Years ago, my mother passed a stop sign. A policeman pulled her over and she went on to explain that she hadn't seen the sign, to no avail.
My father took pictures of the sign which was not visible to my mother, due to the foliage which had obstructed her view.
My mother's day in court arrived and my father had his day in court, cross examining the policeman, asking questions about the angle where he was standing from the stop sign and so on.
After his interrogating the policeman, my father introduced the pictures he took into evidence.
The judge took one look at the pictures and asked my father, "Why didn't you show this to me in the first place? Case dismissed."
I thought of the incident when I read Rabbi Yaakov Salomon's article at Aish.com about his day in traffic court.
He described his feelings in court as follows.
"I started feeling a bit light-headed and a slight quiver emerged on my bottom lip.
Wow, I thought, I am really nervous about this thing. How absurd is that?"
Click here to read how the case turned out.
As I was reading the article, I couldn't help but think that if the author of the article was nervous about a day in court regarding a traffic violation, can we imagine how much more nervous we will be at our day in court after 120 years?
How about if we spend the rest of our ad meah veesrim shana in building up a strong defense in the most important case yet to come?
5 Jul 2011
The audacity of comparison
Ethan Bronner's piece in the New York Times about the Gaza flotilla begins with the following sentence.
"SOME see a parallel with the Exodus, the ship filled with Jewish refugees that tried to break the British blockade of Palestine in 1947 and helped sway world opinion toward Zionism."
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/sunday-review/03flotilla.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&sq=BRONNER
Leo Rennert discusses the New York Times article in the American Thinker in an article titled NY Times likens pro-Hamas Audacity of Hope vessel with 1947 Jewish refugees ship, the Exodus.
One comment posted was the following:
Whenever you read or hear a mediapuke use the following phrases: "some say" "but critics charge" "but some believe" "but others say" or any permutations you can be sure that the aforementioned mediapuke is now injecting his/her/its own leftist opinion and that everything that will follow will be yet another piece of propaganda; devoid of any sense of balance, objectivity of journalistic integrity. Journalistic integrity? Please forgive my oxymoron, i don't know what i was thinking.
Finally, click here to read an Israel National News article about a new movie starring Colin Firth which won't portray Israel in the same light as that in the Exodus move.
In the NYT article, Mr. Bronner writes, "Shlomo Avineri, a historian and onetime director general of Israel’s foreign ministry, wrote in the Haaretz newspaper..."
Yesterday I blogged about hastening the arrival of the Mashiach. I think one sign that will portend his arrival will be when Mr. Bronner quotes from Israel National News rather than Haaretz.
"SOME see a parallel with the Exodus, the ship filled with Jewish refugees that tried to break the British blockade of Palestine in 1947 and helped sway world opinion toward Zionism."
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/03/sunday-review/03flotilla.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&sq=BRONNER
Leo Rennert discusses the New York Times article in the American Thinker in an article titled NY Times likens pro-Hamas Audacity of Hope vessel with 1947 Jewish refugees ship, the Exodus.
One comment posted was the following:
Whenever you read or hear a mediapuke use the following phrases: "some say" "but critics charge" "but some believe" "but others say" or any permutations you can be sure that the aforementioned mediapuke is now injecting his/her/its own leftist opinion and that everything that will follow will be yet another piece of propaganda; devoid of any sense of balance, objectivity of journalistic integrity. Journalistic integrity? Please forgive my oxymoron, i don't know what i was thinking.
Finally, click here to read an Israel National News article about a new movie starring Colin Firth which won't portray Israel in the same light as that in the Exodus move.
In the NYT article, Mr. Bronner writes, "Shlomo Avineri, a historian and onetime director general of Israel’s foreign ministry, wrote in the Haaretz newspaper..."
Yesterday I blogged about hastening the arrival of the Mashiach. I think one sign that will portend his arrival will be when Mr. Bronner quotes from Israel National News rather than Haaretz.
4 Jul 2011
Do something
As Americans celebrate Independence Day, JB WIlliams discusses the divisions in American society.
The term E Pluribus Unum dates back to the founding of our once great nation. It was a very simple concept, a Latin term chosen by our Founding Fathers as the official National Motto for the newly formed United States of America, which translates in English to – “Out of many, one.”
http://newswithviews.com/JBWilliams/williams152.htm
As the Yom Hillula of the Lubavitcher Rebbe approaches this evening, let us take heed of the message the Rebbe delivered to Prime Minister Netanyahu many years ago.
"Mashiach still hasn't come so do something to hasten his coming."
How about if we focus on the words, "E pluribus unum" and become a united people?
Let's do our part to hasten Mashiach's arrival.
The term E Pluribus Unum dates back to the founding of our once great nation. It was a very simple concept, a Latin term chosen by our Founding Fathers as the official National Motto for the newly formed United States of America, which translates in English to – “Out of many, one.”
http://newswithviews.com/JBWilliams/williams152.htm
As the Yom Hillula of the Lubavitcher Rebbe approaches this evening, let us take heed of the message the Rebbe delivered to Prime Minister Netanyahu many years ago.
"Mashiach still hasn't come so do something to hasten his coming."
How about if we focus on the words, "E pluribus unum" and become a united people?
Let's do our part to hasten Mashiach's arrival.
The journalist
An article about Yair Lapid caught my attention last night. The secular Israeli journalist spoke to a group of Orthodox students in Jerusalem. He said that the secular had thought that the Orthodox were destined for a museum, but he conceded that the Orthodox had emerged victorious.
Read full article in Hebrew: http://www.bhol.co.il/article.aspx?id=29391
After googling "Yair Lapid" I came across an article he had written in 2008 which has been translated to English in which the journalist asks, "Why do they hate us so much?"
Click here to read the article.
P.S. Mr. Lapid doesn't supply an answer to his question.
Read full article in Hebrew: http://www.bhol.co.il/article.aspx?id=29391
After googling "Yair Lapid" I came across an article he had written in 2008 which has been translated to English in which the journalist asks, "Why do they hate us so much?"
Click here to read the article.
P.S. Mr. Lapid doesn't supply an answer to his question.
27 Jun 2011
American Thinker
Two articles at American Thinker caught my attention this morning.
Leo Rennert writes about the double standards of the Washington Post in an article titled It depends on who is doing the disparaging...
My beef is with the Post's double standard -- that it uses a sharp aggressive lens when it reports on Israel, but switches to a sympathetic, benign, soft-color lens when it deals -- or fails to deal -- with what the "moderate" Mahmoud Abbas is really up to.
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/06/it_depends_on_who_is_doing_the_disparaging.html
Stuart Kaufman describes his experience at the International Arab Festival in Dearborn in an article titled My Weekend in the Belly of the Beast.
Leo Rennert writes about the double standards of the Washington Post in an article titled It depends on who is doing the disparaging...
My beef is with the Post's double standard -- that it uses a sharp aggressive lens when it reports on Israel, but switches to a sympathetic, benign, soft-color lens when it deals -- or fails to deal -- with what the "moderate" Mahmoud Abbas is really up to.
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/06/it_depends_on_who_is_doing_the_disparaging.html
Stuart Kaufman describes his experience at the International Arab Festival in Dearborn in an article titled My Weekend in the Belly of the Beast.
26 Jun 2011
War is peace
David Harris has a article at Aish.com about the Hamas Flotilla in which he addresses George Orwell.
Actually, you anticipated it when you wrote about the Ministry of Truth in your classic book, 1984. What were the ruling party's slogans on the outside of the 1,000-foot-tall building housing the ministry? Weren't they "War is Peace," "Freedom is Slavery," and "Ignorance is Strength"?
http://www.aish.com/jw/me/The_Hamas_Flotilla.html
Incidentally, the Depatment of State has cautioned U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Gaza.
Unfortunately, many articles in the news today are rife with stories of a world gone topsy-turvy, with marriage being redefined and a child being used as a suicide bomber.
An eight-year-old girl has been killed after insurgents used her in a bomb attack on police in southern Afghanistan, the government has said.
The interior ministry said insurgents gave the girl a package and told her to take it to a police vehicle, detonating it as she approached.
Read full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13919946
A husband and wife carried out a suicide attack that killed eight people at a police station in north-western Pakistan, the Taliban has said.
...The pair entered the police station dressed in burkas, hiding rifles, hand grenades and suicide vests underneath.
Read full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13920976
Finally, there's a strange story titled Justices’ feud gets physical.
Actually, you anticipated it when you wrote about the Ministry of Truth in your classic book, 1984. What were the ruling party's slogans on the outside of the 1,000-foot-tall building housing the ministry? Weren't they "War is Peace," "Freedom is Slavery," and "Ignorance is Strength"?
http://www.aish.com/jw/me/The_Hamas_Flotilla.html
Incidentally, the Depatment of State has cautioned U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to Gaza.
Unfortunately, many articles in the news today are rife with stories of a world gone topsy-turvy, with marriage being redefined and a child being used as a suicide bomber.
An eight-year-old girl has been killed after insurgents used her in a bomb attack on police in southern Afghanistan, the government has said.
The interior ministry said insurgents gave the girl a package and told her to take it to a police vehicle, detonating it as she approached.
Read full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13919946
A husband and wife carried out a suicide attack that killed eight people at a police station in north-western Pakistan, the Taliban has said.
...The pair entered the police station dressed in burkas, hiding rifles, hand grenades and suicide vests underneath.
Read full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13920976
Finally, there's a strange story titled Justices’ feud gets physical.
Being held accountable
An Israeli site has an article about Snir Guetta (hope I'm spelling his name correctly), a football player who has given up playing for his team in Ashkelon because he has to play on Saturdays. He thought about it and realized that after 120 years, when he goes up there, he will be held accountable. He also asked the question, "if we play on Saturday, so what's the difference between us and the entire world of sports?"
Click here to read the article in Hebrew.
Tzidkat Rashbi reminds us about praying at Amukah on the Yahrtzeit of Rebbe Yonatan Ben Uziel, Tuesday, June 28th.
"Tradition has it that Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel gave a blessing to all those who are unmarried that if they visited his resting place they would merit to meet their soul mates and marry within the period of one year."
Click here and scroll to bottom of page to send a kvittel - a small note wth a request.
Click here to read the article in Hebrew.
Tzidkat Rashbi reminds us about praying at Amukah on the Yahrtzeit of Rebbe Yonatan Ben Uziel, Tuesday, June 28th.
"Tradition has it that Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uziel gave a blessing to all those who are unmarried that if they visited his resting place they would merit to meet their soul mates and marry within the period of one year."
Click here and scroll to bottom of page to send a kvittel - a small note wth a request.
25 Jun 2011
The rock
by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple
Moses was told to speak to the rock and tell it to gush forth water. Instead, he struck the rock. The water still flowed, but Moses was severely punished for disobeying his instructions. Yet there had been an earlier occasion when God had told Moses to strike that very same rock: “Take in your hand your rod with which you smote the river. Strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, so that the people may drink” (Ex. 17:5-6). If striking the rock was allright the first time, what was so wrong with it now?
A Midrashic answer is that God never performs the same miracle twice. Here the first miracle would occur by means of striking the rock, and the second by speaking to it. We see how Divine miracles never repeat themselves in the fact that when Moses needed to sweeten bitter water he was told to cast a certain tree into it (Ex. 15:25), but when Elisha had to make water drinkable he was told to cast salt into it (II Kings 2:21).
In a sense we get the same message when the Siddur states that the Almighty “renews every day the work of Creation”. This does not necessarily indicate that God repeats the same creative miracle every day, but that every day is a new miracle. And since every day is new and miraculous, it offers human beings a wonderful fresh opportunity. God does not go in for sameness, and neither should we.
http://www.oztorah.com/2008/06/miracles-dont-strike-twice-chukkat/
Moses was told to speak to the rock and tell it to gush forth water. Instead, he struck the rock. The water still flowed, but Moses was severely punished for disobeying his instructions. Yet there had been an earlier occasion when God had told Moses to strike that very same rock: “Take in your hand your rod with which you smote the river. Strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, so that the people may drink” (Ex. 17:5-6). If striking the rock was allright the first time, what was so wrong with it now?
A Midrashic answer is that God never performs the same miracle twice. Here the first miracle would occur by means of striking the rock, and the second by speaking to it. We see how Divine miracles never repeat themselves in the fact that when Moses needed to sweeten bitter water he was told to cast a certain tree into it (Ex. 15:25), but when Elisha had to make water drinkable he was told to cast salt into it (II Kings 2:21).
In a sense we get the same message when the Siddur states that the Almighty “renews every day the work of Creation”. This does not necessarily indicate that God repeats the same creative miracle every day, but that every day is a new miracle. And since every day is new and miraculous, it offers human beings a wonderful fresh opportunity. God does not go in for sameness, and neither should we.
http://www.oztorah.com/2008/06/miracles-dont-strike-twice-chukkat/
24 Jun 2011
Questions
Dear United Nations Spokesperson for the Secretary-General,
I have followed your transcripts over the past few months and have seen that an inordinate number of questions posed at the daily briefings relate to Israel. Masood, in particular, doesn't miss an opportunity to raise questions about Israel. I was particularly upset with the way he framed his question on Thursday, the 23rd of June.
"Oh, yeah, this question about this flotilla; it seems that the Secretary-General and the United Nations has succumbed to what the Israeli point of view is, that should anything, any aid should go through them. My question is: does the Secretary-General… can that aid that is being sent to Gaza by international donors and international NGOs and also some well-meaning Americans and all other citizens of the world, can that be screened before coming in so that you…"
Spokesperson: "I have no doubt that that is precisely what is advocated; that, as you put it, well-meaning donors can provide aid through established channels. The notion that this is finding favour with one party or another is just simply not correct. And as I have said a number of times, not only have we said that a flotilla at this point would be ill-advised simply because of the tensions that are already in the region, and because there are established routes, but also we’ve made it very clear that the reason why people might want to mount such an operation, such a flotilla, is because they are frustrated about the plight the people of Gaza and at the fact that crossings are limited and people have difficulty in moving in and out, and so do goods. So it is, therefore, incumbent on the Israeli authorities to do something about that. That’s an even-handed and very frank approach to the problem.
After your answer stating that the UN feels the flotilla is ill advised, the next question is about how Israel hasn't responded to the UN requests and not about how the people on the flotilla haven't responded to UN requests.
Question: "Obviously the Israelis are not responding to these requests by the United Nations and the international community."
Spokesperson: Well, that’s simply not true. As we announced earlier this week, they have told us that projects to help complete two areas of housing in Gaza have been given the go-ahead, and this is an important step. We welcome that; we now need to see it implemented as quickly as possible.
Out of a total of 11 questions, four dealt with Israel and the Palestinian territories.
My question to you. Can I attend your briefing and ask questions that would be more evenly balanced? And can you ask Masood to turn his focus to other countries which are in need of more immediate help?
I have followed your transcripts over the past few months and have seen that an inordinate number of questions posed at the daily briefings relate to Israel. Masood, in particular, doesn't miss an opportunity to raise questions about Israel. I was particularly upset with the way he framed his question on Thursday, the 23rd of June.
"Oh, yeah, this question about this flotilla; it seems that the Secretary-General and the United Nations has succumbed to what the Israeli point of view is, that should anything, any aid should go through them. My question is: does the Secretary-General… can that aid that is being sent to Gaza by international donors and international NGOs and also some well-meaning Americans and all other citizens of the world, can that be screened before coming in so that you…"
Spokesperson: "I have no doubt that that is precisely what is advocated; that, as you put it, well-meaning donors can provide aid through established channels. The notion that this is finding favour with one party or another is just simply not correct. And as I have said a number of times, not only have we said that a flotilla at this point would be ill-advised simply because of the tensions that are already in the region, and because there are established routes, but also we’ve made it very clear that the reason why people might want to mount such an operation, such a flotilla, is because they are frustrated about the plight the people of Gaza and at the fact that crossings are limited and people have difficulty in moving in and out, and so do goods. So it is, therefore, incumbent on the Israeli authorities to do something about that. That’s an even-handed and very frank approach to the problem.
After your answer stating that the UN feels the flotilla is ill advised, the next question is about how Israel hasn't responded to the UN requests and not about how the people on the flotilla haven't responded to UN requests.
Question: "Obviously the Israelis are not responding to these requests by the United Nations and the international community."
Spokesperson: Well, that’s simply not true. As we announced earlier this week, they have told us that projects to help complete two areas of housing in Gaza have been given the go-ahead, and this is an important step. We welcome that; we now need to see it implemented as quickly as possible.
Out of a total of 11 questions, four dealt with Israel and the Palestinian territories.
My question to you. Can I attend your briefing and ask questions that would be more evenly balanced? And can you ask Masood to turn his focus to other countries which are in need of more immediate help?
Responding to fights and arguments
The story told in Parashat Korah highlights the destructive nature of Mahaloket, fighting. Korah and his followers instigated a fight against Moshe and Aharon, which ultimately resulted in their death and even the death of their families, showing us how harmful fighting and dissent can be.
Moshe Rabbenu’s conduct in response to this assault on his authority teaches us how we should respond to Mahaloket, to fights and arguments that arise.
Read full article by Rabbi Eli Mansour: http://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp?ParashaClipID=358
Moshe Rabbenu’s conduct in response to this assault on his authority teaches us how we should respond to Mahaloket, to fights and arguments that arise.
Read full article by Rabbi Eli Mansour: http://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp?ParashaClipID=358
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)