Biblical Tours here in Israel can be very confusing.  Guides love to plague us with doubt about the legitimacy of the names and locations of places.  Today, I went on a tour which included Nebi Samuel, which many people consider to be Shmuel Hanavi's grave and post-Shiloh home town.
Why don't Jews celebrate the return of Jewish life to our historic HomeLand?

The guide had me totally confused by the time we left.  Yes, it has a long, Biblical tradition of being a place of prayer, but if it's really where Samuel The Prophet lived and died?  Good question.

Even now, a few hours later, checking my notes, nothing makes sense.  We also heard the reasons why the traditional Kever Rachel, Rachel's Tomb can't be in Bethlehem.  The location doesn't jive with the north of Jerusalem location of Rachel's death described in the Bible.  In addition many Jewish Bible scholars find it peculiar that the mother of Benjamin and grandmother of Efrayim and Menashe could be buried in Judah's territory.  The "Efrata," "to Efrat," could be referring to Efrayim, even though Efrayim wasn't yet born, and the tribes certainly hadn't been allocated land.  And going back to Samuel, his father Elkana, was known as an Efrati, one from Efrayim.  There is a location between Jerusalem and Shiloh, which the Arabs consider, Kubar Bnai Yisrael, Jewish Grave.

At least there's no doubt about Shiloh.  There's a continuous tradition that Shiloh is here, and the archeological studies have reiforced and proven it.  That's part of the absurdity about the lack of support and enthusiasm by many Israelis for Jewish life in Shiloh.  I don't understand it.  Our history as a Jewish Nation began here.  Today in Jerusalem, there's a Liberty Bell Garden, named after the Liberty Bell of American Revolution fame.  Why don't Jews, here and all over the world celebrate the return of Jewish life to our historic HomeLand?

Yes, if you're reading this, you're one of the have's, who have internet access, or even a computer or two or more at your fingertips.

Sometimes it's hard to remember that computers aren't as univerally common as telephones, or even cellular phones.

We're part of a connected world, because of the internet.  You, who are reading this, has access to information which others don't have.  They won't find articles like mine in the paper or radio or TV.

The unofficial international news media, which I and other bloggers belong to, isn't a "closed club."  But for those without internet access, it may as well be.

I consider my blogging about Israel, the news, the real situation in Israel, YESHA and Shiloh my contribution to the Hasbara, Information efforts.

So, before I return to my pre-Shabbat tasks in the kitchen and house, I'd just like to ask you a favor.  Please print out articles you think others should see. Pass them around.  Talk about what you've read, so they won't be left out.

Thank You and Shabbat Shalom 

How many forests were destroyed to get Nir Barkat elected as Jerusalem's Mayor?

OK, I admit that he isn't the only guilty party.  It's the system, the method.  So much paper is wasted during elections.

It's not just in Jerusalem, or just in Israel.

Do people really read all those flyers and posters?  I'm just curious.  What does convince people to vote and for whom to vote?

The worst thing about election time is trying to find a political party worth voting for. We have to weigh ideology,
We need a King David.

leadership and the chances that it will pass the minimum number needed to get into the Knesset.

Like in the Biblical Days of Judges, we have anarchy, people just do "their own thing."

Bibi hasn't waited until getting into office to show that he will continue with present policy of "trying to find a solution." Now Do You Understand Why I Don't Trust The Likud?... And This Is The Type Of Campaign Arieh Eldad Should Be Running.

Some people think they can "prop up" honest figures and turn them into leaders.  It didn't work with King Saul, and it won't work today.

We need a King David.  He doesn't have to "look like a king.  He mustn't be dependent on "advisors."  His faith in G-d must innate, unabashed and uninhibited.

It's all in the eyes, the vision...

FYI I'm now on YouTube.

The statement in the title can be read at least two ways.

• The Likud is not my party of choice to vote for in the upcoming Israeli Elections.
• The Likud doesn't promote policies I consider necessary for the survival and growth of the State of Israel.

Yesterday, for the second time in less than a week, I ran into an old friend who touts himself as pro-Land of Israel, Right wing etc, but he's a loyal Likudnik. We had one of those quick, straight to business, talks on the sidewalks of Jerusalem. He considers himself a pragmatist, a realist, and that's why he thinks it's important to support Bibi Netanyahu and the Likud.

I also consider myself a pragmatist, a realist, and that's why I'm not supporting the Likud. He is encouraged by the addition of strong ideological Israelis, such as Benny Begin, but I'm disappointed. Benny has returned to his father's party, which has made the sentimental and nostalgic very happy.

My sentiments are here in Shiloh, the center of Israeli political history, where the Jewish People became a Nation, the first administrative and spiritual Capital, which lasted 369 years.

The two Binyamin's, Begin and Netanyahu have mentioned nothing about the importance of Israel holding onto and strengthening its presence in Judea, Samaria and specifically Shiloh. All we hear are platitudes about an undivided Jerusalem and the importance of security.

Well, there's no security without land. It's that simple. The cease-fire lines after the 1967 Six Days War gave Israel security. Successive governments bumbled, stumbled and weakened us by handing over land and sovereignty to the Arabs. Every step in the "peace process" has increased terrorism. Much of Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel, is Judenrein, scoured/empty of Jews, and the Likud party is not promoting anything to change it.

I hope and pray that there will be a political party I can vote for with a clean conscience, a political party I can promote and work for without embarrassment and the need to make excuses for. All I want is one with a very simple platform.

Zot Shelanu!

All of the Land of Israel

For the Betterment of Israeli Jews