A New Song for Purim...

Purim is coming soon. To most people it is a time for costumes and getting very drunk. Many forget that Purim is a time of Miracles for the Jewish People. 

It is very popular for musicians to release songs at times of major holidays and Purim is definitely one of those days. 

I posted a song by Ari Lesser earlier this year. I do enjoy his music. 

This time he has teamed up with Gad Elbaz and Naftali Kalfa for a new song (just in time for Purim) called "Miracles". 

This is a catchy tune that draws you in. Stick with it and I guarantee you will not be disappointed~Enjoy!

Miracles with Gad Elbaz~Naftali Kalfa~Ari Lesser (Lyrics Below)

Lyrics מילים
עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת וְעַל הַתְּשׁוּעוֹת
עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם
Miracles, I thank you for the miracles, Miracles thank you
Miracles, I thank you for the miracles, Miracles thank you
Give thanks and praise, to G-d always
For the miracles done in ancient days
For the miracles like when he redeemed
The sons of Israel from מיצרים (Egypt)
For the miracles we saw at the Red Sea
The water split and we walked home free
For the miracles up on mount Sinai
We heard the reply of the Most High
For the miracles in the Holy Land
Jericho couldn't stand against G-d's hand
For the miracles when Goliath got
Knocked out by David's slingshot
For the miracles of the Maccabees
Who brought the Greeks down to their knees
For the miracles back in Shushan
G-d blessed Esther and cursed Haman
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם
Miracles, I thank you for the miracles, Miracles thank you
Miracles, I thank you for the miracles, Miracles thank you
I give thanks and praise to G-d always
For the miracles I've seen in my days
For the miracles when I awaken
And again my soul's been restored within
For the miracles happening in my body
So everything works when I go to the potty
For the miracles
I can see and smell and hear and touch and taste as well
For the miracles that You clothe and feed
And provide me with all I need
For the miracles that I was born free
Might work but there is no slavery for me
For the miracles that you let me look inside
And learn from Your holy book
For the miracles may they all increase
Love and life and joy and peace
עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת
עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת
עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת
עַל הַנִּסִּים וְעַל הַפֻּרְקָן וְעַל הַגְּבוּרוֹת
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בַּזְּמַן הַזֶּה.
שֶׁעָשִׂיתָ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם
Thank you for the miracles, Thank you
Thank you for the miracles, Thank you
Miracles, I thank you for the miracles, Miracles thank you
Miracles, I thank you for the miracles, Miracles thank you

English Translation of Hebrew Lyrics
For the Miracles and for the salvation and for the mighty deeds, and for the victories
For the Miracles and for the salvation and for the mighty deeds
For the Miracles and for the salvation and for the mighty deeds, and for the victories
For the Miracles and for the salvation and for the mighty deeds
For the Miracles and for the salvation and for the mighty deeds, and for the victories
For the Miracles and for the salvation and for the mighty deeds
Which you performed for our forefathers in those days, at this time.
Which you performed for our forefathers in those days

Israel Offers Online Training for Civilians...

How Many Countries Have to Offer This to The Civilian Population??

Religious Soldiers in the IDF

Defenders of the Negev~A Brief Look at Some of the Recruits

Islam vs. Islamists~Do You Know the Difference?

Please Read Tarek Fatah's Article and Watch This Movie that PBS "REFUSED" to Air!

PA Demands a State on Israeli Land~Here's an Answer...

Click on Picture for Full Size

There have been calls for a "palestinian state for the arabs" for decades. What has been conspicuously ignored is the fact that it is the Arabs themselves, who have continuously refused every offer (that would allow Israel to exit).

The arguments on this subject are endless, and one can find many excuses for failures to reach peace. It is my personal opinion that Israel itself is also part of the problem. As a country, we seem to go out of our way to try to "please the world". Some call it the remnant of the "Ghetto Jew" that is in us all. 

Israel's history of "giving" to satisfy the nations, has in fact back fired on us. We are in an endless circle of the more we give, the more the nations demand. While the world concentrates on "what Israel needs to concede", there is a permanent blind eye to the fact that the PA has "given absolutely nothing".

 

The greatest example is the demand that Israel not be allowed to remain a Jewish State (that's a bad thing), but the "palestinian state" will not have a single Jew step foot on it~And that is not a bad thing??

 

The other problem is with our own politicians who have been sucked into the void and spend their time trying to work out "how much we can give" without committing suicide! 

They have turned their backs on our heritage. Our own Prime Minister is too afraid to lose his position to stand up to anyone~he waffles and makes speeches, but in the end does not do anything. Our government is doing everything in it's power to erase Judaism from this country so the nations will think them progressive. They serve (and eat) treif food, make a mockery of Shabbat, and try to suppress anything related to Judaism~our own Prime Minister's son is dating a non-Jew! Meanwhile, these same "politicians" give Islam and other faiths top priority and respect! 

In "every country" not only their own lands, Muslims demand to have all of their barbaric religious customs accepted. Lo and behold, the world is bending their knee and giving way. (Something they will one day regret). Israel, with all of it's "giving" to better the world is blamed for "everything that goes wrong".

There is a lesson in this. How can we expect anyone to respect us when we ourselves won't? I could go on, but that is for another post.

In years past we had weak governments, but on some issues there were men who took a strong stand. During the late 1970's when German Chancellor Helmut Schmit insisted on the creation of a "palestinian state on Israeli lands", Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, had something to say.

If only our own politicians had the balls to speak up with this kind of courage today.

Israel Prime Minister Menachem Begin~Crooked Noses...

Chloé Valdary~This is A Woman of Valour...

The 2014 Pro-Israel Festival in New Orleans Needs Your Support~Click This LINK

Amir Benayoun~Another New Song~Hussein's Jerusalem

Last week I posted a new song by Israeli musician Amir Benayoun. His music is a true mix of middle-east and modern and appeals to everyone. He has a special talent for interpreting what is happening in our world and putting it into words and music. As I mentioned in an earlier post, he also sings in Arabic.

A few days ago, on Arutz 7, there was an article about Benayoun and another new song he has posted on his Facebook Page.

The song is a warning to Israelis that the Holy City of Jerusalem is being sold out by the leaders of Israel~in complicity with US President Obama. So true! The problem is nobody else is willing to state the obvious!

According to the article, on Arutz 7, the Hebrew references the song, Jerusalem of Gold~Yerushalayim shel Zahav, and Hussein refers to Obama's middle name

Note:

Jerusalem of Gold was based on a Basque folk melody and written by Naomi Shemer in 1967. The original song described the Jewish people's 2000-year longing to return to Jerusalem; Shemer added a final verse after the Six-Day War to celebrate Jerusalem's unification under Israeli control. 

With all due respect to Shemer, the best version of Yerushalayim shel Zahav (Jerusalem of Gold) in my opinion, was performed by Ofra Haza for Pa'amoney Hayovel (Jubilee Bells), the national celebration commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel, at Hebrew University Stadium, Jerusalem, Israel on Thursday, 30 April 1998 (See Below)

Amir Benayoun begins his song with Isaiah 66:10...

“Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad in her, all you who love her...”

  

Benayoun then continues...

because the prime minister and all his friends apparently gave it up a long time ago.

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad in her,
as long it is possiblebecause it has been sold out behind our backs.
They are only putting on an act for show.

Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad in her, as long it is possible,

because Hussein from America wants it, and he is determined and cruel.

The song ends with Psalms 137:

“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you;

if I do not place Jerusalem at the top of my joy.”

Amir Benayoun is one of my favorite musicians. If you are not familiar with his music~I recommend you go to YouTube and listen to his music. Do go to his Facebook Page and give him a "Like" as well!

Hussein's Jerusalem by Amir Benayoun

Yerushalayim shel Zahav~Ofra Haza (19 November 1957~23 February 2000)

Jerusalem of Gold~Yerushalayim shel Zahav~Ofra Haza
The mountain air is clear as water
The scent of pines around
Is carried on the breeze of twilight,
And tinkling bells resound.

The trees and stones there softly slumber,
A dream enfolds them all.
So solitary lies the city,
And at its heart...a wall.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

The wells ran dry of all their water,
Forlorn the market square,
The Temple Mount dark and deserted,
In the Old City there.

And in the caverns in the mountain,
The winds howl to and fro,
And no-one takes the Dead Sea highway,
That leads through Jericho.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

But as I sing to you, my city,
And you with crowns adorn,
I am the least of all your children,
Of all the poets born.

Your name will scorch my lips for ever,
Like a seraph's kiss, I'm told,
If I forget thee, golden city,
Jerusalem of gold.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

The wells are filled again with water,
The square with joyous crowd,
On the Temple Mount within the City,
The shofar rings out loud.

Within the caverns in the mountains
A thousand suns will glow,
We'll take the Dead Sea road together,
That runs through Jericho.

Oh, Jerusalem of gold, and of light and of bronze,
I am the lute for all your songs.

Matisyahu's Music and Israel~Doesn't Get Any Better!

Take a Break and Enjoy Sunshine Across Israel!

* Created by Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

* Music is  Matisyahu's hit "Sunshine" from his album "Spark Seeker" (2012)

Amir Benayoun's Song for International Holocaust Day

On 27 January 2014, the largest ever delegation of Knesset (Israeli Parliament) members traveled together with Holocaust survivors to the grounds of Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

Popular Israeli musician, Amir Benayoun composed a song (see video below) to Moshe Klugheft's lyrics specifically for  the commemoration ceremony on International Holocaust Memorial Day 2014.

The historic gathering, focused on combating anti-Semitism, was held in honor of the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust. This year, 2014 marks the 69th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Allied troops in 1945.

The Israeli delegation included over sixty Members of Knesset~each one accompanied by a Holocaust survivor. The delegation also included senior representatives of the Israel Defense Forces, the Chief Rabbis of the State of Israel and representatives of various student groups, signifying the living link between the past and the future. Anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish or Israeli issue, but a global struggle, as was demonstrated by the large number of elected officials and Parliamentarians from around the world, including Europe, and a senior bi-partisan group of leaders from the US Congress. 

Jonny Daniels, an Israeli, founder and Executive Director of "From the Depths", a non-profit organization devoted to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and connecting the Jewish past with the Jewish future, stated:

At least one Holocaust survivor an hour is dying in Israel and we are getting very close to the point where there will be no more first-hand accounts left. The onus falls on us, not just as Jews and Israelis, but humanity as a whole, to learn, to be with the survivors and to understand what happened and to ensure it never repeats again.

Last One Left~Amir Benayoun (Lyrics Below)

The Last One Left

Words: Moshe Klugheft

Composed by: Amir Benayoun

Translation: Yoel Lax

I am the last one left, From The Depths I call out to you;

My soul calls out for the hope, I stayed alive even though I died.

I am the last one left, I remained a human being even when I was just a number;

A loaf is bread is something that you eat, 
but under the pillow it, I would always keep.

Chorus:

And in the relay race I was left alone;

The torch is relayed now from hand to hand

Take from me everything, I am like the burning bush;

You will remain here to tell the story.

I am the last one left, still attached to the Israelites in the desert;

I have no rest, I wander and roam;

All that remains are the memories from the cattle cars.

I am the last one left, returning now to the provinces of the past;

This grass is green from dread;

I call out to you, Mother Nature.

Chorus:

And in the relay race I was left alone;

The torch is relayed now from hand to hand;

Take everything from me, I am like the burning bush;

You will remain here to tell the story

There are millions of eyes staring at me now, How can I give up?

I am the last one left, to tell the story.

Would You Act to Stop A Child Abduction?

The Kidnapping Children Experiment~What Would You Do??

America's National Anthem~Done Right, It Brings Tears...

I grew up hearing the American National Anthem, and the one thing we always knew about Americans~They were "Really" Patriotic. Everyone stood for the Anthem, the Flag was respected, everyone spoke English, and that was just for starters.

Over the years things have been changing, and while change may be a good thing, it is not always the case. People now burn and stomp on their flag, there are restrictions on displaying it in public, everyone has their own language, and the anthem has been chopped and mixed up into things not always recognizable. Lately there are those who say America is no longer a World Leader. Hmmmm...could there be a relationship here?

Admittedly, it is a sad world we are living in, however, every once-in-a-while, something "encouraging" comes along that makes the ears perk up and brings a tear to the eye. This is one of them. The explanation with the video below states:

Every night of the All State Choir conference at about 11pm,

everyone comes out to the balconies of the 18 story Hyatt hotel

to sing the National Anthem...

This is the "Spirit of America" that used to reverberate around the world~let's pray that it never dies! May G-d Bless America and Keep Her Strong!

* Here is the story at the Denver Channel...

The Kentucky All State Choir (Hyatt Hotel~Louisville 2013)~Wow!

Israel "Brings" Gold to the Sochi Olympic Games...

Are you following the Sochi Olympic Games? Are you actually lucky enough to be there? Are you having just a bit of trouble finding the times of the events, communicating or finding your way around the venues??

One Israeli company can and will help you~for Free! The company is One Hour Translation, and they have released an App for users of Twitter. 

They will provide a professional, Free Translation in Seventy Languages~within one hour~for the duration of the Sochi Olympic games~seriously.

The App is drawing attention from many sources such as Tech Investor News, and many others around the world, and has made the "top five apps list" at the Telegraph UK.

Arutz 7 online states:

To gain real-time translations, users simply need to tweet @OHT with an image or phrase to be translated~eg. "Where is the skating rink? English->Russian @OHT"~and the company will reply instantly with a translation from a professional translator. 

Once again, Israel steps up to make things just a bit easier. I have to say it~to all the Israel bashers and BDS (boycotters) around he world...

Boycott This!

Peace? Not Possible With Those Who Hate!

This Shabbos we had lovely weather, so I decided to walk over to visit a friend in the afternoon. She lives in a lovely, quiet neighbourhood (at least from the front). Walk to the back and look at the view from her balcony and it is a different story! 

People are always accusing Israelis (Jews) of not wanting peace. I have news for you~it is not the Jews who go around slashing tires, throwing rocks at cars and window, abusing small animals and, oh yes, the latest...blowing up vehicles. 

My friend, who wrote about the incident on Shearim, was startled awake on Friday night by a loud boom around midnight. Looking out the window she saw a burning vehicle, police, fire, and assorted people who were also "blasted" awake. This is the norm for Friday nights in this area. This is what Jews live with. The irony here is that it garnered not even a one-line mention~by anyone! Let's flip the tables and think about the outcry if Jews had blown up an Arab vehicle...The entire world would be down our necks accusing the Jews of being apartheid, nazis, and every other evil thing that they could think of. Oh, by the way, there are many "UN" people living in the area~yet not a word will they say against the real perpetrators and not a word of defense for the real victims!

When will the world wake up? It is not Jews who are attacking every day! It is Arab Muslims. I specify Muslim because there are many Arab Christians in Israel and they Do Not attack and destroy. Rather, these are peaceful people who have businesses and whose children go to school and even serve in the IDF. 

 

In Israel, Muslims dressed in any way they wish, walk where ever they please. Jews, on the other hand risk a lynching if they turn down the wrong street~even in Israel proper! I am sick to death of the world stupidity and the constant condemnation of Israel. 

The Muslims have been saying for years that they want "All Jews Dead"~just what part of that declaration to you Not Understand?? 

Peace? The only way to have peace is for the Muslim world to decide to join the modern world. The Muslim world must put aside hate and educate their children to learn to accept those who are different. Short of that, there is no hope. So, to the world, the EU, UN and everyone else (including all you self-hating lefty Jews)...if you want peace in the Middle East, stop demonizing Israel and start facing the truth. Then we may have a chance...

Israel Has One More Thing For Haters to Boycott...

New Israel Hologram Allows Doctors to Touch Your Heart While Beating

Amir Benayoun's "Postcard" to MK Ahmed Tibi~Priceless!

I have posted articles about Amir Benayoun in the past. He is a very well known, and well loved singer-song writer in Israel. He is a musician of the people.

In the post "Music With a Message", I included three very moving songs:

* We Are Brothers~against Israelis who are viciously attacking our country (includes and English translation);

* Dust Yourself Off~a song he performed with the Itamar Perchey Yoav Childrens's Choir, for the Shloshim of the five members of the Fogel family who were slaughtered by "PA" terrorists (based on a verse that Ruth Fogel quoted when they were being expelled from Gush Katif "Shake off the dust. Arise! Put on your splendid clothes, my nation!"~See the video with 12-year old Tamar at the end of this post); and

* Zini~in Arabic, which became popular with the Syrian opposition forces (they actually requested him to record it in Arabic~which he did).

In 2013 he performed his song, "Standing at the Gate" for an open air concert outside the Ma’arat HaMachpela in Hevron.

Only the day before Amir had an emotional meeting with 85-year-old Shlomo Slonim~ The "Sole" surviving son of Eliezer Dan and Hannah Slonim~slain with his brother in the Hevron Massacre of 1929.

A Jew of Algerian heritage, Amir Benayoun writes songs that speak to the heart of the people. He is not afraid of controversy and this is reflected in his music. His latest tune is in the form of a "Satirical Postcard" to MK Ahmed Tibi of the Knesset.

Tibi is well known for his "hate" of Israel, even though he is a Knesset member. He praises our enemies and served as a political advisor to the late PA president and former leader of the terror group PLO, Yasser Arafat. That Tibi can sit in Israel calling for her downfall says much for the tolerance of our country. Anyplace else (especially his beloved "arab" run countries) would have him jailed or put to death. Yet, Israel lets him speak.

After Tibi's latest (of many, many) outbursts~insulting and screaming lies before the Prime Minister of Canada, and screaming bloody murder when it was suggested that his town be handed over to the PA to rule (Tibi prefers his soft life as an Israeli citizen~he knows he will never have it this good under the PA), Amir Benayoun composed and recorded this song.

Benayoun wrote this dedication to Tibi:

"Dear Ahmed, given the talk about Jews living under Palestinian sovereignty, it appears you and Bibi have had great success. Allow me to send you a song. 
Lovingly, Amir."

The postcard in the video states (sarcastically):

"Since my childhood, I have had three unrequited ambitions: 
One, to become a D.J., second to become a standup comedian and third to sing in a group that performs Arab folk songs. And now, at last, G-d has given me the opportunity to fulfill all three at once."

Amir Benayoun's music speaks to us all. You can listen to more of his music on YouTube.

 Amir Benayoun's Postcard to Ahmed Tibi~צי מ~עמיר בניון  ארולדתי

Tamar Fogel Speaking After the Slaughter of Her Family in Itamar

* Article on Amir Benayoun's "Postcard" Originally posted by Arutz7

On A Lighter Note~Good, Wholesome Values Still Sell...

Budweiser Super Bowl XLVIII~Definitely the Best Commercial Makers Ever!

How the Clydesdale Team Began~This One is Based on the True Story   

 This is Still My Favourite~Only Aired Once (That's Class!)... 

 

 * Visit Bare Naked Islam Blog for Videos on How Clydesdales are Trained

     and Some of their Best Commercials (Definitely Worth Watching!)

Auschwitz~The Forgotten Evidence

What Did the Allies Really Know About Auschwitz? Did They Just Ignore It?