and found it. 2 questions for those who question Israel's response to the attack:

1) Arab nations oppress Arab people much more than Israel oppresses Arab people. Do you hold the Israelis to a higher standard (if so, that's fine by me, I do too, just please be open about it)?

2) If US aid to Israel is so bad, then why don't you kvetch about the aid to NATO, Korea, et. al., which requires both people and money?

Oh, and BTW, the Commandment is "Don't Murder", not "Don't Kill".

One more thing: the binational state was in existence from ~1900 to 1948. Arabs went on pogroms against Jews when they had the chance; why would it be any different now, should the refugees return?

Oy, they were so bad!

The Commandment in Leviticus prohibiting homosexuality only applies to male Jews. Lesbianism is not banned directly by Torah (though it was prohibited by the Rabbis, sometimes known as the Pharisees). Whether or not the Greek Bible prohibits homosexuality of any kind, I can't say.

Always amazes me how people who profess to live according to the Bible's precepts can't even be bothered to learn how to read it, let alone understand it in any kind of depth.

it's Muktza, an item that has no ostensible purpose on the Sabbath (because you can't light it), which is probably more detail than you want to know...

The proper translation of the word Eruv would be "Easement". There are many types of Eruvim (pl.); the one discussed in the article is a border that extends the private domain in which Jews are allowed by Jewish Law to carry things. Fathers and mothers are equally prohibited from carrying children in public domains on the Sabbath. Jews are allowed to carry Torah Scrolls on the Sabbath because they are carrying them within the confines of the Synagogue building.

BTW, out of the entire Talmud, Tractate Eruvim is considered one of the hardest, if not the hardest, to learn. Extremely complicated.

as having some sort of connection to Judaism, it's worth noting that frequently, the strongest reactions to public displays of Judaism in this country come from secular Jews. I am reminded about the brouhaha in Teaneck, NJ, when Orthodox Jews wanted to build an Eruv (a spiritual boundary) on public property. It was a simple string, yet many secular Jews fought that tooth and nail.

What was beautiful about the article, besides its respectful tone, was that it showed secular Jews overcoming their phobias to enjoy the heritage that is theirs for the taking.

Listen tateleh, so why aren't you protesting at gay leather bars?

Apparently, you are what you profess to despise.

And that bothers you, why? Do we try to prevent you from sitting with women at whatever function you care to attend? And to be consistent, do you nudge those gay bars where women aren't exactly welcome?

Methinks the man doth protest too much. Closet case? Come on, say it with me: I'm here, I'm Frum, Get Over It!

What an incredibly bigoted posting by Jeffrey. A perfect example of what I call the "bigotry of the tolerant". As obnoxious as the street corner preachers annoying me about the guy they think was the Messiah. Here are some rebuttals to his nastiness:

1) Torah Scholars are some of the most brilliant people in the world--the depth and breadth of their knowledge is unbelievable, whether or not you approve of their subject matter.

2) Torah absolutely does not say that non-Jews are going to Hell, or not going to Heaven. You are wonderful the way you are.

3) According to Torah, we are all currently "unclean". Clean/Unclean is not a good translation of Tahor/Tamei, very complicated spiritual concepts that are not fully conveyed by single words.

4) Observant Jewish women start off the day with the bracha "Thank you G_d for making me the way I am", because Torah holds that women have the higher spiritual nature.

I am, by the way, myself an Orthodox Jew, the only one on my block to vote for Kerry. Progressives wonder what the matter with Kansas is. Well, here's a clue!

Ironclad, you're missing the point. 3 words: South Lebanese Army.

Let's face it, this would never happen in a Republican Congress (and probably not in a Democratic one, since it takes 67 Senators to convict). If the Master of the Universe decided that our punishment was enough and there was a Congress that would reexert its authority, it would be President Pelosi, not President Hastert (G_d forbid!).

While you're at it, impeach Scalia, Thomas, and the other 2 members of the Gang of 5 who crossed the line into the political process.

I just loved it when the tabloids printed SHAME! in 400 point type. Couldn't care less, otherwise, except that I think that UK English should call American football soccer.

as Frum (i.e., Jewishly Observant), I too encountered what I call the "bigotry of the tolerant". It seems that it is hard for many people to eat their own cooking. Remember bubbeleh, no one walks in your shoes but you.

Most people don't realize that there is an Oral Tradition in Jewish thought that explains and elucidates the Hebrew Bible. Proverbs does not give permission, let alone approval, to child abuse.

This is what happens when you learn the Bible in English.