Life has been a little “cray-cray” lately. Between family excitement and getting to cover a few extra shifts at my “real job”, I’ve not had much time to write. And I really, really hate that! It’s taken me since Monday to get to finish this column I’ve wanted to do for The Zelman Partisans since last week. Since before the horrific attack at the Har Nof Synagogue. My heart is just broken over the massacre.
My team mate Y.B. Ben Avraham did an excellent column on the massacre at Har Nof, you can read it here
My latest is “Follow The Leader“. It’s loooong, so grab a big cup of coffee. There are a lot of links in it, so you can check out what I’ve stated. The one with Yehuda Glick getting arrested with his goat is pretty funny. The one about 8th graders in California decideding the Holocaust was a hoax for political and financial gain is sickening, as is the information about what common core is bringing.
Imagine you lived in a country where the ability to worship G-d was being outlawed, where your language and culture was disappearing. Where Preachers were jailed or killed for preaching the Bible or Tanakh? You think I’m talking about America, now? Maybe. Because football players are made to remove Crosses from their helmets, because for a time the Navy was told to remove the little Gideon Bibles from the rooms of their guest lodges? Because courts rule a Cross or the 10 commandments can’t be displayed? Maybe. But it’s not the first time in history. Let’s take a little trip back to Ireland.
Yep, Ireland, no I don’t have the wrong “I” country. We’re stopping off in Ireland on the way. In Ireland in the late 1600-till the later part of the 1700 there were a set of laws called “The Penal Laws”. The final bits were repealed in 1920. They affected Catholics and other dissidents. They entailed things like:
Exclusion of Catholics from most public offices (since 1607), Presbyterians were also barred from public office from 1707.
Ban on intermarriage with Protestants.
Presbyterian marriages were not legally recognized by the state
Catholics barred from owing firearms or serving in the armed forces.
Prohibition on Catholics owning a horse valued at over £5
‘No person of the Catholic religion shall publicly or in private houses teach school, or instruct youth in learning within this realm’ upon pain of twenty pounds fine and three months in prison for every such offense.
And this is only part of them. But here’s a couple questions for you to mull over. WHY did they want to prohibit the Catholics from owning weapons? Who got to determine what the horse was worth?
The harsh rules gave rise to the hedgerow schools. Parents who were determined to save their children from being indoctrinated with beliefs other than what they held, and what they wanted their children to learn began to form and utilize “Hedgerow Schools”. This was forbidden because England wanted all the children to be taught the way they wanted them to be taught and what they wanted them to be taught. The Hedgerow Schools thrived. They were sometimes held in barns, homes but often in Hedgerows, with one child acting as a lookout. And they needed a lookout. If they were caught there were fines and imprisonment for all. There was a lot to lose. But the parents wanted their children to learn, the teachers wanted to teach and would travel around conducting these early forms of “home schooling” in defiance of the state mandated education.
Their language, culture and faith were under attack, and this is what they had to do to preserve it. They did it.
Now let’s go even further back in time. Achshav Annachnu b’Ysrael. NOW we are in Israel.
The women’s Bible study group is doing Daniel. Let’s go back to the time of Antiochus, he liked to be called Epiphanes, although the Jews often called him Epimanes, the mad one. While Antiochus reigned Jews were forbidden to practice their religion, own a Torah, let alone read it, or observe festivals,or even the Sabbath. The people could not even admit they were Jewish. 40,000 were killed and 40,000 sold into slavery when Jerusalem was sacked and the temple was defiled. Animals that were forbidden to Jews were sacrificed on it’s alter. Now, during this time there were observant Jews and Hellanized Jews. Meaning Jews that were fine with what Antiochus was doing. Mainly urban upper crust, they wanted to dispense with Jewish law and adopt the Greek lifestyle. As I understand it for political and economic reasons.
And into this hot mess comes The Maccabees. I adore the Maccabees! It all started when Jews were ordered to offer sacrifices to Greek idols. A rural Jew know as Mattathias Maccabee refused. Not only did he refuse, but he killed the Hellenized Jew that stepped forward to offer a sacrifice to the idol in his name. Mattathias REFUSED to allow his name to be put on the offer of a sacrifice to an idol. From there the Maccabees took flight to the Judean wilderness. After Mattathias’ death about one year later in 166 BC, his son Judah Maccabee led an army of Jewish dissidents to victory over the Seleucid dynasty in guerrilla warfare, which at first was directed against Hellenizing Jews, of whom there were many. Judah Maccabee is noted as one of the greatest warriors in Jewish History, alongside David, Gideon and Joshua! So that’s how the Maccabean Revolt began. The Maccabees retook the city of Jerusalem. Judah ordered the Temple to be cleansed, a new altar to be built in place of the polluted one and new holy vessels to be made. According to the Talmud, unadulterated and undefiled pure olive oil with the seal of the kohen gadol (high priest) was needed for the menorah in the Temple, which was required to burn throughout the night every night. The story goes that one flask was found with only enough oil to burn for one day, yet it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of kosher oil for the menorah. A great miracle, nachon?
Which brings us to this, a Dreidel/Savivon. Remember the Hedgerow Schools of Ireland? Well, while Jews were forbidden to study their Bible/Tanakh, forbidden to pass their faith onto their children they would go up into caves and hide. They would begin to teach the children, and they themselves would study. When they heard the Greek soldiers approaching they would put their Torah away and whip out the Savivon/Dreidel and begin to play. It could be a childrens game, or a gambling game. So it would appear to to the soldiers they were merely hiding and gambling. This is what they had to do to hold on to their faith, to pass it on to their children. To retain their culture and customs, they were willing to hide in caves, risk being caught by the soldiers and pay the penalty, death. Like the Irish, they found a way, and they did it.
Which brings us to the Savivon/Dreidel itself. Let’s look at the markings on the sides of the Dreidel, first is the Nun,נ and it stand for the word Nes, which means Miracle. Then we have the letter Gimmel, ג which stands for Gadol, which means Great. Next is Hey, ה for Hayah which means Happened. Now, this is where it gets quite interesting. In Israel, the next letter if Pei, פ for Poh which means Here. In every other country the letter will be Shin, ש for the word Sham. So, putting it together you have Nes Gadol Hayah Poh, or Nes Gadol Hayah Sham. A great miracle happened here or there, depending on if you are in Israel or not. After the State of Israel was founded in 1948 the Hebrew letters were changed for dreidels used in Israel.
If you look at what lengths the Irish and Jews went to back then to ensure the survival of their culture and religion it seems pretty sad now that some voices can be shut down by screeches of “racism” or “intolerance” or “hater”, simply for wanting to discuss an issue, preach from the Bible or Tanakh doesn’t it?
I personally carry a Dreidel/Savivon in my purse. All the time. It reminds me to be vigilant and committed to doing everything I can to ensure freedom.
And since we are in the midst of Sukkot, I will point you to an excellent article on Sukkot over at The Zelman Partisans, you have subscribed haven’t you?
This coming Sunday is going to be the Second Annual “A Taste of Israel”! The Israel Spirit Committee is bring a bit of Israel to Lone Jack, MO. to Open Range Fellowship. And that should be a good time! It certainly was last year. You can find us at 204 E. Casey Rd. in Lone Jack MO from 11:30-1600 (4 PM) on Sunday the 21st. Admission is FREE, so we are hoping for a great crowd!
We will again have the very popular section on “Hebrew-God’s Language”. In addition to that will will have a class on Dreidel/Savivon. I’m pretty excited about that since I’m teaching it! It will be my first time to teach a class for Israel Spirit. If you don’t realize the Savivon has political overtones, well it’s because you haven’t sat through my class!
We will also have fabulous food! So, if you didn’t make it to the Ethnic Enrichment Festival and are craving the best Felafel, Hummus and Israeli Salad, not to mention stuffed Dates? Well then, you have another chance! A combination plate with Felafel, pita bread, hummus, Israeli salad and a pickle slice will only set you back $4.00, a hummus plate is $3.00 and stuffed dates for dessert? $1.00……that’s some good bargain on great food!
We will also have the Tikvah team that will be demonstrating Israeli folk dancing and then most happily for me, there will be community dancing! And I have it on VERY good authority (thank you Sue-Ellen) that we will be doing the “Goat Dance” Tayish.
We may have a story telling section too, and of course we will have a history section.
I’ve got a slide show that can run through the whole day. Well, alright, it might have to repeat a few times, but it’s well over an hour long.
In the hall we will have a “passport” area, where you will be issued a passport upon your arrival. Since your name won’t be in it yet, we have a very nice gentleman who will write your name in it, in Hebrew! We will have an archeology dig for the kids, and Jerusalem Stone in KC is donating some stone and tiles to make the beautiful mosaics that everyone loved last year.
You can peruse the “Did you Know” cards and see how much you did or didn’t know about Israel. But no matter what, you will know more when you are done!
It should be a fun filled day for the whole family. Food, Fellowship and Fun. Does it get any better? Come join us!
Well, I AM having a blast! Despite the fact it rained on Friday, which we were so busy I didn’t really notice as the crowd just kept coming. Good friends came by to say “Hi”, and they brought their most adorable “Vikings in Training”. I chopped cucumbers for the Israeli salad. In retrospect, I might have been a bad choice. I had been frustrated earlier in the day and by the time Erin came to check on me she just kind of stared at the cucumber minces. “Um, are we doing them extra fine this year?” “No, are they too small? I’m really enjoying this!” “Um, well, they are pretty small”. I kind of think she was deciding if they discernible as cucumber. So I started chopping them bigger and it does go much quicker. From there I proceeded to do food plate prep. Now this is a ton of fun for me. The team member standing out front who does a super job of pulling in the crowd is the “Force of Nature”. The “Force of Nature” greatly enjoys yelling at me and asking “Why is this not ready, they have been waiting too long”. The first year this routine started I had to ask another Israeli what I could yell back at him. Things have progressed nicely and having worked on learning Hebrew I now have more than one choice of things I can yell back at him. Why yes, I do greatly enjoy myself! Besides, I really do like to make the plates of food look pretty. Which is probably why I so enjoyed decorating the craft booth. Bless her heart, Deb trusted me to decorate the craft booth, she supplied me with some awesome decorations, a ladder, some awesome nylon string rope, and turned me loose. I think it came out pretty!
The Israel Spirit Banner for the craft booth
The very pretty Seven Species streamer in place.
Can you see the pretty silver and blue Star of David fountain?
So today was the Parade of Flags. I am VERY excited. I get to be one of the two people from the Israeli group and Jeannie and I will be in the Parade. I get to carry the Israeli Flag! I am almost beside myself with excitement. The morning starts out with Deb and I replacing the white table clothes on the work tables, and then we need to get one under the now non-functional Frozen coffee machine. That sucker is HEAVY! We decide to put the folded up cloth under one leg at a time. And that’s when the train came off the tracks. I inadvertently hit the dispenser arm, and it dispensed some of the left over coffee we couldn’t get drained out. On me, and my white Israel Spirit committee t-shirt. We persevered. And I managed to lay open a part of my palm. It would NOT quit bleeding. I knew it hurt, I didn’t know I was cut till I looked down and there was a fair amount of blood. I just couldn’t get it to quit with pressure. Deb finally called the EMT squad that resides at the festival. They show up, greeeeaaaat. It’s the EMT I was joking with in the kitchen the day before. He came in for trash bags and was probably looking at my JPFO baseball cap. I jokingly said “Oh, you’re too early, I’ve only been chopping for 3 minutes”. So at this point I’m refusing medical attention, I don’t need it, I’m fine. Except it won’t quit bleeding and Deb can’t spare me to do non-food things. It HAS to quit for me to be of any use. They clean it up and put super glue on it as I’ve flat refused stitches. I ADORE durabond. That stuff lasted all day, I changed gloves many time, chopped more cucumbers, fried felafel, and pretty much did anything needed and I was just fine. Durabond rocks. But don’t break the dispenser pen till just as you are ready to apply it. By the time the Parade of Flags has rolled around Deb & I have traded T-shirts because no one including me wants me representing Israel looking like the coffee monster wearing it instead of drinking it. I follow Jeannie’s lead, she is a veteran of the Parade of flags, and she generously allows me to carry the flag, she carries the banner identifying us as Israel. We get our flag and get in the alphabetical line up. Israel comes behind Ireland! I’m so excited, I ask the darling fellow representing Ireland if he will take a picture of me, Jeannie and the flag. He obliges with two.
Jeannie and Sybil with the proudly flying Israeli Flag.
We then had the most interesting discussion on Ireland and Israel. He was a bit impressed I had traveled in Ireland alone during “the troubles”. He said he sure wouldn’t want to go to Israel now, I said I’d go back in a heartbeat under the right circumstances. He seems astonished so many Americans don’t understand Israel is defending herself, nor do the know that Christians as well as Jews and even other Muslims are being slaughtered by a group the state department has not declared terrorists. Probably too busy looking for conservative gun owners I guess. The parade finally commences. The feeling of carrying the Israeli flag is unbelievable and indescribable. I don’t know if it’s because I was there not long ago, the emotional tie, or what. But I almost cried. That doesn’t happen. Then each group gets up on stage and welcomes the crowd. Jeannie did the honors so beautifully. I was just so happy to hold the flag. I had been concerned, as had others that there could be trouble for us. That was originally part of the reason I asked Deb to let me go with Jeannie. Jeannie is a very nice lady, I like her a lot. If there was trouble, I’m not. But to my great delight the crowd applauded loudly and long for Israel. I finished up the day by chopping more cucumbers and eating a felafel sandwich. I know, it’s kind of astonishing they still trust me with sharp implements isn’t it?
What a fabulous day! And one more to go! Tomorrow the Tikvah dancers preform and they end their performance with community dancing!! Yippeee ki yayyy! I’m really lousy at it, they let me anyway! And I love them for it!!
Yes indeedy! Ethnic Enrichment Festival is upon us! I spent Tuesday learning to make Felafel. Yes, I had a blast. This is a team of people I’ve worked with for some time. My friend Deb for six years has managed to put up with me helping in the kitchen at the Jewish Community Center. Today was Hummus day, which is how I originally got involved. I wanted to learn to make hummus. What is mildly amusing about this is several times I am probably the worst cook in the kitchen. Now, don’t get me wrong, no one has ever died from eating anything I’ve made. And somethings I make very, very beautifully. But when I’m sharing the kitchen with people like Deb, Nissim and Leah the reason I’m good is I do exactly as they tell me, all the time. I hope none of them just fell out of their chair laughing. OH I DO TOO, now stop it! You’re going to hurt yourselves if you keep it up.
After Deb and I finished up in the kitchen we headed out the park to scope out our booth for food and our half booth for crafts. Guess who gets to decorate that one? Yepper! I do have a few ideas. I wish I had a stuffed parrot! While swilling sweet tea great plans came together, and later today I get to implement them.
So, come on out and share in the adventure of traveling the world via Swope Park. This is the 35th Anniversary of the Ethnic Enrichment Festival, when you come through the round about on Meyer Blvd. and enter the park you will see the tents on your left, parking is in the field. You’ll see the cars.
The parade of Flags is at 1600, 4 PM on Saturday. I know the people carrying the Israeli Flag very well.
So, what to eat? Well, felafel is a little round ball, deep fried. This stuff is fabulous. I couldn’t get enough of it in Israel. Ours is wonderful, which is what happens when you have people like we do in the kitchen making it. They know what it’s suppose to be and how to get it there. If you like kind of spicy sausage you will like this. There is no meat in it, so vegetarians can enjoy it as well. Hummus is a paste I suppose you could say. It is made from chickpeas and tahini, with vegetables and spices blended in. I am convinced well made hummus is a gift from G-d. I really like hummus, and ours is that good. We will also have tahini sauce to put on top of the felafel and the plates are always very pretty. Ok, I might have something to do with that. We have dill pickles on a stick, GIANT macaroons that may sold out by Saturday, they have been before. Actually, they’ve been sold out by Friday night before.
This year for the first time we will have Isracinno. This project has been in the works for a year. If you can get Henry to stop dancing or playing music you can ask him. We even had coffee taste offs to get it just right. Coffee taste offs are a total blast. Ours will be like no one else’s, and ours will be better.
באח Betach!
Tikvah will take the stage at 1630, 4:30 on Sunday and they end with community dancing. Which means wear your dancin’ shoes! Anyone can join in the last dance! I’ve been known to in the past, not well, but they put up with me anyway. And how I love them for it. All of them. Atem Havareem sheli. They are my friends.
Come on out to Ethnic Festival, they’ll become your friends too!
Fair warning, there will be graphic pictures posted, and actual farm life will be discussed.
I was having a discussion the other day about an incident that happened at home Friday. I was on the way to the barn to do chores. I’m more happy about that than you can imagine. Since I was on the way to the barn it meant I had on cowgirl boots and had a revolver strapped on my hip. Since I almost stepped on two snakes last week on the way to the chicken house I’ve resumed doing chores fully dressed (as in armed, stop it). I was very glad of that when I stepped off the back step and had taken about 5 steps towards the barn. Some movement or something to my right caught my eye. I froze and looked over. A little black head was sticking up out of the grass, it’s forked tongue flicking in and out. My first concern of course was little Marlowe. 1) I don’t want him to go after the snake, I don’t know for sure what kind it is. 2) I don’t want him in my line of fire, because I AM going to shoot this thing. I shoot it, twice. I want to make sure, and it’s moving too much for comfort. I don’t want it to crawl under the back steps, die and stink. By the same token I don’t want it alive anywhere. After two shots I go get a hoe to cut it’s head off. To do this your hoe has to have an edge. Mine doesn’t, and mostly I beat the snake snot out of it. Grandma is probably looking down from Heaven and very ashamed of me. Sorry Grandma, I did the best I could with what I had, and well, it IS dead.
I was asked if I knew what kind of snake it was. My answer of “dead” did not seem to be what they were looking for. People have tried telling me the black snake is the farmer’s friend. Yeah, tell me that when my egg production is dropping off, I go to gather the eggs and find a big black snake coiled up in the laying boxes with an egg shaped lump in it. People, people! They are not eating the mice that run, they are eating the eggs that just lay there.
This little story ended up being told later. Now, what was interesting is we were discussing the terrorist attacks on Israel. My question had been on how to deal with them? 40,000 reserves have been called up, send in troops? Boots on the ground? The answer was no, it would be too expensive in terms of Israeli casualties. Ok, I accept that is a bad plan. What then? I get a well thought out answer, a very well thought out answer. Basically utilizing the Israeli Air Force you watch for any signs of terrorist activity. Vigilance. When they spot the start of terrorist activity, eliminate the threat. At once. Each and every time. Eventually the terrorists will be decreased, or will decide attacking Israel isn’t as much fun as they thought it would be.
I explain that is the black snake theory of terrorist management. The very long pause tells me perhaps more explanation is needed. If I find ANY predator around my chicken house, I WILL kill it. As my friend Deb says, everything wants to kill chickens. I asked her if it is because people keep saying everything tastes like chicken. Rattlesnake? Tastes like chicken. Rhino? Tastes like chicken. Wildebeest? Tastes like chicken. Squirrel? Tastes like Squirrel, I know better. If there are predators in the vicinity of my chicken house, I can be pretty sure they do not have my little feathered darlings best interests at heart, and I will eliminate the threat. That is my JOB. The animals have no choice where they ended up, I chose to have them. I believe I should be prepared to do that in the safest, surest most efficient way I can. I view black snakes as a sort of illegal immigrant. Liberals tell me they are just coming here for a better life, they do the jobs Americans won’t do. Right, just like the black snake is the farmer’s friend, they eat the eggs, and don’t chip in a penny on chicken feed and upset the girls. I lose all the way around.
This must just be my weekend for it. Saturday night I go to do chores, ponies are eating and I walk down to shut up the chickens. I walk in and stop dead in my tracks. There is a skunk in the chicken house. This is bad, very bad for a lot of reasons. One, I’m suppose to be leaving to go sit with my Aunt in hospice as soon as I get done. Getting sprayed is really going to put a crimp in that. Two, skunks will kill chickens, they rip their heads off. A little chicken armed only with it’s beak doesn’t stand much of a chance. Three, I’m armed only for snakes. A .22 with rat shot is not going to get this job done without some serious collateral damage. Probably to me. I need a different tool for this job. I fly to the house for back up. This is a job for a .20 ga shotgun. I jog back down hoping I’m in time. Skunk is still investigating, I don’t see any feathered bodies on the floor, good! Flashlight to left hand, should arms, fire, ratchet new shell in, fire. Yes, I do like to be very sure. I check, it’s dead. Quite dead. The girls are safe, but think a couple may need counseling, they were scared of the skunk. The next morning I scoop up the remains in a “predator body bag”, others may call them trash bags, and dispose of it.
Now, you ask, what does this have to do with “All the Worlds a Chicken House”? Stick with me.
One, I am more willing and prepared to defend my animals than some parents are their children. Don’t understand it, and feel sorry for the kids. I always knew both my parents loved me enough they would be prepared to defend me and probably live to tell about it.
Two, this came up during the discussion on terrorists infiltrating Israel. There is a video of terrorist attempting to enter Israel via sea. Doesn’t pan out well for them. It did pan out well for the Israeli citizens though. As opposed to what American citizens are fixin’ to face thanks to our President and do nothing Congress.
As Americans face a flood of illegal immigrants coming across the border this country is going to be “fundamentally changed” as promised by barry and voted for by liberals.
American taxpayers, not people living on governmental assistance, but taxpayers are shelling out $250-$1000 a DAY per bed for these children. They will get free housing, free school and free healthcare. Well, free to them, not free to taxpayers. No, I’m sure this won’t raise our taxes anymore than obamacare did. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jul/10/obama-seeks-brisk-passage-of-border-children-fundi/
Border Patrol agents are asking why people are bothering to pay coyotes to smuggle the kids in, the US government, supported by our tax dollars is doing it for free. Border patrol catches the unaccompanied minors and then we pay to have them delivered to family in the US. We, the taxpayer will also be paying for their legal representation. http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2014/07/11/Border-Patrol-Agent-US-Govt-Completing-the-Smuggling-Cycle
Let’s just chat for a moment about those unaccompanied minor “children”. The processing center at Nogales AZ is being used as a recruitment center for the violent MS-13 gang. Yes, indeedy. Some of those innocent “children” are members of a violent gang. Some of them have admitted to torture and murder in the countries they came from. The Red Cross has helpfully set up a phone bank for them in Nogales so they can contact other gang members in the US and back home. Well, I’m more a fan of the Salvation Army than Red Cross. Goes back to WWII. Some of the other children in the processing center have complained of attempts to get them to join and MS-13 gang grafetti has been found in the bathrooms at the Nogales center. Quite the value your getting for your tax dollars.
So, we know some of the children coming across are gang members, that we’re paying $250-$1000 a day per “child”, we’re paying for the government to act as coyotes and deliver them, we will be paying for their schooling, lawyers, housing, food and transport. Probably obamaphones too.
So, what do we get in return? Quite a lot actually!
“There were several of us who wanted to talk about the camps, but the agents made it clear we would be arrested,” a psychiatric counselor told me. “We were under orders not to say anything.”
The sources said workers were guarded by a security force from the BCFS, which the Department of Health and Human Services hired to run the Lackland Camp.
The sources say security forces called themselves the “Brown Shirts.”“It was a very submissive atmosphere,” the counselor said. “Once you stepped onto the grounds, you abided by their laws – the Brown Shirt laws.”She said the workers were stripped of their cellphones and other communication devices. Anyone caught with a phone was immediately fired.
“Everyone was paranoid,” she said. “The children had more rights than the workers.”
But Carrera told reporters: “Obama didn’t ask Congress for any special power for the expedited repatriation of unaccompanied children, and that’s because we are still in discussions.”
The foreign minister estimated the talks could take two to four weeks.
He said the Central American countries are aiming to ensure minors are given “due process, with adequate legal defense,” to determine if they should be allowed to stay with relatives already in the United States.
The foreign ministers of Honduras and El Salvador, alongside Carrera, struck the deal during a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, during a visit to Washington last week, Carrera said at the press conference.
Now remember, I recently flew to Israel and back. I can tell you how much fun I had going through the TSA check points. The new illegals? The ones with diseases? They are being transported and allowed to fly on commercial planes WITHOUT valid ID. Using only their notice to appear in court to board planes. The notice is on plain copier paper. Naw, no terrorist would ever think of making one of those on a computer and using it to board a plane. Oh, and the info on them? It’s what the illegal immigrant says is the truth about them. There are no checks being done. Look over and smile at the passenger next to you. But don’t let them breath on you. I’m sure the reason their hair is so full and moving is just the air circulating in the plane. Prolly not lice. And of course, taxpayers are paying for it. http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/07/11/Exclusive-TSA-Allowing-Illegals-to-Fly-Without-Verifiable-ID-Says-Border-Patrol-Union
Unemployment already made horribly worse by the passage of obamacare is not going to be made any better by the huge influx of people into the country.
And these are people from countries that do not have a Constitution like ours, they do not understand the Second Amendment, and will not be supportive of it. Their party, the one meeting them at the border with lollipops, that would be the Dems, will tell them not to.
The strain on a medical system already infected by obamacare is going to be unbelievable. They will be going to school soon, too.
So, do I have no heart and no compassion for these poor children fleeing their crime and poverty ridden countries? Of course I do! But you know who I have much more compassion for? The American Taxpayer who has tried their best to play by the rules, go to work, be self supporting, raise their family to do the right thing. Their kids will now be going to school and the learning process already damaged by Common Core will be further degraded. The cost for paying for all this for these future Dem voters is very likely going to be the tipping point for Cloward and Piven that barrys been trying to bring about. We have no idea how many and who the terrorists are that have come in with the flood. Nor any idea of where they will strike, or how. All brought to you by liberals who voted for barry to “fundamentally change America”.
When snakes come into a chicken house, they hatch more snakes who will then come into your chicken house. Same with skunks, if they find a easy buffet, that location is passed on to their little skunks. Soon I have no eggs because of the snakes, no chickens because of the skunks and I’ve paid for the chickens, the water, the feed and my time in raising them. In return I am left with nothing if I do not act.
I explain to my friend both situations stink, the flood of illegals and my dead skunk. Both are going to be a horrible mess to clean up.
That video I mentioned of terrorists trying to infilatrate Israel?
Dead Predators.
A Stinkin’ Mess
A Slitherin’ Mess
I’m wondering if Bibi ever raised any chickens perhaps. He seems to understand the solutions that work.
My friend Deb is home from Israel. I’m thrilled because I miss her. I’m sad because in a way it felt like I was losing my last link to over there. When she posted pictures of our closet empty except for towels, empty kitchen cabinets and empty bookshelves I felt like crying. And I was only over there a week!
I don’t know if she realized what a hard time I was having or if she is just this great a person. She brought me back earrings because we didn’t get to go to the artist’s shuk in Tel Aviv, some halvah, some Elite coffee, my Rav Kav I used on the bus, and some other wonderful things. But a couple of times she had me close my eyes before she put something in my hands. On the last item, just as she got ready to place it in my hands, I jokingly said “It’s an Ibex, right?” It is! A little stuff toy Ibex.
So what is the deal with me and the Ibex (יעל ) pronounced Ya-el?
The day Deb picked me up from the airport I was going on being up for probably close to 30 some odd hours with no sleep. I get my luggage and have my carry on bag and purse and head out to the lobby talking to Deb on the phone the whole way cause I have no idea where to go. I find her and we go sit outside on a low wall and just marvel that I am there, in Israel. Our first leg of the trip home is on a train. I adore the train! So we’re riding along and talking about where we will go, what we will do and what we will see. I tell her Nissim has said several times I need to go to Ein Gedi, which is a beautiful garden area located very near Masada. And since I figure Nissim knows what he is talking about, I take his advice seriously, very seriously. Teasing me Deb says, well how will he know if we actually got to go? What are you going to do, stuff and Ibex in your suitcase for him? Maybe, what’s an Ibex? She explains the Ibex, and I get this visual picture in my mind of trying to clear Israeli security for the trip home with this leg sticking out the side of my suitcase. With no sleep in 30 some odd hours this is the funniest thing I’ve heard in months! I think I’m going to hurt my sides laughing cause it is that funny. If you don’t think it is a riot, go about 30 some odd hours and try picturing it again. Trust me, Deb is a riot. As we are on a train, it is entirely possible that Deb is beginning to consider stuffing ME in my suitcase. So throughout the trip, much like my still elusive Centurion Tank, the Ibex in the suitcase is a recurring theme.
I sat for the rest of our visit today holding him on my lap. He is just the most adorable little guy! I am considering different names for him and have it narrowed to three.
Have you ever seen anything so adorable?
Yael –יעל
The real McCoy, this was taken at Masada. That visit will be covered hopefully very soon!
The Handsome Ibex
סיביל
Ok, so I’ve decided, the little Yael is going to be named Yoel. So he is Yoel the Yael (יעל ). Too cool, eh?
Last night I went to the memorial service at the Jewish Community Center for the three teenagers that were kidnapped on their way home from their Yeshiva. A yeshiva is a school to study religious texts, so we are not talking about a reform school here, these were good kids. Naftali Frenkel was 16, and held duel US and Israeli Citizenship, Gilad Shaer was also 16 and Eyal Yifrah was the oldest at 19. They were hitchhiking their way home on 12 June 2014 when they were abducted. People in Israel get around different ways. When I was there we used Autobus, Trains and Taxis, we did talk about renting a car but dismissed the idea. These kids were in the West Bank, and there is not a plethora of mass transit available. I guess soldiers used to hitchhike a lot, but that stopped after 1994, and regulations were passed to prevent the IDF from hitchhiking. So while it might seem very strange to Americans that these kids were hitchhiking, in Israel, it isn’t that unusual. On June 30th the bodies of the three boys were found in a field near Hebron.
Yesterday morning after I got off work and did chores I decided to check email. I received an email that there would be a memorial service at the Jewish Community Center. It was an event in solidarity with Israel in mourning the loss. Since I’m not a member of the JCC I’m always a little hesitant at going to things unless I’ve been invited. I really wanted to go, but unsure I sent a frantic text to my friend Deb who is still in Israel. Would it be ok if I went? She answered back that not only would be ok, it would be a very good thing if I would go. Ok, so I’m going. I then waffle over what to wear and come up with something suitable and I find out that the “Force of Nature” will be there as well. Ok, I’m good, I’m set.
After a solid 4 hours sleep I’m up and getting ready to go, after I rearrange my schedule and get dressed I set out. I arrive in good time and go on into the Social Hall. I find a seat towards the back because I’m still unsure. It seems like everyone knows everyone else, and I, well, I don’t. But wait!! I see Henry and Sue Ellen! I know them! They are my friends from the Israel Spirit committee, now I’m really ok! Oh, I am glad to see them! Henry comes back and keeps me company and we discuss plans for the frozen coffee we will be serving this year at Ethnic Enrichment Festival. This has been Henry’s brain child from the beginning but perhaps sensing a fellow spirit he has graciously allowed me to be in on the project. So we discuss mixes and places we want to get them. We decide I will follow up on the place and mix I thought promising, and Henry is going after the one he likes the look of, we will try both! Great plan! The “Force of Nature” shows up and introduces me to some of the people around us. One lady I meet named Marta strikes me as someone who would be a hoot.
The service starts with the singing of Ha Tikvah, the Israel National Anthem. In Hebrew. I astonish myself by singing along with everyone else. This is made possible by the fact the lyrics are printed in Hebrew, English and best of all, Transliterated. I adore transliteration, it’s Hebrew “Hooked on Phonics” for me! I would say I get about 98% of it correct. No, I did not confirm this by asking anyone around me. But I really did enjoy, and was a little proud of myself that I too could sing with everyone else.
The 23rd Psalm was read after that. Then The Blessing of Memory. A poem, I suppose you would call it, titled They were Boys: A Yizkor Prayer by Alden Solovoy was read, it was very beautiful, and very sad. Of course. It talks about faith, mourning and the willingness to heal, it asks for comfort and relief. For the families and for the whole country of Israel. I would urge you to read it, it’s very good.
The Eulogy that had been delivered to the Nation by Shimon Peres was read and followed by El Malei Rachamim by Yehuda Amichai (God full of Mercy) Scroll down to page 3 of the .pdf. It’s in English. The “Force of Nature” realizes I’m TRYING to read it in Hebrew, he points as it is read so I can sort of follow along. My reading level is minuscule and this is big Cowgirl stuff, grown up stuff, but I’m trying.
At one point it is mentioned that a piece would be read by Rabbi Eliezer Ben-Yehuda. My head snaps up so fast that the movement must have caught Marta’s eye. I’m astonished, I thought he was dead, a long time ago. She kind of laughs as our eyes meet and she catches my questioning look and smiles and says “Yep, that really is his name”. Eliezer Ben-Yehuda is the man responsible for reviving the Hebrew language. He was born on 7 January 1858.
We then recited The Third Mother by Natan Alterman as a responsive reading. In English. Then the Memorial Prayer.
There was a Rabbi that spoke at the end and what a very powerful message he had. He talked about the pain and grief of the families and the nation. He talked about Justice being a very Jewish concept, but that revenge is NOT Justice. There was a facebook page started called “Israel demands Revenge” and talked about how many “likes”it had. Then he told us that ANY IDF soldiers caught holding up signs and supporting such a notion would be disciplined. This pretty much goes along with what I’ve been taught of the IDF’s concept of “Purity of Arms”. Scroll down, you’ll see it under “The Values”.
Then he begin to talk about two Hebrew words, “Nechama” (נֵחַמַה) which means Comfort and “Nekema” (נֶקמַה) which means Revenge. As you can see, the two are very close. Look at the next to the last letter in each word, if you are used to reading English, in Hebrew it would actually be the second letter. Notice how if you straighten the curve of what sort of looks like a “p” it would look a lot like the next to the last letter in the first word. One little line straightened and you go from “revenge” to “comfort”. I also found out that the word “enemy” (קם) comes out of the word “revenge”. Doesn’t it just? Out of revenge, comes enemies. Of course, the way I see it at times the desire for revenge comes out of the actions of your enemies. So, does another word come out of the word Nechama? Comfort? Yes, there is a word, (חמה) look at the last three letters, oops, that would be the first three letters for most, they are the same, correct? That means “sun”. Warm, comfort, sun.
So while at times it may not seem like God hears, or answers our prayers, he does. Sometimes he says “yes” sometimes “no” and sometimes “wait a while”. Those last two are very hard to bear at times.
The Rabbi then stressed that Israel does not demand “Revenge” Israel asks for “Comfort”. And that is what I shall pray for, that peace and comfort shall be lavished on the families and the Nation of Israel as it mourns.
In honesty, it will not shock my readers to find out political thoughts have run through my mind about this subject. But I shall leave those for another column. This one is for the memory of Naftali, Gilad and Eyal. Yes, the names of the suspected kidnappers are known. No, I will not be listing them. I learned from Lt. Col. Dave Grossman that we do not mention the names of the heinous people. They do not get to be remembered. Their names should be forgotten. The names of victims and heroes, those are remembered. And so I shall remember them in my prayers.
The service was concluded by singing the Star Spangled Banner, in English thankfully. I don’t think I’m ready to tackle that one in Hebrew yet.
One would think Shabbat would be a simple thing. That would be someone like me, who hasn’t a clue. I got that we would be walking to Synagogue, as no mass transport till after sundown. I got we wouldn’t be cooking, I even got that I wouldn’t be checking email or surfing the net. I didn’t know we wouldn’t be turning lights on and off. Oops, I think I only slipped twice. I think. I really, really wanted to try to do things the right way. I wanted to respect the house I was in. And Deb was patient and kind with my many questions about things I don’t know but want to, and things I don’t understand, but want to.
We got up, and got ready which mercifully for me, and those around me did include coffee. Although Maya thought it wasnt’ a “hat place” meaning we wouldn’t need to cover our heads, Deb wisely chose two beautiful scarves for us to take. Her’s was perfect for her outfit, and mine was for my outfit. Which isn’t totally shocking since I was wearing her blouse. I never did have an older sister to bum clothes off of, so this was very cool for me. We set off at a comfortable walking pace and followed the directions we had been given and reached the Synagogue in good time. It was a lovely day for a walk! We got to the Synagogue and then was a bit stymied. WHERE do we go in? A gentleman walked in ahead of us, we thought, well, maybe we get to the women’s section through the men’s. We didn’t see any other door ways. We followed him in and within 2 seconds realized nope, it isn’t. We were really quick on the uptake on that one! We knew we weren’t in the right place. I don’t speak a lot of Hebrew, but sometimes it’s just knowing the right Hebrew to speak. Having sized up the situation I walked up to the gentleman we had followed in, “Sleaha, afoe?” “Excuse me, where?” Like I said, sometimes just the right two words. He was very kind, no doubt he was a bit late getting to his seat, but we followed him and he showed us the entrance to the Women’s section which was through the courtyard.
Light of Israel
We walked in and realized the second thing, it IS a “hat place”. We whipped out our scarves and had them on in 2 seconds flat. The only other lady there was perhaps a bit older than us and we took seats behind her. The service was all in Hebrew, of course. Deb had her Siddur, which is in English, Hebrew AND best of all to me, transliterated! Transliterated for me is the Hebrew “Hooked on Phonics”. I adore transliteration. Some who actually do read and write Hebrew well are very patient with my transliteration, which is at times, wrong, and quite wrong. Others are more of the mind they hate transliteration and would I please just get on with learning to read and write. Told you I am still a doofus about it. But I am getting there. So as the service is being conducted I just kind of follow along with what Deb and the other lady do. Now here is when it gets really interesting to me. This lady doesn’t know us, at all. She must have heard Deb rustling the pages looking for the place in the book where we should be. She holds HER book up over her RIGHT shoulder but still in front of herself. So she can still read it, but the person sitting behind her, on her right could see the correct place in the book. All of our bad luck the person on her right is me. HER Siddur is ALL in Hebrew, and I haven’t a clue, Deb is still flipping through hers looking for the correct place, I don’t want to say anything it case it’s really wrong to talk in service. And so I sit there and just appreciate what a kind, very kind woman this is.
That’s not where her kindness ends. After a bit they switch to another book, the Chumash. She gets up, goes to a bookcase at the back of the room, finds two copies of the Chumash, opens each of them to the CORRECT place and hands us each one. So we too, can be a part of the service. I wish I could say I could read enough to kind of keep up. I can’t, and so couldn’t. But while Deb is pacing along being a part of, I’ve kidnapped her Siddur and am going through it. WOW, I am just blown away! This is the first time I’ve ever just gone through it, all on my own, flipping pages and actually READING it. I see that if one wants to learn to read, THIS would be the most fabulous book! The Hebrew has vowels in it. Adults don’t need vowels in their Hebrew to read, they know what the word is. Children and beginning readers need vowels. I need them so I can sound the word out. Which is why I love transliteration. But it also has what it says in English, and it’s beautiful. I am totally in love with this book. Deb and I have had a conversation about symbols that Christians tend to co-opt from Judaism. Ok, I get that. And I understand and will respect most of it. But this book, I want a copy of this book so much I’m willing to really argue, hard, as though I were looking for a Centurion tank hard. Mercifully, probably for both of us, that is not necessary. At all. It’s totally fine! I get the ISBN number off hers and after sunset get on Amazon.com, find it and email myself the link so I can order it when I get home. Within 24 hours of being home that book is on it’s way to me. And I do love it, as much as I thought I would. I haven’t actually got to the reading part yet. When it came I discovered there are explanations of prayers, history and all kinds of good information in the front, in English. I decide I want to know that too, so am almost done reading that and ready to start the prayer book part.
Siddur
So, back to the service. We finish the service, and towards the end more women show up, they are dressed fancier than the three of us. It seems there is a Bar Mitzvah taking place after the service. We don’t stay for that part.
As we get ready to leave, I walk up and crouch down next to the kind lady, and tell her “toda raba”. Sometimes it’s not that you know a lot of words, just knowing two right ones can be enough I think. I really did enjoy going and was glad again, I listened to the advice of my “force of nature” friend.
We have a wonderful walk back to the apartment and when we get back Deb takes my picture. She asks if I want to hold her Siddur. BETACH!! בטח
We have a light lunch, and then I can either write in my book, read a book, or we can visit. It’s Deb’s poor luck we start to visit. For five or six hours. One would think after that she would be falling off asleep. Nope, when we are done, I curl up in a ball and am dead to the world. I wake up shortly before sunset. Deb has used the time productively and written in her book. I’ve added not one word to mine.
After sunset we eat a little, make a cup of coffee each and now cell phone use is allowed and I go outside to my palm tree to make a few phone calls and return the text messages that have come in. Didn’t tell folks ahead of time I wouldn’t be returning texts on Shabbat.
After sunset we hop on a bus to Glida Beer Sheva, the most fabulous ice cream parlor. The bus ride was fun, the walk was fun, the ice cream parlor was fabulous fun. To my great astonishment they don’t have pomegranate ice cream! THAT was what I wanted. Luckily for me, they did have mocha and coffee ice creams. Oh my goodness that was fun! We passed a store where Deb is getting a beautiful dress. All the dresses in the window were beautiful!
Glida Beer Sheva-yummy!
It was a wonderful Shabbat for me, Deb survived it, this was good. I have a new Siddur, that although it is in Ashkenazi and I speak Sephardic Hebrew it’s ok. Deb told me some of the differences, and if I get in a spot I have people I can ask for help. For a day when you don’t do much, it sure was full! And full of grace.
On Friday evening we were very blessed! We were invited to go to my friend Deb’s landlord’s for dinner with his family. Shlomo is my “force of nature” friend Nissim’s brother. I have never been to a Shabbat supper and so am very excited to see what this new adventure will be like.
We dressed a bit nice, and I’m glad. When we first got there we met Shlomo’s wife, Devorah. She is a very gracious, kind woman. I just love her. She is also a marvelous cook! Though Shlomo insists he did ALL the cooking, I rather suspect Devorah had a hand in one or two of the wonderful dishes we ate that night. Another lovely lady that was there was Maya, she is Shlomo and Devorah’s daughter who lives in Tel Aviv. While they all speak English better than I speak Hebrew, Maya said her English was the best, and it is very good. She translated when the need arose. We visited for a while and then another brother, Danny showed up. My jaw almost hit the floor, he looks so much like Nissim. He is funny, and very kind, just like his brothers. Then one of Shlomo’s sons, Yoel and his wife came with their children. Shlomo leaves briefly to go get more grandchildren. Seems their other son and his wife are sick, but the children are coming. After everyone is there we begin the supper.
Ready for dinner
It starts with Danny telling the story of creation. As I understand it, this is often read. Not this time, Danny recites the whole thing from memory. Nissim and I had covered what to do if I couldn’t understand someone. I don’t know enough words to ask them to speak slower, but I do know how to say Sleaha, ata madebere yoter medie mahail bishvele. Excuse me, you are speaking too fast for me. Somehow this didn’t seem the time or place to say that. Danny could have slowed down till it took till Saturday night to finsh and I couldn’t have kept up. I don’t know enough words yet! It was beautiful, it really was.
Then the meal began, talk about a gastronomic delight! Grilled eggplant, the most marvelous quinoa, cauliflower and spice dish (I STILL want the recipe, hint hint) fish, All kinds of vegetables, cooked all kinds of ways. I was in heaven. The Challah bread is amazing! It’s a beautiful loaf of braided bread, beautifully browned and buttered on top, soft and yummy inside. You get chunks of it, butter spreads like a dream and it melts in your mouth. Shlomo seemed to be having a wonderful time doing some kind of quiz with one of his grandsons.
Quiz Time
After dinner we moved outside to the balcony to visit. It’s nice out there and we discuss where we’ve been, where we plan to go. We tell them my quest to go to Masada ends tomorrow. I finally get to go. I tell them their brother has been so kind to help me with my Hebrew. Shlomo asks if he speaks it well? I tell them he speaks it like a Sabra, like he has been doing it all his life. They thought that was pretty funny.
Later they were talking about having some work done, I told them I knew a good electrician. Deb helpfully chimed in “yeah, well, he’s not that good”. I think it took the brothers a couple minutes to figure out Deb and I were talking about their brother. It was pretty cute.
But not as cute as when I ask if they can give me an idea where to try my hunt for the elusive Centurion tank model. I’m not sure what it is about a woman asking to buy a Centurion tank that seems to make men nervous, but it does. Maya thinks maybe Toys R Us, but I was hoping to find one in Israel to take back.
From there the discussion arose, should we rent a car to drive to Masada? The advantages? Come and go as we please, if we do get done in time we could drive over to Ein Gedi as there is not much transportation available in the area. The disadvantages? Neither of us has ever driven in Israel. I’ve driven in Ireland many times, not the same. Taking a wrong road and winding up in a wrong place has very real and very bad consequences. Not to mention the cost. We waffle and decide to decide later. I mean, we wound up in east Jerusalem and that was using the light rail.
Then we ask about a Synagogue we could attend. It needs to be close enough to walk as no mass transit runs on Shabbat. Danny suggests one and gives us directions. It doesn’t sound too hard to find, this is good.
We finished up our marvelous supper with chocolate cake and parve ice cream. Since I really don’t know a lot about some of these things, I have to ask. Seems the ice cream was ok to serve because it wasn’t really ice cream. It was chemicals. Better living through chemistry! It was very yummy ice cream flavored chemistry!
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