Shavua tov!
I fear Western Jews (and Western-minded Jews) are past the point of waking up. Is it still possible to get through to them once they have become zombies?
First, let me say that the term "Orthodox" has lost all meaning. How can a Jew who speaks fluent Hebrew and owns a home in Jerusalem, yet has dedicated his life's work to a foreign country - to strengthening Eisav - call himself an "Orthodox" Jew???
The saddest part of this is that millions of Jews who identify as "Orthodox" will not be able to understand what I'm getting at. They can't see it. And if ever there were a time when they possibly could, it should be during Hanukah. But, Hanukah has been perverted and corrupted and twisted all out of shape so that its true essence appears to elude the modern Westernized (Hellenized) Jew.
Trump’s Shomer Shabbos U.S. Ambassador to Israel Says He’s ‘Looking Forward To Working In U.S. Embassy In Jerusalem’
...Mr. Friedman, a renowned attorney who has been counselor to some of the world’s top businessmen and companies, was one of the President-elect’s principal advisors on the US-Israel relationship during the campaign.
The 57-year-old, who hails from Long Island, is an Orthodox Jew.
...Friedman is the president of American Friends of Beit El Yeshiva, whose offices are located in Forest Hills, New York.
He has been married for 35 years to Tammy Sand of Miami Beach, Florida. In addition to their home in Woodmere, they own a residence in the affluent Jerusalem neighborhood of Talbiyeh, where they typically spend the Yomim Tovim along with their children and grandchildren twice a year.
When Israel proclaimed itself an independent republic in 1948, the United States was the first country to extend formal recognition of the new government. From that moment forward, the two nations have enjoyed a special relationship based on mutual respect and a dedication to freedom and democracy.
...With Mr. Friedman’s nomination, President-elect Trump expressed his commitment to further enhancing the US-Israel relationship and ensuring there will be extraordinary strategic, technological, military and intelligence cooperation between the two countries.
“The bond between Israel and the United States runs deep, and I will ensure there is no daylight between us when I’m President,” said President-elect Trump. “As the United States’ Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman will maintain the special relationship between our two countries. He has been a long-time friend and trusted advisor to me. His strong relationships in Israel will form the foundation of his diplomatic mission and be a tremendous asset to our country as we strengthen the ties with our allies and strive for peace in the Middle East. Nothing is more critical than protecting the security of our citizens at home and abroad.”
Mr. Friedman, whose bar mitzvah was held at the Western Wall in Jerusalem 45 years ago, is a fluent speaker of Hebrew and a lifelong student of Israel’s history. On Thursday, he expressed his resolve to be a rock-solid partner with the Israeli leadership as our two countries seek to advance our mutual interests and keep our people safe.The United States, like every other nation on earth, makes its decisions based on self-interests, not moralistic ones or even humanitarian ones. When they supported the establishment of the State of Israel, they were calculating the future benefits to themselves. It was a gamble that paid off royally. They had everything to gain.
But, can you imagine being pulled so close to the US that "there is no daylight between us"? This is not the affectionate brotherly hug you imagine, but a deadly chokehold meant to prevent our escape - of acting independently or actually fulfilling our God-mandated destiny!
When, and yes, I do say "when", the day arrives that Israel ceases to be "dedicated to freedom and democracy", do you know what will happen next??? The distancing wrought by Obama was a hidden blessing. The further we drifted apart, the easier it would have been to break free in the end. But, now that we are going to be reined in and tied down, the break will be that much more violent and painful.
If you celebrated the election of the new US president and if you cheer his selection of court Jews for high positions and think this is going to bring good times for the rest of us, you are in for a stunning and upsetting surprise. But, you should have seen it coming. If you understood the true essence of Hanukah, you could have seen it coming.
