Parshat Bo 5770: Tangible Darkness, Supernal Light and Jonathan Pollard — Revisited

by Moshe Burt

Parshat Bo is the one which, for me, annually relates to that crazy tune which played back “in the Old Country” a few decades ago, “Does Your Korbon Pesach Lose It’s Flavor Tied to the Bedpost Overnight?” (Actually, the real title to the song was “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It’s Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight?”)

Over the years, this author has opened with this nutty parody because it cuts right to the chase, to the very heart of our Parsha. That is the Mitzvot of taking the Korbon Pesach, applying the da’am on Jewish doorposts, the going up from Mitzrayim (Egypt) to “…a land flowing with milk and honey …” and the first mitzvah commanded of the National entity (B’nai Yisrael), the Kiddush HaChodesh — the sanctification of the New Moon and the relevance today of these mitzvot which relate to emunah (belief in) and yirat (fear of)Hashem. read more

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Parsha Bo 5769: Tangible Darkness, Supernal Light and Jonathan Pollard

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By Moshe Burt

Before taking off on this train of thought, here’s follow up on this week’s earlier post about the Thursday night Mishmar L’Zechut Jonathan Pollard which took place last evening;

In addition to our Mishmar at Kehillat Beit Tefillah Yona Avraham, which was well attended, a few other Shuls in Ramat Beit Shemesh signed on to dedicate their learning, either last night or next week, l’Zechut Jonathan.

In addition, a news release was emailed to several email lists and Yahoo e-groups both in Israel and in Chutz L’Aretz regarding last night’s Mishmar and as to plans to continue a once-a-month Mishmar dedicated to Jonathan and encouraging the Shuls to sign on to this Mitzvah of Pidyan Shevu’im. read more

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For Jonathan Pollard: Is it Now or …?

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Commentary;

There is a big push on to bring about Jonathan Pollard’s pardon, release and liberation from US prison as President George Bush’s term in office draws to an end.

Below is a video and letter of urgent appeal to temporary Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as he pays a farewell visit to President Bush as the latter’s term comes to a close, to plead for Pollard’s release.

And as we have long ago learned not to put trust and reliance on duplicitous Israeli prime ministers and functionaries, those seeking Jonathan Pollard’s liberation have called upon all who seek his freedom to call Washington DC phone numbers; 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 daily in a show of public support for pardoning and releasing Jonathan from incarceration. read more

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A Glimpse at the Scope of Controller’s Inquiry on Regime’s Handling of Pollard Affair

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Commentary;

Israel National News’ Hillel Fendel provided a glimpse, in the article below, at some of the scope of the State Comptroller’s coming investigation of successive governments’ handling of the Pollard affair. MB

Israelis Ask Pres. Bush: Bring Pollard With You!, by Hillel Fendel
(Israel National News)

Excerpts;

The Audit Committee, chaired by National Religious Party leader MK Zevulun Orlev, is authorized to assign topics to be investigated and reviewed by the State Comptroller. Lindenstrauss is to investigate the various Israeli governments’ handling of the Jonathan Pollard affair, their failure to obtain his release, and what can be done now to bring Pollard home. read more

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Pollard and the Phoney, Bogus White House “Parole” Soft-Shoe

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Commentary;

Over the past number of months, we have been asked to make daily or weekly calls to the White House. Apparently the bombardment of calls
to the White House has brought about the ploy and tactic being utilized by their switchboard in speaking with Pollard callers; “Mr. Pollard was eligible for parole, but had not requested parole.”

In the excerpts of the Israel National News article below, Rabbi Pesach Lerner responds with a lengthy explanation in essence stating that going the parole route would be a disservice to Jonathan. read more

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Olmert Regime Prefers Disgrace of Capitulation to Terror by Freeing Murderous Arabs to Getting Jonathan Pollard Free

For related post, click here.

Not at Any Price, by Shlomo Engel (Ynet)

“Against this backdrop of the sweeping Israeli willingness to finalize the Gilad Shalit deal at almost any price, despite its many dangers, it is difficult not to mention Jonathan Pollard.

Pollard is an Israeli soldier without a uniform, who Israel is not only failing to release but also knowingly ignoring.”

Full Text;

Israel must not pay exorbitant price in exchange for abducted soldier Shalit.

Soon, according to media reports, a deal for the release of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit may be finalized. We can assume it will be a repeat of the Jibril deal, where Israel released 1,150 terrorists in exchange for three abducted troops. In that deal, all boundaries of proportionality in terms of prisoner swaps were breached. Sadly, the current deal, managed by the most failed government in the country’s history, is expected to be even worse. read more

Two Decades Into His Life Sentence, Jonathan Pollard Casts a Long Shadow from His Prison Cell

For context, click here for previous postings regarding Jonathan Pollard.

The Man in the Mirror, by David Holzel (The Jewish Angle)

“When the mitzvah of pidyon shvuyim – rescuing captives – was discussed, the two made the connection with Pollard.”

“If in that time and in that place you had been in Pollard’s position, what would you have done? Look into the mirror as you consider that question.”

Excerpts;

I was attending a gathering of Jewish journalists in New York City, when I happened to scan the front page of the New York Times. A headline noted that Jonathan Pollard was to be sentenced that day, and as I read the article, my sense of reality shifted. An American Jew, guilty of one count of passing classified material to Israel, was almost certainly about to receive a life sentence, and not a word of it had been mentioned at this gathering of Jewish newspaper editors and writers. read more

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Investigation Into Israel’s Abandonment of Jonathan Pollard Pertinent to Lebanon War Investigation…

Received this email from Buddy Macy;

From: VegiBud@aol.com [mailto:VegiBud@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 8:57 PM
To: VegiBud@aol.com
Subject: Per a staff member, Senator Lautenberg is revisiting the Jonathan Pollard case!

Earlier this afternoon, I made a call to Senator Frank Lautenberg’s office. I was told by one of his staff members that HE HAS RECEIVED A BARRAGE OF PHONE CALLS DEMANDING THAT THE SENATOR WORK TOWARDS FREEING JONATHAN POLLARD. THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT THE SENATOR’S STAFF HAS RECEIVED ABOUT 70 CALLS IN THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS. I TOLD THE INDIVIDUAL THAT SENATOR LAUTENBERG HAD WRITTEN TO ME A FEW MONTHS AGO, STATING THAT HE WAS AGAINST THE RELEASE OF JONATHAN POLLARD AT THAT TIME. BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF PHONE CALLS, AND SUBSTANTIAL ATTENTION TO JONATHAN’S WELFARE, SENATOR LAUTENBERG IS REVISITING THE ISSUE! LET US KEEP UP THE PRESSURE AND GET JONATHAN HOME BY ROSH HASHANAH!!! read more

Pollard: Original Sin Laid Groundwork for Abandonment of Jewish POWs …

Pollard Writes to Captive Soldiers’ Families

Full Text;

Dear Shalit, Regev and Goldwasser Families,

From the moment Gilad was taken captive and then Eldad and Ehud shortly thereafter, I have not been able to stop thinking about them or about you. I pray every single day for their safe and swift return home, together with all of our MIAs and captives.

My wife Esther and I feel for you with all of our hearts. Although it is not easy for me to speak about the issue of captivity, I feel I must share with you what is in my heart. read more

Will Olmert Bring Pollard Home? Is Olmert Man Enough? Probably Not!

Mr. Olmert, Don’t Come Back Without Pollard

Excerpts;

Mr. Olmert, as you head to Washington, you are taking with you secret information about the development of ballistic weapons of war in Iran for use in Iraq. The reliability of the information you will be bringing, and the details of Iraq’s war capabilities, may help the United States to fight more effectively in Iraq to save the world from the threat of nuclear war. Consequently, you know just how valuable this secret information is. Thus, you may even begin to appreciate the great sacrifice that Jonathan Pollard made in passing this kind of information to save the State of Israel from the threat of destruction. Israel is obliged to do everything possible to secure his release from prison. read more

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