Athlete Visits Sick Child in Hospital and They Put on Tefillin Together
Hashem commands Bnei Yisrael that when they enter Eretz Yisrael they should divide into two groups, and the Levi'im should face Har Gerizim and say the Brachos and then turn toward Har Eival to say the Klalos. "What is odd," says Rav Moshe Feinstein, "is that the Torah tells us that they should build a Mizbei'ach on Har Eival and joyously celebrate and eat the Korban Shlamim. Shouldn't this be done on Har Gerizim, the mountain where they received the Brachos and not the Klalos?"
He answers that it is the fear of punishment that keeps us away from aveiros. The promise of reward may not help if the Yetzer Hara can convince us that the joy of the aveira is more worthwhile than the reward for avoiding aveiros. Accordingly, it is the Klalos that drive us to fulfill our destiny. Therefore if we need to choose a mountain to celebrate on, it is the mountain where we receive the Klalos.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Ki-Savo-Rav-Moshe-Feinstein-A-Mountain-Mix-Up/4043
Nachum Explored “Working Toward Moshiach” with Leah and Roy Neuberger Live at JM in the AM
31 Aug 2015
The Jew among nations
Germany’s Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection attacked social media giant Facebook for allowing the circulation of Holocaust denial, Israel’s Channel 2 reported on Sunday.
Read more: http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/08/30/report-germany-enraged-at-facebook-for-enabling-holocaust-denial/#
“Israel is the Jew among nations and it all flows from that”
תושב רכסים נפטר; "בתו לא התקבלה, הוא היה נסער מאוד
הרב ברלנד ממקום מחבואו: "כולם חייבים לנסוע לישראל לקבל פני משיח
Two Bachurim Assaulted, Robbed on Friday Night; Suspects Apprehended - See more at: http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2015/08/two-bachurim-assaulted-robbed-on-friday-night.html#sthash.EFHvwcoL.dpuf
Read more: http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/08/30/report-germany-enraged-at-facebook-for-enabling-holocaust-denial/#
“Israel is the Jew among nations and it all flows from that”
תושב רכסים נפטר; "בתו לא התקבלה, הוא היה נסער מאוד
הרב ברלנד ממקום מחבואו: "כולם חייבים לנסוע לישראל לקבל פני משיח
Two Bachurim Assaulted, Robbed on Friday Night; Suspects Apprehended - See more at: http://www.thelakewoodscoop.com/news/2015/08/two-bachurim-assaulted-robbed-on-friday-night.html#sthash.EFHvwcoL.dpuf
30 Aug 2015
False desires
The foodie traveller ... visits Kolkata’s last Jewish bakery
An air strike by warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition killed 36 civilians working at a bottling plant in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah on Sunday, residents said.
In another air raid on the capital Sanaa, residents said four civilians were killed when a bomb hit their house near a military base in the south of the city.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/30/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0QZ09P20150830
Where's the uproar about the civilian deaths? Oh, it's not Israel so there will be no UN special session to condemn this atrocity.
Telegraph and Daily Mail retreat in face of Pallywood story about child ‘activist’
Teshuva: Getting Rid Of False Desires
An air strike by warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition killed 36 civilians working at a bottling plant in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah on Sunday, residents said.
In another air raid on the capital Sanaa, residents said four civilians were killed when a bomb hit their house near a military base in the south of the city.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/30/us-yemen-security-idUSKCN0QZ09P20150830
Where's the uproar about the civilian deaths? Oh, it's not Israel so there will be no UN special session to condemn this atrocity.
Telegraph and Daily Mail retreat in face of Pallywood story about child ‘activist’
Teshuva: Getting Rid Of False Desires
The age of PC
Getting Married to Imperfection
Comedian Paints ‘Hilariously Scary Picture’ of America in Age of Political Correctness: ‘Nails It’
Broadway actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste died on Friday after falling off his mother's fire escape. He was 21 years old. The performer from Brooklyn made history in July when he became the youngest actor as well as the first African American to play Les Misterables's Jean Valjean on Broadway.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3215536/Youngest-actor-play-Les-Miserables-s-Jean-Valjean-Broadway-dies-age-21.html#ixzz3kF1qBuXk
Below are a couple of the actor's last tweets.
August 12 - I love my life. I love my friends. I love my job. And I love my family. Pretty fortunate dude.
August 25 - I thank everyone who supported me and still does. I will never forget this experience. Onwards and upwards ;).
I caught a messianic Jew speaking about shemitah, as well as the Supreme Court decision on marriage.
You cannot take a vessel of G-d and use it against its purpose and against G-d without desecration. that was an act of desecration for America to strike down marriage. The time for gray, wavering, living both ways, compromising, not sharing, not living consistently to your faith is over.
...The day aftter the Supreme Court heard that case I was on Capitol Hill .. and I shared a word to leaders and members of Congress; I was led to share from Elijah what he said to Israel, How long will you waver between two opinions?
Is he living consistently to his faith and not wavering between two opinions?
Comedian Paints ‘Hilariously Scary Picture’ of America in Age of Political Correctness: ‘Nails It’
Broadway actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste died on Friday after falling off his mother's fire escape. He was 21 years old. The performer from Brooklyn made history in July when he became the youngest actor as well as the first African American to play Les Misterables's Jean Valjean on Broadway.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3215536/Youngest-actor-play-Les-Miserables-s-Jean-Valjean-Broadway-dies-age-21.html#ixzz3kF1qBuXk
Below are a couple of the actor's last tweets.
August 12 - I love my life. I love my friends. I love my job. And I love my family. Pretty fortunate dude.
August 25 - I thank everyone who supported me and still does. I will never forget this experience. Onwards and upwards ;).
I caught a messianic Jew speaking about shemitah, as well as the Supreme Court decision on marriage.
You cannot take a vessel of G-d and use it against its purpose and against G-d without desecration. that was an act of desecration for America to strike down marriage. The time for gray, wavering, living both ways, compromising, not sharing, not living consistently to your faith is over.
...The day aftter the Supreme Court heard that case I was on Capitol Hill .. and I shared a word to leaders and members of Congress; I was led to share from Elijah what he said to Israel, How long will you waver between two opinions?
Is he living consistently to his faith and not wavering between two opinions?
28 Aug 2015
Making a difference
I told my brother that I was upset with the Huffington Post for writing an article about approximately three hundred rabbis who had penned a document in support of an Iran deal while the same site chose not to write about about three times the number of rabbis who had signed on in opposition of the deal.
My brother advised me to write to the Huffington Post. Later on I related the incident to a friend and wondered whether I should write, thinking that one individual's opinion wouldn't matter. She told me that her sister had shopped at a major supermarket chain and told them that when she saw a promotion for a product such as 15% off if you buy two items and 33% off if you buy three items, she had trouble calculating the exact amount.
She asked whether it would be possible to write the price as opposed to leaving the shopper to calculate the adjusted price. Lo and behold, a while later, the store displayed the adjusted prices of the discount. She also told them that it didn't make sense that the sugar and salt should be packaged in the same color bags. She was told she was right and after the current production ran out, they would heed her advice. Which just goes to show that one person can make a difference.
Last night I posted about how rabbis had written articles attributing the Duma arson attack to Jewish perpetrators, even though the police have not arrested anyone. One already admitted to jumping the gun.
Yesterday after reading an article by a second rabbi, I penned an email to him, and I was happy this morning to see he had re-written the sentence which I found disturbing. Unfortunately, the sites which had published his article prior to his editing still have the unedited version posted.
One person can make a difference. One person's actions can tip the scales to bring about the redemption!
Ki Seitzei - The Gratitude Attitude
My brother advised me to write to the Huffington Post. Later on I related the incident to a friend and wondered whether I should write, thinking that one individual's opinion wouldn't matter. She told me that her sister had shopped at a major supermarket chain and told them that when she saw a promotion for a product such as 15% off if you buy two items and 33% off if you buy three items, she had trouble calculating the exact amount.
She asked whether it would be possible to write the price as opposed to leaving the shopper to calculate the adjusted price. Lo and behold, a while later, the store displayed the adjusted prices of the discount. She also told them that it didn't make sense that the sugar and salt should be packaged in the same color bags. She was told she was right and after the current production ran out, they would heed her advice. Which just goes to show that one person can make a difference.
Last night I posted about how rabbis had written articles attributing the Duma arson attack to Jewish perpetrators, even though the police have not arrested anyone. One already admitted to jumping the gun.
Yesterday after reading an article by a second rabbi, I penned an email to him, and I was happy this morning to see he had re-written the sentence which I found disturbing. Unfortunately, the sites which had published his article prior to his editing still have the unedited version posted.
One person can make a difference. One person's actions can tip the scales to bring about the redemption!
Ki Seitzei - The Gratitude Attitude
27 Aug 2015
Jumping the gun
Europe's NGO Jihad Against Israel
Am I missing something? Were the perpetrators of the Duma arson attack definitively identified? If not, why are some rabbis rushing to assign blame to Jews? One rabbi who wrote about the attack soon after it occurred has already written that he may have jumped the gun. Another rabbi has an article today that also assigns blame for the attack to Jews.
Until the police arrest the perpetrators, can we hold off on writing who is to blame for the attack?
A public interest law firm is threatening to bring lawsuits against more than 100 counties across the United States that appear to have more registered voters than living residents.
Read more: http://freebeacon.com/issues/election-group-141-u-s-counties-have-more-registered-voters-than-people/
Am I missing something? Were the perpetrators of the Duma arson attack definitively identified? If not, why are some rabbis rushing to assign blame to Jews? One rabbi who wrote about the attack soon after it occurred has already written that he may have jumped the gun. Another rabbi has an article today that also assigns blame for the attack to Jews.
Until the police arrest the perpetrators, can we hold off on writing who is to blame for the attack?
A public interest law firm is threatening to bring lawsuits against more than 100 counties across the United States that appear to have more registered voters than living residents.
Read more: http://freebeacon.com/issues/election-group-141-u-s-counties-have-more-registered-voters-than-people/
26 Aug 2015
Died
A gunman killed a reporter and photographer during a live television broadcast on Wednesday, according to officials and colleagues at the station.
Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wdbj7-reporter-alison-parker-photographer-killed-moneta-live-broadcast-n416221
Watching the live broadcast on YouTube, I found it eerie that the word "died" was being scrolled below on the screen just at the moment the shots which killed Ms. Parker rang out.
Poland drought: Jewish tombstones and fighter plane uncovered as rivers run dry
Israeli doctors restore sight to 90 Kyrgyzstanis in marathon 'Eye from Zion' initiative
Read more: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wdbj7-reporter-alison-parker-photographer-killed-moneta-live-broadcast-n416221
Watching the live broadcast on YouTube, I found it eerie that the word "died" was being scrolled below on the screen just at the moment the shots which killed Ms. Parker rang out.
Poland drought: Jewish tombstones and fighter plane uncovered as rivers run dry
Israeli doctors restore sight to 90 Kyrgyzstanis in marathon 'Eye from Zion' initiative
Helping hands
CrownHeightsinfo reports, "In a stunt for his nightly TV show, comedian Jimmy Kimmel filmed a costumed cartoon character pretend to fall down and ask passersby for help getting up. For nearly 7 minutes, dozens of passersby all but ignore the helpless man, until a few Orthodox-Jewish young men turn up at the scene."
Watch video over here.
Daily Emunah Lesson
כי תצא למלחמה על אויביך
The words Al Oivecha imply that you have the upper hand in the war. How can you have the upperhand before even going out to war? The Sifri explains this pasuk by saying Neged Oivecha, against your enemy. The question remains why does the Torah say Al Oivecha?
The seforim tell us that this war refers to the war against the Yetzer Hara. Rav Yisachar Dov of Belz says that his father took this one step further and explained that aside from the mitzvos and aveiros that every Jew is commanded to keep, each person is given a specific mission in this world. The way to know what your mission is, is by seeing which mitzva the Yetzer Hara fights hardest to keep you from fulfilling. If he can stop you from accomplishing your main purpose in the world he will have won the war. This is what Chazal meant when they said (Pirkei Avos 4:1), איזהו הגיבור הכובש את יצרו, who is the strong man, he who conquers his personal Yetzer.
Although we cannot win every battle in life, if Hashem puts us here to overcome a specific challenge, surely it is a battle we can win, and are guaranteed to win if we do our utmost. This is why the Torah says that when you wage war with all your might against your personal enemy, the victory is assured before you even start.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/life-lessons/Parshas-Ki-Seitzei-Rav-Yisachar-Dov-of-Belz-The-War-You-Are-Guaranteed-To-Win/5302
Why do many Jews support the Iran deal?
VIDEO: I’m Fed Up With Business As Usual in Washington … So I Have an Idea
Watch video over here.
Daily Emunah Lesson
כי תצא למלחמה על אויביך
The words Al Oivecha imply that you have the upper hand in the war. How can you have the upperhand before even going out to war? The Sifri explains this pasuk by saying Neged Oivecha, against your enemy. The question remains why does the Torah say Al Oivecha?
The seforim tell us that this war refers to the war against the Yetzer Hara. Rav Yisachar Dov of Belz says that his father took this one step further and explained that aside from the mitzvos and aveiros that every Jew is commanded to keep, each person is given a specific mission in this world. The way to know what your mission is, is by seeing which mitzva the Yetzer Hara fights hardest to keep you from fulfilling. If he can stop you from accomplishing your main purpose in the world he will have won the war. This is what Chazal meant when they said (Pirkei Avos 4:1), איזהו הגיבור הכובש את יצרו, who is the strong man, he who conquers his personal Yetzer.
Although we cannot win every battle in life, if Hashem puts us here to overcome a specific challenge, surely it is a battle we can win, and are guaranteed to win if we do our utmost. This is why the Torah says that when you wage war with all your might against your personal enemy, the victory is assured before you even start.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/life-lessons/Parshas-Ki-Seitzei-Rav-Yisachar-Dov-of-Belz-The-War-You-Are-Guaranteed-To-Win/5302
Why do many Jews support the Iran deal?
VIDEO: I’m Fed Up With Business As Usual in Washington … So I Have an Idea
25 Aug 2015
An anti-Semitic rant
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) urged the Spanish government to condemn an anti-Semitic rant broadcast on Corporación de Radio y Televisión Española, S.A. (RTVE), the state-owned company which operates Spanish public radio on Monday.
Read more: http://jpupdates.com/2015/08/24/adl-outraged-by-anti-semitic-spanish-broadcast/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
A journalist at the State Department briefing asked the following question to Spokesperson John Kirby.
Yeah. A week or so ago the Administration weighed in in the lawsuit against the Palestinian – against the PLO and the PA about the damages for the terrorism lawsuit. Today the gist of the Administration’s intervention or filing was that they shouldn’t be required to pay too much or an onerous amount because that would have negative implications for U.S. national interests and promoting a peace agreement, a two-state solution, and also the potential existence of the Palestinian Authority.
Today the judge has issued a ruling requiring them to pay 10 million upfront and then another million a month to secure the damages while this case is being appealed. Is that – in the Administration’s view, is that too much to be asking? Does this place an undue – does the Administration believe it places an undue burden on the Palestinians? http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/08/246309.htm#PALESTINIANTERRITORIES
The response of Mr. Kirby regarding this question and other follow up questions was, "I’m not going to be able to comment further on this particular case."
The Algemeiner reported Nearly 800 Rabbis Sign Petition Opposing Iran Nuclear Deal
A week ago, the Huffington Post reported, "Rebuffing a campaign among Jewish organizations to scuttle the Iran nuclear deal, 340 rabbis sent a letter to Congress Monday (Aug. 17) supporting the agreement and rejecting the notion that most American Jews oppose it." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hundreds-of-rabbis-urge-congress-to-approve-iran-nuclear-deal_55d24cdfe4b055a6dab122cd
If the Huffington Post deemed the actions of 340 rabbis newsworthy, one would think how much more so the actions of 800 rabbis. Who wants to bet that this won't be reported in the Huffington Post?
Below are two reports of the same fire in a house in Duma.
Palestinian natives of Duma woke up on the screams of a family after their home was set on fire by suspected Israeli arsonists at the crack of Monday’s dawn.
A PIC journalist quoted local sources as reporting that unidentified arsonists threw flammable materials on the home of Mnawar Rashid Dawabsheh.
http://english.palinfo.com/site/pages/details.aspx?itemid=73197
The home of a Palestinian family in the West Bank village of Duma burnt down early Monday in what appears to be the result of an electrical short circuit or criminal related activity.
...Monday's fire was initially blamed, briefly, by some Palestinians on an attack by Jewish settlers. But according to Israeli and Palestinian media reports, the head of the village council informed the Palestinian Authority that it was the result of faulty wiring.
http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/83179-150824-fire-guts-home-of-uncle-of-palestinian-infant-killed-in-arson-attack
Read more: http://jpupdates.com/2015/08/24/adl-outraged-by-anti-semitic-spanish-broadcast/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
A journalist at the State Department briefing asked the following question to Spokesperson John Kirby.
Yeah. A week or so ago the Administration weighed in in the lawsuit against the Palestinian – against the PLO and the PA about the damages for the terrorism lawsuit. Today the gist of the Administration’s intervention or filing was that they shouldn’t be required to pay too much or an onerous amount because that would have negative implications for U.S. national interests and promoting a peace agreement, a two-state solution, and also the potential existence of the Palestinian Authority.
Today the judge has issued a ruling requiring them to pay 10 million upfront and then another million a month to secure the damages while this case is being appealed. Is that – in the Administration’s view, is that too much to be asking? Does this place an undue – does the Administration believe it places an undue burden on the Palestinians? http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/08/246309.htm#PALESTINIANTERRITORIES
The response of Mr. Kirby regarding this question and other follow up questions was, "I’m not going to be able to comment further on this particular case."
The Algemeiner reported Nearly 800 Rabbis Sign Petition Opposing Iran Nuclear Deal
A week ago, the Huffington Post reported, "Rebuffing a campaign among Jewish organizations to scuttle the Iran nuclear deal, 340 rabbis sent a letter to Congress Monday (Aug. 17) supporting the agreement and rejecting the notion that most American Jews oppose it." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hundreds-of-rabbis-urge-congress-to-approve-iran-nuclear-deal_55d24cdfe4b055a6dab122cd
If the Huffington Post deemed the actions of 340 rabbis newsworthy, one would think how much more so the actions of 800 rabbis. Who wants to bet that this won't be reported in the Huffington Post?
Below are two reports of the same fire in a house in Duma.
Palestinian natives of Duma woke up on the screams of a family after their home was set on fire by suspected Israeli arsonists at the crack of Monday’s dawn.
A PIC journalist quoted local sources as reporting that unidentified arsonists threw flammable materials on the home of Mnawar Rashid Dawabsheh.
http://english.palinfo.com/site/pages/details.aspx?itemid=73197
The home of a Palestinian family in the West Bank village of Duma burnt down early Monday in what appears to be the result of an electrical short circuit or criminal related activity.
...Monday's fire was initially blamed, briefly, by some Palestinians on an attack by Jewish settlers. But according to Israeli and Palestinian media reports, the head of the village council informed the Palestinian Authority that it was the result of faulty wiring.
http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/83179-150824-fire-guts-home-of-uncle-of-palestinian-infant-killed-in-arson-attack
24 Aug 2015
23 Aug 2015
Factually incorrect
IsraelNationalNews has an op-ed titled JPost Apologizes for NIF Op-ed.
Below is the JPost apology.
On Friday, August 21, the Jerusalem Post published an op-ed by the New Israel Fund which was factually inaccurate and slanderous. The said article has been removed from our archives.
Continue reading: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Apology-412927
The article can still be found on the New Israel Fund site along with a photo of the article which ran in the JPost print edition on August 21.
So, the JPost has removed the article from its archives. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the print edition.
An AP article informs readers that Amna Farooqi was voted President of the J Street U National Student Board.
A dovish pro-Israel lobby in the US that has struggled for acceptance by more established Jewish groups has elected an American Muslim as president of a core initiative - its chapter program on college campuses, where debates rages over Israel and Palestinians.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4693230,00.html
You can hear Ms. Farooqi speaking at J Street's National Conference in a video on YouTube.
Last night you heard Jeremy speak a little bit about how J Street U is taking the lead in pushing our communal organizations to disclose how their funding supports settlements and other obstacles to peace. We believe that by pushing for greater transparancy we are holding our institutions accountable for their role in perpetuating the occupation...If there was ever a time to go all in with everything we have to hold our institutions accountable, to follow the money, to end the occupation, it is now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuTHJy6hNMw&list=PL4CViXUNRkO64fcUtDX1PINueFV1sDvqp&index=5
Sounds quite pro-Israel, n'est-ce pas?
By the Mitzva of Shiluach HaKen the torah tells us (Ki Seitzei 22:7), "L'maan Yitav Lach V'Haarachta Yamim", in order that it will be good for you and you will live a long life. By Kibud Av V'Eim in the second Dibros (VaEschanan 5:17), the torah promises the same reward that we don't find anywhere except for these two mitzvos. What is the commonality between them?
The Klei Yakar answers that the words "Lmaam Yitav" imply that the good will be a direct ramification of your doing this mitzva. If you honor your parents your children will learn from you to honor their parents and you will benefit. If you chase away the mother bird before taking her young, you will teach them to have rachmanus even on an animal that gives birth to young and certainly on parents who give birth to their children.
The reason why these two mitzvos are rewarded with long life is because they both testify to the fact that Hashem created the world and it didn't happen by itself. By honoring the previous generation who gave birth to you, you acknowledge that everything in the world came from something before it to which you owe honor. This leads you back to a "first and only" and that would be Hashem to whom you owe the greatest honor. If you believe that the world just happened, then the previous generation is not better than you, but rather a product of timing and you owe them no respect. Fo this you are rewarded with a long life and earning the privilege to spend more time in the world Hashem created.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Ki-Seitzei-Kli-Yakar-Honoring-Parents-And-Honoring-Birds/4036
Below is the JPost apology.
On Friday, August 21, the Jerusalem Post published an op-ed by the New Israel Fund which was factually inaccurate and slanderous. The said article has been removed from our archives.
Continue reading: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Apology-412927
The article can still be found on the New Israel Fund site along with a photo of the article which ran in the JPost print edition on August 21.
So, the JPost has removed the article from its archives. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the print edition.
An AP article informs readers that Amna Farooqi was voted President of the J Street U National Student Board.
A dovish pro-Israel lobby in the US that has struggled for acceptance by more established Jewish groups has elected an American Muslim as president of a core initiative - its chapter program on college campuses, where debates rages over Israel and Palestinians.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4693230,00.html
You can hear Ms. Farooqi speaking at J Street's National Conference in a video on YouTube.
Last night you heard Jeremy speak a little bit about how J Street U is taking the lead in pushing our communal organizations to disclose how their funding supports settlements and other obstacles to peace. We believe that by pushing for greater transparancy we are holding our institutions accountable for their role in perpetuating the occupation...If there was ever a time to go all in with everything we have to hold our institutions accountable, to follow the money, to end the occupation, it is now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuTHJy6hNMw&list=PL4CViXUNRkO64fcUtDX1PINueFV1sDvqp&index=5
Sounds quite pro-Israel, n'est-ce pas?
By the Mitzva of Shiluach HaKen the torah tells us (Ki Seitzei 22:7), "L'maan Yitav Lach V'Haarachta Yamim", in order that it will be good for you and you will live a long life. By Kibud Av V'Eim in the second Dibros (VaEschanan 5:17), the torah promises the same reward that we don't find anywhere except for these two mitzvos. What is the commonality between them?
The Klei Yakar answers that the words "Lmaam Yitav" imply that the good will be a direct ramification of your doing this mitzva. If you honor your parents your children will learn from you to honor their parents and you will benefit. If you chase away the mother bird before taking her young, you will teach them to have rachmanus even on an animal that gives birth to young and certainly on parents who give birth to their children.
The reason why these two mitzvos are rewarded with long life is because they both testify to the fact that Hashem created the world and it didn't happen by itself. By honoring the previous generation who gave birth to you, you acknowledge that everything in the world came from something before it to which you owe honor. This leads you back to a "first and only" and that would be Hashem to whom you owe the greatest honor. If you believe that the world just happened, then the previous generation is not better than you, but rather a product of timing and you owe them no respect. Fo this you are rewarded with a long life and earning the privilege to spend more time in the world Hashem created.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Ki-Seitzei-Kli-Yakar-Honoring-Parents-And-Honoring-Birds/4036
21 Aug 2015
Hishtadlut
Chadrei Charedim has an article in which the grandson of Rav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita discusses the Rav's answers to people who are asking what hishtadlut should me made with regard to the Iran deal. According to the article, the Rav said that the greatest hishtadlut a person can do is to daven.
אתה רוצה לעשות השתדלות להציל את עם ישראל? אני יגיד לך מה תעשה, תתפלל! זה ההשתדלות הכי טובה, אנו לא יודעים מה טוב לנו, רק הקב"ה יודע! ולא יטוש ה' עמו, תפילה זה ההשתדלות!" .
http://www.bhol.co.il/article.aspx?id=88618
Jewish singer confirms Spain show after festival apology
אתה רוצה לעשות השתדלות להציל את עם ישראל? אני יגיד לך מה תעשה, תתפלל! זה ההשתדלות הכי טובה, אנו לא יודעים מה טוב לנו, רק הקב"ה יודע! ולא יטוש ה' עמו, תפילה זה ההשתדלות!" .
http://www.bhol.co.il/article.aspx?id=88618
Jewish singer confirms Spain show after festival apology
Statue desecrated
Vandals have desecrated a Jewish-funded memorial statue with raw meat in an apparently anti-Semitic attack in east London.
Read more: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/vandals-desecrate-east-london-jewish-memorial-with-raw-meat-a2917331.html
Parshas Shoftim - Are Red Hots Really A Righteous Reward?
Read more: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/vandals-desecrate-east-london-jewish-memorial-with-raw-meat-a2917331.html
Parshas Shoftim - Are Red Hots Really A Righteous Reward?
19 Aug 2015
Thing 1 and Thing 2
and sally and i
did not know what to do.
so we had to shake hands
with Thing One and Thing Two.
we shook their two hands.
but our fish said, 'no! no!
those Things should not be
in this house! make them go!
they should not be here
when your mother is not!
put them out! put them out!'
said the fish in the pot.
http://paulandlizdavies.com/poems/cat.htm
Children in Tennessee will now have "Parent 1" and "Parent 2" instead of a mother and a father, according to Tennessee’s Administrative Office of the Courts.
Read more: http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/08/18/tennessee-courts-replace-mother-and-father-parent-1-and-parent-2
Who gets to be Parent 1 and who is deemed to be Parent 2? How about boxes for Parent 3 and Parent 4, as well?
In the meantime, we should start changing words in various books to reflect the new teminology. In the excerpt above from Dr; Seuss, should mother be replaced by Parent 1 or Parent 2? Similarly, President Obama's book, Dreams from my Father should be changed to Dreams from my Co-parent.
How about the Ten Commandments? Honor your Parent 1 and Parent 2.
YnetNews writes about a British tourist who wrote a favorable post about Israel and found herself under attack.
A little while later Carter even received a message from Facebook, in which she was told that her post was described as offensive. An hour later she received another message with the same information.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4692141,00.html
Reading the comments under the article I saw someone had written a response to an indvidual who had posted a comment.
Hey Blake! I found this quote on your FB page, which is dedicated to bashing Jews and Israel: "So nauseating how seriously messed up in the head people are they get the publicity because the media is zionist owned."
So, Blake's quotes on his Facebook page are not deemed offensive?
18 Aug 2015
Real danger
Temple Mount: Elderly Jewish Woman Assaulted - Police Do Nothing
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said the Iran nuclear deal holds real danger not just for Israel, but for the United States as well.
Read more: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/08/18/mike-huckabee-warns-on-iran-deal-israel-is-the-opening-act-but-the-main-event-is-america/
מזהיר: לא כל 'ג'וני ווקר' הוא כשר OK
Federal Judge Grants Early Hearing for Hillary Email Case
The Sorry Spectacle of Obama’s Pro-Iran Deal Jews
President Obama spoke in Ethiopia at the end of July.
President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he could win a third term in office if he ran again but that he is barred by the Constitution.
"I actually think I'm a pretty good President. I think if I ran, I could win. But I can't," Obama ad-libbed during a speech in Ethiopia. "There's a lot that I'd like to do to keep America moving. But the law is the law, and no person is above the law, not even the president." http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/28/politics/obama-third-term-win-ethiopia/
A while back, the Debate Club wrote, "President Barack Obama announced a series of executive orders that will protect up to 5 million undocumented persons from deportation."
...House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., added, "The president’s decision to recklessly forge ahead with a plan to unilaterally change our immigration laws ignores the will of the American people and flouts the Constitution."
http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-obamas-immigration-executive-order-legal
Anyone think a third term is possible?
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said the Iran nuclear deal holds real danger not just for Israel, but for the United States as well.
Read more: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/08/18/mike-huckabee-warns-on-iran-deal-israel-is-the-opening-act-but-the-main-event-is-america/
מזהיר: לא כל 'ג'וני ווקר' הוא כשר OK
Federal Judge Grants Early Hearing for Hillary Email Case
The Sorry Spectacle of Obama’s Pro-Iran Deal Jews
President Obama spoke in Ethiopia at the end of July.
President Barack Obama said Tuesday that he could win a third term in office if he ran again but that he is barred by the Constitution.
"I actually think I'm a pretty good President. I think if I ran, I could win. But I can't," Obama ad-libbed during a speech in Ethiopia. "There's a lot that I'd like to do to keep America moving. But the law is the law, and no person is above the law, not even the president." http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/28/politics/obama-third-term-win-ethiopia/
A while back, the Debate Club wrote, "President Barack Obama announced a series of executive orders that will protect up to 5 million undocumented persons from deportation."
...House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., added, "The president’s decision to recklessly forge ahead with a plan to unilaterally change our immigration laws ignores the will of the American people and flouts the Constitution."
http://www.usnews.com/debate-club/is-obamas-immigration-executive-order-legal
Anyone think a third term is possible?
Sustained happiness
Courageous leadership
A second Jewish congregation uncovered anti-Semitic graffiti on its property Monday morning just days after the discovery of swastikas, racial slurs and widespread vandalism rocked a neighboring Jewish community.
Continue reading: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Reward-increased-for-anti-Semitic-vandals-at-San-6448618.php
In October 2014 the New York Times published a piece titled Bill de Blasio for Mayor
He promises to be a mayor who listens instead of scolds, who calms fears instead of inciting them. If he combines his populist touch with attentive, courageous leadership, he will have earned the city’s support; he already has ours.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/opinion/sunday/bill-de-blasio-for-mayor.html?_r=0
Fast forward to August 2015.
Messes Pile Up for de Blasio in 2nd Year
Guardian Angels Begin Patrolling De Blasio’s NYC As Crime Rate Soars
Emuna daily lesson
Continue reading: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Reward-increased-for-anti-Semitic-vandals-at-San-6448618.php
In October 2014 the New York Times published a piece titled Bill de Blasio for Mayor
He promises to be a mayor who listens instead of scolds, who calms fears instead of inciting them. If he combines his populist touch with attentive, courageous leadership, he will have earned the city’s support; he already has ours.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/opinion/sunday/bill-de-blasio-for-mayor.html?_r=0
Fast forward to August 2015.
Messes Pile Up for de Blasio in 2nd Year
Guardian Angels Begin Patrolling De Blasio’s NYC As Crime Rate Soars
Emuna daily lesson
17 Aug 2015
Religion aside
The Washington Post has an article by Professors Todd Gitlin and Steven M. Cohen titled On the Iran deal, American Jewish ‘leaders’ don’t speak for most Jews.
One of us (Cohen) conducted a poll last month for the Jewish Journal on the Iran accord. This is the only poll of American Jews on the subject to explicitly include Jews with no religion — those who said that, “aside from religion,” they “consider themselves Jewish.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/on-the-iran-deal-american-jewish-leaders-dont-speak-for-all-jews/2015/08/14/988e577e-41d5-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html
"Aside from my lack of accreditation as a professor of sociology," I consider myself a professor and thus feel myself qualified to conduct a poll in which I will phrase the questions and interview those people who will provide me with my desired poll results.
Expose: Jewish Communal Fund Seeks To Cover-Up Their 7-Figure Funding Of Israel Boycott
I read an interesting article about the Demartini method which can be downloaded here.
An Elul Primer
One of us (Cohen) conducted a poll last month for the Jewish Journal on the Iran accord. This is the only poll of American Jews on the subject to explicitly include Jews with no religion — those who said that, “aside from religion,” they “consider themselves Jewish.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/on-the-iran-deal-american-jewish-leaders-dont-speak-for-all-jews/2015/08/14/988e577e-41d5-11e5-846d-02792f854297_story.html
"Aside from my lack of accreditation as a professor of sociology," I consider myself a professor and thus feel myself qualified to conduct a poll in which I will phrase the questions and interview those people who will provide me with my desired poll results.
Expose: Jewish Communal Fund Seeks To Cover-Up Their 7-Figure Funding Of Israel Boycott
I read an interesting article about the Demartini method which can be downloaded here.
An Elul Primer
16 Aug 2015
Fate and gratitude
American Jewry’s fateful hour by Caroline Glick.
Why gratitude could be good for your health
A friend related over the weekend that she thanks Hashem daily that her mother is aging well and is able to live independently.
A Spanish music festival demanded Jewish-American reggae star Matisyahu endorse Palestinian statehood, and then canceled his upcoming show after the singer declined, Spanish media reported Saturday.
Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/spanish-fest-cancels-matisyahu-gig-over-refusal-to-endorse-palestinian-state/
I caught an article at the Yated which describes the special characters of the young women who were niftar in a car accident in Arizona last week. Below is part of a description of Hindy Spira, a'h.
One of her fellow teachers at the school is Mrs. Bas-sheva Alpert, whose daughter, Chaya Malka bas Bas-sheva, is in need of a refuah shleimah. Hindy was constantly trying to think of programs and undertakings as a zechus for Mrs. Alpert’s daughter.
On Monday, the day of her petirah, it was Hindy herself, despite being on vacation on the West Coast, who recorded a message on the “Ki Chol Peh Lecha Yodeh” contest hotline. The contest was established as a zechus for Chaya Malka bas Bas-sheva, with prizes awarded to the youngsters who participate. Listening to the message, one could hear the joy for life that Hindy personified. In her message, recorded shortly before her petirah, Hindy says, “Let’s hope to share besuros tovos very shortly.” Her voice is rich with simchah and her upbeat persona is almost tangible.
Hindy would regularly tell Mrs. Alpert that she’d like to do more for her daughter, and she endeavored to come up with initiatives as a zechus for Chaya Malka bas Bas-sheva. When she was in Florida, Hindy called Mrs. Alpert to obtain copies of the hilchos Shabbos sheets that are published as a zechus for Chaya Malka so that she could place them in the local shuls. With Hindy, every moment was utilized to help others and consider their needs.
http://www.yated.com/tragic-accident-in-arizona-claims-lives-of-hindy-spira-a-h-and-raizel-morgenstern-a-h.7-1548-7-.html
How about emailing LearnShabbos@gmail.com with a subject line I would like to receive Hilchos Shabbos.
Why gratitude could be good for your health
A friend related over the weekend that she thanks Hashem daily that her mother is aging well and is able to live independently.
A Spanish music festival demanded Jewish-American reggae star Matisyahu endorse Palestinian statehood, and then canceled his upcoming show after the singer declined, Spanish media reported Saturday.
Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/spanish-fest-cancels-matisyahu-gig-over-refusal-to-endorse-palestinian-state/
I caught an article at the Yated which describes the special characters of the young women who were niftar in a car accident in Arizona last week. Below is part of a description of Hindy Spira, a'h.
One of her fellow teachers at the school is Mrs. Bas-sheva Alpert, whose daughter, Chaya Malka bas Bas-sheva, is in need of a refuah shleimah. Hindy was constantly trying to think of programs and undertakings as a zechus for Mrs. Alpert’s daughter.
On Monday, the day of her petirah, it was Hindy herself, despite being on vacation on the West Coast, who recorded a message on the “Ki Chol Peh Lecha Yodeh” contest hotline. The contest was established as a zechus for Chaya Malka bas Bas-sheva, with prizes awarded to the youngsters who participate. Listening to the message, one could hear the joy for life that Hindy personified. In her message, recorded shortly before her petirah, Hindy says, “Let’s hope to share besuros tovos very shortly.” Her voice is rich with simchah and her upbeat persona is almost tangible.
Hindy would regularly tell Mrs. Alpert that she’d like to do more for her daughter, and she endeavored to come up with initiatives as a zechus for Chaya Malka bas Bas-sheva. When she was in Florida, Hindy called Mrs. Alpert to obtain copies of the hilchos Shabbos sheets that are published as a zechus for Chaya Malka so that she could place them in the local shuls. With Hindy, every moment was utilized to help others and consider their needs.
http://www.yated.com/tragic-accident-in-arizona-claims-lives-of-hindy-spira-a-h-and-raizel-morgenstern-a-h.7-1548-7-.html
How about emailing LearnShabbos@gmail.com with a subject line I would like to receive Hilchos Shabbos.
Guards at the gates
HuffingtonPost has an article titled Presidential Hopefuls Ham It Up At Iowa State Fair with a photo captioned Democratic presidential hopeful and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds a Pork Chop on a Stick as she tours the Iowa State Fair on August 15, 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/presidential-hopefuls-ham-it-up-at-iowa-state-fair_55d00b8ae4b0ab468d9d8a4a?kvcommref=mostpopular
Is this PC of the presidential candidate to walk around with a pork chop? Might she not offend some religious sensibilities?
We read Parshas Shoftim in the beginning of Elul because the first step to Tshuva is to put guards at our hotspots. "Shoftim V'Shotrim Tetein Lecha B'Chol She'arecha"; place judges and policemen at all your gates. These gates allude to the gates of your body; your eyes, ears, mouth, etc., says the Bnei Yisaschar. The gemara says the eyes see and the heart desires. This is the mechanics of Aveira. We need to watch both what goes into our mouth and what comes out of it. Once we have honest judges guarding these flashpoints from evil we are on the road to tshuvah.
If we do stumble we must have a mechanism for punishing ourselves whether it is in the form of promising to give money to tzedoka or withholding something that we enjoy for every time we slip. This effective idea was popular among the Talmidim of Rav Moshe Kordevero says the Bnei Yisaschar.
http://revach.net/moadim/elultishrei/ElulParshas-Shoftim-Bnei-Yisaschar-Shoftim-And-Personal-Bodyguards/822
Is this PC of the presidential candidate to walk around with a pork chop? Might she not offend some religious sensibilities?
We read Parshas Shoftim in the beginning of Elul because the first step to Tshuva is to put guards at our hotspots. "Shoftim V'Shotrim Tetein Lecha B'Chol She'arecha"; place judges and policemen at all your gates. These gates allude to the gates of your body; your eyes, ears, mouth, etc., says the Bnei Yisaschar. The gemara says the eyes see and the heart desires. This is the mechanics of Aveira. We need to watch both what goes into our mouth and what comes out of it. Once we have honest judges guarding these flashpoints from evil we are on the road to tshuvah.
If we do stumble we must have a mechanism for punishing ourselves whether it is in the form of promising to give money to tzedoka or withholding something that we enjoy for every time we slip. This effective idea was popular among the Talmidim of Rav Moshe Kordevero says the Bnei Yisaschar.
http://revach.net/moadim/elultishrei/ElulParshas-Shoftim-Bnei-Yisaschar-Shoftim-And-Personal-Bodyguards/822
When the lion roars
The Shela HaKadosh brings down from tzadikim of previous generations that the Pasuk "Aryeh Shoag Mi Lo Yirah"; when the lion roars who is not afraid, is a Siman for the Yomim Noraim and the Days of Judgement. The word Aryeh has the letters Aleph, Reish, Yud, Hey which represents Elul (Aleph), Rosh HaShana (Reish), Yom Kippur (Yud), and Hoshana Rabba (Hey) the day when our fate is handed out to the Malachim to carry out. The lion's roar of these days is a sign for us to be afraid and do Teshuva.
Teshuva he says is an acronym for the various ways we show our remorse. Tuf - Taanis, fasting; Shin - Sak, wearing a sack cloth; Vuv -VaEfer, ashes; Bais - Bechia, crying; Hey - Hesped, mourning over our aveiros.
The letters of Elul we all know stand for "Ani LeDodi V'Dodi Li"; I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me. The last letters of each of the 4 words is Yud with the numerical equivalent of 40. This represents the 40 days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur that are a special time for Teshuva.
http://revach.net/moadim/elultishrei/Elul-Shela-HaKadosh-The-Lion-Roars/865
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump argued, “if you’re running for president, you should not be allowed to use a teleprompter” at a speech in New Hampshire on Friday.
Read more: http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/08/14/trump-presidential-candidates-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-use-teleprompters/
Teshuva he says is an acronym for the various ways we show our remorse. Tuf - Taanis, fasting; Shin - Sak, wearing a sack cloth; Vuv -VaEfer, ashes; Bais - Bechia, crying; Hey - Hesped, mourning over our aveiros.
The letters of Elul we all know stand for "Ani LeDodi V'Dodi Li"; I am to my beloved and my beloved is to me. The last letters of each of the 4 words is Yud with the numerical equivalent of 40. This represents the 40 days from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur that are a special time for Teshuva.
http://revach.net/moadim/elultishrei/Elul-Shela-HaKadosh-The-Lion-Roars/865
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump argued, “if you’re running for president, you should not be allowed to use a teleprompter” at a speech in New Hampshire on Friday.
Read more: http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/08/14/trump-presidential-candidates-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-use-teleprompters/
14 Aug 2015
Thoughts on Parshat Re'eh
Torah Wellsprings - Rabbi Biderman - Parshat Re'eh - thoughts on this week's parsha -gems of inspiration - worthwhile downloading.
When I read about the tragic passing of a young boy in a car accident in Israel and how his funeral was scheduled to take place right after his uncle's wedding, I recalled reading an article about Rav Steinman Shlita talking about the period of "ben hazemanim" as one of danger to the "neshama" because one forgets to learn Torah.
וכאשר שאלו את הגראי"ל אם אפשר לומר לבחור כמה שעות הוא צריך ללמוד בימי בין הזמנים – אמר: "אין כזה דבר שאדם צריך ללמוד זמן מסוים, הרי כתוב והגית בו יומם ולילה! איי, במציאות הוא לא יכול ללמוד כל הזמן, הפשט הוא שמצד 'הדין' צריך ללמוד כל הזמן. , …"
כשהתלמידים ביקשו ברכה לבין הזמנים, שיזכו ללמוד כמו שצריך – השיב: "הלוואי שאני אזכה". והוסיף: "לחטוא אין זמן". כלומר שהיצר הרע אינו תלוי בזמנים, ולכן לא נסתיים אצלו כעת הזמן, …
http://www.ch10.co.il/news/188937/#.Vc13-fmqqko
After a slew of tragic car accidents this past week, let us hope the period of danger is over as yeshivos reopen for Chodesh Elul. May we be blessed with making "simchos metoch simchos."
פרשת ראה • הגאון רבי דוד לאו עם וורט על הפרשה
This morning I read a post titled Please Daven for Henna Machlis, "The Sarah Imenu of Our Times"
In the video below, Rabbi Machlis talks about this week's parsha and the rabbi offers various interpretations of the words " לֹא תִתְגֹּדְדוּ " including a beautiful explanation starting at the 9 minute mark.
The NYPost has an opinion piece titled Iran says the nuke deal will help it target Israel.
It’s easy to see why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayahu and his Labor party nemesis Isaac Herzog are united against the Iran deal. It’s much, much harder to see why Obama believes he knows what’s in Israel’s interests better than the Israelis do.
http://nypost.com/2015/08/13/iran-says-the-nuke-deal-will-help-it-target-israel/
Fox News Host Megyn Kelly Grills Mayor Giuliani For Telling Truth About Obama
When I read about the tragic passing of a young boy in a car accident in Israel and how his funeral was scheduled to take place right after his uncle's wedding, I recalled reading an article about Rav Steinman Shlita talking about the period of "ben hazemanim" as one of danger to the "neshama" because one forgets to learn Torah.
וכאשר שאלו את הגראי"ל אם אפשר לומר לבחור כמה שעות הוא צריך ללמוד בימי בין הזמנים – אמר: "אין כזה דבר שאדם צריך ללמוד זמן מסוים, הרי כתוב והגית בו יומם ולילה! איי, במציאות הוא לא יכול ללמוד כל הזמן, הפשט הוא שמצד 'הדין' צריך ללמוד כל הזמן. , …"
כשהתלמידים ביקשו ברכה לבין הזמנים, שיזכו ללמוד כמו שצריך – השיב: "הלוואי שאני אזכה". והוסיף: "לחטוא אין זמן". כלומר שהיצר הרע אינו תלוי בזמנים, ולכן לא נסתיים אצלו כעת הזמן, …
http://www.ch10.co.il/news/188937/#.Vc13-fmqqko
After a slew of tragic car accidents this past week, let us hope the period of danger is over as yeshivos reopen for Chodesh Elul. May we be blessed with making "simchos metoch simchos."
פרשת ראה • הגאון רבי דוד לאו עם וורט על הפרשה
Seeing Eyes
In the video below, Rabbi Machlis talks about this week's parsha and the rabbi offers various interpretations of the words " לֹא תִתְגֹּדְדוּ " including a beautiful explanation starting at the 9 minute mark.
The NYPost has an opinion piece titled Iran says the nuke deal will help it target Israel.
It’s easy to see why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayahu and his Labor party nemesis Isaac Herzog are united against the Iran deal. It’s much, much harder to see why Obama believes he knows what’s in Israel’s interests better than the Israelis do.
http://nypost.com/2015/08/13/iran-says-the-nuke-deal-will-help-it-target-israel/
Fox News Host Megyn Kelly Grills Mayor Giuliani For Telling Truth About Obama
13 Aug 2015
Hayom
Professor Alan Dershowitz discusses the Iran deal with Greta van Susteren over here.
Parshas Re'eh - Why Do We Learn Torah?
Parshas Re'eh - Enjoying This World
Parashat Re'eh: The True Reward for Misvot
Parshas Re'eh - Why Do We Learn Torah?
Parshas Re'eh - Enjoying This World
Parashat Re'eh: The True Reward for Misvot
Re'eh; look
A Chosid once stood in the doorway of the Chidushei HaRim, the founder of Gerrer Chasidus, staring at him for a long time. After a while the Chidushei HaRim asked him what exactly he was doing. The Chosid said that the Ohr HaChaim says that if you stare at Tzadkim it will bring you bracha like the Pasuk says, "Re'eh; look!; Anochi Nosien Lifneichem HaYom Bracha; and I will give you bracha."
The Chidushei HaRim then told him that it says, "V'Ameich Kulam Tzadikim; The entire nation is tzadikim and you are tzadik as well." Therefore, it would be more beneficial if instead of staring at me, you would stare deep within yourself.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/chasidus/Parshas-Reeh-Chidushei-HaRim-Look-At-Yourself/2699
4 Minute Clip: A Plan To Conquering Anger Or Any Addiction
Parashat Re’eh - Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein
Fox News is reporting tonight that someone in the Hillary Clinton insider club may have tampered with ‘Top Secret’ documents by removing the markings that identified those documents as ‘Top Secret’, which would be a felony!
Read more: http://therightscoop.com/breaking-state-dept-official-to-fox-news-hillary-insider-may-have-removed-top-secret-markings/#ixzz3igo8NIEy
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leadership candidate, wrote a letter of support for a vicar who was banned from social media after suggesting that Israel was responsible for the 9/11 attack on the twin towers.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3191393/Jeremy-Corbyn-defended-controversial-vicar-banned-social-media-promoting-clearly-anti-Semitic-material.html#ixzz3igpNrX8P
The Chidushei HaRim then told him that it says, "V'Ameich Kulam Tzadikim; The entire nation is tzadikim and you are tzadik as well." Therefore, it would be more beneficial if instead of staring at me, you would stare deep within yourself.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/chasidus/Parshas-Reeh-Chidushei-HaRim-Look-At-Yourself/2699
4 Minute Clip: A Plan To Conquering Anger Or Any Addiction
Parashat Re’eh - Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein
Fox News is reporting tonight that someone in the Hillary Clinton insider club may have tampered with ‘Top Secret’ documents by removing the markings that identified those documents as ‘Top Secret’, which would be a felony!
Read more: http://therightscoop.com/breaking-state-dept-official-to-fox-news-hillary-insider-may-have-removed-top-secret-markings/#ixzz3igo8NIEy
Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leadership candidate, wrote a letter of support for a vicar who was banned from social media after suggesting that Israel was responsible for the 9/11 attack on the twin towers.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3191393/Jeremy-Corbyn-defended-controversial-vicar-banned-social-media-promoting-clearly-anti-Semitic-material.html#ixzz3igpNrX8P
12 Aug 2015
A life of beracha
Just caught an excellent shiur at Torah Anytime by Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman titled Parashat Re’eh: Living A Life Of Beracha.
Hamodia: Tragic Accident Claims Life of Two Boro Park Girls
הגר"ח קנייבסקי: פולארד לא יברך 'הגומל' רק 'הטוב והמטיב
Yesterday I posted about an article at The Washington Post regarding Aviya Morris, who made a visit to the Temple Mount.
Palestinian female guardians are a new phenomenon at the al-Aqsa compound. They follow Jewish visitors and their Israeli police escorts to stop Jews from praying or singing (Jewish prayer being against Israeli and Jordanian rules, designed to protect the 48-year-old status quo).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/meet-the-israeli-mom-who-called-muhammad-a-pig--at-al-aqsa-mosque/2015/08/10/15e31afc-3f5b-11e5-b2c4-af4c6183b8b4_story.html
Will the journalist embed the video below in the WP article to show that the women do more thatn follow Jewish visitors? And why should Jewish prayer be outlawed?
Antisemitism on the Temple Mount (video)
A man came to his Rebbe crying that his donkey fell into a pit and he didn't know what to do. "Why don't you lift it out with a rope", asked the Rebbe. "Because it is too heavy", answered the Chosid. "Why don't you ask some of the townspeople to help", asked the Rebbe. "They are too busy or not interested", sighed the Chosid. In that case, said the Rebbe, this is what you should do. Take a bucket and keep filling it with dirt and keep pouring it into the pit. The Chosid was a bit despondent that his Rebbe had given up on his donkey and was telling him to bury it alive, but if that is what the Rebbe said, that is what would do.
The Chosid went home and filled up an old bucket with dirt and poured it into the pit. From down below he heard the donkey let out a shrilling bray and jump up and down wildly. The sound and thought of his poor donkey made him distraught, but with no other choice, other than to listen to the Rebbe, he again filled up a bucket and the scene repeated itself. After the fourth bucketfull all was quiet and he didn't hear any noise. "My poor donkey must be buried already", sighed the Chosid. Regardless, he carried on through the afternoon pouring bucket after bucket for hours.
Suddenly towards the evening as he poured a bucket, he again heard the shrilling bray of his beloved donkey and then he heard a wild jump, and poof, in a cloud of dirt the donkey suddenly appeared on the edge of the pit! The ecstatic Chosid's happiness knew no bounds. "Tell me", said the Chosid to the donkey, "what happened"? I thought you were dead and buried hours ago when I no longer heard you making any noise!"
The donkey turned to the Chosid and explained. At first when the dirt was thrown on me it was uncomfortable and insulting, and I was furious. But then I realized that if I shake it off and pat it down, I can lift myself higher, getting closer to the entrance of the pit. So with each bucket you poured on me I slowly lifted myself. After each time I prayed that you'd throw more dirt on me so that I can get out of my dark grave.
Our initial instinct when someone heaves dirt upon us, or if life seems to go wrong, is to scream and yell and try to shake it off. But the smart donkeys among us will realize that the source of the dirt is our loving Master, and if we use it wisely we can lift ourselves up from the deep hole we dug for ourselves. But if we don't get it, and instead sulk in insult, it will very quickly turn into our burial grounds.
http://revach.net/stories/mashal/The-Donkey-and-the-Dirt/5316
Hamodia: Tragic Accident Claims Life of Two Boro Park Girls
הגר"ח קנייבסקי: פולארד לא יברך 'הגומל' רק 'הטוב והמטיב
Yesterday I posted about an article at The Washington Post regarding Aviya Morris, who made a visit to the Temple Mount.
Palestinian female guardians are a new phenomenon at the al-Aqsa compound. They follow Jewish visitors and their Israeli police escorts to stop Jews from praying or singing (Jewish prayer being against Israeli and Jordanian rules, designed to protect the 48-year-old status quo).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/meet-the-israeli-mom-who-called-muhammad-a-pig--at-al-aqsa-mosque/2015/08/10/15e31afc-3f5b-11e5-b2c4-af4c6183b8b4_story.html
Will the journalist embed the video below in the WP article to show that the women do more thatn follow Jewish visitors? And why should Jewish prayer be outlawed?
Antisemitism on the Temple Mount (video)
A man came to his Rebbe crying that his donkey fell into a pit and he didn't know what to do. "Why don't you lift it out with a rope", asked the Rebbe. "Because it is too heavy", answered the Chosid. "Why don't you ask some of the townspeople to help", asked the Rebbe. "They are too busy or not interested", sighed the Chosid. In that case, said the Rebbe, this is what you should do. Take a bucket and keep filling it with dirt and keep pouring it into the pit. The Chosid was a bit despondent that his Rebbe had given up on his donkey and was telling him to bury it alive, but if that is what the Rebbe said, that is what would do.
The Chosid went home and filled up an old bucket with dirt and poured it into the pit. From down below he heard the donkey let out a shrilling bray and jump up and down wildly. The sound and thought of his poor donkey made him distraught, but with no other choice, other than to listen to the Rebbe, he again filled up a bucket and the scene repeated itself. After the fourth bucketfull all was quiet and he didn't hear any noise. "My poor donkey must be buried already", sighed the Chosid. Regardless, he carried on through the afternoon pouring bucket after bucket for hours.
Suddenly towards the evening as he poured a bucket, he again heard the shrilling bray of his beloved donkey and then he heard a wild jump, and poof, in a cloud of dirt the donkey suddenly appeared on the edge of the pit! The ecstatic Chosid's happiness knew no bounds. "Tell me", said the Chosid to the donkey, "what happened"? I thought you were dead and buried hours ago when I no longer heard you making any noise!"
The donkey turned to the Chosid and explained. At first when the dirt was thrown on me it was uncomfortable and insulting, and I was furious. But then I realized that if I shake it off and pat it down, I can lift myself higher, getting closer to the entrance of the pit. So with each bucket you poured on me I slowly lifted myself. After each time I prayed that you'd throw more dirt on me so that I can get out of my dark grave.
Our initial instinct when someone heaves dirt upon us, or if life seems to go wrong, is to scream and yell and try to shake it off. But the smart donkeys among us will realize that the source of the dirt is our loving Master, and if we use it wisely we can lift ourselves up from the deep hole we dug for ourselves. But if we don't get it, and instead sulk in insult, it will very quickly turn into our burial grounds.
http://revach.net/stories/mashal/The-Donkey-and-the-Dirt/5316
11 Aug 2015
Open your hand to the poor
"Paso'ach Tiftach Es Yadecha Lo; Open up your hand to the poor (Re'eh 15:8)." The Gemara in Bava Basra (10a) tells the story how Rav Papa was walking up the stairs and his foot slipped and he was about to fall. Chiya Bar Rav MiDifti said to him, "Maybe a poor person came to you and you did not support him." What is the connection between an accident on the steps and not giving tzedaka?
The Vilna Gaon explains this enigmatic comment with the "Trop" the notes used when reading in the Torah the words Paso'ach Tiftach. The notes are "Darga" and "Tevir" which literally means "Steps" and "Break". After seeing Rav Papa's accident on the stairs, Chiya Bar Rav MiDifti's first thought was this must be a tzedaka issue.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Reeh-Vilna-Gaon-Give-Tzedaka-And-Watch-Your-Step/4005
The other day I went to pay a shiva call to a woman whose parents used to open their house for people to deposit their tzedaka pushkas and receive an empty one in return. A few weeks later, I would receive a receipt down to the last cent from the tzedaka organization to which the couple gave the money.
I told the daughter who was sitting shiva that I remembered dropping off the pushkas many times and while I was happy to give tzedakah, I felt bad that the elderly woman would have to count so many small coins, thinking what a hardship it was for her.
The woman related that her mother said that when she would eventually go up "there" she would raise her hands and display to Hashem the black and dirty fingers she had got from counting all those small coins. I told the woman that her mother had many merits to accompany her to heaven.
The Washington Post published an article about Aviya Morris, a "Jewish extremist." The journalist describes a visit to Jersualem"s old city.
The walled compound is sacred to both religions — ... — where Jews believe the world began and Abraham had his hand stayed by an angel...
It is also the site of Islam’s golden Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque, which marks the ascension of the prophet Muhammad on his night journey to heaven. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/meet-the-israeli-mom-who-called-muhammad-a-pig--at-al-aqsa-mosque/2015/08/10/15e31afc-3f5b-11e5-b2c4-af4c6183b8b4_story.html
So a Jewish holy site is where Jews believe something happened while Islam's Dome of the Rock "marks the ascension."
The Independent published the article on the next day with some differences.
A paragraph at the Washington Post ends with the words, "and a lethal arson attack in a Palestinian village where a toddler was burned alive and his father succumbed to wounds a week later."
The Independent appended the paragraph with the words, "Benzi Gopstein, the Jewish extremist leader who has condoned burning churches, has been detained for questioning by Israeli police." http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/aviya-morris-israels-new-face-of-jewish-extremism-is-a-20yearold-mother-10450738.html
The Washington Post contained a sentence , "Morris said the Palestinian women were the aggressors." The Independent omitted that sentence.
To the person who posted on a site about the passing of an individual, only to be refuted by the person who replied to the comment, I would ask to exercise caution and make sure you are aware of all the facts the next time you wish to add a comment.
The Vilna Gaon explains this enigmatic comment with the "Trop" the notes used when reading in the Torah the words Paso'ach Tiftach. The notes are "Darga" and "Tevir" which literally means "Steps" and "Break". After seeing Rav Papa's accident on the stairs, Chiya Bar Rav MiDifti's first thought was this must be a tzedaka issue.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Reeh-Vilna-Gaon-Give-Tzedaka-And-Watch-Your-Step/4005
The other day I went to pay a shiva call to a woman whose parents used to open their house for people to deposit their tzedaka pushkas and receive an empty one in return. A few weeks later, I would receive a receipt down to the last cent from the tzedaka organization to which the couple gave the money.
I told the daughter who was sitting shiva that I remembered dropping off the pushkas many times and while I was happy to give tzedakah, I felt bad that the elderly woman would have to count so many small coins, thinking what a hardship it was for her.
The woman related that her mother said that when she would eventually go up "there" she would raise her hands and display to Hashem the black and dirty fingers she had got from counting all those small coins. I told the woman that her mother had many merits to accompany her to heaven.
The Washington Post published an article about Aviya Morris, a "Jewish extremist." The journalist describes a visit to Jersualem"s old city.
The walled compound is sacred to both religions — ... — where Jews believe the world began and Abraham had his hand stayed by an angel...
It is also the site of Islam’s golden Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosque, which marks the ascension of the prophet Muhammad on his night journey to heaven. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/meet-the-israeli-mom-who-called-muhammad-a-pig--at-al-aqsa-mosque/2015/08/10/15e31afc-3f5b-11e5-b2c4-af4c6183b8b4_story.html
So a Jewish holy site is where Jews believe something happened while Islam's Dome of the Rock "marks the ascension."
The Independent published the article on the next day with some differences.
A paragraph at the Washington Post ends with the words, "and a lethal arson attack in a Palestinian village where a toddler was burned alive and his father succumbed to wounds a week later."
The Independent appended the paragraph with the words, "Benzi Gopstein, the Jewish extremist leader who has condoned burning churches, has been detained for questioning by Israeli police." http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/aviya-morris-israels-new-face-of-jewish-extremism-is-a-20yearold-mother-10450738.html
The Washington Post contained a sentence , "Morris said the Palestinian women were the aggressors." The Independent omitted that sentence.
To the person who posted on a site about the passing of an individual, only to be refuted by the person who replied to the comment, I would ask to exercise caution and make sure you are aware of all the facts the next time you wish to add a comment.
Capturing the inner mind
Click here to listen to Rabbi Yitzchok Isbee on Parshat Re'eh.
Legal Insurrection reports on Hillary Clinton's emails.
The latest cause for outrage among America’s feminist is Target stores and their insensitive signage that unfairly categorize “girls” and “boys” as two totally different things.
Read more at http://dailysurge.com/2015/08/off-target-did-these-bullies-just-end-gender-at-retailer/
"We are not content with negative obedience, nor even with the most abject submission. When finally you surrender to us, it must be of your own free will. We do not destroy the heretic because he resists us; so long as he resists us we never destroy him. We convert him, we capture his inner mind, we reshape him. We burn all evil and all illusion out of him; we bring him over to our side, not in appearance, but genuinely, heart and soul."
George Orwell 1984
The Talmud [Bava Basra 10:] tells of what we now call a near death encounter. Rav Yosef the son of Rav Yehoshua was ‘dead’ for a short period of time and then was resuscitated. To his fathers question of what did he see, he responded: “I saw an olam hafuch (an upside down world). The elyonim (‘high’ people) were low and the tachtonim (‘low’ people) were high.” “You saw an olam barur (a clear world)!”, was his father’s response.
http://www.neveh.org/ciner/parsha58/shmini.html
Boys and girls are not two totally different things? We don't have to experience a near death encounter to see an upside down world these days.
Speaking of an upside down world, I came across an article this morning in the NYPost about a former Wall Street stockbroker who ended up living as a vagrant. A photo accompanying the article is captioned, "This vagrant, who's picture was taken by cops posted on the Sergeant Benevolent Association's Flickr account, was identified as Preston King, a former Wall Street power player."
Who's editing the NYPost captions? Is it someone whose lack of grammar skills causes an error in the caption?
INN reports on Brian Schatz in an article titled Jewish Senator from Hawaii supports Iran deal.
In 2012 INN reported that Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie chose Jewish Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz to fill the Senate seat left vacant after the passing of Sen. Daniel Inouye. INN described Senator Inouye as a staunch supported of Israel.
Abercrombie was widely expected to appoint Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) to succeed the late senator, as hours prior to his death, Inouye had named Hanabusa as his preferred successor.
“Of course Senator Inouye’s views and his wishes were taken into account fully,” Abercrombie said. “But the charge of the central committee and by extension then myself as governor, was to act in the overall best interest of this party.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/163632#.VcmoLvmqqkp
Civil Beat reported, "Schatz also chaired the Hawaii Draft Obama Campaign and was instrumental for the president's successful 2008 campaign in Hawaii."
http://www.civilbeat.com/topics/brian-schatz/
The system of checks and balances is an important part of the Constitution. With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful. Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them.
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0777009.html
Legal Insurrection reports on Hillary Clinton's emails.
The latest cause for outrage among America’s feminist is Target stores and their insensitive signage that unfairly categorize “girls” and “boys” as two totally different things.
Read more at http://dailysurge.com/2015/08/off-target-did-these-bullies-just-end-gender-at-retailer/
"We are not content with negative obedience, nor even with the most abject submission. When finally you surrender to us, it must be of your own free will. We do not destroy the heretic because he resists us; so long as he resists us we never destroy him. We convert him, we capture his inner mind, we reshape him. We burn all evil and all illusion out of him; we bring him over to our side, not in appearance, but genuinely, heart and soul."
George Orwell 1984
The Talmud [Bava Basra 10:] tells of what we now call a near death encounter. Rav Yosef the son of Rav Yehoshua was ‘dead’ for a short period of time and then was resuscitated. To his fathers question of what did he see, he responded: “I saw an olam hafuch (an upside down world). The elyonim (‘high’ people) were low and the tachtonim (‘low’ people) were high.” “You saw an olam barur (a clear world)!”, was his father’s response.
http://www.neveh.org/ciner/parsha58/shmini.html
Boys and girls are not two totally different things? We don't have to experience a near death encounter to see an upside down world these days.
Speaking of an upside down world, I came across an article this morning in the NYPost about a former Wall Street stockbroker who ended up living as a vagrant. A photo accompanying the article is captioned, "This vagrant, who's picture was taken by cops posted on the Sergeant Benevolent Association's Flickr account, was identified as Preston King, a former Wall Street power player."
Who's editing the NYPost captions? Is it someone whose lack of grammar skills causes an error in the caption?
INN reports on Brian Schatz in an article titled Jewish Senator from Hawaii supports Iran deal.
In 2012 INN reported that Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie chose Jewish Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz to fill the Senate seat left vacant after the passing of Sen. Daniel Inouye. INN described Senator Inouye as a staunch supported of Israel.
Abercrombie was widely expected to appoint Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii) to succeed the late senator, as hours prior to his death, Inouye had named Hanabusa as his preferred successor.
“Of course Senator Inouye’s views and his wishes were taken into account fully,” Abercrombie said. “But the charge of the central committee and by extension then myself as governor, was to act in the overall best interest of this party.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/163632#.VcmoLvmqqkp
Civil Beat reported, "Schatz also chaired the Hawaii Draft Obama Campaign and was instrumental for the president's successful 2008 campaign in Hawaii."
http://www.civilbeat.com/topics/brian-schatz/
The system of checks and balances is an important part of the Constitution. With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful. Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them.
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0777009.html
10 Aug 2015
Synagogue slated for demolition
The Destruction of a Synagogue in Israel
If the synagogue belonged to someone who attacked Israelis, would most of the structure be left intact as in the case reported here at Israel National News?
YidwithLid opines, Obama Is Scapegoating The Jews To Sell His Iran Agreement.
If the synagogue belonged to someone who attacked Israelis, would most of the structure be left intact as in the case reported here at Israel National News?
YidwithLid opines, Obama Is Scapegoating The Jews To Sell His Iran Agreement.
9 Aug 2015
Mazal Tov - it's a girl!
At the Bikur Cholim Hospital in central Jerusalem on Sunday a baby girl was born to the Braun family, whose three-month-old baby girl Chaya Zisel Braun was tragically murdered last October when she was run over by a car in a Hamas terror attack.
The birth is particularly special given that the Brauns had waited many years to conceive Chaya Zisel, only to have her stolen from them so tragically soon after she war born.
Read more: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/199237#.Vce7S_mqqko
Lauren Kay, CEO of Dating Ring, gives advice on how to redress the imbalance of Jewish male dating partners for Jewish girls living in New York.
You're setting religion as a deal breaker -- even though you aren't religious. For people who are very religious, I totally understand that Judaism is a deal breaker. But for those who are secular AND who must marry someone Jewish, my suggestion is to change this deal breaker. Be open to both Jewish men, and to men who don't identify with any religion.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-kay/4-reasons-why-you-cant-find-a-nice-jewish-boy_b_7956836.html?utm_hp_ref=religion&ir=Religion
Vera Lawlor, from The Bergen Record in Hakensack, NJ., wrote that inter-faith marriages have a failure rate that is 50% higher than same-faith marriages.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/ifm_divo.htm
When an L.A. businessman decided to keep Shabbos
The birth is particularly special given that the Brauns had waited many years to conceive Chaya Zisel, only to have her stolen from them so tragically soon after she war born.
Read more: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/199237#.Vce7S_mqqko
Lauren Kay, CEO of Dating Ring, gives advice on how to redress the imbalance of Jewish male dating partners for Jewish girls living in New York.
You're setting religion as a deal breaker -- even though you aren't religious. For people who are very religious, I totally understand that Judaism is a deal breaker. But for those who are secular AND who must marry someone Jewish, my suggestion is to change this deal breaker. Be open to both Jewish men, and to men who don't identify with any religion.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lauren-kay/4-reasons-why-you-cant-find-a-nice-jewish-boy_b_7956836.html?utm_hp_ref=religion&ir=Religion
Vera Lawlor, from The Bergen Record in Hakensack, NJ., wrote that inter-faith marriages have a failure rate that is 50% higher than same-faith marriages.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/ifm_divo.htm
When an L.A. businessman decided to keep Shabbos
Being wrong
Why Iran is obsessed with Jews
Michael Goodwin writes at the New York Post, "I was wrong about Schumer, and it feels so good."
The above article was written after another article in which Mr. Goodwin penned, "The career of Democrat Schumer is best served by standing with Democrat Obama. That is what he will do. Everything else is detail.
He is the party’s anointed leader in the Senate, and breaking with a Democratic president on a signature, legacy issue would be so huge as to jeopardize the position he has craved and earned. Obama would see the act as unforgivable treason and demand a replacement."
Accusations of Jewish terrorism are unfounded and dangerous
Ronn Torossian opines, "Minnesota Jewish Community Center Must Cancel Event Supporting Israel Boycott."
Michael Goodwin writes at the New York Post, "I was wrong about Schumer, and it feels so good."
The above article was written after another article in which Mr. Goodwin penned, "The career of Democrat Schumer is best served by standing with Democrat Obama. That is what he will do. Everything else is detail.
He is the party’s anointed leader in the Senate, and breaking with a Democratic president on a signature, legacy issue would be so huge as to jeopardize the position he has craved and earned. Obama would see the act as unforgivable treason and demand a replacement."
Accusations of Jewish terrorism are unfounded and dangerous
Ronn Torossian opines, "Minnesota Jewish Community Center Must Cancel Event Supporting Israel Boycott."
8 Aug 2015
Parshat Re'eh
Chazal tell us (Kidushin 39b), "Schar Mitzva B'Hai Alma Leka", there is no reward for Mitzvos in this world, only in the next. The pasuk by Tzedaka (Re'eh 15:10) seems to contradict this as it says נָתוֹן תִּתֵּן לוֹ, וְלֹא-יֵרַע לְבָבְךָ בְּתִתְּךָ לוֹ כִּי בִּגְלַל הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה, יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּכָל-מַעֲשֶׂךָ. If we give Tzedaka Hashem will give a bracha to all our work. Is there reward in this world or not?
The Ksav Sofer answers that for the mitzva itself there is no reward in this world. However for the Simcha, the joy with which you do the Mitzva, there is a reward in this world. If we look carefully at the pasuk we see that the pasuk clearly says this. נָתוֹן תִּתֵּן לוֹ, give tzedaka. וְלֹא-יֵרַע לְבָבְךָ בְּתִתְּךָ לוֹ, there should be no ill will in your heart when you give it, only joy in doing Hashem's mitzva. כִּי בִּגְלַל הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה, יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּכָל-מַעֲשֶׂךָ, because of this aspect of the mitzva Hashem, the simcha you had, you will be rewarded in this world. http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Reeh-Ksav-Sofer-Why-Are-We-Rewarded-For-Giving-Tzedaka/4696
The 2016 election for dummies
The Ksav Sofer answers that for the mitzva itself there is no reward in this world. However for the Simcha, the joy with which you do the Mitzva, there is a reward in this world. If we look carefully at the pasuk we see that the pasuk clearly says this. נָתוֹן תִּתֵּן לוֹ, give tzedaka. וְלֹא-יֵרַע לְבָבְךָ בְּתִתְּךָ לוֹ, there should be no ill will in your heart when you give it, only joy in doing Hashem's mitzva. כִּי בִּגְלַל הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה, יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, בְּכָל-מַעֲשֶׂךָ, because of this aspect of the mitzva Hashem, the simcha you had, you will be rewarded in this world. http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Reeh-Ksav-Sofer-Why-Are-We-Rewarded-For-Giving-Tzedaka/4696
The 2016 election for dummies
7 Aug 2015
Democrats and Republicans
An Open Letter to Senator Schumer
FoxNews reported about a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton held in the Bay Area this week.
Dozens of people lined up outside the estimated $9-million dollar home of former Facebook executive Chris Kelly and his wife. They each paid $2,700 to be there and get a professional photo taken with Clinton.
http://wn.ktvu.com/story/29721893/hillary-clinton-holds-campaign-fundraiser-in-atherton
This morning I came across a photo of Kim Kardashian standing next to the Ppresidential candidate with the tweet, "I got my selfie!!! I really loved hearing her speak & hearing her goals for our country!"
https://twitter.com/KimKardashian
Did Ms. Kardashian have to pay $2,700 for the selfie?
Everyone was shocked when George W. Bush showed up for jury duty
George W. Bush surprised many people when he showed up for jury duty. Did the people who got to take photos with him have to pay $2,700 for the opportunity?
According to this new report from Fox News, we now know details from emails sent by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on her server.
Read more: http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/breaking-hillary-clintons-emails-discovered-she-revealed-this-location/#ixzz3i6shaWoC
The Jewish Sickness
FoxNews reported about a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton held in the Bay Area this week.
Dozens of people lined up outside the estimated $9-million dollar home of former Facebook executive Chris Kelly and his wife. They each paid $2,700 to be there and get a professional photo taken with Clinton.
http://wn.ktvu.com/story/29721893/hillary-clinton-holds-campaign-fundraiser-in-atherton
This morning I came across a photo of Kim Kardashian standing next to the Ppresidential candidate with the tweet, "I got my selfie!!! I really loved hearing her speak & hearing her goals for our country!"
https://twitter.com/KimKardashian
Did Ms. Kardashian have to pay $2,700 for the selfie?
Everyone was shocked when George W. Bush showed up for jury duty
George W. Bush surprised many people when he showed up for jury duty. Did the people who got to take photos with him have to pay $2,700 for the opportunity?
According to this new report from Fox News, we now know details from emails sent by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on her server.
Read more: http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/breaking-hillary-clintons-emails-discovered-she-revealed-this-location/#ixzz3i6shaWoC
6 Aug 2015
Sabbath observant inspiration
Collive has two articles about Sabbath observant individuals.
Shomer Shabbos CEO Inspires
TV Reporter Is Off Air On Shabbos
"One of the first stories I covered in Naples was a gruesome murder," he says. "I saw body bags coming out of this apartment and I thought to myself, 'What is life all about?' Albert Einstein said either nothing's a miracle or everything's a miracle. I decided to look at life as if everything is a miracle."
http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=36575&alias=tv-reporter-is-off-air-on-shabbos
The other day I was reading about how Israeli police are seeking help from the public in identifying the perpetrators of the arson attack in Duma. The New York Times described the attack in an article headlined "Jewish Arsonists Suspected in West Bank Attack That Killed Palestinian Toddler." So, the Israeli police will not do well be asking NYT journalists as to who carried out the attack because they were only able to come up with "suspected" attackers. However, J Street unequivocally knows who the attackers were as evidenced by their post titled Condemnation Is Not Enough which was published the day after the attack.
J Street condemns yesterday's terrorist attack by Jewish extremists on the Palestinian village of Duma in the West Bank, that left a Palestinian infant dead and three family members critically injured. This "price tag" attack is part of a deeply disturbing and ongoing pattern of violence, harassment and intimidation towards Palestinians, rooted in hateful and dangerous rhetoric that has spread in some corners of Israeli society.
...Then last night a group of settlers attacked a Palestinian family home in a “tag mahir” or “price tag” attack in the northern West Bank, throwing firebombs into the house, which subsequently caught fire.
http://jstreet.org/blog/post/condemnation-is-not-enough_1
When J Street condemned the murder of Malkhi Rosenfeld, the organization's statement did not include the words that the "attack is part of a deeply disturbing and ongoing pattern of violence."
We are deeply saddened by the death of Malakhi Moshe Rosenfeld, from wounds sustained yesterday in a drive-by shooting, which wounded three others. The shooting near the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel was the second terror attack of the day, after an Israeli soldier was stabbed by a Palestinian woman at a security checkpoint at the Rachel Crossing.
We strongly condemn these attacks, which have become tragically commonplace in Israel and the West Bank. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and we pray for the recovery of the wounded.
http://jstreet.org/blog/post/j-street-mourns-israeli-victim-of-terror_1
AIPAC issued a statement of condemnation, as well.
AIPAC strongly condemns the arson attack that resulted in the death of the Palestinian infant Ali Saad Dawabsha and the serious injuries to the other members of his family in the village of Duma. We express our deep condolences to the family.
http://www.aipac.org/learn/resources/aipac-publications/publication?pubpath=PolicyPolitics/Press/AIPAC%20Statements/2015/07/AIPAC%20STATEMENT%20ON%20THE%20ATTACK%20AT%20THE%20VILLAGE%20OF%20DUMA
Shomer Shabbos CEO Inspires
TV Reporter Is Off Air On Shabbos
"One of the first stories I covered in Naples was a gruesome murder," he says. "I saw body bags coming out of this apartment and I thought to myself, 'What is life all about?' Albert Einstein said either nothing's a miracle or everything's a miracle. I decided to look at life as if everything is a miracle."
http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=36575&alias=tv-reporter-is-off-air-on-shabbos
The other day I was reading about how Israeli police are seeking help from the public in identifying the perpetrators of the arson attack in Duma. The New York Times described the attack in an article headlined "Jewish Arsonists Suspected in West Bank Attack That Killed Palestinian Toddler." So, the Israeli police will not do well be asking NYT journalists as to who carried out the attack because they were only able to come up with "suspected" attackers. However, J Street unequivocally knows who the attackers were as evidenced by their post titled Condemnation Is Not Enough which was published the day after the attack.
J Street condemns yesterday's terrorist attack by Jewish extremists on the Palestinian village of Duma in the West Bank, that left a Palestinian infant dead and three family members critically injured. This "price tag" attack is part of a deeply disturbing and ongoing pattern of violence, harassment and intimidation towards Palestinians, rooted in hateful and dangerous rhetoric that has spread in some corners of Israeli society.
...Then last night a group of settlers attacked a Palestinian family home in a “tag mahir” or “price tag” attack in the northern West Bank, throwing firebombs into the house, which subsequently caught fire.
http://jstreet.org/blog/post/condemnation-is-not-enough_1
When J Street condemned the murder of Malkhi Rosenfeld, the organization's statement did not include the words that the "attack is part of a deeply disturbing and ongoing pattern of violence."
We are deeply saddened by the death of Malakhi Moshe Rosenfeld, from wounds sustained yesterday in a drive-by shooting, which wounded three others. The shooting near the West Bank settlement of Shvut Rachel was the second terror attack of the day, after an Israeli soldier was stabbed by a Palestinian woman at a security checkpoint at the Rachel Crossing.
We strongly condemn these attacks, which have become tragically commonplace in Israel and the West Bank. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and we pray for the recovery of the wounded.
http://jstreet.org/blog/post/j-street-mourns-israeli-victim-of-terror_1
AIPAC strongly condemns the arson attack that resulted in the death of the Palestinian infant Ali Saad Dawabsha and the serious injuries to the other members of his family in the village of Duma. We express our deep condolences to the family.
http://www.aipac.org/learn/resources/aipac-publications/publication?pubpath=PolicyPolitics/Press/AIPAC%20Statements/2015/07/AIPAC%20STATEMENT%20ON%20THE%20ATTACK%20AT%20THE%20VILLAGE%20OF%20DUMA
5 Aug 2015
Finger-pointers
Op-Ed: Stop The Obsession With Our Religion [Responding To A NY Post Column By Maureen Callahan]
Breast-Beaters, Naysayers, And Finger-Pointers
Professor arrested in racial profiling hoax
The highest-ranking Jewish Democrat in the House announced his opposition to the nuclear accord with Iran on Tuesday, in a blow to the Obama administration’s lobbying efforts.
"I'm going to vote against the Iran deal," Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) — the former head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee — told Newsday.
http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/250242-highest-ranking-jewish-dem-in-house-opposes-iran-deal
Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi speaks at the 4 minute mark of a YouTube video about the arson incident In Duma. He said that he received an email from someone who secured the area after the incident and he writes that no Jews burned the house and that the court ordered not to publish it. Rabbi Mizrachi thought it might be due to now there is an excuse to go after the right wing Jews. The rabbi was unsure as to whether the email was legitimate and truthful.
I don't know when the perpetrators will be found but Mislim Dawabshe should definitely be interviewed to help catch those responsible as this witness was able to see four settlers while other witnesses saw only two men and he was able to identify the perpetrators as settlers, even though they were masked and wore black clothing.
Mislim Dawabshe, 23, told Maan that he saw four settlers running from the burning homes, one of which was empty, and that village residents had chased them toward the Israeli settlement of Maale Efraim. Other witnesses also cited four men and said they were masked; another said she saw them smash the windows before tossing firebombs inside.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/palestinian-toddler-killed-in-suspected-israeli-extremist-attack-police-20150731-giovya.html#ixzz3hwnJ2eeS
According to witnesses, two men wearing black balaclavas firebombed the house just after 2am.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/death-18-month-old-in-arson-attack-heightens-tensions-west-bank-israel
Pro-Israel Organizations: Could You Be Enforcing the Status Quo Against Her?
Breast-Beaters, Naysayers, And Finger-Pointers
Professor arrested in racial profiling hoax
The highest-ranking Jewish Democrat in the House announced his opposition to the nuclear accord with Iran on Tuesday, in a blow to the Obama administration’s lobbying efforts.
"I'm going to vote against the Iran deal," Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) — the former head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee — told Newsday.
http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/250242-highest-ranking-jewish-dem-in-house-opposes-iran-deal
Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi speaks at the 4 minute mark of a YouTube video about the arson incident In Duma. He said that he received an email from someone who secured the area after the incident and he writes that no Jews burned the house and that the court ordered not to publish it. Rabbi Mizrachi thought it might be due to now there is an excuse to go after the right wing Jews. The rabbi was unsure as to whether the email was legitimate and truthful.
I don't know when the perpetrators will be found but Mislim Dawabshe should definitely be interviewed to help catch those responsible as this witness was able to see four settlers while other witnesses saw only two men and he was able to identify the perpetrators as settlers, even though they were masked and wore black clothing.
Mislim Dawabshe, 23, told Maan that he saw four settlers running from the burning homes, one of which was empty, and that village residents had chased them toward the Israeli settlement of Maale Efraim. Other witnesses also cited four men and said they were masked; another said she saw them smash the windows before tossing firebombs inside.
http://www.smh.com.au/world/palestinian-toddler-killed-in-suspected-israeli-extremist-attack-police-20150731-giovya.html#ixzz3hwnJ2eeS
According to witnesses, two men wearing black balaclavas firebombed the house just after 2am.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/31/death-18-month-old-in-arson-attack-heightens-tensions-west-bank-israel
Pro-Israel Organizations: Could You Be Enforcing the Status Quo Against Her?
4 Aug 2015
Social justice
A group of Chinese teachers has blamed the generosity of Britain’s benefits system for lack of ambition, ill-discipline and idleness among school pupils.
They believe the option of living on welfare handouts has produced ‘feather-bedded’ teenagers prone to rudeness and disrupting the classroom rather than concentrating on working and getting ahead. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3183310/Rude-bone-idle-cosseted-welfare-state-Chinese-teachers-damning-verdict-schoolchildren.html#ixzz3hmLT4sUv
Dash cam audio released after professor charged with falsely claiming racial profiling during traffic stop
Below is a comment posted at Weasel Zippers regarding the incident.
The left is going to find out that having cameras everywhere will undermine their attempts to spread social justice ........ through lies.
http://www.weaselzippers.us/230779-college-professor-who-accused-cop-of-racially-profiling-her-proven-to-be-lying/#disqus_thread
They believe the option of living on welfare handouts has produced ‘feather-bedded’ teenagers prone to rudeness and disrupting the classroom rather than concentrating on working and getting ahead. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3183310/Rude-bone-idle-cosseted-welfare-state-Chinese-teachers-damning-verdict-schoolchildren.html#ixzz3hmLT4sUv
Dash cam audio released after professor charged with falsely claiming racial profiling during traffic stop
Below is a comment posted at Weasel Zippers regarding the incident.
The left is going to find out that having cameras everywhere will undermine their attempts to spread social justice ........ through lies.
http://www.weaselzippers.us/230779-college-professor-who-accused-cop-of-racially-profiling-her-proven-to-be-lying/#disqus_thread
My Lack of Control
3 Aug 2015
The crisis of attention
Op-Ed: Exposé: Jewish Foundations That Fund Boycotts of Israel
The Crisis of Attention from Enlightenment to iPad
UK Jews challenge ‘biased’ educational programming
Hillary’s Coronation continues: Where are the Democratic primary debates?
Why Do I Fail? Why Do I Succeed?
A WSJ article describes the cause of death of Laith al-Khaldi during a demonstration this past Friday.
Ahmad Betawi, the director of the Ramallah hospital, said Laith al-Khaldi died after being shot in the chest Friday during a demonstration over the burning death of a Palestinian toddler in a fire set by suspected Jewish extremists. The Israeli military says it shot Mr. al-Khaldi near Ramallah after he hurled a fire bomb at them.
The article has a photo with the caption "A Palestinian protester runs after throwing a molotov cocktail toward Israeli soldiers during clashes..."
Below are two comments posted under the WSJ article.
Protest to your heart's delight. Throw a fire bomb and you stop being a protester and immediately become a legitimate target for security forces and you risk getting shot. The journalists need to make the distinction between these two.
WSJ editors - please try to rid yourself of dimwitted reporters. "Protestors" do not toss molotov cocktails.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/palestinian-shot-by-israeli-troops-during-protest-dies-1438469453
Below is another article detailing the cause of death.
The autopsy indicated that the bullet penetrated through al-Khaldi’s body from behind, where it went through his spine’s first lumbar vertebra and hit the inferior vena cava, a large vein in the abdomen that returns blood from the lower body to the heart, tearing through the intestines and liver, before coming out of the right side of his upper abdomen.
http://www.imemc.org/article/72483
The Crisis of Attention from Enlightenment to iPad
UK Jews challenge ‘biased’ educational programming
Hillary’s Coronation continues: Where are the Democratic primary debates?
Why Do I Fail? Why Do I Succeed?
A WSJ article describes the cause of death of Laith al-Khaldi during a demonstration this past Friday.
Ahmad Betawi, the director of the Ramallah hospital, said Laith al-Khaldi died after being shot in the chest Friday during a demonstration over the burning death of a Palestinian toddler in a fire set by suspected Jewish extremists. The Israeli military says it shot Mr. al-Khaldi near Ramallah after he hurled a fire bomb at them.
The article has a photo with the caption "A Palestinian protester runs after throwing a molotov cocktail toward Israeli soldiers during clashes..."
Below are two comments posted under the WSJ article.
Protest to your heart's delight. Throw a fire bomb and you stop being a protester and immediately become a legitimate target for security forces and you risk getting shot. The journalists need to make the distinction between these two.
WSJ editors - please try to rid yourself of dimwitted reporters. "Protestors" do not toss molotov cocktails.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/palestinian-shot-by-israeli-troops-during-protest-dies-1438469453
Below is another article detailing the cause of death.
The autopsy indicated that the bullet penetrated through al-Khaldi’s body from behind, where it went through his spine’s first lumbar vertebra and hit the inferior vena cava, a large vein in the abdomen that returns blood from the lower body to the heart, tearing through the intestines and liver, before coming out of the right side of his upper abdomen.
http://www.imemc.org/article/72483
Apples and oranges
There are three boxes. One box has only apples. One box has only oranges. The last box is an equal mixture of apples and oranges. All the boxes are labeled but all the labels are wrong. How can you, without looking or feeling around, reach into one box, pull out one fruit and based upon what you pulled out correct all the labels?
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090617121650AAE650e
Apples and Oranges -- A Comparison
Below is an excerpt from the State department Briefing of July 31st.
QUESTION: Do you think it’s fair that General Petraeus had his home raided by the FBI over classified information, but the same thing has not happened to Secretary Clinton?
MR TONER: I’m just not going to speak to --
QUESTION: Because some people see a double standard.
MR TONER: I’m just not going to speak, Lucas, to General Petraeus’s case. It’s just – it’s apples and oranges.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/07/245570.htm
Walt Disney Experts Rebut Dogged Anti-Semitic Allegations
Suspect in murder of Memphis police officer Sean Bolton reportedly out of prison on ‘supervised release’
OBAMA GIVES ILLEGALS MASSIVE HEALTH-CARE PLAN
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090617121650AAE650e
Apples and Oranges -- A Comparison
Below is an excerpt from the State department Briefing of July 31st.
QUESTION: Do you think it’s fair that General Petraeus had his home raided by the FBI over classified information, but the same thing has not happened to Secretary Clinton?
MR TONER: I’m just not going to speak to --
QUESTION: Because some people see a double standard.
MR TONER: I’m just not going to speak, Lucas, to General Petraeus’s case. It’s just – it’s apples and oranges.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2015/07/245570.htm
Walt Disney Experts Rebut Dogged Anti-Semitic Allegations
Suspect in murder of Memphis police officer Sean Bolton reportedly out of prison on ‘supervised release’
OBAMA GIVES ILLEGALS MASSIVE HEALTH-CARE PLAN
2 Aug 2015
Yearning to do the mitzva
The Sefer Chareidim says that one of the 17 parts of a mitzva that you must do in order to fulfill a mitzva completely is to yearn to do the mitzva even if you cannot do at this moment. For example we should long for the Bais HaMikdash in order to be able to bring korbanos. We should want to live in Eretz Yisroel to be Mikayem mitzvos that are only relevant when planting in Eretz Yisroel.
Rav Levi Yitzchok MiBerditchev in the Kedushas Levi says that is pshat in the pasuk (8:1) "Kol HaMitzva Asher Anochi Mitzavecha Hayom Tishmirun La'asos" all the mitzvos that I command, you should watch to fulfill. Sometimes the word "shamar"; watch, means wait in anticipation like when Yaakov "watched" to see what would happen with Yosef's dreams. Similarly here the pasuk says every mitzva that I command, you should yearn to keep even if you are in Chutz La'Aretz and cannot do it. Then in that merit, continues the pasuk, you will be zocheh to "V'yirashtem Es HA'Aretz"; Hashem will eventually bring you to Eretz Yisroel to realize your aspirations.
http://www.thejewisheye.com/rev_peikev.html
Blame the Jews and the “Jewish Lobby” for the potential Congressional rejection of the Iran Deal
Rav Levi Yitzchok MiBerditchev in the Kedushas Levi says that is pshat in the pasuk (8:1) "Kol HaMitzva Asher Anochi Mitzavecha Hayom Tishmirun La'asos" all the mitzvos that I command, you should watch to fulfill. Sometimes the word "shamar"; watch, means wait in anticipation like when Yaakov "watched" to see what would happen with Yosef's dreams. Similarly here the pasuk says every mitzva that I command, you should yearn to keep even if you are in Chutz La'Aretz and cannot do it. Then in that merit, continues the pasuk, you will be zocheh to "V'yirashtem Es HA'Aretz"; Hashem will eventually bring you to Eretz Yisroel to realize your aspirations.
http://www.thejewisheye.com/rev_peikev.html
Blame the Jews and the “Jewish Lobby” for the potential Congressional rejection of the Iran Deal
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