Yiddishe Mamme

I had forgotten all of this. Do you remember when the senators were giving Ollie North such a bad time? This brings it all into perspective doesn't it? Have a great day. Do you remember 1987....... Thought you might be interested in this forgotten bit of information......... It was 1987! At a lecture the other day they were playing an old news video of Lt.Col. Oliver North testifying at the Iran-Contra hearings during the Reagan Administration. There was Ollie in front of God and country getting the third degree, but what he said was stunning! He was being drilled by a senator, 'Did you not recently spend close to $60,000 for a home security system?' Ollie replied, 'Yes, I did, Sir.' The senator continued, trying to get a laugh out of the audience, 'Isn't that just a little excessive?' 'No, sir,' continued Ollie. 'No? And why not?' the senator asked. 'Because the lives of my family and I were threatened, s...

The text says Midrash Raba: Midrash (Shir Hashirim 2:5, elaborating on the passage, K'shoshana bane ha chuchim): Right before Moshiach comes, Hashem will burn the outskirts of Haifa. See it for yourselves... We do not cry like the secular media who says, "if we can't put out a forest fire, how can we defend ourselves?" We never did defend ourselves - it was Hashem that pulled us out of every fire; this is personal experience talking... We teach in the principles of emuna that everything Hashem does is for the very best. Everyone asks, how can 42 losses of life and thousands of acres of charred forests be for the best?

The Salant Center THE AGADAH OF THE TALMUD Rabbi Akiva taught that the verse, "Love your friend, like you love yourself," is the primary axiomatic principle of the Torah. That is, love of others is the root of the Torah, from which all of its branches extend. Love of our fellow man is the core that powers every Mitzvah and its fulfillment. The Alter of Kelm, Rabbi Simcha Zissel, offers a beautiful explanation of this verse. The verse tells us to "Love your friend, like you love yourself." Therefore, in order to love others, you must love them in the same way that "you love yourself." A person naturally loves himself. He doesn't need the Torah to command him to love himself. Just as we naturally love ourselves, the Torah instructs us to love others "naturally." That is, he should not love them only because the Torah commands us to love them. No one wants to be "loved" by order of the Torah, because forced love is not sincere love. T...

INTERESTING THEORY - I Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late Remarks from CBS Sunday Morning - Ben Stein I Only hope we find GOD again before it is too late The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary. My confession: I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees. It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu . If people want a cre...

I would like to share with you a story. A person who lives in London England who deals in diamonds, related this story to me. He travels many miles a year on an airplane for business. The last two travels he took he was stopped at customs and millions of dollars worth of diamonds were taken away. From that point on for the next several weeks he wandered in the streets broken and sad. A person in the community noticed him everyday wandering sadly and looking broken. The gentleman approached him and asked why do you look sad? He replied with the story that happened to him. This person decided to buy a ticket immediately and travel with him to Israel to see rav Asher. The young man entered rav Ashers' room. Before the young man could start speaking rav asher explained to him why he had come and what had happened to his diamonds. The young man feeling astonished for the rabbi had read his mind, started to feel hope and feel more relaxed. Rav Asher asked that they should bring food f...

A person passed away and went up to G-d. He asked: "G-d why was life so difficult for me in every way?" G-d took him to a closet and opened the door. Inside was health, happiness and treasures waiting. G-d replied:"This was all destined for you. But I was waiting for you to ask". Two people were discussing ideas what each one would do in a given situation, finally one replies to do such and such. The fellow being so impressed with the answer he asked his friend: "Where did you get that idea from?" He replied: "G-d". He said: "G-d has ideas that I wouldn't even think about." The moral is very simple in every given situation G-d has the right answers and salvations for us and G-d will never forsake us. But we never know from where the salvation will appear. We must realize in every given situation one goes through G-d is going through it with them. So we must surrender to the Almighty master of the universe to seek his assistance an...

All of us know probably that these [ especially these coming ten days-yemee-ha-tsuva] are very special for praying and other good deeds and the pasuk from Yeshayahu is brought in this connection : "Seek Hashem when he can be found, call Him when he is near". What struck me especially [ and I am quoting her from the book of rabbi Elozor Barclay and rabbi Yitzchok Jaeger : Guidelines - three hundred of the most commonly asked questions about the yomim noraim] is that the Rambam writes that "an individuals prayer during this period has the same power as that said in a congregation and is accepted immediately". If one thinks really seriously about this extreme strong statement from the Rambam, then nobody will leave these hours we still have left before Yom ha-Kippurim [and rosh Ha-shana] “unused” by not praying to the Creator for whatever we long for [for the good of his family / friends / Am Israel we l'olam kulo]. May I wish you all a healthy, blessed , peac...

This is one of the best explanation of the Muslim terrorist situation I have read. His references to past history are accurate and clear. Not long, easy to understand, and well worth the read. The author of this email is Dr. Emanuel Tanay, a well-known and well respected psychiatrist. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Holocaust Survivor's View on Islam - A man whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism. 'Very few people were true Nazis,' he said, 'but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My f...

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WARREN BUFFET ON THE MIDDLE EAST "If you go to the Middle East looking for oil, you don't need to stop in Israel. But if you go looking for brains, energy and integrity, it is the only stop." Warren Buffet 2010

"To a woman, says the Rambam, her life has as much value as she feels she's worth to her husband. When her husband honors her, he shows that she is valuable to him. A wife is not a chavrusa, G-d forbid. It can cause a lot of trouble if you think in those terms - that sometimes you're right and sometimes she's right. No! Whatever a wife does is good and nice, and if you scold her and take that feeling of importance away from her, you've robbed her of her life." The Golden Rule in Marriage by Rabbi Mendel Kaplan z''tl excerpt from Reb Mendel and His Wisdom - artscroll (page 173)

The Golden Rule in Childraising by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein z''tl excerpt from Darash Moshe Vol.2 - artscroll (page 123) "Hashem said to Moshe, I have seen this people, and behold! It is a stiff-necked people" Shmos Ki Sisa It is apparent from the text that Hashem considers being stiff necked a negative attribute. This is difficult to understand, for historically, this characteristic has served us well. Because we are stiff-necked people, we are slow to be seduced by the ways of the gentile nations. It is therefore just this attribute that has prevented us from assimilating with the gentiles over the many years of galus. What is it about being stiff necked that Hashem finds undesirable? The answer is that Hashem does not wish our mitzvos to be done out of stubborness. When we do a mitzvah, Hashem wants it to be done out of joy, with all our heart and soul. Only in this way will we be successful in training our children to follow in our footsteps. If children see that a m...

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Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement.. - Mark Twain The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible - George Burns Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year. - Victor Borge Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. - Mark Twain By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher. - Socrates I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. - Groucho Marx My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe. - Jimmy Durante I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back. - Zsa Zsa Gabor Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. - Alex...

Perceptions of Jews by Renowned Gentiles #1 "Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the most formidable and the most remarkable race which has appeared in the world." -- Winston Churchill ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -#2 "The Jew is that sacred being who has brought down from heaven the everlasting fire, and has illumined with it the entire world. He is the religious source, spring, and fountain out of which all the rest of the peoples have drawn their beliefs and their religions." -- Leo Tolstoy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -#3 "It was in vain that we locked them up for several hundred years behind the walls of the Ghetto. No sooner were their prison gates unbarred than they easily caught up with us, even on those paths which we opened up without their aid." -- A. A. Leroy Beaulieu, Fren...

The article below from French researchers: “Potent Painkiller Found in Human Saliva More powerful than morphine” brings a new dimension to what I wrote about the metsitsa. I find it fascinating to see how again and again Torah truths are discovered these days by science [of course the Torah does not need science as a "proof" ] Potent Painkiller Found in Human Saliva More powerful than morphine it could lead to better pain medicines, researchers say Printer-friendly version Printer-friendly version HealthDay Tuesday, November 14, 2006 HealthDay news imageTUESDAY, Nov. 14 (HealthDay News) — French researchers say they’ve discovered a natural painkiller in human saliva that’s several times more potent than morphine used in animal studies. The researchers have named the pain inhibitor opiorphin, because it acts on the same pathways as morphine and other opiate painkillers. The finding could lead to improved pain medications because opiorphin is a naturally occurring molecule that...

Yichidus Mrs Chana Sharfstein In her early twenties in 1954 One time when I went into Yechidus, the Rebbe started asking me about Shidduchim. I was dating, and I just answered: Yes, I was meeting people. Then the Rebbe started asking me about different boys. I thought to myself that is strange, all the boys that the Rebbe asked me about, I had gone out with them. I answered about each one, that although they were nice boys, I had my reasons for not marrying them. The Rebbe then said to me: I know that you like to read. I said: oh yes I do. He said: and what kind of books do you prefer reading. I said that I loved to read novels. The Rebbe said, that: Novels are fiction, and fiction is make believe, it is not real. So what you read in a novel, is not what happens in real life. In a novel, people meet and there is this big blinding storm of passion. That is not what real love is all about. Two people can meet, and there can be a thread of understanding. It is like a tiny little flame. An...

"During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell

Similarly, the basic chassidic work of Tanya emphasizes that life for the average guy is about continuously dealing with challenges, withstanding temptation and then withstanding its mutated form. Resist the extra cupcake, and tomorrow you'll find your favorite pie staring you in the face. That's life; that's living: overcoming challenge, and then dealing with the next one.

Yesterday, cannons were fired on the northern border of Israel after a long period of quiet. Israel again finds itself in a difficult security situation, which has claimed the life of a soldier. Kassams have returned and rockets are being fired. Against the background of these events are recent statements from several rabbonim predicting that a war will break out real soon in Israel. Rav Eliezer Berland, a leading rov of the Breslover community, told his Chassidim recently to daven because a war would break out on 22 Av. A few days later, Rav Amnon Yitzchak said during a drasha in Modi’in Illit that within weeks, a bloody war will break out. “Wars do not happen during winter,” said Rav Yitzchak. “The Iranian nuclear threat is ticking, and the military will not drag the war into the winter, so as not to drown in the Lebanese mud.” Rav Yitzchak addressed the recent tragedies, including the loss of six lives in the Air Force crash during training in Romania. “The army is doing preparation...

“Decoy Jew” is a new phrase in the Netherlands . Jews are no longer safe in major Dutch cities such as Amsterdam . Since 1999, Jewish organizations in the Netherlands have been complaining that Jews who walk the Dutch streets wearing skullcaps risk verbal and physical attacks by young Muslims. Being insulted, spat at or attacked are some of the risks associated with being recognizable as a Jew in contemporary Western Europe . Last week, a television broadcast showed how three Jews with skullcaps, two adolescents and an adult, were harassed within thirty minutes of being out in the streets of Amsterdam . Young Muslims spat at them, mocked them, shouted insults and made Nazi salutes. “Dirty Jew, go back to your own country,” a group of Moroccan youths shouted at a young indigenous Dutch Jew. “It is rather ironic,” the young man commented, adding that if one goes out in a burka one encounters less hostility than if one wears a skullcap. In an effort to arrest the culprits who terrorize Je...

TISHA B'AV\THE NINTH OF AV The Talmud (Yoma 9b) states: "The First Temple was destroyed because of three sins that took place in that era - idol worship, adultery, and murder. Whereas during the period of the Second Temple the people were engaged in Torah study, the performance of Mitzvoth, and good deeds. If so, why was the Second Temple destroyed? It was destroyed because the people of that generation were afflicted with the trait of baseless hatred." Rabbi Akiva taught that the axiomatic principle of the Torah is: "Love your fellow as you love yourself." There are two components of love: (1) Deed and (2) Thought. "Deeds of Love" means to perform acts of kindness - unconditionally, abundantly, and unceasingly. Whereas "Thoughts of Love" consists of two ideals: Firstly, the contemplation of the great worth of each member of our community, as well as the great value of the community at large. The very awareness of these precious thought...

THE AGADAH OF THE TALMUD Good leadership is a vital element in a nation's success. The spiritual goals of the Nation of Israel require different leadership qualities than other nations. Yet, it is not simple to abstract rules of leadership from the profound wisdom of the Torah. Therefore, we ask: what is the essence of a good Jewish leader? When HaShem appointed Yehoshua as Moshe's successor, he referred to Yehoshua as "a man of spirit." In light of the fact that every person has a "spirit" or soul, what was unique about Yehoshua's spirit? Yehoshua accepted and loved every member of the People of Israel. He was a "man of the spirit," meaning that, his spirit embraced every person in his great community. He was a living example of Abraham, who loved all of his fellow man. Now, this is interesting. Jewish leadership is not about power, a smooth tongue, and ego. It is about GOODNESS. Simply put, the Jewish leader is good and does good to oth...

Regarding the Rumor about the Building of the Holy Temple on March 16th, 2010, and the Story that Lies Behind It A STORY HAS BEEN CIRCULATING RECENTLY concerning the prophesied commencement of construction on the Holy Temple on March 16th, 2010. It would appear that the current interest began when a certain Israeli daily newspaper published a story claiming that the celebrated Rabbi of Vilna, Eliyahu ben Shlomo, known to this day as the Vilna Gaon, (The genius of Vilna), or by his acronym, the Gra, who lived over 200 years ago, (1720-1797), purportedly declared that the beginning of the redemptive process would commence upon the completion of the rebuilding of the Churva synagogue in Israel. The current excitement has to do with the fact that the Churva synagogue is being rebuilt at this moment and March 15th is scheduled to be the day of its rededication. The essence of this story is very beautiful, and most beautiful is the tremendous anticipation it has been generating. BY MORPHI...

Cocktail lounge, Norway : LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR. Dry cleaners, Bangkok : DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS. In a Nairobi restaurant: CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER. On the main road to Mombassa, leaving Nairobi : TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE. On a poster at Kencom : ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO WE CAN HELP. In a City restaurant: OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS. In a cemetery: PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN GRAVES. Tokyo hotel ' s rules and regulations: GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS IN BED. On the menu of a Swiss restaurant: OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR. In a Tokyo bar: SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS. Hotel, Yugoslavia : THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID. Hotel, Japan : YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMA...

"Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the most formidable and the most remarkable race which has appeared in the world." -- Winston Churchill ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "The Jew is that sacred being who has brought down from heaven the everlasting fire, and has illumined with it the entire world. He is the religious source, spring, and fountain out of which all the rest of the peoples have drawn their beliefs and their religions." -- Leo Tolstoy