Monday, September 5, 2022
Incantation and darchei Emori
Yosef Ometz (3 Nichush and signs) In Sefer HaYirah it is written, “Do not say any incantation”, and in a number of places the Torah prohibits doing so. We in fact are not to utilize signs (Simon) except what Chazal say. Therefore if a person is going to start a mitzvah such as beginning the study a new gemora or to start educating his son in Torah, he should not say I will wait until Rosh Chodesh – even though it says in Shulchan Aruch that there is a custom to begin things on Rosh Chodesh because even though incantations are prohibited signs are allowed. It seems to me that it is best to br strict to fulfil the mitzva of Tamim Tehiyu with your G-d. We find written in Sefer Chasidim (59) that this custom is not the proper path because a person might die within the month and thus miss the mitzva. And furthermore a person who was never concerned with this should not adopt this practice while those who are particular to observe it, Satan is there to oppose him. And because a person can’t always keep his concerns it will lead to problems. He also notes that the critical factor is the degree of concern as we see non-Jews who name their children after their fathers during the father’s lifetime – and no harm results. In contrast Jews are particular not to do this. The Rokeach in his commentary to Yechezkeil notes that this that Chazal say that only those who are particular will it effect him. That means all those things that people typicallly say that they are particular to do this is called the magic of living concern. Therefore all those things which people are concerned to do which involve either doing or avoiding a specific action are in fact violating a severe prohibition as Rabbeinu Yonah wrote in Shaarei Tshuvah and was also stated by Sefer Chasidim (59) who also notes a number of prohibited incantations. I will mention just one of them since it is not rare in modern times. He states, “those who make an oath not to eat the head of an animal or not to eat the intestines of an animal this is darchei Emori (prohibited nonJewish activity). The issue of incantations that are common now it is not necessary to write about them. I will just give a general rule. All those things which don’t have a natural mechanism and are not explicitly permitted in a sefer – are prohibited. Similarly those medicines which are called segulos are permitted as are lachashim – as long as they actually work.
Sunday, September 4, 2022
In QAnon Renaissance, Conspiracists Feast on Trump-Biden War of Words
https://www.newsweek.com/qanon-renaissance-conspiracists-feast-trump-biden-war-words-1739709
A QAnon Telegram channel with nearly 150,000 followers posted on Thursday after Biden's speech that "THEY WANT POLITICAL WARS. THEY WANT YOU DIVIDED," alongside "Q."
On Saturday, another QAnon Telegram channel with nearly 300,000 followers predicted a "false flag" operation following Biden's speech and the FBI's investigation into whether Trump improperly stored classified information at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Bill Barr: The facts show the Feds were being ‘jerked around’ by Trump
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/02/bill-barr-trump-fbi-mar-a-lago-00054716
Barr called the “whole idea of a special master a bit of a red herring” and a “waste of time.” He said the only documents his legal team may want to insulate the government from are those related to his “private lawyer communications, him as an individual and his outside lawyers.” He added that there doesn’t “appear to be much of this material.”
GOP Is 'Dangerous,' Former Pence Adviser Defends Biden's Anti-MAGA Speech
https://www.newsweek.com/gop-dangerous-former-pence-adviser-defends-bidens-anti-maga-speech-1739665
Olivia Troye, an ex-adviser to former Vice President Mike Pence, defended President Joe Biden's anti-MAGA speech on Saturday amid GOP backlash.
"He wasn't criticizing Republican voters, which I've seen a lot of talk about that. What he's saying is that this extreme faction...is dangerous," she said.
Even within the Republican Party, there are many people who agree with Biden's sentiments and oppose the Trump-aligned wing of the party, Troye added.
"Many of us agree. There are many of us Republican voters who are not the right-wing crazy that is taking over the party that is damaging, I would say, to the party," she said. "We don't identify with that at all. And I think as long as they continue to do this, they will lose."
How Trump Taught Everybody to Be Obnoxious and Cruel
Oz’s communications handlers, like those of the Arizona Republican Party, forgot one of the timeless rules of political invective: One can get away with a lot if the insult is leavened by originality, intelligence or humor — or ideally all three.
A recent example with none of those was especially cringeworthy. “What does a dog-cleaner have in common with Kathy Hoffman?” chortled the Arizona GOP in its official Twitter feed. “They are both groomers.”
Donald Trump: What we learned from his rally in Pennsylvania
Donald Trump: What we learned from his rally in Pennsylvania
Speaking to thousands of supporters in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the ex-president accused Mr Biden of weaponizing the FBI against him.
The raid was "one of the most shocking abuses of power by any administration in American history", Mr Trump claimed.
He was in the state to promote two Republican candidates.
Dr Mehmet Oz is running for the US Senate, and state Senator Doug Mastriano is in the race to become Pennsylvania's next governor.
Both spokeonly briefly - as always, the rally on Saturday night was really about one person: the headliner.
Agudath Israel Files Amicus Brief in YU Pride Alliance v. Yeshiva University
https://agudah.org/agudath-israel-files-amicus-brief-in-yu-pride-alliance-v-yeshiva-university/
Today, Agudath Israel of America filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief asking the US Supreme Court to issue an emergency stay pending appeal, to prevent Yeshiva University from being compelled to recognize an LGBTQ+ club.
The case, YU Pride Alliance v. Yeshiva University, pits four students and alumni, who attended Yeshiva University (YU) well aware of its religious character, against their school. YU Pride claims that Yeshiva University must accept its club under the New York City Humans Rights Law (NYCHRL) – widely considered one of the most sweeping such protection laws in the country. Yeshiva University counters that a religious exemption, which is found in the actual law, and is protected by the First Amendment, means it cannot be forced to run its private school against its own religious convictions. YU Pride was successful in its legal bid at the lower court in New York, hence the need for an emergency appeal now to the Supreme Court.
Trump brands Biden ‘enemy of the state,’ says FBI raid was an ‘abuse of power’ = Republican approach to unity?!
Donald Trump branded Joe Biden an “enemy of the state” Saturday, as he hit back at the US president’s assertion that the Republican and his supporters are undermining American democracy and slammed last month’s FBI raid of his Florida home.
Making his first public appearance since the August 8 raid, Trump said the search was a “travesty of justice” and warned it would produce “a backlash the likes of which nobody has ever seen.”
Lindsey Graham Says Trump's Personality May Cost Him 2024 Election
https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-says-trumps-personality-may-cost-him-2024-election-1739676
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says that if former President Donald Trump get his party's nomination in 2024, he may face trouble if the race becomes a "personality contest."
Speaking to reporter Steve Sedgwick on CNBC Saturday, the Trump ally had praise for the former president, saying he "could be" the best Republican presidential candidate, calling Trump a "consequential president." Trump, so far, has not announced his candidacy.
"I think a strong American president, unpredictable, is a good thing as long as you keep it within the boundaries. His problem is personal, his policies have stood the test of time but has he worn the American people out in terms of his personality? Time will tell. But I'll say this, after the Biden presidency, if there's a policy debate in 2024, I like his chances. If it's a personality contest, he'll be in trouble," Graham said.
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Common steroids used for asthma, allergies linked to brain decline, study finds
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/30/health/oral-inhaled-steroids-brain-changes-wellness/index.htm
lTaking oral or inhaled glucocorticoids, a type of steroid used to curb inflammation in asthma and other autoimmune disorders, may be linked to damaging changes in the white matter of the brain, a new study found
Scrutiny builds over FBI’s discovery of empty folders at Mar-a-Lago
Among the material allegedly seized from former President Trump’s home were numerous empty folders that once contained classified information or intel designated to be returned to the military, renewing questions over fallout from the potential mishandling of records and if they have since been recovered.
In an inventory from the Justice Department unsealed by a judge Friday, the government detailed that interspersed with Trump’s personal belongings were 48 empty folders with classified banners as well as another 42 empty folders that were labeled “return to staff secretary/military aide,” according to the filing.