Israel Matzav: The 'official video' of Sunday's prayer rally

Wednesday, March 05, 2014

The 'official video' of Sunday's prayer rally - UPDATED

I'm posting this because I really like the song (it's from a prayer that's said every time one finishes a tractate of Gemara or an order of Mishna), but I have to tell you honestly that the video is a little too over the top for my tastes. Those who understand Hebrew will probably understand why, and I'm not going to comment on it further.

Let's go to the videotape.

UPDATE 12:20 PM

I was anticipating this (which I had not seen) when I said that this video is over the top.

Images of hareidi protesters are timed for the lines "we get up early to study Torah," and are juxtaposed to "they get up early for worthless pursuits" which is played to images of IDF soldiers, as well as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warning the UN about the Iranian nuclear threat.

Emergency workers who worked to provide medical aid and keep the rally safe were also shown on the clip in time for the lines criticizing "worthless pursuits."

...

The clip has raised an outcry; Emily Amrousy of Yisrael Hayom wrote "I'm sure the clip will anger the hareidim who study Torah as well. After all, most of them value and respect the IDF, understand that it's important for the physical existence of the state of the Jews, and just don't want to enlist themselves."

"The clip turns the soldiers, who endanger their lives, to actual enemies," added Amrusy. "Even two innocent soldiers who accidentally crossed the road at the place where the protest started with large heavy bags on their backs are 'waking early for worthless pursuits.'"

I agree. I can think of a lot of things that go on in this country that are far more deserving of the characterization 'worthless pursuits.' This was really unnecessary. Note that there is no one who takes credit for producing this video. And I would bet that these guys are not very happy about it either.

Last Thursday, just days before the mass protest, 21-year-old Yossi Ashtamkar became the second Nahal Hareidi (Hareidi brigade) officer to receive a prize for excellence in IDF history at an officers' course graduation ceremony.

Nahal Hareidi has won three other prizes over the past several months. In December, the unit won the IDF Chief of Staff's prize; the unit was also awarded the IDF Department of Technology and Logistics' Award and the GOC Army Headquarters Safety Award.

The unit was also nominated for the Education Award, along with an award in Excellence in Maintaining Sector Security, issued by the Paratroop Command and Chief Infantry Officer.

Here's a video about Nachal Haredi's Netzach Yehuda brigade, the largest in the IDF.

Let's go to the videotape.

Sorry, but you can maintain the preeminence of Torah (with which I wholeheartedly agree) without putting other people down. There's no need to continue the descent that this week's discourse has spawned.

Labels: God, Haredim, IDF, Nachal Charedi, peaceful demonstrations, prayers, Torah