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Independence or Dependence?
2008-05-07 23:26:00
by Reb Nati at Mystical PathsAtzmayi or Lo Atzmayi?We can see that there is no truth to this at all! When the Erev Rav and Bush Inc can destroy and intimidate, threaten, beat at will... then we are in trouble folks!This day marks the Yartzeit of Am Israel.60 years ago we were gathered after the Holocaust. And what happened? The Erev Rav put us in a vegetative, garbanzo bean, chickpea state. Rav Brody at Lazer Beams says 'The Falafel State'. This was until they could figure out what to do with us.Wake up and see. If you're honest with yourselves, G-d help us, you'll see us on the brink of annihilation. 'The final solution' has put us in State run ghetto to slowly strangle us, to dope us with materialism and goyish music, TV, xxx and drugs, to tear our kids away from us and Torah with secularism, MTV and the like, and with the media as the tool to cause one to mistrust the other to the point of hatred.We have surely helped them do their job well by sleeping on the job running ...
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Mercaz HaRav: Naftali ben Gila
2008-05-07 19:52:00
-- A Public Service Announcement from Emunah Paths --(This information is directly confirmed with the family as of May 6, 2008, and sourced partially from the One Family Tzedakah Fund in Israel.)There has recently been a tremendous amount of erroneous information on various email lists regarding the condition of Naftali ben Gila Rachel, the most seriously wounded student at Mercacz Harav yeshiva. [Akiva - Two of which I personally received via separate routes this week.]The following information is up to date as of Monday April 14 and comes directly from Naftali's mother, and was re-confirmed with Naftali's aunt on May 6, 2008:Naftali was critically injured in the attack. He was unconscious for 8 days, and regained consciousness on Friday night March 14. He was moved out of ICU into the surgical ward of Shaare Tzedek hospital on Tuesday March 18. He celebrated his 14th birthday on Purim.The family is very much aware of all of the tefillot and the concerted effort undertaken by man...

Yearning
2008-05-06 23:07:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsAnonymous commentor, in response to my post of Holocaust articles on Israeli Holocaust Remembrance day, commented, "So Akiva, you're a Zionist, not a choside, eh? At least be upfront about it."Almost every settlement in the West Bank has a Chabad house. Are they not chassidim because they are in the West Bank? The settlement Tel Tziyon is mostly chassidim, but they're in the West Bank. So is Immanuel.Charedim, the ultra-orthodox of which chassidim make up a major percentage, almost all receive kitzvat yeladim (national child support payments from the Israeli government). Hmm, that's money from the Israeli government. Does that make them not choside? Bet they go to the national health clinics also, probably have babies in the national health system hospitals (exception in Netanya, where the chassidim built their own hospital).But yes, I am a Tzionist! I yearn for the Land of Israel. Every time I eat, I pray for the rebuilding of Jerusalem! (Bet yo...

Synagogue Destroyed in Hebron
2008-05-06 03:07:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsWe happened to be passing through Kiryat Arba as Israeli security forces were busy tearing down a synagogue. Why? It sat in an empty Jewish field, on the site of a murderous terror attack of the past, built by the CHILDREN of Hebron and Kiryat Arba as a response. But in Hebron, you can't use the bathroom without government approval, in triplicate. The attorney general challenged it's existence, and the Supreme Court ruled, illegal. And the authorities came to destroy.To destroy a tiny tin synagogue built by children.But never fear, these children literally won't give in... (3 min, 30 sec, hebrew w/English subtitles)Support the Path! - Posted at Mystical Paths, MPaths.com.
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Existence is One, Many, and Him
2008-05-05 23:11:00
by Reb Gutman Locks at Mystical PathsThe sunlight rests upon the water. When it is still, there will be a single, bright ball of light bouncing off the water.When it is agitated, there will be many small reflections ricocheting off the water. Each reflection is somewhat different than the others. Each has its own location, its own size, and shape, and each faces in its own slightly different direction. Looking at the reflections we see that they are many.When we raise our sights, even a fraction of an inch up off the water, we see that all those reflections are actually a single light. The reflections are many. The light that they are made of is one.Both of these perspectives are true. The reflections are many, and their light is one. The error comes when we mistakenly call the reflections lights, thinking that there is more than one light present. There is always only a single light coming from the sun. This one light radiates in all directions, fills the sky, and rests on everythi...
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Critical
2008-05-04 23:55:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsWe're going to delve into a practical analysis briefly. The situation in Israel is critical, though somewhat existential. Surrounded by enemies on all sides who have figured out a way to hit and hurt, Israel is unwilling as well as pressured by the world to avoid taking the steps that would defend herself and/or prevent further attacks.Instead, she'll allow herself, or pieces of herself, to be sacrificed so the Western nations can keep their oil suppliers happy and stable (as if Israel has anything to do with their stability).But, some of her population is bleeding (S'derot and everything south of Ashdod). Some is nationalistic and insists on acting as if land actually matters. Some is national religious, and acts as if settling the Land of Israel actually matters. And some just cares about the Land of Israel.The rest, which is the 'silent majority'? They're just going about their lives, and as long as terrorist incidents remain 'low' and missile...
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News: Quartet Presses Palestinians on Attacks
2008-05-04 23:30:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsCNN reports that the Mideast Quartet , four international entities seeking peace between Israel and the Palestinians -- expressed deep concern Friday over Palestinian murder attempts against innocent Israeli civilians and rocket attacks on Israeli civilian populations in southern towns. Further, it called to task Hamas for creating a humanitarian disaster by attacking those facilitating the transfer of food, medicine, and international aid.XXXXXXXXXXXX - Just kidding. That would be in a world of just nations, instead...The Mideast Quartet -- four international entities seeking peace between Israel and the Palestinians -- expressed deep concern Friday over Israeli settlement in the West Bank. The group urged Israel to freeze all settlement activity and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001. It also expressed concern about Palestinian civilian deaths and injuries, including the recent death of a mother and her four children in Gaza. It expressed "...
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...help...help...
2008-05-02 10:59:00
By Rabbi Nati at Mystical PathsAs we here in Israel stood and waited silently for a moment yesterday to contemplate the Holocaust of 60 odd years ago, a chapter is being written in the Final Solution. As was then it is now. We are being duped and lulled into beleieving that all is well. We have failed to be concious of the fact that they are swaying pulbic opinion and setting the stage for the final deinfestation of this world of the Holy people. Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israeli independence day) is the yaretzheit of Am Yisroel (the Jewish People). Why? Because the State is the antithesis of the the Am Kodesh (the Holy Nation).The plan is falling into place as this is being written. The players are setting up for the final act. Israel was termed by Colon Powell when he was US Secretary of State as the "lastest and last ghetto for the Jews". As of late I've been targeted for wanting the Geulah! This is a revolution in their eyes, dangerous for world or national order. With this post I m...

Sweet Davening
2008-05-02 05:00:00
(received via email, h/t Joshua...)There's a story about a shiur that went on for decades in America...made up of older Jews...the majority were age 70 up to 100. They were all very simple but enthusiastic. They came to America and worked to support their families. They could read Hebrew, but often didn't understand what they read. They did a shiur on the medrash.One day a younger Jew in his late 40s observed an older one davening with such enthusiasm. This yid was known for his great enthusiasm in davening and he barely could read Hebrew and certainly didn't know even what the borchu meant.The younger Jew asked him, how can you daven with such enthusiasm, such energy when you don't even know what you are saying?The older jew responded in yiddish, what does it matter if I know what I'm saying when the words are so sweet!Story from Reb Paltiel on "insidechassidus.org", Tanya ch. 40, internet audio.Support the Path! - Posted at Mystical Paths, MPaths.com.
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In Honor Of...
2008-05-01 01:59:00
In honor of Holocaust Hero's and Marytrs Day, we reprise our articles on the subject. Check some out, they are truly very special and unique to Mystical Paths...Nazi Prisoner #92740More on Nazi Prisoner #92740The Rebuilding by Nazi Prisoner #92740A life in a post, the story of Nazi Prisoner #92740Yad VashemHolocaust Martyr's and HeroesWansee Conference 1942Liberation of AuschwitzAnti-Semitic Protest TodayMay Hashem avenge their blood.
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The Tzadik of Tzanz
2008-04-30 12:49:00
Nice stories in honor of his hilhula, at Heichal HaNegina.

Lost,Threatened, Hidden
2008-04-29 23:10:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsThe leaders have lost their way. It is not a question of turning left or right, for one offers immediate disaster while the other simply slows the disaster down a bit.Is it secular or religious? Shas leaders go to chain, but school funding is up. Rabbis blindly "support the government of Israel". Those who speak out are pushed out of organizations, cut off from access, persona non grata (in this world at least).Those who actually start to make a difference are threatened. The status quo doesn't want change. Or rather, doesn't want the possibility of change it doesn't control.The tzaddikim are SCREAMING, but their voices are being muffled, their message is not getting out.World chaos is building, like watching the clouds of a thunderstorm build or watching a hurricane move on track to hit the shore. But did you hear what Britney Spears was wearing today??? Or what Obama's pastor said? Or what happened to Cristian on Dancing with the Stars??? Oh m...
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Jerusalem Alert
2008-04-29 07:28:00
The following was just forwarded to me. I can't speak for the veracity, but it makes sense in the context of previous pronouncements...I am writing you from Israel after having an emergency meeting with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom I have known since he was 26 years old. I was horrified to learn that when President Bush comes to Israel for its 60th Anniversary in May, he has made the decision to mobilize Arab nations to come for a summit on the 17th & 18th of May.The purpose of this summit is to move forward with the Annapolis Road Map, the plan that will force Israel to give up a large percentage of Judea and Samaria, which they call occupied territories, and divide the Holy City of Jerusalem .It is extremely humiliating to think this would be America?s way of honoring Israel?s 60th year of prophetic rebirth. Even more outrageous, I saw the document confirming that the plan is to have this finalized by November 12, 2008.No actions or thoughts yet, just a first al...
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What is Ego?
2008-04-29 05:00:00
by Reb Gutman Locks at Mystical PathsIf we are only like the ice cubes, and G-d is like the water, then what is ego? Surely, we all have strong ego experiences.As this term is commonly used, ego either refers to the mental function of self-identification, or of self-evaluation. Self-identification is simply a person accurately identifying himself. I know that I am this particular person. I identify myself as this male who is doing these things. This is normal, healthy, ego awareness. We must have this awareness in order to function in the world. I have to know which physical person I am in order to guide myself through my day. We simply could not function without this self-identification.Then, there is ego as the term is usually used. This type of ego experience refers to the generally exaggerated opinions that we may have of ourselves. These appraisals are almost always incorrect, being heavily skewed either to the positive or to the negative. These inaccurate appraisals are very d...

On Jimmy Carter
2008-04-28 23:01:00
by Reb Gutman Locks at Mystical PathsAn older article, but an important read: The Real Jimmy Carter by Alan Dershowitz.What's important to learn from this is how the Saudi's and other Arab oil money is buying major US and world public opinion. Your public officials are being seriously manipulated, and you need to know it.
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Motivation vs Result - The Answer
2008-04-28 18:32:00
by Reb Akiva at Mystical PathsSomehow, in originally posting this, I lost half the post, the answer! It's now here.A reader sent this question:Say a bully hurts a little boy. I retaliate because I care for the little boy. Somebody else retaliates because they hate bullies, or that particular bully.Is both okay? I feel that one is motivated by love whereas the other is motivated by hate. And in the long run, one should always be motivated by love.Another, more personal example: I used to get resentful when my husband didn't help around the house. That anger would fuel me to clean more than I would normally clean -out of spite! Time went by, I worked on myself. Now I want him to go and learn, work, etc. I realize the value of the woman being in charge of -thus taking care of the details of the house. So now I do housework out of love. Does that make sense?But my question is; both motives get the job done. But is there repercussions in the long run?Great question! And, if you do...
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Energy Healing
2008-04-28 11:00:00
by Reb Akiva at Mystical PathsMany new age medical healing practices, traditional ages-ago medical practices, and eastern medical practices have come to our community in the past few years. Some are great and offer proven benefits, some may offer limited or unknown benefits but when healing is needed we try all we can, BUT some are tied to ancient practices of avodah zarah (idol worship) and/or directly tied in with beliefs of other religions. It's rare for a gadol Torah to do a personal investigation of such, but in this case it was actually done. Here is the teshuvah on Energy Healing . While this is from 5 years ago, we present it today to point out practical concerns about new age healing programs and things such as yoga.* Translation of a teshuva from R. Yisroel Halevi Belsky *I have been asked regarding a new healing treatment called Consegrity, which, according to its proponents, has already been used to heal many ill people in wondrous ways. I have also heard many storie...

Motivation versus Results
2008-04-28 05:00:00
by Reb Akiva at Mystical PathsA reader sent this question:Say a bully hurts a little boy. I retaliate because I care for the little boy. Somebody else retaliates because they hate bullies, or that particular bully.Is both okay? I feel that one is motivated by love whereas the other is motivated by hate. And in the long run, one should always be motivated by love.Another, more personal example: I used to get resentful when my husband didn't help around the house. That anger would fuel me to clean more than I would normally clean -out of spite! Time went by, I worked on myself. Now I want him to go and learn, work, etc. I realize the value of the woman being in charge of -thus taking care of the details of the house. So now I do housework out of love. Does that make sense?But my question is; both motives get the job done. But is there repercussions in the long run?Support the Path! - Posted at Mystical Paths, MPaths.com.
More About: Results , Motivation , Versus

Making the News: Going after Politicians for Following the Law
2008-04-27 16:50:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsA study released about a month ago statistically confirmed what many of us knew, 40% of news reports in Israel aren't news, they're opinion (the reporter is making them up to present his/her position). This is blatently clear from reading websites such as YNetnews or Haaretz.It gets worse when they specifically go after someone, and if they can't find the merest excuse or example of lawbreaking (such as having spit on the sidewalk once 10 years ago), they'll try to make one up. This was recently the case with Bibi Netanyahu, who they went after for making a trip to London where the accommodations were paid for by the trip sponsor. Besides this not actually being illegal, the trip was requested by the Israeli government and for Israeli PR purposes. And, as anyone who watches Israeli PR knows, Netanyahu is about the only Israeli politician who has the slightest clue how to speak to the Western press. In the end the issue faded because, well, there wa...
More About: News , The News , Politicians

Tefilot for HaRav HaGadol Eliyahu, shlita!
2008-04-26 21:38:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsWe wish HaRav HaGadol Mordechai Eliyahu, shlita, a refuah shalayma! News reports that he had a heart attack Shabbat night, and is recovering from critical surgery over Shabbat.Please include HaRav Mordechai ben Mazel in your tefilot.

Simple or Complex Faith?
2008-04-24 23:01:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsOn my post on safety in Israel versus the US (where Israel comes out ahead in 90% of the stat's, including average length of life), a commenter wrote...Anonymous Commenter - In the world at large the cause of death by hasgacha protis is 100%. Death by other causes is 0.00%.Emunah peshuta - simple faith is a wonderful thing. Knowing, with absolute certainly, that G-d runs the world and He is the only one to turn to, the only one upon whom to rely, is a great level.Yet, we live in a world that appears to run through "natural" means, through the fixed pattern of the physical laws of the universe.We can state with certainly that average life expectancy has grown tremendously in the last 300 years. Most people, on average, can expect to live into their 70's. Further, we can directly explain the natural means by which life expectancy can be shortened or lengthened. Namely: Prenatal health care, nutrition during early stages of life, vaccinations of certain (...
More About: Faith , Complex , Simple

The Blessing of the Trees
2008-04-23 23:30:00
An important mitzvah to remember for the month of Nissan! Video with Rabbi Lazer Brody, shlita of Lazer Beams and Emunah Outreach.
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Going Nowhere Fast
2008-04-23 23:20:00
-- A thought provoking article worth reading. BUT, Mystical Paths does not recommend the positions mentioned. Rather, we post it for thought provoking and discussional purposes. --Going Nowhere Fast Rabbi David Bar-Hayim Machon Shilo - Torah La'am VeLaaretz harav@machonshilo.org Clueless Leaders Israel is lost and directionless. Its political leaders lack vision and aspire to nothing. Judaism is lost and directionless. It rabbinical leaders lack vision and aspire to nothing. Revisionist leader Ze?ev Jabotinsky once illustrated his criticism of mainstream Zionism with the following analogy: ?I see a man limping down the street, using only one leg, even though it is apparent that nothing is wrong with the other one. I turn to him and ask: ?Why don?t you walk on both legs?? He replies: ?Is there something the matter with the one that I am using??? Jabotinsky referred of course to the policy of ?one more dunam, one more goat?, whereby the Zionist Establishment focused...

We Interrupt...
2008-04-23 00:16:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsWe interrupt our semi-automated posts and Chol HaMoed vacation for this VERY important political post (a topic we also have been successfully avoiding for a few weeks).We are once again beginning to hear DIRE warnings of HUMANITARIAN DISASTER in Hamasistan (aka Gaza). The horror of the Jews once again cutting off fuel supplies is being pronounced to the world.But this is beyond a lie, this is the man who murdered his parents crying to the judge about being an orphan!1 week ago, Hamas barbarian murderers infiltrated the Israel-Gaza fuel depot transfer station and murdered the supply technicians! Surprise, when you murder the guys who pump your gas, you may have a problem getting it afterwards.The gas station is closed, who's going to work pumping gas when you might get murdered any minute? BTW, they ALSO attacked the FOOD transfer station, but ONLY INJURED 6 soldiers, so that one is still open.My friends, when you hear the world news media begin to spout...
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No Right
2008-04-22 23:01:00
photo by Akiva at Mystical PathsNo Right Turn on Shabbos or Holidays! Only in Israel.Support the Path! - Posted at Mystical Paths, MPaths.com.

Prayer at Rashbi
2008-04-22 06:00:00
photos by R. Nati at Mystical PathsPrayer s during Rosh Chodesh (not during Chol HaMoed) at the Kever of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, zt"l, in Meron...Support the Path! - Posted at Mystical Paths, MPaths.com.

Kosher Graffiti
2008-04-21 23:01:00
photo by Akiva at Mystical Paths"The Path of Torah is The Path of Truth and Good"No, we don't recommend spraying painting Torah slogans around the neighborhood.Support the Path! - Posted at Mystical Paths, MPaths.com.
More About: Graffiti , Kosher

Kosher Le'Mehardrin
2008-04-21 06:00:00
photo by Akiva at Mystical PathsKosher Le'Mehadrin - Kosher to the Highest LevelSupport the Path! - Posted at Mystical Paths, MPaths.com.

Visit Kever Yehoshua bin Nun
2008-04-20 23:01:00
Rafi at Life in Israel shares this event notice...Visit the kever (the holy tomb) of Yehoshua bin Nun (Joshua, who took over after the passing of Moshe Rabaynu (Moses)) on Wednesday April 30th at night. Open from 11:00pm until 5:00am (and then davening at 5:30am).It should be noted that the reason this is a rare event and in the middle of the night, is that the holy tomb is located in the middle of a current Arab village in the Shomron (West Bank). The army will escort everyone in and provide heavy security. The local hostile residents will be under curfew during this time.

THANK YOU, and a Kosher and Happy Passover
2008-04-18 12:18:00
by Akiva at Mystical PathsTHANK YOU !!! You, our dear readers, in responding to our Passover campaign to help the needy in Israel, donated enough to provide 30 families the means to have a family Passover seder this year!You cannot imagine the response as we handed people envelopes (of NIS 500) and their fear of an empty table for the holiday evaporated. Literally, people danced, hugged us, and tried to bestow blessings upon us. We told them it was all from YOU. They could not believe that people from all over the world would care enough to help them. Yet, you did. Yes, you...From Australia: from New South Wales, Victoria, Western AustraliaFrom Canada: from OntarioFrom England: from London, Tyne and WearFrom France: from ParisFrom Germany: from BerlinFrom Israel: from Hertzaliya, JerusalemFrom Norway: from KristiansandFrom Portugal: from LisbonFrom the US: from Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michi...
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