MK Levin Welcomes the 'No Occupation' Report

MK Yariv Levin welcomes the conclusions of a panel headed by a retired judge that there is no Israeli “occupation” in Judea and Samaria.

From Arutz 7 - By Elad Benari

MK Yariv Levin (Likud) welcomed on Wednesday the conclusions of a panel, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Edmund Levy, that there is no “occupation” and international law allows Jews to live in Judea and Samaria (Yehuda and Shomron).


Speaking to Arutz Sheva, Levin, who chairs the Knesset’s House Committee, said, “All the attempts to use legal tools to fight settlements are improper from the ground up. We will receive the report and study it.”
He expressed his hope that the Israeli government will adopt the report and implement it, saying, “I think what is now required is that the government adopt the report as a government decision. First and foremost, this report makes a statement that attempts to present the settlement enterprise as being contrary to international law are wrong.”


He continued, “The second element of the report is a very practical element which calls on the government to regulate and approve many communities that were built with the knowledge of government, with its encouragement and using State funds. We should complete the regulatory process so that residents do not have to constantly deal with petitions and appeals to the Supreme Court.”


MK Levin called on the legal system to stop hearing petitions against the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.


“The report did not invent anything new,” he said. “Judge Levy simply repeated the facts. We do not need a stamp, not from gentiles and not from judges. But I'm happy about any statement that reinforces the settlement enterprise. It is our historical right and any attempt to fight this enterprise using legal tools is wrong and hypocritical, and is an abuse of the power and the tools that the Court has.”


The three-man committee headed by Judge Levy concluded that from a historical and legal prospective, and considering agreements with the Palestinian Authority, the international law against “occupation” does not apply to Judea and Samaria.


It noted that Jordan’s assumed sovereignty over most of Judea and Samaria after the 1948 War for Independence was not legally recognized by the international community, meaning that Israel did not “occupy” the same land during the Six-Day War in 1967.


Virtually all of the international community including the United States, has continually labeled Israel as an “occupier” based on the notion that it took over Jordanian land in the war. In fact, the land was administered by Britain under a League of Nations Mandate after World War I and was to be divided between Israel and a new country of Trans-Jordan after the declaration of Israel as an independent country.


Arab nations, including Jordan, did not accept the partition plan and unsuccessfully tried to annihilate the young state of Israel. Jordan then occupied most of Judea and Samaria after the war.


The committee declared that international law does not apply to Judea and Samaria and recommended that the government not destroy houses and expel families from communities that were built with government approval.


It also said that the government should make its policies clear to prevent different interpretations when it approves new communities. The committee suggested that Arabs and Jews register their land claims within four or five years or lose their rights.


Additional notes:
Is it not ridiculous that we need a report to tell us that the land that the Jews have been living on for close to 4000 years belongs to the Jews?  Hashem, the true Owner of the land, made a covenant with our forefathers and gave His land to us (guaranteed in writing).   How many times do we have to quote international law which has ALWAYS stated that this is the homeland of the Jews (I’m not talking illegal resolutions or accords – only binding international law)?  How many years do we have to live on the land before it is considered settled?  When do we stop becoming settlers and start becoming owners and citizens of our land?  Only in Israel.  Why?  Because, the propaganda from terrorists is very affective.  If you have a government that is more afraid of the terrorists than Hashem, then that spineless government will go along with the lies of the terrorists – their rewriting of history.  The motto of the Israeli government should be “Just don’t hurt me and I’ll believe any lie you say.”  When you have a government that is more concerned about the opinion of the Jew hating world than the truth loving people, you live in controversy and anguish.  Only Hashem can be trusted for the truth and His Moshiach will be here soon to bring truth to the world and we will no longer need a "no occupation" report.  B”H.

Where does the Neshama come from and where does it go?

By Yaakov Sandler  

It doesn’t tell us anywhere in the written Torah what happens before or after life, but we have many other sources that give us a clear picture.
 
Rebbi Tanchum Bar Abba lived approximately 1500 years ago.  He was part of the chain of the Oral tradition – he learned from his Rabbi and taught what he learned to his students.  The following Medrash is taken from Medrash Tanchuma which is a compilation of teachings that were heard in the name of Rebbi Tanchum Bar Abba……..
 
Medrash Tanchuma Parshat Pikudei Chapter 3.
(I have skipped several sections of this very long Medrash to keep it short)……

When a woman conceives, Hashem appoints an angel to watch over the Fetus for the duration of the pregnancy.

Hashem knows whether the baby will be a boy or a girl, whether he/she will be weak or strong, rich or poor, short or tall, ugly or beautiful, fat or thin.  But, whether the person will do good or bad, that is in the hands of the person.

Hashem signals to the Angel that is appointed over the Neshamas, and says to him “bring Me that Neshama (He calls the Neshama by his name) from the world of the Neshamas.”  The Angel brings the Neshama to Hashem.  When the Neshama is brought before Hashem it bows down to Hashem in complete awe.  Hashem tells the Neshama to enter inside the fetus.  The Neshama says to Hashem “Master of the Universe, I was happy being in the world of Neshamas, why do you want me to go inside that earthly body? - I am holy and pure, I have come from a place that is way beyond the physical world.”  Immediately Hashem forces the soul into the body against his will, and appoints 2 Angels to guard over him, and a spiritual candle is lit above his head.

The Neshama is able to see from one end of the world to the other.  The Angel shows him the place where all the Tzadikim go and he sees them sitting there in honor with their crowns on their heads, enjoying pleasures that cannot even be compared to the pleasures that we have in this world.

The Angel asks the Neshama – Do you know who these are?
The Neshama replies – No.
The Angel explains – These that you see were created just like you in the womb of their mother, they came into the world and they kept the Torah and the Mitzvot, therefore they are worthy of the great reward that you see they are enjoying. You should know, soon you will go into the world.  If you are worthy and you do good deeds, you also will receive the great reward that these Tzadikim are receiving.

In the evening the Angel takes the Neshama to another place where all the evil people are.  Angels of destruction are beating them with fiery staffs without mercy.

The Angel says to the Neshama – do you know who these are?
The Neshama replies – No.
The Angel explains – These are the evil doers.  They were created just like you were and they came into the world and they did terrible evil things.  Therefore, they are suffering this terrible torment.

……In the end you will go out into the world, be a Tzadik and turn away from doing wrong so that you will be worthy of the world to come.

The fetus remains in its mother’s womb for 9 months, when the time comes for it to come into the world, the same Angel comes and says to him – Your time has come, the time for you to go into the world.
He replies to the Angel – Why do you want me to go out into the world?

The Angel says to him – Know my son, that against your will you were created, and against your will you are born, against your will you will die and against your will you will be asked to give an accounting of all of your deeds before the King of all Kings.

But he doesn’t want to leave the womb until he is kicked out, the spiritual candle is blown out and they force him into the world against his will.

Immediately, the baby forgets everything that he knew.

Why does a baby cry when he is born?  Because he was kicked out from his comfortable place and he is severed from the world that he came out from.

On the last day of his life in this world the very same Angel comes and asks him – Do you remember me?
He replies – Yes! Why do you come here today?
The Angel replies – In order to take you out of the world, because the time for you to pass on from this world has arrived.

Immediately he begins to cry and his cries can be heard from one end of the world to the other. It’s not a cry that living creatures hear or understand.

He says to the Angel – But you already took me away from 2 worlds and you put me in this world (The world of the Neshamas and the world inside the mother’s womb).
The Angel replies to him – Didn’t I already explain to you, against your will you were created, against your will you were born, against your will you live, against your will you die and against your will you will be asked to give an accounting before the King of all Kings.

We cannot imagine the pleasure that our Neshama will receive in the next world from doing even the smallest Mitzva in this world.  Whether we go out of our way to help a friend, or do a Mitzva that doesn’t seem to have any meaning or value to us, we are doing something that is way above the physical realms of this world.

Do a small Mitzva TODAY and take pleasure in the fact that you are doing something that has eternal value.  Eternal means forever - and that’s a very long time!

Rabbi Yaakov Sandler is the Director of Project Development for Shorashim Outreach Centers - a popular outreach organization that brings Torah values to unaffiliated Israelis in an informative and non judgmental way.
 

The Lightning Rod

The signature of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) - scientist, inventor and political leader during the fight for America's independence - appears on the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, and his face appears on every $100 dollar bill, a gesture of respect made by the American government, in light of his great contributions to his country.

One of Franklin's most important and useful inventions was the lightning rod - an iron pole that protects a house from lightning by drawing the bolt away from the property. Franklin developed this invention after discovering lightning to be a discharge of electricity. In 1752, he proved this in the famous, daring experiment in which he flew a kite during a thunder storm. Details of Franklin's life and discoveries appear in every encyclopedia.

Is it true, however, that no one knew about lightning rods until Franklin discovered it some two hundred years ago?

Perhaps the Sages of the People of Israel, who received the Torah on Mount Sinai, also knew something about this object?

In one chapter of the Tosephta, written some 2,000 years ago, the Sages distinguish between certain supernatural events, which lack all logical explanation, and other, similar events that can be attributed to natural causes. The first are termed derech ha-emori ("the way of the heathen"), and are forbidden by Torah law. Included in this category are witchcraft and other superstitious practices. On the other hand, the second type of actions is permitted. For instance, the Tosephta explains that it is forbidden to place wood chips on the handles of a pot to make sure that the food doesn't boil over. This was an accepted heathen practice, which, though possibly efficacious, lacked all natural explanation. However, it is permitted to put slivers of mulberry tree wood into the pot to shorten cooking time. This is not considered as the "way of the heathen," because the shorter cooking time has a reasonable, natural explanation.

The Tosephta also explains that one should not place an iron rod among chickens to ensure that they develop healthily, because this act has no natural explanation and falls under the category of the "ways of the heathen." However, it is permissible to place there a metal rod in order to save the chickens from lightning, because there is a natural explanation for the phenomena.

This means that the Torah Sages knew about the use of lightning rods and mentioned them explicitly some 2,000 years ago!

The important question here is not who invented the lightning rod, but whether or not we truly appreciate the words of the Sages. Had Franklin's discovery never been publicized, we would have been skeptical about the Sage's statement that an iron rod can somehow protect livestock against lightning strikes - especially since they state that this follows a natural law. Perhaps we would have considered their statement to lack a basis in reality. Today, we know that we would have been wrong.

In a similar fashion, we should cultivate an appreciation of other Rabbinic statements, even though their validity has yet to be proven by the scientific community. Science is slowly but surely catching up with the Truth of the Torah.

I’ve mentioned that we just open up the Handbook of the Universe and see the truth. I was questioned yesterday what is this handbook? I apologize if I haven’t made it clear that many Rabbis have called the Torah the “Handbook of the Universe.” Oh, that is what you were talking about. The Torah is our Handbook of the Universe and our Handbook of Life. It has all the answers we need to succeed and thrive.

Micol’s Gift

G-d is Everywhere: 

My guide to appreciating G-d’s gift of life.

by Micol Cohen

This past week, the world lost someone very special.  Her name was Micol Cohen.  She was 34 years old, and died suddenly in a car accident in Los Angeles.  Everybody loved Micol.  She was full of life, happiness, and an unquenchable love for spiritual growth.  No matter what the situation, Micol was optimistic and able to lift up everyone she came into contact with.

 

What was her secret?  As friends and family gathered in her apartment to sort out her belongings, they found a manifesto she'd handwritten called "G-d is Everywhere" that she placed on the wall next to her bed so that she could see it every day.


Micol condensed thousands of pages of Torah learning onto one sheet of paper.  It has the feel of a Jewish classic that will give all who read it daily inspiration.  While Micol prepared it only for herself, her parents have given permission for it to be shared. It is a legacy, a gift of life from a person bursting with life.
 
May it be an aliyah neshama, an eternal uplift for the precious soul of our dear and greatly missed friend Micol bat Shlomo HaCohen.


Message: G-d is Everywhere


Purpose
Without meaning our lives are empty.


Truth
Stay true. Commit to honesty and truth about yourself and the world around you.


Faith
Faith is the base of everything. Faith in G-d, Torah, Tradition and yourself!  Without faith, nothing is complete!


Renewal
Today I’ve lived as I’ve never ever lived until now!!  Every day marks a new start.


Hope
Never despair!  Never give up! There is ALWAYS hope!  If you can spoil it – you can repair it!


Joy
Simcha tamid!  It is a mitzvah to be joyous!


Overcoming Anxiety & Doubt
In life we have to cross a very narrow bridge.  The most important thing is NOT TO BE AFRAID.


Patience
Never insist that everything will go just the way we want.


Thoughts
Wherever our thoughts are, that is where we are!


Hitbodedut (Contemplation)
Keep talking to G-d.


Daily Path
YOU HAVE TODAY.  Yesterday and tomorrow pull us back.


Adversity
Look for G-d and have faith.  “GAM ZU LETOVA!” (Everything is for the best.)


I will take you along a new path – one that is very old but completely new.


Additional notes: How simple yet how profound.  I thought this to be an appropriate follow-up to yesterday’s post about the Death of a Righteous Person.  I did not know Micol; but now, I know and admire her high level of spirituality well.  I was moved by Micol’s beautiful yet simplistic view of life.  We should all learn from her and her neshamah should experience an aliyah in shemayim with each of us reading her words. 

The Death of a Tzadik (a Righteous Person)

 Adapled fram Midbar Shur pp 346-347

As the Israelites neared the end of their forty-year trek in the wilderness, they lost two great leaders, Miriam and Aharon.  While a tremendous loss for the nation, their passing had a hidden spiritual benefit.

The Torah informs us of Miriam's death immediately after enumerating the laws of the Para Aduma, the red heifer whose ashes were used for purification.  The Talmudic sages already wondered what connection there might be between Miriam's death and the Para Aduma:

Why is the death of Miriam juxtaposed to the laws of the Para Aduma?  This teaches that just as the Para Aduma brings atonement, so too, the death of the righteous brings atonement. (Mo'ed Katan 28a)

While this connection between Miriam and the Para Aduma is well known, the continuation of the same Talmudic statement, concerning the death of Aharon, is less so.

And why is the death of Aharon juxtaposed to [the mention of] the priestly clothes?  This teaches that just as the priestly clothes bring atonement, so too, the death of the righteous brings atonement.

In what way does the death of tzadikim atone for the people? And why does the Talmud infer this lesson from both the Para Aduma and the priestly clothes?

Larger Than life

The principal benefit that comes from the death of tzadikim is the spiritual and moral awakening that takes place after they pass away.  When a tzadik is alive, his acts of kindness and generosity are not always public knowledge.  True tzadikim do not promote them-selves.  On the contrary, they often take great pains to conceal their virtues and charitable deeds.  It is not uncommon that we become aware of their true greatness and nobility of spirit only after they are no longer with us.  Only then do we hear reports of their selfless deeds and extraordinary sensitivity, and we are inspired to emulate their ways. In this way, the positive impact of the righteous as inspiring role models increases after their death.

While stories of their fine traits and good deeds stir us to follow in their path, certain aspects of great tzadikim - extraordinary erudition and scholarship, for example - are beyond the capabilities of most people to emulate.  In such matters, the best we can do is to take upon ourselves to promote these qualities in our spiritual leadership, such as supporting the Torah study of young, promising scholars.

Two Forms of Emulation

In short, the death of tzadikim inspires us to imitate their personal conduct - if possible, in our own actions, and if not, by ensuring that there will be others who will fill this spiritual void.

These two methods of emulation parallel the different forms of atonement through the Para Aduma and the priestly clothes. Ritual purification using Para Aduma ashes was only effective when they were sprinkled on the body of the impure person; no one else could be purified in his place. This is comparable to those aspects of the tzadik that are accessible to, and incumbent upon, all to emulate.

The priestly garments, on the other hand, were only worn by kohanim (the priests). It was through the service of these holy emissaries that the entire nation was forgiven.  This is like those extraordinary traits of the tzadik that are beyond the capabilities of most people.  These qualities can be carried on only by a select few, with the support of the entire nation.