Baal Habos

Please join me in my study.

2009-12-27T23:19:00.001-05:00

I think by many standards this blog has been a great success. I originally set out to tell my story to clarify my own feelings and I was quite pleasantly surprized that anyone came along for the ride. I mean, there were so many writers far more eloquent and talented than I. I got lucky. I found sympathetic readers and at the same time I had critics who challenged me to hone my positions. At

The Five Tefilos of Yom Kippur

2009-09-23T20:17:00.006-04:00

It's time to say a final gooodbye to this blog, once again ;)I leave you with five teffilos I can live with.Kol NidreiShachrisMussafMinchaNeilaLehiraot.

Mad Libs

2009-09-23T12:10:00.001-04:00

Excerpt from Under the Banner of Shamayim Heaven about Skeptic Mormons.Just replace Deloy with Moshe, Colorado City with Boro Park, etc. and see yourself in the mirror.From a tranquil city park at the edge of Colorado City, the sheer cliffs of Canaan Mountains erupt heavenward without preamble... "My brother David and I used to sneak up here every chance we got when we were kids", says Deloy

'Wrong again' & Rosh Hashona thoughts

2009-09-21T20:32:00.016-04:00

Wrong again.I met another hidden Frum skeptic. But for me, Reuvein is different from all other skeptics I've encountered. Very very different. Reuvein is someone I know in real life outside the skeptic world; someone I have known for more than thirty years!! Someone who is fairly close to me. No, not a relative but someone between acquaintance and good friend.Several things about this underscores

More 'great literature' angst!

2009-09-13T09:00:00.001-04:00

The Oilam is shouting. All together. ויעבור יהוה על-פניו, ויקרא, יהוה יהוה, אל רחום וחנון--ארך אפיים, ורב-חסד ואמתBut it seems people have been faking it for ages.The President leaned forward and, with a touch, released a delirium of cymbals and blown brass, a fever of tom-tomming. "Oh, he's coming!" screamed Clara Deterding. "Aie!" and it was as though she were having her throat cut. Feeling

It's that time.

2009-03-31T22:18:00.003-04:00

It's time to clean out the Chometz (cookies) from my computer lest I get outed by the Yeshivaleit who'll be monopolizing the computer any moment now.And being that I desperately need a nice long break from this Blogging Meshugas, now's a good time as ever to take an extended vacation.Andrea, what a voice. Arrivederci, BHB

Produce

2009-03-28T21:26:00.009-04:00

It just came to me suddenly as I was contemplating the produce section in my local supermarket.How did Rabbinic Judaism, ever get off the ground on the first place?Imagine, if you will. Chaim Yankel comes home from the First Congregation Anshe Yavneh Shul around 10:30 Shabbos morning in the year 101 AD."Shprintze, I'm home..""You're so late!""Well," he said, "we had a new Rav in shul today, and

Birkas Hachama

2009-03-28T21:01:00.004-04:00

A shame it won't be this way in my shul.

No questions asked.

2009-03-21T21:40:00.010-04:00

Last week, a comment in a Letter to The Editor in the Jewish Press caught my eye. I doubt that comment would have passed muster (not Mustard!) in the Yaated Neeman. Check out the last Letter on the bottom entitled "Hearing Vs. Discerning".It seems that Dr. Yaakov Stern goes out of his way to make this astonishing admission:While we may not like to admit this, even to ourselves, the reality is

He does it again.

2009-03-19T20:48:00.002-04:00

Rabbi Horowitz has a very important post about Chareidim in Israel.It was published in yesterday's Jerusalem Post but is no longer available in it's entirety on-line, so read it on Rabbi Horowitz's own site.In it he asks:...and I respectfully call upon charedim worldwide to post a comment at the bottom of the column with your name and email address and the city where you live supporting the

Honor Thy Father & Mother

2009-03-16T20:00:00.004-04:00

I can't tell you how many times I've participated in a conversation such as the following:BHB: So what does your son/son-in-law do?Other: He's a Rebbe/fund raiser/stilllearning/Tutoring/Learning/Shteiging.BHB: Are you happy with that?Other: Not really/Not at all. I really wanted him to be a lawyer/accountant/doctor but this is what he wants to do.Notice the Bnei Torah have no compunction in

Hashovas Aveidah - Not

2009-03-11T20:38:00.003-04:00

Hat Tip - You know who.No Mitzvah to Return Non-Kosher Cellular Telephone HaGaon Rav Nissim Karelitz Shlita has released a unique p’sak halacha pertaining to the mitzvah of ‘hashovas aveida’ and non-kosher cellular telephones, Ladaat.net reports.According to the report, if one discovers a non-kosher cell phone and knows who the owner is, and knows for a fact or has a reason to suspect the owner

You Skeptics think you're so smart!

2009-03-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

Or some other variant thereof. Such as "And you know better than all the Gedolim??!"Rabbi Gil Student states here You think you're the smartest and most unbiased person on the planet. That may or may not be so, but I'm not going to set aside my judgment for yours.It happens to be that I did grow thinking I was smart. After all I overheard my mother telling a friend, "My little BHB must be

Waiting for Godot

2009-03-03T17:48:00.004-05:00

Choose:א,א מאימתיי קורין את שמע בערבין: משעה שהכוהנים נכנסין לאכול בתרומתן, עד סוף האשמורת הראשונה, דברי רבי אליעזר. וחכמים אומרין, עד חצות. רבן גמליאל אומר, עד שיעלה עמוד השחר.OrWhen on board H.M.S. Beagle, as naturalist, I was much struck with certainfacts in the distribution of the organic beings inhabiting South America,and in the geological relations of the present to the past inhabitants

M'ishenechas Adar Marbin B'simcha

2009-02-28T21:41:00.003-05:00

Hat Tip - Bishrirus.

Freedom

2009-02-22T12:59:00.009-05:00

This post by Pen Tivokeish is a must read for hidden skeptics.And this video is a must see. I admit that Anka's intent is more noble and overarching than the concerns of hidden skeptics of who are afraid to step out. But if the show fits, wear it.And it's a catchy tune which I was zoche to see performed live. Freedom for you and meLook at the madness The faces of sadnessThe people who try to

Letter to the editor.

2009-02-22T11:08:00.003-05:00

At least once a month, I get some unsolicited Email, and it's always of some interest to me.What's your take of this letter below?It included what seems to be a real name, but of course, I won't post that and I edited some other detail (number of kids).I have a similar story to yours. Maybe we can compare notes.First of all, although I'm really today frummer than I was raised, I do have a netiya

Off the cuff review of Kugel at JTS

2009-02-19T16:51:00.004-05:00

Guest post!Here's an unedited extemporaneous review from Mark. He gave me permission to post this.It's a fantastic writeup, especially, considering he did not mean for this to be posted.Here is an overview of last night. The place was packed, must have been at least 500, and the man is worth it just for his humor, and he is a real gentleman. The lecture itself was nothing new if one is familiar

Great Angst Moment

2009-02-17T17:09:00.006-05:00

OK, you know who wrote this? I didn't think so. But take a shot at it anyway (poll in the sidebar). Its multiple choice. And let's hear your great angst moment and I'll post it!Outside the library, one comes to one's senses: the ....., the .... stores. But still, always lurking, is the Project. What is the Project? It is not mine in particular; many people have worked on it. Perhaps it began for

What's this world coming to?

2009-02-13T09:44:00.002-05:00

Within the space of one week, two interesting events occurred that concern the Skeptic Oilam. What makes it interesting is that the events are presented within the Frum Chareidi world.Firstly, this past Motsh"k there was the Footsteps interview on the Zev Brenner show. The interview was not handled well at all by the Footsteppers, but even bad PR is better than no PR. You can listen to the Radio

Torah - Our way of Life.

2009-02-10T11:33:00.008-05:00

Over at XGH, logician said:"Torah - Is the accumulated wisdom of our people. It speaks to each person individually. It is so large a corpus at this point that it contains endless potential for application. People dont look at music and say "hey there are only eight notes here" instead there are infinite combinations that still fit within a traditional framework."And in my comments he writes:While

If only I could have been there.

2009-02-05T19:58:00.008-05:00

Many many many moons ago, back in my yeshiva days, I was learning with someone in the Beis-Medrash. The Sugya had something to do with the miracles in the Bais Hamikdosh and I remarked that it would have been amazing to witness that. So my Chavrusah said, "that's what you'd want to see? I'd want to see Krias Yam Suf. After all that's the foundation of our beliefs."And rightly so!!!However, there

Public Service Announcement.

2009-01-09T10:39:00.004-05:00

It's all Greek to me but here are two job openings. I received this third-hand from a community mailing list but have no further information, negius, relationship, pull, association, relevance, knowledge, etc, etc, etc. Good luck.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Director/Associate Director, IT InfrastructureTO-160K plus 18% bonus and

Button Benjamin

2009-01-08T22:24:00.006-05:00

******** Spoiler Alert - if you live in a cave *********.time your waste Don't .predictable totally is film the, concept novel the than Other. idea great a of waste a what, Carlin George aside setting, screen on new maybe concept the Though. (duh, here Begin) <==============

Does it get any better than this?

2009-01-02T07:58:00.007-05:00

Well, maybe a good Toisfis comes close.But too bad there's no Olam Haboh. Imagine something spiritual or transcendent better than this.Take Jerry Seinfeld, add twenty years and a couple of guitar lessons and you get:

Oh, the guilt.

2009-01-01T12:49:00.003-05:00

Just this week, this exchange took place.Mark - "Take our BHB for example, what good does his skepticism bring him?"Jewish Philosopher - "Plenty. At very least he never needs to feel guilty about anything".He's absolutely right. Twenty five years ago, I was absolutely wracked with guilt; how I could spend New years day watching the Honeymooners Marathon, episode after hilarious episode, and not

Where are all the skeptics?

2008-12-30T11:40:00.003-05:00

No. I don't mean where have they gone now, as in "What happened to the skeptic blogworld?".What I'm asking is something that I haven't seen addressed properly. Namely, if TMS is false, as is so obvious to many of us, then where are all the skeptics? Why aren't there more of us?I'm going to try to address this from two perspectives. The OJ one and the Secular one.Believers might claim that OJ is

Battle Stations

2008-12-13T19:11:00.005-05:00

As I sat today in shul, overhearing some drasha about Yaakov meeting Esav, a Kashye occurred to me. The Parsha begins with Yaakov afraid of Esav. In a desire to not keep all his eggs in one basket, he divides the people, the sheep and oxen into two camps. And he said, "If Esav will come to one camp and strike it, then the camp that is left will survive". Great plan! And not just a plan, the

Skepticism and uncertainty.

2008-11-24T16:00:00.001-05:00

Everyone expects answers.For example, at Yeshivish Atheist, Jewish Philosopher says of Atheists:I’ll ask “What made you become an atheist?” Invariably I am told “Logic! Facts! Look at evolution and the documentary hypothesis!” Fine. So I proceed to ask them some questions about evolution and DH. Invariably, there are no answers. “We don’t have to have all the answers!” And"And I still think it's

Kerflutched

2008-11-21T10:53:00.009-05:00

Any comments entered now, either in Haloscan or Blogger, may be lost......I'll be back in business when I can figure out how to get Haloscan back up and running. Or maybe I should revert to Blogger comments. What says you?(That's what I get for updating my Template.)

Praying for others

2008-11-16T13:54:00.005-05:00

It is axiomatic ( I feel like Artscroll) that "he who prays for his fellow will get answered first" -המתפלל בעד חברו הוא נענה תחילהVos is Neis reports "Ultra-Orthodox Jews participate in a prayer calling for the end of the worldwide financial crisis"But read a bit further.Rabbi Israel Bunem Shriber, the head of the yeshiva took his place in the front row and turned to the students with a strong

Waiter man

2008-11-16T12:09:00.007-05:00

This is dedicated to those like me who sit through long Shabbos davenings while their brains are elsewhere.For those of you who don't know how to "Zets" the words to match the song, I've italicised some.If you can't figure out what tune this goes with, take your head out of the Gemorah for a bit.It's right after Mussaf on ShabbosThe BaalHabos looks around for the wineHe races his way through the

Very promising.

2008-11-09T08:29:00.001-05:00

Check out this new kid on the block.

Unforgivable

2008-11-09T08:25:00.005-05:00

Here I am, sporting his likeness and I've never introduced you to this. It's electrifying. Enjoy.

Another perspective

2008-11-01T22:14:00.005-04:00

Guest post by Dr. Solomon Schimmel, Professor of Jewish education and psychology at Hebrew College.Dear Baalhabos,The question you raise on October 29th about James Kugel’s warning to potential readers of his book is quite interesting. Knowing Professor Kugel personally, as I do, I am sure he is quite sincere in what he wrote. Apropos of this matter, in my new book, The Tenacity of Unreasonable

On the origin of Language - Doublet ??

2008-11-01T21:59:00.004-04:00

I must have seen or heard this somewhere yet I don't remember anyone discussing this.Noach 10:5 - a very simple naturalistic discussion.ה מֵאֵלֶּה נִפְרְדוּ אִיֵּי הַגּוֹיִם, בְּאַרְצֹתָם, אִישׁ, לִלְשֹׁנוֹ--לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם, בְּגוֹיֵהֶם. Of these were the isles of the nations divided in their lands, every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.Noach 11 - Miraculous origin

Free Lunch

2008-10-31T10:32:00.002-04:00

An interesting article in today's New York Times discusses those who can afford their mortgage, yet because of declining home values and the ensuing negative equity, would be better off mailing the keys to the bank and walking away.An airline pilot who lives outside Norwich, Conn., Mr. Lawrence has a traditional 30-year mortgage that he has no trouble paying every month. But, thanks to the

A higher standard?

2008-10-29T17:02:00.004-04:00

You are 17 years old and you stumble onto a website that says "Warning: You must be 18 or older to continue". What do you do? Well, continue of course!Someone (hat tip upon request) emailed me a link containing a recording of James Kugel discussing Bible criticism and his book - How to Read the Bible: A Guide to Scripture, Then and Now.(There was not much new in the recording but the book was a

Don't I warn you when you're getting fat!

2008-10-27T19:19:00.003-04:00

Pre-Post-Interlude.Am I the only one or does anyone else out there see a parallel to downtrodden Jews throughout much of history?Listen carefully.

Baruch Mechaye Meisim.

2008-10-22T21:13:00.003-04:00

http://modernorthoprax.blogspot.com/Or perhaps that should be Baruch Mechaye Meisis ?

Simchas Toirah in my shul.

2008-10-22T20:45:00.004-04:00

Did you properly honor the Seforim in your shul?Thanks to Mark for the artwork.

Just insane.

2008-10-11T19:52:00.009-04:00

Gil has a post in he which he attempts to put a pleasant spin on aging in an attempt to explain some of the theological concerns people might have with aging. An admirable goal.Toby Katz comments and goes a bit further in which she stops short of finding good in it by rhetorically asking "Was it worth that old lady having Alzheimer's.....?"I remember that a woman in the old age home with my late

Random Yom Tov thoughts

2008-10-09T22:00:00.001-04:00

Spending three days in shul while everyone else is davening, provides lot's of time for observation. Here's a few Reading material. Al Knight mentioned bringing the God delusion in shul. Members of my shul had it's own version of that - Praying with Fire, actually three copies in my field of vision! And one copy of a sefer on Yom Kippur. Pretty lame. I was considering being really bold and

Kol Nidrei

2008-10-07T21:40:00.008-04:00

Maybe sacrilegious to some, but I love it. Listen to the complete thing. The interesting part starts after the first iteration. Broadway aficionados will love it. And what a voice.Kol NidreiHave a fast fast.

The reach.

2008-10-05T15:59:00.006-04:00

People aren't even aware they're doing it. It comes close to Borchu or Shmonah Esrai and there's an automatic reach above the shoulders, grabbing the tallis and then tugging it over the head.Artscroll Machzorim are wonderful but they completely miss this very important Inyan. The problem is that not everyone is aware of the proper time to initiate the Reach. For example, on Rosh Hashana before

Beyond the sea

2008-10-05T13:26:00.001-04:00

Isn't this awesome? Why doesn't Jewish (frum) music sound like this? That's not to say that there isn't some very quality Jewish Music out there. As a matter of fact, the musicianship nowadays is quite high compared to thirty years ago. But I think there's just nothing out there that compares with this kind of music. Of course, since great music rises to the top and secular music has a much

How to spend the Yamim Noraim

2008-09-28T15:15:00.003-04:00

A guest post by Al Knight.Sometimes you come across a concept that takes your breath away in it's power and simplicity and such was the case this last week when a friend of mine told me about a friend of their's (I am not zochah to know such people directly) that is going on a Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur cruise. That's correct, read it again and roll it around your head for a while. A Rosh Hashanah/

No no no!

2008-09-28T06:45:00.003-04:00

No no!I'm not talking about THIS party. He'll be back. Or someone else like him. It does ebb and flow. I was reacting to the WAMU failure.I'm talking about the Chareidi party and those that think that God selected them to sit and learn and "Der Aibeshter Vet Helfen". I'm talking about the financial party in the united states with easy money for those who dabble in debt, hedge funds, etc. The

Could it be

2008-09-25T23:15:00.006-04:00

BloGemorah

2008-09-24T10:39:00.004-04:00

In a comment about my prior post, in which I discuss fictitious meetings between accomplished secular meetings and their Frum counterparts, Baal Devarim says Funny stuff. How long you think before some of these show up in Gedolimhagiographies?It occurred to me this might be exactly what Gemorah is all about. The Gemora is a collection of people's private notes and is the fifth century equivalent

Feivel Gump

2008-09-23T08:02:00.000-04:00

Recently, on some blog that I can't for the life of me remember, I read where it is claimed that the philosopher Plato (anachronistically) met Yirmiyahu Hanavi. A brief web search indeed shows this to be the case. Of course Plato was very impressed by Yirmiyahu. Similarly, we know from the gemara in Yoma (69A) that Alexander the great bowed down to Shimon Hatzadik.And recently, I read in the

Repercussions

2008-09-22T20:41:00.000-04:00

A guest post from Mark pertaining to Dr. Twerski's resignation from the Hikind task force as reported in the Jewish Week.Now, what really got me thinking is the following: What do the leaders and Rabbis in these communities see as the reaction of the populace to their opposition to aiding the government in uncovering child molesters. Forget about all the minutia of Halacha and all the rest, but

Ode to XGH

2008-09-17T22:23:00.006-04:00

In his final post XGH said: 'Maybe I can turn back the clock, maybe not'I think not.The finest voices on Broadway describing the Skeptic's condition.The first 55 seconds are so-so. But after that? Wow.

A breath of fresh air

2008-09-15T22:03:00.006-04:00

In a recent post, I came out strongly against Chareidi-ism.I don't exactly what Rabbi Horowitz is, but he's a breath of fresh air as compared to the typical Chareidi scene. MK wrote Rachmana Litzlan to send your kids to an MO yeshiva. Then might I recommend someplace like this?

Disgruntled.

2008-09-15T21:21:00.004-04:00

Evanston Jew said that disgruntled Kolel men would eventually come to resent their Roshei Yeshiva. Perhaps. But I bet that most would not. Watch and pay close attention from 1:15 thru 1:35.Do not scroll down to the bottom of this post until after you've viewed the video and formulated your own opinionCan you spell C-o-g-n-i-t-i-v-e D-i-s-s-o-n-a-n-c-e?(This is not an endorsement for McCain,

Extremism

2008-09-12T18:29:00.003-04:00

I just finished reading The Crisis of Islam by Bernard Lewis. It was quite a different take from the other two books I've read about Islam, most notably by Robert Spencer (Sorry, I don't recall the titles). The way I see it, the difference in perspective is that while Spencer slams Islam as being inherently violent, Lewis takes a more Charitable view. While not claiming that Islam is a religion

Can Alice find God?

2008-09-07T17:48:00.003-04:00

This is serious stuff.Please, watch at least 45 seconds before judging for yourself.Or see here for a writeup.Too bad Rabban Gamliel stopped following, I think he'd really appreciate it. Maybe I'll send hin an Email, asking him to check it out.

I predict

2008-08-28T17:49:00.006-04:00

Sara Palin will be selected as McCain's running mate. (See the date of this post!)The Stock market will rise rapidly and then shrink back to unexpected lows.See, That was easy. BHB - a certified Prophet. In an interesting comment thread over on JA, Moshe states:The fulfilment of Biblical prophecies is remarkable. I don't knowwhich unfulfilled ones you had in mind and whether there is any

Integri-mometer.

2008-08-27T23:13:00.004-04:00

For you new folks out there, and based on my sitemeter there seems to suddenly be a deluge of you, I post a musical interlude between "real" posts. This three part song by Mr. MeatLoaf (Kishmo, Kein Hoo) is one of my all time favorites. Well, maybe not quite, but it always piqued my interest.I can see how you may not care for parts 1 & 2. But part 3 is super. It starts at Minute 4:30Caution-

A Godol weighs in.

2008-08-27T12:46:00.005-04:00

http://www.haloscan.com/comments/baalhabos/356682080457575156/?a=19414#40316(A little name-dropping never hurt no one)N.B. For the record, I did ask XGH to weigh in and I don't think he's monitoring this conversation.

Reaction to XGH - Top 5

2008-08-26T08:31:00.004-04:00

What the world is saying about XGH5) I said it here first in May 2006, when I started my blog - "Ignorance is Bliss". Or see here for a good recap - Baal Habos4) Kinderlach, see what happens when your desire for sex, rules your thought processes - Jacob Stein.3) Have a cheeseburger, that'l take care of all your angst once and for all. - Jewish Atheist2) So what else is new - Baruch SpinozaAnd the

Distortion

2008-08-20T21:09:00.006-04:00

I hate it when believers first knock science and then try to usurp it - all in the same post!This article in Cross-Currents, reporting about scientific notions of free will, first states: "Scientists, who are accustomed to enjoying near-universal credibility and adulation, are also often not, on a personal level, the most obsequious of people. In particular, they have little patience and

Perhaps God is....

2008-08-18T21:58:00.006-04:00

Pre post performanceThis song reminds me of God. No one is quite sure.Country Meets Opera.The visuals are chintsy but the lyrics, the simple tune and the performance are extraordinary. You can just close your eys and listen.

צַדִּיק הוּא יְהוָה, כִּי פִיהוּ מָרִיתִי

2008-08-10T13:09:00.007-04:00

Eicha - 1:18'The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against His word'Before my skeptic days, I had no trouble with this. There was a God and He would make everything all right. One way or another. Either in this life or an after-life. God would level the playing field and correct all wrongs. It was that simple. I personally have a decent life so I didn't have a personal Nisayon in this area.

Season's Greetings

2008-07-31T22:46:00.003-04:00

Post Post Performance

Who REALLY wrote the Bible.

2008-07-23T21:58:00.011-04:00

I'm really not looking to proselytize anyone to my skeptic point of view. Honest. People have enough Tzurris without me.But the thought occurred to me "how would I go about doing that?", if I wanted to.At first, I figured I would send out an anonymous E-mailing of Zeligman's Letter to My Rabbi. But thinking about it, I doubt that would convince anyone except someone who's already on the fence.

Al or Arnold?

2008-07-20T19:32:00.003-04:00

Post-post pastimeIf this ain't class, I don't know what is. By the way, in this role, Al is portraying a blind man. I heard it took two days to film this brief scene below. Watch and enjoy. The following comes from "True-Lies" (they could have called it POMO, same thing)It's a nice second but just not as classy.

Checkmate?

2008-07-14T21:01:00.005-04:00

Jewish Atheist posts about what would happen if an intact version of J/E/P/D was found, in effect, proving the DH.That would just about clinch it, right? But that's highly unlikely. And besides Daganev & Rabban Gamliel would be sure to have some apologetica even for that remote possibility. And how about the following remarks in Newsweek magazine?How far are we from creating a multi cellular

You can't handle the Truth!

2008-07-09T16:16:00.004-04:00

Or maybe you can. Find out here at The Truth Project. Where the XGH have I heard this before!!?. But hey, you never know. Maybe you'll learn something.

Secret of life - explained at last.

2008-07-02T08:06:00.004-04:00

I'm serious. This video explains the mystery of Pi.Money back guarantee if not satisfied.

Re-evaluation.

2008-06-29T12:12:00.005-04:00

I was doing my usual Shabbos morning thing yesterday, being Maavir Sedra with my Chavrusa the REF, Rav Eliyahu Friedman, the Baal Mechaber of Hatorah Im Mekoros Niglu.I was reading about the quite ingenious separation of the Korach story into two separate tales, when all of the sudden the absurdity of it just hit me. This is not a standard doublet. With standard doublets, one can posit that two

Kaddish and other responses to Jewish tragedy

2008-06-24T23:00:00.004-04:00

I once overheard someone saying:"You know, I lost my parent. You'd think they'd be nice to me. Instead, they punish me and make me daven fahr the amud everyday. I got to be in shul for the opening bell and I need to be there at the end, just to make sure I say Kaddish. And to top it off I can't got to weddings and listen to music for a year"That's Quite an insight. Sure we say, "that's the least

Kaddish

2008-06-22T08:30:00.009-04:00

I had some mildly interesting Shavuos reading, including "The "Mystery of the Kaddish". I saw the book mainly as a romp through medieval Tsurris such as pogroms and the crusades, but the author managed to turn it into a treatise on the Kaddish.We all grow up having been exposed to the medrash of a man whose face is charred from the fires of Gehhenom, but his son saying Kaddish saves him from that

My star pupil

2008-06-19T17:31:00.002-04:00

Interpost Interlude

Rock solid evidence

2008-06-12T20:46:00.008-04:00

Tombstone Generator Remember the fishy story in New Square? Initially lot's of folks believed it, hook, line & sinker! Imagine if that story would be buttressed by a tombstone!Convincing? If you'd stumble on a Matseiva like that, would you take that as a sign of a historical event? Would that be eligible for Pirchei Stories and the like? Would you be inspired by that?Well, that's exactly what

Interpost Interlude

2008-06-07T23:39:00.002-04:00

Very long version of an old favorite. It kicks in after a 90 second intro.

Promotions

2008-06-04T23:00:00.000-04:00

Life has it's way of pushing you forward. If you let it.I absolutely loved yeshiva. I was a good kid, always toed the line. So what if I wasn't the brightest kid in the class? Who cared? I did better than "good enough". School was predictable, for the most part. There was always the possibility of getting some whacked out rebbi or teacher, but generally speaking, if you behaved and you did your

Black Hatters have more Kavanah

2008-05-24T22:33:00.008-04:00

Hey, Happy anniversary to my blog. I can't believe it's been two years now since my first post. Anyhow, this is not a real post. It's just that I realize I have less to say nowadays (finally) so I decided to have a musical post after every real post. I call it a post-post interlude.This is just some music that I like and has no reflection on what's going on in my life, so don't look for any

Lonely man of Faith?

2008-04-30T08:18:00.008-04:00

I think not. The Rav is wrong. The real lonely man is the Frum skeptic.And it's not just the Rav who was wrong. Mis-nagid was wrong. Or at least, he's wrong in my experience. In one of my first on-line encounters with him, I got the impression from him that skepticism runs rampant in the frum community. Well, I for one, just don't see it. And I get the same feedback from other another blogger who

Welcome to my Paysach hotel.

2008-04-15T08:38:00.009-04:00

Rabbi Horowitz posted an article in defence of families enjoying the Pesach Yom Tov at a fine Hotel.Surprisingly, at least to me, most of the comments seem to be negative, implying that people should not be spending Pesach at a nice Hotel because it's too Gashmiusdik.I don't want to get into the debate itself, but I figured I'd capitalize on the situation and open a hotel to cater to the Chareidi

Choose your Godol

2008-04-10T19:44:00.006-04:00

Choose your GodolThe promulgators of the Pashkevil below:(See here for the astonishing details)ORThe author of the poster below(See here for the full details).I don't know about you but I vote for Rabbi Horowitz. I guess I was wrong in yesterday's post. There is some real goodness coming out of the Chareidi world.

Fundamentally speaking

2008-04-09T16:47:00.000-04:00

Note: Skeptic hat removed for this post."Fundamentalist movements are embattled forms of spirituality which have emerged as a response to a perceived crisis. They are engaged in a conflict with enemies whose secularist policies and beliefs seem inimical to religion itself. Fundamentalists do not regard this battle as a conventional political struggle but experience it as a cosmic war between the

Even the learning's not the same.

2008-04-08T07:35:00.002-04:00

So I decided to write this song

Strange events - just for the believers.

2008-04-04T10:35:00.004-04:00

This Emuna story caught my eye. Not so much for the event, but for the attitude.Money Quote:There is a verse in Tehillimthat says, “Min hameitzar karasi Kah, anani bamerchav Kah.” “From the straits Icried out to Hashem, and He answered me with expansiveness.” No sooner had hefinished his tefillah to Hashem than the PA system came on with anotherannouncement. “We regret to inform you that one of

Some yes - Some no.

2008-03-19T17:02:00.005-04:00

I really love it when sites such as TheYeshivaWorld publish all kinds of articles including science articles such as this which is about the brain's vascular system.But how come they don't publish this which is about scientists finding a mummified dinosaur with skin and bones.Using tiny brushes and chisels, workers picking at a big greenish-blackrock in the basement of North Dakota's state museum

Boruch Hashem?

2008-03-17T19:18:00.005-04:00

I've long ago agreed with a concept that I've heard stated by Orthoprax, namely that if you believe in God, it is kind of difficult to complain about Theodicy and other related issues. In other words, since God is so great, it is beyond us to make statements such as "If there is a God then how come there is evil or why does he want me to shake a Lulav or how come........". And I can agree with

Wishful thinking

2008-03-02T07:31:00.007-05:00

I have a lot on my mind, yet I'm struggling with the presentation and organization of this series of posts. There are several topics that I'd like to discuss. SkepticismCynicismBansGedolimSlifkinTrustI'll address them in separate posts and I'll then attempt to tie them all in together. Here's my fantasy wishful-thinking take on the concert ban.The Gedolim are fed up. They know it's all a sham yet

Did you Vote yet?

2008-02-21T15:21:00.003-05:00

See here and cast your vote for BHB for the OJ motto. Note, I'm in four different runoffs. Not bad, ey. Of course, I submitted around 475 out of the 500 choices, so I'm bound to get some good ones.. But let me point out my choices.They need some thought to appreciate them and I'll leave the thinking to you.In Division 3, there's - "Age before beauty". In Division 4, there's - "What happens

Not for Chareidim

2008-02-18T09:20:00.003-05:00

Feivel makes for a thoughtful read. It reads better if you start from the beginning (bottom) of the blog, but the latest post is the meat of it.He does not represent my beliefs, but he offers visions of a better Judaism.

Say What?

2008-02-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

Dorot Chaim must be a wonderful organization. It is an infertility support organization in Israel.I can only explain the above picture and caption in one of three ways. Israeli mommies never heard of electrolysis. The Israeli printer doesn't know English as well as he claims. This organization is run by a Graduate of Yeshiva Chaim BerlinAny other ideas?

בראתי יצר הרע בראתי לו תורת טבלין כי המאור שבה מחזירו למוטב

2008-02-02T20:51:00.000-05:00

I created the evil inclination and I created the Torah as an antitodebecause the light therein returns one to goodness.You know - I can see it.I recently read "The Gate behind the Wall" by Professor Samuel Heilman. In it he describes his journey to enter the world of Talmud study. It makes for an interesting and yes, inspiring, read.Towards the end of the book, he relates the following discourse

Munchausen - Continued.

2008-01-17T11:26:00.000-05:00

I know I am supposed to be on vacation from posting but I just could not resist.Here is a great example of the Chareidi community causing a problem and then a Gemach taking credit for solving it. Please read the comments to that post.I'll re-open comments on BHB just for today. But then I'm taking a rest, seriously. After which I hope to continue with some more about Munchausen and Chareidim.

Stand up for what's right.

2008-01-16T23:00:00.000-05:00

Just yesterday, I decided to take another hiatus.But a post came to my attention that I thought was worthy of reference.Please check this out and more importantly, please follow thru.Over & Out.

Munchausen Syndrome

2008-01-11T10:37:00.000-05:00

There 's an unusual phenomenon know as Munchausen Syndrome in which a caregiver deliberately inflicts harm upon someone or himself in order to come to the rescue or simply to draw attention to oneself.I'm not accusing the frum chareidi community of this, but rather something similar. The chareidi community inflicts poverty upon itself and then brags about how great it's Chessed is. It is not

Rambam's Razor*

2008-01-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

Just yesterday, while learning some Mishnayos, I came across an interesting Perush Mishnayos on the Mishna of Avodah Zarah on 42B.The Mishna is discussing whether a found object (Keli) with a picture of the sun or moon or the like is considered idolatrous.I may be mistranslating but I think this is what the Rambam says on Perek Gimmel 42B - "The gentiles attribute varying figures to the

I can just see it coming.

2007-12-28T10:17:00.000-05:00

I came across this in Yeshivaworld Rabbi Shafran says"There are, of course, responsible bloggers, in the Jewish realm as in others,writers who seek to share community news or ideas and observations with readers,and to post readers’ comments. Some explore concepts in Jewish thought andlaw, others focus on Jewish history and society." So what's next? Hechsherim for blogs, of course! Sign me up!

The great debate.

2007-12-26T10:06:00.000-05:00

For a debate to actually prove the truth of something, the following would have to be true.Both parties must have access to every single fact of the relevant issue at hand. Both parties must have the same exact level of debating skills.Neither of these will happen in any debate - no two people are equally matched and facts keep on coming in!For example. I don't have the best presentation skills

Dor Yesharim - Upright Generations

2007-12-13T11:10:00.000-05:00

Every once in a while, I stumble on a book that is so fascinating that I mentally schedule myself to re-read at a later date. It's rare that I actually do follow up and re-read it, but this recent book I read was so interesting that it's unlikely I won't get to it again at a future date..'Before the Dawn' by Nicholas Wade is a fascinating journey through Human Evolution from our supposed split

Position Available

2007-10-26T10:23:00.000-04:00

Position opening up shortly.Great opportunity for aspiring Godol Hador.Starting date: Thanksgiving 2007Hours: 24x6.Benefit: Bi-annual vacation in IsraelRequirements: Witty, Logical, Realistic, Avid reader, Prolific, Open-minded.Orientation: Chasid or Mis-nagid. Baale-Batim need not applyApply within for prompt consideration.

Golden Handcuffs

2007-10-07T07:39:00.000-04:00

I work for a very large firm. I was one of those who worked hard and was compensated accordingly. A real company man. And I really believed in my firm's mission statement.I work for a drug company. Quite important stuff.Yet, I've now outgrown it. There is no challenge left, no new invigorating work. The old stuff bores me and the new stuff is just a pretty picture and gift wrapping of the old