural non-Chametz foods are naturally Kasher, whether these products are bought specifically for Pesach or not, they can be washed before and used for Pesach. - Vegetables (frozen & fresh: Many vegetables may be used on Pesach. Frozen vegetables: It is preferred to buy fresh. However, if it is hard to find the same quality in fresh - frozen vegetables may be purchased before and then used for Pesach even though sometimes they are blanched in the same equipment as pasta. We don’t worry about absorbed residue on commercial equipment if the food is bought before Pesach. - Canned fruits and vegetables: Even though some manufacturers produce cheese and other items it does not affect the clean production of vegetables.

Star K The Star K puts out its annual Star K Passover Director; it's 2014 version already is on the WWW. The K4P list suitable for Ashkenazi - products containing kitniyot are listed as "not kosher for Passover." The 2014 guide states under the heading Meat and Poultry, Packaged that Fresh raw meant and poultry bearing a reliable kosher certification may be used on Passover, however, all ground meat and poultry require K4P certification.
Under the Fish, Frozen Raw that Frozen raw fish with no added ingredients, bearing a reliable kosher certification does not have Pesach concerns. (Exception - Individual vacuum=packed frozen salmon pieces should be used with K4P symbol of certifying agency approval).

Jewish Virtual Library The JVL's web site is unequivocal, with the caveat: "All fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meats are kosher for Pesach as long as they have not come into contact with chametz."

Young Israel of Staten Island (YISI) states in a PDF file that "All frozen or fresh raw meat and poultry with kosher supervision in original factory packaging."

Shemay Israel SI's site tends to obfuscate by stating that "Meats and Poultry: All brands of raw poultry are kosher for Passover year round. After your butcher "koshers" for Pesach, all raw varieties of meat, cut chicken and veal are acceptable." That leaves me with the question: If you buy before the store is kashered (made kosher) for Passover, are the products K4P?

Answers via email in the order received.

* Ohr Somayach: R. Reuven Lauffer writes from Jerusalem that "It is absolutely essential that all meat, fowl and fish have special Pesach supervision." March 17/15 Adar 2

* Chicago Rabbinical Council: R. Sholem Fishbane responds for crcweb.org that "Usually meat and poultry from the factory does not (require a special certification {ed.})but from a store would need. Not sure about fish though." March 17/15 Adar 2

* OK   Miriam Wudowsky writes that The cryovac bags have a starch inside which could be (corn) kitniyos. They get special starchless ones for P.

KASHRUT.COM If the question is "Is it kosher?" or "Is it safe?" Arlene J. Mathes-Scharf's Kashrut.com is, without a doubt, the best gateway to the world of kashrut and food safety.

Ms. Mathes-Scharf's weekly emails (free subscription) and web site collects

* information about things kosher from the major certifying agencies in the U.S. and elsewhere

* identifies general food health alerts from the U.S. and elsewhere

* lists organizations with special K4P lists

among other things of interest to people who eat.

Kashrut.com is the Google of kosher information. (I prefer Dogpile's search engine, but that wouldn't sound good when talking about food.)

ALWAYS CHECK Kashrut.com's Passover Alerts before heading to the market.

Some K4P lists

cRc http://www.crcweb.org/Passover/2014/complete_passover_guide-2014.pdf (2014) 65 pp of everything from pre-Pesach prep to what to put on the table - and how.

COR - Kashrut Council of Canada http://www.kashrut.com/Passover/pdf/CORPassoverGuide-2014.pdf (2014) English only

Jersey Shore Orthodox Rabbinate (JSOR) http://www.jsor.org/2014Passoverlist.pdf (2014)

MK Canada http://mk.ca/f2/ 188 pp in English and French.

OU http://issuu.com/oukosher/docs/passoverguide14/1?e=2900859/7057805 (2014) - Note this Guide is 100 pages long.

Scroll K / Vaad Hakashrus of Denver
http://www.kashrut.com/Passover/pdf/ScrollK_2014.pdf (2014) Includes form to sell hametz.

Star K http://www.star-k.org/PassoverDirectory2014_Web.pdf (2014) - Note this Guide is 126 pages long.

KosherQuest http://kosherquest.org/magazine_flip/ 32 pp including advertisements (2014)

Va’ad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle http://seattlevaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/SEATTLE-VAAD-2014_5774-PASSOVER-DIRECTORY.pdf (2014)

Power plant shuts down for ‘lack of fuel’ Consider this

The hed^cq in the Times of Israel reads Gaza power plant shuts down for ‘lack of fuel’ with subhed reading Palestinians say facility shuttered due to Israeli closure of crossings following this week’s rocket attacks .

First, why did Israel shut off fuel supplies?

That's answered in the sub-hed; rockets - more than 100 - were fired into Israel from Hamas-controlled Aza. Whether or not Hamas fired the missiles is irrelevant. Hamas is (allegedly) in control of Aza. Even if Hamas' masked men were not the ones firing the missiles, Hamas, as the "ruler" of Aza should be able to prevent attacks on Israel - and preventing attacks on Israel is the ONLY way to prevent Israeli responses on Hamas-in-Aza.

Second, SO WHAT !

Hamas-controlled Aza has more than one border. Why can't it get supplies from Egypt?

Why, because Hamas is aligned with the Islamic Brotherhood and the Brotherhood is trying to "convert" Egypt to an Islamist republic, a la Iran. Apparently the majority of the Egyptian populace prefers a military dictatorship to Shiria rule.

Since Hamas is allied to the Brotherhood, Egypt has closed - sealed - its border with Aza. "Sealed" as in destroying the tunnels through which Aza received not only weapons to use against Israel, but other material as well.

Hamas has declared - by its actions - war on Israeli civilians. Most missiles target civilian populations rather than military installations.

Given that, why would Israel feel any obligation to provide Aza with anything? Would the U.S. provide fuel to Cuba - a country that NEVER has fired a missile at ANY U.S. city. (Older readers may recall the U.S. almost went to war with the then Soviet Union when the USSR attempted to install ICBMs on Cuban soil.)

Even antagonistic states such as Turkey don't fire missiles at their neighbors. Not even North Korea and Iran are firing rockets at their neighbors.

But Hamas in the south and Hezbollah and the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant threaten Israel, but at least Israel is not expected to provision the enemy to the north.

Expect the Left to again (continue to ?) castigate Israel for withholding provisions in response to rocket attacks from Hamas' Gaza.

Do NOT expect the Left to even suggest criticism of Egypt for sealing its borders. (The Left IS busy cruising Egypt for casting out the Islamist government.)

Before agreeing with the Left, consider the reasons for Israel's (and Egypt's) actions concerning Aza.

David head requires Wisdom of Solomon

 

This is not a Purim joke

A United Press International (UPI) article heded ^cq ,Lawsuit: Company, art museum have identical David sculptures tells of a two-headed David - or more accurately, two heads of David.

It seems both the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and a private company, Latipac Inc., claim to have a bust of Israel's King David. The head allegedly was "south portal of the west facade of the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris and dates back to circa 1145. David got a "nose job" during the French revolution.

Latipac Inc. wants to sell it's David and believes the Met will "publicly deny the genuineness of plaintiff's piece," ergo its suit.

Provenance

Frankly, who would want damaged goods?

Apparently lots of people with lots of money.

The Met's David.

Take visiting pols Far from capital

Israel HaYom for March 13, 2014 had two articles of particular interest.

Southern towns shaken again by sirens, rocket fire

British PM visits Israel, addresses restive Knesset

I know - albeit the U.S. State Department denies it - that Jerusalem, and that means ALL of Jerusalem - is Israel's capital. It's where the Knesset meets, if only occasionally peacefully and respectfully; it is, after all modeled on the British parliament. Jerusalem is home of Temple One and Temple Two and the abomination now sitting on the hill.

But visiting politicians, especially those from countries with BDS and anti-Israel-pro-PA noise, need to meet with Israeli VIPs somewhere other than Jerusalem.

My suggestion would be in Ashdod or Sderot; in fact, any place within range of Hamas' Aza-based short-range artillery.

Pity that British Prime Minister David Cameron was meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem when, according to Israel HaYom, "dozens of rockets exploded in Eshkol, Shaar Hanegev, Merhavim, Sderot and other Gaza Strip border communities on Wednesday."

Aza and nearby Israeli towns (Google Maps)

Taking guests to the southern part of the state also would have the added benefit of avoiding the displays of disrespect shown by one political party for another political party and the disgrace of one "religious" group casting aspersions on others with a different perspective - and vice versa.

Israel appears to be on the verge of "מלחמת אחים"- a "civil" war; the threat is greater than anytime since pre-statehood (when Ben Gurion was willing to murder fellow Jews to increase his personal power and his general, Rabin, stood ready to do his bidding; I refer to the ship Altalena).

Jerusalem has become the primary battleground and civility is the first casualty. Such behavior, while it is not new to us - senseless hatred once cost us the Temple - will in the end bring the demise of the "Israel experiment" and we will once again bewail the loss of Jerusalem and all of Israel.

Rather than exposing VIPs to the base behavior of some denizens of Jerusalem, and I'm including members of Knesset, take visiting VIPs to the action: Ashdod, Sedrot, Netivot. If the guests are adverse to heat, take them north to the border with Lebanon and Syria. Hezbollah surely can arrange a fireworks display for the visitors.

Northern towns within Hezbollah rocket range

Cancelled Conversion Complications

 

The other day (7 Adar bet) Marc Angel sent out an email with a link to an article by R. Shmuel Herzfeld. Herzfeld is the Ashkenazi "Orthodox" rabbi of Ohev Sholom: The National Synagogue in Washington, so what he wrote in his article titled The Conversion Crisis--a New Glitch should have the weight of authority.

The topic of Herzfeld's comments was the intra-"Orthodoxy" feuding that has one (or several) rabbis cancelling/voiding/invalidating another rabbi's conversions.

This problem is not unique to the U.S., but Herzfeld focused his attention on the U.S.

Caveat:
1. I am not a rabbi and I don't play one on tv.
2. "Orthodox" in quotes always refers to Ashkenazim.

In one case, Herzfeld cited a woman who was converted according to strict "Orthodox" standards 35 or more years ago.

She lived all her life as an observant Jew. Then one day, she discovered she no longer was a Jew.

What did she do?

SHE did nothing.

The problem: the "Orthodox" rabbi who headed the conversion va'ad (board) was rabbi of a congregation with - gasp - MIXED SEATING !. Never mind that at the time the rabbi was a member of the Rabbinical Council of America, the RCA which, according to Herzfeld, is "a leading Orthodox rabbinic association."

According to R. Moses Feinstein, all Conservative rabbis are atheists, a teacher at their Seminary may not speak before an Orthodox public, and praying in a mixed pew setting, a Torah sin, disqualifies the offending culprit as a witness, a rabbi and judge. Source: The Two faces of Orthodoxy

The true "Orthodox" will shrug and say "Not a problem; she can convert again before a "kosher" rabbi.

Of course that will entail a lengthy conversion process - relearning things she already knows - and a costly conversion process. The rabbis in Israel have it down to a revenue-generating business; U.S. rabbis also are compensated, although being paid to perform a mitzvah is a questionable act.

Now, let say the woman has children.

As with the mother, the children suddenly are not Jewish.

If a daughter marries and has children, they, too, are instant non-Jews.

There is no problem with the marriage; if a spouse is declared non-Jewish, there is no marriage according to rabbinical law. (Torah law thinks otherwise, but never mind.)

Conversion is always the possibility - assuming the new non-Jews are not completely disgusted with the rabbinical fiat.

But consider.

We have a bunch of "suddenly non-Jews" walking around; people who thought they were Jewish and who were treated as Jews.

They witnessed katubot (wedding contracts).

They witnessed gettim (divorce documents).

The question now must be asked: If the once-a-Jew-now-not-a-Jew is one of the required witnesses and there are no "spare" witnesses (typical in both katubot and gettim)

Is the couple married according to rabbinical halacha?

Is the get valid and the couple halachally divorced?

The marriage is not such a big deal. The katubah is invalid and a new one must be written and witnessed.

But the divorce can present problems.

Couple marry and have a child.

Couple divorces; a get is witnessed and given.

Wife marries again, complete with valid katubah.

Wife has another child.

If the divorce was not valid, the wife still is married to the first husband.

She has committed adultery with her second husband - the "kosher" katubah is invalidated because suddenly the get from the first husband is invalidated.

Fortunately the rabbis lack the power to sentence an adulteress to death and her "significant other" to the appropriate punishment.

What about the children from the second marriage? Are the children momzerim; the result of a prohibited relationship?

The RCA claims that it would never retroactively reject conversions and that to do so would be a blatant Torah violation.

Yet, Herzfeld writes, "We now know that the RCA is casting aspersions on prior conversions by its own members. We know this thanks to Karen Brunwasser, who last month wrote about her personal ordeal in The Washington Jewish Week.

Brunwasser spelled out how, despite her "Orthodox" conversion nearly 35 years ago, she was rejected by the Israeli chief rabbi’s office in her initial attempts to establish her Judaism and thereby marry her beloved fiancé. She wrote movingly of the emotional turmoil she went through and how she was concerned that it might affect forever her relationship with the new family she was hoping to join.

In Israel, according to the UTJ Viewpoints web site, ”The Israeli (former) Chief Rabbi Shelomo Amar has disallowed conversions of all Orthodox rabbis other than Haredi rabbis with whom he is familiar. Thus, converts of Orthodox rabbis, serving in Orthodox pulpits, converting Gentiles into practicing Orthodox Jews, are not recognized as kosher converts in Israel. According to R. Amar, he wants stricter standards. R. Amar has failed to publish his stricter standards and he does not articulate what he believes to be the legitimating Torah standard."

Israel capital Moves to D.C.

 

Apparently the decision making for the Jewish state has moved to Washington D.C.

Perhaps Israel's prime minister got the word when he crawled to the Muslim at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

In any event, the U.S. State Department, always and forever in appease-the-Arabs mode, told the terrorist Abu Mazen that despite any Israeli position to the contrary, the PA does NOT have to acknowledge that Israel is a "Jewish" state.

According to Al-Quds, "State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki, answering questions from its reporter, suggested that within the context of any final agreement between the two parties, Palestinian recognition of Israel may not play a critical role."

Since the Israeli PM seems to think otherwise, it is obvious that he and all other Jewish residents of Israel need to pack their bags and, as the foolish old man in the president's chair once told an American woman, "Go back where you came from."

The far left, which assuredly agrees with the Al-Quds report, may be in for a surprise when Abu Mazen & Company absorb the Israeli sliver of a state into a Greater Palestine that, in turn, will be part of a Great Caliphate stretching from New Turkey, the Muslim-only one, to a Morocco sans Mohammed VI. Abu Mazen promises that his Palestine will be "Judenfrei" - free of all Jews, even the far left appeasers.

Abu Mazen and Friend

According to an article on the Times of Israel web site titled the Palestinian daily claims U.S. isn’t insisting the PA recognize Jewish Israel, "Al-Quds claims State Dep’t says key Israeli demand is not critical to peace talks, but spokesperson’s reported comments don’t appear in briefing transcript."

Israel's PM called for Abu Mazen to recognize the Jewish state, and in doing so, tell your people, the Palestinians, that while we might have a territorial dispute, the right of the Jewish people to a state of their own is beyond dispute. In recognizing the Jewish state, you would finally making clear that you are truly prepared to end the conflict. So recognize the Jewish state. No excuses, no delays, it’s time.

Speaking to youth activists of his Fatah party Friday, Abu Mazen responded to Netanyahu, saying there was “no way” he would recognize Israel as a Jewish state and accept a Palestinian capital in just a portion of Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

Israel HaYom headlines a similar story Ahead of US visit, Abbas refuses to recognize Israel as Jewish state and leads off with U.S. State Department says spokeswoman says that while U.S. recognizes Israel as a Jewish state, the Palestinians do not have to do so in a peace agreement

It quotes Psaki as saying ""The American position is clear, Israel is a Jewish state. However, we do not see a need that both sides recognize this position as part of the final agreement."

"The parties have to agree to what will be in a framework and what will be a part of the path forward for negotiations."

Where are the Left's Voices against Egypt

 

Egypt bars Leftists from entering Aza

 

In an Associated Press (AP) article by Maggie Hyde, heded Activists heading to Gaza stuck at Egypt airport, we learn that "More than 40 women on their way to Gaza as part of a delegation for World Women's Day are staging a sit-in inside the Cairo International Airport after being refused entry into the country since Tuesday, airport officials in Egypt and activists said Thursday."

Had Israel prevented these women from entering Aza the world would be up in arms; how DARE those Jews prevent these peace loving women from visiting those equally peace-loving folks in Aza.

Where is the noise? Where is the condemnation of Egypt?

What excuse did the Egyptians offer for preventing the group's travel to the Hamas-controlled Strip? According to the article, Egyptian airport and foreign ministry officials denied that the activists had been denied entry for any reason other than security concerns.

"Foreign Ministry spokesman Badr Abdel-Attie said that the group had not been allowed to travel to Gaza through Egypt because they did not have the proper licensing.

"Abdel-Attie said that the security situation in the Northern Sinai Peninsula is too precarious for Egypt to secure the passage of the large group, due to government operations against "terrorist groups" there. He said the group had contacted the Egyptian government before traveling, and that officials told the group to delay the trip until things had quieted down."

So, the women, from the U.S., France, and Belgium, are staging a sit-in inside the Cairo International Airport

Meanwhile,

Iran sells missiles to Israel

Paid for by PA

It's a repeat of an old joke going back to the Yom Kippur War when Egypt's Third Army managed to cross the Canal.

The Third was surrounded by Israeli troops and forced to abandon its Russian-provided weaponry. Tanks quickly were repainted with Israeli colors.

Israelis joked that the Russians simply were delivering the weapons to Israel via the Egyptian army.

Now, Syria allegedly returns some medium-range rockets to its supplier, Iran and Iran forwards (resells?) the weapons to Hamas in Aza.

Since the Israelis were on to the plot, they tracked the weapons as they floated past Sudan's coast. According to the Israelis - and "confirmed" by Obama's sources - the rockets were supposed to be off-loaded in Sudan and then transported to Aza via Egypt.

To its credit, Egypt has been interdicting weapons bound got Hamas as much as it can given its resources in the areas in which smugglers operate.

Iran's crazies always are threatening to send rockets into Israel; perhaps this is what the ayatollah intended.

It would make a good Purim spiel.

Ukraine, Russia The Crimea Who owns it?

The border news du jour is Crimea, a peninsula attached to the Ukraine, a country that once was subservient to Russia until the downfall of the Soviet Union.

The dispute, between the Ukraine, to which the Crimea is attached, and Russia, which has "interests" on the Crimean peninsula, including a naval base near

P U R I M

Purim - What it is not

Purim is NOT a Jewish version of halloween, a pagan-cum-Paulist holiday. According to Tomorrow's World, a Jesus-focused web site:

Centuries before the birth of Jesus, pagan Rome celebrated February 15 (beginning the evening before, February 14th) as a sensuous festival in honor of the idolatrous worship of Lupercus — the deified "hero-hunter of wolves."

The ancient Roman practice especially encouraged young persons who were "going steady" to indulge in licentious acts of fornication. Church leaders in the late fifth century sought to infuse into the festival of "Lupercalia" a Christian value by renaming it "Saint Valentine's day." On the pagan Lupercalia, "handed down from the Roman festival of the Lupercalia, celebrated in the month of February... names of young women were put into a box and drawn out by men as chance directed," (Encyclopedia Americana, article, "St Valentine's Day.")

Roman church leaders in the fifth century debated the inclusion of the festival Lupercalia in "Christian Rome." Due to the immense popularity of the holiday with the pagan "cum Christian" Roman citizenry, it was decided to include the holiday—except for "the more grossly sensual observances." In 496 A. D. Pope Gelasius "Christianized" the pagan Lupercalia by changing the name and day of observance from the 15th to the 14th of February.

Moreover, on halloween, people threatened neighbors and strangers alike with "trick or treat" the meaning being either you give us a treat or we'll give you a trick (as in tipping over an outhouse, beating up a person, or otherwise causing the reluctant giver distress. Purim, on the other hand, sends, preferably at the hands of a child, gifts to neighbors and friends.

Purim - What it is

Purim is a post-Biblical story that came to life during the reign of Persian King Ahasuerus אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, better known by his Greek name, Xerxes I, who ruled over 127 counties, "from India to Ethiopia." He lived between 486 to 465 BCE. (Source: Bible.org.)

NOTE: All transliterations are from "The Book of Esther" Illustrated by Arthur Szyk, published by the Maariv Book Guild & American-Israeli Publishing Co.

Ahasuerus, in the third year of his reign, wanted to show off his riches so he threw a party. Meanwhile, Vashti, Ahasuerus' queen, was putting on a party in her quarters.

Ahasuerus ordered his queen to appear before all his guests so they could look upon her beauty. Vashti took exception to this and refused.

It may not be nice to fool with Mother Nature, but it could be fatal to refuse a king's command. Encouraged by his counselors to consider that Vashti's refusal would send a message to other women to disobey their husbands, Ahasuerus had to do something. What he did - at his counselors' instigation - was to take away all of Vashti's properties and her right to come to the king. He also ordered a search for a new queen.

Enter Hadassah, a/k/a Esther.

According to the Megelah (scroll), Esther was "of beautiful form and fair to look upon."

Somehow, and the story is silent here but it seems to have been a round-up of good-looking women, Esther ended up in the custody of Hegai, the keeper of the women.

Esther was an orphan, but she had an uncle, Mordecai, who hung around the gate to Shushan, Ahasuerus' capital.

To condense the story, Esther becomes queen and the evil Haman plots to murder all the Jews, starting with Uncle Mordecai who seems to best him at every turn. Haman cons the king into declaring a day when Jews across his kingdom can be massacred.

Mordecai learns of Hamen's plan and convinces a reluctant Esther to show the king Haman's true colors. She does; Ahasuerus sees, Haman (and sons) is hanged, and Ahasuerus issues a decree that Jews can defend themselves.

As the story goes, we are attacked, we defeat the enemy, we eat.

Now, go read the whole megillah (which, incidentally, is but one of five, the others are:
Ruth רות
Song of Songs שיר השירים
Lamentations קהלת
Job איכה)

The story of Ruth is read on Purim evening and again on Purim morning. Men have an obligation to hear the megillah twice. Source: ילקות שמ''ש קצד

Purim practices

For most people, Purim falls on the 14th day of Adar (Adar Bet/Adar 2 when there are two Adars - leap year). However, for Jews in Jerusalem and all other cities that had walls when the events in the story unfolded, the megillah is first read on the evening of the 15th of Adar and again on the morning of 15 Adar (remembering that the Jewish day starts in the evening). Source: ילקות שמ''ש קצג

The reading may begin anytime AFTER three medium stars are visible. Source: קצור שלחן ערוך השלם של ר מרדכי אליהו הלכות מגלה

A mourner in the first 7 days (shiva) treats Purim as if it is a Shabat. Source: קצור שלחן ערוך השלם של ר מרדכי אליהו הלכות מגלה

Women may read the scroll for themselves with the blessings. ). Source: הילקות שמ''ש קצג Women are allowed to chant the Scroll of Esther on behalf of men if no competent men are available, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the late Sefardi chief rabbi, ruled in February, 2009. Source: HaAretz.

Only the hazan must stand as the blessings are recited and the megillah is read; all others may sit for both. Source: ילקות שמ''ש קצו

If there is a brit melah on Purim, the brit takes place before the megillah. Source: הוד יוסף חי קנג

A woman may write a megillah if she has the knowledge. Source: הוד יוסף חי קנד

When Purim falls on a Sunday, the pre-Purim fast is pushed back to Thursday. However, if there is a brit on Thursday, the meal should be postponed for everyone until after the fast ends. Source: קצור שלחן ערוך השלם של ר מרדכי אליהו הלכות מגלה ג

To honor the day, people should dress in clothes suitable for Shabat. Source: קצור שלחן ערוך השלם של ר מרדכי אליהו הלכות מגלה ד

Mishloach Manot and Matanot La’Evyonim

The day after Purim, Rabbi Meir Shalom of Porisov would invite the town’s poor to his home and give them a sum of money and other help. His students asked him: “Didn’t they receive a considerable amount of mishloach manot and matanot la’evyonim (money distributed to the needy on Purim) only yesterday? Why is it so urgent to give them charity now, the day after Purim?”

The tzaddik (righteous man) answered, “On Purim everyone knows it is a great religious obligation to distribute matanot la’evyonim, but they might think such a mitzva (good deed) applies only to Purim, rather than year-round. Therefore, I took it upon myself to remind the community that it is obligatory to give charity the rest of the year too.”

Purim is one of several times during the year when Jews have added incentive to be generous to the poor. As the rabbi in the story above ponts out, " it is obligatory to give charity the rest of the year too.”

In addition to giving tzdekah - which actually translates to "justice"; the gifts to the poor are owed to them; it is there due, and giving is a mitzvah, which may be why we learn that the poor always will be with us.

As far as mishloach manot, there are some basics from קצור שלחן ערוך השלם של ר מרדכי אליהו .

Everyone is obliged to send a gift to at least one person.

The gift must include at least two different items; two of the same, e.g., drinks, would count as only one item.

Everyone, including the poor that receives community support, must send two items to at least two (other) poor people. The gift to the poor must be money sufficient to purchase a meal.

The gifts should be given on Purim day (the 14th or 15th of Adar, depending on the location of the person giving the gift.