Promise Kept
23%
Compromise
22%
Promise Broken
53%
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
"G-d does miracles even for the irreligious" - Criticism of the views of the Satmar Rebbe
One of the major theological controversies in recent years has been the validity of the Satmar Rebbe's claim that the Six Day War victory was ma'aseh Satan and whether miracles only happen to frum people. [There is of course Rav Moshe's teshuva (Y.D. 4:8.2) regarding the miracle of Entebbe which clearly disagrees with the Satmar. ] But there is a little known or remembered event that happened shortly after the Six Day War which clearly defined the basis of dispute. This is the version I heard from Rabbi Gavriel Beer - a life long Aguda askan - who was there.
As is well known by now, the mood leading up to the Six Days War was very gloomy. Many in Israeli and in the Diaspora were anticipating a war which would be very costly in life - both for the soldiers and civilian population. The more optimistic view was that Israel would take a harsh beating but would survive. There is no need to mention the pessimistic view.
But when the guns were silent after the incredibly short war in June 1967, Israelis discovered that not only had they survived but they had soundly thrashed the massive armies of the surrounding Arab countries and in addition had acquired the West Bank - which included the Old City of Jerusalem and the location of the Temple. Everyone seemed to say it was an open miracle. There was one major dissenting voice - the Satmar Rebbe - who insisted that it was not only not a miracle but the victory was in fact the work of Satan. He emphatically stated that miracles don't happen for the Zionist - especially to support the theological crime known as the State of Israel.
Several months later at the annual Aguda Convention, this astounding event was the central topic of discussion Speaker after speaker spoke on the topic and the gedolim were clearly divided on whether to agree or disagree with the Satmar position. One of those who publicly agreed with the Satmar view was Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky.
At the Melava Malka that weekend, the keynote speaker was Rav Itchie Meyer Levin - the Gerrer Rebbe's son-in-law. He of course spoke about the topic. After some introductory comments he made the following observation. "Not so long ago the Jewish people suffered the horrible loss of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust. When we went to the gedolim for an explanation we were told that we must be silent and accept this because it was G-d's will. Now we were just faced with another possible holocaust in the Land of Israel but the Jews were saved this time. We hear gedolim who say that these millions who were saved were saved by Satan. How is that when it comes to the death of Jews it is G-d's work but when it comes to rescuing them from death it is Satan? It can't be."
In response, Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky quickly wrote a note which he sent to be read from the podium. It said, "I want to publicly retract my previous statement supporting the view of the Satmar Rebbe and say that now I agree fully with what Rabbi Levin just stated."
Rabbi Beer noted that this was Rav Yaakov's greatness. His only concern was truth and he wasn't afraid to publically admit that he had erred.
======================
Igros Moshe(Y.D. 4:8.2):Concerning the matter of the Jews who were hijacked in Uganda and then were saved by [Israeli] soldiers who went to Uganda. It is reasonable that this should be considered an open miracle. That is because in the normal course of events it would not be possible that such a thing be successful. Whatever is done in the world is only by the hand of G‑d – whether it is for the good or whether it is – G‑d forbid - ! the opposite. He causes the blow and the cure. He caused that these Jews be captured. But He also caused that they were rescued by means of giving these soldiers special courage and motivation so that they were able to save the captives. He also arranged circumstances so the soldiers in fact were successful. Nevertheless the reasons that G‑d did a miracle through sinners are hidden from us. Furthermore it is prohibited for any man to be “wise” and raise question against G‑d’s actions. Rather it is necessary for us to be innocent and accepting whatever G‑d does as it explicity says in the Torah (Devarim 18:13)
======================
Igros Moshe(Y.D. 4:8.2):Concerning the matter of the Jews who were hijacked in Uganda and then were saved by [Israeli] soldiers who went to Uganda. It is reasonable that this should be considered an open miracle. That is because in the normal course of events it would not be possible that such a thing be successful. Whatever is done in the world is only by the hand of G‑d – whether it is for the good or whether it is – G‑d forbid - ! the opposite. He causes the blow and the cure. He caused that these Jews be captured. But He also caused that they were rescued by means of giving these soldiers special courage and motivation so that they were able to save the captives. He also arranged circumstances so the soldiers in fact were successful. Nevertheless the reasons that G‑d did a miracle through sinners are hidden from us. Furthermore it is prohibited for any man to be “wise” and raise question against G‑d’s actions. Rather it is necessary for us to be innocent and accepting whatever G‑d does as it explicity says in the Torah (Devarim 18:13)
Yakov complained about Hard Life and was Punished
Daas Zekeinim (Bereishis 47:08), “for how many years have you lived thus far?” Pharaoh was probably prompted to ask this unusual question of his guest as he looked as if he was exceedingly old. Yaakov, when replying, did not refer to his having “lived” at all, but described his sojourn on earth as something of a very temporary nature, , “the days of my being a stranger,” as opposed to , “the days of the years the life,” the way the Torah had described the life of his grandmother Sarah at her death, reported in Genesis 23,1. He indicated that as opposed to his forefathers, he had had a very troubled life thus far. This resulted in his features reflecting this. An explanation by the Midrash of this strange sounding conversation between the ruler of the civilized world at the time and Joseph’s father: As soon as Yaakov had uttered the words that his life compared unfavorably with that of his father and grandfather, G–d told him “I have saved you from Esau and Lavan, I restored your daughter Dinah to you, as well as your son Joseph, and you have the nerve to describe your life on earth in negative terms when speaking to Pharaoh? I am now forced to make sure that you did not tell a lie, by shortening your lifespan when compared to that of your father and grandfather. He therefore deducted a year for each of the words in this reply by Yaakov, i.e. 33 words, so that he died at 147 years, 33 years younger than the lifespan of his father who had lived for 180 years
What’s really behind America’s men v women election
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr430gry81o
With his almost intuitive grasp of people’s dissatisfactions, Trump has tapped into that male frustration, and in the final weeks of his campaign he has doubled down on masculinity. He reposted a warning on Truth Social claiming “Manhood is Under Attack.” Recently he joked about a famous golfer’s genitalia.
“This is a guy that was all man,” said Trump, referring to golfer Arnold Palmer. “When he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there – they said, ‘Oh my God. That’s unbelievable.’”
Trump took the locker room talk out of the locker room - and his audience loved it. Riffing about penis size at a political rally, it was the ultimate pushback against stifling political correctness.
Nikki Haley Says Trump’s Messaging Is Turning Off Women Voters
Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley says Donald Trump’s campaign may be alienating women voters in the final days before Election Day. “They need to look at how they’re talking about women,” Haley told Fox News Tuesday night. “This bromance and this masculinity stuff, it borders on edgy to the point that it’s going to make women uncomfortable.”
Donald Trump Is a Clear and Present Danger to American Jews
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-clear-present-danger-american-jews-opinion-1976837
People have forgotten the immense rise in antisemitic acts under Trump's administration, the great emboldening of American antisemitism that began long before the student protests on quads across America. The desecration of gravestones around the country. The deaths of Jews trying to celebrate God in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. If you're looking for a fuller list of Trump's antisemitic tropes, I recommend reading here.
Donald Trump may support Benjamin Netanyahu, but when the support of the worst of his supporters is on the line, he won't be there for you.
Donald Trump Could Be His Own 'October Surprise,' Analysts Warn
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-october-surprise-puerto-rico-joke-1976864
Gustavo Torres, the executive director of Latino advocacy group CASA, told Newsweek in a call with national Latino leaders on Tuesday that Trump's rally would not win him back any votes that he may have lost over the Puerto Rico remarks.
"He needs to apologize to the Puerto Rican community, to the Latino community, and he's not doing that," Torres said. "Even if he apologizes, I guarantee you that the Puerto Rican community, our members in Pennsylvania and in Georgia, are never going to forget."
"I believe that that was the October Surprise for the Latino community," he added. "That is the October Surprise for the Puerto Rican community. And we are going to communicate that every single day from now until November 5."
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Abuse - Torah knowledge alone is not sufficient to safeguard society
Rashi(Bamidbar 10:31):And you [Yisro] will be our eyes - This is past tense according to the Targum. Others say it is future tense. Every matter that is concealed from our eyes you will illuminate our eyes.
Ohr HaChaim (Shemos 18:21): Why did Yisro deserved being the source of the information about forming the judicial system - especially when it implies - chas v'shalom - the ignorance of G-d's people prior to his suggestions? It seems that G-d wanted to teach the Jewish people a fundamental lesson for all generations. The lesson being that there are among the nations of the world men of great intelligence and understanding and these nations have awareness of important and valuable information. G-d's intent was to show through Yisro that the election of the Jews was not because their knowledge and insight was greater than other nations. They were not chosen because of their superior wisdom and knowledge. Their election was the result of G-d's supreme kindness and His love of the Patriarchs. This explanation is more appropriate according to the view that Yisro came prior to the Revelation at Sinai. Accordingly G‑d's message was that even though there are amongst the Nations greater wise men than amongst the Jews - the Jews were nevertheless chosen. We are those to praise Him for choosing us because of his Kindness. However, even according to the view that Yisro came after the Revelation at Sinai - a similar lesson can be learned by the fact that Yisro is mentioned in the sequence of events of the Torah prior to the giving of the Torah.
R. S. R. Hirsch (Shemos 18:24): Nothing is so instructive for us, as this information regarding the first legal institution of the Jewish State, coming immediately before the chapter of the law-giving. So little was Moshe in himself a legistlative genius, he had so little talent for organizing that he had to learn the very elements of state from his father-in-law. The man who tired himself out to utter exhaustion and to whom of himself did not occur to arrange this or some similar simple solution, equally beneficial to himself and his people, the man to who it was necessary to have a Jethro to suggest this obvious device,that man could never have given the People constitution and laws out of his own head, that man was only, and indeed just because of this the best and most faithful instrument of G-d.
Ohr HaChaim (Shemos 18:21): Why did Yisro deserved being the source of the information about forming the judicial system - especially when it implies - chas v'shalom - the ignorance of G-d's people prior to his suggestions? It seems that G-d wanted to teach the Jewish people a fundamental lesson for all generations. The lesson being that there are among the nations of the world men of great intelligence and understanding and these nations have awareness of important and valuable information. G-d's intent was to show through Yisro that the election of the Jews was not because their knowledge and insight was greater than other nations. They were not chosen because of their superior wisdom and knowledge. Their election was the result of G-d's supreme kindness and His love of the Patriarchs. This explanation is more appropriate according to the view that Yisro came prior to the Revelation at Sinai. Accordingly G‑d's message was that even though there are amongst the Nations greater wise men than amongst the Jews - the Jews were nevertheless chosen. We are those to praise Him for choosing us because of his Kindness. However, even according to the view that Yisro came after the Revelation at Sinai - a similar lesson can be learned by the fact that Yisro is mentioned in the sequence of events of the Torah prior to the giving of the Torah.
R. S. R. Hirsch (Shemos 18:24): Nothing is so instructive for us, as this information regarding the first legal institution of the Jewish State, coming immediately before the chapter of the law-giving. So little was Moshe in himself a legistlative genius, he had so little talent for organizing that he had to learn the very elements of state from his father-in-law. The man who tired himself out to utter exhaustion and to whom of himself did not occur to arrange this or some similar simple solution, equally beneficial to himself and his people, the man to who it was necessary to have a Jethro to suggest this obvious device,that man could never have given the People constitution and laws out of his own head, that man was only, and indeed just because of this the best and most faithful instrument of G-d.
Here are four campaign promises from Trump. What are their chances if he wins?
https://www.jpost.com/us-elections/article-826170
During his third campaign, Trump promises tax cuts on Social Security, increased tariffs, mass deportations, and improved California water access, but faces significant challenges.
George W. Bush's Daughter Barbara Issues Shock Endorsement of Kamala Harris
One of George W. Bush’s twin daughters issued a shock endorsement of Kamala Harris on Tuesday, exactly a week before Election Day.
Barbara Pierce Bush, 42, told People in a statement that it was “inspiring to join friends and meet voters with the Harris-Walz campaign in Pennsylvania” over the weekend, revealing that she’d gone as far as campaigning for the Democratic ticket.
It's Time to Stop Calling Donald Trump a Fascist
https://www.newsweek.com/its-time-stop-calling-donald-trump-fascist-opinion-1975888
Recently, however, more and more observers have taken to painting the movement and especially its sundowning 78-year-old leader with a single, saucy epithet: Fascist.
So, when figures as varied in outlook, occupation, and political bent as former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, Charlamagne Tha God, and Yale historian Timothy Snyder characterize Trump and Trumpism as "fascist," attention must be paid.
With respect to Gen. Milley, Professor Snyder, and the rest, one could make the argument—oh, what the hell, let's just make it—that not only is Trump not a fascist. He's worse.
Rav Avigdor MiIler claims conservative candidates, police brutality, stern justice and capital punishment are indispensable for the welfare of society
Q-
Is it a proper opportunity for the Rav to advise us on who to vote for in the upcoming election?
A-
Is it advisable for me to recommend voting for one individual over
another? Yes, absolutely. It's certainly advisable for Jews to back
conservative candidates. Now, exactly which conservative candidate is
the best choice is a matter that requires deliberation. But there's no
question that the Jews have for too long carried on an affair with the
liberals and it has caused them a great deal of suffering. And as long
as the liberals will continue to have power we are going to have a
continuation of the present disorder of society.
All the theories of the liberals as to how to improve society are
garbage. The plain truth is that forty years ago, without any of these
theories, society was relatively stable. And it was based on one easy to
understand principle - and that was that there has to be stern justice.
And that's all! Now, the liberals will say, "No, that's nothing. It's
not true. Capital punishment only increases crime." But that's baloney.
It's sheker vi'kazav. There's one thing wrong with this country and
that's it. Now, don't say that I'm oversimplifying things. Because they
oversimplified in the olden days and we were able to walk in the
streets. Everyone was afraid of the police. Until Mayor Lindsay came
along and emasculated the police, everyone was afraid of a policeman.
And that's what we need. We need more police brutality. And although
innocent people might suffer sometimes, it pays. We need tough police
who don't care what you say about them. We need police who have
headquarters with bosses who disregard the complaints. In the olden days
if you walked into headquarters and complained, the Police Captain
would bark at you, "What do you want?!" That's what he said to you. He
didn't listen to you polititely. "What do you want?!" he said. And you
walked out with your head down.
Capital punishment is the best rehabilitation for criminals. There
used to be a Sing-Sing and it was a perfect educational institution for
criminals. Anyone who went to Sing-Sing and worked on the [garbled] rock
pile, when he got out he had learned that crime doesn't pay. In
[garbled] you didn't have television. All you had was an iron mallet and
you stood in the sun in [garbled] and you banged and you banged and you
cracked rocks and you sweated. And you were thinking all the time, "Why
was I such a fool to get into this?"
It's nothing but yir'as ha'onesh. And even tzadikim need it. The
best people need it. And it would solve almost all crime. But instead
they make a crime-study commission and they spend hundreds of thousands
of dollars and they bring scientists together and the result is that
there's more crime than ever. And you know why? Because it's the
scientists who cause crime. Scientists are causing crime. They're the
ones who say that we should do away with harsh punishment and that we
should listen to the complaints of the criminals. So when the prisoners
recently made an insurrection in the prison and they killed some guards
and they demanded to be heard, what happened? So the Governor appoints a
commission and the members of the commission come to the prison to
listen to the complaints of the felons. Instead of taking them and
putting them into solitary for ten years on bread and water. That's what
they used to get in the good old days. That's what they got and that's
why we didn't have crime. You didn't have crime! What kind of stories
are they telling us that there was always crime?! There wasn't crime. I
remember, I walked home from Mesivta Chaim Berlin every night, summer
and winter, through black neighborhoods. Who ever heard of somebody
snatching a woman's pocketbook in broad daylight. In the olden days -
[At this point the tape ends vi'chaval al di'avdin]
TAPE 125
THE ABOVE QUESTION AND ANSWER WAS RECORDED FORTY YEARS AGO - A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE CARTER-FORD PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1976
Rav Shach - Dialectics and understanding Gedolim
Shloime just posted a long list of harsh comments by Rav Shach - "to let him speak for himself" So let me present some counter balancing stories. which create a more 3 dimensional understanding. In essence I will take the approach presented by Anonymous [I would really like some more creativity expressed - why does everyone chose the moniker "anonymous"?]. A leader is not the simple sum of a sample of stories told about him.
1) My son learned in Ponevich in Rav Schach's time and related the following story which circulated the Yeshiva when Rav Shach was niftar.
Rav Shach once asked a close friend of his to promise to attend his funeral. When the astonished friend questioned the necessity of such a strange promise, Rav Shach replied, "As a leader I know I have made many enemies over the years. I am afraid that there will not be a minyan at my levaya."
This is intimately connected with another story.
2) When the news of Rav Shach's petira broke, there was a massive movement of hundred's of thousands of Jews to Bnei Brak. The buses leaving Har Nof were packed. While I was standing by the bus stop wondering how to get to Bnei Berak a car pulled up and offered me a ride. I did a double take when I saw who the driver was. An acquaintance who is the most dyed in the wool fanatic religious Zionist I have ever met. As I gratefully settled in my seat, I asked him why he was going to honor a man who was such a strong opponent for everything he stood for. He replied, "I have much reason to be upset with Rav Shach - both in terms of what he said and what he did to us. But there was no question that G-d chose him to be one of the major Torah leaders of our generation. How can I not show kavod to him by going to his levayah."
3) Regarding his attitude to secular learning. As is well know there is a unique institution guided by Rav Zev Leff - Maarava - in which an elite student body learn both Torah secular studies on a very high level. Something which is obviously not done in the chareidi world. It is also well known that Rav Shach periodically denounced the school in very strong terms. As those who know Rav Leff will attest, he is a very loyal member of the chareidi establishment. Before he accepted the position at Maarava, he of course had consulted with Daas Torah i.e., Rav Shach as to whether to accept the job. When he heard Rav Shach's strong denunciations and read the many wall posters attacking the school - he hurried to consult with Rav Shach. Rav Shach replied, "I already told you that you should take the job with the school. Just as it is your obligation to provide guidance for the school it is my obligation to denounce it so that the cream of our yeshivos understand it is not a l'chatchila choice for them. But for those who need such a school it is important that you guide it."
4) The Bostoner Rebbe told me the following when I was trying to find a school in Yerushalayim for my kids that was comparable to Chaim Berlin where they had learned. He said, "It is obvious that Americans need a different type of education than Israelis and it is obvious that many American's don't make aliyah or go back to America because their kids don't fit it the Israeli yeshiva system. I once went to Rav Shach to explain to him the need for a different yeshiva for Americans. When I presented my views he told me, 'If you American's don't like the way we run things here go back to America.' "
At the time I thought it was incredibly insensitive. However as I have gotten older, I realize that not every problem is to be approached with American rachamim - sometimes Israeli din is needed also. American's fail because they are overly sensitive about somebody saying boo at them or saying, " I don't like you." If they want to live and thrive in Israel they need to be as tough as the natives.
5) This was once expressed to me very bluntly by Rabbi Eliyahu Essas - one of the heroes of the Russian refusenik era. I mentioned to him that I had a set of mishnayos translated into Russian -my grandmother got it as an engagement present. I told him perhaps he would be interested in reprinting it to aid the Russian baalei teshuva. He replied with an irritated tone. You Americans are always looking for the easy way to do things. Russians know that the only way to be a scholar is to master Hebrew and learn the original. American's rely too much on crutches and don't learn to walk on their own."
5) This was once expressed to me very bluntly by Rabbi Eliyahu Essas - one of the heroes of the Russian refusenik era. I mentioned to him that I had a set of mishnayos translated into Russian -my grandmother got it as an engagement present. I told him perhaps he would be interested in reprinting it to aid the Russian baalei teshuva. He replied with an irritated tone. You Americans are always looking for the easy way to do things. Russians know that the only way to be a scholar is to master Hebrew and learn the original. American's rely too much on crutches and don't learn to walk on their own."
6) One final story. Rabbi Steinzaltz is one of the modern heroes of the Jewish people. But he has no mesora i.e., he never was part of a yeshiva. [The Chofetz Chaim had a similar criticism of the Meshech Chochma]. There are many Russian Jews whose tie to Yiddishkeit was almost entirely through the Steinzaltz gemora. There are many baalei teshuva who first learned gemora with the Steinzaltz. Over time his influence and accomplishments increased mightily. He was even described as the "Rashi of Our Era" by Time magazine. Nobody criticised him until he acquired superstar status. It was when people starting describe him a gadol - as someone to guide and make the meta decision for the Jewish people that he was attacked. [Similar to R' Slifkin] He produced a book describing how our Biblical ancestors were human beings with psychological issues and typical petty motivation. It was then that Rav Shach attacked.
Hopefully this answers Shloime's question - if not - perhaps it will be enlightening to another reader of this blog.
Hopefully this answers Shloime's question - if not - perhaps it will be enlightening to another reader of this blog.
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