בס׳ד

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

the Lubavitcher Rebbe



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

Rabbi Nosson Scherman



31 Aug 2016

A double header

Holocaust survivor has one regret about hunting Nazis

The Double-Header Haftarah


Singular and plural

Picture of the Day: Uber Driver’s Inspiration

Anti-Zionism Is Antisemitism

"Re'eh Anochi Nosein Lifneichem HaYom Bracha UKlala; Look, I place before you today, a blessing and a curse." (Re'eh 11:26). Hashem gives us the choice to choose good or evil and tells us that we will be paid back in kind. Rav Aharon Kotler asks, "Why is the word Re'eh singular, while the word lifneichem is plural?"

He answers that this teaches us that Hashem gave the Torah to all of Klal Yisrael, even if the masses reject Torah and mitzvos, it is still incumbent on every single individual to make the right choice. It is not acceptable to follow the majority if they go down the wrong path. Re'eh mean to look with your own eyes and see for yourself the right path to follow. http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/life-lessons/Parshas-Reeh-Rav-Aharon-Kotler-Even-If-You-Stand-Alone/3992

In the Navi Yeshaya it says, "Habitu El Avrohom Avichem... Ki Echad Karasiv; Your forefather Avrohom HaIvri was the man from the other side. He followed the righteous path even though he stood alone against a cold and cruel world."
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/life-lessons/Parshas-Reeh-Rav-Aharon-Kotler-Even-If-You-Stand-Alone/3992


30 Aug 2016

Semantics

Reading the transcript from the State Department briefing of August 29th, I was struck by how many times the spokesperson used the term Daesh as opposed to Isil. He used the term a total of 37 times.

Shortly after I came across an article titled Trudeau Government Now Refers To ISIS As Daesh

Last week, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced in the preamble of a departmental report on Canada’s terrorism threat that the term “Daesh” would be used throughout the document.

“This group is neither Islamic nor a state, and so will be referred to as Daesh (its Arabic acronym) in this Report,” he wrote.

Two comments posted under the article struck a chord with me.
Symantics initiated by Obama as away to ignore the fact that ISIS is Islamic and does consider themselves a state.

It is simply deflection lest the politicians have to say 'Islam'!

By the way, please ignore the spelling mistake of semantics in the first comment - I didn't write it.

When the State Department issued a document titled Country Reports on Terrorism 2013, it didn't hesitate to identify one specific religion.


“Price tag” attacks (property crimes and violent acts by extremist Jewish individuals and groups in retaliation for activity they deemed to be anti-settlement) expanded into Israel from the West Bank in 2013.
http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2013/224823.htm

"צפו: מוריה פרצה בבכי: "איך הם אומרים לי לא להתפלל

Huffington Post Contributor Says He Was Fired For Posting Article About Hillary's Health


29 Aug 2016

Schar Mitzva

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
HUFFPO TERMINATES JOURNALIST, DELETES STORY QUESTIONING HILLARY’S HEALTH

IDF Investigation Refutes December 2014 Newsweek Cover Story, Finds Palestinian Family Members Likely Killed by Mortars Fired by Gaza Terrorists


28 Aug 2016

The hidden world

BISHOP Noel Treanor has condemned the destruction of 13 Jewish graves in Belfast as "shameful".
Read more: http://www.irishnews.com/news/2016/08/29/news/bishop-treanor-condemns-destruction-of-jewish-graves-in-belfast-city-cemetery-670770/

The Hidden World of Shidduchim


"Darga" and "Tevir"

‘Missionary work in Israel a silent Holocaust’

When the Rebbe Paid Shadchanus

DATING FORUM

"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

Lakewood Victim’s cell phone picture leads to arrest

25 Aug 2016

Holding on

Parshas Aikev: Hold On!

Funeral of Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis

In 2010. then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received email from one of her closest personal confidants detailing medical benefits of a new Implantable Heart Defibrillator used to jolt the heart from under the skin to interrupt life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, records show.
Read more: http://truepundit.com/wikileaks-medical-shock-hillary-emailed-details-of-new-implantable-heart-defibrillator/


The face of the generation

Dog elected mayor in Minnesota town of Cormorant for third term in a row

Question:

What did the sages mean with their prediction that in the era before Moshiach, “The face of the generation will be like the face of a dog”?

Continue reading: http://www.chabadworld.net/page.asp?pageID=%7B59D125A8-442C-4330-AB82-F236C86E60B2%7D

Parashat Ekeb: Faith and Charity

After reading an article titled Ryan Lochte has a history of lying, I decided he should run for President. The only problem is that he is 32- 3 years shy of the age requirement, but he can get around that by lying about his age.

Emuna Daily lesson


23 Aug 2016

Tributes

Watch: A Tribute To Rebbitzen Esther Jungreis a”h Last week I linked to an article written by the Rebbetzin which was published on August 19th in the Jewish Press. The article was titled "I'm Afraid" and below were her closing words.
When will we wake up? When will we don our priestly garments and fulfill our G-d-given destiny and be “a light unto all mankind”?
http://www.jewishpress.com/judaism/rebbetzins-viewpointrebbetzin-jungreis/im-afraid/2016/08/19/

As news reached me this morning about the demise of actor Steven Hill, I found some tidbits of information at Wikipedia.

According to Desilu executive Herb Solow, once William Shatner burst into his office, claiming "Steve asked me how many Jews worked on Star Trek. He was recruiting a prayer group of 10 guys to worship together on top of the studio's highest building and only had six Jews so far from Mission. He asked if I would come and bring Nimoy and Justman and you."

Appearing in the play A Far Country in 1961 had a profound effect on Hill's later life. In one scene, a patient screams at Freud, "You are a Jew!" This caused Hill to think about his religion.[11] "In the pause that followed I would think, 'What about this?' I slowly became aware that there was something more profound going on in the world than just plays and movies and TV shows. I was provoked to explore my religion."[11] He was inspired by Rabbi Yakov Yosef Twersky (1899–1968), the late Skverrer Rebbe,[25] to adhere to strict Orthodox Judaism, observing a kosher diet, praying three times a day, wearing a four-cornered fringed garment beneath his clothes, and strictly observing Shabbat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Hill

Below are two clips featuring Steven (Shlomo) Hill. The first clip is narrated by the actor.




The mezuzah post

This morning I saw an ad about a new book titled To Be a Mentch by Yitzchak Shkop. Click here and scroll down to view sample pages. - Excellent food for thought.

To the reader of yesterday's post who left a comment "You have to have a mezuzah in your car?" I would direct you to a post titled A Car Mezuzah and Good Luck. There's a joke at the end of the post regarding different denominational congregational leaders and their approaches to a mezuzah in a car.


The journalists at yesterday's State department briefing questioned spokeperson Marc Toner about Huma Abedin, the payment to Iran at the time when when American hostages were released, as well as the edting of a State department video. At one point the following exchange ensued.
MR TONER: Not necessarily. I mean, we put – well, don’t look aghast. No, there are different --

QUESTION: I was looking askance, not aghast. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/08/261198.htm

How many of you needed to google the two "A" words to understand the difference between them?

Hillary’s Excuse For Huma Abedin’s Involvement With Radical Islam Is BEYOND Pathetic

Where is Huma Abedin’s Security Clearance Form?



More than 5 minutes

"LiDaber Bam BiShivticha BiVaysacha UvLechticha VaDerech..."

"You must learn Torah at all times - when you are sitting in your home or traveling on the road etc.

"A person once came to Rabbi Yisroel Salanter and asked him, "Rebbi, I only have 5 minutes a day to study Torah, what topic should I study during that time?" R' Yisroel answered, "Study Mussar during those 5 minutes, you will then see that you really have a lot more time than 5 minutes a day to learn Torah.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Eikev-No-Time-To-Learn/710

Spokesman: Huma Abedin Was ‘Fully Vetted’ Before Being Cleared to Work at State Dept

UJA-Federation is funding BDS

19 Aug 2016

The white flash

State Dept Interrogated for Half-Hour After Claiming ‘No Evidence’ Iran Briefing Video Was Deleted to Deceive Public

State Department Spokesperson John Kirby addressed reporters regarding missing footage from a briefing in which a spokesperson was questioned about discussions between Iran and the United States regarding a nuclear deal.

Here’s the bottom line: We are confident the video of that press briefing was deliberately edited. The white flash that many of you have noticed yourselves in that portion of the video is evidence enough of human involvement. Indeed, a technician came forward, recalled making the edit and inserting that flash. What we were not able to determine was why the edit was made in the first place. There’s no evidence to suggest it was made with the intent to conceal information from the public, and while the technician recalls receiving a phone call requesting the edit, there is no evidence to indicate who might have placed that call or why.

Incidentally, Mr. Kirby was schooled in the definition of one word in the course of the question and answer session.


QUESTION: Can we stipulate in advance of my questions that in pursuing them, I can be absolved of any charges of solipsism or self-centeredness?

MR KIRBY: You’ll have to define solipsism for me. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Believing that one’s self is the center of the universe.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/08/261128.htm

The use of the white flash got me to thinking about whether I can use it to edit out certain parts of my life when it comes to the movie that I will be shown come judgment day, after meah ve'esrim. Will I have the benefit of being able to excise portions of the video that would cause me great embarrassment? I would guess so, if I truly repented for those deeds.

עדות מהמטוס: אמרו תהילים ושרו לקב"ה ולרבי נחמן

Finally, as we celebrate Tu B'Av and thousands of people are praying to find their destined ones, I pray that Hashem will answer their prayers for the good and they will find their zivugm hagunim benakel. Why not join in the global prayer even if you don't need a shidduch but know of someone who does?
“Tu B’Av Together” will take place on Friday August 19th at 10:00AM EST (5pm in Eretz Yisrael). Tehillim to be recited: ל"ב, ל"ח, ע', פ"ב, קכ"א, קכ"ד.


18 Aug 2016

Catching on

Is The US State Department Finally Catching On?

We read the Posuk every day in the Shema, "You shall love Hashem, Your G-d, With all your heart" (6:5)

Chazal tell us that "all your heart" means with both your Good and Evil inclinations. Why is it necessary to tell us to serve Hashem with our Good inclination? The good inclination by its very nature moves us to do only good things!
Continue reading: http://shortvort.com/parasha/devarim/vaeschanan/11138-seek-advice-dont-rely-on-your-emotion

WATCH: Coexistence as Jews visit Tomb of King Solomon’s son in Morocco

Rabbi Zvi Teichman relates an incident regarding Rav Moshe Mordechai Chodosh zt”l in an article titled Parshas VaEschanan - The Never Ending Song

At the funeral, his son, his successor, shared the ‘last shiur’ and lesson his father taught the family in his last days. As he lay on his deathbed, Reb Moshe constantly expressed that he was counting the days until the approaching Rosh Chodesh so that he may once again sing Hallel and proclaim the powerful sentiment of מה אשיב לד' כל תגמלוהי עלי, How can I repay G-d for all His kindness to me? One of his children challenged him by pleading that it was more appropriate to now cry out the prayer in Hallel of אנא ד' הושיעה נא, Please, G-d, save now! To which his father emphatically responded, “No! I long for the opportunity to chant ‘How can I repay G-d..!”

16 Aug 2016

The Pele Yoetz

The Yeshiva World has a thread started by someone who was curious about the Torah's view of depression. A few individuals recommended various sefarim including Chovot Halevavos - Shaar Habitachon, Orchos Tzadikim - Shaar Simcha and Shaar Daagah, as well as Pele Yoetz - Atzvut and Simcha. I found that Rabbi Mansour gave a series of lectures on the Pele Yoetz.
Chapter 1 can be found here.

Millions will go to Jewish outreach on campuses worldwide


Inclinations

Torah To Free Rubashkin Near Completion

Global Shidduchim Challah Bake

The pasuk (6:5) commands that you shall love HaShem with all your hearts (be’chol levavcha), which Rashi reveals refers to loving HaShem with both your inclinations; the yester hatov and the yetzer hara. How can one possibly use the yetzer hara - that force which attempts to hijack one’s spirituality and pull one away from HaShem - for good?
Read more: http://www.shortvort.com/parasha/devarim/vaeschanan/11841-using-the-enemy

Song Uplifts On Jewish Survival

14 Aug 2016

Dismay

Dismay, poetry as home of Jew who helped found modern Iraq is destroyed

Love is a Choice

Before the weekend I wrote regarding Israel Matzav posting about a congregant's decision to suspend her affiliation with a synagogue because the congregational leader's "decision to encourage Jews to sign up for a trip that includes a visit to Yasser Arafat's grave altered my view of our differences." I wrote that the itinerary of the trip had been changed and that the visit was no longer on the program. I linked to the new program schedule for the trip but the link now points to Page not found. What happened?

12 Aug 2016

These are the words

Below is a quote from the New York Times with one word missing. Is the word his or her? You can scroll down to the end of the post for the answer.

"The Times and other media have been seeking full access to ____ medical records for some time now."

How To Improve The Memory And Avoid Forgetfulness

Tisha B'av Burst of Inspiration 5776

Yesterday Israel Matzav posted about a congregant's decision to suspend her affiliation with a synagogue because the congregational leader's "decision to encourage Jews to sign up for a trip that includes a visit to Yasser Arafat's grave altered my view of our differences."

The itinerary of the trip can be viewed here by scrolling down to page 12. The program has now been changed and can be viewed here by clicking on the link to see the itinerary.
Whereas previously day 9 of the trip had included " Visit Yasser Arafat’s Tomb to learn about his legacy," that sentence is now absent from the updated schedule. What still remains is eating dinner in Bethlehem "hosted by Palestinian families in their homes." The synagiogue's site links to a video demonsrating a man and woman showing how to put on tefilin and the brocha they recite. Why is tefilin important and kashrut not?

In an article titled Why I'm Fasting, Yoseif Bloch wonders why a congregational leader would write in an article titled Why I’m not fasting on Tisha B’Av that eating terumah wouldn't appeal to her as a vegetarian.

"See, terumah is for vegetarians: it’s the term used in talmudic and halachic literature for the portion of grain, wine, and corn (and other produce as well) given to priestly families." http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-im-fasting/

Can someone explain why eating terumah wouldn't appeal to her if she is a vegetarian? She posted the same article on her blog in 2013 so obviously there is a good explanation to her statement. Otherwise she would have changed the wording from her post of three years ago.

"The Times and other media have been seeking full access to his medical records for some time now." - http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/23/mccains-health-records/?_r=0

Deeply concerned

Court denies Pollard appeal of restrictive parole conditions

Nothing is as Simple as it Looks

Leaked Email Shows George Soros Urged Sec Of State Hillary Clinton To Intervene In Albania Civil Unrest

The State Department is deeply concerned about the Middle East.

QUESTION: Palestinian-Israeli – first of all, I wonder if you have any comment on Israel’s intent to lease privately owned land by Palestinians to relocate the Amona residence outpost. Do you have any comment on that?

MS TRUDEAU: I do. Thank you. We’re deeply concerned by reports that the Israeli Government has begun the process to take over privately owned Palestinian land to relocate the illegal Israeli outpost of Amona.

...Along those lines, we’re deeply concerned by reports that there was a post on a Fatah Facebook site that boasted about killing Israelis.
  http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/08/260998.htm#MIDDLEEASTPEACE

10 Aug 2016

The most dubious of charges

Understanding What We Are Missing

Emails reveal Hillary’s shocking ‘pay for play’ scheme

The Alex Jones channel

WikiLeaks offers reward for info leading to killer of Jewish DNC staffer

Below is a question asked at the State Department Briefng .

Today, the Israelis announced the arrest of a UNDP employee engineer under really the most dubious of charges. They say that he worked on repairing homes that maybe some Hamas officials lived there and so on. So is this – are we seeing a trend that the Israelis are trying to really choke any kind of UN effort or humanitarian effort for the Palestinians, especially in Gaza? Are you concerned?
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/08/260915.htm#MIDDLEEASTPEACE


9 Aug 2016

The power of words, the power of actions

Jewish lawmaker in Britain threatens to quit Labour over anti-Semitism issue

He Never Promised Us A Rose Garden

AMAZING: USA Nurse Makes Aliya in Honor of Terror Victim Nurse Dafna Meir, HYD

Rabbi Paysach Krohn offers great advice on how to avoid speaking lashon hara in the video below which was recorded on Tisha B'Av two years ago. Rabbi Krohn opines, "It’s never too late to become what you could have been."


The Farewell Address

FOX News' Medical Team: What Do Hillary Clinton's Neurological Records Show?

Below are two excerpts from Washington's Farewell Address 1796 in which he discusses religion and his getting on in years. He was around 65 when he composed the address.

...and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.

...Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp

Perhaps the best known story about Washington's childhood is that he chopped down his father's favorite cherry tree and admitted the deed when questioned: "I can't tell a lie, Pa." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington#Papers

Belgian government official who called Israel ‘identical twin’of ISIS apologizes

"These are the Devarim / words that Moshe spoke to all Yisrael." (1:1) R' Yehuda He'chassid zt"l writes in Ta'amei Mesorot HaMikra: The word "Devarim / words," suggests "Devoirim" or "bees." The words of the Torah are like bees (and bee products). In other words, the Torah, especially Sefer Devarim which contains many harsh rebukes, are as sweet as honey to those who keep them, but will sting as painfully as a bee to anyone who mistreats them.

It is noteworthy that the Gematria of the word 'Mussar' = 306, which has the same Gematria as the word 'D'vash' (Honey), as well as, 'Av HaRachamon' (A reference to Hashem as our Merciful Father). Although Mussar may sting, ultimately it is as sweet as honey, and should be used to refine one's character and reaffirm our connection to our Merciful Father.
http://www.revach.net/article.php?id=2575&style=send

The power of tefilah

Back to Life: The Story of a Contemporary Miracle and the Power of Tefillah

Willpower - 3 Times a Day

8 Aug 2016

The rebellion

How An Adam Gadol Approaches Tisha B’Av

ניצול השואה שסלח ליהודי שגרם למות משפחתו: סרטון מרגש לקראת תשעה באב

Why Self-Help Guru James Altucher Only Owns 15 Things

Holocaust hero passes away at 90

Phillip Bialowitz, survived the Sobibor death camp rebellion, then dedicated his life to a promise he made to the rebel leaders.

Rebuttals

Is This the Generation of Moshiach?

Before they left to Switzerland, new Shluchim Rabbi Motti and Sarah Gruzman got a 'message' from the Rebbe.

Tomer Devorah has a post titled It Doesn't Get Any Sadder Than This which alerts readers to a Times of Israel article Why I’m not fasting on Tisha B’Av.

Below are a couple of comments posted under the article.

All those reading this post, who care to know what Torah Judaism actually has to say about Tish'ah Be'Av, owe it to themselves to read Yoseif Bloch's rebuttals "Why I'm Fasting" here: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/why-im-fasting/

AND this is why I will be fasting this 9th of Av (If the Bet Hamikdash is not built) https://www.facebook.com/AriFuld   

7 Aug 2016

Needs help

NYPD Probing Two Separate Anti-Semitic Incidents That Took Place on Transit System

Members of the Lebanese delegation refused to ride in the same bus with Israeli athletes en route to the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympics held on Friday evening at the Maracana stadium.

When the Lebanese coaches and athletes discovered they would share a bus with Israelis from the Olympic village to the stadium, they demanded that the driver close the bus door.
...Sports and culture minister Miri Regev, who is not observant, did not attend the ceremony to avoid violating Shabbat.

“Shabbat, our national day of rest, is one of the most important gifts that Jewish people have given to the culture of humanity,” Regev said in a statement. “As the representative of the State of Israel, the sole Jewish state on the planet, I unfortunately cannot take part in the opening ceremony of the Olympics because it would require me to break the holy Sabbath.”
http://www.jta.org/2016/08/07/news-opinion/world/lebanese-olympians-refuse-to-share-bus-with-israeli-delegation
Perhaps the athletes should have taken the message when the bus door was closed on them and followed Miri Regev's actions.

UNWELL HILLARY CLINTON NEEDS HELP UP STAIRS (PHOTO)

RTE complicit in endorsing subtle 'Gaza Action Ireland' demonisation campaign


Room to flourish

North London Jews find room to flourish in the wide open spaces of Canvey Island

The young people of Bnei Yisroel who were about to go into Eretz Yisroel. Moshe Rabbeinu in his last address to them retold the story of their parents' mistakes in the Midbar. When retelling the Cheit of the Meraglim, Moshe says that they were punished and routed by the Emori in their effort to go to Eretz Yisroel without permission. After this defeat they came back to the Machaneh and began to cry. The pasuk says (1:45) "V'Lo Shama Hashem B'Kolchem", Hashem did not listen to them. The next pasuk says that they stayed in Kadeish many years. Rashi says that they stayed there for 19 years without wandering around.

The Netziv says that we see from here that even when Hashem does not listen to our tefilos and does not grant our request, the tefila still helps. While their tefilos did not repeal the gezeira of staying in the Midbar for 40 years, it helped that they settled in one place did not need to wander for 19 years. We can't always get what we want but we always get something!
http://revach.net/tefila/article.php?id=3949

Facebook Trending Topic for Victor Thorn hides anti-Semitic past
One of Victor Thorn's books is titled The Holocaust Hoax Exposed. A review of the book can be found here. Is this book being sold on Amazon?

5 Aug 2016

Spin and obfuscation

Russia says victim of Rio carjacking attempt was not Russian diplomat

Rosh Chodesh Av: Aharon's Yahrzeit

No child should be a castaway

Australia suspends World Vision Gaza aid following Israëli indictments

“Intersectionality Run Amok” — Anti-Defamation League; AJC Reject #BLM Demands

Below is an excerpt from the August 4th State Department briefing.

Anyway, welcome to the State Department. I think we have some interns in the back. Welcome. Good to see you in this exercise in transparency in democracy. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: Is that what it is? (Laughter.) I thought it was a --

MR TONER: Sorry, I didn’t mean to break out in laughter. (Laughter.)

QUESTION: I thought it was an exercise in spin and obfuscation.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/08/260841.htm#SECRETARYTRAVEL

פרשת מסעי • הגאון רבי דוד לאו עם וורט על הפרשה

4 Aug 2016

Initiating and intervening

New Shidduch initiative by Ami Magazine

Why Sing Eishet Chayil on Friday Night?

Israeli Teen Injured in London Terror Attack

Study: Scottish Jews Increasingly Hiding Their Identities to Avoid Anti-Semitism

A journalist at the State Department briefing asked whether the U.S. should deduct 100$ from the money it gives Israel to pay for the bicycle of a girl which was taken away by an Israeli soldier. Can anyone search the archives to see whether a journalist asked if money should be deducted from what the U.S. gives the Palestinian authority as compensation for the lives of the two Israelis brutally lynched at a police station in Ramallah in 2000?

"Last week, an Israeli soldier in the occupied city of Hebron roughed up a little Palestinian girl on a bicycle, and then he took her bike and destroyed it. My question to you is very simple: Should Israel compensate this little girl for the bicycle? Very simple."

Where in the video did he rough her up?

The Khan story reminds me of the food stamp fraud stories that so intrigued me

CNN has an article about Khizr Khan.
According to the website for his law offices, based in New York City,.... The contact number for Khan's office is a D.C.-based number, and as of Tuesday morning, it directs to an automatic voice-messaging system.
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/02/politics/who-is-khizr-khan-trnd/
The link to the website in the CNN article directs you to a site that has been deleted. Well he stands in good stead with other politicians who have had issues with deletions and this act may well be the starting point to a career in politics. - 'Yes We Khan'? Fundraiser Started to Get Khizr Khan to Run for Virginia Legislature

J Street has a request. "We are asking J Street supporters to urge Secretary of State John Kerry to intervene with the Israeli government on behalf of residents of the Palestinian West Bank village of Susya, who face imminent demolition of their homes by the Israeli Army."
http://jstreet.org/blog/post/whats-happening-in-the-palestinian-village-of-susya--and-what-we-can-do_1

Here is a 2015 INN article about the village. You decide.


L'Mateh Yehuda and L'Mateh Binyomin

Video of Palestinian father taunting Israeli police to shoot his young son just got worse

Torah Wellsprings - Matos, Masei - Masei 5776

The Torah lists for us the names of the Nesi'im who would represent their Shevet in the division of Eretz Yisroel (Masei 34:19-29). The Ba'al HaTurim asks why before each Shevet does it say "L'Mateh Bnei..." for the sons of the shevet of..., whereas by Yehuda and Binyomin it only says L'Mateh Yehuda and L'Mateh Binyomin and omitting the word Bnei? He doesn't offer an answer.

Rav Chaim Kanievsky answers that all the nesi'im worked tirelessly and exclusively for the people of their shevet. However within the territory of both Yehuda and Binyomin lay the Bais HaMikdash which belonged to all of Klal Yisroel. These two nesi'im represented not only their own shevet in the division of Eretz Yisroel but all of Klal Yisroel, so it would be misleading to say "L'Bnei", meaning only for the sons of their shevet.
http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Masei-Rav-Chaim-Kanievsky-The-Special-Role-Of-The-Nasi-Of-Yehuda-Binyomin/3931




Facing suspension

Legal Insurrection has posted an article titled Oberlin’s BDS-loving Jewish-conspiracy-spouting Prof. Joy Karega removed from teaching.

Student facing 50 day suspension for saying 'All Lives Matter'


2 Aug 2016

The septuagenarian dad - the sexagenarian mom

60-Year-Old Israeli Woman Gives Birth to Healthy Girl

The man who had FOUR children aged 70: So how does his daughter feel about doddery dads now she's grown up? - interesting article about old fashioned discipline and well behaved children. What a novelty.

Bill Cunningham: Why Trump Will Lose Ohio and Lose the Presidency (AUDIO)

Breitbart has an article titled Panic Mode: Khizr Khan Deletes Law Firm Website that Specialized in Muslim Immigration

Ignoring Terrorism Against Jews Will Lead to More Against Everyone

Rabbi Efraïm Stauber speaks about Eicha and notes that it is in the order of the aleph beit. Starting from the second perek, there is one exception. Which letter is it and why? Click here to listen to the answer.


The septuagenarian dad - the sexagenarian mom

60-Year-Old Israeli Woman Gives Birth to Healthy Girl

The man who had FOUR children aged 70: So how does his daughter feel about doddery dads now she's grown up? - interesting article about old fashioned discipline and well behaved children. What a novelty.

Bill Cunningham: Why Trump Will Lose Ohio and Lose the Presidency (AUDIO)

Many are aware of the DNC speech given by Khizr Khan last week. If you google Khan law office you will find a link to KM Khan Law Office - www.kmkhanlaw.com/ Khizr Khan is admitted to practice law before the State Courts of New York and also admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Southern District ...

The link, however, doesn't take you to the law office page. What happened to the website? - Breitbart reports in an article titled Panic Mode: Khizr Khan Deletes Law Firm Website that Specialized in Muslim Immigration
Ignoring Terrorism Against Jews Will Lead to More Against Everyone

Rabbi Efraïm Stauber speaks about Eicha and notes that it is in the order of the aleph beit. Starting from the second perek, there is one exception. Which letter is it and why? Click here to listen to the answer.


The nice comment

This morning I woke up to a nice comment awaiting me in my inbox.

BS"D I wanted to send a qk. email Thanking you for your beautiful, inspiring blog - you're very successful w/ your goal in inspiring your readers! Thank You! The compliment is mutually exclusive to the following request - would it be possible to post that "Amazing amazing story" mentioned yesterday? (told by R' Krohn?)Either way, Thank you so much! May we meet soon w/ the Geula Shleima!!!

First of all, I want to say Amen and thank the reader for taking the time to send positive feedback which encourages me to continue posting.
Secondly, you can read the story and watch the video at http://lakewoodpulse.com/2016/07/31/amazing-true-story/.

I must admit, I get inspired from many of the divrei Torah and beautiful words of the rabbis I listen to in an effort to bring items of interest that will motivate. For instance, yesterday I started a post taken form Revach, "The pasuk (Bamidbar 33:17) lists as one of Bnei Yisroel’s travels, “VaYis’u MiKivros HaTaava, VaYachanu BaChatzeiros”. The Chasam Sofer says that we see a Remez from these words that if you overcome your indulgence, you become more Kadosh and closer to Hashem."
The words have given me pause for thought and I will try to curb my indulgence for chocolate from now on.
Last night I watched a video titled The happiness project which I resolved to post this morning. In the video Rabbi Michael Skobac makes the point that people should be focusing on the present and asking themselves what Hashem wants from them now. Since last night, I have been stopping to reflect and asking myself that question. It has already made a difference in my actions this morning.


Finally, I posted an article yesterday in Hebrew about a young man who had lost his wife to a sickness and he spoke movingly at the funeral. He said Hashem had given him a wake up call and that he would do everything for the elevation of her soul by not occupying himself with wordly matters but instead being deeply immersed in the study of Torah.
I am a person who comes up with ideas but usually needs someone to implement them. The words of this man haunted me and I was wondering if someone in Israel can find out about his circumstances and whether we can start a funding page for him so that he can follow his dream amidst financial security for his family of young girls, left without a mother.

His story can be found here. If anyone can help me get my idea off the ground, please leave a comment. If you don't want it published, just specify that you don't want it published. Thanks and tizku lemitzvot.

VaYis’u MiKivros HaTaava

The pasuk (Bamidbar 33:17) lists as one of Bnei Yisroel’s travels, “VaYis’u MiKivros HaTaava, VaYachanu BaChatzeiros”. The Chasam Sofer says that we see a Remez from these words that if you overcome your indulgence, you become more Kadosh and closer to Hashem. "VaYis’u MiKivros HaTaava", translates to, “they traveled from burying their desires.” VaYachanu BaChatzeiros, they encamped in the “courtyard”. The courtyard, he says, refers to Olam HaZeh. Like it says in Pirkei Avos (4:21), “Hasken Atzmicha B’Prosdor KDei SheDikaneis L’Traklin.” Once we bury our desires we then enter the courtyard to perform Mitzvos and Ma’asim Tovim to prepare ourselves for our entrance to the palace, Olam Habah.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Masei-Chasam-Sofer-Straight-From-the-Burial-To-The-Courtyard/2562

Multi-Cultural Anti-Discrimination Student Group Praises Boro Park’s Tzedokah

"לבכות: "ה' לקח את אשתי בשביל שנתעורר

1 Aug 2016

Saying kaddish

Charlie Harary speaks about The Meaning of Kaddish.
A relative who is saying kaddish this year told me one day that so many people left shul before his last kaddish of the morning service, that he didn't think he had a minyan when he recited it.



One of the Chashuvim of Vilna once came crying to Rav Zemeleh Volozhin that he married off his son to the wise and kind daughter of a prominent family of Vilna, but to his surprise after the Chasuna they found out that the girl was 10 years older than the boy!

Rav Zemeleh cut him off mid-sentence and answered him light heartedly. At the end of Parshas Masei (36:10), the Torah mentions the names of the Bnos Tzelafchad in a different order than previous mentioned in Parshas Pinchos (27:1). Rashi comments that previously they were mentioned in order of their wisdom, while here they were mentioned in the order of their age. Why here did the Torah mention them by age?

Rav Zemeleh explained that the gemara Bava Basra (119) says that the youngest any of them married was at the age of 40. Surely the Torah would not want to reveal their ages before they married so it listed them in order of their wisdom. Only here when the Torah says that they married their cousins, does the Torah finally reveal their true ages. Apparently the Torah felt that after their marriage, no one worried if anyone would find out how old they really were.
http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/story/Parshas-Masei-Rav-Zemele-Volozhin-Show-No-Sympathy-For-The-Boy-Who-Is-Tricked-Into-Marrying-An-Older-Girl/4643

Clinton emails show visceral hatred for Michael Oren

Report: Human Rights Organizations Refuse to Comment on Video of Palestinian Father Calling on Israeli Border Police to Shoot Toddler