Just to confirm and endorse what you say. It is much more than a waste of time it is also degrading and debasing, was and is the source of all our suffering. A nation can only be proud and stand up among the nations if it has a nation and national pride. Letiferet Yisrael.

This comment by Yehoshua explains only one thing about him and that is ... he is an intelectual buffoon who can easly be discredited on this argument. The very name "ISRAEL " derives from a very "JEWISH" source , to call himself Israeli and then say it has nothing to do with being Jewish is more than just arguable . How can one be taken seriously with such remarks? This man forgets that his country Israel is made up of jews that are from the diaspora so who is he kidding. How you can give him the title of "Author"bewilders me.

Part of that growth will be in Israel. I predict 100 million Jews in the world by 2100 CE and fewer than 50% of them will live in Israel (probably cant support more than 25-30 million people in Israel); however Israel will have the largest concentration of Jews. In the next 10-20 years the number of Jews in the world will take a drastic upswing and its thanks mostly to the Orthodox Jews worldwide and all Jews in Israel.

Most european jews (particularly eastern european) are not descendants from the 12 tribes of Israel so by definition they have no biblical right to inherit any land. they are converts to judaism and belong to the Khazar tribes of eastern europe. Only oriental jews are the true jews. It will be impossible to believe that the black falasha jews and the blonde, blue eyed european jews have a common ancestery dating back just 2000 years! In fact oriental jews and arabs have much more in common biologically than oriental and european jews. Chief Rabbi Yehuda bin Palestine

This writer is expressing exactly what plaques the Israeli regime and the self appointed 'elite'. They are determined-come hell or high water-to make Israel into an Israeli State as opposed to a Jewish State. This is what has been set in motion ever since the disaster of Oslo. They are convinced that if they become 'normal' they will be able to be accepted by their Arab jihadi neighbors, and by the world community. What they fail to internalize is that the antizionists/antisemites world over, and in particular in the Islamic world, do NOT differentiate between a religious Jew and a secular one. They want them all dead.

The message of A.B. Yehoshua, who, by the way, is a major writer (his last book is particularly good) is simple : only israelis can decide of the future of israël. Enough of all these foreign jews who are lecturing us about doing or not doing!

Yakov, You seem to display many of the condescending characteristics of the subject fool. Like him you are a pompous relic way past his sell by date, and way overrated. As for your affliction, I would strongly recommend you take some muscle relaxants, add some roughage to your diet , and unclench your sphincter once in a while.

are divisive when what Jews need is as much unity as possible (even if not that much is possible). We don't need further division. There are wonderful ways that, in Israel, even a secular Jew connects with being jewish, including land, language, holidays, a general ambience, that are available only in israel. That's not a reason to scorn serious Jews in the diaspora, even if serious ones are a minority there. However, though I think Yehoshua is needlessly extreme and nasty, I'm happy to see Israel becoming the largest Jewish community. We are like other peoples in that we're best off, and most authentic, living in our own homeland and polity. This does invalidate diaspora life completely.

Israel without Judaism is like a human being without soul and heart. It is impossible.

Whoever posted comment #34 is obviously no Jewish Rabbi. This weeks Torah portion contains mention of how we treat converts to Judaism. I would recommend so called "Chief Rabbi of Gaza" to read this weeks Parsha "Achri Mot-Kedushim". According to Torah law, all converts are to be treated as 100% jews and all Jews have a portion in Israel. There is no "RACIAL JUDAISM" established in the Torah. Once converted to Judaism you are Jewish, no if's ands or buts about it. Maybe this rabbi is guilty of a little more than making stuff up...

Thank you for your very sound advice. I have actually been doing this for some years now and I am overjoyed to convey to you that it is extremely efficacious, in fact my internal organs are purged on a daily basis, the ensuing ethereal bliss is complete in the knowledge that the efflux is comparable to cartain members humanity

Your post is the only one that is laughable. If there were no Jews in the US who would run AIPAC? Do you think if there was no AIPAC, the US would give Israel the billions they do yearly? And you can laugh at Pete's synagogue's 2 million generous donation but multiply that by 500 synagogues (and trust me there must be thousands here) and the amount of kessef is dead serious. You're very arrogant, like this author, but not very bright.

Well said Sir.

Yes, like the lady said, you really are a dumb ass

Here we go, even in Israel, they do not appreciate what -we american- are doing for this state.With all the billions they are getting and all the critics that US is getting because of its endless and I can say biased support to Israel and still they are not appreciating.The way to go is that the US must play a fair role in this conflict and I believe the US can doit ..

http://www.memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP25401

I will be very happy to see you Israelis deciding your future and Israels' future,but ,unfortunatly,it doesn't seem so up to now,and I can swear you ,it is not our foreign jews fault.At all! It is your own! About me,I don't care...I let destiny to dictate my personal future as a person and as a jewish person,but I have to agree with Chaim-Canada# 15: judaism have been surviving for centuries;about Israel,without judaism...I am not sure!Hopefully it will never be tested!

I have followed the author's carrer. It is certainly amazinf how he hasn't changed his thesis in 30 years. He still thinks himself as a canaanite a very old branch of early jewish-palestinian intelectuals

I'm a member of Aipac you tool. that doesnt mean I actually believe the Israelis are dependant on us. even if it's 1 bil a year, its still a drop in the bucket. The Israelis dont need u and you know it.

These posts are proof that american jews by and large believe themselves to be zionists simply because they open their wallets and donate to Israel during high holiday services. That is not zionism. Aipac too is nice, but its not zionism. You are deluding yourselves into thinking that you are making a difference in the galut. Truth is, you are not. Ari p.s. The billions that congress sends to Israel is because they are ideological supporters of democracy in the middle east, not because of Aipac. You should know that, and I know that because I am a member of aipac and when I lobby members of congress that is their major point in supporting Israel, not because of aipac but because of their beliefs. Stop kidding yourself and believing everything is because of aipac.

IF YOU KNOW JEWISH HISTORY IN 1950'S ISRAEL, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

and could read only the responses, I would have to dismiss the opinions of those who have nothing to say except to call the writer a twit and a jerk.. I do believe the author is correct. we Jews in America consider ourselves Americans, and Jews. Israel is the Land of the Jews and of God. some of us react negatively because we know, deep down, we need to be in Isreal. we are steeped in the galut, unfortunately.

the religious jewish movement in israel and in the U.S. is burgeoning, the secular "zionist" have nothing to do except rehash some trash about israel being the "new jewish identity". historically, he is dead wrong too: the vitality of jewish culture and judaism has come from outside of israel. the talmud was written outside of israel, the religious and cultural "golden ages" have been outside of israel. he is rehashing the same arrogant anti-religious junk. its no different than what i've heard over and over again from chilonim.

I remember how shocked I was many, many years ago to see a flyer in the McGill University Hillel. It read: "Forget you're Jewish? Yes, you can. In Israel." I'd hoped their intent was that, with almost everyone Jewish, one needn't any longer think of oneself as "the other". But Yehoshua's comment suggests a very alternative interpretation. The Jew, as a member of a distinct, extended faith community, is for him passe. Diaspora Jewry is a dead end, and the Israeli has taken his place. Just as diverse ethnic groups coalesced into a new American identity, Israel as a nation of both immigrants and natives, will coalesce into a nation of ... Israelis. We're already seeing the results of such a mindset. Israel's Jews are less knowledgeable about Jewish history than was the case a generation ago, and - correct me if I'm wrong - I don't think they study Tanah as they used to. With Jews, non-Jewish Russians, Arabs, and immigrant laborers granted citizenship all Israelis, intermarriage is increasingly common. But while Jewish values still manifest in Israel's humanitarian work, other things going on in Israel do not reflect well. How can Israelis, for example, excuse the trafficking in women for purposes of prostitution? Or abuse low wage workers? Or steal the intellectual property of others through counterfeiting? And where is justice and the rule of law when politicians defend parliamentary immunity, prosecution is politicized, and the High Court promotes the politically correct? If this is the new Israeli ethos, you can keep it. But Israel must find a way back to its roots - its Jewish roots. (Sadly, it can't rely on a broadly discredited religious leadership in this struggle.)

Falafel-eating, rude, line-jumping, rude, ivrit-speaking, rude, reckless driving, did I mention rude?

A COMPLETE, UNADULTERATED MORON!

GOOD POINT, HOWEVER, EUROPEAN JEWS ARE ABSOLUTELY JEWISH. THERE IS NOT TOO GREAT A POSSIBLITY OF MANY OF THEM (ESP. EASTERN EUROS) BEING CONVERTS AS THE SHTETLS/COMMUNITIES WERE PRETTY MARGINALIZED AND UNASSIMILATED. PERHAPS AFTER THE HASKALAH THERE WERE SOME, BUT MINIMAL AT BEST. THOSE WHO MARRIED OUT, PRETTY MUCH STAYED OUT. THERE WASN'T MUCH MARRYING IN. THE U.S. IS A DIFFERENT CASE ALTOGETHER.

Do you know of places to stay for Shabbat/minyans in S.F.? Please let me know. I am especially interested in Carlebach minyans.