The Jerusalem Defender Podcast

With God's help, this week we are launching the Jerusalem Defender Podcast.

In my recovery from severe illness, I wanted to do something more proactive for the needs of the generation; out of a sense of gratitude to the Creator for healing me.

In recognition of the need nowadays to counter disinformation on multiple topics, and often to an audience that may not always seek out a blog for understanding on a given issue.

This was a project that I wanted to do a few years ago, but the timing was not right. But now is the time.

Jerusalem Defender Podcast Channel

Jerusalem Defender Podcast Advert

"Jerusalem as a Human Right of the Jewish People, with discussions of peace plans, combating Antisemitism, and other vital topics as well.

Based on Jerusalem Defender Blog by Rabbi Prof. Alan Friedlander."


Please enjoy, subscribe and share the link.

May it become popular and spread the simple truths you have become used to here in this blog.

May it soon be so, by the grace of God.

Jerusalem as a Human Right of the Jewish People

The title of this essay is the slogan of this blog.  In the very first post to this blog, some 17 years ago, I wrote that establishing Jewish religious freedom on the Temple Mount will help secure long term peace. Unlike other faiths, Judaism has but one religious center in the world, and that place has remained so for some 3000 years. Jerusalem. Today, I wish to explain why acknowledging this fact strengthens the cause of peace. The reason that prophecy shows that a third temple on Mount Moriah is a seal of eternal World peace, is because of the great advancement in World civilization this will represent.

Some 12 years ago I wrote that International Recognition of Jewish freedom of religion dates back to ancient times, since the days of Cyrus, the Great. Implying, that if Jews had a right to rebuild their Temple on Mount Moriah then, when they were subservient to another country. How much more so, logically, must Israel have a right to build a Temple in the midst of their capital city, when International Recognition already granted them the right to independence in their homeland.

Now please be aware that there exists an economy of attitudes. If one loves, they do not hate. If they love a little, there could still be resentment there. If they wish to love a lot, they have to get past that resentment. If an abuser acknowledges the rights of the abused to not be hurt by them, then the most fundamental philosophic change has occurred. If the abuser had used a club to beat their victim with, there can be no greater sign of actualized remorse than to hand that club over to the erstwhile victim. "Not only am I am sorry, but I will never do that again, and here is the greatest sign of it that I can think of."

For decades the Jordanian Moslem Waqf condoned the use of the holiest site in Judaism as a staging ground to attack Jewish worshipers at the Western Wall. Israeli generosity at sharing their holiest site, was not acknowledged. Islamic radicals on the Mount took advantage of Israeli generosity, and tried to make Israel bleed over it. That cycle repeated innumerable times.

But there is an economy of holiest places on Earth. To Muslims, it is Mecca and Medina. No other city in the World can be claimed to be their holiest city. To the Jews, it is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. No other city in the World can be claimed to be their holiest city. Biblical prophecy calls for all of Judea and Samaria to be a part of Israel (Ezekiel, chapter 48.) That includes most centrally, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, "And He said to me, Son of man, [this is] the place of My throne and [this is] the place of the soles of My feet where I shall dwell in the midst of the Children of Israel forever, etc." (Ezekiel, 43:7)

Yet the secular government of Israel allowed the partitioning of Israel's rights to the land to continue long after God granted Israel victory and restored sovereignty over the Temple Mount, during the Six-Day War.

There is also an economy of security. If the partitioning of the Temple Mount from the Western Wall and free Jewish religious expression enabled terrorism. The economy of security would indicate that unified religious freedom by Jews on the Temple Mount would end danger during prayers in that holiest of places. 

I wrote further, 17 years ago that, "Therefore in the true spirit of International Law, religious freedom is in fact a Jus Cogens (Fundamental international law). And those who wish to prevent future religious extremism should support the full recognition of religious freedom as a inalienable right, protected fully by the rights of Jus Cogens. Therefore the Israeli retention of Greater Jerusalem and the Temple Mount represents a Jus Cogens for the Jewish people."

Secular forces have striven to keep religious freedom out of the discussion of human rights. But not being attacked during peaceful assembly is certainly a clear human right. So perhaps now you too can see Jerusalem as a human right of the Jewish people, as I do.

The prophets of Israel already told us this long ago. It would be a boon for peace if this was a universally accepted concept. May it soon be so, by the grace of God.

The End of Hamas

The most horrific attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust was provided in the past two weeks by people we have been trying to give a country to. Israel wants life for both Jews and Arabs and the terrorists do not want life for either Jews nor Arabs. The status quo of strategically running in circles must end or the conflict is at risk of repeating.

Let's take a step back and look at the philosophy behind this. When gratitude is replaced with desire for bloodshed, one must be willing to mitigate one's sense of generosity with the distribution of strategic footholds into the land, for the moment. The Knesset has had a long term problem coming to terms with this simple concept. Yes, they have received bad advice from friends, but they freely took said advice, and now this horror has come upon us.

With the impending regime change in Gaza, former PM Yair Lapid just suggested allowing the Palestinian Authority (Fatah) to replace Hamas as Israel's governor of choice in Gaza. 

But “Abbas’s ruling Fatah faction has praised Hamas’s murder of 1,400 Israelis and called on the Palestinian public to attack the Jewish state.” You can’t just recruit new terrorists to fill the void.

—

Rather, here in my blog on Israel and International Law, Jerusalem Defender, I have long presented a safer method, a one state solution.

Key Concepts in the “Everyone Wins Peace Plan”

* Filtration of terrorists out from the pool of naturalization applicants.

* No relocating of masses of innocent people. No good person has to give up their homes; neither Jews nor Arabs.

* Qualifying Palestinian Arabs slowly but surely become complete Israelis without overwhelming the Israeli economy, infrastructure, nor electoral balance.

* The multiethnic IDF retains complete control.


Let's fix this in a way so that it will never happen again.

May a sane solution for lasting peace become popular. May it soon by so, by the grace of God.

It is Antisemitic to Question Israeli Authority Over the Holy Land

What is the consequence of if one assumes the land belongs to somebody other than Israel? 

Find out who actually owns the land under actual International Law, not just what a bunch of angry politicians at the United Nations may rant about.

The Israelis who actually own the land should not be fought over it. Peace should be the default choice, not rebellion. The people it hurts the most is the Palestinian Arabs. By wrongly thinking they were oppressed, when this was only a 20th Century antisemitic fiction and they never ruled the land ever in history. This works to guarantee endless conflict, hatred and bloodshed. And the terrorists place Arab children in harms way.

If you promote a false narrative, that risks leading to violence. Yes, that began in an antisemitic way, but it is worse than normal antisemitism, as it also causes suffering to Arabs as well. Learn the full history of the Holy Land. Don't promote violence and endless conflict. It hurts both Jews and Arabs. 

Discuss the advantages of peace. That way peace may flourish. May it soon be so, by the grace of God.

The Actual Status Quo On the Temple Mount

The US Deputy Ambassador to the UN for the Biden Administration expressed a strong desire to maintaining the status quo on the Temple Mount. The biggest  problem is, not everyone in the Biden Administration seems to know what is the actual status quo in International Law that is currently existing on the Temple Mount today.

The actual Legal Status Quo is as follows: The Temple Mount and all of the land West of the River Jordan belong to Israel. From the Bible to San Remo to defensive war land reacquisition, to no historic Palestinian Arab home in Judea and Samaria and Gaza. The territories belong to Israel, and that is why the UN keeps expecting Israel to police it.  

The Customary Status Quo is that the Palestinian Authority and the Muslim Waqf on the Temple Mount, are only as governors unless Israel fully gives the land away. It did not, the terrorists would not let them. That option is done with. Like a big sister who wanted to go to a party and hired a serial killer to babysit while the parents are out, the responsibility is still on the big sister, Israel, to keep the peace. If Israel continues to empower terrorists, once their violent hand is revealed, it from then on bears ethical and moral responsibility to an extent for the evil that the terrorists do; they empowered it. Even if your good friends mistakenly says, hire the serial killer. What is the end result? Therefore, do not listen to them; listen to your conscience instead.

The best way to advance Palestinian rights, is to remove their despotic terrorist leaders. Replace them with new Arabic regional councils. Replace the repressive Fatah and Hamas police with the multiethnic IDF. Let the good civilization building Arabs join the Israel of tomorrow. Let everyone share in the subsequent peace and prosperity. 

The only way to keep Palestinian Arabs down, is to keep the wrong status quo in your mind, and within your policy. Rather remove the terrorists, and as a natural consequence, embrace true peace.

May it soon be so, by the grace of God.

Uman: In Harm's Way

Now that Russia has publicly offered warning to the Jews who wish to visit Uman for the annual Rosh HaShanah pilgrimage, this ought to be stated: 

One does not put themselves into jeopardy for no good reason, even while claiming religious reasons. This extra caution isn't just an ideal platitude, it is a religious law. An act of religious faith, fulfilling the Torah command to guard one's wellbeing, and also to not risk burdening the community as well to attempt a rescue or provide medical care where it could have been avoided. 

If there is a risk to life, even the laws of the Sabbath are pushed aside. So how come someone who has a strong enough yearning is suddenly allowed to risk themselves? The test of faith here, is in one's self restraint (hiskafia). 

Therefore claiming one must go for reasons of faith into danger, may be OK for a prophet or firefighter, but not the average person.

As the Talmud says, "A person should never stand in a place of danger saying that God will perform a miracle for them, lest God does not perform a miracle for them" (Shabbos 32a)

For those are still planning to go, regardless. For whom said pilgrimage is as a vital part of their annual rituals, they should consult with the highest sage that they know, before considering doing so in this precarious situation of active war in that region.

One person described it as, “It is like being in love, I simply have to go.”
But in love with what? How does one love God in a way He does not want to be loved and calls that being devout? The way to love God, is to heed Him. We love God because He has asked us to. That is how we must worship Him, not merely what we choose to love.

The love should have been for the Torah. King Solomon wrote, "Do not forsake her (the Torah), and she will preserve you; love her and she will guard you. (Proverbs 4:6) and "He who acquires sense loves his soul; he who guards understanding will eventually find good." (Prov. 19:8)

Another person said, “This is a place we can’t give up on. Coronavirus or no, war or no — there’s not even a thought not to come,” 
Not even a thought... Well, that much seems obvious.

The reaction for the rest of us?

If you know someone about to go, stop them. If you know someone who went, tell them to hurry home.

Whereas one who does not make any sacrifices for their faith should learn to be more zealous. Once these well intentioned zealots are safe, we can attempt to learn something good from their zeal. But not while they are in self inflicted jeopardy.

But rather than insulting them, let's pray for them. Pray for peace. Pray that those who are confused do not fall victim to their own foolishness. Pray that Divine wisdom is learned and absorbed by everyone, as is prophesied, "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the water covers the seabed." (Habbakuk 2:14)

May it soon be so, by the grace of God.

* * * * *

Rebbe Nachman said, "Never insist that everything go exactly your way. Even in spiritual matters."

From the book: "The Empty Chair: Finding Hope and Joy"

Moshe Mykoff,

Jewish Lights Publishing

* * * * *

Peace Upon All Israel.

The Difference Between Criticism and Hatred

Obfuscated Anti-Semitism that is conveyed via Anti-Zionism and Anti-Israelism, is still Anti-Semitism. The key difference between criticism and hate, is the critic wants to improve the target of their critique. Whereas the hater wants to destroy their target, in a way that they feel they can get away with.

The helpful critic is one who evaluates policy by policy, and makes suggestions for the common good. They may even occasionally praise the target of their criticism.

Let's encourage helpful criticism.

The hater uses comprehensive kinds of insults that focus on the target of their libel as an irreparable criminal of some kind. Criminal state, as a phrase, can only refer to a terror state, in truth, not a country with demonstrated good intentions and kindness to strangers. This brings us to the other aspect of haters, that their hateful agenda is more dear to them than the truth. Their own twisted truth allows them to pursue their own sense of justice, in their minds.

But justice can only be true, if objectively applied.

Therefore we must seek the truth behind the news media story, and then go further. To use only one news source in the current news media scene, will not give one the depth of objectivity necessary to find the truth.

We should oppose hate, and also share important information as a crisis may appear.

That's why I created this group:

PUSH BACK! Against Anti-Israelism & Anti-Semitism To Protect Jews Worldwide

Warning of a threat is a dear act of friendship. Opposing hatred is heroic. Join us today!

Also on Facebook:

Jerusalem Defender Discussion Group

Jerusalem Defender Fan Page

Be well, be safe.

One State Solution Only Possible With Filtration of Terror

 
A One State Solution is the only plausible peaceful resolution to land dispute in Israel. The Two State Solution is proven as perpetuation of conflict. Many have relabeled a One State Solution as a kind of large melting pot of unity. Such could not work in the Middle East, where it would result in sleeper cells of terror. Rather, the choice is as before, to support a democratic state or to build a terror state in the future. Only by enhancing Israel by adding lawful Arabs can a version of peace find traction. But terrorists cannot be invited to join the united Israel of tomorrow.

Although I have written about this numerous times, starting when Heaven guided me to compose the Everyone Wins Peace Plan, since the days of the Bush Administration, I will refresh the topic. The definition of a One State Solution is the greatest impediment to support for this. No critics of this plan have sustained their opposition once they understand what I am saying. This matter requires precise understanding. The current narrative out there risks redefining what a workable One State Solution can be. But the only true path is still the same. 

Key Concepts in the Everyone Wins Peace Plan

* Filtration of terrorists out from the pool of naturalization applicants.

* No relocating of masses of innocent people. This means no good person has to give up their homes; neither Jews nor Arabs. 

* Qualifying Palestinian Arabs slowly but surely become complete Israelis without overwhelming the Israeli economy, infrastructure, nor electoral balance.

* The multiethnic IDF retains complete control.

The two philosophic legs that Everyone Wins stands on is that:

1) Peace is guaranteed in the future by God Himself, and by working oneself backwards from the prophecies of the future, most paths to peace are revealed as flawed. God's Holy Word is the best possible source of intel, and I took the Torah seriously when forming a suggested plan to peace. 

2) All humans are made in God's image and have the potential for holiness. Terrorists reject that to the point of a perpetual threat of bloodshed, and cannot be members of society. Remove terrorists from a group of any humans, and you have only a highly valuable pool of human resources.
Arabs are good. Terrorist are not. Remove terrorists, and only productive potential citizens remain.

When the philosophy of diverse people is unified, then there can be peace. The philosophy must be based on an end to terror, for civilization to be enhanced. To be a united state of civilization builders.

May it soon be so, by the grace of God.

Interview with Russell Kirk on the Possibility of Peace After the Hamas Attack

Does there still remain a method to prevent further violence against Israel, without requiring an all out war to wipe the slate clean of terrorism? 

(Video runtime 37:11)

PUSH BACK! Against Anti-Israelism & Anti-Semitism To Protect Jews Worldwide

Israel is under attack from Hamas. But at least Israel has guns to defend itself. The sooner Israel defeats it's enemies foreign and domestic, the sooner Jews worldwide will find acceptance. This happened in 1967, in the aftermath of a reunified Jerusalem. By the grace of God, it will happen again. But what about until then?

Two years ago I created another group on Facebook. This group specifically targets obfuscated Anti Semitism that is conveyed via Anti Zionism and Anti Israelism.

As the violence against Jews has both escalated and spilled out beyond Israel's borders and IDF influence, it is important to be connected to an information source that may share vital data on which areas worldwide are currently hosting a dangerous incident and give you the information you or someone you know may desperately need.

If you are on the Web already, please join and share the link today!

Please click  below to go to the discussion group.

JOIN: PUSH BACK! Against Anti-Israelism & Anti-Semitism To Protect Jews Worldwide

USA Elections: 2020

I'm for respecting American law. The final results of the election are scheduled to come in December. In a contested election such as this, it is like choosing sides to proclaim a winner early, and that is not diplomacy for non Americans, nor unity for Americans. There is a danger if the focus is only on winning, and not on achieving a better unified nation on the morrow.

It is understandable for Biden himself to claim it. It is irresponsible for any journalist to. It challenges the pursuit of due process in American law. Dear God, why are so many doing it? They are becoming for America a worse threat than their depiction of Trump. Look at actual policies, not just speech patterns. What an ordeal this is! This runaway slander and libel needs to have limit. Like shouting fire in a crowded theater, the media has been electioneering for 4 years against Mr. Trump, not reporting facts. 

At the possible departure of a historic friend of the State of Israel, I urge greater patience than some may be feeling, or showing. If Trump leaves office, whenever that may be, let it be with dignity, as he has shown the State of Israel. 

We should respect the final results, however they may be, and treat the winner with respect we would want for our own candidate, whether or not the winner is the one we may prefer. 

May God bless President Trump, and may the true winner of the election soon be revealed so that the nation may unite behind the results. Let our stance further justice and foster unity, not the very opposite.

We should respect the winner of the election, whoever he may be. But the fairness of the voting tally must be shown, in order for the country to unite behind him.

The allegations of voting fraud are multifarious and many of them are extremely compelling. No cynicism at the charges of fraud, please! Silence critics with evidence, not more allegations. Law leads to order. Lawlessness leads to anarchy.

Let the charges be proven true or false. The losing side must know the veracity of the ultimate results.

That is the only peaceful way to end this. I taught Political Science and American History at the collegiate level, and I’m not exaggerating.

God bless America. And win or lose, may God bless Donald J. Trump as well. May the best possible results be revealed, and may it soon be so, by the grace of God.

The Eretz HaKadosh Platform of the WZO Elections

We can easily recognize the Zionist and Democratic elements in Israel's government today, but we still have politicians insulting people who are merely trying to be religious in the Holy Land. We can't just demand Arabs acknowledge us as Jewish, and then turn around and attempt to deny Jewish expressionism within the Holy Land, the center stage for said religiosity. In support of enhancing religious freedom in Israel, I endorse the Eretz HaKadosh platform for the World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections, January 21 through March 11, 2020. This is the current weak link in the goals of the organization in relation to Knesset activity, which are supposed to include: "Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world." In addition, due to the Talmudic concept of Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh BaZeh (All Jews are guarantors for one another,) there is no doubt effort to combat Global Antisemitism will be redoubled, even more so, as a religious duty, should Eretz HaKadosh gain greater influence. For further information go to: https://eretzhakodesh.org/