Jewish Journal February 2015
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Sanctity As Defined by the Silent Prayer Benjamin Blech Sanctity Isn't
145 Sanctity as Defined by the Silent Prayer Sanctity as Defined by the Silent Prayer Benjamin Blech Sanctity isn’t meant to be an esoteric subject reserved solely for rabbis, theologians, and scholars. It is a theme that has been accorded a blessing that is to be recited by every Jew three times a day as part of the Amidah, the Silent Prayer composed by the Men of the Great Assembly, in order to give voice to our collective desire to communicate with the Almighty. The Amidah is the paradigm of prayer. It is what the Talmud and rabbinic commentators refer to as “[the] t’fillah.” It is the one prayer at whose beginning and ending we take three steps backward followed by three steps forward, indicating our awareness of entering and then subsequently leaving the presence of the supreme Sovereign. The wording and structure of this prayer are profoundly significant. Its text carries the spiritual weight of authorship by saintly scholars imbued with prophetic inspiration. All this is by way of introducing the reader to the importance (as well as the practical relevance) of the insights of the Amidah regarding the theme of holiness. It is within the context of the words chosen for our daily conversations with God that we will discover how the concept of sanctity helps us resolve two of the most pressing problems of life: How can we be certain that God exists? And if indeed there is a God, what does that mean for our mission here on earth? 146 Benjamin Blech Can We Ever Prove God’s Existence? Philosophers throughout the ages have debated this issue without coming to a universally agreed-upon resolution. -
2007 Israeli Democracy Index Is Dedicated to Captain Zur Zarhi from Nahalal, a Beloved Friend Who Went to War and Did Not Come Back
Auditing Israeli Democracy – 2007 Cohesion in a Divided Society Asher Arian, Nir Atmor, Yael Hadar The Israel Democracy Institute is an independent, non-partisan body on the seam of academia and politics. The Institute proposes policy recommendations and reforms for government and public administration agencies. In its plans and endeavors, the Institute strives to support the institutions of Israel’s developing democracy and consolidate its values. The Institute’s research is followed up by practical recommendations, seeking to improve governance in Israel and foster a long-term vision for a stable democratic regime adapted to the structure, the values, and the norms of Israeli society. The Institute aspires to further public discourse in Israel on the issues placed on the national agenda, to promote structural, political, and economic reforms, to serve as a consulting body to decision-makers and the broad public, to provide information, and present comparative research. Researchers at the Israel Democracy Institute are leading academics directing projects in various areas of society and governance in Israel. The IDI Press produces, markets, and distributes the results of their work in several series of books (“The Democracy Library”), policy papers, the Caesarea Forum Series, periodicals, and conference proceedings. The Guttman Center was established in its present form in 1998, when the Guttman Institute for Applied Social Research became part of the Israel Democracy Institute. Professor Louis Guttman founded the original Institute in 1949 as a pioneering center for the study of public opinion and the advancement of social science methodology. The goal of the Guttman Center is to enrich public discourse on issues of public policy through the information retrieved from the Center’s databases and through public opinion surveys conducted by the Center. -
Caesarea Forum - Xvii
CAESAREA FORUM - XVII PROGRAM Chair: Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Minister of Finance Academic Director of the Forum: Mr. David Brodet Wednesday and Thursday, 1st -2nd July 2009 Hotel Royal Beach, Eilat WEDNESDAY, 1st JULY 2009 8:30 - 9:30 Registration and assembly 9:30 - 13:00 First Session : "The Requisite Size of the Government - between Economy and Politics" [The Olive and Acacia Hall] Presentation of the Team's Recommendations: Prof. Joseph Zeira , Department of Economics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Presenters: Prof. Avishai Braverman, Minister of Minority Affairs Mr. Yoram Ariav , Director General and Acting Head of the Budget Department, Ministry of Finance Prof. Zvi Eckstein , Deputy Governor, Bank of Israel Dr. Michel Strawczynski, Director, Macro-Economic and Policy Department, Bank of Israel Prof. Omer Moav, Department of Economics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg , Head, National Economic Council, Prime Minister's Office Ms. Yael Andorn, Director General, Amitim Pension Funds Dr. Yossi Bachar , Economic Consulting and Business Development Ltd. Dr. Eldad Shidlovsky , Head, Economics and Research Department, Ministry of Finance Plenary discussion 13:00 - 14:15 Minister of Finance's Session : [The Ranch House Restaurant] Luncheon Address by the Dr. Yuval Steinitz, Minister of Finance 14:30 - 18:15 Second Session : "The Future of Growth Promotion in Israel: A Return to Boosting Avant-garde Industries and Scientific Technological Innovation" [The Olive and Acacia Hall] 14:30-16:30 Presentation of the Team's Recommendations: Prof. Arnon Bentor, Dean, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, and Senior Researcher, The Neaman Institute, The Technion Presenters: Mr. Eli Hurvitz, Chairman, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. -
The Shul B”H Weekly Magazine
The Shul B”H weekly magazine Weekly Magazine Sponsored By Mr. & Mrs. Martin (OBM) and Ethel Sirotkin and Dr. & Mrs. Shmuel and Evelyn Katz Shabbos Parshas Toldos Shabbos Mevarchim Cheshvan 28 - 29 November 17 - 18 CANDLE LIGHTING: 5:13 pm Shabbos Ends: 6:06 pm Rosh Chodesh Kislev Sunday, November 19 Molad - New Moon Sunday, November 19, 12:57 AM Te Shul - Chabad Lubavitch - An institution of Te Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem M. Schneerson (May his merit shield us) Over Tirty Years of Serving the Communities of Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Indian Creek and Surfside 9540 Collins Avenue, Surfside, Fl 33154 Tel: 305.868.1411 Fax: 305.861.2426 www.TeShul.org Email: [email protected] The Shul Weekly Magazine Everything you need for every day of the week Contents Nachas At A Glance The Shul Youth Programs learning about Nutrition Weekly Message 3 Thoughts on the Parsha from Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar and having fun. Celebrating Shabbos 4 -5 Schedules, classes, articles and more... Everything you need for an “Over the Top” Shabbos experience Community Happenings 6-7 Sharing with your Shul Family A Time to Pray 8 Check out all the davening schedules and locations throughout the week Kiddush Bank 9 The investment with a guarenteed return Inspiration, Insights & Ideas 10-16 Bringing Torah lessons to LIFE Get The Picture 17-26 The full scoop on all the great events around town In a woman’s world 27 Issues of relevance to the Jewish woman French Connection 28 Refexions sur la Paracha Latin Link 29 Refexion Semanal The ABC’s of Aleph 30 Serving Jews in institutional and limited environments. -
Shabbat Checklist (PDF)
בס"ד Shabbat Checklist www.chabad.org/Shabbat 5 Home Related Tasks Deadline: 5 Day / Time Invite guests Overall cleaning, putting away clothing, tidying up, etc. Change sheets. Fresh sheets and towels for sleepover guests. Polish Shabbat items (candlesticks, kiddush cups, etc.) Do touch-up cleaning. Put fresh tablecloth on table; see that candlesticks and candles are ready to be lit; two challot are in tray on table and covered with special cloth. (This is all that is necessary by candle lighting time; the table can be set later.) Cut flowers and place in vase(s) on table. Note candle lighting time. Bring in anything outside that should be brought in (unless you have an eruv). Set out garbage. Separate garbage bags to be used on Shabbat. Tear toilet paper and have it in place; or have tissues ready. Water plants; turn off sprinklers. If necessary, put away forbidden toys and games, replace with Shabbat toys and games. Put away or cover muktzeh items (pens, money, purses, etc.— perhaps choose a special muktzeh drawer) Your list: Open any necessary packages and wrappers whose contents are to be used on Shabbat. List: 5 Food Related Tasks Open any necessary packages and wrappers whose contents are to be used on Shabbat. List: Shop for all food, supplies. Complete baking, including challot. Finish cooking. Freeze ice cubes. Sharpen knives. Wash pots and dishes not needed again during Shabbat, if Pre-Shabbat Checklist Chabad.org/Shabbat בס"ד possible. Otherwise, put out of sight. (Dishes needed again during Shabbat can be washed on Shabbat.) Clean and ready pots to be placed on hot-plate or blech. -
Sept 10 2016 SB1.Pub
Adam Raised a Cain Rabbi Ari Lamm, Resident Scholar Clergy & Staff Yosie Levine Rabbi The Jewish Center Rosh Hashanah is supposed to be Judgement Day. This is a fascinating take on the Cain and Abel nar- rative. In Bruce’s imagination, Cain’s behavior may Dovid Zirkind SHABBAT BULLETIN It’s hard to feel that way after Elul. have been due to his tough relationship with his fa- Associate Rabbi ther, Adam. Right out of the womb, Adam plunged Sure, we spend Rosh Hashanah in repentance before Cain right into the baptismal waters, submerging him Chaim David Berson God, shofar blasts escorting our prayers up to Heav- fully into a thoroughgoing value system that the lat- Cantor SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 • PARSHAT SHOFTIM • 5776 en. But if “Judgement Day” is supposed to conjure up ter had no time even to understand, let alone em- feelings of overawed inspiration at God’s immanent brace. Before he could take a single emotional, intel- Ari Lamm EREV SHABBAT SAVE THE DATE presence, well, the odds are good that no one who lectual or spiritual breath, Cain was already ex- Resident Scholar 6:58PM Candle lighting attends services over the coming month will feel it. By pected to have a wholly-formed, actionable 7:00PM Minchah Noach Goldstein the time Rosh Hashanah arrives, we’ll all have been worldview. And as Cain grew older, his infant tears Shabbat September 24 Resident Scholar Scholar In Residence reciting selichot for days - some communities for an turned to youthful resentment, then to adolescent SHABBAT Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel entire month - and blowing the shofar daily to boot; anger, until finally father and son could no longer Avi Feder 7:45AM Hashkama Minyan (The Max and Marion Grill Beit Midrash) we’ll all have begged pardon from our friends and live under the same roof. -
Jason Yehuda Leib Weiner
Jason Yehuda Leib Weiner A Student's Guide and Preparation for Observant Jews ♦California State University, Monterey Bay♦ 1 Contents Introduction 1 Chp. 1, Kiddush/Hillul Hashem 9 Chp. 2, Torah Study 28 Chp. 3, Kashrut 50 Chp. 4, Shabbat 66 Chp. 5, Sexual Relations 87 Chp. 6, Social Relations 126 Conclusion 169 2 Introduction Today, all Jews have the option to pursue a college education. However, because most elite schools were initially directed towards training for the Christian ministry, nearly all American colonial universities were off limits to Jews. So badly did Jews ache for the opportunity to get themselves into academia, that some actually converted to Christianity to gain acceptance.1 This began to change toward the end of the colonial period, when Benjamin Franklin introduced non-theological subjects to the university. In 1770, Brown University officially opened its doors to Jews, finally granting equal access to a higher education for American Jews.2 By the early 1920's Jewish representation at the leading American universities had grown remarkably. For example, Jews made up 22% of the incoming class at Harvard in 1922, while in 1909 they had been only 6%.3 This came at a time when there were only 3.5 millions Jews4 in a United States of 106.5 million people.5 This made the United States only about 3% Jewish, rendering Jews greatly over-represented in universities all over the country. However, in due course the momentum reversed. During the “Roaring 1920’s,” a trend towards quotas limiting Jewish students became prevalent. Following the lead of Harvard, over seven hundred liberal arts colleges initiated strict quotas, denying Jewish enrollment.6 At Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons for instance, Jewish enrollment dropped from 50% in 1 Solomon Grayzel, A History of the Jews (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1959), 557. -
If God Is Good, Why Is the World So Bad? by Benjamin Blech Simcha
Books If God is Good, God is not in control of the world, and sion that all of his proposals stem from Why is the World So Bad? that they suffer because God lacks the the Rav’s theology. By Benjamin Blech power to prevent it. The primary dissonance between Simcha Press Rabbi Blech opens with an anec- Rabbi Blech’s approach and that con- Florida, 2003 dote demonstrating that Kushner’s view veyed by the Rav is that Rabbi Blech is 250 pages is not only in contradiction to tradition- not at all hesitant to offer confident the- Reviewed by Shalom Carmy al religion, which is pretty obvious, but ological explanations for good and bad that it is therapeutically inadequate too. occurrences. Thus he writes: A woman, who had first been comfort- And how can we know whether our ed by Kushner’s assurance that her own suffering is divine punishment or child’s death was not punishment, now heavenly warning? When God intervenes, complains that the book gives her night- when He is sending you a message, you mares: “I now have two healthy chil- will know it. How? There is one sure way dren. We are so happy. But any minute to tell—God is very specific and leaves no now I expect something terrible to hap- doubt about His meaning if you merely pen. If God doesn’t run the world like give it a little thought. this book says….” And her voice cracks. Many of Rabbi Blech’s stories This woman, Rabbi Blech says, needs about unmistakable Divine communica- assurance. -
Pesach for the Year 5780 Times Listed Are for Passaic, NJ Based in Part Upon the Guide Prepared by Rabbi Shmuel Lesches (Yeshivah Shul – Young Yeshivah, Melbourne)
בס״ד Laws and Customs: Pesach For the year 5780 Times listed are for Passaic, NJ Based in part upon the guide prepared by Rabbi Shmuel Lesches (Yeshivah Shul – Young Yeshivah, Melbourne) THIRTY DAYS BEFORE PESACH not to impact one’s Sefiras Haomer. CLEANING AWAY THE [Alert: Polar flight routes can be From Purim onward, one should learn CHAMETZ equally, if not more, problematic. and become fluent in the Halachos of Guidance should be sought from a It is improper to complain about the Pesach. Since an inspiring Pesach is Rav familiar with these matters.] work and effort required in preparing the product of diligent preparation, for Pesach. one should learn Maamarim which MONTH OF NISSAN focus on its inner dimension. Matzah One should remember to clean or Tachnun is not recited the entire is not eaten. However, until the end- discard any Chometz found in the month. Similarly, Av Harachamim and time for eating Chometz on Erev “less obvious” locations such as Tzidkasecha are omitted each Pesach, one may eat Matzah-like vacuum cleaners, brooms, mops, floor Shabbos. crackers which are really Chometz or ducts, kitchen walls, car interiors egg-Matzah. One may also eat Matzah The Nossi is recited each of the first (including rented cars), car-seats, balls or foods containing Matzah twelve days of Nissan, followed by the baby carriages, highchairs (the tray meal. One may also be lenient for Yehi Ratzon printed in the Siddur. It is should also be lined), briefcases, children below the age of Chinuch. recited even by a Kohen and Levi. -
Guide to the Yeshiva
Guide to the Yeshiva The Undergraduate Torah Experience For answers to all your Yeshiva questions, email [email protected] Our Yeshiva has a long and profound history and legacy of Undergraduate Torah Studies Torah scholarship and spiritual greatness. Our roots stretch back to the Torah of Volozhin and Brisk and continue in WELCOME TO THE YESHIVA! our Yeshiva with such luminaries as Rav Shimon Shkop We have assembled in one Yeshiva an unparalleled cadre of roshei yeshiva, rebbeim, mashgichim and support staff to enable you to have an uplifting and enriching Torah experience. We hope you will take and Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik. As you enter Yeshiva, you full advantage of all the Yeshiva has to offer. will not only partake of the great heritage of our past but, Hatzlacha Rabbah! together with your rebbeim, will forge a glorious future. Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman Rabbi Zevulun Charlop President Dean Emeritus Special Assistant to the President Rabbi Menachem Penner Rabbi Dr. Yosef Kalinsky The Max and Marion Grill Dean Associate Dean Glueck Center, Room 632 Undergraduate Torah Studies 646.592.4063 Glueck Center, Room 632 [email protected] 646.592.4068 [email protected] For answers to all your Yeshiva questions, email [email protected] 1 Undergraduate Torah Studies Programs Yeshiva Program/Mazer School The James Striar School (JSS) of Talmudic Studies (MYP) This path is intended for students new to Hebrew language and textual study who aspire to attain This program offers an advanced and sophisticated a broad-based Jewish philosophical and text classical yeshiva experience. Students engage education. Led by a dynamic, caring faculty and in in-depth study of Talmud with our world- with daily mentoring from students at YU’s renowned roshei yeshiva. -
Living with the a C Ho Lent Sha B B a T What's Cholent? Basically, It's a Stew That Cooks Overnight So There Can Be a Hot Meal on Shabbat Day
Shabbat Parshat Chukat-Balak Living with the A C ho lent Sha b b a t What's cholent? Basically, it's a stew that cooks overnight so there can be a hot meal on Shabbat day. The idea is this: the Torah tells us not to light a fire or cook on Shabbat. But we are allowed to let R eb b e something cook by itself, or to keep warm if it is already cooked. The Sages in the Talmud and the later legal responsa explain how Adapted from the works of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson to do this in accordance with Jewish law: essentially the fire must be lit and the food at least partially cooked before Shabbat starts. In This week's Torah portion, Balak, opens with the Children of addition, the fire has to be covered so that one wouldn't adjust the Israel encamped near the borders of Moab. Balak, the king of flame higher or lower. Adjusting the flame would, of course, be an Moab, hired the famous gentile prophet, Bilaam, to curse the act of cooking. Jews and cause their defeat, but G-d frustrated his evil On Shabbat in many observant homes (at least in the winter!) you'll see a piece of metal (known in Yiddish as a blech) covering intentions. Instead of delivering curses, Bilaam was overcome the stove top, and a pot with cholent sitting on top. with a Divinely inspired mood of prophecy and perception of Why all of this preamble? To share with you an incident that goodness. -
Biographical Sketch
Rabbi Benjamin Blech Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a Maggid-shiur at Yeshiva University, is an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, author and lecturer. He has written 12 highly acclaimed and best-selling books, with combined sales of close to half a million copies, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Judaism and Understanding Judaism: The Basics of Deed and Creed, which was chosen by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations as the single best book on Judaism in our generation. Together with an accompanying six-hour video, filmed by the producers of 20/20 and featuring Rabbi Blech, Understanding Judaism: The Basics of Deed and Creed is used in study groups in numerous synagogues and universities around the country. His book Taking Stock: A Spiritual Guide to Rising Above Life’s Financial Ups and Downs was featured in a full-page article in the New York Times and his If God is Good, Why Is The World So Bad? has been translated into Indonesian, where it has had a powerful reception in the wake of the country’s tsunami. Rabbi Blech’s most recent book is The Sistine Chapel: Michelangelo’s Forbidden Messages in the Heart of the Vatican. Coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Michelangelo’s starting work on the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, this groundbreaking book is already the subject of huge interest, discussion and controversy. Translated into 15 languages, available in 25 countries, a first printing of 100,000 copies by HarperOne, movie and TV rights presently in negotiation with three major film companies and with national TV coverage, this major work proves that Michelangelo incorporated many teachings of Jewish Midrash and Kabbalah into the Sistine Chapel.