Here are the photos from the Vishnitzer celebration
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Mordechai was a Jew and not a Zionist !
B"H
Just recently, I got hold of a rather weird Parashat HaShavua (Parashat Parah) published by the Mea Shearim "Neturei Karta". On the back of the page there was a little box with the title "Wake Up". Unfortunately, I haven't found out which of the two Mea Shearim Neturei Karta groups is responsible for this Parasha Daf: Rabbi Yoelish Kroisz or Rabbi Israel Hirsch.
However, among others, it said in the "Awakening Box" that "Mordechai was a Jew (see Megillath Esther) and not a Ziyoini - מרדכי היה יהודי ולא ציוני".
While reading this, I was just wondering what Mordechai would have said to this statement.:-)
"The Rebbe's Daughter" by Menashe Darash
B"H
Some years ago, the following incident took place: See article in HAARETZ !
The author of the book "בת הרה - The Rebbe's Daughter" obviously agreed not to publish the book. Although he claims that the story is a complete fiction, he may have published certain internal secrets of Chassidut Toldot Aharon.
There is a law in Israel that of any book published in the country, one copy has to be given (for free) to the National Library in Jerusalem. Obviously Menashe Darash had done so and now I am holding a "forbidden" copy of that book in my hands !
Some years ago, the following incident took place: See article in HAARETZ !
The author of the book "בת הרה - The Rebbe's Daughter" obviously agreed not to publish the book. Although he claims that the story is a complete fiction, he may have published certain internal secrets of Chassidut Toldot Aharon.
There is a law in Israel that of any book published in the country, one copy has to be given (for free) to the National Library in Jerusalem. Obviously Menashe Darash had done so and now I am holding a "forbidden" copy of that book in my hands !
עיני הרנטגן - Rabbi Yaakov Ifergan
B"H
In Israel, the so - called "Roentgen Rabbi (X - Ray Rabbi)" YAAKOV IFERGAN is extremely famous. The Rabbi lives in Netivot, he is Morroccan and used to be, as far as I know, a student of the famous "Baba Sali" until he discovered that he can get famous as well when becoming a "freelancer". When you visit the southern Israeli town of Netivot today, you may find more Jews running to Rabbi Yaakov Ifergan than going to the grave of the Baba Sali. There has been a long dispute between Ifergan and the Baba Sali Abuchatzeira family due to competition.
Personally I am very much against money business any Rabbi does. Donations for Mosdot, okay, why not but money and political let alone economical influence and power ?
Influence and money, this is what Rabbi Ifergan stands for. Israel's famous and rich love him and donate. He would inspire them religiously or whatever.
Here is a report about Rabbi Yaakov Ifergan broadcasted on Israeli TV a few days ago. The report is in Hebrew and those of you who understand the language can watch it here:
http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=15859&cat_id=2
In Israel, the so - called "Roentgen Rabbi (X - Ray Rabbi)" YAAKOV IFERGAN is extremely famous. The Rabbi lives in Netivot, he is Morroccan and used to be, as far as I know, a student of the famous "Baba Sali" until he discovered that he can get famous as well when becoming a "freelancer". When you visit the southern Israeli town of Netivot today, you may find more Jews running to Rabbi Yaakov Ifergan than going to the grave of the Baba Sali. There has been a long dispute between Ifergan and the Baba Sali Abuchatzeira family due to competition.
Personally I am very much against money business any Rabbi does. Donations for Mosdot, okay, why not but money and political let alone economical influence and power ?
Influence and money, this is what Rabbi Ifergan stands for. Israel's famous and rich love him and donate. He would inspire them religiously or whatever.
Here is a report about Rabbi Yaakov Ifergan broadcasted on Israeli TV a few days ago. The report is in Hebrew and those of you who understand the language can watch it here:
http://www.bhol.co.il/news_read.asp?id=15859&cat_id=2
Belz Bar Mitzvah & Customs
B"H
The day before yesterday, Sunday, a huge Bar Mitzvah took place in Chassidut Belz (Jerusalem). One of the grandsons of the Belzer Rebbe named Zvi celebrated his Bar Mitzvah.
It is a Belzer custom to wear black socks on Shabbat but white socks on holidays or Smachot (Belzer simches).
The day before yesterday, Sunday, a huge Bar Mitzvah took place in Chassidut Belz (Jerusalem). One of the grandsons of the Belzer Rebbe named Zvi celebrated his Bar Mitzvah.
Why did the Belzer show up in white socks at the Bar Mitzvah ?
It is a Belzer custom to wear black socks on Shabbat but white socks on holidays or Smachot (Belzer simches).
Monday, March 15, 2010
B"H
Tonight (Monday) and tomorrow, the Jewish world is celebrating Rosh Chodesh Nissan - the beginning of the Jewish month of Nissan. As I have mentioned many times before, a new month can for a new personal beginning / change in our life.
The months of Nissan marks the beginning of spring. Especially in Israel we can feel that at the moment. A heat wave took over the entire country and, unfortunately, the rain stopped. However, it is still early and we may have some more rain. Rosh Chodesh Nissan was an important date in Jewish history because Moshe eracted the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the desert.
If we strictly follow the Torah, then the new year should with Nissan. However, according to the moon calendar, Rosh HaShana is taking place in Tishrei (approx. September / October. The Talmud Tractate Rosh HaShana lists various discussions whether the Jewish new year starts with Nissan or in Tishrei. The Torah commentatore Ohr HaChaim, however, provides a brilliant comment on this question:
"In Nissan G - d thought about creating the world and in Tishrei He made His plan come true". (symbolically speaking !)
According to the kabbalistic book Sefer Yetzirah (The Book of Creation), each month of the Jewish calendar symbolizes a letter, a tribe, a horoscope, a sense and an organ.
The letter of the months of Nissan is the Heh ה, the horoscope is Aries, the tribe is Yehudah, the sense is speaking and the organ is the right leg.
The great task of Nissan is the Pessach cleaning. Kabbalistic literature teaches us that the forbidden Chametz (wheat, barley, oats, spelt or rye) symbolizes our own Yetzer HaRah (evil side within us). By cleaning the house thouroughly, we try to get rid of our Yetzer HaRah.
Chodesh Tov - חודש טוב - A successful and healthy month of Nissan to all readers !
Opening of the CHURVA SYNAGOGUE in Jerusalem
B"H
Tonight, Jerusalem is celebrating the rebuilding and opening of the new CHURVA SYNAGOGUE in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. The Jews are celebrating whereas the Arabs are threatening with new demonstrations. The Muslims are planning a big "show" on the Temple Mount around their Al Aksa Mosque and thousands of Israeli border policemen are going to secure the entire area.
Here are some photos of the new CHURVA which was destroyed by the Jordanians
Rav Elchonon Wasserman and the New State of Affairs
B"H
The author of "Rebbe Stories" brought up some interesting points. Not everything in the haredi world is perfect and people must speak out:
The author of "Rebbe Stories" brought up some interesting points. Not everything in the haredi world is perfect and people must speak out:
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Issues you should consider when meeting a Shidduch
B"H
No, I am not the Shidduch type and have only participated in that kind of matchmaking twice. The first time, the guy, a New Yorker living in Israel, preferred talking about his camera. He was a photographer and should have married his camera by now.
The second meeting took place with a national religious Israeli who had studied at the Hebron Yeshiva but grabbed my hand and shook it. Thus, he seemingly wanted to show his tolerance and refrain from any fundamentalism. I wouldn't necessarily call myself a "Shomeret Negiah" but a former Yeshiva guy calling himself religious and then grabbing my hand shocked me.
I met a young divorced "Baalet Teshuva - a Jew who became religious later in her life" in Mea Shearim and she started looking for a new Shidduch. And it was her listing me two issues you should consider when you go to meet a Shidduch.
1. Pay attention if the guy is tight - fisted. Just in case he wants you to drink a small espresso instead of a large ice coffee or cappuccino.
2. Pay attention to how he / she eats.Making incredible noise while eating a bowl of soup or stuffing a whole chicken into the mouth. In other words, the Shidduch should not eat like a pig !
The woman told me that those issues can tell a lot about the Shidduch's character traits. However, when you meet the Shidduch for the first time, it is very unlikely that you eat. First you start those meetings by having a small cup of coffee until you, after two or three meetings, finally eat. The guy should pay !
However, even if you only get to the first cup of coffee, watch out how you "partner" is going to handle it. And in case he is a Baal Teshuva, don't let him scream out his blessing in order to impress you and all the others.
My first Shidduch, the guy with the camera, told me to get a Jewish education by reading "The Book of your (our ?) Heritage" whereas I told him to learn Hebrew after ten years of being in Israel and behaving like a foreign idiot.
Whoever is happy with meeting Shidduchim and getting married this way has my blessings but I wouldn't do so.
Chassidic Vayakel - Pekudei
B"H
Chassidic Vayakel Pekudei on LaDaat !
Among others from the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak or the Toldot Aharon,
Chassidic Vayakel Pekudei on LaDaat !
Among others from the Toldot Avraham Yitzchak or the Toldot Aharon,
Sisalek
Last week, the Swedish clothing discounter H & M opened its first branch in Tel Aviv (Azrieli Tower). Thousands of customers were awaiting the opening and storming into the gigantic store in order to buy cheap clothes. Some critics said that we as Jews and Israelis shouldn't support the anti - Semites in Sweden and boycott H & M. A great idea and we should do so but who can resist when H & M sells its products for such a low price.
The haredi population of Jerusalem's neighbourhoods Ge'ula and Mea Shearim had its line up as well. Not for anything unkosher Swedish but due to the opening of a glatt kosher ice - cream store called "Sisalek".
Those customers showing up with the coupon (see above) got their first ice cream for free. Hundreds of haredi youth were lining up. Kosher - as male and female lined up in front of two separate entrances.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
