Far below, please see the considerations of the current White House in regard to ‘the’ Definition of Antisemitism.
What the Hell?
Just whom can send whom to Hell — while David is saved — it is by his friend Jonathan, who had a lot to lose.
The story of a young David being ‘flung out’ is read this Shabbat, (i.e. on a Sabbath which comes immediately before a New Moon) (i.e. Chodesh-Chadash)
In regard to this or really any ‘foreshadowing’ . . . can it get any stranger — maybe . . . .
Background note: Azazel, in Jewish legends, a demon or evil spirit to whom, in the ancient rite of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), a scapegoat was sent bearing the sins of the Jewish people. Two male goats were chosen for the ritual, one designated by lots “for the Lord,” the other “for Azazel” (Leviticus 16:8). Why ‘the Stone’ below — why ‘Azal’ — why indeed?
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And now for some not so current events . . . . with friends like these, who needs enemies?
Below, please see the considerations of the current White House in regard to the Definition of Antisemitism.
This is an important read which we will consider as our time together continues to unfold. While this appears to be coming from ‘the Left,’ let us keep in mind that “the Right” also has it’s issues with the Jewish people — and let us equally bear in mind that the ebb and flow of identity politics, along with an inherent antisemitism, has no particular recognizable color or permanant identification.
It has a tendency to harbor in one corner at one time, and then in another corner at a different time.
While the Jewish commmunity and the Jewish people will always need friends, let us at least be aware that friendships and alliances are subject to the whims of place and the winds of time (among other things). The Scapegoat we read about is just a small corner of this phenomema — but the existance of a Jewish State of Israel, reborn and rebuilt is no small matter, neither for us nor for the Nations of the World.
To the point: it is the matter.
Friends — at the very least — let us be aware of the matter — and let us remember who we are, where we have been (wandering) and where is ‘home.’
Never forget . . . .
Warm regards,
Seth
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White House faces pressure from the left to buck mainstream antisemitism definition
The Biden administration is close to completing a national antisemitism strategy, but the question of how it will define antisemitism remains in flux
As the White House prepares to release a national antisemitism strategy in the coming weeks, the matter of how the document defines antisemitism has become a key point of contention
Full story here:
https://jewishinsider.com/2023/05/white-house-antisemitism-strategy
Arguing against: But the Biden administration is now facing pressure to buck the IHRA definition from some on the left who argue that the IHRA definition, which identifies some forms of anti-Zionism as antisemitism, does not leave sufficient space for critiques of Israel. A White House spokesperson declined to comment.
State of play: An individual with knowledge of the process said that major mainstream Jewish groups have been advocating for the IHRA definition’s inclusion in the White House strategy. Progressive groups have been urging that it be left out of the strategy — but said they would accept its inclusion if other alternative definitions of antisemitism that have been proposed by academics and activists on the left were mentioned. The source said it remains unclear what the final draft might entail, but that the White House has considered excluding IHRA entirely.
