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Aliyah

WE WILL SURVIVE

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star of david 300x223 WE WILL SURVIVEThis title, I believe, is most appropriate for the Jewish people’s historical survival. Indeed, could you answer the following questions: What group of people has been the cause of humanity’s greatest hatred? What religious entity has provoked such universal, deep and permanent hatred, or antisemitism, in pagan, religious and secular societies?  The answer of course is the Jews.

In general, as years go by, people tend to suffer from long-term memory. So let me refresh you and substantiate what I have indicated in the above paragraph. The Jews have been accused of both being communists and capitalists; they have been branded as rootless cosmopolitans and ethnic chauvinists. Jews have been wrongly accused from the middle ages up till now of drinking the blood of non-Jews, that they are guilty of causing plagues, such as the Black Plague, of poisoning wells and that they murdered God himself. Jews have been expelled from virtually every country in which they have resided. Most of the world’s great powers, while Jews only comprised a small percent of the population, have regarded Jews as their central enemy. This particular phenomenon started as early as the Greek persecutions of Jews during the Second Temple period and it continued with the late Roman Empire, the Arabs and the Christian world for over 15 centuries. More recently, I am sure you all know about the Holocaust perpetrated by the Nazis in Europe.

The attempts of non Jews to destroy the Jewish people from the earliest times until the present are too numerous to enumerate as explicitly written in Psalm 83:5 “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may no more be remembered.”  The survival of the Jewish people has been so uncertain that it is reflected in a statement of the Haggadah which says “In every generation they rise against us in order to annihilate us.”

Yet, astonishingly, in spite of the Jews’ small numbers and dispersion throughout the world, Jews have survived and most surprisingly, have kept their Jewish identity with the culmination of the birth of the State of Israel. Although we are now in charge of our own destiny, we continue to be harassed and hated by the Muslim world which combines anti-Semitic motifs from Nazism and medieval Christendom as well as from their own tradition. This harassment is supported by the rest of the world who, cognizant of the suicidal consequences of carving a Muslim State in the heart of Israel, still keep pressuring Israel to abide by this devastating policy.

The Jewish people should pause and think what they have done wrong to deserve this treatment throughout the ages. The Jewish scriptures say “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “and My servant whom I chose,” meaning, as servants of God, we are supposed to deliver a message to the world, and we haven’t done so. As the great Jewish thinker Abraham Joshua Herschel said “The Jews are a messenger who forgot his message.” The time is approaching for the Jews to remember the message since I believe that the time for the redemption is coming soon, and when this happens, the miraculous survival of the Jewish people did indeed have a messianic purpose.

April 6, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , ,

Aliyah

TAKE YOUR SEAT IN THE BUS

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The prophecy of Gog and Magog

The prophecy of Gog and Magog

I thought that you would like to read additional information of interest with regard to the Aliyah campaign that Israel is launching for those Jews who are still undecided or clinging to their “safe” lifestyle. You may also check my previous essay on this subject.

Pessah is approaching and when reading the Haggadah we recall the miracle of the 10 plagues that forced the then Pharaoh to let the Jewish slaves go to Canaan, or Israel.  Yet, in spite of the powerful signals, the Midrash states that only 20% of the Jews left Egypt and followed Moses.  This means that 80% of the Jews ignored the plagues and miracles hitting their faces, preferred to stay behind as slaves, and ignored Hashem’s warnings, rather than redeeming themselves.  These Jews missed the opportunity to leave, and throughout centuries assimilated and were no longer part of the covenant. No wonder the Jewish world population, albeit ancient, only amounts to less than 13 million Jews.

During the Nazi years, you may surmise that the Jews did not have a chance or time to escape annihilation. In fact they did; antisemitism throughout Europe started in the 19th century and became more virulent during Hitler, culminating in the Holocaust. Early antisemitic warnings did not deter the Jews to leave Europe and find refuge in Palestine. Only those who understood the warnings escaped unharmed, and the rest, probably 80%, such as during the Exodus, remained and perished.

Presently, we are receiving clear warnings that antisemitism is again on the rise throughout the world, and even in the U.S. Our “stronger ally” the U.S., under the new President, Barack Hussein Obama, is concocting the demise of the Jewish state through the two-state solution, ignoring the Iranian nuclear threat, and trying to schmooze with terrorist entities such as Hamas. We are also witnessing plagues such as Katrina, the 9/11 terrorist attack, the economic collapse, and the Jews will be blamed for the disasters of the world. The clear positive miracles are the birth of the Jewish state; Israel’s miraculous victories in all its wars against several Arab armies, the reunification of Jerusalem, the beginning of the ingathering of the exiles to Israel, the turning of a desert into a beautiful garden and the reappearance  of the lost 10 tribes of Israel.

The final war of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) or World War III is approaching and sooner than you expect it. This war will end with the destruction of Israel’s enemies by God Himself.  Verse 22 of Ezekiel tells us that there will be plagues, torrents of rain, hailstones, and burning sulfur.  Just as God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, he will destroy these invading forces.  Once again, God will give the nations proof that He is the Holy One in Israel.

Jews of the Diaspora are urged to reflect on past mistakes, see the obvious signs, pack up and find refuge in the Holy Land while there is time. The conditions to facilitate aliyah are much easier now than they were in the past – a clear message from God to take this opportunity; it is God’s last warning. Do not miss your seat in the bus of redemption and make the wise decision to come to Israel while you still can.

March 25, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , ,

Aliyah

ALIYAH – FINAL JEWISH DESTINATION

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israel flag 300x225 ALIYAH – FINAL JEWISH DESTINATION

Thousands of years of Jewish suffering, expulsions, and antisemitism, and still a large portion of the Jewish population throughout the world have not yet settled in Israel. Those who have come in the past decades have been forced to make the move due to the regimes they have been subjected to, such as Jews from Russia and the Arab countries. Jews in the Diaspora feel comfortable in their nice homes, well paid jobs and they are treated with respect, for now. But hold on to your hats, things may change when you least expect it. The world economy is in shambles, major Jewish investment firms have been accused of stealing people’s investments, and terrorist regimes are on their way to become nuclear. Who do you think are going to be blamed? The Jews! Worrisome news indicates that world’s antisemitism has increased by many folds, similarly to the Nazi times, and I believe it would be wise for Jews in the Diaspora to take the big step and contemplate moving to Israel. Moreover, if you care for Jewish survival, and especially avoid the scourge of assimilation which distances so many Jews from their religious faith and origins, you should challenge yourself and aspire to new spiritual heights.

Israel, the Holy Land, is a multicultural society and several languages are spoken. Israel remains today a bastion of freedom for any Jew in the entire world. Healthcare is available to everyone. It is a thriving democracy with rapidly expanding businesses; in fact, it is called Silicon II in the high tech and biomed industries. As opposed to what is shown on television throughout the world, this is in no way a war torn country. In fact, everyone who has made aliyah will tell you that they feel safer than in most Western countries. You can see toward the evening hours, mothers strolling with their babies, and people jogging. If you are not necessarily religious, but traditional, you will find that Jewish holidays are celebrated throughout the country and Shabbat, the day of rest, is marked by reunification of family and friends.

I am not surmising it is easy to move to Israel, in fact it isn’t. But, as opposed to the earliest olims, the move to Israel is now much easier, especially with the benefits and incentives offered by the Ministry of Absorption and the Nefesh B’ Nefesh organization. Within one year, I promise that you will acclimatize yourself to the pluses and minuses, and will settle with comfort and feel connected to the land. Many wealthy Jews prefer to live physically in Western countries, but die in Israel. Why not do both? As the Jewish scriptures states: “Behold, I have set the land before you. Go in and possess the land which the L-rd swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them and to their seed after them” (Deuteronomy 1:8). The Torah promises to eventually redeem us and return our inheritance to us; it appears that due to the series of natural calamities and man-made tragedies presently afflicting the world, it appears to me that the time has come.

March 19, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , ,

Aliyah

WHY YOU SHOULD BELIEVE IN JEWISH DESTINY

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jewish destinyThe proof is in the pudding or so the old proverb says. There is a large majority of Jews (let alone non Jews or Gentiles) who are skeptical about the Jewish religion meaning the existence of a supernatural “God” who “gave the Torah to the Jewish people” and of the strange status of Jews as the “chosen people.” Like in science, a theory has to be proven that it works; otherwise, it has no chance of passing through. We are physical beings and thus naturally believe what we can see or touch. On the other hand, how can you prove a thought or a feeling?

In Jewish history, which encompasses nearly four thousand years, we claim to be descendants of the ancient Israelites who settled in the land of Israel through our common lineage to the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Our most holy and sacred writings in Judaism is the Tanach (24 books), comprising of the Torah (also known as the five books of Moses), Nevi’im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (writings).  Most of the writings in the Torah on the supernatural miracles, such as the exodus from Egypt, the 10 plagues, parting of the sea, the manna, etc., are read with disbelief and mostly considered by seculars and atheists as legend. However, one of the most important tenets of Judaism is knowledge. Only through the acquisition of knowledge and analysis of history that most, if not all of this skepticism, will be entirely dissipated.

Over three thousand years ago, the Jewish prophets delineated precisely the course of Jewish history, and so far, all of their predictions have taken place. For example:

Exile - worldwide dispersion of the Jewish people among the nations of the earth (Deutoronomy 4:26-27); in spite of our small number, the Jewish people has never assimilated and has maintained its identity

Antisemism – Hatred of the Jew has been a unique and historical phenomenon which does not fit the normal laws of history (Leviticus 26:36-38; Deuteronomy 28:65-67)

Forced conversion – There was forced conversion of the Jews such as during the Inquisition in Spain and Islam (Jeremiah 16:13; Deuteronomy 4:27-28)

Few in number – While the Jewish nation is ancient, its numbers are few (Deuteronomy 4:27; 28:62)

Jewish contributions to civilization – Extravagantly out of proportion to the rest of the world, contributions in science, literature, art, music, finance, medicine (Isaiah 42:6; Genesis 12:2-3; Isaiah 60:2-3)

Desolation of the land – During the 2,000 years of exile, no conqueror succeeded in annexing the Land of Israel because it had become a desolate waste (see writings of Mark Twain when he visited Israel in 1867, pp 216-359). (Ezekiel 33:28-29; Jeremiah 9:10; Deuteronomy 29:21-22)

Return – The greatest miracle is the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 against all odds after 2,000 years of exile and the return of the Jews to Israel (Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Isaiah 49:18-22; Jeremiah 31:6-7)

To summarize, what more proof do you need to see the hand of God in Jewish history? All of these prophecies were written over 3,000 years ago, and albeit nonsensical, they have been fulfilled to the letter. How could these prophets have predicted the unpredictable?

February 22, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Aliyah

WORLDWIDE ANTISEMITISM

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Indeed, world antisemitism is on the rise and one wonders whether we are witnessing a repeat of the history prior and during World War II.  It signals that this scourge is very much like a dormant virus that awakens when conditions are propitious.  And this time is the downturn of the world economy, the conflict in Gaza with a terrorist entity and the rise of Islamism.

You would think that the civilized world, and by this I mean, the Western world, would side with a small country like Israel that has been enduring continuous rocket attacks against its citizens for the past eight years from an implacable terrorist entity bent on its destruction. But no, Israel is a Jewish country, and thus all Jews worldwide are complicit with the Jewish State’s defensive conflict against Hamas.

For those of you who have no knowledge of the offensives that took place throughout Europe in the 1930′s, you may wonder what types of Jew-baiting are considered antisemitic? Take for example the recent demonstrations (with a certain degree of encouragement by UN agencies),  that took place in college campuses in the UK, in Italy, in Sweden, Norway, Spain, Canada, and even in American campuses; diatribes such as “gas the Jews,” “boycott the Jews,” “Jews are guilty of the global economic meltdown,” and the onslaught against the Venezuelan Jewish community by President Hugo Chavez. Old synagogues are being defaced; Jewish cemeteries desecrated, “respectable” media rush to demonize Israel through unsupported claims. And let not forget the internet and media publications. This Jew bashing will indeed become more aggravated with the upcoming Durbin II conference in March.

So, what is a Jew to do in the face of this global pandemic? There is indeed a rational solution: Take the giant step of making aliyah. Yes, it is not easy to leave a comfortable life behind, but do not wait much longer when the situation may deteriorate to the point where it would be even more difficult. You should be worried today, but do not expect that tomorrow things may improve. Israel is a vibrant multicultural country, filled with life, determination and where you will identify with pride of being a Jew. We do not have natural resources, but we have the vision and the intellect to have made this small strip of land into a beautiful garden. And besides, whether you are religious or secular, it was written by the prophets over three thousand years ago, that Israel is eternal and that it is our home.

February 18, 2009 · Tagged with , , , , , , , ,