Monday, September 5, 2016
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Sunday, February 7, 2016
ISLAM CONFIRMS THE PRESENCE OF HISTORICAL ISRAEL
According to Islam, Muhammed is the last prophet of God, following in the footsteps of Abraham, Moses and Jesus. This means that Islam considers Allah to be an Abrahamic God, which, is an endorsement of the Israeli/Jewish claim to a historical presence within the Levant.
Here are some references from the Koran that directly reference Abraham and Moses. This is important, because, those that promulgate the claim that 'Palestinian was here first' view, dispute Israel's claim to a historical presence within the Levant. And, whilst we are all entitled to opinions, it seems incongruous to be stating that 'Palestine was here first' if you are Muslim and the Koran contradicts you.
The truth is that not only does Islam have no problem with Israel's claim of historical presence in the Levant, it agrees and endorses it with its own teachings.
Take this reference on wikipedia entitled "Abraham in Islam" that refers to Abraham's burial place in Israel at a place called Hebron on the West Bank.
This reference from the wikipedia entry on 'Ibrahimi Mosque' or the 'Cave of Patriarchs', illustrates how the Muslim creation was via the conversion of the original Jewish structre when it states that "(t)he site of the Cave of the Patriarchs is located beneath a Saladin-era mosque, which had been converted from a large rectangular Herodian-era Judean structure."1
Finally, the Koran speaks to the migration of Abraham to Canaan itself and receiving it as a gift from God. This gift is Israel. The descendants are Jews.
The only reasonable conclusion is that people that insist on denying a Jewish presence in Israel in ancient times, are those that are ignorant, or, are anti-Semitic.
FOOTNOTES
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_the_Patriarchs#Islam
Here are some references from the Koran that directly reference Abraham and Moses. This is important, because, those that promulgate the claim that 'Palestinian was here first' view, dispute Israel's claim to a historical presence within the Levant. And, whilst we are all entitled to opinions, it seems incongruous to be stating that 'Palestine was here first' if you are Muslim and the Koran contradicts you.
 |
| Moses, and the Red Sea is referenced in this screen shot from the Koran |
 |
| Abraham, as described by the Koran |
 |
| From the Koran |
 |
| From the Koran |
 |
| From the Koran |
 |
| The smoking gun as taken from the Koran |
The truth is that not only does Islam have no problem with Israel's claim of historical presence in the Levant, it agrees and endorses it with its own teachings.
Take this reference on wikipedia entitled "Abraham in Islam" that refers to Abraham's burial place in Israel at a place called Hebron on the West Bank.
 |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_in_Islam |
 |
| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_the_Patriarchs#Islam |
 |
| http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/294/story-of-abraham-part-4/ |
FOOTNOTES
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cave_of_the_Patriarchs#Islam
Friday, February 5, 2016
ABRAHAM: THE FIRST JEW
According to both Jewish -Torah- and Christian bibles, the first Jew was Avraham Avinu or Abraham. He lived in modern day Iraq, known then as Mesopotamia, but, having recognised and promulgated the idea of a monotheistic God, was commanded to move to Canaan and was bequeathed that land for all eternity where he began to a community of Jews.
Some people maintain that there is an inherent difference between the Hebrews, the Israelites and the Jews, yet, this is patently false. We know this because Abraham instituted the actual practices of mitzvot. These unique rituals were practiced by Hebrews, Isrealites and Jews with small changes that survive to this day as the six hundred and thirteen commandments that all Jews are asked to follow.
Abraham is first mentioned in the Torah.
The Torah, or the Tanach is considered Jewish law. It consists of five books, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Genesis is the first book of the Torah and it is in here that God's covenant with Avraham is detailed in Unit 17.
In Christianity, both the King James Version, as well as the Catholic bible makes the same claim as is articulated in the Torah, above.
There is no doubt that from a biblical perspective that Israel has original dominion in the Levant. It is also worth noting that the land that God gave to Abraham wasn't 'Palestine', but, 'Canaan'.
Historically speaking, Palestine did not exist at this time, which was approximately 1714 BC/BCE. Palestine was created by the Roman Empire approximately 140 AD.
Some people maintain that there is an inherent difference between the Hebrews, the Israelites and the Jews, yet, this is patently false. We know this because Abraham instituted the actual practices of mitzvot. These unique rituals were practiced by Hebrews, Isrealites and Jews with small changes that survive to this day as the six hundred and thirteen commandments that all Jews are asked to follow.
Abraham is first mentioned in the Torah.
The Torah, or the Tanach is considered Jewish law. It consists of five books, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Genesis is the first book of the Torah and it is in here that God's covenant with Avraham is detailed in Unit 17.
 |
| http://www.chaver.com/Torah-New/English/Text/The%20Structured%20Torah%20%28JPS%201917%29.pdf |
 |
| https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+17&version=KJV |
 |
| http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=1&bible_chapter=17 |
Historically speaking, Palestine did not exist at this time, which was approximately 1714 BC/BCE. Palestine was created by the Roman Empire approximately 140 AD.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
FAITH AND FATE EPISODE 1 THE DAWN OF THE CENTURY 1900-10
"This episode introduces the uniqueness of Jewish history in the 20th century within the
context of world history. At the turn of the
20th century, Jews were scattered across the
globe, representing only ¼ of one percent of the worlds population. It was a time of
empires, imperial rule and colonial expansionism. In Russia the masses, including the
Jews, lived in dire poverty which was compounded by grassroots antisemitism. In 1905
the Russian masses revolted and there was a general strike. On Bloody Sunday the
Czar responded with force. The Czar did not abdicate until 1917, which is typically the
date given for the second Russian Revolution, which, in turn, led to increased pogroms
against the Jews. The pogroms and the economic conditions forced approximately
40% of Jewish population to leave the Russian Empire and go to Western countries
including the United States and to Palestine and other countries as far away as South
Africa and Australia.
globe, representing only ¼ of one percent of the worlds population. It was a time of
empires, imperial rule and colonial expansionism. In Russia the masses, including the
Jews, lived in dire poverty which was compounded by grassroots antisemitism. In 1905
the Russian masses revolted and there was a general strike. On Bloody Sunday the
Czar responded with force. The Czar did not abdicate until 1917, which is typically the
date given for the second Russian Revolution, which, in turn, led to increased pogroms
against the Jews. The pogroms and the economic conditions forced approximately
40% of Jewish population to leave the Russian Empire and go to Western countries
including the United States and to Palestine and other countries as far away as South
Africa and Australia.
Emigration
and the Enlightenment presented Jews with the dilemma and opportunity
to
maintain or reject their traditional Jewish upbringing, and many decided to forgo their
traditional Judaism and blend in with their larger non-Jewish society. Within the
traditional Jewish world, change was occurring as well, with the rise and acceptance of
the Mussar Movement, an ethical approach to Judaism. Because Jews were not
allowed into institutions of higher education in Eastern Europe, most of them went to
study in yeshivas to sharpen their intellect. The traditional yeshiva, unintentionally,
became a breeding ground for all philosophies, Jewish and secular alike. Zionism
grew as a national movement, and was led by secular Jews antithetical to traditional
Judaism. While most rabbis rejected Zionism and its leaders, because of their
nontraditional beliefs, a minority of rabbis developed religious Zionism, which combined
traditional Judaism with Zionist philosophy. The Old Yishuv Jews, who had settled in
Palestine in the late 1800s, were committed to traditional Judaism and rejected
secular, nationalistic ideas of the New Yishuv Zionists.
maintain or reject their traditional Jewish upbringing, and many decided to forgo their
traditional Judaism and blend in with their larger non-Jewish society. Within the
traditional Jewish world, change was occurring as well, with the rise and acceptance of
the Mussar Movement, an ethical approach to Judaism. Because Jews were not
allowed into institutions of higher education in Eastern Europe, most of them went to
study in yeshivas to sharpen their intellect. The traditional yeshiva, unintentionally,
became a breeding ground for all philosophies, Jewish and secular alike. Zionism
grew as a national movement, and was led by secular Jews antithetical to traditional
Judaism. While most rabbis rejected Zionism and its leaders, because of their
nontraditional beliefs, a minority of rabbis developed religious Zionism, which combined
traditional Judaism with Zionist philosophy. The Old Yishuv Jews, who had settled in
Palestine in the late 1800s, were committed to traditional Judaism and rejected
secular, nationalistic ideas of the New Yishuv Zionists.
The
Sephardic Jews living in Moslem and Arab countries at the turn of the
20th
Century maintained their own rich Jewish traditions and heritage, which often differed
from those of the Ashkenazim. There was relative peace within the Jewish community
and among the leadership in these Arab and Moslem countries, and although life was
sometimes difficult, these Sephardic Jews did not experience, by and large, pogroms
or the influences of the Enlightenment or Reform Judaism.
Century maintained their own rich Jewish traditions and heritage, which often differed
from those of the Ashkenazim. There was relative peace within the Jewish community
and among the leadership in these Arab and Moslem countries, and although life was
sometimes difficult, these Sephardic Jews did not experience, by and large, pogroms
or the influences of the Enlightenment or Reform Judaism.
In
Europe, Jews were the leaders of the Labor and Socialist movements
and
spearheaded the establishment of labor unions in America. The challenge of
assimilation in the United States was the greatest difficulty confronting Jewish
immigrants. Attempts were made to stem the tide. Reform Judaism became a symbol
of acceptance into modern American society and Dr. Solomon Schechter initiated the
Universal Synagogue movement which became Conservative Judaism. Also
Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewish immigrants had to find their respective places within
the Jewish community and in their new host country, the United States, as well..
A small, strong group of American Jewish immigrants managed to cling to their Jewish
traditions and adapt themselves to the new reality in America. Meanwhile, for Jews
around the world, with the threat of WWI looming, the imperial race for supremacy was
escalating."1
FOOTNOTESspearheaded the establishment of labor unions in America. The challenge of
assimilation in the United States was the greatest difficulty confronting Jewish
immigrants. Attempts were made to stem the tide. Reform Judaism became a symbol
of acceptance into modern American society and Dr. Solomon Schechter initiated the
Universal Synagogue movement which became Conservative Judaism. Also
Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewish immigrants had to find their respective places within
the Jewish community and in their new host country, the United States, as well..
A small, strong group of American Jewish immigrants managed to cling to their Jewish
traditions and adapt themselves to the new reality in America. Meanwhile, for Jews
around the world, with the threat of WWI looming, the imperial race for supremacy was
escalating."1
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S58ivjU9PeE
Sunday, January 31, 2016
THE WHOLE JEWISH HISTORY IN ONE HOUR
Fantastic presentation by David Solomon presenting bullet point headings to a subject whee almost every bullet point could be expanded to an hour presentation in its own right. A truly magnificent look at Jewish history over a prolonged period of time.
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