TISHA B'AV 2009

THE READING OF EICHA

From 090730 EICHA

"Hashiveinu ADONI elecha, v'nashuvah…"
(Turn to us, O L-rd, and we will return!)

ANNUAL WALK AROUND THE OLD CITY WALLS

From 090730 Walk II

Walk about Zion, and go round about her; count the towers thereof.
Mark well her ramparts, traverse her palaces;
So that you may tell it to the generation following.
For such is G-d, our G-d, for ever and ever;
He will guide us eternally. (Tehilim 4813-15)

"WE MADE ALIYAH, NOW WHAT?"

Panel discussion at the Cultural Center in Shdema, July 24, 2009.The moderator, Sharon Katz, editor of VOICES, kept things moving right along among a range of speakers: Rabbi Moshe Lichtman, author of Eretz Israel in the Parasha; Rabbi Yitzhak & Geula Twersky; Zahava Englard.
SHARON KATZ, of Voices Magazine
Thanks to two people (Americans understand real freedom and equality):
John Wayne imparted to the American people a real feeling of winning, a feeling of triumph, that good triumphs over evil, a feeling of fighting for what we believe in.
The second person is John F. Kennedy. He taught all Americans something I don't think any generation will ever forget: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country!"
I don't find one American who comes to Israel who is not willing to give to his country. Who actually tries figure out things he can willingly and voluntarily do for his country.
RABBI LICHTMAN from Beit Shemesh
One of the important components of making aliyah is a spiritual aliyah.
GAME PLAN FOR A SPIRITUAL ALIYAH: It's different for every individual because it's determined by what one can handle…. Some children have certain disabilities that hinder them from learning so they can't be expected to excel as others, nor can they be tested as others. One student may be required to take the test without open books, while another may be tested with an open book. Both may make a 100% on their test, but the handicapped child needed more assistance, he needed the open book.
Hashem does the same. He says, "I know your background, how you were brought up, and your limitations." You are expected to reach a certain level. Maybe you were one who was never meant to reach a 100%, maybe only 70%. Hashem is pleased with everyone who reaches the level he is required to reach.
ZAHAVA ENGLARD from Efrat
We need to refocus…
We need to acknowledge our role as a new generation of Zionists, take charge of it, rekindling that flame that brought us here and rekindle the Zionistic fervor throughout this country.
We are here, not merely because we decided to be here. We are here because Hashem put us here. To rejuvenate the pioneering spirit, to hold on to every inch of our land, to educate our fellow Jews here in this land and abroad that the days of the ghetto mentality are over.
We are here to refuse the doubts, the pressures from within the current Israeli society; to refuse to be absorbed into a defeatist state of affairs, and rather, to rectify the inequities of our present day leadership to be a formidable force to reckon with. A force of determination, commitment, selflessness and of emunah (faith).
RABBI TWERSKY from Neve Daniel
One might think, the purpose of having Eretz Israel is for the Jews to be able to live here. It's just the reverse. The purpose of living here is for us to have Eretz Israel.
REBBETZIN GEULA TWERSKY
(Photo: L-Rebbetzin Twersky, R-Yehudit Katzover) METAPHOR: "We have become a global society that is glued to the television. Television has taught us to sit back and watch somebody else live a life. That cultural mindset is a mindset that we need to leave behind….
"I remember when living in chutz la-aretz (abroad) feeling like I was watching Jewish history like watching a TV set, and I was watching the performance of mitzvoth like watching a show….
"Making aliyah made me realize so many things about living Judaism, understanding that the Torah, the Tenach is not a TV."
(Whereas, Geula used to read and teach the stories about Yehoshua being told to put his feet on the Land, she now actually puts her feet on those places she read about.)

COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
RABBI YORAM DURANI from Nokdim:
Every person who makes aliyah brings their own flavor to contribute to Israel. And what the American aliyah is contributing is a real sense of democracy. The Americans really believe in democracy, whereas, most Israelis don't even know what it is much less even believe in it. The second thing is the real feeling of freedom and equality. And this (education) is the responsibility of the Western olim in Israel.
MIMI
Referring to olim from the Western world: Those active in democracy have been translated as 'activists' here in Israel. On the other hand, if you look at the various ethnic groups who have made aliyah over the past number of years, we (of the western olim) have the poorest record of success in the political arena in terms in being a force and a power in politics in Israel. How can we get more political power?

OUTPOSTS: 1.Ramat Migron

From 090722 Ramat Migron

Tira-el was our English guide through the latest escapades of the outpost where five young girls are housed in one building, and the young boys are in another building. One building serves as a kitchen, and another as a synagogue. The outpost lies outside the community of Migron which has been in the news lately.
Youth on the outpost said they don't have much support from the residents of Migron. They don't necessarily approve of the youth taking that particular hilltop, even though they themselves are part of an illegal settlement. Buildings on the outpost have recently been raised to the ground, but the hilltop youth have rebuilt.

OUTPOSTS: 2.Maoz Esther

From 090722 Maoz Esther

Several residents ran out to meet us as we descended the hill viewing the scattered buildings in plowed fields. We passed empty rooms with rolled up sleeping bags, and were escorted to our spokesperson's housing quarters where 6-8 single beds were lined up at one end, a makeshift kitchen facility at the other end. The floor was nothing by a bed of rocks and stones. Literally, if a strong wind came through the whole crate would be lifted up and carried to parts unknown.
But our hostess and others provided a warm welcome atmosphere and hospitably set a table with various snacks and drinks.
Children romped on the beds as we were told the story of recent events of invading forces.
The outpost on the outskirts of Kochav HaShachar is called Maoz Esther. It has been demolished twice in one week as police swooped down and rounded up the residents, and cut off the water and electricity as they left the premises.
Even though household items were scattered among the rubbish of the buildings, the residents have rebuilt. Among the structures is a synagogue and recently they dedicated a Torah scroll in the name of Yohonadav Hirschfield, who was killed in last year's terror attack at Jerusalem's Mercaz Harav Yeshiva.
The first command given by Netanyahu upon his landing at Ben Gurion Airpost after his visit to Washington DC was the leveling of Maoz Esther and other places.
As soon as security forces left, residents, along with the help of supporters, started rebuilding in defiance to Obama and Bibi.
On another hilltop not far away, settlers built a hut they mockingly refer to as the "Obama Hut". It is a sign of appreciation for the actions taken by the Obama administration which led to a dramatic increase in the number of outposts.

OUTPOSTS: 3.Nofei Yarden

From 090722 Nofei Yarden

During the rampage of the security forces, two sheds in Nofei Yarden were demolished.
QUOTE from Binyamin Council: "We are dealing with Civil Administration officials who display heroism against caravans belonging to Jews yet show cowardice and weakness in the knees when dealing with Arab villas and buildings that are built illegally.
"The destruction in Nofei Yarden is also an act of revenge over the complaint that was filed to the police commissioner following the scandalous arrival to the scene of police officers together with seven Arabs a week-and-a-half ago.
"Afterwards, there was an attempt to infiltrate the settlement. This was the direct result of the visit by Arabs on that day. As you may recall, MK Uri Ariel raised the subject in the Knesset and now the civil administration and the police are doling out their revenge." For full report go to http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1101547.html
QUOTE from Sheik Yerbouti in his article: Rocks Hurled by THUGS at IDF Soldiers, The Jerusalem Post, http://tribes.tribe.net/mideastpolitics/thread/f89b3dcc-bd0a-41c4-bcdd-4f025fd1d7dd
"Okay, I'm not going to generalize that all settlers are violent idiots, but the people that commit acts like this are simply thugs and an embarrassment to Judaism."MY NOTE: Like I'm going to trust someone with the name of "SHEIK Yerbouti" as an authority on Judaism and the conduct of Jews?!"

OUTPOSTS: 4. Alei Ayin = אליי עין

From 090722 Alei Ayin

At Alei Ayin, there is a single stone building consisting of four walls and an awning for a roof. One wall is partially caved in, but it opens to an unbelievable view of the horizon to the East and the Moav Mountains.
Some of the boys sleep in a makeshift hut. And there are a number of big-big dogs on the premises, one of which is nothing but an overgrown, exuberant, friendly pup who was extremely happy to see newcomers and greeted everyone by wrapping us up in his rope. But don't be fooled, his papa met us with an aggressive lunge, which warned he meant business if we came too close. Papa dog will definitely sound the alarm and let the youth know when someone is approaching and may even tear a leg off if they get too close.
My little friend Chaya worked up the courage to pet the family donkey, but there is no doubt her mom, Renee, is not a farm girl and she kept her distance from anything with fur.
There was a special atmosphere about this place. We had the privilege of meeting the mother of the young man who established the place and named it after a brother who drowned in a pool when he was a small child. His name was Alei Ayn.

From 090722 Alei Ayin

This name has a beautiful significance and it originates from the Torah portion which talks about the blessing of Yosef: A son of fruitfulness is Yosef, (like) a fruitful branch by the well (alei-ayin) with branches running over the wall. (Bereshit 49:22)
The Midrash interprets the verse as: Yosef is a handsome son, a son handsome to the eye (alei-ayin)…(Bereshit Rabbah 98).
In this blessing Yosef is called "ben porat", meaning the son of a thriving, fruitful tree, a tree standing on a fountain (alei-ayin). In other words, Yosef will multiply, excel and elevate to a position in which he will be beyond the reach of 'ayin hara', the evil eye (the evil eye in Judaism refers to the curse of a jealous, envious person who covets what another has and has to destroy their prosperity or obtain the same.)
May Yosef's elevation come soon for Israel!

The SHOMRON: GIVAT ARNON

From 090707 Givat Arnon

Hill 777, an outpost also known as Givat Arnon, is technically part of the Itamar settlement to the East. The establishment of Hill 777, like that of many others, was connected to a terror attack which took the life of Aryeh Agranioni, a religious construction contractor, May 7, 2001.
Aryeh was on the night watch at the unoccupied outpost, guarding a container filled with agricultural equipment. He was murdered by terrorists, who also stole his gun in their raid.
As a result of the murder, a military permit was finally issued, enabling the Hill 777 "exiles" to return to the outpost's original location about 8 years ago. The original residents had been forced off the property during the reign of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and for a year they lived in temporary housing on Hill 830.
Some of the displaced, mainly immigrants from the former Soviet Union, remained at their temporary location, making two outposts out of one.

From 090707 Givat Arnon

Acres of vineyards, producing wine grapes, are planted on the steep slopes of the hillsides above the Jordan Valley. On the horizon to the East, the Moab Mountains rise over Jordan, and when the desert sky permits the Dead Sea is visible.

The SHOMRON: THREE SEAS LOOKOUT

From 090707 Gerizim, Ebal, Fatahland

A narrow winding road ascends to an IDF Army lookout post which gives you a bird's eye-view of Elon Moreh to the East, and MT. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim to the West. Continuing the climb on foot visitors arrive at the lookout over a valley where the Tirtza River runs through. Local Jewish residents refer to this valley as 'Fatahland', the place where terrorists are launched from. Only this lone mountain separates hostile Arab territory from Elon Moreh and Itamar.

WRITTEN ON THE SIGN 'JOSHUA'S ALTAR AT MT. EBAL':
On the mountainside of Mount Ebal, which you are now viewing, is an altar made of uncut stones that was discovered by the archeologist, Professor Adam Zartal from Haifa University. Along with the altar, dated to the time of Joshua son of Nun, ashes and bones of ritually clean animals were also found on the site.
Joshua built an altar unto the LORD, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the Law of Moses, an altar of unhewn stones, upon which no man had lifted up any iron; and they offered thereon burnt-offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace-offerings. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the Law of Moses, which he wrote before the children of Israel. And all Israel, and their elders and officers, and their judges, stood on this side of the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger as the home-born; half of them in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded at the first, that they should bless the people of Israel. Joshua 8:30-33

From 090707 Gerizim, Ebal, Fatahland

The SHOMRON: ELON MOREH

From 090707 Elon Moreh

Elon Moreh represents the pioneer spirit of rebuilding the Land of Israel after 2000 years of exile. The community overlooks the city of Shechem. It was here that Avram settled after crossing the Jordan River. And it was here he had a divine revelation of Hashem and received the promise of the land. Genesis 12:6-7:
And Avram passed through the land until the place of Shechem, until ELON MOREH, and the Canaanite was then in the land. And God was revealed to Avram, and said, 'to your descendents I will give this land', and he built and altar there to God who was revealed to him.
The history of modern Elon Moreh started when Rabbi Menachem Felix and Benny Katzover organized the Garin Elon Moreh, a group of pioneer families, in order to found a settlement in the Shechem area. There has been an ongoing tenacious battle with the Israeli government, the Supreme Court, and the Peace Now organization since the mid-70s for Jews to be allowed to stay in the vicinity. Finally in 1980, after several court battles and a number of evictions from several dismantled sites, the current location was determined to be legal 'state lands' and eligible for Israeli settlement. NOTE: "This legal interpretation was disputed, the Peace Now lawyers arguing that it constituted abuse of the Ottoman Land Law, by which common village lands were deemed to be the Sultan's property…However, in this case the Supreme Court accepted the state and the settlers' position, and the placing of the Elon Moreh settlers in the new location was upheld."Elon Moreh became a precedent-setting case and the legal method of proclaiming the West Bank to be 'state lands' was used to create many other Jewish settlements on the Shomron.
The first residents settled on the Jewish holiday of Tu B'shat in 1980, and they now have a hesder yeshiva, called Birkay Yosef.

From 090707 Elon Moreh

On the down side of their historical fight to possess the land: In 1988, Tirza Porat, a 15 year-old resident was shot dead in a nearby Arab village, during a confrontation between Jewish settlers and Arabs. She was the first Israeli civilian casualty during the first Intifada.
In 2002, an Arab terrorist infiltrated the village during Pesach, burst into the home of the Gavish family and opened fire. The terrorist managed to kill four of the residents before being killed himself. It was a painful tragic loss of three generations in one family.

SHOMRON: HAVAT GILAD

From 090707 Gilad Farm

Each so-called 'illegal outpost' has been started in memory of a Jew who was assassinated by terrorists. So it was with Havat Gilad (Hebrew: חַוַּת גִּלְעָד‎, lit. Gilad Farm) when Gilad Zar was murdered at Jit junction. It was established in 2002 named after Gilad Zar by his father and mother, Moshe and Yael Zar, who wanted to live on property close to where their son was ruthlessly murdered, a way of redeeming the innocent blood of their son.
Although the proof of purchase has not been proven satisfactorily in the court system, Moshe Zar claims he purchased the land from the Arab owner. Immediately, his younger son, Itai Zar and his wife started out living in 2 shipping containers.
Havat Gilad has remained a central controversial issue. There have been several attempts by surrounding hostile Arabs to invade the premises and destroy it. The provocateurs are leftist inciters to violence and Peace Now.
1.) Troops Oust Leftists and Arabs from Havat Gilad
Reported: May/08/09
(IsraelNN.com) Police and soldiers removed 30 Arabs and 10 leftists who came to the Samarian hilltop Jewish community of Havat Gilad (Gilad's Farm) on Friday morning. Havat Gilad residents say the Arabs and leftists were armed with rocks and large sticks but the security forces removed the intruders without violence breaking out between the two sides. Samarian Regional Council Chairman Gershon Mesika called the incident part of recurring attempts by leftist organizations to fan tensions in the area.
2.) Near Havat Gilad in Samaria, Palestinian squatters clashed with Jewish settlers who prevented them from running over Jewish fields with tractors. The Arabs hurled stones at the IDF, which arrived to protect them from the Jews.
The yishuv has been razed to the ground several times, once when the IDF violently expelled the residents on Shabbat. Even though it is on private property, it has been quite a controversial issue in the media, Israel government and the courts. Yet, it continues to grow.
Even though the farm is located on the Zar family's private property, it is still considered an un-authorized outpost and continues with no government aid. Yet, in spite of the many obstacles, Itai Zar has run the farm and has established a prefab building company on the site. The farming village has successfully increased its growth and it now has a yeshiva on the premises.
Moshe and Ya’el Zar, parents of the late Gilad: "Our presence here is meant to underscore our right to live in Eretz Yisrael, to let the people of Israel and the whole world know that all attempts to weaken and discourage us will fail. We pray that the Almighty will help us and strengthen the spirit of the people of Israel to overcome our enemies both within and without and by the merit of the Holy Torah we shall succeed."

THE SHOMRON: MT. GERIZIM

From 090707 Mt Gerizim

There is a dynamic over-view of the Biblical City of Shechem from Mount Gerizim. And there is an evolution of Biblical facts in Torah and the Tenach leading up to the modern history of the city known today as Nablus.
When the Israelites had made their way out of Egypt and after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, they finally crossed over into the promised Land. They immediately approached Shechem, which means 'shoulder', evident by the two mountains which shoulder the city on the north and the south. Shechem lies in the narrow valley between the two: Mt. Ebal and Mr. Gerizim.
Moshe commanded that the blessings of obedience to the law should be proclaimed from Mt. Gerizim, whereas its curses for disobedience would proceed from Mt. Ebal. (Deut. 11:29; 27:12-13)
The Israelites had carried Yosef's bones from Egypt when they left and buried him in the tract of land that Yaakov had bought. Yaakov set up an altar to God, the God of Israel, (El Elohei Israel) within sight of the city of Shechem.
Although much more can be found in scripture about Shechem, I want to bring the conflict about 'Kever Yosef' up to modern times.
a. Until 1903 the exact location of Shechem had been uncertain. So, it's really difficult how the Arabs can lay claim to the city during the years of the Jordanian occupation of the "territory of Palestine".
b. Israel gained control of Yosef's Tomb following the Six Day War in 1967.
c. In the mid-80s a Jewish yeshiva and a military outpost were built at the site.
d. In 1995, the area came under the jurisdiction of the PLO, thanks to the Oslo Accords.
e. 1996, the tomb was attacked and 6 IDF soldiers were killed in the riot.
f. 2000, seventeen Palestinians and one IDF soldier were killed in bloody fighting at the tomb. The IDF withdrew, the tomb was ransacked, the yeshiva demolished. The tomb's dome was painted green, the color of Islam, and the speculation was the Arabs intended to build a mosque on the site.
g. 2003, the carved stone covering on the grave was destroyed.
h. 2007, Breslav Hasidim return to the site for the first time in 2 years. The tomb had been vandalized and filled with burning garbage.
i. 2008, vandals set fire to tires inside the tomb. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas declared the tomb a Muslim holy site.
j. 2009, a group of Jewish worshippers who entered under the cover of dark, found the headstone smashed and swastikas painted on the walls. Impressions of boot prints were on the grave itself.
Daring, religious, bodacious Jews still endanger their lives as they stealthily enter Nablus, the city of volatile hatred, to visit Yosef's Tomb.
As far as the eye can see, hundreds if not thousands of illegal buildings are going up in the city in expectation for the 'return of the Palestinians'.

SHDEMA, 17th Tammuz 2009

From Shdema, Tammuz 17th 2009

July 9th, was the Fast of the 17th of Tammuz in which Jews mark the day of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the enemy, breaching of the walls which led, three weeks later, to the destruction of the Temple.
Today, thousands of years later, the Jewish People once again has enemies who are attempting to breach the walls of Jerusalem in order to destroy us. The siege on Jerusalem is a different kind of a siege. No more a Roman army sitting at the outskirts of the city but rather the UN, the EU, the Obama administration and others who are trying to choke us by preventing us from settling our G-d given Biblical Homeland.
The way to prevent today's enemies of Israel from choking us and breaching our walls, is by expanding and settling all over the land of Israel.

From Shdema, Tammuz 17th 2009

From Shdema, Tammuz 17th 2009

One of the places we are fighting to keep in our hands is Shdema. For those not yet familiar with our struggle there, please click on http://womeningreen.org/shd.htm
The 17th of Tammuz 2009 we started our Land of Israel seminar in Shdema in Gush Etzion, on the road between Har choma and Tekoa.
We call upon the people of Israel to participate in the upcoming seminar in Shdema and thus be a partner in the struggle for a Jewish Shdema, which encapsules the struggle over Eretz Israel.
With love for Israel,
Women in Green and The Committee for a Jewish Shdema
Link to pictures: (click and scroll down the Hebrew page to click on the pictures)
http://www.womeningreen.org.il/new/page.asp?id=msdn&privet=art&ida=395

SEMINAR OF THE EVENING

Aryeh Klein
Subject: The Historical-Geographical Background of Shdema (in Hebrew)

Dr Chaggi Ben Artzi
Gave a lecture in Hebrew: "about our neighbor King Herod - the implications of Herod's kingdom on the destruction of the Second Temple"
Mincha with Sefer Torah and Maariv was followed by a light meal to break the fast, thanks to some wonderful dedicated women.
The evening ended with the heart-wrenching screening of the movie by Aliza and Yuval Ginzburg "Katif Dream", in memory of four years since the expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif.