On Comment moderation

I'll try and keep it off when I'm in front of the computer, that way you'll have "INSTANT GRATIFICATION".

I guess it's part of my job here.

ראסטאוו - ב' ניסן - פ"ו שנה

בזיעת אפיך תאכל לחם

Introspection

No, I'm not doing Tshuveh and becoming a Yeshivisher, I want to bring up a point.

According to Moreinu HaBaal Shem Tov, the Ma'amar "כל הנגעים אדם רואה חוץ מנגעי עצמו" That any shortcomings that a person sees on his friend, איז דאס מנגעי עצמו, it's a Negah that he has, and he sees it in his friend in order for him to rectify the situation.

If so, and using that logic, do we say that Chassidim suffer from a Gayveh problem, hence the accusations against non-Chassidim?

Do Misnagdim suffer from questions in Emunah that they question anybody and everybody who makes a statement about a Tzaddik, and do they have hidden affinities for X-tianity that they accusee others of adhering to its principles?

Do Kanoyim have issues with women and Shmiras Eynayim that they "see" everything that could be problematic and always focus on it, even before Kol Nidre?

Why Tomchei Tmimim?

Listening to some people you would think that there really was no need for the Yeshivoh that the Rebbe Rashab founded in Lubavitch, the existing houses of learning were more than fine.

Why all it did was to stir up more controversy amongst Frum Jews at a time when they had no time for infighting, right?

The secular movements that flourished in the great Yeshivos of Lithuania were just a small minority, and as long as the few Gedolim came out of those Yeshivos who cares about the others, right?

All they did in Tomchei Tmimim was waste hours upon hours on "Kabboloh" and Tanya and drink vodka, right? They never reached the Gadlus baTeyreh that they did in Mir and Slabodka, let alone Telz, right?

Lots of Zionists and secularists came out of Lubavitch too, so what's the difference, Chassidus is no cure to anything, it's just embellished Mussar, right?

The Baal Shem Tov and Reb Yisrel Salanter both had the same name and they both started "movements", so they must be of equal stature, right?

No Godol ever came out of Lubavitch, so what did they accomplish, right?

Religious Bloc

The Rebbe would speak often of a Chazit Datit, a religious bloc, all Religious parties running together at elections, with each one maintaining his independence after the elections. The Moetzes couldn't fathom doing it, they claimed it would hurt their independence. Yeah, I know, they have Daas Torah. The damage done for lack of voting as a bloc is actually twofold.

1) less was and will be accomplished as far as instituting laws that would strengthen the religious character of the country as a whole, not just for "Unzere" and "Heimishe". Although they claim to want to strengthen it, they miss chance after chance.

2) It increased the distances between the different segments of the religious public. Although they claim that going together with the Mizrachi is worse than sitting with Labor or Likud, it would've done tremendous good.

Now, after last year's disengagement, a move that affected the Religious Zionists tremendously, and disenfranchised them from the State, I hope it will show all of us, that although we have differences, and although we may have some different priorities, the similarities are greater. At least when issues concerning security are concerned, let's see if the Agudah and Shas, as well as the Religios Zionists will be able to say that they had no part in it. It need not diminish the importance of the funding of Mosdos HaTorah or Government stipends to families.

I apologize

I apologize that you had to see those comments. It seems like some people are incapable of civilized debate, let alone civilized writing. It won't happen again. Comment moderation has been turned on until the pervert has been deemed a non-risk. I will iy"h allow comments as always, I'll just have to delete the profanity.

To the pervert who was probably abused by his Rebbi as a child I say this: You have emboldened me now like never before, I know that the points have hit home. I just wish you'd get help from a competent professional.

A whole lot of nothing

The Agudath Israel of America is on a major damage control campaign these days. It seems like they were told off by donors for not standing up against the disengagement last year, and now they're trying hard to make up for it. At least in Israel the Agudah sold out for money for Yeshivos and child stipends, but in America what was their excuse for not standing up against it?

Now they suddenly remembered their "brothers" in Gush Katif! Here's what this week's "HaModia" had to say:

This Year your brother lost his home.
(yeah, we know, but where were you?)

He lost his job.
(what did you do about it?)

He's your brother. He needs your help.
(suddenly we're brothers?)

Agudath Israel of America GUSH KATIF PESACH FUND.

THERE CAN BE NO DISENGAGEMENT FROM ANOTHER JEW'S PAIN.

Then they go on to say that it's in answer to a call from Gdolei Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel to help ease the Pesach burden of the Jews of Gush Katif! The same Rabbonim who couldn't make it to a Tefillah rally at the Kosel days before. The same Rabbonim that were dancing on these people's blood, clarifying their so-called positions on Zionism and that the Jews in GK should rethink their priorities re: Zionism and that the Jews there were wrong to put their trust in the secular governments! The hypocrisy is just awesome!

What can I say? I'm skeptical. I doubt the sincerity of this Schnorr campaign. It's not Agudah lingo. Maybe I'm wrong, I've been wrong before.

נישט אומזינסט זיינען מיר ניט אגודיסטען

a Princess

Chava Gurary, wife of Zalmen, and daughter of the Kopishnitzer Rebbe zt"l, a true Bas Kedoshim, was Niftar Friday.




(at their wedding)


(Zalmen and his Shver)

(Photos by Shturem

Stoking the coals, fanning the flames

The Rusty nail, aka Yated Ne'eman, found it necessary on Friday, 4 days before the Israeli elections, when many Lubavitchers are contemplating voting for United Torah Judaism, (Gimmel), to re-open old wounds, and re-ignite old hatred, much to the dismay of the Chassidic factions in Gimmel.

Former MK Shlomo Lorentz's memoirs were the culprit this time. He had to mention מרן'ס great Milchemes Mitzvah in establishing Degel HaTorah, because otherwise how would they earn the title "defenders of Torah"? I have no problem with him writing his memoirs, and let him write about "Murun" all he wants, but was there no better time for this?

"מרן הקים את דגל התורה ויתד נאמן, כדי להלחם נגד הרבי ושיטתו, משום שבעיניו זו היתה המלחמה החשובה ביותר" נכתב בכתבה. "אך לא בקלות נכנס מרן לקלחת זו. באחת ההזדמנויות אמר כי היה מעדיף שאחרים ינהלו את המערכה במקומו, ברם, לאחר שנוכח כי אין מי שיהין להיכנס בעובי הקורה, והוא נשאר בודד במערכה, מוטל עליו לעשות כל שבכוחו, בלי שום ויתור".

לורנץ מספר גם מדוע הוקם ההכשר "שארית ישראל": "בשנת תשמ"ו נפטר רבה של בני ברק, ובמקומו מינו את בנו, המשתייך לתנועת חב"ד. דעתו של מרן לא הייתה נוחה ממינוי זה, והוא הקים גוף כשרות עצמאי לבני תורה, "שארית ישראל'".

So, in short, instead of fighting assimilation, wholesale Reform conversions, and a whole host of other burning issues, the Vabolniker Tzadik set everything aside to fight Chabad.

Beautiful.

See COL
and Shturem

The Chassidic MKs, Litzman and Porush, are working hard on damage control, but I'm afraid that was the last straw, Chabad was reminded of where they stand. Maybe it's not such a bad thing.

Not that it's necessary

But, for those who question the validity of it, Shturem.net brings HaRav Henkin's Haskomoh on Mikvaos with a Bor a"g Bor

The Bilbul haMeychen in this subject and the lies spread about supposed Tshuves from Poskim is mindboggling. No amount of Kuntreysim and Seforim published to counter that lie will be totally successful in dispersing the lie, but we do what we can.

In its entirety:

MBD, where's your pride?

MBD's new album אפשר לתקן is sure to be a hit, even if it can't be danced to at weddings. The message is based on Reb Nachman Breslover zy"a's vort, אם אתה מאמין שיכולים לקלקל תאמין שיכולים לתקן, That it's never too late to correct to correct your wrongdoings, and just like you were able to "sabotage" or "ruin" so too can youy correct, the gates of heaven are always open to Tshuvah. "The Tzaddik meets a broken Yid on the street who has just about given up on life, he tells him "אל תתייאש" , Im Ata Maamin etc. (I hope the Breslovers here will elaborate on the concept).

MBD however, although strongly influenced by Breslov, both from his Rebbe Reb Itche Meir Morgenstern and from elsewhere, is still a BP kind of guy, where Breslov is for loonies (r"l). He edits the "Reb Nachman" in the story, opting to replace him with the more accepted "The Tzaddik", "הצדיק הלך ברחוב". Now, there may not have been an actual meeting of Reb Nachman with a Yid where he told him this line, but the Vort nevertheless is from Reb Nachman, so why not say so? Which PR genius told you it would hurt sales? don't they know that Breslov today is a "Big Seller"?!

For those interested here's a 5 minute clip of MBD in Medzibuzh Shabbos Zochor of this year, with his Rebbe, Reb IM Morgenstern, the man in the white robe and Spodik. Also seen, for you music buffs, is Shlomo Simcha Sufrin of Shlomo Simcha fame, next to MBD, in the Kasket. I am forever indebted to Tzemach for teaching me, in absentia, how to post Google video onto a website.

Great Old Sound

What I'm listening to now

These old LP's sound great!





Can you guess who the soloist is on "Boruch Hu"?

Our own worst enemies

Speaking about the Twerskis I realized this.

As a kid I heard (from Bobover circles) that the Twerskis were banished from their home in Bobov by Reb BenZion of Bobov hy"d for being too involved with secular studies, or something to that effect. That, in turn, made them leave for America, where the rest is history. What's my point?, as TA would ask, (as if him regurgitating Liozhna and BG has a point?) The point is as follows:

Lubavitchers have a problem keeping their mouths shut, they'll do anything to hurt their adversaries, even if it means hurting the Rebbe as well. We have seen that from conversations in cyberspace discussing everything from the Rebbe, the Frierdige Rebbe, the extended family, and Chassidim, distinguished Chassidim too. Strangely enough, the same "mindset" that makes them so proud of their Chabad heritage and affiliation is what allows them to speak so freely and openly. ביי אונז איז אלעס אפעןthey say in Chabad, and many times too open. If that would've happened in Lubavitch there would be books "exposing" the fact, as well as cries of coverups and propaganda.

Getting back to the issue at hand; to those who say that Lubavitchers have covered up their shortcomings I say this: You don't know the half of it,and you have no idea what others have covered up, not even the tip of the iceberg. I wish I didn't need to write this, really I do, and I'm sorry if I sound like a whiner. There was no intention to ch"v defame the Twerski family, not that I did anyway.

In his debut role....

Hold the guilt, please

Heresy = "An opinion held in opposition to the commonly received doctrine, and tending to promote division or dissention."

I was talking to this yungerman at a Kiddush yesterday. Truthfully he's not the average Chassidishe Yungerman, but only because he decided not to be. In short he's mad at G-d for making him Jewish, and with a guilty conscience to boot. He'd like to abandon Yiddishkeit but he can't because his conscience won't let him, it keeps him up at night if he sins. This man has raised 7 good kids like this, without ever hiding his feelings, and oh, he's got a mouth like a sewer too.

We got on to the discussion by mentioning what else? Lubavitch. He said that he pities the Shluchim - Meshiloochim - was his word, for being forced to go on Shlichus to places like Hong Kong and Atlanta. "Forced?, by whom" was my reaction, but he was adamant in his views, stubbornly so, not wanting to hear out what I had to say. כפה עליהם הר כגיגית was his response, I was forced by Har Sinai, and I now have no choice, since I now feel guilty when I do an Aveirah.

What I'd like to know is the following:

1) How and why does a guy like this who claims to be afraid only of his guilty conscience, continue living his life, on the outside as a religious Jew? Obviously he only goes through the motions when it comes to Torah and Mitzvos, but if society is not his issue, and he speaks openly of true intentions, then he obviously doesn't care what people think, so why continue wearing a Shtreimel and Bekeshe and bothering to roll up your long beard every morning?

2) The contradictions abound as well. Here's a man who does things only because he feels guilty about them later. He does not worry about Schar and Eynesh, at least it wasn't mentioned in his discussion, I'm not quite sure why not though. Does he believe in them? it would seem like he does, since he quoted the Gemoroh of Kofoh Aleyhem etc., and if he didn't believe it he probably wouldn't quote it. If the wole problem is guilt wouldn't it go away after a while? After all he's not the only who's left the fold, correct? So what's the big deal here?

3) What does a child like that think when he hears these words from his father?, and I know he does because one son was present during our conversation, can he just tune it out and let his Yeshivah education take over? Yeshivos after all don't discuss such matters, so how would his Yeshivah education counter such talk?

It just isn't fair to those who do put in their sweat and blood into their kids religious upbringing....

From the Algemeiner

Is the Ponovezh Split Koved HaTeyreh?


דער אלטער פון נאווארדאק אנטוישט מיר

עשה לך רב

Our friend SG would like to prove somehow that it needs to be א לעבעדיגער רב, maybe, maybe not. Let's preface it with a vort:

The question is why did the B'nei Yisroel make the עגל? they had Aron, Chur, and the Z'Keynim from which to choose, so why go to a calf? The answer is אז מיר ווילען משה רבנו, און אויב נישט משה איז בעסער נעמען א קעלבל , ווייל אזוי וועט מען זיך נישט איינרעדן אז ס'איז א רבי.

Today, we are witnessing the wholesale acceptance of Kelblech as Rebbes, but I doubt it's because they're so Mekusher to Moshe Rabbeinu. Now, before you accuse me of "Peylisher bias", take a poll of the average Chassidishe Yungerman and ask him what he thinks of today's Rebbes, I believe you'll hear the same from him. Are these Rebbes "Ravs" in the sense of the Mishna, I think not. Most of their people pay lip service to them and do not respect their opinion as being connected to G-d. Sure, they'll go in for a Kvitel before Rosh HaShonoh and when making a Simchah, but it's going through the motions, nothing more. Is that called a "Rav", just because he's alive?

On the flip side; A Lubavitcher Chossid (or Breslover for that matter) who lives by the Rebbe's Sichos and MaaMorim, Follows the Rebbe's Takonos, visits the Tziyun regularly, and requests that the Rebbe intercede for him when necessary, believing that the Rebbe can implore for him, does he NOT have a Rav?

I'm not saying that this is an ideal situation that we have on our hands, but does anybody have it better today?

What I learned this Purim

(actual bottle consumed by the Tzig)

Single Malt Scotch is great to drink, especially if you need to go back to work on Shushan Purim.

Chassidus Chabad is רייך on Megillah and Purim, not that it was a Chiddush, but it was reassuring.

Gerer Bocherim like to have fun like anybody else, Purim and a little wine brings it out.

We really should be able to get along beautifully, a little wine shows me that, it's the zealots that ruin everything.

My Favorite "Hasidic-Reggae-Rapper"

(I cannot, for the life of me, remember where I took the Picture from......)

Jews with issues

Reckless Rites : Purim and the Legacy of Jewish Violence
(Jews, Christians, and Muslims from the Ancient to the Modern World)
(Hardcover)
by Elliott Horowitz

Interesting Reviews, too

Get Yours Here. Cheap too!

Why is it that Jews can't just enjoy their Yomim Tovim without feeling guilty?