I don't understand how the "Tel Aviv crowd" can rationalize their living in a place established only because they wanted a Jewish city near Jaffa, while at the same time they protest our Jewish presence in Shiloh. Shiloh has a long history as a Jewish city. It was our first capital for 369 years, almost four times as long as Tel Aviv is old. Tel Aviv's only 100, while modern Shiloh is 31, almost one third the age. Now, what's 69 years in Jewish history. Small potatoes for sure.

This Pesach, Shiloh was again full of tourists from all over the world. There were activities for all ages, crafts, theater, tours and more.

I took some friends to Tel Shiloh. It was their first time at the Tel and their first visit to Shiloh. The Biblical Shiloh, same location as today's but a few thousand years ago, was a place of religious pilgrimage. Shiloh was the spritual center of the Jewish People for three hundred and sixty nine (369) years. The Jewish People trekked from near and far to pray and sacrifce to G-d in the Mishkan, Tablernacle in Shiloh. Today, Tel Shiloh has been set up for visitors of all ages. There's a carnival atmosphere, lots to do, crafts, donkey and jeep rides.

  The crafts have Biblical connections and themes, like weaving, decorating small drums, preparing natural health potions etc.

There was alsos street theater and tours of the area.

Tel Shiloh is open to tourists all year long. Parties and other events can also be arranged there. For more information email: telshilo@gmail.com or call 02-994-4019.

I wrote this Erev Chag Pesach, on the Eve of the Passover Holiday, after returning home from the Birkat HaChamah Prayers in Shiloh.

L'havdil, (to differentiate,) just like a ray of the sun is just a tiny aspect of the sun's power, the few pictures I'm posting now are just a few of what I photographed minutes ago at the united Shiloh Birkat Hachama prayers. Our various and varied minyanim, prayer groups, met at a lookout on the eastern side of Shiloh, overlooking Shvut Rachel, Givat Achiya and Kida.

None sufficiently illustrate the feeling of masses of people who attended, including three generations of some families.

G-d created the world in seven days. Yes, I know that six is the number generally used, but Chazal, our wise men, also consider the concept of Shabbat to be part of creation.

The sun was not among the very first things created. It was in the middle, the fourth out of the seventh days. That's why Birkat HaChamah must be on a Wednesday, the fourth day of the week. We're celebrating the "birthday of the sun."

In a sense, it's related to Shabbat, because the week is divided between "before Shabbat" and "after Shabbat." Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are post-Shabbat, while Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are pre (preparing for) Shabbat.

This year's Birkat HaChamah has an additional element in that it's the Eve of Passover. Tonight is Leil HaSeder, Seder Night. I have a lot of work yet to do before Pesach, so if I don't have time to post again,

Chag Kasher V'Sameach

Have a Kosher and Joyful Holiday

Today is also my maternal grandmother's yartzeit, the anniversary of her death.

Chaya Raizia (Ida) Vishnefsky Finkelstein Shankman, ZaTza"L, L'Ilui Nishmata, May her soul be elevated.

The Arabs are uncompromisingly and very clearly aimed to destroy us.

If that's the case, it's good news. Lieberman's the right guy for the job. He loves attention and knows how to rile and tease the media. Too bad this isn't some movie or TV series. It's a casting director's dream.

At this point it seems that they're the two most skilled politicians in the field here in Israel. Both are masters at composing great "sound bytes." But I can't imagine them saying the same things.

They're like mirror images of each other. Bibi's gut instinct is more Right, but he talks Left, and Lieberman talks Right, but in terms of Israel, he's more Left. The big problem is that neither seem to have much of a religious, spiritual connection to our Land and People.

None of the inner circle of Bibi's bloated cabinet are religious. Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan admitted at the Jerusalem Conference that he's a graduate of an elite yeshiva high school. He's ambitious, but at this point, young enough to be Bibi's son, he must wait his turn.

Many people are demanding that we protest to the United States about Obama's statement in Turkey:

"Let me be clear: the United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security," Mr Obama said in a speech to the Turkish parliament. "Now, we must not give into pessimism and mistrust. We must pursue every opportunity for progress," he said, weighing in on the Middle East peace issue for the first time since rightist Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took power and formed a new government. Mr Obama promised to actively pursue a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (complete article)

I don't think that's the right strategy at all. Obama, with all of his power and media backing, isn't the problem. The problem is here in Israel where most politicians and the media are supporting the same thing. They all want a new Arab state in our Holy Heartland. Israel wouldn't survive, and once it's in place, there's no turning back.

The result would be a hundred years or more of suffering, death and destruction until with G-d's help we're again in a position to rule in our HolyLand.

There's no "conflict" here. Compromise wouldn't help. The Arabs are uncompromisingly and very clearly aimed to destroy us. Just listen to what they say, not other people's pretty words. The only "peace" they promise is the "peace" of death.

Certainly spread the word about Facebook's definition of a Jew, and do investigate and patronize safer internet sites.

My grandchild, -, took the quiz "What Religion are you?" on Facebook, and this is what it replied: "Jew- You are cheap, smart, rich and most people hate you. You are great at business and know how to make money. Everyone blames you for everything and you blame them. You are probably very Conservative."

Please help get this material off Facebook by taking the quiz and reporting it to the Abuse department. Please spread the word.

This is no "urban legend." I do know the people involved. I inquired how a pre-teen could be on Facebook, and I was told that the family uses it to post pictures to each other. Personally, I don't like the popular use of Facebook for posting pictures for family and friends. There isn't enough control over it, and as in this case, it exposes young children to an adult-oriented site. There must be something safer.

Recently, I opened a WEJEW account, the same name, shilohmuse, as my youtube. It does have a picture upload option, besides the videos, and it's "clean." At least it's as clean as anything can be, since they check what you've uploaded before making it viewable. Of course, even on WEJEW, one should be alert to people abusing it for the wrong reasons, but it has the potential to be a much safer alternative, at least for Jews, who use the internet for videos, movies and photos.

This is not a blame the victim post. Certainly spread the word about Facebook's definition of a Jew, and do investigate and patronize safer internet sites.

We just returned from a great, although our team lost and our son injured, football game.  Winning isn't everything, just like our MK's don't have to be in the coaliltion to have an influence.  Our team, Big Blue Jerusalem Lions stared the season well and then went through a losing streak.  The broke the streak and ended up in the finals!  During today's game, they started off losing, losing big, 20 to 8.  In the end it was brought to a tie and two overtimes.  Having the guts to come from behind is the sign of true victory!  It's a lesson for us all.

So, now, as you can imagine, I'm very pressed for time, so unlike what I orginally planned, instead of reprinting/reposting a few articles I've written I'll just provide you with the links.

Avigdor Lieberman, the big question

Sing along...

Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach!