Hornik - Israel Builds, Obama Administration Squirms

P. David Hornik..
frontpagemag.org..
24 February '12..


This week Israel’s Civil Administration approved a plan to build 500 housing units in the West Bank community of Shiloh. U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner complained like clockwork that such building is not “constructive.”

In so doing, he was following a U.S. practice of frequently publicly criticizing its ally Israel. No other U.S. ally gets this treatment; when was the last time you heard Washington publicly take Britain, Germany, or Japan to task? And this in a week when the U.S. is already heavily pressuring Israel both publicly and behind the scenes not to defend itself against a growing existential threat from Iran.

But is Toner right about the Israeli building plans not being “constructive”? In a world where there are mounting crises in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, severe human rights abuses in America’s trading partner China, and so on, are housing units in Shiloh what Washington should fret about? In fact, these building plans not only pose no problem for the U.S. but are constructive, for several reasons.

Eydar - Shiloh and Jewish Heritage

Dror Eydar..
Israel Hayom..
17 February '12..

The Israelite tribes had just endured a long, hard day of bitter battles. After suffering their first defeat, they decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the capital city, Shiloh, to their battlefield encampment at Aphek (present-day Rosh Ha’ayin), 35 kilometers away. Upon the arrival of the ark, the Israelites rejoiced while listening to the loud blast of the shofar. Their roar could be heard in the Philistines’ encampment. Their informers told them that the Israelites had brought a weapon that would tilt the balance of power in their favor. The rumor spread like wildfire among the Philistines. “God has come to the camp of Israel,” they thought. Our end is near.

The Philistines’ propensity for idol worship led them to believe the ark itself was the leader who was going to bring the Israelites salvation. It appears the Israelites also viewed the ark in this manner, as evident in their belief that its mere presence would usher in a miracle and that their enemies would be vanquished.

The very act of bringing the ark was far worse than the corruption and sins committed by Hophni and Phineas, the sons of Eli, the high priest of Shiloh. It was worse than defacing the sanctuary in full view of the pilgrims. This act marked the beginning of the tribes’ spiritual descent, since it demonstrated that their attitude toward godly powers was akin to their approach toward inanimate objects.

The Israelites entered the battlefield with a sense of complacency, thinking they were protected by divine providence. The results were disastrous: “The Philistines fought, and Israel was struck, and they fled every man to his tent; and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel 30 thousand footmen.” The ark was taken captive, while the sons of Eli, who represented the next generation of leaders, were killed.

New Neighborhood in Shiloh!

Batya Medad

Shilo Musings

2 October 09

Groundbreaking has begun on Shiloh's new housing project.

As I've written many times, we have a serious housing shortage. Many people want to move to Shiloh for its community, education, convenient location and other reasons. It's amazing how many kids who grew up here want to raise their kids in Shiloh. This building initative is by one of them.

(Ken Yirbu!)