Sadly, that part of the book will enter the “realm of romance” to the sensitivity of 7th grade girls.

I do see the point of banning the book.

Hi Avi K.

I am not sure what you are explaining. Perhaps I represented it incorrectly.

I was told there is a time after benching licht, about 20 minutes, where a man can still be involved doing things that cannot be done on Shabbos.

It was during that time that someone saw R’ Feinstein Zatzal, being dropped off. The person approached him later on, and R’ Feinstein Zatzal, explained the situation to him and went on to say that if it does not look right, then it is not right and he wont do that again. Something to that effect..

Hi Bowwow.

No, I was serious. There is a Nosh Anonymous for Purim. It was started by Phil W.

Anyway, hatzlacha in your twelve step endeavor!

And mostly, all the best to all those affected by someone who is addicted.

Hi MonseyFan.

Boots? As in sideburns?

I think there is an ambiguous understanding of boots, and they have all been spoken about here: snow boots, rain boots, dress boots totally appropriate with a suit, Doc Martin type construction boots, pointed toed motorcycle boots with or without large buckles and leather strap accessories, casual suede boots etc..

But how about this? What about bochurim wearing jewelry like leather wrist bands, gold chains, metal wrist band, gold chain and ornament or a Chai for around the neck…or even a gold initial ring…or rings of sapphire, etc.

Hi crazybrit.

Sorry I came across harsh. I was just acting in defense of the teacher being questioned about their capabilities based on online postings.

Again, I apologize and will continue to read your posts with great interest.

: )

Hi MiddlePath.

Bullit? lol I rented that a while back just to see the car chase scene in there.

I definitely agree with even ANY 60’s muscle car over anything in “modern times” although I have to admit, I would take a Plymouth Prowler. Do you remember those?

In today’s cars, I usually battle the Camaro over the Challenger. These days I am perferring the Challenger because of it’s simpler lines. But then I switch back to the Camaro. lol

Those cars are really beautiful works of living art, in their own way.

Not to throw a monkey wrench into the convo, but in terms of motor vehicles, the larger Harley Davidson motorcycles are a work of art. I have gone to the showroom a few times and just sit back and have said to myself if metal machinery can be a work of art, the Harley Davidson motorcycle is just that.

Back to cars. The way they make these things look and handle when driving, is a miraculous accomplishment in the world of engineering. Quite amazing.

Awesome post!

Refuah Shelayma!

To me, smoking is an issue to affect a shidduch. It is indicative that their sensibilities in other areas, too, are on way different levels, adding difficulty to making a life together.

It is nice everyone has come up with some sort an answer.

I have to tell you that jeans are not acceptable in my experience.

When I go shopping in town on a Sunday, when I am more chilled out and just want to put on some pre-BT clothes, women pull their children away from me in the stores, no one holds the door open for me, and I get dirty looks.

It is a WAY different experience when I am in white shirt and black pants.

In fact, even wearing a baseball hat with an athletic team emblem on it seems to put me on a lower madraga in the eyes of others.

Only you reading this would know how you would react to me in jeans, baseball hat, and chas veshalom cut offs in the summer time.

Also, while people can do it, I would not go to a minyan or anything like that in jeans.

Now, when you add to the mix a yeshiva bochur weaing jeans? Of course it is an issue; a BIG issue. Again, only you know how you would react to seeing a bochur on your block wearing blue jeans.

Strut at your own risk!

Hi sm29.

You are a very thoughtful and introspective person.

Life is complex, and the knowledge you are coming across in your situation, although confusing, is all leading up to a wisdom that you would not have if you did not spend this time toiling in making heads and tails of things.

Hatzlacha!!

Well, in my opinion, two to four drinks is not an addiction.

What you seem to be doing is exactly what a L’Chaim is suppose to do; move someone into a joyful, festive separation from the ordinary experience.

L’Chaim!

Hi crazybrit.

Seriously! Must one always find a fault with online chat communication. Most people don’t do a rewrite before posting here.

Incidentally, would you be able to recognize a grammar teacher? I noticed you didn’t use proper capitalization for the punctuation of two sentences starting with “Profitable” or the following sentence, either. So, was I accurate at determining you have poor skills, or did I just take a cheap shot? ; )

Hi mra.

I suggest, too, that you think about advertisements framing your site. Also, if your material would also be used by secular schools, through the school, the teachers may pay for the information. As a fellow teacher, though, I only use free materials from online and there are plenty of those sites to go around.

Another idea is to contact all the educational book publishers or even plan to publish your own book and feature it at next year’s Teacher Convention with a stand/display of your own.

Hi big deal.

Easy! Where was it said we were in the missionary business. We are not. But if someone even did want to be an “ambassador” for Judaism for public relations reasons, IF that was their motive, because they feel that is their thing, that is still not doing mission work.

Aside from that, I share your anti-TV view, but the fact remains, others are using it for Kiruv in a good way because TV is a big place to get the message across.

If there were no TVs in the world and people went out to do Kiruv in bars and pool halls to reach nonfrum Jews, I would applaud them for that.

Frankly, TV is a media force to be reckoned with and I have heard it said more than once that all the communication devices are here with a deeper meaning to them, Torah-wise, and to eventually communicate our halachos and culture when Moshiach comes.

OneOfMany touched on a good point.

There are definitely test taking strategies based on the way they grade the test, which may have not changed.

No one is expected to answer all questions. You are graded on a percentage of correct answers from the ones you choose to answer. Basically, if a question is really hanging you up and you have no clue on how to even eliminate answer choices, then move on to the next one. You would have been preserving your score to that point.

Another thing to consider is some of the answers are obviously not the ones to select. However, your final two answer choices may be very similar and carefully constructed to be similar.

From what I remember in high school, sometimes they recommend skimming the answers first and then reading the text (for the Reading portion), and save time when you realize you have found what they are looking for.

You can also prepare ahead of time for the Essay portion of the test. On test day, it does not have to be your first/rought draft. You can think about what you may want to write about and then rewrite it to ensure you did not make careless mistakes.

There are also sample PSAT/SAT’s you can find online or purchase in stores.

Again, Hatzlacha!

Hi Banana123.

You are obviously a very conscientious person, and at such a young age, that is very impressive.

My only suggestion is that your plan seems feasible to me. You are putting a lot of time into your studies, which is important, and you only have so many hours a day.

To me, you seem to have the makings of a true tzadekas, and that benefits all of us. I want to thank you for that.

Ultimately, I would say to ask a morah or a rebbe and they can ask you more pertinent questions about your day and schedule and give better advice on how to use your time.

Hatzlacha!

Hi PBA.

What did you put in your coffee today?

: )

Well, in my opinion, too many who enter the careers in the media, as well as those in science, are guided by gaiva to make a name for themselves.

Because their pursuit is usually mostly to get a wide degree of attention, their yetzer hora is not beyond exploiting almost anything to make a name for themselves.

Hence, the author of that article had it published KNOWING it would be provoking, and that is what they were looking for to fill themselves with their little self, at the abominable expense of those who suffered.

How they can possibly do mechila for what they wrote? I dont know. But it reminds me of the saying that the nail that sticks out is the one that gets hammered. And that author has stepped in pretty deep doo doo.

When do Jews “Get Over” the Holocaust? Does such a question even merit being a question? The only ones who can even tolerate such a question, to my way of thinking, are those who committed the atrocities, and imbeciles.

Hi Health.

I am very surprised to read your apathetic opinion about nursing, particularly since you, up to this point, seemed to be such a staunch defender of all things medical, in particular the pharmaceutical companies.

You implied that no one cares if a nurse really knows anything? Is that an indictment of nursing?

Everyone knows nurses are invaluable to patients in terms of doctors being inadequate in the time and explanations they can give to their patients.

Again, considering how you defended the pharmaceutical industry, in comparison, I would you to give equal thought to nurses, and consider the last time there was a call back on a nurse, or a class action lawsuit against a nurse?

Hi Feif Un and One of Many.

lol (I assume you were being tongue-in-cheek).

What kind of bochurim are you talking about?

Nothing wrong with boots if they are Florsheims or what not.

But in the wardrobe family of jeans and leather jackets, the kind of boots like Doc Martins or motorcycle style boots with pointed toe and block heels, well, there is something wrong with them for a bochur.

If they dress like they are going to a local bar or a rock concert, they will act accordingly.

Also, while leather jackets are comfortable and practical and stylish, I dont see anyone showing up to yeshiva in either a leather or suede jacket. It classes with the black hat, which is much better attire for a yeshiva boy.

For me, clothing affects attitude and conduct. I find the more I accustom myself to yeshiva garb, and move away from looking cool on the “street”, the better I conduct myself.

Hi fredch.

I may have a copy here somewhere, but I dont read pigeon.

Did you try Dr. Dolittle?

Anyway, I will check back with interest, BN, to see the responses.

: )

Hi writersoul.

To answer your question, Jews who received a standardized education, traditionally do well. This is the case from those who go to public school or yeshivos that follow state requirements.

While public schools do teach classes for the PSAT and SAT, they are not any real advantage nor are they are short cut to what is required to do well on the PSAT or SAT.

The PSAT and SAT are not IQ tests, nor should they been seen as indicative of IQ tests or a reflection on if someone is a smart person or not.

The PSAT and SAT are based on real material that the student should have covered in their classroom experience over the years.

The questions are based on what should have been taught from teacher lesson plans from accredited schools who follow the guidelines of their state requirements.

Just a note: Where there is a will, there is a way. I know MANY highly intelligent yeshiva students who simply have not had the proper exposure to Math, Science, History, and English.

According to US News and World Report, over 60% of ALL those entering college, from all over the country, need to take remedial math, and/or English in order to develop their skills to succeed in their curriculum choice.

PSAT and SAT are just one component used to help a school determine if a student has the necessary background to succeed in their course of study.

If a yeshiva student is willing to work hard and catch up, like 60% of the other students in America, they will succeed!

Hatzlacha to the person taking their PSAT/SAT.

Clothing affects attitude. Clothing like jeans, cargo pants, tank tops,s muscle shirt are definitely not in line with supporting a learning attitude.

If the bochur is raking leaves or helping to put in a fence or going horseback riding, I guess they are not so bad.

Another problem is the slippery slope. Then what would be wrong with boots? A leather jacket?

Not sure how to solve this problem. For the most part, unless the mother is certifiably insane or in a prison for a felony, etc., the mother gets the kids.

The only thing I can contribute is if the father and in-laws state such a drastic change in upbringing does present a problem, and then hope the judge will agree so the children can at least be more, than less involved with mitzvos.

Hatzalacha to this family and hoping the mother comes to her senses are at least has rachmonus on her children.

Hi genuine.

I dont know the answer, but consider this:

1. An Ivy League school should be able to facilitate you in becoming an expert in any field, world renowned even. It depends on where you take it, but the resources and contacts will be there in the Ivy League.

2. An Ivy League school is certainly expensive, but if you are looking to develop into a top of the line person in your respective field, the expense is a small price to pay for the level of expertise you would have acquired in your field.

Needless to say, someone can make for themselves world-renowned greatness in any field from any or no college.

On the other hand, Harvard, Yale, Brown, MIT, Princeton, Columbia..etc…are not exactly small potatoes in terms of catapulting someone to be at the forefront of their field, if that is the level of commitment someone aspires to.

Hatzlacha in your endeavors!

Hi i love coffee.

Sadly, and tragically, people in education do not have what it takes to work with young people.

While they may be knowledgeable people in their subject or done well in earning a supervisory degree, they do demonstrate any realization they are dealing with precious cargo; children.

I am not saying it is easy. Neither is fixing a transmission, and if you dont have what it takes, find another career.

I teach on the high school level and I cannot tell you how much damage is done to students from they way they were treated in the past.

The damage is in their emotional well being affecting their comfort level in a classroom environment which demands the courage to try new things until then can be done well, leading to a great sense of satisfaction when a competent level of achievement has been acquired.

The solution? Standardized education where teachers meet state requirements with qualified supervisors to check performance.

In contrast, the public school system, even with the problems of behavior in those schools, the school system itself does little damage to the development of the child, and offers a good deal more to bring all kinds of learners to academic success.

Why is it in yeshivos I see highly intelligent boys who are way below grade level in limud chol studies? And they are embarrassed by their skill level. Weer they suppose to speak up and tell the teacher not to neglect them?

And why do I hear stories about corporal punishment that students feel the need to share with me??

I can only do my part, and also ask each educator to develop the understanding and patience of a professional, or get out of the child development business.

Don’t look here?

Where is here?

I think I looked.