B"H
The below mention Pollard demonstration does NOT take place tomorrow (Sunday) but on the day after tomorrow, MONDAY 7th January 2008.
Location: Paris Square in Jerusalem
Time: 2.30pm
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Free Pollard
B"H
Next week, George Bush is coming for a visit to the Middle East. On Jan. 9, he will be in Israel for a few days. He is due to meet Prime Minister Olmert and the Palestinian Abu Mazen.
American Jewish religious organizations have already asked President Bush to cancel his visit to Israel. Among others, Chabad says that the Olmert government has no right to exist at all.
According to my experience, those people making such a statement are right, and the majority of Israelis doesn't want Olmert. However, until the next Knesset elections we cannot really get rid of him and another problem is that is there hardly anyone to replace him. Most Knesset members are crooks and just think about their money.
For us it is ridiculous that an American government is telling us what to do. What do Bush or Condoleeca Rice know about Israel and its citizens ?
And what do they know about Jerusalem ? Have they ever lived here ?
No one wants Olmert and George Bush is unwanted here next week. At least according to the Israelis citizens.
Just in time for his visit, the followers of Jonathan Pollard are planning a big event next Sunday. It is going to take place at the Jerusalem Paris Square. Pollard's wife Esther will be there as well and the plan is to rename Paris Square into "Jonathan Pollard Square".
http://www.jonathanpollard.org/
Whoever is interested, the event is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 7, 2008 at 2.30pm.
Next week, George Bush is coming for a visit to the Middle East. On Jan. 9, he will be in Israel for a few days. He is due to meet Prime Minister Olmert and the Palestinian Abu Mazen.
American Jewish religious organizations have already asked President Bush to cancel his visit to Israel. Among others, Chabad says that the Olmert government has no right to exist at all.
According to my experience, those people making such a statement are right, and the majority of Israelis doesn't want Olmert. However, until the next Knesset elections we cannot really get rid of him and another problem is that is there hardly anyone to replace him. Most Knesset members are crooks and just think about their money.
For us it is ridiculous that an American government is telling us what to do. What do Bush or Condoleeca Rice know about Israel and its citizens ?
And what do they know about Jerusalem ? Have they ever lived here ?
No one wants Olmert and George Bush is unwanted here next week. At least according to the Israelis citizens.
Just in time for his visit, the followers of Jonathan Pollard are planning a big event next Sunday. It is going to take place at the Jerusalem Paris Square. Pollard's wife Esther will be there as well and the plan is to rename Paris Square into "Jonathan Pollard Square".
http://www.jonathanpollard.org/
Whoever is interested, the event is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 7, 2008 at 2.30pm.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Interview with a Toldot Aharon Girl
B"H
By surfing the Net, I found an interesting Blog article where Eva interviewed a girl from the chassidic group of Toldot Aharon. It is very worth reading:
http://www.evasnotes.net/2007/10/25/chat-with-engaged-toldos-aharon-girl/
From my own experience I know how hard it is to get in touch with their members and being able to ask such questions, but Eva was very lucky.
By surfing the Net, I found an interesting Blog article where Eva interviewed a girl from the chassidic group of Toldot Aharon. It is very worth reading:
http://www.evasnotes.net/2007/10/25/chat-with-engaged-toldos-aharon-girl/
From my own experience I know how hard it is to get in touch with their members and being able to ask such questions, but Eva was very lucky.
The last Nazi Murderers
B"H
The Simon Wiesenthal - Center has launched a new website in order to find the last Nazi - murderers and take them to court:
http://operationlastchance.com/index.htm
The case of Erich Steidtmann:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1196847365049
The head of the Wiesenthal - Centers, Dr. Efraim Zuroff, believes that the Nazi - murderer Aribert Heim (Dr. Death) is still alive:
The case of Aribert Heim:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aribert_Heim
The Nazi Aribert Heim in 1959
The Simon Wiesenthal - Center has launched a new website in order to find the last Nazi - murderers and take them to court:
http://operationlastchance.com/index.htm
The case of Erich Steidtmann:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1196847365049
The head of the Wiesenthal - Centers, Dr. Efraim Zuroff, believes that the Nazi - murderer Aribert Heim (Dr. Death) is still alive:
The case of Aribert Heim:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aribert_Heim
The Nazi Aribert Heim in 1959
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Non – Participants
B"H
A demonstration taking place somewhere in Jerusalem is nothing special. We are used to anything and anyone.
And therefore, I wasn't surprised at all when I saw another demonstration taking place last Sunday night. I was on my way to a Shiur and passed Yechezkel Street in the haredi Ge'ulah neighbourhood. Already from far away I saw about ten Chassidim from all kinds of groups standing on the sidewalk and waving three posters.
When you face a haredi demonstration in Jerusalem, it is usually against government plans building new highways over ancient Jewish cemeteries. This was also what I expected when I saw the demonstration. However, I was wrong, as the Neturei Karta seemed to make some more propaganda instead. Three Chassidim held up posters and all participants were praying loudly.
I stopped and took some time reading what it said on the posters. Basically the idea was to announce that the participants do not identify themselves with the present secular State of Israel. Unfortunately, I couldn't read everything, as after less than a minute, the demonstration ended and someone collected the posters. The Chassidim just disappeared into all directions. That was it.
Personally I hate this kind of demonstration. You walk in the street and suddenly someone comes up to you and asks if you have a few minutes to demonstrate. This goes so fast that people don't even have time inquiring who the organizer is. But maybe in Ge'ulah and Mea Shearim there is no need for that, as the Chassidim know each other anyway.
The result is that many demonstrations in this particular area happen spontaneously and end long before the police have a chance to arrive. Mea Shearim and Ge'ulah are facing countless demonstrations anyway, as certain Chassidim want to force the state – owned bus company Egged to introduce "kosher buses" in Jerusalem. All local buses should be kosher; means that women and men have separate seating.
This might be right with certain religious buses but one cannot just force the whole population to agree to this. Egged, however, never knows which side to take, as also the haredi population are good customers and Egged cannot afford a ban from the Edah HaCharedit.
It is never boring in Jerusalem !
A demonstration taking place somewhere in Jerusalem is nothing special. We are used to anything and anyone.
And therefore, I wasn't surprised at all when I saw another demonstration taking place last Sunday night. I was on my way to a Shiur and passed Yechezkel Street in the haredi Ge'ulah neighbourhood. Already from far away I saw about ten Chassidim from all kinds of groups standing on the sidewalk and waving three posters.
When you face a haredi demonstration in Jerusalem, it is usually against government plans building new highways over ancient Jewish cemeteries. This was also what I expected when I saw the demonstration. However, I was wrong, as the Neturei Karta seemed to make some more propaganda instead. Three Chassidim held up posters and all participants were praying loudly.
I stopped and took some time reading what it said on the posters. Basically the idea was to announce that the participants do not identify themselves with the present secular State of Israel. Unfortunately, I couldn't read everything, as after less than a minute, the demonstration ended and someone collected the posters. The Chassidim just disappeared into all directions. That was it.
Personally I hate this kind of demonstration. You walk in the street and suddenly someone comes up to you and asks if you have a few minutes to demonstrate. This goes so fast that people don't even have time inquiring who the organizer is. But maybe in Ge'ulah and Mea Shearim there is no need for that, as the Chassidim know each other anyway.
The result is that many demonstrations in this particular area happen spontaneously and end long before the police have a chance to arrive. Mea Shearim and Ge'ulah are facing countless demonstrations anyway, as certain Chassidim want to force the state – owned bus company Egged to introduce "kosher buses" in Jerusalem. All local buses should be kosher; means that women and men have separate seating.
This might be right with certain religious buses but one cannot just force the whole population to agree to this. Egged, however, never knows which side to take, as also the haredi population are good customers and Egged cannot afford a ban from the Edah HaCharedit.
It is never boring in Jerusalem !
Monday, December 31, 2007
Marriage for America
B"H
It was quite a while ago and I hope that in the meantime, both main figures of this story are happily married or at least, happy with their lives.
It was an Erev Shabbat and I together with a few other people were invited at my friend Channah's. Channah lives in Mea Shearim and has been married for many years to a Satmarer Chassid. Together, they have more than ten children of whom all are married and already have their own children.
Whoever comes to Channah's Shabbat meals has to get used to many things. Among other things, women and men do have separate seating; the women in the living room with the old Austrian red furniture, and the men sit right at the entrance door in front of the living room.
The separation is due to modesty reasons and usually Channah's husband is taking care of male visitors while Channah and her daughters like to talk to the females.
I was sitting next to the door and could spy into the men's section. A Satmarer Chassid at about my age was sitting there. Channah was running around with her dishes and told me that the guy was born in Hungary and had joined Chassidut Satmar only recently. To be honest, I already thought about how to manage a Shidduch date with the guy but Channah destroyed all my dreams. She announced that the guy had just got engaged with a very nice young American girl.
Who could that be ? Of course, a girl who had also found her way to Satmar and was ready to wear a hanky (white Tichel) over her wig on Shabbat.
Nevertheless, I was totally mistaken. A very nice young girl walked in and her face was shining. Her fiancée seemed to be happy as well but I was upset.
On the next day, we were all back at Channah's for lunch. This time, our host couldn't stop talking about the nice couple anymore. She just went on and on.
Afterwards I didn't see the couple for a few months and had already forgotten about the incident. But only until I once took a bus from the Kotel (Western Wall) to my religious neighbourhood where I used to live. The bus was packed with Haredim and suddenly someone tipped on my shoulder. It was the American girl from Channah's. I would have never recognized her but she did.
Curiously I asked if she and the Hungarian had finally got married.
She told me that the whole thing was just a disaster. "The only thing he wanted was my American passport in order to live in the States."
Every day he asked her at least a thousand times when she is ready to move to New York but she had made Aliyah and didn't intend to return to the US. As soon as he finally got the message, he left her. Or in other words, she kicked him out.
Probably he was already busy looking for another young American girl who believed his stories. The Satmar thing had just been his own show and he wasn't interested at all.
The girl was lucky to find that out before her wedding. And I was happy that I never had to face such a situation.
Maybe the Hungarian would have also liked a German passport, who knows. The only thing is that I am only an Israeli citizen, as I lost my German citizenship.
It was quite a while ago and I hope that in the meantime, both main figures of this story are happily married or at least, happy with their lives.
It was an Erev Shabbat and I together with a few other people were invited at my friend Channah's. Channah lives in Mea Shearim and has been married for many years to a Satmarer Chassid. Together, they have more than ten children of whom all are married and already have their own children.
Whoever comes to Channah's Shabbat meals has to get used to many things. Among other things, women and men do have separate seating; the women in the living room with the old Austrian red furniture, and the men sit right at the entrance door in front of the living room.
The separation is due to modesty reasons and usually Channah's husband is taking care of male visitors while Channah and her daughters like to talk to the females.
I was sitting next to the door and could spy into the men's section. A Satmarer Chassid at about my age was sitting there. Channah was running around with her dishes and told me that the guy was born in Hungary and had joined Chassidut Satmar only recently. To be honest, I already thought about how to manage a Shidduch date with the guy but Channah destroyed all my dreams. She announced that the guy had just got engaged with a very nice young American girl.
Who could that be ? Of course, a girl who had also found her way to Satmar and was ready to wear a hanky (white Tichel) over her wig on Shabbat.
Nevertheless, I was totally mistaken. A very nice young girl walked in and her face was shining. Her fiancée seemed to be happy as well but I was upset.
On the next day, we were all back at Channah's for lunch. This time, our host couldn't stop talking about the nice couple anymore. She just went on and on.
Afterwards I didn't see the couple for a few months and had already forgotten about the incident. But only until I once took a bus from the Kotel (Western Wall) to my religious neighbourhood where I used to live. The bus was packed with Haredim and suddenly someone tipped on my shoulder. It was the American girl from Channah's. I would have never recognized her but she did.
Curiously I asked if she and the Hungarian had finally got married.
She told me that the whole thing was just a disaster. "The only thing he wanted was my American passport in order to live in the States."
Every day he asked her at least a thousand times when she is ready to move to New York but she had made Aliyah and didn't intend to return to the US. As soon as he finally got the message, he left her. Or in other words, she kicked him out.
Probably he was already busy looking for another young American girl who believed his stories. The Satmar thing had just been his own show and he wasn't interested at all.
The girl was lucky to find that out before her wedding. And I was happy that I never had to face such a situation.
Maybe the Hungarian would have also liked a German passport, who knows. The only thing is that I am only an Israeli citizen, as I lost my German citizenship.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Not for me
B"H
It has nothing to do with yesterdays Tish but somehow it struck me. For quite some time I have been asking myself why I am completely unable to join a chassidic group. Is it the way of following just one rebbe or ideology ? Is it the kind of dress including wearing a skirt all the time ? Wearing a skirt can sometimes be a real pain and I am only a skirt type on Shabbat. That's enough for me.
But when I look at it, I could change. Even wearing a skirt.
First I thought that I am too lazy to make an effort. However, since last night, I really know why I could not join a group. The reason is very simple: I am just not made for a group. I cannot imagine joining all these women in a particular chassidic group, being one of them and sitting together in order to talk about women's issues. Cooking, kids, neighbours, household. This would totally bore me to death.
Not that I am intending to talk about Talmud studies, history, science or whatever. But being limited within a society and being forced to behave in a certain way in order to get accepted by the society is not for me. The thing which would bother me most is having no one to talk to.
Of course, many (especially those from Chabad) might claim that not all the women are uneducated and that it is possible to find someone to talk to. Chabad would say: "Come and join us, as we are the most intelligent Chassidut".
True or not, the closed women's clubs bother me and I am definitely not one of them.
It has nothing to do with yesterdays Tish but somehow it struck me. For quite some time I have been asking myself why I am completely unable to join a chassidic group. Is it the way of following just one rebbe or ideology ? Is it the kind of dress including wearing a skirt all the time ? Wearing a skirt can sometimes be a real pain and I am only a skirt type on Shabbat. That's enough for me.
But when I look at it, I could change. Even wearing a skirt.
First I thought that I am too lazy to make an effort. However, since last night, I really know why I could not join a group. The reason is very simple: I am just not made for a group. I cannot imagine joining all these women in a particular chassidic group, being one of them and sitting together in order to talk about women's issues. Cooking, kids, neighbours, household. This would totally bore me to death.
Not that I am intending to talk about Talmud studies, history, science or whatever. But being limited within a society and being forced to behave in a certain way in order to get accepted by the society is not for me. The thing which would bother me most is having no one to talk to.
Of course, many (especially those from Chabad) might claim that not all the women are uneducated and that it is possible to find someone to talk to. Chabad would say: "Come and join us, as we are the most intelligent Chassidut".
True or not, the closed women's clubs bother me and I am definitely not one of them.
The Dance of the Rebbe
B"H
Gur, Belz, Karlin - Stolin, Toldot Aharon, Toldot Avraham Yitzchak and the Slonim are the biggest chassidic groups giving Tishes on Shabbat. Those Tishes are quite popular and mostly packed. But who really knows about the small chassidic group Kretchnif ?
As usual, we went for the Shabbat dinner at Rabbi Mordechai Machlis and there we forgot to pay attention to the time. Suddenly it was 11pm and almost to late for any Tish. During the winter, the Tishes start much earlier and the one's which don't are not taking place at the moment. As I wrote before, the Rebbes of Avraham Yitzchak as well as Toldot Aharon are abroad.
We had to make new plans and decided to go to Dushinsky frist. There is was too quiet and we figured that there won't be a Tish. Through Rehov Yoel we wanted to enter Mea Shearim but got stuck on the way. Across the Beit Midrash of Satmar and the Karlin – Synagogue is a small street called Avinoam. And in Avinoam the the synagogue of Chassidut Kretchnif.
The building is rather big and the women's entrance is, as so often, on the backside of the building. After all the amounts of food at the Machlises, climbing up the stairs to the third floor was rather difficult. But as soon as one manages, he doesn't regret all the efforts. Before you get to the women's side, you have to pass a small way which is open to the outside. From there you have a great view over Jerusalem.
The women's side was anything but busy. Only a few women from Kretchnif were there. Including the Rebbitzen who was placed on a kind of thrown; just as her husband downstairs. She seems to be a very nice woman although almost everybody else looks at outsiders as if they are suspicious. This is only at the women's side whereas men from outside the group are not being starred at. And last night, the place was full of outsiders: Toldot Aharon, Slonim, Satmar, Gur, Belz, Shomrei Emunim and three young litvishe guys. The Rebbe of the Jerusalem Kretchnifer accepts everybody and hands out food to anyone. He is very welcoming. The women upstairs, on the other hand, are a very closed group and I think that it would take a long time until they open up.
We arrived relatively late and it was already 11.30pm. The Rebbe had finished eating and was now conducting the Chassidim and motivate them to sing. He likes all the singing and he encourages everybody to participate. Chairs and tables were moved aside and then the show began. The Rebbe was standing in front of his chair and all the Chassidim were dancing around him in a big circle. Then they took their seats again and the Rebbe started dancing alone. This was very nice to see and I really enjoyed it.
In the meantime, a fruit tray and two giant cakes were shipped in. One cake was seemingly a carrot cake and the other was what we call in Hebrew "Ugat Sheish". Both of them were still steaming and the nice smell was all over the place. But before the goodies were handed out, another circle was built and more dancing took place. This time, the Rebbe joined the Chassidim and danced with them in a circle. He was so fast that all the others couldn't keep up with him. The Rebbe just sang and danced. Finally everybody lined up in front of him and got fruit and cake.
Even the Rebbitzen and her small clan. I wasn't interested in all these woman but tried to listen to the Rebbe who gave a Drasha. He spoke about the Exodus, that the Jews got the Mitzwah of Shabbat and that whoever keeps Shabbat, comes out with a strengthened soul (Neshama).
The Rebbe spoke in Yiddish and it is not easy to understand him, as he doesn’t speak too loud and clear. Even the Chassidim had to move closer and be silent. I was in the middle of listening, as the women suddenly started to talk while eating the cake. Why do women always have to start talking when the Rebbe speaks ? Can't they just talk about their family businesses later and listen for a few minutes ? However, the noise destroyed my hearing the Rebbe and I wasn't able to follow his Drasha anymore.
A few more songs after the cake and the Tish was over.
I have to admit that we really enjoyed it this time. All the times before we only saw Kretchnif as a replacement but now, as we saw more, we look at it as a great Tish. I can really recommend it and if you are a guy, line up early for the cake.
Here a Link to a Video where the Kretchnifer Rebbe of Jerusalem is dancing with his youngest daughter. For modesty reasons, the daughter has her face covered with a Tichel.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8053135343788864700
The Kretchnif Tish
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7495712384584720227&q=kretshnif+tish&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Gur, Belz, Karlin - Stolin, Toldot Aharon, Toldot Avraham Yitzchak and the Slonim are the biggest chassidic groups giving Tishes on Shabbat. Those Tishes are quite popular and mostly packed. But who really knows about the small chassidic group Kretchnif ?
As usual, we went for the Shabbat dinner at Rabbi Mordechai Machlis and there we forgot to pay attention to the time. Suddenly it was 11pm and almost to late for any Tish. During the winter, the Tishes start much earlier and the one's which don't are not taking place at the moment. As I wrote before, the Rebbes of Avraham Yitzchak as well as Toldot Aharon are abroad.
We had to make new plans and decided to go to Dushinsky frist. There is was too quiet and we figured that there won't be a Tish. Through Rehov Yoel we wanted to enter Mea Shearim but got stuck on the way. Across the Beit Midrash of Satmar and the Karlin – Synagogue is a small street called Avinoam. And in Avinoam the the synagogue of Chassidut Kretchnif.
The building is rather big and the women's entrance is, as so often, on the backside of the building. After all the amounts of food at the Machlises, climbing up the stairs to the third floor was rather difficult. But as soon as one manages, he doesn't regret all the efforts. Before you get to the women's side, you have to pass a small way which is open to the outside. From there you have a great view over Jerusalem.
The women's side was anything but busy. Only a few women from Kretchnif were there. Including the Rebbitzen who was placed on a kind of thrown; just as her husband downstairs. She seems to be a very nice woman although almost everybody else looks at outsiders as if they are suspicious. This is only at the women's side whereas men from outside the group are not being starred at. And last night, the place was full of outsiders: Toldot Aharon, Slonim, Satmar, Gur, Belz, Shomrei Emunim and three young litvishe guys. The Rebbe of the Jerusalem Kretchnifer accepts everybody and hands out food to anyone. He is very welcoming. The women upstairs, on the other hand, are a very closed group and I think that it would take a long time until they open up.
We arrived relatively late and it was already 11.30pm. The Rebbe had finished eating and was now conducting the Chassidim and motivate them to sing. He likes all the singing and he encourages everybody to participate. Chairs and tables were moved aside and then the show began. The Rebbe was standing in front of his chair and all the Chassidim were dancing around him in a big circle. Then they took their seats again and the Rebbe started dancing alone. This was very nice to see and I really enjoyed it.
In the meantime, a fruit tray and two giant cakes were shipped in. One cake was seemingly a carrot cake and the other was what we call in Hebrew "Ugat Sheish". Both of them were still steaming and the nice smell was all over the place. But before the goodies were handed out, another circle was built and more dancing took place. This time, the Rebbe joined the Chassidim and danced with them in a circle. He was so fast that all the others couldn't keep up with him. The Rebbe just sang and danced. Finally everybody lined up in front of him and got fruit and cake.
Even the Rebbitzen and her small clan. I wasn't interested in all these woman but tried to listen to the Rebbe who gave a Drasha. He spoke about the Exodus, that the Jews got the Mitzwah of Shabbat and that whoever keeps Shabbat, comes out with a strengthened soul (Neshama).
The Rebbe spoke in Yiddish and it is not easy to understand him, as he doesn’t speak too loud and clear. Even the Chassidim had to move closer and be silent. I was in the middle of listening, as the women suddenly started to talk while eating the cake. Why do women always have to start talking when the Rebbe speaks ? Can't they just talk about their family businesses later and listen for a few minutes ? However, the noise destroyed my hearing the Rebbe and I wasn't able to follow his Drasha anymore.
A few more songs after the cake and the Tish was over.
I have to admit that we really enjoyed it this time. All the times before we only saw Kretchnif as a replacement but now, as we saw more, we look at it as a great Tish. I can really recommend it and if you are a guy, line up early for the cake.
Here a Link to a Video where the Kretchnifer Rebbe of Jerusalem is dancing with his youngest daughter. For modesty reasons, the daughter has her face covered with a Tichel.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8053135343788864700
The Kretchnif Tish
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7495712384584720227&q=kretshnif+tish&total=4&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0
Friday, December 28, 2007
What's up with Gur ?
B"H
Again, Erev Shabbat is approaching and actually we were planning to join the Maariv - prayer at the great synagogue of Chassidut Gur (Yiddish: Ger). However, I just spoke to a few Gerer Chassidim and was told that their Rebbe is not coming to Jerusalem tonight. Instead, he is staying at home in Bnei Brak.
The Rebbe might be coming to Jerusalem in about two weeks or more. If anyone is interested in going to Gur:
1. There will not be a Tish in Jerusalem for the coming two weeks.
2. The Shabbat prayer does not take place in their great synagogue but in the Gerer Beit Midrash in Ge'ulah.
The present Rebbe of Chassidut Gur: Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter
As I am female, I am not allowed to go to the Gerer Rebbe's Tish but I was told (by men) that the Tish is only for 1,5 hours. The Rebbe quickly eats and finishes his Tish rather early, as he very much emphasizes Gemara - studies. And this is what they do right after the Tish: studying Gemara.
Nevertheless, we will see which Tishes are on tonight and I will let you know on Sunday.
Have a great Shabbat - Shabbat Shalom - Gid Shabbes from Jerusalem.
Again, Erev Shabbat is approaching and actually we were planning to join the Maariv - prayer at the great synagogue of Chassidut Gur (Yiddish: Ger). However, I just spoke to a few Gerer Chassidim and was told that their Rebbe is not coming to Jerusalem tonight. Instead, he is staying at home in Bnei Brak.
The Rebbe might be coming to Jerusalem in about two weeks or more. If anyone is interested in going to Gur:
1. There will not be a Tish in Jerusalem for the coming two weeks.
2. The Shabbat prayer does not take place in their great synagogue but in the Gerer Beit Midrash in Ge'ulah.
The present Rebbe of Chassidut Gur: Rabbi Yaakov Aryeh Alter
As I am female, I am not allowed to go to the Gerer Rebbe's Tish but I was told (by men) that the Tish is only for 1,5 hours. The Rebbe quickly eats and finishes his Tish rather early, as he very much emphasizes Gemara - studies. And this is what they do right after the Tish: studying Gemara.
Nevertheless, we will see which Tishes are on tonight and I will let you know on Sunday.
Have a great Shabbat - Shabbat Shalom - Gid Shabbes from Jerusalem.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
How stupid should a woman be ?
B"H
The latest edition of the "Jewish Press" is mentioning an interesting subject and actually I have been thinking about it lately anyway. Probably because this Tuesday, someone announced at a shiur that she just got engaged. The wedding is probably taking place before Pessach. The thing bothering me, of course, is the fact that she only saw her fiancée ten times. So far.
My intention is not to talk about her but about the Shidduchim practices in general. I do accept that religious Jews just don't go out and pick up someone in the street in order to get married. Each religious group follows its own customs. Generally, the national religious are more open, the Haredim more closed, whatever. Anybody familiar with the subject knows that the one following these kind of practices could write novels about his experiences.
The article in the "Jewish Press" was bringing up the interesting question if an intelligent woman going to a Shidduch should pretend to be stupid. Isn't it better to find out first who the guy is coming to the meeting ? If he prefers having a wife studying Talmud or at the university or rather someone being at home and raising the kids ?
The conclusion was that many women do think that way and first pretend to be uneducated.
I couldn't believe what I read. Almost the whole female orthodox world is talking about some kind of emancipation. For instance, Talmud study for women has become very popular among the litvishe society in Jerusalem.
How can a young woman undermine her education when she is going or even looking for a Shidduch ? Why not tell the truth and, by the way, who wants to be married to such a guy who wants a rather uneducated woman ? He should look for such a woman from the beginning and the educated woman shouldn' t even take him into consideration. Why pretend ? Only because she is desperate and wants to get married ?
The main question is why men many times prefer an uneducated wife ? Maybe in order to avoid that the wife might find out later that the husband is not the greatest Talmid Chacham as he always claimed ?
Are men in general being afraid of intelligent women ?
I don't see why a woman should not go to universities or study Talmud. And, by the way, I don't think that every man studying Talmud is really made to study it. There are many incapable men as well but obviously no one is telling them the truth.
The latest edition of the "Jewish Press" is mentioning an interesting subject and actually I have been thinking about it lately anyway. Probably because this Tuesday, someone announced at a shiur that she just got engaged. The wedding is probably taking place before Pessach. The thing bothering me, of course, is the fact that she only saw her fiancée ten times. So far.
My intention is not to talk about her but about the Shidduchim practices in general. I do accept that religious Jews just don't go out and pick up someone in the street in order to get married. Each religious group follows its own customs. Generally, the national religious are more open, the Haredim more closed, whatever. Anybody familiar with the subject knows that the one following these kind of practices could write novels about his experiences.
The article in the "Jewish Press" was bringing up the interesting question if an intelligent woman going to a Shidduch should pretend to be stupid. Isn't it better to find out first who the guy is coming to the meeting ? If he prefers having a wife studying Talmud or at the university or rather someone being at home and raising the kids ?
The conclusion was that many women do think that way and first pretend to be uneducated.
I couldn't believe what I read. Almost the whole female orthodox world is talking about some kind of emancipation. For instance, Talmud study for women has become very popular among the litvishe society in Jerusalem.
How can a young woman undermine her education when she is going or even looking for a Shidduch ? Why not tell the truth and, by the way, who wants to be married to such a guy who wants a rather uneducated woman ? He should look for such a woman from the beginning and the educated woman shouldn' t even take him into consideration. Why pretend ? Only because she is desperate and wants to get married ?
The main question is why men many times prefer an uneducated wife ? Maybe in order to avoid that the wife might find out later that the husband is not the greatest Talmid Chacham as he always claimed ?
Are men in general being afraid of intelligent women ?
I don't see why a woman should not go to universities or study Talmud. And, by the way, I don't think that every man studying Talmud is really made to study it. There are many incapable men as well but obviously no one is telling them the truth.
When Chabad explains the Chassidic World….
then everything just sounds too much Chabad and no other chassidic group or context is being mentioned anymore.
Exactly this kind of experience I had last night when I went for a shiur to the Jerusalem Israel Center (Orthodox Union).
I was the first of our course to arrive and our usual classroom was already occupied by a small group of Israeli women. Later they went to a different room but before, I had plenty of time to talk to those women. Basically they were secular but wanted to participate in a shiur about "Relationships in the Chassidic World".
First I thought that this is concerning Shidduchim but I was mistaken. One woman told me that the shiur is about relationships between wife and husband in the chassidic society.
"Wow, I said, this sounds interesting. About what groups is the lecturer talking ?"
"Well, the women responded, our lecturer is a woman from Chabad. So we learn about Chabad and sometimes also about Breslov".
I was quite disappointed and told her that chassidut includes countless chassidic groups and not only Chabad and sometimes Breslov. What about Vishnitz, Satmar, Belz and all those others ? And if the class doesn't want to visit chassidic Tishes on Shabbat and speak to some women there ?
The women from the course was a kind of shocked and said that those chassidic women must be complete extremists and not approachable.
Furthermore, I told her that Chabad is not representative. They and Breslov are rather open minded and cannot be compared to other chassidic groups at all. Of course, you can talk about them but should mention that there are other groups and not call it "Talks about the Chassidic World" but about "Talks about Chabad".
I told them that I write about chassidut and mentioned a few facts about other groups. Suddenly the women were very interested and wanted to know more.
I really would have liked to see the face of the Chabad – lecturer when later her class demanded some information about Belz or Satmar.
It is high time that people understand that the chassidic world does not only consist of Chabad.
Exactly this kind of experience I had last night when I went for a shiur to the Jerusalem Israel Center (Orthodox Union).
I was the first of our course to arrive and our usual classroom was already occupied by a small group of Israeli women. Later they went to a different room but before, I had plenty of time to talk to those women. Basically they were secular but wanted to participate in a shiur about "Relationships in the Chassidic World".
First I thought that this is concerning Shidduchim but I was mistaken. One woman told me that the shiur is about relationships between wife and husband in the chassidic society.
"Wow, I said, this sounds interesting. About what groups is the lecturer talking ?"
"Well, the women responded, our lecturer is a woman from Chabad. So we learn about Chabad and sometimes also about Breslov".
I was quite disappointed and told her that chassidut includes countless chassidic groups and not only Chabad and sometimes Breslov. What about Vishnitz, Satmar, Belz and all those others ? And if the class doesn't want to visit chassidic Tishes on Shabbat and speak to some women there ?
The women from the course was a kind of shocked and said that those chassidic women must be complete extremists and not approachable.
Furthermore, I told her that Chabad is not representative. They and Breslov are rather open minded and cannot be compared to other chassidic groups at all. Of course, you can talk about them but should mention that there are other groups and not call it "Talks about the Chassidic World" but about "Talks about Chabad".
I told them that I write about chassidut and mentioned a few facts about other groups. Suddenly the women were very interested and wanted to know more.
I really would have liked to see the face of the Chabad – lecturer when later her class demanded some information about Belz or Satmar.
It is high time that people understand that the chassidic world does not only consist of Chabad.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Will a Kosher Internet be successful ?
B"H
What really really goes on my nerves lately is seeing more and more male Haredim using the Internet in a negative way.
Of course, this is nothing new, as for years Haredim have been sneaking into Jerusalem internet cafes in order to surf through pornographic sites, news, soccer, basketball or forums. At the Internet Cafe in Yaffa Road they even asked for Mechizot (small wooden separations) so that no one can see what they are looking at.
When I mentioned this subject to some haredi friends a few years ago, I was cut off. They claimed that this is only a lie and gossip about the haredi world. And the anti - religious crazy former politician Tommy Lapid had set up this rumour.
In the meantime we all know that the haredi world has a severe problem with the "Yetzer HaRah - the bad side in a person". And it is always the guys using the net and not the Beit Yaakov - girls.
One of the two owners of the Internet Cafe in Yaffa Road told me that every second week the Mea Shearim "Modesty Police - Mishmeret HaZniut" is showing up and asking the owners not to let the haredi population into the Internet Cafe. The owners claim that it is their business and one of them said to me that if even a camel was putting enough money on the counter, it would get a computer. In other words, money is everything.
Lately, some haredi rabbis wanted to make decisions about a kosher internet. The net would be allowed to the haredi population but only kosher sites, of course. But who could check that ? The Haredim enter the Internet Cafe in groups and stay there for 3, 4 or 5 hours. On Mozzaei Shabbat (Shabbat end) they come, put the streimel aside and surf the net. Anybody does it. Litvishe or Chassidim, it doesn't matter who. Belz, Gur, litvish, Breslov, you name it. The only one's I haven't seen so far are Toldot Aharon but this doesn't mean their society is holier than the others.
The same is starting at the university library now. Many Haredim come in and immediately sit at the free computers. Many of them were thrown out, as the university computers are only for research. Well, they do research but not in the subject they are supposed to.
I have no solution solving the problem. On the one hand, people want to be religious or at least they look so from the outside. On the other hand, as soon as a computer is around, the Torah seems to be forgotten.
It is high time for the Yeshivot to deal with the problem.
What really really goes on my nerves lately is seeing more and more male Haredim using the Internet in a negative way.
Of course, this is nothing new, as for years Haredim have been sneaking into Jerusalem internet cafes in order to surf through pornographic sites, news, soccer, basketball or forums. At the Internet Cafe in Yaffa Road they even asked for Mechizot (small wooden separations) so that no one can see what they are looking at.
When I mentioned this subject to some haredi friends a few years ago, I was cut off. They claimed that this is only a lie and gossip about the haredi world. And the anti - religious crazy former politician Tommy Lapid had set up this rumour.
In the meantime we all know that the haredi world has a severe problem with the "Yetzer HaRah - the bad side in a person". And it is always the guys using the net and not the Beit Yaakov - girls.
One of the two owners of the Internet Cafe in Yaffa Road told me that every second week the Mea Shearim "Modesty Police - Mishmeret HaZniut" is showing up and asking the owners not to let the haredi population into the Internet Cafe. The owners claim that it is their business and one of them said to me that if even a camel was putting enough money on the counter, it would get a computer. In other words, money is everything.
Lately, some haredi rabbis wanted to make decisions about a kosher internet. The net would be allowed to the haredi population but only kosher sites, of course. But who could check that ? The Haredim enter the Internet Cafe in groups and stay there for 3, 4 or 5 hours. On Mozzaei Shabbat (Shabbat end) they come, put the streimel aside and surf the net. Anybody does it. Litvishe or Chassidim, it doesn't matter who. Belz, Gur, litvish, Breslov, you name it. The only one's I haven't seen so far are Toldot Aharon but this doesn't mean their society is holier than the others.
The same is starting at the university library now. Many Haredim come in and immediately sit at the free computers. Many of them were thrown out, as the university computers are only for research. Well, they do research but not in the subject they are supposed to.
I have no solution solving the problem. On the one hand, people want to be religious or at least they look so from the outside. On the other hand, as soon as a computer is around, the Torah seems to be forgotten.
It is high time for the Yeshivot to deal with the problem.
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