Down with Chanukah

All Jews celebrate Chanukah, including Jews who have assimilated in the gentile lands of the Diaspora, and the most diehard Israeli leftists. This is particularly odd since Chanukah represents everything which they hate - towering Jewish pride, an absolute commitment to Torah, a life of holiness, a vervant longing for the Beit HaMikdash, and a supreme dedication to Eretz Yisrael.

Once again, we will let Rabbi Meir Kahane do the talking:

DOWN WITH CHANUKAH
   
If I were a reform rabbi; if I were a leader of the Establishment whose money and prestige have succeeded in capturing for himself the leadership and voice of American Jewry; if I were one of the members of the Israeli government’s ruling group; if I were an enlightened, sophisticated, modern Jewish intellectual, I would climb the barricades and join in battle against that most dangerous of all Jewish holidays — Chanukah.

It is a measure of the total ignorance of the world Jewish community that there is no holiday that is more universally celebrated than the “Feast of Lights,” and it is an equal measure of the intellectual dishonesty and hypocrisy of Jewish leadership that it plays along with the lie. For if ever there was a holiday that stands for everything that the masses of world Jewry and their leadership has rejected — it is this one. If one would find an event that is truly rooted in everything that Jews of our times and their leaders have rejected and, indeed, attacked — it is this one. If there is any holiday that is more “un-Jewish” in the sense of our modern beliefs and practices — I do not know of it.

More than an imitation Xmas

The Chanukah that has erupted onto the world Jewish scene in all its childishness, asininity, shallowness, ignorance and fraud — is not the Chanukah of reality. The Chanukah that came into vogue because Jewish parents — in their vapidness — needed something to counteract Christmas; that exploded in a show of “we-can-have- lights-just-as-our-goyisha-neighbors” and in an effort to reward our spoiled children with eight gifts instead of the poor Christian one; the Chanukah that the Temple, under its captive Rabbi, turned into a school pageant so that the beaming parents might think that the Religious School is really successful instead of the tragic joke and waste that it really is; the Chanukah that speaks of Jewish Patrick Henrys giving-me-liberty-or-death and that pictures the Maccabees as great liberal saviors who fought so that the kibbutzim might continue to be free to preach their Marx and eat their ham, that the split-level dwellers of suburbia might be allowed to violate their Sabbath in perfect freedom and the Reform and Conservative Temples continue the fight for civil rights for blacks, Puerto Ricans and Jane Fonda, is not remotely connected with reality.
 
This is not the Chanukah of our ancestors, of the generations of Jews of Eastern Europe and Yemen and Morocco and the Crusades and Spain and Babylon. It is surely not the Chanukah for which the Maccabees themselves died. Truly, could those whom we honor so munificently, return and see what Chanukah has become, they might very well begin a second Maccabean revolt. For the life that we Jews lead today was the very cause, the real reason for the revolt of the Jews “in those days in our times.”

What happened in that era more than 2,000 years ago? What led a handful of Jews to rise up in violence against the enemy? And precisely who was the enemy? What were they fighting for and who were they fighting against?

For years the people of Judea had been the vassals of Greece. True independence as a state had been unknown for all those decades and, yet, the Jews did not rise in revolt. It was only when the Greek policy shifted from mere political control to one that attempted to suppress the Jewish religion that the revolt erupted in all its bloodiness. It was not mere liberty that led to the Maccabean uprising that we so passionately applaud. What we are really cheering is a brave group of Jews who fought and plunged Judea into a bloodbath for the right to observe the Sabbath, to follow the laws of kashrut, to obey the laws of the Torah. In a word, everything about Chanukah that we commemorate and teach our children to commemorate are things we consider to be outmoded, medieval and childish!

At best, then, those who fought and died for Chanukah were naïve and obscurantist. Had we lived in those days we would certainly not have done what they did, for everyone knows that the laws of the Torah are not really Divine but only the products of evolution and men (do not the Reform, Reconstructionist and large parts of the Conservative movements write this daily?). Surely we would not have fought for that which we violate every day of our lives! No, at best Chanukah emerges as a needless holiday if not a foolish one. Poor Hannah and her seven children; poor Matityahu and Judah; poor well-meaning chaps all — but hopelessly backward and utterly unnecessary martyrs.

But there is more. Not only is Chanukah really a foolish and unnecessary holiday, it is also one that is dangerously fanatical and illiberal. The first act of rebellion, the first enemy who fell at the hands of the brave Jewish heroes whom our delightful children portray so cleverly in their Sunday and religious school pageants, was not a Greek. He was a Jew.

When the enemy sent his troops into Modi’in to set up an idol and demand its worship, it was a Jew who decided to exercise his freedom of pagan worship and who approached the altar to worship Zeus (after all, what business was it of anyone what this fellow worshipped?). And it was this Jew, this apostate, this religious traitor who was struck down by the brave, glorious, courageous (are these not the words all our Sunday schools use to describe him?) Matityahu, as he shouted: “Whoever is for G-d, follow me!”

What have we here? What kind of religious intolerance and bigotry? What kind of a man is this for the anti-religious Hashomer Hatzair, the graceful temples of suburbia, the sophisticated intellectuals, the liberal, open-minded Jews and all the drones who have wearied us unto death with the concept of Judaism as a humanistic, open-minded, non-dogmatic, liberal, universalist (if not Marxist) religion, to honor? What kind of nationalism is this for Shimon Peres (he who rejects the Galut and speaks of the proud, free Jew of ancient Judea and Israel)?

And to crush us even more (we who know that Judaism is a faith of peace which deplores violence), what kind of Jews were these who reacted to oppression with force? Surely we who so properly have deplored Jewish violence as fascistic, immoral and (above-all) un-Jewish, stand in horror as we contemplate Jews who declined to picket the Syrian Greeks to death and who rejected quiet diplomacy for the sword, spear and arrow (had there been bombs in those days, who can tell what they might have done?) and “descended to the level of evil,” thus rejecting the ethical and moral concepts of Judaism.

Is this the kind of holiday we wish to propagate? Are these the kinds of men we want our moral and humanistic children to honor? Is this the kind of Judaism that we wish to observe and pass on to our children?

Where shall we find the man of courage, the lone voice in the wilderness, to cry out against Chanukah and the Judaism that it represents — the Judaism of our grandparents and ancestors? Where shall we find the man of honesty and integrity to attack the Judaism of medievalism and outdated foolishness; the Judaism of bigotry that strikes down Jews who refuse to observe the Law; the Judaism of violence that calls for Jewish force and might against the enemy? When shall we find the courage to proudly eat our Chinese food and violate our Sabbaths and reject all the separateness, nationalism and religious maximalism that Chanukah so ignobly represents? . ..

Down with Chanukah! It is a regressive holiday that merely symbolized the Judaism that always was; the Judaism that was handed down to us from Sinai; the Judaism that made our ancestors ready to give their lives for the L-rd; the Judaism that young people instinctively know is true and great and real. Such a Judaism is dangerous for us and our leaders. We must do all in our power to bury it.

[From the soon-to-be-published, 8 volume collection of articles, “Beyond Words”]

The Hanukah Story Uncensored

With the lighting of the Hanukah lights, and the latkes and dreidels and gifts for the kids, the actual story of Hanukah is often overlooked. Most people remember Yehuda the Maccabee, and the miracle of the small cruse of oil, but that’s about it. So let’s take an abridged glance at the “Book of the Maccabees” to see how the saga began.

With the Greek conquest of Eretz Yisrael, the Jews were forced to abandon the Torah and adopt the immoral ways of the foreigners. To win the acceptance and approval of their rulers, many Jews consented to worship idols and bring sacrifices to foreign gods, to leave their sons uncircumcised, and to defile themselves with every kind of licentiousness and perversion. These Hellenist Jews even joined forces with the enemy to hunt out and oppress Jews who kept faithful to the Torah.

“They put to death the women who circumcised their children, hanging the newborn babies around their necks; and they also put to death their families as well as those who had circumcised them. Nevertheless, many in Israel were firmly resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They preferred to die rather than be defiled by food or break the holy Covenant, and they were killed. Great was the wrath that came upon Israel.”

Appalled by the wholesale desecration of G-d and with the desecration of the Temple and Holy City, the holy Kohen, Mattityahu, moved his family to Modin. Greek officers came to Modin to force the Jews to renounce Hashem and sacrifice to foreign gods on their altars. Because of his position of influence and leadership, Mattityahu was chosen by the Greeks to lead the way in defying G-d and his Torah. When a Jew came forward to heed the command, Mattityahu slew him, along with the Greek officer, and pulled down the altar.

“Thus he showed his zeal for the Torah, as Pinchus had done toward Zimri. Then Mattityahu shouted out in a loud voice throughout the town, saying, ‘Let everyone who is zealous for the Torah and who would safeguard the Brit, follow me.’”

Mattityahu and his sons fled to the mountains, followed by all those who remained true to the Torah.

“They mustered an army and slew the (Jewish Hellenist) evildoers in their anger and the (Jewish Hellenist) sinners in their wrath, while the rest fled to the gentiles to save themselves. Mattityahu and his comrades went about and tore down the altars, and circumcised by force as many of the children as they found in the borders of Israel, They pursued the contemptuous (Jewish Hellenists), and the work prospered in their hands. Thus, they rescued the Torah from the hand of the heathen and their kings, and gave no occasion for triumph to the (Jewish Hellenist) sinner.”

“When the days drew near for Mattityahu to die, he said to his sons, ‘Now arrogance and reproach have become strong. This is a time of destruction and anger. My children, be zealous for the Torah, and give your lives in behalf of the Testament of our fathers…. Of the words of a sinful man be not afraid, because his glory shall become dung and worms. Today he may be exalted, but tomorrow he will nowhere be found, because he has returned to his dust, and memory of him will have perished. As for you, my children, be strong and courageous in behalf of the Torah, for through it you will be glorified.”

“Then Yehuda, his son, who was called Maccabee, arose in his stead, and all his brothers helped him. As well as all those who were followers of his father, and gladly they fought Israel’s war. Yehuda spread his people’s glory far and wide. He donned a breastplate like a giant and girded on his weapons of war. He organized battles, protecting his camp with his sword. He was like a lion in his deeds, like a lion’s whelp roaring for its prey. He sought out and pursued those (Jewish Hellenists) who transgressed the Torah, and annihilated those who oppressed his people. Transgressors of the Torah cowered for fear of him. All (Jewish Hellenist) workers of iniquity were thrown into confusion, and deliverance was accomplished by his hand. He went about among the cities of Yehuda, and from it he utterly destroyed the (Jewish Hellenist) evildoers. Thus he turned away wrath from Israel. To the ends of the earth he was renowned, and he brought together those who were ready to perish.”

Hanukah, my friends, is a lot more than eating jelly donuts and lighting candles. Hanukah celebrates the exalted holiness, bravery, and devotion to Torah of Mattityahu and his sons, the most revered and renowned Jewish heroes of all time. Hanukah celebrates our nation’s victory over enemies from within and without. Hanukah celebrates the eternal light and holiness of the Brit between Hashem and the Nation of Israel over the immorality and darkness of the world.

May the same spirit of fearless devotion to Torah rise up amongst us, and may the miracles that happened to our forefathers, in those days, at this time, happen to us today, shattering the darkness that surrounds us and revealing our eternal light!
     

You Are What You See

When a Jew gazes at an immodestly dressed woman, or looks at an erotic image on the Internet, he blemishes his holiness. Just as a radio stops working when you pull out its plug from the electric socket, when a person looks at a forbidden image, he or she shortcircuits the connection to G-d.

You are what you see

In the Torah reading fo Shabbat, Yehuda goes astray after Tamar, who has disguised herself as a prostitute. Living up to his agreement with her, he sends a messenger with her payment. When the messenger can't find her, he asks the people of the place, "Where is the prostitute, the one at the crossroads by the road?" (Bereshit, 38:21)

The Kabbalist, Rabbi Leon Levi, explains that the word for prostitute, "kedasha," can be read as "kedusha" meaning holiness.The word for "at the crossroads" is "b'anayim," which also means "in the eyes."

ŕéä ä÷ăĺůä äĺŕ áňéđéí

According to the inner understanding of the verse, the Torah is teaching: "Where is holiness?" and it answers, "In the eyes."

Shavuah tov.

In The Merit of Eretz Yisrael

This evening, Chabadniks the world over will celebrate their “Holiday of Geula” which marks the day that the founder of Chabad, Rebbe Schneur Zalman of Liadi, author of the “Tanya,” was released from a Russian prison.

The “Ba’al HaTanya,” as he is known, was imprisoned when informers accused him of treason against the state. After a thorough investigation, he was set free from captivity. In a letter to the Rebbe of Berditchev, telling him of his release, he writes: “Hashem has arranged my release by virtue of the merit of the Holy Land and its inhabitants. This is what stood by our side and will always assist us in rescuing us from the oppressor and delivering us from distress.”

Rabbi Shlomo Yisachar Teichtal explains in his book, “Eim HaBanim Semeichah,” that the Land of Israel has the power to save us though G-d’s  blessing to our Forefathers, as it says, “And I will remember My covenant with Yaacov, and also My covnant with Yitzhak, and also My covenant with Avraham I will remember, and I will remember the Land” (Vayikra, 26:42). This means that even should the merit of the Patriarchs run out, then Hashem will remember the Land of Israel and save us! From this we learn that the merit of the Land of Israel is even greater than the merit of our Forefathers.

May the merit of the Land of Israel stand by us in these difficult and dangerous times and save us from our fears, our confusions, our enemies, and our doubts.

Hevron

A PRAYER FOR RABBI LEVINGER
This morning, Rabbi Moshe Levinger, one of the principle founders of the settlement movement in Israel, and the father of the renewed Jewish settlement in Hevron, fell ill and had to be hospitalized. In the merit of Eretz Yisrael, to which he has devoted his lifework and energies, may the Almighty grant him, HaRav Moshe ben Tirtza, a complete and speedy recovery.

Dear Ophra

I can accept your invitation to appear on you TV show only if you film it in Israel. Also, please don't be offended if I don't look at you during the show. Also, I request that our couches be separated by a moat five meters wide and filled with alligators and piranah fish....

Be careful, Tzvi

Do you think she will agree?

In the meantime, you are invited to see the interviews with your humble blogger at the Jerusalem Post today:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1195546752143&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

and at our own Arutz 7 INN.com:

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/124400

"Look, Mom, I'm famous!" From Hollywood to the Holy Land

I also have home movies of when I was a baby if you would like to see those too.