Ask Yourself: What Did I Do For The Beit HaMikdash Today?

What did I do to help bring the Third Temple today? A question every Jew should ask themselves everyday, especially now that we’re entering The Nine Days, leading up to Tisha B’Av.

The Yalkut Shimoni (a midrash) on the Book of First Samuel (106) teaches us an awesome lesson about the Churban/destruction and exile by the Romans, Rabbi Simeon Bar Menasya said, “Israel was only exiled after it rejected the following three things, Malchut Shamayim/the Kingdom of Heaven, Malchut Beit David/Kingship from the House of David, and the Beit HaMikdash/the Holy Temple.

So we learn from this, that the cause of the exile of the Jewish people, was because Jews took too lightly, Torah observance (God’s rule), we should have demanded a rightful Davidic descendant be appointed as king, once the Maccabees drove out the Syrian Greeks, and Jews didn’t care enough about the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

A variant text in the Yalkut Shimoni explains from a different angle, why the Roman exile would be so long, as opposed to the limited seventy years of the Babylonian exile, after the destruction of the First Temple. Rabbi Simeon Bar Menasya predicted, “In the future the following three things will be despised by Israel, the Kingdom of Heaven, David’s kingdom [the Messiah], and the building of the [Third] Temple.”

By the attitudes and behavior of most Jews today; the rampant secularization and assimilation; apathy about the Messianic concept and the Temple; Rabbi Simeon’s prediction seems to have come true.

But there is a third variant text, that gives the solution, how to end the exile. Rabbi Simeon Bar Menasya said, “Israel will not see a sign of the redemption until they [the Jews] repent and demand the following three things, the Kingdom of Heaven, David’s kingdom [the Messiah], and the building of the [Third] Temple.”

To remedy the situation, end exile and bring redemption, Jews must be taught to understand the value of these three things, then begin to demand them, and work to achieve them.

There are many things to do everyday, like saying the section about Korbanot (Offerings), written in the prayer book, at the beginning of the Shacharit (morning) and Mincha (afternoon) prayers.

And saying Tikkun Chatzot, the midnight prayer, mourning, the exile of the Jewish people, the lack of honor paid to the God of Israel by the nations of the world, and the feeling of lack, that we no longer have the Beit HaMikdash.

Get any one of a number of books about the Beit HaMikdash, available to buy these days (many with charts, diagrams, and pictures). Learn about the temple, the priesthood, and sacrificial system, their halachic details, and deeper mystical meanings.

Then if you’re in Israel, there’s Aliyah to Har HaBayit (going up to the Temple Mount within the known permitted areas), to show to the Arabs and the world, a Jewish presence there, and to God, that the Jewish people still care.

And there is also working with, or donating money to, any of a number of temple organizations and yeshivot (rabbinical colleges), working to construct vessels for future usage, learning all the pertinent laws of the temple, priesthood, and sacrificial system, promoting Jewish rights on the Temple Mount, and protecting the area of the Temple Mount from destruction of artifacts and Arabization, etc.

These increased activities, are all in addition to saying every Bracha/Blessing and every prayer, doing every mitzvah and learning Torah, with the intention of increasing God's Honor, the honor of Israel, the thought of bringing the messiah, and helping to bring about the rebuilding of the Holy Temple.

But by far the simplest thing to do, something everybody could do, is simply to ask yourself everyday, “What have I done for the Beit HaMikdash today?”

 

Purpose: to increase your Temple Consciousness!

If you think that all these activities are a waste of time, that God will send the Messiah to build the Third Temple when He feels like it and nothing we do will help, think again!

There are many Torah sources that indicate, that its possible that the Beit HaMikdash or Holy Temple will be rebuilt before the onset of the Messianic Age.

“R. Acha said: This teaches that the Holy Temple will be built before the throne of the house of David is established,” (Talmud Yerushalmi Maaser Sheni 5:2, Vilna 29b).

See also, Tosefot Yom Tov, Rashash, Malechet Shlomo, Ibid. Shnei Luchot HaBrit, Beit David 1:376. Cf. Megillah 17b end. In Yalkut 2:499, we find that the Messiah will reveal himself on the Temple roof, i.e. the Holy Temple is already built. See also VaYoel Moshe 55f (from the Satmar Rebbe), and Rabbi Yehuda Gershoni, Mishpat HaMelucha 11:1.

The Rambam, throughout his halachic masterpiece, the Mishneh Torah, constantly stresses that its a mitzvah for all time, for the Jewish people to build the Beit HaMikdash.

And, take a look at Rabbi Aryeh Leib ben Asher Gunzburg (c. 1695 – 1785), also known as the Shaagas Aryeh, a Lithuanian rabbi, and author of the Gevurot Ari, on Ta’anit 17. There it states, that certain Kohanim/priests are forbidden all year round to drink wine, from the Gemara Rosh HaShanah 11a, which cites a dispute between R. Eliezer and R. Yehoshua whether the redemption is going to happen in Nissan or Tishri.

The Gevurot Ari asks on the Gemara there, a question, it should be sufficient to ban drinking wine only for these two months, so why is it necessary to ban it for the entire year?

He answers on the basis of the Talmud Yerushalmi Maaser Sheni 5:2 that the Beit HaMikdash will be built before the Messiah from the House of David comes. He writes that according to this there is no fixed day for the building of the Beit HaMikdash – it could be built any day of the year. In contrast he explains that, R. Eliezer and R. Yehoshua discuss when the Messiah will come, which can only be in these months.

So, in fact, Rabbi Simeon was telling the Jewish people, to be redeemed, we need to implement these Mitzvot/policies that will re-build the ideal national structure in the Land of Israel, including building the Third Temple.

And as we all know, action follows thought. So, ask yourself everyday during these Nine Days (and the rest of the year, till the Holy Temple is rebuilt): What did I do to help bring the Third Temple today?

Now is the time to increase your Temple Consciousness!

 

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.

(c) 2019/5779 Pasko

Matot: Great Is Vengeance Because It Appears Between Two Names of God

Anger, hatred, vengeance, killing and bloodshed, are generally looked down upon, even forbidden in Judaism, and not the behavior of an elevated individual, as it says in Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take revenge...”

But, we see the inverse concept, on the national level, for the sake of Am Yisrael. Think about that next time the PalestiNazis lob rockets from Gaza, into innocent Israeli towns.

This week’s Torah reading, Matot, (Book of Numbers 31:1-3), describes the battle against Midian, after what they did to the Jewish people, “HaShem spoke to Moshe saying: Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Children of Israel. After that, you will be gathered to your people [you will die]. So Moses said to the people: Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites so that they may carry out the Lord’s Vengeance on them.”

The rabbis of the midrash (Tanchuma Matot 3) ask: HaShem say’s ‘the Children of Israel’s vengeance,’ and yet Moshe tells the Israelites, ‘HaShem’s Vengeance?’ They explain that Moshe, then said to God: “if we were uncircumcised idol worshippers, they wouldn’t hate us, but because you gave us Your Torah they hate us,” and the rabbis conclude by teaching, the vengeance of Am Yisrael, to eliminate a Chillul HaShem (a dishonor to God), is God’s Vengeance, and a Kiddush HaShem (a sanctification of His Name in the world).

Moshe could have stalled for time, to live longer. But he was filled with Kedushah (Holy Energy), he lusted to see vengeance carried out on the Midianites (Kiddush HaShem), to avenge Israel’s, i.e. God’s Honor and rushed to carry out HaShem’s command, (Numbers Rabbah 22:2).

And who led the IDF to victory against Midian, in avenging Israel’s and God’s Honor?

The same Pinchas, who we’ve met in the last two Torah readings. He staved off a plague, by killing the prince of the tribe of Shimon, fornicating with a Midianite woman. So enraged was Pinchas (Aaron’s grandson) because of the Chillul HaShem, that he killed both of them, ending the plague that had broken out in the camp and had already killed 24,000 (Numbers 25:1-7, see also Sanhedrin 106a).

The same is true for King David, who responded to Goliath’s taunting of Saul’s army by taking him on and defeating him. David angrily shouted, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should taunt the armies of the living God?” David saw this as a Chillul HaShem (an emptying of God’s Presence in the world), by the way Goliath degraded the Jewish people, thus desecrating God’s Name.

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head...and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands,” After David killed Goliath, the Israeli army routed the PalestiNazis of their time, that day. (1 Samuel Chapter 17).

As the Rabbis tell us, “He who taunts Israel, taunts God.” Any war against the Jewish people, is a war against the God of the Jews and is a Milchemet Mitzvah, an obligatory war, to eliminate the Chillul HaShem as quickly as possible.

So while individual Jews who are attacked and killed in hate crimes, terror attacks, the Holocaust, all died Al Kiddush HaShem; for the nation of Israel as a nation, its a Chillul HaShem, and needs to be avenged. To avenge the Jewish people’s honor, is to avenge God’s Honor in this world.

As the rabbis said (Berakhot 33a), “Great is vengeance because it appears between two names of God,” as it is written, “God of Vengeance, Lord, God of Vengeance shine forth” (Psalms 94:1).

To see the punishment of the wicked, brings Kiddush HaShem into the world. Then and only then, do the nations really know there is a God of Israel, as Midian learned, the hard way.

Last week, Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced, “the leadership’s decision to stop implementing the agreements signed with the Israeli side,” and the establishment of a committee to implement the decision of the PLO Central Council.

“We will never surrender or agree to live with the occupation, nor will we bargain for the ‘deal of the century,’ because Palestine and Al-Quds are not for sale or bargaining, and they are not real estate transactions. There will be no peace, security and stability in the region and the world if the Palestinian people does not fully realize their rights,” said the PA chairman.

The thieves are complaining…

We might be watching the beginning of the collapse of the PA, B’Ezrat HaShem, God Willing.

Let’s hope that the current Israeli government will learn and then teach this important lesson on vengeance and Kiddush HaShem, to Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Fatah and the Palestinian Authority, Hezbollah, the Syrians and Iranians, ISIS and all the Jewish people’s sworn enemies today, as great Jewish leaders did in the past!

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.
(c) 2019/5779 Pasko

The Three Weeks: Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, Mourning Or Redemption?

Has the Israeli government lost it’s mind? Do we have not one drop of national pride left?

Recently, after introducing a pro-BDS resolution in the US House, IslamoFascist Ilhan Omar (D-MN), told reporters that she and PalestiNazi Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) intended to go to visit Israel and the “Palestinian territories” in a few weeks.

Ilhan “Its all about the Benjamins” Omar, said that the “Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories will be the main point of the trip. Everything that I hear, points to both sides feeling like there is still an occupation.”

The next day, Israel’s Ambassador to Washington, Ron Dermer, announced, “Out of respect for the US Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel.” So, the government decided to let them enter Israel.

After having spewd their JudeoPathic venom on Jews and Israel since their election, from their congressional soapboxes…?

Now I know we’ve entered the “Bein HaMetzarim – The Three Weeks,” a period that mourns the destruction of the Beit HaMikdash (both Holy Temples and Jerusalem), culminating in the fast of Tisha B’Av, and why we still mourn!

A people that can be spat upon, kicked, and punched in the face, and respond, “I’m sorry...” certainly needs deep therapy!

Maybe Shock Treatment!

And to let it’s abusers come to visit your home as well? What can you say, but...

“I gave you The City and the Holy Mount in ‘67 and you spurned them and returned the keys to Mine enemies, the Waqf, and their ilk. Do you feel the churban – destruction – yet, My wayward son, My firstborn? Riots and murder take the place of your prayers, and the sacrifice of your elders and children on the alters of your enemies, instead of the sweet aroma of the offerings in My house that you never built for me, because of your faithlessness,’’ saith the L-rd God of Israel.

Do you feel the churban yet?

“Your fast day is coming. I so wanted to turn it into a day of rejoicing, Our wedding feast relived, but you stubbornly ignored My pleas, My hints, the miracles I did for you and your fathers. You chose the enemy within your borders, instead of Me. Fear of the gentile, and worries on how to placate him, filled your minds, while scorning Me and Our relationship, my beloved. How could you turn your backs on your history, your destiny, when I gave you everything you dreamed of for almost 2,000 years?” saith the L-rd God of Israel.

Do you feel the churban yet?

Did you notice Omar and Tlaib are planning to come right around Tisha B’Av? Reenacting the sin of the spies,“Vayotziu Dibat HaAretz,” they brought an evil report about the land, (Numbers 13:32).

Omar and Tlaib plan to spew their JudeoPathic venom in our home now, what an insult to Jews, Israel, and to God.

By refusing them entry, Israel needn’t worry about the American response, those who support Israel will understand. And by the way, those same people, including Trump, have their own fights with “the squad,” Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Tlaib, and Pressley.

The Jew haters and anti-Israel, pro-BDS people, like “the squad,” and others, who cares what they think!

The negative news cycle that would follow the announcement that Omar and Tlaib won’t be allowed into Israel, pales in comparison to the serious and long term damage to the State of Israel’s image, that a public relations coup would reap for them if they were allowed in. American, Israeli and international press will cover their trip. It would catapult them from being freshman Democratic congresswomen, into international Leftist political stardom!

If Israel doesn’t let them in, at least they will have been denied the propaganda victory of reporting on how the Israelis “oppress” the Palestinians, and the photo ops they’re looking for, a much greater value.

Then, around the same time, the Palestinian Authority warned that, “Among the extremist Jews, today is a Talmudic holiday considered the beginning of ‘the most dangerous season of Judaization,’ its what is called, the fast of Tammuz, and is a prelude to the anniversary of what is called ‘the destruction of the alleged Temple.’” [Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, July 21, 2019]

So much for history and truth...

“But you can still redeem yourselves, there’s still time. Throw those foxes off the Mount, don’t let them back this time, and announce to the world its your Holy Place, exclusively. And, don’t let them enter your home, your country. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you. No power on earth can oppose you when you choose to worship Me, My special treasure, My people Israel,” saith the L-rd God of Israel.

“I loved your fathers and your mothers, your prophets and kings, your scholars and wise men with a love not of this world. And, I love you that way too. I only ask for the same from you, My prized possession from all the peoples of the earth,” saith the L-rd God of Israel.

Do you feel the redemption yet?

“I will be there with you every step of the way, I never abandoned you, and you must believe Me. Fear nothing or no one, for I am with you. I give you the power and strength to do what must be done, My people Israel,” saith the L-rd God of Israel.

“I only ask, that you carry out justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God,” Micha 6:8.

Do you feel the redemption yet?

Israel stand strong, remember your Jewish Pride and your responsibility to God. Let’s turn the Three Weeks, into a countdown towards the Complete Redemption this year instead!

 

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.

(c) 2019/5779 Pasko

 

 

Bein HaMetzarim – The Three Weeks – Mourning or Redemption?

Has the Israeli government lost it’s mind? Do we have not one drop of national pride left?

The government recently decided to let IslamoFascist Ilhan Omar and PalestiNazi Rashida Tlaib enter Israel.

After having spewd their JudeoPathic venom on Jews and Israel for months from their congressional soapbox…?

Now I know we’ve entered the “Bein HaMetzarim – The Three Weeks,” a mourning period culminating in Tisha B’Av, and I know why we still mourn!

A people that can be spat upon, kicked, and punched in the face, and respond, “I’m sorry...” certainly needs deep therapy!

Maybe Shock Treatment!

And to let it’s abusers come to visit your home as well? What can you say, but...

“I gave you The City and the Holy Mount in ‘67 and you spurned them and returned the keys to Mine enemies, the Waqf, and their ilk. Do you feel the churban – destruction – yet, My wayward son, My firstborn? Riots and murder take the place of your prayers, and the sacrifice of your elders and children on the alters of your enemies, instead of the sweet aroma of the offerings in My house that you never built for me, because of your pride,’’ saith the L-rd God of Israel.

Do you feel the churban yet?

Israel's Ambassador to Washington, Ron Dermer, said recently, “Out of respect for the US Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel.”

Come on, we can do better than that!

“Your fast day is coming. I so wanted to turn it into a day of rejoicing, Our wedding feast relived, but you stubbornly ignored My pleas, My hints, the miracles I did for you and your fathers. You chose the enemy within your borders, instead of Me. Fear of the gentile, and worries on how to placate him, filled your minds, while scorning Me and Our relationship, my beloved. How could you turn your backs on your history, your destiny, when I gave you everything you dreamed of for almost 2,000 years?” saith the L-rd God of Israel.

Do you feel the churban yet?

Did you notice Omar and Tlaib are planning to come right around Tisha B’Av? What an insult to Jews, Israel, and to God.

“But you can still redeem yourselves, there’s still time. Throw those foxes off the Mount and don’t let them back this time. And, don’t let them enter your home, your country. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you. No power on earth can oppose you when you choose to worship Me, My special treasure, My people Israel,” saith the L-rd God of Israel.

Israel needn’t worry about the American response, those who support Israel will understand. And by the way, they have their own fights with “the squad,” Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Tlaib, and Pressley.

The Jew haters and anti-Israel, pro-BDS people, like “the squad,” who cares what they think!

If Israel doesn’t let them in, at least they will have been denied the propaganda soapbox and photo ops they’re looking for...

“I loved your fathers and your mothers, your prophets and kings, your scholars and wise men with a love not of this world. And, I love you that way too. I only ask for the same from you, My prized possession from all the peoples of the earth,” saith the L-rd God of Israel.

Do you feel the redemption yet?

“I will be there with you every step of the way, I never abandoned you, and you must believe Me. Fear nothing or no one, for I am with you. I give you the power and strength to do what must be done, My people Israel,” saith the L-rd God of Israel.

“I only ask, that you carry out justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God,” Micha 6:8.

Do you feel the redemption yet?

Israel stand strong, remember your Jewish Pride. Let’s turn the Three Weeks, into a countdown towards the Complete Redemption this year instead!

 

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.

(c) 2019/5779 Pasko

Pinchas on Jewish Leadership: Do the Right Thing, No Matter What!

“Without vision, the people run wild...” (Proverbs 29:18) King Solomon could have been living in modern Israel.

In the last several years, do to poor leadership, “Palestine” has became “Hamastan,” and rockets have rained down on Israelis regularly. Social problems have grown in Israel, like the decline in family values, which has mimicked what’s been happening in the liberal West. Yet, with elections coming up, almost no one running seems to have a clue what to do.

Rav Tzvi Tau, head of the Har HaMor Yeshiva, seeing the problem, recently started a new political party “Noam,” whose slogan is “L’Hiyot Am Normali...” to be a normal nation, to fight for family values and against LGBT pressure on society.

Rav Rafi Peretz (leader of the Jewish Home party and Education Minister), recently spoke in favor of Conversion Therapy, and then promptly got jumped upon by the liberal-left media, politicians, and LGBT groups, calling for him to be fired.

Several other Rabbis backed Peretz up, such as the head of the Bnei Akiva youth movement and yeshiva system, Rav Chaim Druckman, and Chief Rabbi of Safed, Rav Shmuel Eliyahu. So did pro-family groups like The “Bochrim B’Mishpacha” (Choosing the Family) movement.

Rav Eliyahu called on the public to “support normality, common sense” and “families consisting of a mother and a father.” “If you want to live in a normal country where expressing a sane opinion is allowed, you have to strengthen the education minister’s hand,” he wrote on his official Facebook page. Rav Eliyahu, a prominent figure in the religious Zionist movement, continued, “If you want to live in a country of freedom and brotherhood instead of violence and intimidation, write posts supporting the education minister.”

Although I agree with the gist of what the Rabbis are saying, the Jewish people’s mission isn’t to be an “Am Normali,” a normal nation, but an “Am Kadosh, a holy nation.”

As it says in the Torah, “You shall be for Me, a kingdom of priests [teachers] and a holy nation...” (Exodus 19:6).

Within a couple days, stepping on the toes of those who supported him, Peretz backtracked. In a letter to Tel Aviv school principals, Peretz wrote, “I know that conversion treatments are unacceptable and severe, and I understand that this is an invasive treatment that is incompatible with the human psyche, causing patients more suffering than relief...”

But that didn’t stop Ehud Barak, from taking a page out of America’s far-left playbook, in their smear campaign against Trump. Electioneering, Barak attacked Netanyahu, “He deliberately puts in power messianic Kahanists, racists who want, as Netanyahu’s education minister has made clear, a halachic messianic state, where women are unacceptable to be leaders, LGBTs will be oppressed, Arab citizens will be discriminated against, and Palestinians will be victims of state apartheid in Judea and Samaria.”

“Without a vision, the people cast off restraint; but those that implement the Torah [vision], they will rejoice!” (Proverbs 29:18)

True Jewish Leadership means having a vision of where you want to lead the flock. True Jewish Leadership means taking unpopular positions when you know that you’re right, making decisions, and setting an example for others, and taking the heat that goes along with that. True Jewish Leadership means always positioning yourself on the side of God, on the side of Torah and Mitzvot, and on the side of the Jewish people (even when they don’t yet understand that, and want to attack you).

Look at Pinchas, at the end of Parshat Balak, in last week’s Torah reading, we find that Balaam having unsuccessfully cursed the Israelites (blessing them instead, as God wanted) advises Balak the king of Moab, to send in his Moabite dancing girls to start an orgy with the Jewish men in the camp.

Knowing that the God of Israel detests sexual immorality, Balaam suggests to Balak that the debauchery and idolatry will bring the wrath of God down on the Jews. Midianite women (including upper class girls), were sent in to tempt the Jewish leaders.

The story ends with the prince of the tribe of Shimon fornicating with a Midianite woman. So enraged is Pinchas (Aaron’s grandson), that he kills both of them, ending the plague that had broken out in the camp and had already killed 24,000 (Numbers 25:1-7, see also Sanhedrin 106a).

But, instead of applauding him, the masses accused him of wanton murder, protesting, “This grandson of someone who had fattened calves to be sacrificed to idols [Jethro], had the chutzpah to kill a prince in Israel,” (Rashi on Numbers 25:11).

But Pinchas knew what was right, acted on it, and succeeded in saving the Jews.

Then, in this week’s Torah reading, Parshat Pinchas, we read, “HaShem said to Moses, Pinchas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Children of Israel. Since he took vengence for my honor among them, therefore I did not put an end to them in my zeal. Therefore, tell him I am making my “Covenant of Peace” with him. He and his descendants will have a covenant of eternal priesthood [priestly leadership], because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Children of Israel,” (Numbers 25:10-13).

Similar to Pinchas’ fight against Balaam, Balak, the Moabites, Midianites, and their Jewish stooges, like Zimri, the prince of Shimon; True Jewish Leaders have to directly confront today’s current enemies, and the Jews helping them, who endanger and bring dishonor to the good name of the Jewish people and the God of Israel, as Pinchas did in his time!

As we can see, True Jewish Leadership leads to the blessing of Peace, for the leader and his flock...

 

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.

(c) 2019/5779 Pasko

Balak: Epstein and Pedophilia, Weinstein, Barak and Peres

The irony of the Jeffrey Epstein case breaking wide open this past week, as the week’s Torah reading was Balak, screams out for more scrutiny.

At the end of the parsha, we find that Balaam having unsuccessfully cursed the Israelites (blessing them instead, as God wanted) advises Balak the king of Moab, to send in his Moabite dancing girls to start an orgy with the Jewish men in the camp.

Knowing that the God of Israel detests sexual immorality, Balaam suggests to Balak that the debauchery and idolatry will bring the wrath of God down on the Jews. Midianite women (including upper class girls), were sent in to tempt the Jewish leaders.

The story ends with the prince of the tribe of Shimon fornicating with a Midianite woman. So enraged is Pinchas (Aaron’s grandson), that he kills both of them, ending the plague that had broken out in the camp and had already killed 24,000 (Numbers 25:1-7, see also Sanhedrin 106a).

Epstein had been convicted of prostitution in 2008. That’s bad enough. But the present allegations against him of sex-trafficking, rape, and pedophilia, and the release of the names of some of his “friends,” (Or is that clients?) are atrocious, if true.

I want to say clearly, its a terrible Chillul HaShem, and needs to be condemned by all Jews. Just as those who cavorted with the Moabite and Midianite women in the Torah, needed to be punished.

A Chillul HaShem by the way, occurs whenever a Jew acts immorally (against the laws of the Torah), while in the presence of others, whether fellow Jews or Gentiles. Judaism believes that the Jewish people are representatives of God and His moral code, the Torah, and when a Jew acts in such a shameful manner like that, s/he has brought disrepute on the Jewish people and God, thus desecrating His name.

That said, for all those following the unfolding Epstein saga, be alerted to the fact that Jew haters of all political stripes and colors in America, are using it to foment more Judeopathy than usual.

On the Far Right, the National Vanguard website blasts, “How Jews Got Serial Child Rapist Jeffrey Epstein Off.”

RenegadeTribune.com screams, “Jews Running Cover For Trump In The Jeffrey Epstein Sex Trafficking Scandal.”

The same sentiments are expressed at StormFront.org, indexing DavidDuke.com articles, and messages posted like, “Jews are sexual degenerates and they always protect their own. That’s how the ADL got started. To protect the child rapist and murderer Leo Frank.”

Frank if you recall, was kidnapped from prison and lynched by the Ku Klux Klan in 1915, after Georgia Governor John M. Slaton, based on new evidence, chose to commute Frank’s death penalty verdict to life in prison.

Then the Nation of Islam website blares, “Dershowitz-Epstein Sex Deal Has Deep Jewish Roots,” they even misquote and misrepresent the Talmud to prove their points.

And of course, the Left and pro-Palestinians have jumped on the bandwagon. Headlines shriek like, “Israel defender Alan Dershowitz has long history of attacking sex abuse victims.” The Electronic Intifada has used the tragedy to attack Israel, not just Israel supporters like Dershowitz, whose name has come up in this scandal, not just as Epstein’s lawyer, but also as an active participant.

The Far Right, Black Muslims, and the Extreme Left, have all followed the story with glee in their eyes, telling their audiences, “See, we told you so, the Jews...”

But even on a more moderate, liberal website, like Slate, for example, they named names of who’s been part of Epstein’s “party” world. In a recent article entitled, “A Running List of Jeffrey Epstein’s Rich, Powerful, and Presidential Friends: From A(costa) to Z(uckerman), everyone’s bad,” while mentioning such big machers as Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Prince Andrew, seven of the twelve names they chose to expose were Jews.

Also, in the magazine New York, an article entitled, “Jeffrey Epstein’s Rolodex: A Guide to His Famous Friends and Acquaintances,” named names, almost half of those they listed were Jews, or have a Jewish father and Jewish sounding last name (15 out of 35 names).

As if growing anti-Semitism in America and worldwide, needed some charcoal lighter fluid, to help the flames grow, to grill the Jewish people again.

Recently, when Ehud Barak was attacked by Netanyahu, for his involvement with Epstein, Barak responded to by answering, “Donald Trump and Bill Clinton also knew Epstein.”

Barak added, that the late former Israeli president Shimon Peres had introduced him to Epstein.

As if that made it OK!

Epstein has been a major financial backer of Barak for years. Epstein invested millions of dollars in Carbyne, an Israeli start-up company in which Barak is the controlling shareholder. Maybe to clean up his image before elections, Barak recently announced on his Facebook page, that he will consider breaking off his business relations with Epstein.

Barak has also had involvement with another Epstein “friend,” Harvey Weinstein, also known for “rape fame.”

About two years ago Barak recommended to Weinstein, that he hire Israeli private intelligence company Black Cube (loaded with ex-Mossad and security officials), to do some “dirty tricks” for him at the height of Weinstein’s scandal.

What good company Ehud Barak keeps!

So don’t worry, if you thought Jews and Israel would be left out of the Epstein story, the Jew haters and Israel bashers are shining a spotlight on the “Jewish” involvement in this scandal.

Yes, Epstein, Weinstein, and the others are Jewish.

No, they don’t represent the Jewish people.

No, this isn’t some systemic problem of Judaism.

No, its not part of some Zionist Cabal.

But then, Jew haters today, whether loony tunes of the Far Right, Extreme Left, or your average garden variety, run-of-the-mill Farrakhanist Black Muslim, are running to blame Jews and Judaism anyway.

And, even genteel moderates who normally would call out the extremists on overt anti-Semitism, are having a field day blaming Israel, and could care less about reality.

Just like Balaam, Balak, the Moabites and Midianites, in this past Torah reading.

True Jewish leaders have to confront them, and the Jews who have brought disrepute to the good name of the Jewish people and the God of Israel, just as Pinchas did in his time!

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.

(c) 2019/5779 Pasko

Ehud Barak’s Napoleonic Complex Will Save Israeli Democracy?

Little Napoleon Barak is going to save Israeli Democracy? What a bunch of claptrap Orwellian doublespeak.

Well let’s check out history. How well did the original Napoleon save France’s democratic revolution against the monarchy?

Hmm, if I recall he crowned himself emperor!

Ehud Barak is the second most failed prime minister in Israeli political history. Only after Yitzhak Rabin, whose peace process madness has led to over 2,000 Jews killed since the beginning of Oslo in 1993, and tens of thousands injured.

Let’s remember Barak was on duty as prime minister, when Yasser Arafat started the Oslo War (second Intifada) in the year 2000. That, after Barak had already agreed to give away 96% of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, to the Palestinian murder machine at Camp David.

Of course Arafat rejected the offer, because the modern day Amalekites want it all, all of “Palestine.”

Who can forget the former leader of Hamas in the early 2000s, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, who devoted his life to a single purpose, destroying the State of Israel. “By God, we will not leave one Jew in Palestine,” he said. “We will fight them with all the strength we have.”

Fatah, Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and Arafat’s replacement, Abbas, all want to wipe out the Jews and Israel.

Notice the PA logo includes all of Israel today. Notice Abbas has thoroughly rejected Trump’s misguided peace overtures. Notice Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah murderers are still doing what they were bred to do… Kill Jews!

Back to little Napoleon Barak and his delusions of grandeur.

In 1997, then Justice Minister Tzachi Hanegbi attacked the new Labor Party leader Ehud Barak, dubbing him “Ehud Barach” (Hebrew for “Ehud ran away”), which has entered the mainstream as a nickname for him.

Hanegbi, cited a report that, Barak, as chief of staff of the IDF, was present during a training exercise accident, known as the “Tze’elim Bet” disaster, five years earlier in 1992. Five soldiers died and six were injured that day.

Barak, has been dogged by the allegation that he did nothing to help the injured. Soldiers who were at Tze’elim said that Barak, who was observing the exercise, did nothing for the wounded and took off in his helicopter before they were evacuated. Barak has always insisted that his task as army commander was not to carry a stretcher but to ensure that everything was being done by his subordinates to save them.

After getting elected prime minister in May 1999, Barak withdrew Israeli forces from South Lebanon, allowing Hezbollah to position themselves on Israel’s northern border. Then, not having been able to defeat the PA at the beginning of the Oslo War, Barak was also defeated by Ariel Sharon for prime minister in early 2001.

Ehud Barak was the shortest serving prime minister in Israeli political history. Not getting what he wanted, power (the premiership), Barak has fled the political battlefield three times, i.e. quit politics. Only to sock away some cash, regroup, and attempt another invasion.

After getting his wallet “high” in the medical cannabis industry, as chairman of InterCure, Barak’s now ready for his fourth attempt to take power in Israel.

His latest vehicle, the recently announced “Democratic Israel” party.

“The State of Israel is just ahead of a complete collapse of Israeli democracy,” Barak tweeted when he announced the party’s name. “Now is the time to bring back Israel’s hope and courage, to unite and to bring Israel back to sanity. We are a Democratic Israel.”

A major case of the “pot” calling the kettle black. Little Napoleon is on the warpath again.

And, on top of all that, Barak, is listed in Wikipedia, on a “List of Wartime Cross-Dressers.”

Oy Vey!

“The later prime minister of Israel [Barak], disguised himself as a woman to assassinate members of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Beirut during the 1973 covert mission Operation Spring of Youth.”

Others who have joined Barak’s latest party, include former Deputy Chief of General Staff, Yair Golan and granddaughter of Yitzhak Rabin, Noa Rothman, who still defends her grandfather’s legacy of death and destruction.

Rothman has even accused Netanyahu and his government of, “...changing the system…[he] holds the Israeli public hostage to save his skin and is ready to assassinate Israeli democracy.”

What demagoguery?

Golan is infamous for making a speech on Holocaust Day in 2016, in which he drew a parallel between Germany in the 1930s and Israel today, by saying, “If there is one thing that is scary in remembering the Holocaust, it is noticing horrific processes which developed in Europe (particularly in Germany) 70, 80, and 90 years ago, and finding remnants of that here [in Israel] among us in the year 2016.”

That’s the scariest thing about the Holocaust to Golan? Not Jews being murdered in their millions?

So the granddaughter of the most failed prime minister of Israel; his close second, little Napoleon Barak; and an ex-general who worries Israel is closing in on “fascism,” ignoring the PalestiNazis; are going to lead the way to a new era of peace, prosperity and democracy in Israel.

Yeah, put that in your pipe and smoke it!

 

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.

(c) 2019/5779 Pasko

Chukat: Give Us Back The Occupied Territories Now!

This past week saw the economic component of Trump’s “Deal of the Century,”unveiled in Bahrain. Kushner presented the administration’s ideas on how to “economically rehabilitate” the “Palestinians,” nothing new there. The political component, the part that presumably will deal with borders, sovereignty, etc. is being held off until after Israeli elections in September.

The Palestinian Authority refused to participate as anticipated and squawked about the meeting, give us back the occupied territories now!

Its a common refrain of the “Palestinians,” and in parts of the world today; but truth be told, it goes all the way back to the beginning of the Jewish people.

This week’s upcoming Torah reading is Chukat, and at its end, we find the story of Israel’s conquest of the East Bank of the Jordan river. The nation had skirted Edom and Moab, then requested from Sihon and then Og, Amorite kings, permission to peaceably pass through their territory.

Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites: “Let us pass through your country. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.”

They refused and decided to go out to war against Israel.

Moses, as any good Jewish leader would, ordered the IDF of the time, to counter-attack full force and, “Israel put him [Sihon] to the sword, and took over his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok...Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its surrounding towns. Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.” (Numbers 21:21-26)

Actually, quite similar to modern Israel’s peace overtures to Egypt and Jordan after the 1948 war, being ultimately met with the 1967 war thrust upon Israel. Unplanned, Israel’s victory then led to possession of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. Part of the Jew’s ancient homeland, which Israel then began to repopulate.

Give us back the occupied territories now!

We then find in the Haftarah reading, Judges Chapter 11, three hundred years after the Torah story above, the king of Ammon making war against Israel, on behalf of his kinsmen Moab, in an attempt to reclaim the lost territory. The elder’s of Gilead appoint Yiftach to lead the military resistance.

Yiftach sent messengers to the Ammonite king with the question: “What do you have against me that you have attacked my country?” The king of the Ammonites answered Yiftach’s messengers: “When Israel came up out of Egypt, they took away my land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, all the way to the Jordan. Now give it back peaceably.” (Judges 11:12-13)

By the way, what took them three hundred years to try and reclaim it?

Unlike Peres, Rabin, Barak, Sharon, Olmert, and Netanyahu, how did a real Jewish leader respond to claims of returning so-called “occupied territory?”

“Yiftach sent back messengers to the Ammonite king, saying...Israel did not take the land of Moab or the land of the Ammonites.”

He then recounted all the history from leaving Egypt, to asking permission to cross territory, and being attacked, “Then the Lord, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and his whole army into Israel’s hands, and they defeated them. Israel took over all the land of the Amorites who lived in that country, capturing all of it from the Arnon to the Jabbok and from the desert to the Jordan.”

But, Yiftach doesn’t make a historical claim, or say that Israel’s right to the land comes from capturing it after being attacked. He ends with absolute faith in the God of Israel and clearly states Israel has no right to give it away, “Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess.” (Judges 11:14-15, 21-24)

End of discussion…

Maybe if Israeli leaders today, would deal with the Arab world and “Palestinians” the same way, they would get the same results as Yiftach’s leadership achieved, “And Ammon was subdued before the Children of Israel.” (Judges 11:33)

Give us back the occupied territories now!

Yes indeed, Sinai, Trans-Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, etc. are all parts of the Promised Land of Israel! (Deuteronomy 11:24)

Ariel Natan Pasko, an independent analyst and consultant, has a Master's Degree specializing in International Relations, Political Economy & Policy Analysis. His articles appear regularly on numerous news/views and think-tank websites and in newspapers. His latest articles can also be read on his archive: The Think Tank by Ariel Natan Pasko.
(c) 2019/5779 Pasko