Thursday Morning Links

Maliner Rebbe's Business Card
American Judaism May Change
R' Avigdor Miller: What to do about a meddling shvigger
1923: Gerrer Rebbe lifts railway ban

I guess the Gerrer Rebbe didn't hear about the terrible sin of התגרות באומות - Telling Jews to boycott the Polish Railway?! What was he thinking?! Did Moshiach come yet? no. So we're supposed to "turn the other cheek" and say thank you, sir! I am your humble servant until the Messiah arrives. Also, the Rabbi Schneerson of Homel is probably Prof. Fishel Scheerson's father, Reb Schneur Zalman Schneerson, (son of the Retchitcher Rebbe, Reb Sholom Ber, son of MaHaRiL of Kopust) great-grandson of the Tzemach Tzedek and Rov of Homel. I'm not sure what it means when it says that Rabbi Barashansky, who was the Misnagdishe Rov, was a witness that the Rabbis had performed these functions...

The oylem is scratching their heads about the ad that appeared in an Israeli leaflet that gets distributed in Bnei Beraq and Beit Shemesh. Tanya, Maamorei HaRaSHaB and V'Yoel Moshe.... who is giving these shiurim and what does he want?

BOTD

בני אברהם אהוביך     - Geirim in Chassidic Thought  

Review: [For Two Cents Plain] Dov ben Avraham has written a book that is truly a "first," in any language. With this readable, well-organized volume, he has presented a wide range of Chassidic teachings related to converts to Judaism and the conversion process, accompanied by his own insightful explanations of kabbalistic ideas. His work was reviewed by many prominent rabbis, whose letters of approbation appear at the beginning of the book. Plus there are essays relevant to the subject by others, including several well-known Breslov teachers. This should be of great interest to anyone interested in this subject, particularly since much of this material is hard-to-find. It also shows another side of the usually insular Chassidic world: its strong affirmation of those who are "Jewish by choice." For all this, the author deserves our gratitude.

The "Pop Chassid" Speaks

When Judaism Becomes a Drug 

Please, let's have some intelligent conversation about this topic, I know we can do it, I trust in you people. Don't let me down here. Let's see what the Lubavitchers here are capable of. (I don't necessarily agree with every word he writes there.)

תמונת מצב - חצה"ק "איירמאנט" - הושע"ר תשע"ב לפ"ק

 
It seems like Airmont (i.e. Lipa Schmeltzer) has made a hard left turn. We're used to his concerts pushing the envelope every time just a little bit more, but this surprised even a pretty Liberal guy like myself. If I didn't know better I'd say that this was a Purim Shpiel in the CCCP, circa 1926. I've defended Reb Lipa here several times, so you can trust that I have no agenda when it comes to Mr. Schmeltzer. I suppose he's trying to be the new Shlomo Carlebach, but even Shlomo didn't make a mockery of davenen. The things you saw were the natural sentiments of some of the people attending services, not some kind of joke. Yes,I don't think the pictures were taken during the actual davening,but it is supposed to DEPICT it. Shlomo would not allow any talking during tefillos in his shul, and he most definitely wouldn't have it turn into some kind of performance. I'm not sure what Mr. Berrry Weber is trying to show with that wrapped Esrog he's holding, but it's crass. Lipa: we appreciate what you do when it comes to helping Jews in need, both spiritual and physical, but you don't need to do this. Stick to what you do best, which is to make Jews happy. Stay out of the Rebbe business.

Please.

Mr. Berri Weber and his Esrog...