Politics

Way back in the mid-1980s, I was spending Shavuos in Staten Island, and Rabbi Jay Marcus, now the rabbi emeritus of the Young Israel of Staten Island, told a funny, yet sad, story. He said that one of the congregants told his boss that he needed two days off to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Shavuos. A few days later, the boss called the fellow into his office and was quite angry. He said the following: “If you needed two days off, I would gladly give it to you… but why did you make up a Jewish holiday?” The guy did not understand. “I didn’t make up anything!” The boss then said, “Sorry, I don’t believe you. I never heard of Shavuos, so I asked five of my Jewish friends and nobody ever heard of it either!”

If you think that elections in Israel are finally over, think again, because the fun is just about to begin! The only part that’s over is election day – where people voted for what they wanted (or so they thought!). So, yes, the actual democratic process is over, but now comes the “wheeling and dealing” in an effort to make a coalition of 61 MKs. The reason why I say it’s fun is because this is the part where you see what your party is truly worth. Will your party be honest to their campaign promises and ideology, or will they sell their birthright for a bowl of lentils? In most cases, you get stuck with the lentils.

When you’re feeling blue – not sure what to do,

When your heart is racing, and you can’t stop pacing,

Ask any Israeli (certainly the under-30 crowd) who Asaf Goren is and he will tell you the same thing: “He is Israel’s Ninja champion.” In case you’ve been asleep the last few years, this new sport is sweeping the world. Yes, when I hear the word “Ninja,” I still think of guys in black costumes swinging swords or turtles named Michelangelo and Leonardo but that just shows my age. Today’s world is much different. The modern-day ninja is an incredible athlete who uses his/her strength and agility to successfully pass a rigorous obstacle course. This attraction has turned into a sport with millions of followers, as the ninjas compete against each other for serious prizes.

I received an email from a friend yesterday. He wanted to know how I’m doing and simply asked, “Hey, Shmuel. How are you and the family during these crazy times?” That simple, innocent question started me thinking, and here’s what I concluded: These are not “crazy” times – they are “challenging” times. Let me explain.

Last week, I wrote an article about the need for Jews to move to Israel. While I focused primarily on the positive aspect of aliyah – fulfilling the national dream of 2,000 years by building a strong and proud Jewish state – I did state that, at times, Hashem sends a “Pharaoh” to drive the Jews out against their will. I urged all readers to act now, and make aliyah in a beautiful and happy way, and not wait for the modern-day Pharaoh. As a result of my article, I received many emails, but one of them stood out above all the others. When I read it, I couldn’t believe the words that were written. The email was short, yet powerful and poignant, and it delivered a message that left me speechless. Here is the email – word for word: