March 2009

Hello Hello,

Apologies for the delay, but my life has taken some twists and turns - so I decided to do what’s best for myself. I am learning at the Aish HaTorah Yeshiva in Jerusalem, which is overlooking the Kotel HaMaaravi (The Western Wall) and I couldn’t be more at ease with the world, my religion and my love for both the State of Israel and Eretz Yisrael.

I have to say that being up close and personal I can give some thoughts to the issues at hand and I can’t because Yshiva life is like a bubble in it’s own right, until you hear the vitriol spewing from the Imam on Friday mornings coming from the Temple Mount. First of all, as the Mishna reads in Pirkei Avot, “Love Peace and chace Peace.” That has become my motto because I’ve become aquinted with the right wing Rabbis, who are kind and extremely knowledgeable about all the writings - as well as the left wing elements and the workers of our kitchen at the Yeshiva - Palestinians. I think that it would be much more productive for both sides to lay all their, pardon the French, BullShit aside and start living my that motto. It irks me that the Muslim Authority (Waqf) is trying to disprove Jewish claims to Jerusalem, eventhough it’s mentioned in the Torah over 600 Times! Pop quiz, how many times is Jerusalem mentioned in the Quraan? 0, Zero for the confused.

Also, Holy sites are holy only by name. Wouldn’t it be nice to visit Hebron with ease and harmony instead of looking over your shoulder every second. Sites are sites but Judaism belongs in one place, our minds, hearts and souls. I rather walk than die over a Holy site, which is different than dying for being a Jew - that’s when some Krav Maga is in order.

We have moderates or the relaxed who want peace and quiet on both sides, which I believe is a good amount. So get up and scream that I’m mad as Hell and I’m not gonna take it anymore! Solutions could be found, and I’m in no way capitulating to any side. The words right wing, left wing, liberal, conservative, etc. are just inventions because our societies love to label things they’re scared of. So let’s make them uncomfortable until we all find a solution with the least, or preferably no, blood shed.

Peace and love guys.

PS: Before you get annoyed or angry just keep in mind that I LOVE you all, and I don’t reek of Pachuli, wear TyeDye or like Phish or the Dead.