Yakov was called G-d

 Bereishis (33:20) And he erected there an altar, and called it El-Elohe-Israel.

Megila (18a): How do we know that G-d, called Jacob G-d Because it says, And the G-d of Israel called Jacob G-d. For should you suppose that what the text means is that Jacob called the altar G-d, then it should be written, ‘And Jacob called it’. But as it is not written so, we must translate, ‘He called Jacob G-d’. And who called him so? The G-d of Israel.

Bereishis Rabbah (79:8) AND HE ERECTED THERE AN ALTAR, AND CALLED IT EL-ELOHE-ISRAEL Jacob declared to Him: ‘Thou art G-d in the celestial spheres and I am a G-d in the terrestrial sphere.’ R. Huna commented in the name of R. Simeon b. Lakish: G-d reproved him: ' Even the synagogue superintendent cannot assume authority of himself, yet thou didst take authority to thyself. To-morrow thy daughter will go out and be dishonoured!’ 

Rabbeinu Bachya (Bereishis 33:20)  A kabbalistic approach: the G’d of Israel called Yaakov “EL.” This is also what our sages have said in Bereshit Rabbah 79,8. The wording there is that G’d said to Israel: “I am G’d in heaven whereas you are “EL” on earth.” This would reflect what we have quoted repeatedly that Yaakov’s likeness is engraved on the throne of G’d. The meaning of these strange words in the Midrash is that the שכינה resides in the land of Israel. This would account for Bileam having said in Numbers 23,8 “how can I curse when “EL” has not cursed?” He referred to Yaakov when he said “EL.” 

Rashi ((Bereishis 33:20) G-d called Jacob by the name El. The verse therefore should be translated “and the God of Israel called Jacob El”. And in reference to all these different explanations it may be said that the words of the Torah — just as a hammer splits the rock into many different pieces may be given many different explanations. I however make it my aim to give the plain sense of Scripture. 

Ramban (Bereishis 33:20) And by way of the Truth as being in accord with the Midrash which the Rabbis have expounded in Tractate Megillah: There is in this matter a great secret, which the Sages have additionally mentioned in Bereshith Rabbah  in another way: “Jacob said to G-d, ‘Thou art the G-d of those on high, and I am the master of those down below.’” The Sages thereby alluded to that which they constantly say: the likeness of Jacob is engraved in the Heavenly Throne. The intent of Jacob’s statement quoted in the Midrash — “I am the master of those down below” — is that the Divine Glory rests in the Land of Israel. The student learned in the mystic lore of the Cabala will understand.

Chovas HaLevavos (6:1) You made him but slightly less than the angels. This [phrase] refers to Yaakov, Our Sagessaid “The God of Israel called him [i.e., Yaakov] God.”

Netziv (Bereishis 33:20) The medrash explains that Yakov called himself G-d. The doesn’t mean that he called himself G-d, Heaven forfend!, but that he called himself Israel and consequently G-d was called the G-d of Israel. In other words that Yakov prayed before the altar “ The G-d of Avraham and the G-d of Yitzchok and the G-d of Israel. Yakov was punished for this with the incident of his daughter Dinah being raped as is stated in Bereishis Rabbah (79:8). In other words even though an angel had told him that his name had been changed to Israel, nevertheless G-d had not called that as we see in the gemora. . 

Warning: Popular Vitamin Supplement Causes Cancer Risk and Brain Metastasis

 https://scitechdaily.com/warning-popular-vitamin-supplement-causes-cancer-risk-and-brain-metastasis/

Commercial dietary supplements like nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3, were linked to benefits related to cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological health in previous studies. However, new research from the University of Missouri (MU) has found NR could actually increase the risk of serious disease, including developing cancer.

Why Ron DeSantis’s post-midterms glow up may fade

 https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/11/13/23454213/desantis-trump-2024-president-republican

“I think that DeSantis can win many Trump Republicans over, but there are some who are just implacable,” Hynes said.

Trump is still Republican voters’ odds-on favorite. Hynes cautions the party establishment against trying to change voters’ minds because many party leaders, like McConnell, remain distrusted by the grassroots and it could backfire.

And for all the talk of a GOP presidential candidate DeSantis, Trump may simply not be defeatable. To win a primary, DeSantis would need to convert some of Trump’s voters. Amandi said that it’s not even possible to change voters’ minds.

“The MAGA wing of the Republican Party is a political cult. You can only have one cult leader at a time and anybody who threatens the leader of the cult must pay the ultimate price,” he said. “Right now, if DeSantis directly challenges Trump, he’s risking political oblivion.”

Redistricting battle further positions DeSantis for 2024 presidential bid

 https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/3540717-redistricting-battle-further-positions-desantis-for-2024-presidential-bid/

Republican gerrymanders are nothing new in Florida politics. A decade ago, flouting the voter-approved state constitutional amendments that prohibited politicians from drawing the lines in a way that benefited any political party or incumbent, Rick Scott and the GOP majority forced through a plan that cemented the party’s control over the state’s senate and congressional districts. Their gerrymander set in motion a protracted legal battle that culminated in the state courts declaring the maps unconstitutional. 

Florida Supreme Court locks in DeSantis-backed redistricting map

 https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/02/florida-redistricting-map-court-decision-00036740

 Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to redraw the state’s congressional map and give a substantial advantage to Republicans will likely remain in place for this year’s elections.

The state Supreme Court — in a 4-1 divided ruling in which two justices recused themselves — declined to wade into an ongoing legal dispute over the map. Voting and civil rights groups opposed to the GOP-approved redistricting map asked the state high court to block it in late May. They argue the redistricting maps violate Florida’s Fair Districts provisions, or anti-gerrymandering amendments in the state constitution.

Florida Governor DeSantis given power to gerrymander state’s electoral maps

 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/13/florida-legislature-governor-ron-desantis-redrawing-electoral-maps

The Florida legislature will allow Governor Ron DeSantis to take the lead on redrawing the state’s 28 congressional districts, a highly unusual move that will probably diminish Black political power in the state and allow Republicans to further distort the state’s map to their advantage.

State legislatures, including Florida’s, usually draw a proposal for a plan that the governor approves or rejects. DeSantis vetoed the GOP-controlled legislature’s proposed congressional districts on 29 March after proposing his own map that would increase the number of GOP seats while eliminating two districts represented by Black Democrats. Leaders in the legislature said on Monday that they would not try to draft a new plan ahead of a special session next week, but instead were waiting for DeSantis, a likely 2024 presidential candidate, to submit his own plan.

Ron DeSantis Drew Florida An Extreme Gerrymander | FiveThirtyEight

Russian Dead and Wounded Passes 100,000 in War's Ninth Month: Pentagon

 https://www.newsweek.com/russian-dead-wounded-passes-100000-wars-ninth-month-pentagon-1759179

The body count of both Russians and Ukrainians keeps rising even with Russia's retreat from the occupied Kherson. A top official from the Pentagon said Russia's combined killed and wounded has already topped 100,000 and Ukraine civilian deaths has surpassed a grim 40,000 milestone.

Can Yoga Be Rendered Kosher? (A Brief Summary)

 BS"D 

20 Cheshvan '83 / Chayei Soroh / November 14, '22

~~  A public service of Tomim Tih'yeh  ~~

The proliferation of Yoga practitioners ("... sprouted up like a crop of mushrooms after a rain," as Rav Belsky put it) - some apparently incentivized via government largesse - raises the question ever more frequently: Is there any way to render Yoga permissible according to Torah Law?

Yoga is a set of ancient, idolatry-infused systems, purporting to be paths to human achievement and perfection. In it's original forms, Yoga is a way to worship their "object of worship," as Rav Belsky put it (see futher). Western New-Age proponents have adapted Yoga to meet the incessant demands for "Spirituality Without Morality." Some in the West have even claimed to secularize Yoga altogether. Yoga involves both theology and practice.

Theology/Ideology:

The Eastern/ Hindu/ New-Age ideology underlying - and often accompanying - Yoga is demonstrably assur (prohibited). Specifically, anything related to the heretical notion of "Prana" (a.k.a. Qi, Ki, Universal Energy, etc.;

http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-shitah-of-chi-is-foundational-god.html?m=1; 

The Book of Chi, Paul Wildish, p. xi; 3, 5) must be avoided altogether, as articulated by Rav Yisroel Belsky, Rav Dovid Feinstein, OB"M, et.al. in their psak on related concerns. That statement, prohibiting all forms of "energy healing," and the ideology of "universal energy," was published in the book "Rav Belsky on Alternative Medicine, New Age Medicine - Energy Healing" (Tzuf/ Judaica Press). At the end of that statement (p. 130), they identify the notion of "Universal Energy" as heresy, "kefira b'ikkar."

Be aware that Yoga ideology, rather theology, is often subtle.  There are many ideas that - while not Avoda Zorah (loosely translated as "idolatry") or Kefira (heresy) proper - are nevertheless prohibited to expose oneself to [how much more so to believe] - inasmuch as they could LEAD a person to Avoda Zorah or kefira beliefs themselves. Those ideas fall under the prohibition of "Lo So'ssuru Ach'arei Le'vav'chem" - Zu minnus."*

* See Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hil. A.Z. 2:2-3; Sefer HaChinuch 357; SMa"G L.S. 15; Bi'ur Halacha 1:1, the sixth of the constant mitzvos.

Yoga materials, as is the case with most of the information marketed in the holistic health arena, are pervaded with such stealth theology.  New Age propagandists specialize in marketing these types of ancient Avoda-Zorah (="A.Z.") and kefira notions as "scientific." It is the New Age movement that serves as the primary conduit of ancient and contemporary A.Z. and kefira into religious homes, under the veneer of alternative means to attain health, serenity, wealth, productivity, self-esteem, and everything else you'd consider paying - or charging - money for.

Practices:

Many Yoga practices, including bowing towards the Sun, lighting candles, chanting mantras (e.g. "OM"), and others, are clearly assur. If fact, certain breathing techniques are a form of worship, specifically "libation," as observed by the academic authority Mercia Eliade in his book "Yoga." (It appears as if every unhinged guru-aspirant markets his own form of Yoga, manifesting their own  idiosyncrasies, as in the blasphemous "Kabbalah Yoga," with Alef-Beis postures.) There is also a highly appealing meditative element of Yoga, and an Arayos (indecency) element as well, both of which (apparently somewhat interdependent) are to be shunned.

The only question remaining is whether there is a way to render the strictly physical facets of Yoga kosher, and how so. In short, at the risk of oversimplifying, the answer to that is that even the physical exercises and postures of Yoga are problematic. That's because, if for no other reason, they're modeled after idolatrous forms. Therefore, even if those physical postures etc. have some musculoskeletal benefit, that's not sufficient to permit them. Why perform those specific A.Z.-oriented movements and postures, when the same basic musculoskeletal benefit is available via non-A.Z.-related postures and exercises?

Any claim to render Yoga kosher requires the requisite understanding of the relevant facts, the Avoda Zorah background involved, and the relevant facets of Halacha. One Torah authority who satisfied those criteria was Rav Yisroel Belsky OB"M. See "Rav Belsky on Alternative Medicine, New Age Medicine - Energy Healing," p.37-8 (and p. 116-117, Judaica Press ed.). Rav Belsky was opposed not only to Yoga itself, but also opposed the various attempts to ostensibly render Yoga kosher, as evidenced by the audio quoted there [page 37]:

"Indeed, although there are many individuals, including learned and well-intentioned Rabbonim, who will say that there are no problems with certain forms of Yoga when practiced soley as physical exercise, the simple, verifiable fact remains that the very act of assuming a particular posture or movement in Yoga is in itself a supplication to the deity associated with that action - a type of worship through movement and posture."

Moreover, even IF there would be basis to find a practical heter (halachic leniency) for some restricted form of Yoga, it would be difficult to find a practitioner who truly limits themselves to the confines of that hypothetical heter. It's so common to find that a practitioner obtained a heter for some New Age "gem," and practices a highly devolved variant thereof - while continuing to impute to the exploited Rabbi their altered, prohibited practices. What is most disturbing is how so many intelligent people fall for this switch-and-bait marketing fraud.

In any case, what is indisputable is that massive numbers of Jews are stumbling in some of the most serious prohibitions of the Torah -due to ignorance and misinformation. That needs to be alleviated by properly alerting the public so that, at the very least, those seeking the truth may be enabled to find it. "Lo sa'amod al dam rei'echah" applies here.

May we expedite the Final Redemption in the merit of eliminating all of its impediments.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shailos and questions may be directed to Rabbi Noson Shmuel Leiter [preferably between 12:30 and 1:30pm ET, or one may try between 10 and 11:15pm]:

USA: 845-642-1679* «» 

* for calls and texts, but not WhatsApp; press * to leave a detailed voicemail, along with the latest time to call back and your contact information.

Israeli Helpline: 03-721-3337

Feel ree to inquire about speaking engagements as well. Those interested in partnership in public awareness work, please notify accordingly. Those whom you save may be closer to you than you'd expect.

_________

For posts on related topics see:

Theological Detoxification:

http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2020/08/bsd-insights-from-parshas-shoftim-on-of.html

(Aug. 20, '20)

--

HK Manual: Energy Permission asked of the "Ch-i," R"L:

http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2020/08/hk-manual-on-energy-permission-asked-of.html

(Aug. 22, '20)

--

Why the very concept of Q-i, Ch-i, K-i, Pra-na, "Universal Energy," et. al. is heretical:

http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-shitah-of-chi-is-foundational-god.html?m=1

--

https://daattorah.blogspot.com/2020/07/is-energy-healing-form-of-avodah-zarah.html?m=1

--

"Neither Alternative, Medical or Halachic:"

http://daattorah.blogspot.com/2020/07/neither-alternative-medical-or-halachic.html

###

Satmar Rebbe: Trumpism has infiltrated Judaism, twisted many minds

 https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-722025

“Trumpism has infiltrated the Jewish camp and twisted so many minds,” Satmar Grand Rebbe Aron Teitelbaum said in a beginning-of-semester address to Satmar Yeshiva students in Kiryas Yoel, New York.

The rebbe's words came two days after the US midterm elections, during which Democrat Kathy Hochul won the New York governership, beating out Jewish Republican Trump ally Lee Zeldin, who had very strong support among New York’s haredi voting population. She had been acting governor since August 2021 after previous governor Andrew Cuomo resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment.

According to Satmar Headquarters on Twitter, the rebbe blamed many in his community for being involved in “Trump meshigas,” or madness.

CNN on the ground as Kherson celebrates liberation

Right-Wing Pundit Ann Coulter Tells Trump to Shut Up Forever After Midterm

 https://www.newsweek.com/right-wing-pundit-ann-coulter-tells-trump-shut-forever-after-midterm-1759108

n Friday, Ann Coulter, the noted conservative pundit and longtime Donald Trump loyalist, had harsh words for the former president in the wake of the midterm election results.

With many predicting blowout wins for the Republican Party this election cycle, the midterms have been surprisingly and historically positive for Democrats. No so-called "red wave" materialized in most parts of the country, with Democrats tipped to retain and potentially grow their Senate majority, with only Nevada and Georgia still up in the air. Democrats also have a small path to retaining the House, with Republicans anticipating a troublesomely thin majority should they retake the lower chamber.

Conservatives Turn On Trump Over Racist Attack on Gov. Glenn Youngkin

 https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-blasts-out-racist-attack-on-virginia-gov-glenn-youngkin?ref=home

Former President Donald Trump lashed out at Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday morning in a racist post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump—who views Youngkin as part of the Republican establishment that wants to squeeze the former president out of the GOP—suggested Youngkin’s name “sounds Chinese.”

Ben Shapiro errs in defending Kanye ally Candace Owens - opinion

 https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-721708

My close friend and one of my great Jewish heroes, Dennis Prager, last week defended his protege, Candace Owens, who has been stalwart in protecting her ally, arch antisemite Kanye West, as he has characterized Jews as being essentially thieves, bloodsuckers and parasites. Why would a great man like Dennis do this?

Before I delve deeper into the story, let’s first seek how Owens rewarded Prager’s friendship and all that he and Ben Shapiro have done to promote Owens’ career.

This is where all this gets rather sickening. What Shapiro is guilty of, as are an increasing number of Jewish Republicans, is putting Conservatism and the Republican Party before decency, fighting hatred and defending the Jewish people. Why is Shapiro putting party before principle and politics before his people? Are we going to see the Daily Wire give West an award for being the foremost pro-life, pro-faith, and pro-Conservative antisemite in America?