The Legacy of Yehiel Jacob Weinberg

 https://azure.org.il/include/print.php?id=266

In the course of presenting the opinions for and against a lenient ruling, Shapiro informs us that Wein­berg’s opponents were, in large part, motivated by what he calls “meta-halachic” considerations. His use of the term, however, is so unclear as to be misleading.

Initially he characterizes “meta-halacha” as representing wider, subjective considerations, which are normally brought to bear in halachic decision­making: “Because such non-formal considerations are not grounded in explicit texts and cannot be refuted in the fashion of traditional halachic arguments, they may be referred to as ‘meta-halachic’ considerations.” Yet it is not long before Shapiro begins charging the term with a negative connotation: He distinguishes “meta-halachic” considerations, which are essentially “emotional and political,” from “pure halachic analysis.” The reader is left with the impression that Weinberg’s critics manipulated the halacha according to their own agendas, in disregard of the straightforward meaning of the textual sources.

Extra-legal Factors in R. Weinberg's Pesak

 https://etzion.org.il/en/philosophy/issues-jewish-thought/rabbinic-thought/extra-legal-factors-r-weinbergs-pesak

R. Weinberg’s halakhic responsa frequently bring meta-halakhic factors to bear, a trend noticed and discussed by Marc Shapiro. This is not surprising, since Jewish law reflects ideals and values and not just formal rules. But while similar sentiments appear in the writings of other poskim, R. Weinberg introduces such factors on a more consistent basis and in an admirably forthright manner. Sometimes communal needs or ethical concerns motivate him to rely upon a leniency he would not otherwise have allowed. In other scenarios, meta-halakhic factors motivate stringency, even if the practice in question does not entail any legal violation.

Hindu Temple, Previously A Jewish Synagogue, Will Become the First in Rhode

 https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/hindu-temple-previously-jewish-synagogue-will-become-first-rhode-island

The loss of the synagogue has not been easy for the Jewish community. They have reached out to the Hindu Temple Society to allow them to share the space, and Veltri reports that they are still waiting for a response.

Conservative Media Turns on Donald Trump Amid January 6 Hearings Fallout

 https://www.newsweek.com/conservative-press-turns-donald-trump-amid-january-6-hearings-fallout-1727431

Around the same time on Friday, the New York Post's editorial board also condemned the former president saying he was "unworthy" to ever be president again.

Trump's only focus on January 6, 2021, was to "find any means... to block the peaceful transfer of power," the Post's editorial said.

"There is no other explanation, just as there is no defense, for his refusal to stop the violence.

"It's up to the Justice Department to decide if this is a crime. But as a matter of principle, as a matter of character, Trump has proven himself unworthy to be this country's chief executive again."

Both editorials were far more critical of Trump than Murdoch's biggest megaphone: Fox News. "It's really just a cheap, selectively edited political ad," host Sean Hannity told viewers of his show.

Greer Seeks New Sex-Abuse Trial

 https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/court_considers_new_evidence_in_greer_rape

Incarcerated sex offender Rabbi Daniel Greer left his prison cell Wednesday to come to a New Haven courtroom — where one of his alleged victims testified that Greer had indeed had sex with a former student … but waited until the boy was over the age of 16 years.

COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of death from COVID-19; the vaccines don’t alter our DNA

 https://healthfeedback.org/claimreview/covid-19-vaccines-reduce-risk-death-covid-19-dont-alter-dna-charlie-kirk-alex-berenson/

CLAIM

Canadian data shows vaccinated people more likely to die from COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines alter our DNA; hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin cure COVID-19

Ben Shapiro visits Temple Mount with his father - report

 https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-712925

Ben Shapiro had said earlier in his visit that "you can't visit Israel without going up to the Temple Mount."

Right-wing media personality Ben Shapiro went up to the Temple Mount with his father and prayed the afternoon prayer (Mincha) on Sunday, according to the Joint Headquarters of the Temple Mount Organizations.

An 'imposter Christianity' is threatening American democracy

 https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/24/us/white-christian-nationalism-blake-cec/index.html

One of the banners spotted at the January 6 insurrection was a replica of the American flag with the caption, "Jesus is My Savior, Trump is My President."

Erasing the line separating piety from politics is a key characteristic of White Christian nationalism. Many want to reduce or erase the separation of church and state, say those who study the movement.

One of the most popular beliefs among White Christian nationalists is that the US was founded as a Christian nation; the Founding Fathers were all orthodox, evangelical Christians; and God has chosen the US for a special role in history.

Marjorie Taylor Greene to GOP: 'We Should Be Christian Nationalists'

 https://www.newsweek.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-gop-we-should-christian-nationalists-1727445

"We need to be the party of nationalism," the Georgia lawmaker said during the interview. "I'm a Christian, and I say it proudly—we should be Christian nationalists."

Putin Ally Viktor Orbán, Praised by Tucker Carlson, Bashes Mixing of Races

 https://www.newsweek.com/putin-ally-viktor-orban-praised-tucker-carlson-bashes-mixing-races-1727448

Orbán's speech was meant to address the local Hungarian minority in Romania, according to Jonathan Eyal, an associate director at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for Defence and Security Studies.

"Hungary's Viktor Orban each year goes to Romania's Transylvania to deliver nationalist speeches designed to galvanise the considerable local ethnic Hungarian minority. Few governments would allow such an open appeal to irredentism, but the Romanians have tolerated this," he tweeted Sunday.

Viktor Orbán sparks outrage with attack on ‘race mixing’ in Europe

 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/24/viktor-orban-against-race-mixing-europe-hungary

The Romanian MEP Alin Mituța also responded angrily to Orbán’s comments. “Speaking about race or ethnic ‘purity’, especially in such a mixed region such as central and eastern Europe, is purely delusional and dangerous. And so is Mr Orban,” he wrote on Twitter.

Far-right Hungarian PM Orban decries European ‘race-mixing,’ sparking outrage

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/far-right-hungarian-pm-orban-decries-european-race-mixing-sparking-outrage/

Hungary’s conservative leader Viktor Orban denounced the “mixing” of races in a controversial speech on Saturday that has generated backlash.

Speaking in Romania, the Hungarian prime minister defended his vision of an “unmixed Hungarian race” as he criticized “mixing” with non-Europeans, The Guardian reported.

“We [Hungarians] are not a mixed race, and we do not want to become a mixed race either,” Orban said.

Habituation

 

Habituation

 https://nafshi.org/mishlei-13-20-habituation/

Thus, after a period of repeated sinning, the process of habituation desensitizes him to the seriousness of the sin, and it is no longer a struggle. Mishlei describes the phenomenon of habituation in terms of being pursued by the evil that the person has created through his own sin. Something similar is happening when he becomes desensitized to the value of the good that he is doing. However, it is not quite the same.