Yes a person is instructed to give at least a certain amount to tzedekah. Even the poor person is obligated to give something. But when I see so many people struggling and the yeshivas are having trouble, people out of work. It just makes you wonder, if the rich people are misusing the funds Hashem gave them.

I am just saying and based on thought. I learned that Hashem the wealthy the means to distribute the money to the poor. Being that is the case and not everyone is rich and there are many people struggling out there, if those wealthy people didn’t spend on the extra neccessites in life from the money that Hashem gave to them to give to others, then don’t where would that money be coming from?

Amazing poem for all to learn from

Hud and shaatra- how do you go on and say people who disagree with you, that’s its jealousy?? You don’t know me. Trust me. I try to look at people with an ayin tov. I am the last person to be jealous of anyone. If person has, good for them, but, the wealthy do have a VERY serious postion in life. Hashem did not make every one wealthy, in this world, He entrusted a few people to be the distributors and ensure, that they give to the rest. I am not saying the poor, should receive free handouts, but there are ways to make sure people will get that they could somehow work for it. In anycase, there is a very famous mashal, of a wealthy man who tells, his sons that, he wants them to come visit him, and to bring his whole family, spare no expense, because what ever you spend out to respect me, I will re-imburse, so the man goes out and purchases the finest clothing he can and outfits his family to the best clothes money can buy. Meanwhile, his brother and his family are very poor. This brother can’t even got money for food let alone, clothing. The poor brother comes with his family dressed in their rags to visit his father. Meanwhile the richer brother comes with his family impecablly dressed, the wife in the height of fashion, the children also elegantly clothed. He is waiting and finally meets with his father, and he gives him the bill for all the clothing he purchased. His father looks at the bill and says, I am sorry, I can not pay you back, and the man asks why not? and the father said. I said I would reimburse you for all the money that was spent in my honor, but you did not fulfill my wishes. And the son is what do you mean? We are all dressed respectfully, we are dressed in the finest clothing to honor you. The father tells his son, “you did not dress for my honor, you dressed for your honor, If you did it out of respect for me, then you would have made sure your brother and his family were also dressed decently, but you only thought of yourself, therefore I can not pay you back”

Hud, Bev, Ames, & Shaatra, you may think that people can spend what they want, you know what? you are right, just know that you have that free choice to spend how you like, just know who you have to answer too after 120 years. If you are rich, and you spend, just realize, that money may have gone to put bread on someones table, or went to purchase a coat for a child with no coat.

Had to comment, I’d rather be know for my baking abilty. Think of all the chesed and mitzvot possible. Baking Challah is a mitzvah. Wear Designer clothing is not. You make berachot when you eat, therebye elevating the act of baking from something mundane to something L’Shem Shmyaim

Mazca, you are right, dangerous everywhere, that’s why they more one has, the more they have to worry about.

Ames, looks like you beat me to the landsend website. I am big Landsend shopper. They have quality clothing with a money back at any time quarantee, no questions asked. They have evolved over the years, becoming a little bit more stylish.

Yoshi, I was reading somewhere of women getting back problems from carrying such huge handbags.

I am a nervous person by nature. I try to carry as little as possible. If I have CC’s or cash, I wear something with pockets rather then keep it in my pocketbook. I really try to be inconspicuous. Now that winter is coming, my Landsend parka with the gazillion pockets, will be handy. I am all about comfort. It could be the ugliest coat in the world, but if it will keep me warm, Stylish, Smylish.. I could care less what anyone thinks.

I had a friend who lives in Europe, who went to Brazil for a Bar Mitzvah. Her host asked her if she was planning on wearing her necklace out. My friend was like why? Because she was told that they would mug her. My friend is like but it is fake. The host was like, in Brazil it doesn’t matter. They steal anything here. Her host went to her and yanked on her necklace and asked her if it hurt, which of course it did. The fake necklace was promptly taken off and left at home. She had to purchase a little cheap watch ring, just to have the time. People who live in America don’t realize how lucky they are they can walk the streets, (most of the time) and not get mugged. My point, in those countries, the only place you can wear your jewelry is at home, never on the streets.

I was taking about people who purchase “Designer” pocketbooks, also known as “statement” bags. Exactly what are they trying to state by having them? This topic also has alot to do with the issue of Tsinut and not drawing attention to yourself.

truthsharer, we usually try to do what the Rabbis tell us to do. In this case where the question and the answer are very clearly stated. Ames asked a question and her Rav gave her an answer. He said No. Ames knows her Rav is Makpid on it. There are no further questions to ask.

If you are allowed to use your own hair to make a wig, what is the point?

Mazca, what book are you refering to, “Alleppo, city of scholars?”

Mazca, I thought a woman could not use her own hair to make a wig for herself. Maybe they grew their hair and traded with someelse??

Gezuntheit, I agree with you. I just tell my husband and boys, just try to look at the ground, instead of around, you can find some money that way. Just the other day, I found $20 bucks…

Some women get really offended when the tzinus issue is brought up and go on the defensive and say that men shouldn’t look at a woman anyway. Those women don’t realize how hard it is for a man not to look. As a woman, it is our responiblity to be as modestly dressed as possible according to the Halacha and when not dressed according to Halacha, you are causing others to sin.

I got a lot of dirty laundry around in the hamper. I hope to get in I plan to stash it in the basement before Shabbat. B”H, I am going to be very, very busy as soon as the Hag is over.

Mybat, we are Sephardic and our rabbi holds that we can not use the eruv in Flatbush. There are SOME Sephardim that will use use it all yedei goy. You must ask your Rav.

Then all those squeaking chickens laid eggs…

but the truth was, our private eye discovered that the swine flu vaccinations would turn people into chickens that would squeak instead of sqwack

I like to save the beautiful pictures from all the jewish calendars I get. I get them laminated. They make beautiful and inexpensive pictures for your sukkah.

May we all be zocheh to greet Moshiach B’Rachamim. May He come soon, so the whole world will know who is King of all Kings!! I got a text to read Perek 126 in Tehillim three times (any time on Yom Hadin) for chazaka hashana to bring the Geula Be’Rachamim. Please tell everyone you know and pass it on.

Shana Tova and Tizku L’Shanim Rabot to all my beloved Am Yisrael!!

“Ana ana ana avada d’kedusha B’richo” becomes according to some kids version “Ana ana ana avocadoes grow in puerto rico” or the classic, “Ana ana ana, there’s a shark in the mikve”!!

South African Journeys by Gita Gordon, this book of fiction, was written a few years ago, it’s about 2 yound women from Europe, who go to South Africa to meet their prospective grooms. One of the girls is not happy with her future husband so she wants to switch to the other man. Some how their lives are intertwined.

That was one book I enjoyed.

A few months ago, I purchased a book called “A different World” it’s the true story about a convert who becomes Chassidish. Very interesting story.

Miracle ride, was released a few months ago. This book, based on a true story,is about a young woman and her challange of having an illness. She eventually meets her bashert as well. It was very heartwarming and I loved how this woman dealt with her illness with honesty and wit. A few of her stories made me laugh.

Wow, so many returnees! We really ARE having a major party this evening.