Liab HaCohain wrote me regarding
Eliezer’s Prayer: Eliezer is interacting with Gd. What? Gd is going to have the
wrong person show up? Besides, Gd could have blocked anyone. Maybe Gd put the
question in his head BECAUSE before he finished asking the question, it was
answered.
Restart: He didn't know
where to start. So Gd made him "ask this question", which he does, and Gd
answers it before he even finished asking
it.
Prayers: I have removed from the list
Chava Chaya bas Zimra and added to the prayer list Rivka bas
Shenka
Miracle of the
Week
Earlier this week a jeep was hit by an RPG. It must have hit the
glass as it completely passed through the jeep and exploded on the other side.
One soldier is still seriously injured and may lose his sight the others are at
this time lightly injured.
A personal note regarding the war in Gaza. This week I had to calm
down a nervous wife and a mother in Orange County CA who has a daughter who
volunteered for Israel. My nephew who is a major who handles dealing with
soldiers experiencing PTSD, families of soldiers - hardships and if one is
injured or worse was transferred from his normal out post in the north (not that
the Syrian border is tranquil) down to the outskirts of Gaza. Other people I
know and most likely a lot of the children of neighbors have been called up.
With the longer range rockets, my own home is within range although I don't
think that they would want to target a widely spread out area in place of a
crowded urban area. Spending so much time with people and updating my personal
information on what is happening in Israel has made it impossible to give a
quality comment on the blessing of Yitzchak to Yacov and that will wait for next
week with the help of G-D.
Parsha Toldos
One
of the hardest things to do is to try to take the place of head of a family from
a parent. All of a sudden Yitzchak was thrown into being the older or oldest
generation in the family (discounting Shem and Ever). Avraham was a dynamic
personality and so was Yacov but Yitzchak the perfect sacrifice was more
passive. He was a transmitter of holiness to the world. However, he failed with
the rearing of Esav. Rabbi Blinsky Shlita pointed out the following in his
connection between the end of Noach to the birth of Yacov. Noach gave good genes
to Shem but still Shem’s mother was from the Kayn side of the family so he had
some bad genes too. He transmitted his genes for a few generations but each time
they weakened. Terach was in the 9th generation he had the last of
the bad genes that he transmitted to Avraham. The reason why Lot and Yishmael
failed in their education was because both had inherited this bad gene. As for
Yitzchak he had a good gene and a weakened bad one. Finally Esav got the last of
the bad genes and Yacov the good one. Gematria wise we see a weakening of
generations though. Yitzchak in Gematria is 8 x 26 = 208 where 26 is
Yud-Kay-Vav-Kay where Kay is substituted for Hay, Yacov is 7 x 26 = 182 and
Yosef is 6 x 26 = 156 but that part of the Divine sacrifice genetic link
continues in sparks to all of us however small and it is up to us to ignite
it.
25:19 And these are the generations of
Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begot Isaac.
We
learn from this that Avraham was a Tzaddik and his son Yitzchak was a Tzaddik
ben Tzaddik. Terach was originally an idol worshipper so at best Avraham was
either a Tzaddik ben Rasha or Tzaddik ben Baal Teshuva but after his birth. For
a Baal Teshuva is on a higher Madrega (step or level) than a Tzaddik but that
would have been good for Avraham if this occurred before he and his brothers
were born but it does not help him if he was conceived by a Rasha or a Tinuk
Sheh Nisba ben HaGoyim (a child captured by Gentiles or brought up by Jewish
Atheists like a Kibbutz or my family 5 generations of Reform Jews before me and
the Rabbi is basically an Atheists who is the guide). Yacov as I mentioned in
the introduction above is linked with two Tzaddikim before him and that makes
for a Chazaka (strengthening) in his righteousness.
Abraham
begot Isaac: (Only after the Holy One, blessed be He, named him Abraham, did he
beget Isaac. Another explanation:) Since Scripture wrote: “Isaac the son of
Abraham,” it had to say: “Abraham begot Isaac,” because the scorners of the
generation were saying that Sarah had conceived from Abimelech, for she had
lived with Abraham for many years and had not conceived from him. What did the
Holy One, blessed be He, do? He shaped the features of Isaac’s face to resemble
Abraham’s, and everyone attested that Abraham had begotten Isaac. This is the
meaning of what is written here: “Isaac, the son of Abraham,” because here is
proof that “Abraham begot Isaac.” - [From Midrash Tanchuma, Toledoth
1]
20
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the
Aramean, of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.
While
Yitzchak the pure Korban could be fooled by Esav for the Emmes of Yacov does not
allow to deceive (see the commentary to 27:21 onwards below for he did what he
did at a command of Rivka). Esav was two faced in front of Yitzchak he was the
loyal son and when he left he was making gestures behind his father’s back. He
raped a betrothed woman, murdered Nimrod and worshipped an idol or idols. He did
some mystical things with the NAMES to make genetic engineering and legends have
it that he created a mermaid (Talmud Aggadah but I forgot where). Rivka growing
up with Lavan the great deceiver was able to see through Esav.
21
And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD
let Himself be entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
Nothing
is mentioned of Avraham praying on behalf of Sara. Perhaps Avraham always did
things for the sake of heaven and was completely unselfish or the Torah did not
want to mention his prayers being rejected but whatever the reason he needed a
name change. Yitzchak prayed for Rivka and Yacov probably prayed for Rachel and
got a bit angry at her when he says “Am I in place of
ELOKIM?”.
Prayed: Heb. וַיֶעְתַּר. He prayed much and entreated
[God] with prayer. accepted his prayer: Heb. וַיֵעָתֶר. He (God) allowed Himself
to be entreated and placated and swayed by him. I say that every expression of
עתר is an expression of entreaty and increase, and similarly (Ezek. 8:11):“and a
thick (וַעִתַר) cloud of incense,” [meaning] the immensity of the ascent of
smoke, and so (ibid. 35:13):“And you have multiplied (וְהַעְתַּרְתֶּם) your
words against Me,” and so, (Prov. 27:6):“whereas the kisses of an enemy are
burdensome (וְכַעְתָּרוֹת) .” They seem to be many and are burdensome,
accroissement in Old French, excessive. opposite his wife: This one (Isaac) was
standing in this corner and praying, and that one (Rebecca) was standing in that
corner and praying. accepted his prayer: But not hers, for the prayer of a
righteous man, the son of a righteous man, does not compare to the prayer of a
righteous man, the son of a wicked man. Therefore, [He accepted] his prayer and
not hers. — [Yev. 64a]
22
And the children struggled together within her; and she said: 'If it be so,
wherefore do I live?' And she went to inquire of the LORD.
struggled: Perforce, this verse calls for a Midrashic
interpretation, for it does not explain what this struggling was all about, and
[Scripture] wrote,“If it be so, why am I [like] this?” Our Rabbis (Gen. Rabbah
63:6) interpreted it [the word וַיִתְרוֹצִצוּ] as an expression of running
(רוֹצָה) . When she passed by the entrances of [the] Torah [academies] of Shem
and Eber, Jacob would run and struggle to come out; when she passed the entrance
of [a temple of] idolatry, Esau would run and struggle to come out. Another
explanation: They were struggling with each other and quarreling about the
inheritance of the two worlds (Mid. Avkir). ... And she went to inquire: to the
academy of Shem. — [Aggadath Bereishith, ch. 73, Targum Jonathan and
Yerushalmi]
23
And the LORD said unto her: Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall
be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the
other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
Two nations are in your womb: [The word גוֹיִם] is
written גֵייִם [which is pronounced] like גֵאִים (exalted persons). These were
Antoninus and Rabbi [Judah the Prince], from whose tables neither radishes nor
lettuce were lacking either in the summer or in the winter. — [From Avodah Zarah
11a] ... will become mightier than the other kingdom: They will not be equal in
greatness; when one rises, the other will fall, and so [Scripture] states (Ezek.
26:2): “I shall become full from the destroyed city.” Tyre became full [gained
power] only from the destruction of Jerusalem. — [From Meg. 6a, Pes.
42b]
Esav
and Yacov are like on a see-saw when one is up the other is down and this comes
from the womb. Sometimes they are equal like when Esav meets Yacov in northern
Yisrael but this is a very rare occurrence.
24
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in
her womb.
there were twins in her womb: [תוֹמִם is spelled]
defectively [missing an “aleph” and “yud”], but concerning Tamar, it is written
תְּאוֹמִים, with the plain spelling, [with an “aleph” and “yud”] because they
(Perez and Zerah) were both righteous, but here, one was righteous and one was
wicked. — [From Gen. Rabbah 63:8]
25
And the first came forth ruddy, all over like a hairy mantle; and they called
his name Esau. 26 And after that
came forth his brother, and his hand had hold on Esau's heel; and his name was
called Jacob. And Isaac was threescore years old when she bore them.
And afterwards, his brother emerged, etc.: I heard a
Midrash Aggadah that interprets it (the verse) according to its simple meaning:
He (Jacob) held onto him lawfully, to restrain him. Jacob was formed from the
first drop and Esau from the second. Go forth and learn from a tube that has a
narrow opening. Insert two stones into it, one after the other. The one that
entered first will emerge last, and the one that entered last will emerge first.
The result is that Esau, who was formed last, emerged first, and Jacob, who was
formed first emerged last, and Jacob came to restrain him so that he (Jacob)
should be the first to be born as he was the first to be formed, and he would
open her womb and take the birthright by law. — [From Gen. Rabbah 63:8] Esau’s
heel: [This is] a sign that this one (Esau) will not manage to complete his
reign until this one rises up and takes it from him. — [From Gen. Rabbah 63:9]
sixty years old: Ten years since he had married her until she became thirteen
years old and able to conceive, and the [following] ten years he looked forward
and waited for her, as his father had done for Sarah. Since she did not
conceive, he knew that she was barren, and he prayed for her, but he did not
wish to take a maidservant [as Abraham had done] because he had been hallowed on
Mount Moriah to be a perfect burnt offering. — [From Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer, ch.
32]
27
And the boys grew; and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob
was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he
did eat of his venison; and Rebekah loved Jacob.
in his mouth: As the Targum renders: into Isaac’s
mouth. The Midrashic interpretation is: with Esau’s mouth, for he would entrap
him and deceive him with his words. — [From Tanchuma, Toledoth
8]
This
is like is says in Perkei Avos – Take upon yourself a Rav and buy yourself a
friend by giving his father the venison and asking questions like “Why is there
no blessing on salt?” He bought his father via words, honor and his hunting
while Yacov did what he was supposed to do whole heartedly and pure. Rivka who
knew Lavan could see through Esav and respected the pure Yacov who was
essentially pure like his father.
29
And Jacob sod pottage; and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint.
On
the day that Avraham died Esav killed Nimrod, raped a betrothed woman, stole
Nimrod’s coat that was the skins of garment of Adam HaRishon and committed Avoda Zara so
Yacov was cooking the round beans in a thick soup for the mourning Yitzchak for
his first meal after the burial. MINCHAG IT IS A CUSTOM AMONG JEWS TO BRING TO
THE HOUSE OF THE MOURNER FOOD CONSISTING OF A ROLL, AN EGG AND OTHER ROUND FOODS
SIGNIFYING A CYCLE OF BIRTH AND DEATH AND REBIRTH.
and he was faint: Heb. עָיֵף (Gen. Rabbah 63: 12)
from committing murder, as it is said (Jer. 4:31):“for my soul is faint
(עָיְפָה) before the murderers.”
The
beans were reddish and therefore he got the nickname Edom which is close to the
Hebrew Adom for red.
30
And Esau said to Jacob: 'Let me swallow, I pray thee, some of this red, red
pottage; for I am faint.' Therefore was his name called Edom.
Pour into [me]: I will open my mouth,
and [you] pour very much into it, as we learned (Shab. 155b):“We may not stuff a
camel, etc. [on the Sabbasome of this red, red [pottage]: red lentils. And on
that day, Abraham died, lest he see Esau, his grandson, falling into bad ways,
for that would not be the “good old age” that the Holy One, blessed be He, had
promised him. Therefore, the Holy One, blessed be He, shortened his life by five
years, for Isaac lived one hundred and eighty years, and this one (Abraham)
[lived] one hundred and seventy-five years, and Jacob cooked lentils to feed the
mourner (Isaac). But why lentils? Because they are [round as] a wheel, for
mourning is like a wheel revolving in the world. (Also, just as lentils have no
mouth [no crack], as other beans have, so does the mourner have no mouth, for he
is prohibited from speaking. It is therefore the custom to feed the mourner eggs
at the beginning of his meal, since they are round, and have no mouth. So too
does a mourner have no mouth, as is discussed in Mo’ed Katan (21b): “A mourner,
for the entire first three days, may not respond to anyone’s greeting, and may
surely not initiate a greeting. From the third day to the seventh, he may
respond, but may not greet, etc.” [This is found] in an old [edition of]
Rashi.)- [From Gen. Rabbah 63:12, B.B. 16b]th] but we may put food into its
mouth (מַלְעִטִין) .” - [From Gen. Rabbah 63:12]
He
had no patience or strength to eat normally but to be fed like a goose that is
force fed (forbidden in the Torah by pain to animals and forbidden by man as
gluttony).
31
And Jacob said: 'Sell me first thy birthright.'
your birthright: Since the
[sacrificial] service was performed by the firstborn, Jacob said, “This wicked
man does not deserve to sacrifice to the Holy One, blessed be He.” - [From Gen.
Rabbah
63:13]
32
And Esau said: 'Behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall the
birthright do to me?' 33 And
Jacob said: 'Swear to me first'; and he swore unto him; and he sold his
birthright unto Jacob. 34 And
Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose
up, and went his way. So Esau despised his
birthright.
To be continued
A Torah Guide for the Digital Age: The Ten Tenets of Social Media by
Technology is changing faster today than at any other time in history. These developments affect our lives in many wonderful, and sometimes not-so-wonderful, ways. As we try to enrich our lives both by using technology and by refraining from using it as appropriate, we need to remember the Torah’s guidance as it applies to these new forms of communication. For too long, the Internet has been a lawless Wild West. Responsible people need to think carefully about how they behave online.
This article is not intended to encourage or discourage use of social media. The simple fact is that people are using them and will continue to use them. My goal is to encourage responsible use of social media by pointing out important concerns and offering recommendations for the best practices.
Some professional and religious organizations have created guidelines for the use of social media. After reviewing many of their policies, I have begun developing guidelines based on Torah principles. These are not new chumrot, stringencies, but the result of an attempt to apply common sense and existing Torah concepts to new technologies.
These guidelines are a work in progress. I encourage you to consider these ideas and to offer your suggestions on improving them. Most importantly, I encourage you to adopt ethical guidelines in your use of technology that conform with the best practices and Torah rules.
1. Practice Privacy
The Internet is easily searchable. Anything you place anywhere on the Internet will likely be available for decades to come. Your parents, children, (future) spouse, neighbors, teachers, rabbi, potential employers as well as criminals may find pictures or other information that you post. You must therefore use extreme caution in releasing personal information on the Internet. This responsibility is particularly difficult for children to understand, but everyone, including adults, must recognize this and act accordingly. Protect your privacy by using discretion. Protect your children’s privacy by refraining from divulging personal information about them. And explain to your children the importance of guarding their privacy in this age of the eternal digital archive.
2. Be Responsible
For a number of reasons, many Internet users prefer to protect their identities and remain anonymous. However, anonymity includes a lack of accountability. That removes an important barrier to dishonesty and lack of civility. Internet users need to understand that anonymity is usually not absolute because methods exist to detect users’ identities. Additionally, even if other people do not know what you are doing online, God does, and the Torah’s rules on proper speech and behavior apply even when you are anonymous. Those who choose to remain anonymous should create new barriers for themselves that discourage improper online behavior. (Some suggestions are offered in the sidebar entitled “Recommendations for Web Site Owners.”)
3. Be Transparent
Because of the ease with which people shift identities online, it is important to let people know what to expect. Are you promoting a product from which you benefit financially or are you criticizing a competitor’s product? Are you vehemently disagreeing with someone who once wronged you? You need to be transparent, even if you are anonymous. Everyone has biases and you are effectively lying if you fail to disclose those biases (“midvar sheker tirchak” and “vihyitem neki’im”). Transparency through disclaimers is crucial here. If you wish to maintain your anonymity, you have to either be creative in wording a disclaimer or avoid certain topics.
For example, there are only two stores that sell a product in your community and you own one. You wish to describe a negative experience with your competitor while remaining anonymous. You probably should not do so because of your clear bias. If you ask someone else to describe his negative experience, he should include a disclaimer stating that he has a connection to your store so readers understand his bias.
4. Be Careful About Confidentiality
The Torah forbids revealing secrets (megaleh sod), except under extenuating circumstances. Breaking personal confidences may also involve violations of secular law. Therefore, individuals must take care not to reveal personal and confidential information about others. Additionally, the Torah forbids defaming people by telling negative stories about them, whether true or not (lashon hara and hotza’at shem ra). You may not describe other people or organizations in an unflattering light, with only limited exceptions discussed later in this article. The damage we can cause online, where potentially thousands of people can read our words, is much greater than when we speak with a few friends.
5. Do Not Defame
You are not only forbidden to defame others but also to provoke defamation (avak lashon hara). This means that you must avoid potentially explosive topics unless you have clear permission as determined by the laws of lashon hara. These requirements include not only a societal benefit in revealing the information but also, among other conditions, a lack of bias. And when discussing neutral or even positive stories, beware of the potential to provoke criticism. Exaggerated praise about a person or organization will inevitably lead to someone disagreeing and presenting a story to the contrary. It is important to anticipate such fallout and write strategically to avoid it.
You are not permitted to enable other people to sin, including to defame (lifnei iveir and mesayei’a yedei ovrei aveirah). Even if other, less responsible venues for that defamation exist, you are still forbidden to provide a forum for defamation. The implications of this position in social media are significant and specific recommendations are provided in an accompanying sidebar. You may lose followers because of this strict stance, but your maintaining higher standards than tabloid journalism demonstrates not only fealty to basic halachah but also basic decency.
We cannot justify linking to or otherwise highlighting a damaging story by claiming that we did not reveal it ourselves. Our actions constitute publicizing it even if we only empower others to reveal it. Stories that affect a broader public can and should be told (to’elet). However, there are a number of necessary conditions before you may go about publicizing such a story. Most importantly, you must be certain the story is true (or includes appropriately worded caveats such as “these are unproven allegations”) and that you have no ulterior motives to report it. On such complex and potentially damaging issues, you should always consult with your rabbi.
6. Ban Bullying
The Torah forbids causing emotional distress to others (ona’at devarim). This effectively prohibits insulting and bullying. Do not let the anonymity of the Internet lull you into more aggressive patterns of speech. Words hurt and often cause real damage beyond the computer screen. Wikipedia defines “cyberbullying” as “the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner.” This is the equivalent of verbally attacking and stalking someone.
But even one-time attacks are wrong. If someone expends a lot of time and effort to create something, your denigrating it or him is hurtful even if you are correct. You must find ways to express your strong feelings without insulting others.
7. Keep Track of Time
Time is precious, even when you have no children clamoring for attention or work calling for completion. Beware of the Internet black hole. The web can easily pull you away from the many tasks to which you must regularly attend, the many people in your life to whom you must give attention and the many religious obligations you must perform. Even individuals who are not addicted to the Internet often waste their precious time (bitul Torah) or improperly use their employers’ time (gezel). They may also neglect their spousal and parenting duties (shalom bayit and chinuch) due to distraction.
8. Be Cautious About Copyright
The Internet makes theft as easy as the click of a button. However, the Torah forbids violating copyright laws, whether due to an inherent creator’s right or because of the binding nature of secular law (gezel and dina demalchuta dina). You may not steal someone else’s creative product, whether it is the written word, a photograph, a design or some other electronic creation. Make sure to obtain permission before using someone else’s creation and take care to properly attribute your sources.
9. Be Positive
The Internet is the public domain. You may not damage the Jewish community or the Torah itself by spreading misunderstandings or incorrect teachings (ziyuf haTorah and chillul Hashem). While the Torah needs no apologies, it often requires proper context. For example, outsiders can easily misunderstand insular trends of thought and practice within Judaism as racist or intolerant. The global nature of the Internet confers a responsibility to properly explain the Torah and the behavior of its adherents to avoid misunderstanding.
What you say about Torah and how you phrase it can impact people’s impressions of your specific community, the greater Jewish community and the Torah. It is important, of course within the bounds of honesty, to always strive to create a positive image of Judaism (kiddush Hashem) and avoid the opposite (chillul Hashem). It is also important to avoid undermining other people’s religious convictions. There are always people undergoing religious crises who are teetering on the edge of spiritual collapse. You do not want to push them over by supporting whatever misunderstanding currently occupies their minds. Standards of what types of theological discussions are acceptable vary by community. However, everyone needs to be sensitive about this issue and consult with advisors, whether a rabbi or someone familiar with the specific medium, on how to proceed with caution.
10. Be Serious About Tzeniut
Judaism demands modest behavior, a trait that is manifested in many ways. Among them are avoiding arrogance, excessive fraternizing with married members of the opposite gender and looking at pictures of improperly dressed people. Standards vary by community, but they certainly exist. These standards are not always explicit, and both adults and teens would do well to discuss them and the tools available to help maintain them. Internet users need to be constantly mindful of the importance of tzeniut and aware of the standards they strive to follow.
These guidelines represent an application of eternal Torah principles to new forms of communication. Because of the complexity of applying abstract ideas to new technologies, this cannot be said to be the authoritative word on the subject. More than anything, these guidelines are intended to raise issues for readers to discuss with their family, friends and halachic authorities. The more we keep these concepts in our conversations and thoughts, the more likely we are to act like the responsible God-fearing Jews that Hashem expects us to be.
Anti-Semites
among us
My
father spoke English with an ever so slight German accent and bought the house
from a Mr. B. Now Mr. B’s brother lived across the street and his wife gave
birth to a little boy 10 days after I was born. Bobby and I became good friends
and we went to the same Public School and both of us passed the test for
entrance into Brooklyn Technical High School. Bobby’s father Bob senior was
exempt from the army in WWII either because he was an Engineer or for some other
reason. One day when we were 10 or 11 we were playing with Bobby’s electric
trains and his pirate ship with 6 little men in the attic. Suddenly he came
across a red flag with a white circle and a swastika in the middle. Bobby
destroyed the flag out of hatred for Nazis. I began to wonder what this man was
doing with a brand new clean flag like that in his house if he did not capture
it from the Germans. Our school mate Jimmy had a father who nearly lost his toes
and perhaps part of his leg to frost bite in the battle of the bulge. He said
that a good Jewish Doctor saved his leg and insisted from that day on of going
only to Jewish Doctors.
I was
a member of the Junior Astronomy Club that used to meet every Friday Night
(remember I was not religious growing up) at NYU at Waverly Place. There is
where I first heard and met Carl Sagan who was then a young astronomer and many
others. Among the members of the club was Tony Giasi also of Brooklyn Tech.,
Steve Goldstone, John, Sidney etc. One weekend during the day we had a meeting
there was Steve the VP of the Club, Tony, John and myself and perhaps another
fellow or two. Steve left the room. John was skinny with Coke Bottle Glasses, a
hearing aid, yellow teeth and a creature to be laughed at by little children or
pitied by older people. John besides his love for Astronomy also liked the
history and routes of the NY Subway and was learning pre- architecture at
Brooklyn College which had about a 90% Jewish Population. He was invited to meet
the Rabbi of Hillel and have food there. He went probably for the girls and then
started poking fun at the Rabbi and cursing out the lowly Jews. Tony asked me
why I didn’t say something. I told Tony that I was happy that John thought I was
a fellow Italian and it was a lesson to remember what anti-Semites say behind
the back of Jews. From the incident with John and another fellow in Boston plus
my childhood of being known as the only Jew on the block being bullied getting a
flat on my bike and rocks through our window (not quite so for Carl was Jewish
but his father a non-Jewish man and very American while my father was that man
with German accent) I was very happy when I became a Pisano when we moved into
the predominately Italian Neighborhood. I encountered a little anti-Semitism but
not from most of the fellows who held me in esteem for my intelligence and soon
to be conservative political views and philosophy. Except for going to church on
Sunday I was one of them and that made me feel for the first time acceptance not
only by Jews but because I was able to be myself. Years later I came back there
with my two boys looking for Vic who was my friend’s Joey’s father. I parked in
the back as the street was packed. A lady yelled out of Vic’s house what am I
parking there. She was surprised at a few Orthodox Jews coming around. Poor Vic
had passed on and it was now Joey’s house and she was Joey’s wife. She gave Joey
a call at work and we talked for about two minutes he invited me to come around
that night but I told him that I had other plans and was sorry that his dad had
passed on. There were among our crowd a few people who made comments about
ultra-liberal Jews and in those days I did not know the Jewish terms to describe
the desecration of the DIVINE NAME by the Shaul Alinsky, George Soros, Noam
Chomsky and others. On one hand I felt repulsed by these people on the other
hand I wondered how much latent anti-Semitism was there?
I
heard stories from my neighbor Akiva about his dealings with anti-Semites in the
South in the 1960’s. There was a boy on the football team of his high school who
was Akiva’s good friend for six months every day they ate lunch together. One
day he came over to Akiva and asked him if he was Jewish. Akiva said yes. From
that time onwards he let off daily with anti-Semitic tirades. One day the
teacher pulled Akiva aside and told him it looks like this guy was to have a
physical altercation with you for he is gathering a crowd of boys around you
larger and larger each day. That day he got into Akiva’s face. He was much
taller than the short Akiva who had not started his puberty growth spurt. Akiva
knew what he had to do, he somehow got the strength within himself to grab the
kid’s shirt and lift him off the ground and said, “if you want to start a fight
let’s do it now.” The bully backed off but still heckled from a distance.
Sometime later a burly Southern Baptist fellow took the other fellow aside and
told him if you don’t stop harassing Akiva, I am going to plaster you. That
stopped and years later the Baptist moved into an exclusive WASP Community and
put a big Mezuzah on his door (not that he was Jewish but just that he like the
Jews and Israel).
Akiva
was in a class in a University in FL. He had an Anti-Semitic teacher. She said
to him that he was going to be out of her class with a pink slip soon for she
would throw him out for missing three classes and he had soon Rosh Hashanah, Yom
Kippur coming up. He went to the Dean and the President of the School. He told
them about his problem. They said to him that they would do nothing now but if
she handed you a pink slip after Yom Kippur they would intervene and they asked
for a list of Jewish Holidays that he observed. He gave them a list but asked
them to confirm with a Rabbi which they did and the Rabbi agreed with Akiva.
When the teacher handed him the pink slip, they came into the class room told
the teacher to move the boy at the front desk towards the back and that was now
Akiva’s seat. They told Akiva even if you are an A student we will not interfere
with a tenured teacher unless she gives you less than a C. Somehow she always
lost his test scores. On the last day, Akiva said to her “Why do you hate me
because I am a Jew? I was born this way. What would have been if instead of you
being born your religion you were born a Jew? You are a very good teacher in fact an
excellent teacher why do you need this blot on your personality. I will not be
valedictorian anyway so a C from your class does not matter to me or my career.”
With that he left.
Arise
and wake up my people for how many slaps on the face must we get from HASHEM
until we change our ways and repent. I received the following private letter
this week and I believe it to be a true warning for all of us to
awaken.
"And
your covenant with EXILE'S DEATH, that WAS its "giving, to receive," will be
annulled; and it has been, by the G-d of Israel's intervention in modern
history, on '9/11.' How do we know this? It was/is foretold to us in... "WHAT
is, I believe, the most revealing Perek/Pasuk (chapter/verse) in the whole of
our Blessed Torah; as is ABOUT, "exile's end, redemption and Moshiach?" And it's
found in Yeshayahu in Perek, Quaf Het, Pasuk, Quaf Aleph = Isiah 28:21. WHY? It
says: "for the Lord shall rise up (from His place and He has, and). "He shall be
full of anger (as HE was and yet is)..."that HE may do HIS WORK, though strange
be His WORK: and bring to pass His ACT, though strange be His ACT." This HE
(Blessed be Hashem) has already done, on '9/11' in 2001. And His servant, WHO
was/is listening did hear, understand and since comprehend this, and too the
grammar of its meaning. "His work" ended Klal Yisrael and mankind's exile; and
"His ACT," confirmed this AGAIN, on Dec, 26, 2004, with the Tsunami, whose
grammar (meaning) repeated the '9/11' narrative; of "man NOT in His place, in
exile, is in Harm's Way." As 100 times the number that perished on '9/11' =
3000, next perished with His Tsunami as =300,000. And amazingly, universal
Jewish silence, cognitively, as we're all still asleep and do NOT as yet
properly fear Heaven. The afore twice repeated grammar, was AGAIN repeated yet a
third and final time, with SUPERSTROM "Sandy" as hit NY/NJ and NE which are the
areas of the Jewish "Rov," which means majority Jewish community and still ONLY
now are we just brginning to awaken; as to "what's happening?" Indeed it's
redemption and Moshiach's salvation, NOW; TODAY. Please URGENTLY spread the
word, TODAY as our Jewish media and too the MSM media are all asleep. Blessings,
Yehoshua Yaacov
From Shuli a news
story that really has a Jewish Culture Story: http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new-york-news/where-jewish-studies-captivates-non-jews
Anti-Semitism at a
Liberal Arts College. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/162040
Last week we had the
Shidduch of Yitzchak and Rivka where the marriage lasted based on the
commentators from either 119 to 130 years but there are also wrong ways to get
married to the wrong person for the wrong reason. Here is a video: http://www.aish.com/d/w/Four_Ways_to_Marry_the_Wrong_Person.html
An interesting true
story of WWII http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/05/hanna-nadel-leon-degrelle-sister_n_2077204.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl23%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D231876
Jews helping other
Jews leave the bombardment http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=291680
Anti-Semitism in
Europe:
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/162055#.UKMH-IYopN_
From
A.P.V: The Jewish community in Bolivia following with
concern the inclusion of Iran in the region
AJN. - The Jewish community of Bolivia ratified its concern
over "Iran's penetration in Latin America" and the "lobby" that the Tehran
regime has been carrying on the government of Evo Morales. This was conveyed
Ricardo Udler, president Israelite Circle of Bolivia, who told the Jewish News
Agency said that the presence of Iranian officials in La Paz generated
"concern", as it is known "very clearly what the vision of the Republic of Iran
to the state of Israel ". Udler confirmed that this concern was conveyed in the
recent international forum held by the American Jewish Committee (AJC, for its
acronym in English) in the United States. Regarding the cause of the AMIA
bombing, the community leader said that "it is time that justice Argentina take
action on the matter" and clarify the case. Also reported the next meeting of
the Organization of American States (OAS) to begin on Monday in
Bolivia.
Inyanay
Diyoma
Stop shooting off
your mouth about Iran and really do something for once: http://www.debka.com/article/22516/Palestinian-missiles-again-rain-down-on-Israel-after-injuring-4-Israeli-soldiers
The continued
spillover of the fighting in Syria into Israel has caused the IDF to change the
rules of engagement along the Syrian border. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161916#.UJ8AeIYopN8
Looks like a two
front action in Israel http://debka.com/article/22516/Israel-fires-warning-Tamuz-missile-into-Syria-as-Gaza-front-escalates
This is our local
Yerushalayim Terrorists: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/161956
Netanyahu’s new book
“Fool them 3 times” the sequel to “Fool them twice” 110 rockets in less than 36
hours http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=291432
Stop worrying about
Obama forcing Israel according to Hagai Segal: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4303412,00.html
Eliyahu HaNovi
revived one dead person and Elisha HaNovi two but you don’t have to be a
mathematical genius to figure out that 141% and 158% cannot vote in places in
St. Lucie County. Where is the police and district or State
Attorney?
http://watchdogwire.com/florida/2012/11/10/update-massive-voter-fraud-in-st-lucie-county-florida-called-into-question-141-turnout/
Syria is becoming a powder keg http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=291470 Israel tanks knock out Syrian mortars shelling
Golan. Assad tests Israel’s resolve in Gaza too.
Another shell landed near an Israeli
position on the Golan Monday, Nov. 12, less than 24 hours after Damascus
promised to silence the mortar battery responsible for “stray shells.” The
promise came after Israel fired a Tamuz guided missile into Syria as a warning
shot. Monday, Israeli tank fire knocked out the Syrian mortar battery. debkafile: Bashar Assad is
provoking the Netanyahu government in the light of its restraint against heavy
Palestinian missile fire from Gaza.
Military Drill with
the USA is Iran still on the table as a military option for the USA or is this
an aspirin against stage 4 cancer? http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4304332,00.html
Once there was a song
I wonder who wrote the book of love. Now there should be a song I wonder if PM
and Defense Minister have the guts to deal with Gaza: http://www.debka.com/article/22520/Salafists-keep-up-missile-fire-after-most-Palestinian-Gaza-groups-buy-a-truce
From Eli a Sky News
report: http://news.sky.com/story/1010429/is-syria-trying-to-suck-israel-into-its-war
Finally a reply to
the constant terror in the south: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4305343,00.html and http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/162088#.UKPQoYYopN8
Israel is developing
the new defense system
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/11/13/israel-prepares-new-missile-defense-system/
60 rockets on Beer
Sheva and house guttered in Ashdod: http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=291906
Thanks to Annie: How
to smell an Arab rat: Israel began using mice at security check
points.
Israeli start up
Bioexplorers has developed a new and unique way to sniff out terrorists –
literally. After years of research, company CEO Eran Lumbroso tells ISRAEL21c,
Bioexplorers has hit upon a foolproof, non-invasive and easy method to detect
contraband in purses, luggage and even cargo – using mice.It’s no joke. “Mice
have an excellent sense of smell, and they’re relatively easy to train. And
they’re easier to use for odor detection than other animals traditionally used
for their olfactory capabilities.”
Dogs are most often
used by security forces to detect drugs and explosives, says Lumbroso, but they
generally respond to the directions of their trainer, making their work more of
an art than a science. “I was looking for a way to automate and mechanize the
training process, so it could be duplicated easily and installed in a variety of
settings. And we have been able to achieve that goal using mice.”
Mice get it right
every time
Here’s how it works:
A person passes through a passageway in which a Bioexplorers system is
installed. A fan passes air into a sensor receptor, and delivers it into a
chamber with several mice. The mice, having gone through intensive behavioral
training, sniff the air. If the odor is one associated with items the mice have
been trained to recognize, like drugs or bombs, they move into another chamber –
setting off an alarm. Security officers can then move in and stop the
appropriate suspect.
“The mice rarely make
an error, and the entire procedure is far less invasive or intimidating than the
alternatives, like using dogs or X-ray machines,” says Lumbroso. “There’s no
radiation, and no concern about being seen naked,” he adds.
The system is
appropriate for use in any setting – airports, government buildings, shopping
malls. In fact, the company has conducted several tests at sites in Israel to
ensure that the sensors work in real situations, including at Tel Aviv’s Azrieli
Mall. More than 1,000 people passed through a Bioexplorers sensor – some having
been given “suspicious” objects and substances to hold – and the mice made the
right call every time, says Lumbroso.
The rodents employed
on this security detail are specially raised lab mice, “which are very clean,
and there is no chance that they will transfer diseases to humans, since there
is no contact between the mice and the people passing through the sensor,” says
Lumbroso.
The mice are trained
over a period of about two weeks using a patented computerized program based on
Skinner-style behavior theory and methods, “which we have tweaked using our own
special technology and methodology,” Lumbroso says.
Rodents train easier
than canines
He stresses that the
mice are treated well; they “work” for four hours, and then rest for eight, to
ensure they don’t experience sensory overload.
Each mouse’s “career”
can be expected to last for about two years, and each sensor installation is
staffed by four to eight mice. In order to prevent “false positives,” more than
one mouse has to respond to the odor and move into the second chamber.
Lumbroso, who has a
background in biology, has been working on the Bioexplorers system since 2004.
“Most animals have senses of smell that can detect the items we search for, but
it’s easier to train mice than many other animals,” especially dogs, the
four-legged mainstay of the smell-detection industry.
“The main advantage
of mice is that they can be integrated in a standardized training program,
easily duplicable and deployable in numerous settings,” Lumbroso says.
With the product
ready for market, the four-man Herzliya-based company has seen a great deal of
interest, says Lumbroso, who is also looking for investors. Until now, funding
has come from several angel investors, and Lumbroso hopes to secure new funding
“to bring the project to the next level.”
The first systems
will most likely be deployed in airports and public buildings, and a version for
cargo examination has been developed as well. The system, which has not yet been
priced, will be turnkey for buyers, and the company will carry out the necessary
staff training. “We are also looking at developing systems for medical use, in
which the mice can detect growths or other problems by smell, without the need
for invasive procedures,” Lumbroso says.
Meanwhile, the
company is close to closing some deals for deployment of the system. “Chances
are good that in another year or so, you’ll be passing through a Biosensor
system when you travel somewhere,” predicts Lumbroso.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/142145
When
you wife calls you up before she goes to sleep worrying if a Hamas missile is
going to hit your house the terror is successful even though we are more
isolated than the densely packed coastal towns. I told her don't worry. But
during the Gulf War with a rocket from 250 miles away we were within the margin
of error of the Air Port and shrapnel fell on Moshav Mattiyahu.
Unfortunately
people die in war both the good with the bad. http://www.debka.com/article/22528/IDF-digs-in-for-long-haul-after-sustained-rocket-fire-kills-three-Israelis
Regarding one of the dead and some of the injured almost 4 years
to day of the Mumbai attack: The Scharf family - the Chabad representatives in
New Delhi, who were in Israel for a short vacation, were hit by a rocket this
morning. Rebbitzen Mira Scharf, the pregnant mother and wife was killed and
Rabbi Shmulik and his 4 year old son were seriously injured. The two younger
daughters are hospitalized near their father. I've been this family's guest for
two Shabbats in New Delhi and they are
the sweetest people that dedicated their lives to helping others.
Let's all say a prayer for this wonderful family.
Embedded
video of air strikes here
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4305738,00.html
Syrian
Border He lived because he had a better bullet proof vest than either I or my
son had in the old days of the IDF http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=291995
There is either bragging on their part or silence on our part both
are possible and the missile could have been shot down by iron dome
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/162120#.UKTUUYYopN8
Things are escalating as Israel grants medical treatment to 14
Gazan Civilians http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4306201,00.html
Now I believe that they sent a rocket towards Tel Aviv but not the
first time they claimed it http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4306249,00.html
Two different stories about knocking out Gaza Rockets and the
second also regarding 3 rockets on Tel Aviv. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/162140 and this one say
more than 300 rockets. http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=292102
Palestinian rocket barrage escalates for Egyptian PM’s Gaza
visit. Israeli ground forces build up
As Hamas government officials greeted Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil on
his arrival for a short Gaza visit Friday morning, Nov. 16, the Palestinians
intensified their rocket barrage against Israel. Israel thereupon resumed its
air strikes, which it had agreed to suspend for the visit, provided the
Palestinians also held their rocket fire, and struck northern Gaza. Israeli
ground forces continue to build up on the Gaza border. After the first Fajr
rockets reached Greater Tel Aviv, airlines started canceling service. This could interfere with my return plans to
Israel.
Pekeuach Nefesh 5th
Iron Dome defense missiles to be delivered on Shabbos http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4306533,00.html
I did
not receive the Good Shabbos Story yet so I wish you all a healthy, safe and
wonderful Shabbos. Please pray for the IDF and citizens of Eretz Yisrael and for
the healing of the wounded along with the other ill people in Am
Yisrael.
Rachamim Pauli
