Israel Today - The Death of Modern Zionism

For more than 60 years Jews are living in Israel under a Jewish Government. They fought 6-7 wars and are under constant threat of terror attacks.

Finally after almost 2000 years of exile and constant prayer and yearning to return to Jerusalem, it happened. Jews are in Israel and they are running their own affairs under a Jewish government.

So what happens when the Israeli government with the Jewish army withdraws from land under their jurisdiction, and they expel thousands of Jews from their homes with nowhere to go to?

Sounds familiar? It happened in Spain! It happened in Portugal! It happened in England! It happened in Iraq! It almost happened in the United States! And it happened in dozens of countries all over the world over the last two millennia.

Then it finally happens in Israel in the 21st century. A Jewish army expels Jews from a Jewish city in Israel!

How could this happen?

Isn't Israel the fulfillment of our dreams to rid ourselves from being the forever wandering Jew, because there isn't a place in the world he can call home? Is this what happens when you finally come home, you get expelled once again?

Rabbi Simon Jacobson tries to grapple with this issue by declaring the death of modern (secular) Zionism.

Who are the real zionists, and who will keep Israel going as a Jewish country for years to come?

Jews From Arab Countries

Everybody is concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people. Peace process, roadmaps, united nations and Arab leagues. And even some bleeding heart Jews.

For over 60 years a group of Arabs have been held up in refugee camps in various Arab countries. Not allowed to settle down or to acquire citizenship in any Arab country.

At the same time, several million Jews from many Arab countries have been expelled from homes and land they lived in for over two thousand years. 

Penniless and homeless, most have been absorbed in Israel, and they rebuilt their lives in a new world.

What of the billions they left behind in their old country? What of the land and culture they were forced to leave behind? What of their rights? What of compensation for their land and funds robed and confiscated by their old host countries?

Dr. Heskel Haddad, an optolmologist in New York City, was expelled from Iraq in 1951, for the crime of being a Jew. Coming from a well to do family, he was forced to leave it all behind, with just the clothes he had on his back.

Haddad is now asking for his voice to be heard. "When talking about the Palestinians, what about my land and possessions I left behind in Iraq?" asks Haddad.

Listen to a fascinating story of exile and persecution, which has a happy ending, but leaves miriads of questions to the entire world community unanswered.

Why do the Jews have to provide for the Palestinians that which their Arab brothers refuse to grant them?

Jews and Israel have absorbed their penniless brothers from Arab countries who were expelled and robed by the Arab world. Why don't the Arabs have to return that theft?

Who speaks on behalf of the Jews (expelled) from Arab Countries?

Aaron Feuerstein - A Real Jew - A Mentch

What an inspiring story. They make you proud and serve as an ideal role model for our children. A story about a man who lost his business to a fire, but continued to pay his employees to the tune of $25,000,000 just because the Torah says that one may not oppress his employees.

Watch and be proud!

A Jew for a Quarter.....

Several years ago, a rabbi from out-of-state accepted a call to a community in Houston , Texas .

Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.

When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it'.

Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from G-d' and keep quiet'.

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change'.

The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new rabbi in town?'

'Yes' he replied.

'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you in Shul on Shabbos'.

When the rabbi stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh Rebono Shel Olam (=master of the universe), I almost sold a Yid for a quarter.'

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Our lives are the only thing some people will ever read.

This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as a JEW, and will put us to the test!

Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of HaShem on your shoulders when you call yourself a 'JEW'.

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Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

* * *

I'm glad a friend forwarded this to me as a reminder.

So, I choose to forward it to you - my friend.

If you don't pass this on to anybody, nothing bad will happen; but, if you do, you will have reminded someone he/she is being watched.

* * *

May HaShem bless you; I hope you are having a wonderful day!

P.S. This story was sent to me by Sarah Rochelle from Cleveland, OH. In the merit of A shidduch.

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Today is Pesach Sheni (=Passover #2), when Jews who missed Passover on the 15th of Nissan, got another chance to perform the Pascal ritual.

The message is very clear, says the Rebbe: Its never too late! Everybody has the ability to correct anything they ever missed out.

G-d gives everybody another chance.

Shabbat shalom and Happy Pesach Sheni.