Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Video: Everything Stops for Yom Hazikaron Siren (2010)
This video was taken on Yom Hazikaron, 2010, at the moment the siren blew. It is striking how everyone stands still, paying respect to those who sacrificed their lives so that Israel can exist.
(Video Source: Jewlicious)
Halachic Implications of Yom Ha'atzmaut
The Gush Yeshiva wrote a wonderful essay summarizing the different opinions conerning these issues. Here is a short summary of the essay:
Is It Bal Tosef To Create a New Holiday?
There are many sources to support creating a personal or communal commemoration of a miraculous event (R. Moshe Alshakar in Teshuvot Maharam Alshakar, cited by the Magen Avraham (686), the Chatam Sofer, R. Ovadiah Hadayah, Yehudah Dovid Eisenstein, the Chayei Adam). This was quite common in Europe.
However, at least one source (R. Chezekiah da Silva's perush to Shulchan Arukh (Orach Chaim 696)) says that we many no longer establish a new holiday after the second temple. Others argue that instituting a festive day for the entire Jewish People to celebrate, even those who did not personally experience the miraculous events, constitutes a violation of the Biblical injunction of "bal tosef" (Devarim 4:2) based on the Ramban Devarim 4:2) who implies that this injunction may also include adding a new holiday.
R. Hadaya (Yaskil Avdi 8, hashmatot 4) and R. Meshulam Roth, a member of the Israeli Chief Rabbinic Council, argued strongly in favor of establishing a festive day in commemoration of the establishment of the State of Israel.
Is Hallel Appropriate For Yom Ha'atzmaut?
A number of Rishonim derive from Pesachim (117) that if the entire nation is saved from danger, they may recite Hallel. They disagree as to whether this applies to individuals as well and whether this Hallel should be recited with a blessing.
R' Hadaya rules that Hallel should be recited without a blessing on Yom Ha-Atzmaut. R. Meshulem Roth (in the responsum cited above) argues that Yom Ha-Atzmaut should be observed as a festive day, and that naturally one should recite Hallel as well.
Rav Soloveitchik is cited in Nefesh Ha-Rav (pg. 97) as objecting to saying Hallel on Yom Ha'atzmaut, as he objected to any other change of the liturgy. He sanctioned, however, reciting half-Hallel, without a blessing, at the end of Shacharit, as this does not constitute a major change in the liturgy.
Can The Mourning of Sefirat Ha'Omer Be Suspended for Yom Ha'atzmaut
Yom Ha-Atzmaut comes out during Sefirat Ha'Omer, which a customary period of mourning. R. Yitzchak Nissim (1896-1981), former Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel (1955-1972), ruled that one may hold weddings and take haircuts on Yom Ha-Atzmaut (Sinai, April-May, 1958).
R. Hadaya (Yaskil Avdi 6:10) rejects this and rules that one should continue his observance of the mourning practices of the omer.
R. Soloveitchik also maintained that the mourning practices of the omer should not be suspended in order to celebrate Yom Ha-Atzmaut.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Yom HaZikaron: Story of Dvir Emanuelof, a Kadosh Soldier Killed During Operation Cast Lead
The following story was written by Daniel Gordis and published on chabad.org's website.
The story is truly amazing (and true). Please read it until the end.
Daniel Gordis is the author of numerous books on Jewish thought and currents in Israel. His most recent book is Saving Israel: How the Jewish State Can Win a War That May Never End. A man who sits next to me in shul has been raving about this book all year long, so it's probably a good read. Gordis made aliyah in 1998.
A Hug from Heaven
By Daniel Gordis
It's been almost a year since St.-Sgt. Dvir Emanuelof became the first casualty of Operation Cast Lead, losing his life to Hamas mortar fire just as he entered Gaza early in the offensive. But sitting with his mother, Dalia, in her living room last week, I was struck not by loss, but by life. And not by grief, but by fervent belief. And by a more recent story about Dvir that simply needs to be told.
This past summer, Dalia and some friends planned to go to Hutzot Hayotzer, the artists' colony constructed each summer outside Jerusalem's Old City walls. But Dalia's young daughter objected; she wanted to go a week later, so she could hear Meir Banai in concert.
Stunned, Dalia turned around and saw the father holding a babyDalia consented. And so, a week later, she found herself in the bleachers, waiting with her daughter for the performance to begin. Suddenly, Dalia felt someone touch her shoulder. When she turned around, she saw a little boy, handsome, with blond hair and blue eyes. A kindergarten teacher by profession, Dalia was immediately drawn to the boy, and as they began to speak, she asked him if he'd like to sit next to her.
By now, though, the boy's father had seen what was unfolding, and called over to him, "Eshel, why don't you come back and sit next to me and Dvir?" Stunned, Dalia turned around and saw the father holding a baby. "What did you say his name is?" she asked the father.
"Dvir," responded Benny.
"How old is he?" Dalia asked.
"Six months," was the reply.
"Forgive my asking," she continued, "was he born after Cast Lead, or before?"
"After."
Whereupon Dalia continued, "Please forgive my pressing, but can I ask why you named him Dvir?"
"Because," Benny explained to her, "the first soldier killed in Cast Lead was named Dvir. His story touched us, and we decided to name our son after him."
Almost unable to speak, Dalia paused, and said, "I'm that Dvir's mother."
Shiri, the baby's mother, had overheard the conversation, and wasn't certain that she believed her ears. "That can't be."
"It's true."
"What's your last name?"
"Emanuelof."
"Where do you live?"
"Givat Ze'ev."
"It is you," Shiri said. "We meant to invite you to the brit milah, the circumcision, but we couldn't."
"It doesn't matter," Dalia assured her, "You see, I came anyway."
And then, Dalia told me, Shiri said something to her that she'll never forget - "Dvir is sending you a hug, through us."
Shiri felt as though she were looking at an angelAt that point in our conversation, Shiri told me her story. She'd been pregnant, she said, in her 33rd or 34th week, and during an ultrasound test, a potentially serious problem with the baby was discovered. After consultations with medical experts, she was told that there was nothing to do. The baby would have to be born, and then the doctors would see what they could do. A day or two later, she was at home, alone, anxious and worried. She lit Chanukah candles, and turned on the news. The story was about Dvir Emanuelof, the first soldier killed in the operation. She saw, she said, the extraordinarily handsome young man, with his now famous smile, and she felt as though she were looking at an angel.
A short while later, Benny came home, and Shiri said to him, "Come sit next to me." When he'd seated himself down next to her, Shiri said to Benny, "A soldier was killed today."
"I heard," he said.
"What do you say we name our baby after him?" Shiri asked.
"Okay," was Benny's reply.
They told no one about the name, and had planned to call Dalia once the baby was born, to invite her to the brit milah. But when Dvir was born, Shiri and Benny were busy with medical appointments, and it wasn't even clear when they would be able to have the brit. By the time the doctor gave them the okay to have the brit, it was no longer respectful to invite Dalia on such short notice, Shiri told me. So they didn't call her. Not then, and not the day after. Life took its course and they told no one about the origin of Dvir's name, for they hadn't yet asked Dalia's permission.
So no one knew, until that moment when a little blond-haired, blue-eyed boy - whom Dalia now calls "the messenger" - decided to tap Dalia on the shoulder. "Someone's looking out for us up there," Shiri said quietly, wiping a tear from her eye, "and this no doubt brings Him joy."
It was now quiet in Dalia's living room, the three of us pondering this extraordinary sequence of events, wondering what to make of it. I was struck by the extraordinary bond between these two women, one religious and one traditional but not religious in the classic sense, one who's now lost a husband and a son and one who's busy raising two sons.
Unconnected in any way just a year ago, their lives are now inextricably interwoven. And I said to them both, almost whispering, "This is an Israeli story, par excellence."
As if they'd rehearsed the response, they responded in virtual unison, "No, it's a Jewish story."
It is a story of shared destiniesThey're right, of course. It is the quintessential Jewish story. It is a story of unspoken and inexplicable bonds. It is a story of shared destinies.
These are not easy times. These are days when we really could use a miracle or two. So perhaps it really is no accident that now, when we need it most, Dvir is sending us all a hug from heaven above.
The story is truly amazing (and true). Please read it until the end.
Daniel Gordis is the author of numerous books on Jewish thought and currents in Israel. His most recent book is Saving Israel: How the Jewish State Can Win a War That May Never End. A man who sits next to me in shul has been raving about this book all year long, so it's probably a good read. Gordis made aliyah in 1998.
A Hug from Heaven
It's been almost a year since St.-Sgt. Dvir Emanuelof became the first casualty of Operation Cast Lead, losing his life to Hamas mortar fire just as he entered Gaza early in the offensive. But sitting with his mother, Dalia, in her living room last week, I was struck not by loss, but by life. And not by grief, but by fervent belief. And by a more recent story about Dvir that simply needs to be told.
This past summer, Dalia and some friends planned to go to Hutzot Hayotzer, the artists' colony constructed each summer outside Jerusalem's Old City walls. But Dalia's young daughter objected; she wanted to go a week later, so she could hear Meir Banai in concert.
Stunned, Dalia turned around and saw the father holding a babyDalia consented. And so, a week later, she found herself in the bleachers, waiting with her daughter for the performance to begin. Suddenly, Dalia felt someone touch her shoulder. When she turned around, she saw a little boy, handsome, with blond hair and blue eyes. A kindergarten teacher by profession, Dalia was immediately drawn to the boy, and as they began to speak, she asked him if he'd like to sit next to her.
By now, though, the boy's father had seen what was unfolding, and called over to him, "Eshel, why don't you come back and sit next to me and Dvir?" Stunned, Dalia turned around and saw the father holding a baby. "What did you say his name is?" she asked the father.
"Dvir," responded Benny.
"How old is he?" Dalia asked.
"Six months," was the reply.
"Forgive my asking," she continued, "was he born after Cast Lead, or before?"
"After."
Whereupon Dalia continued, "Please forgive my pressing, but can I ask why you named him Dvir?"
"Because," Benny explained to her, "the first soldier killed in Cast Lead was named Dvir. His story touched us, and we decided to name our son after him."
Almost unable to speak, Dalia paused, and said, "I'm that Dvir's mother."
Shiri, the baby's mother, had overheard the conversation, and wasn't certain that she believed her ears. "That can't be."
"It's true."
"What's your last name?"
"Emanuelof."
"Where do you live?"
"Givat Ze'ev."
"It is you," Shiri said. "We meant to invite you to the brit milah, the circumcision, but we couldn't."
"It doesn't matter," Dalia assured her, "You see, I came anyway."
And then, Dalia told me, Shiri said something to her that she'll never forget - "Dvir is sending you a hug, through us."
Shiri felt as though she were looking at an angelAt that point in our conversation, Shiri told me her story. She'd been pregnant, she said, in her 33rd or 34th week, and during an ultrasound test, a potentially serious problem with the baby was discovered. After consultations with medical experts, she was told that there was nothing to do. The baby would have to be born, and then the doctors would see what they could do. A day or two later, she was at home, alone, anxious and worried. She lit Chanukah candles, and turned on the news. The story was about Dvir Emanuelof, the first soldier killed in the operation. She saw, she said, the extraordinarily handsome young man, with his now famous smile, and she felt as though she were looking at an angel.
A short while later, Benny came home, and Shiri said to him, "Come sit next to me." When he'd seated himself down next to her, Shiri said to Benny, "A soldier was killed today."
"I heard," he said.
"What do you say we name our baby after him?" Shiri asked.
"Okay," was Benny's reply.
They told no one about the name, and had planned to call Dalia once the baby was born, to invite her to the brit milah. But when Dvir was born, Shiri and Benny were busy with medical appointments, and it wasn't even clear when they would be able to have the brit. By the time the doctor gave them the okay to have the brit, it was no longer respectful to invite Dalia on such short notice, Shiri told me. So they didn't call her. Not then, and not the day after. Life took its course and they told no one about the origin of Dvir's name, for they hadn't yet asked Dalia's permission.
So no one knew, until that moment when a little blond-haired, blue-eyed boy - whom Dalia now calls "the messenger" - decided to tap Dalia on the shoulder. "Someone's looking out for us up there," Shiri said quietly, wiping a tear from her eye, "and this no doubt brings Him joy."
It was now quiet in Dalia's living room, the three of us pondering this extraordinary sequence of events, wondering what to make of it. I was struck by the extraordinary bond between these two women, one religious and one traditional but not religious in the classic sense, one who's now lost a husband and a son and one who's busy raising two sons.
Unconnected in any way just a year ago, their lives are now inextricably interwoven. And I said to them both, almost whispering, "This is an Israeli story, par excellence."
As if they'd rehearsed the response, they responded in virtual unison, "No, it's a Jewish story."
It is a story of shared destiniesThey're right, of course. It is the quintessential Jewish story. It is a story of unspoken and inexplicable bonds. It is a story of shared destinies.
These are not easy times. These are days when we really could use a miracle or two. So perhaps it really is no accident that now, when we need it most, Dvir is sending us all a hug from heaven above.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Roundup of Israel Blogs Issue #2
Here is the weekly thursday roundup of different blogs coming from Israel or about Israel. Please contact me if you would like your blog to be included in this list.
*A Mother In Israel discusses Israeli baby names.
*A Soldier's Mother posts a message to Anat Kam, an Israeli soldier who stole classified documents.
*Bat Aliyah talks about what to say to her friends that want to make aliyah but aren't able to yet.
*Rav Reuven Spolter notes some observations about the yishuv Otniel. The picture to the right is the famous hesder yeshiva in Otniel.
*Esser Agaroth blogs about eating locuts. The picture to the left is a locust from the 1915 locust plague in Israel.
*Rav Zev Shandalov writes personal reflections following Yom Hashoa in Israel.
*Deena writes at Habitza about why people bring challenges into their lives.
*Igoogledisrael comments how March was a record breaker for Israel's tourism.
*Ruti Mizrachi at Ki Yachol Nuchal! blogs about children collecting wood for Lag B'omer.
*Yisroel Medad at My Right Word shares some pictures from the top of the Hurva synagogue.
*One Tired Ema has a call for help. She is looking for advice on how to get her friend's children registered in Maamad Israeli schools.
*Miriam Woelke shares some positive thinking for Rosh Chodesh Iyar.
*Batya Medad tells us why she is different than everyone else in her generation.
*Molly at The Big Falafel tell us why she loves her 5 shekel ice coffee.*Benji Levitt blogs from Ben Gurion airport.
*The Muqata points us to this ridiculous newpaper article from Britain. The article does not believe Israeli tourism brochures should include pictures of the Kotel.
*Brian at This Norman Life was irked about the Simpson's episode in Israel.
Thanks for reading this roundup!
Want to Buy an Ereader for Israel? Don't Buy the iPAD.
There are currently 3 main manufacturers of ebook readers: Amazon's Kindle, Barnes & Noble's Nook, and now — Apple's iPad. Apple’s iPad (considered to be in a category between the smartphone and the laptop computer) is the newest ebook reader to the market, released earlier this month on April 3rd.
At this point, however, it is not legal to have an iPad in Israel. Israel's Communications Ministry has blocked imports of iPads and ordered customs officials to confiscate the units when people enter the country carrying iPads. Israel says the wireless technology that Apple uses in the iPad is not compatible with the country's wifi standards. Ben-Gurion International Airport's customs division has impounded 10 iPads so far.
UPDATE 04/19/2010: The Wall Street Journal openly wonders why Israel is banning the iPad. They write that: "Some technology experts have speculated the ban could have to do with fears that the more powerful wireless frequency used by American devices could interfere with Israeli military communications technology."
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Amazing Facts About The Country of Israel
(Source: aish.com)
Israel is the 100th smallest country, and has about 1/1000th of the world's population. It is only 62 years old,
Israel is the 100th smallest country, and has about 1/1000th of the world's population. It is only 62 years old,
Only 62 years old, 7 million people strong (less than Virginia), and smaller in size than New Jersey, surrounded by enemies, under constant threat and possessing almost no natural resources, and yet…
- Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth. It has absorbed 350% of its population in 60 years.1
- Israel is the only country in history to have revived an unspoken language.
- Since the founding of the state, Israel has more Nobel Prices per capita than any other country. It has more laureates in real numbers than China, Mexico and Spain.2
- Israel has the 8th longest life expectancy (80.7 years), longer than the UK, US, and Germany3
- Israeli films were nominated three years in a row for the Academy Award's Best Foreign Film4
Environment
- Israel is the only country that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees, even more remarkable -- in an area that's mainly desert.5
- Over 90% of Israeli homes use solar energy for hot water, the highest percentage in the world.6, 7
- Israel will be the first country to host a national electric car network.8
- Israel is ranked in the top five Cleantech countries of the world, and operates the world’s largest desalinization plant.9
- Israeli companies are producing the largest solar energy production facility in the world.
Science & Technology
- Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce, 63% more than the U.S. It also has the most physicians and engineers per capita.10
- Israel's scientific research institutions are ranked 3rd in the world.11
- Israel is ranked 2nd in space sciences.12
- Israel produces the 3rd most scientific papers per capita, and the most in stem cell science.13
- More Israeli patents are registered in the United States than from Russia, India and China combined (combined population 2.5 billion). It leads the world in patents for medical equipment.11, 14, 15
- Israeli companies invented the drip irrigation system, discovered the world’s most used drug for multiple sclerosis, designed the Pentium NMX Chip technology and the Pentium 4 and Centrium microprocessors, created Instant Messenger (ICQ), and Israeli cows produce more milk per cow than any other in the world!
Business
- Israel has the 3rd highest rate of entrepreneurship among women in the world.16
- Israel has attracted the most venture capital investment per capita in the world, 30 times more than Europe17
- Israel has more NASDAQ-listed companies than any country besides the US -- more than all of Europe, India, China and Japan combined.18
- In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world. In absolute numbers, Israel has more startups than any country other than the U.S.19
Defying the Odds
- Israel is the only country whose indigenous population returned to its native land after 2,000 years of forced exile.
- There are 26 official Muslim states in the world, and 18 official Christian states, but there is only one Jewish state.20
Friday, April 9, 2010
Obama's Passover Seder at the White House
Yes, President Obama hosted a Passover seder at the White House on the second night of Passover. You can read all about it, including what was served at the meal, on Politics Daily's website.
In the picture above, President Obama is dipping his fingers to commemorate the 10 plagues that the Egyptains were afflicted with.
The are many potential captions for the above picture. My caption is: "Obama learns from the Hagadah." One of the lessons from the Hagada is that both history and G-d takes the side of the Jews and the land of Israel. This is said clearly in Chapter 12 of Genesis: "I will bless those who bless you." Obama will hopefully take this lesson into consideration before making future policy decisions regarding Israel.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Roundup of Israel Blogs Issue #1
The "Round-Up of Israel Blogs" is a new feature. Every thursday, I will have a roundup of different blogs coming from Israel or about Israel.
Please contact me if you would like your blog to be included in this list.
* Deena at Habitza shares the exciting news that 2 of her friends from Katamon (aka the Bitza) are engaged!
* Ilene Rosenblum describes her experience using a Breslover Hagadah this past Pesach.
* A Mother in Israel discusses a gas mask distribution dilemma - what to tell the kids?
* Rav Spolter at Chopping Wood posts an audio shiur on Aharon's role in Parashat Shemini.
* Esser Agaroth discusses what he has heard on the street about kitniyot on Pesach.
* Rav Zev Shandalov describes what chol moed is like is in Israel.
* Igoogledisrael tells us why the Kinneret is NOT the place to visit on Chol Moed.
* Yehoshua Halevy shares another one of his beautiful pictures. The picture this time is a beautiful shot of the Old City, taken from a distance.
* Ruti Mizrachi reminds us to not forget to bake Shissel Challah this week for good luck!
* Miriam Woelke shares some pictures she took of the Kaliver Rebbe who visited the Kotel on Chol Moed.
* Batya Medad shows up some of the exquisitve meals she made for Shabbat Pesach.
* The Muqata tells us why Obama is good for aliya.
* The Normal Life tells us about some trips he made to the Galil and the Golan over chol moed.
* Rafi at Israel Easy asks whether it is better today to live in Israel than the US?
* Aliyah Blog discusses Ravi Lichtenstein's review of The Eye of the Storm.
* Reb Akiva at Mystical Paths talks about how a kassam rocket landed in the area he was in on his chol moed trip.
* Rabbi Tzvi Fishman blogs about how it could not be clearer from the straightforward reading of the Torah that G-d wants the Jewish People to live in Israel.
Please contact me if you would like your blog to be included in this list.
* Deena at Habitza shares the exciting news that 2 of her friends from Katamon (aka the Bitza) are engaged!
* Ilene Rosenblum describes her experience using a Breslover Hagadah this past Pesach.
* A Mother in Israel discusses a gas mask distribution dilemma - what to tell the kids?
* Rav Spolter at Chopping Wood posts an audio shiur on Aharon's role in Parashat Shemini.
* Esser Agaroth discusses what he has heard on the street about kitniyot on Pesach.
* Rav Zev Shandalov describes what chol moed is like is in Israel.
* Igoogledisrael tells us why the Kinneret is NOT the place to visit on Chol Moed.
* Yehoshua Halevy shares another one of his beautiful pictures. The picture this time is a beautiful shot of the Old City, taken from a distance.
* Ruti Mizrachi reminds us to not forget to bake Shissel Challah this week for good luck!
* Miriam Woelke shares some pictures she took of the Kaliver Rebbe who visited the Kotel on Chol Moed.
* Batya Medad shows up some of the exquisitve meals she made for Shabbat Pesach.
* The Muqata tells us why Obama is good for aliya.
* The Normal Life tells us about some trips he made to the Galil and the Golan over chol moed.
* Rafi at Israel Easy asks whether it is better today to live in Israel than the US?
* Aliyah Blog discusses Ravi Lichtenstein's review of The Eye of the Storm.
* Reb Akiva at Mystical Paths talks about how a kassam rocket landed in the area he was in on his chol moed trip.
* Rabbi Tzvi Fishman blogs about how it could not be clearer from the straightforward reading of the Torah that G-d wants the Jewish People to live in Israel.
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