Thursday, February 26, 2026
Is Legally Sanctioned Torah Desecration A Kiddush Hashem?
From an Orthodox Jewish journal, penned by a man who has both semicha and a doctorate:
Do the neviim not state again and again, that the existence of a Jewish State, religious or not, is the highest form of Kiddush Hashem?
Literally nowhere. But it DOES say very clearly in many places that not keeping "religion" [i.e. violating the Torah] will bring upon Klal Yisrael terrible punishments and galus.
Orthodox Rabbi - Let the Kotel Also Be A Reform Temple, We Are One People #3
For some of these Lefy MO'ers, Achdus (unity) is the highest value—but only up to a point. There exists a certain red line that cannot and must not be crossed.
Certain values cannot be compromised under any circumstances. There are issues they feel that they must be zealous about, and in some areas of life, even coercion is necessary, with democracy taking a back seat.
This is particularly true when it comes to the Olam HaTorah (unfortunately known to the world as "Charedim").
The buck stops there. Literally.
If you don't want to join the army because it conflicts with your religion? Tough luck. We will try to force you, jail you, or cut off basic government benefits. This is the same government to which you faithfully pay taxes and contribute to its economic growth.
Strangely, we have a country that officially endorses "freedom of religion," yet the government dictates how individuals should interpret their faith. If your interpretation doesn't align with the government's, your freedom is denied.
That is the unfortunate reality.
So, how about some love and unity with those whose lives are devoted to preserving Jewish tradition in its purest form, as they see it? Do Bnei Torah [as errant as one might perceive them to be] deserve less love and acceptance than Reform Jews?
Orthodox Rabbi - Let the Kotel Also Be A Reform Temple, We Are One People #2
An alternative version of the חטא העגל which presumably might be espoused by the excessively tolerant among us. It is not Moshe coming down with the luchos but a progressive Orthodox Rabbi, whom we will call Rabbi O. [because he stresses that he is Orthodox] who preaches unity, tolerance and love for all Jews and all of their "customs".
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Rabbi O. descends from Har Sinai with the luchos. As he approached the camp, a sight both shocking and bewildering met his eyes: the people were dancing around a golden calf, clearly having a grand old time.
“Oi vey!” Rabbi O. exclaimed, adjusting his glasses. “What is this?” But instead of the righteous anger one might expect, he paused, stroked his goatee, and thought, “Maybe I should take a different approach.”
He cleared his throat, gathering the attention of the celebrants. “Listen up, my beloved people! I see you’re enjoying your sacred space with the calf. And who am I to interrupt your prayers? I mean, we all have our preferences, right? You mean well.”
The crowd cheered, raising their hands in delight.
“Now, I get it. You want to connect with the Divine in your own way, and that’s beautiful!” Rabbi O. continued, channeling his inner peace-loving hippie. “So how about this? We’ll have the main minyan over here, and you can keep your golden calf over there. Achdus!!! So all those who want to pray with men and women separated to the true One G-d, to the right. Those who prefer the egalitarian service to the calf, to the left.”
A few of the faithful who declined to join in the celebration, were confused. “But, Rabbi O., isn’t this idol worship?”
“Eh,” he waved his hand dismissively. “Everyone’s got their thing. Some like a good brisket, others like a golden calf. Who are we to judge? We can all coexist in harmony. I say that as an Orthodox rabbi!! Let’s just agree to disagree—with peace and love.”
The crowd erupted into applause. “Achdus! Achdus!” they chanted, forgetting the fact their neighbors were, you know, literally worshiping a piece of jewelry.
Rabbi O, turned to the faithful. “Let’s not lose sight of community, folks! If we can’t be united in our differences, what’s the point? Paroh enslaved us ALL! He didn't differentiate between idol worshipers and ol' fashioned monotheists. We shouldn't either!"
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We know what REALLY happened at the חטא העגל. Of course I am not saying ח"ו there should be any type of physical or even verbal violence against deviant Jews. For that you need a mandate from Moshe Rabbeinu or another Navi. But we should also do everything in our power not to let people desecrate Halacha and Torah.
Orthodox Rabbi - Let the Kotel Also Be A Reform Temple, We Are One People
Comments to an actual article in the Jerusalem Post in brackets. The sarcasm is to fulfill the מאמר חז"ל that all ליצנות is forbidden except for ליצנותא דעבודה זרה which is what this is. Of course I omit the rabbi's name because it is not about him personally but his viewpoints. I am certain that he is better than me in many, many ways]:
I am not Reform or Conservative — I am an Orthodox rabbi, fully committed to halacha and Jewish tradition — [when someone starts with the words "I am an Orthodox rabbi, fully committed to halacha and Jewish tradition" you know that bad stuff is coming. It means "I am legit. So when I argue that one should go against the Torah you should listen." Here it means "I am fully committed to Halacha, which is exactly why I am losing sleep over the tragic possibility that people might be prevented from violating it in public near the Makom HaMikdash." Because nothing screams "Torah perspective" quite like an Orthodox rabbi demanding an officially sanctioned zone for mixed dancing, microphones on Shabbos, a lack of Tzniyus and the validation of movements that uproot the entirety of Torah MiSinai.].
... yet I am deeply disturbed by proposed legislative actions in the Knesset to cancel the egalitarian prayer [translation - anti-Torah] space separate from [but right near] the Western Wall, or Kotel, in Jerusalem. A new bill, up for first reading on Wednesday, would put the area, which currently allows mixed-gender prayer and other non-Orthodox practices, [translation - the area presently allows them to trample Hashem's Name, Torah, Halacha, tradition and the feelings of hundreds of thousands of Jews]
... under the control of the Chief Rabbinate. The Rabbinate [those intolerant rabbis!!] would then have the authority to outlaw these non-Orthodox practices [in other words - anti-Torah etc.] in the area, which sits just south of the main Kotel plaza, preventing our Conservative and Reform brothers and sisters [translation - it's FAMILY!! Have some tolerance!! Let them do what they want. Forget all this religious stuff you care about so much] from having a sacred space [the moment they have their circus there it stops being sacred] where they can practice according to their customs [customs that contravene the Torah, tradition etc. etc.].
First of all, I am not asking for anything to be changed [except for Halacha]. I support maintaining the [non-halachic] status quo, which this bill wants to abolish. The Kotel is and should remain a place of traditional, Orthodox prayer practice in accordance with halachic standards, such as formal separate prayer spaces for men and women, as well as standards of dress, and public Shabbat and holiday observance. At the same time, the nearby southwestern area of the enclosure around the Temple complex, which for more than a decade has been officially designated [by whom?? People who couldn't care less about Torah] as Ezrat Yisrael, a place of egalitarian [anti-halachic] prayer, should also stay that way. [In other words - if Israeli law goes against the Torah - we should uphold that!!]
It is important to note that this southwestern area, within the archaeological park of the Davidson Center, never held the status of the Temple Mount and was never a makom tefillah, or place of prayer. During the First and Second Temple periods, it served as a public street to the Temple complex, containing markets and other services for visitors and pilgrims. Therefore, there has never been any halachic character to the designated alternative prayer space. [Well then - it is not really a sacred space after all??! And since it was a market in the old days - now it can be used to trample Torah, Halacha and instigate anger and sometimes violence].
In addition, maintaining the already established modern egalitarian prayer away from the Western Wall plaza encourages unity, promotes inclusion and helps to ensure that the character of the Kotel prayer space cannot be changed. Born through a compromise approved in January 2016, the southwestern wall’s designation as a place of egalitarian prayer — while the Kotel remains operated according to Orthodox practice — is an example of respecting all streams of Judaism. [Oh, sorry Rabbi - The Torah has no respect for ideologies that disgrace the Torah and jettison tradition].
Especially at a time when antisemitism is rising across the world, and Jews are targeted not for how they practice Judaism, but simply for being Jews, all of us must remember that the Jewish people, with all its streams and movements, are one family. We are bound by a shared heritage and a shared history, stained with the blood of our persecuted ancestors, whom we mourn each Tisha B’Av. [True - so does that mean that we should permit them to violate Halacha, Tzniyus and Kedusha?]
When it comes to everything else, Orthodox rabbis are indeed now working with other denominations. When there are common Jewish concerns and causes, we sit on boards with leaders of the Conservative and Reform movements. When Israel is in need, we have no problem accepting financial support and donations from all Jews. When there was a need to discuss the antisemitic positions of New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdami, all streams of rabbis and institutions signed a joint declaration from UJA-Federation of New York, New York Board of Rabbis, Agudath Israel of America and Orthodox Union. But when we want to maintain separate prayer locations, too many people draw the line of legitimacy in the name of protecting Orthodoxy. This is a mistake (and by the way, Orthodoxy, thank God, does not need protection). [Since we take they give money to Israel - let them do what they want!! All is permitted].
Such antagonism toward other streams of Judaism, even when it presents itself as concern for Torah or the future of the Jewish People, does not strengthen Orthodoxy. [We are not trying to protect "Orthodoxy" We are trying to prevent a Chilul Hashem opposite the makom Hamikdash].
It makes us look weak [really? Your narrative...], and it undermines the unity of our people at a time when unity is needed more than ever. [Unity trumps all!! If unity is so important why don't we tell THEM in the name of unity to respect our tradition and if they want to have their church service let them do it somewhere else. This is not about "prayer" but about making a statement and provocation. The author warns us that Orthodoxy looks weak if it doesn't legitimize Reform Judaism. Yes, because the Prophets of Israel were famously obsessed with looking "inclusive" to those who rewrite the Torah. Imagine Eliyahu HaNavi on Mount Carmel saying, "I am an Orthodox prophet, but I support an egalitarian altar for the Ba'al worshippers just south of my altar, for the sake of unity! We don't want to alienate the Diaspora of Ahab's kingdom!"]
It risks jeopardizing Israel’s relationship with the Diaspora, where most Jews are not Orthodox. [We'll be OK. Most non-Orthodox intermarry and they are a disappearing breed].
We cannot demand solidarity from world Jewry while denying them dignity in our holiest city, which is the birthplace of our common heritage. [We don't demand anything. And what about the dignity of the Kotel??]
Jerusalem has long been a symbol that galvanized and unified Jews of all kinds from all over the world. When parts were liberated in 1967 from Jordanian control, they were liberated by secular, traditional and religious Israeli soldiers. When the army declared “Har Habayit b’yadeinu” (“The Temple Mount is in our hands”) upon capturing the Old City, this was not a liberation for any specific segment of the Jewish people; they liberated it for all Jews. [So they capture the Kotel and now one may do what he wants there. This is not about Hashem or Torah - it is about personal liberal values].
Upon doing so, many immediately recited prayers and blew the shofar both out of a reverence for the past and immense hope for the future of Israel. [That Moshiach will come and erase evil from the earth].
If the southwest wall loses its status as an egalitarian prayer area in order to ‘protect Orthodoxy,’ [i.e. prevent Chilul Hashem] the entire area, so central to who we are as a people, will become a symbol of exclusion [INDEED! Kedusha is exclusion. That is why we only share a bedroom with our spouse... That also is why we only marry other Jews, even though that means excluding billions of Goyim.]
Jews attacking other Jews in the name of God destroyed the Second Temple commonwealth. [Right - the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed because Jews weren't tolerant of those who were enemies of Hashem],
Over the past two years, we have sacrificed too much to let it happen again. [Appeal to "October 7th" to arouse sympathy. Demagoguery]
In summary: A modern "Torah" perspective from an "Orthodox rabbi" - True unity means abandoning the actual Torah so that people who don't believe in the actual Torah won't feel bad.
I sent this article to a major $upporter of this rabbi's institutions [which includes a program for religious girls going to the army, which Gedolei Yisroel said is יהרג ואל יעבור] and he absolutely agreed with his sentiments - unity trumps all!!
Sad.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
8 Most Horribly Divisive Statements From Trump's State Of The Union
With last night's polarizing State of the Union, President Trump continued fracturing the country with pointed rhetoric designed only to widen the chasm between the country's left and right. From the many awful things Trump said, here are the eight most divisive statement's from last night's speech:
1. "Good evening": Trump wasted no time in tearing the country apart with this contentious opening.
2. "Congratulations to the gold medal-winning U.S. hockey team": A team that literally fought our own ally, Canada. Conflict is the goal.
3. "The American government is responsible for serving Americans": Trump could have brought unity. Instead, he brought this.
4. "We should not hurt children": Fomenting discord with radical statements, like always.
5. "Violent crime is bad": Another grenade of disunity lobbed at America.
6. "Thank you to our wounded veterans for their service": It's like Trump wants nothing but to stir controversy.
7. "Female refugees being killed on trains is wrong": Why must Trump insist on driving us apart?
8. "God bless America": Trump is literally asking us to fight each other.
Our country stands more divided than ever in the wake of Trump's belligerent antagonism. It is on all of us to rise above his rhetoric and find national healing.
AOC in '28!!!!
