The leaders of the Jewish Federations of North America are calling for free Jewish preschool for every Jewish family in America.
In an Op-Ed published Thursday on the Huffington Post and in the Forward, Jewish Federations CEO Jerry Silverman and board chairman Michael Siegal said free Jewish preschool would “dramatically widen the pipeline of families entering Jewish life through this critical early gateway.”
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2013/10/24/news-opinion/united-states/jewish-federations-chiefs-want-free-jewish-preschool#ixzz2iihPmkly
I received an email from the Jewish Women's Project for Ahavas Yisrael which got me thinking.
As we enter the colder weather and head toward winter, it is good to ask ourselves what light
we can shine to bring more Ahavas Hashem and Ahavas Yisrael into the world,
using our individual strengths and unique abilities.
We encourage each of the women in the AY Project to think of whatever way it might be possible to undertake something in your community. When the headlines tell us that one of the g'dolim is hit by a fellow Jew, we KNOW this is a message from Above. Let's respond with stretching and growth and bringing more awareness.
If you have any ideas, you are welcome to contact them.
25 Oct 2013
24 Oct 2013
The shidduch process
As we read about the shidduch of Yitchak and Rivka in this week's parsha, Hamodia has an excellent op-ed about shidduchim which should be read by all.
Hagaon Harav Avraham Yaakov Pam, zt”l, would stress that the shidduch process isn’t a “shopping market,” where buyers inspect produce and then decide to keep on looking to see whether they will find something better.
Every Jewish girl is a bas melech, who deserves to be treated with the greatest dignity and respect. The very notion of being put on a “list” of candidates is deeply degrading. Asking sources of information to compare and contrast prospective suggestions — whether they are boys or girls —is unfair and inappropriate. Offering a half dozen names to sift through and compare is demeaning to the individual and nearly meaningless. Every Yid is a priceless, incomparable treasure and must be considered on his or her own merits. Where is our sensitivity, our care in choosing our words?
Read more: http://hamodia.com/2013/10/22/matchmaker-matchmaker/
Speaking about shidduchim, click here to register at zivugzone.com.
Speaking about shidduchim, click here to register at zivugzone.com.
No regrets
Last night I was surprised to find a woman seated not far from me on a plane.
"I thought you were supposed to leave last night. What are you doing on this plane?" I asked her.
She explained that her plane had been canceled after her spending three hours at the gate, waiting to depart. She told me that she had specifically chosen that flight because she had wanted to honor her mother and see her off at the airport as she was departing on a different flight the same evening. Her mother's flight had no problems while hers encountered technical difficulties.
I thought to myself why this had happened to her. Had she not done the mitzva of kibbud av vaem, she would have booked a flight from a different airport and wouldn't have encountered the difficulties of having to find her suitcase, and leaving the airport, only to return the next day
But, I for one, am grateful, as she offered me a lift home from the airport.
Rabbi Eli Mansour discusses encountering challenges after performing mitzvot in his latest Torah thought on the parsha.
Parashat Hayeh Sara begins by telling of the death of Sara Imenu at the age of 127. Our Rabbis explain that there is a direct, causal link between this event and the preceding section, which tells of Akedat Yishak (the binding of Yishak upon the altar). When Sara heard that Abraham had placed her son upon the altar as a sacrifice, she was so startled and horror-stricken that she died.
This consequence of Akedat Yishak was orchestrated by Satan for the purpose of posing yet another religious challenge to Abraham Abinu. Even after passing the test of Akedat Yishak by showing his preparedness to sacrifice his beloved son to obey G-d, he was tested again to see if he would regret this act when faced with its adverse consequences. Even after a person performs a difficult Misva, he can forfeit its rewards and benefits if he regrets it afterward. If a person struggles to wake up early to attend the Minyan, but attending the Minyan causes him to miss a lucrative business opportunity, if he then regrets going to the synagogue he forfeits all the benefits of that Misva. The challenge of Misvot continues even after we perform a Misva. We are challenged to feel gratified over having fulfilled a Misva knowing that it is inherently and inestimably valuable regardless of any minor negative consequences that we might then have to endure. And thus Satan, after his unsuccessful attempts to prevent Abraham Abinu from going through with the Akeda, made another attempt to bring Abraham down by making it seem like a mistake, as though it caused his beloved wife’s death. But Abraham passed this test, as well, never questioning G-d or his decision to obey the command of the Akeda. He recognized that Hashem’s decree that Sara should die had nothing at all to do with his compliance with G-d’s command, and did not regret his decision for a moment.
Conntinue reading: http://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp
.
"I thought you were supposed to leave last night. What are you doing on this plane?" I asked her.
She explained that her plane had been canceled after her spending three hours at the gate, waiting to depart. She told me that she had specifically chosen that flight because she had wanted to honor her mother and see her off at the airport as she was departing on a different flight the same evening. Her mother's flight had no problems while hers encountered technical difficulties.
I thought to myself why this had happened to her. Had she not done the mitzva of kibbud av vaem, she would have booked a flight from a different airport and wouldn't have encountered the difficulties of having to find her suitcase, and leaving the airport, only to return the next day
But, I for one, am grateful, as she offered me a lift home from the airport.
Rabbi Eli Mansour discusses encountering challenges after performing mitzvot in his latest Torah thought on the parsha.
Parashat Hayeh Sara begins by telling of the death of Sara Imenu at the age of 127. Our Rabbis explain that there is a direct, causal link between this event and the preceding section, which tells of Akedat Yishak (the binding of Yishak upon the altar). When Sara heard that Abraham had placed her son upon the altar as a sacrifice, she was so startled and horror-stricken that she died.
This consequence of Akedat Yishak was orchestrated by Satan for the purpose of posing yet another religious challenge to Abraham Abinu. Even after passing the test of Akedat Yishak by showing his preparedness to sacrifice his beloved son to obey G-d, he was tested again to see if he would regret this act when faced with its adverse consequences. Even after a person performs a difficult Misva, he can forfeit its rewards and benefits if he regrets it afterward. If a person struggles to wake up early to attend the Minyan, but attending the Minyan causes him to miss a lucrative business opportunity, if he then regrets going to the synagogue he forfeits all the benefits of that Misva. The challenge of Misvot continues even after we perform a Misva. We are challenged to feel gratified over having fulfilled a Misva knowing that it is inherently and inestimably valuable regardless of any minor negative consequences that we might then have to endure. And thus Satan, after his unsuccessful attempts to prevent Abraham Abinu from going through with the Akeda, made another attempt to bring Abraham down by making it seem like a mistake, as though it caused his beloved wife’s death. But Abraham passed this test, as well, never questioning G-d or his decision to obey the command of the Akeda. He recognized that Hashem’s decree that Sara should die had nothing at all to do with his compliance with G-d’s command, and did not regret his decision for a moment.
Conntinue reading: http://www.dailyhalacha.com/WeeklyParasha.asp
.
23 Oct 2013
From idea to realization
A new micro-grants initiative will award funding of up to $1,000 each for 50 different project ideas.
The #MakeItHappen micro-grants initiative, for creating Jewish experiences in communities around the world, was announced Monday by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Philanthropic Network.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2013/10/22/news-opinion/world/schusterman-to-award-micro-grants-to-50-jewish-projects#ixzz2iXv0Bz7A
The negative atmosphere and deteriorating relationship between Turkey and Israel is putting pressure on the small community of nearly 15,000 Jews in Turkey and prompting young Turkish Jews to emigrate from the country.
Continue reading: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/jewish-youth-leaving-turkey-due-to-political-strains.aspx?pageID=238&nID=56659&NewsCatID=338
The #MakeItHappen micro-grants initiative, for creating Jewish experiences in communities around the world, was announced Monday by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Philanthropic Network.
Read more: http://www.jta.org/2013/10/22/news-opinion/world/schusterman-to-award-micro-grants-to-50-jewish-projects#ixzz2iXv0Bz7A
The negative atmosphere and deteriorating relationship between Turkey and Israel is putting pressure on the small community of nearly 15,000 Jews in Turkey and prompting young Turkish Jews to emigrate from the country.
Continue reading: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/jewish-youth-leaving-turkey-due-to-political-strains.aspx?pageID=238&nID=56659&NewsCatID=338
22 Oct 2013
Sermons in musical notes
by Rabbi Dr Raymond Apple
Shakespeare says there are sermons in stones. Judaism finds sermons even in musical notes.
Take Gen. 24:12 in this Shabbat’s Torah reading. Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, has been sent to find a wife for Isaac. He speaks to God and says, “Send me, I pray, good speed this day”. On the word vayomar, “and he said”, the musical note (the trope) is shalshelet, a long up and down chain of sounds which suggests his worry and trepidation about being able to fulfil his mission.
There is another shalshelet in last week’s sidra. When told to leave the doomed city, Abraham’s nephew Lot lingers. Going means that he will leave his possessions behind. His wavering is denoted by the note on the word vayit’mahmah, “and he lingered” (Gen. 19:16).
The book of B’reshit contains only one more shalshelet. It occurs in the story of Joseph being tempted by the wife of Potiphar. The Hebrew says vay’ma’en, “and he refused” (Gen. 39:8). He is being pulled in two directions – the direction of sin and the direction of righteousness. No wonder he is dithering. In the end he refuses the woman’s wiles and finds the moral strength to refrain from sinning.
We all say to ourselves that when faced with a big dilemma we would not hesitate. We would be decisive, without wavering, lingering or vacillating. That, of course, is when it is all still hypothetical and academic. When the problem really confronts us it is never so easy. “Am I really going to make a success of my task?” is Eliezer’s question, and anyone who undertakes a responsibility cannot avoid a feeling of trepidation. Even an accomplished preacher or orator has a sense of emata d’tzibbura, “fear of (or respect for) the audience”, and can never be certain that all will go well.
Lot’s question is, “If destiny calls me to leave my comfort zone and the material things I am used to, will I really be able to cope?” It’s a valid concern, and many of us at some stage have had to work through it. Joseph’s question is, “Am I really strong enough to resist temptation?” and no-one knows in advance what the answer is.
http://www.oztorah.com/2008/11/the-long-chain-chayyei-sarah/
Shakespeare says there are sermons in stones. Judaism finds sermons even in musical notes.
Take Gen. 24:12 in this Shabbat’s Torah reading. Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, has been sent to find a wife for Isaac. He speaks to God and says, “Send me, I pray, good speed this day”. On the word vayomar, “and he said”, the musical note (the trope) is shalshelet, a long up and down chain of sounds which suggests his worry and trepidation about being able to fulfil his mission.
There is another shalshelet in last week’s sidra. When told to leave the doomed city, Abraham’s nephew Lot lingers. Going means that he will leave his possessions behind. His wavering is denoted by the note on the word vayit’mahmah, “and he lingered” (Gen. 19:16).
The book of B’reshit contains only one more shalshelet. It occurs in the story of Joseph being tempted by the wife of Potiphar. The Hebrew says vay’ma’en, “and he refused” (Gen. 39:8). He is being pulled in two directions – the direction of sin and the direction of righteousness. No wonder he is dithering. In the end he refuses the woman’s wiles and finds the moral strength to refrain from sinning.
We all say to ourselves that when faced with a big dilemma we would not hesitate. We would be decisive, without wavering, lingering or vacillating. That, of course, is when it is all still hypothetical and academic. When the problem really confronts us it is never so easy. “Am I really going to make a success of my task?” is Eliezer’s question, and anyone who undertakes a responsibility cannot avoid a feeling of trepidation. Even an accomplished preacher or orator has a sense of emata d’tzibbura, “fear of (or respect for) the audience”, and can never be certain that all will go well.
Lot’s question is, “If destiny calls me to leave my comfort zone and the material things I am used to, will I really be able to cope?” It’s a valid concern, and many of us at some stage have had to work through it. Joseph’s question is, “Am I really strong enough to resist temptation?” and no-one knows in advance what the answer is.
http://www.oztorah.com/2008/11/the-long-chain-chayyei-sarah/
The real motive
The pasuk states, Eliezer told Lavan and Besuel - "Ulay Lo Saylech HaIshah Acharay" - "Perhaps the woman won't go after me" - Maybe she won't want to come back with me to Eretz Canaan. Rashi notes that the word "Ulay" - "Perhaps" is spelled here without a "Vov' - it is spelled like "Aylay" - "to me". Eliezer had a daughter and hoped that Yitzchok would marry his own daughter. He therefore said, - "Perhaps the woman won't go after me" - his intention was "Aylay" - and then you will come to me and let Yitzchok marry my daughter.
The Meforshim ask, why is the missing letter stated the second time this story is mentioned? The story of Eliezer going to find a Shidduch for Rivka is repeated twice in the Torah - once as it happens, and a second time when Eliezer relates the story to Lavan and Besuel. Why is "Aylay" first said in the repetition and not the first time?
The Kotzker answers, sometimes while a person does a certain action he can't really know what his true intentions are. He might have ulterior motives, but doesn't realize it while he is in the midst of the act. It is only after he takes a step back that he realizes his true motives. When the episode occurred, Eliezer really thought that his question was LiShem Shamayim - What if Rivka does not want to come? What should I do then? When he related the story to Lavan and Besuel, it then hit him what his real motive for the question was... To get Yitzchok for his own daughter!
http://revach.net/article.php?id=1235
The Meforshim ask, why is the missing letter stated the second time this story is mentioned? The story of Eliezer going to find a Shidduch for Rivka is repeated twice in the Torah - once as it happens, and a second time when Eliezer relates the story to Lavan and Besuel. Why is "Aylay" first said in the repetition and not the first time?
The Kotzker answers, sometimes while a person does a certain action he can't really know what his true intentions are. He might have ulterior motives, but doesn't realize it while he is in the midst of the act. It is only after he takes a step back that he realizes his true motives. When the episode occurred, Eliezer really thought that his question was LiShem Shamayim - What if Rivka does not want to come? What should I do then? When he related the story to Lavan and Besuel, it then hit him what his real motive for the question was... To get Yitzchok for his own daughter!
http://revach.net/article.php?id=1235
21 Oct 2013
On three things
"And it was when the camels finished drinking, Eliezer took a golden nose ring, its weight a Beka, and 2 bracelets on her arms weighing 10 golden Shekel. Rashi tells us, the Beka weight was an allusion to the Shekalim of Klal Yisroel - the half shekel donated by Klal Yisroel for the Beis HaMikdash. The 2 braclets were an allusion to the 2 Luchos - and the weight of 10 shekel, alluded to the Aseres HaDibros which were written on them.
Why was it necessary at this time for Eliezer to hint to Rivka concerning these future events? The Maharal answers that Eliezer was telling Rivka that the world stands on 3 things - Torah, Avodah and Gemilus Chasadim. I see that you are very accomplished in acts of Gemilas Chesed. However, to be one of the foundations of Klal Yisroel you must also excel in Torah and Avodah. Torah, which was represented by the 2 bracelets weighing 10 shekel - alluding to the Luchos. Avodah, which was represented by the Beka - used to purchase the Korbonos for the Beis HaMikdash.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Chayei-Sarah-Maharal-MiPrague-Eliezer-Teaches-Rivka-There-Is-More-To-Life-Than-Just-Chesed/1233
Why was it necessary at this time for Eliezer to hint to Rivka concerning these future events? The Maharal answers that Eliezer was telling Rivka that the world stands on 3 things - Torah, Avodah and Gemilus Chasadim. I see that you are very accomplished in acts of Gemilas Chesed. However, to be one of the foundations of Klal Yisroel you must also excel in Torah and Avodah. Torah, which was represented by the 2 bracelets weighing 10 shekel - alluding to the Luchos. Avodah, which was represented by the Beka - used to purchase the Korbonos for the Beis HaMikdash.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Chayei-Sarah-Maharal-MiPrague-Eliezer-Teaches-Rivka-There-Is-More-To-Life-Than-Just-Chesed/1233
Makes the world go round
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg will be honored on Monday as the first recipient of a $1 million award that organizers are calling the “Jewish Nobel Prize.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will present the award, named the Genesis Prize, to Mr. Bloomberg at a ceremony in Jerusalem in May. The award, established by a charity founded by Russian Jewish billionaires, aims to honor “exceptional people whose values and achievements will inspire the next generations of Jews.”
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/nyregion/bloomberg-is-first-to-receive-a-1-million-jewish-award.html?_r=0
When I first read that Mayor Bloomberg was chosen to receive a $1 million award, I thought that there were others ;ore in need of the money. However, the article goes on to state, "Since he is hardly in need of the $1 million prize, Mr. Bloomberg plans to donate the money to a philanthropic cause to be named next year."
Congratulations and may you use the money wisely.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel will present the award, named the Genesis Prize, to Mr. Bloomberg at a ceremony in Jerusalem in May. The award, established by a charity founded by Russian Jewish billionaires, aims to honor “exceptional people whose values and achievements will inspire the next generations of Jews.”
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/21/nyregion/bloomberg-is-first-to-receive-a-1-million-jewish-award.html?_r=0
When I first read that Mayor Bloomberg was chosen to receive a $1 million award, I thought that there were others ;ore in need of the money. However, the article goes on to state, "Since he is hardly in need of the $1 million prize, Mr. Bloomberg plans to donate the money to a philanthropic cause to be named next year."
Congratulations and may you use the money wisely.
Learning from Efron
The Alter of Kelm takes note of Efron's change of heart. How could he so quickly go from insisting that Avraham take the cave for free, to accepting a huge sum of silver for it - way above the field's worth? The Torah adds that the money was good money as well. It was money that was acceptable in any country - and Efron grabbed it without further protest. Rashi comments: "He said much, and he didn't even do a little." (of what he promised)
There was once a debate which is famed to have taken place between the Rambam and the philosophers of his day. The philosophers maintained that the nature of an animal can be changed, and it can be transformed into a refined creature. The Rambam maintained that it could not be intrinsically changed. Challenges were made, and the training began. When the day came, a huge gathering was eagerly waiting to witness this historical event. Everyone was astounded to see a cat appear as a waiter, holding a pitcher of wine ready to be poured. Apparently, the philosophers had proven their point and won the argument. The Rambam brought out a little box containing a live mouse, and it was soon scurrying across the floor. Down went the pitcher of wine, and off went the waiter after its prey to the disappointment of all.
Efron was like the cat. He was able to act generously, but the "smell" of a large sum of money overwhelmed him, and out went Mr. Generous. "Maybe I'll be generous tomorrow." Imagine if Efron had known that his deeds would be forever read by generations, and lessons of how not to be would be learned from him. What would he have done differently? As we "write the story" of our own lives we would do well to learn from Efron.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Chayei-Sarah-Alter-Of-Kelm-Efron-The-Cat/2996
There was once a debate which is famed to have taken place between the Rambam and the philosophers of his day. The philosophers maintained that the nature of an animal can be changed, and it can be transformed into a refined creature. The Rambam maintained that it could not be intrinsically changed. Challenges were made, and the training began. When the day came, a huge gathering was eagerly waiting to witness this historical event. Everyone was astounded to see a cat appear as a waiter, holding a pitcher of wine ready to be poured. Apparently, the philosophers had proven their point and won the argument. The Rambam brought out a little box containing a live mouse, and it was soon scurrying across the floor. Down went the pitcher of wine, and off went the waiter after its prey to the disappointment of all.
Efron was like the cat. He was able to act generously, but the "smell" of a large sum of money overwhelmed him, and out went Mr. Generous. "Maybe I'll be generous tomorrow." Imagine if Efron had known that his deeds would be forever read by generations, and lessons of how not to be would be learned from him. What would he have done differently? As we "write the story" of our own lives we would do well to learn from Efron.
http://revach.net/parshas-hashavua/quick-vort/Parshas-Chayei-Sarah-Alter-Of-Kelm-Efron-The-Cat/2996
20 Oct 2013
Returning Torahs to Iraq
WND reports that "Jews worldwide are mobilizing to fight a plan by the U.S. National Archives under the Obama administration to hand over to the Muslim government in Iraq thousands of mostly priceless treasures, including ancient Torahs, that had been stolen by Saddam Hussein."
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/10/jews-fight-u-s-iraq-obama-over-stolen-torahs/#JwMR4cou0uxIy6pt.99
Switching to a different topic, my eyes were drawn to a title of a forum posted recently at the Yeshiva World.
Click here to read Homeopathic Cure For Gossip.
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/10/jews-fight-u-s-iraq-obama-over-stolen-torahs/#JwMR4cou0uxIy6pt.99
Switching to a different topic, my eyes were drawn to a title of a forum posted recently at the Yeshiva World.
Click here to read Homeopathic Cure For Gossip.
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