There are only a couple of hours left before Shabbat. I do take your comments seriously, and therefore I'm posting two very different posts for your viewing pleasure. Of course, I hope that you like them both, but if you only like one, Dayenu!

Rich In History

The Israeli building code has rules unlike any place else.

In many locations there are requirements to check for ancient artifacts, ruins and buildings before building something new. It sometimes happens that a building permit is cancelled, or plans must be drastically changed, because an ancient Biblical-time ruin is found where the new building was planned.

Traveling up in Northern Israel, Emek Yizrael, the Carmel etc was amazing. On the superficial side, we saw modern agriculture, but the entire location is so rich in Biblical History, that I'd have to study for years to remember all that Shuli Mishkin told us on our Matan tour.

Look at the rainbow and the gorgeous green fields, the hills and list to her:

Chutzpah From the New York Times and Ghetto Mentality From Israel

Yes, I know, it's not the first time, and it won't be the last, at least not until the State of Israel is led by leaders who aren't enslaved by the ghetto mentality. Yes, in the Haggadah which we'll be reading in less than two weeks, it says that we were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt. The New York Times and other foreign busybodies, politicians, philosophers and the media keep preaching to us how we're supposed to "make peace." Honestly, "peace" isn't some simple one-bowl cake. Peace isn't up to Israel either. When have the Arab terrorists even offered us "peace?" If they wanted peace, we'd have peace, because you can't buy peace. It's not a diamond ring. All this "advice" should be ignored. It's like those telling an abused woman that things would improve, her husband would be kinder if only she'd lose weight or have her hair style changed. If that doesn't work, they say she can always initiate kinkier sex.

The worst thing is that Israeli politicians, even those perceived by many as "Right wing" don't have the confidence, the moral and emotional strength to tell the truth. We are not the aggressors. We are the victims. We are an ancient people with a long history and unbroken connection to our Holy Land.

Davka, ironically, one of the very best Jewish History lectures I've ever heard on the subject was by Binyamin Bibi Netanyahu last summer at the International Jewish Bloggers Convention. He has the facts. The question is why does he think that he has to repress it? I don't have the patience to do a psychological profile on him. I did it with Begin and Sharon, who also defied their supporters and went against their own common sense and historical knowledge to try to please the world, rather than do what's truly best for Israel.

How many times will G-d be willing to rescue us from the snares and traps we've gone into for no good reason?

Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach

May You Have A Peaceful And Blessed Sabbath

I'm sorry that all you loyal readers and "commentors" think I'm too negative.  I don't mean to be, but I can't tell lies.  Sorry.  Things just aren't all that hunky dory in the Holy Land.

Did you want me to say that it's good that the NRP made a deal with Bibi?  How could I say that, when I don't think so, especially when Ehud Barak will continue as Defense Minister, and he's celebrating that by destroying Jewish Homes and a synagogue.  Yes, technically, Olmert's still Prime Minister.  Ole Olmert has given the term "lame duck" new meaning.  Sorry, but I can't find anything good to say about it.

And that Nazi-like picture by Oliphant, what nice Pollanna words can I say about it?

Recently I posted on Shiloh Musings some pictures I took of Jerusalem.  Unfortunately, they're of the construction site.  Olmert's lightrail system.

But, I do have some gorgeous pictures.  I took them this week up north.  I recommend that you take a look and you'll see what a great artist G-d is.  I'll just leave you with that thought.

Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom!

Yes, we'll be home for Pesach, Baruch Hashem, Thank G-d!
Some families have been doing it for so long that the parents have never prepared the food for a seder and don't know what to buy nor how to cook it.

We're not joining the exodus from our homes. We don't pack up our belongings, like Bnai Yisrael. We don't spend the most family-oriented Holiday of the Jewish Calendar in a hotel.

Preparing for the Passover Holiday isn't always easy and pleasant, but it's a spiritual and kinesthetic process. The air swarms with dust, rather than the Biblical plague of locusts. And after breathing in too many cleaning chemicals, bleach and detergent, there's the delicious smell of food cooking. Every family has its traditional favorites, for which we eagerly await.

Going away to a hotel just doesn't compare. Jewish and Israeli publications are full of ads from all sorts of hotels, all over the world, tempting families to pay for someone else to do the cooking and cleaning. Yes, even if the family home is cleaned and checked for chametz before leaving, it's not the same as cleaning to be there for the Holiday. Jewish organizations invite, for a price, its members to spend the Holiday together.

Some families have been doing it for so long that the parents have never prepared the food for a seder and don't know what to buy nor how to cook it.

I admit to never have enjoyed the required pre-Pesach cleaning, but it all becomes worth it when we sit together and eat our home-made food, all Kosher For Passover.

Gilad Shalit and Jiminy Cricket are what I've been blogging about recently on Shiloh Musings.  I generally post there at least a couple of times a day, and there are also some interesting comments, though not always as wild as here.

Ehud Olmert has passed the Gilad Shalit "hot potato" to Bibi Netanyahu.  So when, and if*, Bibi gets his coalition together, the crowds will welcome him to his new home by shouting: "Bring Gilad Home!"  At least Noam Shalit mentioned in his statement yesterday that Olmert had been in power at the time of Gilad's capture.
Let's legislate a law to execute Arab terrorists!

Now, about Jiminy Cricket...  In the original Carlo Collodi novel,  Pinocchio, the cricket acting as conscience was nameless, but Disney gave it the name, a euphemism for the Christian Jesus (Hat tip, Hadassa.) 

I used Jiminy as an example of what I think is the responsibility of the Ichud Le'umi, the National Union Party.  I voted for them. I don't want them haggling over government perks and trying to be "diplomatic" and compromising.  We need MK's who are willing to say the truth without fear.

And I suggest that among their very first bills to be proposed as law, should be one demanding the immediate execution of any Arab terrorist who murders Israelis.  Swift punishment is the best way.  That will prevent the situation we're in now, when convicted, murderous Arab terrorists are living comfortably in Israeli jails as bargaining chips, awaiting their release in exchange for captured Israelis.

If you listen carefully to what the Arab leaders and terrorists are saying, there's no difference between their ultimate aim concerning Jews and that of the Nazis.  Let's legislate a law to execute Arab terrorists!

*And if he somehow fails, then Tsippi will get a chance, and if she fails, Lieberman will get his chance, and if they all fail, we're back to elections, while during this entire time, Olmert remains Prime Minister.

Israel returned 300 confiscated weapons to PA
For the second time in two months, Arab terrorists shot at Jews in the Jordan Valley.

Just two months ago, Moshe and Sarah Avitan of Shvut Rachel were shot at in the southern Jordan Valley, on their way to Kochav Hashachar. Moshe was seriously wounded in the head. Thank G-d, he has made a miraculous recovery, but his vision is now greatly impaired. Please pray for his refuah shleimah, a complete healing: Moshe Refael ben Aliza A'isha.

Last night Arab terrorists attacked and murdered two policemen.

The victims’ squad car overturned after the terrorists shot them in head. Medical officials say one victim died as a result of injuries suffered by the car overturning. (complete article)

Not long before that, it had been announced that Israel returned 300 confiscated weapons to PA. (hat tip IMRA) What do the Pseudistinians need with more weapons? Do they shoot rabid dogs?