tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81682905736896970732024-03-14T06:55:33.982-05:00Critical Judaism and Other ThoughtsCritically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-68193925912778013172010-06-11T12:07:00.002-05:002010-06-11T12:55:24.393-05:00Charitable Contributions to Individuals through Non-ProfitsIn our community, oftentimes we receive solicitations for donations for a specific individuals. The cause of most is the wedding of the daughter of the individual (sometimes a son, but that's less likely). Most of the times those people are in Israel, though some are from the US. <div><br /></div><div>Who I have the beef with, is with the writer of the solicitation. 99.9% of the time it's not the person in need. 99.9% of the time it's someone writing on behalf of that person. What's assumed is that that concerned person actually knows what's going on with the person in distress. But is it a fair assumption? How do we know if the concerned person isn't just a good-hearted person who <i>feels</i> that the needy person <i>needs</i> a fancy wedding, an expensive shaytel (wig) for the bride, new furniture, an apartment to own (Israeli thing, obviously), or a car?</div><div><br /></div><div>The answer is - we don't. And that's sad. Because a lot of community resources can go to waste subsidizing something that the couple may not need. It's also sad because people without means will get used to getting things because someone makes an emotional appeal for them. Let me give an example:</div><div><br /></div><div>Someone I know was engaged and about to get married. He really wanted to get a siddur for his bride - a decorated one. However, he was extremely poor. When he was at the store, he saw two siddurs: one for $30 and another for $50. He had only $30. So he started thinking about what he should do - should he borrow another $20? He meets his Rosh Yeshivah, tells him his story. The Rosh Yeshivah takes out a $20 and gives it to the bochur to buy the $50 siddur for his bride. What is the lesson learned here by the bochur? Don't do your השתדלות! Don't plan ahead! There will be someone or something to subsidize your wants!</div><div><br /></div><div>Is this a lesson that we want to teach poor people? That they should feel entitled?!</div><div><br /></div><div>Am I cold hearted?</div><div><br /></div><div>The solution I see lies in organizations, not individuals. I'd rather have the poor individuals go to organizations that do chesed for people of little of no means. In the city I live, such organizations are plenty, and they're amazing in the work they do. There are all kinds of G'machs: from sheytel g'machs to wedding dress g'machs to an entire organization that will make your wedding for you - food, photography, video, and band included at cost of even below it!!! However, the needy individual has to make an effort. Maybe he needs to show his income, and yes, the questions asked and solutions offered may not be 100% what they want.</div><div><br /></div><div>But you know what? Even people of adequate means don't get 100% of what they want!!! Not even when they buy new stuff!!! That's life.</div><div><br /></div><div>Plus this allows people of means to give to organizations that will utilize the funds more efficiently and (hopefully) with less redundancy, and, if the organizations are non-profits, the donations can be truly tax deductible. Because donations given to a non-profit organization <b>for a particular individual </b>are <b>NOT </b>tax-deductible. <b>EVEN </b>if you get a receipt. This is what's written in the <a href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000229694">IRS publication 526</a> on this topic:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 30, 90); font-weight: bold; "><em><br /></em></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 30, 90); font-weight: bold; "><em>Contributions to Individuals</em></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><div class="titlepage"><div></div></div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font: normal normal normal 12px/14px arial, verdana, sans-serif; ">You cannot deduct contributions to specific individuals, including the following:</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font: normal normal normal 12px/14px arial, verdana, sans-serif; ">Contributions to individuals who are needy or worthy. This includes contributions to a qualified organization if you indicate that your contribution is for a specific person. But you can deduct a contribution that you give to a qualified organization that in turn helps needy or worthy individuals if you do not indicate that your contribution is for a specific person.</p></span></div><div>This goes back to my initial point: a concerned person will tell you to mail a check to "such and such" organization in order to get a donation receipt. However, as you can see it from the publication above - it's illegal.</div>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-43647977459375495112009-02-08T20:42:00.004-06:002009-02-08T20:52:05.314-06:00You know, the מעשה helps as wellToday in shul, a young fellow inquired about my family status. After finding out that I've been married for over two years, and don't have kids yet, the guy stated:<div><br /></div><div>"You know, the most important thing [in the business of having kids] is the tefilla (prayer)"</div><div><br /></div><div>to which I answered</div><div><br /></div><div>"Yes, but the <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">מעשה </span></span>(the deed) helps as well" </div><div><br /></div><div>Reminds me of the Russian joke about the tomato juice that I heard from a rabbi. Here's how it goes:</div><div><br /></div><div>A professor was asked: what is the best contraceptive? He answered: Tomato Juice. The audience was puzzled. Finally, a student asks: "Before or After (До или После)?". The professor answers: "Instead (Вместо)."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-35347213561839223882008-12-30T12:51:00.005-06:002008-12-30T14:10:48.257-06:00Frum Jews and Genetic Screening<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Let me start off saying that it is very possible that I can be completely wrong on this. However, I have some anecdotal evidence that could show the opposite.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">My wife and I know a frum, chassidic family where the wife is very much opposed to the use of modern medicine, and uses it only in extreme measures. Let me give you an example: as far as I know, this family does not vaccinate their children, the wife, when she was ill with a serious illness, used only natural remedies and let the illness progress significally before getting treatment.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This brings me to the following news article:</span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(IsraelNN.com) Dov Ber Holtzberg, the four-year-old son of murdered Chabad emissaries to Mumbai, India, Rabbi Gavriel Noach and Rivki Holtzberg died at a Jerusalem hospital during the predawn hours of Tuesday from Tay-Sachs disease. The Holtzbergs lost their first son to the disease at the age of three.</span></span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yes, I know that it's bad to speak about the deceased, and yes, the story is heart-wrenching. However, given how much information there is on "Jewish" genetic diseases, the Dor Yesharim service (among others), and the fact that they already had one child with </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay-Sachs_disease"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tay-Sachs</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, why do people have so much </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">bitachon</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and so little </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">hishtadlut</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I am not saying that this wonderful couple, may G-d avenge their death, should not have never gotten married, chas v'halila. However, given the fact that they knew that both of them were carriers for Tay-Sachs after the birth of their first child, why not exercise caution, and not rely on providence? And yes, I know that "caution" is a very light word for that; however, does it warrant the misery they and their relatives had to endure? Note that there's a one in four chance to have a Tay-Sachs baby if both parents are carriers - not one in a million.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Why not take a chance to prevent more misery? Isn't there already too much misery in the world?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I'm just puzzled by this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And again, I would like to say to Moshe - the only survivor of this family: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">"Hamakom Yenachem Otcha B'Toch Avelei Tzion veYerushalaim."</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></div>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-56594617419121024582008-12-09T12:29:00.005-06:002008-12-09T12:35:50.069-06:00Yaakov Avinu's work ethic or Having money before having kidsSee <a href="http://hirhurim.blogspot.com/2008/12/sefornos-work-ethic.html">this post</a>. Makes me wonder how many people know of thisCritically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-52316282252389196952008-12-04T08:53:00.002-06:002008-12-04T09:00:59.992-06:00Parsha ThoughtToday I've got a weekly email from my shul. In it, the Rav of the shul expounded on virtues of "Being Honest and Learning Good Even from Wicked." As an example, he brought the honesty of Yaakov in his dealings with Lavan, and, as a parallel, brought down a story about Chafetz Chayim. The story is as follows:<br /><br /><quote></quote><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:100%;" >In a bathhouse, the Chofetz Chaim (a distinguished Torah Scholar Rabbi Meir haCohen) once saw a person using an article that belonged to someone else. The Chofetz Chaim went over to him and whispered, " A person who washes himself with something that does not belong to him ends up dirtier than when he started."</span><br /><br />I'm just wondering: how long will it be until someone quotes this story and based on it, will claim that Chafetz Chayim was an expert on infectious diseases.Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-80716628329604477342008-09-26T09:46:00.002-05:002008-09-26T09:49:19.558-05:00Quiz from Emes Ve-EmunahR Harry Maryles has the following quiz on his <a href="http://haemtza.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-frum-are-you-really-guest-post-by.html">blog</a>. It is not composed by him, rather sent to him by one of his readers. Enjoy.<br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">1) Imagine this scenario: In the course of your work, you find that another “frum” employee is taking large sums from the company, in the process depleting a pension fund so that dozens of lower-level laborers at another site (probably all non-Jews) will be cheated of their retirement funds. What do you do?<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Ask him for a percentage, implying that if he doesn’t cut you in you’ll tell.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Nothing, because taking money would be abetting the theft and telling on him would be mesirah.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Tell him to stop stealing and to return what he took.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Call the police and/ or the company security force.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">2) Your boss, seeing that all 8 days of Chanuka are marked in red on the calendar, asks you if you need all the days off, or just the first two and last two. What do you reply?</strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) You tell him you also need a day before and a day after, to set up the Menorah and take it down.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Yes, you need all 8 days off</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Only the first and last days.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) You tell him the truth, that work is unaffected.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">3) A close relative is seriously ill, and you really want to help. What do you do?<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) You fly to a famous Eastern European cemetery, where you recite a prayer.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) You have a prayer said in the synagogue the next time you are there.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) You recite Psalms at home.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) You recite Psalms and give charity.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">4) In selecting a bride for your son, how much of a role does her parent’s wealth play?<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Hugely important, I am tired of supporting him.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Hugely important, my son is too learned to have to worry about money.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) If they have money, it means they are smart, and I want a girl with good genes.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) More important is how they got the money: is the money kosher?</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">5) In checking out a potential shidduch, which of the following is a deal-breaker? (Select only the most important, if several qualify)</strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) The boy/ girl has been in trouble with the police over drugs & alcohol</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) The family has a history of relatives in jail.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) The family eats “gebrokts” on Passover.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) The potential groom/ bride is overweight .</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">6) If your plumber is known to be refusing to give his wife a “Get”, and your dishwasher isn’t working, what do you do?</strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Call him anyway, since it is impossible to live without a dishwasher.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Hire a cleaning lady until you get a number for another “heimishe” plumber.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Call a different plumber from the Yellow Pages.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Call him, tell him why you are not using him, and call a different plumber from the Yellow Pages</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">7) Your young child tells you that his Yeshiva is cheating, taking government funding that it isn’t entitled to by inflating attendance figures. He thinks it’s all good fun. What do you do?</strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Ask for a discount on your tuition.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Nothing, the Rosh yeshiva is a Godol, and if he does it, it must be okay.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Spread the news around in shul.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Protest formally to the yeshiva, and take your child out, explaining why.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">8) You are down to your last money for the month, there are still four tzedaka appeals in front of you, and you can only respond to one. Which do you send to?</strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Pidyon Shevuyim for a Satmar in jail for beating up an anti-Zalman.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Pidyon Shevuyim for a nursing-home crook, a Talmid Chochom caught faking mortgages, or a frum smuggler who “didn’t know”.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Kupath Ha’ir, despite their inane ads</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Your local needy person and/or shul.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">9) How do you fulfill the custom of “Kaporos”?<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) I go to the closest place that has live chickens. Period.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) I use live chickens, but only if they don’t look like they are being abused.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) I do what my neighbors do, and that’s good enough.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) I use money only.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">10) I skip my evening Daf Yomi when…<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A)… Only when my wife won’t find out</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B)…..I can find an excuse.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) . .. I am tired</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) …I need a break.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">11) In making a simcha, the following is NOT a factor at all:<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Money</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) What the “machatonim” want</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) What the kids want</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) What others think</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">12) My reaction, when I see headlines accusing a religious man of criminality, is:<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) To accuse the media of being anti-Semites.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) To judge him innocent, period.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) To judge him innocent until proven guilty.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) To be ashamed.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">13) I drink only Chalav Yisroel…<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) When anyone is looking</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Always</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Unless I’m out of town</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Except for ice cream and candy bars.</span><br /> <br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">14) Shtreimels are…<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) As important as anything else in the Torah</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Almost as important as anything else in the Torah</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Optional</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Too hot to wear in the summer</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">15) My wife’s hair covering must be…<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) All of it, all the time, double-wrapped.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Sheitel, snood, I don’t care as long as it’s covered</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Whatever, as long as she’s still attractive</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Basically covered, but it’s really her decision</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">16) Shabbos meals must be…<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Precisely the same menu, 52 weeks a year, because it’s holy</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Absolutely must have at least fish, chicken, kugel and chulent</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Can vary a little bit, if the Mrs wants</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Must be inviting to those eating them.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">17) After the “Motzi” blessing, I cut the Challah, and then...</strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Handle each piece, dipping it in salt and handing them out</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) The law says to dip it in salt, so I dip it, of course!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Realize that salt shakers are a recent invention, as is hygiene</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">D) Just cut them and pass them around on a plate with the salt shaker </span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Chai) On Rosh Hashana, the following is on my table:<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A) Honey, a dozen fruits whose names I don’t know, and a big animal head</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">B) Honey, some fruits, and I have no idea why</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Honey, a pomegranate, and some odd fruit for a shehechyanu blessing</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">C) Honey, a pomegranate, and a printed guide from a charity that lists customs I can make fun of.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">How to score your results:<br /></strong><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For every A answer, add one point.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For every B answer, add two points.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For every C answer, add three points</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">For every D answer, add four points</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Add the numbers together to get a total</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">If your total is:</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">18 or 19</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> You should not be reading this, you should be on Yeshiva World or Vos Iz Neiz writing nasty bigoted comments in broken English and in all caps. Also, you need to shower more frequently. Even if they didn’t in the old country.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">20 to 36</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> You are badly in need of continuing education in Judaism’s core values, ethics, and basic morality. Also, you should brush your hat.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">37 to 50</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> You aren’t as closed-minded as some, but you are still far from being a complete human being. You need to learn more about Halacha and about Jewish values. </span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">51 to 65</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> Mazel Tov, pat yourself on the back, you’re several steps above a Neanderthal. At least you understood all the words here, and most likely feel entitled to act really superior now that you have proven that you are too smart to read the Jewish Press anymore. Still, don’t get too snooty since you actually did demean yourself by taking this quiz.</span><br /><br /><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">66 to …</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> Have you already calculated what the highest score could be? I thought so. I also think that you probably cheated a little, choosing answers for point value more than for veracity. So, you’re a top scorer, you think that makes you a mensch? It doesn’t, since you have already betrayed insecurity in your religious values by taking this dumb test. Get with the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">program- the real program- and start learning so you can help rescue the ignorant from sinking into the morass of ignorance and superstition that is overtaking Orthodox Judaism.</span>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-59490432083206264542008-08-03T22:51:00.003-05:002008-08-03T22:57:44.134-05:00Heavenly court proceedings revealed - FinallyFinally, a detailed account into proceedings of the heavenly court. What makes this one so special is:<br /><ol><li>It is contemporary</li><li>Includes video (reinactment / recreation)</li></ol>This was sent to me by a very respectable rav in my community that heads a yeshiva.<br />The link to the video was preceded by this:<br />"<br /> <div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000080;">My dear friends: </span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000080;">I rarely, if ever, forward messages on a mass scale, but what can I say? The following (is a) long video . . . and perhaps you should save it for Tisha B'av. Even if you take this man story with many grains of salt . . . its message is inspirational and jolting to the neshama!! A very very worthwhile investment of time! </span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#000080;">I hope you have a meaningful fast!"<br /></span>The way I understand it is as follows: "This can all be a bubbe-maisa, but it is inspirational and neshama-joulting"<br /><br /><a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7332930594849349840&hl=en">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7332930594849349840&hl=en</a><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-48091102340935874292008-07-10T08:06:00.004-05:002008-07-10T09:15:25.963-05:00Inspired by a lecture<the following="" is="" written="" to="" make="" a="" point="">I have a car. In fact, I have cars for all of you. What I'm talking about is that I have a Rolls Royce for every one of you! You know, it's the car that has a steering wheel, and an engine. It even features an exhaust pipe. And you know what else? It has doors - all four of them! And it even has three, yes I'm not mistaken, three mirrors - two on the side and one under the ceiling. It also has enough seating for five. And, also, the wheels are round!!! And you know what, these cars are free to all of you because you, my dear readers, are all the heirs to the Rolls Royce empire, you hear that? For all of you!!!<br /><end of="" fiction=""><br /><br />This is how I felt at a recent Torah lecture. I felt that I was being sold a Rolls Royce with the selling points that could equally be applied to Kia Rio. Because the points the speaker was making could be heard in many other places. Like self-help books. Like college guidance center. Like a career center, or all other places where you go to get advice, for people to help you, etc. The only difference between those places and the lecture I've been to is that the speaker purported that all that he was saying was Torah.<br /><br />And most people bought it as such!!! Why? The same way many people are persuaded to vote for certain candidates. Most people vote not because they researched all the options and weighed all the decisions with regards to policies. Rather, they rely on the charisma, and the credentials of the politician (and charisma definitely has more weight that credentials). Audience tends to like speakers (and politicians) who can make jokes that suit most of the audience. It does not matter if those jokes irk a select few in the audience, as long as they are not big donors to the speaker's cause. Therefore, these lectures are aimed at people who do not think outside the box, even though the speaker may promote the notion of doing just that. The audience does not realize that just because today, in front of them, this speaker ridicules something that they, too, find ridiculous; the same speaker may tell another audience something else that is ridiculous to that particular audience, but at the same time, not quite funny, or may </end></the>even <the following="" is="" written="" to="" make="" a="" point=""><end of="" fiction="">be very close to heart of this, current audience. It is just the matter of having a polished speech, good answers for Q and A session, and making the jokes that are appropriate for the bulk of the audience.<br /><br />So the question to the audience: Is this a valid kiruv approach?</end></the>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-4602532098403260402008-07-09T21:31:00.000-05:002008-07-09T21:33:59.652-05:00A quick one: <br /><br />Does anyone know if there's a connection between the Hebrew word "nekeva" and the Arabic word "naqba"?Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-33414856853150291132008-06-20T11:11:00.001-05:002008-06-20T11:12:50.703-05:00Proper word usageAs a fan of proper language, I really like <a href="http://conversationsinklal.blogspot.com/2008/06/murder-and-mayhemeliminating-good-and.html">this post</a> by <a href="http://conversationsinklal.blogspot.com">ProfK</a> on the usage of words "nice" and "good". Check it out.Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-83046900155466833572008-06-20T09:07:00.002-05:002008-06-20T09:09:34.546-05:00Could not resist to share.Where do the Arabs get the flags for burning? <a href="http://bogieworks.blogs.com/">Treppenwitz</a> has <a href="http://bogieworks.blogs.com/treppenwitz/2008/06/well-they-have.html">the answer</a>!Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-84789414250200948762008-06-04T21:36:00.004-05:002008-06-04T21:43:25.297-05:00Gilgulim digest from jewish sourcesI was always fascinated about apparent ease with which some speakers discuss soul transmigrations. Reincarnations with precise neshama lineage, speaking to neshamas of those no longer with us and other topics rarely arouse follow-up questions in audiences that I was a part of. I have asked a friend of mine to tell me more about the subject. He said that while he himself is not very proficient in this area of tradition, he will find me some good sources. This article is a good digest of different themes in subject of gilgul. It does not attempt to affirm or dispute the concept, but provides a good coverage from a chasidic perspective.<br /><br />Enjoy! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://hasidicstories.com/Articles/Themes_In_Hasidic_Stories/nigal_1transf.html">http://hasidicstories.com/Articles/Themes_In_Hasidic_Stories/nigal_1transf.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-8392625012633916792008-04-24T11:36:00.004-05:002008-04-24T12:48:46.204-05:00Funny videoWith a hat tip to Rabbi <a href="http://rygb.blogspot.com/">Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer</a>, enjoy this video:<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HWOIKzT0LkI&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HWOIKzT0LkI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-86041544415952968272008-04-17T09:45:00.001-05:002008-04-17T09:47:07.551-05:00On a lighter note...Check out <a href="http://muqata.blogspot.com/2008/04/think-twice-before-you-honk.html">this post</a> by Jameel at the Muqata. Hillarious, in my opinion.<div><br /></div><div>Chag Kasher v'Sameach</div>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-28478955570478201012008-04-14T23:31:00.002-05:002008-04-14T23:40:39.582-05:00Great post from Marty BlukeAbout half a year ago, I picked up a book at shul, called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568711514/friendsofaishat/">Jewish Women Speak on Jewish Matters</a>. Inside this book was the <a href="http://www.aish.com/societyWork/work/Women_At_Work.asp">linked article</a>. When I read it, I had the cynical thoughts along the lines of <a href="http://jewishworker.blogspot.com/2008/03/misleading-statements-in-name-of-kiruv.html">the following blog entry</a> by Marty Bluke. Since he presents it in a much better way than I can, please, read it <a href="http://jewishworker.blogspot.com/2008/03/misleading-statements-in-name-of-kiruv.html">here</a>.<a href="http://www.aish.com/societyWork/work/Women_At_Work.asp"><br /></a>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-55977222421850235342008-04-13T23:43:00.003-05:002008-04-14T11:00:44.251-05:00Are you ready to greet moshiach?The following appeared in the Agudath Israel Passover publication:<br /><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style=""><span style="font-size:100%;">DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO WEAR TO GREET MOSHIACH?</span></span></b></p><p><i><span style="">reprinted with permission from Jewish Tribune</span> </i></p> <p>Last Rosh Hashonoh my family discussed what it will be like when Moshiach comes and how we are all looking forward to his arrival. It was then that my mother asked, “Have you decided what you are going to wear to greet Moshiach?” The whole family got very nervous. I could not think of one outfit in my entire wardrobe which would be fitting for the Ovos and Imahos and other tzaddikim to see me dressed in!<br />How could I appear before them with my skirt just covering my knees? Maybe my new suit is okay? No, the problem is it’s too tight-fitting. Can one wear my skin colour tights? But how would Soroh Imeinu know there is some covering there? She will think it is my bare leg!<br />How can I wear my Shabbos shoes with those high platform heels? What will Moshiach say to that? I really like my new Shabbos outfit but it reaches my ankles - is that really appropriate for me to wear?<br />We all experienced a sinking feeling. How is it possible - though our wardrobes are packed with clothing - we have nothing to wear to greet Moshiach?<br />Then someone commented, "If all our clothes are not good enough for Moshiach, why are they okay for us to wear now? If we have been crowned by Hakodosh Boruch Hu with the most precious adornment - Bonim atem Lashem Elokeichem, shouldn’t we always look like Bnos Melochim?"<br />We were all speechless. We had absolutely nothing to say for ourselves. We had to confess we have nothing in which we would feel comfortable to appear before Moshiach. Suddenly the solution hit me like a bolt of lightning. “I think I would wear my school uniform! That’s something I’ll feel good about wearing!” Imagining to myself the throngs of Bais Yaakov girls all going out to greet our holy ancestors in one united uniform, my heart swelled with a warm glow.<br />But why is my uniform the only outfit of which Moshiach would be proud?</p><br /><p><span>------------------------------------------<br /></span></p><p><span>So, if I understand correctly, in the writer's opinion, Moshiach, Avot and Imahot are shallow people, who "judge a book by its cover." I wonder what the author thinks of people who don't even think of wearing a suit to greet Moshiach. What does she think Sarah Imeinu wore? Just keeps me wondering how brain-washed the frum teenagers (assuming that's the age-group of the author) are by the institutions they attend.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-47227958649670741772008-03-26T15:45:00.004-05:002008-03-26T15:56:28.367-05:00Introducing a (relatively) new bloggerAbout a month ago, SephardiLady of <a href="http://orthonomics.blogspot.com/">Orthonomics</a> recommended a blog by ProfK, called <a href="http://conversationsinklal.blogspot.com/">Conversations in Klal</a>. It is similar to Orthonomics in content, but is updated much more frequently (don't know where the author finds the time). Also, I love her style of writing. The <a href="http://conversationsinklal.blogspot.com/2008/03/little-word-about-deprivation.html">latest post</a> was the best. In addition to pertinent content, I loved the examples and analogies. See this for example:<br /><br />"And Pesach O's cereal just in case little Frumi should go into a deep funk at being deprived of Cheerios." - hillarious, in my opinion.<br /><br />"And my favorite: the non-gebrokts packaged passover pasta products, with a taste and consistency somewhere between rancid wallpaper paste and baked Elmer's glue. " - a classic.<br /><br />I highly suggest adding her blog to your must-reads.<br /><br />Orthonomics hasn't written for a week. I assume it's because it's tax time.Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-22469691127863050972008-03-26T15:22:00.010-05:002008-03-27T15:40:45.994-05:00Back to ADDeRabbiRecently, ADDeRabbi posted an entry titled <a href="http://adderabbi.blogspot.com/2008/03/ethical-dilemma.html">Ethical Dilemma</a>. In it, he presents a situation where he had forsaken a day of work because the document he was translating had been tampered with. What's interesting is his thoughts:<br /><blockquote>"I was not concerned about getting into legal trouble. A disclaimer (i.e. "I'm translating the document, not vouching for its authenticity", or some such) takes care of that. I could easily find a halakhic loophole as well (I do not want to get into it because it would necessitate revealing too many details of the case). It's just the wrong thing to do. It's unethical to be involved with fraud. End of story.<br /><br />At a different stage in my life, I would have taken solace in the fact that God would somehow pay me back, right here in this world, for my behavior. I don't think like that anymore. I tend to think, rather, that "No good deed goes unpunished." So where's the comfort? I spent a whole day working on a project, and ignoring my kids who, like me, had the day off.<br /><br />I wish to make it perfectly clear that this decision has not given me some type of inner peace. I do not feel good for having "done the right thing." If anything, it has made me very agitated. I wasted a day and pissed away about $350. And I am not blessed with the gift of absolute certainty that, in this case, would at least have granted me the confidence that I am doing what is right in the eyes of God and man. No such luck."<br /></blockquote>I think that this way of thinking is more mature than thinking that "G-d will provide" or "G-d will make this up" or "G-d something something." What if not? Does doing the right thing have to bring the inner satisfaction?<br /><br />Also, notice that he could have translated the document and got paid for it using a halachik loophole, as he mentioned. I guess in that regard he's not like a guy I know who said, "What's so immoral with not paying taxes?!" I'm sure that guy eats only handmade shmurah matzah on Pesach, but sells his chametz; uses <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosbul">Prozbul</a>, but not <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shmita#The_heter_mechira">heter mechirah</a>. I guess he has a loophole for cheating on taxes as well, as long as it fits his hashkafah, since his hashkafah determines his morality. Oh well...<br /><br />Gives something to think about...<br /><blockquote></blockquote>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-46145088702154919102008-03-25T10:33:00.003-05:002008-03-25T10:41:34.362-05:00Post Purim StuffSorry for not blogging for 12 days (gosh, it's a long time). Now to the regular programming:<br /><br />Firstly, I'd like to share with you this beautiful bracha poster:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCvf0wO5uxipmq1-f_MeJRNq8F8r3b4j9jtpq5eMvmQSmknd3M-ewVLcB0QsLpIMvuuayd9B-pl1VQRQM8pWEA8GcwKEATCeUKB7A1K-p3209uTzo0A6OYk-pfhbvOlqhO_QFWYPLdrFv/s1600-h/She'asani+Kirtzono+-+Hamevasar+Archives.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCvf0wO5uxipmq1-f_MeJRNq8F8r3b4j9jtpq5eMvmQSmknd3M-ewVLcB0QsLpIMvuuayd9B-pl1VQRQM8pWEA8GcwKEATCeUKB7A1K-p3209uTzo0A6OYk-pfhbvOlqhO_QFWYPLdrFv/s320/She'asani+Kirtzono+-+Hamevasar+Archives.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181703738859538162" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Secondly, in light of the Burka post that started a storm on this blog, here's a video of the ladies in burqas:<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xhob7kZcjYk&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xhob7kZcjYk&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Hat tip to <a href="http://muqata.blogspot.com/">Jameel</a> for both of thoseCritically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-22334253818925504412008-03-13T10:43:00.003-05:002008-03-13T10:47:14.874-05:00Pay scale in the Jewish world<a href="http://wolfishmusings.blogspot.com/2008/03/paying-salaries-based-on-need.html">BrooklynWolf</a> quotes the Yated and starts the discussion about how pay in the frum world is dependent upon age and gender, and not the skills for the work performed. I know that wrpn and his wife have real life examples of that as well. Feel free to comment.<a href="http://wolfishmusings.blogspot.com/"><br /></a>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-20631000677958823512008-03-04T09:49:00.000-06:002008-03-04T10:01:25.917-06:00For the Germophobes around usWith a hat tip to <a href="http://adderabbi.blogspot.com/2008/03/must-have-been-missing-letters.html">ADDeRabbi</a>, I'd like to offer this <a href="http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/breaking/107162.html">short article from JTA</a>:<br /><br /><blockquote><h2 style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Health warning over hospital mezuzot</span></h2>Published: 02/24/2008<br /><p style="font-family: times new roman;">Devout Jews should think twice about kissing hospital mezuzot.</p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;">According to an Israeli study released this month by Assaf Harofeh Hospital, mezuzot in medical wards frequently carry germs and bacteria that can lead to illnesses such as urinary tract infections, intestinal upsets and skin rashes.</p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;">The conclusions were reached after studying 70 mezuzot from different parts of the hospital. Though the communicability of the illnesses is far greater among patients, whose immune system may be compromised, doctors said healthy hospital staff and visitors also should take precautions.</p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;">Many religiously oriented Jews touch mezuzot when passing and then kiss their fingers as a sign of reverence for the biblical inscription carried within.</p></blockquote><p></p>Make your own conclusions. Though I do like the one of Adderabbi :-)<p></p><blockquote></blockquote>Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-82139727250164275122008-03-04T09:44:00.000-06:002008-03-04T09:45:58.992-06:00Welcome another bloggerI'd like to welcome ConcernedJewishGirl to the blogging community. Currently, she has 2 great posts about the logistics for Purim and Pesach. Please go to <a href="http://concernedjewgirl.blogspot.com/">http://concernedjewgirl.blogspot.com/</a> and give it a readCritically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-41152930844605441832008-02-27T09:10:00.000-06:002008-02-27T09:13:13.322-06:00For those doing taxesPlease read <a href="http://orthonomics.blogspot.com/2008/02/choosing-accountant-i-like-varied.html">Choosing an Accountant</a> article at OrthonomicsCritically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-53310018580623352522008-02-19T09:57:00.000-06:002008-02-19T10:02:16.859-06:00Declining dollar and the Israeli Hareidim<a href="http://jewishworker.blogspot.com/">The Jewish Worker</a> posts two articles:<br /><a href="http://jewishworker.blogspot.com/2008/02/declining-dollar-and-charedi-world.html"><br />The declining dollar and the Charedi world</a> and<br /><a href="http://jewishworker.blogspot.com/2008/02/gedolim-say-dollar-is-worth-4-shekels.html"><br />The Gedolim say the dollar is worth 4 shekels.</a><br /><br />Definitely worth a read.Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168290573689697073.post-65688519736748869762008-02-18T10:29:00.000-06:002008-02-19T10:02:59.180-06:00Orthonomics post on day schoolsSephardilady posts an <a href="http://orthonomics.blogspot.com/2008/02/job-satisfaction-not-just-pay-marvin.html">article</a> about the conditions that teachers face teaching in Jewish day schools. Her main point is that the behavior of students in day schools is inferior to behavior of students in public schools, even in the tough neighborhoods. This is something to think about...<br /><br />Also, read the comments, people speak from experience there.Critically Observant Jewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17281220943536673356noreply@blogger.com2