Volume 15 Number 26
Produced: Tue Sep 13 23:34:43 1994
Subjects Discussed In This Issue:
A Rosh Hashanah poem
[Jeremy Nussbaum]
Administrivia
[Avi Feldblum]
After-Death Experiences
[Warren Burstein]
Appliances for an Orthodox Kitchen
[Bob Dale]
Frum Dating
[David Phillips]
Meat, milk and sleep
[Sherman Marcus]
Near Death Events
[Zev Gerstl]
New Fruit
[Israel Botnick]
On the subject of Eruvin
[Yechiel_Pisem]
Racism/Marc Shapiro
[Harry Weiss]
Riddle
[Abe Perlman]
Ultimate Curse
[Yisrael Medad]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <jeremy@...> (Jeremy Nussbaum)
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 1994 13:12:52 -0400
Subject: A Rosh Hashanah poem
I heard Rabbi Tropper speak at a shabaton in Bangor, Maine. The poem he
read on Shabat moved me very much, and I asked him for permission to
post it. He has sent me a copy, and this posting is with his
permission:
AWAKEN
The shofar sounds, we all declare
Happy New Year, Happy New Year.
But does anyone really care?
Are we ready? Did we prepare?
Once again an entire year gone by
seems to have passed
within a blink of the eye
and all this time, where was I?
Last year's resolutions that my lips spoke
quickly forgotten, what a joke.
A memory asleep, rarely awoke.
Why don't I understand the meaning of a new year
when its message is abundantly clear?
My eyes remain shut, I refuse to hear.
While I remained the same, spiritually asleep
tragedy and suffering caused many to weep.
Man made torture, natural disaster, flooding so deep.
A world divided over a loaf of bread.
One half starving, the other (half) overfed.
Honesty and decency overthrown; greed and jealousy instead.
Another year of precious life came and went.
Foolishly squandered, aimlessly spent.
What have I learned, what has it meant?
The year depicting the life cycle, with its changing seasons
gladdening and saddening, giving no reasons.
The joy of rebirth and new borns in the early spring
summer's harvest and naches, proud parents sing.
The evenings chill of failing strength in the fall.
Harbinger of winter's darkness, dreaded by all.
The year depicting the life cycle, with its changing seasons
gladdening and saddening, giving no reasons.
All this I know yet remain outside
observing the speeding train, yet refusing to ride.
Years of denial, how long will I hide?
The shrill sound of that shofar blast.
Not the first wake up call, will it be the last?
THE SHOFAR SOUNDS, LET US AWAKE AND PREPARE...
Rabbi Dovid Tropper
September, 1993
Jeremy Nussbaum (<jeremy@...>)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: mljewish (Avi Feldblum)
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 1994 22:51:38 -0400
Subject: Administrivia
We have moved to a new system, and we are running new software. All this
and working aroundYom Tov as well. There are clearly glitches, but there
are people working on them and I hope that things will be cleared up
over the next few days. In the meantime, I'll try and keep things
moving, but I fully expect that the backlog will continue to grow until
we get past the Chagim. I ask you understanding and hope that things
will smooth out then. I will try and keep you all informed of things as
they happen.
Avi Feldblum
mail-jewish Moderator
<mljewish@...>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <warren@...> (Warren Burstein)
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 1994 06:06:00 GMT
Subject: Re: After-Death Experiences
Nadine Bonner writes:
>There are many documented stories, and they're all in the literature
>so I'm not going to go into it.
I think that one who makes such a claim (and wishes to be believed)
ought to post references to the literature.
|warren@ an Anglo-Saxon." -- Stuart Schoffman
/ nysernet.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <ax965@...> (Bob Dale)
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 1994 15:08:52 -0400
Subject: Re: Appliances for an Orthodox Kitchen
This is in response to Arthur Roth's question about appliances for
an Orthodox Kitchen. We had the same problem when we bought a new
oven, and actually had the Maytag repairman over twice to find
out why our oven kept turning off (it made the first two days
of Pesach quite interesting, to say the least). Eventually,
the Maytag man had to phone headquarters in Tennessee, and found
out that it is a safety feature of all new ovens built in the U.S.
to have an automatic turnoff. The appliance dealer with whom we
had dealt only had one model of oven that didn't have this feature:
a GE oven built by Camco in Mississauga, Ontario Canada (Catalogue
No. WB60M712). However, this is rather a "basic" oven, without the
new, glitzy features we wanted (like the smooth top that we thought
could be used as a built-in blech). It works well, though, and costs less
than some of the fancier models. What is interesting is that because
the dealer was so co-operative in taking the oven back, we were able
to send other friends to him when their oven broke -- and they didn't
have to re-explain why the automatic turn-off was a nuisance.
Didn't know about the fan in the fridge problem, though. Hope it's a few
years till we need a fridge.
This is Bob Dale in Nepean, Ontario
<ax965@...>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <davidp@...> (David Phillips)
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 1994 13:26:55 -0400
Subject: Frum Dating
Re: Dr. Sam Juni being upset with the frum getting engaged after 4 dates.
I agree that this worries me especially when when it becomes a game of
"Name That Tune" - I can do it quicker than you can.
However, for the truly sincere about it, my theory is it may work for the
frum because they have a truly shorter checklist of compatibility issues
in looking for a suitable life mate: 1. Midos 2. Frumkeit 3. Hashkofo
(Philosophy on life). These three issues are determinable in 3 or 4
eight-hour sitting-and-talking-in-the-living-room marathon dates. They
re not concerned with things like: How good is she at tennis, does she
like musicals or dramas on Broadway, does she share my passion for sitcoms,
etc. all things that concerned me during my dating years.
--- David "Beryl" Phillips
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Sherman Marcus <mernav@...>
Date: Sat, 10 Sep 1994 19:58:53 +0200
Subject: Meat, milk and sleep
Has anyone heard of the heter of waiting less than the usual time between
meat and milk when napping in between?
Sherman Marcus
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <VWZEVG@...> (Zev Gerstl)
Date: 13 Sep 94 08:30:00 EST
Subject: Near Death Events
I have been following the discussion on near death experiences only
superficially as time does not allow me to read everything I would like
to. I remembered that I read a most interesting discourse on the topic
by HaRav Chayim David HaLevi, the sepharadi chief rabbi of TA in volume
two of his series "Asay Lechah Rav" (an excellent series covering many
modern topics including cheating, parents reading children's mail,
etc.). In short he is not at all suprized by the phenomnon and brings
proof from the Zohar that what most people describe is what is to be
expected such as bright lights, seeing relatives etc. The article covers
nearly 80 pages and deals with much more than just near death
experiences (e.g. the nature of the soul) and is highly recommended to
anyone with a basic knowledge of hebrew. If I get a chance I will reread
it and try to submit a summary (of course if someone already has I must
have missed it).
Gmar Chatimah Tovah
Zev Gerstl
<VWZEVG@...>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <icb@...> (Israel Botnick)
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 94 10:40:44 EDT
Subject: New Fruit
Regarding shehechiyanu on new fruits,Avi Wollman wrote:
< Anything you haven't eaten for 30 days. For the bracha of shechiyanu
< even not seeing something for 30 days is enought. Eg. a friend.
I don't think this is correct. We say shehechiyanu on new fruits
because they are seasonal, and their existence constitutes a new "zman".
To say shehechiyanu on a new fruit then, it must be the first one
you eat in it's season. (see shulchan aruch orach chaim siman 225).
One wouldn't for example say shehechiyanu after not having a
hershey bar for 30 days or after not having an apple for 30 days
during apple season.
One is allowed to say shehechiyanu if one hasn't seen a close
friend or relative after 30 days. This is because of the great joy
involved. That's why it's only for close friends or relatives. (Nowadays
most poskim say that we don't do this anymore, because even if you dont
see someone for 30 days, you could have picked up a phone and called,
so the joy of seeing even a close friend after 30 days is not so
great. Back when methods of communication and travel were not so great,
not seeing someone for 30 days meant you may not see them for years.)
The shehechiyanu for not seeing friends after 30 days is
unrelated to the shehechiyanu on fruits.
Israel Botnick
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Yechiel_Pisem <ypisem@...>
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 1994 20:26:02 -0400 (edt)
Subject: On the subject of Eruvin
There is a problem with Nosson's practice of using an Eruv only
"B'dochek" (in extreme circumstances). If one decides not to use the
Eruv and then doesn't for 3 Shabbosos, he is no longer allowed to use it
without a "Hatoras Nedorim". Good thing it isn't yet 3 Shabbosos since
Erev Rosh HaShanah.
Kol Tuv and Gmar Chasima Tova,
Yechiel Pisem
<ypisem@...>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: <harry.weiss@...> (Harry Weiss)
Date: Thu, 01 Sep 94 22:32:04 -0700
Subject: Racism/Marc Shapiro
Marc Shapiro wrote an attack on Racism in the Orthodox Jewish Community.
I found his article itself racist in its unsubstantiated attack against
all Hasidic Jews. It is true that the actions of some Hasidic Jews are
despicable and should be condemned, but that does not make all Hasidic
or Satmar Jews evil. Satmar Jews are known for the kindness and
generosity to fellow Jews, particularly the ill and their families.
This is done regardless of the observance level. They consider all Jews
to be Jews and not idolaters. While I may strongly disapprove of their
political views and actions, the average Satmar Hasid is more involve in
Gmilat Chesed then in political or other questionable activity. Other
Hasidic groups are well knows for the good deeds they do. This is done
on behalf of all Jews including the non religious. The Sanz Hasidim run
a hospital near Natanya which also treats Arabs. The Lubavitch drug
programs in Los Angeles help Jews and Non Jews alike. Hasidic Jews, New
York Jews, and all Orthodox Jews have much to be proud of.
Harry
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Abe Perlman <abeperl@...>
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 94 9:57:11 EDT
Subject: Riddle
I heard an interesting riddle last night from Rav Mayerfeld (one of the
Rebbeim at Ner Yisroel Yeshiva of Toronto) and thought I'd share it with
others.
Name two Masechtos in Shas the names of which mean the same thing in
different languages. Not the content of the Masechtos, just the names.
Mordechai Perlman <abeperl@...>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: MEDAD%<ILNCRD@...> (Yisrael Medad)
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 94 08:48 IST
Subject: Ultimate Curse
Re postings on the curse of "eradicating"/"erasing" one's name, one of
the first ex-Biblical mentionings of the name Israel is on a stone
tablet by a certain King (the exact source is not 'tachat yadai' [under
my hands]) in which he claims that Israel's name does not exist any
longer.
So one could presume that a) not only Jews but other peoples believed
that eradicating one's name was a curse; b) that to eradicate, one had
to win in battle [i.e., the 'eradication' was not a spiritual act but a
actual physical destruction; c) it doesn't always work.
Yisrael Medad
----------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Volume 15 Issue 26