Last night I caught a documentary about the miracle flight which landed on the Hudson river over two years ago with all the people on board pulled to safety. Pilot Chesley Sullenberger's professionalism is to be lauded for the incredible outcome. Watching two divers risk their lives to save a woman floating in the water by jumping out of a helicopter at a higher height than recommended brought home the message of the goodness in people and how saving a life is paramount. One man took off the shirt on his back and offered it to a person whose clothes had become wet when he jumped into the water.
Perhaps the most important words of the documentary were spoken by survivor, Rob Kolodjay, who related his thoughts as the plane descended.
"If this was the end, was I the person I wanted to be all my life?"
Thankfully, we have the chance to ask ourselves the question without such a harrowing experience prompting us to think about how we have lived our lives. If our answer is in the negative, as long as there is life, there is time to change ourselves for the better.
And speaking about the goodness in people, click here for a memorable picture of a young girl offering an Egyptian soldier a flower. A picture is worth 1000 words.
8 Feb 2011
7 Feb 2011
A statistical miracle
by Rabbi Ephraim Epstein
The Tefilla advances with a verse from Psalms 104:24 Mah Rabu Maasecha Hashem Kulam Bechachmah Asita Malah Haaretz Kinyanecha – How great/many are Your deeds Hashem, All of them You have made with wisdom –the earth is full of Your creations.
...Each of G-d’s creations come to enhance the world we live in
The Gaon of Vilna explains that the word Kinyanecha – also means Your enhancers. This implies that each of G-d’s creations come to enhance the world we live in. There are no insects that are not needed, there are no human organs that are for naught…. because ALL of G-d’s magnificent creations come to build, improve and advance His world.
http://www.ou.org/torah/article/4459
A U.S. cattle farmer is seeing triple after his mixed-breed cow, itself a triplet, gave birth to three calves.
...They call it a "statistical miracle."
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2011/02/06/17175976.html?cid=rssnewsweird%20news
The Tefilla advances with a verse from Psalms 104:24 Mah Rabu Maasecha Hashem Kulam Bechachmah Asita Malah Haaretz Kinyanecha – How great/many are Your deeds Hashem, All of them You have made with wisdom –the earth is full of Your creations.
...Each of G-d’s creations come to enhance the world we live in
The Gaon of Vilna explains that the word Kinyanecha – also means Your enhancers. This implies that each of G-d’s creations come to enhance the world we live in. There are no insects that are not needed, there are no human organs that are for naught…. because ALL of G-d’s magnificent creations come to build, improve and advance His world.
http://www.ou.org/torah/article/4459
A U.S. cattle farmer is seeing triple after his mixed-breed cow, itself a triplet, gave birth to three calves.
...They call it a "statistical miracle."
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2011/02/06/17175976.html?cid=rssnewsweird%20news
Tear gas
Two protests - one in Tunisia and one in Israel where demonstrators died because of tear gas used to stop the protests. In Tunisia, the young man doesn't merit a name, but, the Palestinian protestor gets article after article written about her including various versions of her story.
A young man died after being struck by a tear gas grenade during a protest in a Tunisian provincial town, an Interior Ministry source said on Sunday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/06/tunisia-protests-kebili-idUSLDE7150GF20110206
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon confirmed this week that the government had authorized a shipment of tear gas grenades to Tunis on Jan. 12, two days before Tunisian President Zine el Abidine ben Ali was toppled from power.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/05/world/la-fg-france-scandal-20110205
The following are two interviews with Jawaher Abu Rahmah's mother.
“I was standing beside Jawaher on the hill that is near the place where the demonstration took place, when we were injured by a cloud of tear gas. Jawaher began to fell unwell from inhaling the gas and started to move back from the place: soon after that she vomited and collapsed. We took her to the nearest road, and from there she was evacuated by ambulance to the hospital, where she remained until her death.
http://alister-rutherford.blogspot.com/2011/01/jawaher-abu-rahma-death-at-bilin.html
After this, we went — me and my daughter [Jawaher] — close to the wall to watch the demonstration, and my daughter said, “I have to go back to the house,” and she left me. When she left me, that’s when it happened. She got tear gassed, and after that Jawaher went to the ambulance to go to Ramallah.
http://alexbkane.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/mother-of-bilin-martyrs-we-will-not-be-stopped/
Finally, a report in Haaretz about how Ms. Abu-Rahma was with two teenagers when she was tear gassed.
"I met with Jawaher at the entrance to the home of Abu Hamis [an uncle]," Aslam said... She suggested we go watch the procession, which was far from us, and we moved closer to the kids who were throwing stones at the army.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/bil-in-eyewitnesses-woman-killed-by-tear-gas-wasn-t-protesting-1.335257
A young man died after being struck by a tear gas grenade during a protest in a Tunisian provincial town, an Interior Ministry source said on Sunday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/06/tunisia-protests-kebili-idUSLDE7150GF20110206
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon confirmed this week that the government had authorized a shipment of tear gas grenades to Tunis on Jan. 12, two days before Tunisian President Zine el Abidine ben Ali was toppled from power.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/feb/05/world/la-fg-france-scandal-20110205
The following are two interviews with Jawaher Abu Rahmah's mother.
“I was standing beside Jawaher on the hill that is near the place where the demonstration took place, when we were injured by a cloud of tear gas. Jawaher began to fell unwell from inhaling the gas and started to move back from the place: soon after that she vomited and collapsed. We took her to the nearest road, and from there she was evacuated by ambulance to the hospital, where she remained until her death.
http://alister-rutherford.blogspot.com/2011/01/jawaher-abu-rahma-death-at-bilin.html
After this, we went — me and my daughter [Jawaher] — close to the wall to watch the demonstration, and my daughter said, “I have to go back to the house,” and she left me. When she left me, that’s when it happened. She got tear gassed, and after that Jawaher went to the ambulance to go to Ramallah.
http://alexbkane.wordpress.com/2011/01/28/mother-of-bilin-martyrs-we-will-not-be-stopped/
Finally, a report in Haaretz about how Ms. Abu-Rahma was with two teenagers when she was tear gassed.
"I met with Jawaher at the entrance to the home of Abu Hamis [an uncle]," Aslam said... She suggested we go watch the procession, which was far from us, and we moved closer to the kids who were throwing stones at the army.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/bil-in-eyewitnesses-woman-killed-by-tear-gas-wasn-t-protesting-1.335257
6 Feb 2011
Original borders
I came across an interesting article titled “Mandate for Palestine”
The Legal Aspects of Jewish Rights by Eli E. Hertz.
Right at the beginning of the article, one can see a map of the original borders envisioned for Palestine, the Jewish homeland. The second map shows how the country of Palestine was reduced by 77% when the British illegally ceded most of the country to Jordan.
The “Mandate for Palestine,” an historical League of Nations document, laid down the Jewish legal right to settle anywhere in western Palestine, a 10,000-square-miles3 area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
The legally binding document was conferred on April 24, 1920 at the San Remo Conference, and its terms outlined in the Treaty of Sèvres on August 10, 1920. The Mandate’s terms were finalized and unanimously approved on July 24, 1922, by the Council of the League of Nations, which was comprised at that time of 51 countries,4 and became operational on September 29, 1923.
http://www.mythsandfacts.com/conflict/mandate_for_palestine/mandate_for_palestine.htm
Below, Lamis Deek, an attorney and co-chairperson of the Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Coalition, speaks about Palestine. She is not disturbed by what England did to Palestine in the 1920s. She refers only to when Israel appeared on the scene.
The Legal Aspects of Jewish Rights by Eli E. Hertz.
Right at the beginning of the article, one can see a map of the original borders envisioned for Palestine, the Jewish homeland. The second map shows how the country of Palestine was reduced by 77% when the British illegally ceded most of the country to Jordan.
The “Mandate for Palestine,” an historical League of Nations document, laid down the Jewish legal right to settle anywhere in western Palestine, a 10,000-square-miles3 area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
The legally binding document was conferred on April 24, 1920 at the San Remo Conference, and its terms outlined in the Treaty of Sèvres on August 10, 1920. The Mandate’s terms were finalized and unanimously approved on July 24, 1922, by the Council of the League of Nations, which was comprised at that time of 51 countries,4 and became operational on September 29, 1923.
http://www.mythsandfacts.com/conflict/mandate_for_palestine/mandate_for_palestine.htm
Below, Lamis Deek, an attorney and co-chairperson of the Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Coalition, speaks about Palestine. She is not disturbed by what England did to Palestine in the 1920s. She refers only to when Israel appeared on the scene.
3 Feb 2011
Seeking His face
"The act of prayer itself is a source of strength."
Just finished listening to President Obama's speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. One word? Incredible. Click on the link below to access article. The video is a few paragraphs below to the left of the article.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/48769.html
Just finished listening to President Obama's speech at the National Prayer Breakfast. One word? Incredible. Click on the link below to access article. The video is a few paragraphs below to the left of the article.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/48769.html
Democracy at any cost
For those of haven't caught the Fox News interview with Robert Spencer, Zuhdi Jasser and Former CIA Counterterrorism Analyst, Michael Scheur, the following is a question posed to Mr. Scheur at minute 9:42 of the tape.
Is an Obama backing of a Mubarak government a sign to the people of Egypt... that we are still firmly implanted on the side of Israel?
Oh sure, it is. Israel is such an enormous detriment to the United States - our relationship with the Israelis - that it's going to become clear to Americans that this is just gonna cost us blood and lives the longer we pursue this relationship with the Israelis.
And you wonder why Jonathan Pollard hasn't been released?
May Yehonatan ben Malka be released speedily, along with Gilad ben Aviva.
Is an Obama backing of a Mubarak government a sign to the people of Egypt... that we are still firmly implanted on the side of Israel?
Oh sure, it is. Israel is such an enormous detriment to the United States - our relationship with the Israelis - that it's going to become clear to Americans that this is just gonna cost us blood and lives the longer we pursue this relationship with the Israelis.
And you wonder why Jonathan Pollard hasn't been released?
May Yehonatan ben Malka be released speedily, along with Gilad ben Aviva.
2 Feb 2011
Take for me
I came across a nice devar Torah on Parshat Teruma.
In the opening verses of Parshat Terumah the Jewish people are asked to donate willfully to the Mishkan.
Q. If the Jewish people are asked to GIVE a donation, why does the verse (25,2) say 'TAKE for me a donation' rather than 'GIVE me a donation'?
...A2. The Chafetz Chaim says that a person's net worth is defined by what one gives away, rather than what one retains. Consequently when one gives, one is taking for himself, since he gains through taking. This does not just apply to giving charity, but also extends to giving time for a friend, good deeds etc. Whereas money and merchandise can disappear (lost/stolen/credit crunch), Torah and mitzvot remain with you for Olam Habah, the world to come.
In a similar vein the Midrash Tanchuma in Terumah explains the verse 'Ki lekach tov natati lachem' 'I have given you a good portion', as Torah is the greatest portion that can be given because it is always retained.
Read two other answers to the question. http://www.shortvort.com/component/content/article/114-rotator/11664-giving-and-taking
May we value the words of the Torah and recognize it as "the greatest portion."
The haftorah ends with G‑d's word to King Solomon: "This house which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, and execute My ordinances, and keep all My commandments to walk in them; then will I establish My word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people, Israel."
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/632637/jewish/Haftorah-in-a-Nutshell.htm
In the opening verses of Parshat Terumah the Jewish people are asked to donate willfully to the Mishkan.
Q. If the Jewish people are asked to GIVE a donation, why does the verse (25,2) say 'TAKE for me a donation' rather than 'GIVE me a donation'?
...A2. The Chafetz Chaim says that a person's net worth is defined by what one gives away, rather than what one retains. Consequently when one gives, one is taking for himself, since he gains through taking. This does not just apply to giving charity, but also extends to giving time for a friend, good deeds etc. Whereas money and merchandise can disappear (lost/stolen/credit crunch), Torah and mitzvot remain with you for Olam Habah, the world to come.
In a similar vein the Midrash Tanchuma in Terumah explains the verse 'Ki lekach tov natati lachem' 'I have given you a good portion', as Torah is the greatest portion that can be given because it is always retained.
Read two other answers to the question. http://www.shortvort.com/component/content/article/114-rotator/11664-giving-and-taking
May we value the words of the Torah and recognize it as "the greatest portion."
The haftorah ends with G‑d's word to King Solomon: "This house which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, and execute My ordinances, and keep all My commandments to walk in them; then will I establish My word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people, Israel."
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/632637/jewish/Haftorah-in-a-Nutshell.htm
It's snow joke
Chicago is bracing for what could be the largest snowfall on record with the National Weather Service calling for between 16 inches and 28 inches of snow in Chicago by Wednesday afternoon.
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=177590
Last week, I received an old joke about what famous personalities might have said about shoveling snow. Some of the personalities were a bit outdated but I did laugh at a few of the comments they might have made.
For instance:
Rashi - "Snow, this is a form of solid precipitation that clings to one's beard if you remain outside too long in the winter season. (Old French: neige). Shoveling is a Rabbinic precept, based on the verse in Isaiah 1:18 - "If your sins be like scarlet, they will turn as white as snow"
The Late Lubavitcher Rebbe (from an epistle to a disciple) - "Shoveling snow is a distraction from our efforts to bring Moshiach, may He come soon, when in any case there will be no snow to shovel. So leave it and let it melt. If the Messiah does not come by Shavuos, the snow will have miraculously disappeared anyway."
Read full joke: http://www.getamused.com/jokes/jewishguidetoshovelingsnow.html
I decided to add some personalities of our times and to think of what they would say if asked about shoveling snow.
Rabbi P.K. - I am deeply grateful to the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation for inviting me to speak here. And remember, if you help your elderly neighbor shovel the snow from his driveway, you can write about it in your chessed notebook. And now I would like to end with an amazing story.
Rabbi Z.W. - Get off Facebook and you will have time to go outside and help people shovel their yards.
Yeranen Yaak - THE HEAVY NATURE OF THE SNOW WILL MAKE SHOVELING VERY DIFFICULT... AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY. DURING AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BLIZZARD OF 1999 OVER 40 PEOPLE IN THE CHICAGO AREA ALONE LOST THEIR LIVES TO HEART ATTACKS WHILE SHOVELING THE HEAVY SNOWFALL. TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS INDOORS AND DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE TASK AT HAND WHEN SHOVELING.
Israel Matzav - What could go wrong?
Rabbi Boteach - Our character is becoming courrupt as we watch inane television shows. We must reconnect with the family. What better family activity (other than sharing a Shabbos meal) than to shovel snow together with the whole family?
The New York Times explains how you can turn all that snow into money.
Whether Plowing or Serving Hot Chocolate, Some Find a Payday in the Snow
Anyone care to add?
Finally, it is no laughing matter. People are being extremely inconvenienced by the massive snowfall. Let's try to help out, where we can. Light up an elderly neighbor's face by offering to shovel her property. It's a mitzvah.
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=177590
Last week, I received an old joke about what famous personalities might have said about shoveling snow. Some of the personalities were a bit outdated but I did laugh at a few of the comments they might have made.
For instance:
Rashi - "Snow, this is a form of solid precipitation that clings to one's beard if you remain outside too long in the winter season. (Old French: neige). Shoveling is a Rabbinic precept, based on the verse in Isaiah 1:18 - "If your sins be like scarlet, they will turn as white as snow"
The Late Lubavitcher Rebbe (from an epistle to a disciple) - "Shoveling snow is a distraction from our efforts to bring Moshiach, may He come soon, when in any case there will be no snow to shovel. So leave it and let it melt. If the Messiah does not come by Shavuos, the snow will have miraculously disappeared anyway."
Read full joke: http://www.getamused.com/jokes/jewishguidetoshovelingsnow.html
I decided to add some personalities of our times and to think of what they would say if asked about shoveling snow.
Rabbi P.K. - I am deeply grateful to the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation for inviting me to speak here. And remember, if you help your elderly neighbor shovel the snow from his driveway, you can write about it in your chessed notebook. And now I would like to end with an amazing story.
Rabbi Z.W. - Get off Facebook and you will have time to go outside and help people shovel their yards.
Yeranen Yaak - THE HEAVY NATURE OF THE SNOW WILL MAKE SHOVELING VERY DIFFICULT... AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY. DURING AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BLIZZARD OF 1999 OVER 40 PEOPLE IN THE CHICAGO AREA ALONE LOST THEIR LIVES TO HEART ATTACKS WHILE SHOVELING THE HEAVY SNOWFALL. TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS INDOORS AND DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE TASK AT HAND WHEN SHOVELING.
Israel Matzav - What could go wrong?
Rabbi Boteach - Our character is becoming courrupt as we watch inane television shows. We must reconnect with the family. What better family activity (other than sharing a Shabbos meal) than to shovel snow together with the whole family?
The New York Times explains how you can turn all that snow into money.
Whether Plowing or Serving Hot Chocolate, Some Find a Payday in the Snow
Anyone care to add?
Finally, it is no laughing matter. People are being extremely inconvenienced by the massive snowfall. Let's try to help out, where we can. Light up an elderly neighbor's face by offering to shovel her property. It's a mitzvah.
1 Feb 2011
The death toll
As many as 300 people may have died in anti-government unrest in Egypt according to unofficial reports, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said Tuesday.
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8060066-egypt-unrest-claimed-about-300-lives-un-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-navi-pillay
With such a high death toll, are organizations making strong statements against the use of tear gas and live ammunition such as the following made after the death of one person?
...Physicians for Human Rights – Israel (PHR-I): “The killing of Jawaher Abu-Rahmeh is yet another harsh injustice of the Israeli occupation web… The use of Gas against civilians must be ceased, clear and simple. The death of Jawaher Abu-Rahmeh must be the last one.”
...International Solidarity Movement calls on companies to stop providing equipment that “Israel misuses to kill and maim unarmed protesters.”
http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/new_facts_cast_doubt_over_death_of_jawaher_abu_rahmeh_
And speaking of the International Solidarity Movement, would you please get your story straight?
On 27th January, 20-year old Oday Maher Hamza Qadous was killed by settlers whilst farming between the villages of Burin and Iraq Burin, just south of Nablus. According to family sources, the Palestinian youth was alone...
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/01/16500/
Yet, a few days prior, you reported that the victim was with his cousin who was an eyewitness.
Oday Maher Hamza Qadous, 19 years old, has been killed by settlers while farming his land in Iraq Burin. Army forces have taken over the village of Iraq Burin.
19 year old Oday Maher Hamza Qadous was shot to death this afternoon while farming his land in Iraq Burin near Nablus. Qadous was farming with his cousin...
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/01/16494/
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8060066-egypt-unrest-claimed-about-300-lives-un-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-navi-pillay
With such a high death toll, are organizations making strong statements against the use of tear gas and live ammunition such as the following made after the death of one person?
...Physicians for Human Rights – Israel (PHR-I): “The killing of Jawaher Abu-Rahmeh is yet another harsh injustice of the Israeli occupation web… The use of Gas against civilians must be ceased, clear and simple. The death of Jawaher Abu-Rahmeh must be the last one.”
...International Solidarity Movement calls on companies to stop providing equipment that “Israel misuses to kill and maim unarmed protesters.”
http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/new_facts_cast_doubt_over_death_of_jawaher_abu_rahmeh_
And speaking of the International Solidarity Movement, would you please get your story straight?
On 27th January, 20-year old Oday Maher Hamza Qadous was killed by settlers whilst farming between the villages of Burin and Iraq Burin, just south of Nablus. According to family sources, the Palestinian youth was alone...
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/01/16500/
Yet, a few days prior, you reported that the victim was with his cousin who was an eyewitness.
Oday Maher Hamza Qadous, 19 years old, has been killed by settlers while farming his land in Iraq Burin. Army forces have taken over the village of Iraq Burin.
19 year old Oday Maher Hamza Qadous was shot to death this afternoon while farming his land in Iraq Burin near Nablus. Qadous was farming with his cousin...
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/01/16494/
Torah reading days
I came across a devar Torah attributed to the Chasam Sofer which reminds us on which days of the year the Torah is read.
Click here to read the devar Torah. Just one error - the site inadvertently left out Purim which should be written before Pesach since the Torah is also read on that day.
Click here to read the devar Torah. Just one error - the site inadvertently left out Purim which should be written before Pesach since the Torah is also read on that day.
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