Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak and his iPhone

The Yemenite Ba'al Teshuva Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak sitting in his BMW. From time to time, he is looking at his iPhone. 

Source: Chadrei Ha'Charedim

From R. Amnon Yitzchak's SHOFAR.NET, justifying that the Rabbi is allowed to use an iPhone.

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The Yemenite Ba'al Teshuva Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak is famous for being a "cash cow". Blessings for cash and collecting donations from all over the world by telling how great he is. His own community, the Rabbi commanded not to keep any iPhone or other Smartphone, as this would lead to sin. However, if it concerns himself, Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak doesn't seem to be that strict. He has his own iPhone and got caught. 

In order to justify himself he claims that the great Posek, the livtishe Rabbi Aharon Yehudah Leib Steinman, allowed him (Amnon Yitzchak) to use an iPhone. Further, Rabbi Yitzchak explained that he needs the phone in order to convince other Jews to do Teshuva (repentance).

The question is whether a Jew willing to do Teshuva and talking to Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak on the phone may be aware of talking to an iPhone. Does an iPhone actually influence other Jews to do Teshuva ? I didn't know that an iPhone has so much power. No wonder I still haven't done Teshuva Shlema walking around with a Samsung Galaxy S3.:-)

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Further link:

Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak and the barren woman

http://www.yourjewishnews.com/pages/jv1354.aspx


Rabbi Amnon Yitzchak and the tax authorities

The apartment of Rabbi Aharon Yehudah Leib Steinman

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Last Friday, Israel’s most popular daily ISRAEL HAYOM published an article on the great Posek Rabbi Aharon Yehudah Leib Steinman. By the way, the newspaper is only so popular because it is given out for free on a daily basis. I think that a rich American and Netanyahu friend is sponsoring the paper and Israelis love anything what doesn’t cost money.

Just recently, the great famous spiritual leader of the Ashkenazishe litvishewelt, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv, passed away. Right after his death, the quarrel about his successor started and many people consider the 98 year – old Rabbi Steinman from Bnei Brak as a suitable candidate. Who else would be left ? Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky maybe who is the son – in – law of Rabbi Eliyashiv, as he was married to his daughter until she died not too long ago. By the way, all those three Rabbis mentioned so far are related to each other.

There are many Haredim contacting the secular Israeli press and telling various stories to those reporters. As soon as a Haredi is making such contacts, he actually does have a certain kind of policy mind, and the article from last Friday did definitely not come from a fan of Rabbi Steinman. Just the opposite because when you looked at the photos published with the article, you could have got a rather disgusted feeling. At least me as a woman. 

The article was about the Rabbi’s life and marriage. His wife was a Shidduch, he only saw her once and they decided to marry right away. Rabbi Steinman lives a rather poor lifestyle in a neglected apartment in Chazon Ish Street in Bnei Brak. Various pictures of the kitchen and even the Rabbi’s bed were attached to the article and I started asking myself how anyone could take such photos and allow them to be published ? I think that this is just disgusting. 

Moreover the apartment looked totally run down and one couldn’t differentiate between "neglected", "dirty" or "both". This is what also disgusted me as a woman who actually keeps her place tidy and clean. 

I am not accusing the Rabbi of being sloppy but someone should take care of him and not only taking photos. Of course, there was an interest in presenting Rabbi Steinman this way. As the article said, the Rabbi has plenty of opponents who see him as too liberal. He allowed haredi women to work, he supports the idea of Haredim working and he doesn’t necessarily has anything against Haredim joining the army. Rabbi Eliyashiv would have never ever agreed to anything of that but Rabbi Steinman seems to be more realistic in certain ways. 

Whoever spoke to the journalist and wanted the article getting published cannot be such a religious pious person. At least not in my eyes. You may agree with Rabbi Steinman or not but you don’t need to run to the secular media and spread personal information about a 98 – year – old Posek. It is even a miracle that his toilet hadn’t been published.

Israel's Rich Rabbis

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The "Failed Messiah" mentions a very interesting subject which has been bothering me for a long time. I am in the middle of planning so many different topics to write about and research seems to be endless. Not enough for one life - time and I am not getting any younger. Unfortunately.:-)

One of the readers mentioned the "Failed Messiah" article in a comment and I would like to respond this way: First of all, it is not a secret that various Rabbis / chassid Rebbes are tremendously rich. I just have one question: I would like to know where the "Failed Messiah" got his figures from.

It is known that the Gerrer Rebbe is one of the richest people in Israel. When he arrived in Israel (then Palestine), he actually was poor but suddenly became rich. As far as I know, the most common explanation for the Rebbe's sudden wealth is real - estate. The truth is that nobody really knows but the Rebbe himself. But mentioning this, I don't intend giving more food to the "Failed Messiah". 

The Belzer Rebbe is rich too, and I assume that lots of his wealth comes from the diamond business in Antwerp or elsewhere. On the other hand, never forget that those Rebbes also invest a lot in their communities. Zedakah within chassidic communities is an important matter. So, we cannot only concentrate on the negative side but have to consider the positive side as well.

Personally I don't care how much money the Gerrer or Belzer Rebbe or any other Rebbe has. What does bother me is that various Sephardic Rabbis travel around, creep around Israeli politicians and famous business people and let them donate. I am, in particular, referring to Rabbi Pinto. I have been collecting a lot of material about him and some Shearim readers were so kind to contribute information. Rabbi Pinto is one of the keyfigures in using religion in order to lead a Hollywood - like lifestyle. It has become a custom that, a few days before Rosh Hashana, he takes a whole bunch of Israeli celebrities (including local pop stars) to the Kever of Rabbi Nachman miBreslov. The Israeli media likes to make a big fuss about the Rabbi and his celebrity club but I am always asking myself how much money he is getting out of this.

There is no doubt that there are rich Rabbis. Some may have earned their wealth by working hard and others by pretending to be someone they are actually not. But, as I mentioned before, never forget to look at the positive side when chassidic Rebbes invest in their communities.

Rabbi Chaim Eisen: "Is there a connection between Jews and Christians ?"

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When I still lived in Jerusalem, many times, I went to the RAMBAM (Maimonides) and RAMBAN (Nachmanides) Shiurim given by the national religious Rabbi Chaim Eisen. My personal opinion is that he is a great expert on the writings of the RAMBAM and, moreover, he used to help me out in quite a few halachic questions and rabbinic sources. 

Rabbi Eisen lives with his wife in Jerusalem. Most or all of his children are already married too.

Those of you interested in the foundation of Judaism will find a few great explanations in the following interview:

Rabbi Natan Lopes Cardozo: "I am taking off my Kippah"

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The famous English speaking lecturer Rabbi Natan Lopes Cardozo on "Taking off his Kippah":

http://cardozoacademy.org/studies-by-rabbi-lopes-cardozo/i-am-taking-off-my-kippah/?mid=57458

I have to admit that I didn't really get whether he really wants to take off his Kippah or if his essay is a thought. On the other hand, I can imagine that wearing a Kippah binds a Jewish man to Mitzvot. And even I know from personal experience that many Jews, including myself, are more afraid of not keeping Halachot than actually loving G - d. There are many situations in my life where I am just seeing myself terribly punished for not doing this Mitzvah and that Mitzvah. Sometimes I am able to convince myself of still doing the Mitzvah because of the punishment but not necessarily because of G - d. In fact, it should be the other way around and the love of G - d should be the main focus. 

But men wearing a Kippah or a Jewish woman wearing modest clothes reminds them of who they are and to stick to the Mitzvot. There are quite a few changes in my personal behaviour, meaning there is a difference between me wearing pants or a skirt. I do accept the point that some religious Jews, although frum, don't feel comfortable when being reminded all the time. This may cause them keeping Mitzvot out of fear and not out of love. By the way, the latter stands for a much higher level.

How Rabbi Israel Me'ir Lau escaped the Buchenwald Concentration Camp

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FRUMLIFE published a very interesting article on a lecture Israel's former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Israel Me'ir Lau gave in Jerusalem. Rabbi Lau, who is now the Chief Rabbi of Tel Aviv, has published a new book on how he and his older brother escaped the Buchenwald Nazi Camp. 

http://frumlife.blogspot.com/2012/01/out-of-depthsan-amazing-story.html

Jewish man attacked by Israel's leftists

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I know Yaakov Pauchi for about ten years and I also know that he lives in the small Jerusalem neighbourhood called “Shimon HaZaddik”. Right between the Jewish neighbourhood of Ma’a lot Dafna and East Jerusalem. Between Mea Shearim and Ramat Eshkol. 

Who was Rabbi Shimon HaZaddik (Rabbi Shimon the Righteous), whose grave is located in the neighbourhood named after him ? 

Rabbi Shimon was one of the first High Priests (Cohen HaGadol) of the first era of the Second Temple. Not the beautiful building we know. That one was built much later by Herod. After the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians and thousands of Jews were taken in exile, many finally returned under Ezra (the Prophet). When they returned to Jerusalem, they began rebuilding the Temple. Actually the Talmud lists us one opinion that only the roof of the First Temple got destroyed by the Babylonians. Others say that the entire building was destroyed. 

Rabbi Shimon HaZaddik himself is mentioned in theTalmud . I read that he was one of the last, or even THE last, righteous Cohen HaGadol because shortly after he died, corruption began. Anyone with money could become the new High Priest and didn't even have to be a Cohen anymore. Jerusalem's upper class became greedy and didn't care about G - d and Torah. The only thing bothering was that every Yom Kippur, the newly appointed Cohen HaGadol died because he had to enter the Kodesh HaKedoshim (the Holy of Holies). And, as we know, only real and righteous Cohanim (Priests) are able to do so. Other will die and not come out alive. 

Israel's radical left has been demonstrating together with the Palestinians in front of the grave as well as the neighbourhood. They don't care about Jewish history and the leftists claim that the area belongs to East Jerusalem. 

Yesterday another demonstration took place and Yaakov Pauchi got injured by one of the left - wingers. I was shocked seeing his picture in the news this morning.

A kosher Sukkah in Auschwitz

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Every Sukkot, Rabbi Mordechai Machlis keeps on telling the same story about a kosher Sukkah in Auschwitz. He does it for his family and his many many guests.

This story is about his friend and teacher Rabbi Yitzchak Traube. Rabbi Machlis always concludes with the words that he does not know whether anything similar ever happened or whether this story has ever been published before. Listeners are always shocked. I want to share the story with others in remembrance of Rabbi Yitzchak Traube.

Rabbi Yitzchak Traube was imprisoned in the Auschwitz death camp for quite a while. Every morning, he and other prisoners were forced to walk along a certain road within the camp in order to get to work. The festival of Sukkot was approaching, and as Rabbi Traube walked along the road when he saw little branches laying around. He looked aside and saw a building which looked more like a ruin. Only the walls were left but without a roof. From now on, every day he pushed with his feet more and more branches to the side of the road. He had to be very careful because the guards might suspect something.

On Erev Sukkot, he left his barrack and ran to the place where he had pushed the branches. One cannot imagine in what danger he was. Leaving the barrack at night and being caught meant instant death. However, the Rabbi was lucky. He put the branches over the walls, and this way he built a kosher Sukkah. Additionally, he had saved up some bread which he ate.

In the middle of Auschwitz, he fulfilled the Mitzvah of making a blessing on food and sitting in a kosher Sukkah.

High Level of Security for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef

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Due to last week's murder of Rabbi Elazar Abuchatzeira, the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, doesn't want to take any risk. Those who now enter his house in Kaplan Street 45 (Har Nof in Jerusalem) have to undergo a security check so that no weapon can be smuggeled inside.

Asher Dahan, the Murderer of Rabbi Elazar Abuchatzeira

Asher Dahan under arrest.

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Whereas the haredi site "Kikar Shabbat" reports about Asher Dahan as if he was a Zaddik, the "Be'Chadrei HaCharedim" remain much more objective. On "Kikar Shabbat", Dahan's neighbours of the haredi town El'ad claim that the murderer has been an important community member delivering great Shiurim.

"Be' Chadrei HaCharedim" calls Asher Dahan a "mad murderer" who went to see Rabbi Elazar several times in order to get advice in relationship matters. Neighbours claim that, lately, Dahan started threatening important community members. He is mentally disturbed, on medication but there has never been a violent attempt hurting anyone. The site also points out that Asher Dahan is a Ba'al Teshuva.

"Baba Elazar" stabbed in Beersheva

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The 70 - year - old grandson of the Baba Sali, Rabbi Elazar Abuchatzeira (the "Baba Elazar"), was stabbed in a Yeshiva in Beersheva last night. Baba Elazar was receiving people when someone entered and stabbed the Rabbi four times. Baba Elazar was rushed to hospital but died of his wounds. "Yeshiva World" reports that the murder suspect, Asher Dahan, belongs to the inner - cirlce of the Baba Elazar home. 

"Chadrei HaCharedim" report that two years ago, Asher Dahan has already tried to kill the Rabbi. He is in his 60ies and lives in the haredi town of El'ad.  

Photos from the Scene of Crime:

Kikar Shabbat

Be'Chadrei HaCharedim

Rabbi Dov Lior and his Family Background

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Last Friday, the secular Israeli newspaper “Yediot Acharonot” published an interview with Mottke Leinwand, the secular older brother of the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Arba (near Hebron), Rabbi Dov Lior. As we know, Rabbi Lior was arrested by the Israeli police a few days ago and later on released. One may agree to Rabbi Yitzchak Shapira's book "Torat HaMelech" or reject it. However, the majority of the religious population says that this is not a concern of a secular court but of a Beit Din. It is regarding Halacha and has nothing to do with any worldly law system.

Although Wikipedia states that Rabbi Lior's original name is “Leibland”, the newspaper “Yediot Acharonot” calls his former family name LEINWAND. Mottke, the secular brother of Rabbi Dov Lior living in northern Israel, gave an interview and basically said that his brother is right regarding Israeli politics. Rabbi Lior may sometimes use some harsh words and statements but there is nothing worng with his ideas.

Dov grew up with three brothers. His father was a Polish Belzer Chassid and the sons were educated in a chassidic Cheder. Then the Germans occupied Poland and the Leinwand family was suffering from the Nazi Holocaust. After the war, Dov Lior moved to Israel and changed his family name. Due to what his brother Mottke witnessed during the war, he was unable to continue believing that there is a G - d. 

Despite their different lifestyles, the two brothers are still very close to each other and respect their opinions on Judaism.

The Haredi World this Week

The main haredi topic of this week was the passing of the well - known Bnei Brak Rabbi Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz. More than 100,000 people came to his funeral.

Rabbi Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz passed away

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The town of Bnei Brak near Tel Aviv has its own great Torah scholars and Rabbis. Among others, the litvishe Ponivezh Yeshiva is one of the most famous study places in town. A student doesn't just join Ponivezh but has to have a certain background in Jewish studies and strong haredi family roots. Those studying there cannot be modern and usually don't participate in watching movies or any other modern - Orthodox Shtick.

Only a few days ago, on 27th June,  Rabbi Michel Yehudah Lefkowitz, one of the heads of Ponivezh passed away and more than 100,000 people came to his funeral. 

Here is a video with the famous Rabbi:

Sephardi Rabbis

Rabbi Hirsch Perez Chajes, the community Rabbi of Vienna / Austria

Photos: Miriam Woelke

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More or less by accident, I stumbled over the grave of Rabbi Hirsch (Hebrew: Zvi) Perez Chajes on the Trumpeldor Cemetery in Tel Aviver. 

Rabbi Chajes was born in famous Brody (today Ukraine) in 1876. Later on in his life he served as a Rabbi in Florence / Italy. From 1918 until he died in 1927, he served as the community Rabbi of Vienna / Austria. After he passed away, his dead body was taken to Israel (then Palestine) and buried on the famous Trumpeldor Cemetery.

Rabbi Me'ir Schuster Update

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Many readers have asked me about an update on Rabbi Me'ir Schuster who is very ill. 

Here is an update:

http://www.rebmeirschuster.org/

The BABA SALI Yahrzeit in Netivot

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Today (4th Shevat), Netivot is commemorating the 27th Yahrzeit of the BABA SALI, the Moroccan Rabbi and Kabbalist, Rabbi Israel Abuchatzeira.

Here are some photos of the Baba Sali's grave in Netivot (Negev) and here is a report about my own trip to Netivot.

Further Link:

Baba Baruch against the X - Ray Rabbi Ifergan

Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef and his Statements

B"H

When some Israelis go wild about certain statements made by the former Sephardic Chief Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef I can still understand it. As soon as Gentiles and Diaspora Jews (mainly Reform) start criticizing the Rabbi's statements I don't understand what they want. First of all, this is Israel and many of the Rabbi's statements only apply to Israel. 


In Israel, Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef is a character. A character with incredible political power and Netanyahu wouldn't dare to speak against him because the Sephardi SHASS party is part of his coalition. 


I don't necessarily criticize the conclusions of Rabbi Yosef. Sometimes they are even a bit amuzing (Shimon Peres is a donkey or moneky). What I do criticize is that the Rabbis makes his statements in public and is obviously not aware of the consequences. If he cares at all.


There are hundreds of thousands of Jews out there who don't know much about Torah let alone Talmud. Rabbi Yosef makes plenty of Talmudic statements and many of them are being misinterpreted.

Example:

"A man going between two women is a donkey".

This statement comes from the Talmud and usually religious men do not walk between women but around are on the side.  


Another example:

Holocaust victims were souls who had to undergo a Tikun (soul rectification).

I am sure that Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef was referring to the EREV RAV, a subject I haven't written about too much. At least so far. 
The EREV RAV are a Torah -, Talmud and Kabbalah concept and not easy to explain at all. Created souls, even before the creation of the world who have to undergo Tikkunim and be rectified. Many times they have been reincarnated into different generations but often those generations failed to rectify them and caused even more damage to the soul. 


Basically Rabbi Yosef doesn't say anything wrong but the mistake may be the way he makes it public. He takes a concept and everyone hears it on the radio. But not everyone does understand the meaning behind it and the result are rumours. 
Another mistake seems to be that the Rabbi makes claims but doesn't have a proof. He doesn't know for sure about the origin of the Shoah victims or has he ever spoken to G - d ? 


G - d alone created the entire universe and anything existing. It is Him deciding what is happening and most of the times, we have no clue about why something happened. Why did this happen to me or to someone else ? We don't see the entire picture but only a small part of it and, of course, we are concerned about our own well being. But what if something isn't to good for us and G - d is trying to prevent us from a mistake ? Do we realize it or are just unhappy because we don't succeed with something ?


Regarding the fire on the Carmel: There surely is a reason why it happened. Why people had to die and why houses were destroyed. We all should ask ourselves what is going wrong with us.

Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh will be lecturing in Zfat (Safed)

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The famous Chabad Rabbi, Kabbalist and author of countless books, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, will be lecturing in Zfat (Safed) this coming Sunday (14 November 2010).

The English session is going to take place at 7pm at the Ascent Hostel (HaAri Street 2). The subject is going to be "Personal Empowerment - The Twelve Senses".

The Hebrew lecture is taking place at the same location but at 9pm.

Entrance fee will be 20 Shekels (approx. 5,50 Dollar).

Some people may think that Rabbi Ginsburgh is a rather controversial figure because he is not too friendly towards Arabs. However, I do concentrate on his religious teachings when I quote him !


Link:

Rabbi Yitzchak's kabbalistic Website "Inner.Org"