This really grinds my gears!
Without fail, any place in which I wish to eat a meal, sandwich, or even minuscule snack of any kind some Israeli comes out of the woodwork to tell be B’teyavon! (Bon appétit).
I can be on a bus, train, a hike, or alone on top of the Hermon and out of nowhere, just as I am about to eat anything out jumps some weirdo and his B’teyavon.
There are those who might find this charming (the same obnoxious new Oleh Ba’al Teshuvahesque people who love to tell you how much they love it when it rains here). To me, its kind of feels like someone interrupting a sneeze just as you’re about to let it rip.
I hate it.
Why? Because of how ridiculously ironic it is and the absurd function it serves to the distorted Israeli psyche.
The same Israeli who: pisses on public tree lawns, who needlessly drives like an inspired lunatic and curses your mother’s mother when you get in his way for a quarter second, who litters with a passion, walks around in his boxer shorts on a hot day while abusing small animals, who spits sunflower seeds everywhere he eats them, who recklessly spews religious bigotry, who lies cheats and steals from unsuspecting tourists six ways to Sunday, who cuts in every line imaginable, who smokes at bus stops next to pregnant women and young children, curses like a Mohammedan sailor, and VOTES FOR EHUD OLMERT has the nerve to tell ME B’teyavon!!!
I believe that the Israeli, aware that it is lacking any unique sense of culture or etiquette (alla Ahad Ha'am) has only recourse to invoke what is actually a crude insult in what may overtly appear as its single expression of good manners.
Notice how it is always and only stated once the food is about to enter your mouth, its like they wait with baited breath just to irk you with polite offense.
You see what the Israeli really means is: F**K YOU!
They are just so socially despicable that they have found a method for insulting you with what should otherwise serve as their only redeeming quality, but rather than bow to the expectation that they do as such, they remain consistently vulgar.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Shalit, Goldwasser, and Regev: Men Who All Deserve More Than We Are Willing To Give Them
In my home we have a custom: every Friday night before we recite kiddush we say the prayer for our captured soldiers who don’t have Shabbat with their families and friends as we are privileged to.
It’s really the least we can do, but I like to think that it elicits a conscience among our guests and us.
These poor men. These poor bastards who are suffering GD knows what on a daily basis.
One of my friends actually hopes that they are dead so that they don’t have to suffer the tortuous indignities that Arabs are known to inflict upon our people.
Another person I know believes that we should play it smart and try to negotiate with their captures for their freedom.
I am of the opinion that actions speak louder than words. I am of the opinion that negotiating with these foul monsters is degrading to our very essence as human beings and Jews—the survivors of Babylon, Greece, Rome, Stalin, and Hitler.
I say we go after our men and retrieve them wherever they may be held. I say we kill the bastards who took them and ship their body parts home in pigskin.
I say we go for them as we did for Nachson Wachsman.
“Wachsman” you say??? “Wasn’t he killed in rescue attempt? Wasn’t it pointless?”
Would be captures of Israeli soldiers must learn that every time an Israeli soldier is captured that we will be coming, that we will come with force and that we will execute the men who take our boys with brutal distinction.
What our men need to know is that wherever they are taken, wherever they may be we will come for them. That no matter what conditions prevail we will be there for them. They must know that they do not defend the Moledet at their own peril, and that the defenders of our country are not expendable, that every one of them will be retrieved.
I like to think that poor Nachson Wachsman, in his final moments, knew that Israel was coming for him. I like to believe that in his final moments he heard voices speaking Hebrew coming for him and that he was not alone. He was not left to die.
Shalit, Goldwasser, Regev and every other Israeli captive are alone. There are no voices speaking their language coming to save them. Their country has abandoned them. Their military and political orders do not care enough to punish those who took them. Rather they taunt them, childishly, they play diplomatic games of cat and mouse with them that do not inspire fear.
Those who would take our boys must know that we will be there every time. And so must our boys be able to count on the same.
It’s really the least we can do, but I like to think that it elicits a conscience among our guests and us.
These poor men. These poor bastards who are suffering GD knows what on a daily basis.
One of my friends actually hopes that they are dead so that they don’t have to suffer the tortuous indignities that Arabs are known to inflict upon our people.
Another person I know believes that we should play it smart and try to negotiate with their captures for their freedom.
I am of the opinion that actions speak louder than words. I am of the opinion that negotiating with these foul monsters is degrading to our very essence as human beings and Jews—the survivors of Babylon, Greece, Rome, Stalin, and Hitler.
I say we go after our men and retrieve them wherever they may be held. I say we kill the bastards who took them and ship their body parts home in pigskin.
I say we go for them as we did for Nachson Wachsman.
“Wachsman” you say??? “Wasn’t he killed in rescue attempt? Wasn’t it pointless?”
Would be captures of Israeli soldiers must learn that every time an Israeli soldier is captured that we will be coming, that we will come with force and that we will execute the men who take our boys with brutal distinction.
What our men need to know is that wherever they are taken, wherever they may be we will come for them. That no matter what conditions prevail we will be there for them. They must know that they do not defend the Moledet at their own peril, and that the defenders of our country are not expendable, that every one of them will be retrieved.
I like to think that poor Nachson Wachsman, in his final moments, knew that Israel was coming for him. I like to believe that in his final moments he heard voices speaking Hebrew coming for him and that he was not alone. He was not left to die.
Shalit, Goldwasser, Regev and every other Israeli captive are alone. There are no voices speaking their language coming to save them. Their country has abandoned them. Their military and political orders do not care enough to punish those who took them. Rather they taunt them, childishly, they play diplomatic games of cat and mouse with them that do not inspire fear.
Those who would take our boys must know that we will be there every time. And so must our boys be able to count on the same.
Mcain, Obama, or Hillary? (or, which bread should Israel eat at the circus?)
As far as Israel and the 2008 US Presidential elections go….
Republicans:
McCain is the strongest candidate overall and is the only candidate Israel should support in the position of president at all.
Democrats:
Hillary would sell us down the river just like her husband did and light us on fire as we went. I loathe the prospect of 4 more years of Clinton in any form.
Obama is an uncertainty, but he isn’t Clinton, which is sort of a plus in my book. After the many years of the Reagan/Bush cartel and the Clinton bandwagon of BS the US needs a change, but I am not convinced that he doesn’t have anti-Israel and pro-Moslem proclivities waiting in the wings.
However… as Amotz Asa-El essentially pointed out in this past weeks Jpost there really isn’t a whole hell of a lot a US president can honestly make us do much more of in terms to ceding our dignity to our enemies (my interpretation) so what does it really matter who is president at this point?
I am personally of the opinion that we are the problem. We are the ones who allow the US to bend us into compromising position after compromising position all to suit the delicate balance of their oil and weapons contracts with Arab states. Bush is perhaps the best example of what a terrible president really is all about: A mindless tool who serves his family’s business interests by forcing us to placate the wolves who devour us and ignore the ones on their way to help in our demise.
In all reality though, can any leader of the US or Israel really make a difference for us before it’s too late???
In the end I believe we will see that the Israeli ruling elite are no different than Arab leaders are to their own people:
In the next 75 years or so when Arab oil runs out Arab economies will crash through the floor back to the stone ages, all their leaders will be off on the first plane to the west to escape the destruction and lavish in the comfort of their foreign invested oil wealth while their people suffer and wallow in catastrophe.
On the other hand, if Israel finally slides over the brink upon which it now teeters Israeli ruling elites will be off on the first plane to the west while their people suffer and wallow in catastrophe too.
So, in conclusion, there is no answer for anything really, but while we are on our way down the drain lets enjoy the voting game which has become no more than another Romanesque bread and circuses for all of us foolish enough to be concerned.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Thank you Avigdor Lieberman!
"If we pull back to the 1967 borders, everyone should ask himself, what will happen the following day," Lieberman said. "Will the conflict stop, will the terror stop? Nothing will change."
And...
"From our point of view, the concept of land for peace is out of the question," said Lieberman. "The principle must be exchanges of territory and population."
I could care less about who, what, or why Lieberman does what he does, I'm just glad he did it. No one in the Knesset is saying anything any better with as much of an audience to hear it.
I have been waiting for this. Somebody to at least rock the boat...
I have been so afraid that Israeli's would come admire Ehud Olmert's hold on power despite tremendous odds and come to view his cockroach-like hold onto political life as strength of character and leadership or eventually, machismo.
I have so feared that people would one day say of Olmert as they say of Sharon now: "...but you know what...he knew how to stay in power...he was a good leader".
This gives me hope...because my number one political consideration is that Olmert be removed from power. Nothing is more important right now...not that things will get any better.
Lets see what follows.
btw- the last couple lines of the article first quoted follow:
Arab lawmaker Ahmad Tibi reacted by calling him "a racist."
"Lieberman is a fascist immigrant who is willing to kick all Arabs and Arab leaders from this country," Tibi said.
Ahhh...if only...
Monday, January 14, 2008
Spinka Rav gets it!
You can't say you don't love it when a Chaper gets nailed!
Dos iz mamesh eh shondeh fer de goyim!!!
He and his cadre of Chapers are just of the tip of the iceberg--to be sure.
At least he wasn't caught naked with some little kid...
Speaking of inappropriate relations, don't pretend you're not curious about what
the rebbe will go through in prison!?
I guess that's when being a shamesh/gabai really sucks. (get it? Im sure the shamesh will).
More seriously, this case highlights the atrocious nature of the chaper attitude. for some reason
many Hareidim do not feel responsible to observe secular laws in Israel or abroad. It sickens me. such behavior only goes to reinforce the fact that Hareidi society is no more than an ultra-pretentious perverted elitism.
Rebbe, dos pas nisht!
BTW--Dont pick up the soap.
Dos iz mamesh eh shondeh fer de goyim!!!
He and his cadre of Chapers are just of the tip of the iceberg--to be sure.
At least he wasn't caught naked with some little kid...
Speaking of inappropriate relations, don't pretend you're not curious about what
the rebbe will go through in prison!?
I guess that's when being a shamesh/gabai really sucks. (get it? Im sure the shamesh will).
More seriously, this case highlights the atrocious nature of the chaper attitude. for some reason
many Hareidim do not feel responsible to observe secular laws in Israel or abroad. It sickens me. such behavior only goes to reinforce the fact that Hareidi society is no more than an ultra-pretentious perverted elitism.
Rebbe, dos pas nisht!
BTW--Dont pick up the soap.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
A Pathetic Waste Of Radio...
As a listener of israelnationalradio.com for over ten years, I ask you:
Who are these monkeys?
(Yehuda Hakohen (left), of Wikipedia fame...)
I have listened to their show more than once (due to A7's live stream, to my discomfort) and time after time heard nothing but a spew of unmitigated bullshit that is an insult to human intelligence.
They are uneducated, uninformed, unimpressive, untalented, petty, amateurish, boring, and pathetic. They lack radio presence of any kind. I have observed more charisma in street cats.
(If you can’t tell by now, I’m unimpressed--FYI).
I have heard nothing relevant, original, insightful, or remotely useful vomited forth from their pathetically meager minds. They are no more than the most recent batch of JDL wannabes off the boat who (unique to their clichéd sub-culture) have somehow weaseled their way on to INR.
Their credentials are largely forged and poorly established; their CV’s are pure puff--as is their completely trumped up joke facade of an organization the "ZFA", which exists only to grant them the ability to say that it exists.
They are just another example of Jerusalem feverish Olim with a very narrow conception of politics, reality, and Israel who think that presenting a BS New York pseudo tough guy approach to English speaking Israelis is an original idea. Their weak ideologies are comprised of cheap alarmist rhetoric, low hyperbole, and **** for brains.
They have nothing worth saying that isn’t being said by people far better than themselves from whom they stole it.
They make no contribution and are beyond a joke.
I will not listen to them again (even by accident) and will laugh at and mock those who do.
Hey monkeys: Can you dig that?
[This should not be misconstrued an attack on A7, which I will continue to endorse. It is merely a criticism of their judgment in allowing these two to pollute their e-waves.]
Who are these monkeys?
(Yehuda Hakohen (left), of Wikipedia fame...)
I have listened to their show more than once (due to A7's live stream, to my discomfort) and time after time heard nothing but a spew of unmitigated bullshit that is an insult to human intelligence.
They are uneducated, uninformed, unimpressive, untalented, petty, amateurish, boring, and pathetic. They lack radio presence of any kind. I have observed more charisma in street cats.
(If you can’t tell by now, I’m unimpressed--FYI).
I have heard nothing relevant, original, insightful, or remotely useful vomited forth from their pathetically meager minds. They are no more than the most recent batch of JDL wannabes off the boat who (unique to their clichéd sub-culture) have somehow weaseled their way on to INR.
Their credentials are largely forged and poorly established; their CV’s are pure puff--as is their completely trumped up joke facade of an organization the "ZFA", which exists only to grant them the ability to say that it exists.
They are just another example of Jerusalem feverish Olim with a very narrow conception of politics, reality, and Israel who think that presenting a BS New York pseudo tough guy approach to English speaking Israelis is an original idea. Their weak ideologies are comprised of cheap alarmist rhetoric, low hyperbole, and **** for brains.
They have nothing worth saying that isn’t being said by people far better than themselves from whom they stole it.
They make no contribution and are beyond a joke.
I will not listen to them again (even by accident) and will laugh at and mock those who do.
Hey monkeys: Can you dig that?
[This should not be misconstrued an attack on A7, which I will continue to endorse. It is merely a criticism of their judgment in allowing these two to pollute their e-waves.]
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Saudi Hareidia!
I was in Malha mall in Jtown last week and boy oh boy...
There I was, immediately surrounded by thousands of Arabs...not just arabs...but Middle class arabs!
I was shocked. Having frequented the mall many times in years now past I was overwhelmed by how much I felt like I was in a middle class suburban saudi neighborhood (if there are such things)...middle class arabs in Jerusalem...oh boy...we are doomed. I relish the days when arabs were too poor and too socially revolting to dare consider venturing into respectable jewish establishments.
And they were ALL EATING ICE CREAM!
every last one of them was enjoying some form of ice cream. Only chocolate and vanilla I noticed though, Allah must not approve of other more scandalous flavors. Imam says: "no caramel ice cream...it is a tool of the Yahud shaytan...it will cause you to masturbate...they want you to masturbate and not procreate more of our noble race...damn those Jews and their devilish ice cream..."
We should seriously consider luring young arab children out of the country through the use of Glida diplomacy. "do you really want a state or some chunky monkey (no pun at arabs gayness intended at all...), yes enjoy the chunky monkey..."
The only counter to the tremendous arab population was the Hareidi population. They were mostly eating pizza and burger king. Maybe they can be lured into the army and work force through the promise pizza hut and hamburgers.
No doubt they would find a way to get their hamburgers and eat them too. Ultra orthodox rabbi says: no eating burger king...look at the tziyoinim and what it has done to them...it will make you masturbate and stop learning the talmud...for the 8000th time..."
Its so crazy how many draft dodgers are hanging out at the malha mall at any given time.
So to no surprise I ended up gorging myself on pizza and ice cream.
It was an interesting field trip...to what I can only refer to as SAUDI HAREIDIA!
There I was, immediately surrounded by thousands of Arabs...not just arabs...but Middle class arabs!
I was shocked. Having frequented the mall many times in years now past I was overwhelmed by how much I felt like I was in a middle class suburban saudi neighborhood (if there are such things)...middle class arabs in Jerusalem...oh boy...we are doomed. I relish the days when arabs were too poor and too socially revolting to dare consider venturing into respectable jewish establishments.
And they were ALL EATING ICE CREAM!
every last one of them was enjoying some form of ice cream. Only chocolate and vanilla I noticed though, Allah must not approve of other more scandalous flavors. Imam says: "no caramel ice cream...it is a tool of the Yahud shaytan...it will cause you to masturbate...they want you to masturbate and not procreate more of our noble race...damn those Jews and their devilish ice cream..."
We should seriously consider luring young arab children out of the country through the use of Glida diplomacy. "do you really want a state or some chunky monkey (no pun at arabs gayness intended at all...), yes enjoy the chunky monkey..."
The only counter to the tremendous arab population was the Hareidi population. They were mostly eating pizza and burger king. Maybe they can be lured into the army and work force through the promise pizza hut and hamburgers.
No doubt they would find a way to get their hamburgers and eat them too. Ultra orthodox rabbi says: no eating burger king...look at the tziyoinim and what it has done to them...it will make you masturbate and stop learning the talmud...for the 8000th time..."
Its so crazy how many draft dodgers are hanging out at the malha mall at any given time.
So to no surprise I ended up gorging myself on pizza and ice cream.
It was an interesting field trip...to what I can only refer to as SAUDI HAREIDIA!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Neo-Zionist Uberblog?!
I have received many requests to comment on a blog of the above designation. (Check it out, its good stuff). I’ve gone a long time without comment, but now I've decided to address it...obviously.
I remember, years ago when I was a teenager that I first thought of the term Neo-Zionism. I thought it sounded cool and tough. Many have created the term independently. I'm sure that every fiery eyed idealist who wants to reinvent Zionism has thought they made it up too.
In any case, it has come to have a definition of its own, more as an alternative to post-Zionism.
However, this term when combined with the German word Uber will elicit comparisons to the term "neo-Nazi"--that are generally latent for many regardless. (No it can’t be equated to the term neo-con, because neo-conservatism is not a nationalist movement--like it or not).
Why do it?! Why "neo" and "uber"?
I am personally disgusted by the notion of Jews speaking German or living in Germany, like many. I also do my best to avoid buying German products of any kind, like many. These both have a little something to do with the fact that Germans annihilated 6 million of my people rather recently. I’m sure many of the people at Kumah maintain similar practices and beliefs...so why make "Neo-Zionist Uberblog" the title and name of a web site dedicated to Aliyah and positive-feel good-21st century Zionism?! It is illogical and stupid, in all honesty, and should be changed with a public acknowledgment of the error made.
The only thing they could add--for a real coup De grace--would be a hearty ‘Heil Herzl!’ to the title. As in:
Kumah - Neo-Zionist Uberblog - Heil Herzl!
Wait, better yet:
Kumah - Neo-Zionist Uberblog - Uberblog Macht Frei!!
But why stop there?!
Kumah - Neo-Zionist Uberblog - Ein Kumah Ein Uberblog!!!
This Yom Kippur we will be saying a prayer for the souls of our martyred brethren and ancestors, in particular those who were slaughtered by the Germans in the Holocaust!
An excerpt (from Artscrol):
This blogs title in no way serves to obliterate that memory. It is an absurd and bizarre mockery.
I’m sure the people at Kumah thought this decision over and debated the issue and probably think about it in the way the word "Umber-model" might be used in fashion magazines and not in the Nazi’s (not Nietzsche's) "Uber-Mensch" way...and that is precisely the problem.
The point I am making here is undeniable. And to be perfectly clear, I am not opposed to feel-good Zionism or Kumah, I am pro Kumah and I think it provides a crucial and important function and this is why I have decided to make this point...
KUMAH, CHANGE THE NAME OF YOUR BLOG!!!!
I remember, years ago when I was a teenager that I first thought of the term Neo-Zionism. I thought it sounded cool and tough. Many have created the term independently. I'm sure that every fiery eyed idealist who wants to reinvent Zionism has thought they made it up too.
In any case, it has come to have a definition of its own, more as an alternative to post-Zionism.
However, this term when combined with the German word Uber will elicit comparisons to the term "neo-Nazi"--that are generally latent for many regardless. (No it can’t be equated to the term neo-con, because neo-conservatism is not a nationalist movement--like it or not).
Why do it?! Why "neo" and "uber"?
I am personally disgusted by the notion of Jews speaking German or living in Germany, like many. I also do my best to avoid buying German products of any kind, like many. These both have a little something to do with the fact that Germans annihilated 6 million of my people rather recently. I’m sure many of the people at Kumah maintain similar practices and beliefs...so why make "Neo-Zionist Uberblog" the title and name of a web site dedicated to Aliyah and positive-feel good-21st century Zionism?! It is illogical and stupid, in all honesty, and should be changed with a public acknowledgment of the error made.
The only thing they could add--for a real coup De grace--would be a hearty ‘Heil Herzl!’ to the title. As in:
Kumah - Neo-Zionist Uberblog - Heil Herzl!
Wait, better yet:
Kumah - Neo-Zionist Uberblog - Uberblog Macht Frei!!
But why stop there?!
Kumah - Neo-Zionist Uberblog - Ein Kumah Ein Uberblog!!!
This Yom Kippur we will be saying a prayer for the souls of our martyred brethren and ancestors, in particular those who were slaughtered by the Germans in the Holocaust!
An excerpt (from Artscrol):
"...for the souls of the holy pure ones who were killed, murdered, slaughtered, burned, drowned and strangled for the sanctification of the Name, through the hands of the German oppressors, may their name and memory be obliterated..."
This blogs title in no way serves to obliterate that memory. It is an absurd and bizarre mockery.
I’m sure the people at Kumah thought this decision over and debated the issue and probably think about it in the way the word "Umber-model" might be used in fashion magazines and not in the Nazi’s (not Nietzsche's) "Uber-Mensch" way...and that is precisely the problem.
The point I am making here is undeniable. And to be perfectly clear, I am not opposed to feel-good Zionism or Kumah, I am pro Kumah and I think it provides a crucial and important function and this is why I have decided to make this point...
KUMAH, CHANGE THE NAME OF YOUR BLOG!!!!
Monday, September 24, 2007
The Feast of Tabernacles Gathering (or, Rape is Christian)
A Jew believing in Christianity is as ridiculous as an almighty virtuous deity forcing himself upon (raping) an innocent and unsuspecting young woman just before her husband and her are able to consummate their marriage and then that child being born with blue eyes and blond hair and choosing carpentry as his vocation of choice. And then millennia later, coincidentally, having virtuous priests of a religion dedicated to said blue-eyed carpenter forcing themselves upon (molesting) innocent and unsuspecting children in much the same fashion as their hallowed god forced himself upon said carpenters innocent mother.
I suppose that like Jews emulation of their god is something to be taken seriously.
I don't like the event, but to be honest I feel that any Jews who want to go...who needs em.
Because if you believe in Christianity you’re probably just a pervert who'll believe almost anything mildly associated with pederasty.
I suppose that like Jews emulation of their god is something to be taken seriously.
I don't like the event, but to be honest I feel that any Jews who want to go...who needs em.
Because if you believe in Christianity you’re probably just a pervert who'll believe almost anything mildly associated with pederasty.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Advice for the New Year
a few things that have been passed on to me:
1. Always know what time it is.
2. Always know what things cost.
3. Always know how things work.
4. Thoughts become reality.
5. You are the predicament you find yourself to be in.
6. Gauge yourself by the result you get.
Cant lead you wrong.
1. Always know what time it is.
2. Always know what things cost.
3. Always know how things work.
4. Thoughts become reality.
5. You are the predicament you find yourself to be in.
6. Gauge yourself by the result you get.
Cant lead you wrong.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Yom Kippur reading and activities
Recommended reading for the Day of Atonement:
1. Days of Awe, Edited by S.Y. Agnon. Its a essentially an anthology of religious writings and commentary relating to the high holy days. Its very good. inspirational, interesting, informative. Strongly recommended for orthodox and non-Orthodox alike.
2. www.tanach.org. Print up anything they have about the high holy days. I also recommend the shiur on parshat Hazinu. This is great Torah, written by someone who is orthodox and really uses his moyach. Strongly recommended for the orthodox reader and for the highly intelligent non-orthodox reader who maintains an interest in orthodox theology.
Recommended activities for Yom Kippur eve:
1. Do kapparot in Geulah (Mea Shearim) in Jerusalem, find yourself a good shochet who holds the blade in his teeth like a merciless pirate!
2. Ritual immersion at the beach (most cities have separate beaches for that very personal nude dunking) and/or in a natural spring mikve like liftah in Jerusalem or the Arizal's mikve in Tzfat.
3. Give Charity to the poor of your city (which takes precedence over any other charity according to the Talmud).
4. Buy an Artscrol inter-linear Machzor (they are excellent. especially for the long amidah viduy prayers).
5. drink lots today so you don't dehydrate tomorrow. I have been there and it sucks.
I hope its a good one for us all.
Gmar Hatima Tova
Frank
1. Days of Awe, Edited by S.Y. Agnon. Its a essentially an anthology of religious writings and commentary relating to the high holy days. Its very good. inspirational, interesting, informative. Strongly recommended for orthodox and non-Orthodox alike.
2. www.tanach.org. Print up anything they have about the high holy days. I also recommend the shiur on parshat Hazinu. This is great Torah, written by someone who is orthodox and really uses his moyach. Strongly recommended for the orthodox reader and for the highly intelligent non-orthodox reader who maintains an interest in orthodox theology.
Recommended activities for Yom Kippur eve:
1. Do kapparot in Geulah (Mea Shearim) in Jerusalem, find yourself a good shochet who holds the blade in his teeth like a merciless pirate!
2. Ritual immersion at the beach (most cities have separate beaches for that very personal nude dunking) and/or in a natural spring mikve like liftah in Jerusalem or the Arizal's mikve in Tzfat.
3. Give Charity to the poor of your city (which takes precedence over any other charity according to the Talmud).
4. Buy an Artscrol inter-linear Machzor (they are excellent. especially for the long amidah viduy prayers).
5. drink lots today so you don't dehydrate tomorrow. I have been there and it sucks.
I hope its a good one for us all.
Gmar Hatima Tova
Frank
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Young people and Jewish Activism
Jewish Activism is good in that it provides a (productive?) forum for young Jews to express their independence and Nationalism. A lot of it though is masturbatory and totally meaningless.
By activism I mean any form of demonstration or protest or which carries with it the potential for (physical or legal) damage to ones person, property, or reputaion.
I find highly dubious the motives of any leader or organization manager who demands sacrifice from their followers/pupils. I find them too often to be little more than extremist job seekers.
Many extremists are not legitimate believers in their cause and almost anyone involved in youth/student organization is a false believer and the worst form of exploitative opportunistic job seeker, because they will often put naive young people in harms way (for their own advancement), either physically or legally, the repercussions of which that young activist may not be able to fully appreciate for many years.
Unfortunately, so many of the young people who led the anti disengagement efforts were not true believers in their own cause.
their activism was an effort towards expressing both the independent and rebellious tendencies of adolescence and youth. this is why the fervor of the generation of the disengagement will dissipate over time...and disappear...leaving so many wondering what ever happened to all those
ideological young people who sat in the roads, burned tires, and were beaten by police back in the early 2000's.
Real activism takes adults. this is what set Moshe Feiglin apart from anyone else as an activist during the Oslo years, he was a grown man who became his own activist movement, and attracted other adults to do the same by showing them very simply how easy and rewarding it could be for them personally (my interpretation).
Young Jews need to learn to become assets to their community in their professional and personnel lives, not how to get arrested. That's for the adults to do.
Jewish activism is a weapon.
Weapons are not for children or the naive of this world to throw about carelessly.
That's for the men to do.
By activism I mean any form of demonstration or protest or which carries with it the potential for (physical or legal) damage to ones person, property, or reputaion.
I find highly dubious the motives of any leader or organization manager who demands sacrifice from their followers/pupils. I find them too often to be little more than extremist job seekers.
Many extremists are not legitimate believers in their cause and almost anyone involved in youth/student organization is a false believer and the worst form of exploitative opportunistic job seeker, because they will often put naive young people in harms way (for their own advancement), either physically or legally, the repercussions of which that young activist may not be able to fully appreciate for many years.
Unfortunately, so many of the young people who led the anti disengagement efforts were not true believers in their own cause.
their activism was an effort towards expressing both the independent and rebellious tendencies of adolescence and youth. this is why the fervor of the generation of the disengagement will dissipate over time...and disappear...leaving so many wondering what ever happened to all those
ideological young people who sat in the roads, burned tires, and were beaten by police back in the early 2000's.
Real activism takes adults. this is what set Moshe Feiglin apart from anyone else as an activist during the Oslo years, he was a grown man who became his own activist movement, and attracted other adults to do the same by showing them very simply how easy and rewarding it could be for them personally (my interpretation).
Young Jews need to learn to become assets to their community in their professional and personnel lives, not how to get arrested. That's for the adults to do.
Jewish activism is a weapon.
Weapons are not for children or the naive of this world to throw about carelessly.
That's for the men to do.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Pollard and Israelis
Pollard...Pollard, Pollard, Pollard Pollard Pollard....
The only way the Israeli government will request Pollard be released (as if that would make a difference) would be if significant amount of the Israeli public would be willing to base their Knesset vote on the topic. If Israeli would only elect a one issue Pollard party (to at least a 61 seat majority) then there might be a chance that party wouldn't turn its back on the voters and do something.
However, Israelis will only believe that pollard is an important enough issue to even consider pursuing if the politicians convince them it is, in the same Orwellian fashion that they have convinced most Israelis that Oslo was awesome and that Abu Mazen is Mahatma Gandhi.
SO it will never happen, Israeli's will never care about Pollards release. Certainly not enough to make it happen. And politicians will never really do anything about it.
This is all old hat though.
Consider this:
Convincing Israelis that they should care about Pollard is like trying to convince them to care about littering, or saving the environment, or driving too fast, or not peeing in public, or shwarma vendors about hygiene...etc, etc, etc.....all important issues, but none of which really take primacy over the fact that a solid third of this country 's workers earn under 3500 NIS a month and are too busy earning their daily bread to care about an Israeli agent stuck in the US as a result of what are often portrayed as his dubious intentions.
I would be surprised if a sample of 1 in 100 across this country knew who Pollard actually was...most of the people who know and really care are youth, Olim, and extremists, which to be hosent dont
count politically for very much. Youth grow up, olim get tired, and extremists are marginal and discredited. If you really care about pollard your probably one of these 3 unfortunately.
He's our man, so we should get him out.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Film: Shooter...
Saw this movie recently, it was good action.
it is a great sniper film.
All throughout I thought of all the Israeli soldiers I have met who have claimed to be snipers...which is laughable...
Israel does not employ snipers in the traditional western military sense of the word. Instead an Israeli sniper is actually a sharpshooter dispersed within infantry sub-units at the squad and platoon levels...so the range of an Israeli "snipers" usefulness in regard to the military advantage it lends our forces is not profound. I dont know if sniping has been seriously employed to any degree since the first Lebanon war as an organized discipline...in terms of hunting, stalking, and killing human targets.
Another thing is that Israeli snipers do not use bolt action rifles, so their range and deadliness are impeded, rather they generally use modified Galil semi-automatic rifles. It has been said that the advantage is that it allows more rapid fire than a bolt action rifle...but that is precisely where the point is missed.
Real Israeli snipers could have turned half of Hezbollah into pink mist during the last war...not to mention inspire fear in the enemy. its a deeply psychological weapon capable of tremendous accomplishments.
Im no expert. but im right.
it is a great sniper film.
All throughout I thought of all the Israeli soldiers I have met who have claimed to be snipers...which is laughable...
Israel does not employ snipers in the traditional western military sense of the word. Instead an Israeli sniper is actually a sharpshooter dispersed within infantry sub-units at the squad and platoon levels...so the range of an Israeli "snipers" usefulness in regard to the military advantage it lends our forces is not profound. I dont know if sniping has been seriously employed to any degree since the first Lebanon war as an organized discipline...in terms of hunting, stalking, and killing human targets.
Another thing is that Israeli snipers do not use bolt action rifles, so their range and deadliness are impeded, rather they generally use modified Galil semi-automatic rifles. It has been said that the advantage is that it allows more rapid fire than a bolt action rifle...but that is precisely where the point is missed.
Real Israeli snipers could have turned half of Hezbollah into pink mist during the last war...not to mention inspire fear in the enemy. its a deeply psychological weapon capable of tremendous accomplishments.
Im no expert. but im right.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Insights from a tremp
I got a tremp a few days ago from side of my city to another, which was great because i was standing in the sun waiting for the bus for an hour. it was one of
moments you'll read about once a year in a cheap Jerusalem post article in tribute to independence day--like "60 reasons why I love Israel and its so great...blah blah".
the driver was a woman in her 50's who said something like:
"Ohh I ALWAYSSS pick up religious people (datiim)...i just looked at you and it was like i received a message from Gd or something that i should pick you up because you are a dati. (I think i mustve felt something like a black person must feel when being patronized by a pretentious white person...she went on for a minute or two:) "oh, i mean, I'm not religious, but i was raised in a religious home...its not for me but I think they are good people so I will try to pick up a dati when I see one waiting or something...how do you like living in Israel?" (Its good I say, its not always easy, but that seems to be our lot as Jew's). she went on "well, i would leave this country right now if I could...i would get the hell out of here and let everyone else go to Azazel...I lived in new Zealand for 12 years and it was great...i don't know how I got back here sometimes...blah blah blah...religious people like you are good...you work and are productive...not like hareidim...blah blah...i mean i dont always agree with people who ware a kippah like yours but...i mean what do you think of all the arab workers in our city?...i think they are terrible and thats why they need a state of their own...you know them there us here and thats it...i dont discriminate against anyone...even people who are very religious...I think everyone should live together but each mind their own business and save their opinions for themselves...who do you support in politics...probably bibi, right? (I dont answer the question) ...oh thats a little extreme for me...but i also thought sharon was extreme once and...at least he was strong and knew how to lead...you know............ok have a Shana Tova..."
She went on and on barely pausing to look and see that I was totally disinterested...spewing her provincial Israeli yokelist nonsense. I just kept thinking, "you are such a retard, stop talking". She probably thought that she and I had something in common due to the fact that I am from abroad and she lived abroad for some years...yet again another Israeli yokelism.
Please note...this wasnt a crazy person. in fact this was just your regular average Israeli. most of them will ramble on like this forever given the chance if you get two of them together in the same room. anyone who doesnt resemble this person by dialogue is fringe.
Now, Im not smart enough to extrapolate all of the deep psychological and existential problems this attitude of hers elicits...and the stuff i can point out is too obvious to merit elucidation. the political consequences of even 3 million people like this voting and having children inspires me with pure terror. i think this is the "middle Israeli" amotz asael is always writing about in the Jerusalem post--such a stupid column.
If you disagree--i hate to burst ur bubble, but--you are out of touch with this country entirely.
This isnt news to me...but im taking a guess that it probably is for you.
moments you'll read about once a year in a cheap Jerusalem post article in tribute to independence day--like "60 reasons why I love Israel and its so great...blah blah".
the driver was a woman in her 50's who said something like:
"Ohh I ALWAYSSS pick up religious people (datiim)...i just looked at you and it was like i received a message from Gd or something that i should pick you up because you are a dati. (I think i mustve felt something like a black person must feel when being patronized by a pretentious white person...she went on for a minute or two:) "oh, i mean, I'm not religious, but i was raised in a religious home...its not for me but I think they are good people so I will try to pick up a dati when I see one waiting or something...how do you like living in Israel?" (Its good I say, its not always easy, but that seems to be our lot as Jew's). she went on "well, i would leave this country right now if I could...i would get the hell out of here and let everyone else go to Azazel...I lived in new Zealand for 12 years and it was great...i don't know how I got back here sometimes...blah blah blah...religious people like you are good...you work and are productive...not like hareidim...blah blah...i mean i dont always agree with people who ware a kippah like yours but...i mean what do you think of all the arab workers in our city?...i think they are terrible and thats why they need a state of their own...you know them there us here and thats it...i dont discriminate against anyone...even people who are very religious...I think everyone should live together but each mind their own business and save their opinions for themselves...who do you support in politics...probably bibi, right? (I dont answer the question) ...oh thats a little extreme for me...but i also thought sharon was extreme once and...at least he was strong and knew how to lead...you know............ok have a Shana Tova..."
She went on and on barely pausing to look and see that I was totally disinterested...spewing her provincial Israeli yokelist nonsense. I just kept thinking, "you are such a retard, stop talking". She probably thought that she and I had something in common due to the fact that I am from abroad and she lived abroad for some years...yet again another Israeli yokelism.
Please note...this wasnt a crazy person. in fact this was just your regular average Israeli. most of them will ramble on like this forever given the chance if you get two of them together in the same room. anyone who doesnt resemble this person by dialogue is fringe.
Now, Im not smart enough to extrapolate all of the deep psychological and existential problems this attitude of hers elicits...and the stuff i can point out is too obvious to merit elucidation. the political consequences of even 3 million people like this voting and having children inspires me with pure terror. i think this is the "middle Israeli" amotz asael is always writing about in the Jerusalem post--such a stupid column.
If you disagree--i hate to burst ur bubble, but--you are out of touch with this country entirely.
This isnt news to me...but im taking a guess that it probably is for you.
End Phase 2
This post signals the end of Franks Second Age of Development on this blog.
The 3rd Age now begins. It will be different and unique while remaining the same.
The 3rd Age now begins. It will be different and unique while remaining the same.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Israeli Yokelism...
Do not be fooled by imitators.
I am the originator of the concept of Israeli Yokelism.
I originally entitled it: The Pathetic Rustic Insularity of Israeli Yokelism.
It was chapter five in the Frank Jacuzzi rough draft E-book.
If you see any writer out there talking about Israeli provincialism or Yokelism, then just know they stole it from me.
Israeli yokelism expresses itself in every facet of Israeli life, from the stereotypes they maintain about each other, the simplicity of their concepts of freedom and liberty, in mental process they go through is picking a party to vote for, to the ways in which
they manage their finances.
its real and its dangerous. but I suppose its hard to avoid smallness in a country where you cant drive 30 miles in almost any direction without being reminded of ones mortality...or maybe not, what do I know.
go figure.
I am the originator of the concept of Israeli Yokelism.
I originally entitled it: The Pathetic Rustic Insularity of Israeli Yokelism.
It was chapter five in the Frank Jacuzzi rough draft E-book.
If you see any writer out there talking about Israeli provincialism or Yokelism, then just know they stole it from me.
Israeli yokelism expresses itself in every facet of Israeli life, from the stereotypes they maintain about each other, the simplicity of their concepts of freedom and liberty, in mental process they go through is picking a party to vote for, to the ways in which
they manage their finances.
its real and its dangerous. but I suppose its hard to avoid smallness in a country where you cant drive 30 miles in almost any direction without being reminded of ones mortality...or maybe not, what do I know.
go figure.
Its been a long time...
And to paraphrase Timbaland, I shouldn't have left you without a dope post to step to.
After much coaxing from fellow bloggers I have decided to return; in what capacity I am still unsure.
But in any case, many of you know that I shut down the Jacuzzi. sad I know. It was great but now like a boxer must discard pound after pound of sweaty useless fat so too has the Jacuzzi gone the way of a young James Dean.
btw--I saw the movie transformers a few days ago and wept like a baby watching Optimus Prime get his ass kicked by megatron.
That was so stupid and really sucked. the footage of their fight scenes was kinda of lame in comparison to one fight seen when OP actually stabs another robot through the head with an awesome sword of death.
You cant make a transformers movie where Prime gets his ass beat! its absolutely stupid.
Whats next, thundercats with a gay Lion-o?
After much coaxing from fellow bloggers I have decided to return; in what capacity I am still unsure.
But in any case, many of you know that I shut down the Jacuzzi. sad I know. It was great but now like a boxer must discard pound after pound of sweaty useless fat so too has the Jacuzzi gone the way of a young James Dean.
btw--I saw the movie transformers a few days ago and wept like a baby watching Optimus Prime get his ass kicked by megatron.
That was so stupid and really sucked. the footage of their fight scenes was kinda of lame in comparison to one fight seen when OP actually stabs another robot through the head with an awesome sword of death.
You cant make a transformers movie where Prime gets his ass beat! its absolutely stupid.
Whats next, thundercats with a gay Lion-o?
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