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Friday, Jul. 15 '16, ט' בתמוז תשע"ו
HEADLINES:
1. 'FRENCH JEWS, WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU HERE'
2. MULTIPLE KNESSET EFFORTS TO SAVE AMONA
3. FRENCH TERRORIST PRETENDED TO BE GIVING AWAY ICE CREAM
4. MUFTI DENOUNCES TERROR VICTIM'S FAMILY VISIT TO TEMPLE MOUNT
5. RABBI HAIM AMSALEM JOINS JEWISH HOME PARTY
6. MOSHE RABEINU ROSE AND FELL OVER WATER
7. NICE TERRORIST IDENTIFIED AS 31-YEAR-OLD FRENCH MAN FROM TUNISIA
8. 'THE NEXT WAR IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME'
1. 'FRENCH JEWS, WE'RE WAITING FOR YOU HERE'
by Ido Ben-Porat
France faced a painful morning on Friday, after 84 people were murdered in the worst vehicular terror attack in history.
A 31-year-old Muslim terrorist used his truck to run over hundreds of people out celebrating the French independence day. Eighty-four of the victims were killed, including dozens of children, and over a hundred wounded.
The perpetrator was a French citizen of Tunisian origin. His two-kilometer path of destruction ended in an exchange of gunfire with police. It is believed that he intended to continue his attack using the ammunition and grenades found in the truck.
The president of France's Jewish community has called on his followers to pray for the Jews who were hurt in the attack: Axel Ben Yael, Moshe Ben Ya'akov, Klara Bat Numa, Yonatan Ben Zuzi, John Drey and Dominique Azen.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said that "Israel condemns in the strongest terms last night's horrific attack in Nice.
"We are again reminded that terrorism can strike anywhere and must be fought everywhere.
"Israelis stand united with the people of France today. We join you in mourning those who were killed and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.
"Israel is ready to help the French government fight this evil until it is defeated."
Similarly, Deputy Defense Minister Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan (Jewish Home) said: "Again Muslim terror hits Europe. The war on terror is a war involving all the world's countries."
Rabbi Ben-Dahan then spoke to the French Jewish community, saying, "The State of Israel, the state of the Jewish People, will help and support you. We are waiting for you here."
Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid also commented on the attack. "Terror is appalling because of its suddenness. One moment people are celebrating, singing, laughing, embracing their families. A few seconds later there's blood, screams and death. I send my condolences from here to the entire French people."
According to him, "What happened in Nice last night is a reminder that we cannot defeat Islamist terror through words and not through conciliatory gestures. We need to stand strong against it, without blinking and without hesitation. Israel has much to give in this field. We have the experience, the intelligence, and the methods of operation. France knows that we stand with it."
2. MULTIPLE KNESSET EFFORTS TO SAVE AMONA
by Ido Ben-Porat
Two bills dealing with the community of Amona are being considered by the government, one by MK Yoav Kish (Likud), the other from MK Shuli Mualem-Refaeli (Jewish Home).
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation will discuss both on Sunday.
Arutz Sheva asked whether Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home), who chairs the committee, will bring the bills for discussion. Her office confirmed that that they will be brought for discussion and that she will even vote in favor of them.
According to Clause 22 of the coalition agreement between Jewish Home and the Likud, the Prime Minister has the authority to remove bills from the Ministerial Committee's agenda. It is expected that Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (Likud), Netanyahu's representative in the committee, will do so with these bills.
Separately, Arutz Sheva was informed that Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu) is pushing for his own solution, which would not rely on legislation.
He hopes to do so using the Absentees' Property Law from 1950, which allowed the Israeli government purchase the property of those who left for enemy countries during the War of Independence.
3. FRENCH TERRORIST PRETENDED TO BE GIVING AWAY ICE CREAM
by Reut Hadar
The Muslim terrorist who carried out Thursday's terror attack in the French city of Nice reportedly raised a local police officer's suspicions several hours before he began his killing spree.
When the officer approached him, the terrorist asked for permission to park his truck near the boulevard because he claimed that he was going to hand out ice cream in honor of Bastille Day.
During the attack, the terrorist used the truck to murder 84 people.
Prime Minister Manuel Valls gave a speech from the Élysée Palace, saying: "France has been hit in its soul on the 14 July, our national day. They wanted to attack the unity of the French nation. The only dignified response is that France will remain loyal to the spirit of the 14 July and its values."
He then declared three days of national mourning.
4. MUFTI DENOUNCES TERROR VICTIM'S FAMILY VISIT TO TEMPLE MOUNT
by Dalit Halevi
Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the mufti of "Palestine" and a preacher at the al-Aqsa Mosque, has condemned what he called the "extremist settler" visit to the Temple Mount earlier this week.
The event was organized by Hallel Yaffa Ariel's in her memory, and was accompanied by close police protection.
Sheikh Hussein described the visit as a step towards the escalation of "attacks" on the mosque. He added that it crossed a "red line" for Muslims around the world.
According to Hussein, the event exposed Israel's aggressive intentions towards the al-Aqsa Mosque, and proves the "falsity" in its claims that it maintains the status quo at the holy site.
"This criminal attack against the al-Aqsa Mosque's holiness is an additional stage in the series of escalations aimed at laying the groundwork for the enforced division of the mosque according to location and time. It was carried out as part of an effort to change the historic and present situation."
According to the 1949 Armistice Agreement between Israel and Jordan, Jews are required to have access to the Temple Mount. However, Jordan, which occupied the Mount, refused to honor its promise and forbade Jews from visiting their holiest site.
After Israel liberated all of Jerusalem in 1967, it allowed Muslims to continue preventing Jews from entering the Temple Mount.
5. RABBI HAIM AMSALEM JOINS JEWISH HOME PARTY
by Ido Ben-Porat
Former MK Rabbi Haim Amsalem has joined the Jewish Home and intends to run in the party's upcoming primaries.
Rabbi Amsalem began his political career with Shas following a request from Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.
Before entering the Knesset halls, he served as a community rabbi and as the head of the Abuhatzira family's institutes in Netivot. Afterwards, he founded a teaching kollel (an advanced religious seminary) in Jerusalem and headed the Sephardi community Heichal Hanes in Geneva.
Rabbi Amsalem was elected to the Knesset in 2006, as the tenth person on Shas's list. Following the Supreme Court ruling on the Emmanuel school, he chose to focus his efforts on fighting discrimination against Sephardi students. In doing so he violated the party's instructions not to respond or act on the issue, and raised ire among his fellow Shas members. Ultimately, they kicked him out of the party.
In an interview shortly before this transpired, Rabbi Amsalem said, "There are two ways to leave Shas - either to Ma'asiyau Prison or by having your own opinions."
During his time as a Knesset member, Amsalem received much support from the public, both secular and religious, and was even awarded the title of Knight for Quality Government in 2011.
He created his own Am Shalem (One Nation) party for the 2013 election and received nearly 50,000 votes. The party's supporters came from a cross-section of the Israeli population: religious, secular, traditional, Ashkenazi and Sephardi.
In addition, he has written numerous books on halacha. The best known is Zera Israel, which deals with conversions. He is a leader in outreach programs aimed at preventing assimilation.
As noted, Rabbi Amsalem has now decided to sign up with the Jewish Home party and to compete for its leadership. He will file the paperwork next week.
"Everyone who considers themselves Sephardi will find a place in Jewish Home," he said. "The Biton Committee was created by Minister Bennett. He wants to improve rather than to enshrine the poor and unfortunately Sephardim, and to encourage the community's great and developed heritage are what made me join Jewish Home.
"I now call on the Sephardi public. This is our hour of glory. This is the renaissance of the heritage that was previously held by professional busybodies - come home to the Jewish Home. This is our place, where we will find real representation, and concern for the Jewish tradition and our history. Join the party and, God willing, we will win."
The Jewish Home party released a statement: "We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Amsalem, who adds to the Jewish Home's momentum towards leading the country. The Biton report, which was initiated by the Education Minister, is now causing a revolution in the educational system. It is natural that Rabbi Amsalem should find his place in Jewish Home as it expands its ranks and includes all of the Jewish people."
6. MOSHE RABEINU ROSE AND FELL OVER WATER
by Dr. Joseph Frager
Parshat Chukat brings to light the importance of water. On a deeper level it brings home the famous axiom of the Jewish People's existence "Ein Mayim Ela Torah". (Baba Kama 17a).
"There is no water only Torah". The Parsha starts off with the Purifying water of the Parah Aduma (Red Heifer). It then moves to the passage of Miriam in Kadesh in the 40th year on the 10th of Nisan (Age 127-which is the same age as Sarah our Matriarch).
On the 10th of Nisan one year later Yehoshua entered into Eretz Yisrael. Miriam was the provider of water for 40 years in the Desert for 3 million people. She had saved the life of her brother Moshe through water and saved the lives of her brethren through water as well. Both Miriam and Moshe had a letter "Mem" at the beginning of their names to extol the virtue of Water (Mayim).
Miriam had the word Mayim built into her name (Mem Yod Mem) signaling her future contributions in the world. Her parents had called her Miriam because she was born into bitter Slavery(the root of her name means bitterness). As with all names of children there is Nevuah-prophecy (hence one has to be careful about naming a child). Water was to become her life. Of course on a deeper level the Mayim of Torah was her life. Mayim always relates to Torah throughout Tanach. Miriam's death hurt the Nation. It had to have a tremendously emotional effect on Moshe Rabeinu too as Great as he was.
"Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying, "Take the staff and gather together the Assembly, you and your brother Aaron and speak to the rock before their eyes and it shall give its water."(20:7-8) "Moshe and Aaron gathered the Congregation before the rock and he said to them, "Listen now, O Rebels, shall we bring forth water for you from this rock?"(20:9) I believe that Moshe's tone and loss of temper relate to the fact he was distraught over the death of his beloved Sister, Miriam. This idea as you will see later is more in line with Rashi. However, according to the Rambam who claims that Moshe's Sin was his lashing out at Bnei Yisrael, one would have a harder time saying this.
"Then Moshe raised his arm and struck the rock with his staff twice; abundant water came forth and the assembly and the animals drank."(20:11) Distraught over the loss of his beloved sister Miriam, Moshe's emotions were poured forth upon the rock. "Hashem said to Moshe and to Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me to sanctify me in the eyes of the Children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this Congregation to the land that I have given them."(20:12) Why such a severe punishment especially in light of Miriam's recent passing? Rashi says the sin was that Moshe struck the rock instead of speaking to the rock. The Rambam as I stated above explains that the sin was that Moshe lost his temper with the Jewish People when instead of defending them as he had done so many times before he called them "Rebels".
The Tzitz Eliezer in the name of the Gerrer Rebbe follows the Rambam's approach. For 40 years the Jewish People received water in the merit of Miriam. In Parshat Beshalach Moshe was told to hit the rock( Shemot 17:6). This was the case while Miriam was alive but G-d changed the command after she had died. Moshe, in deference to his beloved sister, (he did not want to appear greater or more meritorius than his sister), therefore because of his Righteousness and humility hit the rock. According to this approach, one would have to hold like the Rambam that the sin of Moshe was his lashing out at Bnei Yisrael and not the hitting of the rock.
The Tzitz Eliezer is connecting the incident with the death of Miriam. His approach works well with the Rambam but how can we reconcile Rashi with this approach. Is it possible that by hitting the rock which Rashi is calling the sin, that Moshe was hurting himself and his entire being? The greatness of Miriam was that she did her miracle of bringing forth water quietly without fanfare. The Tzniut and righteousness of Miriam became abundantly clear when she no longer was alive. Chazal say that the rock Moshe struck was the very same rock that Miriam used to obtain water.
It is also reflective of the axiom, "Ein Mayim Ela Torah". Moshe and Miriam both represented Torah each in their own special way. In Breishit when the Torah spells out how both Abraham and Yitzchok dug wells (Breishit 26:18) it really is pointing out how they both spread Torah in these locations. Water again reflects Torah. The Great Rabbi Akiva upon hearing of the decree by the Romans that learning Torah was punishable with death used the parable of the fox and the fish. The fish responded to the foxes' advice to come on the land, "If we are so endangered in this natural habitat what chance do we have out of our natural habitat." Water and Torah once again intersect. When Moshe did not follow G-d's command explicitly to speak to the rock whether because of his distraught state, in deference to his sister, or because he was angered by "the Rebels" he hurt his very existence to the core. Moshe's entire life depended upon water.
He did not directly cause the Plague of the Water turning to blood and asked Aaron to do it because of his closeness, his respect and loyalty to water. He knew he was saved by water.The Splitting of the Sea was another example of his bond with water. His striking the rock instead of talking to it was a wound to his very existence.This would fit more in line with Rashi. Moshe Rabeinu rose and fell because of his special relationship with water. Shabbat Shalom
7. NICE TERRORIST IDENTIFIED AS 31-YEAR-OLD FRENCH MAN FROM TUNISIA
by Uzi Baruch
The terrorist who carried out the recent attack in Nice has reportedly been identified as a 31-year-old local resident, originally from Tunisia.
At least 84 people were killed and more than 100 wounded when he drove into a Bastille Day parade and then opened fire with a handgun. More weapons, including grenades, were found in the truck after security forces killed the attacker.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry is checking whether any Israelis were present during the attack.
"The truck simply cut people down and left bodies behind," said a witness. "The driver continued speeding while he ran over the bodies. It looked like an accident at first, but we understood very quickly that he was deliberately running over people."
President François Hollande has declared that the state of emergency, which was scheduled to end this month, will be extended for another three months. "Again we are witnessing extremist violence and it's clear that we must do all we can in order to fight it," he said. "France was struck on its national day, its symbol. Human rights were attacked by fanatics. I stand beside the nation now in mourning. I have instructed the local hospitals to prepare for a large number of victims.
"We saw similar attacks last year and we are now experiencing an additional attack," he added. "Under these circumstances we must act quickly and work together. Police forces will be called to Nice from across the country to help, and we guard our borders carefully."
8. 'THE NEXT WAR IS ONLY A QUESTION OF TIME'
by ILTV
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