The Key to Election Results: Equal Sharing of the National Burden

Disappointment The election results were disappointing, and left a feeling of a missed opportunity. The polls infused optimism that the ‘Bayit HaYehudi’ (Jewish Home) party would be larger, and we hoped that the ‘Likud-Beiteinu’ party would not lose as many seats. It is widely accepted that generally speaking, the majority of Israeli’s are right-wing. But … Read more

The Israeli Political Left: Between Judaism and Democracy

The Left’s Claim: Withdrawal for the Sake of Jewish Identity The main argument heard from the leftist Zionist’s justifying their parties’ political position is that Israel must withdraw from Judea and Samaria and establish a Palestinian state in order to preserve the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. In other words, by withdrawing, a clear Jewish … Read more

Law and Orders Instead of Morals

“Honorable Men” Three years ago, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, upon the recommendation of Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, decided to terminate the ‘Hesder’ program in Yeshiva Har Bracha. Thus, the Yeshiva became a ‘yeshiva gevoha’ (an advanced yeshiva), devoid of a means for the students to combine army service with their Torah studies. Why? Only … Read more

Be Fruitful and Multiply

And Jacob’s Family Grew The household’s of Abraham and Isaac were plagued by numerous setbacks. Many painfully childless years passed before the Matriarchs Sarah and Rebecca bore children. The world was not yet ripe for welcoming Abraham’s offspring. Abundant prayer and spiritual refinement (“tikkunim”) would be necessary before the “gates were opened,” and Isaac and … Read more

The I.D.F. Recruitment Crisis

The Crisis Tensions surrounding the issue of recruitment of yeshiva students for the army are rising. Quite certainly it can be assumed that previous arrangements exempting members of the Haredi community from military service, while at the same time, they receive funding from the national coffers for studies in yeshivot, cannot continue for long. The secular … Read more

The Tenth of Tevet and the Building of Jerusalem

After the destruction of the First Holy Temple, the Prophets and Sages of Israel declared a day of fasting on the Tenth of Tevet, for it was on that day that Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon and his legions placed Jerusalem under siege. Along with this siege began the terrible chain of calamities which finally ended in the destruction of the First Temple and … Read more

The Torah on Striking

Nurses Strike Q: I work as a nurse, and presently our union has initiated a strike which might be severe and prolonged. I have a suspicion that there is an ulterior motive behind organizing the strike right before the Knesset elections – to harm the chances of the Likud and the Right-wing parties from forming … Read more

The Light of Chanukah and Torah

The Oral Law – The Light that Illuminates the Darkness It is no coincidence that the holiday of Chanukah falls out at a time of the year when the nights are longest and the cold of winter permeates the land.  Moreover, the moon barely shines, since Chanukah coincides with the days immediately preceding Rosh Chodesh, when the moon wanes. As the … Read more

Nip Evil in the Bud

“Remember Days Long By” – World War II As a result of the sour end to “Operation Pillar of Defense”, there is room for some reflection on the important and bitter historical issue of World War II. The Torah commands us: “Remember days long gone by. Ponder the years of each generation” (Deuteronomy 32:7). History … Read more

We Told You So

We Told You So As a result of the Oslo Accords, we said they would attack us from any place we withdrew from. We said that missiles would be fired on Ashkelon from Gaza, and all the leftist, delusionary peace seekers, claimed that we were terrifying the public – and now, ‘Gush Dan’ (greater Tel … Read more