Passover Celebrates the Jewish People's

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When Take a chance. quitting because he can’t move anymore, Lieberman was running for President, a dancer quitting because he’s sweating the only people who were talking about What was the too much, but I never heard of a per- him being a Jew were the Jews. You didn’t most moving former who’s making a decent living, hear the goyim even mention that he’s moment in your quitting. The egomania is there as long as Jewish, because they’re past that stage. life? you live. It’s like you never hear of a I hope you don’t politician quitting. Everybody else is 65, What is your opinion of President mind if I tell you that I they retire. A politician...is first getting Bush? think that’s a ridiculous started. At 95, they’re still running some I respect his sense of purpose and dedi- question. In life, there country. cation to fighting terrorism. Ariel Sharon are thousands of moving told me personally that, in his opinion, moments. How does a per- Speaking of elderly politicians, did the best President for the State of Israel, son recall every moving Shimon Peres invite you to his 80th since its birth, is Bush. [Sharon] says, you moment? Who could tell birthday bash? don’t know how much [Bush is] on our which moving moment is the Shimon Peres is not too crazy about me. side because he is so hounded by world most moving moment? Do you Two years ago I wrote a column on why I opposition to his policies. sit around with a ruler, judging: consider Arafat a fake, so he wrote me a “This was more moving than the letter pleading with me to realize that What is the source of the greatness of other most moving moment?” Yasser Arafat is our only hope. the Jewish people? It’s in G-d’s Torah, it’s all in the Torah: val- Are Jews and gentiles really so Do you think people still believe that ues of scholarship, of study, of learning, of different? Arafat is our only hope? giving, of caring, of sharing, of helping, of You sneeze in front of a gentile, they wish I don’t think there are too many Jews doing as much for others as yourself, of you the best. In front of a Jew: “Oh, did waiting for Yasser Arafat to be the leader doing more for others than for yourself, of you see a doctor?” And if you tell them, of a peace movement. When the bringing nothing but love and “I’m all right”—they say, “No, the way you President of the United States peace on this earth. sneezed—didn’t look all right to me. If I said Arafat is not a peace part- were you, I’d look into it.” You can change ner, it became obvious to every What is the Jewish the subject and talk about catching gentile in the world, and the people’s greatest contri- bution to the world? Saddam Hussein; an hour later they’re Jews couldn’t delude them- still up to it: “Don’t forget what I told selves anymore. Wouldn’t it be Me! you. I didn’t like the sound of that ironic if somebody is stand- sneeze. You never know—a cold will ing over your head with an lead to pneumonia; pneumonia will ax, and you’re the only per- lead to lumbago. I read in the paper son who believes it’s a about two Jews who passed away flower pot? from salmonella.” I think it has a lot to do with the whole history of Would having a Jewish persecution. Jews are always wor- President be a blessing ried about their survival and pro- or a curse for tecting each other from forces American Jewry? that they can’t predict or explain. Subscribe: 877.OK.SPIRIT or EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Dovi Scheiner EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS: NOTE: The views of Kosher Spirit are not www.KosherSpirit.com Neria Cohen, Shalom Doron, Malka Percal necessarily those of the ~. ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Sara Levy Advertise: 917.912.3684 COVER ART: Angela Pryor, KOSHER EDITOR: www.apryordegarat.com Feedback: [email protected] Rabbi Chaim Zalman Levy DESIGN: www.spotlightdesign.com ~ Kosher | 3 By Michael R. Bloomberg urim is a holiday filled with traditions that center on fam- ily and community—whether it’s baking and eating hamentashen, exchanging gifts of food with our neighbors, dressing in costumes, or reading the Megillah. But it Pis also an ageless story of perseverance, faith, and strength. It celebrates the victory of Esther and Mordechai over an evil opponent who wanted to eradicate the Jews. It reminds us of the strength that comes with unity and faith. That’s a timeless message—and also a timely one, both for the people of Israel in the wake of recent terror- ist attacks, and for the people of New York as we continue to rebuild our great city. This past summer, the world once again saw the ruthless face of terrorism. Anywhere that terror strikes—in the Middle East or in the streets of Lower Manhattan—it’s an assault on all free people. That is one reason why I traveled to Jerusalem in August, along with Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, Brooklyn Councilmember Simcha Felder, and former Mayor Ed Koch. We visited the Western Wall and then boarded the No. 2 Egged bus to ride a route that had been a recent target of terrorism. We lit candles at the site of the bombing on Shmuel Hanavi Street, to honor the memories of the 21 people who were killed in the attack, and spoke with the rescue workers who had acted so courageously. We met with the injured at Hadassah University Medical Center; one terror victim whom we visited was just one month old. Afterwards, we walked the streets of Jerusalem and demonstrated that the people of the City of New York stand united with the people of Israel. Although the recent attacks took place halfway around the world, they brought loss and grief to many of our neighbors in New York City. As a city that has been struck by terrorists, we share the anguish and the outrage of our neighbors, and our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones in the attacks. After the attack on the World Trade Center, offers of help and expressions of support poured into New York City from people around the world. That meant more to us than we can ever say, and we’ll never forget those who stood by us. Now, in the face of these barbaric crimes, it’s our duty to show solidarity, demonstrate our humanity, and proclaim our resolve to stop terrorism everywhere. And so, while Purim is one of the jolliest of Jewish holidays, we cannot forget the people across the globe who have suffered from terrorism. Our hearts, once filled with sympathy for the struggle of our ally Israel, today well with empathy, as we face a common enemy. The special kinship New Yorkers feel with Israel is stronger now than ever. Like Israelis, we are members of a free society; we cherish our liberties. No matter what the terrorists do to shake our will, we will never let them win. Michael R. Bloomberg is the Mayor of New York City. 4| ~.org This is the Wimpy Age—Popeye’s friend Wimpy, that is— the meat-crazed mooch who famously offered to “pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” illions of Americans are embracing the dietary laws. Jews do eat meat. In fact, the Talmud teaches, that’s what Okay, maybe not the same dietary laws found in the transforms an ordinary meal into a Sabbath or holiday feast. Bible, but the eating habits of the whole country have Simchah, true joy, can be attained only with bassar v’yayin, meat changed almost overnight. Forget Pepsi, we’re the No-Carb and wine. Animals, says the Midrash, were created before Adam MGeneration. Stick to the meat part of meat-and-potatoes, and so that they would be available for his table, just as a king pre- you’re golden. Have steak every day, even for breakfast if you’re pares food in advance for his most favored guest. so inclined, and America’s most popular diet promises you’ll live But before you tear into that rib-eye, there’s something else close to the proverbial 120. Dr. Atkins spread the gospel: Thou you should know. Judaism agrees with the meat of the vegetari- shalt not eat carbs.

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