Ron Paul on Hezek Re’iyah (Privacy)

First They Came For the iPhones…

By

The Ron Paul Institute

March 1, 2016

The FBI tells us that its demand for a back door into the iPhone is all about fighting terrorism and that it is essential to break in just this one time to find out more about the San Bernardino attack last December. But the truth is they had long sought a way to break Apple’s iPhone encryption and, like 9/11 and the PATRIOT Act, a mass murder provided just the pretext needed. After all, they say, if we are going to be protected from terrorism we have to give up a little of our privacy and liberty. Never mind that government spying on us has not prevented one terrorist attack.

Apple has so far stood up to a federal government’s demand that it force its employees to write a computer program to break into its own product. No doubt Apple CEO Tim Cook understands the damage it would do to his company for the world to know that the US government has a key to supposedly secure iPhones. But the principles at stake are even higher. We have a fundamental right to privacy. We have a fundamental right to go about our daily life without the threat of government surveillance of our activities. We are not East Germany.

Let’s not forget that this new, more secure iPhone was developed partly in response to Ed Snowden’s revelations that the federal government was illegally spying on us. The federal government was caught breaking the law but instead of ending its illegal spying is demanding that private companies make it easier for it to continue.

Last week we also learned that Congress is planning to join the fight against Apple — and us. Members are rushing to set up yet another governmental commission to study how our privacy can be violated for false promises of security. Of course, they won’t put it that way, but we can be sure that will be the result. Some in Congress are seeking to pass legislation regulating how companies can or cannot encrypt their products. This will suppress the development of new technology and will have a chilling effect on our right to be protected from an intrusive government. Any legislation Congress writes limiting encryption will likely be unconstitutional, but unfortunately, Congress seldom heeds the Constitution anyway.

When FBI Director James Comey demanded a back door into the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone, he promised that it was only for this one, extraordinary situation. “The San Bernardino litigation isn’t about trying to set a precedent or send any kind of message,” he said in a statement last week. Testifying before Congress just days later, however, he quickly changed course, telling the Members of the House Intelligence Committee that the court order and Apple’s appeals, “will be instructive for other courts.” Does anyone really believe this will not be considered a precedent-setting case? Does anyone really believe the government will not use this technology again and again, with lower and lower thresholds?

According to press reports, Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. has 175 iPhones with passcodes that the City of New York wants to access. We can be sure that is only the beginning.

We should support Apple’s refusal to bow to the FBI’s dangerous demands, and we should join forces to defend our precious liberties without compromise. If the people lead, the leaders will follow.

From Lewrockwell.com, here.

Losing Judaism in the IDF

Furthermore, 16 years ago, I learned that of the “National Religious” men who enlisted in the IDF, 25% were no longer religious by the end of their service.

Who knows what the statistic is today?

Let us hope that this will also be a consideration for “National Religious” parents to reconsider the carrying on of this custom, until significant changes are made in IDF policy toward religious soldiers, being allowed to grow a beard, being minor in comparison to the many other gross violations of the Torah.

An excerpt from Esser Aggaroth, here.

The Current War on Jews

Silent Intifada Weekly Summary: One murdered and Eight Injured

BY ON

One Jew was murdered and eight were injured in over 140 attacks this week.

This week as almost every week there were dozens of terror attacks of varying severity not reported in most major media outlets. We report on these silenced events to present a fuller picture of the reality in Israel and balance the picture presented to innocent readers abroad. We hope that by reporting these incidents we can raise awareness so that actions can be taken to rectify this problem and improve reality in the Jewish State.

This past week (Feb. 19th- Feb. 25th) there were over 140 terror attacks recorded in the ‘Silent Intifada’ updates on Hakol Hayehudi. Among these were shootings, three stabbings, an attempted vehicular attack, and six attempted stabbings. In addition, there were a number of incidents of arson and throwing of stones and firebombs at individuals and property.

Eliav Gelman HY”D, a 31 year old father of two from Karmei Tzur, was murdered during a stabbing at Gush Etzion Junction. He was hit by gunfire targeting a terrorist who was stabbing him and he later passed away from his injuries.

In a stabbing at the Shechem Gate of the Old City of Jerusalem, two border police officers were injured and in Sde Kalev an IDF soldier was injured. Several other Jews were injured in stone throwing attacks on the roads.

In the beginning of the week, Arabs fired shots at several homes in Beit El, but thank G-d, no one was injured.

Attempted stabbings took place in Hevron, at the Shechem Gate of the Old City, near Beitar, at Tapuach Junction, and in Hawara. In addition, at the Shechem Gate, several Arabs were caught with explosives and pistols.

Full list of attacks:

Thursday Feb. 25th

Arabs throw stones in Al-Dich.

Arabs throw stones in Shukba.

Arabs throw stones in Abu Dis.

Arabs throw stones in Nachal Kfira.

Arabs throw stones in Hizme.

Arabs throw stones in Silwan.

Arabs throw stones in Ras Al Amud.

Arabs throw stones in Abu Tor.

Arabs throw stones near Rachel’s Tomb.

Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Halhul.

Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Al-Hadr in Gush Etzion.

Arabs throw stones in Hevron.

22:37- Arabs riot in Abu Dis.

21:59- Arabs throw an IED at IDF forces in Azariya.

21:35- Arabs throw stones at a bus in Beit Tzefafa in Jerusalem.

20:46- A rider is injured from stone throwing by Arabs near the 300 checkpoint in Hevron. Also a bus is damaged.

20:38- Arabs throw firebombs at vehicles on Route 55 near the Eliyahu Crossing in the Shomron.

19:51- Arabs throw stones at paint bombs at the light rail in Shuafat in Jerusalem.

18:25- Arabs throw stones near the British Police Junction in Binyamin.

16:42- A driver is injured from stone throwing by Arabs near Avnei Hefetz in the Shomron.

14:19- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Peduel.

11:39- Arabs throw stones at vehicles near Migdalim.

Continue reading here…

From Hakol Hayehudi, here.

Restoring Jewish Prophecy

Towards an Authentic Jewish Spirituality

WRITTEN BY YOEL QEREN THURSDAY, 30 AUGUST 2012 17:16 Towards an Authentic Jewish Spirituality Yoel Qeren

What is Jewish spirituality? As with all Torah concepts, exile has clouded our ideas of what spirituality is and what purpose it serves. True spirituality is a personal experience of the ethereal universe and ultimately, of God Himself. In its highest form, Jewish spirituality is prophecy, and prophecy in its highest form will bring about the resurrection of the dead. Our sages tell us that this is the true goal of authentic Jewish spirituality. They called us “B’nei Nevi’im”, the sons, or spiritual heirs of prophets. That is who we are meant to be. Prophecy was once the driving force behind the nation of Israel, its leaders and its military. That was its purpose, to guide the nation according to the will of Hashem. Needless to say, we are a far cry from this lofty ideal today. However, it is our duty, as a nation reconstituted on its ancient homeland, to begin moving back toward this original spirituality, back toward the prophetic ideal.

To begin moving in this direction, we must take small steps. First and foremost is the study of Tanakh. This in and of itself is a great spiritual endeavor. Its pages are a window into the world of the prophets. We can see how they prayed, how they spoke, and the message they brought to Israel. From them we learn of the profound spiritual effects of music and that in addition to communal prayer, one must make time to speak directly to our Father in heaven. The importance of these concepts was recognized throughout history by such luminaries as R’ Nahman of Breslov, who brilliantly expounded on the spiritual benefits of music and meditation, and taught his disciples to engage in free, unscripted conversation with God every day.
 
Next, we must immerse ourselves in the words of our sages, who imparted to us their knowledge of prophecy and its purpose. From them we learn that the prophetic experience exists on many levels. Our sages tell us that every dream is one sixtieth of prophecy. Stop and think about that for a moment. Something as mundane and routine as a dream is actually a small taste of the loftiest spiritual state attainable by man. Even though actual prophecy may seem out of our reach, we must know that it is always with us. And if we train ourselves to think, act and pray in a manner consistent with the way of the prophets, we may gain small glimpses, small flashes of light and clarity that can change us for the better.
 
Lastly and perhaps most importantly is the necessity of having a continual connection with the land of Israel. Prophecy is intimately connected with this land, and eretz Yisrael is the only aspect of Jewish spirituality that is tangible. The land itself is holy and unlike other aspects of qedusha, it can be touched, smelled, tasted. When you touch the land of Israel, you touch and experience holiness. The physical and spiritual planes are united here like nowhere else on earth. Yet they are united in a way that is simply and easily experienced.
 
Do not confuse this with the awe of creation that one might experience upon seeing a beautiful mountain or river. This is also a profound spiritual experience, but it can be found anywhere. The land of Israel is different. It is overflowing, not only with natural beauty, but also with an overpowering sense of history and purpose.
 
When one drinks from the same springs as prophets and kings, when one climbs to the caves his ancestors lived and even died in, he begins to feel a sense of continuity and connection with those who came before him. It is almost as if they are standing beside him. Their words come alive, echoing through the hills and valleys. The lines between past and present, between physical and spiritual, begin to blur.
 
It is at this point that a Jew begins to grasp who he truly is. He begins to understand his relationship with his maker and his people. He attains a clearer vision of his purpose in this world and where he should be headed. These are small yet vital steps toward the ultimate goal of restoring prophecy.
 
Immersion in Tanakh and Hazal, connecting with eretz Yisrael and engaging in honest, heartfelt prayer; this is the way of our fathers. It will do for us what no red string or swinging chicken can. This is authentic Jewish spirituality and like a fiery chariot, it waits to carry our nation to new heights.