happiest, you have a very good point, and I think you are right. But, with more and more tragedies comes more and more opportunities to re-evaluate ourselves, try to improve in areas we may need improving in, and re-ignite a feeling of true connection to all of our fellow Jews, which tends to happen when we hear of tragedies such as the ones you mentioned. Hopefully, as long as we can take out lessons from everything that happened this year and truly improve ourselves, G-d won’t need to send us these “tragic reminders” to change us. If we were on a really high level, perhaps we would be able to change on our own, without external motivation.

I don’t know if this makes sense at all, but it’s just a thought!

My favorite color for a tie is orange. I also like lime green, turquoise, and peach.. But it really depends on the color of the suit I’m wearing. With a navy blue suit, I’d wear an orange tie. With a dark gray suit, I’d wear a lime green, turquoise, or peach tie. With a light gray suit, I’d wear a red, purple, or black tie.

I try to stay away from pink ties.

I don’t really understand why people are against using part of your time to study a science, art, or other intellectual field. Yes, I agree, learning Torah is the most important. But learning a science or art is NOT a waste of time. It is a wisdom given from G-d, and He wants us to appreciate and learn it as well. Learning science, in itself, I don’t think is bittul Totah. It may be bittul Torah when you put your science studies over your Torah studies, and give more importance to the former. Otherwise, I think G-d wants us to learn as much of the wisdoms that He put into our world as possible.

And I think one cannot say “You must finish x amount of Torah before learning science.” It is different for everyone. Some people need the “outlet” of learning another worldly wisdom in order to appreciate and understand their Torah learning more. Others may not need that extra stimulation and therefore can learn all of Shas before learning a word of science. I, personally, needed to delve into music and art in order to give me peace of mind and clarity when learning gemarah. I could not have done it without it.

I agree with mikehall. Sometimes it’s best just to show the beauty of Judaism by example, and photogenic, I’m pretty sure your’e a wonderful example of true yidishkite. Keep us posted!

“to prove that there is nothing wrong with discussing goyish culture on a Yeshivish site?”

80, I find a few things wrong with that question. First, I never said there is nothing wrong with it, I asked which is worse. Which means that I think there actually can very well be something wrong with it (at least some of it). Second, I don’t think I’ve ever discussed “goyish culture”, merely a few names of non-Jewish songs and bands. Third, I don’t think this is a solely “yeshivish” site. It is Yeshiva World, not Yeshivish World, and there are many people who associate themselves with a yeshiva, but not yeshivish.

I really do not intend to be disrespectful at all! If you know me well enough, I really try to be as sensitive and respectful as possible.

But even so, I will try to always remember not to post my discussions about non-Jewish music here. I realize it upsets people, and I respect that.

I’m pretty sure there are people here that have gotten embarrassed, or at least ashamed, ridiculed, or confronted. My question was in no way meant to be disrespectful! I was really just curious.

I have a question for the mods. What is worse: A post that discusses clean non-Jewish music or a post that openly bashes or embarrasses another person?

Thanks, Ofcourse. I personally feel that it all comes down to responsibility and care. In marriage, you are responsible and care for your spouse. And that amount of responsibility is difficult to attain from just sitting all day in a bais midrash, or even a college classroom, where you only need to care for and be responsible for yourself. Generally, boys don’t have that care and sense of responsibility for others the way girls have it. So, maybe we can help the boys become more like that by somehow implementing a system in yeshivos where boys are somehow tuned into being responsible for others. There are already positions for students to become more responsible, such as a dorm counselor, waiter, etc. Perhaps there should be some sort of position of responsibility for EVERYONE in the yeshiva. And more often than not, the young adults who go to college, whether full time or at night, or have jobs, are generally more responsible anyway.

I don’t see this ever happening, but I think it would be a good way to get boys more prepared more marriage.

Have a wonderful shabbos, everyone.

A good choice, 80. I personally don’t like the Veyron. If I were going for top speed, I’d get the Koenigsegg Agera R, which, I believe, reaches 275 mph. And if I were going for 0-60 mph, I’d get the Ariel Atom V8, which can do it in 2.5 seconds as well.

But I think the Veyron SS is more expensive than the Agera R, so start saving up now!

methinks, yea, most guys are, but I’m on a whole different level. Like, if I had the time and the money, I’d be building my own car in my garage.

I will continue to shop at Hot Topic, thank you very much.

But really, if you feel holier by not walking into these stores, then by all means, don’t. But those who do shop at these stores should feel fine continuing to do so, and shouldn’t be criticized for it.

Thanks, aries. Good suggestion.

Queen Bee, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed about that. I still struggle with it, too, sometimes. We all do, on varying levels. But we are at our peak in our faith when we see, or at least choose to see, the hand of G-d in our lives. Someone who denies the existence of G-d will refuse to see Him in anything, no matter how obvious it is, and someone who believes in G-d can always see Him in everything. And that makes life more meaningful. Yes, I have lapses too, and there are times when I really don’t feel connected to G-d or feel that He has forgotten about me, but I try to maintain an attitude of being open to seeing Him in my life, and with that attitude, I can usually bounce back. Once I do see Him in my life, it makes it a lot easier for me to daven to Him and learn Torah.

Not sure if this helps, but it might be a way to assist you in finding purpose and fulfillment in davening and maybe even a general better relationship with G-d.

Without getting into any arguments, the fact is that so many frum Jews live in Israel who are keeping the mitzvos and learning Torah, and that itself is at least partly due to the efforts and mesiras nefesh of the Israeli army. So we should all show our hakaras hatov to them for that.

kapusta, I completely agree with everything you’ve said here.

happiest, I agree with kapusta that what you said really shows your sterling middos. But really, you’d be the last person I can think of that would say something that would upset others.

ayc, very informative examples you’ve brought here. I’m actually laughing right now thinking how awkward I can make someone feel in the following situation: Person asks me “So, what does your father do?” Me: “Oh, he’s a child molester.” It’s actually not funny, but I really am laughing about it!

He’s a friend of mine. I don’t wish to reveal more than that.

adorable, if you do leave the CR, I will miss you. And I’m sure many many others here also will.

Bomb, this is yet another wonderful and informative article! Everything you’ve said here is absolutely true. Especially the fact that parents sometimes refuse to see their child as anything less than perfect until it is clear to everyone that the child is clearly problematic. I’ve seen it happen many times, as I’m quite close with someone who deals with these kids, as well as their parents, every day. Perhaps it could partly be due to the parents valuing their own, and their family’s, self-image, rather than their child’s real needs. And they only “choose” to start seeing their child’s needs once everyone knows this child is problematic, because at that point, they are maintaining their self-image by seeking help.

adorable, you can find it on my music page profile.

Amen, and thank you! But really, I’d love to make your monogram. Let me know!

Again, mazal tov adorable!

Just wondering, would you like me to make a monogram for your invitation or bentcher?