Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Nishma-Parshah: Hayyei Sarah
Take a look at what's on
for Parshat Hayyei Sarah
Parsha: Hayyei Sarah, "Sh'nei Hayyei"
Parsha: Hayyei Sarah & Toldoth, "Navi vs. Halachah"
Parsha: Hayyei Sarah, "K'turah"
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
JVO Blog: The Distinctiveness of Judaism – Sdom: The Mask of Evil
Jewish Values Online (jewishvaluesonline.org)
is a website that asks the Jewish view on a variety of
issues, some specifically Jewish and some from the world
around us -- and then presents answers from each of the
denominations of Judaism. Nishmablog's Blogmaster Rabbi
Wolpoe and Nishma's Founding Director, Rabbi Hecht, both serve
as Orthodox members of their Panel of Scholars. Nishmablog, over the years, has also featured the responses on JVO by one of our two Nishma Scholars who are
on this panel.
Recently, the Jewish Values Online website has offered a new service -- a blog which presents comments on various topics within Judaism and the Jewish world. See
http://www.jewishvaluesonline.org/jvoblog/index?aid=0.
Rabbi Hecht is now also a blogger on this site and will be developing a series entitled
The Distinctiveness of Judaism,
His Third post
Sdom: The Mask of Evil
is now available at http://jewishvaluescenter.org/jvoblog/sdom-the-mask-of-evil
A link is also up on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JewishValuesOnline?fref=ts
Recently, the Jewish Values Online website has offered a new service -- a blog which presents comments on various topics within Judaism and the Jewish world. See
http://www.jewishvaluesonline.org/jvoblog/index?aid=0.
Rabbi Hecht is now also a blogger on this site and will be developing a series entitled
The Distinctiveness of Judaism,
His Third post
Sdom: The Mask of Evil
is now available at http://jewishvaluescenter.org/jvoblog/sdom-the-mask-of-evil
A link is also up on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JewishValuesOnline?fref=ts
Monday, 26 October 2015
New RBH Series in Toronto
TORAH VALUES AND WESTERN VALUES
Conflicts and Overlaps
at Adath Israel, 37 Southbourne Ave
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
Conflicts and Overlaps
at Adath Israel, 37 Southbourne Ave
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
Second Series: Ethics: The Search for 'The Good'
November 8 - December 13
November 8 What is 'the Good'? Pleasure? Morals?
November 15 Are Ethics About the Other - Love Your Neighbour?
November 22 Are Ethics About the Self - Be The Best You Can Be?
November 29 Ethics as Duties
December 6 Ethics as Rights
December 13 Is the Possible Answer: All of the Above?
Sunday, 18 October 2015
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
Nishma Policy - Beyond 'Off the Derech' -- Why is Someone Committed?
NISHMA: Policy is devoted to analyzing policy issues within the world of Torah.
I have just uploaded the latest post, entitled Beyond 'Off the Derech' -- Why is Someone Committed?, which we hope will serve as a beginning of an investigation of this important issue.
I invite you to take a look...and comment.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
I have just uploaded the latest post, entitled Beyond 'Off the Derech' -- Why is Someone Committed?, which we hope will serve as a beginning of an investigation of this important issue.
I invite you to take a look...and comment.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Saturday, 10 October 2015
Of Possible Interest to the Toronto Community: Honest Reporting Canada
37 Southbourne Ave.
Presents
Gary Kenzer
North American
Executive Director
HONEST REPORTING
Israel
is in the midst of a battle for public opinion – waged primarily via
the media. To ensure Israel is represented fairly and accurately
“HonestReporting” monitors the media, exposes cases of bias, promotes
balance, and effects change through education and action.
Gary Kenzer
began working for the organization in Sept. 2006 and was also the
National Director for Magen David Adom US. Gary consults with the
professional association on political advocacy issues and trains over
500 students a year on becoming political advocates.
Wednesday
October14
7:30 p.m.
$15 in advance $20 at the door
635-5340 x308
Refreshments served
Sunday, 20 September 2015
United with Israel: Beyond ‘United with Israel’
A lesson from Yom Kippur that is beyond ‘United with Israel’. Please see http://unitedwithisrael.org/beyond-united-with-israel/
I am sure this will also be up on the UWI Facebook page in the near future. Please feel free to comment here or on one of the UWI sites.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
I am sure this will also be up on the UWI Facebook page in the near future. Please feel free to comment here or on one of the UWI sites.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Sunday, 13 September 2015
The Psalm and the Shofar: A Thought for Rosh Hashanah
first posted September 24, 2014
Douglas Aronin:
The Psalm and the Shofar: A Thought for Rosh Hashanah | Douglas Aronin | The Blogs | The Times of Israel
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-psalm-and-the-shofar-a-thought-for-rosh-hashanah/
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Douglas Aronin:
«... It was Korach who conspired with Dathan and Abiram of the tribe of Reuben to lead a rebellion against Moses. Dissatisfied with the honor of performing the duties reserved for the Levites, Korach accused Moses of usurping the leadership and priestly roles for himself and his brother Aaron. (Numbers 16:3). As a result of Korach's challenge to the leadership of Moses, the earth opened up and swallowed him and his followers, including Dathan and Abiram and their households (16:28-34).
In telling the story of Korach (Numbers chaps 16-17), the Torah makes no mention of the fate of his sons. Only later in the book, in the course of reporting the results of the census taken of the Jewish people in anticipation of their entry into the Land of Israel, does the Torah mention them specifically. The Torah at that point relates the census of the tribe of Reuben, including the branches of that tribe that would have come from Dathan and Abiram. The Torah then relates: "These are the same Dathan and Abiram, chosen in the assembly, who agitated against Moses and Aaron as part of Korach's band when they agitated against the Lord. Whereupon the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with Korach …The sons of Korach, however, did not die." (26:9-11, JPS translation).
Why didn't the sons of Korach die?»
The Psalm and the Shofar: A Thought for Rosh Hashanah | Douglas Aronin | The Blogs | The Times of Israel
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-psalm-and-the-shofar-a-thought-for-rosh-hashanah/
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Sunday, 6 September 2015
JVO Blog: The Distinctiveness of Judaism -- Sdom in Context (or The Surprising Evil of Ideology)
Jewish Values Online (jewishvaluesonline.org)
is a website that asks the Jewish view on a variety of
issues, some specifically Jewish and some from the world
around us -- and then presents answers from each of the
denominations of Judaism. Nishmablog's Blogmaster Rabbi
Wolpoe and Nishma's Founding Director, Rabbi Hecht, both serve
as Orthodox members of their Panel of Scholars. Nishmablog, over the years, has also featured the responses on JVO by one of our two Nishma Scholars who are
on this panel.
Recently, the Jewish Values Online website has offered a new service -- a blog which presents comments on various topics within Judaism and the Jewish world. See
http://www.jewishvaluesonline.org/jvoblog/index?aid=0.
Rabbi Hecht is now also a blogger on this site and will be developing a series entitled
The Distinctiveness of Judaism,
His Third post
The Surprising Evil of Ideology (JVO's title which is fine with RBH)
is now available at http://jewishvaluescenter.org/jvoblog/the-surprising-evil-of-ideology
A link is also up on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JewishValuesOnline?fref=ts
Recently, the Jewish Values Online website has offered a new service -- a blog which presents comments on various topics within Judaism and the Jewish world. See
http://www.jewishvaluesonline.org/jvoblog/index?aid=0.
Rabbi Hecht is now also a blogger on this site and will be developing a series entitled
The Distinctiveness of Judaism,
His Third post
The Surprising Evil of Ideology (JVO's title which is fine with RBH)
is now available at http://jewishvaluescenter.org/jvoblog/the-surprising-evil-of-ideology
A link is also up on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JewishValuesOnline?fref=ts
Thursday, 27 August 2015
Commenting on "Response to Dean David Berger on Open Orthodoxy"
Recently, Rabbi Ysoscher Katz wrote a response, in the Jewish Link of New Jersey, entitled Response to Dean David Berger on Open Orthodoxy, to Rabbi Dr. David Berger's article, also in an earlier edition of the Jewish Link of New Jersey, entitled The Rabbinical Council of America and Yeshivat Chovevei Torah: A Response to Rabbis Avi Weiss and Asher Lopatin. The subject really is the nature and definition of heresy within Orthodoxy and, in many ways, this is a most serious issue which we are now facing. The essentially question is: What is Orthodoxy? -- and it extends even beyond the parameters of this specific issue. It is in regard to this specific issue, however, particularly in regard to Rabbi Katz's response, that I would like to comment. (For the purposes of the further discussion of this specific issue, though, one should perhaps also look at Rabbi Asher Lopatin's Morethodoxy article, Revelation and the Education of Modern Orthodox Rabbis.)
The issue to Rabbi Katz would seem to be the nature of what he defines as Modern Orthodox psak. His argument is that Rabbi Berger's view "displays a simplistic understanding of the philosophy of Modern Orthodox halacha. It also, at its core, reflects a minimalist understanding of the Modern Orthodox enterprise." While it is difficult to hear Rabbi Berger's thought processes described in such terms, the question still is not really the nature of psak itself but the extent one's deviation from another's perception of psak is to be accepted as still within the pale of Orthodoxy. The scholars of Conservative Judaism in its early years believed that they were applying what they believed was the correct process of psak. The argument of Orthodoxy was not simply that it disagreed. Disagreements regarding the process of psak actually abound within Orthodoxy. The argument of Orthodoxy was that this methodology of psak was beyond the pale of Orthodoxy.
Similarly, it is not enough for Rabbi Katz to maintain that he has a thoughtful approach to psak. It also serves no purpose for him to attack Rabbi Berger's methodology. It makes no difference whether Rabbi Berger's process is the most sophisticated Modern Orthodox approach to psak or not. No one is challenging that Rabbi Berger's system is within the pale of Orthodoxy. Rabbi Katz disagrees with Rabbi Berger's method but he never declares it not to be Orthodox. The actual question is whether Open Orthodoxy's system is within the pale.
In a certain way, Rabbi Katz's presentation may actually further the arguments against this. He is clearly stating that he is in disagreement with Rabbi Berger's methodology of psak with the implication that Rabbi Berger would also disagree with his system. That, in itself, is not necessarily a problem - disagreements can exist within Orthodoxy. Disagreement, though, does open the possibility for a determination that a position may be beyond the pale. Rabbi Katz does not address this. He does not present an argument that even if Rabbi Berger disagrees with the YCT position, Rabbi Berger should still recognize it as within the pale. If anything, Rabbi Katz's presentation would, in fact, seem to work otherwise. Rabbi Katz's strong critique of Rabbi Berger would actually seem to even imply a denominational divide. What Rabbi Katz needed to do was to show that even though Rabbi Berger may disagree with YCT's views, there are still reasons to accept these views as within the pale. What he does, though, is show how these views are actually so foreign from those of Rabbi Berger. Could this not be the basis of a definition of a new denomination?
On a technical note, I should also state that I specifically had difficulties with Rabbi Katz's reference to the Binyan Tzion and the Chazon Ish. Those two scholars were not dealing with the issue of heresy per se but rather the culpability and effect connected to heresy. Their issue was how we are to relate to those with heretical views, not the very definition of heresy itself. Does this recognition imply that there are, as such, no disagreements regarding issues connected to heresy? The Slifkin Affair obviously indicated to us that there are. The point is, though, that the Binyan Tzion and the Chazon Ish are not indications that the nature of heresy within Orthodoxy can change over time. Their arguments concern how our approach to those who accept heretical views can change over time. Such arguments, though, would still not extend to accepting one with heretical views in a position of rav. I found it problematic in that I felt that Rabbi Katz was somewhat misleading in this regard.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
The issue to Rabbi Katz would seem to be the nature of what he defines as Modern Orthodox psak. His argument is that Rabbi Berger's view "displays a simplistic understanding of the philosophy of Modern Orthodox halacha. It also, at its core, reflects a minimalist understanding of the Modern Orthodox enterprise." While it is difficult to hear Rabbi Berger's thought processes described in such terms, the question still is not really the nature of psak itself but the extent one's deviation from another's perception of psak is to be accepted as still within the pale of Orthodoxy. The scholars of Conservative Judaism in its early years believed that they were applying what they believed was the correct process of psak. The argument of Orthodoxy was not simply that it disagreed. Disagreements regarding the process of psak actually abound within Orthodoxy. The argument of Orthodoxy was that this methodology of psak was beyond the pale of Orthodoxy.
Similarly, it is not enough for Rabbi Katz to maintain that he has a thoughtful approach to psak. It also serves no purpose for him to attack Rabbi Berger's methodology. It makes no difference whether Rabbi Berger's process is the most sophisticated Modern Orthodox approach to psak or not. No one is challenging that Rabbi Berger's system is within the pale of Orthodoxy. Rabbi Katz disagrees with Rabbi Berger's method but he never declares it not to be Orthodox. The actual question is whether Open Orthodoxy's system is within the pale.
In a certain way, Rabbi Katz's presentation may actually further the arguments against this. He is clearly stating that he is in disagreement with Rabbi Berger's methodology of psak with the implication that Rabbi Berger would also disagree with his system. That, in itself, is not necessarily a problem - disagreements can exist within Orthodoxy. Disagreement, though, does open the possibility for a determination that a position may be beyond the pale. Rabbi Katz does not address this. He does not present an argument that even if Rabbi Berger disagrees with the YCT position, Rabbi Berger should still recognize it as within the pale. If anything, Rabbi Katz's presentation would, in fact, seem to work otherwise. Rabbi Katz's strong critique of Rabbi Berger would actually seem to even imply a denominational divide. What Rabbi Katz needed to do was to show that even though Rabbi Berger may disagree with YCT's views, there are still reasons to accept these views as within the pale. What he does, though, is show how these views are actually so foreign from those of Rabbi Berger. Could this not be the basis of a definition of a new denomination?
On a technical note, I should also state that I specifically had difficulties with Rabbi Katz's reference to the Binyan Tzion and the Chazon Ish. Those two scholars were not dealing with the issue of heresy per se but rather the culpability and effect connected to heresy. Their issue was how we are to relate to those with heretical views, not the very definition of heresy itself. Does this recognition imply that there are, as such, no disagreements regarding issues connected to heresy? The Slifkin Affair obviously indicated to us that there are. The point is, though, that the Binyan Tzion and the Chazon Ish are not indications that the nature of heresy within Orthodoxy can change over time. Their arguments concern how our approach to those who accept heretical views can change over time. Such arguments, though, would still not extend to accepting one with heretical views in a position of rav. I found it problematic in that I felt that Rabbi Katz was somewhat misleading in this regard.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Monday, 24 August 2015
Live Webcast with President Barack Obama
Next Erev Shabbat
Friday August 28th at 2:10 pm
Next Erev Shabbat
Friday August 28th at 2:10 pm
From: Stephen M. Greenberg, Chairman
Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO
Dear Friends,Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO
As announced earlier, President Barack Obama will address the American Jewish community on Friday, August 28 at 2:10 p.m. regarding the agreement between the P5 +1 countries and Iran. The webcast, broadcast live from the White House, is co-sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and Jewish Federations from across North America. Anyone with internet access will be able to access the presentation. To encourage and facilitate participation by your members and affiliates, ads and web banners to help you spread the word via social media are available here.
A question and answer period will follow President Obama’s remarks; questions may be submitted in advance on the webcast registration site.
Please register here to receive the web link information.
SMG
MH
Sunday, 23 August 2015
Saturday, 22 August 2015
Mussar: Tearing Others Down
"Class never tries to build itself up by tearing others down.~Ann Landers (1918 - 2002)
Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse."
American Advice Columnist
Also see posts on Schadenfreude
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
Huffington Post: Oskar Groening's Trial Reveals the Complexity of Morality
The Oskar Groening trial in Germany raised many questions. For some, an issue was simply the very fact that this elderly man was standing trial for something he did many years ago. For others, including myself, we could only wonder how that could even be a question. Simple justice would seem to have demanded this trial regardless of the age of the defendant.
Another issue, though, did present a more complicated problem. It seems that the defendant's crime was only discovered through his involvement in challenging those who denied the Holocaust. It was, thus, his subsequent positive actions that led to his trial and conviction. Should these subsequent positive actions, though, have then mitigated in his favour?
See further on this in my latest Huffington Post blog: Oskar Groening's Trial Reveals the Complexity of Morality.
My original title for the post, btw, was 'The Complexity of Life, Morality and the Human Being' but it was changed by the editors. The present title may actually, though, be the better one.
Please feel free to comment here or there.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
For an interesting Torah article regarding the first issue mentioned above, see
http://www.jewishnews.co.uk/torah-for-today-what-does-the-torah-say-about-oskar-groening/
Another issue, though, did present a more complicated problem. It seems that the defendant's crime was only discovered through his involvement in challenging those who denied the Holocaust. It was, thus, his subsequent positive actions that led to his trial and conviction. Should these subsequent positive actions, though, have then mitigated in his favour?
See further on this in my latest Huffington Post blog: Oskar Groening's Trial Reveals the Complexity of Morality.
My original title for the post, btw, was 'The Complexity of Life, Morality and the Human Being' but it was changed by the editors. The present title may actually, though, be the better one.
Please feel free to comment here or there.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
For an interesting Torah article regarding the first issue mentioned above, see
http://www.jewishnews.co.uk/torah-for-today-what-does-the-torah-say-about-oskar-groening/
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Ivanka Trump happy to be Jewish
The above noted article from the Times of Israel, "Ivanka Trump happy to be Jewish", would seem to be of significance given the position of her father, Donald Trump, in the present polls regarding the U.S. presidency. It speaks to not only a Jewish connection that Mr. Trump will have but also the type of Jewish connection that he will have. This is worth noting.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Monday, 10 August 2015
Be there for Chuck! AUGUST 10th at NOON TO 1 PM
Some advocates of the Iran deal are planning a rally outside Schumers NYC office tomorrow. Lets be there with a counter protest. Please spread the word and ask people to come there to support his decision.
Thanks!
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Thanks!
Be at SCHUMER'S OFFICE MONDAY, AUGUST 10th at NOON TO 1 PM
Dear Friends,
If you are in NYC and READY TO TAKE TO THE STREETS over Senator Schumer's decision to vote against the Iran nuclear deal...Peace Action is asking that you join us outside his office on 780 Third Ave in Manhattan (between 48th and 49th Streets) from this Monday, August 10th, from NOON to 1 PM.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD.
We will pass out flyers, collect signatures on petitions and postcards and ask people to call Senator Schumer to let him know that he has made the WRONG decision on this one. There will be a lot of people on the streets at lunchtime. The weather prediction is 78 F and sunny for that hour.
If you cannot be there yourself, please pass this call to your group.
Please email me at sallyfeatherstone@gmail.com or call me at 917-362-0897 if you will be there.
Thanks,
Sally Jones
Peace Action NYS
917-362-0897
sallyfeatherstone@gmail.com
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Saturday, 8 August 2015
Mussar: What a Beautiful Thought. To be told how wonderful you are!
https://fbcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xtp1/v/t1.0-0/p480x480/1510505_356378111237968_5966672859934048243_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoiYiJ9&oh=5d5c06274d0f8578da60b9945c99a61d&oe=56538B51&__gda__=1446883512_ce8469842cad0347cd7606695279096d
Comment on FB:
"Imagine if that's what we all did - what a different place this world would be."
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Comment on FB:
"Imagine if that's what we all did - what a different place this world would be."
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Thursday, 6 August 2015
United with Israel: Israel’s Special Unity
This has been a hard time for Klal Yisrael. The essence of our soul was challenged from within -- but we responded with our uniqueness. I expand upon this theme in my recent post on United with Israel. Please see http://unitedwithisrael.org/israels-uniqueness-vs-violence-and-terror/
I am sure this will also be up on the UWI Facebook page in the near future. Please feel free to comment here or on one of the UWI sites.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
I am sure this will also be up on the UWI Facebook page in the near future. Please feel free to comment here or on one of the UWI sites.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Monday, 3 August 2015
Media: Double Standard
Guest Blogger:
R Ben Blech:
I sent this to the NYTimes letters - but of course they wouldn't print it. It needs however to be stressed by all of us in the aftermath of the horrific stabbing:
Kol Tuv,
RRW
R Ben Blech:
I sent this to the NYTimes letters - but of course they wouldn't print it. It needs however to be stressed by all of us in the aftermath of the horrific stabbing:
«Your headline on the horrific stabbing at the Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem begins with the description of the assailant as "Ultra-Orthodox." It would suggest a higher level of piety, a greater expression of Orthodox faith - when any Rabbi or scholar of Judaism would tell you this act was the utmost desecration of every Jewish and biblical value. Extremist, fanatic, perverted come to mind as more appropriate prefixes than "Ultra." The Times is usually very careful not to identify ISIS barbarism as exemplifying traditional moderate Islam. I urge you to be equally careful with descriptions for those who bring only shame and disgust to every religious Jew.»
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Off the Path of Orthodox -
Off the Path of Orthodox --By Talia Lavin in The New Yorker--7/31/15
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/off-the-path-of-orthodoxy
Kol Tuv,
RRW
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/off-the-path-of-orthodoxy
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Even Ho'Ezer Siman 66
Here is a quick outline of some interesting points we discussed re: denominations with regard to
Kessef M'dina vs. Kessef Tzori
KM vs. KTz
1. Value of coins covers:
A. Even Ho'ezer re: K'tubbah
B. Yoreh Dei'ah re: Pidyon habbein
C. Tangentially; Orach Chaim re: Machatzit Hashekel
2. Q: What is status of Machatzit Hashekel?
A: No D'oraito because we use half of KM as opposed to KTz
B. Not even a D'rabbanan because no B'rachah...
C. Ergo a Zecher l'mikdash b'alma
D. Contrast this to S'firat ha'Omer - which is also a Zecher per most Poskim - yet also has a B'rochoh. So it seems to be at least a full-fledged D'rabbanan or even a D'oraito according to some.
3. What kind of Kessef is a K'tbbah for a B'tulah?
A. Rabbenu Tam: 100% D'oraito ergo KTz
B. Rif, Rambam, M'Chabbeir and others: 100% D'rabbanan ergo KM
C. Rosh, Mordechai, and current Minhag Ashk'naz: while the Rabbanan created the k'tubbah, nevertheless they insisted on d'oraito money - KTz. Perhaps this is due to "assu hizzuk l'divreihem". Ergo it is a hybrid.
D. Sheetat Agudah / Maharil as quoted by Rema - needs more elaboration.
4. Pidyon Habbein -
A. Still Mid'oraito
B. Ergo requires KTz
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Kessef M'dina vs. Kessef Tzori
KM vs. KTz
1. Value of coins covers:
A. Even Ho'ezer re: K'tubbah
B. Yoreh Dei'ah re: Pidyon habbein
C. Tangentially; Orach Chaim re: Machatzit Hashekel
2. Q: What is status of Machatzit Hashekel?
A: No D'oraito because we use half of KM as opposed to KTz
B. Not even a D'rabbanan because no B'rachah...
C. Ergo a Zecher l'mikdash b'alma
D. Contrast this to S'firat ha'Omer - which is also a Zecher per most Poskim - yet also has a B'rochoh. So it seems to be at least a full-fledged D'rabbanan or even a D'oraito according to some.
3. What kind of Kessef is a K'tbbah for a B'tulah?
A. Rabbenu Tam: 100% D'oraito ergo KTz
B. Rif, Rambam, M'Chabbeir and others: 100% D'rabbanan ergo KM
C. Rosh, Mordechai, and current Minhag Ashk'naz: while the Rabbanan created the k'tubbah, nevertheless they insisted on d'oraito money - KTz. Perhaps this is due to "assu hizzuk l'divreihem". Ergo it is a hybrid.
D. Sheetat Agudah / Maharil as quoted by Rema - needs more elaboration.
4. Pidyon Habbein -
A. Still Mid'oraito
B. Ergo requires KTz
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Tuesday, 28 July 2015
JVO Blog: The Distinctiveness of Judaism – Midat Sdom and Sodomy
Jewish Values Online (jewishvaluesonline.org)
is a website that asks the Jewish view on a variety of
issues, some specifically Jewish and some from the world
around us -- and then presents answers from each of the
denominations of Judaism. Nishmablog's Blogmaster Rabbi
Wolpoe and Nishma's Founding Director, Rabbi Hecht, both serve
as Orthodox members of their Panel of Scholars. Nishmablog, over the years, has also featured the responses on JVO by one of our two Nishma Scholars who are
on this panel.
Recently, the Jewish Values Online website has offered a new service -- a blog which presents comments on various topics within Judaism and the Jewish world. See
http://www.jewishvaluesonline.org/jvoblog/index?aid=0.
Rabbi Hecht is now also a blogger on this site and will be developing a series entitled
The Distinctiveness of Judaism,
His Second post
Midat Sdom and Sodomy
is now available at http://jewishvaluescenter.org/jvoblog/midat-sdom-and-sodomy
Recently, the Jewish Values Online website has offered a new service -- a blog which presents comments on various topics within Judaism and the Jewish world. See
http://www.jewishvaluesonline.org/jvoblog/index?aid=0.
Rabbi Hecht is now also a blogger on this site and will be developing a series entitled
The Distinctiveness of Judaism,
His Second post
Midat Sdom and Sodomy
is now available at http://jewishvaluescenter.org/jvoblog/midat-sdom-and-sodomy
Monday, 27 July 2015
Muslim women expresses her support for Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount
The Jewish Standard:
Kol Tuv,
RRW
A Muslim women expresses her support for Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount and a peaceful coexistence between all peoples. Notable is the interviewer is Rabbi Yehuda Glick, the activist who survived being shot in an assassination attempt due to his Temple Mount activism. Since his recovery, Glick has redoubled his efforts at building bridges with moderate Muslims who seek a peaceful relationship between the nations.http://www.facebook.com/JewishStandard/videos/10153149133413717/
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Sunday, 26 July 2015
Friday, 24 July 2015
Were Jews listening in 1940?
Remembering Jan Karski, the Catholic spy who warned about the Holocaust
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2015/07/remembering-jan-karski-the-catholic-spy-who-warned-about-the-holocaust/?ref_widget=trending&ref_blog=diaryofawimpycatholic&ref_post=of-sheep-sheepdogs-and-self-love
Grunberg Film About Karski at the Museum of Jewish Heritage
http://www.jankarski.net/en/news-and-events/upcoming-events/grunberg-film-about-karski-at-the-museum-of-jewish-heritage.html
Kol Tuv,
RRW
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2015/07/remembering-jan-karski-the-catholic-spy-who-warned-about-the-holocaust/?ref_widget=trending&ref_blog=diaryofawimpycatholic&ref_post=of-sheep-sheepdogs-and-self-love
Grunberg Film About Karski at the Museum of Jewish Heritage
http://www.jankarski.net/en/news-and-events/upcoming-events/grunberg-film-about-karski-at-the-museum-of-jewish-heritage.html
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Thursday, 23 July 2015
Jerusalem Synagogue Desecrated in Alleged Hate Crime | United with Israel
United With Israel:
A synagogue on King George Street in Jerusalem, situated in the heart of the Israeli capital, was desecrated Wednesday night.
The curtain covering the holy ark that holds the Torah scrolls was burned, and a Nazi-like Swastika and anti-Jewish epithets were scrawled on the furniture. We are extremely disgusted!
http://unitedwithisrael.org/jerusalem-synagogue-desecrated-in-alleged-hate-crime/
Kol Tuv,
RRW
A synagogue on King George Street in Jerusalem, situated in the heart of the Israeli capital, was desecrated Wednesday night.
The curtain covering the holy ark that holds the Torah scrolls was burned, and a Nazi-like Swastika and anti-Jewish epithets were scrawled on the furniture. We are extremely disgusted!
http://unitedwithisrael.org/jerusalem-synagogue-desecrated-in-alleged-hate-crime/
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Monday, 20 July 2015
Hezbollah Lauds Nuclear Deal as US Surrender, Victory for Iran and its Allies | United with Israel
http://unitedwithisrael.org/hezbollah-lauds-nuclear-deal-as-us-surrender-victory-for-iran-and-its-allies/
United With Israel:
Let's put the nuclear deal in perspective.
Hezbollah is lauding the deal as a US surrender. They are calling it a victory for Iran and its allies. Hello? This is crazy! How much more proof do we need that this is a TERRIBLE deal?
Kol Tuv,
RRW
United With Israel:
Let's put the nuclear deal in perspective.
Hezbollah is lauding the deal as a US surrender. They are calling it a victory for Iran and its allies. Hello? This is crazy! How much more proof do we need that this is a TERRIBLE deal?
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Thursday, 16 July 2015
United with Israel: The Iran Deal – A Place for Camaraderie?
I, like so many others, have my reservations about the Iran deal but, in the end, I must admit that I really don't have all the facts. After all, I am not tied into all the underlying intelligence. There is one matter, though, of which I am certain -- this is still not a time for camaraderie. This is an issue I address in my latest blog on United with Israel at http://unitedwithisrael.org/the-iran-deal-a-place-for-camaraderie/. I am sure it will also be up on the UWI Facebook page in the near future. Please feel free to comment here or on one of the UWI sites.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Thursday, 9 July 2015
JVO: Media Violence
Jewish Values Online (jewishvaluesonline.org)
is a website that asks the Jewish view on a variety of
issues, some specifically Jewish and some from the world
around us -- and then presents answers from each of the
dominations of Judaism. Nishmablog's Blogmaster Rabbi
Wolpoe and Nishma's Founding Director, Rabbi Hecht, both serve
as Orthodox members of their Panel of Scholars.
This post continues this series on the Nishmablog that features responses on JVO by one of our two Nishma Scholars who are on this panel. This week's presentation is to one of the questions to which Rabbi Hecht responded.
* * * * *
Question:
This post continues this series on the Nishmablog that features responses on JVO by one of our two Nishma Scholars who are on this panel. This week's presentation is to one of the questions to which Rabbi Hecht responded.
* * * * *
Question:
The following question is based on an inquiry to The Ethicist column in the Sunday New York Times Magazine. When there are scientific studies that point to the media having an impact on violent behavior, is it unethical to write, produce or direct violent films and TV shows?
In
that your question regards the Jewish ethical perspective on these
undertakings, what I feel I must first do is briefly digress and discuss
what we may mean by the term Jewish Ethics. It actually has a compound
nature.
A common assumption is the term Jewish Ethics simply refers to Halacha,
i.e. Jewish Law. In fact, Jewish Law is actually only one part of
Jewish Ethics. There are further layers to what we would term Jewish
ethics which emerge from continuing discussions on a subject within a
broader context. Terms such as lifnim meshurat hadin, beyond
the strictures of the law, are sometimes employed to reflect these
realms of Jewish ethical investigation. This term, however, only
reflects one category of such extra-legal conclusions; there are many
more. Jewish Ethics in reality is simply multi-layered on many levels.
The way many understand this layered approach to Jewish Ethics is by perceiving one standard – generally the standard of Halacha
– as a sort of base requirement with the further standards reflecting
higher ones to which a person should aspire. As such, the perception of
many is that Jewish Law, in itself, reflects a lower standard that one
must necessarily abide by while higher levels, beyond the law, reflect
further and further declarations of what is really proper. This
approach, however, is actually somewhat mistaken. While it is true that
we find such examples of distinction in the call of Jewish Ethics --
cases whereby we are told that the average person should abide by one
standard while a more righteous person should abide by another higher
standard (with often a caveat that the average person should actually
not, for various reasons, attempt to abide by this higher standard –
that discussion, though, is not for now) -- the presentation of variant
standards does not necessarily reflect this specific dichotomy in
ethical conclusions. There are different reasons why Jewish Ethics may
yield variant responses to an ethical question.
Halacha,
Jewish Law, actually reflects a micro analysis of a situation, defining
what is right and wrong within the narrow context of the micro action
in itself. Its focus is on the act in itself. Further layers of Jewish
Ethical investigation then often reflect upon the more macro
considerations of the overall situation beyond the micro details of the
act. This could include, for example, the ethical, psychological effect
on the person doing the act. For example, within the technical, micro
definitions of the law prohibiting the causing of pain to animals (tza’ar ba’alei chayim),
if an act has tangible benefit for the human being it is permitted. As
such, hunting when the human will gain benefit from the carcass is
technically permitted under this rule. Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, Noda B’Yehuda, Yoreh Deah 10,
however, still cautions that a Jew should, under normal circumstances,
still refrain from such activities, especially sport hunting. This is
because, beyond the micro parameters of the act, there is also the
psychological effect on the hunter whereby he/she would become less
sensitive to the very value of life. This is an example of a macro
extra-legal Jewish ethical conclusion beyond the micro parameters of the
act itself. Such decisions, however, are much more fluid.
Since
such secondary investigations are also inherently bound to the micro
considerations of the initial, micro, legal analysis, they generally
just expand upon the base halacha to go beyond its strictures.
This generally would lead to stricter standards in consideration of the
macro situation. The macro analysis may, though, also result, in certain
situations, in the introduction of more lenient possibilities, in that
this consideration of the macro situation may, through certain technical
aspects of Jewish Law, have such an effect on the base law.
The Heter Shemitta would be a good example of this. Jews, in Israel, are forbidden to work their land in the seventh year (Shemitta).
There was concern, in the late 1800’s, when Jews first returned to the
land of Israel and began developing it agriculturally, that observance
of Shemitta could possibly have a massive negative effect on
this agricultural endeavour and cause great damage to the religious
settlement movement. In response, some leading rabbis developed a halachic
argument by which it would be possible for the people to work the land
(by legally selling it to non-Jews) and thereby avoid this possible
negative consequence. These rabbis still maintained that, in normal
circumstances, the micro considerations of the law still would demand
that the land not be sold and not be worked. It was only consideration
of the greater macro concerns in this specific situation that led them
to develop a permitted different response given the circumstances. (It
perhaps should also be noted that other leading rabbis disagreed with
their arguments on various different grounds and maintained that the
macro concerns could not lead to this effect – see further, Rabbi Ezra Schwartz, Heter Mechira, YU Torah Online.
These dissenters, though, should not be seen as disagreeing with the
basic theory that there is a macro layer in Jewish Ethics. They simply
did not agree that in this case the macro effect could affect the micro
case.)
Turning
now to our case at hand -- whether, given that media can have an impact
on violent behaviour, it is unethical to write, produce or direct
violent films and TV shows – the prohibition framed by Vayikra 19:14 -- which reads Lifnei iver lo titein michshal,
“Before a blind person do not put a stumbling block” -- is generally
understood to include an injunction against assisting or causing another
to sin. See, further, Sefer HaChinuch, Mitzvah 232. As
such, given that violent behaviour would generally be of a sinful
nature, it would seem that it would be problematic for one to do
something that could lead to such behaviour. The actual definition of
this law in its purest, micro, halachic form maintains, though,
that, to violate the prohibition, the one assisting another to sin must
be an absolutely necessary component in the person’s sinful action. For
example, for someone to be guilty of Lifnei iver, in its base
form, in passing a piece of pork to another Jew who is forbidden to eat
it, it must be that there is no other way for this other person to
acquire this piece of pork. As such, in its most basic form, we can only
say definitely that it would be wrong for one to write, produce or
direct violent films or TV shows if there is no other way for a person
to gain access to such items. That, though, is really only part of the
consideration.
On
the macro level of Jewish Ethics, the problem in assisting others in a
sin actually expands. There is a general standard that one should not be
connected with sin and, as such, even if the other could get the piece
of pork from someone else and, as such, in giving this person the pork
one would not violate Lifnei iver from the micro perspective,
the general Jewish ethical perspective would be that a person should
still not be the one who gives the pork. On this macro level, though,
other considerations, which would also not be considered if we only
specifically looked at the micro act, may also enter and further
complicate the analysis.
The
fact is that, even looking at the micro act, one would consider various
technical issues before arriving at a conclusion of the ethical nature
of an act. For example, in looking at the question even on its most base
level, what do we mean by impact? Does that mean that some people, a
small percentage, are so affected by such media presentations or are the
majority of people so affected? The answer to this question could even
affect the micro halacha. For example, if you are passing the
pork to a group of Jews and non-Jews, that could affect the base law.
The presence of non-Jews in the receiving group could permit the action
of passing. The result may be that it is on the more macro level that we
are more stringent. On this level, we may still say that one should not
pass the pork. On the other hand, though, on this more macro level, we
may also consider the livelihood of the one who is distributing the
pork. Consider a pre-school teacher who has to distribute non-kosher
food to his/her group of students consisting of Jews and non-Jews. We
may find a way for him/her to do so, although it would result in a sin
being performed (the eating of non-kosher by a child is considered to be
a sinful act although the child is not culpable for this behaviour)
since to not do so may result in this person losing his/her job. Similar
broad considerations would also have to be studied in this case of
media.
So
the answer to your question is actually not so simple. In a broad
sense, we can say that since violent behaviour is generally sinful,
there is a problem in undertaking activity that could lead to such
behaviour. (Another factor would be if the subsequent violent behaviour
is not sinful such as in self-defence.) Every specific situation,
though, has its own set of circumstances and to declare, in definite
terms, whether one should write, produce or direct violent films or TV
shows must demand a look at the circumstances.
Monday, 6 July 2015
Crisis in Modern and Centrist Orthodoxy
IMHO:
Modern or Centrist Orthodoxy has a crisis to address
Today's secular culture and society is OTD! I thought the culture of the 50's 70's and 80's were highly compatible with core Torah values. The late sixties were an "aberration"
Today's culture is SO antithetical to Torah there seems to remain a black-and-white choice [Hobson's Choice?]
1. A Shift Right to Chareidi Insularism
2. A shift Left to Neo-Conservatism
And a vacuum gap in between.
Comment:
I don't think the NY Times has been compatible with any Traditional values for 80+ years. I just heard stories about their glowing praises of Stalin YSv"Z during the Show Trial era. We know of their scurrilous record during the Holocaust.
I think Bill Buckley had the NYT correctly pegged by the 1960's.
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Modern or Centrist Orthodoxy has a crisis to address
Today's secular culture and society is OTD! I thought the culture of the 50's 70's and 80's were highly compatible with core Torah values. The late sixties were an "aberration"
Today's culture is SO antithetical to Torah there seems to remain a black-and-white choice [Hobson's Choice?]
1. A Shift Right to Chareidi Insularism
2. A shift Left to Neo-Conservatism
And a vacuum gap in between.
Comment:
I don't think the NY Times has been compatible with any Traditional values for 80+ years. I just heard stories about their glowing praises of Stalin YSv"Z during the Show Trial era. We know of their scurrilous record during the Holocaust.
I think Bill Buckley had the NYT correctly pegged by the 1960's.
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Sunday, 5 July 2015
JVO Blog: The Distinctiveness of Judaism – Introduction
Jewish Values Online (jewishvaluesonline.org)
is a website that asks the Jewish view on a variety of
issues, some specifically Jewish and some from the world
around us -- and then presents answers from each of the
denominations of Judaism. Nishmablog's Blogmaster Rabbi
Wolpoe and Nishma's Founding Director, Rabbi Hecht, both serve
as Orthodox members of their Panel of Scholars. Nishmablog, over the years, has also featured the responses on JVO by one of our two Nishma Scholars who are
on this panel.
Recently, the Jewish Values Online website has offered a new service -- a blog which presents comments on various topics within Judaism and the Jewish world. See
http://www.jewishvaluesonline.org/jvoblog/index?aid=0.
Rabbi Hecht is now also a blogger on this site and will be developing a series entitled
The Distinctiveness of Judaism,
His first post
Introduction
is now available at http://jewishvaluescenter.org/jvoblog/the-distinctiveness-of-judaism.
Recently, the Jewish Values Online website has offered a new service -- a blog which presents comments on various topics within Judaism and the Jewish world. See
http://www.jewishvaluesonline.org/jvoblog/index?aid=0.
Rabbi Hecht is now also a blogger on this site and will be developing a series entitled
The Distinctiveness of Judaism,
His first post
Introduction
is now available at http://jewishvaluescenter.org/jvoblog/the-distinctiveness-of-judaism.
Friday, 3 July 2015
Sing the 4th on the 4th
The Forgotten 4th Verse of "The Star Spangled Banner"
by Darin Southam - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/embed/fnwUi8Y88HA?autoplay=1&FORM=VIRE4
The Star Spangled Banner
Ft McHenry ^ | 1814 |
Francis Scott Key
#1
The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
#4
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Kol Tuv,
RRW
by Darin Southam - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/embed/fnwUi8Y88HA?autoplay=1&FORM=VIRE4
The Star Spangled Banner
Ft McHenry ^ | 1814 |
Francis Scott Key
#1
The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
#4
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Saturday, 27 June 2015
Mussar: Competitiveness Drives Away the Truth
"Those who possess the characteristic of always desiring to outdo others cannot accept the Truth. When people have the desire to always be right, even when the truth is plain before their eyes, they will distort in order to maintain their imagine superiority.~ Rav Nachman of Breslov
This applies in all areas of life."
Likutei Moharan I 122
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Hillary Milhous Clinton - WSJ
http://www.wsj.com/articles/hillary-milhous-clinton-1433891790
"The similarities between Richard Nixon and Mrs. Clinton go well beyond their hostility toward the press."
By EVAN THOMAS
Kol Tuv,
RRW
"The similarities between Richard Nixon and Mrs. Clinton go well beyond their hostility toward the press."
By EVAN THOMAS
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Sunday, 21 June 2015
Exposing the Truth about J Street
WATCH: Exposing the Truth About J Street | United with Israel
http://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-exposing-the-truth-about…/
Kol Tov
RRW
http://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-exposing-the-truth-about…/
Kol Tov
RRW
Saturday, 20 June 2015
Mussar: How and Why Arguing with Most People is a Waste of Time
"The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it."
~ George Bernard Shaw
Only a sincere Seeker of Truth seems to get past this
Rav Nachman of Breslov noted that arguers often become overtaken by "Ko'ach Hannitzachon" and thereby lose their objectivity to understand or to value counter-arguments. Beth Hillel were deemed "Anv'sonnim", perhaps due to this peculiar meedah.
I have given colleagues "ultimatums" as follows
Either be a passionate advocate for a position
Or
Be passionately objective about the truth.
But don't conflate the too. If you wish to be an intellectually honest researcher, then drop your prejudices and follow the trail of the evidence. If you go in with your mind made up, forgetaboutit.
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Thursday, 18 June 2015
RCA Condolences to Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, SC
http://www.rabbis.org/news/article.cfm?id=105818
The RCA is to be commended for this.
RBH
Jun 18, 2015 -- The following letter has been sent to the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, in the wake of the horrific shootings there:
To the Members of the Emanuel AME Church,
As fellow human beings created in the image of God, as fellow Americans, and as members of a people that shares the experiences of discrimination and murder based on faith and ethnicity, we, the largest collection of Orthodox Jewish rabbis in the nation, express to you our outrage at the murders of nine of your brothers and sisters, including your pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney.
We extend to you, and to their families, our deepest expressions of condolence and pledge to work with you, and other people of faith, to bring an end to violence and discrimination, and to the hatreds that so many of us hoped had waned which have returned with virulent force. We act in the spirit of consolation that came to us in our recent time of need, when Palestinian terrorists entered a place of worship during services and massacred four rabbis, and letters of support came to us from fellow Americans.
May the prophecy of Isaiah be fulfilled for you and your community, "The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted (30:26)" and "Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end (Isaiah 60:20)."
Sincerely yours,
President Rabbi Leonard Matanky
Executive Vice President Rabbi Mark Dratch
The RCA is to be commended for this.
RBH
Monday, 15 June 2015
United with Israel: I Cannot Be Charlie Hebdo
The natural response to the attack against Charlie Hebdo is to stand in support of those who were terrorized. The challenge, though, is that, while one can defend Charlie Hebdo's right to do what it does, in response to this terror, are we also called upon to agree with it? This is an issue I address in my latest blog on United with Israel at http://unitedwithisrael.org/i-cannot-be-charlie-hebdo/ (with 2 comments). It can also be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/unitedwithisrael?fref=nf where it has 159 likes, 22 shares and 14 comments (including one of my own). Feel free to comment here or there.
A further issue that I did not address in the UWI blog but would like to mention here, in that it must also be addressed, is the balancing of Western values with Torah values. In the blog, I speak as one who favours the Western value of freedom of religion which includes the respect of variant religions. I therefore inherently have problems with Charlie Hebdo's mocking of Islam. How, though, we can ask, does Torah values actually look at this mocking? It would seem to me clear that Torah values would look upon Charlie Hebdo's mocking of Judaism negatively. The question is actually not how Torah would view the mocking of Islam in a vacuum but, rather, how to view it within the context of living within the Western world. This explains my approach with the UWI blog but the full position is actually much more complex
Rabbi Ben Hecht
A further issue that I did not address in the UWI blog but would like to mention here, in that it must also be addressed, is the balancing of Western values with Torah values. In the blog, I speak as one who favours the Western value of freedom of religion which includes the respect of variant religions. I therefore inherently have problems with Charlie Hebdo's mocking of Islam. How, though, we can ask, does Torah values actually look at this mocking? It would seem to me clear that Torah values would look upon Charlie Hebdo's mocking of Judaism negatively. The question is actually not how Torah would view the mocking of Islam in a vacuum but, rather, how to view it within the context of living within the Western world. This explains my approach with the UWI blog but the full position is actually much more complex
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Saturday, 13 June 2015
Mussar: Understanding The Sources Of Anger
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin wrote:
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Have compassion on people who become angry easily. The person may have negative feelings about himself. By understanding the source of his anger, you will be able to deal with him more effectively.(Rabbi Pliskin's Gateway to Happiness, p.196)
As regards yourself, if you have chronic feelings of guilt or inadequacy, you are apt to lose your temper easily. For this reason many perfectionists have bad tempers. Since they make almost impossible demands of themselves, they feel tense and strained, which often leads to anger.
While always trying to improve, accept yourself. This will lead to the most healthy growth.
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Monday, 8 June 2015
Aisles of Holiness
Dear Rabbi Wolpoe,
It has become clear to me from all the HOLY people davening in the Aisles of the Shul and at the Beemah, that Hashem is not there in the pews, or that Hashem cannot hear anyone davening from the pews....
Shalom,
Iyyei Hayyam
Dear Iyyei Hayyam,
AISLE bet you're right!!!
LOL!
RRW
Kol Tuv,
RRW
It has become clear to me from all the HOLY people davening in the Aisles of the Shul and at the Beemah, that Hashem is not there in the pews, or that Hashem cannot hear anyone davening from the pews....
Shalom,
Iyyei Hayyam
Dear Iyyei Hayyam,
AISLE bet you're right!!!
LOL!
RRW
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Sunday, 7 June 2015
Recognizing Diversity In Islam
As we must continue to be vigilant in our battle with those who wish to harm us, we must also be clear in identifying exactly who are our enemies. To link together all who in a specific group without acknowledging the reality of the diversity that may exist within the group is simply wrong. It is racism at its worst and cannot be tolerated. It is therefore most praiseworthy that Arutz Sheva is presenting a series of articles, "Op-Ed: Giving Voice to Muslims Who Support Peace", showing the diversity in Islam and that there are large segments of the Moslem world who do wish a peaceful solution with Israel and a positive connection with the Jewish People. The first two articles in the series can be seen at:
Article One - http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/16892#.VXPQkkazmQE
Article Two - http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/17030#.VXPRgEazmQH
We invite you to take a look.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Article One - http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/16892#.VXPQkkazmQE
Article Two - http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/17030#.VXPRgEazmQH
We invite you to take a look.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Saturday, 6 June 2015
Mussar: Don't be So Sure of Yourself
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires."
~ Susan B. Anthony
Kol Tuv,
RRW
~ Susan B. Anthony
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Friday, 5 June 2015
Electric Cooking on Shabbat, Shabbat Clocks, etc.
http://ph.yhb.org.il/01-10-17/
×™×– – השהייה ×‘×ª× ×•×¨ חשמלי ובישול בשעון שבת | ×¤× ×™× ×™ הלכה
Kol Tuv,
RRW
×™×– – השהייה ×‘×ª× ×•×¨ חשמלי ובישול בשעון שבת | ×¤× ×™× ×™ הלכה
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Thursday, 4 June 2015
CPAP Machine On Shabbos
Star-K Kosher Certification - Kosher Consumer
http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-InsightsFromTheInstitute-Winter10.htm
Kol Tuv,
RRW
http://www.star-k.org/kashrus/kk-InsightsFromTheInstitute-Winter10.htm
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
Stove and Oven Use on Shabbat and Yom Tov
The Halakhot of Stove and Oven Use on Shabbat and Yom Tov
By Rabbi Meir Sendor
Our stoves and ovens get a lot of use throughout the month of Tishrei in preparing Yom Tov meals, in addition to our weekly Shabbat preparation. This is a good time to review the halakhot of oven and stove use on Yom Tov and Shabbat, and to correct some common misunderstandings when it comes to the use of ovens with the Sabbath Mode feature.
The Star-K Kashrut organization, pioneers together with appliance manufacturers in the development of the Sabbath Mode setting for ovens, acknowledges that the trade name for this feature is unfortunate and has led to misunderstandings, and has appealed to rabbis to help correct the problem. The real advantage of the Sabbath Mode feature is for Yom Tov, and even here it is subject to halakhic rules that define a very limited set of parameters for oven use.
Let me quote directly from warnings issued on the Star-K website:
The Sabbath Mode does not allow us to turn these appliances on or off on the Sabbath. The Sabbath Mode also does not allow us to use these appliances completely at will on Shabbos or Yom Tov. Rather, it enables us to use these appliances within the guidelines of Halacha…
Ovens with the Sabbath mode on will not shut off after twelve hours of continuous operation. In many cases this mode will prevent the oven light from going on/off as the door is opened/closed. In some models, however, the bulb must be unscrewed or the light left on for the entire period. No lights, digits, solenoids, fans, icons, tones or displays will be activated/modified in the normal operation of the oven.
For these Sabbath mode models, the set temperature can be raised or lowered on Yom Tov (but not on Shabbos) for cooking purposes at any time, because there is a built-in delay between the request for temperature change and its actual implementation.
The following rules apply to oven use, with or without the Sabbath Mode:
1. No adjustment to the temperature is permitted on Shabbos even in the Sabbath Mode.
2. All food must be fully cooked and placed in the oven before Shabbos. No food (cooked or non-cooked) may be placed in the oven on Shabbos to re-warm or cook. This is true regarding ovens, as well as warming drawers.
3. It is the opinion of Rabbi Heinemann that on Shabbos, for the thermostatically controlled oven that is running (as opposed to one shut off by timed bake), the door may be opened once at any time and all the food removed at that time. The oven may not be used any further for that Shabbos. [This refers all modern ovens, regular and Sabbath mode, and to food that is fully cooked that was placed in the oven before Shabbos to stay warm].
4. The controls of an oven that is left on for Shabbos (or part of a Shabbos with a timed bake) should be covered with something like a piece of aluminum foil. Caution: Please be careful not to cover the vents.
With these warnings and corrections from Star-K in mind, let's review the rules of cooking and keeping food warm on Shabbat and Yom Tov, and how they apply to ovens and stove tops with the Shabbos Mode feature.
Kol Tuv,
RRW
By Rabbi Meir Sendor
Our stoves and ovens get a lot of use throughout the month of Tishrei in preparing Yom Tov meals, in addition to our weekly Shabbat preparation. This is a good time to review the halakhot of oven and stove use on Yom Tov and Shabbat, and to correct some common misunderstandings when it comes to the use of ovens with the Sabbath Mode feature.
The Star-K Kashrut organization, pioneers together with appliance manufacturers in the development of the Sabbath Mode setting for ovens, acknowledges that the trade name for this feature is unfortunate and has led to misunderstandings, and has appealed to rabbis to help correct the problem. The real advantage of the Sabbath Mode feature is for Yom Tov, and even here it is subject to halakhic rules that define a very limited set of parameters for oven use.
Let me quote directly from warnings issued on the Star-K website:
The Sabbath Mode does not allow us to turn these appliances on or off on the Sabbath. The Sabbath Mode also does not allow us to use these appliances completely at will on Shabbos or Yom Tov. Rather, it enables us to use these appliances within the guidelines of Halacha…
Ovens with the Sabbath mode on will not shut off after twelve hours of continuous operation. In many cases this mode will prevent the oven light from going on/off as the door is opened/closed. In some models, however, the bulb must be unscrewed or the light left on for the entire period. No lights, digits, solenoids, fans, icons, tones or displays will be activated/modified in the normal operation of the oven.
For these Sabbath mode models, the set temperature can be raised or lowered on Yom Tov (but not on Shabbos) for cooking purposes at any time, because there is a built-in delay between the request for temperature change and its actual implementation.
The following rules apply to oven use, with or without the Sabbath Mode:
1. No adjustment to the temperature is permitted on Shabbos even in the Sabbath Mode.
2. All food must be fully cooked and placed in the oven before Shabbos. No food (cooked or non-cooked) may be placed in the oven on Shabbos to re-warm or cook. This is true regarding ovens, as well as warming drawers.
3. It is the opinion of Rabbi Heinemann that on Shabbos, for the thermostatically controlled oven that is running (as opposed to one shut off by timed bake), the door may be opened once at any time and all the food removed at that time. The oven may not be used any further for that Shabbos. [This refers all modern ovens, regular and Sabbath mode, and to food that is fully cooked that was placed in the oven before Shabbos to stay warm].
4. The controls of an oven that is left on for Shabbos (or part of a Shabbos with a timed bake) should be covered with something like a piece of aluminum foil. Caution: Please be careful not to cover the vents.
With these warnings and corrections from Star-K in mind, let's review the rules of cooking and keeping food warm on Shabbat and Yom Tov, and how they apply to ovens and stove tops with the Shabbos Mode feature.
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Bais Din and the Law CLE Symposium
Business Halacha Institute and Agudath Israel of America Commission on Torah Projects & Legal Support Services LLC,
invite all attorneys to a CLE symposium on
WHEN: Sunday, June 14, 2015 Registration: 9:30 AM Program Begins 10:00 AM
WHERE: Business Halacha Institute 1937 Ocean Avenue (bet. Ave's. N & O) Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230
PROGRAM 1
10:00- 10:50 Choice of Venue
Exploring tactics on responding to a summons from a Bais Din, the parties rights to choose a panel, and the crucial differences between a Zabluh and regular Bais Din. Presenter: Rabbi Ari Marburger Dayan, Business Halacha Institute; Author, "Business Halacha" (Artscroll/Mesorah)
PROGRAM 2
11:00- 11:50 Discovery Rights in Bais Din
A discussion of the traditional role of discovery in a Din Torah, the typical process in a modern Din Torah, and some practical suggestions.
Presenter: Rabbi Chaim Kohn Dean, Business Halacha Institute; Dayan KAJ.
PROGRAM 3
12:00- 12:50 An Attorney's Role in a Din Torah
An analysis of what a trained attorney can contribute to the Din Torah process, and the halachic limits of advocacy.
resenter: Rabbi Avraham Gutman Dayan, Business Halacha Institute; Bais Din Vaad Hadayanim of Lakewood.
Free Admission NY CLE: 3 credits sponsored by ACE CLE Seminars For registration click here or for further information, please contact the Business Halacha Institute at admin@businesshalacha.com or 718 233 3845 ex 201 Reception Committee Mordechai Gelber, Yossi Kazarnovsky, Naftali Leshkowitz,
Kol Tuv,
RRW
WHEN: Sunday, June 14, 2015 Registration: 9:30 AM Program Begins 10:00 AM
WHERE: Business Halacha Institute 1937 Ocean Avenue (bet. Ave's. N & O) Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230
PROGRAM 1
10:00- 10:50 Choice of Venue
Exploring tactics on responding to a summons from a Bais Din, the parties rights to choose a panel, and the crucial differences between a Zabluh and regular Bais Din. Presenter: Rabbi Ari Marburger Dayan, Business Halacha Institute; Author, "Business Halacha" (Artscroll/Mesorah)
PROGRAM 2
11:00- 11:50 Discovery Rights in Bais Din
A discussion of the traditional role of discovery in a Din Torah, the typical process in a modern Din Torah, and some practical suggestions.
Presenter: Rabbi Chaim Kohn Dean, Business Halacha Institute; Dayan KAJ.
PROGRAM 3
12:00- 12:50 An Attorney's Role in a Din Torah
An analysis of what a trained attorney can contribute to the Din Torah process, and the halachic limits of advocacy.
resenter: Rabbi Avraham Gutman Dayan, Business Halacha Institute; Bais Din Vaad Hadayanim of Lakewood.
Free Admission NY CLE: 3 credits sponsored by ACE CLE Seminars For registration click here or for further information, please contact the Business Halacha Institute at admin@businesshalacha.com or 718 233 3845 ex 201 Reception Committee Mordechai Gelber, Yossi Kazarnovsky, Naftali Leshkowitz,
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Saturday, 30 May 2015
Mussar: Bear down and move forward
Guest Blogger R Micha Berger
https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=jCjU_zc8cK0&u=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dq5CRI_vwfxw%26feature%3Dshare
Kol Tuv,
RRW
https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=jCjU_zc8cK0&u=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dq5CRI_vwfxw%26feature%3Dshare
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Friday, 29 May 2015
Appreciating Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
http://60.ncsy.org/appreciation-rabbi-aryeh-kaplan/
A short history of the life and legacy of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, his involvement with NCSY, and how he changed the game of "the teshuva movement."
Kol Tuv
RRW
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Kiddush Hashem or Promoting Betting?
The Jewish Link of New Jersey:
http://jewishlinknj.com/index.php…
How excited is Teaneck for its Zayat Stables LLC Kentucky Derby winners? What a kiddush hashem to hold a Shabbat Dinner at the vaunted Kentucky Derby! Congrats to the entire Zayat family!
Kol Tuv
RRW
http://jewishlinknj.com/index.php…
How excited is Teaneck for its Zayat Stables LLC Kentucky Derby winners? What a kiddush hashem to hold a Shabbat Dinner at the vaunted Kentucky Derby! Congrats to the entire Zayat family!
Joanne Zayat missed the crucial moment when American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby. Victory had been tantalizingly close in the past for the Zayats of Teaneck—three second-place finishes—and she was afraid the same thing would happen again. Pioneer of the Nile was way ahead in 2009 when a longshot…
Kol Tuv
RRW
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Is "Unconditional Love" compatible with Torah Judaism?
Is "Unconditional Love" compatible with Torah Judaism?
If so, what caveats [if any] might be needed from a Torah perspective?
If not, which Condtions are always required
Kol tov
RRW
from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nishma/123426354346945?fref=nf
If so, what caveats [if any] might be needed from a Torah perspective?
If not, which Condtions are always required
Kol tov
RRW
from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nishma/123426354346945?fref=nf
Friday, 22 May 2015
Shavuot – A Conundrum
In R Elchanan Poupko's guest post of April 1, 2015, he wrote:
Shavuot – A Conundrum
The topic of conversion to Judaism is of ever growing academic, scholarly, and political interest and has come to the news headlines often recently.In the same spirit, we would now like to bring your attention to another article by Rabbi Dr. Schertz:
In this captivating and relevant article, Rabbi Dr. Chaim Schertz of Harrisburg PA-a scholar and thinker in his own right- examines, outlines and illuminates the topic of conversion with breathtakingly and captivating clarity.
Shavuot – A Conundrum
Thursday, 21 May 2015
Wednesday, 20 May 2015
Cancelled Order
Scenario:
A Customer "Al" orders Egg Foo Young at a Chinese Restaurant.
After finding out about the way it's made, Al cancels his order.
The Restaurant had already begun the preparation, and the product would go to waste.
What is the customer's Halachic liability?
A. None?
B. Cost of Food and Labor?
C. Retail Price?
Responsibility for Words & Assurances | Business Halacha
http://businesshalacha.com/en/article/responsibility-words-assurances
Kol Tuv,
RRW
A Customer "Al" orders Egg Foo Young at a Chinese Restaurant.
After finding out about the way it's made, Al cancels his order.
The Restaurant had already begun the preparation, and the product would go to waste.
What is the customer's Halachic liability?
A. None?
B. Cost of Food and Labor?
C. Retail Price?
Responsibility for Words & Assurances | Business Halacha
http://businesshalacha.com/en/article/responsibility-words-assurances
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
Arami Oveid Avi
See Mishnah B'rachot 1:5
Ikkar Tosafot Yom Tov 18
quoting Tos. Y"T
Q: Why is the 3rd paragraph of Sh'ma selected for "Z'cheerat Y'tzee'at Mitzrayim ballaylot?"
A: Mipnei sheparshas Tzitzit Sh'gurah b'fee chol mipnei k'riatah bayyom...
This S'vara strongly suggests a parallel, namely that Arami Oveid Avi was also selected "Mipnei sheparshas Arami Oveid Avi Sh'gurah b'fee chol mipnei Vidduy Bikkurim."
-----------------------------------------
Kol Tuv - Best Regards
RRW
Ikkar Tosafot Yom Tov 18
quoting Tos. Y"T
Q: Why is the 3rd paragraph of Sh'ma selected for "Z'cheerat Y'tzee'at Mitzrayim ballaylot?"
A: Mipnei sheparshas Tzitzit Sh'gurah b'fee chol mipnei k'riatah bayyom...
This S'vara strongly suggests a parallel, namely that Arami Oveid Avi was also selected "Mipnei sheparshas Arami Oveid Avi Sh'gurah b'fee chol mipnei Vidduy Bikkurim."
-----------------------------------------
Kol Tuv - Best Regards
RRW
Monday, 18 May 2015
Tefillat Ha'Shelah - Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan
Today -
Click the link for Tefillat Ha'Shelah on-line:
http://www.tefillos.com/tefillas_hasheloh.asp or open the attachment for the Art Scroll Hebrew/English.
-----------------------------------------
Kol Tuv - Best Regards
RRW
Tefillat Ha'Shelah -
Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan (Monday, May 18)
Click the link for Tefillat Ha'Shelah on-line:
http://www.tefillos.com/tefillas_hasheloh.asp or open the attachment for the Art Scroll Hebrew/English.
-----------------------------------------
Kol Tuv - Best Regards
RRW
Kiddush Hashem or Promoting Betting?
The Jewish Link of New Jersey:
How excited is Teaneck for its Zayat Stables LLC Kentucky Derby winners? What a kiddush hashem to hold a Shabbat Dinner at the vaunted Kentucky Derby! Congrats to the entire Zayat family!
http://jewishlinknj.com/index.php…
Kol tov
RRW
from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nishma/123426354346945?fref=nf
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Effectiveness of community
This article makes an argument that if we start pushing as a community we may be extremely effective.
http://www.jpost.com/Opini…/How-to-stop-BDS-on-campus-402319
Kol tov
RRW
from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nishma/123426354346945?fref=nf
http://www.jpost.com/Opini…/How-to-stop-BDS-on-campus-402319
Kol tov
RRW
from https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nishma/123426354346945?fref=nf
Friday, 15 May 2015
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Emergency Tehillim
Please daven for Aryeh ben Rina B'toch Sha'ar Cholei Yisrael (Rav Bina's grandson) who was hit by a car in a terror attack near Yishuv Alon Shvut .
He is currently in surgery .
Kol Tuv,
RRW
He is currently in surgery .
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Wednesday, 13 May 2015
New Online Semicha Program!
Ari Enkin wrote:
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Dear Friends-
Have you ever wanted to get semicha?
I am excited to announce that I will be leading a new "branch" of the Keter HaTorah Online Semicha Program!
Here are some of the highlights of the program:
1. We will be learning "Issur V'heter" leading to "Yoreh Yoreh" semicha. The semicha will be issued by Rav Don Channen, Rosh Yeshiva of Keter HaTorah and world renowned Yoreh Deah expert.
2.The program is a combination of self-study, online review shiurim, and regular phone & email access to me for questions, guidance, and support!
3. The program is expected to last 12-18 months
4. The program is ideal for a wide variety of interests and individuals: Those who have always wanted to get semicha, those who have always wanted to learn the laws of Kashrus in-depth, or simply for those who enjoy structured, goal oriented learning.
5. The cost for the program is only $150 per month. All required study sheets and materials will be provided.
The program is open to Orthodox Jewish men of all levels of learning and backgrounds. A letter of recommendation from your rabbi will be required.
See www.keterhatorah.com for more information. You can also email me any questions that you might have.
To register please email Mrs. Sara Bauer at: sarah.b.bauer@gmail.com. We hope to begin promptly after Shavuot with the laws of basar b'chalav!
I look forward to learning with you!
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Sunday, 10 May 2015
Rock, Paper, Scissors: A Guide to the New Victim Politics – Tablet Magazine
http://tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/189030/victimhood-olympics
Kol Tuv,
RRW
« As I've written elsewhere, more likely is it that the president and his administration are reluctant to draw much attention to anti-Semitism for the same reason they are reluctant to speak plainly about militant Islamism:
They seek an accommodation with the Muslim world, where bigoted views about Jews are prevalent if not mainstream, and harping about anti-Semitism gets in the way of that all-consuming aspiration. The same goes for anti-Christian animus; see, for instance, the White House's anodyne condemnation of the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya last week, which made no mention of the reason why they were killed. As such, the president cannot let a discussion go by of the Islamic State (which, he insists, is "not Islamic") without a reference to the Christian Crusades ("committed … in the name of Christ") of five centuries ago. »
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Saturday, 9 May 2015
Mussar: Silence Is Golden
Derech Emet:
Babylonian Talmud,
tractate Megillah,page 18A:
…silence is the best medicine of all…
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Babylonian Talmud,
tractate Megillah,page 18A:
…silence is the best medicine of all…
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Friday, 8 May 2015
France Clears Israel, What About Other Nations?
United With Israel:
Will this finally settle the accusations against Israel regarding Arafat's death?
Yet again, it has been proven that Israel is NOT to blame for the death of Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat. Conspiracy theorists are likely to not believe this proof.
http://worldisraelnews.com/france-wraps-up-arafat-death-investigation-concludes-israel-not-to-blame/
The French investigation into the death of PA chairman Yasser Arafat has come to an end. Forensic experts concluded that Israel did not assassinate him.
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Will this finally settle the accusations against Israel regarding Arafat's death?
Yet again, it has been proven that Israel is NOT to blame for the death of Palestinian Authority chairman Yasser Arafat. Conspiracy theorists are likely to not believe this proof.
http://worldisraelnews.com/france-wraps-up-arafat-death-investigation-concludes-israel-not-to-blame/
The French investigation into the death of PA chairman Yasser Arafat has come to an end. Forensic experts concluded that Israel did not assassinate him.
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Thursday, 7 May 2015
Sunday, 3 May 2015
Interview on NewsTalk Radio 770, Calgary
In response to my recent Huffington Post article regarding discrimination and religious freedom, NewsTalk Radio 770 in Calgary, Alberta wanted to interview me. (There is no connection to Chabad.)
I don't think my performance in the interview was very good but thought it would be nice to share it anyway. The interview can be heard for a limited time on the radio station's website at http://www.newstalk770.com/audio-on-demand-2/ Go to April 30; the interview was shortly after 10:30 pm. Please feel free to comment below.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
I don't think my performance in the interview was very good but thought it would be nice to share it anyway. The interview can be heard for a limited time on the radio station's website at http://www.newstalk770.com/audio-on-demand-2/ Go to April 30; the interview was shortly after 10:30 pm. Please feel free to comment below.
Rabbi Ben Hecht
Saturday, 2 May 2015
Mussar: Chessed
This video is pretty self-explanatory...
I found it quite touching, too.
http://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=893955113988668
Kol Tuv,
RRW
I found it quite touching, too.
http://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=893955113988668
Kol Tuv,
RRW
Friday, 1 May 2015
HAGH celebrates 75 Years at Gala Dinner
My Hebrew Day School
The Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford
is celebrating its 75th Anniversary.
It is one of the oldest Hebrew Day Schools in North America outside Metro NYC, because it predates the Torah uMesora movement by a few years. I graduated Grade 9 in 1966.
See:
Home | 75 Years Anniversary Gala Dinner
http://75years.sigelacademy.org/
Kol Tuv,
RRW
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