ISRAEL MUST DEFEND ITS CITIZENS

ISRAEL MUST DEFEND ITS CITIZENS

Amos Oz

The systematic bombing of the citizens in Israel’s towns and cities is a war crime and a crime against humanity. The State of Israel must defend its citizens. It is obvious to everyone that the Israeli government does not wish to enter Gaza; the government would rather continue the ceasefire that Hamas violated and finally revoked. But the suffering of the citizens surrounding Gaza cannot go on.

 

The reluctance to enter Gaza stems not from indecisiveness but from well knowing that Hamas is actually eager to cause Israel to embark on a military operation: If dozens or even hundreds of Palestinian civilians, women and children are killed in an Israeli action, radicalism would gain strength in Gaza, Abu Mazen’s rule in the West Bank might collapse, and Hamas extremists could replace him.

 

The Arab world will rally together around the atrocious sights that Al-Jazeera will air from Gaza, and the world court of public opinion will rush to accuse Israel of war crimes. This is the same court of public opinion that remains unmoved by the systematic bombing of population centers in Israel.

Massive pressure will be exerted on Israel to restrain itself. No such pressure will be placed on Hamas because there is no one to pressure them, and there is almost nothing left with which to pressure them. Israel is a country; Hamas is a gang.

 

What remains for us to do? The best thing for Israel is to achieve a total ceasefire in exchange for alleviating the blockade of Gaza. If Hamas insists on refusing the ceasefire and continues bombing Israeli citizens, we must take care lest the military action play into Hamas’ hands. Hamas’ calculation is simple, cynical and evil: If innocent Israelis are killed – good. If innocent Palestinians are killed – even better. Israel must act wisely against this stance, and not out of the heat of the moment.

Escalada a Sul - Resposta de Israel ao Hamas

Escalada a Sul - Resposta de Israel ao Hamas

27.12.08

 

 

A razão: os contínuos e intoleráveis ataques terroristas a um quarto de milhão de cidadãos Israelitas.

 

O Hamas resolveu recentemente quebrar a trégua intermediada pelo Egipto. Só nos últimos dias, o Hamas e seus parceiros dispararam centenas de mísseis e morteiros a centros populacionais no Sul de Israel. Após um período de grande comedimento por parte de Israel e de uma tentativa para voltar à calma, a situação obrigou a uma acção militar para defesa dos seus cidadãos. Um quarto de milhão de Israelitas tem vivido sob constantes ataques terroristas provenientes da Faixa de Gaza com milhares de mísseis a serem disparados desde há oito anos. Nenhum país no mundo estaria disposto a aceitar este morticínio sobre os seus cidadãos.

 

O objectivo: dar um golpe pesado à infraestrutura terrorista do Hamas e proteger os cidadãos de israel. Enquanto que a acção militar destina-se a proteger os residentes do Estado de Israel, o seu objectivo último  é atingir duramente a crescente infraestrutura terrorista e a capacidade do Hamas e organizações que lhe estão associadas, de lançar mísseis e morteiros a cidadãos Israelitas. Se o Hamas renunciasse aos seus propósitos terroristas, não haveria qualquer necessidade de tomar esta acção. Tal como temos vindo a afirmar repetidamente - a calma será respondida com a calma, mas o terrorismo terá uma resposta.

 

A responsabilidade: a deterioração da situação é o resultado directo da política do Hamas. Violou a trégua, ataca constantemente cidadãos Israelitas e investe todos os seus recursos em armar-se e agregar poder pela violência.

 

A trégua mediada pelo Egipto foi explorada pelo Hamas não apenas para empregar medidas contra Israel mas também para ganhar força e armar-se com poderosos meios bélicos, intentando aumentar a sua capacidade terrorista e expandir o alcance da sua ameaça contra cidadãos Israelitas. Isto toma a forma de contrabando e produção de milhares de mísseis de vários tipos e dimensões (incluíndo anti-tanque e anti-ar) e de um distinto esforço para aumentar o poder letal dos seus rockets; contrabandeando e produzindo dezenas de toneladas de explosivos, cargas e armamento diverso - metralhadoras, armas e munições ligeiras; preparação de um sistema de túneis subterrâneos para contrabando e combate; treinamento de operacionais no Irão e na Síria; conseguindo financiamento para as suas actividades e aliando-se a organizações terroristas internacionais semelhantes. Israel não pode permitir o estabelecimento de uma organização similar ao Hezbollah na sua fronteira sul. Os residentes de Gaza são reféns da agenda extremista do Hamas.

 

O governo usará de todas as ferramentas ao seu dispor para providenciar os serviços essenciais aos residentes no sul. O Home Front Command, os Ministérios, as autoridades locais e as forças de segurança, emergência e salvamento estão preparados para uma acção imediata. A guerra ao terrorismo que se desenrola, requer persistência dos cidadãos Israelitas apesar das inerentes dificuldades.

 

Israel não deseja uma crise humanitária. A autoridade do Hamas na Faixa de Gaza é a única causa do sofrimento e desespero da população e da deterioração da sua situação. Há apenas alguns dias atrás, o Hamas evitou que bens humanitários entrassem em Gaza provindos do Egipto. Para fins meramente comparativos, nos primeiros meses de calma, 17.000 camiões entraram em Gaza em oposição aos 9.000 num período de tempo similar antes da trégua.

 

A organização terrorista aproveita-se dos centros populacionais Palestinianos, explorando-os cinicamente pelo que a responsabilidade de civis Palestinianos serem atingidos é sua. Israel aponta a sua ctividade aos terroristas fazendo o máximo possível para não atingir inocentes. O Hamas leva mulheres e criançass para os telhados dos edifícios onde albergam as suas actividades para prevenir ataques aéreos; envia civis para a linha de fogo; utiliza escolas e mesquitas para perpetrar ataques; dispara mísseis de centros densamente povoados; enviam mães Palestinianas assasinarem crianças Israelitas em ataques suicidas. Omar Fathi Ahmad, um membro parlamentar do Hamas afirmou numa entrevista televisiva (Fevereiro de 2008) " O Povo Palestiniano desenvolveu os seus próprios métiodos de matar... tornou-se uma indústria... tornou mulheres, vrianças e idosos em escudos humanos."

A maioria dos países no mundo e as Nações Unidas declararam o Hamas como organização terrorisa, boicotando todos os contactos com a mesma. Esperamos que as nações do mundo apoiem a guerra de Israel contra esta organizlção e se juntem a nós. O próprio Presidente Palestiniano Abu Mazen afirmou recentemente numa entrevista que o Hamas ajudou a Al Qaeda a entrar em Gaza; e o Presidente do Egipto expressou o seu receio da seguinte forma: "devido à situação na Faixa de Gaza, temos na verdade uma fronteira com o Irão".

Ao mesmo tempo que combate o terrorismo, o Governo Israelita está deliberada e abertamente a manter um processo político com o governo Palestiniano eleito, encabeçado pelo Presidente Abu Mazen e Primeiro-Ministro Fayyas. O Hamas opõe-se a estas negociações e a qualquer compromisso com Israel, constituíndo um elemento instável na região.

Israel está preparado para responder duramente a qualquer ataque ou provocação na região. Esta é uma luta entre Israel e elementos terroristas que agem contra cidadãos de Israel. Israel retirou totalmente da Faixa de Gaza em 2005 para permitir ao Palestinianos viver as suas vidas em Paz lado a lado com Israel. Neste processo, Israel evacuou todos os colonatos e bases militares e 9.000 residentes que habitavam na área. Contudo, desde que o Hamas assumiu o controlo da região, sujeita os cidadãos de Israel a constantes ataques dentro de território soberano Israelita, numa flagrante violação da leri internacional.

 

O Hamas pertence à escola de elementos extremistas que advogam a violência como o Irão, a Síria, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda, a Jihad Islâmica e outros. Isto é manifesto em instruções para continuarem a levar a cabo atentados terroristas, treino e exercícios, contrabando de armas, etc. Numa entrevista ao Sunday Times, publicada a 9 de Março deste ano, um oficial do Hamas afirmou "A Guarda Revolucionária Iraniana tem vindo a treinar operacionais do Hamas em Teerão desde que Israel retirou da Faixa de Gaza, em tácticas de guerra e armamento. Os operacionais retornam a Gaza com técnicas muito avançadas, muito semelhantes às utilizadas pelo Hezbollah."

Vayigash Parashá

GOOD MORNING! The story is told of a rabbi in a small village in Poland before World War II. One day the village priest knocks on his door and asks to speak with the rabbi. Over a cup of tea, the priest asks the rabbi if he has any idea why the Jewish homes weren't burglarized during the recent spate of burglaries? The rabbi responded, "On the doorpost of every Jewish home is a mezuzah as commanded by the Almighty in the Torah; inside the cover is a scroll with a portion of the Torah of the Shema. Our sages teach us that we place this on our doorpost and the Almighty protects are homes."

The priest got all excited - "Where can I get one? I must have one!" The rabbi gives the priest a mezuzah with hopes of not giving cause for an anti-semitic outbreak. Three days later there is a pounding on the rabbi's door - it's the priest with mezuzah in hand! "Please," begs the priest, "you must take back the mezuzah!" "Why?" asks the rabbi, "Did you get robbed?" "No" responds the priest. "Forget the robbers! I can't take all of the fundraisers coming to my door!"

To those who aren't Jewish or don't live in a Jewish neighborhood, I imagine this story will fall flat. Those who have "meshulachim" (literally "those sent on a mission") coming to their doors, sometimes 4, 5 and 6 times a night usually laugh loudly. A joke is funny because it ends with the unexpected - and because it has an element of truth. What is the truth here? The truth is that it is often difficult to have one's life interrupted multiple times a night, day in and day out, interrupting dinner, conversations, work or studying. (I once was asked during a phone call to a prospective donor, "What's the difference between you and all the other rabbis who come to see me?" I responded, "I call first to make an appointment." He laughed heartily and gave me an appointment!)

The Sages tell us that the Jewish people are known by three qualities. They are merciful, morally sensitive and they do acts of kindness (Talmud Bavli, Yevamos 79a). The Torah teaches us these values and our parents inculcate them into us. The more we are connected with learning Torah and fulfilling the commandments, the stronger these character traits are instilled into us. The Torah obligates each of us to give a tenth of our produce if we are farmers in the Land of Israel and the rabbis command us to give a tenth of our net income wherever we live.

The Torah also teaches us "do not harden your heart or close your hand to your destitute brother" (Deuteronomy 15:7) "...rather, open your hand to him ... " (Deuteronomy 15:8). When one looks at the ends of his fingers with his hand closed, all of the fingers are the same length; when one opens his hand, each finger is a different length. The Vilna Gaon teaches that we learn from this that every person's need is different and we must give according to the individual need and not just give each person the same amount.

Part of what I do in life is fundraising. (I like to think of all that I do in life as helping people, whether I am listening to a problem, giving advice, teaching - or asking for support to help strengthen the Jewish people and help Jews increase their connection to Torah and the Jewish future.) Perhaps this makes me more inclined to be sensitive and receptive to the people ringing my bell.

I am actually glad that people come to my door. Though it is often disruptive of what I am doing, think of the benefits! I get "home delivery" on an opportunity to give tzedakah (charity). And consider the value to my children's education when I get up myself to answer the door and warmly greet the person with a smile and offer him a chair, asking if he is hungry or thirsty or would like to use the bathroom?

I then call for one of my children who comes running. When he arrives at the front door, my child gives "shalom" (welcomes the person) and then asks, "Would you like something to drink?" My child takes the request and runs to get the drink (just like Avraham our forefather ran to get food for his guests!). What is the value in your children's education when they see you being sensitive to the needs of others - or in your not getting angry by the interruption or (possibly) the lack of appreciation when your donation "isn't enough"? What is the value in your own character development when you respond with patience and kindness and not with anger?

I have often said that parents only owe their children three things -example, example, example. Don't blow it for yourself or your children when the Almighty sends you an opportunity to your door!

Torah Portion of the Week
Vayigash

We left off last week with Joseph's pronouncement that he was keeping Benjamin as a slave for stealing his wine cup. Judah steps forward to challenge the decision and offers himself as a slave instead of Benjamin. Joseph is overcome with emotion, clears the room of all Egyptians and then reveals his identity to his unsuspecting brothers.

The brothers are shocked! They suspect Joseph's intentions, but accept his offer to bring the extended family to Egypt. Jacob is initially numb and disbelieving of the news, but becomes very excited to see his son.

During the famine, Joseph buys up all of the property and people in Egypt for Pharaoh with the grain stored during the seven good years. The Torah recounts the 70 members of Jacob's family which went down to Egypt. Jacob reunites with Joseph, meets Pharaoh and settles with the family in the Goshen district.

* * *

Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

The Torah states:

"And the news was heard in the house of Pharaoh saying, 'The brothers of Joseph have come' and it was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants" (Gen. 45:16).

Why was the news "good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of his servants"?

Rabbi Ovadia Sforno, a 16th century Italian commentator, teaches us that Pharaoh was pleased with Joseph's family coming to Egypt because he knew that Joseph's supervision over the land would be even greater than before. Previously, he was a stranger to the country; now that his entire family was with him, he would be a regular citizen. This will give him even greater motivation to be concerned with all his heart for the benefit of the country and all of its inhabitants.

We see two ideas here. First, if you identify with a place, you will devote much more time and energy thinking about the welfare of that place. Even if you are kindhearted, when you personally consider yourself as part of that place you will do much more than if you consider yourself to be an outsider. Learn to identify with other people. The more you identify with them, the greater will be your efforts to help them in many ways.

We also see an important principle for people who want to influence others to devote time and effort for the benefit of a community, cause or project. Make those other people feel at home. Help them personally identify with the community, cause or project. When a person feels that he is doing something for a cause that he is part of, he will use more of his talents, skills and energy for that cause!

CANDLE LIGHTING - January 2
(or go to http://www.aish.com/shabbat/candlelighting.asp)

Jerusalem 4:12
Guatemala 5:27 - Hong Kong 5:33 - Honolulu 5:43
J'Burg 6:45 - Porto KOAH 3:44 - Los Angeles 4:37
Melbourne 8:27 - Mexico City 5:51 - Miami 5:24
New York 4:22 - Singapore 6:50 - Toronto 4:34

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

If you can't be a good example
then you'll just have to be a terrible warning.
-- Catherine Aird

TZIPI LIVNI

Israeli citizens have been under the threat of daily attack from Gaza for years.

 

Only this week - hundreds of missiles and mortars shells were fired at Israeli civilian communities including the firing of 80 missiles on a single day.

 

Until now we have shown restraint. But today there is no other option than a military operation.

 

We need to protect our citizens from attack through a military response against the terror infrastructure in Gaza.

 

This is the translation of our basic right to self sefense.

 

Israel left Gaza in order to create an opportunity for peace.

 

In return, the Hamas terror organization took control of Gaza and is using its citizens as cover while it deliberately targets Israeli communities and denies any chance for peace.

 

We have tried everything to reach calm without using force. We agreed to a truce through Egypt that was violated by Hamas, which continued to target Israel, hold Gilad Shalit and build up its arms.

 

Israel continues to act to prevent humanitarian crisis and to minimize harm to Palestinian civilians.

 

Unfortunately, Hamas cynically abuses its own civilian population and their suffering for propaganda purposes. The responsibility for harm to civilians lies with Hamas.

 

Hamas is a terrorist organization, supported by Iran, that does not represent the legitimate national interests of the Palestinian people but a radical Islamist agenda that seeks to deny peace for the peoples of this region.

 

While confronting Hamas, Israel continues to believe in the two State solution and remains committed to negotiations with the legitimate Palestinian Authority in the context of the peace process, launched at Annapolis.

 

Israel expects the support and understanding of the international community, as it confronts terror, and advances the interest of all those who wish the forces of peace and co existence to determine the agenda of this region.

(Declarações da Ministra dops Negócios Estrangeiros de Israel Tzipi Livni às Agências Noticiosas Estrangeiras 27-12-2008 às 16:00)

Dori Lustron

 

La inhumana ¿Vida? de las mujeres en zonas bajo dominio taliban

Roxana Levinson

 

Medio Oriente...con ojos de mujer

http://roxanalevinson.wordpress.com/

La siguiente lista ofrece sólo una visión abreviada de la infernal vida que las mujeres afganas se ven obligadas a vivir bajo el régimen de los talibanes y refleja una amplia y dolorosa serie de privaciones y sufrimientos.   Las  mujeres, a ojos de los talibanes, no tienen importancia, salvo a los fines de la producción de niños, la satisfacción sexual de los hombres y la realización de los quehaceres domésticos.   En zonas que se encuentran bajo control de los talibanes, las violaciones y asesinatos de mujeres que supuestamente han transgredido sus restricciones son la norma.   Esas restricciones que los talibanes imponen a las mujeres incluyen:    1- Completa prohibición del trabajo femenino fuera de sus hogares, que igualmente se aplica a profesoras, ingenieras y demás profesionales. Sólo unas pocas doctoras y enfermeras tienen permitido trabajar en algunos hospitales en Kabul. 2- Completa prohibición de cualquier tipo de actividad de las mujeres fuera de sus casas a no ser que sea acompañadas de su mahram (pariente cercano masculino como padre, hermano o marido). 3- Prohibición a las mujeres de cerrar tratos con comerciantes masculinos. 4- Prohibición a las mujeres de ser tratadas por doctores hombres. 5- Prohibición a las mujeres de estudiar en escuelas, universidades o cualquier otra institución educativa (los talibán han convertido las escuelas para chicas en seminarios religiosos). 6- Las mujeres deben llevar un largo velo (burqa), que las cubre de la cabeza a los pies. 7- Azotes, palizas y abusos verbales contra las mujeres que no vistan acorde con las reglas talibán o contra las mujeres que no vayan acompañadas de su mahram. 8- Azotes en público contra aquellas mujeres que no oculten sus tobillos. 9- Lapidación pública contra las mujeres acusadas de mantener relaciones sexuales fuera del matrimonio (un gran número de amantes son lapidadas hasta la muerte bajo esta regla). 10- Prohibición del uso de cosméticos (a muchas mujeres con las uñas pintadas les han sido amputados los dedos). 11- Prohibición a las mujeres de hablar o estrechar las manos a varones que no sean mahram. 12- Prohibición de reír en voz alta (ningún extraño debe oír la voz de una mujer). 13- Prohibiciónde llevar zapatos con tacones, que pueden producir sonido al caminar (un varón no puede oir los pasos de una mujer). 14- Prohibición de viajar en taxi sin su mahram. 15- Prohibición a las mujeres de tener presencia en la radio, la televisión o reuniones públicas de cualquier tipo. 16- Prohibición a las mujeres de practicar deportes o entrar en cualquier centro o club deportivo. 17- Prohibición a las mujeres de conducir bicicletas o motocicletas, aunque sea con sus mahrams. 18- Prohibición de llevar indumentarias de colores vitosos. En términos de los talibán, se trata de "colores sexualmente atractivos". 19- Prohibición a las mujeres de reunirse con motivo de festividades o con propósitos recreativos. 20- Prohibición a las mujeres de lavar ropa en los ríos o plazas públicas. 21- Modificación de toda la nomenclatura de calles y plazas que incluyan la palabra "mujer." Por ejemplo, el "Jardín de las Mujeres" se llama ahora "Jardín de la Primavera". 22- Las mujeres tienen prohibido asomarse a los balcones de sus pisos o casas. 23- Todas las casas deben tener ventanas opacas, para que las mujeres para que las mujeres no puedan ser vistas desde fuera de sus hogares. 24- Los sastres tienen terminantemente prohibido tomar medidas a las mujeres y coser ropa femenina. 25- Las mujeres tienen prohibido el acceso a los baños públicos. 26- Prohibición a las mujeres y a los hombres de viajar en un mismo autobús. Los autobuses se dividen ahora en "sólo hombres" o "sólo mujeres". 27- Prohibición de pantalones acampanados, aunque se lleven bajo el burqa. 28- Está prohibido fotografiar o filmar a mujeres. 29- Prohibición de imágenes de mujeres impresas en revistas y libros, o colgadas en los muros de casas y tiendas.   Aparte de las anteriores restricciones a las mujeres, los talibán también: - Prohiben escuchar música, no sólo a mujeres sino también a los hombres. - Prohiben ver películas, televisión y vídeos, a todas las personas. - Prohiben celebrar el tradicional año nuevo (Nowroz) el 21 de marzo, ya que lo consideran una actividad pagana.  - Han desautorizado el día internacional del trabajo (1º de mayo), porque es tachado de festividad "comunista". - Han ordenado que toda persona que tenga nombre no islámico se lo cambie. - Obligan a la juventud afgana a raparse el pelo. - Ordenan que los varones vistan indumentaria islámica y lleven gorra. - Ordenan que los hombres no se afeiten o recorten sus barbas, que deben crecer lo bastante como para caber en un puño bajo la barbilla. - Ordenan que todo el mundo acuda a las oraciones en las mezquitas cinco veces al día. - Prohiben el cuidado de pichones y el adiestramiento de aves, describiéncolas como actividades no-islámicas. Quienes violan esta norma son encarcelados y los pájaros deben morir. El vuelo de cometas también ha sido vetado. - Obligan a todos los espectadores, cuando animan a deportistas, a cantar Allah-u-Akbar (Dios es grande) y aplaudir.     Fuente de la información: Rawa.org

Dori Lustron

COMENZO EL OPERATIVO MILITAR ISRAELI CONTRA HAMAS

Jana Beris

 

Jerusalem

 

 

La ofensiva militar de Israel contra blancos de la organización radical palestina Hamas en la Franja de Gaza, comenzó  este sábado poco antes del mediodía , dejando-según fuentes palestinas- el saldo de algo más de  200 muertos y por lo menos 350 heridos. Las cifras van cambiando y es difícil confirmarlas oficialmente por el momento. Se trata al parecer del mayor ataque aéreo lanzado por Israel contra blancos palestinos en Gaza .

 

Parecería que la enorme mayoría de los muertos eran hombres uniformados de Hamas, aunque testimonios de palestinos desde Gaza indican que también civiles fueron alcanzados indirectamente por el fuego. Según medios de comunicación israelíes , 2/3 de los muertos eran hombres de Hamas y el resto civiles.

 

Tras semanas en las que se había creado la impresión de que un complejo ataque por tierra contra instalaciones de Hamas era sólo cuestión de tiempo-en un esfuerzo israelí por detener el disparo de cohetes desde Gaza hacia su territorio-finalmente la ofensiva comenzó por aire. El ataque fue en dos vueltas, en  cada una de las cuales participaron numerosos aviones de combate de la Fuerza Aérea de Israel.

 

Más de 80 cazas de combate y helicópteros  atacaron con aproximadamente cien bombas unos 150 blancos  de Hamas, en dos vueltas, registrándose numerosos de los ataques en forma simultánea, lo cual causó gran pánico y estupor en Gaza. Los blancos fueron precisos: instalaciones de Hamas: estaciones de policía, campos de entrenamiento, oficinas de su gobierno y depósitos de armas y municiones.

 

Asimismo, fueron alcanzados numerosos lanzacohetes emplazados en el terreno, en un evidente intento de Israel de complicar la esperada reacción de Hamas y otros grupos armados, que se estimaba intentarían responder al ataque aéreo disparando nuevamente contra Israel. Y en efecto, casi 60 cohetes Kassam y misiles Grad fueron lanzados desde Gaza hacia el sur del país hasta media tarde.

 

El Primer Ministro de Israel Ehud Olmert  advirtió a la población del sur del país que " es probable que en el futuro inmediato serán disparados más misiles y hacia lugares más alejados que los alcanzados hasta ahora".

 

En una alocución especial a la nación ,  Ehud Olmert declaró que "no nos apresuramos a salir a una guerra, pero tampoco le tememos", aclarando que "el objetivo es mejorar la situación de de seguridad de la población del sur de Israel, atacada desde hace años por los cohetes disparados desde Gaza".

 

El objetivo, según lo dejó en claro Olmert , es permitir a los habitantes de dicha zona vivir una vida "normal".

 

Voceros de Hamas en Gaza declararon  que "no nos rendiremos ante los ataques enemigos" , agregando que "la resistencia a la ocupación no será doblegada". Cabe recordar que Israel se retiró de Gaza el 12 de setiembre del 2005, pero que desde entonces, los disparos hacia su territorio no se detuvieron sino que , por el contrario, se intensificaron.

 

Hamas dijo ayer que "nosotros no levantaremos bandera blanca de rendición" y su vocero Fawzi Barhum advirtió que "volverán los ataques suicidas en las ciudades de Israel".

 

Y desde Damasco, el jefe de Hamas Khaled Mashal exhortó a los palestinos en Cisjordania a "emprender una nueva Intifada, aunque les sea difícil, para responder a la agresión israelí en forma unificada".

 

En su mensaje a la ciudadanía, Olmert se dirigió de hecho también a los palestinos, aclarándoles que "no queremos castigarlos por lo que hace Hamas" y prometiendo que "nos preocuparemos por las necesidades de la población y nos esforzaremos por evitar una crisis humanitaria".

 

"Los habitantes de Gaza no son nuestros enemigos y no es contra ustedes que estamos luchando", dijo Olmert. "Esta organización terrorista, Hamas, perjudica a los dos pueblos. Israel no está contra el pueblo palestino sino contra Hamas, que promete la destrucción  de Israel ".

 

"Ha llegado el momento de luchar", declaró el Ministro de Defensa Ehud Barak , afirmando que aviones de la Fuerza Aérea habían destruido "infraestructuras terroristas" en la Franja de Gaza.  La Canciller Tzipi Livni dijo que "hasta ahora  hemos actuado con contención pero en este momento no hay alternativa a la operación militar".

 

Según Livni, el operativo israelí responde al "derecho básico de Israel de defenderse".

 

 

Israel responsabiliza totalmente a Hamas por la situación. "Los líderes del gobierno de Hamas y sus operativos, que hacen terrorismo desde centro de población civiles, son los únicos responsables por la respuesta militar israelí"-decía el primer comunicado oficial publicado desde el comienzo de la ofensiva aérea.

 

Fue precisamente la problemática de los constantes de ataques desde Gaza, con cohetes Kassam , misiles Grad y morteros, hacia la población civil en el sur de Israel, lo que llevó al operativo en curso. Israel advirtió repetidamente a Hamas cesar de atacarle, aclarando que es por esos cohetes que son cerrados, como reacción automática, los pasajes fronterizos entre Israel y Gaza.

 

Ya antes de expirar formalmente el 19 de diciembre la tregua ("tahdia"-calma) que Egipto había negociado entre Israel y Hamas, en el terreno ésta de hecho se había desmoronado. En un mes cayeron en Israel, desde comienzos de noviembre, más de 200 Kassam y en la última semana hubo inclusive 80 en un día.

 

"Dejen de disparar. No ganan nada con esto. Somos más fuertes y podemos golpearles en forma devastadora", advirtió el Primer Ministro de Israel Ehud Olmert a Hamas, en una entrevista televisada por "Al Arabía".

 

Pero las advertencias israelíes no surtieron efecto, los disparos continuaron y hace pocos días, se aprobó un operativo militar contra Hamas.

 

Ayer, en un evidente esfuerzo no sólo de vengarse contra Israel por el operativo sino de demostrar que su capacidad militar no se vio seriamente dañada, células de lanzacohetes dispararon hacia Israel varias decenas de Kassam.

 

En un impacto directo en una casa particular en la ciudad de Netivot, murió un hombre y otras personas resultaron heridas. Y por primera vez, cayó un misil en la ciudad de Kiriat Gat , que está ubicada a 20 kilómetros de la Franja de Gaza.

 

"Estamos ante un período que no será si corto ni fácil", advirtió el Ministro de Defensa Ehud Barak. "Necesitaremos determinación y perseverancia, hasta que se logre el cambio necesario en la situación en el sur del país". Antes, un comunicado del portavoz del ejército había aclarado que "si es necesario, el operativo militar será ampliado y profundizado, según lo requiera la evaluación de la situación en el terreno".

 

Israel declaró estado de emergencia en todas las localidades ubicadas a hasta 20 kilómetros de Gaza, pero hace unos días, fueron conectadas a las alarmas todas aquellas que se encuentran a una distancia de hasta 30 kilómetros de dicho territorio palestino.

¡Luces cada crepúsculo

¡Luces cada crepúsculo y
la Fiesta anual de Jánucá!
Según la tradición de La Javurá:
Kabalat shabat: 20-20'45h 
Cena en la falafelería Kilím (que está delante de los Cines Lys): 20'55
Película en los Cines Lys: a las 22h
Por tradición la pelí tiene que cumplir con dos requisitos
(1) qué tenga una profunda carencia de lo profundo
(2) qué sea diver. 
En el pasado hemos visto Titánic 
Princesa por sorpresa (que fue un error monumental)
 Happy Feet, Harry Potter y Aladín

AT/A Moshe Prera

O canto absoluto da minha infância no deserto

Tragédia em Bombaím

by Rabbi Dr. Daniel P. Aldrich

Words may fail us, but actions cannot.

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At times like this, words fail us. We are struck silent by the sheer barbarism and scope of the tragedy: the cold blooded murder of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg -- a young couple who left behind all of the creature comforts of life in the West to go and help other Jews -- four other Jews shot dead inside the Chabad House, another 169 people killed, and 240 wounded.

I personally benefited from the self-sacrifice of the Holtzbergs. In 2003, they moved to Mumbai, giving up the comforts of the West in order to spread some light in one corner of the world. They purchased and renovated the building formerly known as the Nariman House into a beautiful five-story hotel, full of rooms for guests, dining rooms, and large pantries to hold all the kosher foodstuffs necessary to feed the multitude of visitors each week. The Chabad House was a glowing beacon of holiness in a city filled with poverty and starvation.

A few months ago, I left my family behind to travel to India to carry out fieldwork and research. Long before I stepped onto the airplane, I knew I'd be in good hands -- friends contacted the Holtzbergs to ensure that I would have a place to connect with other Jews, pray, and have a warm, home-cooked meal.

During my month-long stay in India, I met Sandra Samuel, the helper and nanny for the Chabad in Mumbai for several years. Sandra overcame the natural instinct of self preservation and re-entered an upper floor of the Chabad House to rescue Moshe, the Holtzberg's 2-year-old son. She later recalled, "I just grabbed the baby and ran out."

The baby became an orphan in blood-soaked clothes.

I doubt that many of us would be able to look past our own selfish desire to save ourselves and put ourselves in harm's way. She is one of no doubt many quiet heroes who have emerged at these horrendous times.

The Holtzbergs made sure that all of us felt welcomed and comfortable. Most of all, they helped us to feel Jewish.

Every night that I visited the Chabad House, the place was packed with Jews from around the world who had come to Mumbai. Some were Israelis looking for a chance to relax after an intense tour in the Israeli army; others were businessmen seeking to cut deals with the well-known textile merchants nearby. Some were tourists looking to experience the local Indian Jewish community known as the Bnei Israel. The Holtzbergs made sure that all of us felt welcomed and comfortable.

Rabbi Holtzberg was a Torah scholar and trained as a mohel and shochet. Together with his wife they ran a synagogue, taught Torah classes, counseled drug addicts, and fought the poverty they saw all around.

Most of all, they helped us to feel Jewish. Even those soldiers who had long ago stopped attending synagogue wiped back a tear as we sang "Shalom Aleichem" around the Shabbat table.

Moving Forward

This is not the first time that a Chabad rabbi has been cut down by a terrorist. Back in the 1950s, a rabbi and four students were killed in the Israeli village known as Kfar Chabad. These residents had arrived from Europe, leaving a land decimated by the Holocaust to rebuild a new Jewish society in the miniscule land of Israel. After their death, many of their friends felt the hopelessness and despair we feel now.

It is said that the Lubavitcher Rebbe sent a telegram to the survivors of the attack that had only three Hebrew words:B'hemshech habinyan tenu'chamu -- "You will feel comfort through continuing to build."

And that is the message for us today: Continue to build. Do not give up. Do not let hate or a desire for vengeance blind us to the positive impact that all of us can have.

Because if we become afraid, immobilized, hesitant, then we've handed the terrorists a victory.

Words may fail us, but actions cannot. The Jewish community has already come together over this issue; thousands of emails, blogs, and websites have called upon Jews around the world to say Psalms, give charity, and do acts of kindness. On online bulletin boards where tempers can too often flare, arguments were quickly shelved and cooperation ensued.

We can all put our grief, our disbelief, our desire to do something into action -- and we must do it quickly.

We can all put our grief, our disbelief, our desire to do something into action -- and we must do it quickly. Send money to a Jewish cause. Spend some time telling your parents, children, and friends how much you love them and care for them. See what positive things you can do for an ailing neighbor or a depressed friend.

We are at war with many enemies, those who seek to turn our planet to darkness. The Holtzberg's were on the front lines of dispelling that darkness, putting the beauty of Judaism against loneliness and despair. For many of the backpackers and visitors, coming into contact with the joy and love extended by Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg gave them their chance to embrace their Jewish heritage.

They were struck down in the line of duty. So in their memory, learn about the beautiful Jewish heritage they sought to spread. And share it with others.

In the comment section below, share your thoughts and condolences, which will be forwarded to the families of those who perished in the Chabad House of Mumbai.

lecha dodi

Parashá Vayetze

GOOD MORNING!

Rabino Kalman Packouz

 Last week I wrote about Trust in God. It occurred to me that for one to trust in God, one must first believe in the existence of God. It has been said that to a believer, no evidence is necessary and to a disbeliever, no evidence is sufficient. However, if one is inclined to believe and wants evidence, the evidence exists.

There are 7 classical categories of evidence why we, the Jewish people, believe that the Almighty exists. Lawrence Kelemen put together a nice presentation of several categories in Permission to Believe(available at your local Jewish bookstore, at judaicaenterprises.com or by calling toll-free to 877-758-3242).

One of the classical presentations is the Design Proof. Reduced to its simplest form: If you find a watch in the desert you don't exclaim, "Wow! Millions of years of sand blowing in the desert and poof ... you have a watch!" Design implies designer. Someone designed the watch. When you compare the complexities of a watch with that of a human body, or any microcosm of the human body like the eye, the watch pales in comparison.

Recently my beloved colleague, Rabbi Stephen Baars (of GetBliss.com fame for helping people create great marriages) sent me a November "Discovery Magazine" article entitled "A Universe Built for Us" which updates evidence for the Design Proof to include the whole universe!

The basic theme of the article is that "...everything here, right down to the photons ... bears witness to an extraordinary fact about the universe: its basic properties are uncannily suited for life. Tweak the laws of physics in just about any way and - in this universe, anyway -life as we know it would not exist."

The article gives examples of unrelated properties of the universe, gravity, atoms, etc.:

"There are many such examples ... so many, in fact, that physicists can't dismiss them all as mere accidents.

" 'We have a lot or really, really strange coincidences, and all of these coincidences are such that they make life possible.' Linde says.

"Physicists don't like coincidences. They like even less the notion that life is somehow central to the universe, and yet recent discoveries are forcing them to confront that very idea. Life, it seems, is not an incidental component of the universe, burped up out of a random chemical brew on a lonely planet.... In some strange sense, it appears that we are not adapted to the universe; the universe is adapted to us."

What an amazing article! What tremendous testimony to the order and design of the universe. And what did the writer conclude from the order and design of the universe?

"Call it a fluke, a mystery, a miracle. Or call it the biggest problem in physics. Short of invoking a benevolent creator, many physicists see only one possible explanation: Our universe may be but one of perhaps infinitely many universes in an inconceivably vast multiverse."

In other words, the only way they can explain how we ended up with such a universe is that there must be billions of other universes out there that didn't work, and we are on the one that did! Even the article admits it's a theory that cannot be proved or unproved, you can't find these universes. The only reason to have the theory of multiverse is so they don't need God.

I imagine it is possible that the writer could just have easily concluded: "many physicists see only one possible explanation: Our universe was created by God." However, he decided to conclude that we are the product of a virtual improbable and unprovable probability. It reminds me of a quote which I will paraphrase from W.C. Fields, "I tried bourbon and water and got drunk, I tried scotch and water and got drunk, I tried vodka and water and got drunk. And you know what I learned? Stay away from water!" To a believer, no evidence is necessary and to a disbeliever, no evidence is sufficient...

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EXISTENCE OF GOD

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Torah Portion of the Week
Vayetze

This week we have the trials and tribulations of Jacob living with and working for his father-in-law, Laban. Jacob agreed to work as a shepherd 7 years for Rachel only to have Laban switch daughters on him at the marriage ceremony. (This is why we have the bedekin, the lifting of the veil, at traditional weddings - to ensure one is marrying the right bride.)

As Jacob tries to build his equity, Laban changes their agreement time after time. After 20 years, the Almighty tells Jacob the time has come to return to the land of Canaan. Jacob and his household secretly leave only to be pursued by Laban who has claims to put forth. The story ends with peace and blessings between Jacob and Laban.

* * *

Dvar Torah
based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin

The Torah states:

"And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son and she called his name Reuven, because she said the Almighty has seen my affliction, for now my husband will love me. And she conceived again and she gave birth to a son. And she said, for the Almighty has heard that I am hated, and he gave me also this. And she called his name Shimon" (Genesis 29:32,33).

What differences do we see in these two verses on how the Almighty perceived Leah's plight? What do we learn from this?

In the first verse, the Almighty saw Leah's affliction. In the second verse, the Almighty heard that she is hated.

Since we have a mitzvah (commandment) to emulate the Almighty, we need to learn from here to become more sensitive to the emotional pain of others however they express it. People express their pain through words and through variations in their facial expressions and body language.

To hear someone's pain, be aware of both the content and the tone of voice of another person. The more perceptive you become, the more you will notice slight nuances in tone of voice that reflect painful feelings.

Also, learn to see someone's pain even if he does not express it verbally. Be aware of slight changes in a person's facial expression, skin color, breathing rate, muscle tone that serves as an announcement of emotional suffering. The more you are able to notice pain, the more chesed (kindness) you will be able to do.

CANDLE LIGHTING - December 5
(or go to http://www.aish.com/shabbat/candlelighting.asp)

Jerusalem 4:00
Guatemala 5:14 - Hong Kong 5:21 - Honolulu 5:31
J'Burg 6:31 - Oporto - Kehillah Or Ahayim 3:34 - Los Angeles 4:25
Melbourne 8:12 - Mexico City 5:39 - Miami 5:11
New York 4:12 - Singapore 6:39 - Toronto 4:23

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

If you want to tell people the truth,
make them laugh,
otherwise they'll kill you.
-- Oscar Wilde

With Deep Appreciation to Jack & Diana Hirsch

Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Kalman Packouz

Click here for Rabbi Packouz's bio
Create warmth and help build a better world...

Copyright Rabbi Kalman Packouz 2008

This article can also be read at: http://www.aish.com/torahportion/shalomweekly/Vayetze_5769.asp

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Author Biography:

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