The heading “Why Israel doesn’t care about peace” was shouting at me from 20 copies of the latest edition of Time Magazine, as I passed a newspaper stand.
An article like this (excerpted here on-line) superficially certainly seems a paradox, since direct peace talks have just recommenced at the strong behest of Netanyahu, and against the foot-dragging [...]
SHANA TOVA
Yeshayahu Leibowitz highlighted the two prayers on Rosh Hashanah, “Uvechen ten Pachdecha”, and “Aleynu lesha’bei’ach” . He wrote that they embody man’s consciousness regarding the kingdom of heaven. The first prayer, Uvechen, “Impose Your awe on all Your works, and the dread of You on all You have created…” is recited because as Creator, [...]
Moshe commanded the people of Israel to have the Torah read to them every seventh year on the first day of Chol Hamoed of Succot.The king was to read the Torah publicly to all the people, men, women, and children, as well as the stranger within their cities.R’ SR Hirsch wrote that at this public [...]
It was refreshing to read that the Israeli Foreign Ministry has responded to critical mouthings from EU Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton with a good serving of their own.
Under the heading Government slams Ashton’s meddling
It was first noted that Ashton issued a statement saying she was “concerned by the conviction of 39-year-old Abdallah Abu Rahma in [...]
R’ Eli Munk wrote that it was “on this day” that Moshe finished interpreting the Torah and adding the last mitzvoth. He chose this day to urge the people of Israel to remain committed to the observance of G-d’s law. Rashi interpreted “this day” as meaning that Moshe wanted us to always think of the [...]
Domaine du Castel is one of Israel’s leading vineyards, run by Eli Ben Zaken and his sons Eytan and Ariel (see picture) The website is here.
Although not yet available in Australia, the wine from the vineyard at Ramat Raziel Moshav in the Judeah Hills, is establishing a global reputation. As stated, “traditionally, the Golan Heights and the Galilee to [...]
A TV documentary on the Gaza Flotilla was recently shown on BBC Panorama Series. The documentary which was made by Jane Corbin and entitled “Death in the Med” is shown here Part 1 and Part 2
The anti-Israel crowd, who are used to being stroked by the BBC, are agitated by the even-handedness displayed - as reported by [...]
Shir Madness was wonderful - and the more than 2000 people who attended the inaugural Sydney Jewish Music Festival were testimony.
Articles and photo highlights from the festival from J-wire, Australian Stage and the Australian Jewish News are here.
40 bands on 4 stages over 11 hours - all elements of the festival were high class - the sound quality, the efficient [...]
There are 72 positive and negative commandments in this parasha, the most in any parasha. Nechama Leibowitz quoted from 2 separate midrashim which explain aspects of their purpose. In one, the mitzvot are said to grace man’s daily acts, and consecrate his mundane duties such as tilling the soil, earning a livelihood, building a house, [...]
President Obama has certainly ratcheted up emotion regarding the proposed Islamic centre and Mosque close to the New York Twin Towers site.
By initially coming down on the side of the argument opposite to the opinion of 70% of polled Americans (that there is a right for the Mosque to be built there, but that it is not [...]