Error Correction. I had written based on my Calendar wrong information. I saw the 5th year of Shmita. However, it was written for 5780. 5781 is the 6th Year of Shmita. Thus: A special Request for all Talmidei Chachamim from the Gadol HaDor Minister of Torah Shlita. To learn the Rambam Hilchos Shmita and then the rest of the laws of Shmita written in books on the subject. I bring down here the basic introduction and Chabad Translation Hebrew-English on the subject. Please try to learn 2 Halachos each day. When complete continue with other books. The next Shmita will be 5722.
Prayers for Men: Shalom Charles ben Gracia, Yosef ben Esther, Daniel ben Rivka, Avrum ben Faigel, Ephraim ben Mazel, Zev ben Rachel, Menachem Mendel Shlomo ben Chaya Rochel, Gershon Shlomo ben Merrill
Women: Karen Neshama bas Esther Ruth, Chaya Melecha Rachel bas Baila Alta, Rachel Shoshana bas Chana, Tsvia Simcha bas Devorah Yachad, Miriam bas Irene Taita Malka, Shulamis bas Etta, Chana Friedel bas Sara, Esther bas Alice, Drorah Rivka bas Chana, Penina Bas Zeisa Preeya, Denise Esther bas Leah, Chava bas Tirtzah, Leah bas Sara, Miriam Esther bas Golda Chaya, Leah bas Annette,
The following persons are recovering from long term non-threatening injuries and need Psalms. Binum Benyamin Tuvia ben Chana Friedel, Avraham HaCohain ben Yocheved, Melech David ben Sulah Pearla,
Left over from the 10 days of Repentance. The Oseh HaShalom (makes the peace) at the end of the Amidah and the Kaddish thereafter. Normally we say Oseh Shalom.
Parsha Beresheis
So big and yet so small! When the Rabbis tell you G-D is everywhere they mean it. So the vast semi-vacuum of space and the 61 sub-components of atoms that we know have something of G-D in them. When we say in Kedusha at least twice daily Isa.6:3 “Holy, holy, holy is the L-RD of HOSTS the whole earth is full of HIS Glory” we should understand this as such and mean it!
1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Would a DIVINE being create a universe without a plan? Of course not. The Medrash talks about the world being planned for Matan Torah in the thousandth generation. If we look at the lineage from Adam to Moshe we have the Torah being given to an 80year old man in the 26th generation. So what was happening in the 974 generations beforehand. Planning the universe, laws of physics, laws of chemistry, climate, atmosphere, etc.
In the beginning: Said Rabbi Isaac: It was not necessary to begin the Torah except from “This month is to you,” (Exod. 12:2) which is the first commandment that the Israelites were commanded, (for the main purpose of the Torah is its commandments, and although several commandments are found in Genesis, e.g., circumcision and the prohibition of eating the thigh sinew, they could have been included together with the other commandments). Now for what reason did He commence with “In the beginning?” Because of [the verse] “The strength of His works He related to His people, to give them the inheritance of the nations” (Ps. 111:6). For if the nations of the world should say to Israel, “You are robbers, for you conquered by force the lands of the seven nations [of Canaan],” they will reply, "The entire earth belongs to the Holy One, blessed be He; He created it (this we learn from the story of the Creation) and gave it to whomever He deemed proper When He wished, He gave it to them, and when He wished, He took it away from them and gave it to us.
In the beginning of God’s creation of: Heb. בְּרֵאשִית בָּרָא. This verse calls for a midrashic interpretation [because according to its simple interpretation, the vowelization of the word בָּרָא, should be different, as Rashi explains further]. It teaches us that the sequence of the Creation as written is impossible, as is written immediately below] as our Rabbis stated (Letters of R. Akiva , letter “Beth” ; Gen. Rabbah 1:6; Lev. Rabbah 36:4): [God created the world] for the sake of the Torah, which is called (Prov. 8:22): “the beginning of His way,” and for the sake of Israel, who are called (Jer. 2:3) “the first of His grain.” But if you wish to explain it according to its simple meaning, explain it thus: “At the beginning of the creation of heaven and earth, the earth was astonishing with emptiness, and darkness…and God said, ‘Let there be light.’” But Scripture did not come to teach the sequence of the Creation, to say that these came first, for if it came to teach this, it should have written: “At first (בָּרִאשׁוֹנָה) He created the heavens and the earth,” for there is no רֵאשִׁית in Scripture that is not connected to the following word, [i.e., in the construct state] like (ibid. 27:1):“In the beginning of (בְּרֵאשִית) the reign of Jehoiakim” ; (below 10:10)“the beginning of (רֵאשִׁית) his reign” ; (Deut. 18:4)“the first (רֵאשִׁית) of your corn.” Here too, you say בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אלֹהִים, like בְּרֵאשִׁית בְּרֹא, in the beginning of creating. And similar to this is ,“At the beginning of the Lord’s speaking (דִּבֶּר) to Hosea,” (Hos. 1:2), i.e., at the beginning of the speaking (דִּבּוּרוֹ) of the Holy One, Blessed be He, to Hosea, “the Lord said to Hosea, etc.” Now if you say that it came to teach that these (i.e., heaven and earth) were created first, and that its meaning is: In the beginning of all, He created these-and that there are elliptical verses that omit one word, like (Job 3:10): “For [He] did not shut the doors of my [mother’s] womb,” and it does not explain who it was who shut [the womb]; and like (Isa. 8:4): “he will carry off the wealth of Damascus,” and it does not explain who will carry it off; and like (Amos 6:12): “or will one plow with cattle,” and it does not explain: “if a man will plow with cattle” ; and like (Isa. 46: 10): “telling the end from the beginning,” and it does not explain that [it means] telling the end of a matter from the beginning of a matter-if so, [if you say that Scripture indicates the order of creation] be astounded at yourself, for the water preceded, as it is written: “and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the water,” and Scripture did not yet disclose when the creation of water took place! From this you learn that the water preceded the earth. Moreover, the heavens were created from fire and water. Perforce, you must admit that Scripture did not teach us anything about the sequence of the earlier and the later [acts of creation].
God’s creation of the heavens and the earth: But it does not say “of the Lord’s creation of” (i.e., it should say “of the Lord God’s creation of” as below 2:4 “on the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven”) for in the beginning it was His intention to create it with the Divine Standard of Justice, but he perceived that the world would not endure; so He preceded it with the Divine Standard of Mercy, allying it with the Divine Standard of Justice, and that is the reason it is written: “on the day the Lord God made earth and heaven.”
2 Now the earth was unformed and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters.
The initial Big Bang appeared completely chaotic but slowly after 974,000years of thought, stars, galaxies and planets formed. Our special planet the earth was formed and float around somewhere suspended in space.
Astonishingly empty: Heb. תֹהוּ וָבֹהוּ. The word תֹהוּ is an expression of astonishment and desolation, that a person wonders and is astonished at the emptiness therein.
Astonishingly empty: Astordison in Old French; [étourdissement in modern French], astonishment. בֹהוּ an expression of emptiness and desolation. (This does not appear in all editions.)
בֹהוּ: an expression of emptiness and desolation. (This does not appear in all editions.)
on the face of the deep: on the face of the waters which were on the earth.
And the spirit of God was hovering: The Throne of Glory was suspended in the air and hovered over the face of the water with the breath of the mouth of the Holy One, blessed be He and with His word, like a dove, which hovers over the nest, acoveter in Old French, to cover, hover over.
3 And God said: 'Let there be light.' And there was light.
Out of nothing material was created and in that process, light was created.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.
And God saw the light that it was good, and God separated: Here too, we need the words of the Aggadah: He saw it that it was not proper for the wicked to use it; so He separated it for the righteous in the future. According to its simple meaning, explain it as follows: He saw it that it was good, and it was unseemly that it [light] and darkness should serve in confusion; so He established for this one its boundary by day, and for that one its boundary by night.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
One day: According to the sequence of the language of the chapter, it should have been written, “the first day,” as it is written regarding the other days, “second, third, fourth.” Why did Scripture write “one”? Because the Holy One, blessed be He, was the only one in His world, for the angels were not created until the second day. [i.e., יוֹם אֶחָד is understood as ‘the day of the only One’] So is it explained in Genesis Rabbah (3:8).
6 And God said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.'
Let there be an expanse: Let the expanse be strengthened, for, although the heavens were created on the first day, they were still moist, and they solidified on the second [day] from the rebuke of the Holy One, blessed be He, when He said, “Let there be an expanse.” This is what Scripture says (Job 26:11): “The pillars of the heavens trembled” the entire first day, and on the second day: “They were astonished by His rebuke,” like a person who stands in astonishment because of the rebuke of the one who frightens him. [Genesis Rabbah 12:10] in the midst of the water: In the middle of the water (Targum), for there is a separation between the upper waters and the expanse, as there is between the expanse and the waters that are on the earth. Behold you have learned that they are suspended by the word of the King. — [Gen. Rabbah 4:3]
The physical description is that of the water in the atmosphere and space divided from the water in the oceans that are covering the world.
7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.
And God made the expanse: He fixed it upon its base, which is [what is meant by] “making” it; as [in the verse] (Deut. 21:12):“and she shall ‘do’ her nails,” וְעָשְׂתָה. A above the expanse: It does not say, “on the expanse,” but “above the expanse,” because they [the waters] are suspended in the air (Mid. Ps. 19:4). Now why does it not say, “that it was good” on the second day? Because the work involving the water was not completed until the third day, although He commenced it on the second day, and an unfinished thing is not in its fullness and its goodness; and on the third day, when He completed the work involving the water and He commenced and completed another work, He repeated therein “that it was good” twice (sic): once for the completion of the work of the second day and once for the completion of the work of that [third] day. — [Gen. Rabbah 4:6]
The formation of the planet, being a watery world, is incomplete. What is missing is dry land and that will only occur on the third day. Therefore, the second day is incomplete in creation and good is not mentioned until the third day that receives twice the word good for the completion of day two and then day three. I am uncertain from this description if the initial waters were so hot there were only droplets and clouds-fog until they began to condense.
8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day.
And God called the expanse heaven: Heb. שָׁמַיִם [This is a combination of the words מַיִם שָׂא, bear water (Gen. Rabbah 4:7); שָׁם מַיִם, there is water; אֵשׁ וּמַיִם, fire and water. He mingled them with one another and made the heavens from them (Chag. 12a).
It is obvious not what we call heaven in the description of the Zohar. Perhaps it should be sky or the heavens that an astronomer calls them. I want to make a distinction between what we call HaOlam HaBa and the description here.
9 And God said: 'Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear.' And it was so.
Let the water…gather: They were spread out over the surface of the entire earth, and He gathered them in the ocean, [the Mediterranean], which is the largest of all the seas. — [from Perkei d’ Rabbi Eliezer, Ch. 5; Gen. Rabbah 5:2]
Rashi upon writing the commentary knew
of the Atlantic Ocean that he did call ‘Ocean’ but as for Sea, the tradition he
received that the Mediterranean was the largest.
According to the Wikipedia Rashi was born in Troyes France Feb. 22, 1040 and
died July 13, 1105. Part of that time he was in Worms in Germany. His knowledge
was up to date like that of Malbim who wrote of Ether in Space that was the
last word in Physics around the turn of the Twentieth Century according to
non-Jewish numbering.
10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called He Seas; and God saw that it was good.
He called seas: But is it not one sea? However, the flavor of a fish that comes up from the sea in Acre differs from the flavor of a fish that comes up from the sea in Spain. — [from Eikev 39]
Rashi knew that the sea off of Spain and Israel were different both in types of fish, sea weed and urchins and although the temperatures were unmeasurable in his day there might have been some tales from sailors.
11 And God said: 'Let the earth put forth grass, herb yielding seed, and fruit-tree bearing fruit after its kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth.' And it was so.
Let the earth sprout vegetation, seed yielding herbs: דֶּשֶׁא does not have the same meaning as עֵשֶׂב, and עֵשֶׂב does not have the same meaning as דֶּשֶׁא. And it would have been inappropriate for the Scriptural text to use the expression, תַּעֲשִׂיב הָאָרֶץ (let the earth bring forth herbs), for there are various species of דֶּשֶׁא, each one by itself which is called a particular עֵשֶׂב. And it would not be the correct term for the speaker to say, “such-and-such a דֶּשֶׁא,” because the term דֶּשֶׁא applies to the earth’s covering, when it is filled with vegetation. Let the earth sprout: Let it be filled and covered with a mantle of herbs. In Old French, דֶשֶׁא is called erbediz, herbage, all in a mixture, whereas each root individually is called עֵשֶׂב. seed-yielding: That its seeds should grow in it from which to sow elsewhere. Seed-yielding: That its seeds should grow in it from which to sow elsewhere. Fruit trees: That the taste of the tree should be like the taste of the fruit. It [the earth] did not do so, however, but “the earth gave forth, etc., trees producing fruit,” but the trees themselves were not fruit. Therefore, when man was cursed because of his iniquity, it [the earth] too was punished for its iniquity (and was cursed-not in all editions). - [from Gen. Rabbah 5:9] In which its seed is found: These are the kernels of every fruit, from which the tree grows when it is planted.
Torah believes in an all-powerful all-knowing G-D that is unlimited by a dimension called time and processes and creating plants instantaneous from thought and their ability to produce see. As I wrote previously the Torah was supposed to be given in the thousandth generation but was given in the 26th so that 974 generations of 1000 years were created by the thinking process prior to creation or 974,000years. So the herbs, grass, fruit and shade trees were already thought out and carefully planned before being created.
12 And the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and tree bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
And the earth gave forth, etc.: Even though לְמִינֵהוּ. “according to its kind,” was not said regarding the herbs when they were commanded [to grow], they heard that the trees were commanded thus, and they applied an a fortiori argument to themselves, [a קַל וָחוֹמֶר -from the minor to the major], as is explained in the Aggadah of Tractate Chullin (60a).
In the world of Kabbala, there is the spirit of G-D also within inanimate photons and atoms all the more so the plant kingdom. Being limited to three dimensional space we cannot see into other dimensions and perhaps the possible 10 to the 500th power of vacuum multiverses described by Professor Leonard Susskind.
13 And there was evening and there was morning, a third day. 14 And God said: 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years;
Let there be luminaries, etc.: They were created on the first day, and on the fourth day, He commanded them to be suspended in the sky, and likewise, all the creations of heaven and earth were created on the first day, and each one was fixed in its proper place on the day that was decreed upon it. That is why it is written: “with the heavens (אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם) to include their products,” and with the earth (וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ)," to include its products. — [Gen. Rabbah 1:14] Let there be luminaries: Heb., יְהִי מְאֹרֹת It [the word, מְאֹרֹת is written without a “Vav,” [thus, the word can be מְאֵרֹת meaning curses] because it [the fourth day] is a cursed day when children become ill with croup. This is what we learned (Ta’anith 27b): “on the fourth day [of the week], they [the men of the ma’amad] would fast so that children should not become ill with croup. To separate between the day and between the night: (This happened) after the first light was hidden away, but during the seven (another reading: during the three) days of Creation, the primordial light and darkness served together, both by day and by night. — [Medrah Yelammedenu , as quoted in Yalkut Shim’oni] According to the Ramban and early editions of Rashi , it appears that the reading, “during the seven days of Creation,” is the authentic reading. Ramban , however quotes the Genesis Rabbah , which states that the original primordial light served only during the first three days, until the sun and the moon were suspended in the sky. After that, the primordial light was hidden away, as in Rashi to verse 4. Note also that several early manuscripts and printed editions of Rashi read: “but in the seven days of Creation, the primordial light and darkness served, this one by day and this one by night.” This is also the reading of Mizrachi , and it appears more accurate than our reading, because, in fact, the light and the darkness did not serve together, as Rashi explains in verse 4.] And they shall be for signs: When the luminaries are eclipsed, it is an unfavorable omen for the world, as it is said (Jer. 10:2): “and from the signs of the heaven be not dismayed, etc.” When you perform the will of the Holy One, blessed be He, you need not fear retribution. — [from Sukkah 29a] And for appointed seasons: This refers to the future, when the Israelites are destined to be commanded concerning the festivals and they [the festivals] are reckoned from the first phase of the moon. — [from Gen. Rabbah 6:1]. And for days: The sun serves for half a day, and the moon for half of it, so that you have a full day. And years: At the end of 365 days (other editions: and a 1/4 of a day) they complete their revolution through the twelve constellations of the zodiac, which serve them, and that constitutes a year. (Other editions read: and that is 365 and 1/4 days), and they return and start a second time to revolve on the sphere like their first revolution.
The men of the Ma’amad in the Temple that were changed between families of Cohanim and Leviim weekly 24 families twice a year and during the holidays all the families yielding 52 weeks.
There is a dispute among the Rabbis. Most believe that the sun and the moon were created like the earth on day one and the current system of the earth rotating around the sun and the moon rotating around the earth happened on the fourth day. Thus the sun and moon were traveling through space with a very warm primeval earth being bombarded with enough photons to allow for plant life before being captured by the sun. One must realize that the Holy Scriptures are based on the foundation of Truth. It would have been a lot more convenient to put Gan Eden on Har Moriah, Noach landing the Teva (ark or box like structure) on Har Moriah and receiving the Torah on Har Moriah. The stories of Kayn and Hevel, David and Bas Sheva, Amnon and Tamar, Yehuda and the previous Tamar, etc. are embarrassing. Na’amah, the wife of Noach, comes from Kayn and puts ‘skeletons’ in our family history. If I were to invent a story with the current physics theory, it is much easier to write the sun was created then the earth and the earth moon system was captured by the sun and then grass blossomed. But no, the Torah goes straight to the jugular vein truth with no punches pulled.
The sun-earth-moon system is set up in such a way that seasons, days and years come from it.
15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.' And it was so.
And they shall be for luminaries: In addition, they will serve in this function, viz. to shed light upon the world.
16 And God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and the stars.
The two great luminaries: They were created equal, but the moon was made smaller because it brought charges and said, “It is impossible for two kings to use the same crown.” - [from Chullin 60b] Rashi (ad loc.) explains that this derash is based on the discrepancy of the two expressions, “the two great luminaries,” which intimates that the moon was a great luminary, and “the lesser luminary,” which intimates that the moon was smaller than the sun. To reconcile this difference, the Rabbis asserted that the moon was originally created equal to the sun, but, because of its complaint that the sun wielded the same power that it wielded, it was forced to relinquish that power. And the stars: Because He diminished the moon, He increased its hosts, to appease it. - [from Gen. Rabbah 46:4 and Chullin 60b] i.e., The stars serve as the entourage of the moon. When it comes out, they accompany it, and when it sets, they too set. [Gen. Rabbah ad loc.]
According to the Medrash, the moon complained before G-D that there should be one rule note two. So because she complained, she was struck down and made the lesser light. The full story is brought down by Rabbi Y. Frand @ torah.org: The Torah says, “And G-d made the two great luminaries, the greater luminary to dominate the day and the lesser luminary to dominate the night; and the stars.” [Bereshis 1:16] Rashi quotes the Talmud, which says [Chullin 60b], “Rabbi Shimon ben Pazi raises a contradiction: First it says ‘G-d made the two great luminaries’ (implying both were great) then it says ‘the greater luminary… and the lesser luminary’ (implying one was great and one was small).” He resolves the contradiction by explaining that originally both luminaries were the same size until the moon came before the Holy One, Blessed be He, and said “Master of the Universe, can two kings both wear the same crown?” To which G-d responded, “Go make yourself smaller.” The moon is in fact much smaller than the sun. This came about because the moon argued, “Two kings cannot simultaneously rule with a single crown.”
17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. 20 And God said: 'Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let fowl fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.'
Living creatures: That there should be life in them. A swarming: Heb. שֶׁרֶץ. Every living thing that is not much higher than the earth is שֶׁרֶץ; among the winged creatures, such as flies; among the insects, such as ants, beetles, and worms; and among the [larger] creatures, such as the weasel, the mouse, the lizard, and their like, and so [among] the fishes. [Note that in most early editions and mss., the reading is וְכָל הַדָּגִים, and all the fishes (and not וְכֵן הַדגָּים).]
What is interesting is that modern science agree with the creation of animals and moving life forms were created in the order mentioned. Mice and rabbits produce so rapidly that the Torah applies swarming unto them.
21 And God created the great sea-monsters, and every living creature that creeps, wherewith the waters swarmed, after its kind, and every winged fowl after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
The…sea monsters: The great fish in the sea, and in the words of the Aggadah (B.B. 74b), this refers to the Leviathan and its mate, for He created them male and female, and He slew the female and salted her away for the righteous in the future, for if they would propagate, the world could not exist because of them. הַתַּנִינִם is written. [I.e., the final “yud,” which denotes the plural, is missing, hence the implication that the Leviathan did not remain two, but that its number was reduced to one.]- [from Gen. Rabbah 7:4, Midrash Chaseroth V’Yetheroth, Batei Midrashoth, vol 2, p. 225]. Living creature: a creature in which there is life.
Everybody agrees that fish, birds and amphibians appeared at a certain era. We call this day 5 of 24hours others will claim millions of years. Once one has a being above time, it cancels out the millions of years.
22 And God blessed them, saying: 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.'
And…blessed them: Because [people] decimate them and hunt them and eat them, they required a blessing; and the beasts also required a blessing, but because the serpent was destined to be cursed, He did not bless them, lest he [the serpent] be included. — [from Gen. Rabbah 11:3, Midrash Tadshe 1] Be fruitful: [The word פְּרוּ is derived from פְּרִי, fruit, meaning produce fruits. And multiply: If He had said only, “Be fruitful,” one would beget one and no more. “And multiply” was therefore said so that one could beget many.
23 And there was evening and there was morning, a fifth day. 24 And God said: 'Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind.' And it was so.
Let the earth bring forth: That is what I explained [verse 14] that everything was created on the first [day], and they required only to be brought forth. — [from Tanchuma Buber, Bereishith 1] Living creatures: which have life. (See above, verse 20.) And creeping things: These are the creeping things, which are low and crawl upon the earth and appear as if they are dragging along, because their movement is not discernible. Every expression of רֶמֶשׁ or שֶׁרֶץ [is translated] in our language [Old French] as conmovres , crawling creatures.
According to the Medrash, giving birth was within 24hours prior to mankind eating from the forbidden fruit.
25 And God made the beast of the earth after its kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.
And… made: He fixed them in their complete form, and in their full stature. — [from Rosh Hashanah 11a, Chullin 60a]
Which came first the chicken or the egg questioned the Darwin followers. The truth is that the chick, elephant, whale and man in full form and height out of the chemicals in the earth. Although I skipped over the formation of man this year, one can see it in the fact that he is a naïve young adult before G-D and the serpent had two days’ experience on him.
26 And God said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.'
Let us make man: From here we learn the humility of the Holy One, blessed be He. Since man was created in the likeness of the angels, and they would envy him, He consulted them. And when He judges kings, He consults with His Heavenly household, for so we find regarding Ahab, that Micah said to him, (I Kings 22:19): “I saw the Lord seated on His throne, and all the host of heaven were standing by Him, on His right and on His left.” Now do “left” or “right” apply to Him ?! But rather, [the passage means that] these [angels] were standing on the right to defend, and these [angels] were standing on the left to prosecute. Likewise, (Dan. 4:14): “By the decree of the destructive angels is the matter, and by the word of the holy ones is the edict.” Here too, He took counsel with His heavenly household. He said to them, “Among the heavenly beings, there are some in My likeness. If there are none in My likeness among the earthly beings, there will be envy among the creatures of the Creation.” - [from Tanchuma, Shemoth 18; Gen. Rabbah 8:11, 14:13] Let us make man: Even though they [the angels] did not assist Him in His creation, and there is an opportunity for the heretics to rebel (to misconstrue the plural as a basis for their heresies), Scripture did not hesitate to teach proper conduct and the trait of humility, that a great person should consult with and receive permission from a smaller one. Had it been written: “I shall make man,” we would not have learned that He was speaking with His tribunal, but to Himself. And the refutation to the heretics is written alongside it [i. e., in the following verse:] “And God created (וַיִּבְרָא),” and it does not say, “and they created וַיִּבְרְאוּ.” - [from Gen. Rabbah 8:9] in our image: In our form After our likeness: to understand and to discern. And they shall rule over the fish: Heb. וְיִרְדּוּ This expression contains both the meaning of ruling and the meaning of subservience. If he merits, he rules over the beasts and over the cattle. If he does not merit, he becomes subservient to them, and the beast rules over him. — [from Gen. Rabbah 8:12]
G-D did not have to consult with the angels and could have created mankind without them. Some Midrashim have HIM consulting the internal Midos of Justice and Mercy with Justice calling mankind unworthy and G-D throwing down Justice in favor of Chessed (create man and woman).
27 And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.
And God created man in His image: In the form that was made for him, for everything [else] was created with a command, whereas he [man] was created with the hands (of God), as it is written (Ps. 139:5): “and You placed Your hand upon me.” Man was made with a die, like a coin, which is made by means of a die, which is called coin in Old French. And so Scripture states (Job 38:14): “The die changes like clay.” - [from Letters of Rabbi Akiva , second version; Mid. Ps. 139:5; Sanh. 38a] In the image of God He created him: It explains to you that the image that was prepared for him was the image of the likeness of his Creator. — [from B.B. 58a] Male and female He created them: Yet further (2:21) Scripture states: “And He took one of his ribs, etc.” The Midrash Aggadah (Gen. Rabbah 8:1, Ber. 61a, Eruvin 18a) explains that He originally created him with two faces, and afterwards, He divided him. The simple meaning of the verse is that here Scripture informs you that they were both created on the sixth [day], but it does not explain to you how they were created, and it explains [that] to you elsewhere. — [from Baraitha of the Thirty-Two Methods, Method 13]
Likeness of his CREATOR was originally multidimensional and above time and able to create, free will and make independent decisions. The animal kingdom mostly go by instinct or training.
28 And God blessed them; and God said unto them: 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that creeps upon the earth.'
And subdue it: The “Vav” [in וְכִבְשֻׁהָ is missing, [allowing the word to be read וְכִבְשָׁה, the masculine singular imperative] to teach you that the male subdues the female that she should not be a gadabout (Gen. Rabbah 8:12), and it is also meant to teach you that the man, whose way it is to subdue, is commanded to propagate, but not the woman (Yev. Yev. 65b).
Rule over it like a dictator. You shall be free to preserve or destroy the environment or species as mankind destroyed the Dodo Bird and almost destroyed the American Bison that fortunately some wise people kept from extinction. When I was young, I heard in school that there were only 50 Bisons left (or wild Bisons). Today there are enough that Bison meat can be sold and even bought kosher.
29 And God said: 'Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed--to you it shall be for food;
it will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth: He equated cattle and the beasts to them [to man] regarding the food [that they were permitted to eat]. He did not permit Adam and his wife to kill a creature and to eat its flesh; only every green herb they were all permitted to eat equally. When the sons of Noah came, He permitted them to eat flesh, as it is said (below 9:3): “Every creeping thing that is alive, etc.” Like the green herbs, which I permitted to the first man, I have given you everything. — [from Sanh. 59b]
Prior to the flood, the plant life yielding soy and other proteins were so rich that literally, the lion could lie down with the lamb. Although we see clothing made from wool or skins and Hevel offering up from the flock a sacrifice vs. Kayn offering up inferior fruit.
30 and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creeps upon the earth, wherein there is a living soul, [I have given] every green herb for food.' And it was so.
Originally, the animals were protected from slaughter.
31 And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
The sixth day: Scripture added a “hey” on the sixth [day], at the completion of the Creation, to tell us that He stipulated with them, [“you were created] on the condition that Israel accept the Five Books of the Torah.” [The numerical value of the “hey” is five.] (Tanchuma Bereishith 1). Another explanation for “the sixth day” : They [the works of creation] were all suspended until the “sixth day,” referring to the sixth day of Sivan, which was prepared for the giving of the Torah (Shab. 88a). [The“hey” is the definite article, alluding to the well-known sixth day, the sixth day of Sivan, when the Torah was given (ad loc.).]
2:1 And the heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made.
And God completed on the seventh day: Rabbi Shimon said: [A human being of] flesh and blood, who cannot [exactly] know his times and his moments, must add from the profane to the holy [i.e., he must add some time to the Sabbath.] The Holy One, blessed be He, Who knows His times and His moments [exactly], entered it [the Sabbath] within a hairbreadth, and it therefore appeared as if He completed it [His work] on that day. Another explanation: What was the world lacking? Rest. The Sabbath came, and so came rest. The work was completed and finished. — [from Gen. Rabbah 10:9]
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God in creating had made.
And …blessed…and hallowed: He blessed it with manna, for on all the days of the week, it descended for them [in the amount of] an omer per person, whereas on the sixth day,[each one received] a double portion. And He hallowed it with manna, that it did not descend at all on the Sabbath. This verse is written with reference to the future. — [from Gen. Rabbah 11:2] That …blessed…and hallowed: He blessed it with manna, for on all the days of the week, it descended for them [in the amount of] an omer per person, whereas on the sixth day,[each one received] a double portion. And He hallowed it with manna, that it did not descend at all on the Sabbath. This verse is written with reference to the future. — [from Gen. Rabbah 11:2]
This week there is a story of a non-Jew who took 5 years to observe Shabbos during her conversion process.
4 These are the generations of the heaven and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made earth and heaven. 5 No shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground; 6 but there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 Then the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
When the Torah mentions “generations” as in Pasuk 4 it is to give us a brief review until we get to the “Eikah” (nitty-gritty) that is the creation of mankind.
8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward, in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed.
I received two articles this week: What was man’s purpose in Gan Eden? https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/1551322/jewish/What-was-Adams-Purpose-Before-the-Sin-of-the-Forbidden-Fruit.htm#utm_medium=email&utm_source=1_chabad.org_magazine_en&utm_campaign=en&utm_content=content
G-D wanted a partner in creation. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289123
…20 And the man gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found a help meet for him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the place with flesh instead thereof. 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from the man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And the man said: 'This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.'
Husbands and wives as much as they love each other and are partners, parents, etc. they fight. If both members feel the meaning of this Pasuk, they will have Shalom Beis as one even makes choices not depending on his partner so here too.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Since Adam and Chava were one, innocent and all the animals were naked they too did not feel shame. Babies that don’t have a Yetzer yet are also not ashamed. But as soon as one knows better than evil and good, the person becomes embarrassed.
…3:22 And the LORD God said: 'Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.'
The implication here is astounding meaning that if mankind at from the tree of life first and then the tree of knowledge, he would have been eternal. This makes be believe that man similar to the Angels was a multidimensional creature who became three dimensional upon being kicked out of Gan Eden.
23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way to the tree of life.
…5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made He him; 2 male and female created He them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. 3 And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth.
Seth looked like Adam and was a Tzaddik like him.
…18 And Jared lived a hundred sixty and two years, and begot Enoch. 19 And Jared lived after he begot Enoch eight hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. 20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years; and he died. 21 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begot Methuselah. 22 And Enoch walked with God after he begot Methuselah three hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. 23 And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God, and he was not; for God took him.
He died before his time or entered heaven straight-forth. One Medrash says that Chanoch became the Arch Angel Metaron and second to G-D above the other Arch Angels. The Pshat is that he died young but all agree that he was a great Tzaddik and fulfilled the purpose of mankind in this world.
…25 And Methuselah lived a hundred eighty and seven years, and begot Lamech.
Under the influence of his father, Methuselah became the Tzaddik that would guard his generation.
26 And Methuselah lived after he begot Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begot sons and daughters. 27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years; and he died.
If you do the account, Methuselah died in the year 1656. When he died, the universe took on the primeval light. There were 7 days of mourning and then the flood came upon the world. Noach was Tzaddik enough to save species but not on the level to prevent the flood.
28 And Lamech lived a hundred eighty and two years, and begot a son. 29 And he called his name Noah, saying: 'This same shall comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, which cometh from the ground which the LORD hath cursed.' 30 And Lamech lived after he begot Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begot sons and daughters.
He passed away early and that was 5 years before the flood.
31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years; and he died. 32 And Noah was five hundred years old; and Noah begot Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
He was a Tzaddik but was afraid to bring children into a wicked world. When he learned that the flood was going to be in 120 years and wipe out mankind, he decided that he need help in constructing the Teva. It was then 20 years later, that he began having children.
6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives, whomsoever they chose.
There are two schools of thought here. “Sons of G-D” refers to angels and the Zohar brings down the name of two Angels. I tend to doubt this for it appears to me that Angels do have some free-hand leeway in performing their duty but they are basically programmed to follow orders. In other words, for this to occur the Angel would have to be given a chore to help Sally or Susie and he over-helped them. The second school of thought is that like Pharaoh was declared a god and until 1945, the emperor of Japan was a god and his sons would be ‘men of renowned’.
3 And the LORD said: 'My spirit shall not abide in man forever, for that he also is flesh; therefore, shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.' 4 The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them; the same were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.
The heights of these people might have been taller than the average person. An example of this differential is the average height of basketball players versus the average height of a man or even that the Jewish people tend to be shorter. I have seen this with my 180cm aka 6ft tall uncle vs. a Chabad Levy who looked age-wise and face-wise like my uncle and was 150cm or 5ft tall. Both Leviim but different genes controlling height.
5 And the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.
Man was created in the imagine of G-D with intelligent choice and instead of using it for good had made a bad choice that got him kicked out of Gan Eden. But evil seemed to rule mankind. The earth in Parsha Noach is filled with Hamas (violence). If somebody went to farmer selling apples and he bit off a piece worth less that a Prutah, he could not be charged. Wife swapping, adultery, incest was rampant. Murder and manslaughter became common. Noach, the grandson of Tzaddik HaDor, Methuselah, and family were keeping up what they should be doing.
7 And the LORD said: 'I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and creeping thing, and fowl of the air; for it repents Me that I have made them.'
I understand mankind but why beasts. The reason was that men trained them to steal (monkeys and chimps) and for bestiality which is on the agenda of some today since homosexuality is considered by too many to be normal.
Make a lasting impact by Rabbi Beryl Wein
This week’s opening Parsha of the Torah can be viewed as having bookends. There are two main characters in the story of humanity that are introduced to us. At the beginning of the Parsha, the Torah tells us of the creation of Adam, the original human being, and the progenitor of all of us. Thus, the Torah records the tragedy of his life and he becomes, so to speak, the story of all human beings who are prone and susceptible to sin and temptation, who live on in regret and recrimination.
Even though Adam will live an exceptionally long life, almost a millennium, we are not told much about the rest of his life. According to midrashic tradition, Adam spent most of his life in loneliness, isolation, sadness, and depression over his transgression, and this affected not only him, but all humanity as well.
Jewish tradition teaches us that there were 10 generations, over 1500 years, between Adam and the generation of Noah and the great flood. These generations sank further and further into the abyss of idolatry, paganism, immorality, robbery, tyranny, and brutality. Adam, who certainly was aware of what was happening, apparently was of no influence on these generations.
Instead of being an exemplary influence and a leader, he seemingly withdrew into his own isolation and sadness. We can certainly sympathize and even empathize with his behavior, but his non-actions do not, in any way, aid the cause of humanity, nor its spiritual and emotional development and growth.
At the conclusion of the Parsha, we are introduced to Noah, who will be the central character in the drama of the Flood that we will read about in next week’s Torah reading. We see a somewhat similar story with Noah as we saw with Adam. After surviving the flood and having the opportunity to build the world in a more positive fashion, he also fails the test, and loses influence on his children and succeeding generations.
He also lives an exceptionally long life, almost a millennium, but extraordinarily little is revealed to us about the rest of his days, or what other accomplishments, if any, he achieved. Noah, like Adam, remains an enigmatic figure, a reservoir of failed potential and human decline. We are taught there were, once again, 10 generations from Noah to Abraham and that these 10 generations – and Noah was alive for a great deal of them – simply sank back into the idolatry, paganism and immorality of the time of Adam. And, once again, Noah apparently was of little of any influence in being able to stem this tide of evil and brutality.
It is only once we reached the story of Abraham and Sarah that we find people who not only were pious in their own right, as Noah certainly was, but who also had an enormous influence upon their times and all later times, as well. And Abraham and Sarah are the example that is set before us. We all are people of influence, on our families, communities, and societies. We must see ourselves in that light, and behave accordingly, and reveal ourselves as examples and influence. That has been our mission from time immemorial and remains so until today.
Shabbat shalom
Rabbi Berel Wein copywrite @torah.org
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
He was the only one who followed the Torah and Mitzvos of Adam as G-D hand commanded.
Living with a Buddhist Family in Japan Brought me back to the fold.
By Marjorie Ordene
I went looking for freedom. I’d landed in the wrong place.
In the summer after my junior year of high school, in 1970, I caught the countercultural bug spreading across America. I had met some “radicals” on a teen tour and I was hooked. Instead of playing the A-student who followed all the rules, I decided to rebel. I read books like The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test and longed for my first psychedelic experience. I wore ragged jeans and faded T-shirts and sought out the company of like-minded “hippie-radicals.” School spirit was out, disdain and disrespect were in. Of course, my parents were concerned, but what could they do?
Then the school announced the American Field Service exchange student competition, and a light bulb flicked on in my head. How thrilling it would be to become a member of a new family somewhere else in the world! Yes, this was my big chance.
Sitting on a Formica bench in the school cafeteria, I composed an essay about the delights of learning another culture and discovering the common values of peoples everywhere. My efforts earned me an interview, to take place in our home, so that the selection committee could meet the whole family.
But just before that, another opportunity fell my way. My father’s Orthodox cousins, coming on a Sunday morning for a dental visit, invited me to spend the upcoming holiday of Sukkot in their Williamsburg home.
Our family was not observant at all. Keeping kosher consisted of avoiding pork and shellfish. Milk and meat together? Not a problem. When we were younger, my father had made Friday night Kiddush on a shot glass of Manischewitz, but by now we’d given that up, along with candle-lighting. In fact, Saturday was the busiest day in my father’s home dental office. We didn’t know from Shabbos.
Perhaps it was in the hopes of changing this that my father’s cousin Miriam had nudged her 16-year-old daughter, Pearlie, to invite me. To their shock and delight, I accepted, and suitably outfitted in an ankle-length skirt, I had partaken of the full Williamsburg experience, including festive meals in the family sukkah, praying behind a curtain in a storefront shul, sukkah-hopping with the other teenaged girls, and watching the Satmar rebbe and his entourage march by.
And so, my adventure began. At my AFS interview, I held forth on this intercultural experience and thus became my school’s choice to represent them and our nation in the exchange program. Now it was up to AFS to place me with a suitable family.
Six months passed and then one spring day, I came home from school to find my parents bowing to me with their hands held up, palms together, saying, “Moshi, moshi! You’re going to Japan!”
And so, my adventure began. First came the letters. My Japanese sister, Hiroko, told me about her high school Nishiko, or North High School, an elite public school. She drew a picture of herself with shading across her face, showing her tan after a day in the sun. This was NOT good, she lamented. Then she requested "my stature and girth of the chest," so that Okaasan, (Mother) could prepare my school uniform, a navy jumper and white blouse. Otoosan (Father) wrote a description of their family and their hometown, Sapporo.
On June 15, 1971, I left for Japan along with five other American exchange students from across the country. We arrived at Gotemba, a government camp near Mount Fuji for orientation and language lessons. Here I got my first inkling that if I’d come looking for freedom, I’d landed in the wrong place.
The strict rules and military regimen took me by surprise. Every hour of our day was accounted for. At the morning flag-raising ceremony, we Americans sauntered over to our assigned spot, while the Japanese groups marched to their places in tight formation. Our counselors instructed us to answer “hi” when they called ‘AFS’.” Obediently, we waved and gave a friendly “Hi!” But the other groups, raised their fists and shouted a military “Hai!” (as in present).
The remainder of our days at Gotemba were spent in a crash course in Japanese. With this I gleaned another crucial lesson – the importance of finding your place, below your senior and above your junior. The language said it all. Hiroko was to be my host sister, but in Japanese there is no word for sister, only older sister and younger sister, and the word for older sister, like the words for older brother, mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather begins with an honorific “o,” to show respect.
A few days later, landing in what I thought was Sapporo, I looked forward to meeting my family. But instead I was greeted at the airport by some very stern AFS representatives, who informed me that I had boarded the wrong plane and forced my family to drive an hour out Oops.
At our apartment, Okaasan served a delicious dinner, waiting until everyone had finished before partaking herself. I understood not a word of the conversation, language classes notwithstanding. But Hiroko spoke to me afterwards in English and made me feel welcome. She loved my present, Peter Paul and Mary’s 10 Years Together, as PPM were wildly popular in Japan. My other selection, the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty was received with less enthusiasm.
A few days later, I started school. Rules were many, among them no chewing gum, no tweezed eyebrows, no make-up. The students were responsible for cleaning their homeroom and generally keeping the school neat and tidy. Hanging out? No way. As at Gotemba, every minute was accounted for. We arrived on time, stowed our shoes in our lockers and changed into our indoor footgear – sneakers or slippers.
We girls wore our navy jumpers, while the boys, who outnumbered us at least 10 :1, wore military-looking black Nehru-style jackets, black pants, white shirts, and black caps. Most of them were afraid to approach me. Only Hideki, the president of the English-Speaking Society, ventured over every morning to ask if I was “full of life” (a literal translation from the Japanese O-genki desuka.)
Standing at our desks each morning, we performed the Japanese national exercises to the Japanese national exercise music just as we had done at Gotemba. My first lesson was proper etiquette. When passing my teachers in the hall, I had to bow from the waist and recite the long form of good morning, “Ohayo gozaimasu.” The teacher would nod and reply curtly, “Ohayo.”
I was lucky to have Fukahara-sensei as my English tutor. He had spent a year in America on a Fulbright scholarship and fully grasped the cultural differences. Soon after I began studying one-stroke brush painting with Miamaya-sensei, the school’s diminutive, elderly fine arts teacher, Fukahara admonished me never to use the pronoun “you” to address a teacher, but rather to employ the third person, as in Your Highness. Instead of saying “Would you please show me how to paint an eggplant?” I needed to say “Would Miyamaya-sensei please show me.”
At home things were less formal, but here too there were rules. When some girls from the year ahead invited me to accompany them to a tearoom, I was told that hanging out in tearooms was not appropriate for a nice Japanese girl.
Another time, a Japanese boy who had spent a year as an AFS exchange student in a wealthy Chicago suburb, came over to visit. The very handsome and hip young man, who sported a stylish shag haircut and casual American clothes, chatted with me in our kitchen while Okaasan looked on.
Not speaking English, she could not understand our conversation, but I guess she understood enough. When the boy invited me to go mountain-climbing with his family, my parents refused. They didn’t know the boy or what kind of family he came from. Then, as if to make it up to me, they arranged for Mu-chan, a family friend and son of Otoosan’s colleague at Hokkaido University to visit instead.
Once again, Okaasan looked on while we chatted in the kitchen. Mu-chan wore stodgy black trousers and a white, short-sleeved shirt. His hair was cut short and he wore those black rectangular glasses common to nerds the world over. Yet his earnestness and sincerity won me over.
How could I not love Mu-chan! And so, I learned to make peace with my situation and to enjoy myself within the confines of the accepted boundaries, both at school and at home. Oddly enough, I had gone overseas looking for freedom but instead found more rules. I went looking to break out, but instead learned to find my place.
When I returned home, the culture shock was immediate. Meeting me at the airport, my parents bombarded me with questions, never mind that I’d corresponded almost daily. “Speak up!” they shouted. “Why are you whispering?” Then they proceeded to interrupt both me and each other with more and more questions. I found it all quite bewildering.
Reasoning that I had just traveled halfway around the world by myself, (but of course, I hadn’t been by myself at all), my parents were prepared to grant me more freedom, but now I didn’t crave it. I just wanted to fit in. I had no desire to break out or upset the apple cart.
In ten short weeks, I had become almost Japanese. People even commented that I looked that way from behind. Instead of the American shoulders-back, chest-out, head-up posture, I had adopted the more modest Japanese bearing. I even felt ashamed of the disrespect my classmates showed our school. With its marble lobby, Olympic-sized swimming pool, and pristine landscaping, my high school was certainly better endowed than Nishiko, but no one seemed to appreciate it.
Oddly enough, living with a Buddhist family in Japan had made me appreciate traditional Jewish values. My parents remained ever grateful to my Japanese family for the impact they had on me.
I slowly began to increase my Jewish observance, and eventually, seeking a husband, I found my way to a Shabbaton in Crown Heights. My host family invited me back again and again. It was delightful being adopted like this, but wait – I said to myself, I’m no orphan, I have my own Orthodox family.
Cousin Miriam had long since passed away, but her sister, Cousin Norma, was alive and well and living with her daughter in Boro Park. I called her and the next thing I knew I was coming for Shabbos.
Over that winter, spring and summer, I met many Orthodox cousins, from Chasidim to Sephardim. With each succeeding Shabbos I learned more and more Jewish laws and customs. Finally, I learned about matchmakers and that was how I met my husband.
My own wedding was the first Orthodox Simcha I’d attended since childhood.
I often regale my husband and other family members with stories about Japan. Without fail, I get the same reaction – how Jewish! Everything they taught me, from showing respect to teachers and parents, to modest dress and bearing fits perfectly with traditional Jewish values.
Before Yom Kippur I made a comment on how it was more important to make peace between fellow mankind that the average repentance. Some people pressed me to task until I explained that a neighbor who you do not love as yourself is less inclined to forgive than a father in heaven who makes peace in HIS high places.
Rabbi Pauli is angry and very angry. I sometimes feel like Don Quixote. I am trying to right the Yetzer HaRa not to observe Kashrus, Shabbos, Family Purity and other Mitzvos by many. But there are times I feel powerless when people are stupid. Sofar, the simple faith of man has held up without going into the hospital with his various relapses but I am uncertain how much Chessed he will get from HASHEM Yisborach without others helping.
The worse came recently. The Wiznetzer Rebbe ordered his Chassidim to come enmasse to Schul without masks covering their prayers. He went against the majority of the Rabbis of Eretz Yisrael. The result is just being felt. One fellow came to Schul with Corona on Rosh Hashanah. By Yom Kippur the Rebbe was showing signs of the disease and many Chassidim had caught it. In Meah Shaarim the Rav Aharoleh Chassidim came by bus loads without masks. 1,000 Gerer Chassidim contacted Covid19 on Rosh Hashanah after praying in the main Schul with the Rebbe and not observing either social distance, aerated Synagogues and masks.
This goes against the vast majority of Rabbis, Orthodox Jewish Doctors etc. In my area, all the Schuls closed down and prayed outdoors or there were block Minyanim like in front of my house.
I am not angry but it would have been wiser to listen to the Rabbis on shorter prayers. My Minyan Leaders were kind to me to give me the 3rd Aliyah on Yom Kippur but were not listening to many Rabbis as they refused to cut short some parts of the service. So the community prayed at 35C or 95F temperatures in the shade and tents were rented by some for being in the shadows and some folks had fans.
We were lucky that the humidity was not very high on Yom Kippur so that we could pray for about 3.5 hours in the morning and Mussaf the prayers and about 2hrs and 25 minutes the afternoon, closing, evening prayers and the blessing of moon. Menashe, my forester child, read the Torah (he is self-taught) and was honored with the reading of the Book of Yona. When the winter comes, I hope we will have permission to pray indoors as the rainy season would shake the foundations of prayers.
RABBI YITZCHAK YOSEF, chief Rabbi, has ordered all male Mikvah closed and the closure of all Synagogues.
Different rant and rave. In Inyanay Diyoma, there is a report that Covid19 causes a certain degree of male infertility. I am wondering if the injection might not be a microchip as the conspiracy theory folks say but just plain eugenics at work. It might be OK for men over a certain age who are on anti-prostate conditions to get the injection but what about younger men. Maybe it will not affect women?
On a different topic there were protests of 100,000 people this last Motzei Shabbos all over but protesting Oslo there were 400,000 or more people anti-Oslo and it did not move the government.
My Journey to Observing Shabbos by Kylie Ora Lobell
https://www.aish.com/sp/so/My-Journey-to-Observing-Shabbat.html?s=ras
Growing up as a non-Jew, Friday nights were always my favorite time of the week. I’d go to the mall with friends after school, catch a movie, eat a late night dinner at a local restaurant with my mom, or just chill out at home and watch TGIF television. On Saturdays, I’d wake up to morning cartoons and, as I got older, go out to breakfast with friends, visit museums, or shop.
When I started converting to Judaism in my early 20s, it was difficult to give up all my fun Friday night and Saturday rituals.
Since I was pursuing an Orthodox conversion, suddenly I was expected to shut off all my devices, park my car in the garage, and forget about going out on Friday nights anymore. Instead of late nights, I was going to have to call it in early since I had to go to synagogue the next morning.
I was attracted to Judaism for many reasons. I loved the wisdom, the community and I felt close to God when I was practicing the laws and rituals. Judaism was meaningful. But becoming completely Shabbat observant was a big challenge. It took me five years to fully keep the day of rest.
My first step, giving up literal work on Shabbat, was easy. I didn’t really work on the weekend anyway. I was also okay with taping the lights around my house so I wouldn’t accidently use electricity as well as leaving on the hot plate and air conditioning for 25 hours.
But as I walked to shul every Friday night and I saw people in restaurants and bars, I felt a tinge of sadness. I had a bad case of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out – and it was having a negative effect on my conversion process.
I wanted to forget my past and become deeply immersed in the world of Shabbat, but I couldn’t. So I started taking on the harder parts of Shabbat very slowly. I was on the path and it was going to take me time to get there.
My then boyfriend (now husband) and I would drive or take public transportation to synagogue, but at least we’d go regularly. I would leave my phone at home and check it only in the privacy of my room. Eventually I stopped posting on Facebook and answering emails.
We felt like outsiders in both secular and observant worlds.
When we were together, we’d end Shabbat early if Danny, a comedian, had a gig to get to or if we had an event to go to, and be proud of ourselves for doing 20 out of 25 hours.
But being in this “half in, half out” state was rough for Danny and me. We were caught in some odd no-man’s land where we couldn’t go out and fully enjoy our Friday nights and Saturday afternoons nor could we get fully engrossed in Shabbat and connect to the spiritual depth of the day. We felt like outsiders in both secular and observant worlds.
Then one Shabbat I focused on the beauty I was experiencing, the sense of freedom I felt without my phone at synagogue and our meals. The times I walked to shul were much less stressful than when I drove. Simply focusing on God instead of myself for one day a week was meditative. I felt at peace when I was actually following through with the rituals.
Slowly, I cut out the driving and got more into Shabbat. I was 99% observant. The only thing I was still doing was checking my phone. Every time I did it, it took me out of Shabbat but I convinced myself that I was addicted to technology. During the week, I’d check my email every few minutes and look on Facebook constantly. It gave me too much anxiety not knowing if someone was calling me because there was an emergency.
But there never were any emergencies, thank God, and I didn’t get any pressing emails or Facebook messages on Fridays and Saturdays. I felt protected. I felt like God was telling me that it was fine to just not look at my phone.
So one Shabbat, I decided to put my phone away. The next one, I did the same. Every time, it got easier.
Today, I observe Shabbat all the way and Danny and I love it. I don’t feel like an outsider anymore. In fact, I feel like I’m on the inside, with God, and completely connected to my soul.
3D photos allow for finding of Massacre site. https://www.timesofisrael.com/mystery-solved-babyn-yar-massacre-location-pinpointed-after-79-years/
Book on the abuse of women in the camps perhaps for women only. https://www.timesofisrael.com/sexually-explicit-memoir-of-womens-abuse-in-nazi-camps-finally-sees-light/
The liberation of Dachau. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRk2FZbsMxw
Terrorist can pray in groups. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287984
Israeli High Court corrupted by politics. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287939
From Yeshiva, abused, to monastery to Torah Judaism recent story. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287932
Dubai lecturer gets Spanish Citizenship due to Jewish roots of father. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287914
Amazon recruiting in Israel. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3851049,00.html
Aish on Shalom Beis. https://www.aish.com/f/m/Marital-Survival-Guide-From-I-to-L.html?s=ss2
Milestone: Rebbitzen Miriam Levinger. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288045
Milestone: Rabbi Avraham Tanzer. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288137
Milestone: Helen Reddy, feminist. https://www.algemeiner.com/2020/10/01/helen-reddy-australian-jewish-singer-behind-feminist-anthem-i-am-woman-dies-at-78/
Milestone Richard Schifter,97, diplomat. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288393
Milestone Eytan Haber Ed-Op writer and friend of Yitzchak Rabin at 80 due to cancer.
Milestone Shlomo Gazit. 93, who took over military intelligence after the Yom Kippur War.
Milestone Yemenite Jew, 117. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/H1lHVpgvw
Did archeologist find a Tefach? https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288140
From Barbara - per Ronald Reagan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWvYIepAjXc
Former Housing Min. wants to return as Deputy Min. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288147
Cautious Rebbe gets Corona from sons. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288250
Father and two sons die of Corona. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288175
Senior Satmar Rabbi in critical condition. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288256
Rav Chaim Yeshayahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky with Corona. https://www.debka.com/mivzak/ultra-orthodox-leader-rabbi-kanievsky-92-diagnosed-with-coronavirus/
Policeman throws bucket at youth. Discipline board looking into this. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/PMU9QELLK#autoplay
My personal friend and 8 years my junior Mordechai Yissachar Ber Leifer, a real Tzaddik, passes away at age 65 from Corona. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288382
Birchas Cohanim scaled down. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288394
Children loose fingers in fan. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288356
More Politics than science. Prof. Miriam Levine’s research rejected for publication because of the location of University. https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-professors-study-rejected-by-scientific-journal-for-refusing-to-list-address-as-occupied-palestinian-territory
Another cautious Chassidic Rebbe tests positive. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288479
Poll for Erev Simchas Torah. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288716
Rabbi calls on allowing marriages again. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288799
Rav appears to collapse (or cough) during ceremony. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288809
View migrating birds in habitat. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288796
Rabbi Jonathan Sachs diagnosed with Cancer. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289184
Latest Poll Oct. 15: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289203
Inyanay Diyoma
Three weeks of news. If I had a secretary, I would have sorted this out to antisemitic incidents, Iran-Syria-Lebanon, other foreign relations, Israel innovations and military and Covid/Lockdown and public opinion polls. B”H after good money from Qatar to the Gaza Hamas Mafia it is relatively quiet. Skim through and read what interests you.
Sudan rejects removal from terror list for diplomatic relations. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/B14vs1THv
4 stabbed near Charlie Hebdo Magazine. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287929
Pakistani youth did the stabbing. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287972
AOC will not attend Rabin Memorial. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287949
NYC going to enforce masks in Jewish neighborhoods as Corona rises. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287923
Assad wants US aid sends out msg. to Israel. https://www.debka.com/assad-sends-out-feelers-for-peace-deal-with-israel-report/
Syria calls Turkey main sponsor of terror. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryjNjopHD
Cases of Covid surging among younger. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkGaAs6Hw
Czech purchases Israeli weapon system. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287958
Chinese dam collapses. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287986
Time to hold the PLO accountable. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287986
Military vehicle with 6year old stolen. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/287950
2 Lebanese Soldiers killed by terror. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288012
Rabin’s granddaughter takes on AOC. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288011
Ed-Op Jonathan Tobin on the left wants no part of Israel. https://www.jns.org/opinion/the-left-wants-no-part-of-liberal-israel/
Weapons of mass disruption. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288037
Trump announces rapid testing. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288034
Biden compares Trump to Castro, etc. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288019
4 terrorists caught. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288041
Nasrallah upset over Netanyahu’s explanation of missile factory right next to gas facility. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288122
More on Netanyahu’s revelations. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288107
Kuwait’s Emir dies. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288119
Armenia and Azerbaijan clash. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288084
Disney cuts 28,000 jobs. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288124
Leftists insult IDF “policeman”. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288090
PM should fire legal advisor. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288114
More fines in NYC for Jewish Areas. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1vOX11WIP
US thinking of moving bases out of Turkey. https://www.debka.com/us-in-talks-to-move-key-airbase-out-of-turkey-to-greece-or-the-uae/
California antisemitic Ethnic Studies Bill vetoed. https://www.algemeiner.com/2020/10/01/california-governor-vetoes-bill-that-would-have-instituted-ethnic-studies-curriculum-deemed-antisemitic/
Ben Dror on zealots of any side. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1VkLseLw
New Corona treatment seems to work (stock ENLV). https://www.debka.com/five-hadassah-patients-recover-from-covid-after-new-remedy/
Israel and Lebanon talks on maritime border. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1kmsHmUv
40% of Covid is from Charedim. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hypwn4XUD
Discarded Federal Ballots found in ditch. https://www.aol.com/article/news/2020/09/25/probe-into-discarded-ballots-becomes-campaign-outrage-fuel/24630731/
US arrests father & son joining ISIS. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288190
President infected with Corona. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288248
IDF to open up two wards. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BW88LIXIS
US receives Iron Dome from Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288146
Rabbi Menken: Calling Trump antisemitic is ludicrous. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288121
Trump Condemns White Supremacy. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288246
Protests become limited. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288181
5 NY races that are important to Jews. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288180
President Trump is assuredly getting the best possible care. He is now taking Gilead Sciences (GILD) antiviral Remdesivir. On Friday, he took an experimental antibody cocktail from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288289
Chris Christy tests positive. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/chris-christie-positive-coronavirus
Paris Kosher Restaurant vandalized. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288284
NC Senate Candidate caught cheating on wife. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nc-democratic-senate-candidate-texts-to-strategist
Murderer of mom in her bed captured by NYPD. https://www.foxnews.com/us/nypd-announce-arrest-in-queens-moms-killing-by-stray-bullet
Bennett says Netanyahu put his interests ahead of dealing with Covid19. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288283
Armenia angry at Israel for supplying weapons to Azerbaijan. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288234
Ed-Op Yemeni Israel needs leadership. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryHFhH7Uw
NYT wakes up to Antifa. https://www.wnd.com/2020/10/4858670/
Proud Boys founder sues Biden for slander. https://www.wnd.com/2020/10/proud-boys-founder-sue-biden-cnn-white-supremacist-label/
Senior Satmar Rabbi in critical condition. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288256
Rav Chaim Yeshayahu Yosef Chaim Kanievsky with Corona. https://www.debka.com/mivzak/ultra-orthodox-leader-rabbi-kanievsky-92-diagnosed-with-coronavirus/
Defying the ban protests all over Israel. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HJK2bD8ID
Dems and antisemitism Ed-Op Glick. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288330
Ed-Op Yeshiva students are not spreaders. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rymMhR11IP
This comic deserves to get unemployment after he punches at the president during his illness. https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/snl-pulls-few-punches-with-trumps-coronavirus-diagnosis
Israel third in deaths per capita. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1o2JVw8D
Policeman throws bucket at youth. Discipline board looking into this. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/PMU9QELLK#autoplay
Biden surges in polls. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/r1o2JVw8D
Gog and Magog News. One step away from WWIII. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288364
A messy war in the Caucasus. https://www.debka.com/iran-backs-azerbaijan-sends-arms-to-armenia/
Police Brutality of Charedim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288375
Attempted terror near Chevron. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288398
Turkey opposed to regional peace. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HJqIOmuUv
Trump could infect driver-secret service but went out. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/B1WLamuUD#autoplay
After Rocket, IDF strikes Hamas. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SymXC0O8P
Trump leaves hospital returns home. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288464
Don’t play politics with Corona. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ryaESIu8D
Ed-Op Bederman Tikkun Olam. https://dianebederman.com/social-justice-tikkun-olam-and-the-democrat-party/
Dutch Fox Sports & antisemitism. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288435
Greek antisemitism and desecration. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288454
Germany antisemitic attack condemned. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288471
Saudis say PLO always on wrong side. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288478
Iran ordered to pay compensation. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288476
POTUS is not clear from virus. https://www.debka.com/despite-his-bravado-coronavirus-dominates-trumps-election-campaign/
Rare footage of Yom Kippur War. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288519
As families can’t put food on the table the Likud plummets. Bennett sounds more authentic. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/S1XHDNcUw
Condemning people who can’t pay for food as anarchists because you closed off their income is not a good idea. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hyt86atUP
Head of Shin Bet violates rules too. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/B1811rWcID
Sarah Netanyahu breaks curfew with hairstylist coming to her home. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hys1dAc8w
Morocco arrests 4 ISIS. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288477
Declassified Russian Probe. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gregg-jarrett-russia-investigation-hillary-clinton
Biden raises eyebrows. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-beautiful-young-ladies-see-them-dancing-four-years-older
Netflix indicted over “cuties”. https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/netflix-indicted-texas-grand-jury-cuties-film
Man arrested for vandalizing Synagogue. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288562
Infections going down after two weeks from start of closure. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288717
Trump overrides Covid restrictions for Esrogim. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288711
No vaccine for Israel for months. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288713
Poll for Erev Simchas Torah. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288716
Republican donor failed to register for help Asian country. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288712
102year old votes in Hazmat Suit. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288719
18 Iranian Banks targeted. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288705
Aguda sues NY Gov. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288692
Ibex population grows and the wolves follow. https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/ryeAFnnUP#autoplay
Lebanon-Israel progress. https://www.debka.com/lebanons-dep-c-of-s-brig-yassin-to-lead-maritime-talks-with-israel/
Sophisticated Cyber-hack. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288780
Simchas Torah the police come to our block Minyan see spacing and masks at night ask for distancing and leave. In the morning two others came ready to give out fines. Leave without. But: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288751
Hoshana Rabbah fires partly arson. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288750
KY investigate indicates that black woman accidently killed was photographed with drugs and guns. https://www.wnd.com/2020/10/newly-released-breonna-taylor-photos-feature-guns-drugs/
Paul Pelosi Jr. charged with securities fraud. https://www.wnd.com/2020/10/company-cofounded-paul-pelosi-jr-charged-securities-fraud/
President and Rush talk 2 hours on the radio. https://www.wnd.com/2020/10/trump-joins-limbaughs-radio-rally-warn-americas-enemies-not-mess-u-s/
Under investigation because of Ukraine. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288733
King offers to help terrorist. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288748
Assault on Jew in Coney Island. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288743
Journalist banded from USA. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288701
Le Pen would beat Macron. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288729
More antisemitism in Germany. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288729
Missionaries bothering Ethiopian Jews. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288732 PM to bring 2,000 to Israel. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SJIBgGyPP
Jew wins Nobel Literature Prize. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/oct/08/louise-gluck-wins-the-2020-nobel-prize-in-literature
Covid and male fertility worries. https://www.timesofisrael.com/covid-is-harming-sperm-israeli-researchers-say-raising-infertility-worries/
Gadol HaDor’s condition worsens. https://www.timesofisrael.com/covid-is-harming-sperm-israeli-researchers-say-raising-infertility-worries/
N. Korea has a new missile. https://www.timesofisrael.com/north-korea-appears-to-parade-new-ballistic-missile-possibly-largest-yet/
If Netanyahu wants elections, we will assure that he can’t be PM. https://www.timesofisrael.com/gantz-ally-if-netanyahu-calls-elections-well-ensure-he-wont-be-pm/
Armenia Azerbaijan peace not holding. https://www.foxnews.com/world/armenia-azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-truce-fails-to-hold
Black Exit group is addressed at the White House. https://www.foxnews.com/us/blexit-founder-candace-owens-white-house
Encouraging downturn in infections. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HybqK5lPD
Iran-US waiting for election results. https://www.debka.com/a-strange-no-war-no-peace-silence-has-fallen-on-the-iran-us-contest/
IDF troops met by hostile left and hostile Charedim as they ‘help’ local authorities or police. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HyN4mRxDP
Dr. angry statement turned into campaign. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288859
Brawl breaks out on IDF base between battalions. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288853
Jews responsible for Corona (not China). https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288813
Glick Ed-Op on left’s bigotry. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288796
Body Language expert. Kamala lives for scolding men. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288816
2 Soldiers Injured by explosive Device. https://www.timesofisrael.com/2-soldiers-injured-after-explosive-thrown-at-them-during-west-bank-raid/
Separate Charedi Corona at home unregistered in the Health Ministry. Arutz 2 did an item and it turned out that 170 serious patients on oxygen that were not registered as Corona so the cases are worse but they don’t want to cooperate with the government and have their own oxygen disposal machines etc. Patients dealt with at home.
Bipartisan support for Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289031
Lockdown extended to Sunday. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/ByAQJtQPv
Daily Corona report incomplete shows less. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SJ8m1IXDw
Government permits weddings again. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289030
San Diego Rabbi attacked: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289023
Invasive species – termites, soldier ants. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288994
Ed-Op Jews betrayed by Jews. https://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/are-jews-betraying-jews/
TAU antibody breakthrough. https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/SJBsVOBPP
Iran hit by cyber-attacks. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BkD73jHww
Ed-Op Fishman Key to winning Corona War. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BJuNG7Qvv
Ed-Op Rosenblum How to avoid third lockdown. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BJbmXHQvP
Azerbaijan makes very little progress. https://www.debka.com/sparse-military-gains-for-azerbaijan-despite-its-strong-advantages-over-armenia/
European lockdown as second wave hits. https://www.debka.com/europe-tightens-restrictions-for-second-covid-wave-no-vaccine-in-sight/
Uncontrolled police brutality in Israel. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289141
Swede vandalizes Danish Jewish Cemetery. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289133
Ed-Op Dr. Sherman on Democrats & RBG. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/288943
Ed-Op Barry Shaw story banned on social media: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/14/nolte-smoking-gun-email-shows-joe-biden-did-meet-with-son-hunters-ukraine-partners/
Orthodox Jews 83% love Trump but others 70% Biden. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289135
ZAKA Chief masks, social distance pray outdoors. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289055
Satmar Community hit hard by Corona. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289076
Sudan works towards normalization. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289138
Baron Trump also had Covid. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289119
Black Trump Supporter thrown off plane. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289113
Airport to open at midnight. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289102
CUNY used to be mostly Jewish now taken over by PLO and other Radical antisemites. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289098
Watch both town halls for Trump-Biden. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289193
Azerbaijan-Armenia a big mess. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289190
Thousands demand PM resign. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HyOOBbLPP
NY three lawsuits against Governor. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HJXjMQUwD
Saudis will not normalize relations. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289188
Ed-Op Yemeni Knesset too Vulgar. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/BknljFBvv
No probe of Netanyahu-Cousin stock deal. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/Hyo39f8DP
Health Ministry will allow dormitory Yeshivas. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rJakAzLvw
FL antisemitic principal rehired. https://www.algemeiner.com/2020/10/08/florida-principal-fired-over-holocaust-comments-rehired-by-school-board/
Finally, a dramatic downturn in virus. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/289212
Have a healthy, peaceful and wonderful Shabbos,
Rachamim Pauli
