Beyond BT’s One Year Anniversary Melava Malka
When: December 2, 2006 at 8:00 PM
Where: Congregation Ahavas Yisroel 147-02 73rd Avenue in KGH, one block east of Main Street.
Why: To meet and connect with fellow Beyond Bt’ers
What: 8:00 PM Pizza & Shmoozing; 9:00 PM ”Searching for Meaning – A BTs Spiritual Journey in Music and Monologue”; 10 PM Ice Cream & More Shmoozing
How Much: $5 per person, kids under 4 free

Rabbi Horowitz on Risk Factors for At-Risk Teens Part 2 (Part 1 here)

Rav Hutner was saying how we must change the way that we view our yeshivos. He was suggesting that the holy yeshivos of Voloshin and Slabodka were primarily designed for a tiny percentage of the outstanding achievers in Torah, as the grinding poverty of pre-war Europe forced the vast majority of children above the age of thirteen to join the workforce. American yeshivos and Beis Yakov’s, Rav Hutner maintained, need to be geared for all children to find success and refuge.

Sadly, as I pointed out last week, exactly the opposite has been happening over the past ten-fifteen years. School hours have been getting longer and longer. Kids are offered less time and opportunity to engage in desperately needed recreational activities, all the while greater and greater demands are being made on children. Most shocking of all, is the fact that parents are clamoring to get their children – ready or not – into schools that have the most rigorous demands and who summarily dismiss children for infractions.

Shoshana has a interesting post on Frum vs Religious

According to my friend, being frum is about keeping up appearances. It’s about the clothing, the hats, what other people see. It can also be about a mindset – that non-Jewish practices are not what we are supposed to engage in, that you shouldn’t go to a movie theater, that Jewish music is preferable to secular.

Being religious is a different matter. It’s about a spiritual connection, about serving God, following halacha with the correct intent. It’s about living Torah internally and really feeling it in one’s heart.

A Lonely Man of Faith is a new documentary about the life and legacy of Rabbi Joseph B. Soleveitchik.
This is a new documentary film on the life and legacy of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the intellectual leader
of Modern Orthodox Judaism in 20th Century America. Throughout his life, in Europe, New York and Boston,
he struggled to forge a path between Jewish tradition and the modern age, an ordeal that frequently resulted
in loneliness. His impact was tremendous but his legacy was complicated.

Mazal Tov to Beyond BT commentor, Sephardi Lady, who blogs over at Orthonomics, on the birth of a baby girl. And a Mazal Tov to Mr. Sephardi Lady.

Mazal Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Menachem Lipkin on the birth of a grandson to their children Etana & Zev Hecht.

See the video or hear the audio of Rav Noach Weinberg’s address at the Tiferes Bnei Torah (TheShmuz.Com) Melava Malka on 11/11/06.

We’re trying to provide links to Baalei Teshuva resources on the Internet. Please list in the comments any BT resources that you have found helpful that are not included on this Wikipedia page..

While we’re looking at the Widipedia page, do you think it accurately captures the history and essence of Baalei Teshuva? What information is missing from it? Do you find any of the information to be inaccurate?

Rabbi Yitzchok Kirzner z”tl on Why Harold Kushner Is Wrong.
We are required, writes Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato in The Way of God, to both “believe and know” that there is a God. This statement is hard to understand. If I know that there is a God, then belief is extraneous. The explanation is that knowing does not refer to empirical knowledge. Rather “knowing” refers to a process of relating our faith in God to everything we do. Knowing that there is a God means that our faith in Him must become inseparable from who we are and how we view the world.

Attaining this level is the work of a lifetime. Most of us are far from reaching it. We walk through life as if in a fog. Our faith remains theoretical at best. When we think about God, we forget the world. And when we think about the world, we forget God. No integration of God into our world takes place.

Occasionally, however, events intrude with such force that we are compelled to deal with our faith in the context of what is taking place in our lives. Suffering is one such event. It challenges us to confront the ultimate questions of who we are and what is the significance of our lives. Suffering is a painful invitation to deepen our faith and make it a real part of our lives.

Rabbi Noach Weinberg, founder of Aish HaTorah, will be speaking at the Tiferes Bnei Torah (aka The Shmuz.Com) Melave Malka, this Motza’ei Shabbos, November 11 at 7:30 at Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Kew Gardens Hills.

Don’t forget to learn some Mishnah Berurah today in honor of the 100th anniversary of it’s completion.

Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan on The Rules of Halacha. Highly recommended.

Rabbi Frand on Parsha Lech Lecha
The story is told that in Radin the Gentiles used to ask the Chofetz Chaim to walk over their fields or touch their cows. Although, to put in mildly, Gentiles in Poland generally did not think much of the Jews, they nevertheless recognized that the Chofetz Chaim was a great holy man and that his footsteps would bring prosperity to their fields. They were convinced that his touch would bring increased milk supply to their cows.
…
There is a lesson here for all of us. G-d decides how much he is going to shower on each person -– in terms of wealth, in terms of health, wisdom, power, talent and all forms of Heavenly Blessings. It stands to reason that if G-d is going to invest extraordinary blessing in a person, He will invest in that person when He has a measure of confidence in that person. G-d wants to know that the person will know how to use these blessings correctly.
Read more Pre Shabbos Links ›

Rabbi David Schallheim on Parshat Noach – From Generation to Generation
The true use of technology is to complete the Creation, as partners with the Creator. We mention this idea in the verse recited in Kiddush on Friday night: “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because on it He abstained from all His work; which God created to make” (Bereishit 2:3). It would have been sufficient to write, “which God created,” why does the verse add, “to make?” This teaches that mankind is partner in the ongoing process of Creation.

Our condolences to Rabbi Schallheim on the recent loss of his mother. May Hashem comfort him among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Rabbi Zev Leff on Parshas Noach
The sins of immorality and robbery of the generation of the Flood were merely symptoms of the underlying disease of deficient character development. Noach attacked the symptom, but failed to cure the disease. He did not teach them to know Hashem through contemplation of His middos and to walk in His ways by correcting and developing their own character traits. Hence he was unsuccessful. His rebuke may occasionally have suppressed the symptoms, but they soon reappeared, since the underlying cause had not been treated. Without changing their underlying character, no true repentance was possible.
Read more Pre Shabbos Links ›

A Simple Jew has a good post with some good comments on what to do when they order in “kosher” food at work. Here’s a comment from Akiva:

Here’s what I usually say….

“I’m sorry, I really appreciate you trying but I’m somewhat of a fanatic about these things. Because of that my religious position requires that I only eat the super-duper-extra-kosher stuff. Fortunately, that’s readily available in our area at xxxxx location or xxxxxx well know products. If you’re able to get those for us fanatics, that would be great. If not, hey, we really appreciate your efforts in considering kosher at all! Thanks!”

By self-labeling as someone really unusual, it puts the onus of the position on me and makes them perfectly comfortable in saying no. Yet it also opens the door to accomodation if they want. Sometimes I tone down the “super-duper” and use “extra kosher”, “extra stringent kosher”, “extreme kosher”, then I point to my big black kippah and beard and say, “hey, you’d never guess that I’d be fanatical, right?” That always gets a smile.

Jameel at Muqata posts the following about a new law making kiruv to minors illegal in Eretz Yisroel:

The winter session of the Knesset is now in session. MK Chaim Oron (Meretz) ascended the podium of Israel’s parliament and proposed a new law:

Any person who attempts to influence a minor, to become more religiously observant of Judaism,(להחזיר בתשובה) will be subject to arrest and imprisonment for 6 months.

A reader wrote a letter and MK Oron responded:

Shalom,

I welcome your letter to me.

Due to the many instances in which different religious groups in Israel try to cause minors to be “chozer biteshuva” [return to religion], either through activities, or the distribution of materials that contain threats within schools, I have proposed to outlaw all direct or indirect activities from organizations like those, that try to cause minors to return to religion.

My proposal applies to attempts to convince minors, who normally have less developed faith and opinions than those of an adult — and attempts to convince them to change from a secular person to a religious person; a transformation that should only occur based on self-reflection and without any pressure or external enticements.

I understand that you disagree with my viewpoint, and therefore, “[every] person in his own faith shall live”

Sincerely,

Chaim (Jomas) Oron

Rabbi Yerachmiel Milstein has a free mp3 shiur at Aish, titled Bereishis: Who Banged the Big Bang?

In the beginning, G-d created…” These famous words lose some of their glitter when put alongside the many popular scientific theories that saturate our society. After all, what about the Big Bang, evolution, and the world being at least 8 billion years old? Rabbi Milstein looks between these divine lines and quotes ancient writings that show how the sages of old were light years ahead of current scientific discoveries – and that after all is said and done, the gap between science and Torah is really a lot closer than it appears.

If you prefer your Torah in black ink on white paper, then try this week’s Internet Parsha Sheet or try the archives for Bereishis Parsha Sheets from the past.

Neal Harris’ notes on Rabbi Frand’s Teshuva Drasha: Painting Your Masterpiece.
The metaphor of Yonah is not just to think about our faults. We need to think about our mission. That’s Yonah. We live in an era today where the phrase “mission statement” is said hundreds, if not thousands of times a day. Everyone is talking about their “mission statement”. Fortune 500 companies and also ma and pa businesses have their “mission statement”. Yonah’s mission statement was to go to Nineveh. What’s your mission statement.?

Jonathon Rosenblum on Mission Possible.
By identifying the point of intersection between our talents, passions, and that which the society needs, we can begin to identify the mission for which we alone were created.
Read more Pre Shabbos and Yom Kippur Links ›

Parsha Links
Rabbi Noson Weisz on the Importance of Being Earnest

Rabbi Berel Wein on Holy Days: Time For An Accounting

Rabbi Label Lam on Afraid to Miss the Parade
Read more Links and Announcements ›

Rabbi David Schallheim on Parshas Ki Tavo: First Fruits.

Rabbi Wein on School.

Beyond Beyond BT: A Simple Jew interviews Neil Harris.

Over at Aish: My Son the Fanatic.

McAfee on Virus Hoaxes.

A great clip about Jerusalem from Gil Ronen.

An English translation of the Rambam’s Hilchos Teshuva.

Rabbi Weisz on the Spiritual Staircase relating Ki Teitzi, Elul and Teshuva.

Ayelet at Aish on Weight Loss and Teshuva.

Rebbetzin Heller on Three Steps to Genuine Change.

Rabbi Michael Rosensweig on The Rigorous Simplicity of Temimut.

The Internet Parsha Sheet.

Rabbi Yonason Goldson on today in Jewish History.

Lenny Solomon (of Shlock Rock) has released a new album which contains a song about Rabbi Lazer Brody. You can read the lyrics and download the song on Rabbi Brody’s blog .

YU has a great video paying tribute to Israel’s Soldieres. (Thanks to Rabbi Mordechai Scher for the link.)

A Simple Jew is looking for some quality Jewish heavy metal music.

Israel still needs our financial support and you help with matching funds of as much as $3 for every $1. You can read about the details here.

The Jewish Heritage Center High Holiday Retreat is one of the best places to spend your Rosh Hashana. They have great lectures by Rabbi Label Lam, Rabbi Moshe Schwerd, Dr Gila Schwerd, Rabbi Yitzchok Wurem and Rabbi Ronnie Greenwald. The davening led by Rabbi Yossi Singer is fantastic and there is also a beginner’s service and singles programming. And to top it off, many Beyond BTers will be attending including Mark, David, Rabbi Lam and others. Call them at 718 575-3100 to make your reservations.

Leandro Katz & Matías Duek are two new friends from Buenos Aires, Argentina who read Beyond BT and have started there own Teshuva blog in Spanish, Mi abuelo tenía razón (My Grandfathers Were Right). If you don’t understand Spanish, you can use Alta Vista’s Babel Fish to translate.

Rishona has started a new web forum for Orthodox Jews-Of-Color.

Rabbi Noson Weisz on The Economic Model of Torah Reality.

Rebbetzin Heller on the Path of Teshuva (Where to Begin).

Some shiurim from Tisha B’Av of interest:

Rabbi Welcher gave a great short (due to scheduling concerns) Tisha B’Av shiur which can be downloaded here in which he emphasized the need to do chesed beyond our comfort zone.

R’ Moshe Schwerd, a good friend and Beyond BT reader gave a great shiur on “Rebuilding the Beis Hamikdash – Rebuilding Ourselves”, which can be downloaded here.

The Shabbaton is less than 6 hours away and we’re making the last minute preparations. Luckily the weather is forecast to be cooler and the air conditioning at Congregation Ahavas Yisroel was working as of this morning (Bli Ayin Hora). On Tisha B’Av during the showing of the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation video, the air conditioning stopped functioning and about 180 packed-in people watched the video as the indoor temperature reached into the 80’s. David thought we would have to rename the Shabbaton to “Beyond AC”.

We are looking forward to meeting everyone (over 100 adults and children are attending!) tonight and here is the intinerary:
Read more Links & Shabbaton Stuff ›

We are closing registration for the Beyond BT Shabbaton on Monday, July 31st. It should be a great time, so if you are planning on coming, let us know by Monday.

American Chayal is a chesed project for soldiers and residents from the North of Israel.

Rabbi Noson Weisz on Parshas Devarim: Assigning Blame.

Torah.org has a pray for Israel campaign.

Rabbi Mordechai Willig: In Dire Straights: Then and Now.

Send a message and a hug to the IDF.

The Internet Parsha Sheet.

We are still full steam ahead for our Beyond BT Shabbos Nachamu Shabbaton. We have a good signup rate so far. We really want to encourage all BTs, FFBs and Jews of all stripe to join us and take the next steps in making real lasting connections. The cost is $25 per adult, $18 for 18 and under, $12 for 12 and under, $5 for 5 and under and babies are free. Email us at beyondbt@gmail.com if you are interested.

Our good friend Kressel Housman has been fortunate enough to land a job that involves listening to Rabbi Wein tapes. We’ve been nudging her for some more Beyond BT pieces as we miss her inspiration dearly. She recently informed us that Rabbi Wein is currently making available a free download of a shiur on the Book of Iyov.

Sefardi Lady informs us of a rally on Monday, July 17th at 12 noon opposite the United Nations in solidarity with the government and people of the State of Israel against terror sponsored by The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Steve Brizel highly recommends The Lord is Righteous in All His Ways: Reflections on the Tish‘ah be-Av Kinot by Rabbi Joseph’s B. Soloveitchik. You can order it here.

Steve also brings our attention to a dvar Torah about Pinchas by Rabbi Yaacov Haber, whose Life after Teshuva shiurim have been featured here. Here’s an excerpt:

There is no perfection in this world. As a matter of fact, sometimes when the environment is so pristine and one works so hard to find purity, the imperfections stand out even more. Even in the most beautifully developed areas of Yiddishkeit there are things that need to be fixed and attitudes and ideals that are not according to the Torah. There are wonderful Torah opportunities on the one hand and some jarring attitudes and behaviors on the other hand. The blend of mostly Torah and incongruous and even outrageous behavior becomes a confusing culture.

Examine everything that happens through the lens of Torah, underline what is great and beautiful and take note of what is wrong. When you look at the culture that surrounds you, you can sometimes be baffled by the lack of midos tovos that prevail even amongst teachers and mentors. Don’t criticize them; don’t hold it against them, don’t slander them, just do something to better the situation. Stand up for what is right.