Only Di 'Lomo...

...smashes his head by biking directly into a gate..(may even need a bit of stitching)..

Fashion

Just one more thing!- It's unfortunate that the modes of dress for women (in the West) today have been influenced by fashion standards that see looking "sexy" as an ideal. For what is "sexy"? "Someone you'd consider having sex with"? Someone "sexable" (i.e. someone who embodies 'sex')? Is that at all any standard to be basing influences in dress?

Arab. Dress.

Oral Hygiene

יצה"ר בא לו לאדם בטענות שוא, והגיון שגוי. תמיד אומר הוא לו על כל מצוה או מעשה טוב כי קיימת אפשרות לעשותו "מחר" ו"מחר". כנגדו בא הלל ואומר "אם לא עכשיו אימתי?" י

ועוד בא לו יצה"ר לאדם בטענה שמעשים אשר יועילו לאדם לשמור על גופו באופן תקין וסביר לאורך זמן מומלצים, אבל אינם בגדר "מעשה טוב" או "מצוה". כנגדו בא הלל ואומר לגבי הליכתו למרחץ "הולך אני לגמול חסד לגופי". י

The 00's

There have been many decades in America (and the world for that matter) that were representative of certain eras and movements. The 'roaring twenties', the 'war years', the 'baby boom' and 'the 60's' for example. Sometimes I wonder what moods might one day become representative of the 00's (as in from 2000 to 2010). It is my opinion that this decade will stand out as one in which America has become more aware of Islam and the Middle East. It has also, therefore, inspired a much greater interest in religion in general than has been in previous decades.

[I should mention, by the way, that my mother has an opinion about 'decade movements' in America during the past century which I have adopted; it is her opinion that the movements we associate with certain decades really started during the second half of the decade. For example 'the 60's' as we know them, 'really' started in the late 60's. Therefore 'Islamic awareness' as well really started already by the late 90's.]

בְּחָכְמָה יָסַד אָרֶץ

The longer I am confronted with this existence that I have been placed within, the longer I perceive evidenced the notion that there is nary a worthwhile engagement, or even pastime, that does not require a reasonable amount of 'learning' (in a 'modification of behavior' sense) in order for them to be properly performed. We must learn to do everything. Even the most instinctual and base necessities of Man as food consumption, sexual intercourse or even sleep involve much training for if one is to become successful at them. How much more tutelage is required for things of worth, such as those that require University attendance, and that may be beneficial in finding employment. From properly hunting and gathering, to riding bicycles to studying Accounting, our world is a world of activities that require practice to perfect, and that also necessitate one to be well informed.

It has always been my opinion that people are far too accustomed to the way the universe and the world seem to have been constructed, that they do not usually ponder the fact that in the G-d-model our souls could have been placed in any number of situations to surround us. And one aspect of the one that was chosen is one which reflects an emphasis in education for the sake of action, and an ethic that we see G-d considers as important in His saying in the first chapter of the Bible "אשר ברא אלו"הים לעשות".

..a few more theses

Hello there peoples (...I don't know, sometimes I get the feeling like I need to say hello. ..I mean, if someone is reading it, they should be told 'hello', no? ..whatever..).

In order that it shouldn't pass from my mind as it came: I have two opinions about yeshiva reforms (in this context), one academic and one structural. One I pondered about many years ago, and one only a few years ago. One theologically reasonable and one a bit more questionable in a theological sense.

Firstly- it is my opinion that yeshivas are very much limiting themselves in regards to the diversity of classes that could be taught in such an institution, and that could be considered 'Torah' (or not far from it). Now, Yeshiva University and Stern College obviously have diverse classes, as well as the Jewish Theological Seminary (among others which are not quite worth mentioning in this context), but they are not 'yeshivot' in that sense, but rather Jewish Universities. I mean a place with 100 per cent religious studies; a place for a child and student of the West to go and find solace from the unG-dly elements which wish to contaminate their soul (Yeshivat Chovevei Torah is a good idea, but not really what I'm getting at here).

To-day, obviously, not much is taught in yeshivot outside of Talmud. If it is it's usually on a very 'fluffy' (if I may) level. But there is such a broad range of subjects that comprises 'Torah' in the most staunch sense. Aside from the Five Books of the Torah, the Prophets and the Holy Writings (and the myriads of ways they can be approached), there can also be Mishna 'for Mishna's sake' (outside the subjects of Talmud). The study of Tamlud itself can and should be greatly reformed in yeshivas in my opinion. But there is also the evolution of and differing opinions within the philosophical and ethical works of the Medieval Jewish scholars and those who followed them. Let us not forget the all-important subject of halakha- it itself has an infinitude of different venues one can take in it's study; one can study only the Rambam or only the Shulhan Arukh, or the latter with emphasis on different commentators (Mishna b'rurah and Yalkut Yosef for example), or an emphasis on their Talmudic basis. And then there is a subject which most would not consider part of a yeshiva curriculum, but I do; the study and analysis of all the millenia that comprise 'Jewish History', and the many lessons we must learn from it.

And yet till today, even us, the descendants of the Sepharadim (as well as the descendants of the Ashkenazim) choose to mimic the faulty academic system that existed in Eastern Europe before the destruction of those communities during the Second World War, instead of following in the ways of the Jews of Moorish Spain, who had in their institutions of learning a refreshing synthesis of Talmud and ethics, halakha and poetry, prayer and meditation.

Secondly- I also believe that yeshivot are harming themselves by not introducing a full credit system. By credit system I mean of course gaining college credits that are fully acceptable in a normal university. Now, while that aspect of the credit system does already exist in many places, what I am suggesting is being graded for these points by tests, proving ones retaining of knowledge in these subjects. Now, while there are many disadvantages to the 'test system', and many academic advantages to the system currently in force in yeshivot, still feel that only through testing and accrediting would the students be fully interested in the subject matter, and would it become a real class.

Of course I am not suggesting that every 'shiur' must be graded. Just the opposite; it should be stressed that the study in yeshiva is quite different than that of the University. We believe that just the very action of studying religious subjects itself is the fulfillment of a religious duty. And with grading, students might overlook this religious aspect. But grading must be, for without it the subjects would never be retained, or taken seriously enough. And even if one fails, they have still fulfilled their duty.

מימרא דרבי יהודה בן תימא

Oh yes, another thing; a lad stopped me yesterday on the street(!) asking about the Mishna in Avot "יהודה בן תימא אומר הוי עז כנמר וכו וכו". I answered him in a very simplistic way, but after walking on I came to realize how little I understand that statement; what does it mean one should be "brazen", "light", "quick" and "strong" in G-dly service? It really shouldn't be over-simplified. Also: the end of his statement is "עז פנים לגהינם ובוש פנים לגן עדן" (but he just said "הוי עז כנמר")?

אלא שדבר זה נצרך לעיון

Here's something from Rav Menahem Mendel Schneerson I found discussing this (for the meantime).

Age

Aging- Ones friend at first, later becoming a suspected acquaintance, and ultimately an enemy!

..sorry, I just had to!

!בסליחה מכבודכם; I'm sorry to be posting something quite so inane, but; Man, this trippy video is, like, one of those things which is awesome when you've been chain-smoking marijuana(!), but otherwise is the kind of thing you're afraid will get stuck in your mind or something! ...למעשה I've always wondered what German bunnies did in their little caves!

(There's a better version, but it involves (female) dancers, so I wouldn't use it!)

For babysitter: The English Version of the song!

Thank G-d, at least the Mexican bunnies are still industrious! ; )

חן הבתולות

בעבר, בתקופות בהם היה הנייר יקר יותר, כשהיו מדפיסי הסידורים נתקלים בתופעה שבסופו של דבר דף או שניים היו מיותרים בסוף כריכת הסידור, היו מדפיסים באותם הדפים דבר קצר "לזכות את הרבים" (כגון ברכת המזון הקצר) בטענתם "כדי לא להשאיר את הדף ריקם". ..אף אני בדרכיהם אלך ו"לא אשאיר את הדף ריקם"!י; I've gotten into the habit of writing fairly often here (if one were to compare my current pace with that of last years, I seem to be writing a lot more). In recent days I've contemplated many things worth putting attention to, but, alas, they merrily skipped from my mind as they entered.. But anyway, this blog, for me, is not as much about fleeting ideas as it is about things that are on my mind for somewhat of a significant period. ...one reason not much has been on my mind is of course due to the half-term exams at my University, and my perpetual depression (which at times affects my creative faculties in a negative way)..

One thing that's been trodding about in my mind in various forms now and then the past few days is something which takes up a great place in my mind, but very little in my speech or actions- and that is the nature of the relationship between males and females in our society..

One thing that originally came to my mind was the ..lack of logic entailed in the enchantment men have for women, and the ..interest women have in men. ..I recall Avigdor Miller once mentioning "to a male rat there's nothing more beautiful than a female rat". ..what I mean to say is that we give such a large amount of our strength and energy seeking the favor of members of the opposite sex, while in the meantime they're no different from ourselves, and the only reason we find any attraction in them is solely because of a few chemicals that flow through our bodies. ..we all know that.. and yet we perch these people (of the 'other gender') in such a pedestal in our minds that we let our minds and actions be affected by them. ..I say this with a bit of wonder because I myself used to care much less about peoples opinions abut myself, and now there's a part of my mind that always thinks "what will [whoever] think". ...*sigh*
(It's been a few days since I actually thought this, and the message I'm trying to convey might be a bit vague)...

Another idea I aprehended while crossing my mind was that any possible notion of 'romance' that we might have is a creation of our minds (and yet, again, much thought and emotion are sacrificed to this creation of ours. But, like a malevolent god, it is never quite appeased). I once quoted here psychological research to prove the opposite, but I don't believe it.. ..the whole concept is obviously just an extension of our imaginations, mimicking what we've seen from the American Film and Television industries.. ....is it not?

'Cause Sephardic girls are just hotter!

Man, this stuff is the sh-t! I know there've been many 'ביצועים' of this song, but you gotta' admit ain't nobody do 'שחרחורת' like Shlomo Bar! (..he looks really young in that video, no?)

I personally grew up with this stuff, but haven't heard this particular song in quite a while..I looked it up in Green Bay, but it seemed like at the time nobody downloaded that particular video to 'YouTube', but it seems like someone added it recently, ...and anyway I a) have nothing to post, and b) haven't posted a video in a while, so...

About the song: It turns out it's actually a Hebrew translation (same tune though) of an old Ladino folk 'Romance'. It was translated by משה אלימלך, and I suppose became part of Israeli Music in the 60's and 70's because of people like Esther Ofarim, and because there was somewhat of a Ashkenazi movement to 'beautify middle easternism'.

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שחרחורת - לדינו עממי

שחרחורת יקראוני צח היה עורי

ומלהט שמש קיץ בא לי שחורי

שחרחורת יפיפית כל כך

בעינייך אש בוערת ליבי כולו שלך

שחרחורת יקראוני כל יורדי הים

אם עוד פעם יקראוני שוב אלך איתם

שחרחורת יקראני בן לאב מוֹלך

אם עוד פעם יקראני אחריו אלך

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For the Babysitter!:

שיר השירים, פרק א

Song of Solomon, Chapter 1

Two New Book Reviews

Maimonides: The Life and World of One of Civilization's Greatest Minds

First off is a new book by Joel Kraemer about the Rambam; "Maimonides: The Life and World of One of Civilization's Greatest Minds ". I looked through some of it and find it much more readable than, say, some of the books that were written about Maimonides early in the previous century. I mean first of all, that style is a bit stale, second of all a good book about Maimonides hasn't really come out in a little while. Not to mention this book is a lot better than the others because the author brings in a lot of the information about the rivalry and peer-environment that one of the greatest thinkers of Judaism lived in and around (..I obviously should like getting around to reading the whole thing).

The Rambam is one of the main people whom my thought pattern of Judaism is based on. That being so, it would be a good idea to find out as much about him and his motives as I can. For example, it seems like there were a few Spanish Jews in his time who converted to Islam, and even authored philosophical works about why Judaism became obsolete with the coming of Islam. ..reading those, and understanding what the Rambam wrote with that sort of backdrop in mind might prove interesting...

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All about the Beat: Why Hip-Hop Can't Save Black America

OK, now this is one black guy I not only respect, but who I kind of even look to for rational opinions and judgments about things. And he, of course, is John McWhorter. I don't know what it is about him, but he seems to have extremely well thought out opinions about many of the realities of our times (aside from his illuminating research on language of course).

His new book "All about the Beat: Why Hip-Hop Can't Save Black America", has somewhat to do with what I see as the potential for an "Obama phenomenon" in Black America. The phenomenon I'm envisioning is African Americans looking at Barack Obama, and at his success, and how he earned it, and see a new potential in 'normative' ways of gaining wealth and prestige, as opposed to the 'gangster oriented' way that's being preached so much in Black media today.

I was on a train recently, and in walked a large, muscular black man with a 'do-rag' on his head, who looked like he wanted to start some trouble. He sat down...took out his text book, and studiously plugged away at it, while referring to his notes at times, until his stop came. : ). I'm not saying that that's at all uncommon, but with Barack Obama as a role model for American 'Blacks', that image might become a formidable opponent to the 'gangster' definition of what's cool in Black America.

Green Grass...

.דבר ידוע שאהובה את שאינו בהשג. שנאמר "וְעֵינֵי כְסִיל בִּקְצֵה-אָרֶץ" (משלי) י

ברוך אובמה

And for G-ds sake people!- Obama isn't Hitler, ok?! Nothing much can really be changed from the White House in the American system anyway. ...the Jews are still just wary from the Holocaust I guess..

I mean look, now he took Rahm Emanuel to be his Chief of Staff (Jewish lobbying is back baby! Yes ladies and gentlemen; four more years of killing and plundering innocent Palestinian men, women and children, while deying the humanitarian right for a Palestinian state!).

_____________________________

I wanted to mention that his speeches, especially his 'yes we can' ones (the victory speech for example) are of the same refrain as some of our ancient prayers, such as "הודו לה כי טוב- כי לעולם חסדו".

_____________________________

And one other thing! One reason I'm happy Obama won is because he's a tall thin guy, who's not black, and not white. Which makes people like me (tall thinguys who aren' black or what) more acceptable in the eyes of the American public!

ק ברכות

I know this is a comparatively trivial point, but I was just doing a little count of how the 'brakhot' we say really add up to 100 every day (it says in the Talmud you should say 100 brakhot every day..the Rambam in hil. Tefilah 7:14 counts them up..but this is the only time I really did it of my own accord):

21-ברכות השחר
57-תפילת ה"עמידה" שלוש פעמים ביום
2-ברכת טלית ותפילין
7-ברכות ק"ש שחרית וערבית
1-ק"ש שעל המיטה
1-ברוך מקדש שמו
2-ברכת "אשר יצר" לפחות פעמיים ליום
4-ברכת המזון
5-ולפחות שלוש ברכות ראשונות ושתי ברכות אחרונות על מיני אוכלים

So we see if one just actually says the minimum prayers that must be said, and a few of the regular blessings throughout the day it usually comes to a hundred anyway. But still, it's good to be at least somewhat conscious of it.

גדולים וקטנים

Sometimes I ponder how it's sort of interesting how all different kinds of people are living in the same world, and the same time..and sometimes in the same place..

Take the "פני יהושוע" for example (Jacob Joshua Falk), one of the most popular Talmudic commentators of the early acharonim period, and someone very suspect for being perceived as living in some sort of vacum, was a contemporary, for example, of (Gottfried) Leibniz (I know, not the most shocking thing in the world, but not often thought of). In fact, it turns out that "the pne yehoshua" was kicked out of a Rabbinical post in Berlin (during only his third year there) because he displeased 'Veitel-Heine Ephraim' by making a judgment against him. And this Ephraim guy is the same dude who was in charge of depreciating the Prussian currency during the Seven Years' War.

The same time Yisrael Meir Kagan ("the חפץ חיים") was putting together a yeshiva in Raduń, Linclon was "freeing the slaves" in America. When he died things like the Hindenburg were flying around Germany (there's actually a brand new 'Zeppelin' blimp starting flights in California right now- the height of innovation!).

And the "שונה הלכות", or the "דרך אמונה" (works by Chaim Kanievsky that might one day be named after him) and the "יחוה דעת" (Ovadia Yosef) are living not far from Shiri Maimon(!), and in the same world as Paris Hilton! ..I don't know why, I just think that's a little funny!

There are obviously infinitely more examples than these, but you get the picture...

(By the way, the links are in case someone doesn't know what the hell I'm talking about.)

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And while I'm already mentioning European conlficts of the last couple of centuries I want to mention that I think it's ironic that the Western Europeans and their descendants make light of the struggle over the future of "دار الإسلام " ('dar al-Islam') taking place on many fronts today, by asking "how anyone in todays' modern world could act so barbaric?". While in the meantime their own ('enlightened', European) conflicts of the past few centuries were only about money and power- and the only reason they're not fighting now is because they've lost all they had!

הערותיו של יעקוב שטיין על הפרשה

Also: If you would like, see Jacob Steins' blog this week for some novel ideas in an attempt to prove the possibility of the events recorded in Genesis 6-8 as having occurred in reality.
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It seems his positions were challanged by "Wolfish Musings" and "Frum Heretic" (citing the book "Before the Flood: The Biblical Flood as a Real Event and How It Changed the Course of Civilization" as being the most logical approach to things. I gotta look into that).

תורה ודעת

One realization I just came to (although it's really quite obvious), which is the kind of thing I would have expected to be mentioned in "Jews G-d and History", is that it seems one of the reasons Jews have risen to prominence in the countries they have reached is due to the Talmud. What is usually mentioned though, is that the reason for this is that their minds were sharpened in the sharp, penetrating and analytical arguments and give-and-takes of the Talmud. One thing I think worth considering though, is that their minds were undoubtedly sharpened by the breadth of subject matter that the laws of the Mishna and the Talmud cover as well.

This thought came to me as I was involved in reading Mishna, Tractate Kilayim (though the same is true for any other tractate, and definitely for the Talmud); one must have a firm grounding in botony if one is to ever fully comprehend the underlying principles of that tractate, as well as for parts of Tractate Berakhot and other tractates. But then again, one must be proficient in the realities of real estate interactions to fully comprehend the principles behind Tractate Bava Batra (of Nezikin). One too must have a firm grip on mathematics and geometry for one to understand the more technical discussions in parts of the Talmud.

Even today; one cannot come to a decision about whether pasteurized grape juice if fitting for the blessing recited upon wine if one does not comprehend the physical and chemical reality of pasteurization. And so on and so fourth, with all the laws. The 'artist' must know what is going on on 'Wall street'. The 'banker' has to know what is happening in the 'art world'.

Therefore one must have a great storehouse of many different branches of wisdom in order to understand 'The Torah'. But for these studies the knowledge one gains in the process is not mundane- for it being a means to understand G-d's word sanctifies it to a level of purpose and import that it otherwise would not have had.

And in my mind, it is this 'worldliness' that the Mishna and Talmud (not to mention The Tanakh) afford the Jew that has made him intellectually a step above the rest, and has given him prominence in the countries he has travelled.

(Sorry about having so many pictures- I just couldn't part with them!)

[לאפוקי מדעת המתנגדים לעיון ב"ספרים חיצונים", וסוברים דכל מה שאפשר לדעת כבר נמצא בתורה]

תזכורת

הינו דבר ידוע, אבל נצרך להזכרה, שכפרת יום הכיפורים וקבלת הא"לוהים את תשובתו של האדם ביום ההוא תלויים ממש בשינוי מעשיו היום-יומיים של האדם מרעה לטובה, ובשיעור עמדתו נגד לחץ ניסיון הרגלו. י

יהי רצון שנזכה להתגבר על יצרינו בכל יום תמיד אמן! י

מתנוצץ, גדל, פורח ועולה בי השקפת עתיד חשוך יותר משהיה לי אי-פעם.י