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Help [[tsedaka|feed the hungry]] in Israel!
 
Help [[tsedaka|feed the hungry]] in Israel!
  
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This week: getting ready for pesach, the blessing on the sun, the pesach seder... a super busy week.
+
It looks like the war against the ants has ended in an uneasy cease-fire, as most conflicts do in the middle-east.  Plugging the electrical conduits does seem to have stopped their easy access, and we actually saw no ants over the holiday. However, this morning I noticed some ants around the dishwasher, and I assume they are coming in from the electrical outlet the dishwasher is plugged into. <grrr>!  What I need is an "Antenator", made by the people who make the [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z96JvhPdE6o&feature=related Rodenator]!
  
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The holiday of ''pesach'' (Passover) grips the entire country in its clutches.  Everything important is set aside until ''acharei hachagim'' -- after the holidays.  The Kinneret's water level descends half a meter, as everyone in the country washes everything in sight to get rid of the dreaded ''chamets'' (leavened grain or byproducts thereof). Stores are packed with every conceivable variety of "kosher lepesach" products, and with shoppers looking to stock their pantries for the week-long festival.  The pre-holiday frenzy builds to a fever pitch, until finally D-Day arrives: the day before pesach, when this year we had more to do than usual.
+
The holiday itself was very relaxing.  I think this was the most relaxing ''pesach'' on record (for us, anyway).  But the last day of ''chol-hamo`ed'' (the day before the last actual ''yom-tov'', there was a ''{{wiki|sharav}}'' -- and so we read with relief the forecast of cooler weather following.   We sat down for the last holiday meal with some friends, and towards the end of the meal the wind picked up -- and the temperature dropped precipitously.  Our guests walked home in 50kph winds, and the next day was nice and cool.  Rain even fell... weird weather.
  
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First, there was the usual morning prayer.  Then, the [http://www.torathmoshe.com/2009/04/the-%E2%80%98zohar%E2%80%99-controversy-a-crisis-of-priorities/ once-in-28-years] blessing on the sun (see also my [[Devar/5769/Pesach|''devar torah'']]).  Then destruction of the ''chamets'', and finally [[media:seder1.jpeg|preparing everything]] for the upcoming ''seder'' night.
+
During ''chol-hamoed'', we went to the ''{{wiki2|Western_Wall|kotel}}'' to see ''[http://ronware.org/Pictures/Birkat%20Kohanim%205769/index.html birkat hakohanim]'' (the Kohanic blessing).  The Jerusalem Post had almost no coverage of that event, but the [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1239488117886&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Easter celebrations] were front page press. <sarcasm> It makes sense. After all, the two events are not comparable in religious importance.  On the one hand you have idolaters celebrating their "god's" death and resurrection; on the other hand you have the descendants of Aaron the High Priest continuing to perform a Biblical command to bless His people Israel. Obviously, the Israeli press should give priority to the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations.</sarcasm>
  
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When night finally fell, we were ready for the requisite four cups of wine -- and b"h, our guests had brought us some nice vintages to imbibe while we retold the story of our people's descent into slavery, redemption therefrom and prayer for the future ultimate redemption.  We had a very pleasant group, mostly fellow "new immigrants", who generally made the effort to read the ''haggadah'' in Hebrew rather than in the easier (for them) English.  After the reading and discussion we had the seder meal, which was -- of course -- incredibly delicious.  Even the [[media:matsa.jpeg|''matsah'']] was good.  My home-made horseradish was extremely spicy, Esther's various dishes were splendid, the company was convivial.
+
We also found a new park near us with [http://ronware.org/Pictures/Purty%20Flowers/index.html purty flowers].  Enjoy the pictures!
  
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The only thing which would mar my otherwise perfect ''pesach'' was -- you guessed it -- ants. Since we had seen ants in one of our cupboards before the holiday, I was determined to get rid of them so we wouldn't have any unwanted intruders in our food. I got various poisons and set forth with a will to destroy them.  At first, they seemed under control; but towards the end of the holiday day itself, we opened a cupboard and saw a veritable army of six-legged creepers in our cupboard.  They were attacking our sealed bags of food -- and I don't think they succeeded in penetrating the plastic -- but I flipped out.  Like Captain Ahab, I became obsessed with destroying my enemy -- but how?  Poison didn't work, intense cleaning didn't work.  Essential oils didn't work... what now?  So today I took a can of expanding foam insulation, and sprayed it into various holes from where the little creeps may be entering the house. I caulked the cabinets with silicone sealant.  And for good measure, I sprayed a bit more poison -- but to be honest, I think the spray actually ''attracts'' the ants.  Further updates next week, should I survive the experience emotionally intact...
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Dear American Jews: [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1238562943885&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull don't cry for us].  The rabid left-wing keeps asserting that "without US aid and support, Israel would be finished".  Let's examine that claim, shall we?
  
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Stuff you can't make up:
+
US aid to Israel in 2007 was $2.5 billion, of which 160 million was actual 'financial aid'.  The other $2.34 billion was "military aid".  Most of that aid consists of guarantees, such that Israel has to purchase US military goods with that money. That is to say, the money is "given" to Israel which must then turn around and support the US military industry.  So in fact, the "aid" given to Israel directly supports the US economy!
−
* A ''chareidi'' man was arrested [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/130779 for stripping in a supermarket] in protest of their selling ''chamets'' products during ''pesach''
 
−
* Near the Machane Yehuda ''shuq'' is a store which is called "Grill, charcoal and watermelon".  Yep, that's ''all'' it sells -- talk about seasonal!
 
−
* On my way to work every day, I pass [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jan-mcgirk/israelis-line-up-for-pizz_b_158558.html Pizza Obama] (kosher, thank you very much).  I think it may be unique in the world.
 
  
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I do hope that Obama did not order from Pizza Obama for the [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1238562942442&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull seder he hosted] on Thursday night.  What's next? A presidential Simchat Torah? No, probably not; he's also got to [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/130813 make nice with the muslims].  
+
The Israeli GDP for 2008 was almost $189 billion (at the official rate of exchange). Given that only 160 million of US aid was intended to help the economy of Israel, the loss of it would entail a mere 0.08% of Israel's GDP.  I highly doubt that would affect Israeli's standard of living in any meaningful way. Even were the entire 2.5 billion actually financial aid, it would still only constitute 1.3% of Israel's GDP. Yes, I realize I took aid numbers from 2007 and GDP from 2008, but that's what I had available. In fact, 2008 aid numbers are ''lower'' than 2007 numbers, so the percentages would be even smaller.
  
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In the usual anti-semitic news roundup, [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1238562905981&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Chicago's DePaul University] wants to outdo Hamas.  And the geniuses in Turkey were shocked by the [http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/130771 extremely low number of Israeli tourists] this year.  Surprise! When your president runs off at the mouth in anti-Israel tirades, why would you expect Israelis to ignore it?
+
More to the point: US aid to Israel has nothing whatsoever to do with supporting Israel per se.  The US started supporting Israel in a meaningful way only ''after'' the Yom Kippur War, when the Soviet empire's influence in the Arab world was growing very strong. America wanted a strong ally (e.g. pawn) to offset the Soviets and to project US power in the region. 
 +
 
 +
As a result of this relationship, while it gives Israel access to American military technology (at the whim of US leaders, of course), it also prevents Israel from developing its own industries and making such deals as are appropriate for its own sovereign interests.  The US, for instance, vetoed a multi-billion dollar deal Israel had made with China for Israeli military technology, and Israel had to meekly cancel the deal (and anger the Chinese, who will not soon forget that slight).
 +
 
 +
The best thing that could happen to Israel would be to cut off all aid from the US immediately, so it could pursue such alliances as best benefit Israeli interests (with Turkey and India, trade deals with China and African countries).  Of course, it is sometimes [http://muqata.blogspot.com/2009/04/why-hamas-couldnt-shoot-stinger.html good to have US technologies].  Israel could develop its air industry (the Kfir, Lavi etc.) and export to our natural allies, instead of being hobbled by Uncle Sugar.
 +
 
 +
For the record: Israel has a powerful economy (thanks to high-tech, bio-tech, alternative energy research, agricultural industry, medical research etc...).
 +
{|
 +
| Country || GDP || GDP per cap||Life expectancy
 +
|-
 +
| USA || 14,330 || 47,000 || 78.1
 +
|-
 +
| EU || 18,850 || 33,400 || 78.7
 +
|-
 +
| Israel || 189 || 28,800 || 80.7
 +
|-
 +
| Lebanon || 28 || 11,100 || 73.6
 +
|-
 +
| Egypt || 158 || 5,400 || 72.1
 +
|-
 +
| Jordan || 19 || 5,000 || 78.9
 +
|-
 +
| Syria || 44.5 || 4,800 || 71.2
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
(GDP is in billions of USD.  All numbers from the [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html CIA Factbook])
 +
 
 +
As you can see, Israel has over twice the GDP per capita of its nearest neighbor in the region, and not too far off the EU's.  It also has the highest life-expectancy of any of the countries mentioned. Draw your own conclusions.
 +
 
 +
So please, next time you feel the urge [http://biurchametz.blogspot.com/2009/02/real-reasons-israel-cant-play-violin.html to give Israel advice], remember we're doing OK even without your help.  But if you want to put your money where your mouth is and move here and lend a hand, we would be grateful.
  
 
Until next week,<br>
 
Until next week,<br>
−
Shabbat shalom and mo`adim lesimcha!
+
Shabbat shalom!
  
−
{{nav|Blog|Blog|Blog/April 2009/Apr 3rd|Apr 3rd||}}
+
{{nav|Blog|Blog|Blog/April 2009/Apr 10th|Apr 10th|Blog/April 2009/Apr 24th|Apr 24th}}

Latest revision as of 13:55, 24 April 2009

April 17th (See this week's devar torah)
Send Ron feedback on this blog


Hi again!

Help feed the hungry in Israel!

It looks like the war against the ants has ended in an uneasy cease-fire, as most conflicts do in the middle-east. Plugging the electrical conduits does seem to have stopped their easy access, and we actually saw no ants over the holiday. However, this morning I noticed some ants around the dishwasher, and I assume they are coming in from the electrical outlet the dishwasher is plugged into. <grrr>! What I need is an "Antenator", made by the people who make the Rodenator!

The holiday itself was very relaxing. I think this was the most relaxing pesach on record (for us, anyway). But the last day of chol-hamo`ed (the day before the last actual yom-tov, there was a sharav -- and so we read with relief the forecast of cooler weather following. We sat down for the last holiday meal with some friends, and towards the end of the meal the wind picked up -- and the temperature dropped precipitously. Our guests walked home in 50kph winds, and the next day was nice and cool. Rain even fell... weird weather.

During chol-hamoed, we went to the kotel to see birkat hakohanim (the Kohanic blessing). The Jerusalem Post had almost no coverage of that event, but the Easter celebrations were front page press. <sarcasm> It makes sense. After all, the two events are not comparable in religious importance. On the one hand you have idolaters celebrating their "god's" death and resurrection; on the other hand you have the descendants of Aaron the High Priest continuing to perform a Biblical command to bless His people Israel. Obviously, the Israeli press should give priority to the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations.</sarcasm>

We also found a new park near us with purty flowers. Enjoy the pictures!

Dear American Jews: don't cry for us. The rabid left-wing keeps asserting that "without US aid and support, Israel would be finished". Let's examine that claim, shall we?

US aid to Israel in 2007 was $2.5 billion, of which 160 million was actual 'financial aid'. The other $2.34 billion was "military aid". Most of that aid consists of guarantees, such that Israel has to purchase US military goods with that money. That is to say, the money is "given" to Israel which must then turn around and support the US military industry. So in fact, the "aid" given to Israel directly supports the US economy!

The Israeli GDP for 2008 was almost $189 billion (at the official rate of exchange). Given that only 160 million of US aid was intended to help the economy of Israel, the loss of it would entail a mere 0.08% of Israel's GDP. I highly doubt that would affect Israeli's standard of living in any meaningful way. Even were the entire 2.5 billion actually financial aid, it would still only constitute 1.3% of Israel's GDP. Yes, I realize I took aid numbers from 2007 and GDP from 2008, but that's what I had available. In fact, 2008 aid numbers are lower than 2007 numbers, so the percentages would be even smaller.

More to the point: US aid to Israel has nothing whatsoever to do with supporting Israel per se. The US started supporting Israel in a meaningful way only after the Yom Kippur War, when the Soviet empire's influence in the Arab world was growing very strong. America wanted a strong ally (e.g. pawn) to offset the Soviets and to project US power in the region.

As a result of this relationship, while it gives Israel access to American military technology (at the whim of US leaders, of course), it also prevents Israel from developing its own industries and making such deals as are appropriate for its own sovereign interests. The US, for instance, vetoed a multi-billion dollar deal Israel had made with China for Israeli military technology, and Israel had to meekly cancel the deal (and anger the Chinese, who will not soon forget that slight).

The best thing that could happen to Israel would be to cut off all aid from the US immediately, so it could pursue such alliances as best benefit Israeli interests (with Turkey and India, trade deals with China and African countries). Of course, it is sometimes good to have US technologies. Israel could develop its air industry (the Kfir, Lavi etc.) and export to our natural allies, instead of being hobbled by Uncle Sugar.

For the record: Israel has a powerful economy (thanks to high-tech, bio-tech, alternative energy research, agricultural industry, medical research etc...).

Country GDP GDP per cap Life expectancy
USA 14,330 47,000 78.1
EU 18,850 33,400 78.7
Israel 189 28,800 80.7
Lebanon 28 11,100 73.6
Egypt 158 5,400 72.1
Jordan 19 5,000 78.9
Syria 44.5 4,800 71.2

(GDP is in billions of USD. All numbers from the CIA Factbook)

As you can see, Israel has over twice the GDP per capita of its nearest neighbor in the region, and not too far off the EU's. It also has the highest life-expectancy of any of the countries mentioned. Draw your own conclusions.

So please, next time you feel the urge to give Israel advice, remember we're doing OK even without your help. But if you want to put your money where your mouth is and move here and lend a hand, we would be grateful.

Until next week,
Shabbat shalom!


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