MIKE WROTE: So, Yishai, you have admitted ...that the purpose of your blog is to make your readers close your eyes to the reality of Medinat Israel and instead indulge in narcissistic happy talk until Arab tanks come crashing through the walls of their little Happy Bubble.

Yishai: No Mike, I admitted that there are bad things but the reality of Israel is beautiful! Jerusalem is being built, all my Olim friends are having babies, and the Tel Aviv stock market is doing well. If people want to see the more negative sides, they can probably visit your erudite blog. Here they will see what I see, the amazing rebirth of a nation and the birth pangs that accompany it.

You also stated openly that anyone who refuses to indulge in happy talk will be kicked out of the Sacred Happy Bubble Space lest they disturb the happiness of the narcissists therein.

Yishai: Mike, are you delusional? Did I kick you out? I asked you to go away nicely because your negative attitude and your choice of words bores me to no end. Your tones betrays your real perspective  - pessimism and a lack of respect for others. You never write nicely challenging me. No, you are just plain mean and therefore I know that your ideas are flawed. What do you know about Israel - what you read on the internet? Do you know the amazing day-to-day today life of Israel? Do you share in the ecstasy of the holidays here? No.

And I would forgive it all if you did not write so beligerantly.

Thank you for your honesty. You illustrate perfectly everything that is wrong with the Dati Leumi. You have learned nothing from the murder of R.Kahane(z"l), from Gush Katif, from Amona, from the Peace House expulsion.... In fact, you would rather close your eyes and close your ears and sing happy songs. Reality is just too depressing.

Yishai: Good, I'm glad you think so. Only, that I do the opposite of closing my eyes. I live here, am involved in politics and in Aliyah, in child raising and in building. I am doing my part for the future of Israel. At least I put it on the line. I have skin in the game.

You keep worshipping the alien Israeli State instead of Hashem. And then you have the audacity to wonder why Hashem keeps punishing you! I suggest that you carefully review the prohibitions against putting a stumbling block before the blind.

Yishai: A. I don't worship the State. You lump me in with others so easily and conveniently. I have always said that the State is just a tool for the Jewish people to live on the land of Israel. When the tool misbehaves, it must be corrected. When it is acting properly, it works in the service of G-d.

B. I have NEVER wondered why Hashem punished me. I AM ALWAYS wondering why Hashem has chosen to bless us so robustly! Why do I merit to be in this amazing time so filled with blessing? Wow. I get to drive in Jerusalem! J-E-R-U-S-A-L-E-M!!! But then Mike, I know you have no problem sticking words in my mouth: And then you have the audacity to wonder why Hashem keeps punishing you! Right... You got it... You really stumped me... How can I have an intelligent conversation when my opponent ascribes to me such ridiculous statements.

C. I suggest that you carefully review the prohibitions against putting a stumbling block before the blind. I suggest that you carefully review the prohibitions of being an Amalakite stooge - that is, being the agent of cynicism and negativity about the Jewish return to the Land of Israel. The Amaliktes always try to cool the excitement of the Jews and replace belief with doubt. I notice that whenever a moment of positivity reaches these pages, that suddenly Mike and the crew are there to help "control" the situation, reminding us all of how bad it is. Well, I find it boring, small minded, and often, factually incorrect.

Still, as I have said before, there is hope for Mike and the crew, because they clearly care, and that is far more than many zomby assimilationists. So, cheers to you Mike!

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Daniel Wrote: Abusing Yishai

Yishai, I don't think anyone is abusing you personally. This is how I see it: Medinat Yisrael has done terrible things to the Jewish people. You're trying to cover it over with cute fuzzy pink bunny talk and convince more yidden to go to Israel. But if and when they do so, they will have terrible things done to them... so what have you achieved, except for robbing them of their lives in chul?

Yishai: I have helped many people make Aliyah, and NO ONE has told me that I robbed them of their life in America. So your theory sounds nice, but holds no water. The State of Israel, on the whole, allows Jews to live in the land of Israel by providing roads, water, and security. This is the main job of a state and ours does it well to a large extent. I am working on making it better all the meanwhile. If I was trying to cover terrible things I would work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As it is, I work for A7 and and the settlement movement - trying to fight the State and the popular paradigm where it has gone awry.

The situation in Israel pains us all. That's why we read A7. It's that pain you're hearing. And the "pink fuzzy bunny talk" while the land under your feet is burning. What upsets me more, though, is the "attack"... others are worse, but some letters you've published are full of zilzul for Jews in chul bordering on sinat chinam. I personally would like you to make a clear statement that you do not see Jews outside Israel as "not religious enough", "stupid", "ignorant", "spoilt", or any of the other nasty adjectives which others have used.

Yishai: Here is my clear statement: Jews outside of Israel should make every effort to make Aliyah. Hashem is ingathering the remnant of the Jewish people, and all those who want to follow Him nearly will jump at the chance that the modern times have afforded - namely, to fulfill the commandments of the Torah in the Holy Land. There are many exceptions, Kiruv being one of them, but barring such an exception, every Jew should strive to return. This is how I understand the Torah and the will of G-d. This is also how I understand my own personal mission of helping the ingathering move along. This is not zilzul (contempt) - this is ahavat Yisrael!!! I want to see, hug, live with, and make Aliyah to the Temple with my brothers and sisters. I am not in the business of deriding fellow Jews - I am in the business of loving them and living side by side with them. Daniel, don't get stuck on minutiae. Come home and be part of the big game.