Everybody wants spirituality. To be a good person means to walk in G-d's ways. How does that translate to reality? The only guidebook to spirituality that has stood the test of time is the Hebrew Bible. The Bible says that the Jews will be a light onto the nations. But if you are not a born Jew, you have to convert, which is not so easy!! If you do convert, it is a lot of work to be a Jew (three times a day prayer, keeping kosher, observing the Sabbath).
This blog will show you how to be Jewish without the work!!
There is a famous saying, every delay is for the best. If a flight is cancelled , a party is postponed or a Doctor changed an appointment, it is all from Hashem for a great reason.
We naturally dislike being held back form our regularly scheduled plans, and what I leaned from Rabbi Pliskin is appropriate here.. Everything within reason. If someone stands you up or lies to you about meeting dates, etc and wants to blame you, you have a right to be outraged about the circumstances. But if instead of becoming angry when it happens, we accept with Emunah that Hashem was behind it, we could turn those times into a great service of G-d.
Most of the time we don't see the benefit of cancelled plans or delays. But sometimes, even years, later, we realize why we had to be at a certain place at a certain time, and how the canceled plans were Hashem's way of arranging it. Whether we see it or not, Hashem is always guiding our steps, perfectly setting up tailor-made situations for each person's journey through live
The jolly festival of Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar (late winter/early spring). It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from Haman's plot "to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day," as recorded in the Megillah (book of Esther).
The Story in a Nutshell
The Persian Empire of the 4th century BCE extended over 127 lands, and all the Jews were its subjects. When King Ahasuerus had his wife, Queen Vashti, executed for failing to follow his orders, he arranged a beauty pageant to find a new queen. A Jewish girl, Esther, found favor in his eyes and became the new queen, though she refused to divulge her nationality.
Meanwhile, the Jew-hating Haman was appointed prime minister of the empire. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews (and Esther's cousin), defied the king's orders and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was incensed, and he convinced the king to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of Adar, a date chosen by a lottery Haman made.
Mordechai galvanized all the Jews, convincing them to repent, fast and pray to G‑d. Meanwhile, Esther asked the king and Haman to join her for a feast. At a subsequent feast, Esther revealed to the king her Jewish identity. Haman was hanged, Mordechai was appointed prime minister in his stead, and a new decree was issued, granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies.
On the 13th of Adar, the Jews mobilized and killed many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar, they rested and celebrated. In the capital city of Shushan, they took one more day to finish the job.
Purim means "lots" in ancient Persian. The holiday was thus named since Haman had thrown lots to determine when he would carry out his diabolical scheme. You can pronounce this name many ways. In Eastern tradition, it is called poo-REEM. Among Westerners, it is often called PUH-rim. Some Central-European communities even call it PEE-rim. (WARNING: Calling this holiday PYOO-rim—as English speakers are sometimes wont to do—is a surefire newbie cover-blower.)
Purim Observances
Reading of the Megillah (book of Esther), which recounts the story of the Purim miracle. This is done once on the eve of Purim and then again on the following day.
Giving money gifts to at least two poor people.
Sending gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person.
A festive Purim feast, which often includes wine or other intoxicating beverages.
There is a spirit of liveliness and fun on Purim that is unparalleled on the Jewish calendar. If there were ever a day to "let loose" and just be Jewish, this is it! Read why here.
It is also customary for children (and adults, if they desire) to dress up in costumes. Read why here.
A traditional Purim food is hamantaschen (or oznay Haman), three-cornered pastries bursting with poppy seeds or another sweet filling. Read why here.
On the day before Purim (or on the Thursday before, when Purim is on Sunday), it is customary to fast, commemorating Esther's fasting and praying to G‑d that He save His people. Read more here.
When to Celebrate
One of the unique aspects of Purim is the diverse timing for its celebration.
● Common Custom: Jews all over the world celebrate Purim on Adar 14, the day when our ancestors rested from the war against their enemies.
● Walled Cities: Since the Jews of Shushan rested one day later, their Purim was deferred to the 15th. This was extended to include any city that was surrounded by walls in the days of Joshua, notably Jerusalem.
● Small Towns: In ancient times, villagers only banded together with fellow Jews in the larger towns on Mondays and Thursdays, which were market days. Thus, the sages decreed that they should read the Megillah on the market day preceding 14 Adar. This custom is no longer practiced.
Note that on Jewish leap years, there are actually two months called Adar, Adar I and Adar II. Purim is celebrated in the second Adar, but 14 Adar I is still a happy day, referred to as Purim Katan (Small Purim).
The Significance of Purim
In addition to the miracle of Jewish survival despite the efforts of our enemies, Purim celebrates G‑d's intimate involvement in every aspect of this world. Even though there were no overt miracles recorded in the Megillah—indeed, His name is not even mentioned once—G‑d was actively "pulling the strings" to care for His nation.
Additionally, Haman's edict catalyzed a spiritual revival among the Jews. In a sense, this was even more significant than the Covenant at Sinai—an overwhelming spiritual experience that compelled the Jews to accept the Torah—since it occurred of their own volition, even as they were scattered among the Persian people and immersed in their culture. It was in the merit of this spiritual reawakening that G‑d orchestrated their salvation.
Other Cool Purim Facts
All too often, Jewish communities have narrowly escaped catastrophe. More often than not, the plot involves an evil tyrant who follows the ways of Haman. And just like the Purim story, G‑d is there to save His people from certain doom. Some communities make their own "Purim" holiday on the anniversary of the date of their respective salvation. Some even read the chain of events from specially-made "megillah" scrolls.
In modern times, the plans of some of our nation's worst enemies have have been thwarted on this day.
In the early 1950s, Joseph Stalin, the ruthless butcher of millions of innocent people, had bloody plans for dealing with the "Jewish problem" in the U.S.S.R. Just as things were reaching a crisis point in 1953, he died . . . on Purim! Read the riveting details here.
In 1990, Saddam Hussein of Iraq defiantly invaded nearby Kuwait. As pressure ramped up from the international community, his army began firing SCUD missiles into Israel. The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, repeatedly assured the people of Israel that they would be protected. After the U.S.-led forces attacked Iraq, they were quickly victorious and the hostilities ended . . . on Purim! Read all about it here.
"The View" host Joy Behar mocked Vice President Mike Pence as "mentally ill" for suggesting God speaks to him during prayer, but said nothing when Oprah Winfrey suggested God talks to her.
Joy Behar called Mike Pence 'mentally ill' for praying but said nothing when Oprah suggested God speaks to her.
Oprah, a Christian, made the remarks when asked if she plans to run for president in 2020. "If God actually wanted me to run, wouldn't God kind of tell me? I haven't heard that," Winfrey told CBS News.
On Tuesday, Behar criticized Pence for allegedly suggesting that God speaks to him during prayer. "It's one thing to talk to Jesus. It's another thing when Jesus talks to you," Behar snarked. "That's called mental illness, if I'm not correct. Hearing voices."
For one thing, Pence never said that. Behar was reacting to a comment made on "Celebrity Big Brother" by fired White House aide Omarosa Manigault-Newman, who claimed Pence said something like that.
Poland's Prime Minister Claims Not Only Polish, German Perpetrators — Jewish Perpetrators of Holocaust, Too-just in time for Purim-this is beyond reason
Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told participants at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday that Nazis were not the only perpetrators of the Holocaust – there were Jewish perpetrators as well.
The prime minister was responding to a question by an Israeli journalist who questioned whether writing the story of his own mother's survival of the Holocaust in Poland wouldn't land him in a courtroom.
The question was raised regarding Poland's new law criminalizing public statements "falsely" blaming the government, nation or Polish citizens for perpetrating or collaborating with Nazi crimes during World War II.
Morwaiecki said the law didn't really work that way: the journalist wouldn't be blamed for writing about his mother's experiences because just as there were Polish perpetrators of war crimes during the Holocaust, he said, there were others, including Jews.
"Of course it's not going to be punishable," he claimed. "It's not going to be seen as criminal to say that there were Polish perpetrators, as there were Jewish perpetrators, as there were Russian perpetrators, as there were Ukrainian: not only German perpetrators."
Israeli lawmakers responded by calling Morwaiecki the prime minister of anti-Semitism.
Labor Party leader Avi Gabby called Morwaiecki a Holocaust denier, adding in a statement: "The blood of millions of Jews cries out from Polish soil about the distortion of history and the escape from guilt. Jews were murdered in the Holocaust and Poles took an active part in their murder. The government of Israel must be the voice of the millions of those murdered and strongly condemn the words of the Polish prime minister."
Zionist Union MK Nachman Shai said in a statement that the Israeli government should cut its diplomatic involvement with Poland. "The time has come for the government of Israel to take practical steps and make it clear to Poland that the law and its repeated statements about Poles and the Holocaust of European Jewry are on the border of Holocaust denial," he said. "It must demand a change in this twisted law and until then reduce the rank of the embassy in Warsaw. Today's political interests are important. Jewish history is more important."
Yesh Atid party chairman Yair Lapid called on Israel to recall its ambassador from Poland immediately in response to Morwaiecki's statement, saying it was "Anti-Semitism of the oldest kind… The Jewish state will not allow the murdered to be blamed for their own murder."
Last week, Polish presidential adviser Andrzei Zybertowicz further rubbed salt in diplomatic wounds by claiming in an interview published in the Polska-Times newspaper that Israel's vehement objections to the law came from a "feeling of shame at the passivity of the Jews during the Holocaust.
"Many Jews engaged in denunciation, collaboration during the war," said Zybertowicz," an adviser to Poland's President Andrzei Duda. "I think Israel has still not worked it through."
Netanyahu Slams Polish PM's 'Outrageous' Remarks, 'Inability to Understand History
"The Polish Prime Minister's remarks here in Munich are outrageous," Netanyahu said in a curt statement sent to media after the conclusion of the Sabbath in Israel.
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"There is a problem here of an inability to understand history and a lack of sensitivity to the tragedy of our people," he added.
"I intend to speak with him forthwith."
Morawiecki was responding to a question by an Israeli journalist who questioned whether writing the story of his own mother's survival of the Holocaust in Poland wouldn't land him in a courtroom. The question was raised regarding Poland's new law criminalizing public statements "falsely" blaming the government, nation or Polish citizens for perpetrating or collaborating with Nazi crimes during World War II.
The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) has expressed concern the Polish Justice Ministry will put the bill on hold for the foreseeable future.
The measure was published in October and was to have been approved by the end of 2017, but never was. Under the proposed legislation, a survivor who wishes to file a claim must be a Polish citizen (today) who lived in the country when their property was confiscated by the communist regime. Most survivors who left Poland during or immediately after the Holocaust would not be eligible to file a lawsuit under the conditions of the bill as it is currently written.
On other matters, Netanyahu met last week with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres along the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, and told him the Golan Heights will remain in Israel's hands forever.
The prime minister said Israel will not allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria and added that Israel will act against any Iranian attempt to build bases in Syria.
Netanyahu also thanked Guterres for holding an informal UN Security Council discussion on the two IDF fallen soldiers and three Israeli civilians being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The prime minister called for additional determined action on the issue.
From my Sister
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. Henry Ford
If you find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.Frank A. Clark
It takes obstacles to learn, grow, be better. Orlando Bloom
We have to embrace obstacles to reach the next stage of joy. Goldie Hawn
It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities. Eric Hoffer
I like to set up obstacles and defeat them. Heath Ledger
Press on. Obstacles are seldom the same size tomorrow as they are today.Robert H. Schuller
Imaginary obstacles are insurmountable. Real ones aren't. Barbara Sher
There are always going to be obstacles. I think the bigger your aspirations, the larger the obstacles. Kathryn Minshew
As an actor, secrets and obstacles fuel the character.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Real talent will get through whatever the obstacles. Kim Wilde
By giving people the power to share, we're making the world more transparent. Mark Zuckerberg
Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward. Victor Kiam
To me, if life boils down to one thing, it's movement. To live is to keep moving. Jerry Seinfeld
A creative project is a moving target. You never end up where you start. Evangeline Lilly
Grace Kelly Wins Best Actress: 1955 Oscars
Grace Kelly wins Best Actress for The Country Girl at the 27th Academy Awards. William Holden presents the award.
See you tomorrow, Happy Purim outside of Jerusalem
For those who have mastered serenity, fifteen seconds ago is ancient history. They realize that once something is over, it is over regardless of whether it has been over for many years or for a relatively short time. It is understandable that it can take different people varying amounts of time until they are able to let things go. But the goal should be to let go of what is over and done with. In truth it is gone whether or not you let it. It is just a question of the degree of emotional mastery that you will have. Regardless of where you are at this moment, you can always improve on your ability to let things go as soon as they are gone.
This philosophy also applies to your investments. Many of us remember years ago when you could get 10% on your cds and money in the bank. This hasn't been true for 15 years or more. Today you can get 1/2% if you are lucky and this does not keep up with inflation. What choices are there? Tradionally the only way to make real money was with businesses (like all the start ups that are being bought out) or with real estate. I am working with some companies that you can get 7% safely in real estate. Please contact me if I can help with your investment or counciling problems as I do Business and personal problems consulting.
Love and have an easy fast.
Yehuda Lave
US congressmen questioned by police at Temple Mount for removing olive branch from site
Israeli police officers in Jerusalem questioned two Republican congressmen after they visited the Temple Mount on Thursday. According to reports, the US officials removed an olive branch from the Temple Mount, an act that violates the code of conduct at the site.
Police talking to the congressmen Photo Credit: Screenshot from Facebook
Two US congressmen were briefly questioned by police near the Temple Mount on Thursday morning for apparently removing an olive branch from the site. The US officials had just visited the site with a tour group.
Initial reports claimed that congressmen Scott Tipton (R-Colorado) and David B. McKinley (R-West Virginia) were detained. The Israel Police denied these reports in an English-language statement: "The two congressmen and their wives visited the Temple Mount this morning after visiting the Old City yesterday. Police escorted them during the visit. Toward the end of the visit police asked them if they had removed anything from the site. The issue was quickly clarified and the congressman [sic] continued their visit according to plan."
The more things change the more they remain the same. Here it is the fast of Esther and Iran is threatening another Holocasut. Iran will 'level Tel Aviv to the ground' if Israel makes 'unwise' move, official warns
Iranian news outlets quoted Expediency Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei on Monday warning Israel that if it carries out any "unwise" moves, Tehran would "level Tel Aviv to the ground and will not give any opportunity for Netanyahu to flee." The comments were made in response to the Israeli prime minister's speech at the Munich Security Conference.
Iran warned on Monday that if Israel took any military action against the Islamic republic, it would suffer crushing consequences. Addressing a meeting he conducted with IRGC officials in Tehran, secretary of Iran's Expediency Council Mohsen Rezaei responded to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the Munich Security Conference.
According to a report in the Iranian semi-official Fars News Agency, Rezaei addressed the speech during an interview with Arabic-language al-Manar news agency. "About Netanyahu's unwise words, I should say that if they carry out the slightest unwise move against Iran, we will level Tel Aviv to the ground," Rezaei was quoted as saying. "[Iran] will not give any opportunity for Netanyahu to flee."
As previously reported by JOL, Netanyahu spoke on Sunday at the Munich Security Conference, where he addressed the danger posed by Iran, both to Israel and to the entire world. Turning to Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was representing his country in the conference, Netanyahu displayed a piece of the downed Iranian drone and asked: "Do you recognize this? You should. It's yours."
EXCLUSIVE: Looters dig up Holocaust victims' graves at Nazi death camp Sobibor in hunt for gold
Graves of Holocaust victims at Nazi WWII death camp Sobibór plundered, it is claimed
Sobibór museum staff in archaeological dig found mass graves disturbed
U.S historian Jan Goss previously claimed graves of Treblinka victims were raided in WWII gold rush
Shocking photos show Jewish tombstones in Hebrew used to build a toilet, patio and a cowshed in German occupied Poland
Looters have dug up mass graves belonging to Jewish WWII holocaust victims in the hunt for treasure, MailOnline can reveal.
The museum at the Sobibór Nazi death camp in south-east Poland, where up to 300,000 Jews were executed, found the sites have been disturbed by suspected gold hunters within the last two years.
A museum source told MailOnline: 'There has been a big archaeological project going on, but when we started excavating we discovered that people had already been digging near to where the gas chamber had been in Camp Three.'
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Mass graves: Museum staff at Sobibór Nazi death camp found that mass graves of Holocaust victims' had been disturbed during an archaeological dig. Pictured, an excavated grave reveals skull with a bullet hole
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Silver: Archaeologists excavating graves at Sobibór found personal items including set of silver-plated false teeth, believed to be from an adult male. Sobibór was set up in March when the Final Solution was agreed
'We found lots of pits which were nothing to do with us and clearly weren't professionally dug by scientists.
'We don't know who did it, but we suspect they were looking for gold or metal.'
'The idea that thieves have been here looking for such disturbing mementos is truly shocking.'
Official museum excavations have recovered a number of personal items belonging to the victims including a set of silver-plated dentures.
Sobibor was set up in March and April 1942 as soon as the Final Solution was agreed upon.
By the time it closed in October 1943 between 160,000 and 300,000 men, women and children had been murdered there.
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Skull: Jews from across Europe were transported by rail to be gassed by the Nazis in Sobibor. Historians estimate up to 300,000 men, women and children were murdered there by the time it closed in October 1943
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Shocking: American-Polish historian Jan Gross, author of controversial book 'Golden Harvest', claims Poles dug for valuables on the sites of Nazi death camps at the end of WWII
It is not the first time Holocaust victims' graves have been plundered in Poland.
American-Polish historian Jan Gross, author of controversial book 'Golden Harvest', claims Poles dug for valuables on the sites of Nazi death camps at the end of WWII.
The now infamous Treblinka gold rush saw hundreds of Poles and Russian soldiers raid mass graves in search for gold teeth in the skulls of those murdered by the Nazis.
Jews took money and valuables on their final journey hoping they would survive, which fuelled an economic boom around the camp as locals lined up to sell water to the desperate death camp inmates water as they arrived off the train.
Girls came from as far as Warsaw to prostitute themselves to the Nazi guards in exchange for gold, diamonds and other valuables stolen from the Jews before they were sent to the gas chamber.
The photo that inspired the tome is of a group of peasants and soldiers casually taking a break from digging, at their feet a pile of skulls and bones.
While the origins of the undated photo, which was first published by a Polish newspaper in 2008, are unclear, the gold rush phenomenon revealed by Gross and his wife Irena Grudzinska Gross is well documented.
In an essay forTablet Magazine, Gross cites writer Rachela Auerbach who visited Treblinka in November 1945, as part of an official delegation organized by the Main Commission for the Investigation of Hitlerite Crimes and described how how plunderers with shovels were everywhere. She wrote, 'They dig, they search, pulling out bones and body parts. Maybe something could still be found...maybe a golden tooth?'
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Plundered: Undated photo provided by historian Gross purportedly shows Polish villagers searching for gold and other treasures among human remains at Treblinka
Horror: Human remains at Treblinka where Gross claims Polish peasants dug up human remains after the war
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Humiliated: Gross said, 'Non-Jews were subjected to a horrible degree of violence by the Nazi occupiers and there is a very prominent phenomenon of resistance on a unique scale.' Pictured , a Jewish man humiliated by a Nazi guard
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Horrors: A wooden model of the Treblinka concentration camp was used in the trial of Nazi war criminal John Demjanjuk who served as a camp guard nicknamed Ivan the Terrible at Treblinka
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Murdered: By the time it was closed in 1943, 700,000 and 900,000 Jews and around 2,000 Romani people were killed in Treblinka's gas chambers. Here, detainees are forced to work
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Exploited: Poles sold Treblinka death camp arrivals water arriving off the train. Girls prostituted themselves to Nazi guards in exchange for treasures stolen from the Jews before they were sent to the gas chambers
When I saw people near the train for the first time I thought that they came out with a noble intent to feed the hungry and bring water to the thirsty. But I was quickly told that this was regular commercial activity, selling water and food at very profitable prices. When there was no liquor (to bribe the guards), girls would come forward, put arms around their necks and cover them with kisses – anything in order to be able to come close to the wagons.
Jerzy Królikowski, Treblinka witness
Gross cites the testimony of Warsaw native and engineerJerzy Królikowski, who lived in the village of Treblinka while supervising construction of a railroad bridge nearby, who recalled how 'wrist watches were sold by the dozens, for pennies, and local peasants carried them in egg baskets offering them to whomever was interested.'
Poland suffered more than any other nation during World War Two after being invaded by both the Nazis and Soviets and heroic Polish deeds — like the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 against Nazi rule — are a foundation of the national identity, while the state has regularly bestowed honours on Christian Poles who risked their lives to hide Jews from the Nazis.
The Nazis erected four single purpose extermination camps in the country - Treblinka, Sobibor, Belzec and Chelmno.
Mr Gross said: 'Plundering Jewish property was an important element of the circulation of goods, an element of economic life, and thus a social fact, not an incidental behaviour of demoralised individuals.'
Opened in July 1942, before it was closed down just over a year later in October 1943 it is estimated that between 700,000 and 900,000 Jews were killed in its gas chambers, and around 2,000 Romani people.
Of all the Nazi death camps set up in German occupied Poland, only Auschwitz killed more Jews than Treblinka.
According to Mr Gross, the Poles in the photograph were searching for gold or other treasures that Nazi executioners might have overlooked.
Archive footage shows prisoners inside Nazi concentration camp
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Remembrance: Heroic Polish deeds — like the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 against Nazi rule — are a foundation of the national identity, while the State has bestowed honours on Christian Poles who risked their lives to hide Jews from the Nazis. Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski (R) and German President Christian Wulff walk through the gates of Auschwitz as they mark the 66th anniversary of the liberation
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Sadistic: As one of the most feared commanders at the Treblinka Death Camp, SS Officer Kurt Hubert Franz, survivors testified he would personally kill someone every day and commanded his dog to bite the testicals of prisoners
But Mr Gross said he wanted to 'tell the war as it happened'.
'Non-Jews were subjected to a horrible degree of violence by the Nazi occupiers and there is a very prominent phenomenon of resistance on a unique scale,' he said.
'But alongside the heroism there was also malfeasance, and one finds that these stories run in parallel. There was a significant degree of collusion and persecution of Jews when it proves a material advantage.'
Mr Gross is currently facing prosecution by the Polish State after an article he wrote for Die Welt newspaper in Germany last month said that Poles killed 'more Jews than Germans during the war.'
The latest discoveries in Sobibor have once again opened old wounds.
Poland-based organisation, Matzeva, which works to preserve Jewish heritage in Poland, has found Jewish tombstones being used as paving slabs, a cowshed and even an outside toilet.
In the village of Pilica in central east Poland, researchers found slabs of stone, some clearly marked with Hebrew writing and some dating back to the 18th century, which had been taken from the local Jewish cemetery at the end of World War II.
Lena Klaudel from Matzeva told MailOnline: 'These tombstones were stolen.
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Violated: Poland-based charity, Matzeva, which preserves Jewish heritage in Poland, has found Jewish tombstones being used as paving slabs and to build a cowshed and an outside toilet (pictured) in the country
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Discovery: In the Polish village of Pilica researchers found slabs of stone, clearly marked with Hebrew writing and some dating back to the 18th century, taken from the local Jewish cemetery at the end of World War II
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Shocking: Researchers found local farmer Tadeusz (pictured) had built a cowshed from Jewish tombstones taken from the local cemetery. They claim he agreed to sell the shed for 20,000 Polish Zloty (£5,000 GBP)
'The house with its outside toilet was owned by a couple who built it after the war.
'After they died they left it to their children, but they have no interest in the place and it has been left to fall into ruin.'
Just 35 miles away, researchers found a local farmer had built an entire cowshed out of tombstones taken from the local Jewish cemetery.
Jonny Daniels from partner organisation From The Depths said: 'He stole them from the local jewish cemetery, and has apparently become a local 'celebrity' for doing so.
'We have been told he even charges money or a bottle of vodka to come and see them.
'On the times we have been there to try and talk to him about removing them and returning them to where they rightfully belong he has been adamant to sell the shed to us, he wants 20,000 PLN (about £5,000).
The groups have also documented a house where the former owners had used over 70 tombstones from Jewish graves to make paving stones after the owner reported the find.
'His parents bought the home from a guy who had stolen the tombstones to build the pavement.
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Disrespect: Former owners of a house in Wabrzezno used over 70 tombstones from Jewish graves to make paving stones. Researchers were alerted by new owner, a fire chief
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Theft: The law regarding Jewish cemeteries was 'complicated' and ownership and legal responsibility depends on a number of factors making it difficult to recover stolen tombstones.
'In Warsaw, the largest Jewish cemetery, Brudno, used to have 400,000 graves. Now there is less than 3,000.'
Some of those gravestones were found in the Vistula river in August this year by a man walking his dog.
It is believed they were taken from the cemetery at the end of WWII to help reinforce the river banks.
Director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Heritage in Poland, Monika Krawczyk, told MailOnline that the law regarding Jewish cemeteries was 'complicated' and ownership and legal responsibility depended on a number of factors.
In an email she explained that although some cemeteries belonged to Jewish communities in Poland after being handed over by the government, others remained in the hands of local authorities.
She added: 'Matzevot [tombstones] which were removed - the Jewish community cannot claim them in legal terms.
'The Polish authorities made sure that the law of 1997 provided that there is no succession of the pre-war Jewish communities and communities of today.
'This prohibits any organised actions in this level (sic).
'The only thing we do is to appeal for return (sic) of the matzevot or their fragments to the cemeteries based on moral standards. We do not buy them, nor look for them.
'But we announce, especially once we manage to restore a cemetery, that it is good opportunity sic) now to return them,' she said.
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Devastated: The cemetery in Glowaczow village, Poland, is resting place for victims of the Nazis and pre-war Jewish community. Preservationists suspect thieves have desecrated the graves looking for treasure
See you tomorrow --Purim around the world. Have an easy fast.
Love Yehuda Lave
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