Anything can happen, but it’s extremely unlikely that a Nazi-type party would ever take power in the US.

However, a holocaust could still occur. All it takes is one nuclear bomb or missile from North Korean or Iran or ISIS, to kill millions of Jews in NYC. The US has a strong military but sometimes defenses fail and snafus happen.

If a nuclear missile was being shot at NYC or Israel, or a bomb was being sneaked into a NYC harbor, then perhaps the US and Israeli militaries would have a roughly equal chance of stopping it before it explodes.

However, Israel might have a slight edge in this regard, since they have had more experience with wars and missles on their turf and are more effective at thwarting real terrorist attacks.

The (far) left is not totally pro-Islam, in that they do not actually promote the teachings of the religion or its extremist groups like Al Qaeda. However, they tend to play down the Islamist terrorist threat (which is understandable to a degree because fortunately there really isn’t much terrorism in the US, and starting random wars as in Iraq actually increased terrorism), and much worse, support Palestinian terror groups.

They do this because in the current left-wing mindset, a group perceived as an underdog cannot really be wrong. Any criticism of any underdog is seen as “blaming the victim.” Violent minorities must always be right, or at least deserving of sympathy and excuse-making, while those seen as the upper-dog, the US or Israel (which they see as a European colonial project) are always critiqued harshly.

Even though most of the Palestinian propoganda is lies, and can be proven is such, the far left is not interested in listening to debunkers. They uncritically accept basically all anti-Israel rhetoric, because it goes along with their bizarre upside-down narrative of the Palestians as innocent underdogs who just want to live normal lives and the Israelis as the worst, most bloodthirsty European colonialists ever.

Ramban mentions gilgulim in this context, as a way to explain suffering that is otherwise difficult to explain.

The Arizal was known to tell people whose neshama they had, and to explain the reasons for their present gilgul.

However, since there are so many different possible reasons for any suffering, we should not assume it is for a particular reason in any particular case.

Of course, if there is any way we can relieve or prevent someone’s suffering, then we should do so. We should never say, “Oh well they had it coming to them so we shouldn’t do anything to help.” Perhaps concerns about this tendency were one of the reasons why kabbalistic teachings about gilgulim were concealed until the time of the publication of the Zohar.

The vast majority of those who have died in the Arab-Israeli conflict died decades ago.

And this numbers is very small compared to the hundreds of thousands, probably millions, of Jews and their descendents lost to assimilation in North America. 90% or more or Jews in Israel marry other Jews and have Jewish children.

By contrast, in North America, the vast majority of Jews for the last two or three generations have married non-Jews. If they had all moved to Israel, a tiny percentage would have died in war or through terrorism, but at least their families would not have been lost to the Jewish people.

Also keep in mind that the traffic fatality rate is much higher in the US than in Israel. Life expectancy is higher in Israel, and the murder and suicide rates are lower. So while Israelis may be of greater risk of death from terror they are safer from other threats.

Overall, due to the dramatically decreased threat from assimilation, the fulfillment of the mitzvah of the settling of the land, and the greater observance level of even many secular Israelis (most chilonim fast on Yom Kippur, for example), Israel has been a great benefit to the Jewish people.

The status quo is not ideal, but the world’s preferred alternative (a two-state solution) would be worse, and the time is not right yet for a one-state solution. So we have to wait it out until a time for a proper solution comes. Puerto Ricans and Indians on reservations were under US control for decades before they had citizenship, and they still have no real voting rights in the congress or presidential elections.

Israel is a strong and successful country, with a great economy, a resilient, well-educated and increasingly religious population, and a bright future. The world’s lack of understanding of its predicament, and their irrational hatred, can’t change that. With Hashem’s help Israel is doing well. As Dovid HaMelech expressed so many times in Tehillim, everything may seem chaotic, with haters surrounding him, but he trusts in Hashem and He saves him.

Not sure. There is a lot of evidence that Chinese medicine (acupuncture, acupressure) is effective for many ailments. But reflexology originates elsewhere, I think.

One thing to keep in mind is there are different types of products people use for this purpose. A “hot plate” in my mind is something meant for cooking (which can get really hot), while a “warming tray” is only meant to warm something up or keep something warm. I had one of the latter, which never got above 200 degrees, and it seemed really safe (we used it for three day yom tov with no problem), but they don’t make it anymore. Some things sold for Shabbos use actually get extremely hot, and for that reason alone can be dangerous.

Good question. And does anyone know what brand was involved in the fire? I had one that seemed really safe, that never got about 200 degrees, but they don’t make it anymore.

I just looked up the raw election data on the Israeli government’s site. In Bnei Brak, Yesh Atid got 503 votes, just less than the amount (533) that voted for Israel Beiteinu. 129 voted for the marijuana legalization party, and 36 voted for the Na Nach party. 30 voted for the new women’s charedi party.

Of the three charedi parties, two of them, Shas and Yachad prefer a Netanyahu government. UTJ may be upset about the draft but they will still join a Netanyahu government, as long as Yesh Atid is not in it. So they will say yes to joining Netanyahu — otherwise Netanyahu will probably have to ask Yesh Atid to join the coalition in their place!

Herzog will not be Prime Minister. It’s extremely unlikely. No one would even be considering this seriously if he hadn’t merged with Livni’s party, artifically making his party the biggest. It’s thus absurd to talk about Netanyahu “losing” the election just because his party gets a less seats than Labor-Livni.

The real question is whether Netanyahu will form a right-wing coalition or a centrist coalition with Labor-Livni, shutting out the right-wing and religious parties. I think he’d rather do the former, and given current polling, he’ll be able to. It seems his big priority now is security issues, and the right-wing parties are his natural allies for that. He’ll have to take UTJ on board, though, so don’t expect to see more laws targeting the charedim.

Eat a lot of food, especially oily or high-calorie food, before drinking and before going to bed. Drink mainly clear liquors like vodka or gin, which have less congeners (non-alcohol impurities that are a main cause of hangovers). Especially avoid the highest-congener drinks, such as bourbon and brandy (and even wine unless you’re used to it and it doesn’t bother you.) Don’t drink too much. Drink a ton of water while you’re drinking and before going to bed. Take a multivitamin before going to bed (alcohol depletes the body of many vitamins and this might be one of the causes of hangovers). Get enough sleep. Eat a big breakfast in the morning after davening. Take some ibuprofen too, unless it’s counterindicated given your medical condition or personal experience. Hatzlacha!

Rav Moshe had several reasons to hold that pot was assur. Search on Mi Yodea and you’ll find detailed description and a link to his teshuvah.

I’m not aware of any Rav who has said it’s permissible.

Regardless, one shouldn’t smoke marijuana. For one thing, it’s a big risk, because a large proportion of people experience negative side effects like paranoia and panic attacks, even people who never realized they were predisposed to such mental disorders. And these things (like panic attacks) can persist after one has stopped using the drugs as well. Also, there’s growing evidence marijuana makes certain people come down with major, permanent, life-changing psychiatric diseases like psychosis and schitzophrenia.

MO Jews tend to be pretty well-off because they choose high-paying professions. They tend to choose high paying professions because they know tuition and housing are expensive. Becoming MO won’t make you wealthy if you’ve already chosen your profession.

It’s supposed to be a lot easier to be MO is Israel, because tuition is so much less. But there are fairly affordable MO areas in the US outside of the big ones — I think Cleveland, Buffalo, Detroit and Memphis might be examples.

flatbusher: Most Vitamin D supplements are D3. The other kind is D2, but it doesn’t absorb as well, so it’s not as widely used.

Two cans of ready-to-eat chickpeas, two to four tablespoons of tahini (or even more if you like tahini), some salt, a little water, two or three lemons worth of lemon juice, some extra virgin olive oil. Blend and taste. If it needs more lemon or salt, add it and blend again. If it’s too thick, add more water, and if it’s not creamy enough, add more tahini or olive oil. Add any spices that you like, if desired. Cumin and paprika are good choices. You could also add some red bell pepper if you want some extra vitamins, color, and flavor.

I don’t understand why OO is in the title of this thread. But now that we’re on the topic…

Panda licorice is from Finland and the box just has a plain “K.” The company has a document indicating that it is under supervision from the Finland’s chief rabbi, who is a YCT grad. I’m not on the OO boat in general, but I think this hechsher is good enough, since it’s a very simple product (with just four ingredients, all vegan and non-grape), and I doubt this humble product is fit for a king’s table.

Here’s an idea: Make a list of the things you want to grow on (brachos, meat/milk, etc.) and resolve to improve in these areas. I think you can improve in these areas mainly by prayer and teshuvah, but also by giving yourself reminders.

First, spend a few minutes each day in personal prayer to Hashem in your own words. Many sources, not just chassidic but also Ramchal and the Chofetz Chaim, have emphasized the importance of such a practice. Start by thanking and praising Hashem for all he has done for you. Then do teshuvah in your own words, identifying what you did wrong (forgetting to say brachos, etc), feeling sorry, resolving to do better, asking for forgiveness. And then pray in your own words for several minutes, asking Hashem for help in these areas. You might want to start with just one specific area, like brachos. Then end with thanks and praise.

In addition, give yourself a little reminder. Put a string around your finger or something to remind you to say a bracha before eating, for example.

It will also help to study at least a little bit of practical halacha each day, like the Kitzur or Shaarei Halacha, and a little bit from whatever mussar seforim (from R’ Zelig Pliskin to Reishis Chochma to Chasidus) you are drawn to.

By the way, it’s wonderful to hear you talk about how you love Hashem so much — this is very important and a lot of people neglect the importance of loving Hashem. (I was just looking at an interesting book called Jewish Spiritual Practices that talks about this at great length, citing many rabbis with practical advice on such things.) It might also help to remind yourself that the way you put loving Hashem into practice is through studying Torah and fulfilling mitzvos (as well as working on middos, which you’re already doing!).

His rhetoric was so militant that he literally inspired Jews to become terrorists in several instance (such as the JDL and Baruch Goldstein), not an easy thing to do to our morally-sensitive people. How this be good? The proof is in the pudding.

As R’ Hirsch, Rav Kook and others have written, Jewish nationalism should not be like non-Jewish militant nationalism (“vainglorious nationalism” as R’ Hirsch is translated), about puffing yourself up and putting others down, as a justification for injustice and war. But that’s what Kahanism is.

We can ultimately achieve more or less the same thing (incorporate the territories into Israel (a one-state solution) while maintaining a comfortable Jewish majority) though more moderate, compassionate rhetoric and means. If Jewish Home (in its current fairly moderate version) or the right-wing of Likud were to get in power, I believe that is what they would do.

There are religious settlers who believe strongly in what they are doing, yet who get along well with the local Arabs and strive to live in peace with them and use gentle language in pacifying them and improving their lives practically. That, plus getting rid of the terrorists and stopping the pro-terror incitement within Arab society, will work better than far-right nationalist grandstanding.

Feminism is just a word, which people can define however they want.

There are hijab-wearing Muslim feminists (who just want to change some unnecessary restrictions based on custom but still follow traditional Islamic law), there are Jewish feminists who are doing the same thing (some call themselves feminists, some don’t), and there are (mainly non-Orthodox) Jewish feminists who want to get rid of halacha whenever it offends them.

And there are traditional religious women who work toward improving the lot of women (more careers, education, happiness, community engagement, etc.) without calling themselves feminists. There are also even traditional religous women who are 100% for the status quo without any changes, who claim to be feminists too. It all depends on their preference and community norms.

People shouldn’t use vague words to critique people. What if Sarah Schneier had been shouted down by people calling her a feminist for wanting to educate girls? If you have a problem with what someone is doing, criticize what they’re doing substantively, not by name calling.

Popa, there is not equal pay. There is a real gender pay gap. Not in every single job, but on average.

Good question. Well, you can take a look at his website and see the kinds of responses he gives.

The Israeli charedi parties represent the right-wing of charedim. The “new charedim,” more moderate charedim, the “left-wing yeshivish,” American-olim who are charedim, etc., probably have a somewhat more open attitude toward women’s occupations and public positions.

There are quite a few charedi women who are doctors, lawyers, professors, etc. in America, and at least some in Israel. There are certainly charedi women in both countries who write books and articles and give public shiurim (to women); some even produce and direct their own films (for women only).

Something else to keep in mind that, according to some Torah teachings, everything a man accomplishes he owes to his wife’s merits. So perhaps there’s no specific need, in people’s minds, of women MKs, since women MK’s wives are ultimately responsible for all the good the MKs are able to do (either directly, through conversation, or in some mysterious spiritual way).

However, I agree with you that there is no real fundamental reason why women, including charedi women, couldn’t run for office. I think they will eventually, but perhaps not as part of one of the current charedi parties (because they wouldn’t want to do anything to offend the community’s kannoim), but instead through Likud or as an independent or something.

Some people would see the tsnius issue as being in the limelight where everyone can see you, as opposed to behind the scenes. But not everyone would agree with that interpretation of tsnius. Nowadays charedi publications don’t publish pictures of women, but that’s no reason not to elect them; they can just run stories in their newspapers about the women politicians without pictures.

Do any American Orthodox women hold political office? Just wondering.

My two zuzim: just forget about it and do your job.

For all you know the boss has had private conversations with your coworker reprimanding him. Perhaps that is all he deserves.

Regardless, as a worker you do not have the right to ensure that fellow employees who break the rules should be punished. Deciding on when and how to discipline is the boss’s job. Punishment is not always the answer.

In addition, keep in min that he will get what’s coming to him eventually, whether at work or in the Heavenly beis din.

If you do your job right and stay out of others’ business, you’re also more likely to be promoted or receive a raise.

I would only complain if your co-worker is paid more than you for doing the same job less well.

It is considered very important in Yiddishkeit to allow “your soul to be silent to those who curse you” (that is, don’t respond or get upset even when other people are mean to you) and accept all your suffering with love as a way Hashem is, in His hidden way, bestowing His kindness upon you (by cleansing you of your aveiros, for example).

So try not to worry about it. Even thank Hashem for your troubles. Gamzu l’tovah.

I believe according to some views in the Gemara, some of the punishments were never carried out at all.

The gerus bill would decentralize gerus, allowing local batei din (outside of the Rabbanut) to process gerim. This is how it used to be anyway, so it’s not like it’s a fundamental change. It would also benefit chassidim and other groups who prefer to use their own rabbis instead of going through the bureaucratic channels of the Rabbanut.

The left likes to make changes that would make gerus less hard because of 1) universalism — those on the left are more likely to see Yiddishkeit as something of more universal appeal to all of humanity, rather than the teachings of an insular minority that doesn’t care about the world, 2) sympathy for left-wing religious rulings (such as those of R’ Uziel and others) that allow gerus to be completed even without the ger becoming completely observant, 3) a desire to make life easier for Russian immigrants who aren’t halachically Jewish but have Jewish ancestry and a Jewish identity and served in the IDF, 4) a desire to undercut the increasing control of the Rabbanut (and thus Israeli society, in some respects) by the charedim.

Totally agree, but the problem is it’s hard to teach, and there are many different viewpoints, and teachers don’t want to attract controversy.

Or teachers may not know what to say, since this is very personal. For example, someone wrote an article about how R’ Yosef Ber Soloveitchik was a very spiritual person and felt the presence of Hashem, but he rarely talked about that kind of thing publicly.

Ideally, people should be taught about how to cultivate spirituality, from talking to Hashem in your own words (especially associated with Breslov, traditional Jewish women’s prayer) to meditation (Chabad, kabbalah, Meam Loez) to always reminding yourself of Hashem’s presence and trying to feel it in your life (Bilvavi — a sefer you can read for free in English online, by the way). There’s an encyclopedic book on this subject, Jewish Spiritual Practices. But I personally have gained a lot from the R’ Arush books.

Yes, we need a balanced education — Gemara, but also halacha, hashkafa, mussar, chassidus, history, etc. People need to understand that many people will not be happy and fulfilled in their Avodas Hashem until they find something that really works for them or inspires them. It doesn’t have to mean changing one’s community affiliation or anything — there are certainly Litvishers who learn chassidus and sephardim who learn Litvish kabbalistic seforim and so on.