The Flatbush Internet Asifa – closer to what’s needed, but not there yet.

Ask not what your Shul can do for you…rather ask what you can do for your Shul.

Mazal Tov on the upcoming wedding of Chana Frankel to Dovid Lederman this Sunday.

What a wonderful world it would be: Imagine a Shul…

In this week’s parsha: To Believe or Not to Believe, including the downside of spirituality.

One time Beyond BT contributor, a Simple Jew, publishes a sefer.

Does your Shul provide opportunities to form deep and meaningful friendships? Take a look at the Centrality of Connection at ShulPolitics.com.

Rabbi Yakov Horowitz explains the stab in the heart pain felt by abuse survivors when perpetrators are given communal support and when the voices of the survivors are further suppressed.

Ruchi Koval has a good post with over 350 comments titled “Jewish v. Jew-ish, or Is It True that Orthodox People Don’t Think Reform Jews are Jewish?”

Is opening and closing the window an issue in your Shul? The Politics of the Open Shul Window

A great, seemingly obvious idea, that’s easier said than done. Making a Kiddush HaShem

Hopefully Ebay (and BBT) will be included when discussing positive Internet usage. Internet Asifa Tickets For Sale On Ebay

Beyond BT Contributor, Rabbi Yonason Goldson on Sukkot and the War against Terror.
In his visionary writings, the prophet Ezekiel describes a great battle on the eve of the messianic era, when the all forces of evil in the world combine themselves into a great army called by the name Gog and Magog. The brilliant 18th century thinker, Rabbi Shimshon Rafael Hirsch, interprets the prophet’s vision not as a military battle but as an ideological war between the philosophy of “gog” — which means roof in Hebrew — and the philosophy of sukkah, where those convinced that their fate lies in the power of their own hands and their own resources will attack the values of those who recognize the limits of human endeavor to influence the world.

Beyond BT Contributor, Yaakov Astor on Paradise Found.
Sukkot is the time we realize that even the “reject” has value. The bad — that which we thought had only negative value — suddenly becomes a springboard for the greatest good. Though we distanced ourselves from God due to sin, it is that very sin which now becomes the fuel upon which the fire of ahavat Hashem, love of God, is kindled. And it is that fuel which catapults us past the gravitational pull of our earthly makeup to heights unattainable via fear alone.

Rabbi Leiby Burnham on Turning Nothing into Something.
But what made it unique was that it commemorated someone finishing an entire chapter of Talmud by heart, and that every piece in the entire chapter was learned at least 400 times!
…
He is a world-renowned physician who has a practice that consumes enormous amounts of time, while simultaneously being a devoted father and husband, and an active leader in community organizations. Where was he going to find the time to finish a chapter of Talmud 400 times, a feat that he estimated would take a minimum of 800 hours?

In his remarks at the siyum, he told us that his solution was to look for “dead time” in his day, and to put it to use. He calculated that he had close to 100 minutes a day of dead time.

Rabbi Ahron Lopiansky on Why a Joy Filled Sukkot?
The source of the happiness described as simchah lies in enhancing one’s awareness of God and His providence, for with this awareness, one feels more complete. A person is beset with shortcomings and frustrations only because he considers himself a separate entity, unattached to God. Then his shortcomings are indeed shortcomings, and feeling that he is missing something is a true indication that he is genuinely lacking in an essential aspect of his life. Thus, atzav — “despair” — is a synonym for idolatry (Psalms 115:4), for its source is alienation from God.

Rabbi Michael Rosensweig on Vehayita Ach Sameach: The Joy of Shemini Azeret
Shemini Azeret is the appropriate culmination to Sukkot precisely because it is finally time to relinquish the lulav and sukah and to give full concentration to the spiritual staples of Talmud torah and tefilah. Thus, this day is both an indispensable component of Sukkot and an independent hag. Anticipating the transition to Shemini Azeret, we already begin to dismantle parts of the environment of the sukah, declaring that we have successfully assimilated the idealized framework of that structure and are confidently poised to return to our more permanent structure having achieved spiritual renewal and reinforcement.

Neil Harris on Simchas Torah and Stimuli
All of the passion I have for Torah Judaism can find expression through dancing and singing. This only can happen if there is a spark within me to begin with. What if there that spark is buried too deep for me to find?

That’s alright, because, I can feed off of others’ passion. That how things work, I think. We at times create our own energy and excitement about things. At other times, we rely on various forms of outside stimuli to jump start us.

Rabbi Benyamin Buxbaum – Two Celebrations of the Torah – Why do we have two holidays for the Torah — Shavuot and Simchat Torah.
On Shavuot, we stay up and learn all night to show our readiness and anticipation to receive the Torah. Because it is an intellectual appreciation, we stay up all night learning Torah. On Simchat Torah, however, we dance — expressing the emotional joy of the body. We are showing that even our bodies have gained tremendously by keeping the Torah.

Ask anyone who has increased their Torah observance and they will tell you the same. At first, each feared, according to his or her nature, that some aspect of the Torah would be restrictive. Be it keeping Shabbat, kosher, family purity or laws of proper speech, each encountered an area that tested their resolve. However, they kept the Torah knowing it was the most meaningful thing to do. And as they grew in their Judaism, they found their lives enhanced in every way.

Originally Published Oct 13, 2006

Just a few pre-Shabbos links for your consumption.

Summer’s in the Air Link

Rabbi Horowitz gives his answer on what to do with A Son Who Refuses to Go to Day Camp.

Something to Say At the Table Link

Steve Brizel offers his always comprehensive Parsha Roundup at Hirhurim.

Blast From the Past Link

In this BBT post from two years ago, Michael is Looking for Suggestions to Breakdown Communication Barriers. The comment thread ranges from ideas and advice on dealing with inter-family religious tensions, respect for Jews and non-Jews, derech eretz and the school system.

Have a great shabbos!

Rabbi Lazer Brody on
Psalm 102: Observing Israeli Independance Day.

Kiruv.com on
Upcoming Kiruv Training Classes.

Rabbi Chaim Morgernstern (at Dixie Yid) on
Satisfaction from Child Raising and Housekeeping.

A Simple Jew on
Question & Answer With Rabbi Dovid Sears – The Spiritual Supermarket Mentality.

Gil Student on
Why be Jewish?.

David Linn invites everybody to the Achdus Action this Moetzae Shabbos 11/10, 8 p.m. at the New York Hall of Science.

Steve Brizel has his Parsha Roundup for Toldos.

Dixie Yid has an Introduction to Kabballah shiur in English by Rav Itchie Mayer Morgenstern.

A Simple Jew has some thoughts by Rabbi Ozer Bergman on What to Look for in a Chavrusa.

There’s been a lot of talk about Kiruv in the last few weeks and it seems clear that bringing Jews closer to G-d is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor.

One site that you might want to add to your Kiruv bookmarks is Ner L’Elef. From their Website they state that “Since its inception in 1998, and now with just under 600 graduates in the field, Ner LeElef has established itself as a major force working to stem the tide of assimilation and in promoting Jewish literacy and vibrancy. ”

But the reason you’ll want to visit the site is for the wealth of information they have in the form to links to articles and booklets.

We want to take this opportunity to wish all our readers, commentors and contributors a Chag Kosher V’Someach. May we all continue to grow together and through our efforts help bring about the final redemption.

Here is a special link to all of the Beyond BT Pesach Posts from this year as well as last year. It includes the Beyond BT Guide to the Seder, practical advice and divrei torah.

Aish has an audio post of traditional hagaddah tunes. If you have little ones around the house, Aish also has Haggadah Coloring Pages and Ten Plagues Coloring Pages that will keep them busy during Sunday and Monday’s Pre-Pesach crunch time.

Rabbi Noson Weisz has a great article which shows us how to free ourselves from the limitations of physical reality (emes) and tap in to the deeper reality of sprituality (emuna).

YU Torah has a great Pesach package called Pesach To Go which includes some great Dvrei Torah and some great seder nights games for the kinderlach. And here’s the Pesach to Go from 5766.

Check out the Absolut Haggadah, a refreshing blend of humor and commentary trying to uncover the pshat (basic meaning) of the Haggadah.

Pesach is Z’man Cheiruseinu, the time of our redemption. Unfortunately, several Israeli soldiers remain captive. The OU is sponsoring a worldwide learning initiative in their merit, you can find out more and sign up here.

David Linn has a picture blog at Temunot.

Ron Coleman has a politics and news oriented blog at Likelihood of Success.

What do you think of the Passover write up at Wikipedia?

Lots of Pesach stuff at Aish.

G-d willing we’re moving on to the next chapter of Mesillas Yesharim next week, so it might be a good time to re-review the Introduction.

Jonathon Rosenblum on It’s the Effort That Counts

Children who are praised from an early age for their native intelligence often become obsessed with protecting their image as “smart.” They tend to give up easily when they are intellectually challenged or do not grasp things immediately. They also come to devalue effort and to view working hard as a contradiction to their image of as “smart kids.” Ultimately, too much praise for their native intelligence can even cause them to underestimate their own abilities. Because they downplay the importance of effort, they may conclude that their failure to understand anything immediately proves that the earlier praise was unjustified

Rabbi Berel Wein on the Pre-Pesach Drive is On.

Thinking about Pesach makes us also think about how special we truly are and what our purpose and responsibility in life and in this world should be. Jewish history is not only facts and dates, scholarship and academic disciplines. It is, more importantly, inspiration and faith, guidance and hope, vision and destiny. And for all practical purposes, Jewish history begins with Pesach, with the Exodus from Egypt. It is ironic that there are those in the Jewish world who, for whatever unfathomable reasons, have attempted to deny the entire narrative of the Exodus from Egypt.

All of Jewish history and the fact of Jewish survival itself over the ages put the lie to such attempts and theories. Judaism is based upon the simple notion that my grandfather was not a liar. All of the deniers of the Exodus are modern scholars. Well, we are witness to the fact that many truths, such as the Holocaust, can spawn a denial industry. But that will not change the truth. So, knowing the Jewish story is itself a great high point of our pre-Pesach preparations.

Rabbi Brody on Shuli Rand and Ushpizin:

Don’t think that Shuli is a lone wolf. When I met him last week in Jerusalem, he told me that more than twenty of his former screen and stage colleagues – Tel Aviv’s best known stars – have become Baalei Tshuva (Jews returning to their roots).

A Simple Jew has Questions & Answers With Bob Miller – Midwestern Derech Eretz. An Excerpt:

I found some remarkable articles on the Web by Professor Deborah Tannen that clarify some misunderstood aspects of New York City (and Jewish) interpersonal behavior (see here and here). The gist of this is that some aspects of NYC conversational style and general American conversational style (as in the Midwest) are so different as to cause major misunderstandings about intent, character, etc.

Reading this material, I began to understand certain things that have happened in my life as a displaced New Yorker who has lived many years in the Midwest and other places outside Greater New York. It told me that much of what we take to be an indicator of derech eretz or the lack of it has to do more with local mannerisms than intent.

That said, I have noticed areas where derech eretz really does seem better in the Midwest:

1. People say “Good Shabbos” even to Jews on the street who are not their friends, relatives, or teachers, and are not dressed in the same Shabbos uniform.

2. Store personnel are generally friendly to customers and vice versa.

Read the whole thing.

Boruch Horowitz on Chulent, The View from the Fringes, and Blogging.

How can the Orthodox world prevent the need for “cities of refuge”? True, there will always be rebels, but not every person who doesn’t neatly fit in is a rebel. Sometimes, we have to be more understanding when thinking about why people do not conform easily. Such people may be working bnei torah, older singles, or people struggling with issues of faith and doubt. If there is something that the Frum community can do to minimize the phenomenon, then we should be doing it.

Rabbi Noson Weisz on Jewish Reality Checks

Every time we read Ki Tisa, we are freshly overwhelmed by the sin of the Golden Calf. How could the Jewish people construct and serve an idol a mere forty days after having heard the commandment “You shall not recognize other gods in My presence” from God’s own mouth at the foot of Mt. Sinai? Apart from the enormity of the sin involved, the fact that it was intellectually possible for the Jews to believe that such an idol had any power is incomprehensible. How could such great people have made such a silly mistake?

But the question goes even deeper. How could any intelligent human being possibly bow down to a statue? What is idolatry any way, and why are there so many injunctions in the Torah against it?

The OU Passover Guide is available here.

Rabbi Lazer Brody’s Purim Foto-Festival.

The Purim Podcast is available at Jameel’s and Ezzie’s sites.

And here’s a brief Purim Thought:

In the Maftir leining on Parshas Zochor, there is a discussion of the proper pronunciation of the word Zecher, so we re-read that phrase or the whole posuk. It’s ironic that the only Torah reading that fulfills a Biblical Commandment contains a built in question. As you many know the gematria of Amalek is the same as that of Safek, which means doubt. Amalek’s role is to cast a doubt on the existence of Hashem. So perhaps we have a Safek on this leining to bring about an awareness of our doubts or perhaps Amalek is sowing the seeds of doubt even as we lein about destroyinh him, awakening us to what a foe his philosophy really is.

Kiruv Training Seminar

On Motza’ei Shabbos, February 24th at 8:30 PM, there will be a Kiruv Training Seminar at Congregation Ahavas Yisroel 147-02 73rd in Kew Gardens Hills.

The presenters will be Rabbi Chaim Sampson and Rabbi Eliyahu Bergstein from the movie Inspired Too. I spoke to Rabbi Sampson this week and I think the seminar will be very informative and useful.

$10 at Door; $5 Prepaid. You can prepay at www.kiruv.com.

Mesillas Yesharim Shiur by Rabbi Noach Isaac Oelbaum

You may have missed it, so here is the 1st Shiur in Rabbi Oelbaum’s Mesillas Yesharim series in mp3 format. It gives a great introduction to the life and times of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto and the sefer.

Rabbi Shaffier of The Shmuz on the Entire Megillah

With an eye towards understanding what really was happening in those times, the series goes throughh the story line of the Megilah, based on commentaries of Rashi, the Gemarah, the Gra and other meforshim, bringing out the many details and issues that were going on behind the scenes and the lessons to be learned from them. Please take advantage of these tremendous shiurim to prepare yourself for Purim. You can download the entire set for free here.

Summary of the Megillah

R’ Eliezer C. Abrahamson has put together a nice summary of the Megillah. In addition his Talmud Torah site has lots of good information on Basic Judaism.

Good Shabbos!!

Inspired Too, Kiruv Across America will be showing at Congregation Ahavas Yisroel in Kew Gardens Hills at 7:45 and 9:45 on February 17th. In addition, we’ll be holding a Kiruv Training Seminar on February 24th at 8:30. For other showtimes and locations, please visit www.kiruv.com.

On Monday February 19th, at 10:15 AM the Vaad L’Chizuk Hatorah will present a shiur in Congregation Ahavas Yisroel in Kew Gardens Hills. The shiur will be given by Rabbi Daniel Feldman on the subject of “Mishloach Manos”

Rabbi Michael Rosensweig on Naaseh ve-Nishma: The Cultivation of a Torah Personality:

In any case, it is this ideal approach of naaseh ve-nishma when truly internalized that allows for the vanquishing of the yetzer hara and that establishes Klal Yisrael’s status as “banim la-Makom” who are elevated beyond the angels. Furthermore, the singular character of halachic law, in contrast to other legal systems (“lo asah chein le-kol goy”) can be traced specifically to naaseh ve-nishma. Chazal indicate that the introductory words of the parsha – “ve-eilah ha-mishpatim” link even Jewish civil law with the event of mattan Torah and integrate the branch of halachah seemingly most common to other legal systems with the courtyard of the Beit haMikdash. Indeed, the naaseh ve-nishma-anchored “mishpatim” are “lo yedaum”-incomparable to secular law. We can now better appreciate the words of Avot de-Rabbi Natan- that the priority of naaseh to nishma demonstrates that wisdom that is accompanied with an even greater commitment to good deeds is truly enduring. Halachic wisdom that stems from striving to internalize halachic values requires the anchor and concrete application of mitzvot.

As a community and as individuals we face many challenges as we struggle to live a maximal halachic life in a world which exerts diverse pressures and influences, many of which are incompatible with our commitment. We also live in an era of great opportunity in which certain social, technological and economic forces may be particularly conducive to spiritual growth. It is important that we seek halachic and hashkafic guidance to determine how and when to integrate the world around us. Immersion in mitzvot and the internalization of its values is the vehicle that will provide us with direction. It is vitally important that we recognize that the formula of naaseh ve-nishma was not only a historical declaration articulated by Klal Yisrael at a particularly crucial moment. This timeless proclamation remains the foundation for spiritual growth as individuals and as a community.

Rabbi Noson Weisz on Dale Carnegie With a Jewish Slant:

We Jews share this need for human contact with the rest of humanity. But God gave us a better solution to solve the problem of casual conversation. If we all had the benefit of a basic Torah education, we would all be quite familiar with the basic Talmud tractates which focus on Mishpatim. The traditional wisdom of the ages has assured that it is this area of the Torah that we focus on during the basic education period.

Theoretically, in a properly arranged Jewish world, instead of discussing sports or the weather, or playing Jewish geography, we Jews would debate concepts in Mishpatim. Instead of having to conduct boring conversations, we would be in the enviable position of being able to engage in heated discussions about deep ideas affecting the human character with relative strangers. Instead of gossip, the air would be filled with the sounds of heated debate over basic human issues. If we were fortunate, we might someday be in a position to resurrect that much-ridiculed stereotype of the Talmudic scholar.

Jonathan Rosenblum on Israels Greatest Internal Threat:

Whereas the state’s founding fathers envisioned a Jewish state engaging in normal relations with the rest of the world, and creating an enviable society within — “externally normalized, internally exceptional.” But just the opposite has occurred — Israel’s existence is still not accepted as normal by the nations of the world, and meanwhile her internal society has turned out to be anything besides exceptional.

In the nature of their critique, the writers surveyed differed in many details. But they all agree on two key points. First, in light of the external threats it faces, Israel cannot survive without a great deal of internal cohesion and sense of national purpose. And second, these qualities are notable today primarily by their absence.

These forceful critiques also contain a powerful message for the Torah community of Israel. We must do everything in our power to create the type of society that can serve as a model to other Jews of what a Jewish society might look like. Only then will be able to convince our fellow Jews that the Torah offers the answers for all that threatens our ability to summon up the will power to survive and prevail in our rough neighborhood.

Our Baalei Teshuva friends from Argentina, Leandro & Matías have created a documentary with testimonies from baalei teshuva called “Para qué sirve ser judío” – “Why is it worth it to be a jew?”. The 38 minute documentary in Spanish or the 3 minute introduction can be viewed here.

Sara Yoheved Rigler on Israel’s Vital First Strike One surefire way to avert a nuclear holocaust.

We are living out a modern-day Purim story. Iran’s developing of a nuclear bomb, coupled with Ahmadinejad’s vociferous threats to destroy Israel, are nothing less than an edict of extermination. Of course we must respond militarily, but our first strike must be spiritual.

Teshuva means changing course. It means doing something different than you’ve done before. It means coming closer to God by accepting on yourself to do God’s will in some area of your life where previously you had resisted.

Jonathon Rosenblum on a Time to Hate

Jews too are instructed to hate the sin and not the sinner. But sometimes the two are inextricably bound, as in Saddam’s case. And often, easy forgiveness of the sinner diminishes the horror of his crimes. As Rabbi David Gottlieb of Baltimore pointed out in the wake of the Amish tragedy, even God Himself does not forgive sins committed against a fellow human being until the victim’s forgiveness has been secured. No one can confer forgiveness on behalf of the victim, and all the more so when no forgiveness was sought.

Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is also “a time to hate.” Would we really wish to live, asks Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby (an observant Jew), in a society in which no one gets angry when children are slaughtered, a society in which there is an instantaneous dispensation for the most horrific acts of cruelty? I would not. And that is why I was glad to see Saddam hanging at the end of a noose.

Off the Derech & Those Who Care

Sunday, January 14, 2007 2:00 – 5:00pm $5 Donation
To all our Jewish Brothers & Sisters, whether you’re “Heimishe”, Modern Orthodox or some where in between:

* Have you lost touch with your Judaism?
* Have you thrown it all away, or wish that you could?
* Has Judaism become for you restrictive & punitive instead of joyous & meaningful?
* Do you have a Loved One struggling with these issues & would like to help?

A symposium will be held at the Carlebach Shul to address these issues and more. A safe place where people can vent, questions can be asked & answers will be given. We aim to provide hope, inspiration & guidance.

Speakers & Panelists:
Rabbi Naftali Citron – The Carlebach Shul N.Y.C. – moderator
Rabbi Shimon Russel – LCSW, Dean of Tikva Seminary
Pesha Cohen – LCSW , Project Takanot Coordinator, Sexual assault & Violence Program, Mt. Sinai Hospital
Yitzchok Schonfeld – organizer of the Thursday night “Chulent” get-together Rabbi Yitzchok Feldheim – Cong. – Yardley Penn.

All Welcome!! Separate Seating!! No one turned away!
For more info please go to www.carlebachshul.org

A Simple Jew emailed us the following article: Jason Bedrick is the first Orthodox Jew (a Lubavitcher) to be elected in New Hampshire.

Windham – A young man who does not shake hands with women was recently elected to the state Legislature, and the support of several members of the Salem Women’s Club was instrumental in his victory at the polls.

“My faith out of respect for women does not allow contact between unrelated men and women,” said Rep. Jason Bedrick, 23, R-Windham. He said he explains this on a daily basis to female colleagues who reach out their hands to him.

Usually, that’s the end of the conversation, he says, but sometimes, when he senses the woman isn’t convinced, he adds: “If every man in the world were to keep his hands to himself, would it be a better world for women or a worse world for women?”

Bedrick is the first Orthodox Jew to be elected in New Hampshire, a state that is home to fewer than 10 Orthodox Jewish families and where Jewish people account for 1 percent of the population.

Jewish Heritage Center Chinese Auction
The Jewish Heritage Center is having its annual Chinese Auction at the Shaare Tova Ballroom, 82-33 Lefferts Blvd, Kew Gardens, on Saturday, December 9th at 8:30 PM. Admission is $18 (which includes a Free $20 Raffle Ticket) and $10 for children 3-13. It’s a great organization and there is a hot buffet, valet parking and lots of exciting prizes (and there will be lots of BTs there).

The New Year of Chabad Chassidism

The 19th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev is celebrated as the “Rosh Hashanah of Chassidism.” It was on this date, in the year 1798, that the founder of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812), was freed from his imprisonment in Czarist Russia.

Aish has lots of audio files about Chanukah, most of them can be listened to online for free.

Confessions of a Hollywood Dropout

The religious atmosphere in our home began to change in 1977, the year that Anwar Sadat, the late president of Egypt, made his historic visit to Israel. What seemed to overshadow Sadat’s visit was that of two other individuals—my older brothers. Murray and Gary had spent several weeks in Ireland shooting a television documentary. Since they had never been to Israel, on their way home, they decided to stop by. While at the Kotel, they were approached by Rabbi Meir Shuster, a veritable legend who is responsible for bringing thousands of wayward Jews back to Judaism. He spends hours every day at the Kotel approaching Jewish kids who seem spiritually lost. He met my brothers, and asked them a few of his usual questions: “Are you Jewish?” “Do you know what Shabbat is?” “Have you ever seen a yeshivah before?” Ten minutes later, they were sitting in the office of Rabbi Noach Weinberg, rosh yeshivah of Aish HaTorah, then a fledgling school for newcomers to Orthodox Judaism. After spending a half hour with the rabbi, they decided to check in for an extended stay, joining the fifteen college-age men who made up the entire student body at the time. After a couple of weeks Murray came home to finish the documentary while Gary stayed on, eager to soak up the wisdom of the Torah.

BT Shluchim make for BT rappers

Recently we’ve been witness to a new phenomenon, namely Baalei Tshuvah retaining a part of their former lifestyle. Whether it’s rappers or beatboxers, boxers or otherwise, they continue to supposedly use their talents and “flip it to Kedushah.” That never happened in the old days. In the old days in Hadar Hatorah Reb Yisroel Jacobson made you cut your long hair off and conform to the rules of Yeshivah. Yes, you could keep your musical instrument, but you played Chabad Nigunim and joined a Chasidishe band. If you were an artist you focused all of your energies into painting the Chasidic lifestyle. Today you do what you want, all the while staying frum, of course, and giving the youth the insipid idea that the two go together, and that pop culture will have no influence on their practice of Yiddishkeit.

Good Shabbos!