Die letzte Haute Couture der Hebräer

April 3, 2009

flag-ch_de-tiny chassidic-collection-ilgalantuomo-from_hint_blogEinige Midraschím betonen, dass sogar nach einem mehr als zweihundertjährigen Exil in Ägypten, wobei die Assimilationsdruck und der Emanzipationswunsch sicher enorm waren, unsere Vorfahren sich noch immer an einigen moralischen und kulturellen Brauchen hielten. (Siehe Die rechtschaffen Frauen in Ägypten) Besonders betonen die Midraschím שלא שינו את מלבושם, dass sie ihre Kleidertracht nicht änderten – sie blieben deutlich als Hebräer erkennbar.

Nun, anscheinend zur Überbrückung der Zeit zwischen Purím und Pèssach, kommt die folgende Mode-Inspiration aus meine Heimat:
Gunhyo Kim, eine Koreaner, der an der Königliche Kunstakademie in Antwerpen studierte, hat eine Modekollektion entworfen, die sich von jüdischer Kleidertracht inspiriert (Hint Fashion Magazine/Blog – hat tip: SBA).

Nun müssen wir nur darauf warten, dass die körperliche Bescheidenheit auch bei Frauen wieder “in” wird. 😉


The Road of Kiddush haShem

February 6, 2009

EnglishLiving a life that radiates Kiddush haShem (sanctification of the Divine Name) is very high on the list of Jewish values. We promote behavior that allows us to bring “light unto the nations,” to use the Isaian paradigm, and frown upon behavior that puts Jews and Judaism in a negative light. Many a parent or teacher has admonished his or her charges to refrain from Chillul haShem, the polar opposite of Kiddush haShem.

What, however, are Kiddush and Chillul haShem? Is it about appearances and manners? … about what is and is not acceptable in the respective cultures we inhabit, a concept mostly applicable in the vast Jewish Diaspora? Read the rest of this entry »


Crimes of Omission

February 6, 2009

The press plays a crucial role in maintaining the vibrancy democracy. We rely on the press corps to uncover scandals and give a voice to the downtrodden, dispossessed and otherwise disenfranchised. We also rely on them to get the facts and set the record straight, for otherwise, championing the underdog can quickly descend into rumor mongering and demagoguery.

And yet, it seems that the press isn’t always conscious of its responsibilities, as is very blatant in its Middle East reporting, where the correct Left Wing Cause trumps the responsibility to report facts and set the record straight.

Particularly telling is the following comparison of the report on an event by the French television stations France3 and TF1. If you don’t speak French, watch the broadcast and look at the concluding comments. Read the rest of this entry »


Another Jenin Jenin?

January 23, 2009

flag-uk_usa-tiny[NOTE: updated 27Jan2009] I generally abstain from posting news unless it provides a useful metaphor or application of some halakhic or theological principle or otherwise raises an interesting theological question, but the Torah admonished us לא תעמד על דם ריעך – do not stand idly by your fellow’s bloodshed. While even during Operation Cast Lead, Israel acted with great restraint and level headedness, so as to minimize civilian casualties, nations around the world are crying foul, comparing Israeli actions to the Nazi genocide. Yes, that is a canard; Nazis wanted to exterminate, while Israel is simply defending herself. In light of such rhetoric, one may not remain silent. Read the rest of this entry »


Light at the End of the Tunnel

January 21, 2009

flag-uk_usa-tinyReflecting upon the Gaza War and the latest ceasefire, I found hope and inspiration in the following sermon, entitled “Now You Shall See,” written in the aftermath of the Second Lebanon War. That sermon, as well as one entitled “Jüdische Bitachón” (available only in German, sorry), explore what it means, to put one’s trust in G”d.


Licht am Ende des Tunnels

January 21, 2009

flag-ch_de-tinyNach drei Wochen schwieriger Kämpfe, während der die Israelische Verteidigungskräfte der Hamas schwierige Verlusste haben erleiden lassen, haben Israel und nachher Hamas, je einen unlateralen Waffenstillstand ausgesprochen. Einerseits war die israelische Offensive eindruckerweckend, es zeigte sich wieviel die israelische Armee und die politische Führung des Landes von dem zweiten Lebanonkrieg gelernt haben, der ja von vielen als Fehlschlag betrachtet wurde, obwohl er die Hizbollah anscheinend doch lehrte, nicht mehr Israel zu reizen.

Heute aber, erst zwei Tage nach dem Anfang des Waffenstillstandes, berichten die Medien, dass die Schmuggeltunnels bereits wieder in Operation sind. Manche haben das Gefühl, dass die Operation “Gegossenes Blei” kein eindeutiges Erfolg ist; Hamas wurde zwar stark geschwächt, ist aber noch immer dem Terrorrismus gewidmet.

Israel befindet sich also zwar in einer besseren Lage als unmittelbar nach dem zweiten Lebanonkrieg, aber es gibt noch immer dunkle Wolken an der Horizont.

Die Worte eines Predigt namens “Nun wirst Du sehen”, die ich nach dem zweiten Lebanonkrieg schrieb, sind im Nachhinein voraussehend. Deshalb finde ich auch Hoffnung und Inspiration für die Zukunft in diesen Worten. Nachdem ich jene Worte wieder gelesen habe, möchte ich laut verkünden: es gab Licht am Ende des Tunnels, und in der Zukunft wird es noch mehr Licht geben, am Ende des jetztigen metaphorischen Tunnels. Read the rest of this entry »


Truly Taking Responsibility

January 3, 2009

EnglishThe first encounter of Parshat Vayigash, between Yehuda, as he takes responsibility for Benyamin, and Yossef in his role of Viceroy of Egypt, is also the story of great moral leadership. Yossef and Yehuda, each in their own ways, display and examplify the great, dearly needed moral qualities of honesty, integrity, repentance, forgiveness and accepting the consequences of one’s actions. In short, they recognize and accept their responsibilities. Read the rest of this entry »


The Folly of Greed

December 25, 2008

EnglishSome two weeks have passed since Bernard Madoff has admitted to his sons, and later to the police, that he had perpetrated the greatest financial swindle of the history of mankind, and we yet have to come to terms with it (hint: it’ll take years). Meanwhile, a life was lost, as one institutional investor, Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuchet, committed suicide after having lost some USD 1.5 billion for his clients through Bernard Madoff. For the benefit of those who, surely steeped in their Torah study, failed to notice the uproar in the streets, I will briefly outline what I gleaned from court papers and the financial press on this matter. (If you do know the details, you can skip ahead.) Read the rest of this entry »


Can Prayer Fail Us?

December 5, 2008

English A week has passed since the horrors of the murders of Mumbai unfolded, and this tragedy has, as tragedies often do, aroused introspection. We ask many questions on many levels. There are political questions, why in Mumbai? and why were Anglo-Saxons and Jews particularly targeted?; there are organizational questions regarding the readiness and effectiveness of the Indian security forces; questions of how do react to the atrocities on the individual, organizational (how should Jewish organizations adapt their security model, should we trun our communal homes into secure, but uninvitng fortresses?) and political levels; and there are questions of faith, too. Read the rest of this entry »


What is a Qassam Rocket?

November 5, 2008

EnglishYesterday and today (4th & 5th of November), after several months of relative quiet, 20-30 Qassams were fired from the Gaza Strip over the Green Line, towards Ashkelon and the Negev (the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports). [UPDATE 2008-11-14: the shelling continues, now in its ninth day!]

Qassams are crude, imprecise rockets, which the news media do not fail to mention. However, some descriptions do tend to arouse in the reader a feeling that Qassams aren’t really all that dangerous, they are merely some kind of glorified firework, such as in the following quote:

Qassam rockets are simple weapons that lack guidance systems and so are very inaccurate, though in recent years militants have produced ones with longer ranges able to penetrate deeper inside Israel.
(Source: CNN)

Technically, the quote is correct, but crucial background information is lacking. Last August, I visited Sderot on a joint mission of the leaderships of the Rabbinical Council of America and of Tzohar, an Israeli rabbinical organization. Below are some thoughts and two pictures that can bring some perspective to the Qassams threat. Read the rest of this entry »