Tzipiyah.com

I started getting involved with an absolutely incredible organization called Im Tirtzu. I encourage you all to join the facebook group of the organization and also to visit the website to learn of ways to support the organization.

‎Im Tirtzu is an extra-parliamentary movement that engages in on and off campus Zionist advocacy, in an effort to strengthen the values of Zionism in Israel, with the aim of securing the future of the Jewish people and the State of Israel and advancing Israeli society in its struggle to overcome the challenges it is currently facing.

Regrettably, in recent years, anti-Zionist trends have been proliferating in Israeli universities, which have gradually displaced, marginalized and excluded the Zionist discourse, preventing the Zionist majority from making its voice heard. For the past two years, Im Tirtzu has been the only entity that has provided a response to the spread of post-Zionist and anti-Zionist currents among the faculty and student body in Israeli universities.

Im Tirtzu believes in the capacity of every person to influence his environment. We believe that a return to Zionism and an ethical Zionist renewal is the solution to the problems and crises Israeli society is currently facing. Once we regain our belief in the validity and justice of the Zionist cause and in our ability to make a difference in steering our reality we shall be able to deal successfully with the challenges that confront us.

In the words of Herzl:

“If you will it is no dream … and if you do not will then everything I have told you is only a dream and will continue to remain a dream”. If we only dare to do so, we can transform the dream that is the State of Israel into a more just, more modern, more democratic and more Jewish place.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=61128912848

One year ago, on Rosh Chodesh Adar II, eight holy and devout Jewish boys were murdered in a senseless terrorist attack on Yeshivat Merkaz HaRav. On that day, the entire Jewish Nation stood together in mourning for those who were murdered. On February 24th, one year later, we need to once again all unite in a constructive response, inspired by the words of Rav Avraham Yitzhak Hakohen Kook, founder of the attacked Yeshiva:

“The purely righteous do not complain about evil, rather they add justice.
They do not complain about heresy, rather they add faith.
They do not complain about ignorance, rather they add wisdom. ”
Arpilei Tohar p. 39

Let us respond to this tragedy with courage and inspiration. Let us confront the incredible darkness created that tragic day with as much hope and light as man can offer!

On this day, let us each accomplish a noteworthy, positive deed in memory of the murdered boys. This action will not only merit the souls of those murdered, but will also add light to this world, countering the incredible darkness brought on that day.

These two website, already organized in memory of the boys, offer two of many options on how you can take part in this worldwide effort:

‎http://www.merkazmemorial.com
‎http://www.blevechad.com/live/

Any positive action will do; whether it be the accomplishment of a religious precept or a good deed rendered toward your neighbour, community, nation or the world. Whether you decide to wear Tefillin; commit to lighting Shabbat candles; give to a charity; help a friend in need; visit a sick or lonely relative; or volunteer at a soup kitchen, every positive action will help bring light to a world so desperately in need.

I ask that everyone share their chosen response on the wall of this event in order to inspire others to do the same.

Let us not forget the shock we felt on that day of tragedy. May we transform the depth of that shock into even greater good, through positive, inspired actions.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=61128912848

Rav Yishai Lisner is the Rosh Kollel of Kollel Torah Mitzion in Montreal, on shlichut to Montreal from Israel.

I am writing these lines while my heart and my thoughts are with my brothers and sisters in the Land of Israel, standing bravely and with dedication against the terrorist enemy.

From the moment the fighting in Gaza started, I have been constantly troubled by the thought that I am here and while my brothers are there, far away. What Should I do? This question has kept me from sleeping and brought me to constantly watch television transmissions on the internet from Israel.

As I watched the transmission, pride burst through me at the sight of the citizens of Israel standing day after day opposite the bombings and rocket attacks. I was filled with pride at the sight of the defeat handed by the Israeli Air Force to Hams within 3.5 minutes. I was filled with pride at the sight of the soldiers determined to fight the enemy even though they know too well what they are risking. I was filled with pride when hearing of a soldier who was brought to the hospital after being wounded, whose first sentence he said to his doctors was: “Please hurry, I have to return to my friends who are fighting.”

I hurried outside to share my feelings with my friends, while adding the question: “What do you think now, what should we do?” The answer did not take long, “Support Israel”. Wow, I said to myself, this sounds like something big. I, of course, thanked my friends and in my heart I hoped that at least tonight I would be able to sleep in peace. I am proud that I have such a country and such an army and now I even know what I must do: “Support Israel”.

Night fell. Outside, it was quiet. Even the cars are no longer driving around. Yet, again, to my sorrow, my eyes would not close for even a moment. Over and over, the pictures from the television transmission ran through my mind and I was filled with pride. Yet, on the other hand, echoing in my ears was the answer from my friends: “Support Israel”. It took me a minutes to realize that maybe the problem is the discrepancy between feeling proud and the answer “Support Israel”.

Israel does not need support. The soldiers I saw are not unfortunate- they are heroes! The citizens I saw are standing strong without needed me to bring them crutches! The soldier who was brought to the hospital does not feel insulted or ashamed - he is simply proud to defend himself and his country!

So, what does the State of Israel need from me?  If it does not need my support, what does it need? The State of Israel needs partners!

Being a partner means taking an active role in the forming and growth the state. Being a partner means feeling the burden of responsibility for what is happening to the same degree as the other partners. Being a partner is losing sleep while pondering how can I actively contribute to the thriving property in which I have a part.

Spouting the slogan: “Support Israel” sounds like something big and powerful, but, in truth, it is only a passive stance. If the burning fire of enthusiasm and desire to connect with Israel is really there, than you must be a partner andnot  just stand and watch from the sidelines and call that “Supporting Israel”.

The channels of partnership with the State of Israel are so numerous that there is room for almost every initiative. There is room for every partner to enter.

There are partners who will want to leave wherever they are and move to live in Israel. There are partners who will want to send their children to learn in Israel. There are partners who will invest in social programming in Israel. There are partners who will invest financially in Israel. And there are partners who will simply sit and pray, or make extra time to learn more Torah.

The common denominator is the taking of initiative and the feeling of a personal responsibility to be part of the growth of the State of Israel.

The claim Moshe Rabeinu made against the tribes of Israel who wished to stay on the other side of the Jordan may, today, seem more relevant than ever: “Your brothers will go out to war and you will sit here?”

Israel does not need supporters, Israel needs: P-A-R-T-N-E-R-S!

A little late, but really great - a nice Guest Post

The parashiot of Miketz and Vayigash feature some strange language and events that bear closer examination. The way I see things, it’s easier to read between the lines if we accept that the point of the parashiot is that “Kol Israel Arevim Ze LaZe” - all Israel are responsible for one another. Some of the [stronger] points in making this claim are Rashi’s or other commentator’s ideas. Any errors are mine, naturally. For those of you who may find it useful to know, I used The Sapirstein Edition of the Chumash.

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I just wanted to let you all know about one of my latest projects. I set up a blog for a student of Rav Shlomo Aviner, one of the most respected religious zionist rabbis today. In the blog, the student translates hebrew material from the rav periodically and posts it online. The rav has given permission for the translations.

I highly suggest visiting the blog and adding it to your bookmarks. If you own your own blog or website, make sure to let your readers know about this new blog. There is very little material on it right now but it is sure to be a great resource for all those who wish to explore religious zionist thought.

Rav Shlomo Aviner’s Blog - http://www.ravaviner.com