Happy Al-Nahbah (Thats Yom Haatzmaut to you)

Today is Yom Haatzmaut (The day of Independence) or as it is called by the Arabs, Al-Nahbah (The Disaster). I say they should get over it.

In any event, on a lighter note. The Jewish population of Israel has recently superceeded that of America which makes Israel the country with the largest Jewish population, America second, and third is (you'll never believe this) France. Within the next twenty years Israel will not only have the highest Jewish population, it will also contain the majority of the world's Jews. In addition, if the demographics continue in the direction they are going in, within the next twenty years the majority of Jews in Israel will be religious (though not necesarily Chareidi).

This of course presents some halachic issues. There is an opinion that if the majority of Jews live in Israel and the majority of said Jews are religious, then they are obligated to enforce halacha. The idea of Israel becoming a theocracy is worrisome.

Aside from that is the fact that the Palestinian birth rate is through the roof and they are making their chidren faster than they are killing them. Of course the idea that they will get a state is more plausable now than it has been in a while which means they will be out of our hair.

So overall things are looking up, even if there are a few snags.

Happy Yom Haatzmaut and enjoy your falafel.