Althouse: Trump at the Western Wall.

May 22, 2017

Trump at the Western Wall.

Raw video:

37 comments:

Fernandinande said...: Their beanies are missing the propellers.; 5/22/17, 9:10 AM
Bushman of the Kohlrabi said...: He's just like Hitler.; 5/22/17, 9:11 AM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Impeach him, now!; 5/22/17, 9:14 AM
Bob Ellison said...: The yarmulke doesn't suit him. Not huge enough.; 5/22/17, 9:17 AM
John said...: "So this is where we propose to put the first tee box? You think this wall is strong enough to be part of the clubhouse or do we need to take it down? I think I know a place we could 'repurpose' it..."; 5/22/17, 9:19 AM
Bob Boyd said...: Is that a MAGA yarmulke?; 5/22/17, 9:22 AM
rhhardin said...: Seriousness is not the opposite of frivolousness, but a specific way of being frivolous. It's a subgenre.

Nothing shows it faster than a politician.; 5/22/17, 9:26 AM
rhhardin said...: Needs a YHWH hat.; 5/22/17, 9:27 AM
rhhardin said...: The great wall of china has fortunes stuck into it.; 5/22/17, 9:28 AM
Drago said...: The Lefties will not like this at all as all of Israel is claimed by the Islamists and the Left disapproves vehemently with any actions taken that are not in accord with Islamist desires.; 5/22/17, 9:29 AM
rhhardin said...: Do any of these planned countries have wishing wells, is the question.

Yes, Rome. Trump can throw a coin into it.; 5/22/17, 9:32 AM
Dave from Minnesota said...: I've been out of the loop the past few days. Have you posted anything on the chair of the California Democrat party?; 5/22/17, 9:33 AM
rhhardin said...: Armstrong and Getty think of Harry Potter with the globe thing.; 5/22/17, 9:34 AM
Achilles said...: This is probably the worst thing a president has ever done.; 5/22/17, 9:57 AM
eric said...: I thought men were supposed to cover their heads and women weren't.

Why does Ivanka have a hat on?; 5/22/17, 10:02 AM
James K said...: Married women traditionally cover their heads as well.; 5/22/17, 10:10 AM
MadisonMan said...: Ivanka looks vaguely flight attendant-ish.

Is Barron along on this trip?; 5/22/17, 10:11 AM
traditionalguy said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5/22/17, 10:16 AM
traditionalguy said...: MSNBC take: The piece of paper probably had the names of Israeli spies Trump learned about today and needed to pass on to his Russian handlers.; 5/22/17, 10:16 AM
Daniel Jackson said...: I am sure all the comments about kippot were in jest. Kippot in Israel and elsewhere are a highly political as well as symbolic gesture. The younger man with the LARGE black hat is an ultra orthodox person, the man with the white and blue fringe kippa is "da'ati" (religious but not orthodox) that is usually associated with those who approve settlements, and The Donald's black (probably leather) like that of his son-in-law is associated with the modern orthodox stripes. Very appropriate and very respectful.

Ivanka is wearing her Kate Middleton covering while Madame Trump wears her hair; I assume that when she goes with the other women to the Wall, she will also cover her hair with a scarf as is required of all who approach the Wall, men and women.

What The Donald is NOT wearing is the "out of the box" white kippa that visitors who are NOT religious (but required to cover) take out of the kippa box at the entrance to the plaza before approaching the wall. Those can be seen by the security people in the background of the video.

As context, when the last republican contender came to the Wall, he wore a da'ati kippa while the democratic contender took a white one out of the box: https://www.google.fr/search?q=obama+at+the+kotel&biw=1366&bih=662&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjiyOK24oPUAhXIXRoKHSEQD7IQsAQINQ#imgrc=_

Personally, as a person in real estate, it is safe to assume, following the thread on tourism, that The Donald might also be taking in a site that is priceless and much in contention. In keeping with his role, he did not kiss the Wall but he did leave a prayer.

Although we cannot see what the two rabbis were showing The Donald in the book, I bet dollars to donuts it contains the "artist rendition" of the Temple on the current site.

All in all, the Pilgrim's Progress pageant continues with incredible cues outside of the realm of Cartesian Logic. Simply incredible.; 5/22/17, 10:17 AM
Bob Boyd said...: "...while Madame Trump wears her hair; I assume that when she goes with the other women to the Wall, she will also cover her hair with a scarf as is required of all who approach the Wall, men and women."

That creates a thorny problem. If Melania is photographed covering her head in respect of Jewish traditions and beliefs after prominently going uncovered in Saudi Arabia in open defiance of Muslim traditions and beliefs...; 5/22/17, 10:28 AM
rcocean said...: the beanie simply highlights Trump's incredible hair, no one else has it. Its Sui generis.; 5/22/17, 10:29 AM
eric said...: Blogger James K said...
Married women traditionally cover their heads as well.

5/22/17, 10:10 AM

I stand corrected.

When I went back in 1993, I knew nothing about the politics of the region. I took one of the little paper hats out of the box to wear. It was an interesting experience.; 5/22/17, 10:46 AM
Anonymous said...: Trump visiting the Wall has significance, Trump likes walls? Obama visited the Wall during his campaign. I sure hope Trump promised not to give away any more of Israeli Intel to the Russians, so its all good.; 5/22/17, 10:47 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm amazed at how much concentration the presenters have, showing off this or that feature, which must be of deep import to them. Perhaps they have spent much of their lives considering these things, and are happy to point them out to our president, as if their true meaning can be expressed in a few moments.

I can't imagine how difficult it must be to get anything out of it. The chaos of cameras, helicopters, noise, sunlight, and the need to look right. Yet, Trump seems to pick up what is important to these folks, even pointing out where Melania ought to be looking behind her enormous sunglasses. Who still looks unhappy, perhaps because her dress is designed to look like it uncomfortably pushes her teats up.

And there, in the background, the too long necked Ivanka, looking so poised and beautiful. How can she remain so Ivanka with the hatred directed at her? Yet so obviously care what people think?

It's magical.

I wonder what this president could do with a press behind him.; 5/22/17, 11:09 AM
cf said...: The itinerary is astonishing and pregnant with promise, i agree with Daniel Jackson. How Original yet Grounded is this President.

It is clear from the early comments that it is stirring up discomfort, like kids in a sex-ed class that smirk and make a joke instead of confronting the daring and grandeur of the subject.

To the discomfitted i say Do not fear powerful symbols. Brain science shows that you let them act as catapults for your own high visions for the future. I am letting these symbols lift my own joyful prayers: that all beings achieve True Happiness. (Yes, it is a buddhist prayer, I am a spiritual opportunist, glad to mine all the veins of gold.)

Take, for instance, the orb representing our world as these leaders dedicated the place where terrorists are being studied and identified. I join in with thanksgiving that this powerful Muslim kingship is pointing to civility from fellow Muslims in the world, and they invited our President to join them. Amen and Hallelujah.

And take the sanctity at the wailing wall. I Joyfully join in as I sit with my tablet in my favorite chair that looks out on the lush Oregon morning. I add my prayer along with this most surprising President. May the perfect peace of bountiful prosperity pour out for every human -- shalom shalom, that all may be blessed.

(Brain science demonstrates that the attention and focus involved in prayer does fantastic things to one's person. I say America has gotten flabby and unfit in that deeply human, profound kind of Fitness. For our own sakes, then, let me suggest: Take a breath, or four, in silence, and lift your Good wishes, won't you? Release your hopes, telegraph out to the Ether the impossible Good you might imagine. The biochemical boost I your body alone is its own reward.)

Godspeed, Mr. Trump. And May civilization and the planet be healthy and whole.

Salud!; 5/22/17, 11:50 AM
Kevin said...: Network news this morning:

FOX: Trump is traveling overseas and doing good things.
CNN: Trump is traveling overseas but is accomplishing nothing because he really doesn't understand the world like we do.
MSNBC: Trump may be traveling overseas but our panel will ignore that because the latest rumor confirms he's sure to be impeached.; 5/22/17, 12:13 PM
Kevin said...: Twenty years from now this footage will be shown to document how Trump went around rounding up the Jews.; 5/22/17, 12:14 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: Normally, our politicians go to this wall when visiting Israel. But I will suggest that this is even more symbolic than normal. The basic problem is that the Western Wall is in part of Jerusalem that the Palestinians demand back, and very likely would close off from Jews if the reacquired it, as it was closed to them before. Many of us here remember the symbology of the liberation of this site, and the emotions expressed that day. This is non-negotiable for a lot of Israelis, and our Genttile politicians (including Trump here) going there like that essentially says that they stand with those Israelis on this subject - no final peace agreement until the Palestinians give up their claim to control Jerusalem.; 5/22/17, 12:34 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: I found some of the other symbolism interesting. Only Ivanka, of all the women in the President's party, was wearing a head covering. That included Melania. Reminds me a bit of when two guys made partner when I was in a firm in SLC - we all staked out our religious position with either a glass of champagne or of fruit juice. Not being LDS, I picked champagne, even though I drink very rarely. My take is that Ivanka was probably staking out being Jewish there.

The other thing I thought interesting was that Trump was closely shadowed by his Jewish son-in-law, Jered Kushner. No one else really was in on the presentation, etc. Not Ivanka, Melania, or any of the other notables in the Presidential entourage. Just his Jewish son-in-law and close aide. Partially, it may have been due to the inherent sexism of the more conservative strands of Judaism, but I think that it may have also been symbolic on Trump's part - telling the Israelis that they should trust him, with a devout Jew, Kushner, on his elbow as both family and maybe his closest aide.; 5/22/17, 12:57 PM
furious_a said...: Pres. Trump left a miniature color-coded 2016 Election Map in the Western Wall.; 5/22/17, 12:58 PM
furious_a said...: Western Wall Six-Day War Reunion Photo.

Trooper in the middle has hardly changed.; 5/22/17, 1:02 PM
Birches said...: I know there is a lot of debate about whether Trump is crazy like a Fox or just crazy. I'm beginning to think he is a Fox. I didn't vote for him, but I have an intense interest in seeing his behavior. I clicked on the video at this post and the dancing one and the orb one just today. I loved GWB, but I don't think I would have clicked on any of those videos if they were featuring him. The tweets might not be good DC policy, but they are good for ratings. Honestly, that's probably not good for The Resistance.

And btw, Ivanka is stunning. It's almost unfair someone is that beautiful.; 5/22/17, 1:48 PM
gadfly said...: The Fox Radio news this morning declared that Trump was the first US President to visit the Western Wall since forever.

But Obama, the presidential candidate, visited the wall in 2008. He inserted a note in the wall, written on hotel stationery, which read:

"Lord – Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will."

The JPost, however reported: Barack Obama's note was approved for publication in the international media even before he put in the Kotel, a short time after he supposedly wrote it at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.

The tell-tale give-away with the Obama note was that it was not written by Obama's sinister hand. Yes, Barack is left-handed!; 5/22/17, 2:07 PM
Quaestor said...: But Obama, the presidential candidate, visited the wall in 2008. He inserted a note in the wall...

Why the "But"? Fox Radio news is not contradicted. A presidential candidate is not a president.; 5/22/17, 3:02 PM
Quaestor said...: "Lord – Protect my family and me. Forgive me my sins, and help me guard against pride and despair. Give me the wisdom to do what is right and just. And make me an instrument of your will."

Obama evidently failed to get it notarized.; 5/22/17, 3:03 PM
Bleach Drinkers Curing Coronavirus Together said...: That little hat fits nicely on top of his pompadour.

They were showing him plans for rebuilding the ancient temple, BTW. Or the old one.; 5/23/17, 12:42 AM