Political_Satire

I was in a synagogue last night in the center of Israel. As the prayer service continued, a tall handsome young man stood in front of the Torah Ark, his faced pressed against the velvet curtain, for what seemed like half an hour. When he finished, I asked why the long and fervent prayer. He said he was leaving that night to fight in Lebanon in order to defend his nation against Hezbollah, and he was praying for the success of his mission. As he left, the entire congregation stood and clapped and wished him well. To those outside of Israel praying for the Jewish State, try to imagine what life is like here. The daily dash to a shelter with small children or an elderly relative, the knowledge that a beloved son, daughter, spouse or patent is defending the nation and in harm’s way, and the well publicized threats from enemies to destroy us all. If you’re not here, you won’t directly experience these traumas. But try to imagine them nonetheless as you pray and let your feelings drive you to seek God’s mercy with even greater intensity. It is an important contribution that can be made from anywhere on earth.

This election is to stop West Bengal from becoming West Bangladesh!

My statement re Prohibiting the Latin Patriarch of entering Church of Holy Sepulcher on Palm Sunday: While all Holy sites in the Old City are closed due to safety concerns for mass gatherings including the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher and Al Aqsa Mosque, the action today by the Israel Nat'l Police to deny Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and 3 other priests from entering the Church to offer a blessing on Palm Sunday is an unfortunate overreach already having major repercussions around the world.  Home Front Command Guidelines restrict any gatherings to 50 people or less.  The 4 representatives of the Catholic Church were well below that restriction.  Statements from the Gov't of Israel indicate the action to prohibit Cardinal Pizzaballa entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher were for safety reasons, but churches, synagogues, and mosques throughout Jerusalem have met with the restrictions of 50 or less.  For the Patriarch to be barred from entry to the Church on Palm Sunday for a private ceremony is difficult to understand or justify. Israel has indicated it will work with the Patriarch to accommodate a safe means of carrying out Holy Week activities.