Monday, March 22, 2004
Oh, the Bleeding Heart
We successfully assassinated the 'spiritual leader' of Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization. The State department says so, in its 2003 Terrorist List and even in its 1999 Terrorist List (which has an interesting tidbit about Al-Qaida, led by Usama bin Ladin)
The New York Times refuses to call them terrorists. They call 'em 'militants.' I know I should stop harping on their anti-semitism, but I need to for two reasons:
(1) The NYT is the 'local' newspaper of the largest Diaspora Jewish community. They way it treats us is a sign of our exile.
(2) The NYT often reflects the sentiments of the self-hating Jews who populate said Jewish community, and so an attack against the Times is a roundabout way of attacking the self-haters.
I equate the NYT with the crotchety old relative who your parents insist on inviting to the Seder and who mocks you the whole time for being religious. Even if you don’t respond to the mocking, the attacks are effective because, being a relative, he catches you while you are vulnerable.
Considering that all weekend there's been a furious firefight in Pakistan over what may be Al-Queda's second-in-command... an assassination mission, dontcha know, I see a stupefying double standard at work. Yeah, what's new. But now it's a simultaneous double standard! A missile fired in Gaza has a different moral level than the same one a few miles to the East.
In any case, there were some people I know who responded to the assassination with anger and self-righteous shame. Evidently, we cannot acknowledge the assassination as good because "we cannot rejoice over our enemies"
This concept is from Pirkei Avot (4:24)
Samuel the Younger used to say (Proverbs 24:17-18) "Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble, or else the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from them." (see the text here &
some commentary here.)
This one mishna has become the mantra of the 'Shalom Achshavnikim" (not that they actually uphold it themselves). There's something vaguely christological in that dictum. Those who espouse it with the most gusto do so in a historically 'Christian' manner, i.e. as secretly violent hypocrites.
The self-hating Jews would like to be Crucified, it seems. (Side note; I wonder if Mel Gibson has come out simultaneously endorsing and condemning the assassination. Endorsing it because it shows that we Jews just like killing people. Condemning it because it was targeted against Hamas and not against Jesus. )
Ya see, the bleeding-heart-dudes understand the Mishna about 'downfall of enemies' wrong. To rejoice when enemies fall is to open your heart to the violence. To revel in the death. Every downfall has within it some "ra'ah" (evil) - as seen in Parshat Ki Tisa (Ex. 32:14) - and to rejoice over downfall means that you are enjoying "ra'ah."
Personally, I'd prefer all other solutions to assassination. I would much rather arrest these dudes, hold a trial and throw 'em in prison. But if that avenue is not available, then often we will need to resort to assassination. 'Targeted killing' (the military euphemism) is a far better solution than warfare. Why risk innocent 18 year old Jewish boys in a protracted battle when you can just pop this murderer in the head?
If these "don't rejoice" hypocrites were really pious, they would care about these soldiers. In order to answer that objection they'd say that Oslo, or whatever mutant variation of it that's currently making the rounds, would turn Hamas into nice happy neighbors. This is a delusional argument and it makes sense only to those who are filled with sub-conscious self-loathing; people who deep-down want to get killed by Hamas.
Forget that. Pop the freak if that's what will save the most lives. Theirs *and* ours.
I am rejoicing but not over the downfall. Not over the fact that he is dead. I am rejoicing that a mastermind of death has been stopped. I would prefer if Shiek Whatshisface and the rest of his gang of psychopaths would just stop hating humanity. Until they do, their hate needs to be ended somehow. Hamas, and their smiley-faced-friends all over the globe, often give us (the good-guys, remember) no choice.
Be happy that evil has been stopped. If you don't feel happy, you need your moral compass repaired.
We successfully assassinated the 'spiritual leader' of Hamas. Hamas is a terrorist organization. The State department says so, in its 2003 Terrorist List and even in its 1999 Terrorist List (which has an interesting tidbit about Al-Qaida, led by Usama bin Ladin)
The New York Times refuses to call them terrorists. They call 'em 'militants.' I know I should stop harping on their anti-semitism, but I need to for two reasons:
(1) The NYT is the 'local' newspaper of the largest Diaspora Jewish community. They way it treats us is a sign of our exile.
(2) The NYT often reflects the sentiments of the self-hating Jews who populate said Jewish community, and so an attack against the Times is a roundabout way of attacking the self-haters.
I equate the NYT with the crotchety old relative who your parents insist on inviting to the Seder and who mocks you the whole time for being religious. Even if you don’t respond to the mocking, the attacks are effective because, being a relative, he catches you while you are vulnerable.
Considering that all weekend there's been a furious firefight in Pakistan over what may be Al-Queda's second-in-command... an assassination mission, dontcha know, I see a stupefying double standard at work. Yeah, what's new. But now it's a simultaneous double standard! A missile fired in Gaza has a different moral level than the same one a few miles to the East.
In any case, there were some people I know who responded to the assassination with anger and self-righteous shame. Evidently, we cannot acknowledge the assassination as good because "we cannot rejoice over our enemies"
This concept is from Pirkei Avot (4:24)
Samuel the Younger used to say (Proverbs 24:17-18) "Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble, or else the Lord will see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from them." (see the text here &
some commentary here.)
This one mishna has become the mantra of the 'Shalom Achshavnikim" (not that they actually uphold it themselves). There's something vaguely christological in that dictum. Those who espouse it with the most gusto do so in a historically 'Christian' manner, i.e. as secretly violent hypocrites.
The self-hating Jews would like to be Crucified, it seems. (Side note; I wonder if Mel Gibson has come out simultaneously endorsing and condemning the assassination. Endorsing it because it shows that we Jews just like killing people. Condemning it because it was targeted against Hamas and not against Jesus. )
Ya see, the bleeding-heart-dudes understand the Mishna about 'downfall of enemies' wrong. To rejoice when enemies fall is to open your heart to the violence. To revel in the death. Every downfall has within it some "ra'ah" (evil) - as seen in Parshat Ki Tisa (Ex. 32:14) - and to rejoice over downfall means that you are enjoying "ra'ah."
Personally, I'd prefer all other solutions to assassination. I would much rather arrest these dudes, hold a trial and throw 'em in prison. But if that avenue is not available, then often we will need to resort to assassination. 'Targeted killing' (the military euphemism) is a far better solution than warfare. Why risk innocent 18 year old Jewish boys in a protracted battle when you can just pop this murderer in the head?
If these "don't rejoice" hypocrites were really pious, they would care about these soldiers. In order to answer that objection they'd say that Oslo, or whatever mutant variation of it that's currently making the rounds, would turn Hamas into nice happy neighbors. This is a delusional argument and it makes sense only to those who are filled with sub-conscious self-loathing; people who deep-down want to get killed by Hamas.
Forget that. Pop the freak if that's what will save the most lives. Theirs *and* ours.
I am rejoicing but not over the downfall. Not over the fact that he is dead. I am rejoicing that a mastermind of death has been stopped. I would prefer if Shiek Whatshisface and the rest of his gang of psychopaths would just stop hating humanity. Until they do, their hate needs to be ended somehow. Hamas, and their smiley-faced-friends all over the globe, often give us (the good-guys, remember) no choice.
Be happy that evil has been stopped. If you don't feel happy, you need your moral compass repaired.
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Awright! The Zebu!
For you Simpsonites out there who also care about halakha, here's a halakhic analysis of the
Zebu! (to quote Lisa: "hump and dewlap... hump and dewlap"
For you Simpsonites out there who also care about halakha, here's a halakhic analysis of the
Zebu! (to quote Lisa: "hump and dewlap... hump and dewlap"
Friday, March 19, 2004
Go AishDas!
I got that Rambam link, and oh so many others, from here: AishDas Torah Links. Happy hunting!
I got that Rambam link, and oh so many others, from here: AishDas Torah Links. Happy hunting!
Go AishDas!
I got that Rambam link, and oh so many others, from here: AishDas Torah Links. Happy hunting!
I got that Rambam link, and oh so many others, from here: AishDas Torah Links. Happy hunting!
Whoa! Rambam online
It's been a good long while since I've been able to put up fresh new links on my torah website. But this may give a nudge. Rambam's Perush ha-Mishnayot and other Rambam stuff (in Hebrew) online. Yummy!
It's been a good long while since I've been able to put up fresh new links on my torah website. But this may give a nudge. Rambam's Perush ha-Mishnayot and other Rambam stuff (in Hebrew) online. Yummy!
Random thought about Nader
The New Republic had a great piece a few weeks back about how Ralphie Nader is acting true to form insofar that he has spent his career being a monomaniacal crusader with a flawed moral compass. Evidently, his compass is *so* flawed that, by pure chance, he can actually do something right. That's a longer issue.
The random thought is this: as an ardent dump-Bushie (me) I naturally fear what any other dump-Bushie candidate will do the (legitimate) Democrat's chances. However, as opposed to 2000 when misguided people actually thought their vote was meaningless, anyone who votes for Nader in 2004 would probably have just stayed home were it not for a spoiler.
So maybe, just maybe, Nader running in 2004 will actually bring more people to the polls. And maybe, just maybe, those idiots who left home to vote for Nader, will encounter (on the way) just one more instance of Bush evil. And maybe, yes - just maybe, they'll be swayed on the way to the booth and actually vote for a real candidate.
Whew. I'm outa breath just thinking about it.
The New Republic had a great piece a few weeks back about how Ralphie Nader is acting true to form insofar that he has spent his career being a monomaniacal crusader with a flawed moral compass. Evidently, his compass is *so* flawed that, by pure chance, he can actually do something right. That's a longer issue.
The random thought is this: as an ardent dump-Bushie (me) I naturally fear what any other dump-Bushie candidate will do the (legitimate) Democrat's chances. However, as opposed to 2000 when misguided people actually thought their vote was meaningless, anyone who votes for Nader in 2004 would probably have just stayed home were it not for a spoiler.
So maybe, just maybe, Nader running in 2004 will actually bring more people to the polls. And maybe, just maybe, those idiots who left home to vote for Nader, will encounter (on the way) just one more instance of Bush evil. And maybe, yes - just maybe, they'll be swayed on the way to the booth and actually vote for a real candidate.
Whew. I'm outa breath just thinking about it.
Panda Flu
All the other good flu names are taken (Monkey, chicken) and I have no idea what I had yesterday, but it did make me feel like a panda. Wednesday night, after four days of pure stress, and one day where I skipped meals & it snowed (what was that?) & I got close to condemning someone to death - I came home early (6pm) and felt like I was put into a garlic-smoosher (and was smooshed). I had a fever that night and I stayed in on Thursday. Foremost on my mind was getting better and not infecting anyone else. That last part - staying away so not to make others sick - is a lost ethic in our society.
Anyhoo, I'm sorry for being the originator of the Panda Flu. If it makes headlines, it started here first.
All the other good flu names are taken (Monkey, chicken) and I have no idea what I had yesterday, but it did make me feel like a panda. Wednesday night, after four days of pure stress, and one day where I skipped meals & it snowed (what was that?) & I got close to condemning someone to death - I came home early (6pm) and felt like I was put into a garlic-smoosher (and was smooshed). I had a fever that night and I stayed in on Thursday. Foremost on my mind was getting better and not infecting anyone else. That last part - staying away so not to make others sick - is a lost ethic in our society.
Anyhoo, I'm sorry for being the originator of the Panda Flu. If it makes headlines, it started here first.
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
The only good thing about viruses
For some reason, I believe that Viruses are running completely amok right now. I have been hit with so many of them, from crazy sources, and my Macintosh - *YES, a MAC* - has been laid low (and I have no idea how to fix it).
There is one good thing about these viruses. As far as I can tell, these viruses travel through email. It infects a computer and then opens up the hosts' email account and sends itself to everyone in the address book.
I assume that this means that when I get an email from an unknown source... I was in that guy's address book!
So the only good thing about this is that now I realize how many strangers have my email address in their stashes. Good to know (I always feel good when I discover yet another proof for how more dangerous the world is every day).
For some reason, I believe that Viruses are running completely amok right now. I have been hit with so many of them, from crazy sources, and my Macintosh - *YES, a MAC* - has been laid low (and I have no idea how to fix it).
There is one good thing about these viruses. As far as I can tell, these viruses travel through email. It infects a computer and then opens up the hosts' email account and sends itself to everyone in the address book.
I assume that this means that when I get an email from an unknown source... I was in that guy's address book!
So the only good thing about this is that now I realize how many strangers have my email address in their stashes. Good to know (I always feel good when I discover yet another proof for how more dangerous the world is every day).
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Spain's 9-11
The news is trickling in that the attack in Spain (Spain Struggles to Absorb Worst Terrorist Attack in Its History) was not from the Basque separatists (who don't do this kind of thing) but from Al Queda. It makes sense; remember that Spain was one of the only allies the US had in the War on Iraq.
If it comes out that it was Al Queda, then we are faced with the interesting moral issue of how do we acknowledge another country's "9-11"? Do we hold ours as special and unique or do we say the two are linked and hold it to the same level of sadness and sanctity?
The news is trickling in that the attack in Spain (Spain Struggles to Absorb Worst Terrorist Attack in Its History) was not from the Basque separatists (who don't do this kind of thing) but from Al Queda. It makes sense; remember that Spain was one of the only allies the US had in the War on Iraq.
If it comes out that it was Al Queda, then we are faced with the interesting moral issue of how do we acknowledge another country's "9-11"? Do we hold ours as special and unique or do we say the two are linked and hold it to the same level of sadness and sanctity?
Elvis in Halakha
In a week or so I will be teaching a class for the shul on how to ask a non-Jew to do work on Shabbas. I will be distributing this Jewish Week article about how Elvis was a "shabbos [sic]goy" in Memphis.
In a week or so I will be teaching a class for the shul on how to ask a non-Jew to do work on Shabbas. I will be distributing this Jewish Week article about how Elvis was a "shabbos [sic]goy" in Memphis.
The Passion for 99 cents
According to this website, you can buy Mel Gibson's coffee table book about his sicko movie, The Passion, for 99 cents! The website sez, and I quote:
This elegant coffee-table book is fully illustrated with the most moving photographic images of the film. Throughout the book biblical verses and dialogue explain to the reader the story of Jesus' final 12 hours. You will share in his suffering, passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection. This book also is a great teaching book for children.
No, I didn't make the children part up.
According to this website, you can buy Mel Gibson's coffee table book about his sicko movie, The Passion, for 99 cents! The website sez, and I quote:
This elegant coffee-table book is fully illustrated with the most moving photographic images of the film. Throughout the book biblical verses and dialogue explain to the reader the story of Jesus' final 12 hours. You will share in his suffering, passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection. This book also is a great teaching book for children.
No, I didn't make the children part up.
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Other Blogs
I just did a short morning's scoot through a bunch of other frummie blogs out there. I think I'm one of the only losers left on blogger. Everyone else's blog is shiny. Mine is the blog equivalent to a 1970s General Motors rustmachine while everyone else is driving 2004 GMs. As soon as I find out how they did it, I will cease to suck.
I just did a short morning's scoot through a bunch of other frummie blogs out there. I think I'm one of the only losers left on blogger. Everyone else's blog is shiny. Mine is the blog equivalent to a 1970s General Motors rustmachine while everyone else is driving 2004 GMs. As soon as I find out how they did it, I will cease to suck.
Giant Shape-Shifting Lizards
I can't even explain how I got to this website, but it's very useful for all of us part of the International Jewish Conspiracy. One of the major wackos behind the paranoia claims that the most powerful Jews of the Illumianti are in fact, yup, giant shape-shifting lizards. INJEWCON: You Can't Be Too Sure
I can't even explain how I got to this website, but it's very useful for all of us part of the International Jewish Conspiracy. One of the major wackos behind the paranoia claims that the most powerful Jews of the Illumianti are in fact, yup, giant shape-shifting lizards. INJEWCON: You Can't Be Too Sure
Whoa
Just stumbled on this website and I'm impressed with its breadth of knowledge: Encyclopedia: Modern Orthodox Judaism
Just stumbled on this website and I'm impressed with its breadth of knowledge: Encyclopedia: Modern Orthodox Judaism
Extemely Important Kashrut Article
The Jewish Journal Of Greater Los Angeles: A More Reliable Kosher Label by Julie Gruenbaum Fax (hi Julie!) - is a very very important article about the Half-Moon K.
Basically, the Half-Moon K has been the equivalent to Lard in the eyes of the kosher consumer (the consumers who buy and the consumers who eat). The article explains that the new Rav in charge of the Half-Moon knows that the symbol has been worthless till now and is diligently trying to improve it.
Thus, we now know that: (a) the symbol was justifyingly under suspicion and not just because of 'politics'
(b) that it will soon be accepted
Yay.
The Jewish Journal Of Greater Los Angeles: A More Reliable Kosher Label by Julie Gruenbaum Fax (hi Julie!) - is a very very important article about the Half-Moon K.
Basically, the Half-Moon K has been the equivalent to Lard in the eyes of the kosher consumer (the consumers who buy and the consumers who eat). The article explains that the new Rav in charge of the Half-Moon knows that the symbol has been worthless till now and is diligently trying to improve it.
Thus, we now know that: (a) the symbol was justifyingly under suspicion and not just because of 'politics'
(b) that it will soon be accepted
Yay.
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Safire on the Passion
Op-Ed Columnist: Not Peace, but a Sword
Key line: "And there's the rub. At a moment when a wave of anti-Semitic violence is sweeping Europe and the Middle East, is religion well served by updating the Jew-baiting passion plays of Oberammergau on DVD?"
Op-Ed Columnist: Not Peace, but a Sword
Key line: "And there's the rub. At a moment when a wave of anti-Semitic violence is sweeping Europe and the Middle East, is religion well served by updating the Jew-baiting passion plays of Oberammergau on DVD?"
Repost: Wieseltier on the Passion
MEL GIBSON'S LETHAL WEAPON: The Worship of Blood, by Leon Wieseltier
The key line: "In its representation of its Jewish characters, The Passion of the Christ is without any doubt an anti-Semitic movie, and anybody who says otherwise knows nothing, or chooses to know nothing, about the visual history of anti-Semitism, in art and in film."
Listen to this dude; he knows these things.
MEL GIBSON'S LETHAL WEAPON: The Worship of Blood, by Leon Wieseltier
The key line: "In its representation of its Jewish characters, The Passion of the Christ is without any doubt an anti-Semitic movie, and anybody who says otherwise knows nothing, or chooses to know nothing, about the visual history of anti-Semitism, in art and in film."
Listen to this dude; he knows these things.
Roger Ebert on the Passion
Critical point: Ebert grew up a religious Catholic (altar boy etc) and his perspective is very valuable.
Critical point: Ebert grew up a religious Catholic (altar boy etc) and his perspective is very valuable.
Religion Poll
Another fascinating poll list, this one about religion in the US.
"Do you personally believe in the existence of each of the following? . . . "
Believe Don't Believe Not Sure
God 92 5 3
Heaven 85 10 5 .
Miracles 82 14 4 .
Angels 78 15 7 .
Hell 74 20 6 .
The Devil 71 24 5 .
UFOs 34 55 11 .
Ghosts 34 60 6 .
Astrology 29 64 7 .
Reincarnation 25 62 13 .
Witches 24 69 7
Another fascinating poll list, this one about religion in the US.
"Do you personally believe in the existence of each of the following? . . . "
Believe Don't Believe Not Sure
God 92 5 3
Heaven 85 10 5 .
Miracles 82 14 4 .
Angels 78 15 7 .
Hell 74 20 6 .
The Devil 71 24 5 .
UFOs 34 55 11 .
Ghosts 34 60 6 .
Astrology 29 64 7 .
Reincarnation 25 62 13 .
Witches 24 69 7
The Primaries
So Edwards is blown away by "Super Tuesday;" we may see him again as the VP candidate (which makes sense, to be honest, because he is a good balance to Kerry - similar politics, but younger, healthier, and way more charismatic).
You gotta see these latest poll numbers!
ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Feb. 10-11, 2004. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3. Fieldwork by TNS Intersearch
"Who do you trust to do a better job handling [see below], Bush or Kerry?"
"The economy"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
41 49 1 4 5
"The situation in Iraq"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
48 41 1 6 5
"Creating jobs"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
37 51 1 5 6
"The U.S. campaign against terrorism"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
53 37 1 4 5
"Education"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
40 49 1 6 5
"The cost, availability and coverage of health insurance"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
34 52 1 7 6
So Edwards is blown away by "Super Tuesday;" we may see him again as the VP candidate (which makes sense, to be honest, because he is a good balance to Kerry - similar politics, but younger, healthier, and way more charismatic).
You gotta see these latest poll numbers!
ABC News/Washington Post Poll. Feb. 10-11, 2004. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3. Fieldwork by TNS Intersearch
"Who do you trust to do a better job handling [see below], Bush or Kerry?"
"The economy"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
41 49 1 4 5
"The situation in Iraq"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
48 41 1 6 5
"Creating jobs"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
37 51 1 5 6
"The U.S. campaign against terrorism"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
53 37 1 4 5
"Education"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
40 49 1 6 5
"The cost, availability and coverage of health insurance"
Bush Kerry Both Neither No Opinion
34 52 1 7 6