Yiddishe Mamme

“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...