Drones may fly more slowly than missiles, but the Iranian-designed carbon-fibre models used by Hezbollah are hard to see and difficult for radar to pick up, a task made more complicated because they are flown deliberately low. Manoeuvrable, this drone, said to be Sayyad 107, resisted GPS guidance jamming, possibly because it used Russian or Chinese alternatives.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Kids and teens who get covid more prone to diabetes, study finds
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/10/14/kids-teens-covid-diabetes/
Children were 50 percent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes at the six-month mark if they had endured a coronavirus infection compared with children who had another respiratory infection, according to findings published in JAMA Network Open.
Hezbollah’s drones are a fierce and evasive threat to Israel
Over the years, Israel has built up its aerial defense array to provide broad protection against short-range rocket fire and medium- and long-range missiles, although experts caution it is not airtight. While the system has taken down drones repeatedly, many have penetrated Israel’s airspace and sidestepped its defenses, in some cases with deadly results.
Monday, October 14, 2024
GOP Internal Poll Showing Donald Trump Struggling Leaves Pollsters Stunned
Pollsters and analysts were left stunned after an internal polling memo circulated by the Senate Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC, showed former President Donald Trump struggling in key battleground states.
The memo, dated October 8 and obtained by Politico, included polling where Trump trailed Vice President Kamala Harris by 3 points in Michigan and by 1 point in Pennsylvania. The candidates were tied in Nevada and Arizona, while Trump led in Wisconsin by 1 point.
Columbus probably Spanish and Jewish, study says
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg2049ezpko
Famed explorer Christopher Columbus was likely Spanish and Jewish, according to a new genetic study conducted by Spanish scientists that aimed to shed light on a centuries-old mystery.
Scientists believe the explorer, whose expedition across the Atlantic in 1492 changed the course of world history, was probably born in western Europe, possibly in the city of Valencia.
They think he concealed his Jewish identity, or converted to Catholicism, to escape religious persecution.
Trump calls Aurora a ‘war zone.’ Even its Republican mayor disagrees
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/11/trump-aurora-colorado-immigration-gangs-00183533
Aurora city spokesperson Ryan Luby told POLITICO in a statement that local police identified 10 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, and nine had been arrested. The city’s Republican mayor, former five-term congressman Mike Coffman, has repeatedly tried to tamp down fears that his city has been taken over by migrant gangs.
“Former President Trump’s visit to Aurora is an opportunity to show him and the nation that Aurora is a considerably safe city – not a city overrun by Venezuelan gangs,” Coffman said in a statement.
Iranian plot exposed: Terror cell led by Ramat Gan couple foiled
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/397611
In the framework of the aforementioned relationship, Victorson, who was aware that the individual on the other side was an Iranian agent, followed the agent's instructions and carried out various tasks, including spraying graffiti, hanging flyers, hiding money, and even torching cars near Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv. Later, Vladislav was asked to sabotage communication networks and ATMs and to set fire to forests.
Arizal and Halacha
Igros Moshe (OC 4:3) –While normally in a matter disputed by poskim we rely on the view of Kabbala but this means the views of the Zohar as it is the view of Tannaim but not the Arizal who in spite of his greatness is viewed as only one of the poskim
The Controversy over Rabbi Feinstein
https://en.yhb.org.il/revivim1003/
In the previous column I brought the story of Rabbi Shlomo Riskin shlita about Rabbi Soloveitchik ztz”l, who responded to Rebbetzin Feinstein’s request to ask her husband Rabbi Moshe Feinstein to withdraw his heter (halachic permission) for artificial insemination, so that the zealots would stop harassing them. Rabbi Soloveitchik agreed, even though he told Rabbi Riskin that Rabbi Feinstein would not back down, because he was “courageous like a lion.” Following this I was asked, how is it possible that Rabbi Soloveitchik agreed to ask Rabbi Feinstein to retract a ruling that he believed was the truth according to the Torah?!
Head Covering for Women - needed for Beracha?
https://ph.yhb.org.il/en/03-10-06/
Reciting berakhot is not considered to be standing before the King, so a woman in private, when the laws of tzni’ut do not require her to cover her hair, there is no need for her to cover her head while reciting a berakha. However, Yabi’a Omer 6:15 and Halikhot Bat Yisrael 5:3 state that married women must cover their heads when mentioning God’s name, even when in complete privacy. Still, in practice, many married women normally recite the bedtime Shema and Ha-mapil without a head covering. It seems that the reason for this is what I wrote above, that the obligation to wear a yarmulke when reciting berakhot is based on the pious custom to cover one’s head throughout the entire day. Since the yarmulke inspires fear of God all day, it follows that one must also wear it while invoking God’s name. However, women, who do not customarily wear a yarmulke to inspire fear of God, need not wear one when mentioning God’s name either. There is proof for this in m. Ĥalla 23: “A woman may sit and separate the ĥalla while nude.” Nude here obviously means bareheaded, for it would not make sense that she is required to cover her head but allowed to recite the berakha while nude. R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach rules this way too, saying that women’s custom to cover their heads in the mikveh while making the berakha on immersion does not obligate them in this practice for all other berakhot (Halikhot Bat Yisrael 5 n. 6). Therefore, a woman who wakes up in the middle of the night to relieve herself is not obligated to cover her head while reciting Asher Yatzar. Likewise, a woman who walks around her house bareheaded (when there are no strangers around) and wants to drink something is allowed to recite She-hakol and Borei Nefashot without a head-covering. ↩
Biden sends antimissile system and 100 troops to Israel, deepening U.S. role
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/10/13/biden-thaad-missile-defense-israel/
The United States is sending one of its most advanced missile defense systems and about 100 U.S. troops to Israel, deepening U.S. involvement in the escalating war in the Middle East amid U.S. expectations of an imminent Israeli assault on Iran.
Netanyahu: UN must withdraw south Lebanon peacekeepers from combat zones
PM accuses Hezbollah of using UNIFIL as ‘human shields,’ urges Guterres to get take the forces ‘out of harm’s way,’ far from terror group’s strongholds
Genetic Study Reveals Christopher Columbus Was Possibly Jewish
One day before Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a decades-long genetic study revealed that explorer Christopher Columbus may have Jewish and Spanish heritage. The report, which says the explorer was born in Valencia, contradicts long-held beliefs that Columbus was Italian and from Genoa. According to the BBC, scientists in Spain are responsible for cracking the genetic bombshell and have been working on it since 2003. They theorize that Columbus hid his Jewish “background to avoid religious persecution.” In 1492, 300,000 Jewish people living in Spain were forced to convert to Catholicism, or else they would be booted from the country. The outlet reports that prior to this DNA discovery, Columbus’s origins have been debated for years, with different theories linking his birth to countries like Poland, Greece, and Scandinavia, to name a few. Researchers used DNA from Columbus’ tomb in Seville, as well as the graves of his son and brother, to conduct their research.
Unprecedented Lebanese drone attack wounds 67 near Binyamina, four in critical condition
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-824417
Two drones were launched toward Israel, but one of the UAVs penetrated deep into Israel, crashing in the Binyamina area. No alarms were activated.
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Rabbi Moshe Feinstein on What Makes America Great
https://thelehrhaus.com/timely-thoughts/rabbi-moshe-feinstein-on-what-makes-america-great/
Therefore, the United States, which established in its Constitution 150 years ago that it will not uphold any faith or any ideology, rather, that each person shall do as he desires, and the regime will see that people do not molest one another, is carrying out God’s will. It is for that reason that they have succeeded and become great in our times.
Captured documents reveal Hamas’s broader ambition to wreak havoc on Israel
Dozens of pages found by Israeli troops in Gaza detail a potential Hamas plan far bigger than the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, and show how militant leaders wanted Iranian funds and training.
They Came to Florida for a Slice of Paradise. Now They Are Packing Their Bags
Some Floridians are reaching a breaking point. For decades, the state has beckoned as something of a magical destination—a sunny escape for retirees and others seeking affordable waterfront living. But the parade of climate disasters, along with soaring home costs, skyrocketing home-insurance premiums and some of the highest inflation rates in the nation, is undermining that appeal. On Friday night, close to two million people were still without power and the state was just beginning to dig out of a wide swath of damage.
We watched 20 Trump rallies. His racist, anti-immigrant messaging is getting darker.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/12/trump-racist-rhetoric-immigrants-00183537
His rhetoric has veered more than ever into conspiracy theories and rumors, like when he amplified false claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio eating pets. And Trump has demonized minority groups and used increasingly dark, graphic imagery to talk about migrants in every one of his speeches since the Sept. 10 presidential debate, according to a POLITICO review of more than 20 campaign events. It’s a stark escalation over the last month of what some experts in political rhetoric, fascism, and immigration say is a strong echo of authoritarians and Nazi ideology.
Trump Campaign Responds to Mark Milley Reportedly Calling Him 'Fascist'
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-campaign-responds-mark-milley-calling-him-fascist-1968056
"He is the most dangerous person ever. I had suspicions when I talked to you about his mental decline and so forth, but now I realize he's a total fascist. He is now the most dangerous person to this country," Milley, who was nominated by Trump to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2018 and served in the role from 2019 to 2023, reportedly told Woodward.
Friday, October 11, 2024
When It is Medically Required to Eat on Yom Kippur
https://vinnews.com/2022/10/03/when-it-is-medically-required-to-eat-on-yom-kippur/
FOODS
Ideally, one should try to space them every nine minutes.
The view of Rav Chaim Na-eh for food is 8 minutes (See Shiurei Torah 3:15).
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l writes (Igros Moshe OC IV #41) that b’dieved – in a case of need, they should have a gap of 4 minutes between them.
LIQUIDS
In regard to liquids one should shoot for a nine minute gap, but if not – a four minute gap.
If this is not possible, then, for liquids, one should try to fulfill the view of the Chasam Sofer (Responsa Volume VI #23) of a gap of at least two minutes.
The timing is based on the concept of the eating of a Pras – four eggs. The Mishna Brurah writes 618:20 that the shiur for this is nine minutes. These are the main views
Truth and Halacha
Rav Moshe Feinstein(Igros Moshe Y.D. 3:92): Our Sages describe the opposing views of halachic debate as both being “the words of the living G‑d.” This means that Torah study of the diverse views of Sages inherently does not contain something which is not true. Thus the opposing views of Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel are both true. This rule applies also to the disputes of R’ Eliezer and all the Tannaim and Amoraim. All of them were given from One Shepherd. Thus it was not untrue when the Heavenly Bas Kol announced that the Halacha was in accord with R’ Eliezer. His words were inherently true - even though in this world we decide practical Halacha on the basis of majority decision. Because of the inherent truth of all views of our sages, we say the blessing “Who gave to us the Torah of truth” even if we are only learning the views that have been rejected from practical Halacha such as Beis Shammai or minority opinions.
The miraculous rebirth of Benjamin Netanyahu
https://www.politico.eu/article/miraculous-rebirth-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-palestine-war/
A year ago, Benjamin Netanyahu’s long career at the top of Israeli politics looked like it was over. His government’s catastrophic failure to prevent the Oct. 7 attacks meant the only thing keeping him in office as prime minister, amid surging public grief and anger, was the need for stability in an emergency.
..Twelve months on, he has recovered his standing after ordering a series of audacious attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah targets. The remote detonating of thousands of pagers and the assassination of the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, stunned observers around the world and boosted his popularity at home.
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Kremlin refutes Trump denial on sending Putin COVID tests
https://www.axios.com/2024/10/09/trump-putin-covid-testing-equipment-kremlin
Woodward reported in his book that during the early days of the pandemic, Trump sent scarcely available COVID-19 testing machines for the Russian leader's personal use.
Woodward also reported that Trump and Putin have had "as many as seven" personal conversations since Trump left office in 2021.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said Tuesday that the allegations were "made up stories" and called Woodward "a truly demented and deranged man."
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Torah starts with Bereishis - Why?
Chasam Sofer (Derasha to Simchas Torah page 57b #11) asks why did the goyim object that the Jews took the land away from the Seven Nations by military conquest. After all isn't this the normal way all people take land away from it current inhabitants. So why should the Jews be considered thieves more than any other nation? An explanation is that all the ancient people believed that each people had a spiritual representative in Heaven and who provided them with a homeland. The ancient people believed that G-d was just one of the national spiritual representatives and He was the representative of the Jews. They also firmly believed that G-d did not work in the normal natural manner but rather everything that He did was through miracles in a supernatural way. Consequently when they saw that the Jews were conquering the Land of Israel in a natural manner – rather than through miracles – they accused the Jews of unlawful seizure of the land and said that they were no more than thieves. That is because they knew that G-d only worked through miracles. It was to counter this mistaken understanding that the Torah begins with the story of G-d creating the world. This showed that G-d also works in a natural manner. If the Torah started with the Redemption of Egypt, that would serve to reinforce the mistaken view that G‑d only works through miracles. Therefore now that the Torah begins with Bereishis, the Jews were able to explain that they were not thieves. They conquered the Land of Israel in a normal manner through war, because G‑d wanted a natural conquest of the land rather than a miraculous conquest. However in truth this requirement of a natural conquest was not arbitrary but was the result of the sin of the Golden Calf and the breaking of the Tablets as is well known.
Rishonim are viewed as infallible - but Rambam erred?
Emes l'Yakov Bereishis (01:01) אבל כפי שאנחנו מתייחסים לדברי הראשונים שסוברים אנו בגדר של אלו ואלו דברי אלקים חיים א"כ אף על פי שבמקום זה אין הלכה כמותו אבל שיהיו דבריו דברי טעות לא יכולתי להשלים, ואם טעה הרמב"ם בהלכות יסודי התורה מדוע לא יטעה בהלכות שבת וכדומה?
והנראה בזה, דהנה לכאורה יש לתמוה על כל הענינים שכתב הרמב"ם בארבעת הפרקים הראשונים של הלכות יסודי התורה, הא כתב הרמב"ם בסוף הלכות אלו [פ"ד הלי"ג] וז"ל: ועניני ארבעה פרקים אלו הם שחכמים הראשונים קוראין אותו פרדס וכו', ובחגיגה [דף י"א ע"ב] איתא: אין דורשין במעשה בראשית כו' ולא במרכבה ביחיד אא"כ היה חכם ומבין בדעתו וכו', וא"כ בודאי לא נכתבו עניינים אלו אלא נמסרו בעל פה מפה לאוזן, וא"כ איך כתבן הרמב"ם בחיבורו ופירסמם לכל, ובפרט שהרמב"ם עצמו [בפ"ד הל"י] הביא הדין הזה שאין דורשין בדברים האלו ברבים וכו', וא"כ מדוע כתבן בספרו?
ובעל כרחנו אנו צריכין לומר שמה שמסר לנו הרמב"ם בפרקים אלו אין זה לא מעשה מרכבה ולא מעשה בראשית, אלא כתב כל הד' פרקים אלה מדעתו הרחבה מתוך ידיעות בחכמות חיצוניות, כלומר שלא מחכמת התורה, אלא הרי זה פיליסופיא בעלמא - ונאמר שכבר השיג עליו הגר"א ביו"ד סי' קע"ט סקי"ג שהפיליסופיא הטתו ברוב לקחה ועיי"ש, והרמב"ם כתב פרקים אלו רק בתור הקדמה לספר יד החזקה, ועיקר הספר מתחיל מפרק ה': כל בית ישראל מצווין על קידוש השם וכו', ואין לדמות טעויות בהלכות אלו לטעויות בהלכות שבת וכדומה, ודו"ק.
Emes l'Yakov Bereishis (01:01) According to our common understanding that the Rishonim are infallible. Even though only one view is regarded as halacha but the opposing view is not viewed as mistaken. So if the Rambam was mistaken in this matter of the nature of the heavenly bodies perhaps he was mistaken in hilchos Shabbos and other halachos?!
To answer this difficulty it must be noted that the Rambam states (Yesodei HaTorah (04:13) That the first four chapters in Mishna Torah are typically considered Pardes such as Meisa Bereishis and that our Sages (Chagiga 13a) prohibited public discussion of these matters. So why did the Rambam include them in his sefer which was meant for the masses!? We are forced to conclude that what the Rambam wrote in these first four chapters is not actually Pardes but his personal views based on philosophy and his own analysis. As is noted by the Vilna Gaon. In fact the fifth chapter is the actual beginning of the Torah viewpoint. Thus the material in the first four chapters can be mistaken while later chapters regarding halacha are infallible.
Rav Yakov and the Moon landing
אמת ליעקב פרשת בראשית
ודברי רמב"ן אלה הם שעמדו לי בשעה שראינו איך שבני אדם יורדים מעל המטוס ע"י סולם על גלגל הלבנה, וחשבתי בלבי מה יענה כעת הרמב"ם ז"ל שכתב שהלבנה היא בעלת צורה רוחנית, והרהרתי בלבי שכעת נצחה הקבלה את הפיליסופיא, ונחמתי את עצמי בדברי רמב"ן אלו.
There is a well known dispute between the Ramban and Rambam concerning the nature of the heavenly being such as the moon and stars. Rambam claims they are conscious intelligent entities while Ramban says they are similar to the Earth. When the astronauts descended on the moon, I realized that the Rambam had been wrong and the Ramban was correct, Thus Kabbala had succeeded while philosophy had failed.
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Allan Lichtman: October surprise ‘huge myth,’ Harris will win
The “October surprise” is a “huge myth” in American politics, according to the historian who devised the “Keys to the White House” formula.
Allan Lichtman, a historian and American University professor, has correctly predicted nearly every presidential race since 1984 using a formula of 13 true-or-false questions.
Looking ahead to November, eight of the keys favor Vice President Harris, while three do not, according to Lichtman.
The final two keys — foreign policy success and failure — could go either way but won’t sway the final outcome, he predicted.
כינוס חירום של רבני בני ברק: "לשים קץ לבנייה הבלתי חוקית"
https://www.bhol.co.il/news/1675740
עשרות דיינים ורבני קהילות התכנסו בבני ברק ויוצאים בקריאה נחרצת: "לשים קץ לבנייה הבלתי חוקית". בכינוס הועלתה לדיון הנושא הכאוב של בנייה בלתי חוקית שלמרבה הצער מתרחבת בעיר. הרבנים קראו לציבור להקפיד על חוקי התכנון והבנייה ולהימנע מגזל. הוצע לערוך תקנון מיוחד בחתימת רבני העיר
Interior Minister responds to Breslov hasidim stranded abroad
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/397291
Due to the chaos at the borders of Ukraine and Romania, which has caused thousands of Breslov hasidim to be unable to return home to Israel, representatives for the Breslov community have turned to Interior Minister Moshe Arbel (Shas) for assistance.
In their request, the hasidim noted the chaos and the overcrowding which travelers faced in their attempts to return to Israel following their Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) pilgrimage to Uman, Ukraine.
Responding to one of the requests, Arbel answered that he has no way to help them, since, "Israel is at war."
"We are at war right now, and there was a travel warning," he wrote. "Whoever decided to travel anyway should take into account the risks which come with it."
Noach was not perfect tzadik because he didn’t save the world
Emes L’Yakov (Bereishis 06:09) Why do some of our Sages say negatively that Noach was only a tzadik in his generation when it is possible to interpret this verse as praising him? A possible answer is that he was viewed negatively because he was not able to save his generation Meaning that if he were a complete Tzadik, he would have saved them This can be explained by Bereishis Rabbah (31:03) which says that he chastised them as idolaters when in fact they were fully aware that idolatry was nonsense and they only worshipped idols as an excuse for sexual immorality as is stated in Sanhedrin (63b).Thus his preaching was useless in changing them. That is why some of the Sages viewed him negatively. because of his lack of awareness of the true situation – even though this seems more of a lack of wisdom then piety We see from this that lack of wisdom must mean a lack of piety. This means that if he were really concerned with Truth, he would have known to chastise them concerning sexual immorality. Thus the foundation of serving G-d is being concerned with putting all one’s efforts in determining the underlining Truth.
Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky- Evolution
We must invoke the well-known story about Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky zt”l on the plane. Although there are already several versions, the undisputed facts seem to be that the great rosh yeshiva sat on a plane to Eretz Yisroel next to a secular Israeli politician. Rav Yaakov’s son and grandchildren took wonderful care of him on the flight, making sure that he was comfortable and filling all of his needs. The non-religious Israeli, who also had family on the trip, was puzzled. “How come,” he finally inquired, “your children and grandchildren attend to you as if you were a king and mine have disappeared for the past nine hours?”
Rav Yaakov smiled in his kindly way and inquired, “It would seem from our discussions of the past few hours that you believe in the theory of evolution. Is that correct?” The man responded, “I don’t know what that has to do with anything, but, yes, of course. Most intelligent people today do. But why do you bring that up now? We will be landing soon and I just wanted to know how to get my family to act like yours.”
The rosh yeshiva’s retort has become one for the ages. “You see,” he softly explained, “we believe that the greatest moment in our national history occurred in the year 2448 after creation when the Torah was given. Each generation that was closer to that event is greater than the next because of its proximity to the holiness and power of that experience. Therefore, my children and grandchildren look up to me as a link to that astounding episode. You, my friend, on the other hand, believe and convey to your family that we are all descendents of apes. You think that mankind has been evolving for eons to ever greater heights and intellectual capabilities. Therefore, they see you as just one step closer to those monkeys, so why indeed should they give you any respect? If anything, following your own beliefs, you should give them honor and respect.”
The Great Florida Migration Is Coming Undone
https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/florida-home-sales-slowing-355616a2?mod=hp_trendingnow_article_pos1
A surplus of housing inventory and dwindling buyer interest are slowing sales. Hurricanes and extreme weather are making it worse.
Trump seeds disinformation as he sets course for a possible Oval Office return
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/08/politics/trump-disinformation-2024-analysis/index.html
The ex-president made multiple false statements about the Biden administration’s hurricane response, including a baseless argument that Democrats ignored victims in Republican areas in North Carolina and that Biden hadn’t answered calls from Georgia’s GOP governor.
Monday, October 7, 2024
Torah starts with Bereishis - Why?
Darash Moshe (Bereishis 1:1) In the Beginning G-d created – Rashi explains this according to its plain meaning that in the very beginning of Creation … Furthermore it seems that this is to be understood as the Introduction to the entire Torah. This implies that it is not considered performing a mitzva unless the person believes that G-d created everything that exists because without this faith there is no fulfillment of mitzvos. And even concerning a nonJew the Rambam (Melachim 08:11) states that observing the 7 mitzvos of the descendants of Noah requires the nonJew as a minimum to have the belief that they were commanded by G-d through Moshe in the Torah. One who lacks this basic faith is not considered a wise or pious person – and surely this is required of Jew. Consequently it is necessary to begin the Torah with this critical fact
Rav Sternbuch Relationship of Science to Torah (Authorized translation)
Some have claimed that I have issued a ruling, that one who believes that the world is millions of years old is not a heretic. This in spite of the fact that our Sages have explicitly taught that the world is no more than 6000 years! Furthermore some have cited isolated statements from traditional commentaries as proof that it is acceptable to believe that the world is very ancient.
These assertions are not random but are the result of an agenda to establish the belief that the world is entirely natural. By asserting that the world was created millions of years ago and that it developed very gradually, they are trying to make our holy Torah compatible with the views of scientists that everything that occurs is the result of mechanical natural processes.
However the Ramban (Exodus 13:16) has clearly expressed the Jewish view: “A person does not have a portion in the Torah of Moshe unless he believes that everything that happens in this world is miraculous.” If a person believes in miracles than obviously there can be no doubts and questions at all concerning how the world developed as we will demonstrate.
The truth is that even according to their view that the world is very old, nevertheless at some point they agree that G-d created it. Of necessity this act of creation had to have been unnatural i.e., miraculous occurrence. Nevertheless their concern is to make even this miraculous event as close to nature as possible. In other words, they much prefer to make the world as natural as possible and to minimize the miraculous. Thus they want to minimize the greatness of G-d in the creation of man. This attitude has been explained by the Brisker Rav based on a comment of Rashi. Rashi (Genesis 25:19) noted that the cynics had claimed that Sarah had become pregnant in her old age from Avimelech and not from her 100 year old husband Abraham. The Brisker Rav pointed out that either way Sarah’s pregnancy at the age of 90 was obviously miraculous. The goal of the cynics was to minimize the miracle by claiming that the father was not an old man. We find another expression of this attitude in the Torah when Moshe said that Redemption from Egypt would occur approximately at midnight. The Talmud (Berachos 4a) explains that in fact Moshe knew exactly when the Redemption would occur. However he knew that the cynics — despite all the miracles that occurred in the Redemption — would demean the event if they mistakenly thought it hadn’t happened exactly as Moshe had prophesized. Their desire was to minimize G-d’s role in this world. Thus it is with these scientists. While they obviously have to admit to the fact of Creation — they want to minimize the role of miracle and maximize the role of nature. This is entirely to minimize the acknowledgment of G-d’s power and to move instead in the direction of heresy. They mistakenly think that it is possible to come to understand G-d’s activities and wonders.
It is in fact obvious to everyone that man is extremely limited and is not capable of understanding the act of Creation. In other words, why He created it then and not earlier prior to 6000 years ago — or according to their words millions of years. What was the necessity of one time compared to any other? They answer what they can comprehend and the rest they agree they have no answers. We also say that we are merely human and that we do not have the ability to understand everything. However, what we can’t understand we rely on our faith. It is obvious that man’s thoughts are not comparable to G-d’s in the ability to understand Nature. Similarly we acknowledge we can’t comprehend or adequately explain G-d’s ways concerning good and evil in each generation. In these issues we simply rely on our faith in G-d’s greatness. In contrast they prefer to explain that man is the product of millions of years of development. As evidence they cite what appears to be ancient bone fragments that have been discovered in Madagascar and other places. Their evidence is total nonsense since prior to the Flood,
Nature was totally different than we have today. Prior to the Flood man lived for a 1000 years. This difference in what was normal growth and development makes the bones appears as if they are a million years old. With this type of shaky evidence they want to refute the words of our Sages and undermine the faith that exists amongst the Jewish people. Their main concern is to try to shake the faith in G-d — which has been accepted by us generation after generation. They want to replace this faith with the acceptance that events are determined primarily by the laws of nature.
If you think for a moment, you will readily notice G-d’s great wonders. For example there are countless stars which are greater in size than the earth. There are billions of stars like this that G-d placed in the sky that cause one to ask, “Who created them?” In fact they all testify that G-d created them. The Rambam (Foundation Principles of the Torah 4:12) stated, “When a person thinks carefully about the nature of the world — from angels to man and other creature — he sees G-d’s wisdom in all creatures and the creation. This awareness adds to his love of G-d and consequently his love of G-d becomes very passionate. He also becomes fearful as he recognizes his lowliness and insignificance… He comes to recognize that he is only an embarrassingly insignificant creature.” These comments are also of significance regarding the actions of the scientists.
They are fully aware of the astounding details of G-d’s wisdom in creating the world. Nevertheless they strive to minimize the role of G-d in the creation of man and to say that he is the result of natural processes over the course of millions of years. They do this in order to make our traditions and faith compatible with the worthless views of scientists.
They do this despite the fact that there is no clear proof for their views — they are merely conjecture and fanciful guesses. Scientists — even those who are described as religious — are ashamed that we don’t agree with the views of the leading scientists that man is descended from the apes. They rush to find isolated statements of our Sages, rabbis and commentaries that seem consistent with contemporary scientific view. This attempt to make Judaism consistent with science occurs in spite of the fact that the idea that man came from the apes is itself utterly shocking. Nevertheless it is totally acceptable to these scientists. They will accept anything that enables them to avoid acknowledging that G-d created man with His wisdom. Therefore they use misleading and distorted citations from Torah literature to claim justification for such scientific beliefs in the words of our Sages.
Regarding this strategy, it is important to candidly acknowledge that in a number of instances the Torah itself seems to contradict principles of our faith. For example in Genesis (1:26): G-d said, “Let us make man in our image.” The verse is stated in the plural grammatical form. That implies that the G-d did not make man by Himself but rather with other entities! We also find such anthropomorphic expressions in the Torah such as “the hand of G-d” (Exodus 9:3) — which seems to say that G-d has a physical hand. Rav Chaim Brisker explained that G-d knew that there would always be heretics who would cite verses in the Torah to try and prove the validity of their deviant thoughts. If they didn’t have these particular verses they would find others. Therefore G-d wrote the Torah without concern whether the verses would be misused to justify heresy. In fact the reason that G-d describes the creation of man in the plural form is to teach us the importance of consulting with others. We should always seek advice and feedback — even from people who are less knowledgeable and wise. G-d felt it was important to convey this message in this way even though it might provide heretics with “proof” for their false theories. We thus learn an additional important lesson — that we are not obligated to constantly worry that the heretics will take verses out of context and thus have a false faith. No matter how the Torah would be expressed, they would still find “proofs” for their views.
Our faith is based on the traditions that have been passed down through the generations. The Rambam (Foundations of the Torah 8:1) states that the validity of our faith is not because of miraculous signs. Rather it has been validated by the fact that the Jewish people witnessed the awesome events of the Revelation of Sinai with their own eyes and ears. The Rambam (Foundations of Torah 9) goes into detail concerning this matter. Furthermore the Rambam (Laws of Disobedience 2:2) states that even a custom which has been accepted by the Jewish people under the guidance of the sages — should be considered equivalent to a ruling of the Sanhedrin itself. This is true even if the custom doesn’t have a clear origin.
Therefore a person who violates such an accepted custom violates the Torah prohibition of not disobeying the rulings of the Sanhedrin. If a mere custom is viewed as equivalent to an explicit ruling of the Sanhedrin and therefore can not be rejected, then surely the accepted view of the age universe can not be disregarded. This required acceptance of the traditional age of the universe is all the more obvious since every man and woman and child knows that the world was created 5765 years ago. An additional reason why we must accept the traditional age of the universe is that the calendar system is based on this fact. Consequently a person who casts doubts on this accepted tradition — even if he is widely respected person by the Jewish people — must be carefully investigated. This is because is possible that he might have doubts concerning the foundation principles of faith — like the academic scholars. It has already become established by the rulings of the great rabbis throughout the generations, that if a person has doubts concerning faith — he is to be considered as a non-believer. That is the halacha.
The obvious truth is that the order and nature of creation is concealed. For example, how did man come to inhabit all the continents and islands in the ocean — thousands of years ago? However we who have the Torah, know that G-d scattered man to all the lands of the earth after the Generation of Dispersion. In contrast, the scientists have no answer to this question. The fact is that the scientists have decided - without having faith – to establish answers. Nevertheless even with all their genius and knowledge, they are unable to resolve many questions. It is necessary to acknowledge that G-d created the world and man and that man has limited understanding. As a general rule, G-d gives His creatures the amount of intelligence they need to survive — but not more. Just as an animal only has enough intelligence to avoid danger, similarly man was given enough intelligence for the needs of live in this world. However our intellect is not adequate to determine the exact nature of the world, how this world is connected to the higher spiritual realms and surely it is insufficient to comprehend the nature of the higher worlds.
Concerning the time of the creation of the universe and its development into its present form, it is important to know that time does not exist at all in Heaven. That is what the ancient commentators have explained. The Vilna Gaon noted that when the Torah states that “ In the beginning G-d created”, it means that He created in this world beginning” i.e., time. The scientists have only recently discovered that time has a different meaning in the realm of the stars and galaxies. Nevertheless they still don’t understand that there is no time at all in Heaven, just as they don’t have any true understanding of creation. This ignorance has led them to the ridiculous and nonsensical idea that man developed from the apes. This absurdity is so firmly accepted by them that they view with contempt anyone who doesn’t accept their ideas. They scornfully insist that such a person is primitive and backwards since he doesn’t understand their views. Those Jewish scholars who agree with the views of the non-Jews and heretics that the world is millions of years old, rationalize that early man was primitive and lacked the ability to read and write. In fact they view early man as similar to the animals.
However our view is totally the opposite. When we look back in history to those early generations, We can go from the Gra to the Arizal, the Arizal to the Ramban, the Ramban to the Gaonim, the Gaonim to the Amoraim, the Amoraim to the Tannaim, the Tannaim to the Men of the Great Assembly, to the prophets and then to the holy Patriarchs. Following this path one sees clearly that we are actually descended from angelic men – not beasts as they assert. Consequently we must give praise to the Master of All who has separated us from them and their views — they who live like animals to satisfy their lusts. G-d made the separation by giving us His holy Torah. The Torah enables us to be attached to the upper spiritual worlds even while we are in this material world. Through the Torah we are able to fulfill G-d’s Will in this world.
There is an astounding observation relevant to these issues. Modern scientists have absolutely established that the earth rotates every day. The rotation indicates that there is a power which causes the rotation. That power is our G-d, blessed be His name. If the scientists would reflect for a moment about this they would come to agree with the words of our Sages. Our Sages have taught us that G-d did not just create the world but is constantly creating it. He did not just form light but is constantly forming it and darkness. Consequently creation would not continue to exist without the continually renewal in obedience with G-d’s command (Psalms 119:89): Forever, O L-rd, Your word is established in Heaven. It is only these scientists who deny the dominion of G-d because of their desire — similar to that of the Biblical Generation of Dispersal — to be like G-d and to have His understanding.
This attitude is the reason why today there are astounding advances in science such as space travel and many other things that we benefit in our daily lives — while at the same time many suffer from terrible illnesses. The negative consequence of not being guided by the Torah, is that man is totally dominated by his lusts like the animals and he is even worse. His animalistic behavior has resulted in the HIV-Aids epidemic. There are other illnesses which have been caused by the lack of satisfaction and meaning in life.
Unfortunately, due to our many sins, numerous of our youth have been pulled into these things. These scientists view that they are saving mankind while in fact there is no difference between “modern” man and the animals. It is only in fulfillment of G-d’s Torah that man find the reason for life and the truth wealth — even though it involves many trials and difficulties.
Let me return to where we started. I do not know whether all those who accept the view of the scientists — that the world is very ancient — are heretics. However I do know that only heretics have such views against our Sages — who are fully accepted by us. I want to note in addition that those who accept that the world is ancient, also prefer to hear and accept the words of the scientists. Furthermore these people mistakenly think they have found support for their views amongst our traditional sources. In fact, however, we are obligated to always give precedent to Daas Torah. These are the accepted mainstream Torah views expressed in the Talmud as well as the writings of the great rabbis through the ages. Only those views which have been widely accepted are valid – and not minority views that have been rejected or ignored. Only after we fully accept the Torah understanding of an issue, can we consider the words of the scientists and accept that which is compatible with the words of our sages.
Furthermore having scientific writings in your house, that are incompatible with the Torah, violates the prohibition (Deuteronomy 4:26): “Do not bring disgusting things in your house.” Simple calculations from the Bible concerning the generations from Adam lead to the clear conclusion that the world is less than 6,000 years old. Having such heretical scientific books in the home causes much troubles to those who possess them and it is obligated to get rid of them. Furthermore the author of such unacceptable scientific writings must retract such views and subordinate himself to the authority of contemporary rabbinical authorities — according to what has been traditionally accepted.
G-d willing, I hope to offer an expanded explanation of these issues when I publish the fourth volume of my work, “Know What to Reply.” G-d should help that His promise will be fulfilled (Zechariah 14:9), “G-d will be the King over the entire world. On that day G-d will be one and His name one.” Amen!
Rav Moshe Sternbuch - Authorized Translation
A number of months ago, I had been asked to host a young man for Shabbos by a kiruv organization. During the Shabbos meal he expressed great interest in everything Jewish. When I asked him about his background, he mentioned that even though he had been raised as a non‑Jew by his non‑Jewish mother - but since his father was Jewish he knew he was Jewish. I was shocked by the revelation but said nothing to the young man. After Shabbos I asked the director of the program why he had sent me a non‑Jew for Shabbos? He replied that he had received a halachic ruling from an American rav who allowed participation of a non‑Jew – who viewed himself as Jewish. This was so even though the program had a mixture of boys and girls and there was a danger of intermarriage of the participants. I have since found out that this is not an isolated incident but in fact reflects the decision by certain individuals in kiruv to proselytize those who have a Jewish father. I mentioned this information to Rav Moshe Sternbuch. After gathering information from other sources, he wrote the following psak which he requested me to translate and disseminate. Daniel Eidensohn
HaRav Moshe Sternbuch shlita
Kiruv for someone with a Jewish father and a non‑Jewish mother
You ask what are the guidelines for kiruv programs - that encourage Jews to fully observe the Torah - which take place in religious schools or organized events. In particular should a person who is not halachically Jewish - because his mother is not Jewish but his father is - be encouraged or even allowed to participate? I have heard that there are rabbis who not only permit it but even encourage it, They assert that especially those people who already view themselves as Jewish – even though they are mistaken - should be encouraged to participate because they might eventually convert.
My view is that it is absolutely forbidden to try to proselytize a non‑Jew even if he mistakenly views himself as Jewish. One obvious reason is that such an approach actually encourages intermarriage. If people with only a Jewish father are encouraged to participate in Jewish educational events it will convey the message that in some sense they are actually Jewish. That is because it is commonly accepted that only Jews are allowed to participate in these events. Thus this innovation crosses the red lines that have always been accepted by Torah true Jews. Typically the intermarried couple does not realize that they are constantly transgressing prohibitions which carry the punishment of kares [Rambam Hilchos Issurei Bi’ah 12:6]. But at least they need to be aware that intermarriage cuts them off completely from the Jewish people. If we allow and even encourage their non‑Jewish offspring to participate in Jewish educational events, they will feel that they still have an intimate connection to the Jewish people – G‑d forbid!
Another basis of concern is that I see this as a violation of following non‑Jewish practices (chukas akum). These rabbis are showing mercy to the Jewish father by a de-facto acknowledgment of the non‑Jewish concept of patrilineal descent. According to the unanimously held Torah view - any person with a non‑Jewish mother is completely non‑Jewish. Also the gratuitous granting of Jewish status and benefits to this non‑Jewish child violates the Torah prohibition of Lo Techanem.
These rabbis also try to justify their innovation by claiming that it is a solution to the massive problem resulting from the intermarriage of Russian Jews. They assert that one should encourage the conversion of the child of a non‑Jewish mother because the Russian Jews intermarried because of the unfortunate circumstances under the Communists. Therefore they are to be regarded as innocent children who grew up in captivity (tinok shenishba). They feel it is appropriate to show special mercy on these unfortunate people. I agree that they should be shown special sensitivity and leniencies. However this is only when they have at least distanced themselves from their intermarried parents or have already indicated an interest in genuine conversion. However if the parents insist on continuing their intermarriage, there is no halachic basis to be sorry for them. The child in that case is a non‑Jew and will remain as such.
Concerning the specific case that you mentioned of a student whose father is Jewish but the mother is a non‑Jew. One of the kiruv programs wants to include him – even though he still lives with his parents. You mentioned that a number of American rabbis have given halachic rulings that his participation in the program should be encouraged because he might convert. Do not associate yourself with their programs. You will receive much greater reward by disassociating from them than the possible benefit that might result.
I am being deliberately brief in my comments here - even though there is clearly much more to mention. That is because the plague of intermarriage has already spread here to the Holy Land – the palace of the King. The Holy One Blessed be He should help us and quickly bring into actuality our Redemption. Eliyahu should come and purify our camp so that we are fit to receive the countenance of our righteous Moshiach.
Aguna receives divorce after 2 years because her husband wanted to fly to Uman
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skrud4eyjg
The man realized that due to the travel ban issued against him by the rabbinical court, he would not be able to make a pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov for Rosh Hashanah and as a result he granted his wife a get, or Jewish legal divorce; 'It seems his love for the tzaddik was greater than his so-called love for his wife,' women's advocate says
Does the Sun Really Revolve Around the Earth?
Thirdly, it follows that anyone declaring that a person who chooses to accept one of these systems in preference to the other is a fool, while one who accepts the other is a wise man—such a judgment shows that the person making it is ignorant of the conclusions of modern science, or that he has not advanced beyond the science of Ptolemy and Copernicus. Obviously, a person not versed in the development of science in the course of the past half-century or so is not qualified to make any judgment pertaining to science.
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Trump makes false claims about hurricane relief
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/04/trump-hurricane-helene-fema-money-misinformation/
Speaking at a news conference after a state disaster briefing, Trump again falsely said the U.S. government is unable to fund the storm response because it used the money on people “who came into the country illegally” — claims that the White House slammed in a memo Friday as “poison.”
Harris does not disburse FEMA funding as vice president. The claim about using disaster relief funding to house immigrants is false, a Washington Post fact check found.
Moshiach will come only after we give up hope of natural Salvation
Emes L'Yaakov (Devarim 32:36) (לו) כי ידין ה' עמו גו' ואפס עצור ועזוב.
הנה בסנהדרין [דף צ"ז ע"א] ילפינן מהכא שאין בן דוד בא עד שיתייאשו מן הגאולה כביכול אין סומך ועוזר לישראל, ועיי"ש. והנה מאמר חז"ל זה טעון ביאור, וכי תנאי הוא שחס ושלום ישתכח עיקר א' מהשלש עשרה עיקרים, והלא הרמב"ם מנה תקות הגאולה בין העיקרים. אבל הכוונה בזה הוא שכל זמן שכלל ישראל מצפה לגאולה שתבוא באופן טבעי, והיינו שירחמו עלינו אומות העולם ויתנו לנו איזה מקום לבנות לנו מולדת וכדומה, ודאי לא תבוא הגאולה, כי חסד לאומים חטאת ובאמת שנואים אנחנו מכל יושבי תבל, ורק אם נתייאש לגמרי מאשליות כאלו ונבין כי אין לנו לישען אלא על אבינו שבשמים אז יבוא בן דוד ויגאלנו גאולה אמיתית, והבן.
Daas Torah: Parnossa Bitachon Luck
Survey of sources dealing with orthodox Jewish views to Parnossa (Earning a living) from Talmudic times to the present
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
New sefer Parnossa Bitachon Luck
I just submitted my latest Sefer to Amazon. It should be available for sale next week
Table of contents to my new Sefer on Parnossa
Amulets 17
Beis Din Judges Poskim Rabbinical Authorities 18
Bitachon 20
Acquiring and Strengthening Bitachon 20
Advice from Gedolim? 24
Benefit and Harm are only with G-d’s Permission 25
Choice of Life with Bitachon or Effort 27
Combining Torah and Work 28
Competence – Significant for Success? 31
Definition 32
Different concepts – Ramban vs Chovas HaLevavos 35
Everything that happens is good? 36
Life Insurance 38
Luxuries also 40
Protects from Harm 41
Questioning G-d – Don’t 44
Rely on it 45
Righteous not relying on Bitachon 72
Righteous Suffer even with Bitachon 74
Sinners also helped? 75
Talking 78
Types and Levels of Bitachon 79
Yakov was afraid 83
Yosef was the epitome of Bitachon yet was punished 84
Blessing 86
Berachas Cohanim- Priestly Blessing 88
Consequences - Significance 95
Mitzvah 101
Pleasure 102
Source of Beracha – Good/Evil 104
Torah 104
Tzadik 105
Curses 106
Blasphemy- Cursing G-d 106
Consequences 111
Examples 113
Father or Mother 114
Forgive 115
Harmful 115
Harmless 116
How 117
Jew 119
Oneself 119
Prohibition 119
Punishment 122
Reason 123
Removing 123
Ordinary person curses 123
Talmid Chachom 123
Talmid Chachom or Tzadik curses 124
Why 124
Working 125
Charity 125
Amount to give 125
Benefits - Consequences 129
Mitzva 133
Damages 141
Divination and Darchei Emori – permitted for health 146
False Belief 146
Permitted 146
Prohibition 150
Used For Medicine permitted 153
Economic Competition or Interference - Hasagas Gevul 156
Examples 156
Rabbinic or Torah Law? 163
Teaching Torah 163
Effort – Hishstadlus 164
Curse 171Amount - Type 164
Bitachon – shows lacking? 169
Bitachon results from Effort 169
Blessing 169
Choice of Life with Bitachon or Effort 170
Definition 172
Dependency 174
Difficult 175
Father obligated to Teach Son 175
Indicates importance 177
Insurance 178
Love Work 178
Male vs Female 179
Man was created to toil 179
Medicine 179
Minimize 180
Minimum or no effort with bitachon 180
Miracles are minimized 189
Motivation 190
Move to Another Place 190
My Strength 191
Prayer 197
Punishment 201
Secular Studies 202
Stops Sin 205
Success always requires? 207
Success and knowledge 220
Success not dependent on amount or type of effort 221
Success Always Attributed to G-d 230
Trade is Important 239
Trade desirability is individual 245
Working vs Fearing Heaven 246
Evil Eye- Good Eye 246
Avoid because of Evil Eye 246
Good Eye 248
Harmful 249
Protect Against 252
Why harmful? 255
Honesty 255
Lending Money 266
Leniency if there is financial loss –chosoron kis or hefsed merubah 269
Permit Torah Prohibition 269
Large loss only 269
Lost objects – returning 270
Mazel luck 271
Accuracy 271
Astrology is prohibited? 272
Astrology connected to Witchcraft 274
Medicine 298Bad Luck 275
Children Livelihood Lifespan 275
Divination 277
Everything guided by mazzal 278
Fortune shines Shaah mesachat 283
Good luck - Mazel Tov 284
Jews influenced by mazel 286
Obligation 292
Outdated and Worthless belief 293
Palm reading 294
Success dependent on mazel 294
Miracles 322Best Doctors Destined for Gehinom 298
Book of Cures – Why it was concealed 298
Chazal – Disagree 300
Errors 300
G-d cures 300
Good vs Bad Doctor 301
Natural effort – need to go to doctor 301
Need for doctors – Sin causes Illness 309
Medical Views of Chazal differ from Doctors 314
Permission to heal 315
Permitted cures 318
Pikuach Nefesh – Life Threatening 319
Prayer 320
Suffering is desirable 320
Testing 321
Appreciation 322
Beracha 323
Deserving a Miracle 325
Effort of Man required before Miracle can Happen 326
End of Miracles 327
Everything is miraculous 327
Hidden vs Open 327
Laws of nature 328
Minimize 330
Miracles are built into creation 331
Miracles that happened 341
Mitzvos protect if danger is not common 352
More Common in Previous Generations 353
Natural laws violated 353
Need for Miracles 354
Proof – not to be viewed as Proof 356
Praying for miracle is prohibited 356
Relying on a miracle is prohibited Even for Tzadikim 357
Salvation through Miracles 363
Sign a miracle will happen 364
Sun Standing Still 364
Types 365
What is a miracle 365
Tzadikim can make 368
Oni Mehapech BCharara Interfering with another’s Purchase 369
Definition 369
Parnossa 370
Poverty 412Advice for success 370
Determined on Rosh HaShanna 387
Effort Desirable 389
Everyman’s trade is fine in his eyes 393
G-d Provides all Parnossa 393
How Provided 401
Not Easily Obtained 405
Predestined or Free Will 407
Same as Father’s 410
Spirituality 410
Test 410
Wife : profession compared to loving wife 411
Working vs Fear of Heaven 412
Always exist 412
Causes 413
Decreed before Birth 417
Definition - Nature 417
G-d Loves the Poor 419
Helping 420
Mocking 424
Poor are considered dead or sick 424
Problems and Benefits 425
Robbing 436
Torah Scholars 437
Tzadik 437
Wheel which impacts everyone 438
Ribis – Usury - Prohibition 439
Segula - Parnassa and Abundance 469
Simonim – signs or omens 479
Permitted 479
Parnossa 488
Prohibited 489
Rosh HaShanna 489
Temimos being Whole Hearted with G-d 491
Bitachon 491
Chanufah is opposite of temimos 491
Definition 492
Mitzva 497
Prohibition 498
Theft 498
Common – most people 498
Consequences 499
Definition - Examples 508
Debts non payment 518
Fraud 518
Mitzva 530
Predestined? 533
Repentance - Restitution 533
Steal from Parents 539
Steal from poor 540
Steal from Rich? 540
Steal from Dead 540
Steal from Non-Jews 540
Steal from Thief 541
Talmid Chochma not a robber 542
Tempting 542
Thief vs Robber 542
Trade 543
Withholding Wages 544
Segula 587
Torah Study and Working 544
Benefits 544
Chazal also worked to earn living 544
R’ Gamliel gave poor students jobs 545
Hillel was a laborer 545
R’ Yehoshua was a charcoal maker 545
Torah study should be combined with working 545
Choose life of bitachon or effort 548
Charity 550
Combining Necessary? 550
Cruel to family as a raven 562
Diaspora only 564
Exclusive Torah Study & Bitachon 565
Financial security required to study 575
Honor Torah 581
If son learns Torah doesn’t have to learn profession 581
Intellect from Torah Study 581
Poor in Torah 581
Poor Scholars 582
Rambam received financial support from brother 582
Rambam would allow if no other way 583
Rich 583
Scholars in early times didn’t have to work 583
Scholars in early times only 586
Secular Studies 466
Taking money for Torah is prohibited? 588
Torah and derech eretz 590
Torah is Primary Work is Secondary 600
Torah Study - without work - is obligatory for the minority 602
Torah Study is Difficult 605
Torah Study is Important 606
Torah Study supported by community 612
Torah Study with charity profanes G d’s name 613
Torah thoughts while working 613
Work interferes with learning 616
Work is a Curse 618
Yisachar Zevulen partnership 619
Tzadikim - Righteous 622
Alive – Truly 622
Angels Greater than 622
Ascetic? 623
Attachment to Tzadikim 623
Atonement Needed? 624
Avraham 624
Baal tshuva is Superior? 625
Become Wicked? 626
Bitachon only for high level 626
Blessing 627
Bounty Source 628
Called by Name of G-d 629
Cancel Merits of Wicked 632
Cannot become poor - law of nature 632
Chanoch Enosh 633
Chariot of G-d 633
Chasidic rebbe 634
NOAM ELIMELECH: 635
Compared to G-d 637
Confronting Wicked 638
Counterpoint to Wicked 639
Create 639
Curse 639
Death of tzadik brings Atonement 639
Decree Against Houses 640
Death Decreed 641
Death – Minimized Pain 641
Death difficult for World 641
Definition - Nature 641
Described as G-d 654
Dies Another Replaces 655
Die Before Time 656
Disobey G-d 656
Doctors not needed 656
Doesn’t suffer from poverty 657
Don’t lack food even without effort 658
Doubts 658
Faith in Tzadik 658
Faith - Lives By 659
Few in Number 660
Finding What was Lost 660
Flourish 660
Forced to be righteous? 660
Foundation of World 661
G-d is Crown 662
G-d is Sanctified through Them 663
G d nullifies decrees because of Tzadik 663
G-d Sees Actions 665
G-d’s Chariot 666
Give Money 667
Good Natured? 667
Greater after Death 667
Greater person has greater lust for evil 667
Handiwork greater than Creation 668
Heresy 668
Imitating? 669
Ish Elokim – Man of G-d 669
Life is only Good for the Tzadikim 670
Many reasons for the suffering of the righteous 671
Miracles - Nature Change- 672
Miraculous protection is only for compete tzadik 672
Misfortune 674
Money is precious to him 675
No fear of judgment either in this world or the next 676
Noach 676
Opposition 677
Partners With G-d 677
Powers similar to G-d 678
Prayers 679
Predestined 679
Protected from all sin and error? 680
Protected if as spiritual as R’ Pinchas’ donkey 683
Protection from Harm 684
Punished 685
Reason World Exists 686
Rebuke Giving 687
Rely on miracles 687
Revealed before Creation 688
Reward 688
Rich 690
Rosh Hashanah 691
Sarah 691
Say little and Do Much 691
Seeing 691
Serving the Tzadik 692
Son of Tzadik 692
Son will not lack sustenance 693
Suffer 693
Suffer first 694
Suffering of Love 694
Suffering is beneficial 694
Suffer for Sins of Generation 696
Tempting 696
Tests 696
Thirty Six or Thirty 696
Too Righteous 697
Tzadik Decree G-d agrees 697
War conducted in natural way - except for tzadikim 698
Wicked Son Prospers 699
Wicked Interfere 699
Women 699
Work not needed so Much 699
Working vs Fear of Heaven 699
Yakov 700
Yashar vs Tzadik 700
Yosef 701
Wealth- Money 701
Acquiring - causes 701
Amount 712
Avoid being Dependent on Others 714
Consequences 714
Decreed before birth 715
Definition - Nature 716
Desire for Wealth 720
Determined on Rosh HaShanna 722
Honor 723
Israel only 724
Money 724
Other people’s Money 727
Predetermined 727
Preserve 728
Problems and Benefits 729
Prophets 737
Rescue by destroying another’s property 737
Solomon- Shlomo 737
Spirituality 738
Steal from Rich? 738
Test 738
Tzadik’s money is more precious to him 739
Undesirable 740
Dedication of my sefer on Parnossa and Luck
Dedication
This volume is dedicated to Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald. He was active in many areas, despite being a successful businessman he devoted his life to the well-being of other Jews. While he ran Camp Sternberg and other business activities, he served as the go to person for anything requiring wise negotiating skills, love of fellow man and patience. He was involved at the highest levels of secular politics as well as with Torah leaders, despite this he was a gentle highly approachable person who was available to all those in need. He was intimately involved in freeing not only Nathan Sharansky from Russia and but others such as Lori Berenson who he visited while she was jailed for life in Peru for alleged terrorist activities.
He traveled the world to provide people in impossible difficulties with real help. He was often called on to negotiate in difficult divorce cases. He was a pioneer in dealing with youth who were on the fringes of society. He even founded a school which dealt directly with young ladies with difficult backgrounds. In short he was a true Torah Jew who was a servant of G-d. He remained a humble and pleasant and easily accessible person despite his many accomplishments.
I met him many times when he came to family simchas in Israel from his home in Monsey. I also corresponded with him by email regarding the issue of divorce. He told me he had had a discussion with Rav Dovid Cohen about the lack of awareness in the Orthodox community about child abuse as indicated by its absence in the Rabbinic responsa literature. Rav Cohen assured him that there must be significant discussions of this important topic but after much effort was able to find only two from 100 years ago.
I also mentioned Rav Dessler’s view that there needed to be universal single minded devotion to only Torah study even if it causes harm to the majority, He agreed that was the dominant view as expressed by the Chazon Ish and Rav Aharon Kotler, but noted this seems to have come about as a reaction to the devastation to not only the nature of Orthodoxy but also the lack of competent leaders by WWII. He added that now after several generation of Torah only that perhaps the emergency situation no longer existed and it might be possible to return to the norm of Torah Study and working.
His wisdom and devotion is sorely missed
Monday, September 30, 2024
Preface to my new sefer on Parnossa and Luck
Preface
About a year ago I was approached by a young kollel man. (In my neighborhood most of the men belong to a Kollel). He had a simple request. What does the Torah say about Parnossa (earning a living or having a job – as opposed to learning full time) and had I written anything about it in my sefer Daas Torah?. This was similar to Hillel being asked by a prospective convert to teach him the entire Torah while he was standing on one leg (Shabbos 31a). As with my previous research. I found most issues are not resolved to a single cogent view, As I have noted before I asked Rav Eliashiv about publishing diverse views since this can cause confusion and upset that there is more than one answer. He answered there is no problem as long as I use widely accepted sources He said any confusion should be discussed with one’s rebbe I also asked Rav Moshe Shapiro and he added just quote the original language without adding interpretation
As I investigated the matter directly it soon became obvious that until relatively recently,. the original sources indicated that having a job was obligatory, And the Chasam Sofer adds that this is especially true in Israel. In fact Rav Kook has stated that the existence of the Jews in the Desert for 40 years after leaving Egypt was one big Kollel devoted to Torah learning while they were sustained and fed by miracles. They didn’t want to leave this existence to be workers. farmers and shepherds in Israel. So their leaders spoke lashon harah about Israel as an excuse to not to settle the land In fact the gemora in Berachos (35b)says it is a fundamental dispute between Rabbi Yishmael and Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai as to whether a person should combine work with Torah study. It concludes that only a minority can survive with exclusive Torah Study. This is also stated clearly in the Mishna Berurah, The Netziv adds from Chazal that only those with guaranteed parnossa can properly study Torah. Other views state that Parnossa will be provided to all that Trust in G-d (bitachon). That those engaged in exclusive Torah Study will be provided with parnossa while other sources say one should be prepared to live in poverty to study Torah, In fact one should be cruel to the needs and cries of your family to learn Torah exclusively. Rav Dessler says that even if most are harmed by an exclusive focus on Torah, we must pay that price
Today it has become accepted that most need to be devoted to exclusive Torah study – even if this means your wife supports the family and the children are raised by babysitters and even if most people are not suited for full time lifelong learning At one time it was assumed that people would work– usually before the age of 13. There was no childhood as we know it today. This changed around 1877 when the Kovno Kollel was started and Rav Chaim Volshner founded a yeshiva system that was independent of the local community, There was great concern for the haskala and government pressures to assimilate. The members of the Kollel were expected to dessert their families for a number of years. In America Rav Aharon Kotler founded the Lakewood yeshiva devoted to exclusive pure Torah learning in 1943. Since then the Torah school system has raised generations of boys and girls to the reality of exclusive Torah. Something which was not the norm even in prewar Eastern Europe
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