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January 02, 2009
Gaza: A Matzav Within The Matzav Plus a Deeply Superficial Digression From War
IDF tanks at Gaza border (photo: Amir Cohen)
Near midnight, last night, Seraphic Secret dialed Israel and spoke with Karen's brother, Rabbi David Singer, who lives with his wife Elana and their lovely children in Efrat. My brother-in-law, who is more like the brother I never had, is my go-to-guy when I'm trying to get a clear idea of “Ha Matzav,” Hebrew for “The Situation.”
Matzav is code for: “Hey, the surrounding Arab states are obviously a bunch of genocidal goons and loons, but we can't actually articulate such a heart-stopping thought so we're just going to understate the horror with an awesomely bland label: The Matzav.”
This bit of linguistic delusion allows Israelis to sleep at night.
It's a bit like calling the Nuremberg Laws “controversial legislation.”
Before getting to The Matzav, David asked about the film business, does the economic meltdown affect the movie biz or is Hollywood recession-proof?
My response: “When money is tight, the first thing families do is cut back on entertainment. Most people don't realize that during the depression Hollywood suffered staggering losses—except for MGM, who actually posted profits. Currently, the studios are cutting back on development, and box office will suffer. It also doesn't help that Hollywood produces so many mediocre movies—films the public actively shuns.”
“What about TV,” David asked, “don't they need a constant supply of product?”
“They do, but the networks and cable stations are developing more and more reality shows to fill their schedules. These shows are cheap to produce, get high ratings, and spawn spin-offs like mating rabbits. In short, as the economy worsens, you can bet that Hollywood will also suffer.”
I asked David for his impressions of Gaza, Operation Cast Lead.
David expressed full support for the offensive and claimed that pretty much the entire country—except for the extreme lefties who, like most lefties, have but a tenuous relationship to reality—is fed up with the aggression from Gaza and desperately want to crush the enemy.
David sighed, and I sensed a “but” coming.
“But,” said David, “I'm really afraid that Olmert, Livni and Barak made a deal with Fatah and Egypt to go into Gaza, destroy Hamas and then turn it over to Fatah.”
I let this sink in and my stomach did an Olympic level reverse flip. Yup, David might be right, all the diplomatic moves that Livni pulled before the offensive certainly hint at such a foolish alliance.
Let's be clear, Fatah and Hamas share the identical strategic goal: the annihilation of Israel and the death of Jews everywhere. They only differ on tactics. Hamas insists on round the clock terrorism coupled with massive propaganda efforts, whereas Fatah favors limited terrorism coupled with equally incendiary propaganda that features relentless Jew-hatred and legitimizes an Islamic genocidal theology.
There was a brief silence, both of us lost in our thoughts.
Finally, David stated: “Look, we hope this offensive works out. I trust in Ha Shem, G-d, and in our soldiers. But Olmert and Livni... well, it's not a good thing when you don't trust your own government.”
Absorbing this common-sense thought I wondered to myself if there is any Israeli politician who would be trusted by a majority of the Israeli public.
I have no answer.
David expressed deep concerns about Israeli Arabs who are rioting in support of Hamas.
I agreed: “They're a Fifth Column, nothing less. Israel cannot suffer such treason for much longer.”
“Very worrying,” David dead-panned.
“What about the North, Hizbullah in Lebanon?” I asked.
“Yeah, we're waiting for them to make a move. It's a real possibility.”
“I don't think they'll attack unless the IDF pushes ground troops into Gaza. That will give Hizbullah the perfect opportunity to attack with their long range missiles, then Israel has to deal with two-fronts at the same time. No army likes to find itself in that situation.”
“Yeah, you're probably right.”
On that happy note, I asked about Jeremy, David's eldest son, on active duty somewhere in the land of Israel.
David disclosed Jeremy's deployment, information Seraphic Secret will not reveal.
David said: “It's not easy.”
“Nope,” I agreed.
We wished each other a good Shabbos and said goodbye.
And before dropping off to sleep I recalled the exalted words of the Jewish prophet Joel (Hebrew: יואל).
Announce this among the nations: prepare for war; arouse the mighty; let all the soldiers approach and ascend. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning forks into spears; the weak shall say, I am strong.
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A Palestinian terrorist-spokesmodel gets on Fox News and lies, and lies and lies so more. Her act puts Julius Streicher to shame. The Fox anchor, unlike most, doesn't put up with her outrageous blood libels. H/T Treppenwitz.
Jack is out with his most excellent Gaza Roundup #6.
Which calls for our trusty morale booster:
Brigitte Bardot, the stalwart anti-sharia
movie star.
The IDF has entered the blogosphere, check out their site, some good stuff there.
Pop Quiz: What is today?
Marilyn says: “Hey, Seraphic Secret, isn't today Friday Footwear?”
Well, yes it is, Marilyn, but there's a war in Gaza, do you actually think that we'd spend time on something so superficial?
You bet we would.
So: Karen waltzes into my office, back from a lightning, F-16ish sortie into Loehmann's and announces that she bought some new shoes. “Well,” says yours truly, “let me see and judge.” Karen, graceful as Cyd Charisse, slips into her latest, greatest purchase. I study the new flats and hand out the highest compliment one can bestow on women's footwear: “Cute shoes!” Karen frowns: “Really?” I'm like: “You know me, I'm a harsh critic, merciless even. Those are cute, cute, cute. They're all, Tuesday Weld Tortures Dobie Gillis to Death.” Karen sighs with relief and marches back into Casa Avrech. CUT TO: A half hour later. Karen limps into my office and announces the looming tragedy: “The shoes hurt, right here.” The love of my life steps out of her Tuesday Weld Tortures Dobie Gillis to Death flats and shows me the spot where her itsy-bitsy foot is being cruelly lacerated. Reasonably, I go: “You'll have to return them.” Karen's expression gets all stern, like Golda Meir sending the Mossad to liquidate Black September terrorists—only Karen's much prettier. “I am not returning these shoes. They are too nice!” “But—” Karen shakes her head back and forth and her eyes go all flinty. She separates her words like cobblestones: “Not. Returning. Shoes.” And that is why Seraphic Secret has Friday Footwear, even during Operation Cast Lead.
Ground assault into Gaza tonight?
IDF troops on the Israeli-Gaza border wait for orders.
Photo: Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty)
Karen and I wish all our friends, our relatives, and the IDF a lovely and meaningful Shabbos.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at January 2, 2009 08:32 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
We had a guest on my show Wednesday, Gen. Tom McInerney, who says the conventional wisdom that Hizbullah is somehow stronger today than they were in 2006 is WRONG. Not to say that Olmert didn't botch the war, BUT he says Hizbullah is not as able to launch a second front in the war as the news media would have you believe.
Speaking of the news media, the new favorite message we keep hearing on U.S. TV these days is:
"Don't attack Hamas, or the terrorists will get REALLY mad!" or "Now more Muslims will want to become suicide bombers."
Boy, talk about a stupid argument. You shouldn't stand up for yourself because then another bully will try to hurt you? Sorry, it’s the other way around; once you stand up for yourself, the bullies know you're not to be messed with. Once you appease them, they know to never STOP bothering you.
Retaliation defeats terrorists, appeasement CREATES them!
Posted by: Jake at January 2, 2009 12:32 PM
Some of my thought after this good post: If Fatah wants to annihilate Israel and Hamas wants to annihilate Israel, why is anyone treating Fatah with respect diplomatically?
If Hollywood is cutting back why don't they go back to a winning script from the 1930s and make more movies with actors who don't need $20 million a picture?
I enjoy many movies with good writing and "unknown" actors but a good script - and acting.
Wasn't this a formula Disney used in the 1950s and 1960s? Why do you have to have a movie with a prima donna who will take a huge amount of the cost right off the top before it even hits the market place?
Posted by: Bill at January 2, 2009 01:42 PM
Robert, Robert, Robert. Repeat after me.
Beauty isn't pretty.
Sometimes we just need to have sore feet.
Posted by: Alice at January 2, 2009 02:35 PM
As a woman with hard-to-fit feet (size 4.5), I find that if I cover the offended skin with a band-aid, cover with stockings and wear the shoe anyway, by the time the blister heals, the foot somehow adjusts to the shoe and it's no longer a problem. Of course, you could just wear it with the band-aid every time and accomplish the same result.
Obviously, the shoes are too cute to return, so we must adjust. Karen has lovely taste in shoes.
Posted by: hecowe at January 2, 2009 09:39 PM
The problem of course is that no politician anywhere can really be trusted. Politicians after all are human beings and for human beings, self-interests above all reign supreme. Once in a while you get a politician who may temporarily carry out the will of the people, but in general government cannot be the solution, and it's most often the problem. As I see it, whether it's Sharon or Olmert, Bush or Obama, it's best to not trust our so-called wise political leaders and hold the reins in our own hands as much as possible.
Posted by: Bob at January 2, 2009 09:52 PM
Thanks for the footwear. It cheered me up. Still seeking the turquoise pumps. It is now a quest. I think I will wear them when Josh comes back from the war. (Our sages were the first guys in history to point out the potent power of positive planning.)
Posted by: rutimizrachi at January 3, 2009 09:17 AM
Karen: Moleskin is our friend.
Posted by: rutimizrachi at January 3, 2009 09:18 AM
On one hand I'm a total cynic, because I don't trust the troika one zillimeter (smallest measurement possible-made up the term)
But we need to defeat them, but under different leadership. And I have two sons who could be called up any second.
To try to balance me, I have friends in Netivot and Nitzan blogging on Shiloh Musings.
Posted by: Batya at January 3, 2009 12:19 PM
Thanks for your excellent posts, Robert. I will say a prayer for the IDF tonight and especially for your nephew.
Shalom,
Joe
Posted by: Joe at January 3, 2009 07:02 PM
I hate to be trivial at times like these, but thanks women for your support. However, bandaids and moleskin defeat the whole purpose of wearning flats - comfort! The shoes are going back.
Posted by: Karen Avrech at January 3, 2009 08:28 PM
Karen: Be trivial! Be trivial! (I for one am watching and reading and listening to endless comedies... as this is the best way for me to deal with the reality of war.) Kol hakavod for the valiant effort -- and for the good sense to know when to throw in the towel. Best of luck on the next pair.
Posted by: rutimizrachi at January 3, 2009 09:02 PM
Karen, you need some transpore tape made by 3M, branded Nexcare. It's right next to the band-aids in the store. Put it on the sore spot before a blister forms. It will stick all day in spite of sweat and won't slide around like a band-aid sometimes does. After awhile the shoe will hopefully conform to your foot or your skin will toughen up.
OTOH, I much prefer bare feet. No more blisters for me!
Posted by: Kiwi the Geek at January 9, 2009 06:57 PM
Also, I hope Israel kicks Hamas all the way around the block, and then I hope they get some better leaders who turn around and kick Fatah all the way around the block.
Posted by: Kiwi the Geek at January 9, 2009 07:06 PM