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Jerusalem - Columnist: Presence and Ceremonies of Troops at Kotel is Sign of Destruction |
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"We are in sorrow for the desolate Mount Zion and for the Kotel square which is sometimes desecrated and soldiers who walk there," wrote Shas Knesset faction director Tzvi Ya'acobson in his weekly column in the Bakehila newspaper.
Ya'acobson was paraphrasing a verse in Lamentations (4:17,18): "For this our heart is faint for these things our eyes are dim because of the Mountain of Zion which is desolate foxes prowl over it."
The foxes in Lamentations are, for Ya'acobson, equivalent to IDF soldiers.
Ya'acobson made it clear in his article that he was talking about the swearing-in of soldiers at the Western Wall.
"During these types of ceremonies the access to the Kotel is disrupted," he complained. "Hours beforehand the already limited parking is closed to the real visitors to the Kotel."
One Shas source said that "the average Shasnik probably did not agree with Ya'acobson" and that Ya'acobson was only a functionary and not an elected official.
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Read Comments (24) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 30, 2009 at 07:11 PM Anonymous Says:
unfortunately he has no clue what the meaning of Tisha Bav is and why the Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed.
Maybe he meant to write in the Zichus of the IDF we are able to daven at the Kotel
(When the Arabs controlled the Kotel Jews were always welcome to come and daven as they wished)
2
Jul 30, 2009 at 07:08 PM Babishka Says:
If it wasn't for IDF soldiers, there would be no Jews at the Kotel!
3
Jul 30, 2009 at 07:28 PM Anonymous Says:
How typical a party that represents parasitical culture that believes in miracles of Hashem, but can't survive without the taxes and the security provided by a secular state (IDF) that they despise so much. Why should opinions of a group that does not equally contribute to the security of the entire people be taken seriously? IDF soldiers do more to defend Hashem's property than these Shas politicians and their constituency. An IDF soldier not only has to risk his life for 3 years, but has to work for the rest of his or her life supporting the welfare programs for Shas members who will sit on the side ridiculing everyone else and have riots every Shabbat in Jerusalem.
4
Jul 30, 2009 at 07:44 PM Anonymous Says:
To all IDF members, reservists and veterens: We love and appreciate you. Don't let people like Ya'acobson get you down.
5
Jul 30, 2009 at 08:45 PM Meir Says:
It is the sinas chinom of people like Yakobson that brought about the churban
6
Jul 30, 2009 at 08:42 PM Charlie Hall Says:
“ unfortunately he has no clue what the meaning of Tisha Bav is and why the Bais Hamikdosh was destroyed.
Maybe he meant to write in the Zichus of the IDF we are able to daven at the Kotel
(When the Arabs controlled the Kotel Jews were always welcome to come and daven as they wished) ”
It is true that the Ummayid Caliphate, the Abbasid Caliphate, and the Fatimid Caliphate were mostly friendly towards Jews and welcomed Jews in Jerusalem. But the Fatimids were kicked out of Jerusalem by the Seljuk Turks in 1098, one year before the First Crusade arrived and massacred everyone they could find. The next time that any part of Jerusalem would be under Arab rule would be in 1948 when the Jordanian Arab Legion ethnically cleansed all Jews from the Old City and the rest of East Jerusalem. For over 19 years, no Jew could come near the Kotel. So, no, when Arabs controlled the Kotel Jews were not "always" welcome to come and daven as they wished.
7
Jul 30, 2009 at 08:59 PM Anonymous Says:
This "Shas functionary" should be ashamed of himself.
My son is a solider in a Jewish army called the IDF. He gave up going to college in the US to serve so he can do G-d's work. Ya'acobson should kiss the footsteps of these boys and girls who protect him and every Jew every day. I don't know where his family originated, but whatever country they came from they surely sought refuge in this Jewish country.
He should ask mechilla from every solider and every veteran and most of all from the parents who offered up their children so that we may daven at the Kotel every day of the year.
8
Jul 30, 2009 at 08:39 PM shimon Says:
"One Shas source said that "the average Shasnik probably did not agree with Ya'acobson" and that Ya'acobson was only a functionary and not an elected official."
What an understatement. There are 100s of people higher in Shas than Ya'acobson. And don't forget, this was published in Bakehila newspaper. Nothing to do with Shas.
9
Jul 30, 2009 at 08:13 PM Anonymous Says:
Hey, Number 3, cool the rhetoric and lose the bitterness! Tisha b'Av has been over for just a few moments; if you can't judge what another person says l'chaf zchus, then it's time for some ahavas chinam! This website recently explicitly asked for civil discourse. Please abide by this admirable dictum. Thank you.
10
Jul 30, 2009 at 10:12 PM Anonymous Says:
Look up Choshen Mishpat siman "shas "(360) vehayshiv es hgezaylah asher gazal!
12
Jul 30, 2009 at 11:19 PM Just say thank you Says:
If he served he would know better. Say "Thank You" or keep quiet. I have been there for one swaring in seremoney and there is nothing more moving that these young yiden swaring to put thier life on the line to proteect other Yiden. May G-d bless and protect them and all clal yisroel.
13
Jul 30, 2009 at 11:54 PM Anonymous Says:
The kotel belongs to all Jews. Avraham Avinu would be ashamed. We must reach out, not reject.
14
Jul 30, 2009 at 11:59 PM Anonymous Says:
Maybe he meant that when we have the third Bais Hamikdash, speedily, there would be no need for soldiers.
15
Jul 30, 2009 at 10:57 PM Anonymous Says:
To present such an article lekovod Tu Be Av, that is the real Churban.
16
Jul 30, 2009 at 10:41 PM formally Says:
(When the Arabs controlled the Kotel Jews were always welcome to come and daven as they wished)
simply not true, where do you learn history? or do you make things up that fits what you want to believe
17
Jul 31, 2009 at 12:07 AM soldier Says:
I believe everyone here commented without reading through the whole post. The ck's point is that it's not right to STOP yidden from praying at the kotel. As an IDF member, even I agree. Let us be sworn in in a field and let klal ysrael pray for our well being
18
Jul 31, 2009 at 06:36 AM berel Says:
#5 this guy really redt shtusim, but don't throw around the term 'sinas chinom' when it doesnt apply.there is no sinas chinom in his words just according to him its not appropriate, so when someone addresses what he thinks is inappropriate it sinas chinom?
19
Jul 31, 2009 at 06:01 AM obvious Says:
All he said is that a holy site meant for davening and crying to G-D, is not the best place to have a army parade or ceremony. The ceremonies I have seen, included boys and girls dressed and acting immoraly. Lets not get side tracked. pro or con the army - its not the discussion. Army ceremonies should occur its appropriate place. And so should davening occur where its appropriate. A target range or a runway is not appropriate place to set up a site for Tefilah. A holy site is not a place for army parade or even a hospital. Even though hospitals are immportant. Its just not its right place. Just like a Bar-mitvah event is not appropraite at a funeral parlor. This has nothing to do with the fact that the army protects or captured the Kotel. Its just not the point. Dont destort his words, just like you dont want someone to distort your words..
20
Jul 31, 2009 at 05:12 AM supporter Says:
I was fortunate enough to visit the Kosel at the time one of these ceremonies was being held. Despite the seeming incongruity of guns being handed out to the troops, it made sense! THEY (the IDF) are the ones who make it possible for US to visit any time of the day & night. They certainly seemed to appreciate the significance of where their graduation ceremony was being held.
My husband & I found it very moving. We wanted to go over & hug every soldier; they looked barely old enough to be out of diapers! They are protecting every Jew, no matter where they are. Instead of mutchering about WHERE the ceremonies are held, we should be bentching them. Get over it! So you wait a few minutes (the whole thing was less than an hour.)
And we were NOT stopped from going right up to the holy Walls. We just had a narrower area to use. And so? The IDF deserve the brachas of our most holy site, the brachas of all of us...and our thanks.
21
Jul 31, 2009 at 07:36 AM supporter Says:
“ This "Shas functionary" should be ashamed of himself.
My son is a solider in a Jewish army called the IDF. He gave up going to college in the US to serve so he can do G-d's work. Ya'acobson should kiss the footsteps of these boys and girls who protect him and every Jew every day. I don't know where his family originated, but whatever country they came from they surely sought refuge in this Jewish country.
He should ask mechilla from every solider and every veteran and most of all from the parents who offered up their children so that we may daven at the Kotel every day of the year. ”
Omayn. May Hashem keep your son & all our Jewish soldiers safe.
22
Jul 31, 2009 at 09:16 AM shlomo zalman Says:
#1 was being sarcastic in his last comment, for those who didn't get it.
Ya'akovson is a moron and let's not waste any more time on him.
23
Jul 31, 2009 at 10:57 AM Anonymous Says:
“ All he said is that a holy site meant for davening and crying to G-D, is not the best place to have a army parade or ceremony. The ceremonies I have seen, included boys and girls dressed and acting immoraly. Lets not get side tracked. pro or con the army - its not the discussion. Army ceremonies should occur its appropriate place. And so should davening occur where its appropriate. A target range or a runway is not appropriate place to set up a site for Tefilah. A holy site is not a place for army parade or even a hospital. Even though hospitals are immportant. Its just not its right place. Just like a Bar-mitvah event is not appropraite at a funeral parlor. This has nothing to do with the fact that the army protects or captured the Kotel. Its just not the point. Dont destort his words, just like you dont want someone to distort your words.. ”
Yisroel B'tach B'shem
it is the best place for the ceremony
the guns and ammo are usless without the protection of Hashem
24
Jul 31, 2009 at 06:01 PM Anonymous Says:
“ All he said is that a holy site meant for davening and crying to G-D, is not the best place to have a army parade or ceremony. The ceremonies I have seen, included boys and girls dressed and acting immoraly. Lets not get side tracked. pro or con the army - its not the discussion. Army ceremonies should occur its appropriate place. And so should davening occur where its appropriate. A target range or a runway is not appropriate place to set up a site for Tefilah. A holy site is not a place for army parade or even a hospital. Even though hospitals are immportant. Its just not its right place. Just like a Bar-mitvah event is not appropraite at a funeral parlor. This has nothing to do with the fact that the army protects or captured the Kotel. Its just not the point. Dont destort his words, just like you dont want someone to distort your words.. ”
I have b'H been to countless tzahal induction ceremonies at the Kotel. They are dignified and add a level of kedushah to our youths service in defense of our people. If one believes that hester panim caused the Jews of Europe to surrender without much resistance, then the view of our soldiers might well be an expression of gilui schechina. The report of lacking tznius in dress or deed is just not true.
25
Aug 01, 2009 at 11:06 PM Anonymous Says:
“ All he said is that a holy site meant for davening and crying to G-D, is not the best place to have a army parade or ceremony. The ceremonies I have seen, included boys and girls dressed and acting immoraly. Lets not get side tracked. pro or con the army - its not the discussion. Army ceremonies should occur its appropriate place. And so should davening occur where its appropriate. A target range or a runway is not appropriate place to set up a site for Tefilah. A holy site is not a place for army parade or even a hospital. Even though hospitals are immportant. Its just not its right place. Just like a Bar-mitvah event is not appropraite at a funeral parlor. This has nothing to do with the fact that the army protects or captured the Kotel. Its just not the point. Dont destort his words, just like you dont want someone to distort your words.. ”
Are you saying "included boys and girls dressed and acting immoraly" are you kidding me .do you think this what hasham wounds ."Army" "Ceremonies" this should not occur at all its not appropriate for a yid The satmar rabbi was so right he was A holy man and soy this coming this is not what a yid should do at all, all the trouble is coming on kalal Israel because of this hasham yrachim
May God help as and bring back to israel with out the IDF