bja613

I was so relieved to read the above monologue as it spoke the thoughts I have always had. There are many positive messages from the mentioned videos and that is why they should be aired at the times of the year between holidays/ mourning days to ignite the dimming flame that can happen during the ‘dry spells’ in the Jewish calendar. On the 9th of Av there is a specific avodah we are meant to involve ourselves with. The mentioned videos, as positive as they may be, divert our attention from that avodah. On this day we use the building up of the three weeks to sit (low) and attempt to connect with the pain that is felt so-to-speak by the Shechina while yearning to reconnect with the relationship to Hashem that was meant to be.
My Mashkiach who had a lot to say about Tisha B’Av would never speak on TB but rather only speak before mincha erev TB. He would explain, TB is meant for people to be alone contemplating and not in groups listening. He never dreamed the day would come where TB shmoozes would be replaced by watching movies.
If one accomplishes what needs to be done on TB then the coming weeks afterwards would be a time to hear the different lessons that can be learned from the must-see videos.

As long as camp is the subject- here is a thought to ponder.I never understood how parents who keep a watchful chinuch eye on their children all year, hand them over to a 19 year old to be the mechanech for 2 months. Does the director really know if the counselor is 100% mentally stable? And even if he is, I know I have invested a lot in knowing how to speak in a way that builds a child etc. and ways to nurture in a positive way his yiddishkeit. Why would I want that to be absent 1/6 of the year or possibly even be destructive. That everyone is doing it and it all seems to work out- usually, is not a sufficient answer when dealing with our most important investment.
I can specifically remember a horrifying experience that occurred with the OD and my bunk when the OD was ensuring we were going to sleep. That was 40+ years ago and the generation has worsened in a way that such an incident is not hard to imagine happening these days.
Any thoughts?

There seems to be some debate in this blog whether the poskim are politically motivated. Yes or no- more importantly though is the motivation of those desiring to ascend the Har. Are they and the pro bloggers here interested in reaching the place where they can better connect to HKBH and have their prayers answered? Or maybe their ascent is for the most-part politically motivated.

Realizing that the ascent should be done for religious purposes as it is a religious place – I believe one should look past the machlokes haposkim and say to himself that maybe HKBH most appreciates those who look past their desires and at the very least are slightly concerned about that which is known regarding the opinions of some big name poskim who assur.

Does one really believe that one day HKBH will ask you to answer -“why did you not ascend my Har” Do you think that “I feared those who assured” will not suffice as an answer? I personally believe that the best place to have your prayers answered is at the kotel while contemplating “G-d, I would rather pray in a place even closer but I fear the small chance that it is wrong- so please accept me from here!”