Rejewvenation

Lev Basar: A great new blog you have to check out!

2008-08-18T17:29:00.000-07:00

I love to watch new blogs as they grow and develop. Here is one that I am very excited about. Its called Lev Basar and the title is taken from the verse in Yechezkel (11:19) that says

I shall give them one heart,
and a new spirit shall I place within your midst.
I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh
and give them a heart of flesh (lev basar).

Here's a little from one of the first posts:

I am a language nut. I admit it. I enjoy grammar, syntax, semantics, phonology, phonetics, general communication... you name it! These things are simple pleasures in a world of confusion and disarray. The idea of universal grammar is both thrilling and challenging. To a certain extent, then it is only natural that I would enjoy the study of Hebrew, a language that is filled with power of expression, concretized abstractions, and interesting grammatical structures and patterns – not to mention the spiritual creative power that accompanies this language according to Jewish lore.

On the other hand, there are those for whom language study is not a pleasure. The prospect of setting out into a vast unknown land may frighten them beyond words, or they may bravely venture out into that land of discovery only to find that once they have left their comfort zone, it's more than they bargained for. The well of motivation dries up, the clouds of uncertainty settle in, and soon they find that they've lost their footing.

If you are one who has reached that point in your study, this post is for you! Read more here

I can't wait to see what this blogger has in store for us in the future!

Samir Kuntar the Amalekite

2008-08-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

Yishai Fleisher in Passaic NJ

2008-08-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

Please visit Kumah!

Moshiach Yavo

2008-08-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

Mashiach Yavo, Mashiach Yavo, Letaken et HaOlam, et HaOlam Kuloh
Messiah will come, His anointed will come to fix the world, the whole world

Hashem Ivneh Beitoh, V'Hashem Ivneh Beitoh, Lehashrot Shahm Shechina, Shechina Kodshoh
Hashem will built His House, and Hashem will build His House, to allow to rest there Divine Presence, His Holy Divine Presence.

Praying for Aliyah?

2008-06-17T01:49:00.001-07:00

Okay, so as you know, this blog started out as a place to document our journey toward aliyah. That has been put on hold temporarily due mainly to financial concerns.

So, I was corresponding with Yishai Fleisher recently, just updating him as to where we stand at the moment. He told me about a blog called "Praying for Aliyah". The gist of the blog is that people who desire to make aliyah, but are unable to for whatever reason, are paired up and commit to praying for each other.

Possible ways to pray for someone:

- In the middle of Shemoneh Esreh, during the prayer of Shema Koleinu, ask G-d to bring this person to live in Israel.

-Say Tehillim (Psalms) with the intention that this recitation should benefit your person spiritually so that he/she/they can make aliyah. (Ideally, Tehillim should be said in Hebrew, but a sincere Jew saying Psalms in English is also very powerful. If you don't know Hebrew well, E-mail me and I'll suggest some good English translations)

- Simply talking to G-d, anywhere*, at any time, in any language. Ask that G-d bring your person to live in Israel.

By praying for each other, rather than just for ourselves, we increase our chances of the fulfillment of our prayers.

We also create an amazing achdus - unity - by connecting to each other and sincerely caring about our fellow Jew. The Holy Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred. Perhaps we can speed up its rebuilding through love, concern, and prayer for each other.

So, if you are also working toward aliyah and want to help others to get there as well, check out "Praying for Aliyah".

Emergency Message from Rav Arush!

2008-04-10T19:07:00.000-07:00

Please check out the latest post from Rav Lazer Brody where he summarizes the points made in an emergency message by Rav Shalom Arush!

Here are the Rav's key points:

* Hashem has brought us to a wonderful situation where there is no one to depend on but Him, for there is no political or military solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict.

* Our only power is prayer and emuna.

* Israel is in grave danger, since Hashem has turned His countenance away.

* There's nothing left to do but to cry out to Hashem and to spread emuna far and wide - no Jew in the world is exempt from the obligation to wake up, yell to the Heavens.

* The Lubavitcher Rebbe had 100% holy spirit - his warnings have materialized to the letter. The Rebbe said that the minute you give one millimeter of Eretz Yisrael to the Arabs, the tables will turn - rather than Hashem performing miracles for us, He will turn His countenance on us until we wake up and make teshuva. That's the situation we are in today.

* Hashem loves the people of Israel - that's why He's put us in a situation where no one can help us but Him.

* The martyrs of Mercaz HaRav were a substitute for a harsh judgment that demanded the lives of maybe 80,000 Jews or more.

* The only Israel Defense Force is the army prayer and spreading emuna.

* Emuna is prayer and prayer is talking to Hashem.

* Hashem doesn't want us to retaliate against the Arabs. He doesn't want us to depend on any military might. He only wants prayer, emuna, and teshuva.

* Any immodest Jewish woman or girl delivers our people into the hands of our enemies.

* Listen to Rav Shalom cry his heart out in Track 10 - this is no joke. He's begging all of us to wake up. He addresses the Jews outside of Israel who think they're safe and says, G-d forbid, if anything happens to Israel, your governments will throw you out with nothing.

* Every day is getting worse. We are at war. Everyone is sleeping. The time of Geula has arrived. There's nothing left to do but to wake up and yell to Hashem. Hashem won't forske us, ever. So please wake up, for Hashem is with us and will hear our voices and redeem us, amen.

Nach Yomi begins today

2007-11-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

The Orthodox Union is starting a great thing today....Nach Yomi. With this program, you will go through all of the Prophets and Writings in about two years, studying one chapter per day. The shiurim will all be online and you can download them onto your mp3 player.

Download the Nach Yomi calendar or write to nachyomi@ou.org and request that one be sent to you (that is what I did and I keep it handy here at my desk).

At the Nach Yomi site, there are text pages (in Hebrew and English) and text summaries, and you can choose to listen to the chapters as well.

Ani od CHAI!

2007-09-16T00:04:00.000-07:00

Listen, my brothers, I'm still alive
And my two eyes are still raised to the light
Many are my thorns, but also my flowers
And ahead of me are years too numerous to count
I ask and I pray
It's good that hope was not yet lost

A psalm passes from generation to generation
Like a spring from long ago, and on to eternity
I ask and I pray
It's good that hope was not yet lost

Chorus:
Alive, alive, alive - Yes, I'm still alive!
This is the song which grandfather
Sang yesterday to father
And today I [sing]
I'm still alive, alive, alive
The people of Israel live
This is the song which grandfather
Sang yesterday to father
And today I [sing]!

My days and nights are full of life,
And in my sky the pillar of fire still rises*
I will sing endlessly
I'll spread out my hands
To my friends across the sea.
I ask and I pray
It's good that hope was not yet lost

(Chorus)

Listen my brothers, I'm still alive
And my two eyes are still raised to the light
So here's to life! To all my guests,
And to my children who seek to return
I ask and I pray
It's good that hope was not yet lost

Chorus....

Alive alive alive (2x)
Alive, I'm still alive alive alive!

Israel-The Refining Fire

2007-07-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted. For a while, I was very discouraged and felt out of strength. Too many problems, too many mountains to climb, not enough faith. I temporarily gave up. I somehow forgot that Hashem is more than powerful enough to help me get to where I know I need to be. It is now time to get back on track and work toward that goal. I will figure out how to get my family to Israel, bezrat Hashem, and I will work always to encourage other Jews to GO HOME, to make aliyah.

I was re-reading an article that I'd like to mention here. Here is a little tidbit, then go read the whole article. Let me know what you think.

Israel is a refining fire. It burns away falsehoods and melts away illusions.
Mount Herzl, Israel’s military cemetery in the hills of Jerusalem, cradles tens
of thousands of the brave young soldiers, who have sacrificed their lives for us
to live. Not just physiological life full of eating, sleeping, and breathing –
but lives infused with meaning, seeking, growing, and truth.

Read the article

How did we ever survive thousands of years without...

2007-06-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest challenges in a kosher kitchen is preparing bug-free leafy green lettuce and fresh herbs to serve as part of healthy, delicious meals. Depending on where you live, grains and rice can present the same challenge.

Wouldn't you prefer serving a wide assortment of healthy fresh fruits, leafy green vegetables and grains? More vitamin-enriched fresh foods?

Are you tired of serving chopped up tomatoes and cucumbers every night?

Looking for a way to check veggies quickly and thoroughly adhering to the highest kosher standards as recommended by the Orthodox Union?

Would you like to avoid eye and neck strain when examining lettuce, herbs and grains?

Want to put an end to wet sleeves and sore arms that come from using a fluorescent light or sunlight to check your produce?

Do you want to save money?

NOW YOU CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS WITH THE

SAVE TIME
Simply place each leaf (after soaking and rinsing) flat on Bug Checker™ and you will instantly see any bugs that may be there. The bright light shines through the leaf, but not through the bug.

AVOID EYE STRAIN

The LED light technology of the Bug Checker™ illuminates the leaf evenly from beneath. It eases eye strain because you don't have to look upward while trying to use an overhead light.

SAVE MONEY

You won't be restricted to imported bagged produce. Buying local and seasonal greens will help you save money and enabling you to serve them more often.

HEALTHIER FOOD AND MORE VARIETY

You don't have to avoid the fresh vegetable section of your supermarket any longer.

Now you can have really great salads, prepare more interesting dishes and up your vitamin intake. Think of the health benefits of eating dark leafy greens rich in antioxidants. What a gift to yourself and your family!

The Bug Checker™ is easy to store and easy to use. The LED lights are sealed in a water resistant 'pearl white' style frame.

It can be operated using the rechargeable batteries or electricity and even recharges while it's plugged in.

'The OU Guide to Preparing Fruits and Vegetables' says that,

"A light box is indispensable for bug checking."

Anyone involved in food preparation in a private kosher kitchen will love to have a Bug Checker™.

So reserve your very own Bug Checker™ Portable Lightboard™ today.

Why not reserve a second one for Pesach while you're at it? You'll be able to check mounds of maror quickly.

It makes a great gift!

Every Kallah will love it!

Why not send Bug Checkers™ to friends and family?

The low price of $44.95 includes shipping and handling anywhere in the continental USA . (not yet available outside the USA )

I actually think this would be handy in the kitchen and would make it easier to look for bugs. But maybe I'm just in a weird mood today because the presentation just struck me as funny. Those late night infomercials have nothing over on us!!!

Tsmicha.com: The Case for Religious Zionism

2007-05-30T23:43:00.000-07:00

Tsmicha.com: The Case for Religious Zionism

I found this article very good and wanted to share it here and link it. Its pretty long, but it lays a good foundation regarding the relationship between being religious and being a strong zionist. I have been confronted by family and even sometimes friends regarding my zionist views and this article gives good explanations laid out quite clearly

It happens all the time. People born and raised Secular or Traditional Zionists start becoming more and more religious. They are then confronted with one serious question: Now that they are a new person, should they Zionists or not? Basically, is Zionism Kosher?

What makes this question even more excruciating for them is that most of the time, their tshuva was initiated by a non-zionist rabbi who hid his opposition to Zionism until the person was “ready” to hear it, in a serious case of hypocrisy in the name of religion. Before showing his true colours, the rabbi would speak about how amazing the land of Israel is. Only after would he say that land and state mean two different things to him. Only after will he say that in his opinion, you can love the land of Israel without being Zionism.

Today, I am embarking on a very tough mission. It is especially tough because theoretically, I am in no position to embark in it. I am nothing more then an am haaretz. But the Pirkei Avot say clearly: In a place where there are no Men, strive to be a man. In North America, there are very few Men who are ready to take the time to explain the awesomeness of the greatest miracle in history, and defend it against its detractors. Only few men are willing to fight the tumah of the people who call God’s Miracle’s Satan’s actions. There is a serious need for a well written, thorough defense of religious Zionism so that newly religious people, who often go with their heart and are not always aware of all the aspects of a certain question because they are only fed one point of view, get the full picture and understand how irrational and un-Jewish it is to oppose Zionism. I will do my best to make the Case for Religious Zionism while recognizing that I am not up to the challenge of describing the greatest miracle in history. If it took God to speak of yetsiat mitzrayim in the Torah, no man will be able to really capture our generation’s yetsiat mitsrayim. I will still do my best. The truth is that even any Am Haaretz can understand the awesomeness of Zionism when presented with all the facts.

Please, go on over and read the rest of the article, or print it out to read when you've got a few spare minutes. There are some really good points and quotes over there.

AM YISRAEL CHAI!

So...is aliyah possible?

2007-05-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

OK....so after my gung-ho announcement about making aliyah the other day, I'm finding that it will be close to impossible to achieve.

I spoke with Nefesh b'Nefesh who basically let me know that it would not be a wise choice for use to make aliyah right now. They said we need to take into consideration the fact that our children are older (between 8 and 13) and the adjustment would be very difficult, taking into account the language and cultural barriers. They especially brought up the fact that we don't have a large savings account or professional (high paying) jobs.

So, I figured I'd try my luck going strictly through the Jewish Agency. Here's the thing...we have not made a "pilot trip" so they won't even talk to us about making aliyah until we do that. Unfortunately, we don't have the money it would take for us to pay for even 2 round trip tickets, plus hotel and food and transportation there for two weeks. If we had it, we'd go in a heartbeat.

While I can understand the theory that it is best to make the pilot trip before making aliyah, I must admit that this all came as a shock to me. For some reason, I was under the assumption that Israel was the homeland for all of us, for all of the Jewish people. The past couple of days, unfortunately, I came to find out that it is mainly the homeland for those Jews who happen to have money. So, because we don't, we are basically pushed out of the dream of living in Eretz Israel, the land that Hashem gave to us as an inheritance.

I feel like I've just been punched in the stomach and then kicked while falling down.

I'm not giving up though. I'm just very hurt and I'm open to suggestions as to how to proceed from here, who to contact, etc.

The Orthodoxy Test

2007-05-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

I'm sure this has already made its way around the 'net, but I just saw it for the first time today. Here are my results:

Left Wing Modern Orthodox: 7%
Right Wing Modern Orthodox: 45%
Left Wing Yeshivish/Chareidi: 64%
Right Wing Yeshivish/Chareidi: 84%

This means you're: Right Wing Yeshivish

Try it out....click on the image to get to the quiz.

Sderot Man Killed in Morning Kassam Attack

2007-05-27T04:07:00.000-07:00

An addendum to my post earlier this morning. I just read this on Arutz Sheva.

Four Kassam rockets were fired at the Western Negev city of Sderot Sunday morning, leaving one man dead. A rocket crashed into his car, and he suffered sharp gashes in his neck. The Israeli civilian crashed into a wall, was rushed to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, and died within an hour of his wounds.

Sderot

2007-05-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

When the government of Israel embarked on a policy of ethnic cleansing in Gaza, we were told that peace would ensue. We were told that the Arabs would build a productive society. We watched in horror as Jews in the land of Israel were forcibly wrenched from their homes and synagogues. We all knew that the notion of peace was ridiculous. Yet very little was said in the media about what happened in the aftermath.

Please watch this video and spread the word. Each and every one of us needs to speak up. We need to tell the story of what is really going on. If we remain quiet, we should be ashamed.

We're makin' ALIYAH!!!!

2007-05-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

OK...I've decided to completely start my blog all over again, from scratch. And what better way to begin again than to proudly proclaim that I am going to make aliyah along with my family. I've been a fool to let fear and uncertainty affect to the point that I am just now going to act. I've know for so long that this is the right thing to do. And you know what it took to give me that final push? A letter to Yishai Fleisher of Israel National Radio. I don't know why it occurred to me to write to him of all people. I already knew what I had to do. But basically, I'm glad I did because his response via email and online just gave that final little push that I needed.

I am applying for our passports next week and as soon as I get them, we are going to apply with Nefesh b'Nefesh so that the process will be underway. By this time 2008, I expect for us to be olim chadashim, living and working in the land that is our inheritance from Hashem.

As for my views regarding aliyah, here is a snippet from the letter I sent to Yishai:

I want to make aliyah. I know that my place is in Israel. In fact, I think the place of every Jew is in Israel, unless you are a shaliach helping others to make aliyah. We as Jews have no right to forsake what Hashem has given us and I worry that by staying in the diaspora, it is akin to spitting on His blessing. And I wonder how long Hashem will put up with it before He decides to wash His hands of us for a time.

So now I say to you what I've had to answer for myself:

Israel is waiting for you ... What are you waiting for?