Reporter Kimi De Freytas has published an interview with Hiroyuki Kohno, one of the Fukushima workers.
Kohno told De Freytas that as a single man with no children, he felt obligated to answer the call and join the team that the media has dubbed the "Fukushima Fifty." Better that he face the risk, he explained, so as to spare his colleagues who have dependents counting on them. Besides, he added, the workers in the plant are his brothers and sisters, and he feels an allegiance to them.
"There's a Japanese expression: 'We eat from the same bowl.' These are friends I shared pain and laughter with. That's why I'm going," he explained to De Freytas.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110405/ts_yblog_thelookout/japanese-nuclear-plant-worker-discusses-choice-to-sacrifice-his-life
And here's news of two leaders who didn't eat from the same bowl, but did have lunch together.
Peres also mentioned that he asked Obama to pardon Jonathan Pollard ahead of Passover. He noted the president listened but that he didn't expect him to give an answer on the spot. The two also discussed the issue of Gilad Shalit.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4052715,00.html
Let's hope that this month of Nissan, a month meant for redemption, will see a release for Yehonatan ben Malka and Gilad ben Aviva. May they celebrate this coming Passover with their families in Yerushalayim Habenuyah.
5 Apr 2011
What goes in and out of the mouth
The parsha of the week is Metzorah which speaks about the affliction that one receives for speaking lashon hora.
Israel National News has a heartwarming article titled Yoav Fogel: A Once in a Lifetime Boy.
“He had an average of 100 in all the subjects and after winning first place twice in a row in the school contest he decided not to participate anymore, saying that other children should have the opportunity to participate and win.”
Rabbi Amos Cohen, Yoav’s teacher this year in the fifth grade, said: “Yoav loved to study Torah, prayed with devotion, avoided defamatory speech, and almost never had a quarrel with anyone in the class.
“He really took care to not speak libel. When he heard his friends gossiping he would quickly put two hands over his ears,” said Yoav’s aunt Neta.“
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143353
And speaking about what shouldn't go out of your mouth, here's something that can go into your mouth.
In New York, even rabbis get endorsement deals.
When he's not leading Kehilat Rayin Ahuvim, a modern orthodox congregation on the Upper West Side, Rabbi Adam Mintz lends his name and likeness to "Rabbi Mints," the world's first classic kosher mint.
"It's a mitzvah for your mouth," the rabbi said, of the Altoid-style confections now being sold for $2.50 in tins bearing his image...
There's nothing in bad taste about a rabbi endorsing a product that ends bad breath, Mintz said.
"Part of my job as a rabbi is to provide service to the community - and helping to provide a kosher product that does not exist is such a service," he said, noting that a portion of the profits go to charity.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rabbi_kosher_mints_mitzah_for_your_o5s2lpEimkM3xCIsEdm6hK#ixzz1IcxdF3VS
In the video below, the rabbi discusses the reward one achieves for rejecting lashon hora. Unfortunately, Yoav Fogel is no longer able to fulfill the mitzvah of not speaking lashon hora. Let us try to emulate Yoav's deeds and may it be a zechut for the aliya of his neshama.
Israel National News has a heartwarming article titled Yoav Fogel: A Once in a Lifetime Boy.
“He had an average of 100 in all the subjects and after winning first place twice in a row in the school contest he decided not to participate anymore, saying that other children should have the opportunity to participate and win.”
Rabbi Amos Cohen, Yoav’s teacher this year in the fifth grade, said: “Yoav loved to study Torah, prayed with devotion, avoided defamatory speech, and almost never had a quarrel with anyone in the class.
“He really took care to not speak libel. When he heard his friends gossiping he would quickly put two hands over his ears,” said Yoav’s aunt Neta.“
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143353
And speaking about what shouldn't go out of your mouth, here's something that can go into your mouth.
In New York, even rabbis get endorsement deals.
When he's not leading Kehilat Rayin Ahuvim, a modern orthodox congregation on the Upper West Side, Rabbi Adam Mintz lends his name and likeness to "Rabbi Mints," the world's first classic kosher mint.
"It's a mitzvah for your mouth," the rabbi said, of the Altoid-style confections now being sold for $2.50 in tins bearing his image...
There's nothing in bad taste about a rabbi endorsing a product that ends bad breath, Mintz said.
"Part of my job as a rabbi is to provide service to the community - and helping to provide a kosher product that does not exist is such a service," he said, noting that a portion of the profits go to charity.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/rabbi_kosher_mints_mitzah_for_your_o5s2lpEimkM3xCIsEdm6hK#ixzz1IcxdF3VS
In the video below, the rabbi discusses the reward one achieves for rejecting lashon hora. Unfortunately, Yoav Fogel is no longer able to fulfill the mitzvah of not speaking lashon hora. Let us try to emulate Yoav's deeds and may it be a zechut for the aliya of his neshama.
4 Apr 2011
Rosh Chodesh Nissan
"Hashem said to Moshe and Aharon in the Land of Egypt, 'This month shall be for you the beginning of the months; it shall be for you the first of the months of the year.' " (Shemot, 12:1-2)
“Rabbi Yehoshua said, ‘In Nissan the world was created. In Nissan the Patriarchs were born, in Nissan the Patriarchs passed on. On Passover Isaac was born… In Nissan they [i.e. the Jewish people] were redeemed, in Nissan they will be redeemed again in the future.”
Tractate Rosh Hashanah 11a
A special mitzvah, which can be fulfilled only once a year, is to recite the berachah ("blessing" or prayer) made upon seeing a fruit tree in bloom: Blessed are you G-d our G-d, king of the universe, who left nothing lacking in His world, and created within it good creatures and good trees with which He gives pleasure to people. Today is the first opportunity to make this blessing, but it can be done anytime during the month of Nissan (referred to by the Torah as "the month of spring" ). Many visit botanical gardens during this time, so as to avail themselves of an opportunity to observe this beautiful mitzvah.
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/day.asp?tdate=4/5/2011
“Rabbi Yehoshua said, ‘In Nissan the world was created. In Nissan the Patriarchs were born, in Nissan the Patriarchs passed on. On Passover Isaac was born… In Nissan they [i.e. the Jewish people] were redeemed, in Nissan they will be redeemed again in the future.”
Tractate Rosh Hashanah 11a
A special mitzvah, which can be fulfilled only once a year, is to recite the berachah ("blessing" or prayer) made upon seeing a fruit tree in bloom: Blessed are you G-d our G-d, king of the universe, who left nothing lacking in His world, and created within it good creatures and good trees with which He gives pleasure to people. Today is the first opportunity to make this blessing, but it can be done anytime during the month of Nissan (referred to by the Torah as "the month of spring" ). Many visit botanical gardens during this time, so as to avail themselves of an opportunity to observe this beautiful mitzvah.
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/day.asp?tdate=4/5/2011
Contemplation and regret
"ViHinei Nirpa Nega HaTzoraas Min HaMitzora; And behold the Tzoraas is healed from the Mitzora." (Mitzora 14:3) This pasuk seems backwards, as it should say the Mitzora is healed from the Tzoraas. The Yagdil Torah brings from the Medrash Shmuel (Hakdama to Pirkei Avos) that by nature Tzoraas comes from depression. The natural cure is to stroll in pleasant places and socialize with friends. However, the Torah tells us that on the contrary, his only cure is through Tshuva and regret for what he has done. The Mitzora must sit alone outside the Machaneh after sowing discourse among people. That is why the Torah says that the Tzoraas will be cured from the Mitzora. Only through his own contemplation and regret, can he be cured and not by any natural process.
http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Mitzora-Yagdil-Torah-Homopathic-Therapy-Won039t-Work-On-Tzoraas/5025
Richard Goldstone seems to be expressing some regret for the initial conclusions of the report named after him. Israel Matzav posts about a claim in Yediot Aharonot whether "the world's most important newspaper [i.e. The New York Times] refused to publish Goldstone's retraction article."
http://israelmatzav.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20York%20Times
Leo Rennert has an article titled NY Times: with tears for Goldstone, but none for Israel.
Here is an interesting article from 2009 with reactions to the Goldstone report.Melanie Phillips has nothing to apologize for and seems to be clairvoyant but will someone write a post on his blog regarding his turnaround in thinking? Don't hold your breath.
http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Mitzora-Yagdil-Torah-Homopathic-Therapy-Won039t-Work-On-Tzoraas/5025
Richard Goldstone seems to be expressing some regret for the initial conclusions of the report named after him. Israel Matzav posts about a claim in Yediot Aharonot whether "the world's most important newspaper [i.e. The New York Times] refused to publish Goldstone's retraction article."
http://israelmatzav.blogspot.com/search/label/New%20York%20Times
Leo Rennert has an article titled NY Times: with tears for Goldstone, but none for Israel.
Here is an interesting article from 2009 with reactions to the Goldstone report.Melanie Phillips has nothing to apologize for and seems to be clairvoyant but will someone write a post on his blog regarding his turnaround in thinking? Don't hold your breath.
3 Apr 2011
Building worlds
This afternoon, the Machzikei Hadas community in Antwerp conducted a beautiful ceremony for the new Chief Rabbi of the kehillah. One of the things the Rav spoke about was how we have to be careful with what we say when we are asked about shidduchim. The Rav said that our words can be boneh olamot or machriv olamot. (buid worlds or destroy worlds.)
The other day I listened to a lecture by Rabbi Wallerstein in which he related how a single girl had given bad information which put an end to a shidduch. Rabbi W. told her that she let personal issues get in the way when she related the information. Had she really been well intentioned, she would have asked a Rav if the information could be divulged.
Words kill. Once spoken, they are hard to retract.
As we read Parshat Metzora this week, let us be wary in our speech and help build worlds instead of destroying them.
The other day I listened to a lecture by Rabbi Wallerstein in which he related how a single girl had given bad information which put an end to a shidduch. Rabbi W. told her that she let personal issues get in the way when she related the information. Had she really been well intentioned, she would have asked a Rav if the information could be divulged.
Words kill. Once spoken, they are hard to retract.
As we read Parshat Metzora this week, let us be wary in our speech and help build worlds instead of destroying them.
30 Mar 2011
Shop till you drop
Reading United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks made in Uruguay in support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace Opens in Montevideo, one notices the onus is placed on Israel. There is no mention of divisons within the Palestinian factions, no mention of the rocket attacks on Israel and a call to open border crossings into Gaza, despite Israel's capture of a freighter carrying Iranian-made weapons for Hamas. "A way must be found for Jerusalem to emerge as the capital of both Israel and Palestine."
In a keynote address, Saeb Erakat called for leading the "way by boycotting imported goods made in Israeli settlements."
Read full article: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/gapal1191.doc.htm
Incidentally, the StandWithUs organization is urging individuals to buy Israeli goods today to counter the global anti-Israel boycott day.
MARCH 30 IS BUY ISRAELI PRODUCTS DAY
Counter the anti-Israel boycott called for March 30, 2011. * Shop at stores that sell Israeli products. * Tell store managers you are there to counter the boycott. * Ask the manager to show you the store's Israeli products * Buy any Israeli products you can use. Make March 30 a record day for sales of Israeli products!!
http://www.buyisraelgoods.org/
In a keynote address, Saeb Erakat called for leading the "way by boycotting imported goods made in Israeli settlements."
Read full article: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/gapal1191.doc.htm
Incidentally, the StandWithUs organization is urging individuals to buy Israeli goods today to counter the global anti-Israel boycott day.
MARCH 30 IS BUY ISRAELI PRODUCTS DAY
Counter the anti-Israel boycott called for March 30, 2011. * Shop at stores that sell Israeli products. * Tell store managers you are there to counter the boycott. * Ask the manager to show you the store's Israeli products * Buy any Israeli products you can use. Make March 30 a record day for sales of Israeli products!!
http://www.buyisraelgoods.org/
29 Mar 2011
The three legged table
The Gemara (Ta'anis 25a) tells the story of R' Chanina ben Dosa and his wife. R' Chanina, it is said, made do with so little, that from one Shabbos to the next all he ate was a small measure of carob. Once his wife complained about their extreme poverty. "How long are you going to make us suffer like this," she asked. Rabbi Chanina prayed, and a golden table-leg was given to him. That night, his wife had a dream in which she saw all the righteous in Gan Eden sitting at tables with three legs, while R' Chanina and his wife had a table with only two. "If that's the case," she said, "I don't need it; I'd rather suffer than to diminish our Olam Ha- ba!" He prayed again, and the golden leg was taken back. The Rabbis taught: The second miracle (the revoking of the leg) was greater than the first, for normally things may be granted from Heaven, but they are never taken back!
http://www.torah.org/learning/olas-shabbos/5764/yisro.html#
My son related to me an incident that had occurred to him while traveling on the train yesterday morning. Someone had left his keys on one of the seats of the train. As my son was exiting the train, he spotted the keys. He and a fellow passenger decided they would remove the keys and would hand it in to the lost and found department in the station. As they left the train, they saw a man running frantically towards the train. They ascertained that he had indeed left his keys on one of the seats and they returned them to him, no worse for the wear. I asked my son if he had received a reward. He looked at me incredulously. "A reward? Here? Do I want a two legged table in Olam Haba?"
Yesterday evening I chanced upon an article that I chose not to post. Leave it for some other blogger to rationalize that it's not lashon hora if it has already been publicized in the media. As for me, I would rather work on achieving the reward of a three legged stool than getting temporal satisfaction from having a popular blog post for the day. Baruch Hashem, other bloggers felt the same way.
http://www.torah.org/learning/olas-shabbos/5764/yisro.html#
My son related to me an incident that had occurred to him while traveling on the train yesterday morning. Someone had left his keys on one of the seats of the train. As my son was exiting the train, he spotted the keys. He and a fellow passenger decided they would remove the keys and would hand it in to the lost and found department in the station. As they left the train, they saw a man running frantically towards the train. They ascertained that he had indeed left his keys on one of the seats and they returned them to him, no worse for the wear. I asked my son if he had received a reward. He looked at me incredulously. "A reward? Here? Do I want a two legged table in Olam Haba?"
Yesterday evening I chanced upon an article that I chose not to post. Leave it for some other blogger to rationalize that it's not lashon hora if it has already been publicized in the media. As for me, I would rather work on achieving the reward of a three legged stool than getting temporal satisfaction from having a popular blog post for the day. Baruch Hashem, other bloggers felt the same way.
In praise of Israel
I knew that the message was understood when one of our students asked, “I see Palestinian neighborhoods all over Israel, what is the problem with Israelis having neighborhoods (settlements) within Palestinian areas?” His point was poignant as it highlighted Israel’s preparedness to live in peace with its neighbors and the refusal with which this has been met.
Read full article: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4048670,00.html
Commander of the Delegation, Brig. Gen. Shalom Ben-Arieh and the Israeli Ambassador to Japan, Nissim Ben Shitrit, brief the aid delegation upon their arrival to the town of Minami Sanriku in the Miyagi Prefecture.
Read full article: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4048670,00.html
Commander of the Delegation, Brig. Gen. Shalom Ben-Arieh and the Israeli Ambassador to Japan, Nissim Ben Shitrit, brief the aid delegation upon their arrival to the town of Minami Sanriku in the Miyagi Prefecture.
28 Mar 2011
Facebook depression
I could have posted something that would have generated more traffic, but I won't.
Teens who frequently use Facebook have more to worry about than lost homework time. A new condition dubbed "Facebook depression" may affect teenagers who spend a significant amount of time on the social-networking site, researchers warned in the latest issue of Pediatrics Journal. The problem, researchers found, was that the popular website's constant feed of status, picture and message updates gave users a skewed view of reality, which could make vulnerable kids feel like they aren't good enough. http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2011/03/28/2011-03-28_teens_who_use_facebook_social_media_may_suffer_from_new_condition_called_faceboo.html
You don't have to be a teenager to suffer Facebook depression. Facebook will monitor a page calling for a third Palestinian uprising against Israel but will not remove it. http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/03/28/3086590/facebook-to-monitor-intifada-page-wont-remove-it
And here is an article that did a good job of getting me depressed.
Teens who frequently use Facebook have more to worry about than lost homework time. A new condition dubbed "Facebook depression" may affect teenagers who spend a significant amount of time on the social-networking site, researchers warned in the latest issue of Pediatrics Journal. The problem, researchers found, was that the popular website's constant feed of status, picture and message updates gave users a skewed view of reality, which could make vulnerable kids feel like they aren't good enough. http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2011/03/28/2011-03-28_teens_who_use_facebook_social_media_may_suffer_from_new_condition_called_faceboo.html
You don't have to be a teenager to suffer Facebook depression. Facebook will monitor a page calling for a third Palestinian uprising against Israel but will not remove it. http://www.jta.org/news/article/2011/03/28/3086590/facebook-to-monitor-intifada-page-wont-remove-it
And here is an article that did a good job of getting me depressed.
2 Mar 2011
Parshat Shekalim
Resh Lakish said "On the first of Adar, an announcement is made concerning the Shekalim." (Masechet Megillah)
The first of the Four Special Shabbatot is Shabbat Parshat Shekalim. It occurs either on the last Shabbat of the month of Shevat, or on the Shabbat which in that year coincides with Rosh Chodesh Adar, or on a Shabbat early in Adar. A special reading, taken from Parshat KiTisa (Shemot 30:11-16) is appended to the regular Torah reading.
Read full article to obtain a fascinating overview about Parshat Shekalim which will be read this coming Shabbos.
http://www.ou.org/chagim/fourshabbatot/shekalim.htm
The first of the Four Special Shabbatot is Shabbat Parshat Shekalim. It occurs either on the last Shabbat of the month of Shevat, or on the Shabbat which in that year coincides with Rosh Chodesh Adar, or on a Shabbat early in Adar. A special reading, taken from Parshat KiTisa (Shemot 30:11-16) is appended to the regular Torah reading.
Read full article to obtain a fascinating overview about Parshat Shekalim which will be read this coming Shabbos.
http://www.ou.org/chagim/fourshabbatot/shekalim.htm
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