Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss takes a look at secular New Year's resolutions and compares them with our resolutions.
After studying these lists, I realized that they primarily revolve around the body: to lose weight, to get fit, to quit smoking or drinking, or to manage stress. These are all the needs of the guf, our mortal bodies. Now, while we also ascribe to the positive commandment of “V’nishmartem meod es nafshoseichem - To guard the health of our bodies,” it is the needs of our neshoma, our immortal soul, that is the primary focus of our existence. Thus, our resolutions are quite different and revolve around character improvement such as: 1. I will not gossip about others. 2. I will avoid lying. 3. I will make up with people that I am at odds with. 4. I will try not to be envious of others. Rather, I will rejoice in their success and prosperity. 5. I will be more loving and attentive to my spouse. 6. I will be a better role-model for my children. 7. I will bring joy to my parents. 8. I will be more charitable. 9. I’ll try not to be selfish and self-centered. 10. I will work hard to curb my anger and will restrain myself from screaming and yelling.
Read full article: http://matzav.com/new-years-resolution-2014
KikarHashabat has an article about a man who refused to give his wife a get and fled to America a few years ago. He has now been extradited to Israel.
KikarHashabat has an article about Rav Kaduri seeing the Mashiach in the past.
Former minister Rafi Eitan, the former handler of Jonathan Pollard, believes that this time, Israeli efforts to win Pollard’s freedom may yield results.
Continue reading: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/175765
NPR has an article titled What Israel's Release Of Palestinian Prisoners Means For Peace.
Below is one comment posted under the NPR article. If one reads through the rest of the comments, one realizes that views are entrenched and opinions won't be swayed by the truth.
I was very surprised to see the article didn't include a link to the names and crimes of the actual prisoners, but it included a convenient link to an article about settlement expansions. One can't expect every article to be written by a non-baised robot, but NPR is usually better than this.
31 Dec 2013
Call for prayer
Chadrei Charedim reports that HaRav Aharon Leib Shteinman is calling for a global prayer day, tomorrow, erev Rosh Chodesh Shevat, against the conscription law aimed at yeshiva students. Rav Vozner has also added his voice to the call for prayer.
Click here to read the article in Hebrew.
Click here to read the article in Hebrew.
30 Dec 2013
The sanctification of time
In the video below the speaker discusses the mitzvah of "Hachodesh Hazeh." He states, "There is nothing more aimportant for an individual than the sanctification of time.... We have a limited time to make a difference in the world."
Reading about Nochum Zvi Potash, I realize that he made a difference, even though he was granted but a few years on earth.
Crown Heights info reports on a levaya of a young boy from London.
Nochum Tzvi loved going to Shul. He loved his small community of Heichal Menachem. Each time he came, he always offered his help. Though young, he joined with the other children in cleaning the Shul after davening or setting up the Farbrengen. But there were two “jobs” he loved most. For many Shabbosim he would stand near the Bima and help cover the Sefer Torah in between Aliyos. The other job was helping his treasurer father, Yossi, in keeping record of the donations people pledged after their Aliyos.
...The Potash/Garelick families, together with the Heichal Menachem community, are launching a building campaign for a new Lubavitch Community Center in Golders Green, which will proudly bear the name Beis Nochum Tzvi – to never forget the child that loved his Shul.
Read more: http://crownheights.info/notices/419101/lavaya-of-nochum-tzvi-potash-to-take-place-today/
by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple
The 12th chapter of Sh’mot starts the history of the Jewish calendar: “This month (Nisan, the month of the Exodus) shall be for you the first of the months” (Ex. 12:2).
We might have thought that this command was merely addressed to Moses and Aaron, since the previous verse says, “HaShem spoke to Moses and Aaron…” But Ramban points out that our verse is linked with what follows, “Speak to all the congregation of Israel”, which indicates that the establishment of the list of months is addressed to the whole of the Jewish people.
The great founder of neo-orthodoxy, Samson Raphael Hirsch, used to say that if you want to know what Jews believe, you have to look at their calendar. On one level this means, “Look at the festivals”. Hence Pesach stands for freedom, Shavu’ot stands for duty, Sukkot affirms God’s protection, Rosh HaShanah represents destiny, Yom Kippur assures us of reconciliation with God.
But it is not only the festivals that tell us what Judaism stands for: the months too have a message about the principles of the Jewish way of life. Every month we see the moon wax and then wane, which symbolises the way in which faith functions.
There are times of gadlut emunah, greater faith, when no-one can have the slightest hesitation about believing in God; there are times of katnut emunah, when our faith is tested and events tempt us to deny the Almighty. That’s the way the human soul works, and our task is to contain the moments of doubt and return to the spiritual equilibrium in which we wholeheartedly affirm our Creator.
With the coming of each new month we overcome our hesitations and once more grow in faith and belief.
http://www.oztorah.com/2013/12/the-message-of-the-calendar-bo/
Reading about Nochum Zvi Potash, I realize that he made a difference, even though he was granted but a few years on earth.
Crown Heights info reports on a levaya of a young boy from London.
Nochum Tzvi loved going to Shul. He loved his small community of Heichal Menachem. Each time he came, he always offered his help. Though young, he joined with the other children in cleaning the Shul after davening or setting up the Farbrengen. But there were two “jobs” he loved most. For many Shabbosim he would stand near the Bima and help cover the Sefer Torah in between Aliyos. The other job was helping his treasurer father, Yossi, in keeping record of the donations people pledged after their Aliyos.
...The Potash/Garelick families, together with the Heichal Menachem community, are launching a building campaign for a new Lubavitch Community Center in Golders Green, which will proudly bear the name Beis Nochum Tzvi – to never forget the child that loved his Shul.
Read more: http://crownheights.info/notices/419101/lavaya-of-nochum-tzvi-potash-to-take-place-today/
by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple
The 12th chapter of Sh’mot starts the history of the Jewish calendar: “This month (Nisan, the month of the Exodus) shall be for you the first of the months” (Ex. 12:2).
We might have thought that this command was merely addressed to Moses and Aaron, since the previous verse says, “HaShem spoke to Moses and Aaron…” But Ramban points out that our verse is linked with what follows, “Speak to all the congregation of Israel”, which indicates that the establishment of the list of months is addressed to the whole of the Jewish people.
The great founder of neo-orthodoxy, Samson Raphael Hirsch, used to say that if you want to know what Jews believe, you have to look at their calendar. On one level this means, “Look at the festivals”. Hence Pesach stands for freedom, Shavu’ot stands for duty, Sukkot affirms God’s protection, Rosh HaShanah represents destiny, Yom Kippur assures us of reconciliation with God.
But it is not only the festivals that tell us what Judaism stands for: the months too have a message about the principles of the Jewish way of life. Every month we see the moon wax and then wane, which symbolises the way in which faith functions.
There are times of gadlut emunah, greater faith, when no-one can have the slightest hesitation about believing in God; there are times of katnut emunah, when our faith is tested and events tempt us to deny the Almighty. That’s the way the human soul works, and our task is to contain the moments of doubt and return to the spiritual equilibrium in which we wholeheartedly affirm our Creator.
With the coming of each new month we overcome our hesitations and once more grow in faith and belief.
http://www.oztorah.com/2013/12/the-message-of-the-calendar-bo/
23 Dec 2013
Leading the sheep
by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple
Whatever Moses did, the Egyptian magicians were able to counter it (Ex. 7:11). In today’s world, Moses wouldn’t have stood a chance.
The magicians were masters of show, while Moses was a mere stutterer. On television Moses wouldn’t have lasted a moment. He hadn’t an ounce of charisma.
From the perspective of history, however, judged by the criteria of a pre-television age, Moses had the more substance, and that’s why the Torah says (Ex. 14:31) that the people “believed in God and in Moses His servant” (possibly the words mean, “and that Moses was His servant”).
The lesson we learn is that no-one, not even a rabbi, especially not a rabbi, should be judged by spell-binding oratory or flamboyant theatricality. Some people are masters of magic, capable of manipulating minds and hearts, either for the wrong purpose or for no purpose at all other than the pleasure that they get out of wielding their magic.
Not that putting on a show is necessarily always bad, but the rational person should always ask,
“What’s behind the theatrics?” The rational person should never be swayed by the drama. It’s harder to ask the hard questions, but without them no decision will ever have real validity.
http://www.oztorah.com/2013/12/moses-the-showmen-vaera/
The pasuk tells us that Moshe led Yisro's flock of sheep in the Midbar. Chazal tell us that in the zechus of his outstanding service of leading the sheep of a mere mortal with perfection and compassion he was zocheh to lead Hashem's "Tzon Kodshim", Hashem's Holy Sheep, for 40 years in the Midbar.
The Ben Ish Chai in his sefer Ben Yoho'ada on Chumash says that the reason why the Bnei Yisroel are called "Tzon" is to remind us that we must serve Hashem with the four traits laid out by Yehuda Ben Teima in Pirkei Avos (5:20). Az KaNamer, audacious like a Leopard; Kal KaNesher, light like an eagle; Ruzt KaTzvi, run like a deer; Gibor Ka'Ari strong like a lion. The Roshie Teivos of these for animal Tzadi for Tzvi, Aleph for Ari, Nun for Nesher and Namer make up the word "Tzon". Hashem's flock must use all four of these character traits for avodas Hashem. If we do so then we are zocheh to be called "Tzon Kodshim" and be led by a merciful shepherd.
http://www.revach.net/dafyomi/article.php?id=1585&style=send
Whatever Moses did, the Egyptian magicians were able to counter it (Ex. 7:11). In today’s world, Moses wouldn’t have stood a chance.
The magicians were masters of show, while Moses was a mere stutterer. On television Moses wouldn’t have lasted a moment. He hadn’t an ounce of charisma.
From the perspective of history, however, judged by the criteria of a pre-television age, Moses had the more substance, and that’s why the Torah says (Ex. 14:31) that the people “believed in God and in Moses His servant” (possibly the words mean, “and that Moses was His servant”).
The lesson we learn is that no-one, not even a rabbi, especially not a rabbi, should be judged by spell-binding oratory or flamboyant theatricality. Some people are masters of magic, capable of manipulating minds and hearts, either for the wrong purpose or for no purpose at all other than the pleasure that they get out of wielding their magic.
Not that putting on a show is necessarily always bad, but the rational person should always ask,
“What’s behind the theatrics?” The rational person should never be swayed by the drama. It’s harder to ask the hard questions, but without them no decision will ever have real validity.
http://www.oztorah.com/2013/12/moses-the-showmen-vaera/
The pasuk tells us that Moshe led Yisro's flock of sheep in the Midbar. Chazal tell us that in the zechus of his outstanding service of leading the sheep of a mere mortal with perfection and compassion he was zocheh to lead Hashem's "Tzon Kodshim", Hashem's Holy Sheep, for 40 years in the Midbar.
The Ben Ish Chai in his sefer Ben Yoho'ada on Chumash says that the reason why the Bnei Yisroel are called "Tzon" is to remind us that we must serve Hashem with the four traits laid out by Yehuda Ben Teima in Pirkei Avos (5:20). Az KaNamer, audacious like a Leopard; Kal KaNesher, light like an eagle; Ruzt KaTzvi, run like a deer; Gibor Ka'Ari strong like a lion. The Roshie Teivos of these for animal Tzadi for Tzvi, Aleph for Ari, Nun for Nesher and Namer make up the word "Tzon". Hashem's flock must use all four of these character traits for avodas Hashem. If we do so then we are zocheh to be called "Tzon Kodshim" and be led by a merciful shepherd.
http://www.revach.net/dafyomi/article.php?id=1585&style=send
22 Dec 2013
Living with beliefs - living with passion
The battle for freedom rages on was an opening line in the trailer for Return of the Jedi in 1983. Now the call from the wilderness is return of the Girl Guide and their pledge to God. Select British Girl Guide groups continue to defy the national organization by refusing to change the part of their pledge that says “to love my God”, and replacing it with “be true to myself and develop my beliefs.”
...Writer and TV presenter Victoria Coren said the phrase “be true to myself” does not mean anything, but carries a suggestion of something “utterly individualistic”, while commentator Melanie Phillips said the Guides’ change was “nothing other than secular totalitarianism”.
Coren hits the nail on the head! To be “true to myself” is a self-centered concept. It leaves the idea of what you should be totally fluid. Children need standards to be impressed on them, this tells them to make up their own.
Read more: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/60032?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
Chabad Crown Heights info has an article about two Jewish girls who were groped on the streets of Brooklyn. If I am true to my beliefs that "groping is good" have I fulfilled my Girl Guide pledge?
Chabad Crown Heights info features a photo of a Santa donning tefillin after some yeshive students found out that he was Jewish.Click here to view Picture of the Day: ‘Tis the Season for a Mitzvah.
...Writer and TV presenter Victoria Coren said the phrase “be true to myself” does not mean anything, but carries a suggestion of something “utterly individualistic”, while commentator Melanie Phillips said the Guides’ change was “nothing other than secular totalitarianism”.
Coren hits the nail on the head! To be “true to myself” is a self-centered concept. It leaves the idea of what you should be totally fluid. Children need standards to be impressed on them, this tells them to make up their own.
Read more: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/60032?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
Chabad Crown Heights info has an article about two Jewish girls who were groped on the streets of Brooklyn. If I am true to my beliefs that "groping is good" have I fulfilled my Girl Guide pledge?
Chabad Crown Heights info features a photo of a Santa donning tefillin after some yeshive students found out that he was Jewish.Click here to view Picture of the Day: ‘Tis the Season for a Mitzvah.
True to one's beliefs
Adam Soclof interviews the Jerusalem snowboarder "with tzitzit flying" who was featured on the Wall Street Journal's front page.
Do you feel any added pressure, now that you’re a publicly visible religious figure in popular media?
I feel pressured to try and represent the truest values of my being, and to try and express them in a way that’s true to myself and my beliefs — and hopefully to be an inspiration for other people to try and bring out their truth.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2013/12/19/news-opinion/meet-the-orthodox-snowboarder-from-wall-street-journals-front-page#ixzz2oBjOExPZ
On Friday, Anti-Defamation League president Abraham Foxman blasted Huffington Post for its anti-Semitic splash page pushing against Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who is pushing for harsher sanctions against Iran. The page showed Menendez speaking at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and carried the headline, “SABOTEUR SEN. LAUNCHING WAR PUSH.”
Read more: http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/adl-blasts-huffpo-anti-semitism#.UrZieodPwog.twitter
Canada has called for the removal of a top U.N. official who accused Israel of having “genocidal intentions” against Palestinians.
Ottawa “completely rejects and condemns” the “appalling” remarks made by Richard Falk, U.N. Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said in a statement.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2013/12/20/news-opinion/world/canada-wants-un-official-ousted-over-palesitinian-holocaust-comment#ixzz2oBikgSli
Do you feel any added pressure, now that you’re a publicly visible religious figure in popular media?
I feel pressured to try and represent the truest values of my being, and to try and express them in a way that’s true to myself and my beliefs — and hopefully to be an inspiration for other people to try and bring out their truth.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2013/12/19/news-opinion/meet-the-orthodox-snowboarder-from-wall-street-journals-front-page#ixzz2oBjOExPZ
On Friday, Anti-Defamation League president Abraham Foxman blasted Huffington Post for its anti-Semitic splash page pushing against Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who is pushing for harsher sanctions against Iran. The page showed Menendez speaking at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and carried the headline, “SABOTEUR SEN. LAUNCHING WAR PUSH.”
Read more: http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/adl-blasts-huffpo-anti-semitism#.UrZieodPwog.twitter
Canada has called for the removal of a top U.N. official who accused Israel of having “genocidal intentions” against Palestinians.
Ottawa “completely rejects and condemns” the “appalling” remarks made by Richard Falk, U.N. Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territories, Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said in a statement.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2013/12/20/news-opinion/world/canada-wants-un-official-ousted-over-palesitinian-holocaust-comment#ixzz2oBikgSli
21 Dec 2013
The best man in the entire world
Nearly a week after 30-year-old Hoboken lawyer Dustin Friedland was gunned down in a deadly carjacking while returning to his vehicle in an upper level parking deck of the Mall at Short Hills, police this morning arrested four men on charges of murder.
Read more: http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2013/12/authorities_identify_4_men_arrested_in_connection_with_deadly_short_hills_carjacking.html
How many years do you think they will sit in prison. I would hazard to guess, less than Jonathan Pollard.
Two years ago, Jamie Schare Friedland married her "dream man."
Today, as she eulogized him, she called herself "the luckiest person I know."
"I still believe that because I married the best man in the entire world," she told hundreds of mourners who filled the sanctuary at Beth Am Shalom in Lakewood to memorialize her husband, Dustin Friedland. "I was lucky enough to be with him for the time we had — his forever, just as he wanted it.
"He was my perfect person, my everything," she said.
Continue reading: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/dustin_friedland_funeral.html
This weeked I read an anecdote in the Hamodia, which I have posted below, written by Rabbi Fishel Schachter about being grateful and not taking things for granted. Let's be thankful for "our best spouse" no matter how many years we have been married.
Harav Avigdor Miller, zt"l, told his daughter once (I heard this from his son-in-law), "Do you know that I thank Hashem that you found such a wonderful shidduch?"
"But tatte, I've been married for more than twenty years."
"Yes, and I have thanked Hashem every single day all those years."
Read more: http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2013/12/authorities_identify_4_men_arrested_in_connection_with_deadly_short_hills_carjacking.html
How many years do you think they will sit in prison. I would hazard to guess, less than Jonathan Pollard.
Two years ago, Jamie Schare Friedland married her "dream man."
Today, as she eulogized him, she called herself "the luckiest person I know."
"I still believe that because I married the best man in the entire world," she told hundreds of mourners who filled the sanctuary at Beth Am Shalom in Lakewood to memorialize her husband, Dustin Friedland. "I was lucky enough to be with him for the time we had — his forever, just as he wanted it.
"He was my perfect person, my everything," she said.
Continue reading: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/12/dustin_friedland_funeral.html
This weeked I read an anecdote in the Hamodia, which I have posted below, written by Rabbi Fishel Schachter about being grateful and not taking things for granted. Let's be thankful for "our best spouse" no matter how many years we have been married.
Harav Avigdor Miller, zt"l, told his daughter once (I heard this from his son-in-law), "Do you know that I thank Hashem that you found such a wonderful shidduch?"
"But tatte, I've been married for more than twenty years."
"Yes, and I have thanked Hashem every single day all those years."
20 Dec 2013
19 Dec 2013
Israeli medical care
Eyad El Sarraj, a prominent psychiatrist in the Gaza Strip, died on
Wednesday, Dec. 18. El Sarraj was 70 years old. He died of complications from
Leukemia.
Throughout his professional life, Sarraj was a fierce proponent of resistance to the “Israeli Occupation” and vigorously promoted boycotts of Israel. But when his health failed, Sarraj sought medical care in Israel. He died at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where he had been receiving treatment for more than a month.
Read more: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/gaza-bds-advocate-dead-sought-israeli-medical-care-at-the-end/2013/12/19/
Teenagers who love chewing, smacking and bubble-popping gum may be giving themselves a headache, according to research by Dr. Nathan Watemberg of Tel Aviv University-affiliated Meir Medical Center. His findings, published in Pediatric Neurology, could help treat countless cases of migraine and tension headaches in adolescents without the need for additional testing or medication.
Read more: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/israel-research-cites-teens-chewing-gum-as-cause-of-migraines/2013/12/19/
Those supporting BDS should continue to chew gum.
Democratic Leaks Aim to Scuttle New Iran Sanctions
Rabbi Eli Mansour discusses how we cannot outsmart G-d.
The Torah in Parashat Shemot tells of Pharaoh’s decree that every newborn Jewish boy be thrown into the river. The Sages explain that Pharaoh saw through astrology that the redeemer of Beneh Yisrael would soon be born. In an attempt to stop this from happening, he issued a decree that all newborns among Beneh Yisrael should be killed. He felt confident that this measure would prevent the leader from emerging.
In the end, of course, his plan failed, Moshe was saved, and Beneh Yisrael were led out of Egypt. But the plan’s failure runs even deeper. It was Pharaoh’s own daughter who rescued Moshe and raised him in the palace. Pharaoh was determined the kill the leader while he was still an infant, but in the end, the leader was raised in his own home. He himself fed and supported the man whose existence he feared.
We cannot outsmart G-d. As much as we would like to think that we can control our destiny, and that we hold the keys to our success, G-d exercises complete control over us.
Read more: http://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp
Throughout his professional life, Sarraj was a fierce proponent of resistance to the “Israeli Occupation” and vigorously promoted boycotts of Israel. But when his health failed, Sarraj sought medical care in Israel. He died at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where he had been receiving treatment for more than a month.
Read more: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/gaza-bds-advocate-dead-sought-israeli-medical-care-at-the-end/2013/12/19/
Teenagers who love chewing, smacking and bubble-popping gum may be giving themselves a headache, according to research by Dr. Nathan Watemberg of Tel Aviv University-affiliated Meir Medical Center. His findings, published in Pediatric Neurology, could help treat countless cases of migraine and tension headaches in adolescents without the need for additional testing or medication.
Read more: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/israel-research-cites-teens-chewing-gum-as-cause-of-migraines/2013/12/19/
Those supporting BDS should continue to chew gum.
Democratic Leaks Aim to Scuttle New Iran Sanctions
Rabbi Eli Mansour discusses how we cannot outsmart G-d.
The Torah in Parashat Shemot tells of Pharaoh’s decree that every newborn Jewish boy be thrown into the river. The Sages explain that Pharaoh saw through astrology that the redeemer of Beneh Yisrael would soon be born. In an attempt to stop this from happening, he issued a decree that all newborns among Beneh Yisrael should be killed. He felt confident that this measure would prevent the leader from emerging.
In the end, of course, his plan failed, Moshe was saved, and Beneh Yisrael were led out of Egypt. But the plan’s failure runs even deeper. It was Pharaoh’s own daughter who rescued Moshe and raised him in the palace. Pharaoh was determined the kill the leader while he was still an infant, but in the end, the leader was raised in his own home. He himself fed and supported the man whose existence he feared.
We cannot outsmart G-d. As much as we would like to think that we can control our destiny, and that we hold the keys to our success, G-d exercises complete control over us.
Read more: http://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp
Disagreeing to disagree
Commentary editor and New York Post columnist John Podhoretz abruptly exited the stage Monday night at the 92nd Street Y, after becoming too incensed to continue a discussion about Israel.
Read more: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/12/john-podhoretz-storms-off-stage-at-92nd-street-y.html
Jane Eisner wrote about her take on the evening.
Of course, I expected a feisty evening when the venerable 92nd Street Y asked me to moderate a panel about what it means to be “pro-Israel” (their words), with Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street; David Harris, executive director of American Jewish Committee, and Podhoretz. And from the outset, it was clear that Ben-Ami and Podhoretz were going to disagree about everything, with Harris positioning himself — literally and figuratively — in the middle.
Read more: http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/189373/the-exodus-at-the--street-y/#ixzz2nuah7KD8
John Podhoretz responded at Commentary.
Bottom line: I’d had a long day and I didn’t see the point in spending more of it getting booed and shushed. So I left. So sue me.
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2013/12/16/a-bad-night-on-92nd-street/
Ronn Torossian opines on the evening at IsraelNationalNews.
In New York City last night, there was a panel discussion on “What It Means to Be Pro-Israel.” In an ideal world, one might expect a balanced discussion. What one saw at the 92nd Street Y was three left-wingers opposing one ardent Zionist, and an audience which could hardly be considered friendly to the State of Israel.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/14251#.UrK17KR3vcc
Incidentally, the INN article begins with the following words, "Norman Podhoretz faced a trio of anti-Zionist panel members at the Y. At some point, he had enough self-respect to walk out."
Can you please change "Norman" to "John"? After all, there is a 30 year age difference between the two men so it shouldn't be difficult to identify which one is which.
To a different topic, Francesca Kaplan Grossman writes about her feelings of wanting to celebrate every year in December the Jewish counterpart to Chanukah, only to find that she doesn't want to, now that she is married with her own children. She writes how she learned why it is important that she doesn't have a tree.
It took me more than 30 years to really get it. That being able to live with out it – because of, not in spite of, who I actually am, is really the important part.
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/my-half-jewish-child-wants-christmas-i-dont-anymore/?_r=0
Read more: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/12/john-podhoretz-storms-off-stage-at-92nd-street-y.html
Jane Eisner wrote about her take on the evening.
Of course, I expected a feisty evening when the venerable 92nd Street Y asked me to moderate a panel about what it means to be “pro-Israel” (their words), with Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street; David Harris, executive director of American Jewish Committee, and Podhoretz. And from the outset, it was clear that Ben-Ami and Podhoretz were going to disagree about everything, with Harris positioning himself — literally and figuratively — in the middle.
Read more: http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/189373/the-exodus-at-the--street-y/#ixzz2nuah7KD8
John Podhoretz responded at Commentary.
Bottom line: I’d had a long day and I didn’t see the point in spending more of it getting booed and shushed. So I left. So sue me.
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2013/12/16/a-bad-night-on-92nd-street/
Ronn Torossian opines on the evening at IsraelNationalNews.
In New York City last night, there was a panel discussion on “What It Means to Be Pro-Israel.” In an ideal world, one might expect a balanced discussion. What one saw at the 92nd Street Y was three left-wingers opposing one ardent Zionist, and an audience which could hardly be considered friendly to the State of Israel.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/14251#.UrK17KR3vcc
Incidentally, the INN article begins with the following words, "Norman Podhoretz faced a trio of anti-Zionist panel members at the Y. At some point, he had enough self-respect to walk out."
Can you please change "Norman" to "John"? After all, there is a 30 year age difference between the two men so it shouldn't be difficult to identify which one is which.
To a different topic, Francesca Kaplan Grossman writes about her feelings of wanting to celebrate every year in December the Jewish counterpart to Chanukah, only to find that she doesn't want to, now that she is married with her own children. She writes how she learned why it is important that she doesn't have a tree.
It took me more than 30 years to really get it. That being able to live with out it – because of, not in spite of, who I actually am, is really the important part.
http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/18/my-half-jewish-child-wants-christmas-i-dont-anymore/?_r=0
18 Dec 2013
Giving it away - giving it back
A Canadian man who just won $40 million in the Lotto Max jackpot has big plans for his newfound wealth: giving all the money away to charity.
Tom Crist told Canadian news station CTV that he planned to give away all the prize money to different charities and organizations he chooses, including cancer research.
Continue reading: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/lotto-jackpot-winner-decides-something-drastic-winnings-183548469--abc-news-topstories.html?vp=1
There are over 5000 comments posted at the end of the article offering unsolicited advice and thoughts including, "Its nice that he is giving it all to charity, but it is a shame that that money is going to line the pockets of the directors of the charities."
Chadrei Charedim has reported about an ultra-Orthodox resident of Bnei Brak who found a bag of diamonds worth 200 thousand dollars not far from the Diamond Bourse in Ramat Gan. He was able to return it to the diamond merchant who had lost the bag.
The young man said that this was the education with which he was raised. He did not have a moment where he was tempted to take it because he was brought up with the values that he won't touch something that isn't his.
The older diamond merchant was pleasantly surprised that the young man had returned the bag. He called him a tzaddik and gave him a monetary reward as a token of appreciation.
http://www.bhol.co.il/article.aspx?id=62682
Tom Crist told Canadian news station CTV that he planned to give away all the prize money to different charities and organizations he chooses, including cancer research.
Continue reading: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/lotto-jackpot-winner-decides-something-drastic-winnings-183548469--abc-news-topstories.html?vp=1
There are over 5000 comments posted at the end of the article offering unsolicited advice and thoughts including, "Its nice that he is giving it all to charity, but it is a shame that that money is going to line the pockets of the directors of the charities."
Chadrei Charedim has reported about an ultra-Orthodox resident of Bnei Brak who found a bag of diamonds worth 200 thousand dollars not far from the Diamond Bourse in Ramat Gan. He was able to return it to the diamond merchant who had lost the bag.
The young man said that this was the education with which he was raised. He did not have a moment where he was tempted to take it because he was brought up with the values that he won't touch something that isn't his.
The older diamond merchant was pleasantly surprised that the young man had returned the bag. He called him a tzaddik and gave him a monetary reward as a token of appreciation.
http://www.bhol.co.il/article.aspx?id=62682
Requests
Thanks to Penn State Harrisburg for heeding the call.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on Monday removed a controversial quote from its Nature Lab exhibit.
The quote, which was put up at the request of an anonymous donor, read:
http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/12/16/40978/natural-history-museum-removes-quote-referring-to/
How many times have we heard this? Moshe knew even before Hashem sent him back to Mitzrayim to take out Bnei Yisrael, that he would not be zocheh to go into Eretz Yisrael. Moshe tells Hashem (Shemos 4:13), "Shlach Na B'Yad Tishlach." Rashi explains that Moshe said, "Don't send me since I will not lead them to Eretz Yisrael." Yet at the end of the parsha (6:1 Rashi "Ata Sir'eh") Hashem tells Moshe, "Because you complained about the way I treat Bnei Yisrael, you will only see them redeemed from Paroh and not the conquest of Eretz Yisrael." Then again in Parshas Chukas (20:12) Hashem tells Moshe that his punishment for hitting the rock is that he would not be allowed into Eretz Yisrael. How many times is Moshe going to be punished with the same punishement?
The Maskil L'Dovid answers that this is similar to our yearly G'zar Din. On Rosh HaShana Hashem decides our fate. We then have until Yom Kippur to change it before it is sealed. After it is sealed, it is not over yet. Only on Hoshana Rabba is it double sealed and placed in the envelope. Even then, the envelope is not given to the malachim whose task it is to carry out the Din, until Shmini Atzeres.
Moshe knew that his fate was not to go into Eretz Yisrael. When he complained, his fate was sealed. After he hit the rock, it was double sealed. However, the envelope was still not given to the malachim. This is why, in Parshas V'aEschanan, we find Moshe pleading to Hashem not to finalize his fate.
No matter your plight, there is always place for hope, tshuva, and tefila.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/life-lessons/Parshas-Shemos-And-For-This-Moshe-Didnt-Go-To-Eretz-Yisroel/3283
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County on Monday removed a controversial quote from its Nature Lab exhibit.
The quote, which was put up at the request of an anonymous donor, read:
"The Nature Lab is a gift to Los Angeles to celebrate all of God's creatures and enable NHM to broaden our understanding of the natural world through the process of scientific discovery.' Anonymous Donor - 2013 "The use of the phrase "God's creatures" angered some scientists, including University of Chicago Department of Ecology and Evolution professor Jerry Coyne.
http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/12/16/40978/natural-history-museum-removes-quote-referring-to/
How many times have we heard this? Moshe knew even before Hashem sent him back to Mitzrayim to take out Bnei Yisrael, that he would not be zocheh to go into Eretz Yisrael. Moshe tells Hashem (Shemos 4:13), "Shlach Na B'Yad Tishlach." Rashi explains that Moshe said, "Don't send me since I will not lead them to Eretz Yisrael." Yet at the end of the parsha (6:1 Rashi "Ata Sir'eh") Hashem tells Moshe, "Because you complained about the way I treat Bnei Yisrael, you will only see them redeemed from Paroh and not the conquest of Eretz Yisrael." Then again in Parshas Chukas (20:12) Hashem tells Moshe that his punishment for hitting the rock is that he would not be allowed into Eretz Yisrael. How many times is Moshe going to be punished with the same punishement?
The Maskil L'Dovid answers that this is similar to our yearly G'zar Din. On Rosh HaShana Hashem decides our fate. We then have until Yom Kippur to change it before it is sealed. After it is sealed, it is not over yet. Only on Hoshana Rabba is it double sealed and placed in the envelope. Even then, the envelope is not given to the malachim whose task it is to carry out the Din, until Shmini Atzeres.
Moshe knew that his fate was not to go into Eretz Yisrael. When he complained, his fate was sealed. After he hit the rock, it was double sealed. However, the envelope was still not given to the malachim. This is why, in Parshas V'aEschanan, we find Moshe pleading to Hashem not to finalize his fate.
No matter your plight, there is always place for hope, tshuva, and tefila.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/life-lessons/Parshas-Shemos-And-For-This-Moshe-Didnt-Go-To-Eretz-Yisroel/3283
17 Dec 2013
Gam Zu L'Tova
How many of us would view getting lost in the wilderness for five days in the freezing cold as a blessing? I guess people who have a strong faith that G-d does everything for the best.
One individual's family views a harrowing ordeal as a blessing in disguise.
A 67-year-old grandfather who ran out of gas while driving his pickup truck through the freezing cold southern Washington wilderness has been found alive five days after he disappeared. And his ordeal may have saved his life, his family said today.
After Dick Sturm was rescued last Friday he was hospitalized and received a CAT scan that revealed a brain tumor and cranial bleeding...
...his daughter said the tumor might not have been found if he hadn’t gotten lost.
Continue reading: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/12/washington-man-lost-in-woods-gets-blessing-in-disguise-from-ordeal/
A Boston Marathon victim reflects on the worst day of his life. His hospital stay resulted in his getting acquainted with a nurse to whom he recently proposed.
"April 15 was one of the worst days of my life," James Costello, of Malden, writes in a Facebook post. "I soon wondered why and for what reason this had happened."
Eight months later, Costello would find the answer.
Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/metro/boston-marathon-victim-engaged-to-spaulding-nurse/-/11971628/23503832/-/abc0v0/-/index.html
Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute, a group that has for years been advocating for Jewish prayer at the site, said police often harass and remove Jews who recite prayers.
One individual's family views a harrowing ordeal as a blessing in disguise.
A 67-year-old grandfather who ran out of gas while driving his pickup truck through the freezing cold southern Washington wilderness has been found alive five days after he disappeared. And his ordeal may have saved his life, his family said today.
After Dick Sturm was rescued last Friday he was hospitalized and received a CAT scan that revealed a brain tumor and cranial bleeding...
...his daughter said the tumor might not have been found if he hadn’t gotten lost.
Continue reading: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/12/washington-man-lost-in-woods-gets-blessing-in-disguise-from-ordeal/
A Boston Marathon victim reflects on the worst day of his life. His hospital stay resulted in his getting acquainted with a nurse to whom he recently proposed.
"April 15 was one of the worst days of my life," James Costello, of Malden, writes in a Facebook post. "I soon wondered why and for what reason this had happened."
Eight months later, Costello would find the answer.
Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/metro/boston-marathon-victim-engaged-to-spaulding-nurse/-/11971628/23503832/-/abc0v0/-/index.html
Daniel Estrin has written an article titled New calls for Jewish prayer at Jerusalem holy site.
Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute, a group that has for years been advocating for Jewish prayer at the site, said police often harass and remove Jews who recite prayers.
"I'm asking for the right to move my lips," Richman said.
An aide to Israel's Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Eli Ben-Dahan said the ministry has drafted a proposal allowing for limited Jewish prayer in the compound.
"We see great importance to allow equality in freedom of religion," said Idit Druyan, the aide. "There is no reason why one religion is allowed and another religion is not."
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/calls-jewish-prayer-jerusalem-holy-170136823.htmlOn aging
Anyone interested in living to a ripe old age?
Matzav has an article titled Today’s Yahrtzeits & History - 14 Teves.
The article ends with the following words.
· Mrs. Miriam Dier in New York at the age of 103 years. Her grandson said that her longevity due to her never being critical of another person, she would greet everyone with sever ponim yafos, and that she possessed an inimitable Simchas HaChaim, despite the sufferings and illnesses that she had experienced in her life.http://matzav.com/todays-yahrtzeits-history-14-teves-5#more-96371
The NYPost has an article titled Botox losing face amid celeb backlash.
Julia Roberts, 46, has dissed Botox, saying, “I want my kids to know when I’m happy and when I’m confounded.”
...But it does appear that Botox’s moment in the sun as wrinkle-eraser-to-the-stars may be waning. As Roberts put it: “Your face tells a story, and it shouldn’t be a story about your drive to the doctor’s office.”
http://nypost.com/2013/12/16/a-decade-after-its-rise-to-fame-botox-is-showing-signs-of-age/
There's an interesting short clip and article in Hebrew about the snow in Israel over here.
Matzav has an article titled Today’s Yahrtzeits & History - 14 Teves.
The article ends with the following words.
· Mrs. Miriam Dier in New York at the age of 103 years. Her grandson said that her longevity due to her never being critical of another person, she would greet everyone with sever ponim yafos, and that she possessed an inimitable Simchas HaChaim, despite the sufferings and illnesses that she had experienced in her life.http://matzav.com/todays-yahrtzeits-history-14-teves-5#more-96371
The NYPost has an article titled Botox losing face amid celeb backlash.
Julia Roberts, 46, has dissed Botox, saying, “I want my kids to know when I’m happy and when I’m confounded.”
...But it does appear that Botox’s moment in the sun as wrinkle-eraser-to-the-stars may be waning. As Roberts put it: “Your face tells a story, and it shouldn’t be a story about your drive to the doctor’s office.”
http://nypost.com/2013/12/16/a-decade-after-its-rise-to-fame-botox-is-showing-signs-of-age/
There's an interesting short clip and article in Hebrew about the snow in Israel over here.
16 Dec 2013
A state of neglect
A group of sociocultural activists here are on a mission to preserve 1,000-year-old Jewish monuments in Mala.
They are out to conserve the Jewish synagogue and cemetery, the only remaining structures representing the rich Jewish culture in Mala, which they say are in a state of neglect.
CONFIRMED: Jacob Ostreicher Has Been Released From Bolivia & Is Back In The United States -
Incidentally, the Haftorah for Parshat Shemot begins with a verse mentioning Jacob and ends with two verses mentioning Jacob.
Yeshayahu Perek 27
6. Those who came, whom Jacob caused to take root, Israel flourished and blossomed and they filled the face of the world with fruitage.
Incidentally, the Haftorah for Parshat Shemot begins with a verse mentioning Jacob and ends with two verses mentioning Jacob.
Yeshayahu Perek 27
6. Those who came, whom Jacob caused to take root, Israel flourished and blossomed and they filled the face of the world with fruitage.
Perek 29 22. Therefore, so said the Lord to the House of Jacob, Who redeemed Abraham, "Now Jacob shall not be ashamed, and now his face shall not pale. |
| 23. For, when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, who shall hallow My name, and they shall hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and the God of Israel they shall revere. |
Snow in Tevet
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow
Yeshayahu 1:18
אִם-יִהְיוּ חֲטָאֵיכֶם כַּשָּׁנִים כַּשֶּׁלֶג יַלְבִּינוּ
The words "yalbinu" - will be white and "levanon" - Lebanon - share many of the same Hebrew lettters. Our hearts go out to the family of the soldier killed by a Lebanese sniper.
Shirat Devorah has an image of the tractate Yoma 35b which talks about snow on a Friday in Tevet. This daf was the one assigned for this past Friday, the 10th of Tevet, when snow fell in Yerushalayim.
If you click on the dafyomi calendar over here, you can see that the daf for today is Yoma 38.
On Friday, December 13, 10 Tevet, it was Yoma 35.
Our rabbis taught: A poor person, a rich person and a evil person come before the heavenly court. They ask the poor person, “Why did you not study Torah?” If the poor person answers, “I was poor and worried about earning a living,” they will ask the poor person, “Were you poorer than Hillel?” For it was told of Hillel that every day he used to work and earn one tropaik [small amount], half of which he would give as tuition to the doorkeeper at the House of Learning; the other half he would spend on his and his family’s needs. One day, he was unable to earn anything and the doorkeeper would not permit him to enter the House of Learning. So he climbed up to the roof and sat upon the window to hear the words of the Living God out of the mouths of Shmaya and Avtalion. That day was a Friday in the middle of winter, and snow fell on him from the sky. When the dawn rose, Shmaya said to Avtalion, “Brother Avtalion, every day, this house is light and today it is dark.” They looked up and saw the figure of a man in the window. They went up and found Hillel covered by four feet of snow. They brought him down, bathed and anointed him, and placed him in front of the fire...
http://www.on1foot.org/text/babyloniam-talmud-yoma-35b
The “snow siege” of Jerusalem is a God’s direct response to the recent jailing of yeshiva students who refused to accept draft orders to report for duty in the IDF, claimed Kabbalistic Rabbi Yaakov Addas Sunday.
“There is a general principle that when there is an evil decree, such as a tsunami, everyone must do some soul searching” he told the Kikar HaShabbat Haredi website.
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/kabbalah-rabbi-storm-is-gods-reply-to-arresting-yeshiva-students/2013/12/15/
Incidentally, the same daf discusses Potiphar’s wife who threatened Joseph with imprisonment. What was Joseph's response?
"G-d frees the imprisoned."
Yeshayahu 1:18
אִם-יִהְיוּ חֲטָאֵיכֶם כַּשָּׁנִים כַּשֶּׁלֶג יַלְבִּינוּ
The words "yalbinu" - will be white and "levanon" - Lebanon - share many of the same Hebrew lettters. Our hearts go out to the family of the soldier killed by a Lebanese sniper.
Shirat Devorah has an image of the tractate Yoma 35b which talks about snow on a Friday in Tevet. This daf was the one assigned for this past Friday, the 10th of Tevet, when snow fell in Yerushalayim.
If you click on the dafyomi calendar over here, you can see that the daf for today is Yoma 38.
On Friday, December 13, 10 Tevet, it was Yoma 35.
Our rabbis taught: A poor person, a rich person and a evil person come before the heavenly court. They ask the poor person, “Why did you not study Torah?” If the poor person answers, “I was poor and worried about earning a living,” they will ask the poor person, “Were you poorer than Hillel?” For it was told of Hillel that every day he used to work and earn one tropaik [small amount], half of which he would give as tuition to the doorkeeper at the House of Learning; the other half he would spend on his and his family’s needs. One day, he was unable to earn anything and the doorkeeper would not permit him to enter the House of Learning. So he climbed up to the roof and sat upon the window to hear the words of the Living God out of the mouths of Shmaya and Avtalion. That day was a Friday in the middle of winter, and snow fell on him from the sky. When the dawn rose, Shmaya said to Avtalion, “Brother Avtalion, every day, this house is light and today it is dark.” They looked up and saw the figure of a man in the window. They went up and found Hillel covered by four feet of snow. They brought him down, bathed and anointed him, and placed him in front of the fire...
http://www.on1foot.org/text/babyloniam-talmud-yoma-35b
The “snow siege” of Jerusalem is a God’s direct response to the recent jailing of yeshiva students who refused to accept draft orders to report for duty in the IDF, claimed Kabbalistic Rabbi Yaakov Addas Sunday.
“There is a general principle that when there is an evil decree, such as a tsunami, everyone must do some soul searching” he told the Kikar HaShabbat Haredi website.
http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/kabbalah-rabbi-storm-is-gods-reply-to-arresting-yeshiva-students/2013/12/15/
Incidentally, the same daf discusses Potiphar’s wife who threatened Joseph with imprisonment. What was Joseph's response?
"G-d frees the imprisoned."
5 Dec 2013
False premises
You would think that the White House Press Secretary could ask the President a question directly without having to look up the answer in a book. Well, it took the Press Secretary a couple of years to come up with such a brilliant idea!
The White House on Thursday admitted that President Obama had lived with his uncle Onyango “Omar” Obama in the mid-1980s, after previously denying that the two had ever met.
...On Thursday, White House press secretary Jay Carney said that when they had first been asked about Obama's relationship with his uncle in 2011, they consulted the president's memoir Dreams from My Father and found no mention of him.
“There was no evidence they had met and that was what was conveyed,” said Carney. He added that at the time “no one spoke to the president” and asked him about the matter.
Read more: http://washingtonexaminer.com/white-house-admits-obama-met-uncle-omar/article/2540247
Rabbi Eli Mansour discusses false premises in a thought on this week's parsha which can be read here.
The White House on Thursday admitted that President Obama had lived with his uncle Onyango “Omar” Obama in the mid-1980s, after previously denying that the two had ever met.
...On Thursday, White House press secretary Jay Carney said that when they had first been asked about Obama's relationship with his uncle in 2011, they consulted the president's memoir Dreams from My Father and found no mention of him.
“There was no evidence they had met and that was what was conveyed,” said Carney. He added that at the time “no one spoke to the president” and asked him about the matter.
Read more: http://washingtonexaminer.com/white-house-admits-obama-met-uncle-omar/article/2540247
Rabbi Eli Mansour discusses false premises in a thought on this week's parsha which can be read here.
The moments of our lives
Sometimes one moment can transform entire lives. The DailyNews has an article titled Paul Walker's anonymous engagement ring gift: Couple finds out nearly 10 years later.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/couple-finds-paul-walker-bought-engagement-ring-article-1.1537567#ixzz2maFiUFbM
Martin Bashir must certainly regret his moment of lashing out at Sarah Palin as he resigns from his MSNBC post. Todd Cefaratti writes about the power of our voices over here.
Here's a great thought at Israel Matzav about the rain that finally fell in Israel.
The rabbi in the video below offers a grreat thought about the moments of our lives.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/couple-finds-paul-walker-bought-engagement-ring-article-1.1537567#ixzz2maFiUFbM
Martin Bashir must certainly regret his moment of lashing out at Sarah Palin as he resigns from his MSNBC post. Todd Cefaratti writes about the power of our voices over here.
Here's a great thought at Israel Matzav about the rain that finally fell in Israel.
The rabbi in the video below offers a grreat thought about the moments of our lives.
4 Dec 2013
Vesein tal Umatar
At Maariv tonight, the last night of Chanukah, December 4th 2013, in chutz la’aretz, we begin saying Vesein Tal Umatar L’vracha during Shemonah Esrei in the bracha of Boreich Aleinu.
Continue reading: http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=44026
The seforim bring that the eighth day of Chanuka, known as Zos Chanuka, named after the Krias HaTorah of that day, is a very significant day. There are four periods of teshuva that are tied in with Rosh HaShana, three of which are very well known, Zos Chanuka is the fourth. The “Yimei Harachamim” begin with the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Chodesh Elul, calling to each of us to begin our teshuva process. The Gemara tells us that on Rosh Hashana, the tzadikim gemurim, completely righteous individuals, are immediately signed and sealed for a good year. This is the first period of judgment. Ten days later, on Yom Kippur, marks the second period of judgment, one that applies for most of us and after the completely righteous. For the stragglers, the grace period is extended and a third period of judgment culminates on Shmini Atzeres. Then, much after the others, comes the fourth period – Zos Chanuka.
These the respective periods of teshuva, works out to 30 days, 40 days, 52 days and 122 days from Rosh Chodesh Ellul. These four periods are hinted to in the amount of pasukim in the last few parshiyos of the Torah. The 40-day period, reserved for the majority of us, is hinted to in Parshas Netzavim, which has a total of 40 pasukim and speaks about how all of Klal Yisroel stands before Hashem in judgment. The 30-day period, reserved for tzadikim, is hinted to in the number of pasukim in Parshas Vayeilech, which begins with how the tzadik Moshe spent his final days inspiring the yidden to teshuva. The 52-day period is hinted to in Parshas Ha’azinu, as Moshe continues his message of teshuva. Finally, our fourth period, the 122-day program, culminating with Zos Chanuka, is hinted to in the amount of pasukim in Parshas Ki Savo, as a baal teshuva finishes their return to a new destination as a new person.
http://revach.net/article.php?id=3188
Continue reading: http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=44026
The seforim bring that the eighth day of Chanuka, known as Zos Chanuka, named after the Krias HaTorah of that day, is a very significant day. There are four periods of teshuva that are tied in with Rosh HaShana, three of which are very well known, Zos Chanuka is the fourth. The “Yimei Harachamim” begin with the blowing of the shofar on Rosh Chodesh Elul, calling to each of us to begin our teshuva process. The Gemara tells us that on Rosh Hashana, the tzadikim gemurim, completely righteous individuals, are immediately signed and sealed for a good year. This is the first period of judgment. Ten days later, on Yom Kippur, marks the second period of judgment, one that applies for most of us and after the completely righteous. For the stragglers, the grace period is extended and a third period of judgment culminates on Shmini Atzeres. Then, much after the others, comes the fourth period – Zos Chanuka.
These the respective periods of teshuva, works out to 30 days, 40 days, 52 days and 122 days from Rosh Chodesh Ellul. These four periods are hinted to in the amount of pasukim in the last few parshiyos of the Torah. The 40-day period, reserved for the majority of us, is hinted to in Parshas Netzavim, which has a total of 40 pasukim and speaks about how all of Klal Yisroel stands before Hashem in judgment. The 30-day period, reserved for tzadikim, is hinted to in the number of pasukim in Parshas Vayeilech, which begins with how the tzadik Moshe spent his final days inspiring the yidden to teshuva. The 52-day period is hinted to in Parshas Ha’azinu, as Moshe continues his message of teshuva. Finally, our fourth period, the 122-day program, culminating with Zos Chanuka, is hinted to in the amount of pasukim in Parshas Ki Savo, as a baal teshuva finishes their return to a new destination as a new person.
http://revach.net/article.php?id=3188
Some advice
MBA student Jay Rhind writes about the advice a family member gave him which prompted him to start some introspective thinking.
“Jay, sit down with a pad of paper, a pen and an envelope. Write to future Jay. Write your first letter to future Jay in five years, the next to future Jay in 10 years, and lastly to future Jay in 50 years. Describe where you are personally and professionally. Once you’re done, read your letters. Future Jay is likely highly accomplished both personally and professionally. Now find out what is preventing present Jay from becoming future Jay and take action today.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/business-education/mba-diaries-journey-for-sauder-student-begins-with-soul-searching/article15655243/
Mitch Karpp describes 5 critical lessons he learned on his path to getting engaged.
1. You Must Truly Desire Marriage
Two months before I met Megan, my fiancé, I was having a conversation with a woman at a Shabbat lunch about dating. She said to me, “Doesn’t the idea of marriage scare you?” I responded to her by saying that I was more terrified of not ever getting married and remaining single my entire life. It was at this moment that I realized I was ready to find my “bashert”.
http://www.aish.com/d/w/My-Path-to-Getting-Engaged.html
“Jay, sit down with a pad of paper, a pen and an envelope. Write to future Jay. Write your first letter to future Jay in five years, the next to future Jay in 10 years, and lastly to future Jay in 50 years. Describe where you are personally and professionally. Once you’re done, read your letters. Future Jay is likely highly accomplished both personally and professionally. Now find out what is preventing present Jay from becoming future Jay and take action today.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/business-education/mba-diaries-journey-for-sauder-student-begins-with-soul-searching/article15655243/
Mitch Karpp describes 5 critical lessons he learned on his path to getting engaged.
1. You Must Truly Desire Marriage
Two months before I met Megan, my fiancé, I was having a conversation with a woman at a Shabbat lunch about dating. She said to me, “Doesn’t the idea of marriage scare you?” I responded to her by saying that I was more terrified of not ever getting married and remaining single my entire life. It was at this moment that I realized I was ready to find my “bashert”.
http://www.aish.com/d/w/My-Path-to-Getting-Engaged.html
A music-based training program that challenges both the body and the mind may improve brain function and mood among seniors, suggests a new study from Switzerland.
"The take-home message is that 6-months of music-based multitask training (i.e., Jaques-Dalcroze eurhythmics) - a specific training regimen which was previously shown to be effective in improving gait and reducing falls - has beneficial effects on cognition and mood in older adults," Dr. Mélany Hars, of Geneva University Hospitals, told Reuters Health in an email.
http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/Health-News/music-brain-senior-memory/2013/11/30/id/5392613 Dec 2013
The views of academics
Joseph Massad, an associate professor at Columbia University, opines about Jewish suffering, Palestinian suffering.
...one should always stand with Jews as victims of European anti-Semitic violence and stand with Palestinians as victims of Jewish racist violence. There is no choice to be made between the two...
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/12/jewish-suffering-palestinian-suffering-201312141957378782.html
Actually, the Jews living in Germany were citizens who were contributing to the development of the country. They did not go around throwing stones at two-year-old toddlers, or conduct massacres on defenseless civilians, such as when 67 Jews were murdered in Hebron in 1929. The Jews did not send Katusha rockets towards German towns. There was no reason to conduct violent against Jews other than anti-Semitism. So, yes, there is a choice to be made between the two and one cannot mention Palestinian suffering without pointing to contributing factors such as weapons smuggling, rocket firing, stone throwing and Arab youths who commit acts of violence because they are motivated by hatred of Jews.
Incidentally, there are some elucidating comments posted at the end of the article. But, at the end of the day, people will stick to their opinions.
This morning ElderofZiyon posted about an article Michael Bell, another academic, had written regarding a rock attack on Daniel Seidemann. In the original article Bell wrote, "Given established patterns, however, the likely perpetrators are ultra-nationalist members of the settler movement."
In a subsequently amended article, he wrote, 'This time however those throwing stones were Palestinians."
A student named Christopher, who studied under the professor, opines about whether the original article's error was due to bias or ignorance.
http://elderofziyon.blogspot.be/2013/12/outrageous-former-canadian-ambassador.html#disqus_thread
Since the professor is so concerned about rock attacks, will he write an article or teach his students about an attack being reported in the Jersualem Post in which Arab youths were motivated by hatred of Jews?
Can someone tell me how many times Joseph Massad talks about Israel as a racist state in this video? How does one expect students to form rational opinions if only one side is being presented? It's like being presented with only one side of a dreidel!
...one should always stand with Jews as victims of European anti-Semitic violence and stand with Palestinians as victims of Jewish racist violence. There is no choice to be made between the two...
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/12/jewish-suffering-palestinian-suffering-201312141957378782.html
Actually, the Jews living in Germany were citizens who were contributing to the development of the country. They did not go around throwing stones at two-year-old toddlers, or conduct massacres on defenseless civilians, such as when 67 Jews were murdered in Hebron in 1929. The Jews did not send Katusha rockets towards German towns. There was no reason to conduct violent against Jews other than anti-Semitism. So, yes, there is a choice to be made between the two and one cannot mention Palestinian suffering without pointing to contributing factors such as weapons smuggling, rocket firing, stone throwing and Arab youths who commit acts of violence because they are motivated by hatred of Jews.
Incidentally, there are some elucidating comments posted at the end of the article. But, at the end of the day, people will stick to their opinions.
This morning ElderofZiyon posted about an article Michael Bell, another academic, had written regarding a rock attack on Daniel Seidemann. In the original article Bell wrote, "Given established patterns, however, the likely perpetrators are ultra-nationalist members of the settler movement."
In a subsequently amended article, he wrote, 'This time however those throwing stones were Palestinians."
A student named Christopher, who studied under the professor, opines about whether the original article's error was due to bias or ignorance.
http://elderofziyon.blogspot.be/2013/12/outrageous-former-canadian-ambassador.html#disqus_thread
Since the professor is so concerned about rock attacks, will he write an article or teach his students about an attack being reported in the Jersualem Post in which Arab youths were motivated by hatred of Jews?
Can someone tell me how many times Joseph Massad talks about Israel as a racist state in this video? How does one expect students to form rational opinions if only one side is being presented? It's like being presented with only one side of a dreidel!
Jewish activists
Update: Click on the post at ElderofZiyon and scroll down to update 4.
ElderofZiyon writes about an article which is behind a paywall at the Globe and Mail authored by Michael Bell, who "has been Canada's ambassador to Israel, Jordan and Egypt. He is an adjunct professor of political science at University of Windsor and also teaches at Carleton University."
Mr. Bell wrote about his friend, Danny Seidemann, whose car was stoned in East Jerusalem two weeks ago.
No suspects have been identified. Given established patterns, however, the likely perpetrators are ultra-nationalist members of the settler movement,...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/try-it-now/try-it-now-world-insider/?contentRedirect=true&articleId=15716634&referrer=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wopular.com%252Fhow-israel%2525E2%252580%252599s-radical-settlers-stoke-political-conundrum
ElderofZiyon points out, "The only problem is that Seidemann was attacked by Arabs.
He was visiting a Palestinian friend in an Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sur Bahir. He admits having been targeted previously for being a Jew in Arab neighborhoods. Representatives of the Arab community visited him and expressed regret. The Jewish doctors that treated him all pretty much asked what he was doing in a neighborhood where Jews are routinely attacked if they step foot.
There are no Jews there.
http://elderofziyon.blogspot.be/2013/12/outrageous-former-canadian-ambassador.html#.Up2lu6R3vcc
As one can see from the above screen capture of a twitter account, Mr. Seidemann informed the ambassador of his error. Will the article be withdrawn or edited?
The WashingtonPost has an article titled Jewish activists set sights on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, raising alarm in Muslim world.
Two millenniums ago, this place was the site of the Jews’ Second Temple, destroyed in A.D. 70 by Roman legions under Titus, who cast the Jews into exile.
...The same courtyard is home to al-Aqsa mosque, one of the oldest in Islam, and the Dome of the Rock, the golden landmark where tradition says the prophet Mohammad made his night journey to heaven.
...“This place belongs to the Muslim people, and no others have the right to pray here,” said Sheik Azzam al-Khatib, director of the Waqf, the Islamic trust that administers the site.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/jewish-activists-set-sights-on-jerusalems-temple-mount-raising-alarm-in-muslim-world/2013/12/02/d0561dc4-4e00-11e3-97f6-ed8e3053083b_story.html
Shouldn't the Palestinians, who claim the rights of a displaced people, respect the rights of the original displaced people?
ElderofZiyon writes about an article which is behind a paywall at the Globe and Mail authored by Michael Bell, who "has been Canada's ambassador to Israel, Jordan and Egypt. He is an adjunct professor of political science at University of Windsor and also teaches at Carleton University."
Mr. Bell wrote about his friend, Danny Seidemann, whose car was stoned in East Jerusalem two weeks ago.
No suspects have been identified. Given established patterns, however, the likely perpetrators are ultra-nationalist members of the settler movement,...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/try-it-now/try-it-now-world-insider/?contentRedirect=true&articleId=15716634&referrer=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wopular.com%252Fhow-israel%2525E2%252580%252599s-radical-settlers-stoke-political-conundrum
ElderofZiyon points out, "The only problem is that Seidemann was attacked by Arabs.
He was visiting a Palestinian friend in an Arab neighborhood of Jerusalem, Sur Bahir. He admits having been targeted previously for being a Jew in Arab neighborhoods. Representatives of the Arab community visited him and expressed regret. The Jewish doctors that treated him all pretty much asked what he was doing in a neighborhood where Jews are routinely attacked if they step foot.
There are no Jews there.
http://elderofziyon.blogspot.be/2013/12/outrageous-former-canadian-ambassador.html#.Up2lu6R3vcc
As one can see from the above screen capture of a twitter account, Mr. Seidemann informed the ambassador of his error. Will the article be withdrawn or edited?
The WashingtonPost has an article titled Jewish activists set sights on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, raising alarm in Muslim world.
Two millenniums ago, this place was the site of the Jews’ Second Temple, destroyed in A.D. 70 by Roman legions under Titus, who cast the Jews into exile.
...The same courtyard is home to al-Aqsa mosque, one of the oldest in Islam, and the Dome of the Rock, the golden landmark where tradition says the prophet Mohammad made his night journey to heaven.
...“This place belongs to the Muslim people, and no others have the right to pray here,” said Sheik Azzam al-Khatib, director of the Waqf, the Islamic trust that administers the site.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/jewish-activists-set-sights-on-jerusalems-temple-mount-raising-alarm-in-muslim-world/2013/12/02/d0561dc4-4e00-11e3-97f6-ed8e3053083b_story.html
Shouldn't the Palestinians, who claim the rights of a displaced people, respect the rights of the original displaced people?
2 Dec 2013
A life!!!
Those of you who regularly listen to Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein know his opinions about Facebook and the like. After receiving the cartoon below in an email, I decided to post it, along with a fabulous story told by the rabbi.
Mazal Tov, Avivit
KikarHashabat reports that Avivit Se'ar, who lost her husband and five children in a house fire in March 2012, got married last night to a man who she became acquainted with while she was sitting shiva. The principal of the school where she teaches offered the newly married couple a birchat kohein under the chupah. He also remarked that today we lit five chanukah candles, which are the five souls of the children who are standing with us today.
http://www.kikarhashabat.co.il/מרגש-אביבית-שעאר-התחתנה.html
Click here to read On Death and Undying Faith: The First Interview with Avivit Se’ar after the Loss of her Husband and 5 Children, which was posted in May, 2012.
How can anyone know whether their marriage, years down the road, will be a truly happy one? According to one new study, we already do.
We know in our gut whether or not we’re happy in our relationship — even if we can’t, or won’t, admit those feelings to ourselves on a conscious level, suggests the new research, led by James McNulty, a Florida State University psychologist. McNulty writes in the paper, published Thursday in the journal Science, that "even though people may be unwilling or unable to recognize any deep-seated discontent they have toward their partners, that discontent may nonetheless shape their relationship outcomes.”
Read more: http://www.today.com/health/you-know-your-gut-if-your-marriage-will-be-happy-2D11661922
Regarding the latest report about a Hasidic man being a victim of the knockout game, perhaps some people might wish to consult Gary Moskowitz.
http://www.kikarhashabat.co.il/מרגש-אביבית-שעאר-התחתנה.html
Click here to read On Death and Undying Faith: The First Interview with Avivit Se’ar after the Loss of her Husband and 5 Children, which was posted in May, 2012.
How can anyone know whether their marriage, years down the road, will be a truly happy one? According to one new study, we already do.
We know in our gut whether or not we’re happy in our relationship — even if we can’t, or won’t, admit those feelings to ourselves on a conscious level, suggests the new research, led by James McNulty, a Florida State University psychologist. McNulty writes in the paper, published Thursday in the journal Science, that "even though people may be unwilling or unable to recognize any deep-seated discontent they have toward their partners, that discontent may nonetheless shape their relationship outcomes.”
Read more: http://www.today.com/health/you-know-your-gut-if-your-marriage-will-be-happy-2D11661922
Regarding the latest report about a Hasidic man being a victim of the knockout game, perhaps some people might wish to consult Gary Moskowitz.
1 Dec 2013
Gratitude is an attitude
A prayer that relates briefly to the story of Hanukkah and Purim, [Al Hanisim is] inserted into the 18th benediction of the Amidah ("Modim") and into the second benediction of Birkat Hamazon [the grace after meals]("Nodeh L'kha").
...Since Al Hanisim serves as an expression of thanksgiving, it is most fitting that it is placed into the benediction called Hoda'ah ("Thanksgiving").
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Hanukkah/In_the_Community/Al_Hanisim.shtml
Since the al Hanisim prayer acknowledges that the Chanukah festival was established l’hodos u’l’hallel — to “thank and praise" G-d, I thought it would be interesting to post about an article which discusses gratitude.
But a growing body of research is suggesting the opposite is true, according to DeSteno: By choosing to feel gratitude, people can make positive changes in their lives.
...Since Al Hanisim serves as an expression of thanksgiving, it is most fitting that it is placed into the benediction called Hoda'ah ("Thanksgiving").
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Hanukkah/In_the_Community/Al_Hanisim.shtml
Since the al Hanisim prayer acknowledges that the Chanukah festival was established l’hodos u’l’hallel — to “thank and praise" G-d, I thought it would be interesting to post about an article which discusses gratitude.
Many people may think of gratitude as a "passive" gesture -- you wait for something good, then feel grateful, said David DeSteno, a professor of psychology at Northeastern University, in Boston. DeSteno studies the effects that thankfulness can have on people's behavior.
But a growing body of research is suggesting the opposite is true, according to DeSteno: By choosing to feel gratitude, people can make positive changes in their lives.
Continue reading: http://www.newsmaxhealth.com/Health-News/thankful-thanksgiving-happiness-health/2013/11/28/id/539121
I came across the following quote attributed to anonymous in a book titled Real Moments by Barbara De Angelis. After you read it, perhaps you will feel gratefuul for what's in your life at this moment.
"Just think how happy you'd be if you lost everything you have right now - and then, got it back again..."
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