Why its essential for you to know Hebrew.

Hebrew -- knowledge of the language of the Jewish people is essential.

Jews pray in Hebrew, and therefore should know the words they say.

The Torah is in Hebrew, and its better to understand it in the original.

Hebrew is the international language of the Jewish people and in all the places I've been around the world, Hebrew works better than English.

And...many of the blog posts I simply don't have time to write, are based on sources in Hebrew. These stories would fascinate you, yet I simply do not have the time to translate them all for you.

For example: Maariv reports on how the JNF has capitulated to Leftist demands to stop planting trees in the Negev, despite the land being 100% State of Israel land and upheld by the courts.
Source (in Hebrew)

The Jewish woman from Bat-Yam who started going out with "David"...and his strange behavior caused her to have him investigated by private investigators. They revealed that he was an Arab...married with 4 children. And her response? Don't tell anyone so she can continue her relationship with him...she honestly believes she can continue this way. Source (in Hebrew)

High School students expelled for having setting up a table for students to put on tefillin. The Secular high school in Haifa (no, not Modiin) said they were not expelled for the tefillin, per se, but for arrogant behavior. Source (in Hebrew)

Merrill Lynch analyst says Bezeq Telecom stock will rise 47% Source (in Hebrew) Bezeq?! Mashiach must be here...

MK Dr. Ahmad Tibi; A Jew that expects an [Israeli] Arab to sing the "Hatkiva" [Israe's national anthem] is either an idiot or crazy, or he is MK [David] Rotem [Yisrael Beiteinu party] or MK [Michael] Ben-Ari [Ichud Leumi] (Haaretz, 10 AM today)

So what can we expect from Israeli Arabs and not be considered crazy?


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Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

Weekend News Roundup

1. The Yoreh.

Israelis were treated to the "Yoreh" over Rosh Hashana, our Jewish New Year on Saturday and Sunday. The "Yoreh" are the first heavy rains of the winter season -- (the word and blessings of rain are mentioned in the Jewish "Shma" prayer, recited daily). The accumulated rainfall in just 2 days (30 to 40 millimeters fell in Northern Israel, and up to 60 mm. in the Golan Heights) surpassed the average of the entire average rainfall for the 2 months of September and October! 10 millimeters worth of rainfall fell on the Kinneret as well, though woefully low.

My daughter asked me over Rosh HaShana that if a cloud appeared over the Kineret and started to rain, how long/much would it take to fill up the Kinneret.

Assuming 10 millimeters an hour (which is generous), it would take 500 hours...so if we're really lucky and get 10 hours of rain a day, it would take 50 days.

Seems like we're off to a good start, but need a lot more. (more here at the JPost)

2. The Outstanding Thinker Targets Israel.

President Obama's "one of our most outstanding thinkers" Zbigniew Brzezinski, has urged Obama to make it clear that if the IAF tries to launch an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities via Iraqi airspace, the US Air Force will shoot down the Israeli jets.

"We are not exactly impotent little babies," Brzezinski told The Daily Beast in an interview published Sunday. "They have to fly over our airspace in Iraq. Are we just going to sit there and watch? ... We have to be serious about denying them that right. That means a denial where you aren't just saying it. If they fly over, you go up and confront them. They have the choice of turning back or not. " (JPost)

With such outstanding thinkers like that, I think the SAT's need to be recalibrated.

3. Probably the most newsworthy of all: Simpsons to Visit Israel in 2010.

The Simpsons are taking a trip to Israel in an upcoming episode of the popular animated series that will be screened in 2010, during the show's 21st season - and their tour guide is going to be none other than Sacha Baron Cohen.

The comedian behind Borat and Bruno will play an aggressive Israeli tour guide who leads the family around during their church group tour of the Holy Land, according to Entertainment Weekly magazine.

The show's executive producer Al Jean told the magazine that Cohen's character is "trying to get Marge to give him good grades on the comment card, and she goes, 'You people are pushy,' and he goes, 'What do you mean, you people? You try having Syria for a neighbor! What do you have - Canada?'"

Jean also disclosed that in the episode, titled "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed," Homer Simpson gets Jerusalem Syndrome and believes that he is the messiah.

The episode is scheduled to coincide with Palm Sunday.

"It'll be a show that all faiths can come together and be offended by," Jean quipped. (Jpost)

WooHoo!!!

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Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael טובה הארץ מאד מאד

News Roundup from Israel

1. Ongoing confusion in Israel over Prime Minister Olmert. Why hasn't he resigned, despite his 2.3% popularity? Despite Maariv's poll that 72% say he should resign? Major (politically-agnostic) demonstration planned for Thursday in Tel Aviv to demand that Olmert resign.

2. Gag order lifted; Member of Knesset Azmi Bashara spied against Israel.

According to suspicions, Balad's chairman contacted a Hizbullah official during last summer's war in Lebanon and handed him information on strategic locations in Israel in order to enable the Shiite organization to fire rockets at these destinations. Bishara allegedly received hundreds of thousands of shekels in exchange for this information.

In addition, Bishara is suspected of stealing millions of shekels from several Arab aid groups.

A joint Police-Shin Bet investigation has been carried out against Bishara in recent months. Bishara was questioned by the police on two occasions, and was asked to present his version of the affairs.

During his last questioning, the former MK informed the police he plans to leave the country for a few days, and never returned. (YNET)

Nice going Azmi.

Unfortunately, I can't mention that Azmi's an arab, because that's not politically correct.

3. What's the Sanhedrin up to? While JoeSettler may not like the slef-proclaimed Sanhedrin, and think they're a group of loons, the Sanhedrin group has started a new peace initiative. They've sent letters to all world leaders, including Arab ones, even including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- inviting them to take part in a peace project, a conference about the Temple Mount in Israel.

In the letter, the rabbis of the self-proclaimed Sanhedrin warn that the world is nearing a catastrophe, and write that the only way to bring peace among nations, states, and religions is by building a house for God, where Jews will worship, pray and offer up sacrifice, according to the vision of the prophets.

The rabbis also call on the non-Jews to help the people of Israel fulfill their destiny and build the Temple, in order to prevent bloodshed across the globe. (YNET)

4. Stay tuned...watch this space.







Wherever I am, my blog turns towards Eretz Yisrael