National
Prayer Day the Rabbi of Poway,CA speaks at the White House. Moment of Silence.
Stand Up. https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/4371566/jewish/At-White-House-Poway-Rabbi-Encourages-a-Moment-of-Silence.htm
Parsha Kedoshim
19:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them: Ye shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy.
All the Congregation are holy. We should learn from G-D – you want to be a leader set an example. Not like most of our politicians in most of the countries “Do as I say not as I do.” G-D is holy so we should be holy. Period! We have an example of our ruler being that way something to look at with awe and respect.
3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and ye shall keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
Again the honoring of ones parents and the holiness of the Shabbos. Fearing a mother is hard to do. She help you with a bottle or nursing you at nights and changed your diapers yet you as an adult perhaps taller and stronger than she is have to fear her and be awed by her presence. One’s father is easier as while growing up he was the strength and disciplinarian of the family. We also have one sentence next to another about the L-RD being holy and the holy Shabbos so we should have some degree of respect here.
… 12 And ye shall not swear by My name falsely, so that thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
This is one of our verbal problems and part of the 34 Lashon Hara commands and this is against false oaths by HASHEM’s NAME.
13 Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him; the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
It is not easy to be a Jew and sometimes in modern times a check, credit card, contract etc. can meet this requirement. L.W.P was a fellow in my second grade class. He had a hot temper and we got into a fight. I was not a tough guy or a bully but he attacked me. I literally flipped him over. I was told that he had a kidney operation and was very weak. Instead of stepping on him and crushing him, I used less strength just enough to prevent him from hurting me until he calmed down and not down trod on him. We later became quite good friends until I left for Brooklyn Technical High School and he for Stuyvesant and we kept in touch for a few more years. Although as a second grader I had no knowledge of the mitzvah of not oppressing my neighbor who in this case was of a different religion, I had enough common sense not to be a bully. One thing is not to crush a classmate or colleague at work and one thing is to be soft on terrorism to your enemy. The latter is a mitzvah to crush the wicked for who is merciful to the wicked is cruel to the merciful.
14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling-block before the blind, but thou shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
Foolish people think it is a job but the poor person with hearing loss of deaf person is not a job and the blind deserve respect. I have one blind internet reader of my blogspot. I try not to send him video clips or picture jokes but sometimes they are writing signs and I hope the braille or verbal interpretation of my writings. The Talmud sites many blind people who became leading scholars but the deaf mute of their time was considered an idiot there was no sign language or hearing aids or even an Anne Sullivan with Helen Keller teacher to student. The L-RD has made the people that way for a Tikun but one who over plays his/her hand will end up having to become deaf or blind for his own Tikun on the grounds that he/she is allowed to reincarnate.
15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor favor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.
It is the natural order of things to have extra respect for a wealthy person of stamina dressed tip top over the average Joe. Thus the Torah comes along to warn us that both get equal treatment before G-D. Whom HASHEM has made poor does not mean that he is less of a person than the wealth one.
We now have a series of Mitzvos against Lashon Hara, carrying a grudge and taking vengeance, the laws of Shatnes (forbidden mixtures of animals, clothing and purposely cross breeding fruits). A slave girl had rights to husband and engagement but if she was forced by a free person, she is not put to death and neither is he. I am sure that if this were to become a plague, then even more than a guilt offering would be required.
16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor: I am the LORD.
The first section is talking Lashon Hara and the second section about the blood is listening to Lashon Hara. There comes a fine distinction when a husband or wife come to a Rav to complain about a spouse and ask how to correct his/her bad behavior because chances are this is out of love and not the normal tale bearing.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
Many years ago at work I had a colleague who was married to a woman who was loyal a real baalabusta (a Jedi of a housekeeper and cook). However, her cute plumpness turned into fat and his IQ vs. her IQ were worlds apart but she loved him very much. He, however, was lacking companionship and became a bit of Don Juan going with different females more for the intelligent give and take than for anything else. At one point about the 25th female, he found somebody whom he really fell for and wanted to divorce his wife of 25 years for her. I told him, did not gossip to his wife, but instead asked him, “You are working for this company for 27 years. How would you feel after all your loyalty that you were given the boot for some younger person to work at half or a third of your salary?” He got the message. But if you are not going to have any effect but make the person change or only make an enemy of that person try to say that you don’t want any partnership in his/her sin.
18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD.
Boy this one line would put most criminals out of business. No vengeance on the killing of Don So and So or bearing a grudge against somebody of course if he lied and cheated you and was very wicked you don’t have to have dealings with him. But under normal circumstances that the person has just a plain obnoxious personality you should still love your neighbor as thyself. THIS MITZVAH IS NOT EASY AGAINST A LYING AND CHEATING NEIGHBOR and one is not required to talk to the neighbor just not to bear a grudge and be vengeful.
19 Ye shall keep My statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind; thou shalt not sow thy field with two kinds of seed; neither shall there come upon thee a garment of two kinds of stuff mingled together.
This is the law of grafting and interbreeding. It once happened that a Donkey and a Zebra at the Biblical Zoo mated and they produced a Zebkey but that was an accident. I also had a purple flowering plant that was near my Geraniums on my porch. The end result due to natural pollination was a very strong resistant red flowering plant that had the properties of both but not grafted by me in my wildest dreams.
20 And whosoever lies carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, designated for a man, and not at all redeemed, nor was freedom given her; there shall be inquisition; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
It is forbidden for a man to lie with a bondwoman especially if she was supposed to marry a Jewish slave or non-Jewish bondman. However, her lack of freedom and not having family around to defend her exempts them in this world from a penalty but perhaps in the next he could be accused of a real sinister crime.
This immoral stuff is getting into Reformist in Judaism and Christian Churches and although I am not an Episcopalian or Methodist is tearing the fabric of society apart. https://www.foxnews.com/us/united-methodists-edge-toward-breakup-over-lgbt-policies
21 And he shall bring his forfeit unto the LORD, unto the door of the tent of meeting, even a ram for a guilt-offering. … 29 Profane not thy daughter, to make her a harlot, lest the land fall into harlotry, and the land become full of lewdness.
A Jewish Woman is to be treated as a daughter or granddaughter of kings and must of us over the centuries have some blood from Cohanim, Leviim and from royalty.
30 Ye shall keep My Sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.
One of the many-many warnings about Shabbos in the Torah and if I am not mistaken, these warnings are more numerous than the 39 Melachos (creative work) listed as categories of things forbidden on Shabbos. Yet the Yetzer to violate the Shabbos aka drive to the beach, do some project or go on-line nowadays is very great.
20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am the LORD your God. 8 And keep ye My statutes, and do them: I am the LORD who sanctify you.
Be diligent in observing the Mitzvos. Do it will zeal and zest and not half-hearted.
9 For whatsoever man there be that curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him. 10 And the man that commits adultery with another man's wife, even he that commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Why the example of the neighbor’s wife? Shouldn’t it be general as in the first half of the sentence? The reason being that seeing a beautiful or handsome person in Haifa when you live in Beer Sheva is a smaller Yetzer as the effort is too great for a long term fling. However, one knows that his neighbor and the wife are close by. The neighbor goes off to work at such and such a place. The neighbor is a good talker and before you know it she is in her field or visits his field. That is why specifically the neighbor is mentioned. The criminal or sinner like a thief is too lazy to earn money or pursue an unmarried woman for a first or second wife.
11 And the man that lies with his father's wife--he hath uncovered his father's nakedness--both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
She is not his mother and his father is aging and has taken a younger woman. The father does not satisfy her Yetzer and the next thing you know it is easily accessible and the father would never suspect.
12 And if a man lie with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have wrought corruption; their blood shall be upon them.
The same evil inclination, laziness and easy access play a part here. These examples are not by accident and have to be fought against.
13 And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Like the other examples there is an easy access to this type of a relationship. The words disgusting or perversion are not used but abomination. The act in one way is worse than adultery as that is a normal relationship between male and female. If the same adulterous woman was divorced or widowed chances are that the same man would be able to have her for a kosher wife or as a Pelegish (mistress as two wives are forbidden today). However, a homosexual relationship in the Torah is not called perverse as with bestiality for that is a female species organ with a male organ of another species. Rather the Torah views homosexuality as an abomination on the same level with idolatry that is also an abomination.
14 And if a man take with his wife also her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.
In soap operas dramas like this can occur. I once read in one of the advice columns of such a true occurrence. The daughter was 18 living with a man in his 20’s in the mother’s home. The mother was perhaps 36 or 37 and divorced. It did not take too long for the non-Jewish ladies to give the poor man problems. The advisor wrote run don’t walk away from the situation. The Yetzer is there and the punishment is worse than with an adulterous situation as both women are competing for the same man and they are burnt by fire because of their fiery passion.
15 And if a man lies with a beast, he shall surely be put to death; and ye shall slay the beast. 16 And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Again the young farmer or farm girl has easy access to these animals and they gave in to their Yetzer. Therefore, to keep society on a straight path, the punishment must be great to deter the nation from deteriorating. In the story of Balaam there is a hint in the Torah that the donkey talks back to him as she was his sexual companion.
17 And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness: it is a shameful thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
This example is used because of the availability. Certain incestuous relationships are not mentioned even though they are available and the Egyptians practiced them.
18 And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness--he hath made naked her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood--both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
She is permitted during certain times but forbidden during her period as she is Tumay. The spiritual punishment is Kares but not a man operated death penalty.
19 And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister; for he hath made naked his near kin; they shall bear their iniquity. 20 And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife--he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness--they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless. 21 And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is impurity: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless. 22 Ye shall therefore keep all My statutes, and all Mine ordinances, and do them, that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, vomit you not out.
This section is a condensed version of Chapter 18 but if these sins become widespread one should extra care lest the land of Eretz Yisrael vomit you out. For these were the practices of the Egyptians and the wicked ones of Canaan.
23 And ye shall not walk in the customs of the nation, which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24 But I have said unto you: 'Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.' I am the LORD your God, who have set you apart from the peoples. 24 But I have said unto you: 'Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.' I am the LORD your God, who have set you apart from the peoples.
Although Israelis have to pay large taxes for defense and 10% for healthcare, it turns out with education and healthcare that compared to other countries where Jewish Education is expensive and healthcare too, that we do have a land flowing with milk and honey relative to the standard of living of Jews elsewhere.
25 Ye shall therefore separate between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean; and ye shall not make your souls detestable by beast, or by fowl, or by anything wherewith the ground teems, which I have set apart for you to hold unclean. 26 And ye shall be holy unto Me; for I the LORD am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that ye should be Mine.
Not only are we to keep the Mitzvos but we are to be holy in deeds and all our actions. We all are supposed to live a life of Kiddush HASHEM for whatever we do, somebody is looking at us a Jew first and a human second. “That Jewish doctor saved my foot from being amputated.”
27 A man also or a woman that divines by a ghost or a familiar spirit, shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones; their blood shall be upon them.
This refers to séances and other things. One should know that card readings come from Shaydim at best and charlatans at worst. I once learnt the rules of card reading just for knowledge but the most important thing that I learned was that similar to the interpretation of dreams that if one takes out the bad from the interpretation or the bad cards from the interpretation, then a good interpretation can be found. After I learned that knowledge similar to the Rabbi Eliezer HaGadol story and Rabbi Akiva with the laws of witchcraft, I immediately forgot everything only the general knowledge of how it worked. On the other hand, Palmistry and knowledge of reading ones face if done for the sake of heaven can be like a spiritual doctor reading the ailments of the soul and the weakness of a person.
Rabbi
Jacobson talks about the Sefiras HaOmer in his writings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XoUmTB-TYE&utm_source=Meaningful+Life+Center&utm_campaign=57b5af00a6-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_29_03_13&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0bcb4308af-57b5af00a6-83933393
Although
I wrote through day 15 of the Omer Counting. I repeat for this week the last
few and continue for next week.
Day 13 ― Yesod of Gevurah: Bonding
in Discipline
For discipline to be effective it must be coupled with
commitment and bonding. Both in disciplining yourself and others there has to
be a sense that the discipline is important for developing a stronger bond. Not
that I discipline you, but that we are doing it together for our mutual
benefit.
Exercise for the day: Demonstrate to your child or
student how discipline is an expression of intensifying your bond and
commitment to each other.
Day 14 ― Malchut of Gevurah:
Nobility of Discipline
Discipline, like love, must enhance personal dignity.
Discipline that breaks a person will backfire. Healthy discipline should
bolster self-esteem and help elicit the best in a person; cultivating his sovereignty.
Does my discipline cripple the human spirit; does it weaken or strengthen me
and others?
Exercise for the day: When disciplining your child or
student, foster his self-respect
WEEK 3 ― TIFERET ― HARMONY,
COMPASSION
During the third week of Counting the Omer, we examine
the emotional attribute of Tiferet or compassion. Tiferet blends and harmonizes
the free outpouring love of Chesed with the discipline of Gevurah. Tiferet
possesses this power by introducing a third dimension ― the dimension of truth,
which is neither love nor discipline and therefore can integrate the two.
Truth is accessed through selflessness: rising above
your ego and your predispositions, enabling you to realize truth. Truth gives
you a clear and objective picture of yours and others' needs. This quality
gives Tiferet its name, which means beauty: it blends the differing colors of
love and discipline, and this harmony makes it beautiful.
Day 15 ― Chesed of Tiferet:
Loving-kindness in Compassion
Examine the love aspect of compassion. Ask yourself:
Is my compassion tender and loving or does it come across as pity? Is my
sympathy condescending and patronizing? Even if my intention is otherwise, do
others perceive it as such? Does my compassion overflow with love and warmth;
is it expressed with enthusiasm, or is it static and lifeless?
Exercise for the day: When helping someone extend
yourself in the fullest way; offer a smile or a loving gesture.
Day 16 ― Gevurah of Tiferet:
Discipline in Compassion
For compassion to be effective and healthy it needs to
be disciplined and focused. It requires discretion both to whom you express
compassion, and in the measure of the compassion itself. It is recognizing when
compassion should be expressed and when it should be withheld or limited.
Discipline in compassion is knowing that being truly compassionate sometimes
requires withholding compassion. Because compassion is not an expression of the
bestower's needs but a response to the recipient's needs.
Exercise for the day: Express your compassion in a
focused and constructive manner by addressing someone's specific needs.
Day 17 ― Tiferet of Tiferet:
Compassion in Compassion
True compassion is limitless. It is not an extension
of your needs and defined by your limited perspective. Compassion for another
is achieved by having a selfless attitude, rising above yourself and placing
yourself in the other person's situation and experience. Am I prepared and able
to do that? If not, why? Do I express and actualize the compassion and empathy
in my heart? What blocks me from expressing it? Is my compassion compassionate
or self-serving? Is it compassion that comes out of guilt rather than genuine
empathy? How does that affect and distort my compassion? Test yourself by
seeing if you express compassion even when you don't feel guilty.
Exercise for the day: Express your compassion in a new
way that goes beyond your previous limitations: express it towards someone to
whom you have been callous.
Day 18 ― Netzach of Tiferet:
Endurance in Compassion
Is my compassion enduring and consistent? Is it
reliable or whimsical? Does it prevail among other forces in my life? Do I have
the capacity to be compassionate even when I'm busy with other activities or
only when it's comfortable for me? Am I ready to stand up and fight for
another?
Exercise for the day: In the middle of your busy day
take a moment and call someone who needs a compassionate word. Defend someone
who is in need of sympathy even if it's not a popular position.
Day 19 ― Hod of Tiferet: Humility in
Compassion
If compassion is not to be condescending, it must
include humility. Hod is recognizing that my ability to be compassionate and
giving does not make me better than the recipient; it is the acknowledgment and
appreciation that by creating one who needs compassion God gave me the gift of
being able to bestow compassion. Thus there is no place for haughtiness in
compassion.
Do I feel superior because I am compassionate? Do I
look down at those that need my compassion? Am I humble and thankful to God for
giving me the ability to have compassion for others?
Exercise for the day: Express compassion in an
anonymous fashion, not taking any personal credit.
Day 20 ― Yesod of Tiferet: Bonding
in Compassion
For compassion to be fully realized, it needs bonding.
It requires creating a channel between giver and receiver; a mutuality that
extends beyond the moment of need. A bond that continues to live on. That is
the most gratifying result of true compassion. Do you bond with the one you
have compassion for, or do you remain apart? Does your interaction achieve
anything beyond a single act of sympathy?
Exercise for the day: Ensure that something eternal is
built as a result of your compassion.
Day 21 ― Malchut of Tiferet:
Nobility in Compassion
Examine the dignity of your compassion. For compassion
to be complete (and enhance the other six aspects of compassion) it must
recognize and appreciate individual sovereignty. It should boost self-esteem
and cultivate human dignity. Both your own dignity and the dignity of the one
benefiting from your compassion.
Is my compassion expressed in a dignified manner? Does
it elicit dignity in others? Do I recognize the fact that when I experience
compassion as dignified it will reflect reciprocally in the one who receives
compassion?
Exercise for the day: Rather than just giving charity,
help the needy help themselves in a fashion that strengthens their dignity.
Rabbi
Yeshayahu Weber http://crownheights.info/chabad-news/639260/heres-my-story-with-all-due-respect/
During
my childhood, my father traveled from Israel to the United States frequently
and was away for long periods of time. That is when my uncle, Rabbi Moshe
Weber, would take over, educating me and guiding me like a father. He served as
the spiritual mentor of Chabad’s Toras Emes yeshivah, which was then located in
the Jerusalem
neighborhood of Meah Shaarim near our home.
neighborhood of Meah Shaarim near our home.
As
a young boy I was very influenced by the lively atmosphere in this yeshivah and
became friendly with some of the students. I was nine years old the first time
that I wrote to the Rebbe. I had been sent to study in Bnei Brak, in a Torah
academy affiliated with the Ponovezh yeshivah, and I began to question whether
I belonged there. Although I wasn’t unhappy, I felt separated from the Chabad
way of life to which Rabbi Moshe had introduced me.
So
I decided to write a letter to the Rebbe, expressing that I liked Chabad very
much and that I wanted to be in touch with him. I wrote in innocence, like a
child who was trying to make contact with an uncle, and I wrote in secret, not
telling anyone about it. This was because my father — who was a G-d-fearing and
learned Jew — wanted to bring me up in a neutral way. He didn’t oppose my
having a connection to Chabad; indeed, he had some sort of connection to the
Rebbe himself. But he did not want me to become a chasid and, throughout the
years, there was friction between us because of this.
As
my Bar Mitzvah approached, I wrote to the Rebbe again. At this time, I wanted
to grow long peyot — the distinctive sidelocks that the chasidim in Jerusalem
wore — but I knew that my father wouldn’t like the idea. My father was visiting
America then, and not knowing how huge America was, I asked the Rebbe in my
letter to please tell my father, if he happened to see him, to allow me to grow
long peyot.
My
father returned just before my Bar Mitzvah, and I noticed that he was a bit
upset and didn’t have much to say to me. Later I found out that my father
visited the Rebbe on Motzaei Pesach, following the Passover holiday. During Kos
Shel Brachah, when the Rebbe distributed wine from his cup, the Rebbe told him,
“If your son wants to be careful in his observance of the mitzvot, you should
allow him.” When I heard what the Rebbe had said, I interpreted it as a sign
that he took me seriously. This really clinched my connection to the Rebbe.
About
a year after my Bar Mitzvah, in 1961, my family moved to America. We arrived
close to Passover, and Rabbi Uriel Zimmer, who was very friendly with my
father, took us to Chabad Headquarters to receive matzah from the Rebbe’s
hands. Until then I had never seen the Rebbe, nor even a photo of him, but I
pictured him in my imagination as looking like one of the Chasidic rebbes that
I was used to seeing in Israel. I was sure he would be old, have a big white
beard and long peyot, and that he would be wearing a big furry streimel.
As
we waited in line, I saw an ordinary-looking but also very dignified
middle-aged gentleman standing at the entrance of the room and giving out
matzahs. I assumed that this was the Rebbe’s secretary — he must be
distributing the matzahs on behalf of the Rebbe, who was probably sitting in
the next room, I thought. But as we got closer, I saw that everyone was
treating him with a lot of respect, even awe, and then I realized with some
surprise that this had to be the Rebbe himself. When our turn came, my father introduced
me, saying, “This is my son,” and the Rebbe responded, “I know him; he writes
me letters.”
After
we settled in America, I enrolled in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas, as my father wished,
and did not have much to do with Chabad. But from time to time we would
participate in the Rebbe’s farbrengens, and on one such occasion, when I
approached the Rebbe during Kos shel Bracha, he said to me, “From over there
you sent me letters, but when you’re here I don’t see you!” This statement
awakened in me the dormant feeling of connection I previously had.
In
1964, I decided to switch to a Chabad yeshivah. I had several friends who had
gone to study in the Tomchei Temimim yeshivah in Montreal, and that is where I
also wanted to be.
From
the first day at Tomchei Temimim, I felt I was returning home — that this was
my natural place. I decided to live as a Chabad chasid. My father, however,
opposed this. He told me at the time that I was hurting him very much with the
path I had chosen.
His
words disturbed me greatly and I requested a private audience with the Rebbe to
discuss this matter.
The
Rebbe predicted that my father would change his mind. He said, “I know your
father; he is a learned man. Jewish law is clear that if a son wants to travel
away from home because he is certain that he will see success in his studies in
another city, but his father protests this, he doesn’t have to obey his
father.”
He
went on, “The Code of Jewish Law lists this halachah in the chapter about the
laws of honoring one’s parents, even though it would be more logical to list it
with the laws of Torah study. After all, it is justifying not obeying one’s
father — which seems counter to honoring him — in order to study Torah. But the
point here is that if the son studies where his heart desires, he will succeed
in his Torah studies, and this will bring his father nachas. So in this case,
the son is really honoring his father by disobeying him.”
Then
the Rebbe described in detail what happens if we don’t follow this halachah:
“If the son doesn’t study in a place that his heart desires, he will not see
success. The result will be that he won’t learn with eagerness and will slowly
start feeling badly about himself. This might lead to a situation where he will
seek out bad companions and will gradually deteriorate until he leaves the
yeshivah where he was unhappy. It is obvious that this will cause his father
great grief.”
It
struck me later that the Rebbe analyzed so clearly the process which would make
a student drop out of a yeshivah — and how it all begins with not succeeding in
one’s studies — an issue which I dealt with a lot throughout my career.
Needless
to say, ultimately my father came to see things differently — he derived a
great deal of satisfaction from my success in yeshivah and, later, from my
family and his grandchildren. I didn’t disappoint him. In fact, he told me that
I had brought him nachas.
Rabbi
Yeshayahu Weber, an educator, is the founder and director of the Ruth Institute
for children with learning disabilities. He was interviewed in his home in
Jerusalem in March of 2014.
In virtually every instance of church attacks,
authorities and media obfuscate the identity of the vandals. In those rare
instances when the Muslim (or "migrant") identity of the destroyers
is leaked, the desecraters are then presented as suffering from mental health
issues.
"Hardly anyone writes and speaks about the
increasing attacks on Christian symbols. There is an eloquent silence in both
France and Germany about the scandal of the desecrations and the origin of the
perpetrators.... Not a word, not even the slightest hint that could in anyway
lead to the suspicion of migrants... It is not the perpetrators who are in
danger of being ostracized, but those who dare to associate the desecration of
Christian symbols with immigrant imports. They are accused of hatred, hate
speech and racism." -- PI News, March 24, 2019
In February, vandals desecrated and smashed crosses
and statues at Saint-Alain Cathedral in Lavaur, France, and mangled the arms of
a statue of a crucified Christ in a mocking manner. In addition, an altar cloth
was burned.
Countless churches throughout Western Europe are being vandalized, defecated on, and torched.
Countless churches throughout Western Europe are being vandalized, defecated on, and torched.
In France, two churches are desecrated every day on
average. According to PI-News, a German news site, 1,063 attacks on Christian
churches or symbols (crucifixes, icons, statues) were registered in France in
2018. This represents a 17% increase compared to the previous year (2017), when
878 attacks were registered — meaning that such attacks are only going from bad
to worse.
Among some of the recent desecrations in France, the
following took place in just February and March:
Vandals plundered Notre-Dame des Enfants Church in
Nîmes and used human excrement to draw a cross there; consecrated bread was
found thrown outside among garbage.
The Saint-Nicolas Church in Houilles was vandalized on three separate occasions in February; a 19th century statue of the Virgin Mary, regarded as "irreparable," was "completely pulverized," said a clergyman; and a hanging cross was thrown to the floor.
Vandals desecrated and smashed crosses and statues at Saint-Alain Cathedral in Lavaur, and mangled the arms of a statue of a crucified Christ in a mocking manner. In addition, an altar cloth was burned.
Arsonists torched the Church of St. Sulpice in Paris soon after midday mass on Sunday, March 17.
Similar reports are coming out of Germany. Four separate churches were vandalized and/or torched in March alone. "In this country," PI-News explained, "there is a creeping war against everything that symbolizes Christianity: attacks on mountain-summit crosses, on sacred statues by the wayside, on churches... and recently also on cemeteries."
The Saint-Nicolas Church in Houilles was vandalized on three separate occasions in February; a 19th century statue of the Virgin Mary, regarded as "irreparable," was "completely pulverized," said a clergyman; and a hanging cross was thrown to the floor.
Vandals desecrated and smashed crosses and statues at Saint-Alain Cathedral in Lavaur, and mangled the arms of a statue of a crucified Christ in a mocking manner. In addition, an altar cloth was burned.
Arsonists torched the Church of St. Sulpice in Paris soon after midday mass on Sunday, March 17.
Similar reports are coming out of Germany. Four separate churches were vandalized and/or torched in March alone. "In this country," PI-News explained, "there is a creeping war against everything that symbolizes Christianity: attacks on mountain-summit crosses, on sacred statues by the wayside, on churches... and recently also on cemeteries."
Who is primarily behind these ongoing and increasing
attacks on churches in Europe? The same German report offers a hint:
"Crosses are broken, altars smashed, Bibles set on fire, baptismal fonts
overturned, and the church doors smeared with Islamic expressions like 'Allahu
Akbar.'"
In virtually every instance of church attacks,
authorities and media obfuscate the identity of the vandals. In those rare
instances when the Muslim (or "migrant") identity of the destroyers
is leaked, the perpetrators are then presented as suffering from mental health
issues. As the recent PI-News report says:
"Hardly anyone writes and speaks about the
increasing attacks on Christian symbols. There is an eloquent silence in both
France and Germany about the scandal of the desecrations and the origin of the
perpetrators.... Not a word, not even the slightest hint that could in anyway
lead to the suspicion of migrants... It is not the perpetrators who are in
danger of being ostracized, but those who dare to associate the desecration of
Christian symbols with immigrant imports. They are accused of hatred, hate
speech and racism."
Regarding the NYT antisemitic cartoon: IN
1896, a NY TIMES editorial appeared opposing letting Eastern European Jews into
the country, saying they were dirty, uneducated, and uneducatable. Many Nobel
prizes later, they were proved wrong.
During WWII, the New York
Times put the slaughter of European Jewry in a small column deep inside the
paper. In 1947, the NY Times had an editorial against the formation of a
Jewish Homeland.
Many
anti-Semitic columns have been written over the years. And yes, anti-Zionism is
anti-Semitism. The owners of the Times converted from reform (German) Judaism
to Christianity a generation ago. Not that it mattered one way or the other.
They were always a bunch of self-hating Jews. Now they are full-fledged
anti-Semites. - Jon Grant
Re: antisemitic cartoon published April 25 2019
I am not surprised but disgusted by what was published by the NY Times. The paper has held an anti-Israel position for decades. Many Jews have stopped subscribing to the paper for their anti-Israel bias. An apology is not enough. The editor needs to change its policies so that this never happens again. Never Again!
Respectfully,
Deborah Lurya
I am not surprised but disgusted by what was published by the NY Times. The paper has held an anti-Israel position for decades. Many Jews have stopped subscribing to the paper for their anti-Israel bias. An apology is not enough. The editor needs to change its policies so that this never happens again. Never Again!
Respectfully,
Deborah Lurya
What if the New York Times Cartoon had depicted a Muslim, a Lesbian, an African American or a Mexican as a Dog? Nanci Baren
Last
but not least and Ed-Op by Diane Bederman with the infamous cartoon. https://dianebederman.com/spreading-jew-hatred-far-and-wide-through-the-ages-for-all-ages/
The
arrest of Heinrich Himmler Yimach Shemo in French with English subtitles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVZU-1Bv-6M
Now
if the Israelis would only implement this: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/t-mobile-comcast-launch-verification-system-to-fight-robocalls-132014464.html
A
baby is saved for some reason by a miracle as he falls 6 stories lands on car. https://www.foxnews.com/us/20-month-olds-6-story-fall-broken-by-parked-car-outside-apartment-in-seattle
New
Genetic therapy that cures hemophilia: https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5497517,00.html
Healthy
foods: https://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/healthy-foods/
Annexation
of Yehuda and Shomron. https://www.israpundit.org/the-moral-case-for-israel-annexing-the-west-bank-and-beyond/
Technion
sues professor who started a block-chain technology firm after using their
grant. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3760876,00.html
United
Torah Judaism and Eli Yishai further bond. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262224
Gerim
from Gaza family serve in the IDF. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5499208,00.html
Ed-Op
Yemeni criticize the IDF but stick to facts. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5498822,00.html
From
Jeff Katz show: Boy Scout Leader abuse story coming to light. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Sex-Abuse-Boy-Scouts-of-America-Lawsuits-BSA-508934291.html
Israel
to retry on a large scale incentive for lowering traffic congestion. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3760942,00.html
Eli
Yishai promised ministry. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262264
Police
ignore court ruling and allow Arabs to desecrate Temple Mount. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262316
Extremist
who attacked soldier arrested. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262310
Eli
Cohen’s body various versions. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262289
SHEMA
YISRAEL the Kaliver Rebbe’s soul comes to rest. He tried to
unite a broken people with Shema Yisrael after the holocaust. May his name be
blessed for generations even though he could not have children due to the
Nazis. His story here: https://www.aish.com/jw/s/The-Kaliver-Rebbe-Rabbi-of-the-Holocaust-Dies-at-Aged-96.html?s=ss1
2
religious schools in Williamsburg closed due to measles outbreak. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262523
Cure
for diabetes may become a reality. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5501701,00.html
Article
on the life of Lori Kaye HY”D. https://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/4366652/jewish/Lori-Kaye-60-Who-Thought-of-Others-Before-Herself.htm#utm_medium=email&utm_source=1_chabad.org_magazine_en&utm_campaign=en&utm_content=content
Inyanay Diyoma
New
Hamas terror network in Hezballah. https://www.debka.com/hamas-hizballah-set-up-new-march-of-return-militia-on-lebanese-israeli-border/
We
will win in the north in any conflict should hold Lebanon accountable. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5496518,00.html
Trump
tried to thwart anti-Israel UN resolution before taking office. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262052
Radio
show on the Education Ministry and lack of courage by the PM. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262055
Nazi
guard change with accessory to murder. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5496674,00.html
Honorable
family runs over and kidnaps daughter. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5496562,00.html
NASA
experiment may have survived lunar crash. www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262034
Israel
outfoxed Iran. www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262034
Syria
appoints new pro-Russian Chief of Staff. https://www.debka.com/mivzak/assad-appoints-pro-russian-general-as-chief-of-staff/
Dr.
Martin Sherman. Restoring Jewish Sovereignty. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/23725
Terrorist
injured attacking in the Shomron. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262108
Moscow
Yeshiva with 60 students inside set on fire. Swastika painted on door. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262102
Chemistry
Professor suspended for how much Cyanide Gas question. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262111
Sri
Lanka attacks on Easter 228 dead. https://www.debka.com/chaos-in-sri-slanka-as-death-toll-from-easter-massacre-rises-again-to-210/
French
warn Lebanon of missile factory. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262133
Poland
burns Jewish Doll for Easter Passion. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262130
US
Ambassador to Poland verbally attacked for wishing happy Passover. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5497772,00.html
The
extreme left is not only against religion on Israel also France. https://www.foxnews.com/us/france-yellow-vest-protest-notre-dame
Jewish
Comedian wins Ukraine’s election. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5497750,00.html
Last
of Daniel Pearl’s murderers captured. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5497593,00.html
Kosher
Restaurant in Canada attacked again by antisemites. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262156
Possible
that one Arab Party did not make the minimum vote but cheated. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262150
Possible
merger as Yisrael our Home Party takes a beating. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262161
Israeli
Minister condemns Bernie Sanders after he calls Israel “Racist”. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5498894,00.html
Death
toll reaches 359 in Sri Lanka with 500 injured. More terrorist arrested. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262258
Kenya
– Chabad Rabbi and wife attacked in home invasion. Guards also suspected. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262262
Bodyguards
now carry anti-drone weapons. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262248
Two
carrier taskforce from sixth fleet here: https://www.debka.com/us-deploys-two-carrier-strike-groups-in-mediterranean-first-time-since-2016/
Sisi
rule extended to 2030. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262244
Synagogue
shooting at Chabad in Southern California 1 dead and 3 injured. https://www.debka.com/__trashed-3/
Oil
Sanctions extended on Iran and Revolutionary Guards prepare payback. https://www.debka.com/us-severs-irans-oil-export-lifeline-a-hawkish-new-revolutionary-guards-chief-prepares-payback/
Two
Syrian Prisoners to be freed by Israel via Moscow negotiations. https://www.debka.com/how-does-israels-decision-to-give-assad-two-prisoners-square-with-the-fierce-russian-iranian-struggle-over-syria/
Rabbi
Nissim Karelitz http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262330
Israel
participates in allied military exercise. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262330
15
dead mostly terrorist including 6 children dead in Sri Lanka suicide. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262325
Recent
Justice Minister planning comeback. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262331
Iran
claims Israel and Bolton to lead US to war. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5499593,00.html
N.
Korean leader and Putin meet. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5499571,00.html
Sri
Lanka under terrorism watch https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5499627,00.html
Americans
like Israel but not the government. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262286
Ed-Op
write it correctly Islamic massacre of Christians. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/23771
US
Firm sues Iran and Syria over terror attack. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262292
Berlin
with a million new Muslims reports rise in antisemitic crimes in 2018. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/23773
Iron
Dome on alert after Jihad rocket aimed at Ashdod Port lands in the sea. https://www.debka.com/jihad-rocket-aimed-at-israel-port-was-tehrans-first-riposte-for-trumps-sanctions/
Ed-Op
Ron ben Yishai Islamic Jihad tries to dictate events in Gaza. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5501651,00.html
Why
a single rocket? http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262505
Days
after CA attack, Chabad Rabbi attacked but saved by guard. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262525
Lori
Kaye died on a Kiddush HASHEM a heroine. https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/04/29/victim-of-poway-synagogue-shooting-laid-to-rest-she-had-a-soul-that-was-greater-than-any-of-us-ever-could-believe/
Gaza:
We’ll throw Jews into ditches like Hitler. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262498
Jewish
antisemitism is real in the NYT JC was Palestinian – Ben Dror Yemeni. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5500708,00.html
Kazakhstan’s
PM may visit Israel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262526
Indiana
City Leader speaks bad about Jews. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262522
2
dead and 3 very serious condition in NC. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262514
Rock
throwing incident. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262509
Venezuela
time to change hands secret police head turns.https://www.foxnews.com/world/venezuela-secret-police-head-breaks-with-maduro
Asteroid
to pass close to earth in 2029, 2060. https://www.foxnews.com/science/1110-foot-asteroid-to-pass-near-earth-in-2029
Firebombs,
reply and rockets. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5502531,00.html
Jihad
in Gaza cooperates with Iran. https://www.debka.com/jihad-rocket-aimed-at-israel-port-was-tehrans-first-riposte-for-trumps-sanctions/
Iran
ready for terror. https://www.debka.com/irans-al-qods-brigades-and-hizballah-on-battle-alert-on-day-before-next-us-sanctions/
Iran
and the battle in Libya. https://www.debka.com/the-contest-over-the-strait-of-hormuzs-closure-has-begun-at-libyas-ras-lanuf/
Dr.
Martin Sherman let the PA collapse. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/23813
Conflict
dead since 1860 rise to 23,741 the population is now 9,009,000 in Israel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262627
Philadelphia
Muslim children taught to sing anti-Israel song. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262639
Neo-Nazis
march in Germany. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262640
The
antisemitism of FDR allowed for Auschwitz-Birkenau. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/262621
Have
a good and peaceful Shabbos,
Rachamim
Pauli
