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Bombing the tracks to the camps would’ve stopped the Holocaust is not true at all.
Everyone who has claimed & some still claim that “Jews (or Antisemitic officials) changed their last name at Ellis Island is very mistaken as it almost never happened because it was virtually impossible for it to happen.
A captain is responsible for everyone on his ship. So he has to have accurate records of who is on board. In order for a Jew (& Non-Jew) to board they needed to show the ship line their paperwork so it could be properly recorded.
Upon arrival at Ellis Island the immigration officials would take the Captains log to work off of. The wait in line was long. There were 9 Yiddish speaking employees (not officers just civilians) that would go up & down the line explaining to the Jews the process, arrange the documents, tell them what to say, etc). So when a Jew finally came before an officer, the officer had their name in Europe in the Captains log as well as the paperwork with their real name. A few people had a letter left out one brother “Goldstein” & the other “GoldsHtein” But that a Jew walked onto Ellis Island “Goldstein” & walked “Johnson” is a complete myth.
So if anyone claims that tell them they’re wrong. Which some don’t like hearing.I was actually gonna start my own post (I still might) but here goes nothing.
The belief that “Antisemitism is NEVER our fault.” is not true.
Sometimes knowingly or not we bring it upon ourselves due to our actions or behavior.I think it depends on the community.
I’m from a large Frum community where Baalei Teshuva are treated like everyone else.
The main community school (with well over 1,000 students) has “Grandparents Day” watch the videos. Many Zaidys have black hats & beards & some are Chasidish but there’s also plenty of “Kippot Serugot” & men wearing yarmulkes they obviously pulled out of the drawer & dusted off for this occasion. There have also been (a few) Zaidys that wore NO head covering at all.
Many Bubbys (almost all amongst the younger Bubbys) cover their hair, many do not. Long Sheitels, Short Sheitels, hats or not covered dyed bright red hair is irrelevant. Very rare but a few Bubbys show up wearing pants.
No one cares & all are welcome.
It’s really how the Kehilla is taught by the Rabbanim about how to treat & accept Baalei Teshuva. From what I understand in many communities they would not be ok with what I described above. But B’H there’s a certain open mindedness & tolerance where I’m from where (almost) everyone is accepting of other Jews even those from very differently backgrounds & ways of practicing Yiddishkeit.This reminds of one time in Shul the Ruv was explaining about not specifically listening to music for enjoyment during these time periods.
A man asked, “Can I listen to talk radio if some of the commercials might have music?”
The Ruv almost choked but managed to answer respectfully.
Very often a production with sight & sound needs filler sound or it just doesn’t flow. A pointless narrator would take away from the film while silence would as well. So some music is played during this time to improve the production & better your experience. It’s not played for musical enjoyment.
There doesn’t need to be a heter because there’s no issur in the first place.I agree! I finally convinced my Ruv that based on the olden days it’s completely inappropriate to use Air Conditioning or electric lights (the modern ones that give off very little heat) on Tisha B’Av as it’s “too comfortable”
We turn off the A/C & use candles (to add heat to the heat & increase the discomfort). Indoor plumbing on Tisha B’Av? Chas V’Shalom! Our youth group built an outhouse (smells & all) out back special for Tisha B’Av.
A Holocaust survivor who used to be a carpenter built a Kosher wooden chair to sit on & all was well. UNTIL he put a cushion on the seat. We immediately threw him & his chair out the window while shouting “Goy, Goy, Goy Avek!!”
The truth is my Ruv told me not to Daven there on Tisha B’Av. He explained that I am the only member that enjoys his sermons so it’s inappropriate due to the joy i get. But everyone else that abhors his speeches earn extra Zichusim sitting not just through an agonizing 30 minute Shabbos drasha but hours of the Ruv’s ramblings.
p s.
1. Whether in NY or elsewhere EVERY Avel chair I’ve seen has padded seats & backs, & armrests to make it more comfortable. The only difference between a regular comfortable chair & an Avel chair? Shorter legs.
2. Rabbis of Frum Shuls who won’t speak up out of fear of losing Mispallelim don’t deserve the title “Rabbi”1. Thank you for sharing the “Chumrah of the week”
What difference does it make whether one appreciates Tisha B’Av or learns something by listening to a Shiur or watching a movie? There are a few excellent speakers or story tellers that really know how to affect people &/or get them to think about doing better in deficient areas of their lives. Since these people can’t be everywhere at once what is wrong with using modern technology to share the message with a larger audience?
2. If on Tisha Bav you’re watching a movie about the Churban or the Holocaust or how to rebuild the Bais Hamikdash through Achdus but instead your mind is consumed not by the deep message but by the sight of a “young women” on the screen you need serious psychological help.Gadfly1,
I’m not talking about 1863. I’m talking about one month into the war (May, 1861). Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Roger B. Taney wrote the following ruling nullifying Lincoln’s order of Martial Law in Baltimore.
“In Merryman, Taney decisively rejected President Lincoln’s unilateral suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in and around Baltimore at the outset of the Civil War, concluding that the Constitution only authorized Congress to suspend the writ and that no emergency, no matter how existential, could justify subversion of such a vital constitutional precept.”
Lincoln ignored the ruling claiming it was an emergency measure to “Save the Union”. Even though Taney wrote, “NO EMERGENCY, NO MATTER HOW EXISTENTIAL”
Bottom line Lincoln violated the Constitution he swore to uphold & more disturbing got away with it. This opens the door for any future Presidents to ignore the Constitution in the name of “Saving America” or for the “Good of the masses”If you want to see how it’s done look no further than President Abraham Lincoln.
He declared Baltimore to be under Martial Law (no rights or due process). The Supreme Court ruled the power to declare Martial Law is given to Congress so Lincoln’s declaration was null & void. Lincoln’s response was to ignore the ruling. The grandson of Francis Scott Key (author of The Star Spangled Banner) wrote an editorial asking how under the “Balance of Power” Lincoln could ignore the Supreme Court?
For this editorial he was thrown into Ft. McHenry for 14 months (no charges, judges, jury’s, lawyers or bail). Upon release he wrote a book about his experience as a political prisoner. The 2 editors that printed his book were arrested & thrown into Ft. McHenry. Dozens of newspapers that weren’t pushing Lincoln’s narrative were shut down with some editors fleeing & others jailed. Thousands in Baltimore were jailed without ever being charged or seeing a judge. Weapons were confiscated, searches were done without warrants, & mail was opened & read.
In an attempt to cut off the political & physical power of Baltimore he had arrested (without charges) the Mayor, entire City Council, US Congressman representing Baltimore, the Chief of Police, Board of Police Commissioners, & (there were too many to jail) fired all 800 Police officers.
That’s not even the tip of the iceberg of what Lincoln illegally did & all it took was for Lincoln to tell the North, “True I may be overstepping my authority BUT I’m doing it to save the Union.”
The only way this could happen again in America is if it’s done under the guise of “Saving America” or “For the greater good”I hate to be the bearer of bad news to you (& every Antisemite) but not all Jews are rich. Some come from poor single parent homes. Some come from middle class homes where money is tight. There’s a million reasons why they may need help.
Here is a Jew who didn’t have to but volunteered to help protect the Yidden (including the ones learning) in Eretz Yisroel & your complaint is about what?Ujm,
Please enlighten us what physical characteristics are different between a Yid & a Goy. Just like many believe the Gemarah asked experts in the field questions to understand I suggest you first meet with Doctors (Jewish or non) to get their expert opinions on these physical differences.UJM,
I saw a video of a Chasidish Rebbe talking at an organizations event. The “host” became uncomfortable when the Rebbe started talking about Jews being a totally different (physical) creation & (if I’m remembering correctly) the Chasam Sofer said Yidden & Goyim are so different that he can’t understand how Yidden take medications proven to be effective amongst Goyim.
Do you believe that? If a new procedure or medication is tested on 50 Goyim & found to be effective that if a Yid has the same treatment it won’t be effective solely because Yidden are completely different (physical) creations than Goyim?I forget where but seem to remember where later Rabbanim told us when it comes to curing illnesses to NOT follow the health advice found in the Gemarah but to follow what modern doctors say.
What kind of thoughts?
You don’t need to be a Zionist to appreciate Jews are going into battle & dying to keep Eretz Yisroel & its inhabitants safe from bloodthirsty terrorists that would kill every Jew if they had the chance.I know I’ll get a lot of pushback but trying to come up with “Creative” answers often takes away from it.
Many people I know believe when it comes to explaining, expounding & setting down the definitive answers about Torah we of course yield to Chazal.
But, when it comes to issues like scientific understanding the Rabbanim were working with the best information they had at that time & in that location. Buvel was a province in the Persian empire. When a modern day halachik issue arises our (reliable) Poskim first learn the details from doctors &/or scientists. Why would it have been different back then? They were consulting with Non-jewish experts & basing their decisions on that information.
I know this offends some people but I’ve never gotten a good answer to, “How does errors in scientific knowledge take away from Chazal being the definitive source when it comes to Torah?”The (sad but true) saying of Antisemites, “Give a Jew an inch & next he’ll demand a mile.”
Biden could’ve reacted much differently to Oct 7 but he totally took the Israeli side (despite pressure from pro-palestinians in his office).
He sent a ton of weapons ( with a small slow down that didn’t threaten any of Israel’s capabilities to pretend to cater to the left).
But in true Jewish fashion since a US military cargo plane flying to Israel with arms didn’t take your “small package” for Kivi learning in Yeshiva you conclude Biden must be a raging Pro-Hamas, Anti-Israel Antisemite.Gadol,
The old & tired FDR slander.
What should he have done?
Wait, don’t tell me, bomb the railroad tracks? (Which was both virtually impossible & would’ve changed nothing).The only solution is to never let your kids leave the house.
How is this different than what they experience in school?
How do you control what your kids see on the street?
Part of being a parent is teaching your version of right & wrong. When you & your kids are secure in who you are it’s really not an issue.I sit on my porch watching the kinderlach play looking out for any breaches in proper conduct. With a yard stick in hand I observe & observe some more. A kid eating their 3rd icepop today, WHACK! Don’t you know the war in Israel only permits 2 ice pops a day?
A boy playing basketball for 10 minutes, WHACK! Don’t you know the war in Israel only permits 8 minutes of basketball?
One boy was riding by so when he got close I stuck my yard stick into his front tire. He flew like a drunk chicken & hit the ground like a sack of bricks. One thing is certain. If he ever gets released from the hospital he won’t ride his bike while Israel is at war.
It’s been tougher lately to do my duty since I’m wearing my court ordered ankle bracelet monitor. But I am allowed to stand on my porch where I can at least use a megaphone to tell them the correct way to act.Beryl was a compromise after several of our most prominent (& not so prominent) Askanim got involved.
The original name was, “Abraham Israel Sheqelsteinmoneygrabber”Have you tried working with or making arrangements with the hospital clergy?
When my Mom was very sick in the hospital in Baltimore the Clergy was a Reform woman Rabbi. Seeing we were Frum she told us if we have any end of life questions she can call her go to Rabbi, Rav Heinemann to ask him about any issues.I’ve been offered a seat by the Mizrach Vant many times & I’ve always refused. It’s not because I’m humble, it’s because there are so many advantages to sitting in the the back.
1. You can get away with a lot more talking.
2. You’re first to the Kiddush.
3. You don’t have to do the “walk of shame” to the front when you show up during leining.
4. The kids are usually in the back so it’s easier to get the Candyman to slip you something to nosh on during Davening.
Noticing the advantages of these seats (& my Ruv always figuring out how to increase the Shuls (& his) revenue) this year we started auctioning off the back row on Simchas Torah. As a sign of appreciation the seat comes with a custom made shtender with room for 2 full size bottles of booze & a micro-fridge for herring.
The only problem is the “Big Machers” who paid big money to sit by the Mizrach Vant are suing the Rabbi & Shul for false advertising claiming they were told they would be the most respected & looked up to members of the Shul while in reality it’s the “Boys in the back” with “some kind of business” (no one knows where the money comes from & any Ehrlich Yid doesn’t want to know, hameyvin yuvin).
Unable to find a Bais Din anyone involved could trust & not wanting to go to full blown Secular court they agreed to have the case heard by “Judge Judy” (being Jewish she will understand the complexities of Shul politics).Ujm,
That’s a very Meikel position to take. I sleep on a bed of nails with a large gong next to my head that rings every 15 minutes.One of our favorite pastimes is to choose something with vague or no clear parameters & berate people for “going too far” (in our expert opinion).
You had a 7 piece band for your child’s chasuna? That’s totally insensitive. There’s a war going on, a 6 piece band would’ve been more appropriate in the current Matzav & that music the band played, the tempo was a little too fast considering what’s going on in E’Y.
My favorite from a women asking how we can dare eat “Artisanal” bread during the 9 days. Perhaps she should ask every Tanna & Amorah how they dared to eat artisanal bread during the 9 days.
As the saying goes, “Every Yid frummer than me is Meshuga & every Yid less Frum than me is a Goy.”
p.s. Do you think during WWII Yidden in America knowing family in Europe was lost or in dire straits didn’t still celebrate weddings & Bar Mitzvahs with music, dancing & fancy meals?Ujm,
Keeping the Emperor was not out of “Good will” It was out of necessity for a peaceful Japan.
Japanese culture during WWII said you either come back victorious or you die trying. Unless commanded by a higher up you never surrender. The only life that matters is the life of the Emperor. This is how they had Kamikaze pilots. This is why we took so few Japanese POW’s. US soldiers found hundreds of Japanese soldiers that committed suicide together because they were unable to fight but surrender was not an option. The last Japanese soldier to surrender was in 1974!!! Yes, a soldier hid out in the Philippines for almost 30 YEARS after Japan surrendered because he was never ordered to surrender. Even when told he refused to surrender until they found one of his officers who ordered him to surrender.
It’s very different than America but this was their mindset.
If the Japanese people were left leaderless in a culture of “Die trying” & “Never surrender” we’d still have US soldiers dying in Japan.
(If you don’t believe me read about Elias Zacarias, a Jewish Naval Officer from Pensacola, FL, who explained this to the Administration & B’H they listened.)Each situation is different. “Harder then winning the war is winning the peace.”
Notice at the end of WWII the Emperor of Japan was left in power. This is because he was considered a G-d by the Japanese people. The Japanese are a very disciplined people that never give up. Without the Emperor telling them the war is over & it’s time for peace American soldiers would’ve faced generations of guerrilla warfare & terror attacks. (Interesting fact, it was a Jewish Navy officer that explained this to the administration who was going to treat Japan like they did the Nazis.)
He was known as U(nconditional) S(urrender) Grant but the Civil War did not end with an unconditional surrender. Grant understood Robert E. Lee was the most respected & valorized leader in the Confederacy. Grant understood if Lee said, “Boys, it’s over. It’s time to go home.” 98% of Confederates would listen & while there was some guerrilla warfare for a short time after the war it was on such a low level that it never posed a threat to the peace.
What works in one scenario doesn’t always work in a different one.B’H I’m from a community where the Shul Rabbanim, Schools or President of the Vaad Harabanim (City Rav) have enough sechel not to discuss or endorse any candidate.
They remind the Kehilla of the importance of voting but never who to vote for.In my state “Confederate Memorial Day” is always the first Saturday in June (coming right up). I’m looking for Yidden that want to be named as Co-Plaintiffs & help with the legal fees to sue for discrimination regarding Jewish Confederate sympathizers inability to take part in the events.
I’ve been buying my religious clothing in Brooklyn for over 50 years & (when paying cash;-) was never charged tax. In fact, in Brooklyn I’ve never paid tax on any purchase (hameyvin yuvin:-).
When living in Maryland I went to Cleveland during the winter.
None for me thank you.Read “Man’s Search for Meaning”
By Viktor Frankl, a Jewish Psychiatrist that bases it of his experiences in a Concentration Camp.It depends how important or pressing you view the situation to be.
I’m from a large Frum community. Not only did the very Chushiv Ruv who is President of the Vaad HaRabbanim encourage the broader community to go to the DC rally, he encouraged his (Yeshivish) Shul members to go & (actions speak louder than words) he went as well.I don’t know Polish but my Bubble taught me the Soviet Russia version. It’s much shorter than the original & goes like this:
Who knows none?
I know none.
None is our G-d in heaven & on earth.“Zera Abraham” are not the same as a regular Goy.
From what I understand, If they want to convert, they do not have to 1st be turned away. Perhaps the best term is “Honorary Jew” they of course don’t count for a Minyan or any other Jewish ritual but they are more welcomed than other outsiders (at least where I come from).Avira,
It IS normal to hold & deal with Kitniyos. There are products that are helpful & used all year around.
I’m truly confused.
I can teach my (old enough) child about Kosher Dairy
I can teach my child about Kosher Meat
I can teach my child about not eating them together.
But I can’t teach my child that Kitniyos can be used on Pesach but not eaten?
In your example, Chometz is Chometz & has no allowed use on Pesach.
Kitniyos is muttar in many ways on Pesach. So what “sensitivity” is there about not touching it?Avirad,
Why not? I should educate them about Shabbos, Tom Tov, Kashrus,, etc. but not that kitneyos is something that can be owned & used on Pesach but not eaten?
I’m totally missing what the issue is.I was taught Hungarian Jews are superior to Eastern European Jews.
Who was worse the Nazis or the Soviets?
The Nazis sure killed a lot but at least many survivors or survivor’s children ended up as Jews.
While the Soviets so thoroughly stamped out Yiddishkeit that how many generations of Soviet Jews know nothing, will know nothing & have no interest in knowing anything about Yiddishkeit?As my Ruv/Historian says, “When Moshiach comes we’re going to be very surprised whose grave we were Davening at.”
Many of these places weren’t noted as the grave of an important person until centuries later. As rightwriter said about Mordecai and Esther. How can there be such a dispute about them? Iran & Israel are not close. Surely we’d have a strong Mesorah (even without an exact location) whether they were buried in Persia or brought to E”Y for kevurah.Total nonsense! You have some loud mouths that get the attention. If Biden had wanted this war could’ve gone very different from the beginning yet there was instead tremendous support from many in power including many Democrats. I’m not a fan of many democrat policies but let’s also be honest & not demonize all of them either.
My Rebbi in a large OOT community (who started as a
Rebbe in a very OOT community) was a Talmid of R’ SF Mendlowitz & he told us you get married, you learn for a few years, then you go out & teach. Whether larger like Chicago, Baltimore, Cleveland, etc. or smaller like Memphis, New Orleans, etc. it didn’t matter where, just go teach Torah.