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In 1936 the Olympics held in Berlin gave Hitler a free ride into world respectability. In order not to offend his delicate sensibilities, the American Olympic committee under the anti-Semitic leadership of Avery Brundage and his like excluded Jewish athletes from the team. How embarrassing it was to Hitler that an American black, Jesse Owens, was the star of the games. But Hitler got over it and took his revenge. Because of him there were no games in 1940 or 1944. How sad, for really the games should have gone on. In the Cold War era, the Soviet Union, East Germany and other Communist bloc nations prided themselves on the accomplishments of their specially trained and heavily subsidized "amateur" athletes. Their exploits were meant to prove to humankind the superiority of Marxist ideology over the decadent capitalistic West. But the Olympics took no notice of this because the games must go on. In 1972 eleven Israeli athletes and coaches were murdered at the games. But that also meant nothing because the games must go on. Today such noble countries as North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Iran among others, pledged to destroy and starve millions of human beings, are honored guests at the games. And there is a delegation there from Palestine, a country which does not exist but is there only to vex the Jewish people for the world’s error in allowing a Jewish state to come into existence sixty years ago. But no matter, the games must go on.
And how about the host country, China? Thirty six concentration camps that house hundreds of thousands of poor unfortunates, a record of abysmal human rights abuses over the last decades and a scorecard of devouring at least eighty million of its own citizens over the past sixty years are all of no account because the games must go on. The main problem with China in hosting the games is the smog in Beijing. But even so, the games must go on. The rabbis of the Talmud abhorred the Greek sports spectacles. They correctly felt them to be pagan, violent, indecent and eventually disrespectful of humanity and its true values. I doubt if they would change their opinion today, seeing as to how the games are being run. And here in Israel we witnessed the tragedy of one of our athletes losing his father the day before the games were to begin. I am not one to judge anyone in their hour of pain and sadness. But saying that he knows that his father would have wanted him to compete anyway only shows how deep the mentality of the games must go on has penetrated our society. What about the Jewish tradition of shiva and respect for an elder, a father, a parent? What about some Jewish self-pride? In American professional sports all players in such circumstances take bereavement leave. MK Ruby Rivlin stated that "I would not allow such a thing as continuing to compete under such circumstances to occur in my family." Too bad Ruby, you just don’t get it. No matter what, the games must go on.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the cornerstone laying for the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh – 1938)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
