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This Google Custom Search looks only in this website. Why the Israeli Judicial Reform Strengthens Israeli Democracy and not Weakens it
The discussion of Israeli politics has splashed beyond the borders of Israel to America. Such supporters of Israel as Michael Bloomberg have criticized the proposals as threatening the democratic governance of Israel, echoing the criticism of the minority Israeli Left.
These criticisms are not fully informed of the details of the proposals and their context. For example they repeatedly say that the reforms cancel judicial review of Knesset laws, when in fact they do not cancel it but just make it harder and require the consent of a larger body of judges.
Another ridiculous criticism is that the changes in the appointment of judges will erode judicial independence. However the problem is that in Israel, the judges themselves determine the appointment of all judges. In the US and elsewhere, the judges in fact have absolutely no say in the appointment of new judges. Again the reform will just remove the absolute control that judges have had over the appointment process, but will still include judges among those selecting new jurists.
Zev Lev is the legal counsel of the Movement for Democracy and Governance that has been working on and advocating reform for many years. He answered some questions posed by Yated.
This series of articles about HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt"l was originally published in 1995 (5755), soon after the petiroh.
Part 4
"...an Arousal to Love of Torah, Fear of Heaven and Correction of Behavior and of Character" (From His Testament)
It was HaRav Shlomo Zalman's stated wish that instead of praising him, anyone speaking about him should arouse his listeners to fortify these three of foundations of avodas Hashem — Torah, avoda and gemilus chassodim — the three pillars of human endeavor which support the world.
"Mechabdo bechayov umechabdo bemoso — HaKodosh Boruch Hu enabled HaRav Shlomo Zalman during his lifetime, to escape the exposure of his greatness and the publicity which he so spurned and thus it remained after his petiroh. There was a general awareness that any attempt to define or give dimension to his greatness, against his wishes, would not succeed. Indeed, whoever went ahead and tried, fell victim either to gross understatement or to the type of hyperbole which, applied to someone like HaRav Shlomo Zalman, who was the very embodiment of truth, just doesn't work.
Family members, talmidim and other talmidei chachomim, thus dwelt upon HaRav Shlomo Zalman's own love of Torah, fear of Heaven and character traits. At a time when the pain of the great loss was freshest, this was the most rousing message of all, in accordance with his wishes.
Rain and Kinneret Watch by Dei'ah Vedibur
Staff
Our weekly report of the rain and the level of the Kineret -
Winter, 5783.
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Outstanding Articles From Our Archives
TRUE TALES FROM YESTERYEAR
by Yisca Shimony
"Look there! On the tree. I see a scarf," one soldier exclaimed.
"It's her kerchief!" called another soldier. "She was here!"
"She is still here! This tree leans against the house. She must have climbed up to the roof. Let's hurry before she disappears again!"
The two soldiers rushed to the tree and began climbing up quickly. Donna Dina Yichye looked down from her hiding place and saw them approaching. She picked up her bundle of clothes and ran to the far end of the roof. When she reached the railing, she saw the soldiers coming fast after her. There was not a minute to lose! She picked up the bundle and threw it over the railing to the ground below. She climbed over and leaped to the ground, calling out "Shema Yisroel!"
She lay motionless on the ground.
"Did you see that? She must be dead by now. Look at her. Let's go fast before someone from her family catches us."
by The Mashgiach HaRav Yechezkel Levenstein ztvk'l
In the Shadow of Rabbenu, the Mashgiach HaRav Yechezkel Levenstein ztvk'l, whose yahrtzeit is 18 Adar. HaRav Levenstein was Mashgiach in Mir Yeshiva in Europe and Shanghai and later in Ponovezh Yeshiva, Bnei Brak.
Cause and Prime Mover
"My strength and the might of my hand have wrought all this . . ." (Devorim 18:18). But this is the greatness of Hashem, for He conceals Himself and lets man think he is running the show. This is what one disciple expounded.
But Maran the Mashgiach ztvk'l later stood up and, in a talk, vehemently objected to those words. He said: How can one think that Hashem is hiding? How can he live with such a thought? How can he attempt to draw closer to Hashem if that is the case? But if that is the beginning of the verse, there is an ending to it (19): "You should remember Hashem your G- d," and "The G-d of Israel succors."
In Brochos, Rabbenu Yonah says: Even if You do hide Yourself, You are still the G-d of Israel Who performed so many miracles for them and Who saves them at all times. And through Your salvation, people become aware of You and You become revealed to them.
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