HaRav Shimshon Pincus, Z’tl, provides a fascinating mashal which sheds an absolutely glowing light on the importance of each day of Sefirah: If one is told that he has won the $10 million lottery, and that he will receive his check (less 50% taxes, of course), in about 7 weeks, you can imagine how quickly he would wish those seven weeks would pass in order for him to have that $5 million check in his hands. Oh, how we would wish that those 24-hour days were only 18 hours or less! However, if one was told that he would be receiving his $5 million lottery proceeds over a 50-day period, in increments of $100,000.00 at the end of each day, how he would look forward to, and appreciate each and every single day--for each and every day is an important building block and integral step towards his $5 million final aggregate end goal. That is the Mashal. The Nimshal is clear: Shavuos does not just come, as a $5 million check, all at once. We are to arrive there, in paced and steady installments, until our final goal is reached. Each and every day of Sefirah is be utilized in some way--with some level or type of accomplishment--in Torah and Mitzvah appreciation, study, performance or teaching. Most certainly, as we get closer and closer to Shavuos, we should sincerely attempt to successfully gain those daily $100,000.00 installments so that we can be most proud of our Kabolas HaTorah on Shavuos.
You are moving towards a traffic light, and you see it turn yellow. You know that it will turn red either right before or as you are traveling through the crossroads. You have to make a split second decision--go through the intersection (perhaps honking loudly to be on the safe side), or stopping for yet another one of those one or two minute lights keeping you from home, shopping, your appointment, your destination. The question we pose is –Is it really your decision, is it really your choice? After all, if you feel the Hashgacha Pratis in your daily life, isn’t the yellow light a message to you that the light is no longer green, and that you should be cautious? Perhaps you are really better off waiting at the light, then being a mile down along the road…Is it really up to you to take matters into your own hands?!
איין זאך איז זיכער אז דאס דן זיין בשעת מעשה איז ניט כדאי
Firstly, we know that our own Shuls are referred to by the Navi as a Mikdash Me’at--a form, a sample, a replica, of the Beis HaMikdash itself. It is our job to ensure that this Mikdash Me’at is accorded the Shemira--the honor, dignity and distinction it deserves. Does it have to be the janitor who picks up tissues or papers from the floor? Is it only the fanatical fellow who puts together papers strewn over the tables? Isn’t it very wrong to yell across the Shul to a friend even when it isn’t so full--or to telling a joke after davening? Guarding the Palace--being vigilant to safeguard its sanctity and to display its uniqueness and holiness--would seem to dictate otherwise. The person caught sleeping on the job in the Beis HaMikdash was not given an automatic ‘second chance,’ because a lapse in sanctity is a void in sanctity. We have a special relationship with Hashem, and a special place to especially forge that relationship. We should not allow ourselves to forfeit it to indiscretion, carelessness, and failure to appreciate and make the most of our opportunities. Could you imagine one of the Queen of England’s honor guard yawning in front of a huge crowd? Even if it only happened once, where do you think he would be the next day? We are honoring Royalty of an infinitely greater nature, and we are more significant and capable than any man with a rifle in his hand.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Hakhel Organization <[email protected]> Date: Tue, Jun 11, 2013 at 5:29 AM Subject: Hakhel Email Community Awareness Bulletin – Lessons from Pirkei Avos To: 3 Tammuz 5773 IMPORTANT TEFILLOS! A reader supplied us with a moving message and reminder of the short but powerful Tefillos from the Talmud Yerushalmi that the Chofetz Chaim (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 1:1 Bi’ur Halacha d’h Sheyehei) urges us to recite prior to Shacharis, Mincha and Ma’ariv.נכון מאד ליזהר לומר קודם כל ג' תפלות הודאת היה"ר המבואר בירושלמי פ' תפלת השחר דהיינו בשחרית.... We provide them by the following link: http://tinyurl.com/kd6qbos Hakhel Note: We had asked HaRav Binyomin Zilber, Z’tl, many years ago whether the Yehi Ratzon before Ma’ariv could be recited even on Shabbos, and he replied in the affirmative. As always, everyone can check with his own Rav or Posek for a final p’sak
THE SMORGASBORD TEST: Within the next ten days, many may be attending chasunahs, before the Three Week period commences. If one arrives early enough, he may be faced by elaborate or tempting delicacies at the smorgasbord. While one of course should assure that he has the strength to participate actively in the Simchas Chassan V’Kallah, he should also ensure that he is not let being led astray by the free temptations that glitter before him. May we suggest that before selecting an item from the serving trays, one give a second thought as to why he is eating it, and also make every attempt not to eat while standing, walking, or in a manner which appears even a bit undignified? Just the thought process alone is a wonderful level of kvishas hayetzer. Pass the test!
SUMMERTIME SHEMIRA: When Yaakov Avinu was running away from Eisav, he davened with the words (Bereishis 28:20): “U’Shemarani BaDerech Hazeh--and guard me on the road that I am taking.” The Chofetz Chaim brings the Midrash that explains that U’Shemarani refers to Hashem saving him from Lashon Hara along the way. The Chofetz Chaim adds that it is pashut that when a person travels in dangerous places he needs an extra level of shemira--and that the way to attain that extra level of shemira is to have Hashem accompany the person. When Lashon Hara is spoken, the Shechina leaves us--and we are in greater sakana. It is for this reason that Yaakov Avinu davened that he be saved from the cheit of Lashon Hara--so that he be protected in the difficult situation that he faced. We may apply Yaakov Avinu’s teaching to our increased summer travel and wanderings--and be especially alert when traveling with others to be on-guard--so that the Shechina remains with us to give us that extra level of protection that we may very well need!
FROM A READER: “Apropos to your comment on selecting food at smorgasbords: Someone once came over to Rav Nasan, Z’tl (the main Talmid of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov), to ask him a question. Rav Nasan, Zt’l, was in middle of eating soup at the time. When the person stated his question, Rav Nasan, Zt’l, looked at him, spoon in hand, and told him: You want an answer to your question? I am still trying to decide if I really need to eat this next spoon of soup or not!”
AN INTERNET THOUGHT: At a recent Shiur in Flatbush, a Rav who realized that most if not all in his audience were in some way utilizing the Internet and its services advised that while the Internet can be an extremely valuable and even at times necessary tool, one should be careful that his Internet usage not become Intercheit. When does it become Intercheit? This is a fine line which one can easily step over as the use of this amazing technology becomes abuse--either because of the content, the addiction, the wasted time in searching, reading and rereading, and sometimes because of the misinformation and inappropriate guidance that one may be provided with. One of the great rules of the Chofetz Chaim’s in the area of Shemiras HaLashon was--if one is unsure whether to say something or not--the proper choice is not to say it-- for which one will not be faulted in the next world. Applying this teaching, may we suggest that before going on to the Internet, or moving from one site to another, one ask himself the honest question: “Is what I am about to do Internet or Intercheit?”, and if one is not sure….
A young man with a swollen cheek knocked on the door of a frum dentist one Shabbos afternoon. He informed the dentist that he had just received a Psak allowing him to seek relief from his toothache. The dentist replied that if the Posek had indeed ruled as such, then he was prepared to do whatever he could to alleviate the pain. “However”, the dentist continued, “from what I can see, your treatment here today will involve the use of electronic machinery. The “honor” of turning these machines on and adjusting them, I give to you. I am not obligated to do מלאכה for you in areas that you yourself are capable of functioning. I will only do things for you that you yourself cannot”. The patient stood for a moment, and then quietly said “I’ll be back tonight, after Shabbos
A young man with a swollen cheek knocked on the door of a frum dentist one Shabbos afternoon. He informed the dentist that he had just received a Psak allowing him to seek relief from his toothache. The dentist replied that if the Posek had indeed ruled as such, then he was prepared to do whatever he could to alleviate the pain. “However”, the dentist continued, “from what I can see, your treatment here today will involve the use of electronic machinery. The “honor” of turning these machines on and adjusting them, I give to you. I am not obligated to do מלאכה for you in areas that you yourself are capable of functioning. I will only do things for you that you yourself cannot”. The patient stood for a moment, and then quietly said “I’ll be back tonight, after Shabbos
פלעין א פאקט וויזוי מענטשן זענען...
Dear Milkman: From now on please leave two pints every other day and one pint on the days in between, except Wednesdays and Saturdays when I don't want any milk.
בסייעתא דשמיא היות שהקובץ לימי הקיץ עדיין לא נפוץ כל צרכה לכן בשבוע זו עלינו לשלוח הנר באמצעות אימייל שבת שלום ומבורך וקיץ בריא וכל טוב סלה מאת בערל ענגעלבערג נר ההטהה בלק ע"ג
A READER REQUESTED THAT WE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING NOTIFICATION TO OUR READERS: “Beware of someone calling you and telling you that he is from Microsoft and that he received a report from your computer that it is running slow--and that he will fix it as part of a warranty. You then allow him access to your computer and he proceeds to hack in, copy all of your information and wipe out your computer. Microsoft advises that it will never call you.”
איך האב אויך באקומען אזא קאל ווען איך האב אים געפרעגט HOW DID YOU GET MY NUMBER איז שטיל געווארען
The following is a copy of an article written by Spanish writer Sebastian Vilar
Rodriguez and published in a Spanish newspaper on Jan. 15, 2008. It doesn't take
much imagination to extrapolate the message to the rest of Europe - and possibly
to the rest of the world.
REMEMBER AS YOU READ -- IT WAS IN A SPANISH PAPER
ALL EUROPEAN LIFE DIED IN AUSCHWITZ By; Sebastian Vilar Rodrigez
I walked down the street in Barcelona , and suddenly discovered a terrible truth; - Europe died in Auschwitz ... We killed six million Jews and replaced them with 20 million Muslims. In Auschwitz we burned a culture, thought, creativity, talent. We destroyed the chosen people, truly chosen, because they produced great and wonderful people who changed the world.
The contribution of this people is felt in all areas of life: science, art, international trade, and above all, as the conscience of the world. These are the people we burned.
And under the pretense of tolerance, and because we wanted to prove to ourselves that we were cured of the disease of racism, we opened our gates to 20 million Muslims, who brought us stupidity and ignorance, religious extremism and lack of tolerance, crime and poverty, due to an unwillingness to work and support their families with pride.
They have blown up our trains and turned our beautiful Spanish cities into the third world, drowning in filth and crime.
Shut up in the apartments they receive free from the government, they plan the murder and destruction of their naive hosts.
And thus, in our misery, we have exchanged culture for fanatical hatred, creative skill for destructive skill, intelligence for backwardness and superstition.
We have exchanged the pursuit of peace of the Jews of Europe and their talent for a better future for their children, their determined clinging to life because life is holy, for those who pursue death, for people consumed by the desire for death for themselves and others, for our children and theirs.
What a terrible mistake was made by miserable Europe ..
***********************************
The Global Islamic population is approximately 1,200,000,000; that is ONE BILLION TWO HUNDRED MILLION or 20% of the world's population. They have received the following Nobel Prizes:
Literature:
1988 - Najib Mahfooz
Peace:
1978 - Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat 1990 - Elias James Corey 1994 - Yaser Arafat: 1999 - Ahmed Zewai
Economics:
(zero)
Physics:
(zero)
Medicine:
1960 - Peter Brian Medawar 1998 - Ferid Mourad
TOTAL: 7 SEVEN
The Global Jewish population is approximately 14,000,000; that is FOURTEEN MILLION or about 0.02% of the world's population. They have received the following Nobel Prizes:
Literature:
1910 - Paul Heyse 1927 - Henri Bergson 1958 - Boris Pasternak 1966 - Shmuel Yosef Agnon 1966 - Nelly Sachs 1976 - Saul Bellow 1978 - Isaac Bashevis Singer 1981 - Elias Canetti 1987 - Joseph Brodsky 1991 - Nadine Gordimer World
Peace:
1911 - Alfred Fried 1911 - Tobias Michael Carel Asser 1968 - Rene Cassin 1973 - Henry Kissinger 1978 - Menachem Begin 1986 - Elie Wiesel 1994 - Shimon Peres 1994 - Yitzhak Rabin
Physics:
1905 - Adolph Von Baeyer 1906 - Henri Moissan 1907 - Albert Abraham Michelson 1908 - Gabriel Lippmann 1910 - Otto Wallach 1915 - Richard Willstaetter 1918 - Fritz Haber 1921 - Albert Einstein 1922 - Niels Bohr 1925 - James Franck 1925 - Gustav Hertz 1943 - Gustav Stern 1943 - George Charles de Hevesy 1944 - Isidor Issac Rabi 1952 - Felix Bloch 1954 - Max Born 1958 - Igor Tamm 1959 - Emilio Segre 1960 - Donald A. Glaser 1961 - Robert Hofstadter 1961 - Melvin Calvin 1962 - Lev Davidovich Landau 1962 - Max Ferdinand Perutz 1965 - Richard Phillips Feynman 1965 - Julian Schwinger 1969 - Murray Gell-Mann 1971 - Dennis Gabor 1972 - William Howard Stein 1973 - Brian David Josephson 1975 - Benjamin Mottleson 1976 - Burton Richter 1977 - Ilya Prigogine 1978 - Arno Allan Penzias 1978 - Peter L Kapitza 1979 - Stephen Weinberg 1979 - Sheldon Glashow 1979 - Herbert Charles Brown 1980 - Paul Berg 1980 - Walter Gilbert 1981 - Roald Hoffmann 1982 - Aaron Klug 1985 - Albert A. Hauptman 1985 - Jerome Karle 1986 - Dudley R. Herschbach 1988 - Robert Huber 1988 - Leon Lederman 1988 - Melvin Schwartz 1988 - Jack Steinberger 1989 - Sidney Altman 1990 - Jerome Friedman 1992 - Rudolph Marcus 1995 - Martin Perl 2000 - Alan J. Heeger
Economics:
1970 - Paul Anthony Samuelson 1971 - Simon Kuznets 1972 - Kenneth Joseph Arrow 1975 - Leonid Kantorovich 1976 - Milton Friedman 1978 - Herbert A. Simon 1980 - Lawrence Robert Klein 1985 - Franco Modigliani 1987 - Robert M. Solow 1990 - Harry Markowitz 1990 - Merton Miller 1992 - Gary Becker 1993 - Robert Fogel
Medicine:
1908 - Elie Metchnikoff 1908 - Paul Erlich 1914 - Robert Barany 1922 - Otto Meyerhof 1930 - Karl Landsteiner 1931 - Otto Warburg 1936 - Otto Loewi 1944 - Joseph Erlanger 1944 - Herbert Spencer Gasser 1945 - Ernst Boris Chain 1946 - Hermann Joseph Muller 1950 - Tadeus Reichstein 1952 - Selman Abraham Waksman 1953 - Hans Krebs 1953 - Fritz Albert Lipmann 1958 - Joshua Lederberg 1959 - Arthur Kornberg 1964 - Konrad Bloch 1965 - Francois Jacob 1965 - Andre Lwoff 1967 - George Wald 1968 - Marshall W. Nirenberg 1969 - Salvador Luria 1970 - Julius Axelrod 1970 - Sir Bernard Katz 1972 - Gerald Maurice Edelman 1975 - Howard Martin Temin 1976 - Baruch S. Blumberg 1977 - Roselyn Sussman Yalow 1978 - Daniel Nathans 1980 - Baruj Benacerraf 1984 - Cesar Milstein 1985 - Michael Stuart Brown 1985 - Joseph L. Goldstein 1986 - Stanley Cohen [& Rita Levi-Montalcini] 1988 - Gertrude Elion 1989 - Harold Varmus 1991 - Erwin Neher 1991 - Bert Sakmann 1993 - Richard J. Roberts 1993 - Phillip Sharp 1994 - Alfred Gilman 1995 - Edward B. Lewis 1996- Lu RoseIacovino
TOTAL: 129!
The Jews are NOT promoting brain washing children in military training camps, teaching them how to blow themselves up and cause maximum deaths of Jews and other non Muslims.
The Jews don't hijack planes, nor kill athletes at the Olympics (Munich), or blow themselves up in German restaurants. There is NOT one single Jew who has destroyed a church. There is NOT a single Jew who protests by killing people.
The Jews don't traffic slaves, nor have leaders calling for Jihad and death to all the Infidels. Perhaps the world's Muslims should consider investing more in standard education and less in blaming the Jews for all their problems.
Muslims must ask 'what can they do for humankind' before they demand that humankind respects them.
Regardless of your feelings about the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians and Arab neighbors, even if you believe there is more culpability on Israel 's part, the following two sentences really say it all:
If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If
the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel .
Benjamin Netanyahu =============================
General Eisenhower Warned Us
It is a matter of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead.
He did this because he said in words to this effect:
'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because
somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this
never happened'
Recently, the UK debated whether to remove The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offends' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. It is not removed as yet. However, this is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it.
It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the, 6 million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians, and 1,900 Catholic priests who were 'murdered, raped, burned, starved, beaten, experimented on and humiliated' while many people looked the other way.
Now, more than ever, with Iran , among others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets.
This e-mail is intended to reach 400 million people. Be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world.
How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade Center 'NEVER HAPPENED' because it offends some Muslim in the United States ?
Do not just delete this message; it will take only a minute to pass this along.
Brain Study Wow, it took me a few seconds, but then I got the hang of it.. I've seen it with numbers. Good example of Brain Study: If you can read this you have a strong mind:
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