Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Reciting Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

 https://torahmitzion.org/learn/reciting-hallel-rosh-chodesh/

Conclusion: On Shloshet HaRegalim (the Three Festivals), hallel is recited, and according to some opinions, this recitation isme’haTorah. In contrast, everyone agrees that on Rosh Chodesh, hallel is a minhag, but the custom of reciting the bracha is not universal. Ashkenazim do recite the bracha, but Edot HaMizrach do not.

Hallel on Rosh Chodesh

 https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/05-01-12/

There is a widespread custom to recite Hallel on Rosh Chodesh. Indeed, according to the letter of the law, there is no obligation to do so, because Hallel is required only on days that are called mo’ed (appointed times), and when work is prohibited. Rosh Chodesh is called a mo’ed, but work is permitted on the day. Still, the Jewish people have accepted the practice of saying Hallel on Rosh Chodesh, in order to give expression to the sanctity of the day, which is capable of elevating one to the level of singing God’s praises. To make it clear that the Hallel of Rosh Chodesh is based on custom, and not obligatory, we omit two paragraphs that are said when reciting the complete Hallel (the complete Hallel consists of chapters 113-118 of Tehillim, and we skip 115:1-11 and 116:1-11).

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Critics say an Aldi job ad excluded white people. We took a closer look

 https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/mar/01/critics-say-an-aldi-job-ad-excluded-white-people-w/

"Statements of preference in employment, whether or not they are legally valid, tend not to categorically exclude groups protected by state and federal law," Griffin said. "Simply stated, prioritization is not the same thing as exclusion."

Money and spirituality

 Lekutei Moharan (01:68) The soul originates from the same supernal source from which money issues, devolves and comes into being. Money’s origin, from which it extends downward, is undoubtedly an aspect of holiness and a source of holy influx. But afterwards, in the process of devolving, this influx acquires corporeality and becomes money. Thus the reason the soul desires money is that the soul and money share the same source. 

Lekutei Moharan (01:68) It would be right for all Jews to have money. However, there is one trait that causes them to forfeit and lose it. This is a despicably evil trait, from which it is very difficult to be rescued. Even if a person wants to go free from it—in particular when his motivation is greed: so as not to lose money—this evil trait nevertheless overwhelms him in his youth and immaturity, and so he forfeits the money that he should have had. This evil trait is anger, because of which a person forfeits and loses the money he should rightfully have. For the root from which money devolves, from which it extends downward, is precisely the same as that of anger. 

Lekutei Moharan (01:68) At its origin, the root from which money devolves is the source of the soul, as in “for his soul depends on it” (Deuteronomy 24:15), which is said concerning the money of a day-worker. It is also written (Lamentations 5:9), “We get our bread at the peril of our souls.” This is why the soul hungers after and desires it, as explained above. But by getting angry a person loses his soul, as in “He tears apart his soul with his anger” (Job 18:4) ; as the Zohar brings (II, 182a) . 

I'm a White Man. I'm the Victim of Racism

 https://www.newsweek.com/racism-race-white-privilege-1819827

In my opinion, the political left are attempting to create a division based on race, in an attempt to drive more voters towards the Democratic Party. I believe this has led to what I call a war on White people.

There are various groups who would argue that White people cannot be the victims of racism—that only people of color can be—but I consider that to be a ridiculous argument.

Trump allies plot anti-racism protections — for white people

 https://www.axios.com/2024/04/01/trump-reverse-racism-civil-rights

If Donald Trump returns to the White House, close allies want to dramatically change the government's interpretation of Civil Rights-era laws to focus on "anti-white racism" rather than discrimination against people of color.

The Truth about Anti-White Discrimination

 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-truth-about-anti-white-discrimination/

Many white Americans feel that discrimination against whites is on the rise. Experiments suggests otherwise

Monday, May 6, 2024

Trump’s deportation plan is modeled on ‘inhumane’ 1950s program, experts say

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2024/02/26/trump-immigration-deportation-eisenhower-operation/

But when describing the operation on which Trump’s plan is built, experts commonly land on the same word: “inhumane.” The Eisenhower-era operation has been referred to as such by think tanks, scholars and historians, who also said the policy was not as successful as Swing and others claimed.

Wife should be pious

 Sefer Chasidim (1015) A pious person should pray that G-d provide him a pious wife and he should not be concerned with her wealth but only her piety. That is because wealth comes from good deeds. Therefore if he marries for wealth he will eventually lose it and only benefit from it in this World, while if he marries a good person he will become wealthy but the principal reward is in the future World

Kilmeade says Biden went ‘full Hitler’ attacking Trump during Valley Forge speech

 https://thehill.com/media/4395082-kilmeade-biden-full-hitler-trump-speech/

“What’s resonating is Trump is unelectable. He is not worthy of the seat. Hence the speech on Friday where the president went full Hitler that Trump is the worst thing ever, will destroy the country,” Kilmeade said Monday morning on “Fox and Friends.”

Trump admires Hitler, is infatuated with Putin, former staff claim in new book

 https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-admires-hitler-is-infatuated-with-putin-former-staff-claim-in-new-book/

In an excerpt from his new book “The Return of Great Powers,” published  Tuesday, CNN anchor Jim Sciutto recounted speaking to multiple members of Trump’s former staff, all of whom corroborated that they frequently heard him commend the likes of North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi Jinping and, one more than one occasion, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

White House: Trump Gestapo comment echoes ‘appalling rhetoric of fascists’

 https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4645186-white-house-trump-gestapo-comment-echoes-appalling-rhetoric-of-fascists/

“These people are running a Gestapo administration,” Trump said, according to audio obtained by The New York Times. “And it’s the only thing they have. And it’s the only way they’re going to win, in their opinion, and it’s actually killing them. But it doesn’t bother me.”

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Is Bari Weiss Embarrassed by the Intellectual Dark Web?

 https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-bari-weiss-embarrassed-by-the-intellectual-dark-web

If Weiss intends to build a new alternative media with the same commitment to credibility and speaking truth to power as the old institutions, it’s on her to call out the “cranks, grifters and bigots” who claim to be in the same anti-establishment trench as her. (The Daily Beast made multiple attempts to reach Weiss for comment, but received no response.)

Rav Yechiel Perr zt”l: The SIgnificance of the Loss

 https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/2280986/rav-yechiel-perr-ztl-the-significance-of-the-loss.html

Aside from his deep mehalech haLimmud and his unique Musaar insights, Rav Perr cared deeply for Klal Yisroel, helping Agunos throughout his life, standing up for the downtrodden, the poor, Baalei teshuvah, Geirim, and he stood strongly for Kiruv. He stood for Yashrus in every aspect of it.  Whenever a danger to Klal Yisroel arose, he stood at the forefront to stop it.  Rav Perr was one of the first to stand strong against molesters in Jewish education.  He challenged others in yashrus – backing the nusach below when others did not.  We, the undersigned, affirm that any individual with firsthand knowledge or reasonable basis to suspect child abuse has a religious obligation to promptly notify the secular law enforcement of that information. These individuals have the experience, expertise and training to thoroughly and responsibly investigate the matter. Furthermore, those deemed “mandated reporters” under secular law must obey their State’s reporting requirements.