Although like many people I’m aware of the fact that according to Judaism the Shabbat (Sabbath) is “holy”, it was only recently that I acquired what I believe is a more insightful meaning of this seemingly basic Jewish concept. Before I can share this idea however, I first need to briefly clarify the Jewish meaning of “kadosh“, the Hebrew word for “holy”. Continue reading →
Although watching a young Danish tourist getting whacked in the face by an M16 rifle is certainly not a pleasant site and tends to make one cringe, viewing the slightly extended video of the incident simply made my blood boil. Continue reading →
Did you ever wonder how someone becomes a Torah scholar? I don’t mean just any old neighborhood rabbi who is able to quote a few sources (which for me is still very impressive) but rather someone who has an in depth understanding of the underlying ideas that all the various sources are trying to convey. Although this may sound like a trivial matter, the truth is there are few people who really acquire such an understanding. Continue reading →
Roughly twenty years ago Israel made a decision to bring back from exile in faraway Tunisia it’s most bitter enemy, Yasser Arafat, and deposit him together with his close associates on our own doorstep. Still further, not content with the shock value of such a startling move, the leaders of the day outdid themselves by actually helping to arm and train Arafat’s newly created “police force”. Continue reading →
Following the recent announcement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to run for the president of the Likud Convention, the future of the current Likud has suddenly been thrown in the air. For in spite of its somewhat colorful history, this is the first time that a current Likud Prime Minister has attempted to grab control of this key decision-making institution, a move which in effect further neutralizes the influence of the Likud Central Committee members. Continue reading →
