Weekly Torah Portion~Parashat Truma

Parashat Truma:  Holiness~Space~Time by Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger

So You Think Israel is Racist?

Can't Wait for the Left to Respond to This Man...

PM Netanyahu Hosts a Dinner for PM Harper...

We posted the text of the speech that the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper made in front of the Israeli Knesset on Tuesday, 21 January 2014.

Following that, there were many shows of support for the Prime Minister and the Canadian people. In a world where Israel is demonized on a daily basis, the words of PM Harper brought a ray of sunshine to our lives. 

It is rare that anyone, especially a politician, is brave enough to speak the "truth" about Israel. Lies and vilification are much easier to pull off and more popular. We thank God that PM Harper is a good, strong, honest man, and has never backed down from his support of Israel and her struggle to exist.

During his stay the Prime Minister visited sites in Israel including Yad Vashem and the Kotel. Sadly, a visit to the Temple Mount was cancelled because some of  PM Harper's guards were Jewish, and the Muslim waqf made a fuss. In fact, on Sunday, former Canadian Minister Stockwell Day tried to visit the Temple Mount, but was met with vile abuse from Arabs~the only dark spot on an otherwise successful visit.

Following business, Prime Minister Netanyahu hosted a dinner for PM Harper and his delegation, after which there was a bit of fun and entertainment provided by none other than the Prime Minister of Canada himself.

We pray that visits, and relations like the one between Canada and Israel will be forged with all countries so that we can unite for good and work together to bring peace and prosperity to the world.

PM Netanyahu Thanks Canada's PM Stephen Harper for Speaking "Truth"

In The Spirit of Friendship and Fun~PM Harper Entertains After Dinner!

* Videos Originally Posted by Arutz7

Warning to Nazareth Christians! Guess Who Put it Up...

Click on Picture to Enlarge (Read it and Weep)

You will find Christians of every stripe in Jesus' hometown of Nazareth. The more "traditional" such as Greek Orthodox and Catholic have become more aware of their historical and religious connections to the Jews in Israel and increasing numbers of young people are voluntarily joining the Israeli army.

In October we posted a heartwarming video of Christian Arabs from Nazareth who stated "We Are Israeli and Deserve to Serve Our Country Proudly", as they mounted a bus to begin their service in the IDF. As an aside, it should be noted that everyone in Israel who signs up for service is given the choice to swear their oath on a Torah, a Bible, or a Koran.

Now there is a new twist in the plot. Near the center of Nazareth a very large billboard has gone up~a "Warning" so to speak, from local Muslims. The sign is a warning that Christians must not try to overstep their "dhimmi" (second class) status. The message was also directed at the Jews, however, in Nazareth the majority of the population is Christian and Muslim.

Featuring a large stop sign, the billboard bears a quote from the koran cautioning Christians (and Jews) and makes the claim that Jesus was "only a messenger", and of course "allah" is the one and only god. The text of the sign contains a quote from Koran 4:171 and states: (Emphasis Mine)

"O people of the Scripture (Christians)! Do not exceed the limits of your religion. Say nothing but the truth about Allah (The One True God). The Christ Jesus, Son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God and His word conveyed to Mary and a spirit created by Him. So believe in God and His messengers and do not say: 'Three gods (trinity)'. Cease! It will be better for you. Indeed, Allah is the One and the Only God. His Holiness is far above having a son."

Please be aware of the continued and growing persecution of Christians in the Middle East by the Muslim population.  

Please Pray for Safety of the Nazareth Christian Population in These Troubled Times

* Hat Tip to Blazing Cat Fur Blog

Canadian PM Stephen Harper Speaks to Israeli Knesset

On 20 January 2014, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke before the Israeli Knesset. 

During his introduction, PM Netanyahu was interrupted by a shouting Arab MK Tibi. To this outburst, PM Netanyuhu replied:

“I haven't found any Arabs who wish to leave the State. Quite the opposite; Arabs have been very upset at a proposal by Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman that would redraw Israel's boundaries and include many Israeli Arabs in a Palestinian state.” In response, ML Tibi said “this is our homeland.”

  

You should note that this is the same MK Tibi, who, when it was suggested (as stated abouve) that the town he lived in be turned over to the PA to rule, was the loudest opponent~he does not want to be part of the PA~Why? Perhaps because under the PA he would be jailed, or maybe  killed for speaking out and against the very country that pays his salary.

In fact, during PM Harper's speech, MK Tibi again interrupted shouting that Israel was an “apartheid state” after which he walked out. These disturbances did not stop the session, and if anything showed that Israel is a true democracy where even those who hate and wish to destroy the country are able to stand up in the Knesset and speak their minds~even if it is slanderous or hateful.

Here is the full text to the speech given in the Knesset by the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper:

Monsieur le Premier Ministre, Monsieur le Président de la Knesset, Monsieur le Président de la Cour Suprême, Monsieur le Chef de l’Opposition, Mesdames et Messieurs les Ministres, Et les Députes, Distingués Invités, Mesdames et Messieurs,

Shalom. And thank you for inviting me to visit this remarkable country, and especially for this opportunity to address the Knesset. It is truly a great honour.

And if I may, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my wife Laureen and the entire Canadian delegation, let me begin by thanking the Government and people of Israel for the warmth of your hospitality. You have made us feel extremely welcome. We have felt immediately at home.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Canada and Israel are the greatest of friends, and the most natural of allies. And, with your indulgence, I would like to offer a reflection upon what makes the relationship between Canada and Israel special and important. Because the relationship between us is very strong.

L’amitié entre le Canada et Israël prend ses racines dans l’histoire, se nourrit de valeurs communes et se renforce volontairement aux plus hauts échelons du commerce et du gouvernement ce qui est l’expression de fermes convictions.

The friendship between us is rooted in history, nourished by shared values, and it is intentionally reinforced at the highest levels of commerce and government as an outward expression of strongly held inner convictions.

There has, for example, been a free trade agreement in place between Canada and Israel for many years, an agreement that has already proved its worth. The elimination of tariffs on industrial products, and some foodstuffs, has led to a doubling in the value of trade between our countries. But this only scratches the surface of the economic potential of this relationship. And I look forward to soon deepening and broadening our mutual trade and investment goals.

As well, our military establishments share information and technology. This has also been to our mutual benefit. For example, during Canada’s mission to Afghanistan, our use of Israeli-built reconnaissance equipment saved the lives of Canadian soldiers.

All such connections are important, and build strong bridges between us.

Pour bien comprendre la relation particulière entre Israël et le Canada, il faut regarder, au-delà du commerce et des institutions, les liens personnels tissés par l’amitié et la parenté.

However, to truly understand the special relationship between Israel and Canada, one must look beyond trade and institutions to the personal ties of friendship and kinship. Jews have been present in Canada for more than 250 years. In generation after generation, by hard work and perseverance, Jewish immigrants, often starting with nothing, have prospered greatly. Today, there are nearly 350,000 Canadians who share with you their heritage and their faith. They are proud Canadians. But having met literally thousands of members of this community, I can tell you this: They are also immensely proud of what the people of Israel have accomplished here, of your courage in war, of your generosity in peace, and of the bloom that the desert has yielded, under your stewardship.

Laureen and I share that pride, the pride and the understanding that what has been achieved here has occurred in the shadow of the horrors of the Holocaust.

La compréhension du fait qu’il est juste d’appuyer Israël parce qu’après avoir connu la persécution durant plusieurs générations, le peuple juif mérite d’avoir son propre pays et mérite de vivre en sécurité et en paix dans ce pays.

The understanding that it is right to support Israel because, after generations of persecution, the Jewish people deserve their own homeland and deserve to live safely and peacefully in that homeland. Now let me repeat that: Canada supports Israel because it is right to do so.

This is a very Canadian trait, to do something for no reason other than it is right, even when no immediate reward for, or threat to, ourselves is evident.

On many occasions, Canadians have even gone so far as to bleed and die to defend the freedom of others in far-off lands. To be clear, we have also periodically made terrible mistakes as in the refusal of our government in the 1930s to ease the plight of Jewish refugees. But, as a country, at the turning points of history, Canada has consistently chosen, often to our great cost, to stand with others who oppose injustice, and to confront the dark forces of the world.

Il est donc dans la tradition canadienne de défendre ce qui est juste et fondé sur des principes, que ce soit ou non commode ou populaire.

It is, thus, a Canadian tradition to stand for what is principled and just, regardless of whether it is convenient or popular. But, I would argue, support today for the Jewish State of Israel is more than a moral imperative. It is also of strategic importance, also a matter of our own long-term interests.

Ladies and gentlemen, I said a moment ago that the special friendship between Canada and Israel is rooted in shared values.

En effet, Israël est le seul pays du Moyen‑Orient à s’être ancré depuis longtemps dans les idéaux de liberté, de démocratie et de primauté du droit.

Indeed, Israel is the only country in the Middle East Which has long anchored itself in the ideals of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. These are not mere notions. They are the things that, over time and against all odds, have proven to be the only ground in which human rights, political stability, and economic prosperity, may flourish. These values are not proprietary; they do not belong to one nation or one people. Nor are they a finite resource; on the contrary, the wider they are spread, the stronger they grow.

Likewise, when they are threatened anywhere, they are threatened everywhere. And what threatens them, or more precisely, what today threatens the societies that embrace such values and the progress they nurture? Those who scorn modernity, who loathe the liberty of others, and who hold the differences of peoples and cultures in contempt. Those who often begin by hating the Jews, but, history shows us, end up hating anyone who is not them. 

Those forces which have threatened the State of Israel every single day of its existence, and which, today, as 9-11 graphically showed us, threaten us all.

Ou bien, nous défendons nos valeurs et nos intérêts, ici, en Israël, nous défendons l’existence d’un État libre, démocratique et distinctement juif ou bien nous amorçons un recul, sur le plan de nos valeurs et de nos intérêts dans le monde.

And so, either we stand up for our values and our interests, here, in Israel, stand up for the existence of a free, democratic and distinctively Jewish state, or the retreat of our values and our interests in the world will begin.

Ladies and gentlemen, Just as we refuse to retreat from our values, so we must also uphold the duty to advance them. And our commitment as Canadians to what is right, fair and just is a universal one. It applies no less to the Palestinian people than it does to the people of Israel.

Autant le Canada soutient sans réserve le droit d’Israël à la légitime défense, autant il préconise depuis longtemps un avenir juste et sûr pour le peuple palestinien.

Just as we unequivocally support Israel’s right of self-defence so too Canada has long-supported a just and secure future for the Palestinian people.

And, I believe, we share with Israel a sincere hope that the Palestinian people and their leaders will choose a viable, democratic, Palestinian state, committed to living peacefully alongside the Jewish State of Israel. As you, Prime Minister, have said, when Palestinians make peace with Israel, Israel will not be the last country to welcome a Palestinian state as a new member of the United Nations. It will be the first.

Sadly, we have yet to reach that point. But, when that day comes, and come it must, I can tell you that Israel may be the first to welcome a sovereign Palestinian state, but Canada will be right behind you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, support~even firm support~doesn’t mean that allies and friends will agree on all issues all of the time. No state is beyond legitimate questioning or criticism. But our support does mean at least three things.

First, Canada finds it deplorable that some in the international community still question the legitimacy of the existence of the State of Israel.

Notre point de vue sur le droit à l’existence d’Israël en tant qu’État juif est absolu et non négociable.

Our view on Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state is absolute and non-negotiable.

Deuxièmement, le Canada est convaincu qu’Israël devrait pouvoir exercer ses pleins droits d’État membre de l’ONU et profiter de sa souveraineté dans toute sa mesure.

 

Second, Canada believes that Israel should be able to exercise its full rights as a UN member-state, and to enjoy the full measure of its sovereignty. For this reason, Canada has spoken on numerous occasions in support of Israel’s engagement and equal treatment in multilateral fora. And, in this regard, I should mention that we welcome Israel’s induction this month into the western, democratic group of states at the United Nations.

Troisièmement, Nous nous refusons à critiquer Israël de façon isolée sur la scène internationale.

Third, we refuse to single out Israel for criticism on the international stage. Now I understand, in the world of diplomacy, with one, solitary, Jewish state and scores of others, it is all too easy “to go along to get along” and single out Israel. But such “going along to get along,” is not a “balanced” approach, nor a “sophisticated” one; it is, quite simply, weak and wrong. Unfortunately, ladies and gentlemen, we live in a world where that kind of moral relativism runs rampant. And in the garden of such moral relativism, the seeds of much more sinister notions can be easily planted.

And so we have witnessed, in recent years, the mutation of the old disease of anti-Semitism and the emergence of a new strain. We all know about the old anti-Semitism. It was crude and ignorant, and it led to the horrors of the death camps. Of course, in many dark corners, it is still with us. But, in much of the western world, the old hatred has been translated into more sophisticated language for use in polite society. People who would never say they hate and blame the Jews for their own failings or the problems of the world, instead declare their hatred of Israel and blame the only Jewish state for the problems of the Middle East.

As once Jewish businesses were boycotted, some civil-society leaders today call for a boycott of Israel. On some campuses, intellectualized arguments against Israeli policies thinly mask the underlying realities, such as the shunning of Israeli academics and the harassment of Jewish students. Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state. Think about that. Think about the twisted logic and outright malice behind that: A state, based on freedom, democracy and the rule of law, that was founded so Jews can flourish, as Jews, and seek shelter from the shadow of the worst racist experiment in history, that is condemned, and that condemnation is masked in the language of anti-racism. It is nothing short of sickening.

MK Ahmed Tibi~Photo by Gil Yohanan

Note: This is the point in PM Harper’s address, that several Arab Knesset members, including MK Tibi who had heckled the PM earlier, got up and left the Knesset chamber. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Knesset stood to applaud PM Harper.

Mais, il s’agit du nouveau visage de l’antisémitisme. Un antisémitisme qui vise le peuple juif en prétendant viser Israël.

But this is the face of the new anti-Semitism. It targets the Jewish people by targeting Israel and attempts to make the old bigotry acceptable for a new generation. Of course, criticism of Israeli government policy is not in and of itself necessarily anti-Semitic. But what else can we call criticism that selectively condemns only the Jewish state and effectively denies its right to defend itself while systematically ignoring – or excusing – the violence and oppression all around it? What else can we call it when Israel is routinely targeted at the United Nations, and when Israel remains the only country to be the subject of a permanent agenda item at the regular sessions of its Human Rights Council?

Ladies and gentlemen, any assessment~any judgment~of Israel’s actions must start with this understanding: Depuis soixante-cinq ans qu’existe comme nation l’État moderne d’Israël, les israéliens ont enduré d’innombrables attaques et calomnies et n’ont pas eu une seule journée de véritable paix.

In the sixty-five years that modern Israel has been a nation, Israelis have endured attacks and slanders beyond counting and have never known a day of true peace. And we understand that Israelis live with this impossible calculus: If you act to defend yourselves, you will suffer widespread condemnation, over and over again. But should you fail to act you alone will suffer the consequence of your inaction, and that consequence will be final, your destruction.

La vérité, que le Canada comprend, est que beaucoup des forces hostiles dirigées contre Israël s’exercent aussi sur tous les pays occidentaux. Et Israël y fait face pour beaucoup des mêmes raisons que nous. Mais Israël y est confronté de beaucoup plus près.

The truth, that Canada understands, is that many of the hostile forces Israel faces are faced by all western nations. And Israel faces them for many of the same reasons we face them. You just happen to be a lot closer to them. Of course, no nation is perfect. But neither Israel’s existence nor its policies are responsible for the instability in the Middle East today.

One must look beyond Israel’s borders to find the causes of the relentless oppression, poverty and violence in much of the region, of the heartbreaking suffering of Syrian refugees, of sectarian violence and the fears of religious minorities, especially Christians, and of the current domestic turmoil in so many states.

So what are we to do? Most importantly, we must deal with the world as we find it. The threats in this region are real, deeply rooted, and deadly and the forces of progress, often anaemically weak. For too many nations, it is still easier to scapegoat Israel than to emulate your success. It is easier to foster resentment and hatred of Israel’s democracy than it is to provide the same rights and freedoms to their own people.

Je suis convaincu qu’un État palestinien viendra, et l’une des conditions qui va lui permettre de venir c’est lorsque les régimes qui financent le terrorisme se rendront compte que le chemin de la paix est celui de la conciliation, pas celui de la violence.

I believe that a Palestinian state will come, and one thing that will make it come is when the regimes that bankroll terrorism realise that the path to peace is accommodation, not violence.

Which brings me to the government of Iran. Late last year, the world announced a new approach to diplomacy with the government in Tehran. Canada has long held the view that every diplomatic measure should be taken to ensure that regime never obtains a nuclear weapon. We therefore appreciate the earnest efforts of the five permanent members of the Security Council and Germany. Canada will evaluate the success of this approach not on the merits of its words, but on the implementation and verification of its promised actions.

Nous espérons vraiment qu’il soit possible d’obtenir que le gouvernement iranien renonce à s’engager, sur la voie sans retour, de la fabrication des armes nucléaires. Mais, pour le moment, le Canada maintient intégralement en vigueur les sanctions que nous avons imposées.

We truly hope that it is possible to walk the Iranian government back from taking the irreversible step of manufacturing nuclear weapons. But, for now, Canada’s own sanctions will remain fully in place. And should our hopes not be realized, should the present agreement prove ephemeral, Canada will be a strong voice for renewed sanctions.

Ladies and gentlemen, Let me conclude with this thought.

Je crois que l’histoire d’Israël est un très bel exemple pour le monde entier.

I believe the story of Israel is a great example to the world. It is a story, essentially, of a people whose response to suffering has been to move beyond resentment and build a most extraordinary society, a vibrant democracy, a freedom-loving country with an independent and rights-affirming judiciary. An innovative, world-leading “start-up” nation. You have taken the collective memory of death and persecution to build an optimistic, forward-looking land, one that so values life, you will sometimes release a thousand criminals and terrorists, to save one of your own.

In the democratic family of nations, Israel represents values which our Government takes as articles of faith, and principles to drive our national life.

And therefore, through fire and water, Canada will stand with you.

 * At this point MKs and hundreds in the Knesset gallery rise to give PM Harper a standing ovation

My friends, you have been generous with your time and attention. Once more, Laureen and I and our entire delegation thank you for your generous hospitality, and look forward to continuing our visit to your country.

Merci beaucoup.

Thank you for having us, and may peace be upon Israel.
  

Thank You Prime Minister Harper~May God Bless Canada and the Canadian People!

Al Jazeera Arabic Speaks Up for Israel and France~Wow!

Tens of Thousands of Christians and Minorities in Syria Are Being Slaughtered...Why?

PM Stephen Harper of Canada Arrives in Jerusalem

PM Harper, A Great Friend of Israel is Welcomed by PM Netanyahu

The Weekly Torah Portion~Parshat Mishpatim

The Parsha for 29-25 January 2014~Mishpatim (Exodus 21:~24:18)

Lesson 5~Made in Israel~Agriculture

From Dust to Blooming~Made in Israel~Agriculture

Lesson 4~Made in Israel~Medicine

Israel Works to Heal the World~Made in Israel~Medicine

Lesson 3~Made in Israel~Water

Solving Problems for the World~ Made in Israel~Water

Lesson 2~Made in Israel~Technology

Israel Is the Start Up Nation! Made in Israel~Technology

Lesson 1~Made in Israel~Clean and Green

The Best of the Best~Made in Israel~Clean and Green

Israel~Defying The Odds~Here Are Some Facts...

Consider This: Israel is Only 65% the Size of Vancouver Island and Smaller than New Jersey!

* Thanks to Aish.com

Days Go By and Life Goes On...

Today, is not a particularly sunny day, but it is warm enough to go outside with just a sweater or light jacket. 

The joys of working outside the city are manifold. There is peace, quiet, trees, birds and yes, even goats.

After the record snowfall, we received just a few short weeks ago, it was almost surprising to see the rich green of the plants and trees. Many, many trees and bushes were crushed and broken, but already they are beginning to regenerate and show signs of being even stronger than before. It is difficult to picture everything buried in snow!

Looking out the window of the office I saw a movement at the end of the property.

Upon closer investigation, it turned out to be a herd of goats, chewing their way along. There is a path that runs along the valley and it is not uncommon for herds of goats to slowly travel through. They seem to know exactly where they are going, even when the herder is nowhere to be seen.

A hawk circled lazily overhead, there were various birds singing and flitting from tree to tree~and of course~the goats!

In short, it is just a normal day, but one that reminds us of the Greatness of God and His Amazing Creation...

These Are The Countries that Persecute Christians...

Please Examine Carefully. Notice Jordan and Palestinian Territories Show Up~But Not Israel!

* Thanks to Daphne Anson Blog for posting this

Arab Israelis Say They Want to Remain Israeli

Either We'll Die Together or Live Together~But They Won't Live Under Abbas or "PA" Rule

Boycott Israel~If You Think That's Just!

Ari Lesser Speaks to the Boycott Crowds...Do Listen to What He is Saying!

Final Celebrations of the Christmas Season...

Serbians in Belgrade~Picture Credit: Blazing Cat Fur

For many people, especially outside of North America, Christmas does not come on 25 December. The Orthodox Churches in Russia and other Slavic countries as well as in the Middle East, hold their Christmas Eve celebrations on 06 January.

The Assyrian, Armenian and Coptic patriarchs celebrate with marches and services held in Bethlehem and  within Jerusalem's Old City. There are also Christmas markets in Bethlehem and Nazareth as well as the Old City, and a variety of religious services and activities. Tourists from around the world travel to Israel for this special time.

Although this is a time for peace and celebration there are still conflicts. In the entire middle-east, Israel is the only country where the Christian population has increased. Bethlehem, which is now under "PA" control, has gone from a majority Christian to a majority Muslim city. The Christian population now is about 10%, and those remaining dare not speak out for fear of persecution. The Christmas "Tourism" business is pushed, but once the tourists leave it is a different story. There are even factions who are trying to "steal" the day by claiming that Mary was a Palestinian, and Jesus was the first Jihad. Even during this holiest time of the year, propaganda and politics rule the day.

Regardless, those who are true believers have only one thing in mind on this day~and that is the Miracle and Hope that was given to all mankind. Despite threats and oppression, the tiny Christian communities continue to pray and wait for the time when all the world will know peace.

Please pray for the Christian Communities in the Middle East! They are now among the most persecuted (and ignored) people in the world!

Божићна песма - Превјечни родисја по љети~The Pre-Eternal is Born

Angels Are Singing~Serbian Christmas Song