As of tonight, which is Monday according to the secular calendar but already Tuesday (Yom Shlishi, the 7th of Cheshvan) in the Jewish calendar, Jews in Israel will start inserting the formal request for rain in the 9th blessing of the thrice-daily Amidah prayer. Thus will officially begin the rainy season in Israel, which will go on until the first day of Passover.
Continue reading: http://baltimorejewishlife.com/news/news-detail.php?SECTION_ID=1&ARTICLE_ID=33055
I received an email this morning reminding me of the Yahrzheit of Rachel Imenu on October 27th.
One of the most important days in the month of Cheshvan is the 11th, which commemorates the day of passing of our matriarch Rachel. Rachel was Jacob's most beloved wife and was the principal of his household and thus the principal of the entire house of Israel.
From the first day of the year, the 1st day of Tishrei, the 11th day of Cheshvan is the 41st day. 41 is the numerical value of the Hebrew word "eim," which means "mother," thus the 11th of Cheshvan is truly the Jewish Mother's Day.Since the time of her burial- more than 3000 years ago, the Tomb of Rachel has always been a special place for prayer.
Tzidkat Rashbi will have a special messenger reciting your prayers in Beth Lechem at the tomb of Rachel Imeinu on the day of her passing away, 11 Cheshvan.
If you can't be there, send a messenger.
All prayers we receive will be forwarded to Kever Rachel and to Meron.
Click here for more details.
22 Oct 2012
Prophetic elections
The Tosefta (Sotah 13:4) writes:
משמתו נביאים האחרונים חגי זכריה ומלאכי פסקה רוח הקודש מישראל
Once the last prophets -- Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi -- died, the prophetic spirit ceased in Israel.
Additionally, the Talmud (Bava Batra 14b) writes: וחגי זכריה ומלאכי סוף נביאים הוו
Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi were the end of the prophets. http://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/17727/who-is-the-last-prophet-in-judaism
Apparently, staff of a CBS affiliate haven't read the Talmud because the station has made a prophecy relating to the Presidential election which is to take place in a few weeks' time.
The 2012 presidential election is still more than two weeks away, but on Friday a CBS News affiliate in Arizona called the race for President Barack Obama.
For 17 seconds, Phoenix, Arizona CBS News affiliate KPHO ran a lower third graphic that showed that Obama had won the Nov. 6 election over Gov. Mitt Romney with 99% of the precincts reporting. The lower third graphic appeared around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 19, during an episode of “The People’s Court.”
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/21/cbs-news-affiliate-calls-2012-presidential-race-for-barack-obama-weeks-ahead-of-election/#ixzz2A0IGkJ2c
I guess they're hoping for a self fulfilling prophecy.
Once the last prophets -- Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi -- died, the prophetic spirit ceased in Israel.
Additionally, the Talmud (Bava Batra 14b) writes: וחגי זכריה ומלאכי סוף נביאים הוו
Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi were the end of the prophets. http://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/17727/who-is-the-last-prophet-in-judaism
Apparently, staff of a CBS affiliate haven't read the Talmud because the station has made a prophecy relating to the Presidential election which is to take place in a few weeks' time.
The 2012 presidential election is still more than two weeks away, but on Friday a CBS News affiliate in Arizona called the race for President Barack Obama.
For 17 seconds, Phoenix, Arizona CBS News affiliate KPHO ran a lower third graphic that showed that Obama had won the Nov. 6 election over Gov. Mitt Romney with 99% of the precincts reporting. The lower third graphic appeared around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 19, during an episode of “The People’s Court.”
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/21/cbs-news-affiliate-calls-2012-presidential-race-for-barack-obama-weeks-ahead-of-election/#ixzz2A0IGkJ2c
I guess they're hoping for a self fulfilling prophecy.
21 Oct 2012
Inertia
The Medrash Tanchuma says that the first test Avrohom faced, leaving Charan, was as difficult as the last one, the Akeida. That's why both tests begin with the words "Lech Licha". This Medrash is hard to understand because we know that each test was increasingly difficult, like a mountain that Avrohom needed to climb to get to the top.
Rav Elyashiv says that most people fail in life due to inertia. They can't bring themselves to take the first difficult step. The gemara in Succah (52b) says that when Hashem will finally kill the Yetzer Hara, the Tzaddikim will look at the Yetzer Hara and shed tears about the impossibility of overcoming a huge mountain, while the Resha'im will stand by and cry, lamenting how they were unable to overcome a hairsbreadth. What does the Yetzer Hara actually look like, a mountain or a hairsbreadth?
Rav Elyashiv says that both are true. At first the Yetzer Hara is weak and flimsy. The difficulty in overcoming him, is that you need to get up and fight, which is a huge hurdle. As you move down the path he gets bigger and stronger. The Resha'im who could never get past the first step, see the weak Yetzer Hara, while the tzaddikim see the mountain. Both are equally challenging in their own way.
Although the first test of Avrohom to leave to a land of promise was not as challenging, the mere fact that it was the beginning of his journey made it most difficult. No less than the last test which he faced already battle hardened, but a test so great it was like no other.
http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Lech-Licha-Rav-Elyashiv-Avrohoms-First-Baby-Step/2922
Rav Elyashiv says that most people fail in life due to inertia. They can't bring themselves to take the first difficult step. The gemara in Succah (52b) says that when Hashem will finally kill the Yetzer Hara, the Tzaddikim will look at the Yetzer Hara and shed tears about the impossibility of overcoming a huge mountain, while the Resha'im will stand by and cry, lamenting how they were unable to overcome a hairsbreadth. What does the Yetzer Hara actually look like, a mountain or a hairsbreadth?
Rav Elyashiv says that both are true. At first the Yetzer Hara is weak and flimsy. The difficulty in overcoming him, is that you need to get up and fight, which is a huge hurdle. As you move down the path he gets bigger and stronger. The Resha'im who could never get past the first step, see the weak Yetzer Hara, while the tzaddikim see the mountain. Both are equally challenging in their own way.
Although the first test of Avrohom to leave to a land of promise was not as challenging, the mere fact that it was the beginning of his journey made it most difficult. No less than the last test which he faced already battle hardened, but a test so great it was like no other.
http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Lech-Licha-Rav-Elyashiv-Avrohoms-First-Baby-Step/2922
Homeschoolers win victory
Back in February of this year, the Blaze reported the following:
In Sweden, homeschooling is severely frowned upon. In fact, unless there’s a viable reason, it is virtually impossible for parents to educate their children at home.
...School authorities came to the home of Rabbi Alexander Namdar and his wife Leah on Jan. 26 to serve the family with a notice, reports say. Four of the couple’s children are currently studying online at an international school. If the family does not comply and immediately begin to send them to government-run educational facilities, they will be fined the U.S. equivalent of $2,400 per week.
Continue reading: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/swedish-officials-threaten-to-fine-jewish-parents-2400-per-week-for-homeschooling-their-children/
WND in now reporting "Embattled homeschoolers claim victory."
Citing the rights of religious freedom and home education, a Swedish appeals court ruled unanimously that homeschooling parents in Gothenburg are allowed to educate their children at home in line with their faith.
...
“For us, we’re tremendously happy – thank God, thank God – that the judge had the sensitivity and intuition to understand,” mother Leah Namdar told WND.
“The bedrock of a healthy society is belief in God, and one of the challenges in Sweden in general is the sense of many, many people in the country living without belief in God,” she said, adding that the ruling reflected respect for people’s religious needs.
Read full article: http://www.wnd.com/2012/10/embattled-homeschoolers-claim-victory/
In Sweden, homeschooling is severely frowned upon. In fact, unless there’s a viable reason, it is virtually impossible for parents to educate their children at home.
...School authorities came to the home of Rabbi Alexander Namdar and his wife Leah on Jan. 26 to serve the family with a notice, reports say. Four of the couple’s children are currently studying online at an international school. If the family does not comply and immediately begin to send them to government-run educational facilities, they will be fined the U.S. equivalent of $2,400 per week.
Continue reading: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/swedish-officials-threaten-to-fine-jewish-parents-2400-per-week-for-homeschooling-their-children/
WND in now reporting "Embattled homeschoolers claim victory."
Citing the rights of religious freedom and home education, a Swedish appeals court ruled unanimously that homeschooling parents in Gothenburg are allowed to educate their children at home in line with their faith.
...
“For us, we’re tremendously happy – thank God, thank God – that the judge had the sensitivity and intuition to understand,” mother Leah Namdar told WND.
“The bedrock of a healthy society is belief in God, and one of the challenges in Sweden in general is the sense of many, many people in the country living without belief in God,” she said, adding that the ruling reflected respect for people’s religious needs.
Read full article: http://www.wnd.com/2012/10/embattled-homeschoolers-claim-victory/
20 Oct 2012
Jewish leaders
Rachel Gartner wrote an article relating her opinion about ads Pamela Geller ran in metro stations.
Judaism teaches anyone who has the ability to intervene but does not is held responsible [by God] for those sins because they had the ability to intervene against them.
...If we don’t speak out, sin multiplies.
It is interesting how non-Orthodox rabbis use Judaic teachings to justify their opinions but have no problem disregarding biblical teachings that don't mesh with their world views.
Ms. Geller published a letter she received from a rabbi who supported her and who produced examples of intelligent Jewish females inluding Sarah, Yocheved and Esther. He concluded the article with his opinion that "women do remain the best Jewish leaders."
I learned that Ms. Geller was under fire from all kinds of directions and lobbying groups. One, for example was a “1,800 member strong, Rabbis For Human Rights.” That’s a group of Reform and Conservative “rabbis,” a fact which inherently means they have no credible voice, from a traditional Talmudic standpoint.
Two Jews - three opinions? I believe a true Jewish leader should follow traditional Jewish teachings. Vehamyvin Yavin.
Judaism teaches anyone who has the ability to intervene but does not is held responsible [by God] for those sins because they had the ability to intervene against them.
...If we don’t speak out, sin multiplies.
It is interesting how non-Orthodox rabbis use Judaic teachings to justify their opinions but have no problem disregarding biblical teachings that don't mesh with their world views.
Ms. Geller published a letter she received from a rabbi who supported her and who produced examples of intelligent Jewish females inluding Sarah, Yocheved and Esther. He concluded the article with his opinion that "women do remain the best Jewish leaders."
I learned that Ms. Geller was under fire from all kinds of directions and lobbying groups. One, for example was a “1,800 member strong, Rabbis For Human Rights.” That’s a group of Reform and Conservative “rabbis,” a fact which inherently means they have no credible voice, from a traditional Talmudic standpoint.
Two Jews - three opinions? I believe a true Jewish leader should follow traditional Jewish teachings. Vehamyvin Yavin.
19 Oct 2012
12 Oct 2012
Rabbis for
The 5 Towns Jewish Times has published a mission statement of rabbis for Romney here.
The New English Review published an article at the end of August titled Rabbis for Obama versus Rabbis for Romney.
Don't you think that rabbis for Romney is the better alliteration?
Below is Rabbi Meir Soloveichik speaking at the Republican National Convention.
The New English Review published an article at the end of August titled Rabbis for Obama versus Rabbis for Romney.
Don't you think that rabbis for Romney is the better alliteration?
Below is Rabbi Meir Soloveichik speaking at the Republican National Convention.
11 Oct 2012
The diamond planet
Forget the diamond as big as the Ritz. This one's bigger than planet Earth.
Orbiting a star that is visible to the naked eye, astronomers have discovered a planet twice the size of our own made largely out of diamond.
The rocky planet, called '55 Cancri e', orbits a sun-like star in the constellation of Cancer and is moving so fast that a year there lasts a mere 18 hours.
Continue reading: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/11/us-space-diamond-planet-idUSBRE89A0PU20121011
The following is an excerpt about precious stones found in Sanhedrin 100a.
R. Johanan was sitting and teaching: The Holy One, blessed be He, will bring jewels and precious stones, each thirty cubits long, and thirty cubits high, and make an engraving in them, ten by twenty cubits, and set them up as the gates of Jerusalem, for it is written, And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles.
A certain disciple derided him saying, 'We do not find a jewel even as large as a dove's egg, yet such huge ones are to exist!'
Some time later he took a sea journey and saw the ministering angels cutting precious stones and pearls. He said unto them: 'For what are these?' They replied: 'The Holy One, blessed be He, will set them up as the gates of Jerusalem.'
On his return, he found R. Johanan sitting and teaching. He said to him: 'Expound, O Master, and it is indeed fitting for you to expound, for even as you did say, so did I myself see.'
'Wretch!' he exclaimed, 'had you not seen, you would not have believed! You deride the words of the Sages!' He set his eyes upon him, and he turned in to a heap of bones.
http://www.come-and-hear.com/sanhedrin/sanhedrin_100.html
Orbiting a star that is visible to the naked eye, astronomers have discovered a planet twice the size of our own made largely out of diamond.
The rocky planet, called '55 Cancri e', orbits a sun-like star in the constellation of Cancer and is moving so fast that a year there lasts a mere 18 hours.
Continue reading: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/11/us-space-diamond-planet-idUSBRE89A0PU20121011
The following is an excerpt about precious stones found in Sanhedrin 100a.
R. Johanan was sitting and teaching: The Holy One, blessed be He, will bring jewels and precious stones, each thirty cubits long, and thirty cubits high, and make an engraving in them, ten by twenty cubits, and set them up as the gates of Jerusalem, for it is written, And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles.
A certain disciple derided him saying, 'We do not find a jewel even as large as a dove's egg, yet such huge ones are to exist!'
Some time later he took a sea journey and saw the ministering angels cutting precious stones and pearls. He said unto them: 'For what are these?' They replied: 'The Holy One, blessed be He, will set them up as the gates of Jerusalem.'
On his return, he found R. Johanan sitting and teaching. He said to him: 'Expound, O Master, and it is indeed fitting for you to expound, for even as you did say, so did I myself see.'
'Wretch!' he exclaimed, 'had you not seen, you would not have believed! You deride the words of the Sages!' He set his eyes upon him, and he turned in to a heap of bones.
http://www.come-and-hear.com/sanhedrin/sanhedrin_100.html
Praying and recognizing the need
Rabbi Frand discusses the importance of prayer in a parsha thought at Torah.org.
The beginning of the second perek [chapter] of the Chumash says: "These are the products of the heavens and the earth, when they were created on the day of Hashem G-d's making of earth and heavens. [Bereshis 2:4] This summary of creation is followed by a difficult pasuk [verse] to interpret and even to translate: The presumed translation is "Now any tree of the field was not yet on the earth and any herb of the field had not yet sprouted, for Hashem G-d had not sent rain upon the earth and there was no man to work the soil."
Rashi interprets that even after the 6 days of creation, there was still no grass. Despite the fact that the Torah stated on the third day of creation "and the earth brought forth vegetation, herbage yielding seed" [Bereshis 1:12], Rashi explains that they did not emerge from the earth on that day but they stood on the surface of the ground until the sixth day.
The Torah explains in perek 2 pasuk 5 why the grass did not come out –"because there was no man to work the soil". Rashi interprets this to mean that there was no one who could recognize the goodness of rains. In other words, there was no human being around to appreciate the rain and to ask for it. When Adam was created and he understood that the world had a need for rain, he prayed that rain should fall. In answer to man's prayer, rain fell and the grass, trees, and all the vegetation of the earth then began to grow.
We learn a couple of interesting things from this Rashi. First, we see that the first prayer in the history of the world was Adam, the first man, asking for rain, shortly after his creation. We also learn that G-d was not merely waiting, as it were, for man to recognize the need for rain before bringing the rain, but G-d was waiting for man to pray for rain. Rav Aharon Kotler in Mishnas Aharon says that from here we learn that if a person does not pray for that which he needs, it can be there waiting and ready for him, but if he does not pray to G-d for it, it will not come.
Continue reading: http://www.torah.org/learning/ravfrand/5770/bereishis.html
The beginning of the second perek [chapter] of the Chumash says: "These are the products of the heavens and the earth, when they were created on the day of Hashem G-d's making of earth and heavens. [Bereshis 2:4] This summary of creation is followed by a difficult pasuk [verse] to interpret and even to translate: The presumed translation is "Now any tree of the field was not yet on the earth and any herb of the field had not yet sprouted, for Hashem G-d had not sent rain upon the earth and there was no man to work the soil."
Rashi interprets that even after the 6 days of creation, there was still no grass. Despite the fact that the Torah stated on the third day of creation "and the earth brought forth vegetation, herbage yielding seed" [Bereshis 1:12], Rashi explains that they did not emerge from the earth on that day but they stood on the surface of the ground until the sixth day.
The Torah explains in perek 2 pasuk 5 why the grass did not come out –"because there was no man to work the soil". Rashi interprets this to mean that there was no one who could recognize the goodness of rains. In other words, there was no human being around to appreciate the rain and to ask for it. When Adam was created and he understood that the world had a need for rain, he prayed that rain should fall. In answer to man's prayer, rain fell and the grass, trees, and all the vegetation of the earth then began to grow.
We learn a couple of interesting things from this Rashi. First, we see that the first prayer in the history of the world was Adam, the first man, asking for rain, shortly after his creation. We also learn that G-d was not merely waiting, as it were, for man to recognize the need for rain before bringing the rain, but G-d was waiting for man to pray for rain. Rav Aharon Kotler in Mishnas Aharon says that from here we learn that if a person does not pray for that which he needs, it can be there waiting and ready for him, but if he does not pray to G-d for it, it will not come.
Continue reading: http://www.torah.org/learning/ravfrand/5770/bereishis.html
10 Oct 2012
European anti-Semitism
Belgian Interior Minister Joelle Milquet “condemned “ Tuesday “attacks of an anti-Semitic nature” waged against a Socialist Party (PS) candidate in next Sunday’s municipal elections in Belgium.
Yves Goldstein, a senior advisor to Health Minister Laurette Onkelinx, who is placed second on the party’s list system for Schaerbeek, one of 19 Brussels constituencies, was accused of being a “Zionist” by rival candidates from the same constituency, which is home to a large Muslim community from Turkish and Moroccan origins.
Continue reading: http://www.ejpress.org/article/62270
Yves Goldstein, a senior advisor to Health Minister Laurette Onkelinx, who is placed second on the party’s list system for Schaerbeek, one of 19 Brussels constituencies, was accused of being a “Zionist” by rival candidates from the same constituency, which is home to a large Muslim community from Turkish and Moroccan origins.
Continue reading: http://www.ejpress.org/article/62270
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