Mussar: Yir'at Hashem

Tanach [Bible], Mishlei [Proverbs], Chapter 1, Verse 7:

The fear of HASHEM is the beginning of wisdom.

CHRONOLOGY:

Mishlei was written by King Solomon more than 30 centuries ago.
King Solomon [Shlomoh HaMelech] was the wisest man who ever lived.

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Two of the Best Mussar S'farim are:

Mishlei
And
Pirkei Avot 


Best Regards,
RRW

Orly Noy, Persian Literature, in Hebrew

«The resulting Hebrew translations are major feats of not just literary and cultural merit, but of political value as well. It was a challenge, Noy says, "to get the Israeli reader to see how much [Iranians and Israelis] actually have in common, what happens when great ideologies and great thoughts and hopes and revolutions become violent and lose their humanity." Through this literature, Noy is aiming to undercut ideology—in both her native and adoptive countries— and restore what humanity has been lost. »

Persian Literature, in Hebrew | Jewniverse


http://thejewniverse.com/2013/persian-literature-in-hebrew/

Best Regards,
RW

NY Senator Chuck Schumer Announces Support for Chuck Hagel

«Hagel also clarified that he does not support any negotiations with Hamas or Hezbollah until they give up terror and recognize Israel's right to exist. The conversation also touched on Hagel's controversial remarks about the "Jewish lobby." Hagel, according to Schumer's statement, expressed his regret for using the term.»

Chuck Schumer Announces Support for Chuck Hagel – The Jewish Daily Forward
http://m.forward.com/articles/169280/chuck-schumer-announces-support-for-chuck-hagel/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=The%20Forward%20Today%20%28Monday-Friday%29&utm_campaign=0%20Daily%20-%20Preview


Best Regards,
RRW

God Has Reasons for Everything and We Continue to Love Him

«Therefore, when we see people in pain, our obligation is not to seek a reason, but to obey God's commandment of chesed ("lovingkindness"). We do God's will by comforting the mourner, visiting the sick, and clothing and feeding the poor. Though pain and sadness is always a proper time for self-examination and personal improvement, it is not the time to attempt to find a cause for the pain of those who suffer. It is the time to try to relieve their pain — both through chesed and through prayer.»

God Has Reasons for Everything and We Continue to Love Him | Jewish Exponent
http://www.jewishexponent.com/god-has-reasons-for-everything-and-we-continue-to-love-him


Best Regards,
RRW

Judge won't block New York City circumcision law

Judge won't block New York City circumcision law
Thu, Jan 10 23:03 PM EST
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Manhattan federal judge refused to block a New York City regulation requiring people who perform circumcisions and use their mouths to draw away blood from the wound on a baby's penis to first obtain written consent from the parents.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE90A00N20130111?irpc=932


Best Regards,
RRW

Urgent: Please Say Psalm 121 for Brian Aharon Ben Leah

Subject:    URGENT - OZAR HATORA

The young 17 years old victim of the  murderer from Toulouse fell back into
a coma.

Please read psalm  121

His name is: Brian Aharon Ben Leah

Please forward this message to 18  people (18 is the numerical value for HAI, which
means LIFE .

----------------------------------------

En francais
Le jeune blessé de 17 ans de OZAR HATHORA  est retombé dans le coma

LIRE POUR LUI LE PSAUME 121

SON NOM  :Bryan AHARON BEN LÉA

ENVOYER CETTE DEMANDE A 18 PERSONNES(18 est la  valeur numérique de h'ai qui
veut dire la vie en hebreu ne brisez pas la  chaine

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Never doubt that a small group of  thoughtful, committed people can change
the world. Indeed, it  is the only thing that ever has.


Best Regards,
RRW

Jack Lew: Treasury’s First Orthodox Jewish Chief

Treasury's First Orthodox Chief
Jack Lew, Obama's pick for Treasury secretary, is the highest-ranking Orthodox Jew in U.S. government history
By Yair Rosenberg

January 10, 2013 7:00 AM|

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/121233/treasurys-first-orthodox-chief
 


Best Regards,
RRW

Black is Beautiful

As I write this on 11 January..

Over the past few weeks I've been learning Hillchot Tefillin as part of my Mishnah B'rurah Yomit cycle

And so last Motze'ei Shabbat I asked my friend R M.Y. To help me blacken my Tefillin Shel Rosh, because it had some "white spots".

RMY brought his "blacker" and remarked re: the white spots - "those are body salts. Take a damp cloth and wipe them off". I did and they came right off. RMY: "you lost the shine, but it's now perfectly black..."

A few days later - I got a link to a speach by DR. ML KIng Jr. He "generalized" by saying that in the dictionary and literature Black is evil and White is pure. Then he added "Black is Beautiful."

Link to Speech

http://www.upworthy.com/martin-luther-king-jrs-badass-speech-that-everyone-forgot-about?g=2&c=upw1

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A few nights ago I saw RMY at Maariv. I mentioned the King Speech and that regarding Tefillin, Black is indeed Beautiful!

Best Regards,
RW

Hollywood, FL - Orthodox Jewish Parents Fight To Keep Their Teenage Daughter On Life Support -- VosIzNeias.com

Please say Tehillim for Danielle Chaya bas Aviva

«For its part, the hospital has denied any attempts to remove Danielle from life support. In a statement, the hospital said patient confidentiality prevented them from discussing the case, but did say, "As an institution that values deeper caring, we do our utmost to respect religious and cultural beliefs."»

http://www.vosizneias.com/121349/2013/01/09/hollywood-fl-orthodox-jewish-parents-fight-to-keep-their-teenage-daughter-on-life-support


Best Regards,
RRW

Chicago Op-Ed on the Middle East

Guest Blogger
R Phil Lefkowitz
-----------------------------------------
Below is an op-ed I sent out to the local press in Chicago yesterday.
Phil Lefkowitz

OP ED
Building Homes for Jewish Civilians in Jerusalem
By Rabbi Philip Lefkowitz
Agudas Achim North Shore Congregation

On December 13, 1985, the General Assembly of the United Nations issued its "Declaration On The Human Rights of Individuals Who Are Not Nationals Of the Country In Which They Live" It states that aliens have "the right to own property alone as well as in association with others, subject to domestic law".and "...shall enjoy the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose their residence within the borders of the State." Is there anyone who seriously questions that Jews living in Jerusalem, in their ancient and present capital shouldn't have the minimal rights of aliens?
Statistics regarding the population of Jerusalem during the rule of the Ottoman Empire clearly demonstrate that there is an ever growing Jewish population in Jerusalem. The natural growth of population requires more housing for the Jewish residents of Jerusalem; a natural occurrence in any society. Jews covet residence in the City of David. Thrice daily in their prayers. Jews implore G-d to establish His kingdom in Jerusalem – "and to your City Jerusalem return in mercy..." Prime Ministers of Israel have always stated that the E1 section of Jerusalem is not part of any negotiation, a fact recognized by the Clinton administration.
Unlike Arab nations in the area, Israel offers citizenship to all – Muslim, Christian and Jew. Muslims, citizens of Israel, are elected to its government, occupying seats in Israel's parliament, the Kenesset. Contrast this with several Arab states which by law forbid a Jew to reside within their borders.
As has been amply demonstrated by the recent terrorist attacks from Gaza on the citizenry of Israel , "land for peace" has gone up in the smoke of bombs landing amidst the civilian populations of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem..
Until the Arab states and their supporters. accord Jews the minimal rights of an alien in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations, there can be no peace in the Middle East.

Middah k'neged Middah

Link provided courtesy of our Chaveir, R David Willig.

«11) We reward people for not working with welfare, food stamps and countless other government programs; then we're surprised to have so many takers demanding that everyone else pay their way.»

20 Ways America Has Begun to Reap What It Has Sown - John Hawkins - Page 1
http://townhall.com/columnists/johnhawkins/2013/01/08/20-ways-america-has-begun-to-reap-what-it-has-sown-n1483542?utm_source=thdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl


Best Regards,
RRW

Tablet Magazine I Booster Shot for Jewish Values

«Last week, we got an email, two printed letters, and a phone call from Josie's public school, all informing us that unless she got a tetanus booster in the next six days, she would not be allowed to attend classes. I called the school in a panic: Josie had just turned 11 and hadn't had her annual checkup yet. Too bad, I was told. Rules are rules. No shot, no school. I quickly called the pediatrician's office, and they assured me that there were a couple of hours every day in which I could bring Josie in to see a nurse, and they'd provide all the paperwork I needed to prove my child was not a tetanus-laden disease vector. And so it came to pass»

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/120073/booster-shot-for-jewish-values#undefined


Best Regards,
RRW

Rachel's Tomb - Why Are You Crying

"Why are you crying, Mommy?"

I could only shake my head at my 3-year-old's question. Had I tried to speak, the silent tears would have turned into heartrending sobs. Besides, what could I have answered? Was I crying for our biblical mother Rachel who had died in childbirth so many years ago? Were my tears for my neighbor, Raquela, who had left behind her seven children and, in my eyes, was a symbol of all Jewish women today? Or were my tears for myself as part of the Jewish people who were still waiting, after such a long time, for "the children to return to their borders"?

Tears At Rachel's Tomb
http://www.aish.com/jw/id/48908347.html?mobile=yes


Best Regards,
RRW

YUHS Allegations

«A mediator who was giving a lecture, told the audience of her shortest, but successful, mediation. A contractor was owed $3000.. At the mediation, the protocol was followed where the person with the claim begins the discussion. The contractor explained why he was owed the money in question. It was a thorough but compact presentation. When he finished his discussion, he reached for his coat and prepared to leave. The mediator reminded him that the process was nowhere near completion; she had not even heard the other side! To this, the contractor replied: "I just wanted him to hear my version of the story. Now that I have told him what I wanted to say, he can keep the money in question." With this the contractor left the office. The mediator was trying to make a point that I have also heard from a friend who is a psychiatrist. We all have stories to tell. Until we get to tell that story, we may well feel embittered and "out of sorts". Getting someone to listen»

From R Mendy Rosenthal's Blog

Thoughts on Jewish Marriage and Relationships | Shalom Bayit
http://shalombayitblog.wordpress.com/


Best Regards,
RRW

Medicinal Marijuana

«If a doctor is not compassionate, he's probably not worth his weight in tongue depressors. And his bedside manner probably leaves something to be desired. But he still has a sacred obligation to heal, a requirement that our Sages derived from various Torah passages, including "You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself (Leviticus 19:18), "You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor" (Leviticus 19:16) and another one mandating the healing of someone injured in a quarrel (Exodus 21:18-19). Meanwhile, one of our greatest thinkers -- the 12th and 13th century philosopher, Sage and, yes, physician Maimonides -- drew a parallel between the binding obligation to return lost property (Deuteronomy 22:2) and an equally binding obligation to restore lost health. »

Jewish Law - Commentary/Opinion - Medicinal Marijuana
http://www.jlaw.com/Commentary/medmarijuana.html

 
Best Regards,
RRW

Mussar: Ivdu Es Hashem b'Simchah

From our Choveir, R Grafstein originally from Toronto..

«Rav Yehudah HaChassid, Yehudah ben Shmuel, emphasized that the precondition for prayer to be answered is:

Our tefilloth must be fueled by its utterance filled with:
enthusiasm and joy for the greatness and holiness of G*D.»

RRW:
Adding "Enthusiasm" to what you do changes everything. With the right amount, it adds a kedushah factor.


Shalom and Best Regards,
RRW

Al-Jazeera buys Current TV from Al Gore

«The former vice president confirmed the sale Wednesday, saying in a statement that Al-Jazeera shares Current TV's mission "to give voice to those who are not typically heard; to speak truth to power; to provide independent and diverse points of view; and to tell the stories that no one else is telling."»

http://news.yahoo.com/al-jazeera-buys-current-tv-al-gore-002839067--finance.html


Best Regards,
RRW

R AJ Heschel on Tikkun Olam

Guest Blogger
R Saul Berman

Tikkun Olam:

Before his untimely passing at the age of 65 on December 23, 1972, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel shared with me the following Derasha.

He said that American Jewry was a community committed to three fragmented p'sukim.
a. They believe in "Shalach et Ami, the liberation of Soviet Jewry," without understanding that liberty without "veya'avduni" - without bringing the liberated persons to avodat hashem is not a great achievement.
b. They believe in "vese'esof galuyoseinu" without understanding that the creation of the State of Israel and the ingathering of the exiles without "lishmor chukecha, ...uleavdecha belevav shalem" - without striving for the spiritual life of Mitzvot, is not a full achievement.
c. They believe in "letaken Olam" without understanding that that repair of the total society without "bemalchut Shakai" - without shaping the community toward the embodiment of the Kingdom of God, is not an adequate achievement.

But at the same time, he said, fragmenting those pesukim in the opposite direction is also an inadequate fulfillment of the ratzon of Hashem. Therefore:
to achieve avodat Hashem without being concerned with the liberation of the enslaved;
to achieve the life of Mitzvot without the ingathering in Israel;
and to achieve the Kingdom of God in isolation from the the repair of the entire society (Letaken Olam) -
they also are failures in the wholeness to which we need to aspire.

Saul J. Berman»

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Although R AJ Heschel was descendended from Hassidism I see this attitude as Hirschian.
Namely that OT1H one must never sacrifice Traditional Judaism on the Altar of Liberal Reform
Yet OTOH one ought not sacrifice our concern for society as a whole by locking the gates to the ghetto and shutting out the outside world.

This is part of Torah im Derech Eretz, that neither aspect is designed to compromise the other.

Best Regards,
RRW

Will the Hareidi Hold on the Rabbanut be Broken?

«"Avigdor Lieberman was very interested in promoting Tzohar," said one person with close knowledge of the proposed deal, "to make sure that they had a strong capability of taking the Ashkenazi chief rabbinate" in the June 2013 elections for the position. And the strongman of the Israeli right was willing to bring his considerable influence to bear to ensure they had the votes in the 150-member conclave that will choose the next two chief rabbis of Israel.

Last week, this underground movement broke into the open. Yisrael Beiteinu MK David Rotem, the powerful chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee, publicly announced his party's intentions to push for a non-ultra-Orthodox chief rabbi. "I grew up when the chief rabbinate was a national-religious institution, and I'm not in favor of the fact that Haredi rabbis have taken it over," he said with typical bluntness. ..»

Tablet Magazine

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/120125/religious-revolution-in-israel?all=1#undefined

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Is the Hareidi-Dati split primarily over Strictness in Halachah?

Or

Is it over Openness vs. Insularity?

Or to put it another way - can we have Rabbinic Leaders who are both very strict in Halachic approach, and yet who are socially "Cosmopolitan"?

Best Regards,
RRW

News on Tatoos and the Jews

Misconception: A Jew with a tattoo may not be buried in a Jewish cemetery.

Fact: This belief has no basis in Jewish law. Just as a Jew who violated other Torah laws may be buried in a Jewish cemetery, so too may one who violated the prohibition against being tattooed.

Background: This misconception is widespread amongst American Jews. References to it are often found in general American culture; for example, it was mentioned on the TV show The Nanny...

Tzarich Iyun: Jews with Tattoos | Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky | Orthodox Union
http://www.ou.org/torah/article/tzarich_iyun_jews_with_tattoos#.UNFG9L0o7Fo


Best Regards,
RRW