Beautiful Israel

I am guilty of the sin of laziness.  Miri from Yesha has been snowed in for the last two days. Actually, so have I, and I love it.  Time with the family, games, playing in the snow, and hot coffee.  Miri wants me to write another blog to make things interesting. Sorry Miri, I will have to do 'al chet' on my luxuriating in the time off.  I was thinking of writing about the Winograd report that came out.  Actually, all of the state of Israel was 'panting' in wait.  And then when it came out, it was a totally neutered report.

The Winograd report, for those who don't know, is the Israeli government-appointed commission of inquiry, chaired by Eliyahu Winograd,  retired Israeli judge and was supposed to investigate and draw lessons from the Second Lebanon War. The report was supposed to point out the mistakes, blunders and yes, blame, for the failure of the war.  It did not.  After all the waiting, after all the expectations that now, this would be the end of Olmert as the Prime Minister and we would go to new elections, it was as interesting and effective as a re-run of Gilligan's Island. 

Most all of us expected the report to bring down the Olmert government.  After all, heads had to fall. Amir Peretz who was the Minister of Defense, lost his position.  The Chief of Staff of the IDF, Dan Halutz  was also forced to resign, and so, it made sense to believe that the Olmert would follow.  After all, 'the buck stops there'.  But no, the report was so obscure, that it was almost a joke.  They didn't mention any names, not even Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's name.  They did not give conclusions of their 'findings', as they were concerned that future Prime Ministers might hesitate to make difficult decisions in the future, for fear of a commissions' nasty reports (Ch.3, para. 12).

The report could have read:
"There is someone who works in the government who erred greatly which led to the failure of the Second Lebanon War and destroyed Israel's deterrent factor.  It also led to the deaths of many soldiers who, if the government person was more prepared and experienced, could have prevented the loss of life.  We're not SAYING that the one responsible is the HEAD of the Government.  We mean, it COULD be, but we're not actually saying it EXACTLY. And we're not IMPLYING that there weren't irresponsible BLUNDERS, but maybe we shouldn’t be so hard on these dunce heads because it might make some people defensive and maybe, heaven forbid, bring down the government that has to stay in power (as U.S. President Bush wants) ."

Oh, Puleeze,,,,

I have to admit, though I tuned in for the special press conference and was listening to the report, it bored the heck out of me. I knew that I SHOULD watch and listen to it, but I kept switching channels looking for a re-run of Gilligan's Island.

WHO GOT TO THESE PEOPLE?  Who 'convinced' them not to name names in this long, long 617 page report?  Who convinced them not to point out blame with names, so those responsible could actually take responsibility for it?  The nation was waiting for justice to take place so we could possibly go to new elections. 

Who didn't want new elections to take place besides the weak Olmert? 

Let us go back a few weeks in the news and recall the visit of U.S. President Bush.  He came here in order to prop up Olmert, in order to push forward his vision for a New Middle East with the establishment of a Palestinian State. As soon as he stepped off the plane, he is reported to have said to one of our ministers, Eli Yishai, not to leave the government.  "Tomorrow we will have a long, intensive talk in the course of which I will try to convince you not to leave the government…” Bush said.  Now, whenever someone says they want to have ‘intensive talks’, you can be sure there is going to be a LOT of arm twisting, threats and whatever else it is going to take to get their agenda through. Bush was here for approximately two days.  After meetings and photo ops, Bush then left the country with these words to the Israelis:  Keep Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in power. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/124883

So WHO wanted to keep Olmert in power, that COULD?  Who had the means to do so?  Whose people got to the Winograd commission and neutered them, making sure no names were mentioned, so ‘the buck stops here’ man didn’t get the finger pointed at him? I don’t claim to have the answer.  However, I find it hard to believe that after all the hoopla about the damage the report was going to bring to Olmert, and then it turns out to be a nothing report, that SOMETHING must have happened.  You decide. 

 And so, I will write no more here about the 617 page Winograd report that was so intense, and yet didn’t finger Olmert, the main one, who if he had any honor, would take responsibility and resign.  I have nothing more to say about it.  Instead, I am looking out my window, watching the beautiful snow melting off my car, and I want to relish these last two days at home with my family when we had no school, and we were with family throwing snow balls, building igloos and snowmen in the beautiful Land of Israel.

I am going to leave you with these two beautiful pieces and a thought as well.
What would have happened if our ancestors, whose blood flows through our veins, rejected the land of Israel?  See this clip below, and remember how it must have been to leave the super power of the world, Egypt, and go into the desert with an old man, Moshe, just for the privilege of living in The Promised Land.  See below, and only then continue to read (please).  Make sure your speakers are open, and thanks to the reader who sent me this a while back.... 

And last, I thank again our brave and idealistic ancestors who came to Israel when it was a barren desert land, filled with swamps, malaria, and corrupt, hostile Moslem, Ottoman government.  There were no universities, no operas, no good shopping, no beautiful gardens, no high paying jobs, only what looked like an awfully hard future of back breaking work, malaria, and Arab raids.  Yet they came, against all logic.  Why?  Because they yearned for the Land.  They yearned to work towards something bigger than themselves.  And they put their ‘safety’ secondary to their dreams.  It’s bigger than you and me.  As Joseph Trumpeldor, the ardent zionist said, “Tov la-moot, b’aad artzaynu”  -it is good to die for one’s land.”

Please view below, this powerpoint presentation of beautiful, beautiful Israel. (I wish I knew who to give credit to, it is just magnificent.) 

It is because of those before us, and those here today, that we have merited G-d’s gift to the Jewish people.  After viewing the presentation, ask yourself what you can do for Israel to further her advancement, and to further the building of G-d’s precious land.  Don’t miss viewing these awesome, beautiful photos (make sure your speakers are on.  A window may pop up asking you to OPEN or SAVE the powerpoint.  Choose OPEN.)  Click HERE to view, it will take a moment to load. Don't click when it comes on, the presentation will move by itself after a short pause.

Modern Day Miracle In The Land Of Israel

I was sent this email by a friend of mine, who knows the son of the person who saw this....  yah, it's one of those stories, BUT, I did confirm it by calling New York and speaking directly with Rabbi Bloom, who should be, G-d willing, on my radio show next week to speak about this.  The original email was written I believe, by the Rav's son in law, Eliyahu Rubinovich.  Here is what was written in the email:

"Rabbi Shmuel Bloom of Agudath Israel of America is a busy man involved in important matters concerning Klal Yisroel.

Why would he, then, spend a considerable amount of hours traveling to look at bananas (all the way up north near Tiberias) during his recent trip to Eretz Yisroel?

(Aerial photo of Israel)

A completely secular farmer whose produce is bananas decided that he would undertake to keep Shmitah this time around. He approached the Keren HaShviis for assistance and they stipulated that he would be registered in their program if he would also undertake to be personally Shomer Shabbos throughout Shmitah. He agreed. Keren HaShviis (Here, I was told by Rabbi Bloom, that it was actually the Otzar Bet Din of Bnei Brak) undertook to cover his farming expenses in return for which all the produce would become the property of Otzar Beis Din and would be distributed in full accordance with Halacha.

Israel has suffered a significant cold spell over the past 2 to 3 weeks. Bananas don’t like cold. Cold doesn’t like bananas. Needless to say, they don’t get along. When bananas are still growing and get hit with frost, they turn brown and become rock-solid hard.

The hero of our story, Gibor Koach the banana farmer, knew he was in deep trouble when the relentless cold hadn’t let up for over a week. He lived a distance from his orchard and hadn’t yet seen the damage with his own eyes. He began to receive calls from his neighbor farmers, who have orchards bordering his, complaining bitterly that their entire banana crop had been destroyed by the frost. He decided it was time to inspect the damage up close, no matter how painful it may be.

He drove up close to Tverya (Tiberius) to inspect his orchard, as well as those of his neighboring farmers. As he passed from one orchard to another, he was overwhelmed by the damage. Not a single fruit had survived, no tree was spared. His neighbors took quite a beating. All the bananas were brown, hard as a rock.

He could only imagine how bad his trees must have gotten it.

Yet when he finally got to his orchard, he was awestruck! ALL of his bananas were yellow and green. It’s as if his orchard was not part of this parcel of land. His orchard bordered those of his neighbors, but not a single tree of his was struck by the frost. It’s as if a protective wall kept the damage away. At first he thought he was imagining it, and as he rushed from one section of his orchard to another, the realization that more than the farmer keeps the Shmitah, the Shmitah keeps the farmer hit home.

He immediately called his contacts at Keren HaShviis and yelled into the phone, “Karah Nes, Karah Nes!” ( A miracle happened, a miracle happened!)

A miraculous modern-day manifestation of “V’Tzivisi Es HaBracha”.

There is no way to explain this other than that HaKodesh Baruch Hu keeps His promises. He says keep Shmitah, and I’ll take care of you. He sure does!

Keren HaShviis reports that farmers that until now refused to keep Shmitah, have been turning to the Keren following the losses suffered as a result of the frost, they are now ready to commit to Shmitah observance.

And so, Rabbi Bloom took the time to travel all the way to Tverya (Tiberias) and back to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon. During the previous Shmita (2000-2001) Agudath Israel of America provided over $1,000,000 to Keren HaShviis. It plans to do even more this time around."

Above Photo: Standing amidst the destruction of the non-observing fields where everything is brown.

Below Photo: Rabbi Bloom with rabbis from the Otzar Bet Din standing next to yellow and green bananas of the field that sanctified Eretz Yisroel and the Shmitah year.

     Below: Good, unharmed bananas from the Shmitah observing field.

Coincidence, or Message From G-d?

It seems like this is just too uncanny that these are all 'coincidences'.  On January 8, 2008 the day that President Bush left the USA for Israel in order to lay the framework for the establishment of a Palestinian State and the division of Jerusalem for its capital , a freak 'January' tornado swept through a city in Bush's own country.  The place hit was 'Jerusalem', Arkansas.  Coincidence? 

One church was totally destroyed in the tornado’s path.  The name of it was “Mt. Zion” Community Church.  Coincidence?   

                      Destroyed Church called, "Mt. Zion"

To see video, click HERE.  Video will load and play automatically.

One man was killed in the tornado.  He was a ‘Pope’ County resident.  His name, was Billy Carter. 

On Sunday of last week, I read out a report about this 'freak tornado' which hit Jerusalem, Arkansas. (Tovia Singer spoke about the tornado on his show after mine, on Wednesday) I was emailed by a few people last week to write on the tornado, but I didn’t have time to do it until now.  So, let’s examine some interesting ‘coincidences’ here.
 
1)  A tornado in the month of JANUARY?
2)  This tornado hits a city called  ‘Jerusalem’.
3)  It destroys a church called, ‘Mt. Zion’.
4)  Hits in a place called ‘Pope’ County

All this on the day Bush leaves for Israel to wage war on G-d by going against the Bible and dividing the Land of Israel.

The very next day, Thursday January 9th,  another calamity strikes America.  As Israel experiences a very heavy and unusual heavy fog during Bush’s visit, central Florida gets hit with a freak heavy fog.   A mega 70 car accident takes place.  The worst highway disaster in Florida’s history.   See video by clicking HERE.   (Video will play after one ad).

What is interesting here is the number 70.  A neighbor of mine whom I often give a lift to, was waiting at the gas station near where Bush’s entourage passed on its way to Ramallah. The roads were closed down and he was stuck waiting and watching. He saw Bush’s entourage pass by.  He counted 70 cars. 

70 cars driving with Bush to Ramallah in heavy fog, and 70 cars in a horrible accident in Florida under heavy fog.  Coincidence? 

Let me remind you again what I wrote in a blog on the significance of the number 70 that we keep seeing in the news these last few weeks.  The number 70 is the number of nations that met in Paris, France, to raise billions of dollars to create a viable (enemy) Palestinian State.  70 is the number that the letters Gog and Magog add up to.  Gog and Magog is the war of the Nations of the world who come against Jerusalem and Israel.  And the nations of the world, numbers 70 according to the Bible as explained in the story of the Tower of Babel where G-d mixes up the people with 70 languages, who then disperse to become 70 different nations.

Is all of this JUST a coincidence?