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Microsoft Menorah in the Window (TM)
2007-12-06 16:32:00
My neighbour has just put up Mezuzot on all the doors of the elevator (on every floor - don't even ask what the halachah is - (as Nike would say) just do it! Because apparently frumkeit is nothing to do with halachah or bein adam l'chaveiro).That set me thinking. What other chumras are we lacking today? Specifically, what can we do to make our computers frumer?By now I'm sure you all have your eMezuzah on your windows desktop.eMezuzah(this program will place a Mezuzah (your choice of Ashkenazi or Sefardi) on your desktop (either angled or straight) which you can kiss whenever you feel the urge. It also shows the entire text of the Mezuzah in either English or Hebrew).hat tip to MichaelThe real question, though, is whether you can put a chanukiah (or menorah if you prefer) in your Microsoft Window (TM).We all know that the Chanukiah should be placed in a window facing a public domain. Provided you are connected to the (kosher) internet, your window is now facing the biggest public...

Hitchens - A Rebuttal
2007-12-06 08:28:00
Christopher Hitchens has written a masterpiece of idiocy and foolishness on The Slate. This shows the true triumph of distorted ideas and baseless convictions in the face of evidence, logic or scholarship. I haven't laughed so much in ages. In fact, since I really don't like Chanukah, this is probably the best thing that has happened all week!This rebuttal of what Christopher Hitchens says is only scratching the surface of his mistakes and errors. But I have to leave room for others as well.The basis of his arguments is that Chanukah celebrates the triumph of theocratic darkness against the enlightenment of Greek philosophy and science. He obviously didn't go to cheder, or to history class, because this is the opposite of what historical records show.Although there are claims that Alexander the Great was a student of Aristotle and a philosopher in his own right, no such claims are extended to Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He was the first king to declare himself to be a god, and was co...
More About: Christopher Hitchens , Rebuttal

Kosher for Hamukah
2007-12-05 18:37:00
WHOOPS!! This monumental goof was posted on BadvertisingThis is what happens when political correctness is combined with rabid consumerism and complete lack of brains or knowledge!Here is the thought process behind this.We want to sell products to our Jewish customers too. We can't label everything for Xmas because that would be insensitive to our clientele. And we REALLY want to sell this product. So this is the sign we should put on it. (Please don't try this at home kids!)Bah Humbug (or should that be Hambug?)This blog is from Rabbi Sedley. You can see more divrei Torah, halacha and shiurim at my new website RabbiSedley.com.
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Building the Beis HaMikdash
2007-12-04 17:07:00
Today is the day before Chanukah (which is a bit like the day before Xmas, except completely different). It is the 24th of Kislev.Historically this is the day of the foundation of the Second Beis HaMikdash, as recorded in the prophecy of Chaggai (2: 10-29). The Kaf HaChaim brings that there is a minhag to learn this section of Navi today. So without further ado - here it is. On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month of Darius? second year, the L-rd spoke again to the prophet Chaggai. ?The L-rd who rules over all says, ?Ask the priests about the law. If someone carries holy meat in a fold of his garment and that fold touches bread, a boiled dish, wine, olive oil, or any other food, will that item become holy??? The priests answered, ?It will not.? Then Chaggai asked, ?If a person who is ritually impure because of touching a dead body comes in contact with one of these items, will it become impure?? The priests answered, ?It will be impure.?Then Chaggai responded, ??The people of th...
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Phones are sooo 1975!
2007-12-02 14:12:00
I sometimes wonder whether the current Israeli leadership understands what is going on. Perhaps they just don't see things properly. Or hear. Or think...It seems that the government is out of touch with their electorate, world Jewish opinion, and current Arab and Palestinian thinking.Perhaps they got their wires crossed.This is a transcript of the conversation between President Gerald Ford and President Anwar Sadat just after the 'first' peace talks between Israel and Egypt.After you have read it, go back and imagine it is Olmert phoning Abbas. Instead of all the politeness ("we would love to have you and your family to visit in the fall!") imagine Olmert is 'negotiating' in the only way he knows how - by offering more and more pieces of Israel with every line. (and of course, the last line is not "I'll write you a letter", but "I'll turn off the lights" when everyone has left the country).Apparently this is true. It must be - I read it on the Jerusalem Post website!Delighted...
More About: Phones

Alexander and Jerusalem
2007-11-30 12:00:00
Tomorrow (21st Kislev) is a day of celebration in Megillas Taanis because on this day Alexander of Macedonia acknowledged the Jewish rights to Jerusalem and the Temple. The Kutim (who seem to have tried often to cause trouble for the Jews) when to Alexander (who was the equivalent of the UN in those days) and demanded to take control over the Temple.Alexander at first granted them this control, but then miraculously changed his mind, when he saw Shimon HaTzadik. He realised how much the Jews cared about Jerusalem, and when he realised that the Temple was used to pray for the welfare of his kingdom.May we merit to see leaders like Shimon HaTzadik, and international leaders like Alexander (and of course Jews who care about Jerusalem), speedily in our days!??. ?????? ??? ??? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??????????: ?????? ???? ?? [??????] ??? ?? ????????? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????????? ??????, ????? ??: ??? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??? ??????. ??? ???.?????, ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ??????. ?????...

Peace talks are a game
2007-11-26 10:55:00
Some people feel that video games are the correct solution to the Middle East peace problems. Not the Palestinian bombers, or the corrupt (Israeli) leadership, or even the lack of spine (and power/authority) of any of the negotiators.A new video game will be distributed that will help solve the problem! Try to empathize with the Palestinians as they blow themselves up and kill as many innocents as possible (though you won't survive long like that apparently).The only question is - Why didn't they just give Olmert and Livni (and Abbas) copies of the game INSTEAD of letting them go to Annapolis to discuss real life stuff. (Preferably if they could also distribute it to Hamas leaders and followers as well). I'm not exactly sure what they are referring to with this line "Israeli attacks in the West Bank and Gaza" - does that mean Baruch Goldstein, or the people of Sderot dodging missiles?Apparently 'game theory' can solve everything!While their leaders meet in the US to negotiate, ...
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Rebbi's Yahrzeit
2007-11-26 10:08:00
Yesterday, Sunday 25th November 2007 - 15th Kislev 5768 was the Yarzheit of Rebbi Yehuda HaNassi, the Tanna and compiler of the Mishna. The Talmud at the end of Sotah tells us that:WHEN RABBI DIED, HUMILITY AND FEAR OF SIN CEASED. R. Yosef said to the Tanna, [when reciting this Mishnah] do not include the word 'humility', because there is I. R. Nahman said to the teacher, Do not include 'fear of sin', because there is I.(Whatever that last line means).The Talmud near the end of Ketubot (p. 103b-104a) describes the end of Rebbi's life, and his instructions to his children and students:Our Rabbis taught: When Rabbi was about to depart [from this life] he said, 'I require [the presence] of my sons'. When his sons entered into his presence he instructed them: 'Take care that you show due respect to your mother. The light shall continue to burn in its usual place, the table shall be laid in its usual place [and my] bed shall be spread in its usual place. Yosef of Haifa and Shimon...

Should we go to Iran?
2007-11-25 13:08:00
The latest news from Iran (no, I don't mean the nuclear reactor, or the hanging of homosexuals or the 'honour killings' of women who are raped) is that Moshe Aryeh Freidman has gone back for another visit. In case you don't remember, he was part of a group of Neturei Karta (who have since been expelled from that organisation) who went to Iran for a conference denying the holocaust. He has been more outspoken than any of the others (all of whom have since 'apologised' - whatever that means), and has spoken on Iran TV, and a university lecture tour denying the holocaust. (More specifically, he admits there was a holocaust, but based on his 'research' says that 'only' 1,000,000 Jews were killed, not 6,000,000!)his wife has left himMoshe Aryeh Friedman, a senior Neturei Karta member, who passionately kissed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, will now be forced to look for a woman who will agree to kiss him, as his wife has decided to leave him following his participation i...

Top Ten Excuses for Missing Shul
2007-11-25 11:47:00
These are the Top Ten Excuses for Missi ng Shul on Shabbos Morning. Please use them with discretion.Excuse Number 10: The Dog ate my Shabbos ShoesExcuse Number 9: The Cholent overpowered me and wouldn't let me leave the houseExcuse Number 8: I was meditating on a higher plane and lost track of existenceExcuse Number 7: It wasn't Shabbos in AustraliaExcuse Number 6: I was kidnapped and taken to the college football, and I only just escaped (and walked back on foot)Excuse Number 5: Aliens landed on my front lawn and demanded that I take them to my leader, so I spent Shabbos with the RebbeExcuse Number 4: I davened at the earlier minyan (use with caution - sometimes this excuse is not believed)Excuse Number 3: I've become an Amshenover Chasid and it is only Tuesday for meExcuse Number 2: The Farbrengen went on too late last night after the TischAnd Excuse Number 1: I was so engrossed in my daf yomi that I lost track of time(In case you missed the Tisch and the Aliens - here it is) Th...

Oh! Nuts - 10% discount!
2007-11-19 04:41:00
When it comes to Chanukah I really am a Grinch. There are so many things I don't like about the holiday, that it makes me rather grumpy.First there is all that messing about with oil and lights and trying to find the safest and halachicly best place to put the menorah (and the stress of keeping the kids away from it until it has stopped burning).Then there are the sufganiyot! The only thing worse than a jelly donut is a jelly donut with a green plastic bag baked inside, which I once managed to purchase in the Shuk! They look and taste so yummy, yet they are so so wrong!Then the day just seems to disappear. In Israel most things stop half way through the day so everyone can go home to light. Learning, working, doing errands - all put on hold while lighting takes place. And after that (and after the candles have burned out) it is too dark and there have been too many donuts, and nothing else can happen.And the dreidel game, which nobody really understands, yet the kids manage to figh...
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Best Chanukah Album of All Time
2007-11-17 20:44:00
Just in Time for Chanukah - The Best Chanukah Album of All Time has just been released.Featuring such classic songs as:Sevivon, Stomp, Stomp, Stomp.I had a little dreidel (Oh when will you come back to me)The Maoz Tzur RockCandles in the Night - (Frank Shin (Nun, Gimmel Heh) - atra)The Ballad of Latkes and OilCandlelight RockMaccabee, 1, 2, 3Antiochus Won't Destroy UsChanukah Gelt in the MoonlightI want to Eat Some Latkes - W.A.S.P. (We Ate Some Pancakes)'Peh' I hear You Calling (But I've Still Got 'Shin' Right Now) - K.I.S.S. (Kiss Is Shomer Shabbos)This blog is from Rabbi Sedley. You can see more divrei Torah, halacha and shiurim at my new website RabbiSedley.com.

Vayetze - the lighter side
2007-11-17 17:13:00
I received this from AH, and with his permission am posting it here. I don't really understand it fully, so please don't ask me any kashyas from Rashi or Gemarahs.But do leave feedback if you find it enhances your understanding of the Torah portion.There is nothing that is not hinted to in the Torah. Please excuse any irreverance.In reviewing the Parsha this year, I was struck by the many similarities between Yaacov Avinu and (LeHavdil) Mario of Super Mario Bros: 1. The obvious: Mario always wears a hat. 2. Both leave home and brother to strange lands in search of a wife. 3. Once he leaves, the place he left all but ceases to exist (Of course, the rest of his family is still there). 4. Yaacov and Mario do not die even after failing to dodge the first enemy (Elifaz). He loses everything but keeps on going. 5. They find a way to switch to another world and regain strength and reserves by filling up on Gold coins/ Torah. They emerge and continue on their way. No sleeping. ...
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7th Kislev - King Herod
2007-11-16 07:14:00
In Megillat Taanit is says that tomorrow (7th Kislev) is a holiday, because it is the day that King Herod died. Here is the Hebrew text (from Daat):??. ????? ??? ??? ???????: ????? ?? [??????] ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ??????. ????? ??? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ?? ?????. ????? ??? ?? ?' ???? ?? ?????, ????? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?' ??? ????. ??? ??? ????: ??? ??? ?? ??? ????? ???? ???. ????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ??????? ?????.????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ??? ???. Which translates as:On the seventh of Kislev is a festival, the day that Herod died, because Herod hated the Sage. There is happiness before G-d when the wicked pass from this world, as the verse states, "Also the hand of G-d was upon them to destroy them..." and it states, "when all the people from the battle had died from the midst of their people", and then it says "And G-d spoke to me saying...". It also states, "This is a good man, and he shoul...

4th Kislev - Final Prophecy
2007-11-14 12:03:00
Today, fourth of Kislev, is the anniversary of the last time that G-d spoke directly to a prophet. Rashi on Yoma 21b (with the glosses in the margin) explains that the Shechina and Ruach HaKodesh didn't rest on prophets from the fourth year of Darius's reign.Even though Malachi is listed as the last prophet in the Tanach, Zechariah's prophecy spanned his prophecy and continued afterward.It is not clear why prophecy stopped (although there are many theories - for example the Vilna Gaon links it to the visit of Alexander the Great to Jerusalem, others link it to the Anshei K'nesses removing the yetzer hara for idolatry), or even whether it has ceased (Rambam seems to imply that there could be prophecy today, although there isn't for some reason).This text is beautiful - especially as the final direct word from G-d to His poeple. Even though it is at the time of the building of the Second Temple there is already a promise of the future exile and redemption. And wherever we are in ...
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Top Ten Biblical Names
2007-11-13 06:55:00
... That you probably won't name your kids:In alphabetical order this time:Number 1 Artaxerxes: Ezra 7:13-28.Number 2 Merodach-baladan: Isaiah 39: 1Number 3 Chedorlaomer: Bereishis 14Number 4 Chushan-Rishathaim Shoftim 3: 8Number 5 Gomer: HOshea 1: 3Number 6 Hadadrimmon Zechariah 12: 11Number 7 Ham: Bereishis 5: 32Number 8 Ishbi-benob: Shmuel 2 21: 16Number 9 Jeconiah: Divrei Hayamim 2 36: 9Number 10 Maher-shalal-hash-baz: Isaiah 8: 1? 3AND TWO BONUS NAMES I COULDN'T LEAVE OUT:Number 11 Nun: Divre Hayamim 1 7: 26-7Number 12 Rabmag: Yirmiyahu 39: 3,13This is only part 1 of the list. There are so many great names in the Bible that are underused nowadays. Please feel free to add your own favourites. Keep watching for 'Top Ten Biblical Names that you probably won't name your kids' part 2. Coming soonThis blog is from Rabbi Sedley. You can see more divrei Torah, halacha and shiurim at my new website RabbiSedley.com.

Payos 'product'
2007-11-12 07:04:00
I was at the mikva this morning, and I saw this sitting in the 'lost and found' Kerastase Bain Oleo-CurlShiny, supple and nourishing shampoo for dry, curly and rebellious hair.Nourishes and softens the hair fiber for manageable hair and perfectly defined curls.250mlWho would have left something like that in the men's mikva? There aren't any female hair models there (usually). Then I realised - it is 'product' for Payos.Don't think it is easy to get those curls in the flowing payos. Hours are spent each day, twisting, curling and fixing them to get that 'delicate, yet serious' look.It is also good for that 'just washed' look, which can help you to avoid actually washing your hair (or your body) for weeks at a time.I can see it now - a new range of product designed for the fashion conscious payos wearer - 'Gerrer Gel', 'Breslav Bounce' and 'Chasidic Curl', gels, moisturisers, conditioners, why the list is endless. And of course everything will come packaged in Haredi ...
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'Till 120!
2007-11-11 21:39:00
There isn't anything to add to this story. It is just truly wonderful. Till One Hundred and Twenty! Long may you continue Buster!(from the BBC)A man has turned up for work despite being told to take the day off for his 100th birthday.Buster Martin began cleaning vans for Pimlico Plumbers despite retiring as a market worker three years ago.Colleagues at the firm in Lambeth, south London, threw him a surprise party and were treating him to a tour of Chelsea FC's Stamford Bridge ground.Mr Martin said the last time he had a party he was in the desert "getting as drunk as a Lord when I was 21".He said the secret of his longevity could be due to a pint of bitter every day and daily press ups.The centenarian was born in France, but came to England as a baby and grew up in an orphanage in Cornwall until 1916.Moving to London he got his first job helping stall holders on Brixton market before joining the Army at 15 and served a total of 35 years before joining the Navy.After taking up a wi...

Top Ten Things NOT To Do During the Rabbi's Sermon
2007-11-11 13:01:00
TOP TEN THINGS NOT TO DO DURING THE RABBI'S SERMON:(cross posted from www.torahlab.org)Number 10: Read a bookNumber 9: Pretend to be reading a bookNumber 8: Read a banned bookNumber 7: Fall asleepNumber 6: Fall asleep and snore loudlyNumber 5: play 'Sermon Cricket' (see below)Number 4: give a running commentary on 'Sermon Cricket' to the person next to youNumber 3: give a running commentary on 'Sermon Cricket' to the person across the room from youNumber 2: Give a live update on the current cricket test scoreand the Number 1 thing not to do when the Rabbi is giving the sermon: answer your cell phone to get the latest cricket test score, after leaving it ringing loudly for quite a while first!'Sermon Cricket' 'Sermon Cricket' is a game almost as old as cricket itself. It is loosely based on the traditional laws of cricket (though without the batsmen, balls, bowlers or wickets).Certain phrases, such as 'parsha', 'sedra', 'torah' score a single. 'Rashi', 'Ramban' o...
More About: Things

Money for Blogging
2007-11-10 19:34:00
... and your chicks for free.People have asked me whether it is possible to make any money from blogging, and the easy answer is, for this kind of blog, probably not very much! But that also means, probably a little bit.Google adsense is the obvious answer for most people. However, the downside of adsense is that they don't pay you until you have earned over $100 (they carry the balance forward from month to month until you reach that total). In a year of blogging I still haven't reached that amount (though I am close). I know of people who make that much every month, though, so it very much depends on how many read your blog and who they are (and what ads you get given). The main thing to watch with adsense is whether you approve of the ads on your blog, and you can remove the ones you don't like with the competitive ad filter.google_ad_client = "pub-6150917222069038";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 60;google_ad_format = "120x60_as_rimg";google_cpa_choice = "CAEQtdSWhAI...
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Yarzheit - Rabbeinu Yonah
2007-11-09 07:45:00
Today (27th Cheshvan) is the Yarzheit of my favourite Rishon (at the moment), Rabbeinu Yonah. His words are all classics of Jewish thought, and his commentary on Pirkei Avos is essential reading for every Jew (according to R' Wolbe in Alei Shur).As you know, I have just translated this commentary into English, and you can get a copy either by e-mailing me, or from Amazon, or from the publisher - www.torahlab.org (If you order it from me I'll even sign it for you if you want).Also from torahlab you can see a couple of pages from the book as a sample. This is Rabbeinu Yonah's commentary on one MishnaHere is a biography of Rabbienu Yonah written by Rabbi Yaacov Haber, taken from the book.ForewordRabbi Yaacov Haber?There were many great Torah authors and many styles of mussar[1]. Not every author can speak to every soul; there are after all so many different types of souls. The exception to this is Rabbeinu Yonah Girondi (and specifically his book on teshuvah[2]). His writings are ap...

Teshuva for Disengagement?
2007-11-09 04:52:00
There are at least three components to true repentance; regret about the past, to stop sinning in the present, and to resolve never to do it again in the future.I wonder to what extent Ben Eliezer's statements here represent the national feeling. Perhaps Israel is beginning to do teshuva for the enormous damage and harm that was (and is being) done to thousands of innocent people (who lived in Gush Katif, Sederot or anywhere nearby).Of course, real teshuva would also involve helping those who were thrown out of their homes and are still homeless/ unemployed etc. It would also mean protecting those who are currently being bombed from Gaza. But at least a verbal confession is a beginning.The real question is whether this will lead to changed policies from the government for the future, and whether it will save us from Annapolis.Since the only thing we can do is teshuva, let us hope that G-d will help the people of Israel to do the right thing.The disengagement from Gaza "was a mistak...
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Top Ten Words that sound as though they are Yiddish but Aren't
2007-11-08 09:59:00
Top Ten Words That Sound as though they are Yiddish , but Aren't:Number 10 - FarfetchedNumber 9 - InvocationNumber 8 - FlummoxedNumber 7 - GobsmackedNumber 6 - InnersprungNumber 5 - GerundNumber 4 - ForefingerNumber 3 - HenpeckedNumber 2 - ScoopedAND the Number 1 Word That Sounds as though it is Yiddish, but Isn't is... - GazumpedWhat would you add??This blog is from Rabbi Sedley. You can see more divrei Torah, halacha and shiurim at my new website RabbiSedley.com.

Emergency Campaign to Save Jerusalem
2007-11-08 04:25:00
I'm posting this to show my solidarity with yidwithlid, Jerusalem and the The United Coalition for Jerusalem.I believe that to show the world, ourselves and G-d how many people care about Jerusalem and don't want it destroyed, will be a kiddush Hashem, and will help us focus in our prayers and efforts to get closer to G-d.HOWEVER, I also believe that G-d is in control. To believe for a moment that Olmert has any kind of authority or power, is to deny that "G-d's eyes are there from the beginning of the year until the end of the year". If G-d is threatening to take Israel away from the Jews, it is not because of Olmert, Barak, Peres or anyone else, but because of us and our actions. The best actions we can take to support Jerusalem are teshuva, prayer, tzedaka (and of course coming here to visit, live etc.).To quote the Mishna at the end of Sotah: When the world goes crazy and everything is the opposite of what it should be - "Who can we rely on? On our Father in Heaven"Here is th...
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Minister of Defense
2007-11-07 05:13:00
Or perhaps more precisely - Minister of Defending his own political future.Ehud Barak stopped the military from carrying out a security operation against terrorists because it won't look good when Israel goes to Annapolis for peace talks.Clearly the terrorists building the bombs and planning the attacks on civilians are in favour of peace. Were Israel to try and defend herself by removing the threats that would be counter to the 'peace' plan.I think the Minister of Defense should rename himself 'Minister of Sitting on the Fence - and looking out for his political future, even at the expense of the defense of the State of Israel'A military operation planned in the Balata refugee camp in Nablus was called off by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Ynet has learned.The operation is believed to have been cancelled in light of the Palestinian Authority's security forces taking control of the West Bank city, the upcoming US-sponsored peace conference and Israel's desire to prevent disagre...

Beilin 'Jewish'
2007-11-06 20:38:00
After much soul searching and political pressure, Israel has decided not to cut off electricity to Gaza in response to kassam attacks. Yet again Israel's attempt to thwart the peace process didn't work (Or as the BBC would say 'Attacks won't get in the way of the peace process).The idea of supplying the enemy with electricity to power their bomb factories reminds me of a piece from Tomer Devorah, which I hope to blog about tomorrow (if I am awake enough).Another interesting quote from Yossi Beilin, who claims that cutting off the electricity would have been "un-Jewish ". From the Jerusalem PostIn response, Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin claimed that cutting off electricity and fuel was not the best way to halt rocket attacks from the Strip."Former prime minister Ariel Sharon's biggest mistake was to allow Hamas participation in the Palestinian elections. We must arrive - via indirect means - at a cease-fire agreement with Hamas," he said. "They approached us, but we weren't inter...

Internet Filth
2007-11-06 20:17:00
(Alternative Title - Jewish Prostitution).The internet is full of all sorts of rubbish that you wouldn't want your kids (or your mother) to see. These are two clips are MUCH worse than (almost) anything you can imagine (I know what you are thinking TS. Stop it!)These guys claim to represent 'Torah True Judaism'. What they mean, of course, is 'Wierd Sicko Puppies'!These two video clips carry a Sedley health warning. Don't watch them if you have just eaten or are feeling nauseus already.Hugs and kisses = PORNOGRAPHY!This next clip can only be watched on MEMRI's websiteHere is a transcript if you can't stomach the video.Moshe Aryeh Friedman: The existence of the Zionist regime is based upon the belief that they have to destroy the belief in God throughout the world. Another one of their goals is to destroy the other peoples, both physically and economically....Every believer throughout the world should fight Zionism . Whoever cooperates with Zionism in any way is, in fact, opp...
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Would you still be Religious?
2007-10-29 22:59:00
Someone asked me the following question this week. This blog is my attempt at an answer (though I still don't have a final answer, and may change my mind in the future)Let's say archaeologists find writings from 2700 years ago, were King Josiah and the priests discuss the name of what is going to become their new national hero. They were deciding between John, Samuel, Sebastian and Moshe, (finally decided Moshe) and you can read their opinions were they say they cannot believe that people actually believe what they tell them, etc. An actual proof for an open mind that Torah was invented for political reasons. It is a hypotetical case, that obviously is never going to happen, but I would like to know if you would continue being a rabbi. I'll make the question slightly stronger, since I never wanted to be a Rabbi in the first place, - 'would you continue being religious?'++A word to the wise. This is not a question about the validity of the Torah. The question is about what is ...
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Alan Johnston's answers
2007-10-29 20:32:00
Alan Johnston is a BBC reporter who was held hostage in Gaza for 114 days. On the BBC website he answers readers questions in (what seems to me) quite a fair, honest and evenhanded way.Of course his kidnapping led him to a higher opinion of Palestinians in general (it was only the hostage takers themselves who weren't very nice, and some of them were almost embarrassed about it), and he sees a lot of good in the Palestinian people (which is reasonable, because there is). He also thinks that the Jewish claim to Israel is purely a religious one, and seems to ignore history, international resolutions and the persecution that ultimately led to the State.But he has quotes like this, which IMHO show a better understanding of the conflict, and the likelihood of peace, than many of our politicians seem to have (and may I take this opportunity to wish our Prime Minister a Refuah Shleima - but couldn't you at least have used it as an excuse to avoid Annapolis?).Q: How has your experience sh...
More About: Answers , Alan

Metal Kitchen Cabinets?
2007-10-29 04:27:00
As some of you know, we need to replace our kitchen fairly urgently. The wood is rotting, there isn't enough storage space, and just before Rosh Hashanah our kitchen sink collapsed.Hopefully we are getting most of a new (for us) kitchen from some friends who are redoing their appartment and getting rid of the kitchen that was there.I have been asked whether I would put metal cabinets in my kitchen, instead of the traditional wooden ones. I know that metal storage units are usually found in garages, not kitchens, but they certainly do have many advantages.They are really strong and come in many colors or in finishes like stainless steel. They won't go rotten, and most of all they look REALLY funky. Check out these metal cabinets from the Car Garage Guy.Our house would certainly be the snazziest one in the building if we put in some of those cabinets. (Whether my wife would agree is an entirely different matter).So in short, the answer is, YES, I would put metal cabinets in my kitch...
More About: Metal , Kitchen , Kitchen Cabinet , Cabin , Inet