Monday, June 13, 2011
Rabbi charged with raping 12-year-old girl
YNET
A Netanya rabbi was charged on Monday with raping a 12-year-old girl. David Hafuta, 64, who prayed at the same synagogue as the minor, allegedly assaulted her on several occasions between July 2010 and May of this year.
According to the indictment, the girl asked Hafuta questions about religious matters. In response, he told her that he wants to "reveal her purpose in the world," and for that she has to meet him. [...]
Some Gay-Rights Foes Claim They Now Are Bullied
Fox
As the gay-rights movement advances, there is increasing evidence of an intriguing role reversal: Today, it is the conservative opponents of that movement who seem eager to depict themselves as victims of intolerance.
To them, the gay-rights lobby has morphed into a relentless bully, pressuring companies and law firms into policy reversals, making it taboo in some circumstances to express opposition to same-sex marriage.
"They're advocating for a lot of changes in the name of tolerance," said Jim Campbell, an attorney with the conservative Alliance Defense Fund.
"Yet ironically the tolerance is not returned, for people of faith who don't agree with their agenda." [...]
As the gay-rights movement advances, there is increasing evidence of an intriguing role reversal: Today, it is the conservative opponents of that movement who seem eager to depict themselves as victims of intolerance.
To them, the gay-rights lobby has morphed into a relentless bully, pressuring companies and law firms into policy reversals, making it taboo in some circumstances to express opposition to same-sex marriage.
"They're advocating for a lot of changes in the name of tolerance," said Jim Campbell, an attorney with the conservative Alliance Defense Fund.
"Yet ironically the tolerance is not returned, for people of faith who don't agree with their agenda." [...]
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Beigel Busting: How to Spot a Tuna Beigel
for those who follow the Orthodox world the following is a cogent and accurate description of an important phenomenon.
yeshiva guy
Before you begin the Yeshiva Guy course in Beigel Busting, you must first learn what a Tuna Beigel is. A Tuna Beigel, or Beigel for short, is a colloquial term for a (former) member of an Ultra-Orthodox Chassidishe sect. Typically speaking, they are slightly clueless about the outside world due to their insulated upbringing. Technically, they may still consider themselves Chassidim, but in reality, they have severed most ties with their heritage long ago. It is precisely the links that they cannot break, however, that makes them so hilarious, and consequently so much fun to watch in action.[...]
Before you begin the Yeshiva Guy course in Beigel Busting, you must first learn what a Tuna Beigel is. A Tuna Beigel, or Beigel for short, is a colloquial term for a (former) member of an Ultra-Orthodox Chassidishe sect. Typically speaking, they are slightly clueless about the outside world due to their insulated upbringing. Technically, they may still consider themselves Chassidim, but in reality, they have severed most ties with their heritage long ago. It is precisely the links that they cannot break, however, that makes them so hilarious, and consequently so much fun to watch in action.[...]
New Square: Context of the arson attack
Forward
[...] On May 22, the group’s longstanding complaints about harassment and intimidation by Twersky’s followers were starkly highlighted when Aron Rottenberg, one of its members, almost died in an arson attack on his home. Rottenberg suffered third-degree burns over half of his body when he confronted an intruder carrying a plastic bag full of gasoline and a torch at 4:12 a.m. Shaul Spitzer, the 18-year-old suspect apprehended by police, also suffered serious injuries in their struggle. Both men remain hospitalized, with Spitzer free on $300,000 bond. At the time of the incident, Spitzer worked for Twersky in his home. Rottenberg’s friends and family members say that the 43-year-old local plumber sought only to pray outside the village’s main synagogue, an act that provoked the ire of New Square’s leaders. They say local police and political officials ignored earlier attacks on him and others due to the political clout of Twersky, who directs New Square’s large bloc vote. [....]
New Square Arson Victim Blames Attack On Community’s Religious Intolerance
CBS
After being the victim of a frightening arson attack, New Square resident Aron Rottenberg spoke from his hospital bed in an interview on May 29 exclusively obtained by CBS 2.
In the interview conducted with an investigator working for his lawyer one week after the May 22 attack , Rottenberg said he blames the leaders of a Hasidic sect for creating the intolerant atmosphere that led to his injuries. [....]
After being the victim of a frightening arson attack, New Square resident Aron Rottenberg spoke from his hospital bed in an interview on May 29 exclusively obtained by CBS 2.
In the interview conducted with an investigator working for his lawyer one week after the May 22 attack , Rottenberg said he blames the leaders of a Hasidic sect for creating the intolerant atmosphere that led to his injuries. [....]
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Trees: The Real Meaning of a Shavuos Minhag
5tjt translated by Rabbi Yair Hoffman
Rav Moshe Wolfson is the Mashgiach Ruchani of Yeshivas Torah V’Daas, and Rebbe of Congregation Emunas Yisroel in Boro Park. He is also the author of a three volume work on the Parshios of Chumash and the Moadim entitled “Emunas Itecha.” The translation and annotation is provided as a public service in honor of the impending Yom Tov.
The Mogain Avrohom (Orech Chaim 494) cites a custom to bring trees into our homes and synagogues on the holiday of Shavuos. He writes that he believes the reason for this custom is because on this holiday we are judged on the fruits of trees. This is done so that we will pray for the trees [to have a plentiful bounty].
Rav Moshe Wolfson Shlita explains: It is clear that the type of trees that we bring into our homes and shuls must perforce be barren, non-fruit-bearing trees. Why is this true? If it was otherwise, it would be a halachic impossibility, as there is a Torah prohibition of cutting down fruit trees - Bal Tashchis (See Dvarim 20:19 and tractate Bava Kamma 91a). .[....]
Rav Moshe Wolfson is the Mashgiach Ruchani of Yeshivas Torah V’Daas, and Rebbe of Congregation Emunas Yisroel in Boro Park. He is also the author of a three volume work on the Parshios of Chumash and the Moadim entitled “Emunas Itecha.” The translation and annotation is provided as a public service in honor of the impending Yom Tov.
The Mogain Avrohom (Orech Chaim 494) cites a custom to bring trees into our homes and synagogues on the holiday of Shavuos. He writes that he believes the reason for this custom is because on this holiday we are judged on the fruits of trees. This is done so that we will pray for the trees [to have a plentiful bounty].
Rav Moshe Wolfson Shlita explains: It is clear that the type of trees that we bring into our homes and shuls must perforce be barren, non-fruit-bearing trees. Why is this true? If it was otherwise, it would be a halachic impossibility, as there is a Torah prohibition of cutting down fruit trees - Bal Tashchis (See Dvarim 20:19 and tractate Bava Kamma 91a). .[....]
Should Men Be Allowed to Father Children After They're Dead?
Time
Fertility-treatment innovations mean that all sorts of people who would not have been able to have a baby a generation ago are now able to bring life into the world. Now, some are arguing the ranks of the newly fertile should include dead people.
In Australia, a woman was granted permission last month to use her dead husband's sperm in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) attempt to create a child. In Israel, grieving grandparents are petitioning a court to allow them to use their dead son's sperm to conceive a grandchild. And in California, a woman is due in three months with her husband's child — even though her husband died not long before she got pregnant. [...]
Fertility-treatment innovations mean that all sorts of people who would not have been able to have a baby a generation ago are now able to bring life into the world. Now, some are arguing the ranks of the newly fertile should include dead people.
In Australia, a woman was granted permission last month to use her dead husband's sperm in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) attempt to create a child. In Israel, grieving grandparents are petitioning a court to allow them to use their dead son's sperm to conceive a grandchild. And in California, a woman is due in three months with her husband's child — even though her husband died not long before she got pregnant. [...]
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