Does Leonardo Di Caprio intermarry ?

B"H

European and Israeli papers have been announcing that Leonardo Di Caprio may marry the Israeli top model Bar Rafaeli. The two have been together for a couple of years.

It just looks like a new intermarriage is coming up, as Di Caprio is not Jewish. Some time ago, there was a rumour that he may convert to Judaism but who can imagine Leo keeping Mitzvot ? The conversion would rather be Reform and thus no real halachic conversion.

Intermarriage always includes tragedy. Usually the parents follow their own personal interests and don't think of later children and their identity. As I said many times before: Jews and Gentiles have different tasks in this world and were created this way. By marrying a non - Jew, a Jew is giving up his identity and many times taking over the customs of the non - Jew. Quite often I heard that many of those "weddings" are being celebrated on Shabbat. Intermarrying on Shabbat ?
Jews don't marry on Shabbat, as a marriage is a contract and making contract is forbidden on the day of rest.

When it comes to a Jewish identity, the non - Jewish partner often tries to keep it away from the Jewish partner. "You don't need that anymore !"
Terrible reactions against the customs against the Jew when it comes to Pessach or other Jewish topics.

Before anyone intermarries, he should definitely speak to an appropriate Orthodox Rabbi. Even if he is not religious. Our ancestors kept their Jewish heritage like a treasure and even during the Holocaust Jews even died for their belief. And today someone is just coming and ready to throw everything away just because he or she sees a "sexy" Gentile ? 

A Day Off

B"H


I took a day off today and walked around in Tel Aviv. 31 degrees summer heat !
I watched a great movie and did not think too much about the haredi world. Just enjoyed the day and life !


The movie they showed at Dizengoff Center was "Made in Germany" and I was surprised how crowded the hall was. Not only old Germans but many younger Israelis.

I can only recommend the movie.
It was quite funny because I am so used to concentrate on Hebrew and suddenly the language was German.

Here is a short trailer of "The White Ribbon" !

Purim Simcha

Looks like this picture was taken at the Belzer Tish in Jerusalem.

Photo: Chadrei HaCharedim

It is all about Amalek

B"H

We are commanded not to forget what Amalek did to us.

Amalek was a grandson of Yitzchak's son Esav. He was the first one ever attacking Jews for no reason (see Exodus - Shemot 17:8). Amalek attacked Israel in order to destroy it. This was pretty new in Jewish history and "Exodus - Shemot" 17:16 lets us know that there will be war between G - d and Amalek from generation to generation.

Meaning, every generation will bring forth someone who wants to kill the Jews for no reason but for being Jewish.

After G - d had taken us out of Egypt, all nations were impressed but NOT Amalek. He alone dared to provoke G d's wrath and started a battle against Him and Israel.

Today, there are different opinions on what and who is Amalek. Easily we tend to accuse all kinds of anti - Semites or nations who are against us of being Amalek. Starting with Rome and later on the Germans during the Nazi Reich. Now some Jews claim that Obama or the Iranian or Syrian presidents are Amalek. Fact is, the battle is not over yet and will continue until Meshiach comes. There will always be nations hating Jews and trying to destroy them.

After Amalek attacked the Jews in Refidim, the next encounter took place 434 years later. When King Shaul ben Kish (from the Tribe of Binyamin) did not destroy the entire nation of the Amalekites but spared their King Aggag. Not following the precise instructions of Shmuel HaNavi (the Prophet Samuel), Shaul made a vital mistake. Aggag had time to beget a son and this son became an ancestor of evil Haman.

Shaul, on the other hand, was an ancestor of Mordechai and Esther. About ten generations were between them.

In the end, Shmuel killed Aggag in Gilgal but some 520 years later, the Jews in Shushan had to suffer from Shaul's mistake. However, Shaul had caused a new Amalek but the Jews in Shushan caused their own "punishment" for being disobedient. It was them neglecting Torah study and many of them participated in the non - kosher meal (party) of Achashverosh. Not only by eating but also by enjoying.

In a way we can understand King Shaul. Isn't it true that some of G - d's orders seem to be cruel in the first place.

"Destroy everyone ! Don't leave anyone alive !"

When we hear this today, well, then we think about the media, what other people (nations) say, about our own conscience. The answer to that is that G - d sees the wider picture, we don't. We only see the NOW. G - d, however, knows exactly what our actions cause to the future generations and if we knew what He does, we would definitely follow His instructions.

But many times we don't because we have our FREE CHOICE in life.

To be honest: I am glad that I was not in King Shaul's situation but … each of us has his or her own situation and while making decisions, we should also take the future into consideration.

_______________________

Source:

PURIM: Season of Miracles

By Rabbi Zechariah Fendel

Sarah Einfeld: New Attack on the Haredi World

B"H

An Israeli haredi forum is gossiping about the latest Sarah Einfeld attack. Haredim would pretend to be so holy but secretly eat non - kosher food, rape or do I don't know what.

My personal opinion is that someone leaving haredi society should concentrate on building up his or her own new life. It goes without saying that there are problems and misbehaviours in haredi society. The same as in other societies. But why pick on the Haredim all the time ? Because Sarah has nothing else to offer ?

It is getting boring and Sarah Einfeld should take herself the Vishnitzer girl as an example !
The daughter of a Vishnitzer Knesset member left her Chassidut and now walks in pants but keeps Shabbat and has very good contact to her parents. In fact, one cannot really call her "becoming secular", as she also keeps kosher.

However, the Vishnitzer girl is doing something. Being involved in politics and trying to get her life done. On the other hand, what Sarah Einfeld does, constantly picking on the haredi world, doesn't get her anywhere.

Chassidic Torah Parashat "Mishpatim"

B"H

Chassidic Torah Parashot (Mishpatim) in all kinds of languages: Yiddish, Hebrew and English !

http://www.ladaat.net/siteimages/fl_4b7513fc271c1.pdf

For instance: The Toldot Avraham Yitzchak, Skver or the Toldot Aharon !

Against YESH

The owners of the haredi supermarket chain Rabbi Shulem Fisher and Nochi Dankner and their "Chilul Shabbat".

The owners of "Yesh" are also ruling over other supermarket chains / factories which are open on Shabbat. They are asked to close their properties down on Shabbat' otherwise the haredi population would avoid buying at "Yesh".

Achmadinejad can go to Hell

B"H

Former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef gave his Purim speech and compared the Purim story to Iran's dictator Achmadinejad. Actually Achmadinejad is the perfect Haman comparison !
Rabbi Yosef thinks the same way and calls Mahmoud Achmadinejad the "Haman of our generation and he can go to hell".

Furthermore Rabbi Yosef mocked the Ashkenazi way of reading the Torah. Israeli Sepharadim love to call Ashkenazi Jews "Ashkentoizim"; referring to the pronouncation of "oi, oi". I see that as rather funny and I am sure that the Rabbi is right by saying that the Ashkenazi way is wrong. Nevertheless, I am not sure if the Sephardi pronounciation is so perfect either.

I avoid using the words "Shvuos", "Sha'alei Shudos" or "Sukkot".
This pronounciation drives me nuts and, as an Israeli, I consider it as stupid. It just sounds wrong !

Rebbe Israel Hager in Modi'in Illit

B"H


The Vishnitzer Rebbe (from Bnei Brak), Rebbe Israel Hager, was visiting the Vishnitzer Mosdot in Modi'in Illit (Kiryat Sefer).

All pictures + video HERE !

Just some Nana Fun

Received from: Religion and State

Shabbat Shalom

Photo: Tapuz

B"H


Sunny and warm weather in Jerusalem ! This is the present weather forecast and a perfect introduction to the new month Adar. It doesn't matter if Purim is coming out in February or March; usually Purim in Jerusalem is mostly cloudy and rainy.


As Rosh Chodesh is coming up, Chassidut Ruzhin - Boyan seems to have a Tish with the Rebbe tonight. I haven't been to any chassidic Tish for quite a while. Not because I have lost interest but sometimes I simply need to do something else. Be with myself, read a book and see other people. Especially when the weather is nice, I like to sit outside in the sun and read a good book. Going to a park instead of sitting inside and stuffing myself at a long Shabbat meal.


"Shabbat Shalom - Gut Schabbes" to everyone and hopefully we will all have a great Chodesh Adar.

Rosh Chodesh ADAR

B"H

On Mozzaei Shabbat, Sunday and Monady, we are celebrating the beginning of the new Jewish month of Adar (Rosh Chodesh Adar).

Adar is the 12th and happiest month of the Jewish calendar. Simcha, joy, is the symbol of Adar. Joy to serve G - d and that G - d caused so many miracles to happen for the Jewish people (Purim and Pessach) (see the book "Shaarei HaMoadim" from Chabad).

According to Sefer Yetzirah (The Book of Creation), each Jewish month represents a certain letter, horoscope, organ, sense and tribe:

- The letter of Adar is the KUF ק

- The horoscope is the fish

- The tribe is Naftali

- The sense is laughter

- The organ is the spleen

Adar 7th is the birthday and the day of death of Moshe.
In another two weeks we are going to celebrate Purim and here is already the exact holiday schedule:

Taanit Esther - Fast of Esther: 25 February,

Purim: 28 February,

Shuschan Purim (celebrated only in cities having a city wall at the time of Yehoshua Bin Nun, as, for instance, Jerusalem): 1 March.

Chodesh Tov - חודש טוב - Have a great new month ! Adar.