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Yehuda Lave is an author, journalist, psychologist, rabbi, spiritual teacher, and coach, with degrees in business, psychology and Jewish Law. He works with people from all walks of life and helps them in their search for greater happiness, meaning, business advice on saving money, and spiritual engagement.

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The Three Musketeers at the Kotel

Dov Hikind: "Leftist Condemnations of anti-Semitism Are Practically Worthless"

Former NY Dem politician questions why the left can't call out anti-Semitism without obfuscating by calling out other forms of hatred.

In a series of tweets on Monday, former New York assemblyman (D-NY) Dov Hikind, questioned why the left, especially Democratic politicians, are unable to condemn anti-Semitism without qualifying their argument by highlighting other forms of hatred.

Hikind's Twitter thread was titled, "Why leftist condemnations of anti-Semitism are practically worthless."

"Let's take a look back at how these condemnations of antisemitism have been handled by @TheDemocrats and what they reveal," tweeted Hikind, who is the chairman of Americans Against Antisemitism.

He posted a tweet by New York City Democratic Councillor Brad Lander referring to recent anti-Semitic hate crimes that said, "We've seen far too many acts of hate this year fuelled by political rhetoric, whether assaults on Asian New Yorkers, anti-Semitic violence in Midtown, anti-Palestinian hate sprayed on mosques, or anti-Black slurs. NYC, we stand together against any form of identity-based hate."

"But back in February when there was a spike of anti-Asian hate crimes, whaddya know, the condemnation was focused exclusively on anti-Asian hate. Nothing else," said Hikind.

He posted tweets from earlier in the year focusing specifically on anti-Asian hate crimes. One by Lander stating, "The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes over our city is truly abominable. We will not let it stand.

"Why the different approach?" Hikind wondered.

In another tweet, this time looking at London Mayor Sadiq Khan's statement after a surge in attacks on Jews, Hikind again called out the same problematic double standard.

"After two weeks of nonstop anti-Jewish violence being directed by pro-Palestinian mobs everywhere from London to NYC the condemnations curiously were NOT FOCUSED ON ANTISEMITISM," Hikind said. "Despite @MayorofLondon recognizing the 'rise in antisemitism' he broadened the condemnation."

Khan's tweet said, "We will not allow anti-Semitism, Islamophobia or any racism in London and I'm determined to do everything I can to stamp int out."

Hikind also went after Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for linking the "disturbing anti-Semitic attacks" to a "troubling rise in Islamophobia."

"Yet, he was able to condemn 'Islamophobia' exclusively on multiple occasions, but never once did he condemn anti-Semitism singularly," Hikind said. "Why? Why this constant linkage?"

Referring to the far left Squad Democrats, Hikind gave more examples, posting several instances.

"You'll notice that the Hamas Congressional Caucus also condemned anti-Semitism while equating it with Islamophobia as if we've actually seen a rise in both when in fact we've only witnessed a rise in violent anti-Semitism," he said.

Hikind stated that he's figured out how these apologies work.

"So how does this work?" he tweeted. "When the anti-Semitic attacks were committed by white supremacists, the squad not only condemned it but called out the source of the hatred: white supremacy."

He continued, "But what about when anti-Jewish violence is committed by other minorities? Then suddenly not only don't they name the source of hatred, but they broaden the condemnations against anti-Semitism to include ALL RACISM."

He added, "And how about when it came to calling out Islamophobia on its own? Somehow that gets their exclusive attention rather than watering it down by adding 'and all forms of racism.'"

Kahane on the Parsha
Rabbi Binyamin Kahane- Parshat Shelach

GEDOLIM ARE NOT INFALLIBLE

We never cease to be amazed when Parshat Shelach is read, exposing as it does the true colors of the nation's leaders. The very same people who were to lead the Jewish people into the Promised Land suddenly scorn it. They brazenly turn their backs on the Holy Land promised to them by G-d and, to our amazement, are even prepared to find a substitute for it.
How could these Jewish leaders make such a total about-face? How could they ignore the destiny of the Jewish people? How could they reject the very land for which G-d redeemed them from Egypt?

We will address these questions momentarily but first, the fact that such great leaders (see Rashi on Numbers 13:1) spurned heaven's plans for the Jewish people teaches us that we must ALWAYS examine the positions of our leaders -- no matter how righteous they may be. We must NOT be robots, blindly trusting that our leaders or 'gedolim' will "take care of everything" while we rest easy. Even the most reliable leader can, at one point or another, betray himself and his ideology as a result of normal human weakness. The Talmud (Berachot 29a) relates that even though Yochanan served as Kohen Gadol for 80 years, he embraced heresy at the end of his life.

We must be especially wary of leaders who lead us around by the nose from one corner to the next. We must break off the shackles of such leadership and not hesitate to defy it. Particularly in this orphaned generation, in which a gadol isn't so 'gadol', and a leader isn't much of a leader, it is OBLIGATORY to go to all these heads of the people and ask them the difficult questions that need to be asked. And if they have no answers, let us recognize this fact and start searching for the honest truth the hard way.

Why did the spies betray their destiny? The Rabbis offer several reasons, but they all boil down to one factor: lack of faith. After all, how can grasshoppers stand up to giants? Yes, the G-d of history who created heaven and earth made them a promise, but they didn't believe He was capable of making good on it. Without question, the leaders of that generation piously read the 13 principles of faith and gave shiurim in yeshivot on trusting in G-d. But when it came down to "practicalities," when they had to practice what they had been preaching every day, when their faith was put to the test -- "Who is stronger: G-d or Sichon and Og?" -- they selected Sichon and Og.

As the Israeli government hands over the Land of Israel to the Arabs piece by piece, it is CRUCIAL that we study Parshat Shelach carefully. For the sin of the spies -- "and they despised the holy land" -- is repeating itself in grand fashion in our time. And once again, the basic problem is LACK OF FAITH!

But our sin is worse than that of the spies. After all, unlike the spies, we are already IN the Land of Israel. We have already conquered it through great wonders and miracles. We don't need to muster such tremendous faith when G-d has already made HIs providence over this land crystal clear in Israel's wars. Trusting Him should not be that difficult for us. And yet, we insist on groveling to the Assads and Arafats of this world, continuing to perceive ourselves as grasshoppers instead of giants.
May G-d give us the faith and mesirut nefesh to save ourselves from awesome punishment.
Darka Shel Torah, 1993

EU Citizens Can Start Travelling With COVID-19 Certificates From July 1, the Council Says

Just one more step is now left until the EU Digital COVID Certificate procedures are completed within the European Union after on May 21, the Council's Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) unanimously showed their support for the agreement previously reached between the Council and the European Parliament on May 20.

In order for the procedures to be completed, now the Council will send a letter to the European Parliament, officially communicating the support of the Coreper on the agreement for the establishment of the certificate, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

"The European Parliament is then expected to vote its first reading position at its plenary session on June 7-10. Afterwards, the Council will officially adopt the regulations which will have to be signed by the Council and the European Parliament," the Council of the EU notes in a press release.

After the legislation is signed into effect, the regulations will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and apply from July 1.

Commenting on the certificate, the Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa said that the certificate is an important step towards a more normal, freer and safer life during the pandemic. According to him, the certificate will facilitate the free movement of all Europeans, starting this summer.

"Member states will need to remain vigilant with regard to the epidemiological situation, so that movement in the EU is safe, but at the same time our societies and economies can gradually recover," he, however, notes.

The whole EU hopes that the COVID Travel Certificate will facilitate safe and free movement amid the pandemic by proving that the holder has either taken the vaccine against the virus, has recovered recently from it, or has tested negative within the timeframe required by the destination Member State.

"The certificate, which will be in use by July 1, will be available in digital and paper format, contain a QR code and be issued free of charge. It is not a precondition for exercising free movement rights, and it is not a travel document," the press release notes.

The Member States are advised to offer travellers access to affordable COVID-19 tests, for which purpose an amount of €100 million has been allocated under the Emergency Support Instrument. At the same time, additional funding of over €100 million could be mobilised for the purchase of tests, yet, such a budget has to be approved by the budgetary authorities.

While it remains up to the national governments of the Member States to decide whether travellers holding these certificates will have to quarantine or undergo additional testing, they are advised to refrain from imposing such measures unless they are necessary to safeguard public health.

When imposing such additional measures, the Member States are obliged to inform the Commission at least 48 hours in advance, while at the same time laying out the reasons behind these restrictions, as well as their duration.