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{{bheader|February 13th|Devar/5769/Yitro}}  
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{{bheader|February 20th|Devar/5769/Mishpatim}}  
  
 
Hi again!
 
Hi again!
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Help [[tsedaka|feed the hungry]] in Israel!
 
Help [[tsedaka|feed the hungry]] in Israel!
  
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As you're all aware by now, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_legislative_election,_2009 Israeli elections] came and went.  The weather was very windy and rainy that day -- perhaps symbolic of the "winds of change" -- but it remains unclear what, if anything, changed.  Just so you know, the terms "left" and "right" wing mean something completely different here in Israel than they do in the US (or other places).  As generally used here, "right-wing" means "less willing to compromise with the Arabs", and the opposite for the left-wing.  Some of the "right-wing" parties would be considered "left-wing" in the US, based on economic policies... so just be aware of what I mean by "right" and "left" here.  Also, when I say "considered" here, I mean what most Israelis consider, not what I personally think.
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'''NOTE:''' the links in this paragraph will lead to pictures of snakes -- so if you are squeamish, don't click on them!  This week we found [[media:snake.jpeg|this beauty]] in our back yard.  It appeared to be dead, but we weren't sure if it was a venomous variety or not, so we looked [http://www.snakes.co.il/israsnake/israsnake.html here] and asked our local Maale Adummim chat-group for advice.  Sarah and I still haven't decided between ''Spalerosophis diadema'' or ''Coluber nummifer''. Any of you care to take a guess? The chat group response was that we should call the city, and they would come and take away the snake (as they are apparently also interested in knowing what kinds of reptiles are slithering about).  But when I called the city, they told me that if the snake was in a "private garden", e.g. not city property, they didn't care and wouldn't send anyone.  Fortunately, the thing was dead and I was able to dispose of it with no fuss... but yikes! I'm going to have to be doubly careful when gardening.
  
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The Likud (considered center-right) went from 12 to 27 seats - an impressive gain, though not nearly as impressive as the 36 or so it would have got had Netanyahu not played fast and loose with his "list" (forcing the actual right-wing down to unrealistic slots on the list).  Kadima (considered center-left) went from 29 to 28 seats - also impressive, considering how many people were really dissatisfied with the policies (or lack thereof) of the Olmert government. The real winner was Yisrael Beiteinu (considered right-wing), which went from 11 to 15 seats and became the third largest party, displacing the Labor (left-wing) which went from 19 to 13.
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Despite pesky reptiles, now is the time to [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304788129&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull come back home].  If you need it, here's a recent discussion I put together of [[Devar/Aliyah-Rambam|halachic reasons]] to do so, according to Rambam.  If you prefer, you can simply consider the extreme rise of [http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/02/antihamas-protest-set-upon-by-jihad-lovers-.html anti-Israel and anti-Semitic] outrages.  Or look at the example of "freedom lovers" from [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304788139&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Toronto]
  
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The real issue is whether Israel can refrain from being a [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3668203,00.html banana republic] and caving in to every "request" of Uncle Sam.  I'm not confident any of the "leaders" can resist the temptation to do anything possible to please the rich uncle from America.  Already the [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129910 signs of betrayal] by the so-called "right" have begun, though it's still too early to know how things will play out.  Of course, the current crop of leaders is only interested [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129896 in the public good].  Yeah.  Nevertheless, it was [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304754409&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull exhilarating] to take part in the wild-West democratic process here.
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My employment situation is not looking good at the moment -- I was already informed I have to give my car back next week.  That implies we haven't received any fresh investments.  So I'll be taking a bit of a holiday, while I try to get a business running.  In ironic news: the [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304820660&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull unemployment department] went on strike because there were too many applicants and they didn't have enough personnel to handle the load.  As Esther said, why don't they just hire some of the applicants for assistance?  Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
  
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You in the US have [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304719892&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull your own problems], and I sincerely wish you well.  However, forgive me for pointing out that those of you who like to [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304770168&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull complain about the Israeli system] from afar, would be taken much more seriously if you would put your money where your mouth is, and move back home to Israel.  The time when America was a safe-haven for Jews is [http://samsonblinded.org/blog/on-anti-semitism-in-america.htm coming to an end], and the choice in front of you is rather clear.
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In local politics -- we're caught between [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304811460&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull whiners] and [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304811807&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull brown-nosers].  In an astonishing turn of events, [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304815871&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Shimon Peres repents]... sort of.  We need an equivalent local guide to this [http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=76&sid=135719#comments humorous look at American politics].
  
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In the meantime, those peace-loving, law-abiding neighbors of ours have decided to embark upon [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304715382&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull unprovoked knife attacks], and anti-democratic [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304734201&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull rioting against a Jewish elections monitor].  However, they were willing to [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/160544 emplace their own monitor] in a Jewish town (without a corresponding Jewish riot). "Democracy -- [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk&feature=related you keep using that word]; I don't think it means what you think it means".
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In the Arab world: unsurprising [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/130001 corruption at the voting booth], caught by one of my actual co-workers.  Hamas' [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304788684&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull lies are exposed] yet again, but that won't stop the useful idiots of the West from finding excuses for them.  Though not strictly part of the Arab world, Chavez is certainly a [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123475026027691469.html fellow traveler]. Scary man, that one.
  
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Even [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304705842&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull UNRWA] has given up, after Hamas stole supplies from them yet again.  And guess what they use [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304770155&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull medical supplies for]?  There are some Arabs [http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3668921,00.html who understand] just how much they have contributed to the "radicalization" of Israeli society. But not many, and too late.
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In case you thought we don't have super-heroes here: [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/160838 Spiderman was arrested] in {{wiki|Rosh HaAyin}} last week.  When secularists talk about co-existence, is [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129962 this what they mean]?  That's not why I don't "hold by the `eruv", but it's a good additional reason...
  
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On the work front, there was a time when I thought this [http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20090203&mode=classic was funny].  Now that it reflects my reality (almost), it's lost its charm.  I spent quite a bit of effort researching the possibility of opening my own business.  It turns out that if I am ''self-employed'', I have to pay the US Soc. Sec. administration 15.3% of my income, even though none of it was earned in the US.  That sucks, so I looked into becoming a corporation; but that is quite expensive here, and not worthwhile unless you have contracts already.  The best alternative for independent work is becoming an employee of [http://www.yeuls.co.il/english/ Yeul Sachir], which takes a cut of your gross receipts but handles all the necessary government paperwork.  Of course, the best possible outcome for me would be for my current company to get funding very soon...
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Odd news department: the executive director of the peanut producers' board in Texas is called [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h7V0WaQ_baK-FGzF7wBWi3Mm2OrgD96C6L3G0 Shelly Nutt].  Also, a new drug is being marketed to combat [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd4tugPM83c excessive cheerfulness] (with a nod to my daughters).
  
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Since I complained about Microsoft last time, I figured I should give [http://xkcd.com/456/ equal time to Linux] (but Microsoft is [http://xkcd.com/528/ still evil]).  If you're familiar with the long-standing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editor_war editor wars], you'll appreciate this bit of [http://xkcd.com/378/ geek humor].
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This shabbat we'll have guests from one of the seminaries.  We'll report how that went, B"H next week.
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Sarah is fine.  She got her report cards.  Next week she's going on her school trip around the Land -- hopefully she'll agree to report on the experience in these pages.  Daniela's fine.  She's looking for work so she doesn't starve. 
 
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One of the things that fascinates me about living in the Land, is how ''different'' things can be.  Often that causes frustration or irritation, because you think to yourself, ''it shouldn't be that way''.  But when you consider how we basically have people from 60 different countries, of all backgrounds and educational levels, living together in a pressure-cooker -- it's really pretty amazing.  Amazing that it works at all, let alone as well as it does.  But even more amazing is that it feels like home even though so much is different from wherever we came from.  Most amazing of all is that despite it all, I love it here.  You would too, if you gave it a try.
 
  
 
Until next week,<br>
 
Until next week,<br>
 
Shabbat shalom!
 
Shabbat shalom!
  
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{{nav|Blog|Blog|Blog/February 2009/Feb 6th|Feb 6th||}}
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{{nav|Blog|Blog|Blog/February 2009/Feb 13th|Feb 13th|Blog/February 2009/Feb 27th|Feb 27th}}

Latest revision as of 14:28, 27 February 2009

February 20th (See this week's devar torah)
Send Ron feedback on this blog

Hi again!

Help feed the hungry in Israel!

NOTE: the links in this paragraph will lead to pictures of snakes -- so if you are squeamish, don't click on them! This week we found this beauty in our back yard. It appeared to be dead, but we weren't sure if it was a venomous variety or not, so we looked here and asked our local Maale Adummim chat-group for advice. Sarah and I still haven't decided between Spalerosophis diadema or Coluber nummifer. Any of you care to take a guess? The chat group response was that we should call the city, and they would come and take away the snake (as they are apparently also interested in knowing what kinds of reptiles are slithering about). But when I called the city, they told me that if the snake was in a "private garden", e.g. not city property, they didn't care and wouldn't send anyone. Fortunately, the thing was dead and I was able to dispose of it with no fuss... but yikes! I'm going to have to be doubly careful when gardening.

Despite pesky reptiles, now is the time to come back home. If you need it, here's a recent discussion I put together of halachic reasons to do so, according to Rambam. If you prefer, you can simply consider the extreme rise of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic outrages. Or look at the example of "freedom lovers" from Toronto

My employment situation is not looking good at the moment -- I was already informed I have to give my car back next week. That implies we haven't received any fresh investments. So I'll be taking a bit of a holiday, while I try to get a business running. In ironic news: the unemployment department went on strike because there were too many applicants and they didn't have enough personnel to handle the load. As Esther said, why don't they just hire some of the applicants for assistance? Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

In local politics -- we're caught between whiners and brown-nosers. In an astonishing turn of events, Shimon Peres repents... sort of. We need an equivalent local guide to this humorous look at American politics.

In the Arab world: unsurprising corruption at the voting booth, caught by one of my actual co-workers. Hamas' lies are exposed yet again, but that won't stop the useful idiots of the West from finding excuses for them. Though not strictly part of the Arab world, Chavez is certainly a fellow traveler. Scary man, that one.

In case you thought we don't have super-heroes here: Spiderman was arrested in Rosh HaAyin last week. When secularists talk about co-existence, is this what they mean? That's not why I don't "hold by the `eruv", but it's a good additional reason...

Odd news department: the executive director of the peanut producers' board in Texas is called Shelly Nutt. Also, a new drug is being marketed to combat excessive cheerfulness (with a nod to my daughters).

This shabbat we'll have guests from one of the seminaries. We'll report how that went, B"H next week.

Until next week,
Shabbat shalom!


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