Vivian, I am grateful for my membership with State of Tel Aviv. I have to say, that this last post of yours about Eyal Zamir's statement grieved me for Israel. This morning I just happened to read Ps. 121. It brought great comfort to me. v.3 "He who keeps you will not slumber." v.7 "The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul."
I realized, my soul needed keeping in the midst of that news. I thought, "How is He keeping Israel in the midst of WAR?" Then I began to do what David did as he spoke in Ps. 119:167 "I cherish Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly."
Sometimes I have to stop, and reflect. If God says He is my keeper, how has He done that in the past? With regard to the past 30 months of WAR, I would have to say, God has done so. A 7 front war, Yes, still ongoing, yet the death throes of a fierce enemy. Israel's leadership has determined that these enemies who have tormented Israel for decades if not centuries, must be once and for all stopped. You all are doing it! Hang on and may Israelis find God can truly "keep your soul" in the midst of the chaos of ongoing war. I truly pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for Israel and the US to have the means and fortitude to FINISH THE JOB.
Thank you for this beautiful note, Thomas. It hit the spot. As we both know - even with a divine presence.......men and women make the choices. Their decisions can be ill advised. I believe we are in a bit of a pickle in that regard. And I share your angst......when the IDF Chief of Staff makes such a comment......it behooves us all to pay careful attention. Especially the man at the top. In the meantime, we just keep on doing our best, vb
Yes, Dr. Rabbi Natan Slifkin has been saying the same about how the next election is important and how this government needs to go. In fact he sees the ultra-Orthodox who refuse to serve, work, etc as an existential threat to the state. And how this Likud is not being true to the principles of the Zionist project.
I think the threat is from both. But the problem with the ultra-Orthodx is that they are also a drain on the economy and this situation needs to change. I like Dr.Einat Wilf’s Oz Party. I don’t think anyone should be allowed to vote if they don’t serve in the army or do National Service or contribute to the workforce.
It is. But if we self-destruct then the external enemies have their work done. The haredim are anti-Zionist. And the autonomy and entitlement they claim is not only offensive in the extreme but also inconsistent with Jewish values. Four more young men lost their lives yesterday in Lebanon. And the Torah Sages? Silent.
But the Ben Gvir-Smotrich axis is also a huge problem. And Bibi lets them all run amok. The damage that this government as a whole has done to the country is so grave.
Einat is fantastic and so brilliant. Making privileges - like voting and other benefits of a democracy - are also addressed in platforms of other parties. But first.......we need an election.......and let's hope we have one.....
Yes, I really love her. I think she’s fantastic and makes so much sense. I know that the majority of Charedi are anti-Zionist, which makes no sense to me. And don’t get me started on their sense of entitlement! They don’t represent Torah values in my opinion but a skewed version. There’s nothing in the Torah that says anything against work or serving in the army. Also the rabbis that served on the Sanhedrin also had jobs!
Yes, you and I are in total agreement on these points. If Begin were alive today none of this would have been allowed. There is no way that he would have allowed a Khanist like Ben Gvir to be in the Knesset or allowed anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox, who represent the opposite of what Likud stands for to get away with murder. Bibi unfortunately is more interested in staying in power and letting Gvir-Smotrich run amok along with not condemning the Hill Top extremists who deserve the full weight of the law be thrown upon them along with prison. I can’t tell you how disgusted I am as a religious Zionist Jew of what Bibi’s done. I really hope the elections get rid of this rot. You should check out Slifkin’s new book The Lions of Zion: Biblical Natural History and the Significance of Israel. Maybe you should have him on your show in future. He’d be a fascinating guest. He has a son in the army. And two of my friend’s son are in the IDF, one is in Givati. Anyway, want to wish you a Pesach Sameach. A safe and happy one. NB# this is my boy Sox. He’s 14 and loves Afikomen🐾
Vivian, thank you very much for responding to me. Here is a link to a JNS story about a family in Dimona after the missile attack. I think it speaks to the core of who Israelis are. "We will never be defeated. For God is with us."
Hi Miriam. If I have to choose between a fragile coalition and a unified military, I choose the military every time.
Maintaining a right-wing government is a tactical preference for many, but maintaining the integrity of the IDF is an existential necessity. A government that "tears the state apart" to stay in power is eventually left ruling over a fractured house that cannot defend itself. True strength lies in a government that can command the respect of the people it asks to go into battle.
My perspective aligns with your view of "pro-Israel" priorities, versus survival of a right-wing coalition as the primary safeguard against existential threats.
Couldn't agree more. We are two peas in a pod. The really twisted part is that Bibi is a very smart man and he knows exactly what he is doing to this country. He is undoing so much of his fine legacy in order to hang on......i think in particular of his reforms when he was Minister of Finance in the early 2000s. Extraordinary work that he did to wrangle and reduce ultra-orthodox entitlements. And now he is just caving to every extremist demand.....whatever the cost, literally and metaphorically. Moral corruption - the worst. I honestly cannot get worked up about champagne and cigars. But this? This will be our undoing.
The really “twisted' part” as you succinctly put it Vivian, is that he’s too smart to plead ignorance. He knows the math of the draft and the budget doesn't add up. When a leader chooses power over the very math of national survival, “moral corruption” is the only phrase that fits IMO. Where do you think the breaking point is for the secular “backbone” of Israel that’s currently footing the bill?
Vivian, I am grateful for my membership with State of Tel Aviv. I have to say, that this last post of yours about Eyal Zamir's statement grieved me for Israel. This morning I just happened to read Ps. 121. It brought great comfort to me. v.3 "He who keeps you will not slumber." v.7 "The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul."
I realized, my soul needed keeping in the midst of that news. I thought, "How is He keeping Israel in the midst of WAR?" Then I began to do what David did as he spoke in Ps. 119:167 "I cherish Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly."
Sometimes I have to stop, and reflect. If God says He is my keeper, how has He done that in the past? With regard to the past 30 months of WAR, I would have to say, God has done so. A 7 front war, Yes, still ongoing, yet the death throes of a fierce enemy. Israel's leadership has determined that these enemies who have tormented Israel for decades if not centuries, must be once and for all stopped. You all are doing it! Hang on and may Israelis find God can truly "keep your soul" in the midst of the chaos of ongoing war. I truly pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for Israel and the US to have the means and fortitude to FINISH THE JOB.
Thank you for this beautiful note, Thomas. It hit the spot. As we both know - even with a divine presence.......men and women make the choices. Their decisions can be ill advised. I believe we are in a bit of a pickle in that regard. And I share your angst......when the IDF Chief of Staff makes such a comment......it behooves us all to pay careful attention. Especially the man at the top. In the meantime, we just keep on doing our best, vb
He runs the Biblical Museum of Natural History in Beit Shemesh. I’ve been following and been a subscriber for years.
You should follow Dr. Rabbi Nathan Slifkin’s Rationalist Judaism. He’s been warning about the damage the ultra-Orthodox are doing to the State
i do. There are many of us speaking and writing about this......for years.....but if we do not have a change of government and soon......we're done.
So much to say about that demographic. I'll look at the lnks you send - thanks.
Yes, Dr. Rabbi Natan Slifkin has been saying the same about how the next election is important and how this government needs to go. In fact he sees the ultra-Orthodox who refuse to serve, work, etc as an existential threat to the state. And how this Likud is not being true to the principles of the Zionist project.
I agree with him on all counts. The real threat to this state is domestic - and it is not the Arabs. It is extremist Jews......imo.
I think the threat is from both. But the problem with the ultra-Orthodx is that they are also a drain on the economy and this situation needs to change. I like Dr.Einat Wilf’s Oz Party. I don’t think anyone should be allowed to vote if they don’t serve in the army or do National Service or contribute to the workforce.
It is. But if we self-destruct then the external enemies have their work done. The haredim are anti-Zionist. And the autonomy and entitlement they claim is not only offensive in the extreme but also inconsistent with Jewish values. Four more young men lost their lives yesterday in Lebanon. And the Torah Sages? Silent.
But the Ben Gvir-Smotrich axis is also a huge problem. And Bibi lets them all run amok. The damage that this government as a whole has done to the country is so grave.
Einat is fantastic and so brilliant. Making privileges - like voting and other benefits of a democracy - are also addressed in platforms of other parties. But first.......we need an election.......and let's hope we have one.....
Yes, I really love her. I think she’s fantastic and makes so much sense. I know that the majority of Charedi are anti-Zionist, which makes no sense to me. And don’t get me started on their sense of entitlement! They don’t represent Torah values in my opinion but a skewed version. There’s nothing in the Torah that says anything against work or serving in the army. Also the rabbis that served on the Sanhedrin also had jobs!
Yes, you and I are in total agreement on these points. If Begin were alive today none of this would have been allowed. There is no way that he would have allowed a Khanist like Ben Gvir to be in the Knesset or allowed anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox, who represent the opposite of what Likud stands for to get away with murder. Bibi unfortunately is more interested in staying in power and letting Gvir-Smotrich run amok along with not condemning the Hill Top extremists who deserve the full weight of the law be thrown upon them along with prison. I can’t tell you how disgusted I am as a religious Zionist Jew of what Bibi’s done. I really hope the elections get rid of this rot. You should check out Slifkin’s new book The Lions of Zion: Biblical Natural History and the Significance of Israel. Maybe you should have him on your show in future. He’d be a fascinating guest. He has a son in the army. And two of my friend’s son are in the IDF, one is in Givati. Anyway, want to wish you a Pesach Sameach. A safe and happy one. NB# this is my boy Sox. He’s 14 and loves Afikomen🐾
Yes, I know you and others have spoken about this. Something needs to change! I plan on making Aliyah with my dog next year, G-d willing🙏
Your dog will love it!!!!
Vivian, thank you very much for responding to me. Here is a link to a JNS story about a family in Dimona after the missile attack. I think it speaks to the core of who Israelis are. "We will never be defeated. For God is with us."
https://www.jns.org/feature/wedding-ring-found-in-a-home-destroyed-by-an-iranian-ballistic-missile
Hi Miriam. If I have to choose between a fragile coalition and a unified military, I choose the military every time.
Maintaining a right-wing government is a tactical preference for many, but maintaining the integrity of the IDF is an existential necessity. A government that "tears the state apart" to stay in power is eventually left ruling over a fractured house that cannot defend itself. True strength lies in a government that can command the respect of the people it asks to go into battle.
My perspective aligns with your view of "pro-Israel" priorities, versus survival of a right-wing coalition as the primary safeguard against existential threats.
Couldn't agree more. We are two peas in a pod. The really twisted part is that Bibi is a very smart man and he knows exactly what he is doing to this country. He is undoing so much of his fine legacy in order to hang on......i think in particular of his reforms when he was Minister of Finance in the early 2000s. Extraordinary work that he did to wrangle and reduce ultra-orthodox entitlements. And now he is just caving to every extremist demand.....whatever the cost, literally and metaphorically. Moral corruption - the worst. I honestly cannot get worked up about champagne and cigars. But this? This will be our undoing.
The really “twisted' part” as you succinctly put it Vivian, is that he’s too smart to plead ignorance. He knows the math of the draft and the budget doesn't add up. When a leader chooses power over the very math of national survival, “moral corruption” is the only phrase that fits IMO. Where do you think the breaking point is for the secular “backbone” of Israel that’s currently footing the bill?
See this too: https://rationalistjudaism.substack.com/p/mirror-image?r=7eeax&utm_medium=ios
Check out: https://rationalistjudaism.substack.com/p/wartime-looting?r=7eeax&utm_medium=ios