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Joseph: Re: your first post, then how do you explain Jews, including Frum Jews, voting for Hillary for Senate in NY and for Obama?
Akuperna is correct. Also, it’s his lack of filter and crude remarks. He is a narcissist, but at the same time, he does a lot of good too and he is not afraid to tell it like it is or follow politically correct stupidity. I would vote for him over any Democrat.
What about Nitro Zeus? That was supposedly a plan if Iran didn’t accept Obama’s capitulation. It’s a public issue now, therefore probably worthless.
The Nevuah is that Persia will destroy the world. Does that mean the entire planet or the known world at the time or something in between? Hashem promised to gather us from all part of the world and bring us to Eretz Yisroel, which appears to be happening right now. If it is to continue after Moshiach comes, how can Iran destroy everything?
We also know that Israel will never be destroyed.
I know of a case where a Rosh Yeshiva proposed a Shidduch between a Talmid and a frum girl whose father was niftar. 2 children later , the chosson decided he did’t want to be frum anymore. The girl’s mother called the Rosh Yeshiva and said, “how can you do this to me.”
The Rosh Yeshiva answered, “We thought that when he got married, he’d straighten out.”
Bottom line, take what anyone says with a grain of salt and use your own judgement and instincts. If you know a of serious problem that could affect the person’s life, you should tell. Ask a Shaila of a Rov who isn’t nogeah b’dovor. When in doubt, don’t speak irrelevant Loshon Horoh, but you should look at it as if it were your child.
DaasYochid: Sorry, I didn’t see the quotation marks that you were responding to someone’s statement.
DaasYochid: I disagree. When someone is called Frum and even Chareidi these days often results by how they dress and present themselves to the world. That is external, but a persons relationship with Hashem is eternal.
The guy in Monsey who sold treif chickens was considered very Frum, or Chareidi as is others who have done some heinous things.
akuperma: Where does it say that “Zionists insist on ruling the Arabs?” What nonsense. Muslims say they want to rule America. Should America hand over the keys?
Who does the Land belong too? Arabs came to Israel from Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia after Jews started returning home. They came for jobs and now claim a non-existent history as “Palestinians.”
Prior to 1948, there was a Palestinian flag. Take a look at it and tell us what you find.
No one wants to rule over them. There are 57 Muslim countries. Let them choose one of them. We’ll be happy to see them go.
80% of what was designated to be a Jewish state was taken away and for another Arab (Palestinian State) called Jordan.
By saying such nonsense, you are effectively calling for Israel to cede Land Hashem gave us and create an indefensible Israel. As many of these so-called Palestinian readily admit, that it would be the first stage of destroying Israel and the murder of 7 million Jews.
You are in effect advocating our destruction and murder. Shame on you.
newbee: Touching the Kotel for the first time, you certainly feel Hashem’s presence. I felt it even stronger when we went on the tunnel tour at the Kotel. This overwhelming feeling comes over you. The tour guide then told us that we were at the closest place to the Kodesh Kedoshim possible.
coffee addict: Hakdamos v’Sha’arim, page 172. The Leshem also writes about it (Sha’arei Leshem, page 489)
Also. Moshaich can come at any time. Techias Hameisim is supposed to begin after Moshiach comes.
Mashiach Agent: The Zohar also says that Techias Ameisim is to begin 210-214 years before the year 6000. We are now only 224 years before the year 6000, giving us at most 14 years before Techias Ameisim, will all that have to occur beforehand. Therefore, Moshiach’s arrival must be pretty imminent and is supposed to occur the year after a Shmittah.
YW Moderator-42: I love your answer.
The bottom line is that we can list so many things that could exclude someone from being a shaliach tzibur that no one would be left.
Joseph: Again, we were not allowed to fight to regain the Land and we didn’t. We are allowed to fight to protect ourselves.
All the signs for the impending Geulah are happening. Deny them all you want, but it is a fact.
The gates to Eretz Yisroel are open now to return home. There are valid reasons that some people have for not doing so right now, like elderly parents. You on the other hand, have been sounding like the Meraglim.
Joseph: Here is the bottom line. Hashem promised us that when the time comes and we start coming home, the Land will bloom again after centuries of laying fallow. That happened.
We also know that the Geulah, which is around the corner, will be like Yetzias Mitzrayim and that 80% of Jews will not make it. Those choosing not to come home will be in big trouble.
I also heard from a number of “Frum” Jews who said, “There were always Jew in Golus, so when Moshiach comes we don’t want to go. History is not on their side. Decision time is getting shorter and shorter. Make all the excuses you want, but it won’t serve you well.
You can also play with whatever statistics you want, but the per capita murder rate in Israel is far lower than in the U.S. Anti-semetic crimes are growing rapidly. What is happening in Europe will happen in the U.S. to the point that even you can’t deny it.
Joseph, of course, Hashem wants all Jews to live in NY. Doesn’t the Torah say that? It’s safer in Israel than NY and when Muslim feel more secure and as their numbers are growing, you will have much more problems, as is happening around the world. The slightest thing gts reported here, but check police reports and FBI statistics and you’ll be shocked.
At least in Israel, we have protection from Hashem and a proactive policing policy, not like the States, where the police show up in time to call the coroner.
Nice story and very good chinuch.
As an aside, some OUD products are really parve and just dairy equipment.
Avram in MD: Also, a big difference. Taxing retiree benefits for the elderly with higher incomes is vastly different than a real dollar cut for lower income elderly. While I don’t agree with that provision, it’s still a big difference.
Give us an example of Republican lying to the elderly using scare tactics about their source of income.
Avram in MD: Increasing taxes on working people is NOT cutting seniors. Taxes get increased all the time and will continue to be be raised.
That is a far cry from scaring seniors, who are current recipients, that the Republicans will cut or even take away many seniors sole source of income. That scare tactic is despicable and can literally take years off a person’s life.
I knew a frail senior on Maryland, who happened to be very conservative, who was going to vote for Al Gore because of that scare tactic.
Republicans are foolish by always running scared of the leftist media and not fighting back, often caving in on issue. What passes for the current national Democratic party and their tactics are just EVIL!
Check out BLU and Nexus.
charliehall: First of all, the only ones ever to cut those programs, like SS or Medicare, have been Democrats (Clinton and Obama). They talk a good game and scare the elderly that if you don’t vote for them, you’ll lose those benefits. That is EVIL!
The welfare programs have harmed society by destroying family life. My cousin was a welfare social worker in NY when those programs first started and he saw how the temporary split in families, who were intact, happened in order to get benefits, became permanent. That breakdown in family life has ruined society.
Just because some Frum people benefit, doesn’t make it good. People who scam the system, and there are many, makes for a Chillul Hashem. You know the old Williamsburgh approach to living on “MUSAF” even when working off the books? Also, it is not Tzedaka when you demean the recipient either, which the system does.
Also, even if it were done with the best of intentions, the programs were supposed to be a last resort (ha ha), not the first option so you don’t have to earn a living.
Joseph: I don’t think that is automatically the case. There are plenty of people who are Talmidei Chachomin that don’t want to rely on others to support them or to over burden their wives.
Most Kollel people are very genuine, but not all. You can’t always judge a book by its cover.
Yes Joseph. For clarity of the point I wanted to make, I should have asked if your wife is the one who asked for access, or you wanted her to have it?
Joseph: I’m curious, are there trust issues in your relationship? If there are, get help now! I would never think to ask such a question.
As for me, my computer is open day and night, except Shabbos, as is my e-mail. My wife could look at it if she wanted without my knowledge, but she doesn’t and I don’t look at hers either. We have no such need, especially when you know there is nothing to hide.
DaasYochid: That’s reasonable. Years ago, you never heard of a Frum person living in a college dormitory. They may have lived off campus with other Frum people, but that’s it.
In my day, we went to college, took our classes and left. We never hung around or got involved in anything besides our classes.
DaasYochid: Where is that? I never heard such a thing. There are plenty of Chassidim and Yeshivish kids going off the derech, for various reasons also. Tragically, no group is immune.
The term “Modern Orthodox” has changed its meaning to include anyone not Chareidi. It’s in the eye of the beholder. The problem is really that there are too many labels and all that does is divide people at a time when we need Achdus the most..
Mashiach Agent: Do you listen to shiurim in your car, as many people do? Isn’t that using technology too? If something helps someone learn more and better, why does that disturb you?
kfb: First, when I lived in NY, there was talk of tuition tax credits. The first thing Yeshiva’s did was raise tuition on the basis of something that never happened.
Second and even more important. Government funds ALWAYS come with strings attached. Do you want your young children learning from the book, “Johnny has two daddies?”
The less government involvement the better. Besides, haven’t they done a great job with their school systems?
Any Shul that objects to someone davening there that isn’t of their particular group, is not a Shul that anyone should daven in.
I davened in a Chassidishe steibel for a very long time. Nobody was ever turned away because they were not Chassidish or Yeshivish and everyone was welcome.
I’ve seen the same thing in every Shul I’ve ever davened in. It’s probably rare that a Shul would discourage people from Davening there.
If you see Jews who cause harm to other Jews or Eretz Yisroel, the odds are great that they are Eirev Rav.
I seriously doubt that it’s correct to say that just because someone isn’t Frum, they are Eirev Rav. Not everyone was fortunate to have grown up in a Jewish environment and have a proper Jewish education.
If you want to get an example of the modern day Eirev Rav, look no further than those sickos in NK who go to Iran, or those that protest in the Streets of Eisav against Israel.
It’s fine to oppose the Israeli government, but it is not fine to cause harm to Jewish living in Eretz Yisroel.
This is a universal issue. Many comments people make are clearly for anti-semetic reasons and some just grab at any reason they can think of to oppose any change. Sometimes, their concerns are understandable and impact the quality of their lives, like putting a chicken processing plant within or near a residential community.
At the same time, everyone, including Frum Jews want to maintain the character of their communities and will resist any change.
Siting economical reasons of stores being closed on Shabbos or Jews not spending money on Shabbos, is ridiculous. Do any of us spend less money because of it? We just spend it on different days. That’s an example of grabbing at straws in an attempt to justify an absurd opinion.
Bottom line, we should also look at things objectively and put ourselves in the other person’s shoes to see if they have a reasonable concern before we jump to the anti-semetic card.
Shopping613: Doesn’t your High School give you guidance? I do know that there is a Bais Yaakov type seminary with a H.S. affiliated with it in Gvat Shaul.
Seminaries geared to American charge much more than they can charge Israeli’s. That’s prob. why they don’t want you.
Joseph: You think America doesn’t spy on Israel? I got news for you, they always have and they’ve caused us plenty of trouble.
Just recently, the IDF informed its soldiers that the CIA is trying to recruit them and what to do if approached.
Your a bit naive.
Yes, Israel owes the U.S. HaKores HaTov for the good it has done, but it is not a one way street. Israel saves the U.S. far more in research and development than it was given. Most of the money stays in the U.S. and provides jobs to Americans.
Israel take military hardware, refines it and gives the changes to the U.S., Israel prevented the old Soviet Union from dominating the Middle East, which greatly benefited the U.S. Israel provides the U.S. with priceless intelligence information that the U.S. would have to spend untold billions and still probably wouldn’t get.
Then there is all the scientific and other inventions and so many more benefits, too numerous to mention in a forum like this.
At the same time, the U.S. has don’t lots to harm Israel too, causing thousands of Jewish deaths. These phony “peace” processes and forcing Israel into suicidal concessions are but one example.
Even the Pollard situation. While Pollard was wrong, he gave Israel critical intelligence information that the U.S. refused to give, which was a violation of a treaty, just to placate the Arabs. Also, Pollards sentence was far more severe than sentences given to people spying for enemy states.
It’s not one sided and it’s not a clear-cut issue.
Mammele: oy, Baruch Dayan Emes. I had no idea.
Barry – “Growing up in the States and going to Yeshiva, to see the level of learning the children have in Israel boggles the mind. There is no comparison. My only regret is that I didn’t raise my children in Eretz Yisroel, though most live here now.”
You see – you didn’t go to the right Yeshivas!
Heath: We were discussing the differences of Yeshiva Ketana’s and there is a major difference. The knowledge of Frum children in Israel far exceeds their counterparts in chutz La”Aretz.
The bottom line in general is, if your foundation is stronger, so is the quality of learning at every level.
yytz: Absolutely right. Growing up in the States and going to Yeshiva, to see the level of learning the children have in Israel boggles the mind. There is no comparison. My only regret is that I didn’t raise my children in Eretz Yisroel, though most live here now.
akuperna: Those “uncouth vulgar barbarians with disgusting habits who will stop at nothing to uproot Torah ve funded Torah learning more than anyone else in history.
You persist in the outright lie that they are trying to destroy Torah. The original secular zionists no longer exist and even they funded Torah, for whatever their motivations were.
zahavasdad: Rabbi Pinchas Winston writes extensively about these issues. As far as people in circumstance beyond their control, one of which you mentioned, he says that even if someone can’t make Aliyah as a result, they should at least want to do so.
The weirdest thing I’ve seen is Falsha Fish, which is made from chicken, but taste just like Gefilte Fish. Why bother?
You need to live here at least 3 years and be approved by a certified instructor, have a clean record and then get government approval. You don’t have to be fluent in Hebrew, but the application forms are in Hebrew only.
There is a big problem with how the term “Modern Orthodox” has evolved in the minds of many people here.
Now, many of you consider MO to be anyone who is not Chareidi. The term was always used for people with the Hashkofo of Avi Weiss. Most people who you would call MO are so far from that view. Within every category, there is a wide range of perspectives.
Now, people who are Yeshivish are also called Chareidi, but there is also a difference.
I think we should drop all the labeling altogether. It’s just a means to divide us at a time where everything depends on Achdus.
The old D’vekus tune or newer, but slower, Rabbi Menachem Goldberger from Baltimore. It’s very nice. You can google it.
Jerusalem reader: I wasn’t judging anybody, just making an observation. Every situation is different. I do have three married children, with families, who made Aliyah. B”H, each made it work in their own way. I also know many people, with children who made Aliyah and they adapted and are making it work too.
There are also plenty of people in the States, who have not made Aliyah and aren’t really making it there either. You can’t blame making Aliyah for their struggles. Unfortunately, that happens no matter where you are.
Joseph: Neither one of us can comment on that because we don’t know Their circumstances and their decisions that may have impacted it.
I know of a very successful lawyer, who is very wealthy, who didn’t make it either and went back. Then you find out their spending habits and lifestyles and you see why they didn’t make it.
I also know people who couldn’t get a job in their profession in Israel, who adapted and are doing other things to make it work because they wanted it bad enough.
People make choices. I don’t see you disparaging people, nor should you, who choose a frugal lifestyle because they want to sit and learn Torah.
zahavasdad: There used to be this joke in NYC that their are more Phd’s driving taxi’s than working in their degreed professions. You adapt and do what’s necessary.
i said so: From personal experience, I found that when wanting it enough ( making Aliyah) for the right reasons, everything just seemed to fall into place. We make our efforts and necessary adjustments and Hashem helps us the rest of the way.
I only wish we had the sense to have done it many years ago.
There are plenty of people who make it work. Some with jobs in Israel, others telecommute or periodically go back to the States.
The bottom line is why are we in Israel to begin with?
The world is collapsing. It is pretty obvious, or it should be by now, and that the Geulah process is under way. We all have choices to make about where we will be in this process and what side we will be on.
Change is never easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Not everyone can make Aliyah for various legitimate reasons, but at least want it.
Joseph: There are far more potentially very big frumkeit pitfalls for American children living in the U.S.
i said so: I know Frum people who were having lots of problems with their kids in the U.S. and made Aliyah. Their kids weren’t thrilled at first, but then, they made friends with very stable kids on the Yishuv and they thrived, by comparison to their former life.
There is an adjustment for everyone and any age, but at the end of the day, the quality of life is so far superior in Israel and has much more meaning. Kids have much more freedom, are far more mature and less materialistic than in Chutz La’Aretz.
My daughter made Aliyah with her husband and four children. The kids speak Hebrew like Israelis and are shocked when they see how their friends from the States are turning out.
Here, most everything around you is Jewish. Even the Egged buses wish you Shabbat Shalom or Chag Someach.
The trick to a successful Aliyah is to prepare yourself as much as possible, go with the flow and don’t have unreasonable expectations. You will make friends and everyone is willing to help you in any way possible. It help to live in a location most suitable for you and your family. Israelis often come across as rude or combative, but they have hearts of gold and best of all (most of the time), we are all family…in a good sense.
Economically, you will probably make less money, unless you are able to keep jobs in the States, but not having to pay exorbitant tuitions and health insurance far more than make up for the difference in income.
Nefesh B’ Nefesh is a phenomenal resource. Make use of them. Also, check out communities and schools. People are very happy to put you up. Spend a Shabbos in a community to really get the feel of it.
We made Aliyah three years ago. I can’t begin to tell you how it has enriched our lives in so many ways. It is our home. This is where Hashem wants us.
Best wishes for a successful Aliyah.
always runs with scissors fast: First, enjoy yourself. When going to the Kotel, before I bought a car, I would take a taxi to the Kotel. It’s not expensive and you can avoid Arab areas, which Egged goes through.
Avi K: Just someone? I use primarily Otzer Bais Din. There is also outside of the Shmittah Gevul and from Chutz La’Aretz. I would never use Badatz because it is Gevul Nochri, a euphemism for Arab produce. Badatz successfully lobbied to allow the poison from Gaza to enter Israel.
Are we to support the terrorists who try to kill us? Even Heter Mechirah is better than that.
By the way, there is also other Halachic problems using Arab garbage. There are Arabs are halachically Jews, so there is a problem with using their produce because you don’t know who is whom and neither do most of them. Also, some unscrupulous Israeli farmers sell produce to Arabs who then sell it back to the Israeli market.
Joseph: You’re well on your way to that.
Mexico always chastised the U.S. for any illegal immigration enforcement, well, when that actually existed. Check what Mexico does to illegals who enter Mexico!
Mesopotamia: You are not being liberal at all. That’s the way it should be. Maybe there would be more Baalei Teshuva if there was more interactions among our brethren instead of people looking down of them.
The mentality of some of our people is warped and clearly not the Torah way. We should be educating others and set the right example that they want to emulate.
Years ago, we were in BP, where I grew up. My wife was wearing a sheitel and was dressed tznius and young Chassidish kids called her a “goya.” They were stunned when she answered them in fluent Yiddish. The point is, that they got that mentality from somewhere, even towards other Frum people.
B”H, most people aren’t like that, but to me, that mentality causes the delay in Moshiach’s arrival.
Ashreinu: I agree with you completely. I think part of the problem is that some people try to out-Frum everyone else, as if it’s some kind of contest. The wacko stuff that often results makes somewhat of a farce of the term.
Another issue is that too many people believe Frum means an external thing, like dressing the part, (I’m not speaking of a Tznius issue) as opposed to acting the part.