SLEEPER CELLS

RE: Your 2/6/09 Show

You and Malkah were talking about Muslims infiltrating countries as sleeper cells. I recently returned to the small town I was raised in, in Oregon. A town of 1000 population, completely white, and other than my family, cousins, Aunts Uncles completely Christian. This is a community of Loggers, farmers and ranchers. This is a model rural American Town, white, nice, uncomplicated in acts of kindness to their neighbors ect. As a Jew I found something that shock me to the bone, that re-enforced my commitment to Aliyah.

My wife and I haven't been back other than for a week in 12 years. We so much looked forward to the return to see people we hadn't seen in years, friends and family. Also to revisit old memories and locations such as walking out of town on the railroad tracks to a train trussel where there is a swimming hole in the river named Elk Creek where I swam as a boy. You get the picture.

One day my wife was ill and therefore she went to the doctors clinic in town for some medicine. As she sat there reading a magazine passing the time waiting for her turn to see the doctor three women came into the waiting room and Shannah nearly dropped the magazine as her jaw hit her lap. Three Muslim women in full garb, veiled like they were in Saudi Arabia entered the waiting area. My wife thought maybe they lived somewhere else, surely they didn't live here, she questioned the receptionist and to her/our horror, these Muslim families quietly moved into the country near town a couple years ago and keep to themselves other than shopping or using a doctor. They are everywhere!!!

I think they choose communities like this one due to the trusting nature of the locals. People who live here think the best of people, they see the terrorist actions of the world happening anywhere but here, after all this has always been a 'safe' community, right? When I grew up my parents, like most locals never, ever, not even once locked their doors not even on vacation. Now! B''H my brother who lives there is now considering aliyah after seeing the new Muslim families. He doesn't accept "Islam is a 'peaceful' religion."

Daniel, Cleveland

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Yishai, Shalom,
 
I loved your response to Vienna Mike on your blog. You hit the nail on the head, Mike is all about negativity, which you describe as a characteristic of Amalek.
 
Elections:
I read interviews of MK's Aryeh Eldad and Benny Begin in the "Olam Katan" Parsha sheet.
 
Benny Begin said the Supreme Court is the "protector of democracy" and opposes Jewish prayer on har ha-Bayit.
 
Whereas Aryeh Eldad said that we should rebuild the temple and offer korbanot there !!!
 
That was enough for me to make up my mind, I'm voting Tet.
 
I admire Moshe Feiglin and I wish him success, but I have a feeling that in the year 2024, he will have more excuses why he didn't make it in the Knesset that year. Bibi will continue with his dirty tricks to prevent Manhigut from achieving any real gains.
 
Besides, Lieberman and Livni didn't have the Likud brand name behind them, and they are doing well in the polls. Why? Because the media is behind them. The media pretends to be against Lieberman but it is actually building him up.
 
Lastly, regarding Amalek & negativity, Rav Nebentzahl uses the word "Leitzanut" for the same purpose. He describes Pharoah, Amalek, and Korach as practitioners of "Leitzanut" which he defines as "Bitul" or nullification by ridiculing something in a way that bypasses logic.
 
He asks how can Pharoah chase after the Israelites after all the plagues he has suffered.  Because he nullifies the plagues in his mind. How could Amalek dare to attack Israel when 40 years later, people in the land of Canaan were still frightened because of the plagues and  the parting of the reed sea.
 
An even better example is Korach, who brought a woman before the people and told a fictitious story about how she lost all her belongings because of tithes to Moshe and Aharon. The story is obviously false, because they hadn't entered the land of Israel yet.  Also, if the woman had been too poor to pay tithes, she might have been exempt from tithes. But Korach was a demagogue, he wasn't interested in the facts or logic, he wanted to sway the people, and he used "leitzanut" for this purpose.
 
kol tuv,
Dan

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Dear Yishai and Malka,

As always I enjoy listening to your programmes, and enjoy the insights you give us on the stormy events through which the Jewish people are going. I listened to the beginning of your Thursday programme discussing whom to vote for – I didn't have time to listen to the whole 3 hours, so forgive me if what I am about to say is irrelevant.
 
You talked about the merits of voting for a prime-ministerial party, and about Moshe Feiglin's strategy. My take is different:

1. It is important to have a strong ideological party in parliament which must be taken into account by the 'prime-ministerial' parties.

2. Such a party, if it is big enough and even if it sits in the opposition wields a certain influence. This is because coalitions are often fickle and riddled by different factions vying for conflicting interests. Bad legislation can often be prevented by a large ideological party causing friction between coalition partners (e.g. between the Haredim and the prime-ministerial party), and also between factions within parties (e.g. putting pressure on the ideologues of the Likud).

3. A large ideological party will be appointed to parliamentary committees, and will also have easier access to the public's ear (even through our biased media) than the man in the street.

4. A large ideological party, which raises the flag of Torah and the Land of Israel, is in itself a public statement of confidence which will encourage more people to join Land of Israel activism.

5. None of the 'prime-ministerial' parties are truly ideological. The people in the Likud are mostly there for the ride, and Bibi's worst nightmare is that the press label him a 'right wing extremist' – remember where he, Limor Livnat and all the other big mouths were until 3 days before the expulsion; remember how Bibi and Co did not issue an effective ultimatum to Sharon, when a 60-40 Likud vote against the expulsion was brazenly ignored…and of late, did Bibi even open his mouth against Barak's political vendetta against the good Jews of Hevron's Peace House, or against the massacre of Amona?

6. That there are a handful of ideological people in the Likud does not mean that we should vote for a list where 80% are there for the ride. Isn't it better to vote for a party where 100% are there for the ideology?

7. If Tzippi Livny gets in by the skin of her teeth, so be it. She will make a fractious coalition ridden by egoistic interests which will not have the moral authority to do any serious damage to the Land of Israel or to the Torah (which are in fact one and the same thing) – as the saying goes, only the Likud can (expel Jews, close Arutz 7…).

8. As for Moshe Feiglin, these are the third elections in which he has been manoeuvred into irrelevance. He is a good man with sound ideology, but if he has not yet understood that he is barking up the wrong tree, his supporters should tell him that in plain language.
 
This time round we have a sound ideological party which can represent the Land of Israel and true Torah values, and manned by people who are true ideologues… come on, vote "Ihud Leumi", we need every single vote!
 
Blessings,
Yoni,  Petah Tikva

Breaking Out Of Egypt

Shalom Yishai and all the "talk show hosts" of INR,

I am from the state of Georgia, near Tallahassee, florida. My occupation is in transportation. My occupied life is Torah and INR. I listen to your shows downloaded on MP3 at a minimum of 16 hours daily. When I am not performing my duties as a truck driver, such as paperwork or speaking with shippers and receivers. I am listening to ALL the show hosts from after prayers, until just before I sleep. Regardless of the hour. My life. My day. My breath. My blood. My exsistence centers around Torah, Teshuvah,(which is constantly (returning) to Hashem), some say repentence. I am careful to perform Miztvot, with every possible opportunity, and without jepardizing unspoken rules of protecting Torah, from those who would harm it.

Some say that guarding Torah and sharing it are a conflict. But the conflict comes, when Mitzriam is allowed to over rule. I find that obedience brings instant flow of ink in the pen, the wrist, the lips and the Neshama. I consider listening to your programs and those of the other hosts, as well as Akiva Tatz, Elijahu Kein and a large group of others, to my best teaching aides. To recognize you all as Rabbi's, or teachers, or instructors, is the honor that I have. Baruch Hashem. Each of you supply me with a great wealth of information in your own special way, as you allow Hashem to utilize you in your talents. Malkah and Tamar are the top of my list of women, I would never hesitate to listen to for instruction. I am a JEW. But I am a far different Jew, than most you have ever known or will ever know. Please allow me to explain: I have not converted. I have not traced my geneology. I have not had someone tell me, I look or sound like a Jew. However. I am certain unto death....that I am without doubt! A Jew. Six years ago I heard the words...Sh'ma Israel. Hashem Eloheinu Hashem Echad. I understood them to be translated as..."hear and obey". Still without further explaination. I began to do as I understood. I began to STUDY Torah. Not with fever or childish zeal. But with a fear and trepidation, that I finally had the answers to all the questions of my life.

As I learned more - I needed more. As I needed more - I discovered that I was in the wrong environment, to learn the truth. I was in a messy-frantic congregation. As others began to discover some of their own questions. They also moved on. My family now observes Shabbos and my company honors my requests to be home for that celebration on a weekly basis. Although I am the only person, who has stayed strong. I am also the only person out of 3,500 families, who has not backed down. I wear my Tallis and tzitzit, throughout my travels. I do all prayers every day, with Love and excited interest. My family observes All the festivals of Pesach, Shavuous, Succot, as well as all those not mentioned. We observe and adjust our calendars to the lunar months. We are learning Hebrew and also learning to read it. Which is tuff. But we do not claim our home as in georgia, or the usa. Our home is in Eretz Yisrael. And some day Hashem permitting. We will make Aliyah and die in Israel.

Our commitment and allegiance and reason for living is Torah and our community of Israel. Hashem has comforted my family through many trials of learning and streatching, and we are humbled and blessed, because of that. We extend our prayers to Hashem for you and Aryi and Jeremy and Tovia and Phil and all those who have won our hearts. We have a group who prays Tehellim for the IDF, POW's and those who have given their lives and for you and your families. We also pray for those in Hebron, who have lost their homes We also pray for the family in the recent loss of their son, in a fire in the Gaza, (Johnaton Ben Malkah). But especially for Johnathon Ben Malkah Pollard and his release, and renewed strength for his wife. In closing. Hear me well please. There are many popular citizens in the usa, who are spoken of as(christians), who say they are doing certain things and visiting certain people in prison.And making GRAND television appearances, in the name of and the cause of......... That they are going to washington and speaking to certian high officials, about the release of and better treatment of certain people. That they luuuuvvvveee Israel....beware of the definition of a christian today and that of 2000 years ago.

True. We have allies praying for us...The Jews. But there is major publicity in supporting JEWS in certain lights and circles. I could be the same type of person. But I am not. Whether I am ever accepted by the nation of Israel as a Jew. Or not allowed to make Aliyah. Or ridiculed by the usa and others, because of my choices. I will never change. Please reply if you'd like. If not? Shalom and may Hashem Bless and keep all of you. May His Countenance be your covering. May he cause his facce to shine upon you and your families and your friends and their families.

Ron

DELUSIONS

MIKE WROTE: So, Yishai, you have admitted ...that the purpose of your blog is to make your readers close your eyes to the reality of Medinat Israel and instead indulge in narcissistic happy talk until Arab tanks come crashing through the walls of their little Happy Bubble.

Yishai: No Mike, I admitted that there are bad things but the reality of Israel is beautiful! Jerusalem is being built, all my Olim friends are having babies, and the Tel Aviv stock market is doing well. If people want to see the more negative sides, they can probably visit your erudite blog. Here they will see what I see, the amazing rebirth of a nation and the birth pangs that accompany it.

You also stated openly that anyone who refuses to indulge in happy talk will be kicked out of the Sacred Happy Bubble Space lest they disturb the happiness of the narcissists therein.

Yishai: Mike, are you delusional? Did I kick you out? I asked you to go away nicely because your negative attitude and your choice of words bores me to no end. Your tones betrays your real perspective  - pessimism and a lack of respect for others. You never write nicely challenging me. No, you are just plain mean and therefore I know that your ideas are flawed. What do you know about Israel - what you read on the internet? Do you know the amazing day-to-day today life of Israel? Do you share in the ecstasy of the holidays here? No.

And I would forgive it all if you did not write so beligerantly.

Thank you for your honesty. You illustrate perfectly everything that is wrong with the Dati Leumi. You have learned nothing from the murder of R.Kahane(z"l), from Gush Katif, from Amona, from the Peace House expulsion.... In fact, you would rather close your eyes and close your ears and sing happy songs. Reality is just too depressing.

Yishai: Good, I'm glad you think so. Only, that I do the opposite of closing my eyes. I live here, am involved in politics and in Aliyah, in child raising and in building. I am doing my part for the future of Israel. At least I put it on the line. I have skin in the game.

You keep worshipping the alien Israeli State instead of Hashem. And then you have the audacity to wonder why Hashem keeps punishing you! I suggest that you carefully review the prohibitions against putting a stumbling block before the blind.

Yishai: A. I don't worship the State. You lump me in with others so easily and conveniently. I have always said that the State is just a tool for the Jewish people to live on the land of Israel. When the tool misbehaves, it must be corrected. When it is acting properly, it works in the service of G-d.

B. I have NEVER wondered why Hashem punished me. I AM ALWAYS wondering why Hashem has chosen to bless us so robustly! Why do I merit to be in this amazing time so filled with blessing? Wow. I get to drive in Jerusalem! J-E-R-U-S-A-L-E-M!!! But then Mike, I know you have no problem sticking words in my mouth: And then you have the audacity to wonder why Hashem keeps punishing you! Right... You got it... You really stumped me... How can I have an intelligent conversation when my opponent ascribes to me such ridiculous statements.

C. I suggest that you carefully review the prohibitions against putting a stumbling block before the blind. I suggest that you carefully review the prohibitions of being an Amalakite stooge - that is, being the agent of cynicism and negativity about the Jewish return to the Land of Israel. The Amaliktes always try to cool the excitement of the Jews and replace belief with doubt. I notice that whenever a moment of positivity reaches these pages, that suddenly Mike and the crew are there to help "control" the situation, reminding us all of how bad it is. Well, I find it boring, small minded, and often, factually incorrect.

Still, as I have said before, there is hope for Mike and the crew, because they clearly care, and that is far more than many zomby assimilationists. So, cheers to you Mike!

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Daniel Wrote: Abusing Yishai

Yishai, I don't think anyone is abusing you personally. This is how I see it: Medinat Yisrael has done terrible things to the Jewish people. You're trying to cover it over with cute fuzzy pink bunny talk and convince more yidden to go to Israel. But if and when they do so, they will have terrible things done to them... so what have you achieved, except for robbing them of their lives in chul?

Yishai: I have helped many people make Aliyah, and NO ONE has told me that I robbed them of their life in America. So your theory sounds nice, but holds no water. The State of Israel, on the whole, allows Jews to live in the land of Israel by providing roads, water, and security. This is the main job of a state and ours does it well to a large extent. I am working on making it better all the meanwhile. If I was trying to cover terrible things I would work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As it is, I work for A7 and and the settlement movement - trying to fight the State and the popular paradigm where it has gone awry.

The situation in Israel pains us all. That's why we read A7. It's that pain you're hearing. And the "pink fuzzy bunny talk" while the land under your feet is burning. What upsets me more, though, is the "attack"... others are worse, but some letters you've published are full of zilzul for Jews in chul bordering on sinat chinam. I personally would like you to make a clear statement that you do not see Jews outside Israel as "not religious enough", "stupid", "ignorant", "spoilt", or any of the other nasty adjectives which others have used.

Yishai: Here is my clear statement: Jews outside of Israel should make every effort to make Aliyah. Hashem is ingathering the remnant of the Jewish people, and all those who want to follow Him nearly will jump at the chance that the modern times have afforded - namely, to fulfill the commandments of the Torah in the Holy Land. There are many exceptions, Kiruv being one of them, but barring such an exception, every Jew should strive to return. This is how I understand the Torah and the will of G-d. This is also how I understand my own personal mission of helping the ingathering move along. This is not zilzul (contempt) - this is ahavat Yisrael!!! I want to see, hug, live with, and make Aliyah to the Temple with my brothers and sisters. I am not in the business of deriding fellow Jews - I am in the business of loving them and living side by side with them. Daniel, don't get stuck on minutiae. Come home and be part of the big game.