מישהו יכול להסביר לי למה תלמידות סמינר אמריקאות שרות פסוקי תנ"ך עם טעמי המקרא באוטובוס?
הן אמרו לי שלומדות למבחן למחר. ולכן היו צריכות לתרגל? או היו צריכות ללמוד? זה לא כל-כך ברור לי.
איזה מבחן? המבחן על טעמי המקרא?
או אולי, הם לומדות להשתמש טעמי המקרא כמו טכניקה כדי לזכור קטעים באופן יעיל יותר? לדעתי זו האפשרות היחידה שיכולה להיות הגיונית. ברור שמותר לנשים לקרוא פומבית מגילת אסתר עבור נשים אחרות. אבל הן בהחלט לא תרגלו את טעמי המקרא של מגילת אסתר.
האם נשים לומדות את טעמי המקרא כדי ללמד חומש לבנים? אם כן, איזה דבר מאכזב מאוד! ולא רק בגלל הפמיניזם הנסתר בדבר כאן. אלא גם בגלל חוסר הגברים המוכנים ללמד הילדים בכיתה א' ו-ב'. ולכן הנה עוד סיבה למה יש הדתיים הלאומים שולחים את בניהם ללמוד בתלמודי תורה חרדים.
שאלתי את אחת הבחורות אם היא חושבת שהנוסעים האחרים באוטובוס רוצים לשמוע אותן לשיר. ואכן, שאלתי אותה כי הן שרו בקול רם חזק מדי, ולא בגלל האיסור של קול אישה. אוטובוס ציבורי במדינה "דמוקרטית ופלורליסטית" נכון? ( עיניי מתגלגלות)
היא ענתה שאם אני רוצה שהיא תפסיק, אני פשוט צריך לבקש ממנה. אמרתי לה שאני לא אעשה דבר כזה. אנחנו נוסעים באוטובוס ציבורי, והיא יכולה לעשות את מה שהיא רוצה לעשות. אבל, אולי היא תרצה להתחשב על הנוסעים האחרים בסביבתה, ואז להחליט מה לעשות לבד.
האם ככה אני הייתי תוקפני-פסיבי? מה אתם חושבים? (קריצה)
Would someone please 'splain to me why American "sem girls" are singing holy texts with ta'amei hamiqra (trope, Torah musical notation) on the bus?
According to one of these young women, they had an "exam" the next day. And they had to practice? Or they had to study? That was not so clear to me.
An exam? In ta'amei hamiqra?
Or perhaps, they were taught to use ta'amei hamiqra as a technique to memorize passages more efficiently? This is the only possibility which would make sense to me. It is, or course, permissible for women to read publicly Megillath Esther FOR OTHER WOMEN. However, they were definitely not practicing the ta'amei hamiqra for Megillath Esther.
Do women learn ta'amei hamiqra in order to teach Humash (Torah) to boys? That would, indeed, be very disappointing, and not just the thinly disguised feminism, but also the lack of men willing to teach first and second grade boys. This is yet another reason why Religious Zionists are sending their boys to learn in Haredi Talmud Torah.
But, I digress...
I asked the young woman closer to me if she thought that maybe people on the bus wanted to hear them singing. And, actually, I was asking her because they were too loud, and not because of qol isha (the prohibition related to women's singing). After all it was public bus, and we live in a "pluralistic democracy." (eyes rolling)
She responded that if I wanted her to stop, then I should just ask her. I told her that I wasn't going to do that. It was a public bus, and she could do what she wants. But, that maybe she may want to consider those other passengers around them, and then decide what to do.
טוב, אז לא נראה לי שהצעות כאלה לשיעורי תורה ישפיעו לשכנים שלי לגרש אותי מהעיר, אני נזהרתי מאוד בבחירת המילים שלי. וניסחתי את רוב ההצעות האלה בצורת שאלה. כמובן, לשאול שאלות הפך להיות פעילות מסוכנת יותר ויותר כיום. אין צריך לומר, שהצעות כאלה עבור שיעורי תורה בהחלט יגרמו להרים כמה גבות, ואפילו יעצבנו אותם קצת.
בעצם אני לא מדבר על איזה ישוב מסוימת, אלא על קבוצה הולכת וגדלה של ישובים, גם בארץ וגם חוצה לארץ.
אני רוצה לדעת מה אתם חושבים. לכן, נא לרשום את ההערות שלכם למטה.
שמירת הנגיעה: חובה או אופציה?
חובת הנשים לכסות שיערן ואיך לקיים את זה
צניעות יהודית: הלכות מסוימות או מנהגים המשתנים בכל דור ודור?
צניעות יהודית: מי מחליט את מנהגי צניעות? היהודים או הגויים?
צניעות יהודית: ממש יותר מליבוש
האם יש פירוש אחר של המילים רבעבעצין או רבנית חוץ מ"אשתו של הרב?"
טבעת נישואין לגבר: מן התורה או מנהג הגויים?האם הנוצרים עובדי עבודה זרה? זה משנה?
הנה כמה הצעות לשיעורי תורה, המבוססות על תורתו של הרב יוסף סולובייצ'יק זצ״ל ועל פרשנויותיו ״היצירתית״:
יש התר לפיקוח ילודה שאינו קושיר לפיקוח נפש או סכנת נפשות?
דו שיח בין דתי: הרבה רבנים משתתפים בדבר כזה, אז מה הבעיה?
להיות דתי מודרני: האם אנחנו מתאימים את התורה למודרניות, או מתאימים את המודרניות לתורה?
הנה כמה הצעות לשיעורי תורה, המבוססות על תורתו של הרב קוק זצ״ל, ועל ״היצירתית״:
המצוה לשמור על גבולות ארץ ישראל: האם אפשר לקיים את מצוה הזאת רק באמצעות שירות צה"ל?
פקודת צה"ל הנוגדת בתורה: האם יש דבר כזה?
(רמז: נראה לי שהרב אברהם שפירא זצ"ל, ראש ישיבת מרכז הרב קוק חשב ככה, יחד עם רבים אחרים.)
האם יש סתירות בין חוקי התורה לחוקי מדינת ישראל?
(אני באמת צריך לשאול את השאלה הזאת? נראה לי שכן.)
האם יהודה והשומרון שייכים לעם ישראל או אנחנו פולשים על אדמות הישמעאלים (הערבים)? האם התשובה באמת מסובכת?
(רמז: לא, זאת לא מסובכת בכלל. ראו את המפה למטה.)
מה המקור של הציונות? הרצל או התורה?
(לצערי, שיעור כזה הוא ממש הכרחי.)
OK, so maybe these suggestions for Torah classes would not really get me kicked out of town, mainly because I was rather careful with my word choice, as well as phrasing most of these suggestions as questions. Of course, asking questions has also become an increasingly dangerous activity these days.
I'm not actually talking about any town in particular, but rather an increasingly growing group of towns, both within Israel and outside of Israel.
Needless to say, these suggestions for Torah classes will definitely raise some eyebrows, not to mention, raise a little ire.
I want to know what you think. So, please leave your comments below.
Touching between Single Men and Women: Biblical Prohibition or Option?
The Obligation of Women to Cover their Hair
Jewish Modesty: Specific Laws or Generational Guidelines?
Jewish Modesty: Who dictates these Generational Guidelines? Jews or Non-Jews?
Jewish Modesty: It's not only about what you wear
Does the title of "Rebbetzin" mean anything other than "wife of the rabbi?"
Here are a few suggestions for Torah lectures, based on Rav Yosef Soleveitchik's ztz"l teachings, and the various, "creative" interpretations of his work:
Special Permission for Birth Control in non-life-threatening situations (Hint: What permission? I KNOW I'm gonna get flack for this one!)
Interfaith Dialogue: Lots of Rabbis are doing it, so what's the problem?
Modern Orthodoxy: Are we to fit the Torah into modernity, or fit modernity into the Torah?
Here are a few suggestions for Torah classes, based on Rabbi Avraham Yitzhaq Kook's ztz"l
teachings,...and the various, "creative" interpretations of his work:
(Click to enlarge)
The Commandmentto Guard Israel's Borders: Can this only be fulfilling through service in Israel's Defense Forces [IDF]?
Is there a such thing as an IDF order which runs counter to the Torah? (Hint: Rabbi Avraham Shapira ztz"l, the late Rosh Yeshiva of Merkaz HaRav Kook seemed to think so, along with many others.)
Is there ever any conflict between Torah Law and Israeli State Law? (Do I really have to ask this question? Apparently, I do.)
Holocaust Memorial Day was established in 1951 by the Israeli Government,...a "Workers Party of the Land of Israel" government. In other words, Labor Zionists, whose goal has always been to de-Judaize both the People and Land of Israel, made up this day. The day is half way between Passover, the Jewish holiday of freedom and Israel's Memorial Day.
The date, the 28th of the Hebrew month of Nissan, which like Independence Day, the government has deigned to move around as needed to reduce Shabboth violations, is also supposed to [sort of, but not really] coincide with the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, which actually began Erev Pesah, תש״ג/1943.
28 Nissan also happens to mark the liberation of the Buchenwald Concentration Camp by the American army in תש״ה/1945. However, this sounds more like a time for celebration than mourning. Many Jews died during Israel's War of Independence and Six Day War, yet we celebrate on these days. Besides, no matter how particularly nasty the Buchenwald Concentration Camp was, there were many others.
Oh, wait a minute. I forgot. This camp's liberation appears to be an after thought. (See above in the first paragraph.)
The idea to add Holocaust Memorial to the public fast day of the 10th of the Hebrew month of Teveth, an already established day of Jewish mourning, is often shunned by Religious Zionists. The State has made a decision, and so they must abide by it. Even though the 10 b'Teveth was designated as a memorial day for all those whose day of death is unknown, by none other than the State of Israel's Chief Rabbinate.
The creation of this made up memorial day is nothing more than manipulation by the State to keep various factions fighting with each other, a simple divide and conquer strategy which has worked so well for so long, not to mention gradually detracting us from Torah, in favor of... well,...something else.
Even the so-called "Conservative Movement" has argued for the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av, to be designated as Holocaust Memorial Day, as it is the date upon which many Jewish calamities in Jewish history have occurred, not the least of which being the judgment that B'nei Yisra'el would not immediately enter the Land of Israel after being taken out of Egypt, the destruction of both the First and Second Batei haMiqdash (Temples), the defeat at Beitar, and the plowing over Har HaBayith (Temple Mount) by the Romans (Mishnah Ta'anith 4:6).
Germany entered World War I on August 1–2, 1914 (Av 9-10, AM 5674),
which caused massive upheaval in European Jewry and whose aftermath led
to the Holocaust.
On August 2, 1941 (Av 9, AM 5701), SS commander Heinrich Himmler
formally received approval from the Nazi Party for "The Final Solution."
As a result, the Holocaust began during which almost one third of the
world's Jewish population perished.
On July 23, 1942 (Av 9, AM 5702), began the mass deportation of Jews
from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.
Overall, this suggestion makes much more sense than a day in Nissan, a month in which Jews traditionally refrain from historical mourning practices. But, like I alluded to above, such an issue would not have concerned the Labor Zionists in the least.
So, the answer to the question as to why we need a Holocaust Memorial Day is that we do not need one. We already have one, two even. But, if I had written this at the beginning of the post, most of you would have stopped reading almost as soon as you had begun.
Instead of continuing to play the victim, to gain sympathy from the goyim (non-Jews), probably one of the only strategies the Israeli Government has left to delay the State of Israel's eventual destruction, what we really need is a Holocaust Prevention Day, which I wrote about back in 2009. This would involve the educating our children as to how to refrain from repeating our greatest historical mistakes, such as assimilation, intermarriage, and dependence on outside human forces for protection.
But, since the only way to do this would be to teach our children the Torah way of life, don't count on the Israeli Government to get on board anytime soon.
Rafi saw this reported on the haredi site Hadrei Haredim in Hebrew. So, rather than go back and translate it myself, I will post his summary in its entirety, and comment on it and the issues presented. The highlighting is mine.
This is really a non-issue, simply because the idea did not pan out, so I should not even be mentioning it.. but I found it funny enough that someone would actually try this that I wanted to point it out.
There has been talk about the possibility of Jews remaining in their
homes in Judea and Samaria even in the event of a peace deal that would
give land to the Palestinians. Some say they would be willing to live
under Palestinian rule...
That was all a theoretical discussion. When PM Netanyahu even raised the
possibility in a public forum, after a diplomatic snafu between him and
Habayit Hayehudi, it became clear that it was so theoretical that it
was only even said in order to throw some pressure onto the Palestinian
side, but is not a realistic possibility.
Well, it looks like some people might actually consider it as a realistic option, if they could work out the details.
According to a report on Bechadrei,
some rosh yeshiva from Yerushalayim has initiated a plan to establish a
yeshiva in the Palestinian Authority territory. As mentioned, the plan
has been shelved - for now - as it has been deemed to be not possible at
this time.
Yisrael Meir Hirsch, of the Neturei Karta, revealed that he had helped a
rosh yeshiva (unnamed) put together such a plan to move his yeshiva and
students to the Palestinian territories. The purpose of such a move
would be to avoid the Israeli draft issues that will now affect the
haredi yesivas.
Hirsch says he looked into the option, but at this time there is nobody
and no body within the Palestinian Authority that is willing to take
responsibility for the security of such a yeshiva.
The plan has been put on hold for now. Maybe at some future time when
the Palestinian State might become more official, it could possibly be
raised again as an option.
With Yeshivat Shaarei Ramallah off the table, Hirsch decided instead to
advise the rosh yeshiva on his alternative options for getting his
students out of the claws of the IDF draft. He told the rosh yeshiva
that they should go to the draft board and declare that they do not
recognize the State of Israel and its borders, as an occupying force.
That, Hirsch says, would get them off the hook of the draft. He says
this is how the anarchists on the left get out of the draft, and this is
what should be done.
I wonder what ramifications there are for making such a statement in an
official capacity.. Perhaps it means the yeshiva won't receive any
budgets for such students that so declare their positions. Perhaps such
boys would be ineligible for the various welfare payments and Bituach
Leumi and whatever else the State of Israel gives its citizens, whether
haredi or not (child payments, unemployment, stipends for kollel, etc.).
Doing so might move such people into the realm of those who refuse to
take money from the state...
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Interesting...
So, the self-proclaimed, anti-Zionist Haredi Jewish group, Neturei Karta would turn into settlers,...sort of, and without the kevanna (intent). So, is this some form of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure-justice)?
It seems to me that they still value living in Eretz Yisra'el. As I have tried to tell people, time and time again, the only differences between the so-called "Religious Zionists" and Neturei Karta are the how, when, and by whom.
Are we to come to Israel now, build it up, and take possession of it?
Or are we to wait for Mashi'ah to come first, and do all of the work?
Neturei Karta still believes that Eretz Yisra'el is the homeland of the Jewish People, and that all goyim (non-Jews), not fulfilling certain requirements to live here, will not be allowed to live here.
Surprise, surprise...
Even the venerated Satmar Rebbe ztz"l, Rabbi Yo'el said that the proper place for the performance of misswoth (Torah commandments) is Eretz Yisra'el. We are just not supposed to come here en masse,...yet.
Interesting that the deal breakers appear to include the lack of "Palestinian" interest and the lack of security concerns being addressed.
"Palestinians" do not have a place on their map, even for Neturei Karta.
Gee. I guess the "Palestinians" just see Neturei Karta as Jews, just like any other Jews, and do not want them around, just like they do not want settlers around, and for that matter do not want left-wing, self-identified "allies" around in Tel-Aviv either.
A respondant to a string on Facebook warning of the dangers of assimilation, particularly outside of Israel:
The solution lays in adjusting halacha (Jewish Law) to make it more attractive for the people, less oppressive towards woman, less misogynistic, ethnocentric and sexist. We can deny all we want, but why would anyone want to be a part of a religion that makes them feel bad? Assimilation happens as a result of something, maybe instead of locking up the girls of Israel, make them apart of the leadership, halachic bodies and allow them to take an active roll in who they can be in this religion. Marriage is the point where woman clearly have a disadvantage, look at the get situation among many woman who actively choose to remain religious. Arabs aren't the issue and neither are the "none-Jews" it's close minded Jews who want to stay in the Galut/holocaust mentality that drive assimilation.
Esser Agaroth (2¢) Response:
We are not here on this earth do whatever we want (ie. adjust halakhah), nor are we here on this earth to do whatever we want, and delude ourselves into thinking that it is, in fact, what HaShem wants, too.
We are here on this earth to do what HaShem wants. How do we know what that is? His Holy Torah, which includes the Oral Torah.
When we attempt to "adjust" halakhah, based on nothing but how we feel and what we want, then we are doing nothing less than disregarding it, if not cancelling its proper place in our lives.
I would like to suggest that you (and many others) arrived at this idea as a result of 1,700 to 2,000 years in galuth (exile). Such an experience can, and has, most certainly distort the authenticity of a people's traditions, not to mention their beliefs.
That being said, I am just as critical of all of the humroth (stringencies) which also came out of galuth, as I am of those with perspectives such as yours. These humroth may have had their purpose in galuth, to keep us together, whole, and on track. However, I do not see that they have much purpose here in Eretz Yisra'el.
In support of you, I believe that you are right about people not being attracted to Judaism, but I disagree with your solution. The solution, I believe, is two-fold:
1. Seek out the learning of authentic halakhah. One possible resource for this is Machon Shilo and its companion YouTube Channel, which is updated weekly.
2. Learn to differentiate between Western values and sensibilities (eg. feminism, egalitarianism, state-ism, Christianity, haskalah) and Jewish values and sensibilities. In time, we can all learn which is the wisdom of the goyim (non-Jews) that we may embrace, and which is the failed attempts of "Torah" by the goyim, that which we must discard, if not speak out against them.
Most Jews forget that Passover is a holiday, a happy time, but rather see, and inaccurately so, as a time of suffering, if not during Passover itself, then certainly beforehand, scrub brush in hand.
Who wants to spend six to eight hours in schul on Rosh HaShannah? I sure don't! Although there are some out there who find this meaningful and gratifying, I, personally, am not one of them. And I challenge anyone to show me how this is the halakhah.
I am happy to report that every year, I spend 3:20 hours in a minyan on Rosh HaShannah morning. That's right only 3:20 hours, and I can even set my watch by it.
But this is not about "less" being "more." Otherwise, the so-called Jewish "movements" would be the bearers of the solution, which they most certainly are not.
This is about stepping up to challenge of accepting an authentic Jewish identity, and investigating what that means, and perhaps more importantly, what that doesn't mean.
The concept that serving in the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF] is a misswah (Torah Commandment) has been bantered about long enough, and it is high time that it be debunked.
Economy Minister says the planned hareidi rally against the new draft law is unnecessary. "Military service is a mitzvah, not a decree."
Elad Benari, March 2, 2014
Economy Minister and Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett said on Saturday night that the upcoming hareidi rally against the new draft law is unnecessary.
Sunday’s planned mammoth demonstration, that has been called “the million man protest,” was prompted by a series of government decisions that are perceived as hurting hareidim.
"Tomorrow there will be a big demonstration against the law to integrate hareidim into employment and army service. The claim is that the Torah world is being hurt, and that ‘criminal sanctions’ against Torah scholars are stipulated in the law. There is no basis for these claims,” said Bennett. (cont.)
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
Set aside for a moment that some of the roles of the Israeli Defense Forces [IDF] have included destroying synagogues, throwing Jews out of their homes and off their lands, arresting Jewish mothers in the middle of the night with their babies, etc. One could easily ask the question what kind of a Jewish army carries such responsibilities, and follows such anti-Torah (ie. anti-Jewish) orders?
Jewish army, indeed!
So, how is it that serving in the IDF could possibly be a misswah?
Sure, you could make the argument that serving in the IDF fulfills a misswah, the misswoth of protecting the borders of Eretz Yisra'el (Land of Israel), and by extension, the misswah of piqu'ah nefesh (saving a life). However, I do not believe this is what Minister Bennett is attempting to convey. Rather, and I could be wrong, but I believe he is using the word misswah to mean hovah (obligation), of which I am not aware of any evidence to support that it is.
The fact is that the misswah of protecting the borders of Eretz Yisra'el can be fulfilled in ways, other than serving in the IDF. Of course, these other ways would make the Israeli Government nervous, and are not about to be allowed to come about.
Speaking of misswoth, it is also a [negative] misswah not to make it easy for those residents who are not allowed to reside here, to remain residing here (Rambam, A"Z 10), let alone allow them to have autonomy within the Jewish Homeland. To an extent, the Bedouins have autonomy, and the Black [Fake] Hebrews of Dimona, Mitzpeh Ramon, and Tel-Aviv most certainly have autonomy. Now, Bennett has proposed granting autonomy to the Arabs calling themselves Palestinians.
The maps above look too similar for my taste, not to mention the Torah's.
You see, there are many misswoth and hovoth, such as keeping Jews keeping Shabbath and refraining from eating pork, shellfish, and several other foods. Yet, I do not hear Naftali Bennett shouting about Shabbath violations, and stores and restaurants selling pork and shellfish? And, I am not talking about Tel-Aviv or Haifa, as if that would matter; I am talking about Jerusalem.
I am sure that he has his reasons.
After all, only a Torah-based body can make determinations regarding which misswah battles take priority over others.
Of course, the Israeli Government is most certainly is not a rabbinical court, let alone a Torah-based body. Even those who claim that the Israeli Government has the status of temporary stand-in for a Jewish king, MUST concede that Torah Law supersedes any and all anti-Torah, human produced rules and regulations, they like to call laws, even if they had been decreed by a true King (Rambam, Laws of Kings and Wars 3:10 ).
The Israeli Government does actually have the power to decide who should serve in its military, but not by a Torah dictum. Rather, the Israeli Government has this kind of power, due to its control of vast numbers of men provided with lethal weapons, not to mention its ownership of huge structures, which can hold many people who do not do what the Israeli Government wants, and which can be locked up quite effectively. These are generally referred to a prisons.
So no cake, no eating of cake, and definitely no brownie points for Religious Affairs and Commerce Minister Naftali Bennett.
Nine-story campus wins approval in 4 to 3 vote by J'lem Planning and Building Committee; Municipality: Decision not a provocation, years away from being built.
By a narrow margin, the Jerusalem Planning and Building Committee on Wednesday approved the construction of a yeshiva campus in the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, beyond the Green Line.
MK Dr. Meir Margalit (Meretz)
The Glassman campus, as the 10,000 sq.m. complex is known, is set to include 12 floors and be built on a vacant lot adjacent to the yeshiva’s current Ohr Somayach campus on Shimon Hatzadik Street. It will include dormitories and classrooms.
Although the land is owned by the Israel Lands Authority, the Jerusalem Planning Department and numerous city council members have vocally opposed the construction, repeatedly attempting to postpone the vote in consideration of peace negotiations.
Noting the sensitivity of Jewish settlement in Sheikh Jarrah, Dr. Meir Margalit (Meretz), who heads the east Jerusalem Portfolio, summarily dismissed the decision to build another yeshiva there as a “clear provocation” against the neighborhood’s Palestinian residents.
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I am confused. Ohr Somayach is located on the west side of Road No. 1. Ma'aloth Dafnah and Arzei Birah are the names of the neighborhoods.
This is a "clear provocation?" How so?
The most dangerous element of this picture: A Haredi boy holding up the Zionist flag. SSSHHH! Don't tell anyone!
Someone needs to have a geography lesson and/or be clearer in what he is trying to communicate to us here.
On the other side of Road No. 1, part of the mythical Green Line, is the neighborhood of Shimon HaTzadiq, named for the great Hakham (Sage) who is buried there. The so-called "Sheikh Jarrah" neighbor was always considered, by the Arabs, to be north of this area up to the Mt. Scopus Campus of the Hebrew University, which found itself "on the other side," after the smoke cleared from Israel's War of Independence in 1948/תש"ח.
In other words, the neighborhood Arabs and Leftists call Sheikh Jarrah is not even where the Leftists think it is, not to mention the Arabs themselves, trying to keep up with the Pallywood script changes.
Let us let the reporter of this article off the hook for the moment, and assume for the sake of argument, that the proposed building is actually on the east side of Road No. 1.
"Sensitivity of Jewish settlement?" Huh?
These homes are JEWISH homes, reclaimed from Arab squatters who have living in them rent-free since as long ago as 1948/תש"ח, Israel's War of Independence, fought against, none other than... Arabs.
feeding time...
Should the Jews give up on reclaiming the property stolen from them by the Nazis? By the Iraqi
Furthermore, I do not hear anyone complaining about the provocation of Hebrew University's presence in so-called "East Jerusalem." Maybe that's because it is the academic jewel of Israel, and Jerusalem's brainwashing indoctrination and distribution center for Left-Wing/assimilationist propaganda.
The following is a video of the regular tour of the Shimon HaTzadiq neighbor given by Yehonathan "Yoni" Yosef, son of Rabbi Ya'aqov Yosefztz"l, and grandson of the Rabbi Ovadiah Yosefztz"l.
During this tour, Yoni recounts the history of the neighborhood, and its extensive Jewish roots and character. When his grandfather was a young man, he was a (ba'al qeriah (Torah reader) for this neighborhood, and remembered quite well the Jewish residents, whose families had lived there for generations.
Did you notice the make-up of the tour group he was leading? Diverse, and that means dangerous. Jewish unity is simply too much for the Erev Rav controlled government to deal with.
Let's give them more of it, while we are recounting the true, Jewish history of our Homeland.
A Dati Leumi (chardal, perhaps) rabbi, Rav Baruch Efrati, from Efrat, has said something that would get him skewered if he were a Haredi rabbi.
Rav Efrati was asked what is a woman's role in the world - to work? learn? raise children? business? feminisim? simple?
Rav Efrati's answer was that a woman's role in this world is to raise children and grandchildren to be wise, God fearing and God loving people who do good deeds and toil in Torah.. for that she should give up her life, along with davening and learning Torah on her level - halachos of women and issues of emuna.
After that, if she still has any time available, a woman could get a job to help bring parnassa home, develop hobbies, develop talents, etc. This is the order, and it should not be changed. (source: Moreshet)
There are some people who need a job or a hobby or some other focus in order to better themselves and it can help them raise their kids. There are others who cannot have kids. There are some people who have a special talent in a specific field and develop that as their role, and everything people do can be incorporated into their personal lives and help them raise their kids properly.
Surely raising children has been, historically, the focus of the mother, and until recently it was her main role in the family. Even if one believes that to be true today, I don't think it necessarily must mean that a mother cannot look for fulfillment and expression and development of her talents. I'd say the opposite - doing all those things helps her function better in all her roles, including in her role as a mother.
Esser Agaroth (2¢):
I'm surprised he hasn't been skewered by the modern orthodox!
He said,... "learning Torah on her level - halachos of women and issues of emuna"
I'm surprised that you think that he would be skewered if he were Haredi. Feminismhas already infiltrated the Litvish community, as the the English speaking segment,...heavily so. The above statement does not seem in the least bit contradictory to those women teaching in seminaries, or giving shi'urim on the parashah or Tehillim on Shabbath.
But, that he did not include "Talmud,""intricacies of divorce proceedings" (as his own town's Rabbi Riskin teaches to women), nor "issues not directly related to women."
When this gains more publicity in English, we will probably see Rabbi Efrati hit with a great deal of criticism.
Collaboration with the hierarchical patriarchy which bears responsibility for all aggression in the oppression of women, and the silencing of the feminine voice...
...comes to mind.
No, these are are certainly not my words, nor in the least bit connected to my opinion.
I am just trying to take the wind out of "their" sails, by beating "them" to the punch.
...Rav Tau paskened that a talmid chochom who took upon himself to study Torah is like a soldier fulfilling his duty for the nation, and such a person has the right to take his parnassa from the general public. Rav Tao says people who learn Torah and get supported by the public must fulfill their duties faithfully, learning Torah l'shma and by giving up of themselves and in holiness, and not take advantage of the arrangement to receive pleasure or to get rich. But when he does, he is serving the entire nation, and if he should have to give up his toil in Torah in order to work to support his family, the entire public is hurt by it. Taking money for his livelihood by learning is part of taking responsibility for establishing the Torah in the nation. He should receive his parnassa from the nation...
He is like a soldier fulfilling his duty and it is upon the nation to support him.
Esser Agaroth (2¢): How I could have missed this from last spring, I have no idea. Could it be that it just slipped by?
As pointed out by Life In Israel, The Har HaMor Yeshivah was a break off from the Merkaz HaRav Kook Yeshivah.
Rabbi Zvi Tau is part of the Triumvirate of Mamlakhi (Undying State Loyalists) rabbis, which also includes Rabbi Hayim Drukman and Shlomo Aviner. The mamlakhti school of thought refuses to acknowledge the increasing number of conflicts between halakhah (Torah Law) and Israeli Law.
On the other end of the Religious Zionist spectrum is Merkaz HaRav, the very yeshivah from with Har HaMor broke away.
Rabbi Avraham Shapiraztz"l
Before and during the 2005/תשס"ה expulsion of Jews from Azza (Gaza) Rabbi Avraham Shapiraztz"l, Rosh Yeshivah of Merkaz HaRav at the time, instructed soldiers to refuse orders to throw Jews out of their homes and lands. And if that meant sitting in jail, as a result, then these soldiers should be proud to sit in jail. This was a far crying from the undying State-loyalists, telling soldiers to faint, or pretend to be sick, or even to cry, and then carry out the orders. This report was no surprise to me. I had already heard of the discrepancy between these two yeshivas in regard to the numbers of students who serve in the army. I certainly agree with Rabbi Tau's belief that learning of Torah is a service to Israel, above and beyond a protection of Israel. My point here is that some of the harshest critics of the Haredi Kollel mentality and model are the same mamlakhti "sheeple" whom hang every word spouting from their rabbis' mouths, including Rabbi Tau.
And so, I will ask the same question of Rabbi Tau, which mamlakhtim put to those Haredim requesting exemptions from army service:
Why should some of our children, Merkaz HaRav students for example, have to risk their lives defending our country, while others do not?
This post is dedicated to Eric and Jennifer, two of the nicest, new people I've met in real life in a long time! As they are from Denver, I just HAD to add a "South Park" connection, which pretty easy to do. Happy Shavu'oth!
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There is a tradition for us to eat dairy on Shavu'oth, the day on which we received the Torah at Mt. Sinai.
The tradition has been said to stem from not yet having learned the halakhoth (laws) of slaughtering kosher animals, even though we were obligated to them.
Others suggest a connection to the two loaves of bread offered on Shavu'oth. To distinguish between the two, many Jews wash, have a dairy meal, conclude the meal with birkath hamazon (blessings after the meal), wash again, and have meat meal.
Still others, like the Yekkeshe (German) Jews, having only dairy meals on Shavu'oth.
Some vegans even have something "dairy-like," such as something made with hazelnut or cashew "creams," to pay homage to this custom.
The light and fluffy nature of the dairy dishes served on Shavu'oth are often said to be the antitheses of the unleavened matzah eaten on Pesah(Passover), Shavu'oth being the culmination of the redemption process began on Pesah. As we count the Omer through this period, we rise in levels of purity and spirituality, in preparation to receive the Torah. Whereas the matzah, the lehem oni (bread of affliction) represents humility, the light and fluffy, leaven (ie. raised) items eaten on Shavu'oth represent gaivah (pride).
But, isn't pride a negative attribute? Is it not better to be humble, and strive to be so?
Yes. But, some say that there is one exception, the possession of the Torah. Even coveting another's Torah knowledge is said to encourage one to learn Torah, and not hinder it.
But, now for the most important question: What dairy dishes to make for Shavu'oth?
But, of course, being from San Diego, I have usually had something with a Mexican flavor on Shavu'oth. No one said that the dairy dishes had to be sweet, did they? Although I am sure there are those that will tell you that the Torah is sweet, which it is. Nonetheless, dairy Mexican is my general Shavu'oth custom: Dairy, or more specifically "cheesy," and light and fluffy, or perhaps one could say "poofy..." Watch and see!
No, I have yet to try making homemade cheesy poofs, but it is definitely an option for the future.
The last time I tried making one of making one of my favorites, cheese enchiladas, in 1994, and I must say that they were a complete disaster.
And so, I will probably stick with my quick and easy quesadilla recipe. Quesadillas should be made with dough filled with cheese, and fried.
The only tortillas I have found in Israel are white flour tortillas, imported from Turkey of all places. One of these days, I would like to try and make tortillas from spelt flour. But until then, if that's what I have to work with, then that's what I have to work with.
Begin frying one tortilla at a time. As soon as it gets soft enough to fold, add your choice of filling. grated Monterey Jack cheese is preferred, but you may have to use whatever yellow cheese you can get a hold of. Freshly grated hot pepper, freshly-grated garlic, sautéed mushrooms, chopped black olive rings, and chopped green onion are only some of the optional ingredients which can be added.
Still want something sweet, but keeping in line with a Mexican theme?
How about buneulo chips and vanilla ice cream?
Bunuelo Chips and Ice Cream
(Photo Credit: Taco Bill, Melbourne)
They are very easy to make. Simply cut tortillas into the shapes you desire, fry in oil on both sides until crisp. Then immediately coat with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Some take the chips and shake them in a paper bag with sugar and cinnamon. Serve with vanilla ice cream. The above photo has honey. I prefer chocolate syrup with this dessert.
I do not remember how old this pamphlet by "Friedman The Tutor" is exactly. However, I do remember that on the version I first saw, explicit permission was given to copy and distribute it, and one was even encouraged to do so. (Please correct me if this has changed at all.)I agree with most all of what Friedman includes in this pamphlet, and highly recommend it.
No doubt, many of the suggestions can be applied to educational institutions other than yeshivas, as well as to making aliyah(immigration to Israel, ie. be patient with yourself when you arrive).
Go Slow Friedman brings this phrase in as a section title six times,...probably the right number of times.
Make Friends With Families I would add make friends with Going to families every single Shabbath not spent in yeshiva can be intense, especially if you're like me and you like your space.
When you're at a family's house, your length of stay is generally controlled by your hosts, as is how long you have to wait until you eat or until the next course, the topic of conversation, who you sit next to, etc. If you can afford it, try to bring flowers, wine, or dessert over, preferably before Shabbath. If you can't afford it, DON'T bring anything. It's their misswah to have you over. Just apologize for not being able to. They should understand, and probably push leftover cake on you after the meal. If it's not their complete pleasure having you over, even though you didn't bring something, consider accepting an invitation from another family the next time.
Take the opportunity to pray with the ba'al habayith(head of household) in his beth k'nesseth (synagogue), so that you can check out a new place. You may like it, or dislike it. Either way, you can cross it off your list of new places to check out. You may also end up at a minyan in someone's house, which can be heimish, or simply ending up meeting new people to whom you can relate.
Do not feel obligated to go to back to the same family a second time. Although if your experience wasn't a complete disaster, they may deserve a second (...but not third, fourth, and fifth) chance. Maybe they were just having a bad day or something....
Make friends with men living in their own apartments. Help organize a Shabbath meal at a friend's apartment. See how you can still have a night out with the guys even though you are now keeping Shabbath. You will have more control over coming and going, and if you help organize or even prepare something, you will feel more apart of the experience, than just being a passive participant.
Make friends with couples your age and make the effort to stay in touch with friends who get married. Sure, they'll want their own space for a while, and have to spend the requisite number of Shabbathoth at the In-Laws. However, you should be on hand the minute they become ready to invite guests of their own. Hopefully, they won't just have other couples over, but have his single friends over or her single friends over, too.
The more responsibility you take for your own Shabbath, the more control you have over it. It may be cramped to get a meal together in a dorm room. But you would be surprised how enjoyable it can be, especially if it's pouring or snowing outside, and you have something warm on the plata to Add some singing, and you've got the potential for a great Shabbath meal with your roommates and neighbors!
Yeshiva Search There is no rule that that says you have stay at the same yeshiva where you started. As you grow and develop, you find your path moving in a direction you never would have expected.
Three Favorite Halachic Follies "Learn the difference between halacha and minhag, halacha and humra, halacha and qula, mid'Oraitha and mid'Rabbanan...."
Friedman is quite right. Unfortunately, many yeshivas not only do not teach these differences, but discourage learning about them, so as not "to confuse new students." Then, after a few years, when it's time to begin learning such differences, these students are already used to the way they have been doing things, and are often convinced that they are locked into practices, from which they cannot "halachicly" be released. (See and hear more on the horrors of the increasingly distorted halachic process in "Why are rabbis afraid to decide?" and "Must Halachic Reality hew to the truth?")
Commitment to Torah is not an Address I certainly agree with the "go slowly" theme throughout this pamphlet. However, I must disagree with this general statement. The proper place for Jews to live, but where we have the potential to apply the Torah in all aspects of our lives in Eretz Yisra'el. All Jews need to come now!
Rather than get into the details of this here, I will simply recommend reading Eretz Yisrael in the Parshah by Rabbi Moshe Lichtman (English) and anything by Rav Moshe Tzuri'el (Hebrew), particularly Otzroth HaTorah.
There will be an Azarah (memorial) to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the murders of Rav Binyamin & Talia Kahane HY"D in tents of Yeshivath Meginei Eretz on the new hilltop, Elnaqam 4, near K'far Tapu'ah.
It will begin at 4:00 pm, Thursday, 11 Teveth (December 20), with Tefillath Minhah and include the following speakers:
Rabbi Yehudah Richter Elon More
Rabbi Shmu'el HaKohen Rabbi of K'far Tapu'ah
Avraham Hertzlich K'far Tapu'ah, father of Talia
A se'udah will be served, and will include the yeshiva's Yemenite, chicken soup. (separate seating for men & women)
Seven years ago, the car carrying Rav Binyamin & Talia Kahane HY"D five of their children and a trempist was shot at by Arab terrorists just south of the town of Ofra. They had just dropped off their son at school.
There will be an Azarah (memorial) to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the murders of Rav Binyamin & Talia Kahane HY"D in tents of Yeshivath Meginei Eretz on the new hilltop, Elnaqam 4, near K'far Tapu'ah.
Elon More
