Jews helping out Seagate - Mi Ke Amcha Yisrael

A Visit to Seagate from Aryeh Gelbard on Vimeo.

The true strength of the IDF

This photo shows the true strength of the Israeli Army!

This photo shows the true strength of the Israeli Army!

Succos Uncle Moishy it's amazing!

Yeshiva Boys Choir Sukkos

Miami East Meets West

Full Video: The Twelfth Siyum Hashas of Daf Yomi

Link

The 12th Siyum Hashas of Daf Yomi at Metlife Stadium

All Pictures are from YWN

Schedule for Tisha B'ab at Deal Shul in Deal, NJ

Schedule for Tisha B'ab at Deal Shul in Deal, NJ

 

Schedule of www.LearnTorah.com Live Video Broadcast Lectures Highlighted Below In Yellow

 

Shabbat, July 28th

Minha Gedolah- 1:45 p.m.

Minha- 6:15 p.m, 6:45 p.m.

 

*NO SEUDA SHELISHIT IN SHUL. AFTER SHABBAT ENDS, CHANGE INTO NON LEATHER SHOES AND RETURN TO SHUL FOR ARBIT & EICHAH.*

 

FAST BEGINS: 8:13 p.m. in Deal, NJ

SHABBAT ENDS: 8:53 p.m. in Deal, NJ

ARBIT: 9:00 p.m.

 

Lectures Following Arbit at 9:45 PM

 

Rabbi Shmuel Pinhasi - Midrash

Rabbi Meyer Yedid - Main Shul(Broadcast Live at www.LearnTorah.com)

Rabbi Yaakov Hillel - Back Shul

 

VIDEO PRESENTATION:

9:50 p.m. - Main Shul

Topic: “The True View”

By: Rabbi Paysach Krohn, Rabbi Ephraim Shapiro

 

 

Sunday, July 29th 

Sunrise Minyan     5:10a.m.              Main Shul

1st Minyan         5:30a.m.              Social Hall

2nd Minyan         7:00a.m.              Back Shul

3rd Minyan         7:45a.m.              Main Shul

4th Minyan         8:00a.m.              Midrash

5th Minyan         8:30a.m.              Social Hall

6th Minyan         9:00a.m.              Locker Room

 

 

Classes & Lectures

Rabbi Shmuel Pinhasi     9:15am                    Back Shul

Rabbi Leon Hazan         9:15a.m.-10:15 a.m.       Main Shul

Rabbi Edmond Nahum      10:00a.m.                 Midrash

Rabbi Joey Mizrahi       10:15a.m.-11:30 a.m.      Main Shul

Rabbi Yaakov Hillel      10:30a.m.                 Back Shul

Rabbi Shlomo Diamond     11:30-12:30 p.m.          Main Shul (Broadcast Live at www.LearnTorah.com)

Rabbi David Ozeri        12:30p.m.-1:30 p.m.       Main Shul (Broadcast Live at www.LearnTorah.com)

Rabbi Meyer Yedid        1:30p.m. - 2:30 p.m.      Main Shul (Broadcast Live at www.LearnTorah.com)

Rabbi David Ashear       2:30p.m. - 3:30 p.m.      Main Shul (Broadcast Live at www.LearnTorah.com)

Rabbi Eli Mansour        3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.     Main Shul (Broadcast Live at www.LearnTorah.com)

Rabbi Yaakov Hillel      4:30 p.m. - 5:40 p.m.     Main Shul (Broadcast Live at www.LearnTorah.com)

Rabbi David Sutton       6:40p.m. - 7:40 p.m.      Main Shul (Broadcast Live at www.LearnTorah.com)

Rabbi Shmuel Pinhasi     6:40p.m. - 7:40 p.m.      Midrash

 

 

Minha: 7:40 p.m. 

Fast Ends: 8:43 p.m.

Followed by Birkat Halebanah

Summer Thunderstorm Risk This Weekend

     

With a chance of thunderstorms in the forecast through the weekend, New Yorkers should be prepared. Remember, the safest place to be during a thunderstorm is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities and take cover if thunderstorms are imminent. If you must travel, avoid flooded roadways. Read more about thunderstorms and NYC

Regardless of their severity, all thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning, which kills more people each year than tornadoes. Strong winds, hail, flooding, and tornadoes are other dangers associated with thunderstorms. A typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 20 to 30 minutes. Of the 100,000 thunderstorms that occur every year in the United States, only about 10 percent are classified as "severe." Lightning strikes the Empire State Building and World Trade Centers simultaneously during a 1979 storm. (Photo: AP) NYC Lightning Facts According to the National Weather Service, the Empire State Building is hit by lightning an average of 23 times per year. In one storm, it was hit eight times in 24 minutes.   New York State is considered to have a "moderate" occurrence of lightning, with 3.8 strikes occurring per square mile each year. This compares to 20 per square mile in Florida, and two in California. NYC Lightning History In August 2004, a college couple were killed when they stepped out of their car into a flooded roadway in College Point that had been electrified by a powerline downed by lightning. In July 2004, lightning ignited a 6-alarm fire in a mattress factory in Bushwick. In August 2002, a 25-year-old Manhattan man was killed, and a 24-year-old woman injured while watching an electrical storm from the roof of a four-story building on Broome Street in Chinatown. In June 2000, a severe storm resulted in five injuries when lightning struck a tent set up on Old Fulton and Everett Streets in Brooklyn. In August 1996, lightning struck the newly-constructed recreational pier at Tiffany Street in the South Bronx. The pier, which was constructed months earlier using material from recycled soda bottles, melted as a result. In August 1994, seven people were struck and injured at Coney Island beach, including a young girl who suffered serious injuries. In June 1994, a man was struck and killed and seven others injured when lightning struck at Neponsit Beach in Queens. In 1977, a blackout caused by multiple lightning hits on a main transmission line north of the City plunged most of New York's neighborhoods into darkness for up to 25 hours. National Weather Service Terms SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Issued when a thunderstorm produces hail 3/4 of an inch or larger in diameter and/or winds which equal or exceed 58 mph. Lightning and Thunderstorm Safety Tips While lightning can be fascinating to watch, it is also extremely dangerous. Lightning causes an average of 67 fatalities and 300 injuries each year. The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. Remember the 30/30 Rule. If you see lightning, count the seconds before you hear thunder. If it's less than 30 seconds, take cover. Once indoors, wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before venturing back out. IF YOU ARE IN A HOUSE OR BUILDING: Do not use the telephone or any electrical appliance connected to the building's electrical wiring. Do not use showers, sinks, or any object, machine, or device connected to the building's plumbing system. If lightning strikes the building, the current will likely flow through either the electrical wiring or the water pipes, and you could receive a fatal shock. Automobiles can also protect you from a lightning strike because the current will flow through the car's metal frame. If you are in a car, do not touch any exposed metal connected to the car. Remember, indoors means indoors. Structures like bus shelters or any small non-metal structures do not provide sufficient lightning protection. IF YOU ARE CAUGHT OUTSIDE DURING A THUNDERSTORM: Stay away from tall, isolated objects like trees, flagpoles or posts, and avoid large open areas like fields or parking lots where you are the highest object. Stay away from lakes, ponds, railroad tracks, and fences, which could carry current from a distant lightning strike. If there is no shelter, crouch down, grab your ankles and bend forward, so that your head is not the highest part of your body and your head does not touch the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground. If lightning is about to strike you or something extremely close, you may experience a tingling feeling on your skin and/or your hair may stand on end. If this occurs, quickly assume the position described above. Even if you are caught outside in a thunderstorm, do not panic. You will likely find sufficient shelter. WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING: Call for help. Call 911 or your local ambulance service. Get medical attention as quickly as possible. Give first aid. If the victim has stopped breathing, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, address any other injuries. For information on how to learn CPR, contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross. Check for burns in two places. The injured person has received an electric shock and may be burned, both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight. People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge that can shock other people. You can examine them without risk. Preparing for a Severe Thunderstorm Downbursts and winds associated with severe thunderstorms can produce 100-150 mph winds. The resulting damage can equal that of most tornadoes. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued: Take shelter. Pay attention to local weather forecasts and bulletins issued by the National Weather Service on local radio stations. Shutter windows securely and brace outside doors. Secure outdoor objects such as lawn furniture or garbage cans that could blow away and cause damage or injury. In extreme conditions, consider shutting off power and appliance gas switches to prevent damage to your appliances. Make sure your Household Disaster Plan and Emergency Supply Kit are ready to go. Safety Tips for Driving During a Thunderstorm or Heavy Rain Turn on your lights. Pull onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall on your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the heavy rain subsides. Listen to your car radio and be alert. Avoid contact with metal or conducting surfaces outside the inside the vehicle. Lightning that strikes nearby can travel through wet ground to your car. Avoid flooded roadways. The depth of water is not always obvious. If you find yourself in a skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas pedal and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, brake firmly as you steer into the skid. If your vehicle does not have anti-lock brakes, avoid using your brakes. To avoid hydroplaning — which occurs when the water in front of your tires builds up faster than your car's weight can push it out of the way — do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw the vehicle into a skid. Ease your foot off the gas until the car slows and you can feel the road again.

Where does the Neshama come from and where does it go?

By Yaakov Sandler  

It doesn’t tell us anywhere in the written Torah what happens before or after life, but we have many other sources that give us a clear picture.

Rebbi Tanchum Bar Abba lived approximately 1500 years ago.  He was part of the chain of the Oral tradition – he learned from his Rabbi and taught what he learned to his students.  The following Medrash is taken from Medrash Tanchuma which is a compilation of teachings that were heard in the name of Rebbi Tanchum Bar Abba……..

Medrash Tanchuma Parshat Pikudei Chapter 3.

(I have skipped several sections of this very long Medrash to keep it short)……

When a woman conceives, Hashem appoints an angel to watch over the Fetus for the duration of the pregnancy.

Hashem knows whether the baby will be a boy or a girl, whether he/she will be weak or strong, rich or poor, short or tall, ugly or beautiful, fat or thin.  But, whether the person will do good or bad, that is in the hands of the person.

Hashem signals to the Angel that is appointed over the Neshamas, and says to him “bring Me that Neshama (He calls the Neshama by his name) from the world of the Neshamas.”  The Angel brings the Neshama to Hashem.  When the Neshama is brought before Hashem it bows down to Hashem in complete awe.  Hashem tells the Neshama to enter inside the fetus.  The Neshama says to Hashem “Master of the Universe, I was happy being in the world of Neshamas, why do you want me to go inside that earthly body? - I am holy and pure, I have come from a place that is way beyond the physical world.”  Immediately Hashem forces the soul into the body against his will, and appoints 2 Angels to guard over him, and a spiritual candle is lit above his head.

The Neshama is able to see from one end of the world to the other.  The Angel shows him the place where all the Tzadikim go and he sees them sitting there in honor with their crowns on their heads, enjoying pleasures that cannot even be compared to the pleasures that we have in this world.

The Angel asks the Neshama – Do you know who these are?

The Neshama replies – No.

The Angel explains – These that you see were created just like you in the womb of their mother, they came into the world and they kept the Torah and the Mitzvot, therefore they are worthy of the great reward that you see they are enjoying. You should know, soon you will go into the world.  If you are worthy and you do good deeds, you also will receive the great reward that these Tzadikim are receiving.

In the evening the Angel takes the Neshama to another place where all the evil people are.  Angels of destruction are beating them with fiery staffs without mercy.

The Angel says to the Neshama – do you know who these are?

The Neshama replies – No.

The Angel explains – These are the evil doers.  They were created just like you were and they came into the world and they did terrible evil things.  Therefore, they are suffering this terrible torment.

……In the end you will go out into the world, be a Tzadik and turn away from doing wrong so that you will be worthy of the world to come.

The fetus remains in its mother’s womb for 9 months, when the time comes for it to come into the world, the same Angel comes and says to him – Your time has come, the time for you to go into the world.

He replies to the Angel – Why do you want me to go out into the world?

The Angel says to him – Know my son, that against your will you were created, and against your will you are born, against your will you will die and against your will you will be asked to give an accounting of all of your deeds before the King of all Kings.

But he doesn’t want to leave the womb until he is kicked out, the spiritual candle is blown out and they force him into the world against his will.

Immediately, the baby forgets everything that he knew.

Why does a baby cry when he is born?  Because he was kicked out from his comfortable place and he is severed from the world that he came out from.

On the last day of his life in this world the very same Angel comes and asks him – Do you remember me?

He replies – Yes! Why do you come here today?

The Angel replies – In order to take you out of the world, because the time for you to pass on from this world has arrived.

Immediately he begins to cry and his cries can be heard from one end of the world to the other. It’s not a cry that living creatures hear or understand.

He says to the Angel – But you already took me away from 2 worlds and you put me in this world (The world of the Neshamas and the world inside the mother’s womb).

The Angel replies to him – Didn’t I already explain to you, against your will you were created, against your will you were born, against your will you live, against your will you die and against your will you will be asked to give an accounting before the King of all Kings.

We cannot imagine the pleasure that our Neshama will receive in the next world from doing even the smallest Mitzva in this world.  Whether we go out of our way to help a friend, or do a Mitzva that doesn’t seem to have any meaning or value to us, we are doing something that is way above the physical realms of this world.

Do a small Mitzva TODAY and take pleasure in the fact that you are doing something that has eternal value.  Eternal means forever - and that’s a very long time!

From: 

Gelbendorf Travel

For all your travel needs

718-258-1449

gelbendorftravel@aol.com

We are today’s supplier, not tomorrow’s promise.

FULL VIDEO: Flatbush Internet Asifa Held At Agudah On Ave L

Yeshiva World News - In the extended article below, are the videos of the speeches delivered at this past Sundays Internet Asifa, held at the Agudah of Avenue L. It should be noted, that YWN has nothing to do with these videos, we are simply publishing a link available on the Internet. It is well understood that it seems ironic to be posting these videos on the Internet. But Rabbonim felt that it may be Nisorer many people who were unable to attend.


Click HERE to download a booklet distributed at the Asifa – full of Internet filter options

Rav Avrohom Schorr: [Click HERE to watch on a mobile device]

Rav Yisroel Resiman: [Click HERE to watch on a mobile device]

Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff: [Click HERE to watch on a mobile device]

Rav Mattisyahu Solomon: [Click HERE to watch on a mobile device]

Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff (Closing): [Click HERE to watch on a mobile device]

FLATBUSHSCOOP.COM / YWN

FULL VIDEO: Citi Field Asifa (Video Feed for Satellite Locations)

The following is a full 4+ hour video of Sunday’s asifah at Citi Field. Approximately 50,000 people participated at Citi Field and Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, New York. Thousands others joined via hookup.

ENGLISH SPEECHES:

HaRav Elya Brudny Shlita (from Arthur Asche Stadium) 25:30

HaRav Ephrayim Waxman (from CitiField) 37:10

HaRav Ephrayim Waxman (from CitiField) 1:24:00

HaRav Mattisyahu Solomon (from CitiField) 3:26:00

List Of Lag Baomer Events

Wednesday night: Horodenker Shul East 27th Street & Avenue K, Hadlakah, music, singing and dancing. 9:00PM – 11:30PM.
Wednesday night: Boston Bais Medrash Avenue J & East 29th Street, Hadlakah, Seudah. (Seudah at 9:00PM, Hadlakah at 10:15PM).
Wednesday night: Yeshiva Ohr Shraga Veretzky Avenue L between Coney Island Avenue & East 12th Street (Hadlakah, singing, dancing). – 9:00PM.
Thursday: Chabad House Parade, 1923 Ocean Avenue (bet N & O), 4:00PM.
Thursday: Mayan Yisroel 3305 Avenue N, festivities & Hadlakah for the children from 5:00PM – 7:30PM
Thursday: Ateres Shlomo (Rav Mordechai Twersky) Avenue K and East 29th Street 7:00PM (Hadlakah, music & dancing)

Masmidei HaSiyum

Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner - America the Last Galus

One morning while Davening in the Volozhiner Yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner suddenly burst out crying with heart wrenching sobs. His voice rose in anguish until, a few moments later his cries died down and he continued Davening as before. But then Reb Chaim Volozhiner once again let out a shrieking cry and his tears began flowing harder than before. This time, his cries continued on for a few minutes longer before he was able to regain his composure and finish his Davening quietly.

The talmidim of the Volozhin Yeshiva were shocked. To warrant such an outburst, their Rosh Yeshiva was obviously deeply upset about something extremely important and it worried them. However, no one felt himself worthy enough to actually approach the Rosh Yeshiva and question him. Finally it was decided that one of Reb Chaim Volozhiner’s closest talmid, Rabbi Dovid Tevel would ask him about it.

When Reb Dovid approached his Rebbe, at first Reb Chaim Volozhiner refused to divulge the reason for his cries. Yet after Reb Dovid’s persistence, Reb Chaim Volozhiner finally answered him. “My son, you must know that the day will soon come when European Jewry will cease to exist. Every Jewish institution and bastion of Torah will be swept away and destroyed. The only hope we have left, the only chance for a rebirth of Torah, is in the galus of America - the last leg of Jewry’s tortuous journey through exile until our final redemption. We’ve already endured so many exiles, and America will be the last stop before Mashiach comes!”

Reb Dovid taken aback and then asked, “But Rebbe, what was the cause for the second outburst of cries and sobs that lasted longer than the first?”

Reb Chaim closed his eyes in obvious pain and said, “It worries me to no end, this galus in America. The potential pitfalls, the trials and tribulations that will be faced by those attempting to rebuild Jewry, will be almost too great to bear. Even if they succeed, who knows what Torah in America will look like?”

Many years later, the pioneer of American Torah Jewry, Reb Aharon Kotler, would quote these words of Reb Chaim Volozhiner and use them as his guide in establishing a vibrant new sanctuary of Torah on these new shores of America.

Note: Rabbi Chaim Volozhiner passed away in 1821, almost 120 years before the start of World War II and the Holocaust, which started in 1939. 

Chol HaMoed Trips

Jewish Press (Large PDF takes a a few minutes to load ) 

Hamodia (Large PDF takes a a few minutes to load ) 

Weekly Link

Jewish Tickets

Rabbi Yaakov Kassin ZT"L

This was told to Saul A Kassin from his cousin Aaron Kassin, whom the man in the story told it directly to Aaron.
A man was praying in the same Minyan as Rabbi Yaakov Kassin. Rabbi Yaakov Kassin walked by him and told him to take off his Tefillin. The man was shocked, surprised, and of course nervous, but did as the Rabbi told him. Rabbi Yaakov Kassin asked the Shamosh of Shaare Zion - Shalom Ozery to bring him a knife. Rabbi Yaakov Kassin using the knife opened the man’s Tefillin. When it was opened, they found nothing inside the Tefillin.

Reb Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz and the Train Ride

In his youth in Europe, Reb Michel Yehuda Lefkowitz once was traveling by train, in order to protect his eyes from an inappropriate not Tznius sight, that he felt would compromise his Kedusha, the young holy bachur jumped out of the window of a moving train and severely injured his ribs, all in order to preserve his purity. Only after his mother saw him in great pain was he compelled to tell her what happened. Years later in Eretz Yisroel she told the story to some of Reb Michel Yehuda's children, which is how we know this story.

Rabbi Aharon Kotler and the Toll Booth Attendant

The bachurim would take turns driving the Rosh Yeshiva - Rabbi Aharon Kotler back and forth from Lakewood and New York each week. They considered this chore an honor more than a duty. A bachur retold, that while driving the Rosh Yeshiva, when they approached the toll booth, Reb Aharon told him not to go to the exact automated toll lane, but rather go to the live person booth, which was a much longer line and wait. Surprised the bachur asked the Rosh Yeshiva why? Reb Aharon replied, “How do you think the man must feel as he stands at his booth, and sees cars going through the other booth that is controlled by a machine? Better that we should spend some more time on line, than we should belittle the honor of any human being!”

The ArtScroll Digital Library Featuring the Schottenstein Talmud

Rabbi Yaakov Kassin and his Rebbe Rabbi Avraham Ades

Before Rabbi Yaakov Kassin was married (he married at 18 ½), one night he had a dream. He went to his Rebbe - Rabbi Avraham Ades, to tell him his dream - that he went up to Shamayim, and learnt Torah with the Rambam. Rabbi Avraham Ades told him, “The Rambam looked like this, and wore a hat like this.” Rabbi Yaakov Kassin answered, "Yes". Then Rabbi Yaakov Kassin asked his Rebbe, “And how did you know that?” Rabbi Avraham Ades answered him, “Every night I go up to Shamayim and learn Torah will the Rambam, Rashba and other Rishonim.” 

Reb Aharon Kotler - a well overflowing of Non-Stop Torah

Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Varsharshik - Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, was a talmid of Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman in the Baronovitch Yeshiva. He said he spent one entire day with Reb Aharon Kotler, which left an impression on him for life. He said this story; I was a young student in Baronovitch, the Yeshiva of Reb Elchonon Wasserman. Reb Aharon Kotler came to our town with one of his local townspeople to raise money for his Kletzker Yeshiva. After Shacharis the Mashgiach - Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky, came over to me with a request from Reb Elchonon, that I take some bachurim with me, go to Reb Aharon’s hotel room and ask him to come to the Yeshiva and say a Shiur. We got to his room at 8:40AM, the minute we entered the Rosh Yeshiva started talking to us in learning. Someone had brought Reb Aharon tea, which he did not yet start drinking and then it got cold. The Rosh Yeshiva was like a well, overflowing with non-stop Torah. They brought him another tea and then another, of course they all became cold. We kept talking without a break till 5PM. It was a fast day for us. We then brought the Rosh Yeshiva to our Yeshiva to Daven Mincha. Right after Mincha, the Rosh Yeshiva turned to us and continued his animated discussion. The person that accompanied the Rosh Yeshiva from Kletzk tried to remind him that they came to raise money and also that Reb Aharon should eat something, his words fell on deaf ears.

We continued talking in learning straight non-stop till Maariv at 9:30PM. After Maariv Reb Aharon walked up to the Bimah and said a Shiur for 2 ½ hours, by then it was 12:30AM. Then bachurim came over to him to discuss the Shiur. When that was over we walked Reb Aharon back to his hotel room. When we got to the room, we didn’t stop. We spoke in learning till 4:45AM. Rabbi Shmuel Dovid Varsharshik said he tired for a week, but was inspired for a lifetime

Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky

In the freezing winter nights of Eastern Europe, it was the job of the Shammash to tend to the Shul's oven early every morning. Thus, when people came at daybreak, to recite Tehillim or to study before Prayers, they should find the Shul warm. The Shammash, an elderly man and who was a bit lazy, would rely on the out of town beggars, who normally arrived during the night, to light the oven. But many times, when the beggars would not show up, the Shul would be freezing in the morning, and people began to complain. Then all complaints stopped, the oven would be fire-hot every morning. People thought the Shammash was doing a good job, and the Shammash took it for granted that the beggars were tending the oven. No one suspected that it was the Rabbi of the town, Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky, who was doing the job every morning. He would also draw the water for the congregants to wash their hands. He did all this, because he wanted to ease the burden of the Shammash.

One early morning, the firewood happened to be particularly wet, thus requiring a lot of blowing to get a fire going. (One could blow his lungs out until the wood finally burned.) With his head in the oven door, Reb Yisrael Yaakov was blowing upon the fire, and the Shammash walked in. In the darkness of daybreak he did not recognize the Rabbi. Sure that it was one of the beggars who were tending to the oven, the Shammash in a joking manner gave the man a good kick. Reb Yisrael Yaakov knew that if he took his head out of the oven, the Shammash would be terribly embarrassed (imagine the Shammash actually kicking the Rabbi). So he pushed his face deeper into the oven. The smoke was burning his eyes and choking his lungs, yet he would not remove his head until the Shammash left. By the time the Shammash walked away, half of Reb Yisrael Yaakov’s beard was gone, due to his beard having been caught on fire.

Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Lubchansky was also the Mashgiach of Rabbi Elchonon Wasserman Yeshiva in Baranovich Ohel Torah. He was also a talmid and son in-law of Rabbi Yosef Yoizel Horowitz - the After of Novardok.

Kashrut Alert

The following Israeli kashrus alert is from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, Jerusalem Kosher News with additional information from the London Beth Din posted on January 27, 2012

Dr Pepper available in the UK has been approved by the LBD based on detailed correspondence with the manufacturers but the syrup used is not kosher certified. Dr Pepper bought overseas could have different formulations even if manufactured in the UK so we cannot advise on its kosher status. Dr Pepper in Israel bears an unauthorized KLBD logo and it is neither kosher certified nor kosher approved by the LBD. The soda was also not approved by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.

The previous alert can be cited with the URL: http://www.kashrut.com/Alerts/?alert=A3774

Hesped Delivered by Rav Shach zt”l On Rav Aharon Kotler zt”l

This is a translation of a hesped delivered by Rav Elazar Schach zt”l upon the passing of Rav Aharon Kotler on 2 Kislev 5723-1963.

In recent years we have lost many of the Torah giants that we had with us-Rav Issar Zalman Meltzer, the Chazon Ish, the Brisker Rav, zichronom livrachah. Although we have had no consolation, nevertheless, as long as Rav Aharon was with us we still had something to hold on to. He was the last, and now he too is no longer with us.
The Talmud tells us in Berachos that when Rav passed away his students accompanied his body to burial in another city. On their way back they decided to eat along the banks of the Danak River. After they had finished their meal, they wondered whether they should say Birkas HaMazon as a group, with one person leading, or whether each one should recite it on his own. On the one hand, they had not “reclined” to eat, as is mentioned in the Mishnah. But on the other hand, they had purposely joined together for the meal, so perhaps this was sufficient? They were unable to resolve the issue.
At that point Rav Ada bar Ahavah got up, turned the garment which he had already rent over Rav’s death, front to back, and rent it again, crying, “Rav has passed away and we do not even know how to say bentching!”
The act of rending a garment over the death of one’s mentor is an expression of the feeling of loss at his absence. The more one learned from his teacher, the greater the significance of the rending. Rav Ada realized that at the time of the first rending he had not fully appreciated the extent of their loss. They had supposed that Rav’s absence would be felt only when it came to solving complicated issues. Surely they would still be able to resolve simple matters for themselves!
But when they were unable to resolve even so simple an issue as whether to join together to bentch, they realized that they had needed their teacher even for so simple a matter. With new insight into the depth of their loss, Rav Ada arose and rent his garment once again.
We are incapable of comprehending the extent of our loss; we are such an orphaned generation. Nevertheless we must try to grasp what we can of what has happened to us.
In Melachim there is a description of the final parting between Eliyahu Hanovi and his disciple Elisha. Eliyahu asked: “What can I do for you before I am taken from you?” Elisha replied: Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” Eliyahu answered: “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, then it will come to pass, and if not, not.” The obvious question is, how could Eliyahu give his disciple more than he had himself? Furthermore, if such a thing is possible, then why limit it to merely a double portion?
We know that in reality it is “the blessing of Hashem which brings one wealth.” The Novi merely asks Hashem to give His blessing. But in order for that blessing to come to fruition one must have a proper vessel to receive it. We learn in Berachos that in spiritual matters a full vessel can always contain more, but an empty vessel can hold nothing. This idea is expressed in the Sefer Daniel: “he gives wisdom to the wise,” upon which Chazal comment: “Hakadosh Boruch Hu gives wisdom only to one who already has wisdom.”
The measure that Hashem gives a person depends upon the extent that he has prepared himself to be capable of receiving, which is why Eliyahu answered Elisha, “You have asked for something difficult.” In order to receive a double portion, one must first have prepared a vessel fit to receive it. If not, it is impossible to bestow such a gift.
Eliyahu told Elisha that his request would be granted “if you see me being taken from you.” In other words, Elisha must not be like the ignorant peasant, who stares in admiration at a gold watch without having any concept of its value. If that were to be his attitude at his teacher’s departure, he would receive nothing. But if he would watch and reflect on the significance of his loss, then he would be considered a worthy disciple; because of his full appreciation of his mentor Elisha would merit the double portion that he had requested. He would have prepared the necessary vessel to receive it.
As we attempt to gain some notion of Rav Aharon’s greatness-in order to appreciate the extent of our loss-we are reminded of a passage in Baba Metzi’a: Rabbi Chanina and Rabbi Chiya were having a dispute. Eventually Rabbi Chanina said to Rabbi Chiya, “How can you dare to disagree with me? If, Heaven forbid, the Torah should be forgotten from Israel, I could restore it with my logic!” Rabbi Chiya responded, “How can you dare to disagree with me? I saw to it that the Torah would not be forgotten in the first place! What did I do? I went and planted flax, wove flaxen nets, trapped deer, fed their flesh to orphans, prepared scrolls from their skins, and wrote upon them the Chamisha Chumshei Torah. Then I went into town and taught the Torah to five children, and so it went on; and in this way I saw to it that the Torah would never be forgotten from Israel!”
The commentaries explain that Rabbi Chanina and Rabbi Chiya disagreed how to guarantee the continuity of Torah. Was it more important for the community to have one, single outstanding scholar, whose scholarship and stature would elevate all those around him, or to produce as many disciples as possible and to insure our continuity in that way?
On the one hand, throughout the exile, wherever there was a scholar of stature, Torah survived and the Torah community remained strong. On the other hand, if one works to increase the number of yeshivos, one is guaranteeing that the Torah will never be forgotten!
We all know that Rav Aharon fulfilled both Rabbi Chanina’s ideal and that of Rabbi Chiya. Through his own brilliance and awesome scholarship he restored the clarity of the Torah, while at the same time raising legions of talmidim. He established new yeshivos and spread Torah in an incredible fashion.
At the beginning of Parshas Noach we read: “Noach walked with Hashem.” By contrast, in Parshas Chayei Sarah we are told that Avraham walked before Hashem. Rashi notes the change of wording and explains its significance. On a simple level the idea is as follows: Every person who would like to “walk with Hashem” needs His help if he is to succeed. We learn in Sukkah that “a man’s evil impulse overwhelms him daily, and were it not for the help of the Holy One, blessed be He, he would not be able to withstand it.”
Avraham, however, went beyond the level of walking with Hashem, and became a catalyst to draw others close to Hashem. Thus the Torah makes reference to the souls which Avraham and Sarah “made” in Charan, which Rashi explains, as an allusion to their disciples. This is why it is said that he walked before Hashem. In other words, he went ahead calling others to walk with Hashem, and when they did so, it was at his instigation.
This quality, too, was present in Rav Aharon. When he came to America he found a world which was very remote from the ideals of the Torah. Who had ever heard of such a thing as a kollel yungermahn, a person for whom Torah study was his full-time occupation?
With the intensity of his own scholarship, Rav Aharon was able to serve as a catalyst for others, whom he guided along the Torah way, presenting them with a comprehensive vision that was beyond compare.
At the beginning of Parshas Vayishlach we learn that to battle evil, one must employ three strategies: prayer, bribery and readiness for battle. Anyone can pursue the first two methods, prayer and bribery. As for the bribe, which Yaakov sent to his brother, we are told that “he took a gift from that which he had brought along with him.”
But it is not easy to prepare for war. It is not sufficient to use whatever one happened to bring along. One must have a great deal of knowledge and a solid understanding of the situation. One must know what to foster and what to avoid, what to accept and what to reject.
Rav Aharon knew. And when the times required it, he was the only one on the scene whose genius and understanding were comprehensive enough to know when to say “yes” and when to say “no” and to tell us what we might accept and what we must reject. Thus whenever a question arose, Rav Aharon was called upon to resolve it.
Today, having lost him, we are orphans without a father. Sometimes orphans have a father, but we are orphans who have no father. We will no longer know the satisfaction we felt when we received Rav Aharon’s responses to our queries-responses that emanated from his toil in Torah.
The Talmud Yerushalmi tells us that in his hesped for Rav Simon bar Zavid, Rav Hili quoted from the book of Iyov: “Silver has a mine, and there is a place from which gold is refinedÉbut where can wisdom be found, and where is the place of understanding?” “If silver and gold are lost they can be replaced, but when a Torah scholar passes away, who can find us a replacement for him?”
When a scholar toils over the Torah, it becomes a part of him. Thus each scholar has a unique possession which cannot be passed on to another, his own personal portion of Torah. Hashem has arranged it this way in order for us better to appreciate His greatness: for every individual scholar He has designated a unique portion of the Torah which no other scholar is able to reveal. Baruch Hashem, we have not been abandoned. It has been orphaned!
In Bereishis Rabbah Chazal quote the posuk “the sun rises and the sun sets.” They explain that before the “sun” of Moshe had set, the “sun” of Yehoshua had already risen. Nevertheless, they also tell us that Moshe Rabbeinu’s face resembled the sun, whereas Yehoshua’s face resembled only the moon. Rav Aharon’s portion has been orphaned. His clarity and brilliance are gone. The superhuman strength, which he invested in his studies twenty-four hours a day, is gone. His service of Hashem, in which he invested all of his resources, and from which he never rested, is no longer with us. Gone is the man who was so awesomely engrossed in his studies, who never rested from his labors; the man whose father-in-law, Rav IssarZalman Meltzer zt”l, testified of him that he had the mind of a genius of five hundred years ago.
All of this we have lost. Our only comfort is that, as the Rambam tells us, “every person has the freedom to direct himself onto the path of goodness andÉto become as righteous as Moshe Rabbeinu.” In the natural course of things this may not seem possible, but a ben Torah knows what heights a person can achieve through dedication and determination to improve himself. Even if one does not succeed in perfecting himself in every area, he can at least perfect himself in a few areas. All that is necessary is that one fully appreciate the resources with which he has been blessed, and use them properly-especially Torah study, and that he look to Heaven for the assistance which Hashem grants to all those who turn to Him.
Let us consider what the Sages said about hidden facets of the human personality. In Bereishis Rabbah they note that in the verse “and Kayin said to his brother HevelÉ” we are never told what Kayin actually said.
The Midrash presents two opinions. According to the first opinion, the brothers had decided to divide up the world; one would take possession of all of the land, and the other would receive all of the movable property. Then one brother said: “The land that you are standing upon is mine!” The other responded: “The clothes you are wearing are mine!” One said: “Take off the clothes!” and the other said: “Hover in the air!” In the course of this debate Kayin arose and murdered his brother.
According to the second opinion, they divided both the land and the movable property between them. What, then, was there to argue about?
One of them declared: “The Temple should be built in my portion!” The other insisted: “The Temple should be built in my portion!” The other insisted: “The Temple should be built in my portion!” It was in the course of this debate that Kayin rose up and murdered his brother.
Both opinions are valid; there is no contradiction between them. They merely illustrate different facets of human behavior. Here were two brothers, who possessed every piece of land and every object in the world. They had decided to apportion their property; one would take all of the land, and the other all of the movable property. Yet neither was satisfied with his lot. Neither one was willing to tolerate his brother and to allow him to use his property. Why was this so hard for them? After all, human beings were made in the image of Hashem! They had unlimited spiritual resources at their disposal. Man can aspire to attain the level of Moshe Rabbeinu, of whom it was said: “You have made him slightly less than an angel”!
The answer is that “the impulse of a man’s heart is evil from his youth.” His impulses threaten to overwhelm him daily, striving to destroy him spiritually. This is what causes a person to feel that although he might possess every object in the world, he cannot be satisfied so long as someone else is using them. And even if that other person be his own brother, his own flesh and blood, he can find no rest until he blurts out in his rage, “Take off those clothes; they belong to me!”
His brother shares the same feeling of deprivation. Though he owns all the land in the world-the entire globe-he cannot be happy so long as there is someone else in the world that is treading upon his property! In the end, he cannot refrain from ordering his brother to “Hover in the air!” He cannot bear the fact that there is another individual in his world! This is one facet of the man’s innate character.
However, when a person reaches a higher level, an additional facet comes into play. He argues with his fellow, who will merit to have the Beis HaMikdash built in his portion. The two brothers had still not received the Torah. The special significance of Eretz Yisrael had not yet been revealed. They had neither a Beis HaMikdash nor the korbanos. Nevertheless, they were able to appreciate how great an honor it would be to have the Temple built in their portion. And yet, despite their spiritual greatness, they were capable of making such a tragic mistake in judgment that they could sink to the level of murder!
These are two aspects of the human being. On the one hand, he is made in “the image of Hashem.” On the other hand, his impulses are “evil from his youth.” Both forces are at work in him every day, every moment, unceasingly. On force urges him to behave one way, the other, just the opposite.
There is only one way for the Jew to anchor himself squarely where he belongs: by dedicating himself to Torah study and the fear of Heaven-by using the resources we have inherited from our forefathers, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov Avoseinu, who successfully passed the various tests which Hashem gave them. In the merit of the great deeds of the Patriarchs, their grandchildren were able to stand at the foot of Mt. Sinai and receive the Torah.
When we listen to a hesped, the benefit that we hope to take away with us is this: A person must never say: “Who am I? Of what importance am I?” Each and every one of us has the ability to blossom and grow into a Torah personality of stature, through his own unique portion of the Torah, which Hashem has planted within him.
This article originally appeared in Yated Neeman, Monsey NY.
Posted By Matzav Editor On November 28, 2011

Reb Elyah and the transistor radio

Reb Elyah one stopped to talk to a man who was listening to a small, black transistor radio. Loud music was booming from it. Reb Elyah asked with feigned astonishment, “What, this machine plays music and is not connected to an electric plug?” the fellow nodded affirmatively.

Reb Elyah then added, “But if a screw inside is missing the radio won’t play, right?” The man gave another affirmative nod.

Reb Elyah then cried out in a loud voice, “If so, why is it so hard to believe that by means of a small black box placed on our foreheads (Tefillin), we receive Kedusha from Heaven, without any visible lines of connections!

“How do they work? Only because of what is inside them, the parchments that have verses of Torah written on them. Every verse has to be written as prescribed, and if even one small detail is lacking, even the point of the letter Yud, the Tefillin cannot work anymore and the flow of Kedusha stops!” 

Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel - Mir Yerushalayim Rosh Yeshiva and Starbucks

The following story was told over at an awards ceremony for Howard Schultz, chairman and chief global strategist of the famed coffee company, Starbucks Corp. Schultz received the Botwinick Prize in Business Ethics from Columbia Business School in 2000, and during his acceptance speech, he related a fascinating insight into how he became a better person.

“When I was in Israel,” Schultz related, “I went to Meah Shearim, the ultra-Orthodox enclave within Jerusalem. Along with a group of businessmen I was with, I had the opportunity to meet with the head of the Mir Yeshiva, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel. I had never heard of him before and didn’t know anything about him. We were ushered into his study and waited for close to fifteen minutes before the Rabbi came in. What we did not know was that Rabbi Finkel was severely afflicted with Parkinson’s disease. He sat down at the head of the table, and immediately we looked away. We didn’t want to embarrass him. Suddenly, the Rabbi banged on the table and said, ‘Gentlemen, look at me, and look at me right now!’

“His speech affliction was worse than his shaking. It was really hard to listen and look at him at the same time. He said, ‘I have only a few minutes for you because I know you’re all busy American businessmen!’ You know, just a little dig there.

“Then he asked, ‘Can anyone tell me what the lesson of the Holocaust is?’ He called on one guy - it was like being called on in the fifth grade - and not knowing the answer. The guy said something benign like, ‘We will never forget?’ “The Rabbi completely dismissed him. Rabbi Finkel was looking around the table to call on someone else. We were all sort of under the table, looking away, hoping he would not call on any one of us. Personally, I was sweating. He called on another guy, who I thought had such a fantastic answer. ‘We will never, ever again be a victim or bystander.’ “But the Rabbi said, ‘You guys just don’t get it. Okay, let me tell you the essence of the human spirit. As you know, during the Holocaust, the people were transported in the worst most inhumane ways imaginable. The people thought they were going to a work camp but we know they were sent to concentration camps. After hours and days in this horrific corral with no light, no bathroom and extreme cold, they arrived at the camps. The doors were swung wide open, and they were blinded by the light. Men and women were separated, mothers from daughters, fathers from sons. Eventually, they were sent to the barracks. “As they went into the sleeping area, only one person was given a blanket for every six. The person who received the blanket had to decide before going to sleep, ‘Am I going to push the blanket to the five other people who did not get one, or am I going to pull it towards myself to stay warm?’ These are the types of questions they asked themselves. “Rabbi Finkel paused for a moment. Then he said, ‘Gentlemen, it was during this defining moment that we learned the power of the human spirit, because we pushed the blanket to five others. That is the lesson of the Holocaust!’ “With that, he stood up and said, ‘Take your blanket. Take it back to America - and push it to five other people!’”

There is a follow-up to this story. Apparently Mr. Schultz later returned to Israel and visited Rabbi Nosson Tzvi again. This time, he pulled out a blank check, signed it and told Rabbi Finkel to fill it out for whatever he wants. Rabbi Nosson Tzvi asked him, “I can fill out this check for whatever I want?” Mr. Schultz answered in the affirmative. Rabbi Nosson Tzvi picked up his pen and wrote out the check for $1400. Then, he handed the check to Howard Schultz, and told him to take it across the street to the scribe (Sofer), use it to buy a pair of Tefillin, and promise to put it on every day. His Yeshiva was millions of dollars in debt, and Rabbi Nosson Tzvi worked very hard to raise money for the Yeshiva, but he thought about his fellow Jew first.

Mishenichnas Adar

Maran HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita: “A Medical Miracle”

According to doctors at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, the situation surrounding the condition of Maran Posek HaDor HaGaon HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita is nothing short of a “medical miracle”. They are now talking about a timetable surrounding the rav’s possible return home.

Yehuda Schlesinger of Yisrael HaYom reports the rav has returned to speaking with those around him and all assisted breathing adjuncts have been removed. One must remember that the posek hador, who is almost 102, davened korbanos on erev Shabbos by heart, not to himself but audible, for others to hear, to the astonishment of all those around him. He is very weak, but speaking with those around him and the rav is questioning what is planned for a Purim seuda.

The doctors report “no one expected the rav to return home but now, this appears to be a realistic possibility”.

The rav was in cardiac arrest, revived, and has undergone a number of life-saving procedures. Doctors are simply astounded, including the frum members of the medical team who understand the power of tefilla and the unique stature of the patient as a gadol b’torah.

The tzibur is urged to continue davening for R’ Yosef Sholom ben Chaya Musha b’soch kol cholei am yisrael.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)