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The Parshah in a Nutshell Bo Exodus 10:1-13:16

The last three of the Ten Plagues are visited on Egypt: a swarm of locusts devours all the crops and greenery; a thick, palpable darkness envelops the land; and all the firstborn of Egypt are killed at the stroke of midnight of the 15th of the month of Nissan. G-d commands the first mitzvah to be given to the people of Israel: to establish a calendar based on the monthly rebirth of the moon. The Israelites are also instructed to bring a "Passover offering" to G-d: a lamb or kid is to be slaughtered and its blood sprinkled on the doorposts and lintel of every Israelite home, so that G-d should pass over these homes when He comes to kill the Egyptian firstborn. The roasted meat of the offering is to be eaten that night together with matzah (unleavened bread) and bitter herbs. The death of the firstborn finally breaks Pharaoh's resistance and he literally drives the Children of Israel from his land. So hastily do they depart, there is no time for their dough to rise, and the only provisions they take along are unleavened. Before they go, they ask their Egyptian neighbors for gold, silver and garments, draining Egypt of its wealth. The Children of Israel are commanded to consecrate all firstborn and to observe the anniversary of the Exodus each year by removing all leaven from their possession for seven days, eating matzah, and telling the story of their redemption to their children. They are also commanded to wear tefillin on the arm and head as a reminder of the Exodus and their resultant commitment to G-d.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parshas Bo
A Light Unto the Nations


The Israelites [also] did as Moses had said. They requested silver and gold articles and clothing from the Egyptians. God Made the Egyptians respect the people, and they granted their request. [The Israelites] thus drained Egypt of its wealth (Shemos 12:35-36).
Prior to the Exodus, Hashem caused the Jews to find favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. The immediate reason for this was so that the Egyptians would readily offer their vessels of gold and silver to Bnei Yisrael, in fulfillment of Hashem's promise to Avraham that his descendants would leave their servitude with great wealth. But if that were Hashem's only intention, it would have been sufficient to cause the Egyptians to give over their wealth out of fear of Bnei Yisrael.

We must, therefore, seek another explanation for the miracle of the Jews finding favor in the eyes of the Egyptians (see Ramban to Shemos 113)-i.e., some reason why it made a difference whether the Egyptians loved and respected us or merely feared us?

Throughout our galus we have been mocked, hated and killed by the nations of the world. We have had to strengthen ourselves not to concern ourselves with those who deride us because of our service to Hashem (see Rema to Orach Hachaim 1:1). There is a danger, however that this state of affairs will be seen as being the way things are meant to be, that we will view the mockery to which we are subjected as an indication of the perfection of our avodah.

The Torah teaches us that the opposite is true "Learn and observe [the Torah] for it is your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations, who will hear of all these laws and proclaim that this is truly a great, wise and understanding nation" (Devarim 4 6). It is clear that the Torah attaches importance to the respect given us by the nations of the world.

The Netziv writes (Ha'amek Davar to Bamidbar 14:21) that the goal of creation is that God's glory fill the entire earth i.e., that all human beings recognize Him. As we proclaim twice daily in the Shema, our perception of the oneness of God will only be complete when Hashem, Who is acknowledged now only by the Jewish People, will be the one God recognized by the entire world. "When Hashem will be King over the whole world, on that day will He be One and His Name one" (Zechariah 14 9).

This acknowledgment of God by the nations of the world is so important that the miracle of the splitting of the Sea was performed in order that "the Egyptians should know that I am God" (Shemos 7 5). Ibn Ezra adds that the Egyptians referred to were those who drowned. Thus the splitting of the Sea was warranted even for the few seconds of recognition of God by the drowning Egyptians. The World to Come is not limited to Jews; the righteous gentile, who observes the mitzvos incumbent upon him as Divine imperatives, also merits Olam Haba.

We, the Nation of Priests, represent Hashem to the world by our exemplary lifestyle, and imbue the world with knowledge of His existence. "We are a light unto the nations" (Yeshayabu 42:6). The Netziv explains that this function could have been achieved by the Jewish people settling in Eretz Yisrael and inspiring the entire world through an awareness of the miraculous Divine Providence that guides the Jew in his land. We did not merit this. As a consequence, it became necessary to spread the knowledge of Hashem by living among the nations and causing them to witness how we sacrifice ourselves for God's Name. Our survival as a solitary lamb among seventy hungry wolves points to the existence of a Divine Creator, whose Divine Providence guides and protects His nation.

The halachah consistently exhorts us to act in a way which will effect a kiddush Hashem (sanctification of the Divine Name), and thereby brings us respect as a holy and upright people. We are forbidden to desecrate God's Name by giving the gentiles reason to castigate us for conduct unbefitting a holy nation (see Choshen Mishpat 266 regarding returning lost articles to a non-Jew). Kiddush Hashem is a facet of the mitzvah of ahavas Hashem, love of God. Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvos writes that this mitzvah includes an imperative to call out to all mankind to serve God and acknowledge Him.

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 6) says, " 'And he is a witness,' this refers to Yisrael, as it says, 'You are my witnesses, says Hashem, and I am your Lord....' If you will not testify, you will carry His sin." If you do not relate My existence to the nations, says Hashem, I will exact punishment from you. The nations of the world should ideally function in unison with us to proclaim and acknowledge the Creator.

We bring seventy sacrifices on Succos for the benefit of the seventy nations, yet we bring them in descending order to intimate that the nations should decrease. There is no contradiction in this. The need for seventy distinct nations is only a result of the Tower of Bavel at which mankind united to deny God. As a consequence, God created divisions among them to thwart this attempt to countermand the purpose of man. The ideal, however, is that mankind should unite in the service of God. As the prophet Zephaniah proclaims, "Then will I return to the nations a clear language so that they can all call on the Name of Hashem and serve Him in unison" (Zephaniah 3 9).

As God's representatives, we must ultimately command the respect and favor of the nations of the world in order to fill the world with His glory. That occurs, says Rashi, only when we fulfill the mitzvos properly. A mitzvah fulfilled properly is Godly and perfect and can only command respect and admiration. If we fail to perform the mitzvos properly, however, then we will be considered fools. Derision and mockery will be our lot, for the portion of the mitzvah improperly performed is not Divine and therefore elicits ridicule that then spreads and encompasses the entire mitzvah.

Chazal explain that the verse, "AII nations of the earth will see that God's Name has been called upon you and will respect and fear you," refers to the tefillin placed on the head. The Vilna Gaon added that this means not just the tefillin on the head but the tefillin in the head - i.e., the internalized intention with which the mitzvah is performed.

The scorn of the nations of the world is not a sign of our perfection, but rather that something is lacking in our service of Hashem, that we have failed in our role of leading a life of holiness separate from the nations and their lifestyles. The halachah "Esav hates Yaakov" guards us against the possibility of assimilation and spiritual self-destruction. But when we fulfill our role properly, the entire world will want to share in our service of Hashem.

Prior to our first redemption-the model of the final redemption to come-Hashem brought us favor in the Egyptians' eyes so that we would not forget this ideal. The Egyptians readily gave us vessels of gold and silver to enhance our service to Hashem in the desert. The clothing they gave us represented the honor and glory in which they wished to garb us. And so it will be in the final redemption.

May we merit, through our meticulous performance of the mitzvos the respect, honor, and admiration of the entire world, rather than the mockery and abuse that is our current lot. Then all nations will follow our lead in serving Hashem and bringing the world to perfection.

Pidyon Haben Redemption of the Firstborn

Sanctify to Me every firstborn that initiates the womb among the Israelites (Shemos 13 2).

The Torah explains the requirement of redeeming the firstborn in 1 terms of Hashem having acquired all the firstborn of the Jews when he killed the firstborn Egyptians. But there is a problem with this explanation the slain Egyptian firstborns encompass many more types of firstborns than those we are required to redeem. The killing of the firstborn of Egypt affected both firstborn male and firstborn females and the firstborns of both mothers and those of the fathers.

But the Torah requires only the firstborn male of the mother to be redeemed.

When one is the beneficiary of a miraculous salvation, he, as it were, draws from his bank account of merits. Thus the salvation of one is "on credit" and must be paid off with future mitzvos. God's beneficence creates reciprocal obligations for those who do not deserve the benefits bestowed. Thus the blessing we recite upon being delivered from a dangerous situation, birkas hagomel, can be translated as ".. . He who grants the obligated benefits."

The redemption of the firstborn stems from the fact that our redemption in Egypt was an undeserved miracle, which therefore created an obligation of extra service to Hashem. The Kohen from whom the firstborn is redeemed stands in place of the firstborn in fulfilling this added responsibility.

We can now understand why the firstborn females need not be redeemed. Although Jewish males sunk into idolatry in Egypt, the women remained steadfastly faithful to Hashem. It was in the merit of the righteous women in Egypt that our ancestors were redeemed. Therefore the firstborn females deserved to be saved, and their miraculous salvation entailed no redemption.

The explanation of why only the firstborn of the mother requires redemption is different. We read in the Haggadah that God alone smote the firstborn Egyptians "I and not an angel; I and not a seraph; I and not an agent; I am Hashem, I and no other." And yet Hashem explicitly warned the Jewish people to stay indoors that night so the "destroying angel" would not harm them (Shemos 1222-23). And Chazal interpreted the preceding Hashem in the verse, "And God (veHashem) smote all of the firstborn," as referring to the Heavenly Court. So it would seem that the angels did take part in this plague.

Chelkas Yoav notes that it is impossible for either an angel or man to determine the firstborn of the father. Thus only Hashem could kill the firstborn of the fathers Ani Hashem-I am Hashem Who distinguished between the seed that formed a firstborn and the seed that did not form a firstborn." The firstborn of the mothers, however, were killed by the destroying angels, which can determine whether a woman has previously given birth.

When Moshe first describes the killing of the firstborn (Shemos 115), he says that every firstborn in Egypt "from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the slavewoman" will die. But when the plague actually took place, the Torah describes God as smiting every firstborn "from the firstborn of Pharaoh until the firstborn of the captive in prison" (Shemos 12:24). The first verse merely says that all firstborn in Egypt will die, not specifically that God will smite them. Hence it refers to the firstborn of the mothers as well, and the slavewoman is mentioned. The second verse, by contrast, says that Hashem smote all the firstborn, and therefore refers to the firstborn of the father. Thus the male captive is mentioned as the furthest extent of the punishment.

We know that when Hashem gives over the power of destruction to an angel, the angel does not distinguish between tzaddik and rasha; all are affected equally. It could be, however, that this only goes so far as including those who may not deserve being killed under normal circumstances, but does not include those who have a specific merit to protect them.

When Hashem Himself brings destruction, only those deserving of such destruction are affected. Thus, the Jewish firstborn of the fathers -whose Egyptian counterparts were smitten by God personally- were not saved miraculously. There was simply no specific reason why they should be killed, and therefore no redemption is necessary as a consequence of their being spared. The firstborn of the Jewish mothers, however-whose Egyptian counterparts were smitten by the destroying angels-were miraculously saved, since normally they would have required some special merit to save them. Thus only the firstborn of the mother is included in the mitzvah of redemption of the firstborn. But this only applies to the male firstborn of Jewish mothers, for the females did possess the special merit of not being sunken in idolatry.

If one has only enough money to pay for his expenses to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for one of the three Festivals or to redeem his son, the pidyon haben (redemption of the son) takes precedence. This is surprising, for generally a mitzvah that has a set time takes precedence over pidyon haben, which can be fulfilled at a later date.

On the three pilgrimage Festivals, a Jew came to Jerusalem to see and be seen by Hashem. He was, as it were, reviewed by the King to determine his share of service in God's Kingdom and to set his responsibility for the coming months, when he would return home to serve God with the bounty he had been given. Pidyon haben, on the other hand, is the payment of a debt past due, for being given a firstborn son, who is the product of an undeserved miracle. One cannot begin to establish future responsibilities and contributions to God's Kingdom before he has paid his past debts to that Kingdom. Hence pidyon haben takes precedence over the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

May we recognize our indebtedness to Hashem for all the undeserved bounty He provides us and commit ourselves to serve Him with all our hearts and souls.

 

 

 

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CHASIDIC INSIGHTS PARSHAS BO 5769 (from 5763) BS"D
Ch. 10, v. 2: "U'l'maan t'sa'peir b'oznei vincho u'ven bincho" - Even if your child or grandchild is too young to appreciate your relating the episode of the exodus from Egypt there is a benefit in just having the words enter their ears. (Rabbi Avrohom of Lublin in Sheivet mIhudoh)

Ch. 10, v. 2: "Eis asher hisalalti bMitzrayim .. vida'tem ki ani Hashem" - Hashem could have easily overpowered and brought Paroh and all his countrymen to their knees in one go. However, He chose to play it out, taunting Egypt with various plagues. This was done so that the bnei Yisroel, upon witnessing this, would come to full recognition of Hashem. (Rabbi Naftoli of Ropshitz in Zera Kodesh)

Ch. 10, v. 3: "Shalach ami v'yaavduni" - Paroh's servants suggested to Paroh, "shalach es ho'ANOSHIM," send away the upper class among the people, while Moshe demanded that Paroh send every last one to freedom, even the "am," the simple folk, because even they are deserving of being in Hashem's service. (Rabbi Sholo-m of Belz in Midbar Kodeish)

Ch. 10, v. 7: "Ad mosai y'h'yeh ZEH lonu l'mokeish" - Paroh's servants were referring to Moshe. They said that every one of his statements were fulfilled to the last detail. How much longer will the one who prophesizes so accurately that he even uses the word ZEH, "zeh hadovor," be a stumbling block in our midst? (Rabbi Naftoli of Ropshitz in Zera Kodesh)

Ch. 10, v. 15: "Va'tech'shach ho'oretz va'yochal es kol eisev ho'oretz" - The previous verse says that the "arbeh" landed, "va'yonach." This same word is used regarding Shabbos, "va'yonach ba'yom hashvii." From this we derive that the "arbeh" landed on Shabbos. This is why "vatech'shach," and then "va'yochal." The "arbeh" waited for Shabbos to end and then they wrought their devastation. (Rabbi Dovid of Dinov in Tzemach Dovid)

Ch. 10, v. 26: "Lo sisho'eir parsoh ki mi'menu nikach laavode es Hashem" - There will not be left even a footstep, even an object that is on the lowest level of importance, as the footstep is the bottom of the body. This is because everything that we have is to be used in the service of Hashem. (Sfas Emes)

Ch. 11, v. 4: "Ko omar Hashem kachatzos halayloh ani YOTZEI" - Hashem is the appellation of Hashem's mercy. Hashem the All-merciful One will LEAVE His norm of mercy to administer retribution upon Egypt. (Rabbi Yechiel Meir of Gastinin in Mei Ha'yom)

Ch. 12, v. 8: "Tzli aish" - Your prayers, "tzlos'hon," should be with fiery enthusiasm, "aish." (Noam Elimelech)

Ch. 12, v. 11: "Naa'leichem b'ragleichem" - You shall restrain your habits. (Zichron Shmuel)

A GUTTEN SHABBOS KODESH. FEEDBACK IS APPRECIATED. FEEL FREE TO DISTRIBUTE BY COPY OR ELECTRONICALLY. TO SUBSCRIBE SEND REQUEST TO SHOLOM613@ROGERS.COM.

 

 

 

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Parashas Bo(69)
Israelites are freed. We also learn the laws of Passover, these are the first laws given to the People of Israel.
Exodus 10:3

And Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh and said to him: "So has Hashem, the G-d of the Hebrews, said: 'Until when will you refuse to be humbled before Me? Send My people out that they may serve Me."


RASHI
To be humbled: Rashi: [Understand it] as the Targum does: 'l'itk'na'a'; from the word poor (Hebrew) 'ani') humbled; you have refused to be 'poor' and lowly before Me.'


WHAT IS RASHI SAYING?
Rashi, based on the Targum's translation, tells us the meaning of the word: "lai'anos". I might have thought it meant: "to be afflicted" as we find later on in the Book of Exodus (22:21): "You shall not persecute ( Hebrew: 'lo ta'anun" ) any widow or orphan." And as we say in the Hallel prayer: "I have believed even though I say 'I am afflicted (Hebrew 'Einisani') very much." (Psalms 116:10). Both of these verses have the Hebrew root "einu" meaning 'afflicted.' Rashi tells that here in our verse,this meaning is incorrect; the correct meaning is 'to be humbled'.


SOME QUESTIONS
What is the difference if the word "lai'anos" means 'affliction' or if it means 'to humble' regarding the significance of the plagues?

Your Answer:


A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
An Answer: If we translate the word to mean 'afflicted' it conveys that the purpose of the plagues was to punish, to hurt, to afflict Pharaoh. If, on the other hand, we translate the word to mean 'to be humble' it means that G-d was not necessarily interested in hurting Pharaoh; He only wanted to humble him and have him repent.


FURTHER QUESTIONING
Can you find evidence that G-d's main purpose in the plagues, was to humble, but not necessarily to afflict, Pharaoh? Hint: Look at the previous plague, the plague of Hail, particularly verses 9:19,20.

Your Answer:


A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
An Answer: In verse 9:19 & 20 it says that Pharaoh and the Egyptians were warned and advised to bring their cattle and people into the house so the hail wouldn't strike them.

Clearly they were given a way out (even without freeing the Israelites), a way to avoid the affliction of the plague of hail. Those who heeded the warning and went inside were saved. Only those who were not humbled - who remained stubbornly defiant - and stayed outside, only they were punished.

We see that G-d was not interested in afflicting them, only in humbling them.

This is the reason that Moses mentions this point now, in the series of plagues and the warnings, and not previously, because with the hail we saw clearly G-d's purpose in the plagues - to humble and bring them to repent but not just to punish them.


THE LESSON
This is G-d's way. He does not desire the death of the sinner, only that he should repent and improve his ways. (See Ezekiel 33:11)

Shabbat Shalom,
Avigdor Bonchek

What's Bothering Rashi?" is a production of "The Institute for the Study of Rashi."

 

 

 

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Parasha Bo from 5763
Why does Rashi go to such lengths?
hitalalti (Exod. 10:2) Rashi writes:


I mocked, like ki hitalalt bi (Num. 22:29) ('for you mocked me'), halo ka'asher hitalel bahem (1 Sam. 6:6) ('see when he mocked them') referring to Egypt. It is not an expression of doing and action, for if that were the intention it should have written olalti ('I did') like ve'olal lamo ka'asher olalta bi (Lam. 1:22) ('and do to them as you have done to me') asher olal li (Lam. 1:12) ('which he has done to me').
Usually Rashi, who is known for the brevity of his comments, makes his point without negating another possible interpretation. Why does he change his approach here? It would seem that this is because the other interpretation is the opinion of Onkelos whom Rashi often follows. As he disagrees with Onkelos here he feels obliged to explain his reasons why. This is a common practice among the Rishonim: when they are aware that their opinion is at variance with another they explain themselves at greater length.

* * * *
The names of the units of time: 'month' and 'year'

hachodesh … hashana (Exod. 12:2) ('the month …the year') The Hebrew calendar 'is the first mitzvah that Israel was commanded' (Rashi, Gen. 1:1). What is the significance of the names chodesh and shana? R' A. ibn Ezra explains:


The year is purely of the sun. … It proceeds on its cyclic course for 365 days and close to ¼ of a day till it returns a second (shenit) time and for this reason it is called a year (shana). Similarly the moon has no year at all [he explained previously that the moon does not return to its original position] just as the sun has no months, for nothing is renewed in the sun, the only renewal (chidush) is in the light of the moon and this is why it is called month (chodesh). [n.b. in English the words 'month and 'moon' are also related] Having established these notions he compares the calendars of the Christians and the Moslems with the Hebrew calendar. He argues that the month of the Christian calendar which divided the year into 12 units (each being roughly equivalent to a lunar month) is based on human conventions and is unrelated to the month which has its base in nature (i.e. the lunar month). Similarly the Moslem year which is simply 12 lunar months is 11 days short of a natural (solar) year hence 34 Moslem years are equivalent to 33 solar years.
In his travels R' A. ibn Ezra did not reach China. Had he done so he would have found that the traditional Chinese calendar satisfied his requirements for the months to follow the moon, and the years to correspond with the cycle of the sun. Therefore it has some years consisting of 12 lunar months and some with 13 lunar months. However the intercalary months do not occur at the same intervals as those in the Jewish calendar. The result is that the Chinese New Year is always either half a month or a month and a half before Purim!


* * * *
'vechacha' which syllable is stressed?

vechacha tochelu (Exod. 12:11) ('and so you shall eat') We find 'Bet [the Zarka is stressed on the second last syllable contrary to the opinion of the Radak]' (Mesora, Chamisha Chumeshei Torah Schocken 1959, reprint of the Vienna edition 1859, the Mesora in this edition has late supplements, R' E. Bachur in Mesoret Hamesoret approves of additions to Mesora). Minchat Shai writes 'Radak wrote in Shoresh Kaf Heh that the Mesora wrote of this that there is none like it with the stress on the last syllable … However R' Moshe Provencali Zatzal wrote that the Mesora which we have both in manuscript and in print it says there are two, and the other one is in Nehemiah 5:12 (or 13) … ' so we have a report of a dispute of the Rishonim as to the correct version of the Mesora regarding the position of the stress.

Minchat Shai concludes that the stress should be on the second last syllable. Yemenite scholars also come to the same conclusion. R' Yihye Tzalah (late 18th cent) in his grammatical work on the Torah Helek haDikduk writes 'there are two yihye na'or (Neh. 5:13) and the first (Kaf?) has the stress on the second last syllable.' R' Y. Korah (19th-20th cent.) writes in Marpe Lashon 'Stress on the second last syllable on the first Kaf because the Heh is added. See Minchat Shai who wrote about this at length.'

These comments have been put into book form for publication in English and Hebrew. Dedications are available for both books.

I will be pleased to have comments on these notes on the Parasha.
Good Shabbos, Meshullam Klarberg, 35/4 Meshech Chochma, Kiryat Sefer, Israel 71919
E-mail address: fredit@bezeqint.net

 

 

 

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DEIAH VEDIBUR - INFORMATION & INSIGHT
A Window Into the Chareidi World
http://www.shemayisrael.com/chareidi/
PARSHAS BO
4 Shevat 5769 - January 29, 2009


NEWS

Sharp Rise in Number of Antisemitic Incidents Around the
World Following Operation Cast Lead

By R. Hoffner

According to a report by the Forum for the Battle Against
Antisemitism, published in cooperation with the Jewish
Agency, the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of
Diaspora Affairs, Operation Cast Lead in Gaza sparked a sharp
rise in the number of antisemitic incidents.

http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/antismtbo69.htm

***********

Firebomb Attack Torches Large Kosher Meat Center in
Paris

By Arnon Yaffeh, Paris

Footage from onsite security cameras show men with kaffiyeh-
covered faces hurling firebombs into a kosher meat center run
by the Consistoire of Paris in the suburb of Montreuil on
Thursday night, 27 Teves. The wholesale warehouse, which
serves as a cold storage facility and distribution center for
Andre Kreif stores, went up in flames and suffered heavy
damage.

http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/aparisbo69.htm

***********

Government Ministry Ads Not Targeting Chareidi
Audiences

By R. Gil

During a year in which government ministries posted a 73-
percent increase in newspaper advertising, the neglect of the
chareidi sector was especially noteworthy. A survey conducted
by Ifat Advertising Monitoring and commissioned by Yated
Ne'eman showed the extent of the scandal:

http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/BO69aadvert.htm

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Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz z"l

By Yechiel Sever

Gedolei Torah, roshei yeshivos, rabbonim and
dayonim were among thousands who took part in the
levaya for Degel HaTorah Chairman MK Rabbi Avrohom
Ravitz z"l, who spent decades faithfully fighting
battles under the direction of gedolei Yisroel zt"l
vylct"a.

http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/BO69arravitz.htm

************

Jerusalem Mayor Barkat Visits HaRav Eliashiv

By Yechiel Sever

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat paid a visit last week to Maran
HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv shlita, to receive his
blessings for success in preserving Jerusalem as a holy city
and working to provide for the city's religious needs.

http://chareidi.shemayisrael.com/abarkatbo69.htm

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All You Need is Love, But What Is It? By Lori Palatnik When my husband and I go to a wedding or sheva brachot, and listen to the bride and groom get up and say how much they “loooove” each other, we shoot each other looks and try not to laugh. They know what love is? Yeah, right. Read entire story » How I Survived Gaza By Joshua Eastman I fought in Gaza. I saw heroes. I saw cowardice. I saw pain. I saw lies. I saw miracles. I saw God. I saw humanity. Read entire story » Holidays Email List Receive an email before each major Jewish holiday filled with important and interesting information, inspiration, e-cards, stories, classes, children's activities and more. Sign up now! Featured Articles Candle Lighting By Elana Batya Feuerman, 4th grade I watch my mother Light the Shabbat candles, Moving her arms at her side Like she's gathering all of her good deeds. She covers her eyes with two straight hands Read entire story » Parsha Columns Parashat Bo - A Swarm - NEW! By Chari Pere And God continued to bring plagues on Egypt. The eighth plague was billions of locusts... The swarm "covered the surface of the entire land..." Read entire article » Bo: Mission Accomplished By Rabbi Asher Brander Chaim was on a tour of Paris' Louvre. On the tour was an elderly American woman, whose appreciation for art must have begun and ended with her grandchildren's works which hung proudly on her refrigerator. As the guide passed the Mona Lisa, the oohs and ahs of the crowd were drowned out by the cynicism of the woman... Read entire article » Parshat Bo: Hard to Come by By Mendel Jacobson How could Moshe's coming To Pharaoh ever soften a heart That has been hardened by the Divine? How could the Divine, the most pure, The most soft, ever harden anything? Read entire article » Food Columns Winter Soup Suppers By Ronnie Fein Soups are one of the easiest dishes to cook and the recipes are forgiving, so you can be as inspired as Verdi, and substitute and innovate as your palate and pantry dictate. Make it hearty and you've got a dinner. Read entire article » Tu B’Shvat: The Green Holiday By Faye Levy After cooking and eating, my favorite pastime is gardening. Since celebrating Tu Bishvat, the Festival of Trees, combines all three, it’s one of my favorite holidays...Recipes for fruit cake, challah pudding and sweet potato & fruit casserol... Read entire article »  Check Out OURadio! The “Inner Point” of Faith The Sleepless Sermon for Parshat Bo Family Traditions “I Am Hashem” Featured Merchants - For Discounts With Your OU Membership Card Dor L'Dor Judaica In New York Establishment Type: Discount: 10% off Essex on Coney In New York Establishment Type: Restaurant - Meat Discount: 5% off Become an OU Member Parsha Summary                       Recipes Parshat Bo - Rabbi Weinreb Brief Words From The Wise This Week's Haftarah* Rabbi Jeremy Wieder Torah Tidbits Audio Phil Chernofsky is the educational director of the OU Israel Center and the editor of Torah Tidbits, the Center's weekly Torah publication distributed throughout Israel. The Coming Week's Daf Yomi by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz This essay is based upon the insights and chidushim (original ideas) of Talmudic scholar Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, as published in the Hebrew version of the Steinsaltz Edition of the Talmud. Masechet Bava Kamma - 33a-39b OU Kosher: LISTEN NOW ON OURADIO Torah and Spices: Lots of Surprises? Part II OU Kosher News Learn about all that's new in the world of OU Kosher. Subscribe to OUKosher RSS Feeds and get OUKosher news, articles and information delivered right to your desktop. Kashrut Feature Article OU Public Advisory Regarding Raisins  OU Events: 1st Annual Conference of Yeshiva Principals & College Advisors February 02, 2009 The Heshe and Harriet Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (JLIC) is holding their 1st Annual Conference of Yeshiva Principals and College Advisors. Attendees can learn about Orthodox-family friendly college campuses across North America and network with other principals and guidance couselors. The conference will take place at Orthodox Union Headquarters in New York on Monday, February 2, 2009. OU Kosher Coming to Yeshivat Rambam February 06, 2009 OU Kosher Rabbi Yitzchok Friedman will speak on the topic "Ingredient Panels: Unravelling the Mysteries.". The fascinating lecture will take place February 6, 2009 at Yeshivat Rambam in Baltimore, MD. OU Job Board-Start Business in Today’s Economy February 10, 2009 Philip Dushey will give a presentation on what you need to know about starting a business in today's economy. February 10, 2009. Time 11:00 AM-12:30PM EST Nine Days Mission to Poland July 20, 2009 After receiving countless requests through the years from individuals and shuls throughout the Orthodox community, the Orthodox Union will at long last provide an extraordinary life-altering Poland experience for adults... Timed to coincide with the Nine Days and NCSY's famed JOLT trip, this deeply meaningful mission promises to reinforce our understanding of churban as we visit sites whose names are burnt into Jewish consciousness and travel through what was once the heartland of Yiddishkeit... Yachad High School Needs a Home The IVDU School for students with special needs (a division of the OU's Yachad/National Jewish Council for Disabilities) offers a high school pre-vocational training program for young adults ages 15 to 21 in Brooklyn, NY. The school is looking for a new home... OU Israel Center: Sunday 7 Shvat - Feb 1 8:00pm The Sderot Information Center of the Western Negev Ltd.; Panel of candidates for the Knesset, Candidates from a wide range of Israeli political parties will contend with tough questions from veteran journalists Jay Bushinsky and Yaakov Kirschen (Dry Bones) followed by queries from the audience - Limited seating (adv. reg. recommended 623-6368) List of candidates who will participate will appear in next week's Torah Tidbits. The debate will be filmed, placed on You Tube and shown on SHALOM TV, There will be a limited amount of seats available. A contribution of 72NIS shekels will be taken for each reservation, with proceeds dedicated to the social service projects of the Sderot Information Center of the Western Negev Ltd. Full listing of Israel Center Classes

Parshat Bo 6 Shevat 5769 January 30-31, 2009 Haftarah: Yirmiyahu 46:13-28 Candlelighting Times and Zmanim Important Changes to Zmanim Calculations Holiday Calendar Archived Divrei Torah for this Week Choose a Dvar Torah OU Kosher News Parsha Summary Halacha of the Week Recipes Torah Choose a Dvar Torah Archived Divrei Torah for this Week Parsha Summary The KITCHENer "Rebbe" Get recipe tips, culinary advice, cookware guidance...ask the kitchen questions you've wanted answered - but never dared to ask! Latest Post: Pareve Icing for Cupcakes Sweet Potato Latkes Fish Substitution - Tilapia Baked in Wine Sauce Halacha of the Week Bo - ORLA Read entire story » Recipes Green Beans Read entire story » S H A B B A T S H A L O M ShopOU Specials When you are ready to check out, place this code shabbat12 in the box that says add your coupon here 15% off the total order, not including the shipping costs Click here Last Week Go to OU homepage www.ou.org * From the VaYavinu BaMiqra CD.  This CD can be ordered here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DER SPIEGEL

INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER

Compiled on January 30, 2009, 06:44 PM CET

UNDER THE SCOPE Iceland on the Thames: Can Countries Really Go Bankrupt? The bailout packages aimed at shoring up financial markets in Europe are getting increasingly expensive. A creeping depreciation of currency is inevitable and state bankruptcies can no longer be ruled out. Could the euro zone also fall victim to the global financial crisis? mehr... Munich Security Conference: Searching for a New World Order Projects on Hold: Offshore Wind Farms Fall Victim to Financial Crisis

SPIEGEL VIEW Europe's 'Medicinal Cannabalism': The Healing Power of Death Were Europeans once cannibals? Research shows that up until the end of the 18th century, medicine routinely included stomach-churning ingredients like human flesh and blood. mehr... A Turkey-Israel Clash at Davos: Erdogan's Feeling for Rage Battling Drugs in Afghanistan: Order to Kill Angers German Politicians

NEWS Absent-Minded Sailors? EU Mission Blames German Tanker after Pirate Raid European Union warships may be circling off the coast of Somalia, but pirates continue to plunder. A day after the German tanker Longchamp was seized by bandits, the EU mission controlling the area's waters complained that the German vessel had ventured into the perilous zone without traveling in a convoy. mehr... Winter Woolly Lifeline: Icelanders Donate Sweaters to Chilly British Pensioners Departing from Deterrence: Why a Nuke-Free World Is Possible Legal Threat: Russia's Lawyers Under Attack

FISHWRAP The World from Berlin: Germany's Gloomy Labor Market Future Unemployment in Germany is once again on the rise. Government plans to limit joblessness may avert the worst but the measures are only temporary. Commentators worry that the downturn could last longer than Berlin's coffers. mehr...

www.spiegel.de/international

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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com/
The intersection of faith, culture and politics

Weekend of Jan. 30- Feb. 1, 2009


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QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The person who knows 'how' will always have a job. The person who knows
'why' will always be his boss. "
--- Diane Ravitch


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[ J E W I S H L I V I N G ]


---> outlook
Time Is Life
By Rabbi Avraham Pam

A reminder about our temporary mission --- and Eternity

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0109/pam_time.php3


---> reality check
Honest Obama and Iran
By Caroline B. Glick

In his first week and a half in office, US President Barack Obama has
proven that he is a man of his word. For instance, he was not bluffing
during his campaign when he said that he would make reconstituting
America's relations with the Islamic world one of his first priorities
in office

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0109/glick013009.php3


---> reality check II
Palestinian Myth Machine
By Mona Charen

Truth is ALWAYS ultimately revealed. The process has already begun
regarding the so-called "Gaza massacre"

http://jewishworldreview.com/cols/charen013009.php3



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[ D A I L Y I N S P I R A T I O N ]


"Taking Action"

Thousands of years before the term "proactive" was coined by
motivational experts, the Jewish Sages gave this indispensable tool for
success a name. They called it "zerizus". "Zerizus" is the quality
within us that fuels achievement, the trait that takes what we are
capable of and turns it into real accomplishment. "Zerizus" is, in the
words of author Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, the "joyful willpower" that we all
need to make our dreams come true.

TODAY: Focus on your accomplishments and your abilities

http://jewishworldreview.com/inspiration/taking_action.php3



<^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^>


[ W O R T H 1 0 0 0 W O R D S ]



* Ripleys Believe It Or Not!
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/ripley/ripley.asp

* Andy Capp
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/a_capp/a_capp.asp

* 9 to 5
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/9_to_5/9_to_5.asp

* Bliss
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/bliss/bliss.asp

* Bottom Liners
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/bottomliners/bottomliners.asp

* The Born Loser
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/born_loser/born_loser.asp

* Bound and Gagged
http://jewishworldreview.com/strips/bound_and_gagged/b_and_g.asp

* Flo & Friends
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/flo/flo.asp

* Frank & Ernest
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/frank_and_ernest/frank_and_ernest.asp

* The Grizzwells
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/grizzwells/grizzwells.asp

* Herman
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/herman/herman.asp

* Mallard Filmore
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/mallard/2000/mallard1.asp

* Moderately Confused
http://jewishworldreview.com/strips/moderately_confused/mc.asp

* Momma
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/momma/momma.asp

* One Big Happy
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/obh/obh1.asp

* Prickly City
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/pc/prickly_city.asp

* The Other Coast
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/toc/toc.asp

* Shoe
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/shoe/shoe.asp

* State of the Union
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/sou/sou.asp

* The Wizard of Id
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/wiz/wiz.asp


* Baloo
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/baloo/baloo.asp

* Dry Bones
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/dry_bones/dry_bones.asp

* Robert Arial
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/arial/arial013009.php3

* Chuck Asay
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/asay/asay013009.php3

* Lisa Benson
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/benson/benson013009.php3

* Chip Bok
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/bok/bok013009.php3

* Bob Gorrell
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/gorrel/gorrell013009.php3

* Joe Heller
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/heller/heller013009.php3

* Steve Kelley
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/kelley/kelley013009.php3

* Jimmy Margulies
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/margulies/margulies013009.php3

* Michael Ramirez
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/ramirez/ramirez013009.php3



* " "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤"


[ PoliticalMavens.com H I G H L I G H T S ]


* William Katz: Ajami on Obama
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2009/01/29/ajami-on-obama/

* Monica Crowley: At Last
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2009/01/28/at-last/

* Danny Fontana: Davos versus Goliath
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2009/01/28/davos-versus-goliath/

* Leslie S. Lebl: Obama and the Muslim world
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2009/01/28/obama-and-muslims/


<^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^>


[ T O D A Y I N H I S T O R Y ]


On this day in …


* 1835, in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol, President Andrew
Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, survives the first
attempt against the life of a U.S. president

* 1883, James Ritty and John Birch received a U.S. patent for the first
cash register

* 1933, Adolf Hitler, ym"sh, became chancellor of Germany. ALSO: The
first episode of the "Lone Ranger" radio program was broadcast on
station WXYZ in Detroit

* 1942, the last pre-war automobiles produced by Chevrolet and DeSoto
rolled off the assembly lines today. Wartime restrictions had shut down
the commercial automobile industry almost completely, and auto
manufacturers were racing to retool their factories for production of
military gear

* 1943, the British Royal Air Force begins a bombing campaign on the
German capital that coincides with the 10th anniversary of Hitler's
accession to power

* 1945, a vital supply route linking India to China through Burma is
finally cleared for Allied military transports

* 1948, Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi was
murdered by a Hindu extremist

* 1968, during the Vietnam War, the Tet Offensive began as Communist
forces launched surprise attacks against South Vietnamese provincial
capitals

* 1969, perhaps the most influential musical group of all time, the
Beatles make their last public performance, giving an impromptu concert
on the roof of their London recording studio. Neighbors complained about
noise, and police broke up the concert. John Lennon closed the
performance announcing, "I'd like to say thank you very much on behalf
of the group and myself and I hope we passed the audition." In April
1970, Paul McCartney formally announced the group's breakup

* 1972, 13 Roman Catholic civil rights marchers were shot to death by
British soldiers in Northern Ireland on what became known as "Bloody
Sunday"

* 1979, the civilian government of Iran announced it had decided to
allow Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who'd been living in exile in France,
to return

* 1981, an estimated 2 million New Yorkers turned out for a
ticker-tape parade honoring the freed American hostages from Iran

* 1998, an aviation pact was reached between Washington and Tokyo
enabling American travelers to fly to Japan and other Asian points from
several more U.S. cities

* 1999, NATO authorized its secretary-general to launch military action
in Yugoslavia if the warring parties failed to negotiate an agreement
for autonomy in Kosov

* 2002, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said the U.S. would watch
closely to see what Iraq, Iran and North Korea did next, a day after
President Bush singled them out as part of a dangerous "axis of evil"

* 2003, Richard Reid, the British citizen and al-Qaida follower who had
tried to blow up a trans-Atlantic jetliner with explosives hidden in his
shoes, was sentenced to life in prison by a federal judge in Boston

* 2004, NASA's Mars rover Opportunity spied hints of a mineral that
typically forms in water — a finding that could mean the dry and dusty
Red Planet was once wetter and more hospitable to life



<^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^>


[ L I F E S T Y L E S ]


* Tech Maven by Mark Kellner:: Rugged Notebook a Novelty
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/kellner013009.php3

* Lori Borgman: When kids leave, so do the movies
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/borgman013009.php3

* Dr. Peter H. Gott: Burning sensations related to meds?; more
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/gott1.asp

* Frugal Living by Sara Noel: You ask; I answer
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/frugal_living.php3

* Bruce Williams on JWR: Why shouldn't the elderly buy a home?; more
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/bruce1.asp



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[ I N S I G H T ]


* Michelle Malkin: Stimulus slush fund for housing entitlement thugs
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/michelle/malkin013009.php3

* Argus Hamilton skewers politics and contemporary "culture"
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0109/hamilton013009.php3

* Greg Crosby: Milestone
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/crosby013009.php3

* John H. Fund: The Case of the Holmes Hobbyist
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/fund013009.php3

* Wesley Pruden: A Senate gobsmack for the Oracle
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/pruden013009.php3

* Suzanne Fields: A forked tongue over Gaza
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/fields013009.php3

* Dave Weinbaum: GOPers refuse to bend over just because Obama 'one'
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/dave/weinbaum013009.php3

* David Limbaugh: Targeting Rush: Saul Alinsky would be proud
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/david/limbaugh013009.php3

* Rich Lowry: The rise of self-defeating industrial policy
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/lowry013009.php3

* Michael Barone: Barack Obama smart on Republican response to stimulus
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/michael/barone013009.php3

* Kathleen Parker: Barack W. Obama?
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/kathleen/parker013009.php3

* Diana West: Is this the job of the president of the United States?
(SPOT ON!)
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/west013009.php3

* Jack Kelly: Afghanistan is about a lot more than appearing tough
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/jkelly013009.php3

* Linda Chavez: A modest proposal
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/chavez013009.php3

* Paul Greenberg: The more things change... (HOW TRUE!)
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/greenberg013009.php3

* Jonah Goldberg: Catching up with the British parade
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/jonah013009.php3

* Charles Krauthammer: Outreach, Yes. Apology, No: We've Never Been
Islam's Enemy
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/krauthammer013009.php3

~

http://www.JewishWorldReview.com/

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KASHRUTH ADVISORY January 29, 2009 OU Public Advisory regarding raisins Products: Raisins Issue: The OU has long maintained that raisins packed and stored under normal industry conditions do not pose a halachic infestation concern and may be consumed without further checking on the part of the consumer. Recent public reporting of widespread infestation in packaged raisins has led the OU to reexamine its prior held position vis-à-vis raisins. Following careful investigation, extensive testing and consultation with our Halachic authorities, the OU upholds its original position that raisins, when stored under normal conditions (cool, dry and clean environments) do not require checking for the presence of worms or insects. Many food items, when packed or stored in warm, moist or unclean environments should be avoided until fully checked for the presence of insects, particularly when exhibiting telltale signs of infestation (webbing, insect feeding damage).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dans cette periode difficile, je vous envoie une page qui peut vous aider a retrouver la ligne qui vous est importante, allez-y

http://www.modia.org/photos/janvier2009.html

et le commentaire de la paracha de ce Chabbate

http://www.modia.org/tora/chemote/bo.html

Comment re-creer et renouveler
le mois et le couple.

Comment ne pas vivre dans les ténèbres d'Egypte!

 

 

 

 

 

 

UN to probe Israeli attacks on Gaza Aljazeera.net - Qatar The UN secretary-general has announced an investigation into alleged violations of humanitarian law during Israel's 22-day assault on Gaza. ... See all stories on this topic

LEBANON: Hezbollah says war with Israel is always a possibility Los Angeles Times - CA,USA The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said today that he was confident that his Shiite militia's military capacity would make Israel think ... See all stories on this topic

Israel must investigate charges of crimes in Gaza: US Reuters - USA By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Israel must investigate allegations that its army violated international law during its three-week war ... See all stories on this topic

Israel Expels Venezuelan Ambassador Voice of America - USA By VOA News Israel has expelled Venezuela's ambassador, weeks after the Latin American country expelled Israeli diplomats and broke ties with Israel over ... See all stories on this topic

'Terrorist state' or not, Israel expected to sell drones to Turkey Ha'aretz - Tel Aviv,Israel By Zvi Bar'el Turkey is expected to receive its first shipment of attack drones from Israel next month, despite the comments by its prime minister during ... See all stories on this topic

Israel's friend denies guilt in NY jail-cash case The Associated Press VALHALLA, NY (AP) — The girlfriend accused of trying to mail $300 in cash to imprisoned swindler Samuel Israel III has pleaded not guilty. ... See all stories on this topic

Israel's enemies scorn Arab peace proposal Baltimore Sun - United States In response to the letter urging the United States to use economic pressure on Israel to accept the Arab peace initiative offer put forth by Saudi King ... See all stories on this topic

Peres sees a 'fair chance' for advances in Mideast International Herald Tribune - France By Katrin Bennhold DAVOS, Switzerland: President Shimon Peres of Israel said Thursday that he remained optimistic that a new American president and a new ... See all stories on this topic

Spain court in 2002 Israel 'war crime' probe CNN International - USA By Al Goodman MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- A Spanish court says it is investigating an alleged "crime against humanity" involving Israel for its 2002 bombing in ... See all stories on this topic

UN seeks $613 million in urgent aid for Gaza The Associated Press DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — The United Nations launched an emergency appeal Thursday for $613 million to help Palestinians recover from Israel's three weeks ... See all stories on this topic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DER SPIEGEL

INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER

Compiled on January 29, 2009, 07:19 PM CET

UNDER THE SCOPE Battling Aghan Drug Dealers: NATO High Commander Issues Illegitimate Order to Kill The approach to combatting the drug mafia in Afghanistan has spurred an open rift inside NATO. According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, top NATO commander John Craddock wants the alliance to kill opium dealers, without proof of connection to the insurgency. NATO commanders, however, do not want to follow the order. mehr... Split on the Economy: 'Right Now, I Don't See a Crisis'

SPIEGEL VIEW Riches at the North Pole: Russia Unveils Aggressive Arctic Plans In a new national directive, Russia has asserted claims on large sections of the Arctic Ocean. The tone of the document is openly aggressive, prompting fears of increasing international tension over who has the right to exploit the mineral-rich territory. mehr... Obama's New Lesson in Politics: Russians Launch Charm Offensive

NEWS Holocaust Denial Debate: German Jews Cut Contact with Catholic Church Charlotte Knobloch, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said on Thursday that she was severing contact with the Catholic Church. Her move stems from the pope's decision to void the excommunication of Holocaust denier Bishop Richard Williamson. mehr... A Mild Rage: Mass Strikes Hit France Photo Gallery: 'Black Thursday' Strikes in France Road to Copenhagen: Can the EU Lead on Global Warming? Europe Split over Energy Security: Merkel Calls on EU to Support Baltic Gas Pipeline Trekking in the Buff: Switzerland Plans to Fine Naked Hikers Broken Bank Bailout: What Are The Obama Administration's Options? Picture This: The Anti-Davos

FISHWRAP The World from Berlin: German Rail Spying 'Enough to Make You Cringe' On Wednesday, the German rail spying scandal went from run-of-the-mill to flabbergasting: 173,000 -- and not 1,000 -- employees were spied on. Politicians and the public are outraged, and commentators predict that the Deutsche Bahn CEO will take the fall. mehr...

www.spiegel.de/international

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SPIEGEL INTERNATIONAL is an e-mail information service provided by SPIEGEL ONLINE. Contact Us | About us © 2009 SPIEGELnet GmbH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.JewishWorldReview.com/
The intersection of faith, culture and politics

Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009


*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:**:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*


QUOTE OF THE DAY

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is
a miracle. The other is as though EVERYTHING IS A MIRACLE."
--- Albert Einstein


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[ J E W I S H L I V I N G ]


---> short tales
Parcels TO Heaven
By Rabbi Paysach J. Krohn

A childhood incident in a destroyed world transformed his life and many,
many others

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/inspiration/krohn_pennies_heaven.php3


---> reality check
Fatah vs Hamas: Be my brother or I'll kill you
By Barry Rubin

Why there's a paradox of a simultaneous blood feud and brotherly love
relationship between the two Palestinian organizations is explained by
the supposed sanctity of being fellow Arabs, Muslims, and Palestinians

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0109/rubin012909.php3



*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:**:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*



[ D A I L Y I N S P I R A T I O N ]


"Taking Action"

Thousands of years before the term "proactive" was coined by
motivational experts, the Jewish Sages gave this indispensable tool for
success a name. They called it "zerizus". "Zerizus" is the quality
within us that fuels achievement, the trait that takes what we are
capable of and turns it into real accomplishment. "Zerizus" is, in the
words of author Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, the "joyful willpower" that we all
need to make our dreams come true.

TODAY: You Were Delayed for a Reason, Part II

http://jewishworldreview.com/inspiration/taking_action.php3



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[ W O R T H 1 0 0 0 W O R D S ]



* Ripleys Believe It Or Not!
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/ripley/ripley.asp

* Andy Capp
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/a_capp/a_capp.asp

* 9 to 5
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/9_to_5/9_to_5.asp

* Bliss
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/bliss/bliss.asp

* Bottom Liners
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/bottomliners/bottomliners.asp

* The Born Loser
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/born_loser/born_loser.asp

* Bound and Gagged
http://jewishworldreview.com/strips/bound_and_gagged/b_and_g.asp

* Flo & Friends
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/flo/flo.asp

* Frank & Ernest
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/frank_and_ernest/frank_and_ernest.asp

* The Grizzwells
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/grizzwells/grizzwells.asp

* Herman
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/herman/herman.asp

* Mallard Filmore
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/mallard/2000/mallard1.asp

* Moderately Confused
http://jewishworldreview.com/strips/moderately_confused/mc.asp

* Momma
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/momma/momma.asp

* One Big Happy
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/obh/obh1.asp

* Prickly City
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/pc/prickly_city.asp

* The Other Coast
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/toc/toc.asp

* Shoe
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/shoe/shoe.asp

* State of the Union
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/sou/sou.asp

* The Wizard of Id
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/wiz/wiz.asp


* Baloo
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/strips/baloo/baloo.asp

* Robert Arial
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/arial/arial012909.php3

* Chuck Asay
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/asay/asay012909.php3

* Bob Gorrell
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/gorrel/gorrell012809.php3

* Joe Heller
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/heller/heller012909.php3

* Jeff Holbert
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/holbert/holbert012909.php3

* Steve Kelley
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/kelley/kelley012909.php3

* Dick Locher
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/locher/locher012909.php3

* Jimmy Margulies
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/margulies/margulies012909.php3

* Kevin Siers
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/siers/siers012909.php3

* Jeff Stahler
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/stahler/stahler012909.php3

* Scott Stantis
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/stantis/stantis012909.php3

* Dana Summers
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/summers/summers012909.php3

* Gary Varvel
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/varvel/varvel012909.php3

* Michael Ramirez
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/toons/ramirez/ramirez012909.php3



* " "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤" "¤"


[ PoliticalMavens.com H I G H L I G H T S ]


* Patrick Hurley: Snuggie Nation
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2009/01/28/snuggie-nation/

* Rachel Raskin-Zrihen: He's right and he's wrong
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2009/01/27/hes-right-and-hes-wrong/

* Danny Fontana: Do You Want Fries With That?
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2009/01/27/do-you-want-fries-with-that/

* Judith A. Klinghoffer: Colby King: I was in Geithner?s shoes and ...
http://politicalmavens.com/index.php/2009/01/26/colby-king-i-was-in-geithners-shoes-and/



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[ T O D A Y I N H I S T O R Y ]


On this day in …


* 1595, William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet is probably first
performed

* 1814, France defeats Russia and Prussia in the Battle of Brienne

* 1820, Britain's King George III died at Windsor Castle, ending a reign
that had seen both the American and French revolutions

* 1845, "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe is published in the New York
Evening Mirror

* 1886, Karl Benz patents the first successful gasoline-driven car

* 1936, the first inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame, including Ty
Cobb and Babe Ruth, are announced

* 1944, USS Missouri the last battleship commissioned by the US Navy is
launched

* 1963, first inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame are announced

* 1978, Sweden outlaws aerosol sprays due to their harmful effect on the
ozone layer, becoming the first nation to enact such a ban

* 1979, President Jimmy Carter formally welcomed Chinese Vice Premier
Deng Xiaoping to the White House, following the establishment of
diplomatic relations

* 1989, Hungary establishes diplomatic relations with South Korea,
making them the first Eastern Bloc nation to do so

* 1995, Super Bowl XXIX: The San Francisco 49ers defeat the San Diego
Chargers 49-26 and become the first NFL team to win five Super Bowl
titles

* 1999, the Senate delivered subpoenas for Monica Lewinsky and two of
President Bill Clinton's advisers, summoning them for private,
videotaped testimony in the impeachment trial. Attorney General Janet
Reno rejected a special prosecutor investigation of former White House
deputy chief of staff Harold Ickes

* 2002, in his State of the Union Address, United States President
George W. Bush describes "regimes that sponsor terror" as an "Axis of
Evil", in which he includes Iraq, Iran and North Korea

* 2004, a practitioner of that "religion of peace" blew himself up in a
bus in Jerusalem, killing 10 Israelis

* 2005, the first direct commercial flights from the mainland China
(from Guangzhou) to Taiwan since 1949 arrived in Taipei. Shortly
afterwards, a China Airlines carrier landed in Beijing.

* 2007, a practitioner of that "religion of peace" blew himself up and
killed three Israelis at a bakery in Eilat in the first such attack
inside Israel in nine months



<^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^>


[ L I F E S T Y L E S ]


* Get a job! by Marty Nemko: A Very Short Course in Becoming a
World-Class Communicator
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/nemko.php3

* How Stuff Works: How corn works
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/HowStuffWorks.php3

* Dr. Peter H. Gott: Seek alternatives to cholesterol medicine
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/gott1.asp

* Frugal Living by Sara Noel: Readers' wisdom
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/frugal_living.php3



<^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^><^>


[ I N S I G H T ]


* Victor Davis Hanson: Time to beam down to earth, President Obama
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0109/hanson012909.php3

* Argus Hamilton skewers politics and contemporary "culture"
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0109/hamilton012909.php3

* Culture Shlock by Malcolm Fleschner: NOW STARRING ... EVERYBODY!
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0109/fleschner.php3

* Bob Tyrrell: Kristol's health scare
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/tyrrell012909.php3

* Jonathan Gurwitz: Skeptics know that Spinal Tap economics isn't the
answer
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/jonathan/gurwitz012909.php3

* Jeff Jacoby: An over-optimistic stimulus plan
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/jeff/jacoby012909.php3

* David Broder: It's no joke to Illinois
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/david/broder.php3

* Larry Elder: Obama: The Endless Honeymoon? (THOUGHT PROVOKING!)
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/elder012909.php3

* Roger Simon: The celestial choirs of bailouts
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/simon012909.php3

* Cokie and Steve Roberts: Stick with the nice grandmother
http://jewishworldreview.com/0109/croberts.php3

* Michael Smerconish: Torture must remain an option
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/michael/smerconish.php3

* Ann Coulter : Liberal Victimhood: A Game You Can Play at Home
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/coulter012909.php3

* Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: Here's hoping (SPOT ON!)
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/gaffney012909.php3

* Cal Thomas: Once more into the breach
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/thomas012909.php3

* George Will: Stimulus math for the GOP
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/will012909.php3

~

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US peace envoy George Mitchell sets to work in Israel Los Angeles Times - CA,USA By Richard Boudreaux Reporting from Jerusalem -- George J. Mitchell, the new US envoy to the Middle East, arrived in Israel on Wednesday to begin testing ... See all stories on this topic

Abbas says Israeli settlements show lack of desire for peace AFP "The pursuit of colonisation and expansion of settlements inside Palestinian territories shows that Israel has no desire for peace," Abbas said at a joint ... See all stories on this topic

Austria: UN Nuclear Chief Shuns BBC in Gaza Case New York Times - United States ... canceled interviews with the British Broadcasting Corporation over its refusal to broadcast an appeal by aid agencies for victims of Israel’s offensive ... See all stories on this topic

Hamas blocks Gazan orphans' two-week vacation to Israel Jerusalem Post - Israel By BRENDA GAZZAR Dozens of children from Gaza who were due to enter Israel for a two-week vacation were prevented from leaving the Strip by Hamas officials ... See all stories on this topic

Israel bombs weapons workshop in Gaza after rocket strike Reuters - USA An Israeli military spokesman confirmed the attack, saying it had targeted a weapons production site, in response to the rocket fire at Israel. ... See all stories on this topic

Obama’s Outreach to Muslims New York Times - United States ... about the war on terrorism, his wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his failure to seriously promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians. ... See all stories on this topic

'Erdogan's remarks aid anti-Semiticism' Jerusalem Post - Israel Photo: AP Erdogan blasted Israel throughout the fighting, called on it to be barred from the UN, accused it of using white phosphorus against Gaza civilians ... See all stories on this topic

Hamas rejects Israel's Gaza cease-fire conditions Ha'aretz - Tel Aviv,Israel By AP The Damascus-based political leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas said Wednesday that Israel's conditions for a long-term truce with Hamas ... See all stories on this topic

Why Did the BBC Censor a Cry to Help Gaza Victims? Huffington Post - New York,NY,USA Gaza is recovering from Israel's latest assault, which ended in a cease-fire earlier this month. In the UK, the British Broadcasting Corporation has let ... See all stories on this topic

Israel expels Venezuelan ambassador CNN International - USA JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel has expelled Venezuela's ambassador in response to Venezuela's expulsion of an Israeli envoy and the rupture of diplomatic ... See all stories on this topic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIRTUALLY UNNOTICED: A TOTALLY NEW MIDDLE EAST

 

By Barry Rubin

            It can certainly be claimed that no world area is more closely—even obsessively—watched than the Middle East. This is quite understandable for many reasons, including the fact that many of the world’s crises, much of the world’s violence, and most of the world’s diplomatic energies are connected with that region.

            And yet, despite all this, a tremendous transformation has happened in that nexus of global interests while being most incompletely comprehended. In short, the Middle East is totally different from the way it had been for the preceding half-century in ways that will profoundly affect the United Kingdom and every other country in the West.

            To comprehend how much the region has truly changed, we need only consider its main features from the 1950s until well into the 1990s and even just past the last turn of a century. In those days, a trio of critical factors defined the tale.

First, the Arabic-speaking world was dominated almost totally by Arab nationalist doctrine, with all regimes and large movements being of that persuasion. 

Second, much of Middle East politics consisted of dizzying maneuvers and mutual subversions among nationalist regimes seeking regional hegemony—usually Egypt, Iraq, and Syria—or those trying to play off the elephants to survive—Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the rest.

Third, Arab regimes lined up in two blocs, with more radical, anti-status quo military regimes and their client movements siding with the USSR, and more conservative monarchies seeking Western support in self-defense.

By the 1990s, this regional order was unraveling in the face of evidence that Arab nationalist ideology and regimes had failed. After all, they hadn’t built a united Arab nation from Morocco’s Atlantic coast to Saudi Arabia’s Persian Gulf shore. Nor had they expelled Western influence, destroyed Israel, or generally brought their people high living standards, much less freedoms.

The winds of change were blowing, but in which direction?

It was easy to believe in the 1990s that moderation was on the ascendant. Iraq’s defeat in Kuwait, the fall of the radicals’ Soviet bloc sponsors, and start of an Arab-Israeli peace process all seemed good omens. Some dreamed democracy would replace dictatorship, outrun Islamists, and bring bright tomorrows.

That was not, however, what happened. The culprit was not Western policy errors or insufficient effort. Rather it was the continuing power of traditional ideas, the regimes themselves, and the societies over which they presided. The very few liberal voices were overwhelmed by a message with far more mass appeal, that of the Islamists.

Both opposition groups agreed that the existing order had failed but had opposite solutions. Moderates proposed peace with Israel, cooperation with the West, democracy, women’s rights, and modernization. After all, this was the blueprint used successfully in much of the world and held as an ideal by those yearning to imitate that outcome. But it didn’t work that way in the Middle East.

For rulers, reform portended anarchy and the specter of Islamist takeover. For the largely traditionalist masses, liberal solutions were too dangerous and unfamiliar.  To Islamists, it represented treason. They argued that failure arose from too much, not too little, Westernization. In effect, they proclaimed: you may have been hitting your head against a stone wall; your mistake was not doing it hard enough.

Thus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ushered in the new era with an August 15, 2006 speech to his tame Journalists’ Union. The West, Israel, and moderate Arabs, he claimed, wanted a region “built on submission and humiliation and deprivation of peoples of their rights.” Instead there would be, “A sweeping popular upsurge…characterized by honor and Arabism…struggle and resistance.”

This result is the new Middle East of Assad and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

First, everywhere Islamists seriously challenge nationalists. In seeking to seize state power and not give it back. This rivalry is spilling over among the growing number of Muslims in Europe, especially since Islamists are far more proportionately stronger there than back in the Middle East.

Second, two blocs contend for regional power. The better-organized, more coherent side is led by Islamist Iran, with junior partner Syria, Lebanese Hizballah, Palestinian Hamas, and Iraqi insurgents. Also on the Islamist--but not Iranian--side are Muslim Brotherhoods and al-Qaida. All want to destroy Western influence, Arab regimes, and Israel.

The other grouping consists of the other Arab states, Israel, and the West. Yet this alignment is weak, disorganized, and full of internal conflicts.

Fourth, the “moderate” side’s adherents have parallel interests in containing Iran, preventing Islamist revolution, and countering high levels of terrorism and instability. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean these forces are cooperating.

In an interview with journalist Bob Woodward, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice senses the change but is over-optimistic about it. Rice argues there is now a high level of cohesion among regional American allies, even if those countries don’t want to speak or act publicly.

Yet Arab regimes are timid. They know their own people accept many radical notions (taught them by the Arab nationalists themselves for decades) and want to avoid confrontation with radicals if possible. Thus, for example, much of the nationalists’ “anti-terrorist” rhetoric is a plea for gunmen to slay Israelis or Westerners rather than attack governments and institutions where they live.

Consider the bizarre politics of Iraq, where—despite parallel U.S. and Saudi interests in stopping Iran—the Saudis help Sunni insurgents who kill American soldiers and try to force them out.

Quite possibly, the greatest danger of Iran getting nuclear weapons is not that they would be fired at Israel—though this is a rather chilling prospect—but that these arms will turn the balance in the two-bloc struggle. Once Iran has atomic bombs atop long-range missiles, Arab states will rush to appease Tehran, Western countries be even more prone toward appeasement, and Muslim masses likely to queue up in front of the radical Islamist recruiting stations to enlist on what they perceive as the winning side.

This massive struggle, not al-Qaida’s sporadic terror attacks, is the real main issue for the region, perhaps the world, in decades to come. The battle will be fought out more in Arab states through terror civil war, and revolution, than on the Israeli or Western fronts. Western ability to influence events will be limited

A solution will not come from concessions to a side which is roughly the Middle East equivalent of German-led fascism or Soviet-spearheaded Communism. Struggle, steadfastness, and strategic alliances are keys to victory and survival. Fresh from musings about history’s end we’ve been thrust into a new era of traditional international power politics and ideological contention which seems set to become the twenty-first century’s main feature.

           

Barry Rubin is director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center in Herzliya, Israel, and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal. His books include The Truth About Syria; The Tragedy of the Middle East; and The Long War for Freedom: The Arab Struggle for Democracy in the Middle East.