העורך Editor

Here’s Wikipedia on what Meir Kahane thought of Kahanism:

According to Kahane, the term “Kahanism” is primarily used by those who are ignorant of Torah Judaism in order to discredit his ideology, which he asserted is rooted in Halakha and the same as Torah Judaism.

This isn’t about my assorted personal disagreements with his exegesis, nor anyone else’s. Man is fallible. Men specialize. Even a true prophet of God wouldn’t dare say his words are “the same” as Torah, and for good reason. Anything manmade implicitly bears that disclaimer.

What Kahane meant with that — and which is correct, is the vast majority of his opponents (apart from being radically ignorant) were intellectually dishonest at every turn, appealing to authority, tradition, status quo, clericalism, etc. etc. Even if wrong, all his work was Torah. Even if right, almost all his thoroughgoing enemies’ comments are anti-Torah.

If all that is meant by “Kahanism” is applying the spirit of free inquiry to Torah study, then the term bears misleading etymology. So the term “Kahanism” would be effective as a mental shortcut, or slogan, in some cases, or as a life-shortener when offending enemies.

Disclaimer: I’m a bit tired. But I still think I’m right.

Listen to the Krembo Song by Aaron Razel:

This reminds me of my post on the Miami Boys Choir’s rendition of the verses on the mitzvah of Shilu’ach Haken.

I said then:

What I like best is the very concept of writing songs on the rare Mitzvos. As David said, “Your laws were my songs” (Psalms 119:54)… So, now we have a song for one rare Mitzvah of the 613; only 400 or so left to go!

Allow me to amend that: Every Halacha (which lends itself, creatively) should be made into a song.

How many Halachos are there?

ששים המה מלכות, מסכתות. ושמנים פלגשים, המה מדרשות. ועלמות אין מספר, תעלומות וסודות ומעשה מרכבה ומעשי תורה משלות שועלים משלות כובסים דבר גדול ודבר קטן וזהו ועלמות אין מספר.

Download (PDF, 56KB)

Some religious Jews campaign against promiscuity in the IDF with the claim it weakens the IDF’s capabilities.

But Jews are the main target of the IDF, including physically!

• The IDF defends our worst enemy, namely the state (its sole purpose).
• The IDF’s decision-making is awful.
• The IDF murders us via Arab proxy (prisoner releases, creating and propping up hostile regimes, granting Jew-haters moral support and legitimacy).
• The IDF fights for politicians’ careers.
• The IDF helps the US empire.
• The IDF kidnaps Jewish youth (not even including forcible conscription).
• IDF suppliers sell weapons to non-Jews.
• The IDF throws us out of our homes.

(I mean not just the IDF proper, but the ‘Defense’ Ministry, etc.)

Gemara Me’illah 17a:

שפעם אחת גזרה המלכות גזרה שלא ישמרו את השבת ושלא ימולו את בניהם ושיבעלו את נדות הלך רבי ראובן בן איסטרובלי וסיפר קומי והלך וישב עמהם אמר להם מי שיש לו אויב יעני או יעשיר אמרו לו יעני אמר להם אם כן לא יעשו מלאכה בשבת כדי שיענו אמרו טבית אמר ליבטל ובטלוה חזר ואמר להם מי שיש לו אויב יכחיש או יבריא אמרו לו יכחיש אמר להם אם כן ימולו בניהם לשמונה ימים ויכחישו אמרו טבית אמר ובטלוה חזר ואמר להם מי שיש לו אויב ירבה או יתמעט אמרו לו יתמעט אם כן לא יבעלו נדות אמרו טבית אמר ובטלוה הכירו בו שהוא יהודי החזירום

Wouldn’t you prefer your predator weaker?!

OK, so they’re Jews, too. I’m not promoting depravity. But I disagree with the pro-IDF rhetoric behind the anti-vice. And we should focus on replacing the IDF, instead.

(Someone said I should read “The Kinder, Gentler Military: How Political Correctness Affects Our Ability to Win Wars” by Stephanie Gutmann. I’ll consider considering it.)

For a longer explanation of the problem with the monopoly IDF, see this (Hebrew).

Check out the Rambam and Ralbag on how to deal with adversity.

Again, find it here.

See Chidushim Ubiurim by Rabbi Chaim Greineman, Bava Kama 90a on the words “Talash besa’aro”!

(Want to know what he says but lack the said volume? See it here.)