Well, Medium Shize Shadchen.

After reading more of your post, I have to say that as one who was inspired to go further, in part, by Matiyahu’s ahavas Yisrael, which he put forth in such a beautifully creative and artistic way, his message and influence and inspiration is in no way diminished one iota. As a man, I dare say he is a precious and sensitive soul.

I owe him tremendous hakaras hatov, and much of the kavana in my davening should be a zcheus to him, as well.

I cannot count how many times in the past year, when davening became rote, or I was looking at my watch, that I thought about the depth and emotion of specific songs of his, and subsequently moved into deep, heartfelt prayer to our Creator.

Those that never liked him anyway are finding this time a golden opportunity to be critical, yet they may be the ones who contributed to his current soul-searching.

But I welcome you to share an attitude that is not a turn off, but one that inspires, as what Matisyahu’s music does even now, during his personal struggle, and I hope, temporary fall.

Hello Medium Size Shadchen.

I hear your point, but not all of us have been able to successfully beat all our challenges; big and small, although I hope we do. I am glad you have, though.

And I am glad you are not taking a harsh stance on someone you never even met or have any clue as to the complexities or goings on in their private life. That shows kindness and wisdom on your part.

Otherwise, you may have ruled he is just a bad man.

Hi mdd.

I am reluctant to say you are wrong at this point. But such a severe statement, if taken in context, and if it means in all cases and not a specific case, should be backed up with more specifics like what sefer, perek, and posuk does Rashi make this comment.

That statement had to be made by a man. And it is not such an intelligent statement. The real intelligence are from the ones who lets the others feel they are more intelligent.

Hatzlacha!

I dont know, maybe it’s just me, but your sister sounds like an accountant in the making. Is she sure she knows enough about the field to make in informed decisions. She seems to have the skills and disposition to be successful in that field.

Just something to rethink.

Why would they start?

Ignorance, lack of self-control, peer pressure; a whole host of reasons unbecoming of a person with any substance or intelligence.

Hi taka.

I dont know if there is anyway to come to grips with it and mitigate the emotional sorrow we all feel when these things, nebuch, happen.

Somehow we have to try to understand it is all in Hashem’s plan, and these cases are for advanced learners, at best.

All I can say is that whether someone lives 13 years or 123 years, the result is the same for everyone. And whether one lives for 13 or 123 years, those ages seem like a small difference when placed in perspective with how long eternity is once the neshama has reached it’s destination.

I guess allow yourself to feel upset and perplexed about this. There is no easy way to come to grips with this on this side of the fence.

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy 120 years!

It is an expression of misery.

It started when a man was forced to go to the opera with his wife.

45 minutes into the opera the man was ready to plotz. Looking at his watch every minute,and after what seemed like hours, he turned to his wife and said he could not take it anymore, and was begging to know if they can leave now.

His wife calmly turned to him and said, “We are not leaving. It aint over until the fat lady over there sings”. At that point, the man shot himself.

True story.

The irony is that this story was subsequently made into an opera.

I dont know of any, offhand.

If she is the last person on earth?

I can only speak about the cd’s “Youth” and “Light”.

They are beautiful in both musical composition and style, as well as in lyrics. The Ahavas Yisrael is inspiring, and dont take that lightly.

Should yidden avoid reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? Listening to Beethoven? Looking at paintings by the masters? Show hate and rejection to kids from frum families who are “staying at a friends house for Shabbos” only to go into the city together and smoke and drink and go to clubs, and worse? Just turn your back on them? Like they are not there?

Matisyahu is obviously going through something that we dont know about. And he may not totally be at fault. Dan lechaf zcheus.

He is not espousing things like nateuri karta. I dont know what he is going through. But the tone of not listening to him as though it is a way of showing him or yourself you are critical of him, seems petty.

Hi ploniyid,

I suggest you are very unfamiliar with the topic even though you mean well.

Those of us who like Matisyahu’s music before all this happened know very well the criticisms of him parroted in knee-jerk reaction from almost every yid we ever mentioned his name to.

….Please…to say the yidden wanted him to shine, is just naive.

Do you really know about this subject prior to the shaving of his beard?

I have seen him numerous times in concert…how about you? You cant tell someone you went to a concert of his or like his music without 99 percent of fellow yidden having to put him down for more reasons than I can count.

Life is strange. Who knows? Perhaps this confused, self-centered, rock star took advantage of a golden opportunity and will amass amazing merit. He believed enough to care for them. Why he neglects himself is a curious thing.

I may be wrong, but in some cases with people who should know better, even embarrassing someone like this may be permissible. Dont quote me on it; correct me if I am wrong.

Hi Wolf,

I dont want to box you into a corner, but again, your statement that, “it’s a matter of practicality” is a bit shallow.

We do not live as Jews for the sole reason the things we do are practical.

Again, maybe you didnt really mean to ask, that if someone does not want to eat OU because of the credibility of the hechsher, “Then what would you eat?”

Hi tahini,

There is no smarter community than ours. Along with that comes a few “know-it-alls”. And part of being a “know-it-all” is that you must make the effort to voice your view and influence others.

This trait can be found, though, in all circles, and it is one that individuals have to learn to handle. There is always pressure to go with the crowd.

Hi O,

There are many reasons they can be against it.

One which I know is going on is siblings are getting their brothers and sisters friend’s numbers from each others Address list and texting and flirting, and, eventually meeting.

They start out anonymous to feel the other out. And being texting is private, many people go further than they would in public.

In my town, they follow up with meeting at the pizza parlor, 7-11, or lake. And it usually ruins their lives for a while.

This thing is WAY more rampant than adults realize.

Hi LAZ,

If there are clean, kosherized books by Shakespeare, they would offer a lot of opportunity to develop reading comprehension and creative analysis as deep as someone can think

A few people have mentioned it already that one cannot assume they are kosher, and I am betting that probably they are not.

I know Lubavitch go out to have people put on tefillin. They approached me last Sunday, with baseball cap, at Six Flags. They may even give a pair away, although I am not promising.

And to avoid controversy about Lubavitch, to me they are wonderfully Jewish and do wonderful kiruv to those severely unaffiliated in the most remote of places.

Hi TU.

If he has talent and is demonstrating it and entertaining, hatzlacha to him. As long as he upholds high standards of conduct, it is a kiddush Hashem, in my opinion.

Suppose I said a religious Jew took a job of second in command of the largest empire in the world? Would people say it was bad for the Jews?

Suppose I told you a prominent religious Jewish person took a job as the chief medical doctor of a ruler in the non-Jewish world?

Suppose I said another great religous Jew conferred with secular, non-Jewish scholars on the linguistics of the French language AND incorporated that language into his limudei kodesh works.

And on and on…. Of course there is the “recommended” path, but sometimes, if one is careful, and they walk the path less walked, we should not be so quick to run out with pitchforks and torches.

Hi Sam2,

As always, I respect your opinion.

But to me, a black hat is just one of the symbols representative of entering the portal of Torah Judaism. While the hat, like a kippa, holds no kedusha on it’s own, it is, nontheless, indicative of a symbol of Jewishness on a Torah level and dignifies a Torah environment.

It would ring dissonant to me to see the the same attire, including a black hat as part of the conservative, reform, and reconstruction environments.

That is just my reaction. For the record, I know some who wear a black hat who are new and very weak in their learning and ability to daven. I do not look down upon them at all.

In a way, it’s like when I was starting out and called up for an aliyah. I really questioned my worthiness to be called up. Maybe I am wrong for that.

But the main point is that blackhatwannabe be should wear his new black hat with great enjoyment, and enjoy the best Shabbos! Someday soon, iy”H, I would like to do the same.

Hi Say.

I guess I was making an obtuse point about the repetition of new threads with the same topic of the “last” something or other for Coffee Room…lol Oh, well…..

Hi mo.

Very possible……. lol

Hi Say.

I hope you had a refreshing sleep, and in general, have a good,

deep sleep. : )

Hi lakewhut.

So, you are saying you did not need my advice? lol

You made a mistake. I said black hats look sharper with the brim down (and I hope you are not taking offense to that..),

It was the post beneath mine which gave the sterling advice of, and I quote, “Wear it on your head :)”, end quote. You cant beat that for geniusian advice, can you? ; )

Also, I hear the people who say a black hat is not attached to any particular madreiga. I agree.

But for me, and where I came from, out of respect, I do feel a certain level of madreiga should be acquired.

Anyway, to get back on topic, blackhatwannabe, and everyone else. Have a great Shabbos!!!

Hey Wolf,

Very funny!

Are you the guy who came up with:

1. Remove food from package before eating

2. Add ice for cold drink

3. To put camera down, see page 5

4. Wear hat on your head

5. Lather then rinse

6. Place socks on either foot.

How aMUSing…. : D

Mazel Tov!

I mean that sincerely. I am not up to that level, even though people tell me I should get a black hat. While I dont judge others who want to wear a black hat who are not yeshivish, for me, I think a certain level of competence in learning has to be achieved to wear one.

While some may think its no big deal, to me, I think it is fantastic that you are doing this, and it says a lot about your growth and commitment, which benefits all of us.

The only tip I have is to wear it with the brim down. It look sharp. I think the brim up and the hat sitting on the back of the head is not as cool.

Have the best Shabbos ever, and enjoy your black hat!

: )