DOCSLIB.ORG

Dawning of Our Redemption?"Redemption?"////Yehoshua Grunstein

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Dawning of Our Redemption? ISRAEL AT 663333---- still the "dawning of our redemption?"redemption?"////Yehoshua Grunstein A] Introduction My rebbe, Rav Yehuda Amital z"l [Sermon for/on Yom Ha -atzma'ut 2005 -http://www.vbm-torah.org/yyerush/yh65-rya.htm ] Although intellectually I understand the importance of our celebration today, it is psychologically and emotionally difficult for me to rejoice. One reason for this difficulty concerns upcoming events in Gush Katif ….. Along with my anxiety for the residents of Gush Katif , I also have grave concerns, which s hould not be hidden, regarding the security situation following the disengagement, and regarding the political results of the disengagement process as well… Beyond these problems, there is another factor that clouds my joy: we are all part of Religious Zionism, a movement that is currently in deep crisis …This year we are hearing, for the first time, some voices from within the Religious Zionist camp calling on us not to celebrate Yom Ha-atzma'ut and not to recite Hallel . Although several leading rabbis have denounced this call, the very fact that rabbis have come out with a statement that "We have no portion and inheritance in the Lord of Israel" must give rise to very serious questions. What is the origin of this confusion, which has completely reversed the attitude of many people towards the State? It seems to me that the main problem stems from the fact that among various groups, doubts have begun to arise concerning the expression, " reishit tzemichat ge'ulateinu , the beginning of the flowering of our redemption." … After the Oslo Accords, when Israel transferred a few cities to Palestinian control, I participated in a panel discussion in New York with some other Israeli rabbis. One of the questions raised was whether it was still possible to speak of the "beginning of the flowering of our redemption," following the handing over of territories to the Palestinians….Rather, I would say that if we believed in "the beginning of the flowering of our redemption" in 1948, then we could certainly still use this term after the Oslo Accords. BBB]B] Two "Prayer"Prayer---- Responses" to the existence of the State of Israel 1 2 Prayer for Israel/Rav Yisrael Broide Prayer for the welfare of Israel/Rav Hertzog 1 Rabbi Sir Israel Brodie , Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the commonwealth (1895, Newcastle – 1979), educated at Balliol College, Oxford, served as a Rabbi of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation (1923-1937), finished the War as Senior Jewish Chaplain. He became Chief Rabbi soon after the war at the age of 53 when he faced a difficult time due to the ending of the British Mandate in Palestine. He presided over the post-war expansion of the United Synagogue. Through the Conference of European Rabbis, which he founded and led, Brodie took a significant part in rebuilding the religious life of European Jewry after the Holocaust. Brodie undertook a number of pastoral tours throughout the Commonwealth, and strengthened the community in a quiet but significant manner, although the closing years of his tenure were overshadowed by religious dispute. On his retirement, he was knighted "for services to British Jewry"[1]; the first Chief Rabbi to be so honoured. 2 Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog (1888- 1959), born in Łom ża, Poland, and moved to the United Kingdom with his family in 1898, where they settled in Leeds. Auto-didactic in rabbinic studies [and taught by his father, Yoel Leib Herzog rabbi in Leeds and then later in Paris], he attend the Sorbonne and then later the University of London, where he received his doctorate in Marine biology on the renewal of the Techelet. Rabbi Herzog served as rabbi of Belfast [1916 to 1919], rabbi of Dublin [1919], and thereafter Chief Rabbi to the Irish Free State from 1919, and thereby Chief Rabbi of the Ireland [1922-1936], when he immigrated to Palestine to succeed Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook as Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the British Mandate of Palestine and of Israel after its independence in 1948. While visiting the USA to bring relief during WW2, he was told that Romel's forces were coming closer to Israel and at great personal risk returned to be with his people there. Following the Holocaust, he went to great efforts to find children hid in convents during the ִבינ ֶ ַַָמִי, צר ִיְָרֵאל ְוגֲאל, ֵָרְֶאת ְמִדיַנת ִיְָרֵאל, ֵראִית ְצִמיַחת ְ אֵָתנ. ָהֵג! ָעֶליָה ְֶאְבַרת ַחְסֶ%ָ, ְפרֹ ָעֶלי ָ ה (סַ)ת ְלֶמָ, ְַלח אְרָ ַוֲאִמְ*ָ ְלָראֶיָה, ֶָריָה ְויֲע ֶ ציָה, ְוַתְ+ֵנ ְֵעָצה ָ הטב ִמ0ְָפֶניָ. ַחֵ/קֶאת ְיֵדי ְמִגֵ.יֶאֶר- ָקְד ֵ נ , ְוַהנ ְִחיֵלֱאלֵֹהינ ְיָעה ַוֲעֶטֶרת ִנ3ָח! ְ*ַע2ְֵר ,ְוָנַתָ* ָל ֶָר- ְוְִמַחת עָל ְליְֶביָה. ְוֶאת 6ֵחינ ָ)ל ֵית ִיְָרֵאל ְ 5 ָקד7 ָנא ְָכל 6ְרצת 5ְזֵריֶה , ְותִליֵכְמֵהָרה קְמִמ:ת ְלִצ:! ִעיֶ רָ ְוִלירַָלִי ִמְַ)! ְֶמָ, ַ)ָ)תב ְתַרת מֶה ַעְבֶ%ְ: " ִ א ִיְהֶיה ִָנַ%ֲח ְִקֵצה ַהַָמִי, ִמָ ְיַקְֶצָ ה'ֱאלֶֹהיָ ִמָ ִי ָ + ֶחָ. ֶוֱהִביֲאָ ה' ֱאלֶֹהיָ ֶאל ָהֶר-ֲאֶר ָיְרֲאבֶֹתיָ ִויִרְָ*<, ְוֵהִיטְבָ ְוִהְרְֵָמֲאבֶֹתיָ ) " דברי ל,ד7ה). ְוַיֵחד ְלָבֵבנ ְל6ֲהָבה ְלִיְרה ֶאת ְֶמָ , ְוִלְמֹרֶאת ָ)ל ִ%ְבֵרי *ָרֶתָ. ְַלח ָלנ ְמֵהָרה ֶ ! ָ%ִוד ִ ְמיַח ִצְדֶקָ, ִלְפ%ות ְמַחֵ)יֵק- ְיָעֶתָ. הַפע ֲַהַדר ְ@א! He who blessed our ancestors Avraham, Yizchak and Yaakov, shall (עֶ/ָ ַעל ָ)ל יְֵבי ֵ*ֵבל 6ְרֶצָ, ְויַֹאמר )ֹל ֲאֶר ְנָָמה 56ְ: "ה' bless the State of Israel, it's leaders and counselors on the land that ֱאלֵֹהי ִיְָרֵאלֶמֶל ְ , ַמְלכתו ַ)ל ָמָָלה". ֵמ! ֶסָלה was promised by G-d to be given to us. Put in their hearts the love and fear of you so they lead it in ways of peace and justice, and may we be privliged to see the fulfillment of the prophesy "from Zion "Our Father in Heaven, Protector and Redeemer shall Torah go forth and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Put of Israel, bless the State of Israel the dawning of peace in the land and eternal joy on it's inhabitants…and put the our redemption. Shield it beneath the wings of canopy of peace on all the inhabitants of the land… your love. Spread over it your canopy of peace; send your light and your truth to its leaders, Rabbi Lord Emanul Jakobowitz officers, and counselors, and direct them with "reservation of judgment on whether the present State of Israel is in your good counsel."O God, strengthen the defenders of our Holy Land; grant them salvation fact the embryonic nucleus out of which the ultimate Redemption is and crown them with victory. Establish peace in bound to develop with all its universal ramifications of the the land, and everlasting joy for its inhabitants. "Remember our brethren, the whole house of Messianic era." Israel, in all the lands of their dispersion. Speedily ("The National Idea -Differing Religious Attitudes" in L'Eylah, Spring 5737). let them walk upright to Zion "Unite our heart to love and revere your Name, and to observe all the precepts of the Torah. Shine forth in your glorious majesty over all the inhabitants of the world. Let everything that breathes proclaim: The Lord God of Israel is King; His majesty rules over all." Amen. war and worked hard in bringing relief to DP camps. Rabbi Herzog was recognized as a great rabbinical authority, and he wrote many books and articles dealing with halachic problems surrounding the Torah and the State of Israel. Indeed, his writings helped shaped the attitude of the Religious Zionist Movement toward the State of Israel, such as how to work an army, hospital and police force in a Jewish country especially on Shabbat and the Festivals. CCC]C] Partial=something! 1 ) ירושלמי, פסחי, פרק י'/א מניי! לארבעה כוסות ? רבי יוחנ! בש ר' בנייה 7 כנגד ארבע גאולות ( והוצאתי והצלתי וגאלתי ולקחתי ). ). רבי יהושע ב לוי אמר כנגד ארבעה כוסות של פרעה Jerusalem Talmud Pesachim 10/1 - how do we know we need 4 cups [for the seder]? R' Yochanan in the name of R' Benaya said; since there were 4 sayings of redemption ["and therefore tell the people of Israel I am the Lord and I will take you out…and save you…and redeem you…and take you to me"). R' Yehoshua ben Levi said; since they were 4 "cups" of Pharaoh [Beresheit 40- "and the cup of Pharaoh was in my hand and I squeezed it into the cup of Pharaoh and put the cup in the hand of Pharaoh and I gave the cup in Pharaoh's hand]. 2 ) שמות פרק ד/י"ד7 " וַ:ֹאמֶ ר ִ י אֲ דֹנָי ְלַח נָא ְיַד *ְִלָח" Shemot 4/14 - "and [Moshe] said G -d send this mission in hand of some [other] messenger" • רש"י [ש] 7 ביד אחר שתרצה לשלוח, שאי! סופי להכניס לאר- להיות גואל לעתיד. Rashi 3-in the hands of the other that you will send, as I won't eventually be the one to bring them to Israel to be their eternal redeemer. • מדרש ילקוט שמעוני [ שמות ג/ רמז קעא 7] אמר לו רבו! העולמי " שלח נא " ביד אותו האיש שאתה עתיד לשלוח לעתיד לבוא . אמר לו 7 לא אמרתי ל " ואשלח אל י שראל " אלא " אל פרעה ", ולאותו האיש שאתה אומר אני שולח אותו לעתיד אל ישראל " הנה אנכי שולח לכ את אליה הנביא" . Midrash Yalkut Shimoni- Moshe said; "Master of the universe; "send" in the hands of that person that you will eventually send." G-d responded "NO- I told sent you to "the Jewish people" but rather "to Pharaoh". And that person to whom you'r referring, I will sent him in the future, as it says "and I will be sending Eliyahu Hanavi." 3 ) ירושלמי יומא ג/ב רבי חייא רובא ורבי שמעו! ב! חלפתא הוו מהלכי! בהדא בקעת ארבל בקריצתה .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MS-603: Rabbi Marc H. Tanenbaum Collection, 1945-1992
    MS-603: Rabbi Marc H. Tanenbaum Collection, 1945-1992. Series D: Internationalional Relations Activities.Activities. 1961-1961 1992 Box 58, Folder 4, FFalashas,alashas, 1978-1979,1978-1979, 1985.1985. 3101 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 (513) 221-1875 phone, (513) 221-7812 fax americanjewisharchives.org 3 CD 3 THE AMERICAN MITT8& 0 January , 1985 (vi~ FAX January 10) .. date a ~re .Tan . bawn/Geor9e ·Gruen :s to Q, from M. Berna Resnikoff c subject The new Ethio ia 3 There ha been so much news, controversy, misinformation and wr gling with-respect to the rescue operation. of Ethiopia Jews t~at it was decided to devote so~e time to c refully study the matter. The meth d chosen was ~o solicit and re- ceive an invitation t join a 9roup ·of local and " foreign correspondent ,who were taken on a day-lonq tour of installations created f9r Ethiopian Jews · that took place on Ja uary 6. We visit d absorption centers, reception centers, we spoke to ewish Agency offic1als, to absorp- tion center directors ~ducators, social workers, psychiatrists and do~ ors. We were free to speak to any a~d all Ethiopian , provided, of_ course, that there was a common language We visited classrooms, assorted ulpanim for different levels, we observed baby cli'nics, syn~qogues, dining ro m balls, assembly rooms and even stockrooms. There we e no apparent obstacles to seeking any and al~ informati the only limitation being that of language. · • One of t e principal findings of this trip is that thi·s is, by f r, the most difficult absorption of any group of Jews.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall 2009 No
    Fall 2009 No. 322 Ahuzat Yeladim Celebrating 70 years WIZO’s Day Care Centers Shana Caring for the Environment Latin American Congress Tova Successes and Challenges Women’s International Zionist Organization for an Improved Israeli Society You Are WIZO’s Future… Let’s Get Together! WIZO Aviv International Seminar November 15 – 19, 2009, Tel Aviv, Israel Come join young WIZO members from 50 federations worldwide! Participate in workshops on: Membership Recruitment, Organization, and Fundraising Hear top-level speakers on: Israel Today Women’s Leadership Jewish Education Visit WIZO Projects Tour Jerusalem Leadership Training For young WIZO members up to age 45 YOU BRING A SUITCASE - WE’LL PROVIDE THE REST For further information and registration, contact the head office of your local WIZO Federation subject Editor: Ingrid Rockberger Fall 2009 No. 322 www.wizo.org Assistant Editor: Tricia Schwitzer Editorial Board: Helena Glaser, Tova Ben Dov, Yochy Feller, Zipi Amiri, Esther Mor, Sylvie Pelossof, Briana Simon Rebecca Sieff WIZO Center, Graphic Design: StudioMooza.com 38 David Hamelech Blvd., Photos: Lilach Bar Zion, Allon Borkovski, Israel Sun, Tel Aviv, Israel Sharna Kingsley, Mydas Photography, John Rifkin, Tel: 03-6923805 Fax: 03-6923801 Ingrid Rockberger, Ulrike Schuettler, Yuval Tebol Internet: www.wizo.org Published by World WIZO Publicity and E-mail: [email protected] Communications Department Cover photo: Children in WIZO’s Bruce and Ruth Rappaport reinforced day care center in Sderot celebrate the New Year. Contents 04 President’s
    [Show full text]
  • צב | עב January Tevet | Sh’Vat Capricorn Saturn | Aquarius Saturn
    צב | עב January Tevet | Sh’vat Capricorn Saturn | Aquarius Saturn Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 | 17th of Tevet* 2 | 18th of Tevet* New Year’s Day Parashat Vayechi Abraham Moshe Hillel Rabbi Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov Rabbi Salman Mutzfi Rabbi Huna bar Mar Zutra & Rabbi Rabbi Yaakov Krantz Mesharshya bar Pakod Rabbi Moshe Kalfon Ha-Cohen of Jerba 3 | 19th of Tevet * 4* | 20th of Tevet 5 | 21st of Tevet * 6 | 22nd of Tevet* 7 | 23rd of Tevet* 8 | 24th of Tevet* 9 | 25th of Tevet* Parashat Shemot Rabbi Menchachem Mendel Yosef Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon Rabbi Leib Mochiach of Polnoi Rabbi Hillel ben Naphtali Zevi Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi Rabbi Yaakov Abuchatzeira Rabbi Yisrael Dov of Vilednik Rabbi Schulem Moshkovitz Rabbi Naphtali Cohen Miriam Mizrachi Rabbi Shmuel Bornsztain Rabbi Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler 10 | 26th of Tevet* 11 | 27th of Tevet* 12 | 28th of Tevet* 13* | 29th of Tevet 14* | 1st of Sh’vat 15* | 2nd of Sh’vat 16 | 3rd of Sh’vat* Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat Parashat Vaera Rabbeinu Avraham bar Dovid mi Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch HaRav Yitzhak Kaduri Rabbi Meshulam Zusha of Anipoli Posquires Rabbi Yehoshua Yehuda Leib Diskin Rabbi Menahem Mendel ben Rabbi Shlomo Leib Brevda Rabbi Eliyahu Moshe Panigel Abraham Krochmal Rabbi Aryeh Leib Malin 17* | 4th of Sh’vat 18 | 5th of Sh’vat* 19 | 6th of Sh’vat* 20 | 7th of Sh’vat* 21 | 8th of Sh’vat* 22 | 9th of Sh’vat* 23* | 10th of Sh’vat* Parashat Bo Rabbi Yisrael Abuchatzeirah Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter Rabbi Chaim Tzvi Teitelbaum Rabbi Nathan David Rabinowitz
    [Show full text]
  • Download Catalogue
    F i n e J u d a i C a . printed booKs, manusCripts, Ceremonial obJeCts & GraphiC art K e s t e n b au m & C om pa n y thursday, nov ember 19th, 2015 K est e n bau m & C o m pa ny . Auctioneers of Rare Books, Manuscripts and Fine Art A Lot 61 Catalogue of F i n e J u d a i C a . BOOK S, MANUSCRIPTS, GR APHIC & CEREMONIAL A RT INCLUDING A SINGULAR COLLECTION OF EARLY PRINTED HEBREW BOOK S, BIBLICAL & R AbbINIC M ANUSCRIPTS (PART II) Sold by order of the Execution Office, District High Court, Tel Aviv ——— To be Offered for Sale by Auction, Thursday, 19th November, 2015 at 3:00 pm precisely ——— Viewing Beforehand: Sunday, 15th November - 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm Monday, 16th November - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday, 17th November - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Wednesday, 18th November - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm No Viewing on the Day of Sale This Sale may be referred to as: “Sempo” Sale Number Sixty Six Illustrated Catalogues: $38 (US) * $45 (Overseas) KestenbauM & CoMpAny Auctioneers of Rare Books, Manuscripts and Fine Art . 242 West 30th street, 12th Floor, new york, NY 10001 • tel: 212 366-1197 • Fax: 212 366-1368 e-mail: [email protected] • World Wide Web site: www.Kestenbaum.net K est e n bau m & C o m pa ny . Chairman: Daniel E. Kestenbaum Operations Manager: Jackie S. Insel Client Relations: Sandra E. Rapoport, Esq. Printed Books & Manuscripts: Rabbi Eliezer Katzman Rabbi Dovid Kamenetsky (Consultant) Ceremonial & Graphic Art: Abigail H.
    [Show full text]
  • THE BENJAMIN and ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld April 2016 • Pesach-Yom Haatzmaut 5776
    Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Yeshiva University Center for the Jewish Future THE BENJAMIN AND ROSE BERGER TORAH TO-GO® Established by Rabbi Hyman and Ann Arbesfeld April 2016 • Pesach-Yom Haatzmaut 5776 Dedicated in memory of Cantor Jerome L. Simons Featuring Divrei Torah from Rabbi Benjamin Blech • Rabbi Reuven Brand Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman • Rabbi Aaron Goldscheider Rabbi Yona Reiss • Mrs. Shoshana Schechter • Rabbi Mordechai Torczyner Ilana Turetsky, Ed.D • Rabbi Daniel Yolkut Insights on the Pesach Seder from the Rabbinic Alumni Committee of the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary Rabbi Binyamin Blau • Rabbi Eliezer Muskin • Rabbi Moshe Neiss Rabbi Shmuel Silber • Rabbi Eliezer Zwickler Insights on Yom Haatzmaut from Rabbi Nissim Abrin • Rabbi David Bigman • Mrs. Dina Blank Rabbi Jesse Horn • Rabbi Shaya Karlinsky • Rabbi Moshe Lichtman Rabbi Chaim Pollock • Rabbi Azriel Rosner • Rabbi Ari Shvat 1 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Pesach 5776 We thank the following synagogues who have pledged to be Pillars of the Torah To-Go® project Congregation Ahavas Congregation Young Israel of Achim Shaarei Tefillah Century City Highland Park, NJ Newton Centre, MA Los Angeles, CA Congregation Ahavath The Jewish Center Young Israel of Torah New York, NY New Hyde Park Englewood, NJ New Hyde Park, NY Young Israel of Beth El in Congregation Beth Boro Park Young Israel of Shalom Brooklyn, NY West Hempstead Rochester, NY West Hempstead, NY Richard M. Joel, President
    [Show full text]
  • Shomrei Torah Parshat Shmini - Shabbat Mevarchim - Parshat Parah 23 Adar II, 5779 / March 30, 2019 Benjamin Yudin, Rabbi Parsha/Haftorah: Artscroll
    Shomrei Torah Parshat Shmini - Shabbat Mevarchim - Parshat Parah 23 Adar II, 5779 / March 30, 2019 Benjamin Yudin, Rabbi Parsha/Haftorah: ArtScroll. 588/1216; Hertz. 443/999; Living Torah 536/1279 Andrew Markowitz, Associate Rabbi MAZAL TOV Shabbat Schedule Claire and Jay Hirschhorn on the aufruf of their son Marcus. Mazal Tov to the grandparents, Marlo Erev Shabbat - March 29 Schachter and Julius Stern, and to the family and friends who are joining us. Early Mincha 5:50pm Earliest Candle Lighting 6:05pm HAKARAT HaTOV Candle Lighting 7:00pm Ba’alei Kriah Upstairs - Yoni Leitman, Marcus Hirschhorn Mincha/ Kabbalat Shabbat 7:05pm Ba’al Kriah Downstairs - Ari Mayefsky Shabbat - March 30 Kiddush Upstairs - Sponsored by Claire and Jay Hirschhorn, in honor of their son Marcus’ aufruf. Morning Kenny Frank Youth Minyan Kiddush– Sponsored by Pearl and Milty Frank. Denise and Leonard Schrieber were inadvertently left off as a sponsor on the Program at the Chevra Sof Z’man Kriyat sh’ma 9:53am Kadisha dinner. We thank them for their sponsorship. Daf Yomi - Chullin 123 8:15am Shacharit Downstairs Beit Medrash 8:15am COMMUNAL SEDER OPPORTUNITY WITH THE RABBI AND SHEVI Shiur by Zvi Fischer: Last year I had the privilege of attending Rabbi Yudin’s Seder. My family learned so much about the customs “Bedikas, Bitul and Biur Chometz” and traditions at the Pesach table. I mentioned to Rabbi Yudin that many of our members would likely also Main Shul 9:00am enjoy the chance to attend a Seder led by him. I’m pleased to announce that this year he’s agreed to lead a -Preceded at 8:45am by Rabbi Yudin’s shiur communal Seder on the 2nd night of Pesach in the shul.
    [Show full text]
  • “Birthplace of the Jewish People” Birthplace of the Jewish People
    Reflection upon learning with a partner ַברְ זֶ ל ְבבַרְ זֶל יָחַ ד וְאִ יׁש יַחַ ד ְפנֵי־רֵ עֵ הּו משלי כז:יז As iron sharpens iron, so too one person sharpens INDEPENDENCE the wits of their friend A RESOURCE FOR YOM HAAtzma’ut Proverbs 27:17 An invitation to reflect On Friday 14 May 1948, David Ben-Gurion’s voice was As we mark Israel’s 70th anniversary, therefore, it is the broadcast across the airwaves as he stood up in Tel Aviv perfect text to begin a learning conversation to help us and declared the independence of the State of Israel. It celebrate and contemplate the Jewish state. The Limmud was a remarkable moment, a triumphant victory for the Chavruta Project presents you with a wide selection Zionist movement and simultaneously the closing of one of sources to reflect on Israel past, present and future chapter and the opening of another in Jewish history. For through the lens of Megillat HaAtzma’ut, in conversation the first time in almost two millenia, a Jewish state was both with other texts, ancient and modern, and with sovereign in the Land of Israel. your learning partner (chavruta) or in a group. We hope The document that David Ben-Gurion read out on that the texts provide you with a springboard for a rich and momentous day, Megillat HaAtzma’ut (The Declaration of nuanced conversation. Independence), is rightly famous and parts of it are quite Chag Atzma’ut Sameach! well-known within the Jewish world. It combines a reading of Jewish history, some hard-nosed political reality and an [email protected] aspirational explication of Jewish and Zionist values.
    [Show full text]
  • Is the Western Wall Judaism's Holiest Site?
    Is the Western Wall Judaism’s Holiest Site? by F.M. Loewenberg ew beliefs have resonated more F widely, or among a more diverse set of Israelis and Jews, than the per- ception of the Western Wall as Judaism’s holiest site, the place where they feel the greatest sense of sacredness, “the holy of holies of Jewish national unity” to use the words of the Wall’s rabbi, Shmuel Rabinowitz.1 Chief rabbi of Jerusalem Shlomo An artist’s reconstruction shows where today’s Western Wall (the Amar has similarly as- area between the two dark vertical lines) lies in relation to the serted that “no one can temple complex of antiquity. For centuries, it was the upper portion, the Temple Mount, where Jews made their pilgrimages and prayers, annul the holiness of the even when it lay in ruins. Western Wall, not the government, not the courts.”2 But when did the Western Wall become the holiest Jewish site? Historical evidence suggests that the Temple Mount was actually Judaism’s “holy of holies,” and that the Western Wall’s venerated position is a relatively late development with a more prosaic and even non-Jewish origin. Would these facts change the tenor of the debate about the Western Wall’s future status? And can they help ameliorate the 1 The Jerusalem Post Magazine, Sept. 16, 2016, p. 21. 2 Ibid., June 15, 2016. MIDDLE EAST QUARTERLY Fall 2017 Loewenberg: The Western Wall / 1 widening schism between Israel’s Orthodox Wall is actually only a small portion of religious establishment and the Diaspora the retaining wall erected by Herod to encase Conservative and Reform movements over this the natural hill known as Mount Moriah or holy site? the Temple Mount in order to allow for the creation of an enormous platform upon which the revamped temple stood.
    [Show full text]
  • Making Jews: Conversion and Mitzvot YEHIEL E
    bringing to the Jewish people by accepting con- a conversation with each other — about what verts like these? For it is obviously not good for Jewishness is at its very essence and about either God or the Jewish people that converts how the changing face of world Jewry should like these should be mixed into the Jewish peo- and should not be reflected in conversion pol- SHMA.COM ple.” (Iggerot Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 157) icy. We may not necessarily agree, but we will, Feinstein’s certainty about what is good for one hopes, protect the unity, and therefore the God and the Jewish people evades most of us. survival, of the very people to which commit- Ours is an era of unprecedented complexity in ted prospective converts still seek to dedicate the formation of identity. What we need now is their lives. Making Jews: Conversion and Mitzvot YEHIEL E. POUPKO write to pick up where Daniel Gordis leaves already accepted the belief in the One God and off. His description of the dilemma we face the yoke of Torah. Having accepted the yoke of Iand of the various halakhic sources is accu- Torah, the non-Jew must perform certain rate. He calls for “a conversation with each covenant-making acts in order to become a other — about what Jewishness is at its very member of the Jewish nation. In the middle essence and about how the changing face of ages, especially among Ashkenazim, differ- world Jewry should and should not be reflected ences emerged about the extent of knowledge in conversion policy.” So let’s begin to talk.
    [Show full text]
  • Isaac Herzog – Life Story
    Isaac Herzog – Life Story Isaac Herzog has a long history of public service: He served as Member of the 16th–20th Knessets (2003–2018) and Minister in the 30th–32nd Israeli governments. Herzog held the following positions: Minister of Welfare and Social Services; Minister of Housing and Construction; Minister of Tourism; and Minister for Diaspora, Society and the Fight Against Antisemitism; Member of the Security Cabinet of Israel responsible for humanitarian coordination with Gaza; and Leader of the Opposition. Today, he is the Chairman of the Jewish Agency. Since he assumed the position of Jewish Agency Chairman, 80,000 new immigrants have made Aliyah to Israel, including during the year of the COVID-19 outbreak. Herzog has been widely admired for his professional work in all of the operational positions he has held, especially during his tenure as the Minister of Welfare and Social Services. He oversaw a comprehensive revolution and is considered one of the best welfare ministers that Israel has ever had. Statesmanship is Herzog’s second nature: He is a man of the world, knows his way around world leaders, publishes many articles across the globe, and often appears in the international media. He is very popular among Jewish communities in the Diaspora, in all the rabbinic circles and Jewish movements, as well as among the leaders of other religious communities and sects in Israel. Herzog is a man of the people: He speaks to people as an equal; he is amicable and people-loving. Herzog is considered a pragmatic, matter-of-fact, reasonable, and responsible person.
    [Show full text]
  • Attentive Spiritual Leadership SUMMER 2015 - AV 5775
    Attentive Spiritual Leadership SUMMER 2015 - AV 5775 Page 2: Beit Hillel News Page 3: The New Sabra: Dignified on the Outside; Tender Within Page 4: Modesty, Dignity and ConversionThe Role of Beit Din in the Immersion of a Woman Page 6: Lest We Pour the Convert Out with the Bathwater: The Risks of Attempting to Improv an Imperfect Status Quo Page 8: Women as Poskot Halacha Page 11: A Community Bar-Mitzvah Celebration for a Child with Cognitive Disabilities1 We are pleased to bring Neuwirth, one of the founders of Beit Hillel, who managed you the latest "Beit Hillel" for three demanding, yet satisfying years. I thank him on publication and update behalf of Beit Hillel members, friends and the board, and I you with our current hope to be able to continue to lead Beit Hillel to the place activities. it strives to be: the center of Israeli Society and the Torah world. Beit Hillel continues with its ongoing unique and Beit Hillel is a leader in realizing the potential of women in historical partnership rabbinical teaching and Halachic ruling, and leads Modern between men and Orthodox Halachic and Ideological thinking in Israel. We women in our Batei are approaching the New Year with ambitions of becoming Hamidrash. We have the main hub for Women in Torah initiatives and for Modern always believed that Orthodox activities in Israel. women should be We believe that Beit Hillel is one of the most important involved in all areas Halacha and Ideology groups in Jewish society today. Our Rabbi Shlomo Hecht of Halacha as equals, members are involved in real life activities and incorporate judged only by their informed and sensible Halachic ruling into the frameworks capability to analyze Halachic, not their gender.
    [Show full text]
  • CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E932 HON. BOB SCHAFFER HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY HON. CORRINE BROWN
    E932 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks May 14, 1997 TRIBUTE TO DAVID EATON sands of pleas from Missourians who support Herzog fought in World War II for the British REYNOLDS Matt Morrison's request for political asylum. Army, rising up to be the head of intelligence The Immigration and Naturalization Serv- in northern Germany. HON. BOB SCHAFFER ice's arbitrary interpretation of the law in the As one of the first soldiers to liberate the OF COLORADO case of Mr. Morrison and other Irish nationals concentration camp of Bergen Belsen, Herzog is an abominable injustice. There is absolutely was left with an indelible impression of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES no evidence to support that Mr. Morrison is horrors of the Holocaust. This experience un- Wednesday, May 14, 1997 now or has ever been a criminal or a terrorist. derscored his belief that Jews needed their Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Mr. Morrison is a man of principle and con- own homeland. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to David science. As a college student he was involved Soon after his return to Palestine, Herzog Eaton Reynolds, a young man from Eaton, in the struggle for freedom in Northern Ireland, fought in 1948 as an officer in Latrun, one of CO, who had planned to celebrate this day, he engaged in political protest activities and the bloodiest battles in Israel's War of Inde- his last day of high school, with friends and without benefit of a jury trial, he was jailed for pendence. From Herzog's success as an offi- classmates.
    [Show full text]