An email from Kedumim

AP - Kevin Frayer.

Dear Friends of Kedumim, on Thursday evening the community of Kedumim was rocked by a suicide bomber�s explosion which killed four people, a husband and wife who are members of our community, a 16 year old boy (the son of other members of the community) and a 20 year old girl who was serving her national service in Kedumim. We are deeply saddened by this horrible tragedy and mourn the loss of their lives. The terrorist, no doubt, intended to enter the community and maximize the number of deaths.

Coming as this did on the heels of the Israeli elections and the approval of the Hamas Cabinet (during which one legislator, Hamed Bitawi, shouted: "The Koran is our constitution, Mohammed is our prophet, jihad [holy war] is our path, and dying for the sake of Allah is our biggest wish�).We are more convinced than ever before that declarations of further retreat send a message of weakness and breed encouragement to attack more and more. Despite the deep pain we are strong and determined and will continue to defend our land. Our response to the terrorist attacks and the attempts to uproot us is to continue to settle the land, to build more homes and absorb more families. We cherish our home and our homeland and, despite the setbacks, and grief we stand steadfast on the frontlines. Our community, now in it�s 30th year, continues to grow and to blossom with more and more children. Currently we are making a great effort to complete the synagogue in Northern Kedumim in order to serve the families of our second generation and the many newcomers who have chosen to build their lives with us.

We pray to God that He shall help us overcome the hardships and challenges of these days. We thank you all for your concern and support. With warm wishes to you and yours for a Hag Pesach Sameach.

Daniella Weiss, Raphaella Segal, Shoshana Shilo

Waiting for Mosiach in Lakewood

A boy died during a bris in Lakewood last week. Then he came to his mother an announced that "Moshiach is coming". Many in Lakewood were observed preparing for the voyage and getting ready for the imminent arrival of the King. Local reports please?
P.S. Regards to our regurlar Rostov readers. I miss RASHAB. I also was at a farbregen last night and I feel that my ability to connect to mortals is close to zero.
UPDATE 1: I am told that this happened in Bnei Brak not Lakewood.
UPDATE 2: It's a girl not a boy. see comments.

Blah, blah, blah�.

Forward Forum: THE DISPUTATION: One Love, One Chabad Heart. Sorry the article is crap. Morons like this are not even allowed to comment here. (via Shmarya)

What's up in Torah Temimah?

Un-Orthodox Jew: Lipa Margulies, Yeshiva Torah Temimah And Yudi Kolko Summoned To Bais Din.

"The Cruise" is out on DVD

The greatest documentary film ever The Cruisefeaturing Timothy "Speed" Levitch is finally out on DVD. Long live Tzadik Tim! (It's a good deal for $9.99 on Amazon. Few years back I bough an out of circulation VHS on eBay for $50).

A 4 min video of Speed's Walking Tour in NYC.

The mystery of Chana Gourary plot at Montefiore Cemetery

On the subject of Insult to injury. How did "Jimmy off the books" Gourary took possession of Chana Gourary's plot next to her mother Rebbetzin Nechama Dina purchased by the Previous Rebbe?

MIB: Reb Zalman Gourary bought many lots in the AGUCH Chelka, including some in close proximity to the Rabaniyos. The lot and a half in question was empty and as Schneur said the issue is "tam venishlam becol hooffanim". At the moment AGUCH owns it, so it was and is their right to assign it to Mrs. Heschel Gurary a'h.

Schneur Zalman of NY: Wow! Hold your horses! If the Rebbe Rabbi JI Schnersohn bought it for his family and Chana Gourary held the ticket for the plot (which I saw) how does that mean that AGUCH owns the plot? The plot belongs to Chana Gourary or to her yorshim. (Barry's daughters could be yorshim or I guess other close relatives). But how does the karka revert to AGUCH. Friends in the alte heim karke was a serious matter, it was not something that you took away summarily. To paraphrase a great Rebbe, playing with karke was like "playing with bombs".

Furthermore if the talk of Chana being transferred to this plot was not hot air, how could Zalman Gourary have purchased it? Clearly Lipskar and LG both tried to have Channa transfered to Old Montefiore [from Munkatch]. Now I am wondering was she to be buried in Lot B? Was that the plan? I guess in that famous "raid" on the apartment in 770 led by SZG, besides taking Chana's underwear and shoes they also took her karke. It never ends.

The history of Gutnick family

Reb Mordchai Zev Hakohen Gutnik

KOPUSTER commenting to He tore them up:

There was Tomim from Russia a talmid of the RASHAB who was in Eretz Yisroel in the 1920s his name was Reb Mordchai Zev Hakohen Gutnik he was chosid ben chosid. Through the work of Reb Ezriel Zelig Slonim who was in London at the time the Rebbe RAYATZ got him the post of Rov in the Old Castle Street Shul in London also known as the Chabad Shul in London. Rabbi Gutnick was busy in Shmiras Shabbos and fundraising for the RAYATZ while he was a Rov he opened up a branch of the Shul in another part of London where Rabbi Gutnick used to go to them every fifth Shabbos.

He was niftar very young he is buried in London his matzevo is the only one in cemetery that has no English writing on it (a big chidush for those times). He left a wife with children. The Shul had decided (the work of the RAYATZ) that whoever maries his wife will become Rov of the Shul. Rav Abramson married her (the RAYATZ was shadchan) shortly before the war. In the war years the Shul was bombed in the blitz by the Germans and after the war the yidden were moving out of the area. Chaim Gutnick who was sent to Telz in Lithuania by his stepfather was a English citizens so when the Germans came to Lithuania, the English sent all their citizens to Australia so he brought over his stepfather and mother and brother to Australia that is the history of Gutnick in short.

Sichos - not intended to enable more Jewish misery in this world

berl, crown heights commenting to the Likutei claptrap in Boston:

This entire blog will have been worth it if even a few of the bochrimlach that read it will take this post to heart and realize that sicheis are to be learnt in order to reach true hiskashrus - an ability to look at Teiroh and the world adaitei derabbei. They should not to be turned into a crutch for the lazy and the ignorant. They were not printed to help banish all vestiges of original thought under the pretense of hiskashrus hamedumoh. And they were most certainly not intended to enable the self-absorbed drooling morons create more Jewish misery in this world.

thanbo adds: Tzemach: you've hit on one of my hot-buttons about divrei Torah in general, not just sichos. Too many people, when given the opportunity to teach a bit of Torah, say at a Shabbos afternoon parsha group, just take some parsha sheet off the internet, or from a book of parsha nuggets, and reads it plain, clearly not having thought about it, not explaining it in context, etc.

When it comes my turn to give a talk, I may not say over the whole parsha nugget or sicha or whatever, I may pick a small part, and explain it, and the ideas behind it, etc., so the chevra can get some idea of what the author was saying, not just a buncha dead words.

And yes, this problem extends to Rabbeim who never had a Freshman Exposition class, to learn how to structure an argument or essay. You have an idea, you have evidence, you repeat things to reinforce them, repeat them in different contexts to reinforce them, bring in more evidence, reach a conclusion, perhaps then branch off on a speculation for people to think about, and say Good Shabbos. The dvar Torah isn't an opportunity to demonstrate your reading skills, nor is it an opportunity to display your erudition by quoting dozens of people who fly right over the heads of your chevra. It's an opportunity to impart a bit of Torah, to get closer to Hashem, or to the Rebbe or other author. Not for self-aggrandizement, or overestimation of the other's attention span for boring stuff.

Stanislaw Lem Z"L

Jewish polish sci-fi writer Stanislaw Lem passed away.

Elections Israel

Reuters - Gil Cohen Magen


AP - Reuven Kastro


AP - Eitan Hess Ashkenazi


AP - Lefteris Pitarakis


Reuters - Mahfouz Abu Turk


Reuters - Ammar Awad

1957, back then Eqypt was "the key".

He tore them up

Chnyok: Times have changed. Rumor has it that Rabbi Gutnik of Australia had a letter from Rayatz to his father expressing concern over shidduch possibilities... The Rebbe asked for him to see it, and der nar hot nisht gehalten a copy...

Shneur Zalman of NY: The Rebbe's two younger daughters were modern women. What does modern mean? Believe me I have no idea just that they were not like their mother or grandmother. I wrote about the standards to be meshadech to the Schneersohn family. Rav Y.L. came from a serious Yichus even related to the Bais Horav , but alas as the Rashab said about his father "a varzaitiger rav" so Rabbi YL was just too frum. Reb CL had no yichus etc. Clearly the Rashag and the Rebbe were fine men very suitable for their wives. Horenstein was a cousin and Sonia obviously did not wish to marry a tamim.

jyk, down under: In one of your earlier postings you mention that Rabbi Gutnick had letters from the Rayatz to his father regarding his concerns about shidduchim for his daughters. I have spoken to one of the Gutnick brothers who confirmed this. He told me that his father had a collection of letters from the Rayatz to his father in which he expresses concern about his daughters in general.

He gave these letters to the Rebbe who apparently, he claimed, tore them up. The Rebbe told Rabbi Gutnick to destroy any other letters that he had in his possession from the Rayatz to his father (which he did but had not brought to the Rebbe) and not to discuss the contents of these letters with anyone. You are correct, he tore them up and no copies were made of the original ones he gave the Rebbe.

For what its worth, obviously he did discuss some of the contents with his children and I was told by one of his sons, that included in the letters the Rayatz expressed strong opposition of the Rebbe going to University. He also told me, and one may need to take this with a grain of salt as the Gutnicks have a reputation for "embellishing" the truth somewhat, that the reason why the Rebbe wanted to go to University was because he was seeking a Rabbinical post in London and he considered having a secular degree would enhance his chances. I would be interested in whether anyone else amongst the "learned members" who regularly contribute to this blog had heard of such a possibility for the Rebbe choosing to go to University.

Insult to injury

MIB commenting to the Yisroel Aryeh Leib's final voyage: Well it's too late now. Chava Heschel Gurary was buried [yesterday] in (what was supposed to be) Chana Schneersohn Gourary's spot next to Rebbetzin Nechama Dinah.

Schneur Zalman of NY: If this is true, its a bizayon. Rebbetzin Heschel Gurary could have been the greatest zadekes, but who sold her the plot. The plot was sold for Chana Gourary and guess who purchased these plots? Yes the founder of the Chevra Rabbi Joseph I. Schneersohn. As the gadol and nasi Reb Yogi Dov said its ain't over till its over... What a chessed shel Emeth!

MIB: There is no room for another place between Chava Gurary and Rebbetzin Nechama Dinah. Between Rebbetzin Nechama Dina and Yehudis Schneerson Butman there was a one and a half lot-space. Chana Gourary was supposed to be buried next to her mother, leaving a half space between her and Yehudis Butman. What they did now is bury Chava Gurary right next to Yehudis Butman leaving a half space between her and Rebbetzin Nechama Dina, leaving no room for an extra Matzeiva to be in between.

Kadima - testimony to the power of the totalitarian impulse

Ben Chorin: The problem with Kadima is not its policies or even its lack of policies.
My Obiter Dicta: Read 'Em and Weep...

Boston Mosque versus David Project

JTA NEWS: In Boston, mosque project chills dialogue between Jews, Muslims.
See The David Project Center For Jewish Leadership.
P.S. Of course this is not the mosque that is now being built in Brighton in the heart of the Jewish ghetto while the Shules in the area wither.

The Muse

The Muse says: The youthful travelers come to me with fallen spirits and restless anticipation. I gift them with light and I reward them with hidden treasures. Some of them take the last breath in the journey and never reach me. But now I have not seen any reckless Jewish youths, they abandoned my gifts for the extract of the slumbering root. They know no sadness or joy and they stopped following the path to my palace illuminated by the pensive moon.

Adderall for ADD and Fluoxetine for OCD

On the subject of mentalblog.com: Jewish kids, a ritalin nation? Frumpter writes his story: The Stress Reaction From Trying To Come Off Of Fluoxetine (Prozac).

To interrupt this thought and talk about medication for a sec, you know that I am on Adderall for ADD and I am still on the Fluoxetine for OCD-like symptoms. The Adderall has been working WONDERFULLY for me, and I am at my best when I am on these low-dose methamphetamines, a.k.a. "speed" -- that's what Adderall is, isn't it?

As a footnote to the Frumpter's post my unscientific estimate is that today perhaps 60% of women and 35% of men are on mood balancing medications, these figures might be even higher amongst orthodox because emotional difficulties are more pervasive. Knowing that this is such a widespread phenomena and it literally covers the Jewish communities like a blanket wouldn�t one expect at least an article pondering the theological significance of drugs in the G-d given world? Have arbiten af zich and perfecting the midos been outsourced to the pharmaceutical companies? Is biomedical research a G-d�s gift to the world? Are there long term affects to creativity and imagination at the cost of the modulated moodiness? I have listened to Tome Wolfe who confronted these issues head on with his own example of being rescued from depression. Universities invest heavily in brain research today; wouldn�t one expect a discussion on the part of the theologians? Should a Mashpiah in OT for example reflect on the fact that majority of his students are drugged? Is there a reason why the Rebbe and other �Gdolim� ignored the epidemic?

Most psychiatrists today dismiss Freud laughingly. The idea of talking and understanding as a path to conquering physiological problems seems so outdated. Yet this precise European cultural milieu was the background of Tanya. No wonder people constantly jingle Freud with Kabbalah. I mean nobody had taken Alter Rebbes ascetic vision AKA hiskafia in regards to food seriously for the past 50 years. And the silly perfecting of midos through understanding has been long exchanged for a pill. It�s a ChabADD world baby!

P.S. Till the Rabbis realize that tackling these real issue from a pulpit is more important that going on and on for hours about esoteric subjects, there is no hope for Judaism to remain relevant.

UPDATE: Mystical Paths: Israel Joins the Ritalin Revolution.

Likutei claptrap in Boston

I hate when a Rabbi says a Sicho on Shabbes or otherwise. But at the very least to say Sicho properly one has to look at the original sources, digest the questions as his own, perhaps even form a different opinion and raise an objection. Only then a Sicho might sound believable and authentic. But what would you say if a Rabbi walks into a Shule at 11:00 AM or later, looks through a Sicho for 10 minutes while the congregation is davening and then gives over the undigested gibberish in tongues for a � hour. What would you say if I told you this is a weekly occurrence in a Shule in Boston? Would you believe me?

Chabad or Madonnah?

Let's say the entire premise of learning Chasidus without "Kabbalah" is fishy. With the passing of the Rebbe Uforazto has reached the end of the road. But this is an old argument and it is better left alone. More interesting question is whom do the Shluchim follow, the Lubavitcher Rebbe or Madonnah? Let me explain, you see when Kaballah went pop many Shluchim jumped on the bandwagon. For example Rabbi Mayshe Schwartz sends me every week an "E-Torah" where he promises to illuminate all kinds of subjects with "Kabbalah". I wish Mayshe all the best in fighting assimilation in this town, but how one supposed to reach the core of a Jew if at the core of your message is trickery?

Moscow Beijing express

Passover recommendations sought

I need a Passover plan, I mean besides going out of Cairo. I would rather eat frogs and locust and wash it all down with blood, than celebrate the holiday in Boston. Any interesting happening places on the Horizon? Your suggestions are appreciated. Willing to trade a story on mentalblog.com for an Afikoiman!

Berlin and Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk

Zalmen Zarchi Travels:
To Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk: LUBAVITCH SHECHITA IN SIEDLCE, POLAND.
BERLIN, GERMANY.

Tent city stormed in Belarus

Reuters - Vasily Fedosenko.

Publius Pundit: Blogging the democratic revolution.
Photos.

If Barry Gourary had been in charge

Schneur Zalman of NY:

I do not claim I understand the relationship between the Rebbe and Mrs. Gourary. But in order to begin to understand it, one would need to view both of these people as humans with all the characteristics of humans. As in all families there were good times and bad times. Chana clearly felt that her husband should be Rebbe and never forgot that. Apparently Rabbi Gourary DID make peace with the situation. Chana was also close to Mushka [Musia], so she had to deal with her brother in law. Barry told me that he was closer to the Rebbe, his uncle, than to his father until 1950. Yet even with this closeness he never had the slightest inclination to betray his father at that moment, as some were trying to convince him.

Chana was the one to take charge when the Rebbe had his MI [myocardial infarction], and Barry and Mina arrived there after Yontev to help set up the medical team, etc. Of course the official story is that the heilige Mazkirim did all that. When you see their (LG and YK etc) behavior in 1992-1994 you have to realize other hands guided the situation in 1978 and these hands were the hands of relatives who even in bad times still LOVE their relatives. One can only wonder how the Rebbe's medical treatment in 1992 would have been undertaken if Barry Gourary had been in charge.

Barry told me the story of the rescue of his uncle. He said that his father said bederech zachos should I file these documents to bring my rival here maybe I'll just lose them or so. BUT the important thing to remember is this was said in the general cynical humor that everyone who knew the RASHAG identified with him. And the RASHAG personally filed the papers in Washington, DC. Barry did not mention any role his Mom had in this incident. I can say nothing about the wedding but if Barry felt he or his father and mother had been "robbed" then one can understand the lack of an invitation. In sadness there is no one left of the whole family. it is so sad and tragic. WHY?

Iconoclastic No. 613

(via COL - Chabad On Line)

No such contact was ever made

Schneur Zalman of NY commenting to the Yisroel Aryeh Leib's final voyage:

A short preface, I believe we should let the Rebbe�s brothers rest in peace. Leibel is not responsible for the sainthood bestowed upon him. He was a typical young Russian Jew to whom religion had ceased to mean much. He was a Communist in his college days. He tried business in Tel Aviv and then turned to science and academia.

The Rebbe loved his brother, as such he sought to memorialize him and he obviously froze his identity in his mind to their teen years in Russia when they were both religious and dutiful children of Reb Levik. I find little wrong so far. Chassidim trying to emulate their Rebbe sought to bestow sainthood on those about the Rebbe (Mrs. Mushka and Leibel) again a natural act. I think we have established the facts about Leibel and that is important. But let�s cut the Rebbe and his cultic followers some slack.

A further question I have asked many times, why no attempt to memorialize others more important in Lubavitch like Mrs. Nechama Dina and Rabbi Shmaryahu Gourary. As I write I am unaware of even one tiny mossad named for the Rashag. Is that what he deserved for sitting through 50 years of farbrengungs? Also Reb Mendel Horenstein died al Kiddush Hashem, why no memorial for him and his wife?? By the way it�s not too late to do these things.

I am happy to hear that the Rayaatz's oldest son in law gets some respect in 770 (achrei Mos kedoshim emor). A hartzigen yasher keyach zu alemen for this nice gesture. Still why no Mossed in his memory? When Mashiach comes all Chassidishe Yume Depagra will remain in force except for Heh Teves.

I spoke to Rebbetzin Gourary several times after her beating. She had NO INTEREST IN BEING BURIED in OLD MONTEFIORE. IT WAS HER IDEA NOT TO BE BURIED THERE. She was well aware of the close relationship of her father with the Munkatcher and chose that feld for her resting place.

Next several Lubavitcher I spoke to told me that they will p.. on her kever if she is buried in Old Montefiore. If the Rebbe was concerned about Chana's place in Old Montefiore it would be him not the mazkir LG to contact her. After all they are Bais Horav, not some rich Jews who would be impressed by LG. But again Barry and Rebbetzin Chanah assured me that no such contact was ever made. Only people like Lipskar from the Chevre Kaddisha and LG called Barry Gourary. Pray tell me how much a guarantee by LG is worth ??!! Too bad that I too was involved in the events of 7 Adar; and Rabbi ISL of Satmar made sure there was a massive police contingent at the cemetery, to prevent any attack. Hopefully he reads this and will elaborate for us on his fine work. Only then did Barry decide to participate in the funeral as he was very fearful of his safety. Nevertheless Reb. Chana did not trust the chassidm whom she gave a mi sheberech in the Russian style AND SHE STAYED IN NEW JERSEY choosing not to attend the funeral of her late husband. Another book about Heh Teves! But wait I hear a major Jewish publisher is working on an objective book about the whole court case. Now that should be interesting reading.

This picture shows Barry Gourary and his mother leaving from the visit with the Munkatcher Rebbe in Boro Park where she was negotiating to be buried in the Munkatcher cemetery. (via live bomb)

The Liozner Rebbe, take three

Schneur Zalman of NY commenting to the Yisroel Aryeh Leib's final voyage:

Finally I debated if I should reply to the about comments about Rabbi Deutsch. Let each reader judge his books for himself or herself. No one forces anyone to like his books. As a friend I lack objectivity in reviewing his books. Deutsch runs an organization for the needy delivering packages weekly to needy in Boro Park, Flatbush and kan zivah Hashem es haberocha - yes Crown Heights! Dozens of families in CH depend on his Sabbath parcels. He delivers over 2,000 parcels every week. Thursday night his home is full of Jews from all stripes men and women packing and delivering. I met Baale teshuva, Hassidics, Yeshiva people and Modern Orthodox people. Every one pitches in, including many retail, wholesale and ready made food establishments. Years ago I met Deutsch in Lower Manhattan, we had lunch and then he himself shlepped food from kosher eateries there in large bags to his office to shlep back to Brooklyn to distribute. No shluchim, no mazkirus , no Mashbaks, just his own powerful pleitzes.

DA Liberman on Israeli elections

AP - Oded Balilty

Jake, Senior Correspondent of mentalblog.com Jerusalem Bureau reports. Some general pointers on the upcoming Israeli elections:

Last week, Uzi Dayan, who is heading a Quality in Government and anti-corruption platform, noted that 30% of the voters hadn't yet decided how to vote. From what I hear, this sounds about right. This is a very large bloc and can still swing the vote in any direction. Many people who haven't decided will probably decide at the last moment and will probably go with what they have traditionally chosen. But late-breaking news could changethis trend very significantly.

There is a strong repulsion among the public for the corruption that is widespread throughout politics here. Since the pollsters are already predicting the results with (false) confidence, many people feel that their vote will have no impact or that the system is corrupt anyways - and these people are not intending to vote. About a third of voters are not planning to vote. (I don't know what overlap there is with the 30% mentioned above.)

Among the pollsters, Sharon's Kadima party holds the lead. Some people are becoming disillusioned with Kadima and it's lack of direction; it has no central platform, it's nominal leader is still unconscious in hospital (and considered deeply corrupt), it's various members are running in different directions - and it also suffers from having Shimon Peres.

Likud is well behind. Some former Likud supporters have gone to Kadima (mostly the most corrupt Likudniks, who moved for promises of future rewards). Other former supporters are disillusioned with Likud's failure to stop the expulsion from Gaza and will vote for smaller right wing parties. Likud was also the representative and protector of the 'little man' and the poor. In the past few years of economic hardship in Israel, the poor have suffered, also losing out in cutbacks in government programs (while the rich have gotten richer.. much richer). Treasury Minister Netanyahu led fiscal policy through this period and is unpopular with many lower-income voters so this further erodes Likud's popularity.

I would describe Labor's Amir Peretz as unelectable. He has never been minister or even assistant minister of anything. Now he wants to be Prime Minister. Most of his experience has been in leading national strikes that have cost the economy billions over the years. The declarations by his supporters that he is not a Communist only serve to emphasize his radical left-wing ideologies. Worse yet, the Labor party in Israel has traditionally represented the interests of established money and industry and these voters cannot now pull themselves to vote for Peretz. His calls to increase the minimum wage and his career of industrial trouble-making terrify the business community.

As for the smaller parties, the anti-religion Shinui party has completely disintegrated. One former member is continuing with his own party. The other anti-religion party has as it's primary platform the destruction of the religious Sefardi party, Shas. With the other issues facing the country now (especially the rise of Hamastan just a few miles away), voters might choose other battles to wage now. Shas, for it's part, is now trying to woo the women's vote.

The National Religious Party, Mafdal, has lost a lot of support. Former supporters are upset about the expulsion from Gaza. Baruch Marzel is gaining support. He advocates using the same approach used in Gush Katif ("determination and sensitivity") for removing Arabs from Israel. The vast sums spent on the security wall and patrolling it could be spent paying off Arabs to move out of Israel. Just as Gush Katif residents were compensated monetarily to abandon their homes and towns and move across the border, the Arabs should be paid to do the same - and be forced to do so. Just as the Jews of Gaza were forced to leave. This is an increasingly compelling argument. He is likely to beat the threshold and get a seat in the next Knesset.

Watch Avigdor Liberman's Yisra'el Beiteinu party carefully. He is very well-spoken and represents some views that many hold. He has strong support from the Russian immigrants, is strongly against Arab settlement in Israel and also supports paying Arabs to leave the country. He is tipped to get quite a few seats. He may be a kingmaker in the next coalition.

There are other possibilities. It could be that Kadima will win but won't be able to form a coalition. Remember that there is a THREE-way split among major parties and Labor and Likud have both been hammering Kadima in the campaigning. There are already plans by right wing parties to combine together to oppose an Olmert govt; this could result in Netanyahu being asked to form a coalition or perhaps there might even be another election???

Overall, there's still plenty uncertainty. Even if Olmert wins, it is not at all clear (to me) what kind of government and opposition will form and how the country will be run in the next term.

Don't repress your true emotions

The Sydney Morning Herald: Secret to a long life - get even more often. Researchers at a German university - a land where surliness is an Olympic discipline - say enforced jolliness on the job is much more likely to make people fall ill.

Yisroel Aryeh Leib's final voyage

To follow up on the email of the day from Paris post is this:

"Sorry to be so slow in replying but it takes me a long time to write at length.

As you know, my name is ***. Currently I live in Bournemouth but until I retired some 7 years ago, we lived in Liverpool. My late father, ***, was the minister/chazan of the Greenbank Drive congregation in Liverpool. He knew (virtually) every member of the local Jewish community. He was also known as the man to turn to if anything unusual was required particularly if the help of the secular authorities was needed.

At that time, Lubavitch was represented in England by Rabbi Szemtov (RS). He was a friend of my parents and whenever he came to Liverpool, he called on them. I think he may have stayed overnight with them a couple of times but I cannot be certain of that.

One day RS phoned my father to say a young Jewish man had died in Liverpool. His name was Dr. Gurari. There was a widow and daughter. My father expressed surprise as the name meant nothing to him even he knew everyone in the community. RS told my father that the deceased was removed from Judaism and had not associated with the local community.

Nevertheless RS asked my father to arrange for the body to be taken to Israel for burial. My father said he would make the necessary arrangements, in due course the body was taken to Manchester and on to Israel, possibly via London.

A couple of days later RS phoned my father to thank him for his efforts and to ask for details of the amounts expended by him so that he could be reimbursed. My father said that when RS had originally asked him to make the arrangements, my father had not thought it proper to ask any questions lest it should seem that there was any hesitation in agreeing to help. Now however my father said he felt entitled to ask why it was considered important that anyone who had lived as the deceased had to be buried in Israel and also what caused RS to be involved. RS told my father that the deceased was the Rebbe�s brother.

A few additional points -

This story found its way into the local Jewish press some time ago. A letter appeared from Mr. Yankel Plitnick, son of the then rav of Liverpool. As I recall, he confirmed that his late father, who also knew every Jew in Liverpool, was unaware of the deceased.

I do believe that the daughter attended the local Jewish school but that was not uncommon with irreligious and even atheistic Israelis.

At that time the Rosh Hayeshiva in Liverpool was Rabbi Hyman Klein. He was a noted mathematician and it seemed that he and the deceased would have much in common. I asked one of Rabbi Klein�s sons if he could recall any contact between his father and the deceased. He told me that he was sure there was none.

I have seen websites dedicated to the Rebbe�s brother, some of which claim to have the approval of the Lubavitch movement. These describe the brother in terms which cannot be reconciled with the known facts.

There was also a third brother who lived and died tragically."

Jerusalem soup kitchen

Photos by Reuters - Yonathan Weitzman.

Perry Farrell goes BT

Metroactive Features: Perry Farrell & Rabbi Yosef Langer:

"That's right, Perry Farrell [Bernstein], ex-junkie frontman of Jane's Addiction, mastermind of the archetypical '90s bacchanalian summer music festival Lollapalooza with all its piercings and nudity, leader of the transgressively named Porno for Pyros, now reads the Torah every day, puts on tfillen, celebrates the Sabbath and peppers his speech with so much Hebrew that I had to go to Rabbi Langer days after the interview for translations. There's a mezuzah on the door of his home in Venice Beach. The trailer for an upcoming documentary about Gobbelee (a band featuring a rotating cast of musicians that includes Rage Against Machine's Tom Morello, ex-Red Hot Chili Pepper John Frusciante, dub DJ Mad Professor and Porno for Pyros drummer Stephen Perkins) opens with Farrell blowing a shofar. Scenes of the band rehearsing are intercut with aerial shots of Jerusalem, and Hebrew readings."
Via Presence.

Pregnancy blogging

J bloggers talk about pregnancy. Noa is incredible, her blogging is personal, an amazing prose. She is pregnant: Jerusalem revealed: I getta kick out of you.
Miriam is the opposite of Noa, her blogging is dry, repetitive, derivative, main stream and impersonal but she is also pregnant. mazaltov: Bloghead: Where we've been...

Long live Belarus

Publius Pundit - Blogging the democratic revolution: COME WITH FLOWERS.
br23 blog: The election.


Reuters - Gleb Garanich


AP - Ivan Sekretarev


AP - Sergei Grits

To be a Religious Zionist (RZ) means

Ben Chorin: In brief caricature it goes like this.

email of the day from Paris

"MY NAME IS *** - I GREW UP IN FRANCE NEAR BRUNOY AND WE USED TO GO TO RAV SCHNEERSOHN IN PARIS - AS A MATTER OF FACT HE WAITED FOR MY BARMITZVA IN HIS SHUL BEFORE MAKING HIS MOVE TO AMERICA. THE REASON I ASKED ABOUT THE REBBES BROTHER - RECENTLY WE HAD A GUEST ORIGINALLY FROM LIVERPOOL WHO TOLD US THE STORY OF REB BENZION SHEMTOV COMING SUDDENLY TO HIS FATHER WHO WAS A 'KLEI KODESH' IN LIVERPOOL TO ORGANISE THE TAHAR FOR A MAN WHO HAD JUST DIES, SAYING DON'T ASK ANY QUESTIONS I CAN VOUCH THAT THIS MAN IS A JEW! LATER A WHOLE GROUP OF LUBBAVITCHERS CAME TO COLLECT THE BODY, AND ONLY LATER ON THEY FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE LUBBAVITCHER REBBES BROTHER. THIS MAN KNEW EVERYONE IN LIVERPOOL AND WAS SURPRISED NOT TO HAVE HEARD OF THIS MAN.........!!!!!!"

Matisyahu's Youth inspired by Simon Jacobson

Toward a Meaningful Life includes a chapter Youth, which inspired Matisyahu's new single "Youth." Listen to a related interview with Matisyahu on Radio 99X.

mentalblog.com links

The Straight Dope: In what language do deaf people think?
gmu.edu: Speech Accent Archive.
A new noteworthy blog: Balashon - Hebrew Language Detective.
Menachem Mendel: Esther His Uncle's Daughter/His Niece?
Chayyei Sarah: Breast-feeding in Shule.
The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine No. 3 on ice: Purim Circus in Kiev.
Zalmen Zarchi: Purim in Gdansk.
P.S. Where is Faruq?

al haGeulo v'al haTmuro

Take a rational person, a Russian Jew to boot. A devote ideologue and a passionate chosid who carried a solemn responsibility of preaching life changing vision to thousands of people. Even a perennial candidate for The Next Lubavitcher Rebbe. Now imagine what goes though this person�s mind on the path to accepting Meshichism? The only reason I come up with is fear. The coward is afraid to move away from the status quo. The person who advocated life changing leaps for others was frozen like a Lot's (wife) daughter when his turn to change was approaching.

Advise to Meshichisten and Y. Krinsky

In light of the rulings �Meshichisten evicted from 770� we offer the following:

To Mashichisten: Don�t worry, if there could be a mosque on top of Kodesh Hakadoshim certainly there could be Yudel�s Shul in 770. I am sure you can find plenty of predictions in the Igros and declare that it is all a sign of the imminent redemption. Yechi!

To Reb Yudel: Let see if you are good for anything besides court battles and sending Tomim to the remote corners of Siberia. Put the cornerstone where it belongs, not as an adornment to the red granite toilet dungeon but as the beginning of the new "Headquarters". Start building from the Union St. side and gradually move towards Eastern Parkway in a phased project. Use construction as an excuse to shut down parts and at times the entire 770. After the new beautiful building is erect put in a new management and a new plaque.

P.S. Instead of commissioning the plaque to a mason undertaker, commission it to a real sculptor who can create a powerful abstract symbol that does not need words.

Meshichisten evicted from 770

The ruling. Via Col.
berl, crown heights: Wow, this is really huge! But couldn't the judge be nice and wait just one more day with his decision, thereby giving AGUCH the additional supreme satisfaction of a Purim victory and the ability to proclaim "asher yishletu hayehudim heimoh beseineihem" in regards to this matter? But one has to admit that Taanis Esther is pretty darn good as well.....



Chris Bliss via Lazer Beams.

Tzantzer Tish in Newton Centre

Andrew makes a mean hometashen!








Sixties Leolam Voed in Newton, MA!


Later that night Reb Y. Gourary at Mayshe's party downtown in Nicks Comedy Stop.


Reb Sholom says sugar!


The Tzanzter Eininkle gives over "Com Rova V� Shochet leRav Zeira". Let me just say if I had a choice to put in a time capsule only one Sicho to be opened by future generations, this would be the Sicho. Perhaps most exiting, imaginative and ecstatically creative Torah by the Rebbe. I remember that the Rebbe did not even say it on Purim because he was afraid it would be misinterpreted via english translation on cable TV. Instead the Rebbe said this Sicho on Shabbes after Purim. And the Tzanzter decided to go for it in Newton as an after dinner desert? Nu, Nu�
Thumbs up for food, atmosphere and children entertainment, thumbs down for the dearth of eligible chicks.

RaYaTZ off the boat

Arrival to America in 1929 with RaSHaG.

Schneur Zalman of NY comments: If you look at the book that Kehos issued celebrating the Rebbe's nesius (I have it at home its called Yeme malchus its a folio sized album with pictures and text ?) there is a note that the Rebbe was shown these films by one of the Groner brothers and the assumption is that they were in the Rebbe's office (possession). Only when Reb Saul Deutsch got hold of the masters from the Kramers did anyone "bother" to issue these wonderful films. After Shimon Deutsch issued them , of course Krinsky & Co. also issued them. As is the case in many things in Lubavitch Inc, some one outside of the misgeres acts and then the company is forced to follow. So the quality of the films is not of the essence if Deutsch did not issue them chances are they would still be in that big Geniza (who knows what else is there if you get my drift).

Quotations

Just a guy: "The Yellow flag cockroaches become very confused when he [Jackie Yo!] talks. They can�t understand why everyone becomes so quiet and attentive. I think they would much rather clap and hop from one leg to the other bellowing the same tired mantra that�s coming out of my ears for the last 12 years."
Tony Montana: "Drooling cretins with yellow lapel pins."