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Friday, Feb. 03 '17, ז' בשבט תשע"ז
HEADLINES:
1. AMONA FAMILIES RETURN TO PACK BELONGINGS
2. WATCH: THREE WOUNDED IN ATTACK NEAR JERUSALEM
3. TRUMP: IRAN IS PLAYING WITH FIRE
4. OU RABBIS: WOMEN MAY NOT BE RABBIS
5. PARIS: TERRORIST ATTACKS SOLDIERS AT LOUVRE MUSEUM ENTRANCE
6. 'WHITE HOUSE KNOWS SETTLEMENTS AREN'T AN OBSTACLE TO PEACE'
7. 'FAKE NEWS:' NEW YORK TIMES CLAIMS TRUMP OPPOSES 'SETTLEMENTS'
8. HEZBOLLAH SAYS IDF BULLDOZERS IN LEBANON
1. AMONA FAMILIES RETURN TO PACK BELONGINGS
by Eliran Aharon
[video:2024086]
Volunteers from the Binyamin Regional Council arrived Friday to Amona to help those evicted pack the contents of their homes.
According to the Council, security forces had prevented the evicted families from returning to Amona; only after intervention from "higher-ups" were they granted approval to return to the mountain to begin the process of packing up their homes.
Some of the contents of the houses were already packed by Defense Ministry personnel and loaded onto moving trucks. The families can decide what to do with items on the trucks and to where they want the items transferred.
At this point, the Amona refugees are at the Midrasha (Torah Institute that hosts groups for seminars and weekends, whose dormitories roms usually have up to 3 or 4 bunkbeds). One of the families, interviewed on Galei Yisrael radio this morning, said that families with up to six children were given one room, but since his seventh child was born 2 months ago, he and his family have two rooms, for themselves and their children ranging from the age of 16 down.
"Caravillas" - modified caravans reminiscent of the dwellings given expellees from Gush Katif - will take two weeks to set up in Ofra. The police evacuated Amona a week before the final date set by the courts,
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2. WATCH: THREE WOUNDED IN ATTACK NEAR JERUSALEM
by David Rosenberg
[youtube:2024060]
A female Arab terrorist rammed into a police car and guard post at the entrance to the town of Adam, north of Jerusalem, Thursday evening, wounding three.
MDA and United Hatzalah emergency response teams were called to the scene to provide first aid and evacuate the wounded.
Two of the three victims have been identified as police officers, while the third was a guard operating the gate at the entrance to Adam.
United Hatzalah EMT Michael Cohen described the scene of the attack: "When I arrived at the scene I saw a private vehicle had rammed into a police cruiser and the gate of the town. I treated three people at the scene who all suffered from light injuries."
The injured were all transported to Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem.
An IDF spokesperson reported that the perpetrator was also injured during the attack. Police are questioning her while medical teams treat her injuries. The terrorist has confessed to police that the incident was indeed a deliberate attack and not a traffic accident.
3. TRUMP: IRAN IS PLAYING WITH FIRE
by Arutz Sheva Staff
US President Donald Trump cautioned Iran Friday over its ballistic missile test earlier in the week.
"Iran is playing with fire - they don't appreciate how "kind" [sic] President Obama was to them. Not me!" Trump tweeted.
Earlier this week, Fox News reported that the Islamic Republic conducted a ballistic missile test on Sunday at a well-known test site outside the city of Semnan, approximately 140 miles east of Tehran.
Following the missile test, Trump's National Security Adviser Michael Flynn said on Wednesday that the United States was putting Iran "on notice," accusing the Islamic Republic of "destabilizing activity" and of violating the Security Council resolution.
Trump, himself, tweeted on Thursday, "Iran was on its last legs and ready to collapse until the U.S. came along and gave it a life-line in the form of the Iran Deal: $150 billion."
"Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile. Should have been thankful for the terrible deal the U.S. made with them!" he added.
In response, Ali Akbar Velayati, who advises Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on foreign affairs, said that the US "should stop making empty threats to Iran."
"This is not the first time that an inexperienced person has threatened Iran," Velayati said, in an apparent reference to President Donald Trump, though he did not name him.
"Iran is the strongest power in the region and has a lot of political, economic and military power ... America should be careful about making empty threats to Iran," he added.
"Iran will continue to test its capabilities in ballistic missiles and Iran will not ask any country for permission in defending itself," vowed Velayati.
4. OU RABBIS: WOMEN MAY NOT BE RABBIS
by Hillel Fendel
The OU Rabbinic Council has ruled, in accordance with Jewish Law, long-standing tradition, and what it calls the "broader context of Torah values," that women cannot formally serve as Rabbis.
The seven leading rabbis that comprise the OU Rabbinic Council outlined their ruling in a detailed 17-page exposition. Though it drew opposition from some feminist and liberal-leaning Orthodox groups, it is actually the accepted practice in the vast majority of Orthodox synagogues in the United States, and in virtually all of them in Israel and elsewhere.
The seven rabbis signed on the ruling are Rabbi Daniel Feldman, Rabbi Yaakov Neuberger, Rabbi Michael Rosensweig, Rabbi Ezra Schwartz, Rabbi Gedalia Dov Schwartz, Rabbi Hershel Schachter, and Rabbi Benjamin Yudin.
The ruling uniquely begins with an outline of halakhic methodology, listing and explaining the three primary factors that may be considered by a halakhic decisor when developing a ruling: 1. legal sources, 2. precedent, and 3. a relevant halakhic ethos - the broader context of Torah values:
"Throughout our history, these values have been integrated into the technical, practical resolution of complex halakhic issues… A weltanschauung emerges from the totality of the vast sea of halakhah and Torah thought, and this collective worldview serves as the basis of our avodat Hashem (service of G-d)."
The writers further explain that Mesorah, generally translated as "tradition," is "often mistaken as a mere historical record of Jewish practice… Authentic mesorah is rather an appreciation for, and application of, tradition as the guide by which new ideas, challenges and circumstances are navigated."
In this light, they continue, "When studying a proposed innovation, in addition to considering its immediate implications and whether it is consistent with Torah principles, attention must be paid to the potential impact of such changes on generations through the distant future. Each and every generation confronts an ever-changing social, cultural and technical environment. Halakhic leadership must, therefore, continually probe whether proposed changes and accommodations will enable the community to advance the objectives of an authentic Torah ethos, or simply accommodate prevailing values and expectations, often in opposition to the Torah worldview."
The influence of the number-one rabbinical figure in the Modern Orthodox world in the United States, the late Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, is felt throughout the ruling. Explaining that a commitment to follow Torah ethos and Halakhah "requires faith, commitment, and a willingness to embrace timeless principles - even when counter-cultural and incompatible with prevailing societal values," the rabbis quote Rabbi Soloveitchik: "It is very important [that] we must not feel … an inferiority complex, and because of that complex yield to the … transient, passing charm of modern political or ideological [logic]… There is no need for apology; we should have pride in our mesorah, in our heritage."
From a legal standpoint, the ruling relies on Maimonides, who states, based on the Talmud, that the Biblical prohibition on a woman being appointed King of Israel extends to any position of formal communal authority. Furthermore, Rabbi Soloveitchik is again quoted as assigning great significance in this respect to the accepted ban on a woman being appointed as community shochet (ritual slaughterer). Finally, the ruling states, the sanctity of the synagogue demands an enhanced level of modesty, as seen in the requirement of a mechitzah, incompatible with a woman presiding over a male quorum.
It is also noted that women's Torah scholarship is not an entirely new phenomenon – yet nonetheless, women scholars impacted and even guided their communities without the formality of rabbinic titles or ordination. The notion of "rabbinic ordination" for women was conceivable in the past, yet the continuing mesorah, clearly, dictated against it.
"Given the status quo that we feel is meaningful and intentional, the burden of halakhic proof rests on the side of changing the established practice," the rabbis conclude.
The ruling addresses itself to the "absolute equal value of men and women as individuals and as 'servants of G-d,'" but notes that the Torah "clearly and consistently speaks of role differentiation… Gender differences have, historically, been particularly evident in the arena of public service. We believe that these distinctions are not merely a relic of times bygone; instead, they reflect a Torah ethos - a mesorah - of different avenues and emphases by which men and women are to achieve identical goals - the service of G-d and the perpetuation of the Jewish people."
The restriction on the appointment of women to serve in a clergy position applies both to the 'title' connoting the status of a clergy member, as well as to performance of clergy functions on a regular ongoing basis. These include the practice of ruling on the full range of halakhic matters, officiating at religiously significant life-cycle events, and delivering regular sermons from the pulpit during services. They write that on matters of famiy purity, it is preferable to consult a rabbi, but understand that there is room for halakhic advisors on that topic who are female.
On the other hand, the OU panel concludes, "the spiritual growth of our community is dependent upon a steady stream of talented women both serving as role models and teachers, and filling positions of influence."
5. PARIS: TERRORIST ATTACKS SOLDIERS AT LOUVRE MUSEUM ENTRANCE
by Tal Polon
[youtube:2024085]
French forces neutralized a knife-wielding terrorist who attempted to stab soldiers at the entrance to the famed Louvre museum in Paris.
Police say that the area has been evacuated.
Before trying to stab soldiers at the scene, the terrorist shouted "Allahu Akbar." In response, forces shot and neutralized the terrorist.
While the terrorist was also carrying a suitcase, local police say that no explosive device was found inside.
Security forces reported that one soldier was lightly wounded and has been taken to the hospital.
The terrorist is alive but was seriously wounded, having been shot five times.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a "serious public security incident" was underway, and security forces are at the scene.
[youtube:2024084]
6. 'WHITE HOUSE KNOWS SETTLEMENTS AREN'T AN OBSTACLE TO PEACE'
by Arutz Sheva Staff
Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely responded to the White House statement that new construction in Judea and Samaria 'may not help promote' the goal of peace.
"The current Israeli government has chosen to exercise the right of the Jewish people to build in all parts of the country, and we are committed to respect the [wishes of] the people of Israel, who elected us to continue to build." Hotovely said.
She pointed out that the White House also said that the "existence of settlements" is not "an impediment to peace."
"The White House also knows that settlements are not an obstacle to peace, and indeed, never constituted an obstacle to peace. Therefore, the obvious conclusion is that construction is not the problem either."
"Over the past 25 years all attempts to reach a solution have been blocked by the Palestinians," she added.
"Therefore, it is important to reexamine the fundamental questions about the nature of conflict and to introduce new solutions to the situation. Among other [possible solutions] which should be considered, is a regional solution so that we would no longer be dependent on the Palestinians, who are unable to reach a solution with us."
7. 'FAKE NEWS:' NEW YORK TIMES CLAIMS TRUMP OPPOSES 'SETTLEMENTS'
by Gary Willig
Breitbart, a news website closely associated with the Trump Administration, accused the New York Times of publishing "fake news" in claiming that the Trump Administration came out against the Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria and further construction in those communities.
White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer addressed the Administration's views on the so-called "settlements" in a press briefing at the White House Thursday.
"The American desire for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians has remained unchanged for 50 years. While we don't believe the existence of settlements is an impediment to peace, the construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal. As the President has expressed many times, he hopes to achieve peace throughout the Middle East region. The Trump administration has not taken an official position on settlement activity and looks forward to continuing discussions, including with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visits with President Trump later this month." Spicer said.
The New York Times seized on a single phrase from Spicer's remarks, "may not be helpful," to argue that the Trump Administration was asking Israel not to build any Jewish homes over the 1949 armistice lines.
The Times wrote: "In the most startling shift, the White House issued an unexpected statement appealing to the Israeli government not to expand the construction of Jewish settlements beyond their current borders in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Such expansion, it said, "may not be helpful in achieving" the goal of peace.
Breitbart wrote in response to the Times that Spicer's statement "tacitly accepts all existing settlements."
Legal scholar Eugene Kontorovich explained that Spicer's statements represented a radical shift from the policies of the Obama Administration, which called for a total freeze on all Jewish construction over the 1949 armistice lines, including building to accommodate natural growth and expansions of existing houses such as new porches and attics.
Kontorovich said: "The White House Press Secretary's statement about settlement building is a huge change of policy, in which the U.S. broadly accepts all building within settlements, including those settlements outside of 'blocs.' This is huge."
"In the statement, the White House says the building of entirely new 'settlements' is not great (but not sharply criticized). On the other hand, building 'within existing settlement lines,' i.e. municipal boundaries, is totally OK. Since all building for 20 years has been within existing lines, and all planned building is within existing lines, this is as big an authorization as it gets.
"This is such a big deal, that the press is trying to spin it as a limitation on settlement activity, whereas it is a broad and historic green light. It can no longer be said that the US opposes settlement building."
Commentary Magazine editor John Podhoretz added the blocs to Spicer's statement although they were not mentioned specifically at all, but wrote that while the Trump Administration has yet to fully form its policy on Judea and Samaria, Spicer's statement restores US policy "to the policy outlined in a letter sent from George W. Bush to Ariel Sharon in 2004," in which former President Bush agreed that it was unrealistic to expect Israel to return to the 1949 armistice lines and that the major blocs in Judea and Samaria would likely remain part of Israel in any final-status agreement.
Podhoretz also pointed out that while the White House statement said that Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria "may not be helpful" in achieving peace, no mention was made during the statement of the two-state solution.
8. HEZBOLLAH SAYS IDF BULLDOZERS IN LEBANON
by ILTV
[brightcove:2024093]
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