DISTURBING: The List Of Purged Military High Officers Under Obama

Stolen from a12iggymom

This week, we published a story on a U.S. Army General calling for the resignation of Barack Obama and other administration officials. Now, we have a very disturbing list of military high-ranking officers that have been purged from the Obama administration.

Look up the service records of some of these guys. MOST have perfect LONG services, highly decorated.

I believe only 2 Generals were fired under Bush’s 2 terms total. There are currently 48 4-Star Generals. [link to en.wikipedia.org]
Many of these below have spotless records, 25 and up years service, many medals and honors such as Brig. Gen Bryan W. Wampler and Command Sgt. Major Don B. Jordan.

Commanding Generals fired:

• General John R. Allen-U.S. Marines Commander International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] (Nov 2012)
• Major General Ralph Baker (2 Star)-U.S. Army Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn in Africa (April 2013)
• Major General Michael Carey (2 Star)-U.S. Air Force Commander of the 20th US Air Force in charge of 9,600 people and 450 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (Oct 2013)
• Colonel James Christmas-U.S. Marines Commander 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit & Commander Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Unit (July 2013)
• Major General Peter Fuller-U.S. Army Commander in Afghanistan (May 2011)
• Major General Charles M.M. Gurganus-U.S. Marine Corps Regional Commander of SW and I Marine Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan (Oct 2013)
• General Carter F. Ham-U.S. Army African Command (Oct 2013)
• Lieutenant General David H. Huntoon (3 Star), Jr.-U.S. Army 58th Superintendent of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY (2013)
• Command Sergeant Major Don B Jordan-U.S. Army 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (suspended Oct 2013)
• General James Mattis-U.S. Marines Chief of CentCom (May 2013)
• Colonel Daren Margolin-U.S. Marine in charge of Quantico’s Security Battalion (Oct 2013)
• General Stanley McChrystal-U.S. Army Commander Afghanistan (June 2010)
• General David D. McKiernan-U.S. Army Commander Afghanistan (2009)
• General David Petraeus-Director of CIA from September 2011 to November 2012 & U.S. Army Commander International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] and Commander U.S. Forces Afghanistan [USFOR-A] (Nov 2012)
• Brigadier General Bryan Roberts-U.S. Army Commander 2nd Brigade (May 2013)
• Major General Gregg A. Sturdevant-U.S. Marine Corps Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for the U.S. Pacific Command & Commander of Aviation Wing at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan (Sept 2013)
• Colonel Eric Tilley-U.S. Army Commander of Garrison Japan (Nov 2013)
• Brigadier General Bryan Wampler-U.S. Army Commanding General of 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command [TSC] (suspended Oct 2013)

Commanding Admirals fired:

• Rear Admiral Charles Gaouette-U.S. Navy Commander John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Three (Oct 2012)
• Vice Admiral Tim Giardina(3 Star, demoted to 2 Star)-U.S. Navy Deputy Commander of the US Strategic Command, Commander of the Submarine Group Trident, Submarine Group 9 and Submarine Group 10 (Oct 2013)

Naval Officers fired: (All in 2011)

• Captain David Geisler-U.S. Navy Commander Task Force 53 in Bahrain (Oct 2011)
• Commander Laredo Bell-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs, NY (Aug 2011)
• Lieutenant Commander Kurt Boenisch-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock Ponce (Apr 2011)
• Commander Nathan Borchers-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer Stout (Mar 2011)
• Commander Robert Brown-U.S. Navy Commander Beachmaster Unit 2 Fort Story, VA (Aug 2011)
• Commander Andrew Crowe-Executive Officer Navy Region Center Singapore (Apr 2011)
• Captain Robert Gamberg-Executive Officer carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (Jun 2011)
• Captain Rex Guinn-U.S. Navy Commander Navy Legal Service office Japan (Feb 2011)
• Commander Kevin Harms- U.S. Navy Commander Strike Fighter Squadron 137 aboard the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (Mar 2011)
• Lieutenant Commander Martin Holguin-U.S. Navy Commander mine countermeasures Fearless (Oct 2011)
• Captain Owen Honors-U.S. Navy Commander aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (Jan 2011)
• Captain Donald Hornbeck-U.S. Navy Commander Destroyer Squadron 1 San Diego (Apr 2011)
• Rear Admiral Ron Horton-U.S. Navy Commander Logistics Group, Western Pacific (Mar 2011)
• Commander Etta Jones-U.S. Navy Commander amphibious transport dock Ponce (Apr 2011)
• Commander Ralph Jones-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock Green Bay (Jul 2011)
• Commander Jonathan Jackson-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 134, deployed aboard carrier Carl Vinson (Dec 2011)
• Captain Eric Merrill-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Emory S. Land (Jul 2011)
• Captain William Mosk-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Station Rota, U.S. Navy Commander Naval Activities Spain (Apr 2011)
• Commander Timothy Murphy-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA (Apr 2011)
• Commander Joseph Nosse-U.S. Navy Commander ballistic-missile submarine Kentucky (Oct 2011)
• Commander Mark Olson-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer The Sullivans FL (Sep 2011)
• Commander John Pethel-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock New York (Dec 2011)
• Commander Karl Pugh-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 141 Whidbey Island, WA (Jul 2011)
• Commander Jason Strength-U.S. Navy Commander of Navy Recruiting District Nashville, TN (Jul 2011)
• Captain Greg Thomas-U.S. Navy Commander Norfolk Naval Shipyard (May 2011)
• Commander Mike Varney-U.S. Navy Commander attack submarine Connecticut (Jun 2011)
• Commander Jay Wylie-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer Momsen (Apr 2011)

Naval Officers fired: (All in 2012):

• Commander Alan C. Aber-Executive Officer Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71 (July 2012)
• Commander Derick Armstrong- U.S. Navy Commander missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (May 2012)
• Commander Martin Arriola- U.S. Navy Commander destroyer USS Porter (Aug 2012)
• Captain Antonio Cardoso- U.S. Navy Commander Training Support Center San Diego (Sep 2012)
• Captain James CoBell- U.S. Navy Commander Oceana Naval Air Station’s Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic (Sep 2012)
• Captain Joseph E. Darlak- U.S. Navy Commander frigate USS Vandegrift (Nov 2012)
• Captain Daniel Dusek-U.S. Navy Commander USS Bonhomme
• Commander David Faught-Executive Officer destroyer Chung-Hoon (Sep 2012)
• Commander Franklin Fernandez- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 (Aug 2012)
• Commander Ray Hartman- U.S. Navy Commander Amphibious dock-landing ship Fort McHenry (Nov 2012)
• Commander Shelly Hakspiel-Executive Officer Navy Drug Screening Lab San Diego (May 2012)
• Commander Jon Haydel- U.S. Navy Commander USS San Diego (Mar 2012)
• Commander Diego Hernandez- U.S. Navy Commander ballistic-missile submarine USS Wyoming (Feb 2012)
• Commander Lee Hoey- U.S. Navy Commander Drug Screening Laboratory, San Diego (May 2012)
• Commander Ivan Jimenez-Executive Officer frigate Vandegrift (Nov 2012)
• Commander Dennis Klein- U.S. Navy Commander submarine USS Columbia (May 2012)
• Captain Chuck Litchfield- U.S. Navy Commander assault ship USS Essex (Jun 2012)
• Captain Marcia Kim Lyons- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Health Clinic New England (Apr 2012)
• Captain Robert Marin- U.S. Navy Commander cruiser USS Cowpens (Feb 2012)
• Captain Sean McDonell- U.S. Navy Commander Seabee reserve unit Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 FL (Nov 2012)
• Commander Corrine Parker- U.S. Navy Commander Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 1 (Apr 2012)
• Captain Liza Raimondo- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, MD (Jun 2012)
• Captain Jeffrey Riedel- Program manager, Littoral Combat Ship program (Jan 2012)
• Commander Sara Santoski- U.S. Navy Commander Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (Sep 2012)
• Commander Kyle G. Strudthoff-Executive Officer Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (Sep 2012)
• Commander Sheryl Tannahill- U.S. Navy Commander Navy Operational Support Center [NOSC] Nashville, TN (Sep 2012)
• Commander Michael Ward- U.S. Navy Commander submarine USS Pittsburgh (Aug 2012)
• Captain Michael Wiegand- U.S. Navy Commander Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (Nov 2012)
• Captain Ted Williams- U.S. Navy Commander amphibious command ship Mount Whitney (Nov 2012)
• Commander Jeffrey Wissel- U.S. Navy Commander of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1 (Feb 2012)

Naval Officers fired: (All in 2013):

• Lieutenant Commander Lauren Allen-Executive Officer submarine Jacksonville (Feb 2013)
• Reserve Captain Jay Bowman-U.S. Navy Commander Navy Operational Support Center [NOSC] Fort Dix, NJ (Mar 2013)
• Captain William Cogar-U.S. Navy Commander hospital ship Mercy’s medical treatment facility (Sept 2013)
• Commander Steve Fuller-Executive Officer frigate Kauffman (Mar 2013)
• Captain Shawn Hendricks-Program Manager for naval enterprise IT networks (June 2013)
• Captain David Hunter-U.S. Navy Commander of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 12 & Coastal Riverine Group 2 (Feb 2013)
• Captain Eric Johnson-U.S. Navy Chief of Military Entrance Processing Command at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, IL (2013)
• Captain Devon Jones-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Air Facility El Centro, CA (July 2013)
• Captain Kevin Knoop-U.S. Navy Commander hospital ship Comfort’s medical treatment facility (Aug 2013)
• Lieutenant Commander Jack O’Neill-U.S. Navy Commander Operational Support Center Rock Island, IL (Mar 2013)
• Commander Allen Maestas-Executive Officer Beachmaster Unit 1 (May 2013)
• Commander Luis Molina-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Pasadena (Jan 2013)
• Commander James Pickens-Executive Officer frigate Gary (Feb 2013)
• Lieutenant Commander Mark Rice-U.S. Navy Commander Mine Countermeasures ship Guardian (Apr 2013)
• Commander Michael Runkle-U.S. Navy Commander of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (May 2013)
• Commander Jason Stapleton-Executive Office Patrol Squadron 4 in Hawaii (Mar 2013)
• Commander Nathan Sukols-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Jacksonville (Feb 2013)
• Lieutenant Daniel Tyler-Executive Officer Mine Countermeasures ship Guardian (Apr 2013)
• Commander Edward White-U.S. Navy Commander Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (Aug 2013)
• Captain Jeffrey Winter-U.S. Navy Commander of Carrier Air Wing 17 (Sept 2013)
• Commander Thomas Winter-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Montpelier (Jan 2013)
• Commander Corey Wofford- U.S. Navy Commander frigate Kauffman (Feb 2013)

157 [ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SEVEN] Air Force majors forced into early terminations, no retirement or benefits.

All 157 had been twice passed over for promotion and were within six years of retirement.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20120103/NEWS/201030335/

Too many to list.

We Get To Gamble!!!!

Chanukah Day 8

The Maccabeats - Candlelight


Click here if the video fails to load.

From Chabad:

Dreidel Playing Guide

The traditional Chanukah dreidel (spinning top) is a throwback to the times when the Greek armies of King Antiochus controlled the Holy Land, before the Maccabees defeated them and sent them packing. The powerful regime passed a series of laws outlawing the study of Torah and many of the mitzvot. The Jews were compelled to take their Torah learning "underground," for they knew that a Jew without Torah is like a fish out of water.

Jewish children resorted to learning Torah in outlying areas and forests. Even this plan was not foolproof, for the enemy had many patrols. The children therefore brought along small tops that they would quickly pull out and play with after secreting away their texts, so that they could pretend to be merely playing games.

Our Chanukah dreidel games are a salute to these Jewish heroes of yore.

The classic dreidel is a four sided spinning top made of wood, plastic, or the proverbial clay. On the four sides of the dreidel appear four letters from the Hebrew alphabet-nun (נ), gimmel (ג), hey (ה), and shin (ש). These four letters are an acronym for "nes gadol hayah sham"-"a great miracle happened there."

In Israel, the actual setting of the Chanukah miracle, the last letter, shin, is substituted with a pey (פ), which stands for "po"-"here."

1. All players sit around the playing area.
2. The "ante" is equally divided amongst all players.
3. Everyone takes a turn at spinning the dreidel; the one with the highest spin has first turn. (Nun is highest, then gimmel, hey, and shin.) If there is a tie for highest, those who tied spin again.
4. Everyone puts one unit of the ante (penny, nut, etc.) into the pot.
5. The one who has first turn is followed in clockwise direction by all the others.
6. Player A spins the dreidel while everyone waits in utter suspense (in the interest of speeding up the game, some knock down the dreidel mid-spin instead of waiting for it to come to a rest).

If the dreidel lands on a...

Nun - נ

You've just wasted your time. Absolutely nothing happens. You may as well have taken a bathroom break instead of that useless spin. Better luck next time!

Nun stands for the Yiddish word nul, which means zero, nothing, nil. After your exercise in futility it's time now for the player to your left to take a spin.

If however your dreidel landed on a...

Gimmel - ג

Wow! Amazing! You did it! You get to take the whole pot! Take it quick and then do a little victory dance around the room. Pay no attention to the envious stares you are getting. You are an absolute dreidel pro!

Gimmel stands for gantz, which means whole. Everyone, including you, now puts another unit of the ante into the pot, and the person to your left tries his luck at spinning.

But, it's hard to be so lucky every time. Sometimes your dreidel will land on a...

Hey - ה

Okay, you could have done better, but you could have done worse. You get to take half of the pot. If the pot has an odd amount of units, don't try to split that penny, nut, or piece of chocolate in half. Leave it there. Take the high road. Let the others believe that it is beneath you to care...

Hey stands for halb, half. The pot has now been diminished, and it's time for the player to your left to take a stab at riches.

But don't complain. The dreidel could have landed on a...

Shin - ש

The absolute worst. The dregs. You now have to put another unit into the pot! You better figure out how to improve your spinning technique before you will be forced to take out a second mortgage on your home.

Shin is for shenk; yes, that means give. Your hope now is that the pot will still be around next time it is your turn to spin. Maybe then you'll get a gimmel and recoup your losses...

The absolute worst. The dregs. You now have to put another unit into the pot! You better figure out how to improve your spinning technique before you will be forced to take out a second mortgage on your home.

Shin is for shenk; yes, that means give. Your hope now is that the pot will still be around next time it is your turn to spin. Maybe then you'll get a gimmel and recoup your losses...

First it is lighting up the house with candles or oil, then fried foods galore, now teaching your children gambling.  And all is sanctioned by your Rabbi.  (He is normally the one winning all the gelt.)

The Maccabeats - Shine - Hanukkah 

If you cannot view the video click here.

Have you been tested? Are you part of the registry? I am and have been for years. Shouldn't you be too?

Join the Miracle Match Campaign

Happy Chanukah!!!!!

He Resigned? Horse Hockey Puck!

This just in:

Martin Bashir quits MSNBC.  Yeah right.  He quit.  Right after meeting with MSNBC President Phil Griffin. And I'm the Pope.

Martin Bashir has resigned from MSNBC, nearly three weeks after delivering a scathing personal attack on Sarah Palin that brought him widespread condemnation.

The afternoon talk show host, a former co-anchor of "Nightline," says he decided to leave the network after meeting with MSNBC President Phil Griffin.

Bashir had already apologized for what he called "offensive" comments about the former Alaska governor, whom he also called an "idiot" and "dunce." He told viewers in a scripted commentary last month that someone should defecate in Palin's mouth. He was invoking an old slave punishment in response to a speech by Palin, a Fox News contributor, comparing the national debt to slavery.

Bashir took off two weeks for what was billed as a vacation, and criticism mounted as MSNBC took no disciplinary action against him, even as it booted Alec Baldwin over an alleged anti-gay slur hurled at a photographer. In retrospect, it's clear that by failing to suspend Bashir, MSNBC allowed public pressure to build to the point where the only way to control the damage was to sever its relationship with the British journalist.

In a statement, first reported by Mediaite, Bashir said:

"After making an on-air apology, I asked for permission to take some additional time out around the Thanksgiving holiday.

"Upon further reflection, and after meeting with the president of MSNBC, I have tendered my resignation. It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues, at this special network, will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself or my ill-judged comments.

"I deeply regret what was said, will endeavor to work hard at making constructive contributions in the future and will always have a deep appreciation for our viewers -- who are the smartest, most compassionate and discerning of all television audiences."

In his own statement, Griffin said: "Martin Bashir resigned today, effective immediately. I understand his decision and I thank him for three great years with MSNBC. Martin is a good man and respected colleague -- we wish him only the best."

SOURCE

He was called on the carpet and fired is the real truth.  His ratings are in the tank, he is a liability to the network and can't distinguish liberal bias from reality.

Good riddance to bad rubbish I say!

Hussam Ayloush's Tribute to Siraj Wahhaj

Gary Fouse
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com

                                                        
Siraj Wahhaj (top)                                                                                        
Hussam Ayloush (bottom)

"One of the most prominent and respected religious leaders in America"

-Hussam Ayloush, November 16, 2013 in Riverside referring to New York imam Siraj Wahhaj


On November 16, the director of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)  for Southern California, Hussam Ayloush, spoke before the Universalist Unitarian Church in Riverside, California on the on-going crisis in Syria. During the question and answer session, he was asked by a member of the audience (me) about the fact that the previous week during the annual CAIR conference in Anaheim, one of the featured speakers was Imam Siraj Wahhaj from New York. Wahhaj has referred to the US on video tape as a "garbage can", has repeatedly called for an Islamic takeover of the US, and was a character witness for the so-called "Blind Sheikh", Omar Abdel Rahman, currently serving a life sentence for his involvement in a plot to blow up New York City.

In his response to the questioner (me), Ayloush called Wahhaj, "one of the most prominent and respected religious leaders in America" and accused the questioner (me) of being a bigoted Islamophobe. The exchange can be viewed here  at the 2:50 mark of the 4th video.

Here is what the questioner was referring to. First, the statement of Wahhaj that America is a garbage can.

As stated by the questioner in Riverside, Wahhaj testified as a character witness for Abdel Rahman at his trial. The transcript can be viewed here.(Hat tip Investigative Project on Terrorism)

Not only did Wahhaj testify as a character witness for Abdel Rahman, he himself was listed as an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the case (number 158). (Hat tip Peter Lance.com)

And if you are looking for quotes of Wahhaj advocating an Islamic takeover of America, you don't have far to look (Hat tip Clarion Project).

http://www.clarionproject.org/analysis/popular-muslim-iman-working-towards-sharia-america

“Islam is better than democracy. Allah will cause his deen [Islam as a complete way of life], Islam to prevail over every kind of system, and you know what? It will happen.”

"If only Muslims were clever politically, they could take over the United States and replace its constitutional government with a caliphate. If we were united and strong, we’d elect our own emir and give allegiance to him. Take my word, if eight million Muslims unite in America, the country will come to us.”

“We don’t need to arm the people with 9mms and Uzis. You need to arm them with righteousness first. And once you arm them with righteousness first, then you can arm them.”

This, Ladies and Gentleman, is Siraj Wahhaj, the man whom CAIR's Hussam Ayloush described in Riverside on November 20 as, "one of the most prominent and respected religious leaders in the US."

No doubt.

Wednesday's Hero

This post was suggested by Michael



Maj. Don Beerbower
22 years old from Hill City, Minnesota
353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force
August 26, 1921 - August 9, 1944

  A fighter pilot who has brought down five or more enemy aircraft was called a flying ace. From December 1943 to Aug. 9, 1944, Beerbower became a triple ace, shooting down more than 15 German planes, making him the second highest ace in the 9th Air Force.

Due to pilot losses and Beerbower’s own advancements based on flying and leadership skills, Beerbower was promoted to major and made squadron commander in June 1944 — less than nine months after his arrival in Europe. At only 22 years old, he already was a great fighter pilot, respected and liked by the men in his squadron.

You can read more about Maj. Beerbower here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

It's All About The Food!

Chanukah Day 5

Chanukah Foods

Oil played a significant role in the Chanukah story-the small jug of oil that miraculously provided fuel for the Temple Menorah for eight days. It is a Jewish tradition to eat foods that reflect the significance of a holiday - such as matzah on Passover, and apple dipped in honey on Rosh Hashanah - and Chanukah is no exception. For at least the last thousand years, Jews have traditionally eaten oily foods on Chanukah.

Among the most popular Chanukah dishes are potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiot (deep-fried doughnuts).

Actually, oil is also symbolic of the spiritual war waged by the Maccabees.

It is also customary to eat dairy foods on Chanukah, in commemoration of the bravery of Yehudit.

Here are a few recipes that makes the holiday tasty.

Traditional Latkes

Ingredients:

5 large potatoes, peeled
1 large onion
3 eggs
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. pepper
¾ cup oil for frying

Use: 10-inch skillet

Yields: 4 to 6 servings

Grate potatoes and onion on the fine side of a grater, or in a food processor; or put in a blender with a little water.

Strain grated potatoes and onion through a colander, pressing out excess water. Add eggs, flour, and seasoning. Mix well.

Heat ½ cup oil in skillet. Lower flame and place 1 large tablespoon batter at a time into hot sizzling oil and fry on one side for approximately 5 minutes until golden brown. Turn over and fry on other side 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Continue with remaining batter until used up, adding more oil when necessary.

Serve with applesauce on the side.

Variation: Zucchini or Carrot Latkes: Substitute 5 medium zucchini or 5 medium carrots for potatoes.

Sufganiyot - Doughnuts

• 2 packages yeast
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 or 5 cups. flour
• 3 egg yolks

• Jelly of your choice for filling
• Powdered Sugar

Mix water, sugar, juice, and yeast. Let stand 10 minutes. Melt margarine and add to yeast mixture. Beat in eggs and salt. Add flour, mixing and kneading by hand to form a soft dough. Let rise 1-1/2 hours. Roll dough 1/4 inch thick and cut circles (approximately 2 inches). Let circles rise 1/2 hour.

Deep fry at 400° F about 3 minutes, turning once.

Pipe in jelly and roll in powdered sugar.


StandFour - Eight Nights - Hanukkah Mashup


Click here if you cannot see the video.

Tomorrow night I'll relate to you the story of Yehudit (Judith) and why one should always be wary of Jewish women with wine bottles.

Happy Chanukah!!!!!

Never Trust A Jewish Woman Carrying A Jug Of Wine!

Chanukah Day 6

By now you have heard about Mattiyahu and his sons.  How led by Judah Maccabee, the Jews fought off the Syrian-Greeks.  How they defeated the Syrian-Greeks, how they cleans the Temple, and how the miracle of the oil taught Jews the power of G-d.

But how many of you know the story of Yehudit (Judith)?  Not many, but because of her it is customary for women to perform no work during the time of lighting the menorah.

It is not clearly known when the story which we are about to tell actually took place. The story first appeared in a very ancient book named after the heroine, Yehudit (Judith), and it was written in Hebrew. However, the original text was lost, and only a Greek translation remained, and not a very accurate one at that.

The story was retold in different versions. According to one version, it happened during the time of the Maccabean revolt against Syrian oppression, and Yehudit was a daughter of Yochanan the high priest, father of the Hasmonean family.

At any rate, the heroic deed of Yehudit has inspired faith and courage in the hearts of Jews throughout the ages.

************************************************

The town of Bethulia, in the land of Judea, came under siege by Holofernes, a mighty Syrian-Greek general, at the head of a huge army.

Holofernes was notorious for his cruelty in suppressing rebellions. When he captured a rebel stronghold, he showed no mercy to the men, women and children sheltered there.

Now he was determined to crush the rebellion of the town of Bethulia, whose inhabitants refused to recognize the oppressive rule of the Syrians.

The men of the beleaguered town fought bravely and desperately to repulse the repeated assaults by the superior enemy forces. Seeing that he couldn’t take the fortified town by force, Holofernes decided to starve the inhabitants into submission. He cut off the food and water supply, and before long the town was indeed brought to the verge of surrender.

Hungry and thirsty, and in utter despair, the townspeople gathered in the marketplace and demanded that, rather than die of hunger and thirst, they should surrender to the enemy.

Uzziah, the commander of the defense forces, and the elders of the town tried to calm the populace without success. Finally they pleaded, “Give us five more days. If no salvation comes by the end of five days, we will surrender. Just five more days . . .”

Reluctantly the people agreed, and slowly they dispersed. Only one person, a woman, remained in her place, as if riveted to it, and she addressed Uzziah and the elders, who had also turned to go. Her voice was clear and firm.

“Why do you test G‑d, giving Him only five days in which to send us His help? If you truly have faith in G‑d, you must never give up your trust in Him. Besides, don’t you know that surrender to Holofernes is worse than death?!”

So spoke Yehudit, the noble daughter of Yochanan the high priest. She was a young widow. It was several years since she had lost her beloved husband, Menashe, and she had devoted all her time to prayer and acts of charity ever since.

Yehudit was blessed with extraordinary charm, grace and beauty, but she was particularly respected and admired for her devoutness, modesty and lovingkindness.

Yehudit’s words made a deep impression on Uzziah and the elders.

“You are quite right, daughter,” they admitted, “but what can we do? Only a downpour of rain that would fill our empty cisterns could save our people, but it is not the rainy season. We are all suffering the pangs of hunger and thirst. Pray for us, Yehudit, and maybe G‑d will accept your prayers . . .”

“We must all continue to pray, and never despair of G‑d’s help,” Yehudit said. “But I have also thought of a plan. I ask your permission to leave town together with my maid. I want to go to Holofernes . . .”

Uzziah and the elders were shocked and dismayed. “Do you know what you are saying, Yehudit? Would you sacrifice your life and honor on the slim chance that you might soften Holofernes’s heart? We cannot allow you to make such a sacrifice for us.”

But Yehudit persisted. “It has happened before that G‑d sent His salvation through a woman. Yael, the wife of Heber, was her name, as you well know. It was into her hands that G‑d delivered the cruel Sisera . . .”

Uzziah and the elders attempted to discourage Yehudit from such a dangerous mission, but she insisted that she be allowed to try. Finally, they agreed.

************************************************

Yehudit passed through the gates of Bethulia, dressed in her best clothes, which she had not worn since her husband passed away. A delicate veil all but hid her beautiful face. She was accompanied by her faithful maid, who carried on her head a basket filled with rolls, cheese and several bottles of old wine.

The sun had already begun to hide behind the green mountains when Yehudit and her maid wound their way toward the enemy’s camp, their lips whispering a prayer to G‑d. Presently they were stopped by sentries, who demanded to know who they were and who sent them.

“We have an important message for your commander, the brave Holofernes,” Yehudit said. “Take us to him at once.”

“Who are you, and why are you here?” Holofernes asked, his eyes feasting on his unexpected, charming visitor.

“I am but a plain widow from Bethulia. Yehudit is my name. I came to tell you how to capture the town, in the hope that you will deal mercifully with its inhabitants . . .”

Yehudit then told Holofernes that life in the beleaguered town had become unbearable for her, and that she had bribed the watchmen to let her and her maid out. She went on to say that she had heard of Holofernes’s bravery and mighty deeds in battle, and wished to make his acquaintance. Finally she told Holofernes what he already knew, that the situation in the besieged town was desperate, that the inhabitants have very little food and water left. Yet, she said, their faith in G‑d remained strong, and so long as they had faith, they would not surrender. On the other hand, she added, before long, every scrap of kosher food would be gone, and in desperation they would begin to eat the flesh of unclean animals, and then G‑d’s anger would be turned against them, and the town would fall . . .

“But how will I know when the defenders of the citadel will begin to eat unkosher food, as you say, so that I can then storm the walls and capture the city?” the commander of the besieging army asked.

“I had thought of that,” Yehudit answered confidently. “I have arranged with the watchmen at the city’s gates that I would come to the gate every evening to exchange information: I will tell them what’s doing here, and they will tell me what’s doing there.”

Holofernes was completely captivated by the charming young Jewish widow who had so unexpectedly entered his life and was now offering him the key to the city. “If you are telling me the truth, and will indeed help me capture the city, you will be my wife!” Holofernes promised. Then he gave orders that Yehudit and her maid were to have complete freedom to walk through the camp, and anyone attempting to molest them in any way would be put to death immediately. A comfortable tent was prepared for the two women, next to his.

The two women, veiled and wrapped in their shawls, could now be seen walking leisurely through the armed camp at any time during the day and evening. Fearful of the commander’s strict orders, everyone gave them a wide berth. Soon, they attracted little if any attention. Yehudit could now walk up to the city’s gates after dark, where she was met by a watchman.

“Tell Uzziah that, thank G‑d, everything is shaping up according to plan. With G‑d’s help, we shall prevail over our enemy. Keep your trust strong in G‑d; do not lose hope for a moment!”

Having delivered this message for the commander of the defense force of the city, Yehudit departed as quietly as she had appeared.

The following evening she came again to the city’s gate and repeated the same message, adding that she had won Holofernes’s complete confidence.

In the meantime, Holofernes, having nothing special to do, spent most of his time drinking, with and without his aides. When he was not completely drunk, he would send for Yehudit. She always came to his tent in the company of her maid. On the third day, he was already getting impatient.

“Well, gracious Yehudit, what intelligence do you bring me today? My men are getting impatient and demoralized doing nothing; they cannot wait to capture the city and have their fun . . .”

“I have very good news, general. There is not a scrap of kosher food left in the city now. In a day or two, famine will drive them to eat their cats and dogs and mules. Then G‑d will deliver them into your hands!”

“Wonderful, wonderful! This surely calls for a celebration. Tonight we’ll have a party, just you and I. I shall expect you as my honored guest.”

“Thank you, sir,” Yehudit said.

************************************************

That evening, when Yehudit entered Holofernes’s tent, the table was laden with various delicacies. The general was delighted to welcome her, and bade her partake of the feast. But Yehudit told him she had brought her own food and wine that she had prepared especially for that occasion.

“My goat cheese is famous in all of Bethulia,” Yehudit said. “I’m sure you’ll like it, General.”

He did. And he also liked the strong, undiluted wine she had brought. She fed him the cheese, chunk after chunk, and he washed it down with wine. Before long he was sprawled on the ground, dead drunk.

Yehudit propped a pillow under his head and rolled him over on his face. Then she uttered a silent prayer.

“Answer me, O L‑rd, as You answered Yael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, when you delivered the wicked general Sisera into her hands. Strengthen me this once, that I may bring Your deliverance to my people whom this cruel man vowed to destroy, and let the nations know that You have not forsaken us . . .”

Now Yehudit unsheathed Holofernes’s heavy sword, and taking aim at his neck, she brought the sword down on it with all her might.

For a moment she sat down to compose herself. Then she wrapped up the general’s head in rags, concealed it under her shawl, and calmly walked out and into her own tent.

“Come quickly,” she said to her maid, “but let’s not arouse suspicion.”

The two veiled women walked leisurely, as usual, until they reached the gates of the city. “Take me to Uzziah at once,” she said to the sentry.

Uzziah could not believe his eyes as he stared at the gruesome prize Yehudit had brought him.

“There is no time to lose,” she told the commander. “Prepare your men for a surprise attack at dawn. The enemy’s camp is not prepared for it. When they run to their commander’s tent, they will find his headless body, and they will flee for their lives . . .”

This is precisely what happened.

The enemy fled in confusion and terror, leaving much booty behind. It was a wonderful victory, and it was the G‑d-fearing and brave daughter of Yochanan the high priest, the father of the Hasmonean family, that saved the city of Bethulia and all its inhabitants.

Source

A beautiful woman, a jug of wine, some goat cheese and a general loses his head.  What could not be done by men and arms, a woman did with stealth and looks.  One of the first written examples of the Honey Trap/Honey Pot.


Here is a Classic Chanukah Song for tonight:


Chanukah Jewish Rock of Ages


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Happy Chanukah!!!!!

A Month Of Horror For Christians Under Islam: September 2013

The same month that Obama tried to wage war on behalf of the jihadi rebels in Syria (citing "human rights" concerns), some of the war's worst atrocities were committed against that nation's Christian minority, most notably in Ma'loula, an ancient Christian region where the inhabitants spoke Aramaic, the language of Jesus.

There, al-Qaeda-linked jihadis fired mortars and missiles into at least two ancient churches before looting them; some 80 Christians trying to defend their homes were killed. Others who could not flee were forced, on pain of death, to convert to Islam.

One man's last words before being slaughtered by the rebels were: "I am a Christian, and if you want to kill me for that, I do not object to it." A nun involved with humanitarian relief said the man "is a Martyr in Christ in the full sense of this word, since he was murdered solely because of religious hatred!"

The Christian Post reports:

Jihadists reportedly forced one man to convert to Islam at gunpoint and slit the throat of another Christian woman's fiancé and then [mockingly] told her, "Jesus didn't come to save him."…. "I saw people wearing Al-Nusra headbands who started shooting at crosses," the Christian senior told the AFP. One of the shooters, he said, "put a pistol to the head of my neighbor and forced him to convert to Islam by obliging him to repeat 'there is no God but God' [Islamic shehada]...Afterwards they joked, 'he's one of ours now.'"

In al-Thawrah, Syria, Christians were also singled out for attack by jihadi invaders. In one incident, they stopped three residents, released two who identified themselves as Muslims, and bludgeoned to death the third after he identified himself a Christian (graphic image). They also destroyed, among other churches, the Antiochian Orthodox church of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus.

In Raqqah, a city in northern Syria, the al-Qaeda linked "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" broke the crosses off the area's two Christian churches and placed on them al-Qaeda's Islamic flags. They also set the contents of the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of Martyrs aflame. In one video, a Muslim "freedom fighter" smashes a statue of Virgin Mary to shouts of Islam's war-cry cry, "Allahu Akbar!" ["Allah is Greater!"]

These latest attacks come in the context of yet another fatwa that appeared in September, and issued by 36 Islamic scholars who legitimized "the right of the faithful Sunni Muslims to seize and take possession of goods, homes, property belonging to Christians, Druze and Alawite and members of other religious minorities 'who do not profess the Sunni religion of the Prophet.'" (Earlier, before the "sex jihad" solved the problem by luring Muslim women from Tunisia and elsewhere to provide their sexual services to jihadis in Syria fighting to make Allah's word supreme, another fatwa permitted jihadis to rape all non-Sunni women.)

Meanwhile, when publicly asked about the jihadi nature of the rebellion and that the rebels often shout Islam's supremacist war cry, Allahu Akbar (such as when firing at Chrisitan churches), U.S. Senator John McCain insisted that shouting "Allahu Akbar!" is equivalent to a Christian saying "Thank God," and that the rebels in Syria are "moderates and I guarantee you they are moderates."
Similarly, when U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was also asked in September about the jihadi and al-Qaeda elements of the Syrian rebels, he argued that, "The opposition has increasingly become more defined by its moderation … more defined by its adherence to some, you know, democratic process and to an all-inclusive, minority-protecting constitution"—an assertion that prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin openly to call Kerry a liar.

The rest of September's roundup of Muslim persecution of Christians around the world includes (but is not limited to) the following accounts, listed by theme and country in alphabetical order, not necessarily according to severity:

Pakistan Church Attack

In Peshawar, Pakistan, Islamic suicide bombers, in an attack claimed by the Taliban, entered the All Saints Church compound after Sunday mass and blew themselves up in the midst of roughly 550 congregants. They killed nearly 90 worshippers—including Sunday school children, women, and choir members—and injured at least another 120. The now-destroyed Protestant church was built in Peshawar over 130 years ago. According to Margrette, a parishioner who survived (although her sister's status is unknown), "I heard two explosions. People started to run. Human remains were strewn all over the church."

Coptic "Dhimmitude" [Living as "Tolerated" Citizens who Pay for "Protection"] in Egypt

• After the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi, when the Muslim Brotherhood incited its supporters to attack and destroy over 80 Christian churches, Muslim Brotherhood supporters began to extort money from Christians in Upper Egypt. In Dalga village, 15,000 Christian Copts were forced to pay this jizya—the additional tax, or tribute, that conquered non-Muslims historically have to pay to their Islamic overlords "with willing submission and while feeling themselves subdued" to safeguard their existence, in the words of Koran 9:29. In some instances, those not able to pay are attacked, their wives and children beaten and kidnapped. Some Copts were killed for refusing to pay. Authorities later identified a gang that specialized in overseeing operations to kidnap wealthy Copts in order to earn money.
• While being driven in his car, Bishop Anba Makarios of Minya came under a hail of bullets from several unidentified persons. The driver managed to get away, taking the bishop to the home of a local Copt for refuge; but the gunme followed, surrounded the house and shot at it for over 90 minutes, until local security finally responded. The apparent reason for this assassination attempt was that local Muslims thought the bishop had come to reopen the village's only church, St. Michael's, which had been closed 10 years ago for security reasons.
• After Muslims in the al-Minya district accused a young man of having an illicit relationship with a Muslim woman, violence, in the context of "collective punishment," erupted against the village's Christians. After attacking and plundering the home of the Christians, Muslims, incited by someone with a loudspeaker calling them to further action, prowled the streets of the village, threw stones at Coptic homes, called for revenge, and demanded the burning of their churches, homes, and shops.

Slaughter of Christians

Libya: A group of Muslims surrounded two Egyptian Christians aged 25 and 27, who lived in Libya, and robbed and beat them. The Muslims then demanded that the two men recite the shehada—"There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger"—and convert to Islam. When the two Christians refused, they were tied up, severely beaten, and then shot. Both men died; one with his skull beaten in. No one has been arrested in connection with these killings. The attack marks the third time in two weeks that a Coptic Christian has been robbed and killed in the Derna District.
Nigeria:

• Outside the city of Jos, five Christians, members of the Church of Christ in Nations, and traveling in a minibus, were ordered out of their vehicle by Islamic gunmen, and, after they declared themselves Christians, were forced to lie down in a ditch and shot in the heads. Two others, including a pregnant woman, were wounded.
• In Adu, while Christians were preparing for Sunday morning church services at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Islamic tribesmen invaded the Christian village and slaughtered all whom they could find; they killed seven members of just one family.
• In Zangang village, Muslim herdsmen slaughtered 15 Christians.
• In Dorawa, Islamic militants killed a Christian pastor, his son, and 28 others, then torched their church.

Pakistan: While holding a dagger and shouting that he was killing "an infidel who blasphemed against Muhammad," a Muslim in Karachi slit the throat of a 58-year-old Christian man, Boota Masih, and then proceeded to stab his body while police and others looked on. In the words of Masih's son, George: "We were told that Asif kept shouting that my father was an infidel and had spoken derogatory words against Muhammad [Islam's prophet] as he mercilessly stabbed him. A large number of people, including four policemen and private security guards of the market, witnessed the entire scene, but no one tried to stop the killer, who walked away waving the dagger in his hand." According to those close to the slain Christian, his slayer, a business competitor, was jealous of the Christian, and fabricated the blasphemy accusation as a pretext. (Earlier in Pakistan, another Christian man was slaughtered by a group of axe-wielding Muslims, who were envious business competitors.)
Somalia: The Islamic al-Shabaab group killed a 35-year-old Christian woman inside her home. Earlier her husband had found a note saying, "We shall come for you. You are friends with our enemies [Westerners, assumed to be Christians], and you are polluting our religion." The man fled the area with his 4-year-old child. Separately, al-Shabaab kidnapped a 13-year-old Christian boy as he was returning home from school. His parents, who had secretly converted to Christianity, believe their son was kidnapped in an effort to find them and other Christians.

Apostasy, Blasphemy, Proselytism

Afghanistan: A member of Afghanistan's parliament, Nazir Ahmad Hanafi, suggested that all Afghans who have converted to Christianity should be executed, according to Islamic law, to put a check to the growth of Christianity among Afghans, both within and without the country. His exact words were: "Afghani citizens continue to convert to Christianity in India. Numerous Afghanis have become Christians in India. This is an offense to Islamic Laws, and according to the Quran, they need to be executed."
Iran: The Islamic Republic launched a public campaign dedicated to halting the spread of Christianity among Iranians. This included organizing meetings aimed at debating how and why Iranian youths are converting, often secretly, to Christianity. Mohabat News reported that the government campaign involved meetings aimed at "distorting" public opinion: "It seems great crackdowns on churches and extraordinary waves of arrest of Iranian pastors and Christian converts have not been effective." This new public campaign comes at a time when at least 13 Christians had been detained, several beaten and threatened if they refused to recant their Christianity.
Morocco: In a courtroom hearing, Mohamed el-Baldi, a Muslim convert to Christianity, was fined and jailed for "shaking the faith of Muslims." Preaching Christianity is prohibited under article 220 of the Moroccan penal code. Apparently to make an example of him, although the maximum sentence is six months' imprisonment, el-Baldi was sentenced to two-and-a-half years. During the hearing, his mother "implored Allah to exact revenge on whoever tampered with her son's mind," causing him to convert to and preach Christianity.

Dhimmitude

Central African Republic: Heavily armed Islamic rebels from the Seleka organization, reportedly from Sudan, attacked the mission of Our Lady of Fatima in Bouar, assaulting, gagging, and taking hostage an Italian missionary and a deacon. They also plundered the premises, and stole, among other items, money, a computer, a camera, and a mobile phone.
Indonesia: Islamists in Jakarta demanded the removal of a new political appointee in West Java because she, Susan Jasmine Zulkifli, is a Christian. Her critics said, among other complaints, that she would not be able to participate in Muslim religious ceremonies, and that she should be transferred to a Christian region.
Iraq: The Assyria Council of Europe and the Assyria Foundation released their 2013 Human Rights Report on Assyrians in Iraq, detailing the persecution, including forced prostitution, suffered by the nation's indigenous Christian minority.
Philippines: Security forces placed Zamboanga City, a large, predominantly Christian, port city in the Philippines, in lockdown while they pursued a Muslim rebel group accused of launching an air-and-sea strike against the region. According to the Washington Times, "The Muslim group is still believed to be holding 170 hostages from the city, a largely Christian community that's nestled among a sea of Muslim villages."
Sudan: Agenzia Fides reported that "There are increasing acts of intimidation against priests and missionaries on behalf of the authorities of Sudan…. In particular, in September four priests were summoned several times by the security services (Sudan National Security Intelligence Agency) in order to be questioned." After describing one incident, the report concludes, "[T]his episode is just one example of intimidation carried out by the Sudanese authorities against the Catholic Church. Recently, in fact, some church centers were closed, several priests and foreign missionaries were forced to leave the country... There are fears now that the future of the Catholic Church in Sudan is at risk."
Zanzibar (Tanzania): Catholic priest Joseph Anselmo Mwagambwa survived an acid attack in the same area where two other priests were shot by al-Qaeda-linked Muslims, "in what was seen as a wider crackdown on devoted Christians... One priest was wounded last year and the other killed in February," reported BosNewsLife.

About this Series

While not all, or even most, Muslims are involved, the persecution of Christians in the Islamic world is on its way to reaching pandemic proportions. "Muslim Persecution of Christians" was developed to collate some—by no means all—of the instances of persecution that surface each month. It serves two purposes:

1. To document that which the mainstream media often seems to fail to report.
2. To suggest that such persecution is not "random" but systematic.

These accounts span different ethnicities, languages, and locations.

A Mother's Sacrifice

Chanukah Day 5

Tonight our heroine is not a beautiful young widow, but a widow, mother of 7 sons, Chanah.  And her courage was to endure the sacrifice of her sons for freedom.

Antiochus was determined to enforce his vicious edicts upon the Jews, effectively destroying their attachment to the Torah. He forbade the observance of all religious laws; anyone found with a Torah would be executed; circumcision, kosher food, Shabbat, all vestiges of Judaism were outlawed. Phillip was appointed governor of Judea, and he set out to ruthlessly enforce the king's edicts. He decided to begin his campaign with the arrest of the notable sage and High Priest, Elazar. Elazar thwarted Phillip's design by choosing martyrdom over submission. Soon after, Chanah and her seven sons were arrested.

When the king, who was returning to Antioch, heard about the events which were taking place in Jerusalem, he decided to take an active role in enforcing his decrees. The mother and her sons were bound and brought before the king.

Antiochus tried to convince the eldest boy to abandon the Torah. The youth responded with great confidence, "Why do you bother with this long speech, trying to inflict your abominable religion upon us? We are ready to welcome death for the sake of our holy Torah!"

The king was furious and ordered the boy's tongue, hands and feet severed and placed in a fire. The soldiers proceeded to torture the boy, forcing his mother and six brothers to watch his excruciating pain. Antiochus was sure that this sight would intimidate his prisoners into unquestioning submission.

Instead, the martyrdom spurred the family to a deep resolve to accept their fate and to sanctify G-d's name. When the second brother was brought to the king, even the members of the king's retinue begged the boy to obey the king. The boy, however, replied, "Do what you will with me. I am no less than my brother in devotion to G-d." The second son's torture was as bitter as his brother's had been. As he died he told the king, "Woe to you, pitiless tyrant! Our souls go to G-d. And when G-d will awaken the dead and His martyred servants, we will live. But you--your soul will dwell in a place of eternal abhorrence!"

To the amazement of all, the third brother unflinchingly suffered the same fate. The fourth brother echoed his brothers' exhortations, and faced his brutal death with firm resolve. Before he was killed, the fifth brother turned to Antiochus and said: "Don't suppose that G-d has handed us over to you to exalt you or because He hates us. It is because He loves us and has granted us this honor. G-d will take His vengeance upon you and your progeny."

The blood-lust of the king was not assuaged, and the sixth brother was brought to the same end as his brothers who preceded him. His words bespoke his deep faith that G-d would ultimately requite the suffering of His servants.

Throughout this horrible sequence Chanah stood by her sons, giving them strength and encouragement. Now, only the youngest child remained to face the king. When they brought the boy, the king offered him gold and silver if he would do his will. The seven-year-old boy displayed the same courage as his brothers and taunted the king to carry out his threats.

The king couldn't believe such words coming from a mere child, and he called out to Chanah. Chanah stood before the murderer of her children and listened to his words. "Woman, have compassion upon this child. Persuade him to do my will so that you will have at least one surviving child and you too will live." She pretended to agree and asked to speak with her son.

When they stood together, Chanah kissed the boy, then said, "My son, I carried you in my body for nine months, I nursed you for two years and I have fed you until today. I have taught you to fear G-d and uphold His Torah. See the heaven and the earth, the sea and the land, fire, water, wind and every other creation. Know that they were all created by G-d's word. He created man to serve Him and He will reward man for his deeds. The king knows he is condemned before G-d. He thinks that if he convinces you, G-d will have mercy on him. G-d controls your life's breath and can take your soul whenever He desires. If only I could see the greatness of your glorious place where we would be illuminated with G-d's light and rejoice and exult together."

Chanah returned to the king, saying, "I was unable to prevail upon him."

The exasperated king again addressed the child who answered him, "Whom are you seeking to overpower with your words and enticements? I laugh at your foolishness. I believe in the Torah and in G-d Whom you blaspheme. You will remain an abomination upon all mankind, loathsome and far from G-d."

The king was enraged. According to the Talmud, Antiochus gave the boy a chance to save himself by ostensibly bowing down to retrieve his signet ring, but the boy refused. As they removed him, Chanah begged to kiss him one last time. As if speaking to all seven children, Chanah said, "My children, tell your ancestor Abraham, 'You bound only one son upon an altar, but I bound seven." Then Antiochus ordered that the child be tortured even more than his brothers.

Chanah was left surrounded by the bodies of her sons, a prayer exalting G-d on her lips. Then the distraught woman threw herself from a roof and rested beside her martyred sons.

Not all the stories of Chanukah and the struggle of the people have a "happy" ending.  Chanah and her sons teach us that Freedom is greater than Slavery, that the right to worship G-d is higher than any Earthly king.  A lesson that Jewish mothers have taught would-be conquerors from Antiochus to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over the millennium.

The Maccabeats - Burn - Hanukkah



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Happy Chanukah!!!!!