This is a story of beautiful old books, photos, sentiments and of a missing picture that could tell how things went awry. It is a tale of freedom blunted, of hope stretched taut and of lasting possibility…  (more…)

The diplomatic initiative, the Road Map which is the ostensible contribution of the Bush Administration to settling the problem the nations have with a Jewish state is simply bad old wine in new bottles. The entire Jewish land for Arab promises of peace processes are an extension of British policy for “Palestine” dating at least to 1915. These policies have been methodically, often brutally pursued even though the results have included genocide and ceaseless attrition. Indeed, that is the method of burying the dream and the evidence of design and Designer in creation… (more…)

A professional athlete says “it’s good to be a ‘glass is half full’ kind of person.” Since he’s very wealthy and lots of people see things this way, let’s agree too, even though the festivities planned for Israel’s sixtieth birthday bash are enough to pain anyone who cares (AP 4-09-08). When Barbra Streisand sings Avinu Malkeinu to Kings Shimon, Bush, and Princess Tony, what’s not to like? - American Bandstand goes global. Pop culture and post-modern reversions of history swallow the land of life. The Oligarchs, Jewish flacks in tow, give the lie to Scripture. Massada is designated Judaism’s holiest site. Is this defeat or will these end-game insults strengthen the flame? (more…)

Rav Chama bar Chanina said, ‘the son of David will not come until the petty government has ceased from Israel, as it is stated, ‘He will cut off the shoots with shears.’ After that it is written, ‘at that time a gift will be brought to Hashem of Hosts, a people pulled and torn.’ And Rav Yehoshua said, upon the cessation of the power of the holy people…” “when you see a generation upon whom disasters surge like a river…” [1]

When and it what conditions will redemption come to the Jewish people in the Land of Israel, made for each other as the Eternal terms each of them His morasha (“heritage”)? Commenting on the discussion quoted in the epigraph, Rashi and HaRav Shlomo Eidels state that as redemption proceeds along its bumpy track, “riding on a donkey” [2] “the Jewish people will not have  “even the most petty vestige of autonomy.” Eidels (1560-1630, the Maharsha) interpreted “the petty kingdom” as a reference to “the corrupt and debased” dominion of Rome - Edom who has lorded it over Israel for two millennia, still now through surrogates. His further comment that “He will cut off the debased ones [Rome] with songs” evokes a literal translation of la m’natzeach b’neginot, mizmor shir” “to Him Who grants victory through the power of music, a glory of song.” The identity of the flourishing produce of the Land as glory and song suggests its power and why the nations envy and covet it [3]. (more…)