Your Clique of Cliques

"All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." George Orwell's Animal Farm
I wish this had the humor of Your Show of Shows, the legendary sketch comedy television series which appeared weekly in the United States on NBC, from 1950 until June 5, 1954, starring Sid Caesar.

The "clique" I'm referring to is Israel's media, especially, television.  It's not only a very closed club, but it has succeeded in controling Israeli minds better than George Orwell could ever have imagined.

The extreme Leftist control of the Israeli Media is more than just politics.  I felt it strongly after veteran broadcaster and media celebrity, Shosh Atari, passed away a few weeks ago.  The media took it hard.  For the broadcasters she was family. The word "we" was bandied about more than "she."

Those who read what I write know that I criticize the chareidim for not being part of the IDF and allowing the non-religious to control it, instead of making it a more Jewish army from day one.  And now I'm criticizing the Mafdal dati le'umi, national religious for giving the Leftist and non-observant the gift of television and radio to control our minds and children.  Mafdal was part of the government coalitions during the early decades of the State of Israel and could have gotten into the media as part of their agreements.

When Arutz 7 had its radio shows broadcast over ordinary radios all over Israel, people began listening and thinking.  That's why the government had it closed down.  Where were the protests?  Why were the politicians of the Likud and Mafdal so silent?  Why did they cooperate?  It's their fault that the Israeli media has gone further to the Left.  

Today the TV news editors very rarely give the political opposition even a symbolic opportunity to join in discussions and panels.  Their opinions aren't asked.  There isn't even an attempt to pretend to balance the broadcasts.  The clique is closed to those who don't agree. The Internet isn't a true alternative.

This "chametz" has been fermenting for decades.  It will be difficult to clean, but we have no choice.  We must enter the media in every position possible, from top to bottom.  G-d willing, the next government should be more nationalist and understand that no matter how difficult, "impossible" and unpleasant it will certainly be, a total overhaul must be made in Israel's media, starting with the IBA, television and radio.

FREEDOM! Not Quite

Passover has many names. It is primarily known çâ äîöåú the Holiday of Matzot and  as çâ äçøåú, æîï çéøåúðå the Holiday or Season of Our Freedom, but what does that really mean?

Is that the "freedom" they sing about in America?  Is it a freedom from rules and work?

No it's not.  As a language teacher, I'm going to tell you that the use of the word "freedom" for Passover just confuses people.  There are people who claim that they shouldn't have to clean so much and change the kitchen, because it's supposed to be the Freedom Holiday.  And there are those who say they should be able to eat bread on Pesach, because they want their freedom.

Passover isn't that kind of "freedom."

I think that "freedom" is the wrong definition for çøåúú "Cherut."  Maybe "Cherut" is more like independence or self-reliance.  Independence and self-reliance aren't easy.  They demand responsibility.  It's the opposite of slavery.  A slave doesn't make his own decisions.  A slave is owned by someone else, and we were owned by Pharaoh in Egypt.  Being a slave is easy; you can always blame someone else.  It's never your fault.

On Passover we must eat matzah, "lechem oni," poorman's bread.  Some people may see the irony in it.  Wouldn't the poor man's bread be for slaves?  Isn't a slave poor, so the opposite of slave should be rich?  Shouldn't the "non slave" then eat cake?

There are Jews who make their own matzot.

That's the act of a free man, making one's own food, instead of producing for the owner.

I pray that our nation be truly free and not slaves to the modern Pharaoh.

Pesach vs Shabbat

According to Chazal, only Yom Kippur may* supplant Shabbat.  For years I've been saying that the reason the Shabbat before Passover is called Shabbat HaGadol (The Great Sabbath) is to remind us of this.  Shabbat is greater than Passover, certainly greater than Passover cleaning.  Even if you love to clean for Pesach, and I admit that I don't, you shouldn't let Passover preparations turn Shabbat into something cheap and trashy.

Creative pre-Pesach cooking can be extra delicious.  My daughter reminded me that we can have kitniyot Friday night.  Kosher l'Pesach rice can served for Shabbat, postponing "What, potatoes again?" complaints.

Decorate with gorgeous flowers.  Make sure the house looks and feels Shabbosdik.

When the Moshiach comes, it will be Shabbat all the time, and we won't have to line our closets!

Shabbat Shalom U'Mevorach, May You Have a Peaceful and Blessed Sabbath

* is permitted to (yes, I'm an English Teacher)