Virtue, Maimonides taught, is found in the middle path....the ideal is to be found in moderation (Shemonah Perakim 4:3). Maimonides wrote, "In truth, it is the middle way that should be praised (Shemonah Perakim 4:2).
http://books.google.be/books?id=zO4S5Ys7MsEC&pg=PA148&lpg=PA148&dq=maimonides+the+golden+mean&source=bl&ots=Ua9Ho5HyvK&sig=qlqupnvCChwuzED5Z4ZvS6DkMoo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=kcpMVPb5GYLZavvUgKAN&ved=0CCQQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=maimonides%20the%20golden%20mean&f=false
I was reminded of the Rambam's golden mean as I read an interesting article in the New York Times this morning titled The Problem With Positive Thinking.
Positive thinking is pleasurable, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for us. Like so much in life, attaining goals requires a balanced and moderate approach, neither dwelling on the downsides nor a forced jumping for joy.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/opinion/sunday/the-problem-with-positive-thinking.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage®ion=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed&_r=0
There are actually two Biblical commands that say Lech L’cha, one here (Gen. 12:1) and one next week (Gen. 22:2) when the Akedah is prefaced by God telling Abraham to take his son and lech l’cha (“Go for yourself!”) to the land of Moriah.
This Hebrew phrase, as Nachmanides points out, is a grammatical idiom, but the commentators read a special significance into it. Rashi, utilising a famous Midrashic comment, explains that the l’cha means “for your own benefit and good”. Literally the command is, “Go to yourself”: in other words, “Go, and follow your destiny” or “Go, and find out what you really are”.
Continue reading Torah thought by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple: http://www.oztorah.com/2014/10/two-lech-lchas/
Fiery Email Leads to Correction
FreeBeacon reports Tufts University Hosting Islamists to Train Students in ‘Direct Action’
Jerusalem City Council Member, Arieh King, visited the Mount of Olives Saturday night, and returned from the trip shaken.
"The Israeli government has decided to abandon the Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives and in recent weeks, terrorists have taken control of large parts of the mountain," King wrote of the ancient site on his Facebook page.
Read more: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/186589#.VEzC9ZtATIU
26 Oct 2014
14 Oct 2014
Gmar tov
On Hoshana Rabba we wish people a Gmar Tov. The Minhag Yisroel Tovah brings from the Eretz Tzvi that this means that although our fate, whatever it is, is already sealed, it should turn out for the best. Koheles says sometimes great wealth is bestowed upon his person for the bad. We therefore wish each other that whatever they were granted should be for the good.
The Darkei Chaim V'Shalom says we should not wish people Gmar Tov because the word Gmar means "final end" and telling someone to have a "good end" is quite ominous sounding. He suggests saying Gmar VChasima Tova.
Her also says that when someone give you a bracha you should not respond "V'Chein L'Mar", as in same to you. Mar also means bitter and we do not want to wish the person giving us a bracha that he should have a bitter year. For a response to a bracha, he recommends saying "Gam Atem".
The Chasam Sofer however was very makpid that when he gave bracha to his talmidim they should answer the words V'chein L'Mar. The source for this is the gemara (Megila 27b), where Rav complained to someone whom he gave a bracha to that he did not say V'Chein L'Mar.
http://revach.net/hanhagos/minhagim/Greeting-Protocol-For-Hoshana-Rabba/4106
Kafka Was the Rage
At a Catholic school, a professor fighting the academic boycott of Israel is investigated on secret charges
R' Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz Speaks at the Mir Yerushalayim Sukkah on Chol HaMoed Sukkos 2014 / 5775
The Darkei Chaim V'Shalom says we should not wish people Gmar Tov because the word Gmar means "final end" and telling someone to have a "good end" is quite ominous sounding. He suggests saying Gmar VChasima Tova.
Her also says that when someone give you a bracha you should not respond "V'Chein L'Mar", as in same to you. Mar also means bitter and we do not want to wish the person giving us a bracha that he should have a bitter year. For a response to a bracha, he recommends saying "Gam Atem".
The Chasam Sofer however was very makpid that when he gave bracha to his talmidim they should answer the words V'chein L'Mar. The source for this is the gemara (Megila 27b), where Rav complained to someone whom he gave a bracha to that he did not say V'Chein L'Mar.
http://revach.net/hanhagos/minhagim/Greeting-Protocol-For-Hoshana-Rabba/4106
Kafka Was the Rage
At a Catholic school, a professor fighting the academic boycott of Israel is investigated on secret charges
R' Shlomo Yehuda Rechnitz Speaks at the Mir Yerushalayim Sukkah on Chol HaMoed Sukkos 2014 / 5775
Speaking about parrots
Rabbi Yisroel Miller writes about "Hoshana Rabbah, the last day of Succot, when we beat the hoshanot -- the cluster of five willow branches -- on the ground" in an article titled Beating the Branches. It might pay to read it to get some insight into what we are going to do tomorrow on Hoshana Rabbah.
Red Alert Politics writes about students at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas being outraged at Hillay Clinton's $225,000 fee for a speech to be delivered at a dinner.
...UNLV President Don Snyder has also called parts of Hillary’s speech contract “distasteful.”
A comment posted at the end of the article calls attention to the word "eluding" which should be replaced with the word "alluding."
Eluding, huh? Are you guys hiring editorialators for grammaticationalizing?
For the record, if the university offers me a speech contract, I will accept a substantially lower fee.
Three swastikas appeared on the campus of Yale University, according to an email sent by Jonathan Holloway, the Dean of Yale College, addressed to the campus community.
Continue reading: http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/three-swastikas-chalked-yale-university-campus
A pet parrot that spoke with a British accent when it disappeared from its home four years ago has been reunited with its owner — and the bird now speaks Spanish.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Parrot-missing-for-years-returns-speaking-Spanish-5819537.php
The parrot story brings to mind an email I received this morning with a quote attributed to Will Rogers.
Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
Red Alert Politics writes about students at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas being outraged at Hillay Clinton's $225,000 fee for a speech to be delivered at a dinner.
...UNLV President Don Snyder has also called parts of Hillary’s speech contract “distasteful.”
In Clinton’s defense, he may not have been referring explicitly to the $225,000. He could, of course, have been eluding to her demand for a presidential suite, rooms for her staff and private air travel, among multiple other things.
Read more at http://redalertpolitics.com/2014/10/13/official-hillary-clinton-shunned-unlv-students-asking-return-225k-speaking-fee/#HZ70r0dsTvglVIUg.99
Read more at http://redalertpolitics.com/2014/10/13/official-hillary-clinton-shunned-unlv-students-asking-return-225k-speaking-fee/#HZ70r0dsTvglVIUg.99
A comment posted at the end of the article calls attention to the word "eluding" which should be replaced with the word "alluding."
Eluding, huh? Are you guys hiring editorialators for grammaticationalizing?
For the record, if the university offers me a speech contract, I will accept a substantially lower fee.
Three swastikas appeared on the campus of Yale University, according to an email sent by Jonathan Holloway, the Dean of Yale College, addressed to the campus community.
Continue reading: http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/three-swastikas-chalked-yale-university-campus
A pet parrot that spoke with a British accent when it disappeared from its home four years ago has been reunited with its owner — and the bird now speaks Spanish.
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Parrot-missing-for-years-returns-speaking-Spanish-5819537.php
The parrot story brings to mind an email I received this morning with a quote attributed to Will Rogers.
Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
13 Oct 2014
Studying Jewish texts
I would like to thank Rabbi Paysach Krohn for recommending Living Emunah by Rabbi David Ashear. After hearing Rabbi Krohn's lecture at TorahAnytime, I signed up for a daily email at Emunadaily@gmail.com. The emails I have been receiving are very inspiring. Today's one about being joyous during the holiday of Sukkot was fabulous.
A new institute in Jerusalem has been awarded $2.2 million to help Christians and Jews study Jewish texts, launching what’s being billed as a new kind of Jewish-Christian cooperation.
The Herzl Institute was awarded what’s being called the first ever multimillion-dollar grant in Jewish theology by the U.S-based Templeton Foundation, a philanthropic organization that has focused much of its giving on science-related projects.
Continue reading: http://www.religionnews.com/2014/10/13/israel-based-institute-awarded-2-2-million-help-christians-study-jewish-thought/
צפו בוידאו: הווארט של הגרי"מ לאו לחג הסוכות
A new institute in Jerusalem has been awarded $2.2 million to help Christians and Jews study Jewish texts, launching what’s being billed as a new kind of Jewish-Christian cooperation.
The Herzl Institute was awarded what’s being called the first ever multimillion-dollar grant in Jewish theology by the U.S-based Templeton Foundation, a philanthropic organization that has focused much of its giving on science-related projects.
Continue reading: http://www.religionnews.com/2014/10/13/israel-based-institute-awarded-2-2-million-help-christians-study-jewish-thought/
צפו בוידאו: הווארט של הגרי"מ לאו לחג הסוכות
Tee time
While officials in Dallas scrambled to calm public hysteria over news of the first Ebola transmission on U.S. soil, Barack Obama hit the links for his 200th golf game as president.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2790237/war-rages-middle-east-dallas-confirms-second-ebola-victim-s-obama-hitting-links-200th-golf-game-president.html#ixzz3G0suGXZ8
Rabbi Benzion Twerski talks about the arba minim in a lecture titled The Hero Is The Aravah. At the 6 minute mark, the rabbi opines, "When we have the four species in our hands, we have the ability in our tefilos to be on the level of a tzadik who can be gozer - who can decree and Hashem will fulfill our requests. So it is an incredibly powerful opportunity for tefilah at that time."
Needless to say, after hearing the rabbi's words, as I took the four species in my hands today and recited the brocha, I uttered heartfelt requests to Hashem which I hope will be answered for the good.
Yehuda Shlezinger writes about "a 'renewed interest' in Jewish tradition" in Tel Aviv.
One of the young people taking part in the reawakening of interest in Judaism is Natan Bashevkin, a participant in the reality television show "Survivor" who attends the North Central Synagogue. "At first I went to the nearby synagogue until an older man told me that they needed help bringing people in for the minyan [basic quorum of 10]. He told me that people might attend because I was well-known. We were seven people at first, and every time they would send me outside to 'hunt' for people to make the minyan."
...Bashevkin also attributes the Jewish awakening in Tel Aviv to Operation Protective Edge. "There's more awareness of Jewishness," he says. "After the military operation, people realize that it's impossible to live without a drop of faith or a path. Those who have no path and no goal get lost. Recently, it has seemed to me that people are starting to become stronger in their faith.
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=20673
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2790237/war-rages-middle-east-dallas-confirms-second-ebola-victim-s-obama-hitting-links-200th-golf-game-president.html#ixzz3G0suGXZ8
Rabbi Benzion Twerski talks about the arba minim in a lecture titled The Hero Is The Aravah. At the 6 minute mark, the rabbi opines, "When we have the four species in our hands, we have the ability in our tefilos to be on the level of a tzadik who can be gozer - who can decree and Hashem will fulfill our requests. So it is an incredibly powerful opportunity for tefilah at that time."
Needless to say, after hearing the rabbi's words, as I took the four species in my hands today and recited the brocha, I uttered heartfelt requests to Hashem which I hope will be answered for the good.
Yehuda Shlezinger writes about "a 'renewed interest' in Jewish tradition" in Tel Aviv.
One of the young people taking part in the reawakening of interest in Judaism is Natan Bashevkin, a participant in the reality television show "Survivor" who attends the North Central Synagogue. "At first I went to the nearby synagogue until an older man told me that they needed help bringing people in for the minyan [basic quorum of 10]. He told me that people might attend because I was well-known. We were seven people at first, and every time they would send me outside to 'hunt' for people to make the minyan."
...Bashevkin also attributes the Jewish awakening in Tel Aviv to Operation Protective Edge. "There's more awareness of Jewishness," he says. "After the military operation, people realize that it's impossible to live without a drop of faith or a path. Those who have no path and no goal get lost. Recently, it has seemed to me that people are starting to become stronger in their faith.
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=20673
12 Oct 2014
Sukkot 5775
Two Penn State students who pleaded guilty to spray-painting anti-Semitic graffiti on a mostly Jewish fraternity house were sentenced to community service and probation.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2014/10/12/news-opinion/united-states/penn-state-students-sentenced-for-painting-anti-semitic-slogans-on-jewish-frat#ixzz3Fx2kkrRn
Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg – CNN Hero, and Mine - Be sure to cast your vote.
Arab vandals destroyed the gravesite of the Hassidic leader, the Grand Rebbe of Modzitz, according to Modzitz hassidim who visited the site. The gravestone of the leader, Rabbi Yisrael Dan Taub, who died in 2006, was destroyed, along with dozens of others, including several well-known rabbis. The destruction took place at a special section of the Mount of Olives cemetery reserved for rabbinical leaders.
Continue reading: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/186080#.VDr-mptO7IU
I stumbled across a nice thought on Sukkot titled Beauty and Simplicity – Sukkot 5774 that was posted last year. Click here to read. Here's another one titled Second Is the Best – Sukkot 5775.
Finally, as today is the yahrzheit of Rav Shimon Kornitzer, the son of Rav Yosef Nechemia Kornitzer, click here to read an interesting Torah thought by the former Rav of Krakow.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2014/10/12/news-opinion/united-states/penn-state-students-sentenced-for-painting-anti-semitic-slogans-on-jewish-frat#ixzz3Fx2kkrRn
Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg – CNN Hero, and Mine - Be sure to cast your vote.
Arab vandals destroyed the gravesite of the Hassidic leader, the Grand Rebbe of Modzitz, according to Modzitz hassidim who visited the site. The gravestone of the leader, Rabbi Yisrael Dan Taub, who died in 2006, was destroyed, along with dozens of others, including several well-known rabbis. The destruction took place at a special section of the Mount of Olives cemetery reserved for rabbinical leaders.
Continue reading: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/186080#.VDr-mptO7IU
I stumbled across a nice thought on Sukkot titled Beauty and Simplicity – Sukkot 5774 that was posted last year. Click here to read. Here's another one titled Second Is the Best – Sukkot 5775.
Finally, as today is the yahrzheit of Rav Shimon Kornitzer, the son of Rav Yosef Nechemia Kornitzer, click here to read an interesting Torah thought by the former Rav of Krakow.
Misinformation
Accuracy in Media (AIM) is urging a full inquiry into a report that a Saudi billionaire caused the Fox News Channel (FNC) to dramatically alter its coverage of the Muslim riots in France after he called the network to complain.
Read more: http://www.aim.org/press-release/saudi-billionaire-boasts-of-manipulating-fox-news-coverage/
A Michigan teacher asked students to create Islamic propaganda for a school project. Jenison High School officials are now under fire for promoting Islam and spreading misinformation.
Continue reading: http://www.redflagnews.com/headlines/michigan-teacher-asks-students-to-make-islamic-propaganda
Britain's security services are monitoring thousands of terrorism suspects in London and are involved in operations on a daily basis, the capital's mayor Boris Johnson said in an interview published on Saturday.
Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/10/11/uk-britain-security-mayor-idUKKCN0I00AV20141011
Anne Bayefsky tweets#UK finally worried sick about Islamic radicals in UK. Ya mean Israeli apts not the problem? http://apne.ws/1szZxUG
Watch Juan Williams defend Harvard students who say America THREATENS world peace MORE than ISIS
Read more: http://www.aim.org/press-release/saudi-billionaire-boasts-of-manipulating-fox-news-coverage/
A Michigan teacher asked students to create Islamic propaganda for a school project. Jenison High School officials are now under fire for promoting Islam and spreading misinformation.
Continue reading: http://www.redflagnews.com/headlines/michigan-teacher-asks-students-to-make-islamic-propaganda
Britain's security services are monitoring thousands of terrorism suspects in London and are involved in operations on a daily basis, the capital's mayor Boris Johnson said in an interview published on Saturday.
Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/10/11/uk-britain-security-mayor-idUKKCN0I00AV20141011
Anne Bayefsky tweets
Watch Juan Williams defend Harvard students who say America THREATENS world peace MORE than ISIS
11 Oct 2014
8 Oct 2014
Not to complain
Just a reminder for those celebrating Sukkot outside Israel to make an eruv tavshilin in preparation of the three day Yom Tov and Shabbos.
Collive reports the sad news that "Mendel Cotlar, the 13-year-old who inspired many to say Tehillim and do a Mitzvah, passed away from GSD disease."
I had a post about him titled The Tehillim advocate a little while ago. I am reposting the video in which he speaks about Tehillim at the end of this post. In his short life, he inspired many individuals. May he be a meilitz yosher for us and let's recite a perek Tehillim for someone in need.
Rabbi Avraham Kohan gives a 5 minute Torah thought about not complaining on Sukkot, particularly since the Sukkot remind us of the ananei hakavod, the clouds of glory, which protected the people of Israel during their sojourn in the desert. They never complained about the way Hashem protected them with the ananei hakavod.
Particularly after I read reports that there is a 25% chance of rain in Israel the first day and it has gotten colder in the area where I live, let us remember not to complain but to be besimcha!!!!
Dad Claims Superintendent Told Daughter She Could Not Pray Before School Lunch…
Click here to watch Harvard Students Say America Poses Bigger Threat To World Peace Than Islamic State.
Unbelievable!!!
Seth Mandel writes about Roger Cohen, the “Nakba,” and the Falsification of History regarding an article at the New York Times.
In the NYT article, Roger Cohen ends with the words, "The words of Leviticus are worth repeating for any Jew in or concerned by Israel today: Treat the stranger as yourself, for “you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
I just love when people use the Scripture to justify their positions while disregarding many other verses which are antithetical to their way of thinking. I noticed this the other day when I read about a Conservative rabbi who came out and wrote a letter to his congregation.
A text I’ve sat with for years is from the Babylonian Talmud (Yoma 72b) and states, “Rabbah said, any scholar whose inside does not match his outside is no scholar. Abaye, and some say Ravah bar Ulah, said [one whose inside does not match his outside] is called an abomination.”
Don't use a quote from Scripture when I can also quote you another one.
Collive reports the sad news that "Mendel Cotlar, the 13-year-old who inspired many to say Tehillim and do a Mitzvah, passed away from GSD disease."
I had a post about him titled The Tehillim advocate a little while ago. I am reposting the video in which he speaks about Tehillim at the end of this post. In his short life, he inspired many individuals. May he be a meilitz yosher for us and let's recite a perek Tehillim for someone in need.
Rabbi Avraham Kohan gives a 5 minute Torah thought about not complaining on Sukkot, particularly since the Sukkot remind us of the ananei hakavod, the clouds of glory, which protected the people of Israel during their sojourn in the desert. They never complained about the way Hashem protected them with the ananei hakavod.
Particularly after I read reports that there is a 25% chance of rain in Israel the first day and it has gotten colder in the area where I live, let us remember not to complain but to be besimcha!!!!
Dad Claims Superintendent Told Daughter She Could Not Pray Before School Lunch…
Click here to watch Harvard Students Say America Poses Bigger Threat To World Peace Than Islamic State.
Unbelievable!!!
Seth Mandel writes about Roger Cohen, the “Nakba,” and the Falsification of History regarding an article at the New York Times.
In the NYT article, Roger Cohen ends with the words, "The words of Leviticus are worth repeating for any Jew in or concerned by Israel today: Treat the stranger as yourself, for “you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
I just love when people use the Scripture to justify their positions while disregarding many other verses which are antithetical to their way of thinking. I noticed this the other day when I read about a Conservative rabbi who came out and wrote a letter to his congregation.
A text I’ve sat with for years is from the Babylonian Talmud (Yoma 72b) and states, “Rabbah said, any scholar whose inside does not match his outside is no scholar. Abaye, and some say Ravah bar Ulah, said [one whose inside does not match his outside] is called an abomination.”
Don't use a quote from Scripture when I can also quote you another one.
7 Oct 2014
App for Mashiach
A new app brings the topic of Geulah and Moshiach to your phone, including the blessings to be said upon the arrival of Moshiach.
Read more: http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=32322&alias=the-app-for-when-moshiach-comes
Pollard’s release listing changed back to November 2015 from life
Religious Defiance: Individual Sukkah in Muslim Section of Netherlands Draws Support, Criticism
Read more: http://www.collive.com/show_news.rtx?id=32322&alias=the-app-for-when-moshiach-comes
Pollard’s release listing changed back to November 2015 from life
Religious Defiance: Individual Sukkah in Muslim Section of Netherlands Draws Support, Criticism
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