Ha-Mikdash

Video of the Korban Pesach in Eretz Yisrael

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Warning! Not for the faint of heart or a PETA nut job.

Free meat? Bring it on!

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:41:00 +0000

From the Yated:

"The Torah tells us in Parshas Shoftim that when we shecht an animal, one should give the zeroah, lechayayim and keivah (right foreleg, jaw/cheekbone and stomach) to a kohen as matnos kehunah. Many poskim hold that one is not obligated to do this mitzvah in chutz la'aretz. Others. however, maintain that it is a mitzvah that one should perform in the Diaspora [as well].

On [the] Monday of Chol Hamoed/April 13, Dr. Zelig Schur of Cleveland was mekayeim this mitzvah. Under the supervision of Rabbi Dovid Gross, Dr. Shur shechted two lambs lekavod Yom Tov and presented the gifts to a kohen."

Anyone looking to donate free fleishigs, please contact me!

My latest dream

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:34:00 +0000

A few nights ago I had the most wonderful dream. It was erev Shabbos and I was in the rebuilt Jerusalem. There were long tables with white tablecloths as far as the eye could see and the tables were all set for the Shabbos meal. It was dusk and thousands of people were taking their seats. I kept running into people I know from my community - people with whom I am not close at all (in fact I don't really care for). When we saw each other, we embraced like brothers and laughed as if we were long lost family. It was an aura of such simcha, the likes of which I had never experienced.

May this be the end of oyr Galus and the beginning of the Holy Shabbos... the Geulah!

Are Jews Safe in America?

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:46:00 +0000

Do you believe that the current economic situation will spur a rise in Anti-Semitism in America?

Anti-Semitism and the Madoff Scandal

Madoff's Guilty Plea Elicits More Anti-Semitic Comments

Alarmist or Pragmatist?

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:58:00 +0000

"The time will come, by the will of Allah, when their property will be destroyed and their children will be exterminated, and no Jew or Zionist will be left on the face of this earth."

Are we seeing a cyclical trend that has been ongoing for two thousand years or is this the beginning of the end?

Spike in violent crime

Steep rise in Anti-Semitic activity

The President embraces those who want us dead

Nava claim that a "Tzadik Nistar" is warning that Jews must leave the USA by Rosh Chodesh Sivan.

The Blood Libel has returned (see below)

Amalek is gaining strength. He is rearing his ugly head more and more.

It is Amalek attacking. It is the Austrian Anschluss. It is Spain 1492. It is the Chelminiki massacres. It is the beheading of the Jewish Tribes of Medina by Mohammed Y"S. It is the prophecies of Yermiahu HaNavi before the Churban. Time is running out and danger is ahead. I am feel like it may not yet be time to panic, but it is certainly time to prepare.

Are you prepared to leave?

Last Jew in Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:30:00 +0000

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/04/06/opinion/1194839255168/op-ed-last-jew-in-afghanistan.html

(cut and paste)

NYT Op-Ed: Last Jew in Afghanistan

Zablon Simantov, a Jewish resident of Kabul, explains why he remains despite his increasing solitude. A short documentary by Oliver Englehart.

Change is here...

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:26:00 +0000

We now have a President who calls the USA arrogant and bows to an Islamic Dictator.

[President Obama] said the US had been "arrogant" and "dismissive" towards its allies, while there was "insidious" anti-Americanism in Europe. He said these attitudes had to change.

-from the BBC. Thanks to Boker Tov Boulder for the heads up.

America's new anti-Israel stance, 900 million dollars to Hamas, our President (literally) bows to terrorists... Oh yeah, change is a-comin'!

Obama Leaves Israel as 'Lone Ranger’ in Nuclear Iran

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 04:03:00 +0000

As if we couldn't see this coming...

(IsraelNN.com) Israel and the United States are heading towards a parting of the ways on how to deal with the threat of Iranian nuclear capability, according to an article published Tuesday in the Middle East Times.

Unlike his predecessor, U.S. President Barack Obama is unlikely to approve, let alone cooperate, with the targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists carried out by Israel's international Mossad intelligence agency, wrote journalist Richard Sale

Similarly, Israel will likely now be forced to go it alone on its long-standing system of sabotaging efforts to stymie Iran's effort to purchase nuclear technology in the international arena.

The article also raised the possibility that the Obama administration might try to put the brakes on Israeli covert operations against the Iranian nuclear program.

Obama has said from the outset that he intends to reach out to the Iranians and work to re-establish ties with the Islamic Republic that have been frozen for close to 30 years.

Sales contends that the U.S. hopes to use Iran as a launching point for supply convoys to American and NATO troops that are fighting in Afghanistan.

The Iranians also allegedly provided the U.S. with excellent intelligence information that helped America in its war against the Taliban when it attacked the Afghanistan-based group right after the "9/11" terror attack on the U.S. in 2001. Iran is an enemy of the Taliban.

However, the chances that Israel would actually stop its efforts to prevent what is rapidly becoming an existential threat to the Jewish State are almost nil, according to Washington think tank director Pat Clawson.

"It would be implausible to call off all covert ops," said Clawson, who heads the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "If the U.S. pressures Israel, then the Israelis will simply stop talking to us about it."

Joint operations that were carried out together with U.S. intelligence agents against Iran's nuclear development activities under the Bush administration had "failed miserably," according to a former senior CIA official quoted in the article.

In fact, an American plan carried out in 2000 under the administration of former President Bill Clinton, husband of the current U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was an equal debacle. Flawed plans for a nuclear bomb were covertly delivered to an Iranian official in Vienna by an American agent under a plan code-named "Operation Merlin." The Iranian scientists quickly spotted the flaws in the plans, however.

I have a sneaking suspicion that it may be time to pack our bags.

If there was any doubt (cont'd)...

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:56:00 +0000

See the video: http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2061.htm

Following are excerpts from an address by Saudi cleric Khaled Al-Khlewi, which aired on Al-Jazeera TV on January 11, 2009.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: The [Jewish] Qaynuqa tribe betrayed the Prophet Muhammad. A woman went to a Jewish market in order to buy a piece of jewelry. The members of the Qaynuqa tribe were the most ruthless and wealthiest Jews. When the Muslim woman reached the market, what did they do to her? A Jew sneaked behind her, and tied her gown to her headdress, so when she tried to get up, her private parts were exposed. She cried for help, and one of the Prophet’s companions came and killed the Jew. Then the Jews ganged up on him and killed him. When the Prophet Muhammad learned about this, he fought the Qaynuqa tribe and banished them. This is the only way to deal with them.

In the case of the Qurayza tribe – or rather, the Nazir tribe – the Prophet Muhammad went to them, and learned against a wall. Some of the Jews said: “The Prophet Muhammad is leaning against the wall. Someone should go to the top of the roof and throw a rock on his head.” Then the Angel Gabriel appeared, and informed the Prophet in advance about this treachery. So the Prophet Muhammad banished them. The Prophet carried out the greatest killing among the Qaynuqa tribe, because they had violated their covenant with him.

So, my friends, the conclusion we may draw from this introduction is that with the Jews, nothing works but force. Memorize the following parable, just like I learned it from others: “Kiss the head of a Jew, and he will deceive you – deceive him, and he will kiss your head.” The Jew is treacherous, disloyal, deceitful, and belligerent by nature. Nothing works with him but force.

[…]

They have formed clandestine groups in Islamic societies, as well as internationally. Marxism was founded by Karl Marx the Jew. The Austrian journalist who preached the establishment of Israel, 50 years later – Theodor Herzl – was a Jew as well. Many U.S. Congressmen are Jews. Most of the media moguls are Jews.

[…]

Who can tell us the slogan that points to the geographic [aspirations] of the Jews? What is their slogan?

Well done! Come up here, my dear… Excellent! Come on up, this way. Come here, my dear, here, so we can see you.

Eight-year-old Omar comes to the stage

Khaled Al-Khlewi: Welcome, my dear. [kisses him] What’s your name?

Omar: Omar.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: Omar? Allah Akbar. They hate Omar and are afraid of him. Omar what? What’s your dad’s name?

Omar: Mahmoud.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: And your mom’s name? [covers Omar’s mouth as he is about to say her name] No, don’t tell us mom’s name, there’s no need. Right? Well, dear, what is the slogan of the Jews? From the…

Omar: From the river to the Euphrates.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: From the Nile to the Euphrates. Let’s rephrase it: From the Euphrates to the Nile. Now let me complete it for you: And from the cedar to the palm tree. Okay. Who can tell me which countries this represents? From the Euphrates to the Nile – two countries. From the cedar to the palm tree – two countries. Four countries altogether. Who can explain this expression, by telling me what countries it refers to? Go ahead.

Iraq and Egypt. Well done. “From the Euphrates” means Iraq. “To the Nile” means Egypt. “From the cedar” – where’s that? Lebanon. “To the palm tree”? Saudi Arabia – because they believe that Al-Madina belongs to them, and that they should return to it.

The problem is not Gaza alone. They have broader aspirations. The Arab rulers and politicians must understand this problem. The Jews are motivated by religious considerations, not only by political, economic, or geographic considerations. They are motivated by their religion, and they want to achieve this.

What is your first name – Mahmoud, right? And your dad’s name? What’s your first name?

Omar: Omar.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: How old are you, Omar?

Omar: Eight years old.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: Do you like the Jews?

Omar: No.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: You hate them. Why do you hate them? What did the Jews do?

Omar: They wanted to kill the Prophet Muhammad.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: Well done. They wanted to kill the Prophet Muhammad. And what are they doing to our Muslim brothers now? They are killing them. When you curse them, what do you say? “Oh God…”?

Omar: Oh God, destroy the Jews.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: Well done. “And support…”?

Omar: The Muslims.

Khaled Al-Khlewi: The Muslims. Well done, my dear. Do you want to come with me to Saudi Arabia? I have a son like you, called Abdallah. You can play with him. Will you come with me? Will you give me this nice jacket you are wearing? Let me give you some water… May Allah protect you. I will give you this book and some water. Goodbye, my dear.

Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:24:00 +0000

The night before last I had a dream that Rav Yisroel Salanter Z'L came to me while I was sleeping to give me chizuk. Though I knew it was him, he appeared to me in the form of Rav Noach Weinberg Z'L. I don't remeber the words he spoke.

Birkas HaChama

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:18:00 +0000

This is pretty neat. News story from 28 years ago...

Rabbi Josh Kohl will be giving a live online drasha about Birkas HaChama!
Start Time: March 31st, 2009 at 11:59 pm EDT

http://j-family.projectsinai.org/event/1329

And now... some comedy

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:53:00 +0000

The Hollywooder Rebbe

Is there true evil in the world? Watch this and decide.

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:23:00 +0000

Please visit the following link to see Amalek in action:

http://tinyurl.com/amalek
(cut and paste)

UPDATE

Here is an embedded copy:

Once in 28 Years - Birkas HaChamah

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Highly Recommended! - Judah

On April 8, 2009, millions of Jews worldwide will unite in the most spectacular event of the past three decades.

Don’t miss it.

Jerusalem, Israel (January 2009) — Once every 28 years, the sun returns to the exact position of Creation, and Jews all over the world gather together to make Birkas HaChamah, the blessing of the sun. What is the meaning of this momentous event that happens only every few decades? How can we maximize our growth as we count down toward this rare natural phenomenon?

Targum Press is proud to present the ultimate book on Birkas HaChamah: Once in 28 Years, by renowned educator and author Rabbi Moshe Goldberger. In this unique handbook packed with fascinating facts and practical ideas for growth, the author uncovers the meaning and depth of Birkas HaChamah and the life lessons we can learn from it. With a comprehensive explanation of the blessing, a clear overview of its pertinent laws and customs, and an exploration of this event’s continual significance, Once in 28 Years allows us to harness the power and inspiration of Birkas HaChamah and keep its message reverberating in our lives for the next 28 years.

Since the last time that birkas hachama was recited, Jewish awareness and pride has literally exploded. In anticipation of April 8, 2009, thousands of both religious and secular Jews are searching for the laws and meaning of this upcoming event, which for some will be a first-time experience. Once in 28 Years builds up the excitement for the occasion, with 28 chapters of information and inspiration. It is the ideal book to use as a series in a newsletter, for teacher gifts, or as part of a schoolwide event to educate students about Birkas HaChamah.

Practical, inspiring, and easy to read, Once in 28 Years is an invaluable book for every Torah Jew.

Me: Excellent book with all the halachos and philosphy about this amazing mitzvah. Nice hardcover binding and not filled with any extra fluff. It also comes with a nifty laminated card of all the brachos and necessary tefilos.

If you would like to buy a copy, PLEASE click the graphic on the sidebar.

Excellent New Site for Ma'aras HaMachpela

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:51:00 +0000

With live video, time line and virtual tour!

machpela.com

Iran Can Get Material to Make 50 Nukes. When do we act?

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:04:00 +0000

(from Fox News) Iran can develop a nuclear weapon within a year and has ready access to enough fissile material to produce up to 50 nuclear weapons, according to a panel of current and former U.S. officials advising the Obama administration.

William Schneider, Jr., chairman of the Defense Science Board and a former under secretary of state in the Reagan administration, offered those estimates Wednesday during a news conference announcing the release of a new "Presidential Task Force" report on Iran by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

The report, entitled "Preventing a Cascade of Instability: U.S. Engagement to Check Iranian Nuclear Progress," was signed by a team of policymakers, former officials and Iran scholars that included Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind..

Also signing on to the early draft form were two individuals expected to play significant roles in the development of the Obama administration's foreign policy: former Ambassador Dennis Ross, named last month by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as a special envoy on the Iran issue, and Robert Einhorn, a former assistant secretary of state who is expected to accept a senior position dealing with non-proliferation issues.

The "cascade" refers to a set of 164 high-speed centrifuges used to enrich uranium to the high levels necessary to produce a nuclear weapon. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, recently reported that Iran has enough low enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon, and currently has 5,600 centrifuges operating at its pilot enrichment facility in Natanz. Iran has declared its intention to add another 45,000 centrifuges over the next five years.

But Schneider said Iran has already "perfected the industrial aspects of enriching uranium," and can easily develop a nuclear weapon long before 2014.

"The ability to go from low enriched uranium to highly enriched uranium, especially if [the Iranians] expand the number of centrifuges, would be a relatively brief period of time, perhaps a year or so, before they'd be able to produce a nuclear weapon," Schneider said at the news conference. "So it's not a long-distance kind of problem."

Moreover, Schneider warned that the fundamentalist Islamic regime in Tehran -- which has threatened to wipe Israel off the map and equipped and funded regional terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah -- has access to significant amounts of the raw fissile material that would be the core ingredient in such a nuclear arsenal.

These indigenous natural resources include "yellowcake," the raw uranium ore that is converted to gas and then fed into the cascades of centrifuges. "Iran has enough yellowcake in the country to perhaps produce enough highly enriched uranium, if they go to that length, to produce perhaps fifty nuclear weapons," Schneider said.

Neither of the other two panel members who appeared alongside Schneider at the news conference -- Eugene Habiger, a retried four-star general and former commander in chief of the U.S. Strategic Command, and Nancy Soderberg, a former ambassador to the U.N. and National Security Council staffer during the Clinton administration -- disputed Schneider's claims.

The Washington Instiyute's nine-page report also warned that Israel "may feel compelled" to take military action to try to destroy or retard the Iranian nuclear program if Russia sells the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Iran.

"Israeli leaders seem convinced that at least for now, they have a military option," the report states.

"However, Israelis see the option fading over the next one to two years, not only because of Iran's nuclear progress and dispersion of its program but also because of improved Iranian air defenses, especially the expected delivery of the S-300. ... Israel therefore may feel compelled to act before the option disappears."

Schneider, who along with Habiger and Soderberg conferred with high-level officials from Israel, Jordan, Qatar, and Bahrain during a trip to the Middle East last December, reported that the Israeli military still believes it can hold the Iranian nuclear apparatus "at risk," but will no longer hold that view if Tehran acquires more sophisticated air defense technology from Moscow.

"It is the transfer of the S-300 that is likely to be a trigger for Israeli action," Schneider said. "The time frame is getting compressed and we need to act quickly if we are going to be successful [in resolving the issue peacefully]."

"Time is not on our side," agreed Habiger. "We've been mucking about on this issue for years now."

Habiger and Soderberg said it remains possible for the U.S., by working with Russia, China and Arab allies in the Persian Gulf, to persuade Iran not to obtain a nuclear weapon.

"They are a rational actor," Soderberg said of the Iranian regime. "They are deterrable." If the costs of pursuing the nuclear program are made sufficiently high, the panel said -- particularly through the imposition of sanctions on Iran's oil and gas sector -- Tehran's "cost-benefit analysis" could be changed.

Iran's defense minister visited Moscow last month to press for the Russian state-controlled arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, to sell Iran the S-300 system. Russian officials, at least publicly, were non-committal.

However, Iran signed a $700 million contract with Russia in 2005 to purchase 29 low-to-medium altitude surface-to-air missiles, which were delivered the following year and became operational in early 2007.

A Must See Video!

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:03:00 +0000

Aired On Jan 26th.

Egyptian Cleric Amin Al-Ansari Justifies the Holocaust, Airs Footage, and Declares: "This Is What We Hope Will Happen But, Allah Willing, at the Hand of the Muslims."

(WARNING: Disturbing Holocaust Footage)

A special place in Gehennom for this scum

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:47:00 +0000

One of the many reasons I can't wait for Moshaich to arrive: seeing this Amalekite forced to stand in front of G-d Almighty.

I love this.

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:44:00 +0000

Baruch HaShem! Tzahal is not the koach of Am Yisrael. Hashem Tzivaot is our strength.

Bad Economy May Fuel Hate Groups, Experts Warn

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:42:00 +0000

Experts Warn That Downturn Could Drive Discontent, Help Extremists Recruit.

From the Washington Post. Click HERE for the full article.

A sane voice among the Arabs.

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:22:00 +0000

Emunah - My thoughts.

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:55:00 +0000

I am not trying to introduce a chidush. This has probably a basic Rashi and am showing my ignorance, but here goes.

I noticed in morning davening that Psalm 146 and 147 seemingly have similar thoughts but are actually very different. In 146 we read: "Praiseworthy is he in whose help is the God of Jacob; his hope is in the Lord his God. Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, Who keeps truth forever. Who performs justice for the oppressed, Who gives bread to the hungry..." נֹתֵן לֶחֶם לָרְעֵבִים

147 reads: "He gives the animal its food, to the young ravens which call out." In Hebrew there is a "mapik heh" which denotes that the bread is the animal's. נוֹתֵן לִבְהֵמָה לַחְמָהּ Lachmah... her bread.

The lashon is very telling. Hashem gives food to the hungry human being; one who can, or at least should, realize from Whom his food is coming.

The animal is one who assumes that the bread is her's to begin with.

Perhaps Melech David is giving us a message. We can act like the animal and claim that we have is from our own hands: my money, my home, my car. Or we can use the human trait of emunah and realize that all we have was, is and will always be from Hashem's will.

In fact 147 continues (after describing the animal): "He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of man. Hashem takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in His loving kindness."

I have many friends who have been hit hard by the economic collapse, myself included. It is a daily struggle to remember that I am not in control. I can work hard and give everything 100%, but it is Hashem who runs the world. He not only sustains us weekly, but for evey second.

Klal Yisrael needs to remember that and look to our Father in Heaven. The IDF, Obama's bailout, that vitamin you take in the morning... none can be successsful without the will of Hashem.

Thanks for listening.

Judah's Hechsher of Blog Awesomeness! #2

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:36:00 +0000

Here are more of my favorite sites.

Israel Matzav

Right Truth

Stand Strong for the Klal

Little Green Footballs (I know it's a no-brainer, but kudos to Charles nonetheless)

The Elder of Ziyon

Dhimmi Watch

Avodah Ivrit

West Bank Mama

Read 'em. Support 'em. Love 'em. They keep the Klal strong.

From Dreaming of Moshiach

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Posek HaDor HaGaon Rabbi Shmuel Levi Vosner Shlita:

"We see many miracles during this war and we must increase our prayers. Soon we will be zoche to see the Bet HaMikdash, very very very very soon in our days!"

LA Pro-Israel Demonstration - 1/11/09

noreply@blogger.com (Judah HaKohain) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:35:00 +0000

I have video! Will post tonight once I get it transferred.