Teveria -Update

We have finally settled in Teveria. We will update when we can. Shabbat Shalom.

Tiberias (Teveria)

Tiberias (Teveria) was established by Herod Antipas approximately 20 CE. in honor of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. He used the city as a seat of his power of operation throughout the Galilee. It is claimed the city remained royal to Rome, thus being spared any destruction as in other cities which were destroyed.

Teveria is one of the four holy cities of Israel; the others are Jerusalem, Safed, and Hevron. Teveria was where the Sanhedrin was established during the Second Temple period. Many of the great Sages of Israel are buried there including Maimonides, RamBam,

Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Ben Zakkai, Rabbi Meir Baal Hanesse, and Rabbi Haim Abulafya.

Many sources cite the writing of the Jerusalem Talmud in Teveria as well as the Mishna composed by Rabbi Yehuda

Ben-Ha-Nasi.

Relocation

Simchat Artzenu will be relocating to the northern part of the country in the next several weeks. So, as soon as we are settled, we will update you again.

Hebron

We were in Hebron last Wednesday for the first time. It truly was an awesome experience. Since the week's parsha was Chai Sarah, it was especially significant.

Hebron Fund Raising Dinner

Follow the link for online registration through the Hebron Fund:

http://www.hebron.com/english/article.php?operation=print&id=562

Housing

The government housing ministry which issues government apartments for those seeking assistance, is only authorizing benefits to those families with a minimum of three children or more. Anyone with less than those guidelines are not eligible to receive any benefits from the government including those with fixed incomes such as those of retirement age. Of course, there is a l-o-n-g waiting list for anyone who does qualify.

Update for Mitzvah from 27 Oct 2009

Ezrat Avot is a wonderful organization that not only provides meals for the homebound for the week, but has a morning weekday program at the present building where the women come together for prayer, Torah study, and lunch. We have been helping with the food prep for the weekday meals and it has been such a mitzvah.

In the near future, Ezrat Avot will be moving to a new building which hasn't been built yet. The building permits are in place and everything is a go, but funding is needed in order for construction to begin so it would be more accessible for everyone. Please follow the hyperlink to donate to: http://www.ezratavot.org

Facebook.com/aljazeerachannnel

The above hyperlink is appearing under Ads by Google on my blog periodically. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER I'M ENDORSING THIS WEBSITE. THIS LINK IS APPEARING WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. Their objective is to destroy Israel and the Jewish people.

Halloween - continued

As I mentioned earlier, no Jew should be observing Halloween in any shape or form. First of all, it's a non-Jewish holiday and secondly, it takes away from a Jew's spirituality and holiness according to what is cited in http://beingjewish.com/faqs/halloween.html. In addition, its observance is considered idolatry and paganism which is forbidden in the Torah. In Leviticus 18:3, gentile customs of dress and behavior are also forbidden. The presence of the practice of witchcraft and communication with the dead, associated with Halloween, are also condemned in the Torah.

Halloween

More to follow why Jews should not be watching and/or participating in anything related to Halloween. . .

Katyusha Rocket Attack

Israel's northern Galilee town of Kiryat Shmona was attacked by a katyusha rocket on Tuesday. Remember what the enemy's agenda is since a katyusha attack is a precursor of what has been done in the past.

Mitzvah

Follow the link to do a mitzvah for this wonderful organization http://www.ezratavot.org.

The Temple Mount - continued

As the Arabs continue to cause disturbances in the Temple Mount area, several rabbis have maintained a position that Jews cannot ascend the Temple Mount; on the other hand, at a special conference this past Sunday, other rabbis are calling for Jewish ascent to the Temple Mount. It is true that Jews cannot go up to the Mount in an unclean state which is why anyone who does must first go to the "mikvah" (ritual immersion) before ascending.

HarHabeit (The Temple Mount)

Today, helicopters have been circling the HarHabeit (The Temple Mount) because the Arabs have threatened further incitement. It is not uncommon to hear helicopters overhead during times when there any types of threats. From where we are, they circled periodically for about an hour and then stopped. The claims of "equal access" for Jews to visit the Temple Mount have been proven otherwise over the last several weeks. There are manufactured excuses too numerous to mention here why the Arabs are causing any incitement.

Tzadeka Project by Guest, Meira Lettieri Kingberg

We will prepare 18 pita sandwiches, twice a week, to distribute to needy folk as we meet them on the streets. Right now we can't do more than 18 at a time but that is the number of Life in Jewish gematria (numerology). We are being particularly diligent to do this on Fridays when many of the soup kitchens are closed. That means some of Jerusalem's neediest won't go two days without at least a small meal.

These sandwiches consist of fresh veggies and a hard boiled egg in a freshly baked pita pocket. Yeoshua carries a bottle of water and a small hand washing basin in case anyone wants to eat right away and say the blessing over bread.

We know what it means to be hungry and Hashem showed me that if we want to be fed, we must feed others. It is what happened to the Widow of Zarephath when Elijah asked her for bread and told her to trust Hashem.

Please see the "Support Israel" section on the right for ways to participate.

Syrian Sephardic Food

For Erev Sukkot, we had a joyful, sumptuous, authentic Syrian Sephardic meal. The woman does the preparation from home and the ingredients are Badatz eida Charedit. The menu included the following:

Kibbeh-

Golden Ground Meat filled Bulgar shells

Lachmagene-

Miniature Minced Meat Pies- delicious

Garlic, Eggplant, & Pepper Salad

Kibbeh Cherry-

Syrian Meat Loaf cooked in Sweet and Sour Cherry Sauce.

Chicken and Potatoes fried and cooked with Syrian spices with the option to add stuffed eggplant.

Contact Rachel Farhi at farhi27@gmail.com for all these wonderfully prepared foods in the Jerusalem area.

Also, please follow the hyperlink to: http://www.sephardichazzanut.com/ and learn the tradition of Syrian Sephardic Hazzanut. All of the above needs to continue to be passed down and never lost.

This week's Parsha

In this week's parsha (Bereshit), we are at a new beginning. We have been through Rosh Hashanah and ended with Simchat Torah. We see the creation of the world through this parsha, but do we see it from a new perspective? It is a time to meditate on how HaShem created our earth and where we are going. Have each of us asked this question? Are we at a new beginning in the study of Torah and mitzvot? Only we can honestly know the answers to these questions. BS"D we will all find favor with HaShem.

Recharge

The Sukkot holiday is a time of recharging our neshama (soul) so we can continually be tuned into HaShem's ways. As our world around us continues to deteriorate on a daily basis, this is especially vital. Among the Jewish religious world there are many who just practice their "religion" out of rote and/or ritual. One sees this happening in the midst of Jerusalem which has been documented in numerous places in the Tanach. As our neshama stays in touch with HaShem, we will know which direction to follow in these times. Even though the dark forces around us from the east, namely Iran, want to annihilate us, HaShem's ways will guide us through the difficult paths that appear before us.

After Sukkot update

BS"D HaShem provided for the Sukkot holiday. Simchat Artzenu were the guests invited to a Succah lunch and HaShem loaned us our own Succah that popped open and seated two people.

Now that the holidays are over, Simchat Artzenu's funds are depleted and we are looking for your support so we can continue our presence on blogspot.com.

Support Israel, Support Simchat Artzenu

Developing a blog to bring you quality reporting about Israel takes time, effort and expense. We do this for the Joy of living in our Land but we need your help.

Simchat Artzenu has embarked on a tzadeka project as well as endeavoring to support ourselves. We are calling it Chai Pita. See more about this in a separate post.

To donate through Paypal, email me for the address linked to my Paypal account.

Sukkot

HaShem provided Simchat Artzenu with the four species and a Succah!

Sukkot

Simchat Artzenu still does not have the four species (Arba Minim) to celebrate the Sukkot holiday. Donate now to be a part of this significant mitzvah.

Blessing

On Saturday the 26th of September, Ha Rishon le Tzion Rav Shlomo Amar, (The Chief Sephardi Rabbi Of Israel) gave a drash (lecture) in Jerusalem. At the conclusion of evening prayers, I went up to him and received a personal blessing.

A Great Sacrifice

A Great Sacrifice

Supporting those in the Land can come with great sacrifice. It is with joy that we are here, but we have seen the enemies to our east, namely Iran and others who want to annihilate us. The economic pressures are enormous since most of which has their source in anti-Semitism. All around the world, one hears of synagogues being desecrated as in times past. These occurrences will only escalate to incredible proportions. It is only with those who have the same vision who will lock arms with us that we will survive. HaShem has given us many abilities to arm ourselves, but there will only be strength in the numbers of us that will stand together.

Rosh Hashanah Fever?

Rosh Hashanah Fever?

In the days preceeding Rosh Hashanah (the New Year), many are anticipating the coming of Mashiach. It seems the fervor this year is unprecedented in comparison to the years that have come and gone before us. As events have unfolded, especially in Jerusalem with the ultra-orthodox (haredi) sector seeking to divide the city, is it possible the Maschiach is coming this year? I’m not by any means making any predications whatsoever; however, there are indicators in our present state of affairs that would indicate His appearing is very close at hand. We truly must have “simchat arteznu” or the joy of our land in order to prepare the way for Him to appear. At present, all around us there exists constant strife and division which does not seem to abate in the near future. Obviously, we need to rise above it all so we can distance ourselves from its web.

Those in the gentile world have their objective to destroy us which we know in the end what their outcome will be. Many are speaking claiming to be “prophets of G-d” and giving out many hopes that will not manifest. The prophet Jeremiah in centuries past warned us explicitly to avoid such individuals who receive their own judgment from HaShem. In our day, many of these “prophets” have led many astray from true Judaism and have shown no remorse in doing so. In addition, Ezekiel, the prophet, gave us many warnings of similar fate to those who would follow them and their deceptions.

In the work by the Chofetz Chaim, A Daily Companion, he summarizes his thoughts regarding a wicked person as one who refuses to do tsuvah and refrain from evil speech. It appears the role of a “prophet” would fall into this category. Under these circumstances, the Chofetz Chaim encourages us to expose any individual who persists in perpetrating any deceptions. Even though these events are part of the current tide, we need to stay focused on the “Joy of our Land” and not be swept away by them.

Possessing the Land

Several weeks ago, my article of not dividing Jerusalem was published by Arutz Sheva. israelantionalnews.com, August 10. 2009 In keeping with not even considering such a thought, how can we “possess the Land “ that HaShem has given us and dwell in it, as we read in Parshat Masei several weeks ago (Num. 33:53)? Obviously, from the verse above, we see HaShem has not given us an option of reneging of giving up Jerusalem in any shape or form. When Joshua and Caleb were sent out into the Land, they were expected not to bring back an evil report. Also, the verbs to conquer and to dwell are in Ramban’s positive mitzvah #4. Rabbi Nachson Gaon states, “There is no Jew who does not own four amot of the Land of Israel. But you say: the Ismaelites took possession of it, while we are in Exile? We have the right of possession: land cannot be stolen it still belongs to us.”

Since when does a foreign entity have the authority to demand of its residents to not dwell within its borders? It has been stated on numerous occasions, “Our Nation is the cornerstone of the World.” Since we are in that position, what would befall us if that cornerstone were eroded in any way? The releasing of many chilulei HaShem into the universe would be one of many occurrences that would have such a profound affect on all of us.

It behooves us to meditate on the verb “to dwell.” Not only to meditate on its meaning, but the type of individuals who HaShem expects to dwell in the Land. The whole point of the Exile, whether we like it or not, was a consequence of the abominations of our people. As a result, HaShem allowed us to return once we made Tsuvah and made a commitment to Him. Once we returned, He expected us to dwell in the Land and be righteous in all our ways; however, as we all know, our electronic media outlets have been reporting otherwise. With an avalanche of debris in a constant barrage around us, we must gather ourselves and be courageous as Joshua was instructed and go forward against the present tide, unless we want to be swept up in the imminent destruction that will soon befall us as we have seen throughout our history.

Especially, as we come into the month of Elul, we need to be aware of our “attachment” to the nations. Have we come to embrace any of their pagan ideologies? G-d forbid. During this entire month, as we do our tefillah and other mitzvot, let us continue to look within ourselves so when Rosh Hashanah is upon us, BS”D we can say with assurance that HaSem has inscribed us in the Book of Life. In the coming days, we must heed the warnings He has given us and not be swayed by other “well meaning” people both Jew and gentile. He has given us an obligation as was mentioned earlier by the Ramban to conquer and to dwell in Eretz Israel. The “modernism” of our communities, particularly outside of Israel need to be aware of the folly of their ways. Let us not be as some as in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah and interfere with HaShem’s expectations. “Also, in those days I observed the Jews who had married Ashdodite, Ammonite, and Moabite wives. Half their children spoke Ashdodian and did not know how to speak the language of the Jews; and likewise with the language of each nation. So I contended with them and I cursed them. I beat some of their men and tore their hair out. I made them swear by God, and that ‘you did not give your daughters over to their sons, nor marry their daughters to your sons or to yourselves.’ [I said,] ‘Did not Solomon, king of Israel, sin with such [women]? Among the nations there was never a king like him; he was beloved by God, and God appointed him king over all of Israel. Yet the alien wives caused even him to sin!, . . .’ (Neh. 13:23-26).

Can we see here that Solomon was “possessed” within his own midst in spite of being King of Israel? How can we even say that we are exempt from such possession within our midst? Earlier in the chapter, there were gentile merchants who came to entice the people of Judah to desecrate the Shabbat. In the coming days, may we be constantly aware of the “infiltration” from external circumstances. The forces of possession are very real indeed. They may come with utmost subtly that will even deceive a king; however, HaShem has given us the ability to see their entire intent with their final agenda in full view.

(Quotations from Tanach, the Stone Edition, ed., Rabbi Nosson Scherman, Mesorah Publications, Ltd., 2007.)

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