Click here to read The Muslim Claim to Jerusalem by Daniel Pipes.
31 May 2011
For the cause
The day dawned bright and sunny as 250 women prepared to embark on a walkathon to benefit Chai Lifeline, an organization dedicated to helping people with sick family members. Volunteers of the organization visit hospitalized children, visit recuperating children and their siblings in their home, deliver gift packages, prepare meals and assist in transporting people to hospitals.
I was unable to participate in the walkathon since I had to be at work but a friend asked if I would sponsor her and I gladly agreed.
Last night, curious as to whether the event was successful, I phoned a friend who told me she would be joining the walk. She had only superlatives to describe the day. The weather was magnificent, the event was well organized and there was a great sense of unity as women from all over, walking in pants, walking in skirts, with shaytels, without shaytels, came together to participate in a common cause.
"S. is a tzaddekes," my friend related to me. "S. arrived at the bus stop with her 80-year-old widowed neighbor. She kept up an animated conversation with her during the 20 minute bus ride and then walked with her at a leisurely pace, following the path of the walk and allowing her neighbor to lean on her, as needed. They successfully completed the walkathon and S. escorted her back to the bus."
Many women used the walkathon as an excuse to get fresh air, socialize and exercise while benefitting a great cause. S. used those hours to extend her hand in friendship of a lonely woman.
"S. gets Olam Haba for what she did yesterday," my friend opined.
I agreed with her and thought to myself. "Yesterday, I did what was required of me. But S. did what wasn't required. And therein lies the difference."
This mornng, the weather is at least fifteen degrees cooler and it has been raining incessantly.
The sun smiled on these special women yesterday. May there come a time when we won't need such an organization. In the meantime, I salute those women who carved time into their busy schedules for such a worthy cause.
I was unable to participate in the walkathon since I had to be at work but a friend asked if I would sponsor her and I gladly agreed.
Last night, curious as to whether the event was successful, I phoned a friend who told me she would be joining the walk. She had only superlatives to describe the day. The weather was magnificent, the event was well organized and there was a great sense of unity as women from all over, walking in pants, walking in skirts, with shaytels, without shaytels, came together to participate in a common cause.
"S. is a tzaddekes," my friend related to me. "S. arrived at the bus stop with her 80-year-old widowed neighbor. She kept up an animated conversation with her during the 20 minute bus ride and then walked with her at a leisurely pace, following the path of the walk and allowing her neighbor to lean on her, as needed. They successfully completed the walkathon and S. escorted her back to the bus."
Many women used the walkathon as an excuse to get fresh air, socialize and exercise while benefitting a great cause. S. used those hours to extend her hand in friendship of a lonely woman.
"S. gets Olam Haba for what she did yesterday," my friend opined.
I agreed with her and thought to myself. "Yesterday, I did what was required of me. But S. did what wasn't required. And therein lies the difference."
This mornng, the weather is at least fifteen degrees cooler and it has been raining incessantly.
The sun smiled on these special women yesterday. May there come a time when we won't need such an organization. In the meantime, I salute those women who carved time into their busy schedules for such a worthy cause.
30 May 2011
Yes sir
In an article titled I am counting the days of Omer and Obama, Harold Witkov writes, "It is not enough for me to anticipate a new president come January 2013. I need to help things along by supporting conservative issues and candidates, and most importantly, renewing my commitment to God."
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/witkov/110530
Perhaps, Mr. Witkov would like to read this article to see it's not so simple.
Below is a video of Fareed Zakariah interviewing Thomas Friedman who thinks that Prime Minister Netanyahu should have a one word answer for President Obama.
When our best friend our oldest ally our most important strategic partner in the world comes to me and makes a request there is only one right answer. Mr. President, "yes." ...."Yes sir, we will do that. Barack Obama, this Bud's for you."
But, in the same interview Mr. Friedman states, "I have no idea whether there is a Palestinian partner for a secure peace with Israel...
But again I understand 9 miles at its narrowest - I wouldn't ask Israel to take any risks that seem unreasonable."
So, Prime Minister Netanyahu should accede to the request that Israel withdraw to the 1967 borders but they shouldn't take any risks that are unreasonable so they shouldn't withdraw to the 67 borders. Good advice.
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/witkov/110530
Perhaps, Mr. Witkov would like to read this article to see it's not so simple.
Below is a video of Fareed Zakariah interviewing Thomas Friedman who thinks that Prime Minister Netanyahu should have a one word answer for President Obama.
When our best friend our oldest ally our most important strategic partner in the world comes to me and makes a request there is only one right answer. Mr. President, "yes." ...."Yes sir, we will do that. Barack Obama, this Bud's for you."
But, in the same interview Mr. Friedman states, "I have no idea whether there is a Palestinian partner for a secure peace with Israel...
But again I understand 9 miles at its narrowest - I wouldn't ask Israel to take any risks that seem unreasonable."
So, Prime Minister Netanyahu should accede to the request that Israel withdraw to the 1967 borders but they shouldn't take any risks that are unreasonable so they shouldn't withdraw to the 67 borders. Good advice.
Dreams of peace
The Talmud tells us that anyone who dreams of a river, a kettle or a bird will know peace. Why do these three things represent peace? They unite disparities. The river is what connects two separate towns allowing them to communicate and conduct commerce. The kettle actually unites opposites. Only through the agency of the kettle can the fire and water co-exist as obviously one destroys the other when allowed to unite, (the bird represents two opposites-a land and an air animal-joined into one being).
http://www.aishcenter.com/the-great-divide
The last words of Birchas Kohanim are "V'Yaseim Licha Sholom". The Medrash says, "Sholom B'Knisasech, Sholom B'Yitziasech, Sholom Im Kol Adam," peace in your coming, your going, and peace with every man.
The Iturei Torah brings the Ksav Sofer who explains this Medrash. The gemara in Brachos (59) tells us the interpretation of many different dreams. Among these dreams, three of them tell of peace; the kettle, the river, and the bird. The Ksav Sofer says that these represent three different kinds of peace. The kettle represents peace in your home, where all the household members use the same kettle. The river means peace in your country, where all the citizens share the water and benefits of the country's river. The bird symbolizes world peace, like a bird who is not limited to any specific local and can fly wherever its wings take it.
When Hashem gives us a bracha of peace it is all encompassing. The Medrash says, "Sholom B'Knisasech," you will have peace in your coming, meaning within the confines of your home. "Sholom B'Yitziasech," peace when you go outside and interact with your countrymen. "Sholom Im Kol Adam," no matter where and no matter with whom, peace will reign supreme!
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/medrash/Medrash-Naso-Ksav-Sofer-Three-Dreams-Of-Peace/3828
http://www.aishcenter.com/the-great-divide
The last words of Birchas Kohanim are "V'Yaseim Licha Sholom". The Medrash says, "Sholom B'Knisasech, Sholom B'Yitziasech, Sholom Im Kol Adam," peace in your coming, your going, and peace with every man.
The Iturei Torah brings the Ksav Sofer who explains this Medrash. The gemara in Brachos (59) tells us the interpretation of many different dreams. Among these dreams, three of them tell of peace; the kettle, the river, and the bird. The Ksav Sofer says that these represent three different kinds of peace. The kettle represents peace in your home, where all the household members use the same kettle. The river means peace in your country, where all the citizens share the water and benefits of the country's river. The bird symbolizes world peace, like a bird who is not limited to any specific local and can fly wherever its wings take it.
When Hashem gives us a bracha of peace it is all encompassing. The Medrash says, "Sholom B'Knisasech," you will have peace in your coming, meaning within the confines of your home. "Sholom B'Yitziasech," peace when you go outside and interact with your countrymen. "Sholom Im Kol Adam," no matter where and no matter with whom, peace will reign supreme!
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/medrash/Medrash-Naso-Ksav-Sofer-Three-Dreams-Of-Peace/3828
29 May 2011
Guarding one's health
A colossal canard
Trust not in princes
Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz reminds us Ein lanu al mi lehisha'ein...
Read full article: http://www.yated.com/content.asp?categoryid=3&contentid=371
Israel must put its trust not only in temporal powers whose leaders — as we see with President Obama — can become a clear and present danger to both Israel and to America.
No, the people of Israel and America — two great democracies and civilizations facing Islam's threats — must always put their trust in Almighty God.
Read full article: http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/sharpe/110528
Victor Sharpe reminds us Al tivtechu binedivim, biven adam she'ein lo teshuah - trust not in princes, in men that have no salvation/hope.
Read interesting interpertation of above pasuk at: http://rabbifleischmann.blogspot.com/2010/04/teitzei-rucho-yashuv-leadmato.html
Read full article: http://www.yated.com/content.asp?categoryid=3&contentid=371
Israel must put its trust not only in temporal powers whose leaders — as we see with President Obama — can become a clear and present danger to both Israel and to America.
No, the people of Israel and America — two great democracies and civilizations facing Islam's threats — must always put their trust in Almighty God.
Read full article: http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/sharpe/110528
Victor Sharpe reminds us Al tivtechu binedivim, biven adam she'ein lo teshuah - trust not in princes, in men that have no salvation/hope.
Read interesting interpertation of above pasuk at: http://rabbifleischmann.blogspot.com/2010/04/teitzei-rucho-yashuv-leadmato.html
27 May 2011
An individual characteristic
“Every now and then something extraordinary comes along to remind you of how special life is”
Rangitane o Wairarapa Maori tribal chief executive Jason Kerehi comment upon the birth of a rare white kiwi chick.
Read full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/rare-white-kiwi-chick-hatches-at-new-zealand-wildlife-park-will-have-protected-early-life/2011/05/26/AGuSVjBH_story.html
This week's parsha talks about the counting of the Jewish people in the Midbar. It reminds us of the importance of every individual. How fitting that a chick with its own special individuality, born at the beginning of the month, made his media debut this week.
It was only after a year in the Midbar, that the Bnei Yisroel were counted in order to be set up under the Degalim, where each Shevet was given their own flag. Why did Hashem wait so long to give them this mitzva?
Read answer at: http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Bamidbar-Rav-Yaakov-Kaminetzky-Degalim-In-The-Midbar-Dividing-Only-To-Conquer/3783
Rangitane o Wairarapa Maori tribal chief executive Jason Kerehi comment upon the birth of a rare white kiwi chick.
Read full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/rare-white-kiwi-chick-hatches-at-new-zealand-wildlife-park-will-have-protected-early-life/2011/05/26/AGuSVjBH_story.html
This week's parsha talks about the counting of the Jewish people in the Midbar. It reminds us of the importance of every individual. How fitting that a chick with its own special individuality, born at the beginning of the month, made his media debut this week.
It was only after a year in the Midbar, that the Bnei Yisroel were counted in order to be set up under the Degalim, where each Shevet was given their own flag. Why did Hashem wait so long to give them this mitzva?
Read answer at: http://www.revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Bamidbar-Rav-Yaakov-Kaminetzky-Degalim-In-The-Midbar-Dividing-Only-To-Conquer/3783
Precarious times
An American Thinker article by Jan Suzanne Krasner details a call for a June 5th "border uprising" and a "flotilla of 15 or more ships rumored to be carrying supplies, Pro-Palestinian supporters, and over 150 activists from countries around the world, including an American vessel famously named The Audacity of Hope. (Please note that President Obama has not complained about the use of his book title in connection with this private boat.)"
Read full article: http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/05/a_coming_intifada_of_arab_suic.html
Read full article: http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/05/a_coming_intifada_of_arab_suic.html
26 May 2011
Ed Schultz
OU.org explains The four steps of repentance.
This morning I came across Ed Schultz's apology to Laura Ingraham for saying something nasty about her on his show. I was so impressed with his words. It contained many elements of the steps of repentance including admitting his mistake and promising not to commit the act a second time. He apologized to the person he wronged. Additionally, he apologized to those indirectly affected by his actions, including his wife, children and co-workers. He realized he had not set a proper example for his children. His apology is worthwhile listening to.
This morning I came across Ed Schultz's apology to Laura Ingraham for saying something nasty about her on his show. I was so impressed with his words. It contained many elements of the steps of repentance including admitting his mistake and promising not to commit the act a second time. He apologized to the person he wronged. Additionally, he apologized to those indirectly affected by his actions, including his wife, children and co-workers. He realized he had not set a proper example for his children. His apology is worthwhile listening to.
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