Comments on: Why the Happy Face?

By: Ben Aharon

Ben Aharon — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:10:25 +0000

The author alwaya displays unusual profundity, imagination combined with realism and perceptiveness in writing about the most urgent and serious issues facing both the charedi community and Medinat Yisrael.

The “Zionist Experiment” and the existence of medinat Yisrael for the past 60 years is an unprecendented phase in our 2000 years of Galuth
and present the Jewish people living there with challenges and nisyonoth
particular to these circumstances on the way to the eventual geula.

We have to view in this context the Iranian threat, the present political climate in Israel, with weak and corrupt leaders, the people largely apathetic and in denial, and many even unsure of their identity and allegiance to Israel.

Although history does not repeat itself,we can find parallels in Yirmiyahu describing the last 40 years before Cburban Bayith Rishon and, as one of the commentators mentioned, the full dachas in Poland in August 39.

Klall Yisrael is crying out for some fearless writers and commentators
to use the power of their words to portray the situation both with regard to the Iranian threat and the various aspects of the Isreali society in its stark truth. I believe we should explore new strategies to make their voice more widely heard.

And our ceaseless tefilloth should be that Hashem may bless us with new leaders who will be honest and dedicated and whom He will grant the great wisdom and understanding needed to make the right choices as we are facing these challenges to our very existance.

By: Binyomin Eckstein

Binyomin Eckstein — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:25:50 +0000

I can’t begin to understand why in Mark’s mind caring about Jews who are far from Judaism doesn’t enter the realm of Chessed, Avodas Hashem, and Kiyum Hamitzvos. What category of the Torah DOES it come under?

By: Bob Miller

Bob Miller — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:55:04 +0000

Mark asserted, “Yes, there are many little problems in our Avodas Hashem; but one huge, gaping hole: our brothers are completely lost and we don’t care!!!!”

Says who?

By: mark

mark — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 04:22:01 +0000

so far, the solutions we have are:
- torah
- chessed
- tefillah
- avodas hashem
- kiyum hamitzvos

Does anyone notice that 90% of the Jewish People are not connected to Hashem?

To think that Hashem is looking down at us, just waiting for us to start davening with a little more kavanah is ludicrous!

Yes, there are many little problems in our Avodas Hashem; but one huge, gaping hole: our brothers are completely lost and we don’t care!!!!

To just focus on the little problems – that’s like someone tending to his garden after a nuclear attack! (not to mention, we’ve been working on those problems for the last few hundred years without success)

We wouldn’t even have to mekarev anyone; just CARE. Hashem will do the rest.

By: Ori

Ori — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:19:11 +0000

Israelis who are not directly involved with security have three choices:

1. Leave
2. Be in denial
3. Go insane from worrying about things they can’t solve

Denial is a survival strategy.

By: Binyomin Eckstein

Binyomin Eckstein — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:22:09 +0000

May Hashem spare us – the dachas in Poland circa August ‘39 were packed with carefree summertime vacationers as well. It is time for increased Torah, Chessed and Tefillah.

By: Gershon Seif

Gershon Seif — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:23:40 +0000

The picture that is painted here is very bleak and worrisome. On the one hand Israel must act soon, and yet it dare not. Should Israel make a move that brings about a drastic downturn to the world’s economy, Israel will be blamed, as will governments who support Israel. This would likely have a ripple down effect on the safety of Jews worldwide. It seems like a bad dream or a doomsday scene out of a book, and yet it seems quite possible. Kal v’chomer if we bring things to the nuclear warfare level.

Aside from the obvious need to improve our Avodas Hashem and be mechazek our Limud haTorah, Tefillos and Kiyum haMitzvos, is there something the average Jew should to be doing to attempt to improve this situation?

By: B. A.

B. A. — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:53:23 +0000

There’s one word that can best explain the muted reaction in Israel: denial.

There’s another word that can account for the muted American Jewish response: apathy.

Hashem yerachem.

By: Bob Miller

Bob Miller — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:14:27 +0000

We have no way to evaluate the statements, rumors, hints, and whatnot emanating from governments and journalists who have misled us before.

The idea that we have, or can have, any real handle on the details and scenarios is fiction.

We need to express our concerns to HaShem.

By: Garnel Ironheart

Garnel Ironheart — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:09:24 +0000

I can think of two very good reasons why the Israeli public is so quiet right now.

1) Their elected leaders are habitual liars and their generals are politically appointed and barely capable of doing their jobs with honour. Who would pay attention to the shreying of such a group?

2) After the Second Lebanon War in 2006 we were promised a re-match in 2007. Never happened. Then we were promised a re-match in 2008. So far, all clear. Yes, the occasional rockets are landing in Ashkelon and Ashdod but no Israeli planes have been shot down, no Israeli oil refineries are in flames and Tel Aviv and Yerushalayim have yet to be damaged by missile fire. Despite this, the newspapers have been running op-ed pieces that shout that this will start happening ANY DAY NOW for the last 2 years. Is it any wonder people have tuned out?

By: Yehoshua Friedman

Yehoshua Friedman — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:20:54 +0000

This chilling scenario seems to be yet another compelling reason to be aware that everything depends on the Almighty. There is, however, another factor which the author has not mentioned, which must also be reckoned as agents of Hashem. That is the great number of Iranians who despise the regime but put up with it on a day-to-day basis as did the Soviet people during 70 years of Communism. The thought of the apocalyptic regime of Ahmadinejad and the ayatollahs leading their country down the primrose path to nuclear cataclysm might push millions more Iranians over the edge to do something. A revolution could be the way out. Israel and the US should be doing all they can to help. Meanwhile we learn Torah and daven.