Sunday, January 08, 2012

Stumbling blocks



A few friends posted this to their Facebook and I refrained from commenting on their space, so I will in mine.

While I certainly don't agree with certain fanatics trying to erase women from the public, and I firmly believe that every man should be responsible for his own Shmirat Einayim (guarding your eyes), the above 'protest' is a perfect example of the prohibition of Lifnei Iver Lo Titen Michshol (do not put a stumbling block before a blind person).

I personally think flash mobs for a cause are silly and are usually not well done with regard to promoting the cause. And in this case, the vehicle of their protest.. well, I don't think they could have picked a worse way. I'm sure it was intentional.

What's next? Having them stand across the street from a shul during Mincha and sing?

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Forgetting our history

My timeline for anecdotal evidence is fairly short since I've only been in Israel for 14 1/2 years. However the Tanach is rife with lessons we seem to forget every seven years or so...

What the heck am I babbling about?

About 3 years after we made Aliyah, the 'Second Intifada' started. Six years after that, 'Lebanon War, Part Deux' flared up.

While I don't remember any details, I do know that just before these two escalations in Arab violence occurred, there was a HUGE amount of Jewish in-fighting and Sinat Chinam (baseless hatred) going on in the Jewish communities, both here in Israel and abroad.

I remember thinking, people... read your Bible. Whenever the Jews would turn against one another, God would bring in some conquering nation to enslave us or prevent us from practicing Judaism.

The stuff that's been happening here in Israel lately is Sinat Chiman on a level I've NEVER seen before.

People, Second Intifada was pretty bad. The Lebanon War Part II was devastating to the Land... Shape up because I shudder to think what God has in mind for us now...