בס׳ד

"Where does it say that you have a contract with G-d to have an easy life?"

the Lubavitcher Rebbe



"Failure is not the enemy of success; it is its prerequisite."

Rabbi Nosson Scherman



31 Mar 2016

The foundation

Prayer is the Foundation

U.S. Secret Service & World Media Liable; Not Trump & Israeli Shooter of Terrorist

Belgium Terror Hotline Operator To Jewish Caller: Israel Doesn’t Exist

Parashat Shemini: The Death of Nadab and Abihu

J Street expressed consternation on Wednesday at the comments of the newly approved Consul-General to New York, Dani Dayan, in which he asserted that the organization is “not Jewish” and “anti-Israel.”
Continue reading: http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=2&ARTICLE_ID=72259

A comment at VIN under an article regarding a fire at a building in Kiryas Yoel caught my eye this evening. - it is pretty spooky that a fire should break out on a street named "lizhensk" on the yohrtzeit of the holy rebbe of lizhensk.
http://www.vosizneias.com/235087/2016/03/31/monroe-ny-sifrei-torah-trapped-inside-burning-building-as-kj-fire-rages/



The eighth day

USA Today speculates whether Donald Trum will attend his grandson's bris, which should take place on Sunday, April 3.

However, according to Jewish tradition, he cannot have the role of the “sandek,” the person, often a grandfather, who holds the child while it is being circumcised by a mohel (pronounced like “royal”). That job must go to a practicing Jew, said New York City-based Dr. Emily Blake, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist who now works full-time as a mohel.

“So unless he’s going to convert very quickly,” joked Blake, “I don’t think he’ll be doing it. He doesn’t want to lose that Christian vote.”

But, she says, he could perform the role of the “kvater,” the person who carries the baby into the room. “The rules on that are a little looser,” she said.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/2016/03/30/next-up-donald-trump-jewish-circumcision-ceremony/82427428/

The second video below is the song aderaba which contains the lyrics composed by the Noam Elimelech, whose yahrzheit is today.
"Place in our hearts the ability to see only the good in our friends and not their shortcomings."




30 Mar 2016

Telling the truth

Jean-Claude Van Damme prays at Kotel, loses Israel fight

'Tell The Truth', Auschwitz Survivor Urges Accused In Nazi Trials

"מרן הגר"ח אמר לאב: "אולי הבן שלך היה כהן בגלגול הקודם

The New York State Senate approved a resolution to cut $485 million in funds for the City University of New York system in order to “send a message” that the colleges were not taking enough action in response to campus anti-Semitism.
Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/NY-Senate-cuts-funding-to-CUNY-over-anti-semitism-ADL-says-defunding-wrong-solution-449682


29 Mar 2016

World's #1

UN names democratic Israel as world’s #1 human rights violator

The Timeless Power Of Pesach Preparation

Below is a question posed to State Department Spokesperson John Kirby at the March 2çth briefing.

QUESTION: So we’re now about halfway through the fiscal year and the U.S. has only admitted about 1,200 Syrian refugees, which is – leaves about 88 percent to hit the President’s goal of 10,000. Is the State Department still confident that that goal can be met?

MR KIRBY: We are still very committed to the goal of reaching 10,000 by the end of the year. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/03/255265.htm


I believe in Hashem

This morning I banished some worrying thoughts by singing the chorus of a catchy tune I heard for the first time thiis week. Why not listen to the audio in the video below and sing along?


I believe in Hashem
I trust in Hashem
There never is a moment when
That I am alone
That I’m on my own
I believe and I trust in Hashem
Cause I understand that He’s holding my hand
And every step is perfectly planned
He’s holding me tight
So I’ll be all right
I believe and I trust in Hashem

Belgian Jew who lost leg in Brussels attack to move to Israel

Op-Ed: The lie of academic free speech


The wedding anniversary

Moving Facebook Post Defending IDF Infantryman Accused of ‘Executing’ Terrorist Goes Viral as Social Media Survey Says Most Israelis Support His Action

Teaneck Couple Spends 50th Wedding Anniversary Giving Soldiers Warm Clothes

מכתב החיזוק של הגר"ש אוירבך לסוף זמן חורף

Haggada Shel Pesach – The Mysterious Old Age Of Rebbe Elazar Ben Azaria


28 Mar 2016

Committed to davening

Carter says Hamas leader committed to peace, Netanyahu not

Politically Short

A Jerusalem court has convicted Omar Abu Sa'ara of incitement to violence and incitement to racism. Continue reading: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209984#.VvjuDcZ-PIU

His drivel can be heard here. Wonder what kind of sentence he will get.

Sugar, Obesity and Alzheimer’s: A National Crisis


27 Mar 2016

The Chasida

One of the unkosher birds listed in Parshas Shemini (11:19) is the “Chasida”, the stork. Rashi says that it is called Chasida from the word “Chasid”, pious. The stork does Chesed with its friends and it shares its food source rather than hoard it for itself. When it comes to the mouse however, the Yerushalmi (Bava Metzia 3:5) describes it as a “Rasha” because it not only eats the homeowner’s food it also calls its friends to eat. Why the unbalanced treatment between the two of these generous creatures?

Rav Chaim Kanievsky answers that the Chasida’s food comes from Hefker it is not taking from anyone else. However the mouse steals his food from people’s homes. He says that from here we learn an important lesson. If you do Chesed on on your own expense then you are a chasid, but on someone else’s expense you are a wicked mouse. (Derech Sicha)
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Shemini-Rav-Chaim-Kanievsky-The-Difference-Between-a-Chasid-and-a-Mouse/2052

BELGIAN SOLDIERS DEPLOYED TO FIGHT TERRORISTS HAD NO BULLETS IN RIFLES

Incredible interview with one of the survivors of the Brussels attacks - it starts out in Hebrew but switches to English. - "ניצול בריסל: "הייתי לפני מוות

Anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered scrawled across a synagogue in the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy.
Read more: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/209959#.Vvgn1-KLTIU

DeTijd is reporting that the police at Brussels airport are demanding more safety measures when the aiport re-opens. If the demands are not met, they will strike. The unions are requesting more security personnel. Additionally, anyone who walks into the airport building needs to be to be checked and it should not be possible to drive up to 50 meters before the airport entrance. http://www.tijd.be/politiek_economie/belgie_federaal/Luchthavenpolitie_dreigt_met_staking.9748484-3136.art?ckc=1&ts=1459103867

26 Mar 2016

The singling out of a religious group

Rabbi David Ashear offers encouraging words to those who pray repeatedly and feel that their prayers aren't working. Click here to listen and here to sign up for a daily emuna email.

The International New York Times March 25th print edition included a lengthy article spread over two pages titled Terrorism's recurring phenomenon: Brothers.

The Bakraouis join a list of brothers involved in nearly every major terror attack on western soil since three sets of Saudi siblings were among the 19 hijackers who carried out the September 11th, 2001, attacks in the United States. Before then, the grim roster included 19th century French anarchists, militants in Southeast Asia and the Jewish extremists involved in the assassination Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin of Israel in 1995.

Nowhere in the article is there a mention of any religion other than Jewish.


In the same edition there is an editorial about words issued after the Brussels attacks.

Predictably, the two leading Republicans called for severe measures against Muslims. 

While the fearmongering and bravado seem to work with part of the electorate, those approaches — including the unconstitutional singling out of a religious group...
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/opinion/hillary-clinton-and-other-candidates-on-counterterrorism.html

But it is okay for the New York Times to single out a religious group? Incidentally, I guess the journalists were so enthralled in finding an instance of Jewish terrorist brothers that they didn't bother checking  the grammar of the sentence which should have included the word "of" after assassination.


Another item that caught my eye in the International New York Times print edition was a correction regarding an article published two months prior.


Correction: March 21, 2016 An article on Jan. 13 about a divestment action against Israeli banks by the United Methodist Church pension board referred incorrectly to the Palestinian territories, where, the board said, the banks help finance Israeli settlement construction. While most of the world officially considers the territories to be occupied, and the settlements illegal, there is no consensus that the occupation itself is illegal. The error was brought to the attention of editors only this week. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/13/world/middleeast/us-church-puts-5-banks-from-israel-on-a-blacklist.html

24 Mar 2016

The Purim party

Watchdog Blasts UN Human Rights Council for Appointing Biased Academic to Investigate Israel

Daniel Greenfield has written an excellent article titled The Endless Ages of Purim.
I was particularly struck by one sentence, "The more liberal a Jew is, the less likely he is to celebrate the substance of his people's holidays as they conflict with his worldview and virtues."
Yesterday I read about a 21-year-old Jewish student who passed away from complications of a seizure and I was surprised to see that a memorial service is being offered for Jews and non-Jews to be led by Hillel, and a "rabbi" among others, tomorrow beginning at 6:30 PM. Will the service conclude before the onset of Shabbat?
 "The more liberal a Jew is, the less likely he is to celebrate the substance of his people's holidays..."


In a question and answer session regarding Israel seen on YouTube, Rabbi Meir Kahane reminds a reform rabbi that Rabbi Kahane lives in Israel, unlike someone else. 

VIDEO: Muslim woman rips up Israeli flag at Brussels makeshift memorial

Enough With The Teddy Bears And Tears: It’s Time To Take Our Civilization Back

Power Of Prayer On Purim – P.O.P.O.P


Finally, as many people are dissatisfied with the candidates representing the Republican and Democrat parties, I am announcing my Presidential run under a new party - the PURIM party - (People United Regarding Immigraion of Migrants.)
What is my poition regarding this particular issue? Depends on which audience I am addressing at the time and the results of polls. I would be happy to alter my words depending on the polls. Once I ger elected, my position will be revealed.

23 Mar 2016

Parshat Tzav and Purim

Wishing you a happy Purim!

Instant Inspiration – Parshas Tzav / Purim 5776

A committee of the University of California’s governing board unanimously approved a statement Wednesday that cites anti-Semitism as a form of intolerance that campus leaders have a duty to challenge.
Continue reading: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/23/university-of-california-to-consider-anti-semitism/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS

Citing Tony Kushner’s BDS ties, Toronto federation distances itself from event

Nashville couple may still be missing after terrorist attacks

"הפצוע מבלגיה בראיון ל'בחדרי': "אשתי ובתי ניצלו בנס. ספגתי 11 פציעות

US Professor Amazed at Wealth in Gaza City; Notes 900 Mosques, Only 2 Libraries

 





Taanit Esther Segulot

TA’ANIT ESTHER SEGULOT AND INSIGHTS

Rabbi Yisroel Yungreis wrote the following a couple of years ago.

It is written in the holy book "Kav Hayashar" any individual who needs divine assistance Rachamonus- compassion on any issue should say Psalm 22, Ayelet Hashachar on Tannis Esther. Just as Esther was helped so to in the merit of Esther and Mordechai Hashem will open the gates of compassion for his children.
http://www.hineni.org/learn/torah-thoughts/fast-esther-taanis-esther
תענית אסתר: זמנים, מנהגים וסגולות

Consider what happened in Belgium, then check out what’s got these Emory University safe-spacers freaked out

State Dept. Issues Travel Alert, Warns of Possibility for ‘Near-Term’ Attacks ‘Throughout Europe’

Analysis: Brussels attacks won't translate into more support for Israel

Whoa: ‘The View’ hosts just made STUNNING admission about Donald Trump [WATCH]

MaanNews, the Palestinian news agency has published an article titled Ahmad Dawabsha visits Duma for the first time since deadly arson attack.
"On Saturday, unidentified assailants set fire to a house in Duma, targeting the only witness of the attack which killed Ahmad’s family."
http://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=770806

A statement by the United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Development Aid, Mr. Robert Piper, on the arson attack included, "I strongly condemn today’s arson attack by suspected Jewish extremists on the home of Palestinian Ibrahim Dawabsheh in the occupied West Bank village of Duma."
http://www.unsco.org/Documents/Statements/SC/2016/Statement%20by%20DSC%20Piper%20on%20the%20arson%20attack%20in%20the%20occupied%20WB%20.pdf

If the Palestinian news agency doesn't know who the unidentified assailants are, how can Mr. Piper blame the attack on suspected Jewish extremists?
Also, how come the New York Times knows more about the attack in Duma in July than the Palestinian news agency? After all, the New York Times quoted two witnesses whereas MaanNews wrote there was a sole witness to the attack.

Witnesses said that they saw masked men in black clothing throw firebombs through the windows of two homes near the village entrance around 2 a.m., shortly after the family returned from visiting relatives. Mr. Dawabsheh, the neighbor, and another eyewitness, Ali Raqi, 21, both said they saw two men standing over the couple, their clothes still alight.

“I reached the house, and I found Saad, lying on the ground,” said Mr. Raqi, who was awake, unable to sleep from the heat. “Riham was there, by the well,” he said. “Riham told me, I have a son, for the sake of God, help him.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/01/world/middleeast/west-bank-arson-palestinian-toddler.html?_r=0

About religion

Op-Ed: A declining Reform Movement wants to Reform Israel

State Department Spokesperson John Kirby was asked about the attacks in Brussels today. He responded, "This isn’t about a religion. This is about a warped and brutal, depraved ideology that continues to be attractive to a small number of people in the Muslim faith – radicals and extremists. And we don’t believe that it is indicative in any way of the Muslim faith or the people who practice Islam as a religion. But it is a group that remains deadly, remains lethal. And we are going to remain focused on defeating them."
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/03/254966.htm#BELGIUM

Why is Mr. Kirby talking about a particular religion if he opines at the onset that this isn't about religion?

תיעוד: חב"דניק חגג בר מצווה במטוס לדייל שנשלח למנוע ממנו הנחת תפילין

22 Mar 2016

Trump's warning

Muslim police refuse to protect French synagogues

January 2016 – Donald Trump Warned Brussels, Belgium – The New York Times Mocked Him For It…

Weasel Zippers writes about Ted Cruz's comments on the Belgium attacks, as well as President Obama's words over here.

Shortly after the attacks, the Antwerp World Diamond Center canceled a Purim party it planned for tomorrow “out of respect for the victims and their families,” the center’s CEO, Ari Epstein, told Joods Actueel. Another Purim party by the European Jewish Association was canceled in Brussels, the group’s director, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, said.
http://www.jta.org/2016/03/22/news-opinion/world/34-dead-in-brussels-attacks-belgiums-jewish-schools-locked-down

A rebbetzin spoke today about the words in the song Shoshanat Yaakov- teshuatam hayita lanetzach (“you were their eternal salvation.")
She said that the word "hayita" is a word in the past tense. The correct word should have been "tiheye"- "will be." But "hayita" was used to show "bayamim hahem bazman hazeh." Just as we were saved in the past in the Purim story, Hashem will be our salvation in the future, as well.


As stories are coming out about people being saved from being at the scene of the explosions today, we see how much is in Hashem's hands. One taxi driver arrived 20 minutes late this morning and a man who was dropping his son at the airport asked his son if he should park the car in a lot or just drop him off. The son said that if they had some time, he wouldn't mind if they parked the car. They were in the parking lot when the explosion went off at the airport.

Brussels airport being evacuated

The timetable below at Brussels airport shows flights that e scheduled to depart the past half hour. Man can make his plans, but....

Passengers are being evacuated from Brussels airport, where two loud explosions have been heard. Continue reading: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/22/brussels-airport-explosions-heard

 Brussels Zaventem airport blasts cause casualties

Explosion in Brussels subway after multiple deaths in airport blasts


Mrs. Leah Eisdorfer a”h


21 Mar 2016

Purim preparations

Purim! The Musical

PHOTO: Donald Trump’s Daughter, Grandson Preparing Mishloach Manos For Purim

השכנות התפייסו לאחר 8 שנים והאברך ה'צמח' התעורר - Incredible story about the power of shalom.

"נפגע במתקנים הגרעיניים של ישראל"

On March 19 a statement was issued by the UN regarding the attack in Turkey. The perpetrators of the attack are not identified. But, a day later, a UN condemnation of a house fire which might have been an arson attack or an unintentional blaze includes the words, "by suspected Jewish extremists."
  
March 19
The Secretary-General condemns today's bombing in central Istanbul, which is reported to have killed and injured dozens of people. .. The perpetrators of this appalling violence must be brought to justice, consistent with human rights obligations.
http://www.un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=9552
Statement by the United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Development Aid, Mr. Robert Piper, on the arson attack in the occupied West Bank Jerusalem, 20 March 2016


"I strongly condemn today’s arson attack by suspected Jewish extremists on the home of Palestinian Ibrahim Dawabsheh in the occupied West Bank village of Duma.  ...easily have resulted in a more tragic outcome, as did the heinous terrorist attack last July on the home of Mr. Dawabsheh’s relatives in the same village. Mr. Dawabsheh is the sole witness to that deadly arson attack which resulted in the death of 18-month-old Ali and his parents, and injuries to his 5-year-old brother Ahmad. http://www.unsco.org/Documents/Statements/SC/2016/Statement%20by%20DSC%20Piper%20on%20the%20arson%20attack%20in%20the%20occupied%20WB%20.pdf


“They want to kill Ibrahim. He was the only person who saw the settlers when they attacked [last July],” Duma resident Anwar Dawabsheh told Anadolu Agency, adding that Ibrahim was scheduled to appear in court next month to give evidence in the murder case. http://www.newsfultoncounty.com/politics/news/2029982-dawabsheh-murder-witness-home-hit-by-suspected-arson-attack

The New York Times reported on the arson attack whch occurred in July that killed a Palestinian toddler and his parents.

Witnesses said that they saw masked men in black clothing throw firebombs through the windows of two homes near the village entrance around 2 a.m., shortly after the family returned from visiting relatives. Mr. Dawabsheh, the neighbor, and another eyewitness, Ali Raqi, 21, both said they saw two men standing over the couple, their clothes still alight.

“I reached the house, and I found Saad, lying on the ground,” said Mr. Raqi, who was awake, unable to sleep from the heat. “Riham was there, by the well,” he said. “Riham told me, I have a son, for the sake of God, help him.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/01/world/middleeast/west-bank-arson-palestinian-toddler.html?_r=0

Why does Mr. Piper refer to Mr. Dawabsheh as the sole witness?

Updated version

Rutgers Prof Insists Her Updated Version of the Blood Libel is Not Anti-Semitic

The Trump Card

Angry Mob Outside AIPAC Event

WATCH: Harry Rothenberg On Purim

המקובל רבי דב קוק: בדורנו אין אישה שלא נכשלה בלשון הרע H/T YeranenYaakov

The video below is mostly in Yiddish but at the 4 minute mark, there are words in English that we can all take to heart. "Everyone's waiting, wishing praying for Mashiach - It will only happen when we all get along."

20 Mar 2016

5 minutes

A man who was visiting from Israel gave my husband a small booklet which contains 5 minutes of daily Torah for the month of Adar Bet and I have been reading it voraciously. If you still have a chance to get it before Purim, I highly recommend it for all Hebrew readers. You can find information over here. It is full of interesting thoughts and mussar from Megillat Esther including the following idea.
Haman convinces Achashverosh to make his evil decree against the Jews by telling him, "Yeshno am echad"(3:8) - "There is a nation" which doesn't abide by the customs of the kingdom. The gemara tells us that Haman used this term to imply, "Yashnu am echad" - a people slept (from the commandments) (Megillah 13b).

The thought above and others, as well, can be found if you download the PDF to the link - http://www.parsha.net/Vayikra/TzavPurim74.doc
New Thought From Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l Just Published

Why You Might Not Want To Donate To Sport Relief (especially if you’re Jewish)

כד עיל שבתא Composed by Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz in Memory of his shver Rav Yisrael Belsky ZTL

US visa website won't identify the nation that Tel Aviv or Jerusalem are in (UPDATE)

A Washington Post article reports on "rabbis" concerned about Donald Trump seaking at AIPAC.
Jeffrey Salkin, a Hollywood, Fla., rabbi helping to organize the boycott, said he and other rabbis were alarmed about Trump’s behavior and rhetoric on the campaign trail. “Jewish history teaches that when hatred is unleashed, it takes on a life of its own,” Salkin said.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rabbis-call-for-boycott-of-trumps-speech-to-pro-israel-group/2016/03/17/8e2f2ea6-ea14-11e5-a6f3-21ccdbc5f74e_story.html

If you listen to this video regarding President Obama's former pastor, one wonders how many "rabbis" were concerned about hateful rhetoric and decided to boycott the then candidate Obama's speeches.

19 Mar 2016

All the news we deem fit to print

The New York Times reported about the arrest of Salah Abdeslam in a slightly different fashion than another media source.

As the police operation unfolded, Molenbeek filled with journalists and angry onlookers, who have protested what they consider unfair and heavy-handed interrogations by the police since the November attacks.

But other residents welcomed the capture.

Christophe Van Damme, a contractor who lives yards from where Mr. Abdeslam was apprehended, said heavily armed officers had jumped from vehicles pouring into the neighborhood late in the afternoon. He said he then heard 10 to 15 gunshots.

“When everything was O.K., people were leaning out their windows, applauding the police,” he said. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/world/europe/salah-abdeslam-belgium-apartment.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

Riot police were called in to disperse the crowds who gathered in the Brussels suburb after missiles were thrown at the Belgian authorities.

Tensions were sparked after young people from the troubled area started declaring their support for their “hero” Abdeslam, according to a witness.
 http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/653818/Molenbeek-terror-raid-Paris-attacks-Salah-Abdeslam-Belgium-riot-police

The New York Times has published an opinion piece by David Brooks titled No, Not Trump, Not Ever.

Trump is perhaps the most dishonest person to run for high office in our lifetimes. All politicians stretch the truth, but Trump has a steady obliviousness to accuracy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/18/opinion/no-not-trump-not-ever.html?action=click&contentCollection=Europe&module=Trending&version=Full&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article

Thankfully, we have a candidate on the other side who is the exact opposite, one who has a steady commitment to accuracy and honesty.

Two three day happenings are scheduled to occur this coming week. One is a three-day fast and the other is a three day AIPAC conference where Hillary Clinton and Joe biden are among the confirmed speakers. Which one will benefit us the most?

Rabbis call for three-day fast preceding Purim

"When extreme situations arise, they require an extreme reaction," explained the fast's leadership. "We must make a general break in routine to wake up, stop, cure the evil of separatism, and unite. It was known long ago that in times of trouble, when Israel unites, the troubles disappear." http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4779260,00.html

Pirkei Avot 2:3. Be careful with the government, for they befriend a person only for their own needs. They appear to be friends when it is beneficial to them, but they do not stand by a person at the time of his distress.

Hundreds protest against ignored 'American Intifada' in New York

In the video below, Rabbi Glazerson discusses Nibiru and this coming week. He also talks about it at length in an interview with a Christian TV show which can be viewed over here.. At approximately the 6 minute mark, he states, "But it is important to point out that in Judaism, to get Mashiach, it's not enough the date...Jews have to behave properly - which is called repentance...keeping Torah properly."


16 Mar 2016

Mishloach Manot and unity

UK Labour Party Re-Suspends Member Over Antisemitic Tweets

חשבון נפש • נפטר הגאון רבי אליעזר מן לאחר מחלה קשה

משפחות נרצחי גל הטרור קוראות: בואו לתפילה בכותל

Germany Considers Integration Courses To Teach Incoming Muslim Migrants Not To Hate Jews…

B’Tselem Member Seen Aiding Violent Rock Throwers
 
בד"צ 'העדה החרדית' בתמיכה לצום שלושת הימים


Rabbi Avraham Farber shares his thoughts about the giving of Mishloach Manot in the audio below.



His daily ritual

Chadrei Charedim has an article  about an anti-Semitic act which occurred last night in New York after 2 Jews, residents of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, were attacked by six young non-Jews. One individual snatched the hat of one of the Jews and yanked at his peyos while the other members of the group were laughing. Another attempted to grab a tefillin bag. When the Jews gave chase, the goup threw the hat and glass bottles at them.
http://www.bhol.co.il/98978/%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%9B%D7%95-%D7%91%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%90%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%95%D7%99%D7%99%D7%93%D7%95-%D7%91%D7%A7%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A7%D7%99-%D7%96%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%99%D7%AA-.html

NYPD Hunts Six Men Who Attacked Two Chasidic Jews in Williamsburg

Purim: Don’t Let The “Nail” In – Practice What You Preach - Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein

Matthews Mocks Neocons Backing Israel as ‘Blah, Blah, Blah’; Reid Smears Rubio as Copying Reagan

British Minister: BDS Itself Using Apartheid Methods

Op-Ed: How US taxpayers funded the murder of an Iraq vet in Israel

Rabbi Cunin and His Daily Ritual

A stolen pushka

Video: Man Steals Pushka from Bagles N’ Greens

Barring Pro-Israel Group from Campus

Emuda daily lesson


15 Mar 2016

Identifying diseases

Israeli-developed blood test may be able to identify diseases

Pamela Geller writes about Ahmed Bedier addressing a high school in Florida. Click here to read. In 2013 Joe Kaufman wrote about the speaker over here.

On his Facebook page, Mr. Bedier posted a video about boycotting Sabra. Perhaps he will also post a video aboot boycotting Israëli medical breakthroughs.

עשרה ילדים חרדים מחפשים משפחת אומנה


14 Mar 2016

The list goes on and on

Chasidic Man Rescues Asian Woman from Jumping Off Brooklyn Bridge

GoFundMe Page set up for family of Leah Eisdorfer, young mother Killed in Car Accident last week


Below is a comment posted at the end of the article.

"Sadly, we only realize how much a mother does for her kids when she’s gone. Cook, housekeeper, homework tutor, social worker, chizzuk giver, problem validator, problem solver, snack-in-the-backpack packer, challah-baker teacher, shema Sayer, soap-in-the-eye remover and the list goes on and on. "

"Lo Sei'aseh Chametz Ki Chol Si'or... Lo Saktiru Mimenu Isheh Lashem" (Vayikra 2:11). The two places that the Torah forbids Chometz is on the Mizbei'ach all year round, and in every person's home on Pesach. Why is this?

The Netziv in Hemek Davar says that leavening bread is using human intervention to add on to the natural state of the creation. The closer we are to Hashem the less appropriate it is for us to alter the natural order and manipulate the Briah. Therefore in the Bais HaMikdash, the dwelling place for the Shechina on earth, it is inappropriate to ever have Chametz on the Mizbei'ach to be offered up to Hashem.

Similarly, Pesach is the Yom Tov that imbues Emunah into our souls. Yetzias Mitzrayim is the banner we wave as the proof of Hashem's control over the world and His love for us, and we frequently mention Zeicher Litzias Mitzrayim. During this Yom Tov where we bask in the arms of our great Protector and Father in Shamayim, we refrain from eating any Chametz and leave the Briah as He made it, without our intervention.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Vayikra-Netziv-Chometz-On-Pesach-Chometz-On-The-Mizbeiach/4454


A Grateful Heart

500 Years of Jewish Life in Venice

The Power of a Grateful Heart

Former Soviet Chess Champion Explains Realities of Socialism to Bernie Supporters


13 Mar 2016

Jewish life

The Mystery of the Jews (movie)

MEGILLA RAFFLE - Today

Hillary Suggests (Again) That Benghazi Victims’ Families Are Liars

Rabbi Alon Anava discusses Mashiach's arrival at the 11:34 minute mark of the video below.

You know when Mashiach comes, what's going to happen? When Mashiach comes each and every one of us if going to have a personal meeting with the King.... And then He's going to ask you the million dollar question.

What dod you do to make me come faster?

Now what are you going to tell him. Uhh... I was on Facebook for three hours every day... What did you do? Did you do mitzvot? Did you change something in this world?....




12 Mar 2016

Ugly chants

An ugly thing happened at a high school basketball game in a suburb of Boston on Friday night.

It occurred at a division title game between the all-boys Catholic Memorial School and the public Newton North High School, which has a large Jewish community of students.
Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/you-killed-jesus-you-killed-jesus-boston-catholic-high-school-basketball-fans-chant-at-jewish-opponents

Perhaps it would have been better to attend shul Friday night and be eating Shabbos supper rather than be subjected to anti-Semitic chants.

Charles Krauthammer: The Holocaust and the Jewish identity

The Yagdil Torah relates that at the Chasuna of one of the most Chashuv Chasidim of Kotzk someone wrote him a Bracha, using the words of the pasuk "VKomatz HaKohen Mimena", the Kohen should take a Kometz from the Korban Mincha (Vayikra 5:12).

The meaning of this was that the gemara in Brachos (8a) says that in Eretz Yisroel after the Chasuna they would ask the Chosson "Matza" or "Moitza". Matza from the pasuk Matza Isha Matza Tov (Mishlei 18:22), he who finds a wife finds good, meaning he found a good wife. Or "Moitzei Ani Mar MiMaves Es HaIsha", in my wife I found something more bitter than death (Koheles 7:26). The difference between Matza and Moitza is whether the Mem has a Komatz or Cholam. The bracha was that the Chosson should have a Komatz like the pasuk, and have a wonderful marriage.

Rebbi Akiva Eiger was asked why by a Chasuna is there is minhag to grab the Challa of HaMoitzi from the Chosson. He answered that we grab the "Moitzi" in order that the Chosson should have the Matza and have found a fine wife.

What is the secret to the Komatz that it signifies a good marriage while the Cholam tells a story of bitterness? Maybe we an offer that Komatz means to restrict to close. Our mouth takes on a very restrictive shape when we say the Komatz sound as opposed to the Patach which means to open wide and is the sound we are told to make when the doctor needs us to look inside. The secret to a happy marriage is to close the mouth and not let everything on our mind come tumbling out. Our words should be restricted like the three fingered Kemitza of the Kohen, and so should our expectations and creams.

On the other hand Cholam is the word for dreams. If we have big dream and expectations from our spouses, we are surely to be disappointed and frustrated along the way as our fantasies are not played out in the tough place called reality. These dreams if not curtailed will end in bitterness and finger pointing if we don't close our mouths. With these dreams we will find a life more bitter than death.

It is up to us to take the Komatz route and close our mouths and then we will find a wonderful wife. Or we can dream on about how it was supposed to be, and never realize the wonderful women on our side. So, Matza or Moitza, what will it be?
http://revach.net/avodah/bnei-bayscha/Parshas-Vayikra-The-Kemitza-The-Secret-Recipe-To-A-Great-Marriage/4460

11 Mar 2016

Eileh Pikudei HaMishkan

The Medrash says that Moshe Rabbeinu asked Hashem, if the Bais HaMikdash is destroyed where will Hashem's Shechina rest. Hashem answered that it will rest on the Tzadikim of each generation. The Gemara in Succah (45b) says that each generation has 36 tzaddikim that greet the Shechina every day.

Rav Shlomo Levenstein in Chaim Shel Torah says there is a Remez to this in the first words of Parshas Pikudei. Pikudei according to many Meforshim means "missing" or "lacking". Eileh is gematria 36. "Eileh Pikudei HaMishkan". What will happen with the Shechina when "Pikudei HaMishkan", when the Mishkan is missing, asks the Torah? Eileh, the Shechina will rest among the 36 tzaddikim.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/numbers-amp-letters/Parshas-Pekudei-The-Mishkan-and-The-36-Tzaddikim/1923

הרב דוד בצרי: "כל אחד יביא לפחות 12 ילדים" • צפו


Torah Wellsprings - Pekudei

Report: Former PM Olmert Using His Prison Time to Put on Tefilin and Attend Gemara Shiurim

Bris for a Nephew of Sara Sperling Held in Assaf HaRofeh Hospital


10 Mar 2016

Open discussion and debate

Rav Matisyahu Salomon On the Shidduch Crisis

?למה לצום שלושה ימיםH/T Yeranen Yaakov

J Street's Jeremy Ben-Ami and the RJC's Matt Brooks Debate in Vegas can be viewed on YouTube.


Jeremy Ben-Ami states at the 57 minute mark, "We believe in open discussion and debate." 

An article about the debate includes the following items.


FUNNY SYMBOLISM: The RJC's Matt Brooks wore a blue kippah while J Street's Ben Ami wore the red kippah. Perhaps it was in honor of the new Jewish month of Adar where the 'shtick' is often to do things backwards. [Twitter]

DEBATE RECAP -- ... There was controversy at the beginning of J Street as to the involvement of George Soros in our launching. A lot of miscommunication. I have apologized for all of that, and we are well beyond that. The only thing I have had to say about George Soros’s funding since then, is that I wish there were more of it.” 
Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.708086

An article at Israel Hayom describes a speaker's words at the 2012 J Street Conference.


Audiences at the annual J Street conference in Washington on Monday were shocked when one of the event’s honorees, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC, Barukh Bina, stood at the podium and issued a respectful yet scathing criticism of the advocacy group’s policies.

As the audience sat in near-silence, Twitter users who were live-tweeting the event immediately began detailing the mood in the conference hall. “Awkward! Israeli #2 Ambassador Barukh Binah is slamming #JStreet at its annual gala,” Twitter user @MeatyButcher wrote. @EmilyCadei added, “#Israel deputy chief of mission addresses/scolds #JStreet gala, NOT well received, heard some hisses.”
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=3695


Dr. Naomi wrote an article about J Street.


Who can forget J Street's support for the biased and inaccurate Goldstone Report that condemned Israel for defending itself during Operation Cast Lead in 2008 against rockets and mortar shells launched by Hamas. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, then president of the Union for Reform Judaism, who considers himself a dove, found J Street's words "deeply distressing because they [were] morally deficient." He accusingly noted that J Street "could find no moral difference between the actions of Hamas and other Palestinian militants, who have launched more than 5,000 rockets and mortar shells at Israeli civilians in the past three years, and the long-delayed response of Israel, which finally lost patience and responded to the pleas of its battered citizens in the south." 

...Rabbi Yoffie was loudly booed at the 2009 J Street Conference when he expressed those views.
http://www.drnaomionisrael.com/articles/2016/1/20/what-to-do-about-j-street-an-enemy-of-israel

In 2012, I  wrote about Ambassador Baruch Bina speaking at the J Street Conference.
"Chadrei Chareidim reports about that a vehicle in which a groom was riding yesterday, came under attack by a group of Arab rioters. It was his wedding day and, in the afternoon, he and his friend went to Har Hazeitim because the mother of the groom had died a year ago, and the man wanted to pray at the grave before his wedding. On their way, something was thrown at the car. Soon, the occupants were facing a group of Arab youths, aged 16 to 20, who threw large stones at the vehicle. One of the stones smashed the window next to the groom and hit his head, causing bleeding. The driver related that he tried to flee the area but they were surrounded by the youths. The men were able to call security forces and, after initial treatment at tte hopital, the groom was able to participate in the wedding.

 Guaranteed this story will not make the rounds of any of the major media outlets. After all, the Palestinian struggle employs methods of non-violence, never mind that Asher Palmer and his young son lost their lives when a rock was thrown at their car. Even Mustafa Barghouti, who spoke at the J Street conference discussed the non-violence repeatedly, throwing in the word apartheid, for good measure. I am able to tell you this, becuase the J Street website has a video of his speaking at the conference as well as any speaker who agreed with their views. The video of deputy Ambassador Barukh Bina, who issued a reprimand to the organization, is nowhere to be found." http://mashiachiscoming.blogspot.be/2012/03/wedding-day.html

Open discussion and debate?  Go to youtube and write "J Street Barghouti" and you will find videos from the Conference. Go to youtube and write "J Street Bina" and tell me if you find a video of his speech at the 2012 Conference.
If you click here, you will find Ashley Bates, assistant editor at Tikkun, introducing Barhgouti at the 2012 Conference. She states, "We support a targeted form of Boycott Divestment and Sanctions, but not a boycott of Israel as a whole."  
Mr. Ben-Ami stated in the debate with Matt Brooks, "We are 100% opposed to the global BDS movement."
I realize Ms. Bates wasn't speaking in the name of J Street,  but it is interesting that the organization has no problem hearing her words as she speaks behind a J Street podium.


The same day

A Fascinating Fact Regarding the Chazak and Daf Yomi Hadran on the Same Day This Shabbos

Op-Ed: The Conservative Movement: The Masorti Movement that isn't

Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein - Purim: Its All In The Gift Wrap

After the consecration – P’kudei by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple
Chapter 39:32 reports the completion of building the tabernacle.

Some rabbis say that whilst the people were busy with the tabernacle, they were exempt from other mitzvot. Now this priority was achieved, they could move on to the next task, all the other Divine behests.

A great educator was asked on his 70th birthday by a journalist, “What are you going to do with yourself now that are 70?”

He answered, “Climb mountains!”

“At your age?” asked the journalist.

“Of course,” came the answer. “Whenever I reach the summit of one task, I look for another. When I have climbed one mountain, I find another one ahead of me!”
http://www.oztorah.com/2016/03/after-the-consecration-pkudei/


Yes, Israel is an apartheid state


9 Mar 2016

A tale of two condemnations

The Independent has an article about the Egyptian parliament "drafting a law banning women from wearing the niqab veil."
"MP Amna Nosseir, professor of comparative jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University, who has backed the ban, said that wearing the veil is not a requirement of Islam and in fact has non-Islamic origins. She has argued that it is a Jewish tradition which appeared in the Arabian Peninsula prior to Islam..." http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/egypt-drafts-bill-to-ban-niqab-veil-in-public-places-a6920701.html

Are Orthodox Women Behind One of Fall 2016’s Biggest Fashion Trends?

INN writes about Yariv Oppenheimerwho has spoken out against the execution of terrorists, including the one in Petach Tikvah which the Times of Israel describes as Stabbing victim pulls knife out of own neck, kills terrorist.


Did Mr. Oppenheimer tweet and show his concern about the victims being executed by terrorists? Can a victim of an attack, severly in shock, be expected to make sure that the attacker doesn't die?



Notice any difference in the two condemnations below? Which one mentions the suspected perpetrators? Which parites condemned the attacks? Which one mentions the T word?

Statement by the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, on attacks in Israel and Jerusalem Jerusalem, 9 March 2016


I condemn the multiple attacks today in Tel Aviv/Jaffa, Petah Tiqva and Jerusalem in which at least one person was killed and some 14 others injured. There is and can never be any justification for terror. It is deplorable that some choose to glorify such acts that undermine the future of both Palestinians and Israelis.

My thoughts are with the families and friends of all victims and I hope for a full and speedy recovery of the wounded.

Political, religious and community leaders on all sides must live up to their responsibility to stand firmly against violence and incitement. They must urgently take the necessary steps to rebuild hope and show that a political horizon for a negotiated two-state solution is still possible.
http://www.unsco.org/Documents/Statements/SC/2016/Statement%20by%20UN%20Special%20Coordinator%20Mladenov%20-%209%20March%202016.pdf


Jerusalem, 31 July 2015
Following the outrage perpetrated against the Dawabsha family in the village of Duma, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, made the following statement:

“I am outraged by today’s vicious arson attack by suspected Jewish extremists in the Occupied West Bank village of Duma near Nablus, which killed Palestinian toddler, Ali, critically injured his mother and father and injured his four-year old sibling. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims.

I join in the strong condemnations issued by Israeli and Palestinian Government and political leaders. I call for a full and prompt investigation to bring the perpetrators of this terrorist crime to justice.

This heinous murder was carried out for a political objective. We must not permit such acts to allow hate and violence to bring more personal tragedies and to bury any prospect of peace. This reinforces the need for an immediate resolution of the conflict and an end to the occupation.”
http://www.unsco.org/Documents/Statements/SC/2015/Statement%20by%20the%20UN%20Special%20Coordinator%20-%2031%20July%202015.pdf


Powerful lessons

Two interesting articles at the Blaze - or should I rename the site to "Let's write as many negative articles about Trump as we can because Glenn Beck says so."

Coach’s Powerful Lesson Teaches College Basketball Players to Respect the National Anthem

Take a Look at the Anti-Socialism Bernie Sanders Meme Going Viral Online: ‘I Took Half Your Sign…’

Listen to Rabbi Moshe Hauer on Parshas Pekudei - The Fire of His Presence (Audio)

"נס בצומת רמות: "יכלו להיות עשרות נפגעים


Rejecting violence

The day of death melody - with lyrics

Overpaid

Shidduch Advice from Rabbi Manis

EoZTV on @UNRWA teaching kids martyrdom and stabbing Jews (plus posters)

Chancellor Zeppos writes to his students about the stabbing of an American in Israel.

It is with extreme sadness that I write to inform you that Taylor Force, a student at our Owen Graduate School of Management, was fatally wounded March 8 in a stabbing attack while on an Owen school trip to Tel Aviv, Israel.
http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2016/03/message-from-chancellor-zeppos-on-student-death-in-israel/

The Nashville Scene begins an article about the attack, "Vanderbilt University student Taylor Force was killed in a stabbing attack Tuesday in Israel, according to an announcement from the university. Ten other people were wounded in the attack by a man wielding a knife in the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Jaffa, the Associated Press reports."
http://www.nashvillescene.com/pitw/archives/2016/03/08/vanderbilt-student-killed-in-attack-during-school-trip-to-israel?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The article is linked to an AP one which identifies the attacker as Palestinian.

State Department Spokesperson John Kirby was asked about UNRWA upholding a strict policy of neutrality.

MR KIRBY: Well, I mean, it’s certainly something we’ve talked to them about and will continue to. And as I said earlier, every such allegation brought to UNRWA’s attention has either been or is being investigated and looked at. So what I can tell you is it’s apparent to us they’re taking it seriously and they’re looking into these things, or they have looked into them in the past and closed them out. But if you’re asking me for a qualitative – go ahead.

QUESTION: Well, I just want to know, I mean, do you think that there is a problem here that needs to be fixed?

MR KIRBY: We’re certainly worried and concerned that there could be a problem that needs to be fixed.

QUESTION: There could be?

MR KIRBY: Right. I mean, I think we need to let these investigations play out. But we’ve been very clear about our concerns with respect to incitement of violence and anti-Semitism that has allegedly occurred in UNRWA.

Mr. Kirby was also asked about the stabbing attacks carried out in Israel today.

...these events, again, underscore the need for all sides to reject violence and to urgently take steps to restore calm, reduce tensions, and bring an immediate end to it. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/03/254101.htm#MIDDLEEASTPEACE

The Times of Israel reports about the stabbing attacks.

One man slowed down the attacker by hitting him with a guitar he was holding, he told Channel 2, holding aloft the broken instrument.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-terrorist-kills-1-hurts-10-in-jaffa-stabbing-spree/

But isn't hitting someone with a guitar a violent act? Shouln't he have heeded Mr. Kirby's advice to reject violence?

Perhaps Taylor Force, who is described by Avi Mayer as "Eagle Scout, Army vet, West Point grad" heeded the call to reject violence and did not use any force to fight back.

8 Mar 2016

The day of death melody - with lyrics

צפו בקליפ: המוהרא"ש מתכונן ליום המיתה


Overpaid

Major Jewish Group Demands ABC Cancel ‘Quantico’ for ‘Vicious Defamation of Jews, Israel and the IDF’
Episode 4 contains the outrageous lie that Israelis bombed the Gaza greenhouses:
Simon Asher:  “I spent months with the UAWC rehabbing greenhouses bombed by the Israelis in the Gaza strip.”
https://www.algemeiner.com/2016/03/07/major-jewish-group-demands-abc-cancel-quantico-for-vicious-defamation-of-jews-israel-and-the-idf/#

After reading the Quantico article, I found two articles from 2005 about what really took place and then l watched the character delivering the above line in an episode which can be found on YouTube. You can hear the line being spoken at the 10:36 minute mark.
I found it worse to watch than to read the article. - Disgusting distortion.


Farmers from the Jewish settlements of the Gaza Strip signed an agreement Friday to sell most of their greenhouses to a private international fund, which in turn will hand them over to the Palestinian Authority.

The deal, reached just days before the Israeli evacuation of the 21 settlements in Gaza is to begin, is aimed at preserving the settlements' primary agricultural asset for Palestinian use. That could provide the impoverished territory with a much-needed economic boost after the hand-over.
http://articles.latimes.com/2005/aug/13/world/fg-greenhouses13

Palestinians looted dozens of greenhouses on Tuesday, walking off with irrigation hoses, water pumps and plastic sheeting in a blow to fledgling efforts to reconstruct the Gaza Strip.

American Jewish donors had bought more than 3,000 greenhouses from Israeli settlers in Gaza for $14 million last month and transferred them to the Palestinian Authority. Former World Bank President James Wolfensohn, who brokered the deal, put up $500,000 of his own cash. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/9331863/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/t/looters-strip-gaza-greenhouses/#.Vt6YUMZwXIU

Jewish Charities Paid More than Anything else (Including Wall Street) for Hillary Speech

Report: Obama to use UN to divide Jerusalem




7 Mar 2016

The double standard

Weasel Zippers reports Saved By Israeli Cancer Treatment, Jimmy Carter No Longer Needs Treatment… "Jimmy can get back to speaking about BDS."
http://www.weaselzippers.us/260354-saved-by-israeli-cancer-treatment-jimmy-carter-no-longer-needs-cancer-treatment/

Clinton Cough Returns at Debate

FULL VICTORY: McGraw-Hill rules politics textbook is wrong, will destroy all copies and issue refunds

William Jacobson reports Vassar student gov’t passes anti-Israel BDS Resolution abd asks Should supporters of Israel now boycott Vassar?
http://legalinsurrection.com/2016/03/vassar-student-govt-passes-anti-israel-bds-resolution/

Michael Laitman: Joy Karega And The Fallacy Of Freedom Of Speech

"When someone says, “Muslims are…” or “Blacks are…,” that person is immediately categorized as an Islamophobe or a racist. But when someone says, “Jews are…” or “Israelis are…,” even if the statement is not only malicious, but downright ludicrous, some people justify such statements in the name of free speech. This double standard constitutes anti-Semitism."
Continue reading this excellent article over here.

חבר המועצת אסר על אזולאי לחתום על תקנות הכותל הרפורמי

"מרן הרב קנייבסקי שלח לבדוק שחיטת 'העדה': "להמתין בינתיים

5 Mar 2016

The Mashkon

An Uber driver yelled anti-Semitic slurs at an Orthodox Jewish man behind the wheel of a school bus in Stamford Hill.
Continue reading: http://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/crime-court/uber_driver_shouted_kill_all_the_jews_at_school_bus_driver_in_stamford_hill_1_4443814


Honey Cake Recipe | Jewish Food | J-TV

Rashi says in (38:21) that the Mishkan is called so because it is a "Mashkon"; a security guarantee for Hashem that we will keep the mitzvos. When we failed to keep it Hashem takes his Mashkon and destroyed the two Batei Mikdash. The question is that the halacha clearly states that even when a creditor takes away the Mashkon he must return it for the debtor to use when he needs it. The classic example is that his work tools must be returned by day so he can earn a living. Why doesn't Hashem return to us the Bais HaMikdash? Our Merciful Father is surely charitable beyond the Torah's requirements.

I heard from Rav Yosef Chaim Kupshitz Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef that the Mashkon is only returned if it is something that is essential for us to have in order to function properly. The fact that Hashem does not return it, is a sign that we don't consider the Bais HaMikdash critical to our lives. May we all be zocheh to greet Pnei Moshiach Tzidkeinu, rejoice in the Binyan Bais HaMikdash, and witness the Hashroas HaShechina amongst us once again.
http://www.thejewisheye.com/rev_ppekudei.html


4 Mar 2016

Torah learning

Parshas VaYakhail - Gathering the Children of Israel – Together as One

פרשת ויקהל • הראשל"צ הגאון רבי שלמה עמאר עם וורט על הפרשה

Rabbi Shmuel Silber on Parshas VaYakhail - The Right Materials

I signed up for Middos Challenges a few weeks ago and received my weekly email today with this week's challenge.

Notice something about YOURSELF that makes you happy, and say it out loud (or whisper). It can be something good you did, some aspect of your personality, or one of the life circumstances you were born with.

Sign up over here to get the Middos Challenge emails.

A state judge expects to decide by Monday whether to dismiss a lawsuit that seeks to toss Ted Cruz off New York primary ballots because he was born in Canada.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/judge-decide-fate-ted-cruz-state-primary-ballot-article-1.2552184

In a youtube video over here, you can hear Ted Cruz being about whether he was a natural born citizen.
His response was, "I was a US citizen by birth and beyond that I'm going to leave it to others to worry about the legal consequences."

Click over here to hear another response.

"My mother was a US citizen by birth and under Federal law, the child of a US citizen born abroad is a natural born citizen."


1 Mar 2016

Emails to Hashem

Email to Hashem

Emuna daily lesson

Terrorism Is Not an Abstraction. It’s Gruesome and Wildly Hateful.

 Earlier today, the Times of Israel reported Final batch of Clinton emails includes message to ‘Hashem’


The current batch included a message with an attachment that purported to be a classified note that Tom Donilon, Obama’s national security adviser, slipped into Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall on a trip to Israel in 2012.
However, officials said the attachment along with its contents were, in fact, a joke sent to Clinton by an aide.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/state-dept-releases-final-clinton-emails-including-message-to-hashem/

Searching throught the emails posted at the State Department site, I came across a note signed by Thomas Elojah Donilon in which he requests three things from Hashem and signs the note with Todah Raba.
1. Please bless Hillary with good health and a wonderful retiremnet.... as soon as possible.

Jason Leopold reports on other emails that were released.
An email chain from July 2012 revealed that Associated Press reporter Matt Lee saw that Sullivan left his Blackberry at a bar in Jerusalem and he apparently read one or more messages that suggested there were tensions between the State Department and the White House over competing trips to Israel by Tom Donilon, Obama's national security adviser, and Clinton.
https://news.vice.com/article/the-final-1700-hillary-clinton-emails-were-just-released-and-one-was-not

"מרן הגראי"ל לבחורים: "תזכו לכל טוב בעולם הבא