Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Teflon Don

 There is much discussion about reward for righteousness and punishment for sin in the gemora, However there is a category of the wicked which clearly indicates the lack of apparent justice in this world. That is  those who are successful in spite of behavior and midos which typically discredit most human beings. They are those who are typically  described in our society as having teflon coatings - nothing negative lowers their status

Berachos (07b) It is permitted to contend with the wicked in this world. For it is said: They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them. It has been taught to the same effect: R. Dosthai son of R. Mattun says: It is permitted to contend with the wicked in this world. For it is said: ‘They that forsake the law praise the wicked, etc.’ — Should somebody whisper to you: But is it not written: Contend not with evil-doers, neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness, then you may tell him: Only one whose conscience smites him says so. In fact, ‘Contend not with evil-doers’, means, to be like them; ‘neither be thou envious against them that work unrighteousness’, means, to be like them. And so it is said: Let not thy heart envy sinners, but be in the fear of the Lord all the day. But this is not so! For R. Isaac said: If you see a wicked man upon whom fortune is smiling, do not attack him. For it is said: His ways prosper at all times. And more than that, he is victorious in the court of judgment; for it is said: Thy judgments are far above out of his sight. And still more than that, he sees the discomfiture of his enemies; for it is said: As for all his adversaries, he puffs at them.

Megila (06b) If you see a wicked man being favored by fortune do not contend with him, as it says, Do not contend with evildoers. Nor is this all, but he may even prosper in his undertakings, as it says, His ways prosper at all times. Nor is this all, but he may even be declared right, as it says, Thy judgments are far above out of his sight. Nor is this all, but he may even triumph over his enemies, as it says, As for all his adversaries, he puffs at them.

Pesachim (112a)  Strive to be on good terms with the man upon whom the hour smiles. R. Papa observed: That does not mean to buy from or to sell to him, but to enter into partnership with him. But now that R. Samuel b. Isaac said: What is meant by the verse, Thou hast blessed the work of his hands? Whoever took a farthing  from Job was blessed; even to buy from and to sell to him is advisable.

Pesachim (113a) strive to be on good terms with him upon whom the hour smiles

22 comments:

  1. Baruch Dayan Ha'Emes my consolations to you dear blog owner, on the loss of your candidate, Kamala Harris.
    You should live and be well, and live to see four more years of Trump/Vance presidency.
    We are also now guaranteed four more years of anti-Trump political content on this blog.
    Trump Derangement Syndrome is very real, and you might want to seek professional help in dealing with the new reality.

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    1. Thank you for your heart felt crocodile tears - typical of a Trump supporter. What drug /therapist would you suggest to protect against seeing reality - you know the one that all Trump supporters take and claim are merely provoking his woke enemies
      Regarding anti trump posts , unfortunately they are generated simply in response to his daily outrages crimes which MAGA delight in
      I am sure you are looking forward to the inevitable presidency of Vance when Trump becomes totally senile or dies from his many ailments. He is clearly anti Israel

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    2. For you? Lorazepam, lots of lorazepam.
      You should be thrilled with this result. It gives you four years of obsessively attacking Trump and insulting his supporters. The alternative would've been craven articles trying to convince us that Harris' latest stumble was, in fact, a triumph.

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    3. I'm not crying crocodile tears at all.
      I'm cautiously THRILLED that Harris lost, which I consider has having dodged a bullet.
      Time will tell how Trump's second presidency will look, and I pray that it will be good for the Yehudim.
      That being said, I'm able to independently recognize your sadness and disappointment, and can GENUINELY feel bad for you, as you suffer this loss. That is not crocodile tears.

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    4. Elite School Will Provide Counselors for Students Distressed by Election
      Attendance on Wednesday, or whatever day the results are announced, is optional for high school students at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York City, families were told.
      https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/31/nyregion/fieldston-school-election-attendance.html

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    5. https://nypost.com/2024/11/01/us-news/jerry-seinfeld-rips-woke-nyc-private-school-where-his-kids-attended-for-allowing-distressed-students-to-skip-class-day-after-election/

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    6. Wow Garnel you think that Trump is so perfect that only someone severely mentally ill would think otherwise. What do you sniff in between patients?

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    7. I never said that Trump was perfect. You have this habit of accusing me of saying all sorts of stuff that I didn't. That's why you need the lorazepam. You're going to give yourself another stroke, chas v'shalom, if you don't calm down.

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    8. ok I I apologize for misunderstanding your comment as being insincere and that you are aware that Trump could possibly be a real disaster as president as he was the previous time

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    9. I have never said Trump was perfect or even a good person. I have pointed out that since never of us has ever met him, all we know about him is from the media. The same media that tells us that Israel is committing a "genocide" in Gaza. And I stand by that point - the media has a bias and engages in selective reporting to make sure you develop the their opinion about an issue. Trump, Israel, it's all the same. So be careful about that.
      As for being a disaster, you know very well that if CoVID hadn't happened, he would've coasted to an easy victory in 2020 with a strong economy, low unemployment and a renewed military presence.
      The system is way bigger than Trump. He will be entertaining, with secretaries, assistants and aides coming and going, new "revelations" all the time about what a menuval he is and the endless legal fights as the Left tries to undo the election result through lawfare. But he will not be a disaster.

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    10. your comment strongly indicates that one needs to be mentally ill to see Trump did anything wrong or criminal, " It gives you four years of obsessively attacking Trump and insulting his supporters." Nothing indicating there is any justification to criticize him. That implies he is only being attacked because of a weakness in my mental health.. How often do you criticize him?!

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    11. In Israel the left wing say the same about BiBi as the Dems say about Trump.
      Yes, he's not a tzaddik. If he was, he wouldn't be in politics.

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    12. Are you trying to defend Trump by your comparison to Bibi?
      Are they saying they claim he is a sexual abuser a chronic liar ,fraud and Bigot?
      Are you referencing leftist or Arab comments?

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    13. Leftists hate him more than you hate trump. Have you burned any tyres to protest Trump?

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    14. I am worried that you are obsessed by this. You are not a competing politician, nor do you have any influence in politics in the States. Your endless stream of vitriol accomplished nothing but raising your blood pressure.

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    15. I posted a quote from Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky a few days ago - giving a brocho for Trump to win... Didn't see any replies tho

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    16. Garnel you really don't understand that many people also view Trump as a danger. labeling concern for others as a mere obsession is simply a defense mechanism to avoid facing reality.
      Same tactic has been used when I posted about child abuse, Tropper or the phony heter for remarriage. They did nothing wrong it was just my obsession.

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    17. defense mechanism?
      I thought you didn't believe in them?

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    18. DT, I understand quite well many people view Trump as a danger and I understand why. There are many good reasons to.
      The problem with Trump Derangement Syndrome is
      a) you see Trump as the greatest evil in history, an apocalypse-bringer, nothing worse ever!
      b) you think that this is so obvious that everyone should agree and when you meet someone who doesn't, you can't handle it. What's wrong with that person? I have to change his mind! I can't bear the thought of anyone out there walking around and not thinking like me!

      Look, the work you did with Tropper was obsessive too but there's a difference - with Tropper, you made a difference. You helped bring him down and kol hakavod. You were a true hero there.
      With Trump? You're flailing in the wind, shouting randomly and accomplishing nothing. It's a waste of your intelligence and energy.

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    19. Heter for remarriage was an innovation that didn't gain acceptance.
      Rav Moshe's innovations did gain acceptance.
      There's another heter I read about, that of maharam of rothemburg.
      It's been used by the rabbanut to remove mamzerut.
      In a Hebrew article I saw it quotes rav wosner as having said that - if you opposed rabbi goren but don't oppose what the rabbnute is doing now, you should go to the grave of Rav Goren and beg for his forgiveness. Because what? What is being done now is worse than what he did.

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    20. you are clearly confused
      The heter was supposed to be that of Rav Moshe

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    21. The opponents didn't use your psychological reasoning did they ? they just said it's not halachic valid

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