Posted on 07/04/2017 11:29:09 PM PDT by Yomin Postelnik
Judaism has survived since the Giving of the Torah (and even before) because it is based on adherence to Hashem (G-D Almighty)'s Torah. It does not change with the wind. Societies that have lost morals have fallen by the wayside. Torah never does and never will.
Israel has survived based on miracles. The 1948 war can basically be summed up as a fight of real airplanes (the Arab nations) vs paper airplanes (the Jews). 1967's odds were not much better. Hashem is our protector and Torah is what connects us with Him. It is our ultimate weapon.
Jews who abandoned their religion, or made would of their own, be it the Hellenist sycophants of the murderous Antiochus, the Karaites, the Baitusim, the early Reform movement whose descendants did not even identify as Jews two generations later and others all went by the wayside together with their bankrupt philosophies. Today is no exception, other than our immediate proximity to the Final Redemption, those doing this losing out at a time when they can and should stand with Hashem for all eternity.
Lastly, were these people to try to declare war on any other religion, they'd be shown the door. Were they to tell any other country that their support for it is contingent on the latter's agreement to suicidal land giveaways (to terrorists who’ve only been emboldened each time it was tried), such “support” would be considered a cruel joke and rebuffed. Israel has survived miraculously, in the economic area too. The last thing it needs are leftists bearing gifts.
--Background--
Torah Judaism (what some would call orthodox Judaism, although some of those who identify as such don't seem to be quite "orthodox" anymore) has lasted for thousands of years because it adheres to G-D's Torah. It also adheres to the Oral Torah, passed down from G-D to Moses and then transmitted from generation to generation through Sages.
These sages, who lived hundreds and thousands of years ago, were not modern day rabbis (even the good ones - and they certainly had nothing in common with those who can only be described as SJWabbis, who see Hashem's Torah as their personal toy to corrupt). They were people who gave every second of their life to connecting with Hashem and to spreading Hashem's Torah as is. But at least an example of the continuation of their lineage was seen by anyone who remembers the Sages of 20 years ago, the old, now ancient seeming, European rabbonim - the ones who we knew were angles compared to us.
These great rabbonim of decades past were still not part of the infaliable Mesorah. Real Orthodox Judaism believes that Ruach HaKodesh, Hashem's clear guiding power, was given only until the two main commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch (about 1600). But these old rabbonim were completely subservient to Torah and to Hashem's will. When you asked them a question on any matter, and they could answer on all matters, they answered what the Sages of old taught us through the Divine inspiration that led to the Shulchan Aruch and other texts. (Indeed, it is Jewish law that one who distorts the laws of Shulchan Aruch and its accepted commentaries on the page transgresses, in part, the prohibition of false prophecy, because it is G-dly inspired ruling that one sets aside and tramples on.)
These rabbonim didn't answer based on Hindu philosophy, the New York Times' Editorial Board's opinion of the nanosecond, the latest manifesto of Green Peace, Sigmund Freud, the rant of some drug crazed professional protestor or Al Sharpton. They didn't consider opinions of talking rabbits to be Hashem's Torah. They also didn't assume that whatever fell into their head was "Daas Torah," even though, in their case, it likely was.
(Happy is the eye who saw them. How it hurts our heart to hear of their departure.)
A second important aspect in Torah Judaism is prayer. It is solemn. It is a text written partly by King David, partly by the Sages, with pieces of Hashem's Five Books of Moses interspursed. It is not a communal event. 10 men are meant to each add their bit to the communal prayer in an orderly fashion. This harnesses men. Whether we can concentrate or not, we are required to finish a certain and specific large amount of prayer each day. The woman is more spiritual and a bit of prayer with concentration is truly meaningful. The minyan that harnesses men is generally too fast and rote for the female experience with G-D. Torah Judaism recognizes the differences in nature and psychology, even if modern society, now falling apart at the seams in all directions, does not.
--The Wall--
Let's forget about the Wall for a second. The people advocating changing it have no fealty toward religious Judaism. They seek a "Jewish culture" that is subservient to their whims. History shows that this does not last. The descendents of the founders of Reform in Germany are not Jewish today, nor are the Karaites, the Hellenistic Jews under Antiochus or any of the other groups that sought to usurp Hashem's Torah.
Now let's go back to the Wall. Are the people advocating for change seeking a more meaningful experience or closeness with G-D? Is that what all the shrieking, yelling, screaming, falsification of history ("there was always mixed prayer" - no there was never formal prayer there and formal, obligatory, prayer was never mixed) is about? If that's really their intent, they might want to go with the system that has survived for thousands of years, the system that encouraged Jews to even give their lives for Hashem. It is certainly more meaningful than the social clubs that pass for "communal prayer" in their circles.
--Now Let's Be Clear--
What do they want?
Aren't these the same people who want to give away half of Israel, parts that Israel only has because they were attacked in a war by enemies from all sides? Don't most of them want to give away the Wall (that they all of a sudden care so much about) as well? Since when does prayer occupy such importance for them? The people they're trying to shove aside pray three times daily, every day. They're trying to make a political statement.
Do they also believe that they have the right to walk into any shul, yeshiva or seminary that doesn't tickle their fancy and demand institutional change? (The answer to that is yes, but that just means that we've seen this picture before.)
Have they tried reforming Islam, or at least tried to have Confuscists, Buddhists or wayward Hindus incorporate some of their profound ideas into their practices?
Why have they stopped advocating for sickening partial birth abortion in order to go after the people at the Wall?
--Oh But They'll Hold Back "Support!" Please Do!--
If Israel doesn't kowtow to their childish demands (and they don't want to stop here and always find ways to push the envelope - the goal being to banish Torah Judaism, G-D forbid) then boo hoo hoo, they'll withhold money from Israel.
And then what? Israel can raise money from people who don't demand that it enter into suicidal "peace" negotiations with those who are as sworn to its destruction, G-d forbid, as the Nazis were in their time. Israel can raise money from actual friends instead of from self-absorbed babies who demand to dictate policy on all matters. (And if Israel even tries to cave on this it's opening the floodgates to those who never stop.)
See...
European Jews give money to Israel and don't tell Israel what to do.
Russian Jews give money to Israel and don't tell Israel what to do.
Bukharian Jews give money to Israel and don't tell Israel what to do.
Most Canadian Jews give money to Israel and don't tell Israel what to do.
American Jews who actually care about Judaism or about Israel, not just for feel good trips or for importing their hedonist nonsense in all directions, give money to Israel and don't tell Israel what to do with it.
American Christians give money to Israel and don't tell Israel what to do and view Israel as the frontline against terror.
Some Arabic countries may want to trade with Israel, with far less hassle and pain than dealing with these "radical change agents." This may actually do more to stabilize the region than anything else, as long as it's not tied to reckless and destructive land giveaways.
Doesn't the world need to stop just because some Occupy Dispensary St elitist wannabes want to sneeze?
--Can They Support Pakistan Instead?--
Their support is truly valuable.
They should ask America to take their money and "friendship," provided that America gives half of its land to La Raza.
Then offer the same deal to Putin. Half of Russia can go to Ukraine.
Iran should love them, as they give away their capital to Saudi Arabia.
Maybe Pakistan will like them. People have been executed for blasphemy there. It's a good fit. These folks like to go after all who disagree with them too.
Israel deserves better. So does the Western Wall. So does Judaism.
ping
Yes, mostly. There has been prayer at the western wall for over 1000 years that we know, have records for. It appears from what I can recall that the prayer was not slways in the current orthodox fashion, though, but mixed ( Benjamin of Toleda, etc). Nevertheless, as you point out these protesters are ( my wording) bringing shame on themselves by not respecting the established mode or mores for prayer at the wall. You don’t go somewhere and”demand” they pray the way you like. You watch or ask how they pray so that you can respect and not disrupt, disturb the prayers. But that’s not all that’s wrong with this bunch of “protesters!”, Their very claims about the wall are false to begin with! Yes, false. To wit, Israel already provides an “egalitarian” prayer area at the wall. And the Israeli government is expanding that area, too.— even now after this, imho, sickening public display of hostile or at least highly inappropriate behavior. So, what do we really have — but a bunch of “demanding protesters” without a cause, hell-bent on making as much noise and fostering as much dissection as possible. Hardly the kind of behavior we’d welcome in our homes, that’s for sure. (And yes, some of them are, as you say, otherwise unfriendly to the Jewish people, too. What is not always understood is the simple and very unfortunate fact that the Jewish people have always ( at least since Sinai) had, been afflicted with some loud and disruptive persons in their midst, people who seek to hurt the Jewish people inside- out. They will even make up lies or slanders like this, and worse at times too.). Anyone familiar with Jerusalem knows the basic falsity of their claim. Yes, prayer is in the Jewish manner at the wall but Israel has also provided a mixed sex section and Israel is expanding that area, too, right now as we type Beyond that, there’s very little to say. I’m personally glad Israel seeks to accommodate everybody she can, most other places of prayer are/can not be nearly as accommodating - and almost none would continue to welcome loud, disruptive “protesters” who only bring shame on themselves, imho.
There were always people coming and saying Psalms and personal prayers. No partition is needed for that.
Now that there are formal community prayers (Shachris, Mincha, Maariv), these prayers were mandated to be separate since they were enacted thousands of years ago.
That’s the important difference. There was never formal prayer and no one would have thought to have mixed communal prayer there before.
” So, what do we really have — but a bunch of “demanding protesters” without a cause, hell-bent on making as much noise and fostering as much dissection as possible. Hardly the kind of behavior we’d welcome in our homes, that’s for sure. “
Very well said. Agree fully with that part.
Got it. Thanks
5778 is going to be a busy year. Pay particular attention to Daniel 12.
His name is Yahuah, not Voldemort. Stop treating it like poison and start using it with reverence and respect.
It's not my place to speak for the author . . . but this is FR so I will anyways. I see a lot of reverence and respect in treating G-D's name as too holy to speak or to write out fully. It's also a very old tradition, one that has been part of an amazingly successful path to following G-D.
It's almost miraculous how well the Jews have survived for 3000+ years of following the Law, compared to the false religions that surrounded them in the days of the prophets - none of which have survived. It's almost like G-D knew what he was doing and got it right when He told the Jews how to follow Him. Who are we to argue with that much success . . . or with G-D?
“Sh’ma Yisrael: Adonai elohenu. Adonai echad.”
Pollster1 answered much better than I could. However, I’ll point out that the root of this Torah tradition is in the 10 Commandments, not to use His Name in vain. We only write this Name in holy text, do not say it and don’t write this Name wherever there’s a chance of erasure.
That is a tricky question, at least from my perspective. Just as one does not work on Shabbat, and intricate rules have been developed over what counts and does not count as "work", rules have developed over not taking the G-D's name in vain.
I am not Jewish, but I consider it important to comply with the spirit of what you consider "work" on Shabbat and what you consider "taking the Lord's name in vain". The important part is not whether your Shabbat walks are under about 1 km or under about 2 km, and whether you never carry anything when walking on Shabbat or never carry anything over 1 kg or over 5 kg. The important part is that you do not try to weasel your way around the rules, to get around the limits G-D has placed on our lives.
This is similar to the adultery issue. Whether or not Bill Clinton's escapades with his favorite intern were "sex", they were certainly a violation of the commandment on adultery. Whether or not I go through with it, whatever that phrase means, I am being unfaithful if I whisper sweet nothings in another woman's ear and then take her up to a hotel room. While many on the left criticize Vice President Pence for not having dinner alone with a woman other than his wife, I respect his abundance of caution. He is consciously complying with the rules on adultery and ensuring he never comes anywhere close to the line. It doesn't matter to him exactly where the line is, since he's not walking near to that line
I’m going to take my own advice and follow what our Sages told us to do with regard to this.
But I do want to point out that this is not the usual way the NAME is thought to be pronounced (but that’s a good thing, as we’re not supposed to pronounce or write the Name except in holy books, etc.).
Yomin Postelnik,
Here is how I arrived at the pronunciation of the name of Yahuah.
“The Name of The Father and The Name of The Son”
Blessings to you and your loved ones.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.