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MainOpEds  The political surprise that no one imagined - only in IsraelPolitics even beat corona for center stage as Netanyahu and Gantz surprised the entire country. INTO THE FRAY: Back from the brink!The false façade of the Blue & White party was even more friable and fragile than anyone imagined; under the assault of recalcitrant reality, even the fast-drying Bibiphobic glue proved unable to hold things together. China Article V: We will never be quite the same again.Oh, where is Dr. Freud when one needs him? Now more than ever, 'prayer is the highest form of existence'"Prepare my Prayer" is a spiritual, emotive and also practical how-to guide for ascending in one's level of prayer and making each word count, reassuring comfort that G-d is with us and we must search for Him always, even if He seems far away. Series on China, Article IV: The ultimate aim of the China virus .In the game of world domination, as the world descends into chaos and breakdown, the Chinese leadership looks on. Officials of this Communist regime look smilingly at the meltdown of the West. Marie Newman: A glib anti-Israel Democrat for CongressIsrael cannot interfere in U.S. elections. American pro-Israelis can. It is Israel’s duty to supply them with the information they need and the article below makes it clear that Newman's candidacy is detrimental to Israel. Blurring support for Israel by helping those who wish to destroy itOne has to be on the watch and recognize when the actions of those who claim to support Israel blur with those of the forces which seek to destroy it. The 2020 anti-Israel HaggadaHard to believe how J Street turns the book relating the inspiring story of the birth of the Jewish people and its miraculous Exodus from Egypt into a diatribe against the Jewish State. China, Article III: Every corona patient is a victim of ChinaCan the Chinese government be held responsible for 'criminal negligence'? This is the single most important political and cultural issue in our global crisis. Giulio Meotti Interviews an expert on China who heads the Population Research Institute. The resilience of New Rochelle - a model in the face of coronaNew Rochelle was the first city in New York State to see the effects of a novel coronavirus outbreak and its citizens responded commendably. I hope New Rochelle can serve as a model to other communities Netanyahu can prevent Israel from implodingCutting a deal between Netanyahu and Liberman remains the only option to prevent Israel entering into a period of complete political and constitutional upheaval once the Knesset sitting commences- unless Gantz joins Netanyahu. Israel's creeping coup d'etatThe self-styled Israeli elite, made up of academes, media and the legal system, hate Netanyahu because he blocks their two major goals. Netanyahu refused to play according to the rules of the elite, and this is his "deadly" and unforgivable sin. Stop this insanity before it's too lateIt is not the Coronavirus that we have to fear, but a left-wing government supported by our enemies! A letter from your neighborhood doctorIt is my medical opinion that nobody should be together for the upcoming Pesach holiday. Series on China, Article II: The real enemy is not coronaChina has infiltrated the west. If allowed to continue, there will be no Western economy. There will be no West. Take Canada as an example. Remembrance of things pastPeople are writing to each other as if we lived in a previous century and had the luxury of time to do so. This awful epidemic is drawing many people closer together, at least virtually, and I am conjuring up scenes of Italy in better times. Series on China, Article I: Not for human consumptionFrom the Israeli press: The source of the Coronavirus is an issue for the International Court of Justice in the Hague. Which country will take up the gauntlet? A constitutional crisis for the Jewish StateIsrael as a Jewish State is in mortal, constitutional danger. In fact, Gantz is tearing up Ben Gurion’s Declaration of Independence and declaring it null and void. Italy is losing its grandparentsIt is not only the loss of the elderly who succumb to the pandemic, it is the loss of everything they have yet to teach us about what counts in life. Democracy is in danger because of the Likud?Who are the media and Blue and White trying to fool? Do they really think voters are that stupid? Trying to find the positive in everything - even coronavirusThere is a saying that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Perhaps we shall be stronger and wiser when this virus is done, although we know we are going to lose precious people who may not be able to fight off the coronavirus. Dear brothers and sisters in Israel, do not warn us, relate to usI am crying with all my might for us to go home, every single one of us. I am crying especially for my fellow American Jews, who don’t all see the reality of this place as clearly as those in Israel do. I pray that we never forget Gantz's, Ya'alon's and Ashkenazi's perfidyThey have committed perfidy and for a split second of quick math, the Center-Left 46 seems to be 61. That “61” will last even less time than did Roger Maris’s 61-home run record of 1961 but they only want it long enough to oust Netanyahu. Coronavirus and the Special Needs community in IsraelThe pressures are especially felt by those who work with at-risk, medically vulnerable populations. Mr. Gantz, dont let your hysterical partners destroy Israel!Jewish history is replete with stories of people whose emotional and personally motivated decisions had a devastating effect on the fate of the Jewish People. Chaos on the political frontThe chaos we are witnessing in the Israeli government may be the price of democracy, but that, too, must have its limits. People are furiious. Coronavirus in the haredi communityA doctor practicing in Williamsburg writes: I’m a pediatrician who sees kids with coronavirus every day. It’s changed my whole way of life. A member of the hasidic community who was raised there explains the special problems its members face. Thoughts in the shadow of coronavirusIt is important to strictly observe the rules in synagogues and one who prays by himself, will be blessed, while as for for weddings planned to take place during this time – it is a mitzvah to hold them in a home-setting, and not to postpone. In Italy, it is not an epidemic - it is a nightmareIn Italy, Corona is killing hundreds of the elderly residing in nursing homes. These are the brave people who built up the country after WWII. The Koren Youth Haggada: Much, much more than the Four QuestionsEvery family needs a Haggada that will get the youngsters involved, contemplating, participating and interested in going on to the next page, not just to get closer to the meal. And this has to be accomplished without the help of a smartphone. INTO THE FRAY: Why Netanyahu must not step downIn stark contrast to Netanyahu, Ehud Olmert was indicted on existing interpretation of the law, no “creative” precedents were needed to prosecute him, there were no claims of selective prosecution, or allegations of police investigatory misconduct. Between a rock and a hard placeJoinng a coalition is not so simple for the Joint List, and much less simple for Israel. Iran must stop using Iraq as its backyard battlegroundInstead of Iran using its power for good, it strives to keep Iraq as its personal battleground for its expansionist ambitions. Corona and Israeli politicsIncredibly in Israel, there is a group of people for whom the very idea of introspection and soul searching is the farthest thought from their minds. I want my old troubles backDoctors need to be admired and heeded during this period. Also heard. But I pray for the day they are back to being seen only by appointment and not every time you turn on the media."Coronavirus will change everyone"Rabbi Sacks' extended BBC Newsnight interview on the Coronavirus situation: "The sanctity of human life, is Judaism's highest ideal and sits above all other commandments." The quarantined diaries: Oh, to be in the country!In quarantine at home in the city, I dream of being out in the country. If I could but see "a host, of daffodils..." but photos are the next best thing. “One crematorium won't be enough”. Italy at war with coronavirusIn some cemeteries in the north the burial places have run out and the crematoria are working 24 hours a day, with the number of deaths growing day by day. Coronavirus attacks forces of good and evilBoth dictatorships and democracies are hit by the coronavirus. A comparison of long term effects for each. The Palestinian Arab economic situation, who's to blame?Arab propaganda machines convince the all-too-willing world that Israel is to blame for Gazan poverty. Look at the facts. Don't be frightened of coronavirus, be proud of the responseMany of us have lived through other crises, September 11, 2001, for example. However, there has never been a time where the private sector and the public sector have worked together like this to end a crisis Can Netanyahu be justly tried for media manipulation in a democracy?A rational rebuttal cannot overcome an irrational argument, so it is understandable that Attorney General Mandelblit was 'unconvinced' by the 22 page brief signed by four of the most eminent laywers in the USA. Gantz promises chaos and confusion in Israel for next six weeksGantz and his Netanyahu-hating coalition partners are ready to cosy up to and embrace 15 Joint List Knesset members who revile them, Netanyahu and the Jewish State. Israel leads in the battle against coronavirusIsrael took the danger seriously from the start and has done everything possible to contain it. If only my country, Italy, had been as wise. Facebook needs to answer for putting us in dangerIf Zuckerberg fails to respond, satisfactorily, to what he has done to endanger our lives, the Justice Department needs to act, pronto. Quarantined: Diary of a contemporary pandemicWhat better task can a writer undertake than to keep a record of daily events given that she must practice “social distancing?” Zionist education during a global pandemicFor families at home, below is a playlist of easily available, high quality documentary movies that will enhance any viewer’s knowledge of Israeli history, Zionist ideals, and Middle East politics. We sure picked a great time to make aliyah - nowComing on aliyah is always a [worthwhile] hurdle, but you hve to be an idealist to come on Aliyah during the time of Covid-19. Talking to your kids about Covid-19A concise guide for how to talk to our children about Coronavirus and spend time together in preventative containment.From the Israeli Press: Blue and White's political hara-kiriThe Israeli public understands that there is no way to justify linking up with terror supporters Blue and White will pay a high political price for their move. Remember - the Jewish majority chose Netanyahu, 58 to 46. Rabbinic responsa on the status of a Jewish minority governmentDoes an Israeli Jewish minority govenment that rests on the backing of Arab parties have halakhic validity and authority? Could I be responsible for Israel's destruction?Diaspora Jewry has a lot to answer for - especially now that the election results are in. The virus that has nothing novel about itWe must shed our illusions—permanently. We cannot expect that the antisemitism virus will be eradicated, or that one country or another will always be a safe haven for Jews. Palestinian Arab victimhoodThe Palestinian Arabs are trying so hard to be victim number one, but the competition is fierce. COVID-19 Test Decision-tree “Lets contagious horses out of the barn”The flow chart is missing a most vital point. An eschatological refocusing of Jewish/Christian RelationsReplacement theology in the church legitimized horrific atrocities against Jewry in an effort to forcibly “convert” Jews – and when that failed, tried to annihilate both their race and religion. It was cetainly not G-d's wish. INTO THE FRAY: No! Not all votes are equal!There is—and should be--a qualitative difference (i.e. a structural inequality) between votes cast for parties that wish to undermine the Jewish nation-state and those who wish to protect and preserve it |
Rabbi Prof. Dov Fischer
Avi Tenenbaum
Steve Apfel
Shalom Pollack