The Speedy Media

Suicide Bombing in Islam

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 10:42:00 -0800

"Suicide bomber" is a derogatory term invented in the West to try and describe what in Islam is known as a Fedayeen or Shahid - a martyr. The point of the bomber isn't suicide - it is to kill infidels in battle. This is not just permitted by Muhammad, but encouraged with liberal promises of earthy rewards in heaven, including food and sex.

Each week, there are about ten attempted suicide bombings - all by Muslims. The reason why Muslims are prone to self-detonation has nothing to do with genetics, desperation or suicide. It is the ideology. The Quran promotes martyrdom by promising paradise to those who lose their lives for Allah.

A suicide bombing is really an act of homicide. When Muslim apologists in the West say that Islam is against suicide bombings by pointing to the hadith that oppose killing oneself, such as Bukhari (23:446), they are being disingenuous. Muslims in the Arab world, who are less concerned about public relations, celebrate and revere suicide bombers, knowing that martyrdom in battle is glorified by their religion. As the Ayatollah Khomeini once put it, "The purest joy in Islam is to kill and be killed for Allah."

The Religion of Peace

Bomb Iran

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:36:00 -0800

Across the Middle East, Arab politicians, academics and journalists have become increasingly outspoken about their concerns regarding Iran's nuclear program.

They have publicly voiced their opposition to actions and comments by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, even comparing him to Adolf Hitler.

In October 2005, recently elected President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad quoted Ayatollah Khomeini and declared, “As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map.”

Music by Paul Shanklin

The Origin of the Shia Sunni Conflict

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:03:00 -0800

1) Have you ever thought why there's conflict between Shia and Sunni?
2) Have you ever thought how can "brothers" hate each other so much?
3) Have you ever thought about why they kill each other?
4) While both sects are massacring each other, have you ever wondered how they can claim that Islam is the Religion of Peace???

The origins of the Sunni-Shia conflict was always violent, and that appears to be giving way to another period of spreading conflict in the Middle East..

That struggle is most violent and dangerous now in Iraq, but could spread to many Arab nations in the Middle East and to Iran, which is Persian.

Shiites constitute 80 percent of the native population of the oil-rich Persian Gulf region.

Shia predominate where there is oil in Iran, in Iraq and in the oil-rich areas of eastern Saudi Arabia as well.

The Partisans of Ali

The original split between Sunnis and Shia occurred soon after the death of Muhammad, in the year 632.

"There was a dispute in the community of Muslims in present-day Saudi Arabia over the question of succession," says Augustus Norton, author of Hezbollah: A Short History. "That is to say, who is the rightful successor to Muhammad?"

Most of Muhammad's followers wanted the community of Muslims to determine who would succeed him. A smaller group thought that someone from his family should take up his mantle. They favored Ali, who was married to Muhammad's daughter, Fatimah.

The Sunnis prevailed and chose a successor to be the first caliph.

Eventually, Ali was chosen as the fourth caliph, but not before violent conflict broke out. Two of the earliest caliphs were murdered. War erupted when Ali became caliph, and he too was killed in fighting in the year 661 near the town of Kufa, now in present-day Iraq.

The violence and war split the small community of Muslims into two branches that would never reunite.

An Historic Battle

The war continued with Ali's son, Hussein, leading the Shia. "Hussein rejected the rule of the caliph at the time," says Vali Nasr, author of The Shia Revival. "He stood up to the caliph's very large army on the battlefield. He and 72 members of his family and companions fought against a very large Arab army of the caliph. They were all massacred."

One of the fundamental differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims concerns Ashura. On the tenth day of Muharram, in 680 C.E. Hussein was decapitated and his head was carried in tribute to the Sunni caliph in Damascus. His body was left on the battlefield at Karbala. Later it was buried there.

The Shia called their leaders imam, Ali being the first, Hussein the third. They commemorate Hussein's death every year in a public ritual of self-flagellation and mourning known as Ashura.

It is the symbolism of Hussein's death that holds so much spiritual power for Shia.

"An innocent spiritual figure is in many ways martyred by a far more powerful, unjust force," Nasr says. "He becomes the crystallizing force around which a faith takes form and takes inspiration."

Some of the Sunnis believe that some of the Shia are actually attributing almost divine qualities to the imams, and this is a great sin because it is associating human beings with the divinity.

Political Power Fuels Religious Split

"Why has there been such a long and protracted disagreement and tension between these two sects?" asks Ray Takeyh, author of Hidden Iran: Paradox and Power in the Islamic Republic. "It has to do with political power."

I have nothing else to add, but good luck to the both sides!!!

Israel - Beyond the Conflict

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:57:00 -0800

The history and the productivity of the Jewish people

The Armenian Genocide

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:31:00 -0800

The Armenian Genocide was carried out by the "Young Turk" government of the Ottoman Empire in 1915-1916 (with subsidiaries to 1922-23). One and a half million Armenians were killed, out of a total of two and a half million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire.

Most Armenians in America are children or grandchildren of the survivors, although there are still many survivors amongst us.

Armenians all over the world commemorate this great tragedy on April 24, because it was on that day in 1915 when 300 Armenian leaders, writers, thinkers and professionals in Constantinople (present day Istanbul) were rounded up, deported and killed. Also on that day in Constantinople, 5,000 of the poorest Armenians were butchered in the streets and in their homes.

The Armenian Genocide was masterminded by the Central Committee of the Young Turk Party (Committee for Union and Progress [Ittihad ve Terakki Cemiyet, in Turkish]) which was dominated by Mehmed Talât [Pasha], Ismail Enver [Pasha], and Ahmed Djemal [Pasha]. They were a racist group whose ideology was articulated by Zia Gökalp, Dr. Mehmed Nazim, and Dr. Behaeddin Shakir.

The Armenian Genocide was directed by a Special Organization (Teshkilati Mahsusa) set up by the Committee of Union and Progress, which created special "butcher battalions," made up of violent criminals released from prison.

Some righteous Ottoman officials such as Celal, governor of Aleppo; Mazhar, governor of Ankara; and Reshid, governor of Kastamonu, were dismissed for not complying with the extermination campaign. Any common Turks who protected Armenians were killed.

The Armenian Genocide occurred in a systematic fashion, which proves that it was directed by the Young Turk government.

First the Armenians in the army were disarmed, placed into labor battalions, and then killed.

Then the Armenian political and intellectual leaders were rounded up on April 24, 1915, and then killed.

Finally, the remaining Armenians were called from their homes, told they would be relocated, and then marched off to concentration camps in the desert between Jerablus and Deir ez-Zor where they would starve and thirst to death in the burning sun.

On the march, often they would be denied food and water, and many were brutalized and killed by their "guards" or by "marauders." The authorities in Trebizond, on the Black Sea coast, did vary this routine: they loaded Armenians on barges and sank them out at sea.

The Turkish government today denies that there was an Armenian genocide and claims that Armenians were only removed from the eastern "war zone." The Armenian Genocide, however, occurred all over Anatolia [present-day Turkey], and not just in the so-called "war zone." Deportations and killings occurred in the west, in and around Ismid (Izmit) and Broussa (Bursa); in the center, in and around Angora (Ankara); in the south-west, in and around Konia (Konya) and Adana (which is near the Mediterranean Sea); in the central portion of Anatolia, in and around Diyarbekir (Diyarbakir), Harpout (Harput), Marash, Sivas (Sepastia), Shabin Kara-Hissar (?ebin Karahisar), and Ourfa (Urfa); and on the Black Sea coast, in and around Trebizond (Trabzon), all of which are not part of a war zone. Only Erzeroum, Bitlis, and Van in the east were in the war zone.

The Armenian Genocide was condemned at the time by representatives of the British, French, Russian, German, and Austrian governments—namely all the major Powers. The first three were foes of the Ottoman Empire, the latter two, allies of the Ottoman Empire. The United States, neutral towards the Ottoman Empire, also condemned the Armenian Genocide and was the chief spokesman in behalf of the Armenians.

The American people, via local Protestant missionaries, did the most to save the wretched remnants of the death marches, the orphaned children.

Despite Turkish denial, there is no doubt about the Armenian Genocide. For example, German ambassador Count von Wolff-Metternich, Turkey's ally in World War I, wrote his government in 1916 saying: "The Committee [of Union and Progress] demands the annihilation of the last remnants of the Armenians and the [Ottoman] government must bow to its demands."

German consuls stationed in Turkey, including Vice Consul Max Erwin von Scheubner-Richner of Erzerum [Erzurum] who was Adolf Hitler's chief political advisor in the 1920s, were eyewitnesses. Hitler said to his generals on the eve of sending his Death's Heads units into Poland, "Go, kill without mercy . . . who today remembers the annihilation of the Armenians."

Henry Morgenthau Sr., the neutral American ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, sent a cable to the U.S. State Department in 1915:

"Deportation of and excesses against peaceful Armenians is increasing and from harrowing reports of eye witnesses [sic] it appears that a campaign of race extermination is in progress under a pretext of reprisal against rebellion."

Morgenthau's successor as Ambassador to Turkey, Abram Elkus, cabled the U.S. State Department in 1916 that the Young Turks were continuing an ". . . unchecked policy of extermination through starvation, exhaustion, and brutality of treatment hardly surpassed even in Turkish history."

Only one Turkish government, that of Damad Ferit Pasha, has ever recognized the Armenian genocide. In fact, that Turkish government held war crimes trials and condemned to death the major leaders responsible.

The Turkish court concluded that the leaders of the Young Turk government were guilty of murder. "This fact has been proven and verified." It maintained that the genocidal scheme was carried out with as much secrecy as possible. That a public facade was maintained of "relocating" the Armenians. That they carried out the killing by a secret network. That the decision to eradicate the Armenians was not a hasty decision, but "the result of extensive and profound deliberations."

Ismail Enver Pasha, Ahmed Cemal Pasha, Mehmed Talât Bey, and a host of others were convicted by the Turkish court and condemned to death for "the extermination and destruction of the Armenians."

The Permanent People's Tribunal recognized the Armenian Genocide on April 16, 1984.

The European Parliament voted to recognize the Armenian Genocide on June 18, 1987.

President Bush issued a news release in 1990 calling on all Americans to join with Armenians on April 24 in commemorating "the more than a million Armenian people who were victims."

President Clinton issued a news release on April 24, 1994, to commemorate the "tragedy" that befell the Armenians in 1915.

The Russian Duma (the lower house of the bicameral Russian legislature) voted on April 20, 1994, to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Israel officially condemned the Armenian Genocide as Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Yossi Beilin proclaimed on the floor of the Knesset (the Israeli legislature), on April 27, 1994, in answer to the claims of the Turkish Ambassador, that "It was not war. It was most certainly massacre and genocide, something the world must remember."

The Armenian genocide is similar to the Jewish holocaust in many respects. Both people adhere to an ancient religion. Both were religious minorities of their respective states. Both have a history of persecution. Both have new democracies. Both are surrounded by enemies. Both are talented and creative minorities who have been persecuted out of envy and obscurantism.

Umich Education

The Armenian Genocide

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:31:00 -0800

Yom Kippur War - October War

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:29:00 -0700

To all Muslims, who think Arabs won Yom Kippur/October war: Please have your researches by any real history book instead to go into Arab propaganda websites which misinforming you about the facts of that war.

Here are some FACTS for you:

The War Begins

On October 6, 1973 — Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar — Egypt and Syria opened a coordinated surprise attack against Israel. The equivalent of the total forces of NATO in Europe were mobilized on Israel's borders. On the Golan Heights, approximately 180 Israeli tanks faced an onslaught of 1,400 Syrian tanks. Along the Suez Canal, 436 Israeli defenders were attacked by 80,000 Egyptians.

At least ten Arab states, including four non-Middle Eastern nations, actively aided the Egyptian-Syrian war effort.

A few months before the Yom Kippur War, Iraq transferred a squadron of Hunter jets to Egypt. During the war, an Iraqi division of some 18,000 men and several hundred tanks was deployed in the central Golan and participated in the October 16 attack against Israeli positions. Iraqi MiGs began operating over the Golan Heights as early as October 8, the third day of the war.

Besides serving as financial underwriters, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait committed men to battle. A Saudi brigade of approximately 3,000 troops was dispatched to Syria, where it participated in fighting along the approaches to Damascus. Also, violating Paris's ban on the transfer of French-made weapons, Libya sent Mirage fighters to Egypt (from 1971-1973, President Muammar Qaddafi gave Cairo more than $1 billion in aid to rearm Egypt and to pay the Soviets for weapons delivered).

Other North African countries responded to Arab and Soviet calls to aid the frontline states. Algeria sent three aircraft squadrons of fighters and bombers, an armored brigade and 150 tanks. Approximately 1,000-2,000 Tunisian soldiers were positioned in the Nile Delta. Sudan stationed 3,500 troops in southern Egypt, and Morocco sent three brigades to the front lines, including 2,500 men to Syria.

Lebanese radar units were used by Syrian air defense forces. Lebanon also allowed Palestinian terrorists to shell Israeli civilian settlements from its territory. Palestinians fought on the Southern Front with the Egyptians and Kuwaitis.

The least enthusiastic participant in the October fighting was probably Jordan's King Hussein, who apparently had been kept uninformed of Egyptian and Syrian war plans. But Hussein did send two of his best units — the 40th and 60th Armored Brigades — to Syria.

Israel Recovers

Thrown onto the defensive during the first two days of fighting, Israel mobilized its reserves and eventually repulsed the invaders and carried the war deep into Syria and Egypt. The Arab states were swiftly resupplied by sea and air from the Soviet Union, which rejected U.S. efforts to work toward an immediate ceasefire. As a result, the United States belatedly began its own airlift to Israel.

The Soviet Union showed no interest in initiating peacemaking efforts while it looked like the Arabs might win. The same was true for UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim.

However, on October 8th, Israeli forces, bolstered by called-up reserves, counter-attacked in the Sinai. They pushed back the Egyptian military and crossed the Suez Canal south of Ismailia. Here, the Israelis used the Suez-Cairo road to advance towards the Egyptian capital, Cairo, and got to within 65 miles of it.

The Israelis experienced similar success in the Golan Heights where the Syrian forces were pushed back and Israel re-captured lost land. Using the main road from Tiberias to Damascus, the Israelis got to within 35 miles of the Syrian capital.

On October 22, the Security Council adopted Resolution 338 calling for "all parties to the present fighting to cease all firing and terminate all military activity immediately." The vote came on the day that Israeli forces cut off and isolated the Egyptian Third Army and were in a position to destroy it.

Saving the Losers

How Israel behaved differently? With the Egyptian 3rd army surrounded, starving, dying from lack of water, did Israel move in for the kill as the Arabs would have? NO! Israel supplied and allowed supplies of fresh water and food to the very army who wanted to kill all Israelis and throw them into the sea.

Israel reluctantly complied with the cease fire, largely because of U.S. pressure, but also because the next military moves would have been to attack the two Arab capitals, something few believed would be politically wise. Despite the Israel Defense Force's ultimate success on the battlefield, the war was considered a diplomatic and intelligence failure.

The First "Arab Goddess Victory"

Arab casualties were known to be much higher than Israel's, though precise figures are difficult to ascertain as Egypt and Syria never disclosed official figures. The lowest casualty estimate is:

Israel	Arabs
2,297 Israeli soldiers had been killed	8,000 (5,000 Egyptian and 3,000 Syrian) have been killed
7250 wonded	18,000 wounded
293 were captured	8,372 Egyptians and 392 Syrians were captured, Thirteen Iraqis and six Moroccans were also captured
400 Tanks + 600 disabled tanks, but been repaired and back to service	2250 Tanks, 400 of these fell into Israeli hands in good working order
102 Aircrafts	514 Aircrafts
2 Hellicopters: Bell 205 & CH-53	19 Naval Vessels

And the last FACT for you...

How's that Egypt got Sinai peninsula back by signing on a peace treaty with Israel in March 26, 1979 and didn't occupied Sinai in October war which occured in October 6, 1973?

Something to think about...

In Pictures:

We Won't Move From Here

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:36:00 -0700

The Jewish people base their claim to the land of Israel on at least four premises:
1) Israel became a state in 1312 BC.
2) God promised the land to the patriarch Abraham;
3) The Jewish people settled and developed the land;
4) The international community granted political sovereignty in Palestine to the Jewish people;
5) The territory was captured in defensive wars.
6) The UN voted for the creation of the state of Israel
7) Jews ruled it for thousands years and maintained a continuous presence for 3300 years.
8) For over 3300 years, Jerusalem was the Jewish capital.
9) Jerusalem is mentioned over 700 times in the Bible.
10) Jews pray facing Jerusalem.
12) The history roots of the Jewish nation is in Israel.
12) The holiest Jewish site in the world and a renowned symbol of Jerusalem's Old City is the Western Wall on the Temple Mount..

Israel - We Won't Move From Here - Shlomi Shabbat (Lyric)

Israel Then and Forever - Everything has started here!

From here, doesn't matter where
We won't move from here
Together we'll stay and perhaps...

From here, when the morning come
I won't be surprise that I'm still here

Everything has started here and will never end
Here we stand again together to pray
Never be alone to collect all the hopes
Tonight we are still allowed to shed a tear

Everything has started here and will never end
Here we stand again together to pray
Never be alone to collect all the hopes
Tonight we are still allowed to shed a tear

From here, I have a little light
If I am still here
It's always a sign that...
Goodness will come
That goodness
G-d has taken
G-d has given
The light of blue and white

Everything has started here and will never end
Here we stand again together to pray
Never be alone to collect all the hopes
Tonight we are still allowed to shed a tear

Everything has started here and will never end
Here we stand again together to pray
Never be alone to collect all the hopes
Tonight we are still allowed to shed a tear

From here, doesn't matter where to....
We won't move from here

Guard the World, Child - תשמור על העולם ילד

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:49:00 -0700

Guard the World Child	Tishmor Al ha'Olam Yeled
Guard the world, child, there are things forbidden to see, Guard the world child, if you see you will cease to exist, You are the hero of the world, with the smile of angels, Guard the world child, because we no longer can succeed. Guard the world, child, don't exaggerate your thoughts For the more you know, child, the less you will understand And at a certain hour all the doors will shut And all the love will end Only you will survive.	Tishmor al ha'olam yeled Yesh dvarim she'asur lirot Tishmor al ha'olam yeled Im tire - tafsik lihyot Gibor shel ha'olam yeled Im chiyuch shel mala'chim Tishmor al ha'olam yeled Ki anachnu kvar lo matzlichim Tishmor al ha'olam yeled Al tagzim bemachshavot Ki kama sheteda yoter yeled Ata rak tavin pachot Uvesha'a mesuyemet Nisgarot kol hadlatot Vechol ha'ahava nigmeret Rak ata mamshich lichyot.

Guard the World Child

Tishmor Al ha'Olam Yeled

Guard the world, child,
there are things forbidden to see,
Guard the world child,
if you see you will cease to exist,

You are the hero of the world,
with the smile of angels,
Guard the world child,
because we no longer can succeed.

Guard the world, child,
don't exaggerate your thoughts
For the more you know, child,
the less you will understand

And at a certain hour
all the doors will shut
And all the love will end
Only you will survive.

Tishmor al ha'olam yeled
Yesh dvarim she'asur lirot
Tishmor al ha'olam yeled
Im tire - tafsik lihyot

Gibor shel ha'olam yeled
Im chiyuch shel mala'chim
Tishmor al ha'olam yeled
Ki anachnu kvar lo matzlichim

Tishmor al ha'olam yeled
Al tagzim bemachshavot
Ki kama sheteda yoter yeled
Ata rak tavin pachot

Uvesha'a mesuyemet
Nisgarot kol hadlatot
Vechol ha'ahava nigmeret
Rak ata mamshich lichyot.

Funny Questions About the 72 Virgins

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:36:00 -0700

There are many questions about the 72 Virgins concept. Here are precisely 72 of them.

1. What if the bomber wants girls with more experience?
2. What if one virgin is no good in bed? Does she get replaced or is he stuck with 71?
3. If he's gay, does he get male virgins?
4. What if he's celibate? What does he get?
5. What if he hasn't reached puberty yet? Does he get 72 Xboxes till he comes of age?
6. If he's bisexual, does he get 36 of each?
7. If he blows himself up while building the bomb, does he still get credit?
8. What do you call a relationship with 72 women, a ménage-à-soixante-treize?
9. Are they like 72 wives or 1 wife and 71 concubines?
10. What if he's ugly or smells bad and the virgins don't want anything to do with him?
11. Is there Viagra in paradise? Ya know, just in case?
12. Is there an age of consent?
13. When they're deflowered, do they get replaced by new virgins or are they "born again"?
14. Do they become his common-law wives eventually?
15. If he has a tryst with a 73rd virgin, do the others consider it cheating?
16. Do the virgins have a union? If so, can they strike if they're not satisfied?
17. Is there a temp agency that replaces virgins if they call in sick?
18. What if the bomber's into animals? Does he get accommodated?
19. Why 72? Is 71 too few? Is 73 too many?
20. If it was a female bomber, how do the male virgins prove their virginity?
21. What happens when paradise runs out of virgins?
22. Can a bomber make reservations on specific virgins before he blows himself up?
23. If there are no virgins available, is he put on a waiting list?
24. If he's a catholic priest, does he get 72 little boys?
25. Would you call a female bomber a bombshell?
26. Would you call a child bomber a bombino?
27. Is it not 73 out of respect for Barry Bond's home run record?
28. If the bomber previously dated one of the virgins, does it get awkward?
29. Do they have a bomb squad in paradise just in case one of the charges didn't go off?
30. Did they start using female bombers because they ran out of virgins for the guys?
31. If she's a lesbian, do they "convert" the virgins, or will straight girls suffice her?
32. Does a hermaphrodite bomber get hermaphrodite virgins?
33. If so, are there 72 available?
34. If they run out of virgins, do they get inflatable dolls till they find more?
35. If a bomber finds an infidel in paradise, can he blow him up and get 72 more virgins?
36. Could the Koran have had a typo and it actually provided just one 72 year old virgin?
37. Is Muslim hell being one of the 72 virgins?
38. Instead of 72 guys, would a female bomber settle for 1 man who does dishes and garbage?
39. Do the bombers go broke on Valentine's Day?
40. If he's monogamous, does he pick one of the 72 or does he get a supermodel?
41. What if he doesn't like either gender? Does he just klutz around in paradise?
42. Eternity is long, and eventually he'll grow bored of his 72 women. What happens then?
43. How does he pick the 72 to begin with? Lottery? Beauty pageant? Police lineup?
44. Is he allowed to covet his neighbor's virgins?
45. Do the virgins have agents and/or contracts?
46. If so, can a virgin request to be traded or put on waivers if she's unhappy?
47. What should he say if one of the virgins asks "Does this Burka make me look fat?"
48. If he gives the wrong answer, is he uh, screwed?
49. How is anyone expected to handle a catfight amongst 72 women?
50. Did the 9/11 hijackers who didn't know they were going to die get 72 virgins too?
51. Are scouts employed to find virgin talent?
52. Do the virgins ever retire, or do they remain virgins forever?
53. If they retire, what kind of pension plan do they get?
54. Wouldn't it be interesting if they're virgins because they're ugly?
55. So is it 72 Muslim girls or like 1 virgin from every culture?
56. Wouldn't it be sweet if Lorena Bobbit got hired as one of the virgins?
57. What does Gloria Steinem have to say about all this?
58. When he gets home, does he have to say "How was your day?" to all 72 virgins?
59. Do they have counseling for sexual addiction in paradise?
60. If the virgins start hogging the remote, is he in hell?
61. They must take up an entire theater when they go to the movies, huh?
62. Are there restaurants in paradise that can accommodate a reservation for 73?
63. If a virgin suffers from multiple personalities, is she considered two virgins?
64. Does he get all the virgins at once, or do they have an installment plan?
65. Is the bomber entitled to substitutes, exchanges, or refunds?
66. What if all the king's horses and all the king's men can't put the bomber together again?
67. Is "not tonight, dear, I have a headache" a valid excuse in paradise?
68. Do the virgins come with a warranty?
69. If so, does paradise replace defective parts and provide on-site service?
70. What do you call a lifetime warranty if you're dead?
71. Do Siamese twin bombers get 144 virgins?
72. Who gets to clean up all those nasty sheets?

Wiki Islam

Tears of Jihad

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:33:00 -0700

270 million killed by Muslims.

Islam began with killing of unbelievers right from the start.

For the first century of its existence, Islam was absolutely soaked in blood. The killing only slowed down as the Islamic empire finally ran into boundaries in the 8th century, after about a century of expansionist, imperialist, unprovoked Islamic aggression. Even after the initial expansion slowed, the killings did not end.

These figures are a rough estimate of the death of non-Muslims by the political act of jihad.

Africa
Thomas Sowell [Thomas Sowell, Race and Culture, BasicBooks, 1994, p. 188] estimates that 11 million slaves were shipped across the Atlantic and 14 million were sent to the Islamic nations of North Africa and the Middle East. For every slave captured many others died. Estimates of this collateral damage vary.

The renowned missionary David Livingstone estimated that for every slave who reached a plantation, five others were killed in the initial raid or died of illness and privation on the forced march. [Woman’s Presbyterian Board of Missions, David Livingstone, p. 62, 1888] So, for 25 million slaves delivered to the market, we have an estimated death of about 120 million people. Islam ran the wholesale slave trade in Africa.

Christians
The number of Christians martyred by Islam is 9 million [David B. Barrett, Todd M. Johnson, World Christian Trends AD 30-AD 2200, William Carey Library, 2001, p. 230, table 4-10] . A rough estimate by Raphael Moore in History of Asia Minor is that another 50 million died in wars by jihad. So counting the million African Christians killed in the 20th century we have:

60 million Christians

Hindus
Koenard Elst in Negationism in India gives an estimate of 80 million Hindus killed in the total jihad against India. [Koenard Elst, Negationism in India, Voice of India, New Delhi, 2002, pg. 34.] The country of India today is only half the size of ancient India, due to jihad. The mountains near India are called the Hindu Kush, meaning the “funeral pyre of the Hindus.”

80 million Hindus.

Buddhists
Buddhists do not keep up with the history of war. Keep in mind that in jihad only Christians and Jews were allowed to survive as dhimmis (servants to Islam); everyone else had to convert or die. Jihad killed the Buddhists in Turkey, Afghanistan, along the Silk Route, and in India. The total is roughly 10 million.

Jews
Oddly enough there were not enough Jews killed in jihad to significantly affect the totals of the Great Annihilation. The jihad in Arabia was 100 percent effective, but the numbers were in the thousands, not millions. After that, the Jews submitted and became the dhimmis (servants and second class citizens) of Islam and did not have geographic political power.

This gives a rough estimate of 270 million killed by jihad.

"Egypt was 14.5 Million people when first opened in Umar's time. When Napoleon walked in 1000 years later, the country was down to 2.5 Million people. 1000 years of bad management causing famines, ethnic cleansings, genocides, revolts. And that happened to one of the world most advanced civilizations.

1000 years and instead of increasing, instead of remaining 14.5 Million, they went down to 2.5 Million.

Islam is aids. Whoever in bed with it will be infected and die eventually. I used to say Islam is cancer, every muslim is a cancer cell in our society. Though some cancer cells may not or never spread, but once it does, it kills you. Now I found cancer is better than islam, at least cancer is not contagious.

Israel and Lebanon Gas Dispute

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:31:00 -0700

Massive Leviathan, Tamar Natural Gas Fields Poised to Transform Israel Into Energy Exporter

Israel’s Massive Natural Gas Reserve Discoveries Draw Enemy Eyes

Introduction

Lebanon going according to the old method, that by which were determined in the past most of the sea bounds : Take the point in which situated the border, and appoints stretch a straight line towards one. If one state situated conscience is second, and the coastline passes, generally speaking, conscience to the south, stretch a line that stands to him, i.e., westernizes to the east, and this is the border. According to this method, everything that situated conscience to the head pecked your Shais to Lebanon, and only what belongs from south to the head pecked your Shais to Israel. This is the Lebanese assertion.

Israel, in contrast, bases on method more modern, that acceptable in the current discussions between states on lines of the border are sea. This also the method that by which we will set the sea border between Israel and Jordan and Egypt, and also between Turkey and Syria in their peace agreement in2005. According to this method, the borderline needs to be stands to the exact route of the beach. Inasmuch as that our beach is stretched from southwest to the north east, also in Israel and also in Lebanon, as you know/but that the sea border need to be stretched in the stands him, i.e., in advance pecked north westward.

When stretch the sea border in advance pecked north westward until half of the way to Cyprus, arrive at the water that situated many northward to the head pecked, and even northward to Metulla. This is the base to the assertion that the directories of the gas, that part of them situated westward to Lebanon and not westward to Israel, belong to our economic water.

I.e. : If base on the norms more the up to date, as we know, Israel is right.

Yes.

Future War?

Tamar & Leviathan

The last 2 years have seen blessings bestowed on the State of Israel with the discovery of massive natural gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean by Texas based Noble Energy & Israeli consortiums. Discoveries within arms reach of the Israeli coast and within our territorial waters. In 2009 the Tamar Israel discovery rippled across energy markets, Tamar discoveries can power 50% of Israel’s energy needs for the next 4 decades.

Now in 2010 a new unbelievably larger reserve named Leviathan may yield massive amounts of natural gas, estimated at possibly twice the size of Tamar! If Leviathan yields, it can transform Israel into a global energy exporter.

The Leviathan natural-gas site off the Haifa shore could be twice the size of the Tamar prospect, the largest gas discovery globally in 2009, and position Israel as a gas exporter in coming years. Today is a day of celebration for all of us. The State of Israel is an energy independent country.

Lebanon & Its Embarrassing, Ugly Islamic Step Child – Hezbollah

Of course, If Israel has it, you can rest assured Hezbollah wants to lay its greedy little Islamofacist hands on it. The exploratory permits licensed to Noble and its partners where these discoveries are being made are clearly off Israeli waters.

The Lebanese know that the messy little country they have thanks to their pals like Syria & Hezbollah will not draw the billions in foreign exploratory & drilling investment needed to tap whatever reserves may be off their own coast. That has not stopped Lebanon jealously eyeing Israel’s new reserves, or Hezbollah from issuing threats. After all, Israel belongs to them as per Hezbollah ‘logic’ – Muslim lands occupied by Zionist invaders!

Hizbullah: Israel’s Gas Belongs to Us

Hizbullah claims that that the natural gas fields recently discovered in the Mediterranean, belong to Lebanon and warned Israel against extracting gas from them.

Lebanese parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri told “AFP”, “Israel is racing to make the case a fait accompli and was quick to present itself as an oil emirate, ignoring the fact that, according to the maps, the deposit extends into Lebanese waters. Lebanon must take immediate action to defend its financial, political, economic and sovereign rights.”

Marine law expert Amir Cohen-Dor of the S. Friedman & Co. told “Globes” that the Dalit and Tamar gas fields are within Israel’s contiguous economic zone, and that under the 1982 UN Law of the Sea Convention, Israel can exploit resources in its economic zone.

Gas War Zone?

Both Hezbollah & the Lebanese Parliament which are today one & the same are getting in on the threats. Make no mistake, this is a threat against infrastructure, pipelines, rigs, shipping and investment needed to tap the reserves that will all be required in the future. The Lebanese have gone so far as to issue veiled war threats..

Lebanese parliamentarians made similar accusations following the discovery of the Tamar and Dalit gas reserves in 2009.

Halami Mussa said, “The area where the seismic survey was carried out is offshore from the coast of Lebanon, between the international border of Palestine and Cyprus.” He utterly ignores the presence of Israel.

The Ministry of National Infrastructures Map of Petroleum Rights shows that the Tamar license, as well the licenses that make up the Leviathan structure are located west and northwest of Haifa, south of the Israel-Lebanese border

Potential for Conflict is Real

With Israeli sovereignty being questioned as usual by Islamists & terrorists, and Lebanon laying absurd claim to Israeli natural gas discoveries the potential for conflict is real. Israeli withdrawals from Lebanon have been certified by the UN, yet that did not stop Hezbollah from launching a war in 2006. The Israeli coastal demarcations are also clear, there is little reason to believe that will stop Hezbollah or its patrons from trying to initiate conflict, terrorism & violence either.

This is part and parcel of the Noble partnership with Israel. Infrastructure - both sea based and land based to process the LNG will need to be patrolled, secured. The State may even be forced into war to secure safe resource extraction.

Lieberman slams Lebanese rejection of borders: 'Hezbollah looking for friction, but we won't give up what is rightfully ours'

Landau added: "The border between us and them has been unequivocally set – this is our legally and professionally-based opinion that will be placed on the table of the UN,"

Peace and even clean burning energy in the Middle East does not come cheap.

Arab and Muslim Death Toll

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:29:00 -0700

"In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful"
The following list shows the death toll from internal conflicts in the Islamic World since the end of WWII to the present.

The list specifically is only partial of the total Muslim death toll and excludes the death toll in conflicts that involved foreign non-Arab or non-Muslim forces, for example the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, or the U.S. invasion of Iraq in the 2000s. Which means that the death toll on the list is solely the result of conflicts, wars, and genocide campaigns within or among Arab or Muslim majority countries.

It is evident that far more Arabs and Muslims were killed by other Arab or Muslim countries than by Israel – in fact, about 100 times more!

Alger's Civil War 1990-1998

The Algerian Civil War was an armed conflict between the Algerian government and various Islamist rebel groups which began in 1990. It is estimated to have cost between 100,000 to 200,000 lives.

Chadian–Libyan Conflict 1978-1987

The Chadian–Libyan conflict was a state of sporadic warfare events in Chad between 1978 and 1987 between Libyan and Chadian forces. The 1987 war resulted in a heavy defeat for Libya, lost one tenth of its army, with 7,500 troops killed. Chadian losses were 1,000 troops killed. Total, 8,500

Chad's Civil War 2005-2010

The civil war in Chad began in December 2005. According to the United Nations, Despite of 30,000 dead people, Chad has been affected by a humanitarian crisis since at least 2001. As of 2008, the country of Chad hosts over 280,000 refugees from the Sudan's Darfur region, over 55,000 from the Central African Republic, as well as over 170,000 internally displaced persons.

Sudan's Genocide 1950-present

The conflict in Sudan has many faces, the best known are a ‘North-South’ conflict, ‘that problem in Darfur’ or an ‘Arab-African’ conflict. Death is no stranger in Tawila, Sudan, where thousands of Darfurians are crowded into a sprawling, makeshift refugee camp. 2.6 million people have been killed and another 2.5 million people have been displaced and are living in refugee camps, mostly in Chad.

Somalia's Civil War 1977-present

The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1977, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces. UN humanitarian information unit: estimate of 500,000 people have been killed.

Lebanese Civil War 1975-1990

The Lebanese Civil War lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people (a quarter of the population) were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced.

Syria, 1982 - Hama Massacre

In 1982 the Syrian government killed 30,000 – 40,000 of its own citizens. Assad leveled an entire city with an air bombardment followed by artillery and tank fire. Why? They were anti Baath party, and apparently in 1982 in Syria that was a death sentence…

Jordan, Black Spetember 1970

The nature of the Arab purpose in Palestine was illumined, was indeed dramatised, by the clash between the terrorist organisations and the Jordanian government that began September 1970. Arafat claimed that 10,000 had been killed.

Turkey - Kurdistan 1984-present

The Turkey – Kurdistan conflict is an armed conflict between the Republic of Turkey and various Kurdish insurgent groups, which have demanded separation from Turkey to create an independent. From August 1984 to June 2007, the Turkish government put the total casualties at 37,979 dead kurds. According to human rights organisations since the beginning of the uprising 4,000 villages have been destroyed, in which between 380,000 and 1,000,000 Kurdish villagers have been forcibly evacuated from their homes.

Kurdish-Iraq War 1961–1970

By early 1960, it became apparent that Qasim would not follow through with his promise of regional autonomy. As a result, the KDP began to agitate for regional autonomy. A peace plan was announced in March 1970 and provided for broader Kurdish autonomy. 105,000 people died during this war, with little achivements to both sides.

Iraq, Saddam Hussein 1979-2003

The total number of deaths related to torture and murder or wars during this period are unknown. Human rights officials" est: 500,000, Iraqi politicians est:: over a 1,000,000

Iran's Islamic Revolution 1978-1979

Demonstrations against the Shah commenced in October 1977, developing into a campaign of civil resistance that was partly secular and partly religious, and intensified in January 1978. Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution, stated that between 60,000 - 80,000 men, women and children were martyred by the Shah's regime,and these numbers appears in the constitution of the Islamic Republic.

Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988

The Iran-Iraq War, which ended in August 1988, one month short of its eighth anniversary, was one of the longest, bloodiest and costliest Third World armed conflicts in the twentieth century. 1,000,000 people have been killed, over than one million wounded and over than 2 million refugees.

Tajikistan's Civil War 1992-1997

The June 27, 1997 Peace Accord opened a new phase in Tajikistan's short history, formally ending the civil war begun in 1992. The war left at least 50,000 dead and 700,000 displaced people.

Bangladesh War of 1971

In East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) the President of Pakistan, General Agha Mohammed Yahya Khan, and his top generals planned to murder its Bengali intellectual, cultural, and political elite. They also planned to indiscriminately murder hundreds of thousands of its Hindus and drive the rest into India. Estimate of 1,500,000 people have been killed.

Indonesia 1965-66

One of history's biggest massacres ever took place, is in Indonesia in 1965/66, when around over than 400,000 people were killed in the suppression of the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI). The killings in Indonesia started when a group of army officers loyal to President Sukarno assassinated several generals on 30 September 1965.

East Timor 1975-1999

East Timor was occupied by Indonesia from 1975 to 1999 as an annexed territory with Indonesian provincial status. Estimates of deaths during the occupation range from 150,000 to 200,000

Massacres are still taking place in many Arab countries as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Irqa, Libya, Syria, and many other Arab/Muslim countries.. Shooting, beheading, suicide bombing, hanging, etc. Up to 135 places around the world under Muslim attack. Muslims are killing Muslims AND none-Muslims.

Total of 51,000 Arabs have been killed by Israel since 1948. Not to mention it was self defense actions of Israel while the Arabs wanted to wipe Israel from the global map and to exteminate the Jews.

Yet, no other country’s actions are delegitimized by Arab countries like Israel’s. No other country’s right to exist is challenged and threatened by Arab countries like Israel’s. No other country’s actions are called “blood-thirsty“, “genocidal“, “terrorist“, or “Nazi” by Arab countries like Israel’s actions are.

This means that the Arab public’s outrage over Israel’s treatment of Arabs and Palestinians is not an objective response to the situation on the ground. Rather, this outrage is manufactured by the Arab media, and Arab political and social elites.

All these points to the conclusion that Arab leaders are not interested in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict. Rather, they are exploiting the situation to promote their political agenda: the destruction of the Jewish state.

Is the Quran Contain the Words of God?

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:25:00 -0700

Who Wrote the Quran?

According to the Muslims the Quran contains the words of God. Quran is to be read as if God Himself had spoken these words stated in it. It is important to emphasize this point because if Quran is the word of God then it should not contain any errors and it should hold true for all times. However, such is not the case.

The most notable authors of the Qur’an were:

* Mohammed himself
* Khadijah - Mohammed's first wife
* Aisha - Muhammad's child bride
* Imrul Qays - an ancient poet of Arabia who died a few decades before Muhammad's birth
* Zayd b. Amr b. Naufal - an 'apostate' of his time who preached and propagated Hanifism
* Labid - another poet
* Hasan b. Thabit - the official poet of Muhammad
* Salman, the Persian - Muhammad's confidante' and an advisor
* Bahira - a Nestoraian Christian monk of the Syrian church
* Jabr - a Christian neighbour of Muhammad
* Ibn Qumta - a Christian slave
* Waraqa - Khadijah's cousin brother
* Ubay b. Ka'b - Muhammad's secretary and a Qur'an scribe

There were other parties involved too:

* The Sabeans
* Abdallah b. Salam b. al-Harith - a Jewish convert to Islam
* Mukhyariq - a Rabbi and another Jewish convert to Islam

We will see how some of the verses in the Koran itself show clearly that these words were obviously spoken by Mohammed and Not God.

The Opening Sura Fatihah: Quran 1:1-7
In the name of the Merciful and Compassionate God. Praise belongs to God. The Lord of the worlds, the merciful, the compassionate, the ruler of the day of the day of judgement! Thee we serve and Thee we ask for aid. Guide us in the right path, the path of those Thou art gracious to; not to those Thou art wroth with, nor of those who err.

Someone need not be a rocket-scientist to comprehend that these words are clearly addressed to God, in the form of a prayer. They are Mohammed's words of parise to God, asking for God's help and guidance.

Quran - Sura: 113:1
I take refuge with the Lord of the Dawn.

One can clearly see, its Mohammed and NOT GOD HIMSELF who is seeking refuge in God.

Quran - Sura: 27:91
For me, I have been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, Him Who has sanctified it and to whom (Belong) all things; and I am commanded to be of those who bow in Islam to Allah's Will

Again, the speaker here is clearly Mohammed who is trying to justify killing of innocent Meccans who were not willing to follow Mohammed's version of God.

Quran - Sura: 84:16-19
I swear by the afterglow of sunset, and by the night, and by the moon when she is at the full.

God would never swear in the sun OR the moon. Obviously, you can never read such a thing in the Bible. Once again it is Mohammed and NOT God. He is unable to disguise his pagan heritage. He swears again in the name of the Sun and Moon, both of which were considered as holy deities by pre-Islamic Arabs.

According to Islam, questioning the Allah's absolute authorship of the Qur'an is a serious blasphemy. A Muslim may face death sentence simply for nurturing an atom of doubt on Qur'an's authenticity. The Qur'an is above all. Nothing in the creation of Allah is holier than the Qur'an. Making Allah the author of the Quran, I think, is the prime lie perpetrated on mankind for more than a millennium. We can, with certainty, say that it was not even Muhammad alone who authored the Qur'an. In fact, the major part of the Qur'an was actually either composed by or inspired and written by a few other individuals.

The Quran, will never be corrupted?

Changes of Mohammed

The Satanic Verses of the Qur’an Sura an-Najm 53:19-22

This term has been used for some time to describe two verses of Mohammed that were "abrogated" or taken out. In pre-Islamic Arabia, Allah was a god with three daughters, al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat.

Sura 53:19-20
"Have ye thought upon al-Lat and al-Uzza and Manat, the third, the other?"

Originally followed by

"These are the exalted cranes (intermediaries) Whose intercession is to be hoped for."

It is interesting to read how Allah could have what are called "abrogated verses" in Suras 13:39; 16:101; 2:106.

vs.

"Are yours the males and His the females? That indeed were an unfair division."

At one time Mohammed compromised and said concerning the daughters of Allah in Sura 53:19 that "their intercession was to be hoped for." In other words, Mohammed said we should hope for the help of these three idols. Mohammed’s followers were amazed that he said this. Mohammed later changed and said Satan had deceived him. These verses were abrogated or taken out.

Changes After Mohammed

Bukhari Hadiths saying parts of the Qur’an were missing and/or abrogated are vol.4:57,62, 69,229; vol.6:510,511 p.479-480.

Since there were various versions of the Qur’an, some with two more Suras than other versions, the Caliph ‘Uthman ordered everyone to turn in their Qur’an, and he would issue a "standardized" version.

Muslims claim that God’s Word, the Qur’an, will never be corrupted. Be that as it may, apparently some years after Mohammed’s death, the Qur’an needed standardizing, since Caliph ‘Uthman standardized the Qur’an way after Mohammed’s death. Apparently in order that nobody could second-guess his editing, he burned almost all copies besides his standard ones. (Bukhari vol.6:510 p.479) For example, Ubai had several Suras in his Qur’an that ‘Uthman omitted from the standardized text, and thus Muslims do not read today. The Meccan Abdollah Sarh, who once made suggestions to Mohammed, and later renounced Islam, was killed. Presumably he knew too much about how Mohammed changed the Qur’an. However, a few very interesting variant copies did survive and are now in the Azhyar Library in Cairo.

Conclusion

The Holy Qur'an is not authored by almighty Allah. A few ambitious and opportunistic persons, in the name of Allah gathered together under the tutelage of Muhammad to construct the Qur'an by adapting, amending and outright plagiarizing other scriptures and heresy of the time. This they did to advance and perpetuate their political ambition to dominate the then Arabian peninsula, and later, many other peaceful countries.

Qur'an is the handiwork of a few cunning persons - an attempt to fool the gullible world - a deliberate effort to impose Arab superiority. All Muslims must learn the Arabic language to be able to recite the Qur'an and to offer prayers, adopt Arabic name and conform to Islamic (read Bedouin Arab) culture. This is naked Arab imperialism in the guise of propagating the message of the 'Holy Qur'an'. When the undeniable truth about the authorship of the Qur'an and its hidden scheme is clearly understood, this Arab imperialism by the stealth stands out to be the main agenda of the Qur'an.

The Torah

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:24:00 -0700

• Torah in the narrowest sense refers to the first five books of the Bible
• In a broader sense, Torah includes all Jewish law and tradition
• Torah was given to Moses in written form (Ten Commandments) with oral commentary
• The oral component is now written in the Talmud
• There are additional important writings

Torah
The word "Torah" is a tricky one, because it can mean different things in different contexts. In its most limited sense, "Torah" refers to the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. But the word "torah" can also be used to refer to the entire Jewish bible (the body of scripture known to non-Jews as the Old Testament and to Jews as the Tanakh or Written Torah), or in its broadest sense, to the whole body of Jewish law and teachings.

Written Torah (Tanakh - Bible)
To Jews, there is no "Old Testament." The books that Christians call the New Testament are not part of Jewish scripture. The so-called Old Testament is known to us as Written Torah or the Tanakh.

This is a list of the books of Written Torah, in the order in which they appear in Jewish translations, with the Hebrew name of the book, a translation of the Hebrew name (where it is not the same as the English name), and English names of the books (where it is not the same as the Hebrew name). The Hebrew names of the first five books are derived from the first few words of the book. The text of each book is more or less the same in Jewish translations as what you see in Christian bibles, although there are some occasional, slight differences in the numbering of verses and there are some significant differences in the translations.

TORAH (The Law):
* Bereishith (In the beginning...) (Genesis)
* Shemoth (The names...) (Exodus)
* Vayiqra (And He called...) (Leviticus)
* Bamidbar (In the wilderness...) (Numbers)
* Devarim (The words...) (Deuteronomy)

NEVI'IM (The Prophets):
* Yehoshua (Joshua)
* Shoftim (Judges)
* Shmuel (I &II Samuel)
* Melakhim (I & II Kings)
* Yeshayah (Isaiah)
* Yirmyah (Jeremiah)
* Yechezqel (Ezekiel)
* The Twelve (treated as one book)
o Hoshea (Hosea)
o Yoel (Joel)
o Amos
o Ovadyah (Obadiah)
o Yonah (Jonah)
o Mikhah (Micah)
o Nachum
o Chavaqquq (Habbakkuk)
o Tzefanyah (Zephaniah)
o Chaggai
o Zekharyah (Zechariah)
o Malakhi

KETHUVIM (The Writings):
* Tehillim (Psalms)
* Mishlei (Proverbs)
* Iyov (Job)
* Shir Ha-Shirim (Song of Songs)
* Ruth
* Eikhah (Lamentations)
* Qoheleth (the author's name) (Ecclesiastes)
* Esther
* Daniel
* Ezra & Nechemyah (Nehemiah) (treated as one book)
* Divrei Ha-Yamim (The words of the days) (Chronicles)

Written Torah is often referred to as the Tanakh, which is an acrostic of Torah, Nevi'im and Ketuvim.

Torah Scrolls
The scriptures that we use in services are written on parchment scrolls. They are always hand-written, in attractive Hebrew calligraphy with "crowns" (crows-foot-like marks coming up from the upper points) on many of the letters. This style of writing is known as STA"M (an abbreviation for "Sifrei Torah, Tefillin and Mezuzot," which is where you will see that style of writing). For more information about the STA"M alphabet, including illustrations and relevant rules, see Hebrew Alphabet used in writing STA"M.

Yad
You are not supposed to touch the parchment on these scrolls; some say because they are too holy; some say because the parchment, made from animal skins, is a source of ritual defilement; others say because your fingers' sweat has acids that will damage the parchment over time. Instead, you follow the text with a pointer, called a Yad. "Yad" means "hand" in Hebrew, and the pointer usually is in the shape of a hand with a pointing index finger (I always find this incredibly amusing). The scrolls are kept covered with fabric, and often ornamented with silver crowns on the handles of the scrolls and a silver breastplate on the front.

Aron Kodesh
The scrolls are kept in a cabinet in the synagogue called an "ark," as in Ark of the Covenant, not as in Noah's Ark. The words are different and unrelated in Hebrew. Noah's ark (and also the ark that Moses was placed in) are called in Hebrew teyvat (ship). I was taught that the "Ark" of the Covenant and the ark in synagogue are an acrostic of "aron kodesh" (holy cabinet), but others have told me that it is merely an archaic English word derived from the Latin arca (cabinet).

The Torah scrolls that we read from in synagogue are unpointed text, with no vowels or musical notes, so the ability to read a passage from a scroll is a valuable skill, and usually requires substantial advance preparation (reviewing the passage in a text with points). See Hebrew Alphabet for more on pointed and unpointed texts.

Chumash
Jewish scriptures are sometimes bound in a form that corresponds to the division into weekly readings (called parshiyot in Hebrew). Scriptures bound in this way are generally referred to as a chumash. The word "chumash" comes from the Hebrew word meaning five, and refers to the five books of the Torah. Sometimes, a chumash is simply refers to a collection of the five books of the Torah. But often, a chumash contains the entire first five books, divided up by the weekly parshiyot, with the haftarah portion inserted after each week's parshah.
Oral Torah: The Talmud

A Page of TalmudIn addition to the written scriptures we have an "Oral Torah," a tradition explaining what the above scriptures mean and how to interpret them and apply the Laws. Orthodox Jews believe G-d taught the Oral Torah to Moses, and he taught it to others, down to the present day. This tradition was maintained only in oral form until about the 2d century C.E., when the oral law was compiled and written down in a document called the Mishnah.

Over the next few centuries, additional commentaries elaborating on the Mishnah were written down in Jerusalem and Babylon. These additional commentaries are known as the Gemara. The Gemara and the Mishnah together are known as the Talmud. This was completed in the 5th century C.E.

There are actually two Talmuds: the Jerusalem Talmud and the Babylonian Talmud. The Babylonian Talmud is more comprehensive, and is the one most people mean if they just say "the Talmud" without specifying which one.

There have been additional commentaries on the Talmud by such noted Jewish scholars as Rashi and Rambam. Adin Steinsaltz is currently preparing a new edition of the Talmud, with his own commentary supplementing the Mishnah, Gemara, and Rashi commentaries.

The Talmud is not easy to read. It reminds me of someone else's class notes for a college lecture you never attended. There are often gaps in the reasoning where it is assumed that you already know what they are talking about, and concepts are often expressed in a sort of shorthand. Biblical verses that support a teaching are often referenced by only two or three words. The Talmud preserves a variety of views on every issue, and does not always clearly identify which view is the accepted one.

The Mishnah is divided into six sections called sedarim (in English, orders). Each seder contains one or more divisions called masekhtot (in English, tractates). There are 63 masekhtot in the Mishnah. Approximately half of these masekhtot have been addressed in the Talmud. Although these divisions seem to indicate subject matter, it is important to note that the Mishnah and the Talmud engage in quite a bit of free-association, thus widely diverse subjects may be discussed in a seder or masekhtah. Below is the division of the Mishnah into sedarim and masekhtot:

* Zera'im (Seeds), dealing with agricultural laws
o Berakhot
o Peah
o Demai
o Kilayim
o Shebiit
o Terumot
o Maaserot
o Maaser Sheni
o Challah
o Orlah
o Bikkurim

* Mo'ed (Festival), dealing with Shabbat and festivals
o Shabbat
o Erubin
o Pesachim
o Sheqalim
o Yoma
o Sukkah
o Besah
o Rosh Hashanah
o Taanit
o Megillah
o Moed Qatan
o Hagigah

* Nashim (Women), dealing with marriage, divorce and contracts
o Yebamot
o Ketubot
o Nedarim
o Nazir
o Sotah
o Gittin
o Qiddushin

* Nezikin (Damages), dealing with tort laws and other financial laws
o Baba Qamma
o Baba Mesia
o Baba Batra
o Sanhedrin
o Makkot
o Shabuot
o Eduyyot
o Avodah Zarah
o Avot (also known as Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers)
o Horayot

* Kodashim (Holy Things), dealing with sacrifices and the Temple
o Zevachim
o Menachot
o Chullin
o Bekhorot
o Arakhin
o Temurah
o Keritot
o Meilah
o Tamid
o Middot
o Qinnim

* Toharot (Purities), dealing with laws of ritual purity and impurity
o Kelim
o Ohalot
o Negaim
o Parah
o Tohorot
o Miqvaot
o Niddah
o Makhshirin
o Zabim
o Tebul-Yom
o Yadayim
o Uqsin

In recent times, many observant Jews have taken up the practice of studying a page of Talmud every day. This practice, referred to as daf yomi, was started at the First International Congress of the Agudath Yisrael World Movement in August, 1923. Rav Meir Shapiro, the rav of Lublin, Poland, proposed uniting people worldwide through the daily study of a page of Talmud. Daf Yomi is currently in its 11th cycle. A calendar of the cycle can be found at Daf Yomi Calendar.

Other Writings
In addition to these works, we have midrashim, which are basically stories expanding on incidents in the Bible to derive principles or Jewish law or to teach moral lessons. For example, there is a midrash about why Moses wasn't a good speaker (he put coals in his mouth as a child basically as a way of proving that he wasn't greedy), and another one about Abram discovering monotheism and rejecting his father's idolatry (that's a nifty one: basically, he smashes up all his father's idols except the big one, then blames the mess on the big one, as a way of showing his father that the idols don't really have any power). Some of them fill in gaps in the narrative. For example, in Gen. 22:2, why does G-d say, "thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac." Wouldn't the name alone be enough? One story says that the narrative is skipping out Abraham's responses. "Take thy son." "Which one?" "Thine only son." "But I have two!" "Whom thou lovest." "I love them both!" "Even Isaac." (I'm not sure this is a traditional one -- I got it from a questionable source -- but I like it).

There is also a vast body of responsa, answers to specific questions of Jewish law. Beginning in the middle ages, when local rabbis were faced with difficult issues of Jewish law, they often wrote to the most respected rabbis in the world to get answers to these questions. The local rabbi would present the situation, often including detailed references to the Talmudic passages he had reviewed and his own interpretations of these authorities, and the world-renowned rabbi would provide a reasoned argument in favor of his answer. Over time, these responsa were collected into printed volumes. This tradition continues to the present day, and there are several rabbis in this century who have developed responsa on issues relating to modern technologies. For example, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, who died in the 1980s, wrote responsa on such diverse topics as the permissibility of cosmetic surgery, the kashering of dishwashers, and artificial insemination. There are literally thousands of volumes of responsa. A project at Bar-Ilan University is compiling these responsa into a computer database. See their website at The Responsa Project for more information.

As you can see, the body of Jewish tradition is very vast. Is there any place to get quick answers? In the middle ages, there were several attempts to create definitive codes of Jewish law. The best-known of these codes are Rambam's Mishneh Torah and Joseph Caro's Shulchan Arukh. In their own time, these works were very controversial, because they did not identify the Torah or Talmudic basis for their opinions and generally ignored conflicting opinions. There was concern that such works would discourage Jews from studying the primary sources: Torah and Talmud. Today, however, these sources are well-respected. In fact, the Shulchan Arukh is often treated as a primary source.

We also have a mystical tradition, known as Kabbalah. The primary written work in the Kabbalistic tradition is the Zohar. Traditionally, rabbis discouraged teaching this material to anyone under the age of 40, because it is too likely to be misinterpreted by anyone without sufficient grounding in the basics.

Judaism 101

Crash Course in Islam and Arab Lies

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:22:00 -0700

MYTH 1: ISRAEL OCCUPIES ARAB PALESTINE

This is a genocidal claim made by the Muslim Students Association and other pro-Arab groups. It is genocidal because it obliterates the Jewish state. If Israel is actually “Occupied Palestine” then there is no legitimate Jewish state in the Middle East.

Since Roman times when the Philistines inhabited the region around the Jordan (hence the name “Palestine”) there has never been a political entity – neither a province nor a state – called “Palestine” and no one claimed there was until well after the United Nations created Israel in 1948. The land on which Israel was created by the U.N. was also used by the colonial powers to create Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. It was land that had belonged to Turkey for 400 years. The Turks are not “Palestinians” and are not even arabs.

There never was an Arab country called “Palestine” or inhabited by “Palestinians.” Before the creation of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964, which was sixteen years after the birth of Israel, no Arab political entity was called by that name.

MYTH 2: ISRAEL IS AN APARTHEID STATE

The term Apartheid refers to the segregation of groups on the basis of ethnicity or race, and the denial of basic civil rights to the segregated group. There is no such segregation in Israel. Arabs are granted full civil rights under Israeli law, which forbids discrimination on the basis of race, creed, or sex. Arabs take part fully in Israeli society and government. Arab citizens of Israel vote in national elections, have representatives in the Israeli Parliament, sit on the Israeli courts and on the Israeli Supreme Court benches, and serve as tenured professors teaching in Israeli colleges and universities. The Arab citizens of Israel have more rights, and enjoy more freedom, education, and economic opportunity than the Arabs of any Arab state.

MYTH 3: THE ARABS WANT PEACE AND A STATE ON THE WEST BANK

The Arab nations rejected peace and a state on the West Bank first in 1948 when it was offered to them by the U.N. and then in 2000 when it was offered by Presidents Clinton and Barak. In 1949, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which the U.N. had designated as a homeland for the Arabs, were annexed respectively by Jordan and Egypt. When the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed in 1964 its covenant made no mention of liberating the West Bank or Gaza from Jordan and Egypt. The PLO leadership stated that its goal was to “push the Jews into the sea.” Today the “liberation” of Palestine “from the river to the sea” is still the goal of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA). The war in the Middle East is about the desire of the Arab nations and Muslims to destroy Israel; it is not about the desire for a Palestinian state.

There are 1.4 million Arabs living in Israel with civil rights that are the envy of the Arab world. Israeli Arabs vote in Israel’s elections, have representatives in the Israeli Parliament, sit on Israeli courts and on the Israeli Supreme Court, and serve as tenured professors teaching in Israeli colleges and universities. The Arab citizens of Israel have more rights, and enjoy more freedom, education, and economic opportunity than the inhabitants of any Arab or Muslim state.

MYTH 4: THE HOLOCAUST IS EUROPE’S PROBLEM; PALESTINIANS HAD NO ROLE IN IT

The father of Palestinian nationalism, Haj Amin Al-Husseini, planned death camps for the Jews in the Middle East. Haj Amin Al-Husseini, was a devoted follower of Hitler who spent the war in Berlin, recruited an Arab legion to the Nazi cause and planned a “Final Solution” for the Jews of the Arab world. The Muslim Brotherhood, which created Hamas, the government of Gaza, translated Mein Kampf into Arabic in the 1930s and called for the destruction of the Jewish state at its birth.

MYTH 5: ISRAEL’S SECURITY FENCE IS AN “APARTHEID” WALL

This is two myths in one. The West Bank fence is a fence, not a wall. About 97% of the fence is made of chain-link material. The remaining 3% is concrete, designed to repel sniper fire in particular areas. The fence was built in 2003 in response to thousands of suicide bombings and rocket attacks on Israeli citizens by Palestinian terrorists, sponsored and armed by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. The fence was built to keep out terrorists, not Arabs.

In the years since the construction of the fence, terrorist attacks have declined by more than 90%. The fence is Israel’s legitimate defense against a ruthless and amoral terrorist aggressor.

MYTH 6: ISRAEL IS THE CAUSE OF THE REFUGEE PROBLEM

The Palestinians claim there are 5 million Palestinian refugees who fled Israel during the 1948 war. This is false. There were only 500,000 Arab refugees from the 1948 war – an unprovoked war that Egypt and four other Arab states had launched against the newly created state of Israel. In the aftermath of the war, 500,000 Jewish refugees were driven out of the Arab states in the Middle East. There are no Jewish refugees today, sixty years later, because Israel resettled them. Why are there still Arab refugees? The Arab regimes have been given billions of dollars by Israel and the United States to relocate their refugees. But the Arabs are still in refugee camps. While Israel resettled Jewish refugees, no Arab country would take in the “Palestinians” who were forced into camps and were kept there by the Arab regimes to stir up hatred against the Jews. The refugee “issue” has been created by the Arab regimes as a weapon in their war against the Jews. It should be resolved by resettling the inhabitants of the refugee camps in the West Bank and Gaza where almost all of them have lived all their lives.

MYTH 7: ISRAEL COMMITS WAR CRIMES BY KILLING CIVILIANS

This is the Big Lie, coming as it does from some Palestinians who have made terrorist attacks on civilians a weapon of choice, and who make martyrs and national heroes out of suicide bombers.

The Gaza strip was a base for 7,000 rocket attacks against schoolyards and townships in Israel before the Israelis responded in 2007. During Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza rocket sites there was one civilian death for every 30 terrorists. By contrast, a 2001 study by the International Committee of the Red Cross found that the civilian-to-military death ratio in wars fought since the middle of the 20th Century has been 10:1 – ten civilian deaths for every soldier death. In other words, the Israelis protect civilians at a rate 300 times greater than any other national army. As Harvard Law School Professor Alan Dershowitz observes, “No army in history has ever had a better ratio of combatants to civilians killed in a comparable setting.”

MYTH 8: JEWS HAVE LITTLE HISTORICAL CONNECTION TO ISRAEL

Jews have lived continuously in the land of Israel for over 3000 years; the Arabs arrived through multiple invasions, beginning in the 7th Century AD. In the year 70 AD, when the Jewish civilization was already over 1000 years old, the Romans forced most of the Jews of Judea and Samaria (now the West Bank) into exile. By the end of the 19th Century, the majority population of Jerusalem was Jewish.

MYTH 9: THE KORAN DESCRIBES JERUSALEM AS HOLY TO ISLAM

The Koran does not mention Jerusalem because Mohammed never set foot in the city. Jerusalem was conquered by Muslim armies in 636 after the death of Mohammed. Muslim jihadists claim that the Koran mentions “The Furthest Mosque” — Al-Aqsa in Arabic – and that this is a Koranic reference to Jerusalem. This is a lie. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem had not been built when the Koran was written, so the reference is to some other (or any other) “furthest mosque.” In contrast, Jerusalem is and has always been a holy city to Jews. The daily prayers of the Jews are focused on Jerusalem. The Hebrew Bible mentions Zion and Jerusalem a total of 809 times.

MYTH 10: THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON IS NOT JEWISH

This myth is one of many designed to steal the history of the Jews in order to justify erasing them from the Middle East. When the Palestinian Authority was established in 1994, it immediately began a campaign to delegitimize Israel by rewriting history with the intention of denying Israel’s right to exist. Among its false claims is that the remains of the Temple of Solomon – the Western Wall – are in fact the remnants of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Al-Aqsa Mosque was deliberately built on top of the Temple after the Muslim conquest to humiliate the conquered.

Rad More:
Wall of Truth

Tzvika Pik - Thousand Kisses - אלף נשיקות

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:18:00 -0700

LYRICS: Mirit Shem Or
MUSIC: Tzvika Pik
SINGER: Tzvika Pik

A Thosand Kisses	Elef Neshikot	אלף נשיקות
First kiss on your white forehead like a bond in the middle of your figure and from it come out in glowing abundance of kisses to your hair like a crown of pearls made of kisses I will rain down on the ebony of your curls that you'll be my beautiful girl the perfect princess of all the girls in the city. Chorus (x2): A thousand kisses to you my love a thousand a kiss and a kiss a thousand kisses to you my cutie beautiful little sweetie. And also to your ivory white innocent neck flexible like the neck of a swan I will cover in chains of kisses girl of (pure) water, my little one and right now I'll just put my head on your shoulder in order to find in it your heartbeat and kisses for no reason too without lust or limit like flowers thrown by a bride. Chorus x2 The sky isn't in front of my sinful eyes and I'm not indulging in you till I'm fully satisfied The light isn't in front of my impure lips and my chest is scorched until the end thousandth kiss is not possible, love the last kiss is missing only 999 sweet thundering kisses but still I'll kiss you a thousand kisses. Chorus x2	Neshika rishona al mitschech halavan k'mo kesher be'emtzah dmutech umimena yetz'u beshifat zohora neshikot neshikot lis'arech koteret pninim asuyah min'shokot al shchor taltalaich amtir shet'hi li yalda hayafa ban'sichot hamushlemet bachol banot ha'ir Chorus (x2): Elef neshikot lach ahuvati Elef neshika uneshika Elef neshikot lach chamudati hayafah haktanah hametukah . Vegam et tsavarech hashilgi habetuli hagamish kmo tsavar habarbur achase bin'shikot machrozot machrozot yaldat mayim ktantonet sheli ve'ata som asim et roshi al k'tefech kdei limtso bo et dofek halev vegam stam neshikot bli ta'avah vetichla kmo prachim mushlachim al kalah. Chorus x2 Hashamaim einam be'ad einai hachot'ot ve'eineni shote bach ad r'vot ha'or eino be'ad sfatai hatme'ot vechazi bi nitsrav lo ad klot neshikat ha'elef einah efsharit ahuvah chaserah neshikah achronah rak t'sha meot tish'im veteisha neshikot li soarot ohavot metukot ubechol zot anashkech elef neshikot Chorus x2	נשיקה ראשונה על מצחך הלבן כמו קשר באמצע דמותך וממנה יצאו בשפעת זוהרה נשיקות, נשיקות לשערך כותרת פנינים עשויה מנשיקות על שחור תלתלייך אמטיר שתהיי לי ילדה היפה בנסיכות המושלמת בכל בנות העיר. אלף נשיקות לך אהובתי אלף נשיקה ונשיקה אלף נשיקות לך חמודתי היפה, הקטנה, המתוקה. וגם את צווארך השלגי, הבתולי הגמיש כמו צוואר הברבור אכסה בנשיקות מחרוזות מחרוזות ילדת מים, קטנטונת שלי ועתה שום אשים את ראשי על כתפך כדי למצוא בו את דופק הלב וגם סתם נשיקות בלי תאווה ותכלה כמו פרחים מושלכים על כלה. אלף נשיקות לך אהובתי אלף נשיקה ונשיקה אלף נשיקות לך חמודתי היפה, הקטנה, המתוקה. השמיים אינם בעד עיני החוטאות ואינני שותה בך עד רוות האור אינו בעד שפתי הטמאות וחזי נצרב לו עד כלות נשיקת האלף אינה אפשרית אהובה חסרה נשיקה אחרונה רק תשע מאות תשעים ותשע נשיקות לי סוערות אוהבות ומתוקות ובכל זאת אנשקך אלף נשיקות אלף נשיקות לך אהובתי אלף נשיקה ונשיקה אלף נשיקות לך חמודתי היפה, הקטנה, המתוקה.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:16:00 -0700

"Israel's policies in the territories have caused a humanitarian crisis for the Palestinians."

It's been called an "open air prison," said to be "one of the worst humanitarian crises in the 21st century." Well, here is the REAL story about the situation in Gaza. With facts from the United Nations illustrating Palestinian Arabs suffering from one of the highest obesity rates in the world and actual footage of plentiful markets and fine-dining restaurants in Gaza City, this is the what the media won't show you.

FACT

It is important to remember that Israel offered to withdraw from more than 95 percent of the West Bank and 100 percent of Gaza, and it is the rejection of that proposal, coupled with incessant Palestinian terrorism, that has forced Israeli troops to carry out operations in the territories. Though these actions have caused hardship for the Palestinian population, the IDF has continued to ensure that humanitarian assistance is provided to Palestinians in need.

During the three weeks of Israel's operation against Hamas, 1,483 trucks carrying over 36, 650 tons of humanitarian aid supplies have entered the Gaza Strip through Israel and these amount of aid had been increased after the operation:

Humanitarian Aid - Organizations and Donors to Palestinians:

* Jordan: Food, blankets, Medical equipment & medicine supply and blood units: 116 truckloads 2,538 tons.
* Greece: Medical equipment, food, blood units: 2 truckloads, 26 tons.
* Egypt: Food: 23 truckloads, 674 tons.
* Turkey: Medical equipment & medicine supply, 5 ambulances, food: 16 truckloads, 273 tons.
* Italy: Medical equipment: 1 truckload, 17 tons.

* Organization: ICRC - Medical equipment & medicine supply, 5 ambulances and car equipment: 48 truckloads, 327 tons.
* Organization: UNRWA - Food, Medical equipment & medicine supply, candles, generators: 310 truckloads, 5606 tons.
* Organization: WFP - Food: 127 truckloads, 3611 tons.
* Organization: WHO - Medical equipment & medicine supply: 25 truckloads, 300 tons.
* Organization: UNICEFF - Medical equipment & medicine supply:9 truckloads, 166 tons.
* Organization: MSF - Medical equipment: 1 truckload, 2 tons.
* Organization: MDM - Medical equipment: 1 truckload, 6 tons.
Other organizations: Food, blankets, medical equipment & medicine: 7 truckloads, 58 tons
Total International Community: 686 truckloads, 13, 604 tons.
Private Sector: 797 truckloads, 23, 046 tons.
Total Both: 1,483 truckloads, 36, 650 tons.

Note: This NOT includes Fuel & Gas

Humanitarian Aid After the Operation:

Hamas was accused of hijacking aid trucks and selling its goods during Israel's operation. Directly following the ceasefire Hamas and Fatah leaders began to blame each other for food and medical shortages in the Strip. Hamas accused Fatah of stealing aid from trucks in order to sell goods on the black market as well as detaining trucks along the Rafah border so as to prevent Hamas from restrengthening itself in the area.

On January 19, Jordanian sources confirmed that Hamas gunmen hijacked 12 trucks on their way to UNRWA headquarters.

Meanwhile, the medical clinic that Israel opened along the Erez border on January 18 remains empty. The treatment center is meant to assist 50 Palestinians at a time for wounds or other non-operation related illnesses. As of January 20, only seven Palestinian children came to the clinic for cancer treatments. The treatment center is stocked full with doctors and medical supplies as well as four ambulances but the Gazans are too afraid of Hamas forces to set foot inside or contact the Israeli-sponsored clinic. Doing so would be considered treason and Hamas operatives have been rapidly executing any Palestinian in Gaza who cooperates with Israel.

Report for May 2011:

* There was a 128% increase in the volume of truckloads transferred through the crossings compared to April 2011.
* There was a 31.5% increase in the number of patients and accompanying individuals who entered Israel for medical purposes compared to April 2011.

During the month of May, 4,031 truckloads were delivered into the Gaza Strip through Kerem Shalom Crossing, including:

* Aggregates: 530 truckloads
* Glass, Wood Profiles and Aluminum Profiles: 153 truckloads
* Cement: 218 truckloads
* Iron: 28 truckloads
* Total of Construction Materials: 929 truckloads
* Inputs for Agriculture: 96 truckloads
* Electric Products: 126 truckloads
* Clothing & Footwear: 89 truckloads
* Animal Feed: 520 truckloads
* Hygiene Products: 123 truckloads
* Transportation: 72 truckloads
* Textile: 26 truckloads
* Plumbing and Ceramics: 302 truckloads
* Essential Humanitarian Products: 583 truckloads
* Medicine and Medical Equipment: 32 truckloads
* Mixed Products: 204 truckloads
Total Truckloads: 4,031
Total Weight: 127,353 tons

IDF's Special Forces

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:12:00 -0700

Israel has 40 Special Forces units, here are few of them:

These are the most elite IDF sayeret units. As such they perform the most important missions of the IDF, usually of a strategic nature. Its soldiers undergo longer training regimes than other sayeret units and are also proficient in long range solo navigation (as opposed to other units where long range navigation is done with a minimum of 2 fighters).

Sayeret Matkal -
The IDF principal special operations/commando unit, used mainly to obtain strategic intelligence behind enemy lines, counter-terrorism, and to perform hostage-rescue missions outside of Israel's borders. Operatives from this unit have led, or been an instrumental part of, almost every notable counter-terrorist operation conducted on behalf of Israel from 1957 to the present

Shayetet 13 -
Within the IDF Navy exists an elite unite of commandos known as the Bat Men. The naval commando unit. Also in charge of maritime hostage-rescue missions. Part of the Israeli Navy, its selection and training is considered the most arduous of the entire IDF, due to its maritime role.

Shaldag Unit -
Shaldag is primarily tasked with targeting enemy structures and vehicles for assault by Israeli fighting aircraft. Using their high-energy laser designators, they can mark targets for fighter-bomber launched laser-guided bombs or Hellfire missiles from Israeli AH-64 helicopters. Many times this involves long range patrols to the target sites. Because of this Shaldag is also sometimes used for reconnaissance. They also provide assistance and operate in Counter Terrorism and hostage rescue operations.

Sayeret Duvdevan -
Duvdevan (Cherry) is an elite special forces unit, directly subordinate to the West Bank Division. Duvdevan are particularly noted for conducting undercover operations against militants in urban areas. During these operations, Duvdevan soldiers typically drive modified civilian vehicles and wear Arab civilian clothes as a disguise. Duvdevan is one of the most prestigious units of the IDF, and thus recruitment to it is highly desirable among recruitment-aged youths in Israel.

Yamam - SWAT Unit -
The Yamam is the elite civilian counter-terrorism unit in Israel. The Yamam is capable of both hostage-rescue operations and offensive take-over raids against targets in civilian areas. Besides military duties, it also performs SWAT duties and undercover police work. The Yamam has carried out many paramilitary operations. Some of the missions known to the public prior to the al-Aqsa Intifada.

Israeli SWAT Team Wins International Counter-Terror Competition at 2010
In a highly under-reported win, Israel’s Police Counter-Terror force, the “YaMaM,” won the international “Urban Shield” counter-terror competition against 27 top rated police and federal SWAT teams from around the world. Not only did Israel place first, but their point score was the highest ever in the history of the Israel Swat Team Police competition. The competition featured special counter-terrorism units from various countries and was held in California.

Yamas - Mistaravim -
Mistaravim, lit. Arabized, is the name given to those counter-terrorism units of the Israel Defense Forces in which soldiers are specifically trained to disguise themselves as Arabs in order to kill or capture a wanted terrorist. These are also commonly known as the 'Arab Platoons'. In Tom Clancy's Op-Center: Acts of War, it is stated that Mistaravim do not allow their real identities to become known to people outside their unit, and that even when they are undercover, they go to great lengths to avoid being recorded.

669 - Airborne combat search & rescue -
669, Airborne Rescue And Evacuation Unit 669 is the Israel Defense Forces heliborne medevac extraction unit, subordinate to the Special Air Forces Command of the Israeli Air Force. It is considered one of the IDF's premier elite units.

Oketz Unit -
Oketz operators are often assigned to other units in the case of a particular need for their specialist skills, such as in the extraction of terrorists from fortified buildings. Though not affiliated with the IDF Paratroopers Brigade, Unit Oketz operators wear the same distinctive red berets and the unit's graduation ceremony is held at the Paratroopers headquarters.

Egoz Reconnaissance Unit -
The Egoz Reconnaissance Unit is an elite special forces unit that specializes in guerrilla and anti-guerrilla warfare among other things. The Egoz Battalion is part of the Northern Command's Golani Brigade. Before the year 2000, Egoz operated mainly in Israel's Northern Command, combating threats from the Hezbollah. Following Israel's withdrawal from Southern Lebanon, its operations were moved to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In 2003 and 2004, Egoz prevented more terrorist acts than any other IDF unit.

Paratroopers Commandos -
Sayeret Tzanhanin is a commando force roughly analogous to the United States Army's Rangers. They are capable of airborne operations, and have conducted many long range patrols into Lebanon since the Lebanon War.

Sayeret Maglan -
Sayeret Maglan is an Israeli Special Forces unit which specializes in operating behind enemy lines and deep in enemy territory using advanced technologies and weaponry. The Unit specialize in long range missiles warfare using Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM). The unit is also involve in ground laser designation for the Israeli Air Force (IAF) attack helicopters and jets. The unit's name is derived from the Ibis bird. The Unit is also known as the "Missiles Hunter". The IDF keeps the unit's designated missions a secret and gives no information about it or the operations in which the Unit takes part.

Sayeret Yahalom -
Yahalom (Diamond) is a special elite Commando and combat engineering unit of the Israeli Engineering Corps of the IDF. Sayeret Yahalom is a classified unit and almost none of its special activities are exposed to the public. When its activities are published, they are usually just credited to a "combat engineering force";

IDF's special forces, special forces, idf the best, sayeret yahalom, sayeret matkal, shayetet 13, sayeret shaldag, sayeret maglan, sayeret tzanhanim, sayeret egoz, 669, yamas, yamam, swat team, sayeret duvdevan, unit oketz

Heroes of the IDF

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:12:00 -0700

Two Fingers from Sidon - שתי אצבעות מצידון

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:10:00 -0700

Two Fingers from Sidon	Shtey Etzbaot mi'Tzidon	שתי אצבעות מצידון
Two fingers from Sidon I sit depressed all day tour of guard duties one looks who to shoot at I see a pretty girl in the village and I'm reminded of you Far from my eyes, far from my heart You forgot me, and that hurts I think of you a lot a scorned soldier in Lebanon Two fingers from Sidon opening of co-ordinates, first thing a bit secure, a bit scared in the bushes there's a road-side bomb a butterfly sits on a branch and I'm reminded of you Far from my eyes... Two fingers from Sidon I am guarding but dying to sleep hell, what are we doing I look in the telescope I see a far lit-up window and I'm reminded of you Far from my eyes...	Shtei etzba'ot mitzidon ani yoshev bedika'on kol hayom siyur sh'mirot mistaklim al mi lirot ro'eh yaldah yafah bak'far uvach ani niz'kar Rachok meha'ayin, rachok mehalev shachacht oti vezeh ko'ev choshev alaich hamon chayal shavuz, bilevanon Shtei etzba'ot mitzidon p'tichat tzirim davar rishon k'tzat batu'ach, k'tzat nif'chad basichim mit'an tzad al anaf yoshev parpar uvach ani niz'kar Rachok meha'ayin... Shtei etzba'ot mitzidon ani shomer ach met lishon mah osim la'azazel bamish'kefet mis'takel ro'eh chalon rachok mu'ar uvach ani niz'kar Rachok meha'ayin...	שתי אצבעות מצידון אני יושב בדיכאון כל ביום ביור שמירות מסתכלים על מי לירות רואה ילדה יפה בכפר ובך אני נזכר רחוק מהעין רחוק מהלב שכחת אותי וזה כואב חושב עליך המון חיל שבוז בלבנון שתי עצבעות מצידון פתיחת צירים, דבר ראשון קצת בטוח, אצת נפחד בשיחים מטען צד על ענף יושב פרפר ובך אני נזכר רחוק מהעין רחוק מהלב... שתי עצבעות מצידון אני שומר, אך מת לישון מה עושים לעזאזל במשקפת מסתכל רואה חלון רחוק מואר ובך אני נזכר רחוק מהעין רחוק מהלב

Ammunition Hill - גבעת התחמושת

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:08:00 -0700

Performer: The Central Command Variety Ensemble
Year Released: 1968

Credits: words by Yoram Taharlev; music by Yair Rosenblum

Comments: This song celebrates a grueling battle that was waged at the site of a police station built by the British in northern Jerusalem on a site called "Ammunition Hill". During the 1948 War of Independence, the Arab Legion conquered sections of northern Jerusalem which resulted in the creation of an Israeli enclave on Mount Scopus which was cut off from the rest of Israeli Jerusalem. Ammunition Hill became one of the Jordanians' fortified positions preventing the two segments from being united. During the 1967 Six-Day war, on June 6th, Israeli paratroopers were sent to capture the position but had received erronious information seriously underestimating the strenth of the Jordanian force at the position. Made up of bunkers and trenches the paratroopers fought a tough battle in which they conquered the position, enabling Israeli forces to liberate the Old City, though the force lost 37 soldiers.

Ammunition Hill (Giv'at Ha'Takhmoshet)

"It was then the morning of the second day of the war in Jerusalem. The horizon paled in the east. We were at the climax of the battle on Ammunition Hill. We'd been fighting there for three hours. A fierce battle was under way. Fatal. The Jordanians fought stubbornly. It was a position fortified in an exceptional manner. At a certain point in the fight there remained next to me only four soldiers. We went up there with a force of two platoons. I didn't know where the others were because the connection with Dudik, the platoon commander, was cut off still at the beginning of the battle. At that moment I thought that everyone had been killed."

At two, two-thirty
We entered through the stoney terrain
To the field of fire and mines
Of Ammunition Hill

Against bunkers which were fortified
And 120mm mortars
A hundred and some boys
On Ammunition Hill

The pillar of dawn had not yet risen
Half a platoon lay in blood
But we were already there at least
On Ammunition Hill

Among the walls and the mines
We left only the medics
And we ran ahead without our senses
Towards Ammunition Hill

"At that same moment a grenade was thrown from outside. Miraculously we weren't hit. I was afraid the Jordanians would throw more grenades. Someone had to run from above and cover. I didn't have time to ask who would volunteer. I sent Eitan. Eitan didn't hesitate for a moment. He climbed up and began to fire his machine gun. Sometimes he would overtake me and I'd have to yell to him to remain in line with me. That's how we crossed some 30 meters. Eitan would cover from above and we would clear the bunkers from within, until he was hit in the head and fell inside."

We went down into the trenches
Into the pits and channels
And towards the death in the tunnels
Of Ammunition Hill

And no one asked where to
Whoever went first fell
One needed lots of luck
On Ammunition Hill

Whoever fell was dragged to the back
In order not to disrupt the movement forward
Until fell the next in line
On Ammunition Hill

Perhaps we were lions
But whoever wanted still to live
Should not have been
On Ammunition Hill

"We decided to try blowing up their bunker with a bazooka. The bazooka made a few scratches in the concrete. We decided to try with explosive material. I waited above them until the guy came back with the explosives. He would throw me package after package, and I would lay them one by one at the entrance of their bunker. They had a system of their own: first they threw a grenade, afterwards they fired a volley, and then they rested. Between volley and grenade, I would approach the entrance of their bunker and place the explosives. I triggered the explosives and moved away as far as I could. I had four meters in which to move because also behind me were [Arab] Legionnaires. I don't know why I received a commendation, I simply wanted to get home safely."

At seven, seven-twenty
To the police school
Were gathered all those who remained
From Ammunition Hill

Smoke arose from the hill
The sun in the east rose higher
We returned to the city, seven
From Ammunition Hill

We returned to the city, seven
Smoke arose from the hill
The sun in the east rose higher
On Ammunition Hill

On fortified bunkers
And on our brothers, men
Who remained there aged 20
On Ammunition Hill

Islam is Peace, Said the Muslims

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:05:00 -0700

Islam is Peace

Islam is peace said the Muslims as they wiped out the pagans of Arabia.

Islam is peace said the Muslims while they blew the worlds oldest Buddhas into bits.

Islam is peace said the Muslims as they massacred Lebanese Christians.

Islam is peace say the Muslim while still massacring Christians in Indonesia.

Islam is peace say the Muslims while still massacring people in Sudan.

Islam is peace said the Muslims who invaded Egypt and subjugated the Copts.

Islam is peace said the Muslims and kept massacring the Jews.

Islam is peace said the Muslims to the Zoroastrians as they fled to India.

Islam is peace said the Muslims who suicide bombed London and Madrid.

Islam is peace said the Muslims who slaughtered Hindus and Buddhists.

Islam is peace said the Muslims while they slaughtered Sikhs.

Islam is peace said the Muslims while they massacred Armenians.

Islam is peace said the Muslims while they blew up the WTC.

Islam is peace said the Muslims while they wrote on a sign "behead those who say Islam is violent".

And now Muslims say Islam peace while they... ___________!

Please submit suggestions to fill in the blank spot! We have SO many to choose from...Please post a comment.

A little xample of what Islam is:

The Shabak (Shin Bet)

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:03:00 -0700

The Israel Security Agency was established soon after the founding of the state; however its functions, structure and powers were not comprehensively legislated until 2002. It’s motto, inscribed on the organization seal, is “Defends and Shall Not Be Seen.” Until this time, they were decided by governmental decisions alone. Over the years, various powers granted to the ISA had been anchored in law, such as the 1979 Wiretapping Law, the 1981 Protection of Privacy Law, and others. Nonetheless, these laws were specific and limited in scope, while the overall status, structure, functions and powers of the ISA, as well as the method of supervising its activity, were defined only with the passage of the ISA Statute.

On June 30th, 1948, a month after the establishment of the IDF, and in the middle of the War of Independence, the Haganah Intelligence Service was called to a meeting. Its commander, Isser Be’eri, announced the dissolution of the Intelligence Service, and the reorganization of the secret services.

In this way, the Israeli intelligence community, which consists of the following bodies, was established:

a) The Intelligence Service, serving as army intelligence and including counterintelligence, later to become “Aman.”
b) The “Political Division,” responsible for intelligence operations abroad, later to become the “Mossad”
c) The Internal Intelligence Service – later to become the ISA, under Isser Harel. Its primary responsibility included all issues of internal security, most importantly, the countering of right-wing political subversion.

The danger of a civil war seemed to the prime minister at the time, David Ben Gurion, real and imminent, and much more dangerous than the damage that could be caused to the state and the police by espionage or by Arab subversion.

This fear regarding the weakening of governmental authority only increased following the Altalena affair and the assassination of UN representative Count Bernadotte, immediately after the establishment of the state. On February 8th, 1949, the existence of a Security Service was established for the first time in official law, although it was not revealed to the public until 1957. The Service was entrusted with further missions, including the countering of espionage and subversion in the Arab sector, and the responsibility for the security of vital institutions and infrastructure within Israel as well as in embassies abroad.

The ISA was spread geographically throughout the country, and was aided by several hundred employees active as case officers, interrogators, operations officers, Sigint producers, analysts, technology and administrative staff, security officers, and security guards.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the ISA’s primary activity was to aid the military administration, to counter extremist right and left-wing underground groups, and to uncover foreign agents, largely from Arab countries and from Eastern Europe, who had been planted in Israel.

Since 1967 the ISA has doubled its power and strength in Judea and Samaria, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights, with the purpose of preventing terrorist activity on the part of the residents of the territories. Following the hijacking of the El Al plane to Algiers in 1968, and the murder of the Israeli sportsmen and sportswomen in the Munich Olympics, the ISA established a worldwide security apparatus, in order to protect Israeli targets from the growing terror threats.

The 1980s and 1990s were characterized by continued struggle against terrorist activity, aid provided to the IDF in Lebanon, the exposure of the “Jewish Underground,” the exposure of a number of cases of espionage and treason, and wide-ranging involvement in the political process granting autonomy to the Palestinians, which included continuous contacts with PA officials.

In addition to numerous successes which remain classified information, the ISA has also known difficult times: the “Bus 300” Affair; painful terrorist attacks in Israeli cities which exacted high prices in lives; and the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Since then, the organization has learned lessons and implemented conclusions, and has placed great emphasis on being a body that places top priority on self-evaluation and drawing conclusions from the past.

The Al-Aqsa Intifada, which began in September 2000, set off a wave of violent terror unprecedented in the history of the state. The ISA successfully and efficiently adapted its human, operational and technological resources in order to stand at the forefront of the intense battle to counter these terror attacks.

In February 2002 the Israeli parliament established the “ISA Statute” – a step which was taken due to an initiative by the ISA itself, which accompanied the entire process of legislation.

Hostile activities, unfortunately, have not ceased, however the ISA’s contribution to state and public security, especially in minimizing fatalities, have earned high praise in the security apparatus and amongst the public. The ISA and its employees continue, as always, to serve as the hidden shield of the people of Israel.

Please Watch the Video:

Israel's Navy Band - How Shall I Bless Him?

noreply@blogger.com (Speedy) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:58:00 -0700

How Shall I bless Him? (Israel's Navy Band)

What blessings can I give this child, what can he be blessed with?
Asked the angel
What blessings can I give this child, what can he be blessed with?
Asked the angel

And he blessed him with a smile, bright as light
And he blessed him with big observing eyes
With them to catch every flower, every living creature or bird
And with a heart to feel what he sees.

What blessings can I give this adolesence , what can he be blessed with?
Asked the angel
What blessings can I give this adolesence, what can he be blessed with?
Asked the angel

And he blessed him with legs to dance for ever
And a soul to remeber all tunes
And a hand to collect shells on the beach
And a ear attentive to old and young

What blessings can I give this man , what can he be blessed with?
Asked the angel
What blessings can I give this man, what can he be blessed with?
Asked the angel

And he blessed that his hands which are used to flowers
Will succed in learning the might of the steel
And his legs to dance the roads journey
And lips to sing the command pace

What blessings can I give him , what can he be blessed with?
This child this young adult
What blessings can I give him, what can he be blessed with?
This child this young adult

I gave him all I could give
A song a smile and legs to dance
And a delicate hand and a trembling heart
What else can I bless you with?

This boy is now an angel
No one will bless him, he will never be blessed
God God God
If only you blessed him with life.