And in more chumus news, the De Paul University student referendum to pressure the school administration to remove the Sabra brand of chumus/hummus from being sold on campus has come to a close this past Friday. The referendum failed to garner enough support, as 1500 votes in favor were required, and less than 1200 were achieved.

Israeli chumus survives yet another challenge

The organizers of the referendum are still hopeful, saying it is now in the hands of the school administration to decide. While that is true, it is also true that the referendum was non-binding even if they had garnered enough support and the decision would have remained in the hands of the administration. Now that they failed, it is unlikely the administration would go ahead anyway and support their position.

The Chicago Tribune reports on the failed referendum:

DePaul University officials say a referendum that sought to have the hummus brand currently served on campus removed has failed.


The effort to remove Sabra hummus from the university's cafeterias required 1,500 total votes to pass. The measure received only 1,127 total votes by the time polls closed Friday.


The referendum was placed on DePaul's Student Government Association's officer election ballot by Students for Justice in Palestine. The organization contends the owner of Sabra, the Strauss Group, gives financial support to two Israeli military units accused of human rights abuses.


New York-based Sabra is a leading seller of hummus. Its parent is Israel's second-largest food and beverage company, with interests worldwide.


The vote was non-binding on the university, with such decisions left to the administration after research is done.

One of the common customs of Lag B'Omer is the chalaka, the first haircut for a 3 year old boy. It really does not have much to do with lag B'Omer - no matter when the boy's birthday is, the parents will delay the first haircut until the 3rd birthday. This custom, based on the Zohar, used to be common mainly among sefardim and chassidim, and today many Litvshe do it as well. However, many try to delay it until Lag B'Omer, especially if the 3rd birthday is around Lag B"Omer time, and then they throw the hair from the haircut into the fire.

The rabbonim of the Tzohar organization came up with a nice idea. A way to capitalize on the minhag of cutting the long hair of these children and actually do some good with it at the same time. They have decided to encourage those who perform this custom to collect the hair and donate it to organizations, such as Zichron Menachem, that make wigs for people with cancer.

It is a great idea, and is one that can help, at no cost to the donor, others in need. Unfortunately, the idea was only publicized today, as far as I know. At least, I only saw it today in the Arutz 7 website. Announcing such a program on "the day of" is a little pointless. Few people would see such an announcement, or have the patience at the last minute to deal with making the proper arrangements.

It is almost like the Chief Rabbinate starting a push to have Lag B'Omer bonfire pushed off to Sunday just 2 weeks prior to Lag B'Omer. How can anybody make proper arrangements under such short notice? Sure, a bonfire can be pushed off a couple of hours, but can school schedules be rearranged, can tests be rescheduled, under such short notice? of course not. And it is not like Lag B'Omer's arrivals surprised anybody. It happens every year on the same date. It is published in the regular calendars in Israel.

With just a little foresight these people would be able to get their great ideas actually implemented.

Quote of the Day

I praise the Prime Minister. He showed leadership that extends from a long line of Israeli prime ministers, from Ben Gurion until Begin.... The struggle and dispute over the '67 lines is the fundamental conflict with the Americans and I think that at this time it is clear to everybody that this outline is very dangerous, and that nobody, not even Tzippi Livni, is able to sign such an agreement. The prime minister must first take into account the good of his people and not right away move to concessions. We see a Middle East map in which the outline that Obama recommends is dangerous, and the majority opinion in Israel is clear - we are not prepared to go to a Palestinian state that will threaten our existence and we are not prepared to concede our historical homeland.

  -- MK Zippi Hotovely

Randy Macho Man Savage with buddy Hulk Hogan. I probably watched this WrestleMania on a Saturday night.

This post is in honor of an old friend who pointed this out to me and reminded me of a lot of time wasted as a young teenager watching what was then called the WWF, World Wide Wrestling Federation.

One of the greatest WWF wrestlers ever has died. Randy "Macho Man" Savage. I am not exactly all broken up about this, but due to not being quite sure what to say about him, other than that he was very entertaining of a wrestler with his blowhard antics, I will just quote the article on Fox News:

Pro wrestling superstar Randy "Macho Man" Savage died after having a heart attack while driving his Jeep Wrangler, Fox News confirms.
The accident happened in Seminole, Fla.
A source tells Fox News that he "suffered a heart attack while driving and hit a tree."
Florida Highway Patrol said Savage, 58, leapt a concrete median, veered into oncoming traffic and smashed into a tree head on.
He died from his injuries at largo Medical Center.


The life of a professional wrestler has been unkind to many, as they have battled their own demons and personal tragedies.
Savage, whose real name is Randy Poffo, had just celebrated his first wedding anniversary with his wife Lynn. It was his second marriage.
Lynn was in the car at the time of the accident, which was first reported by TMZ. She suffered only minor injuries.
He married his first wife Elizabeth Hulette, better known as "Miss Elizabeth," in 1984. They divorced in 1992. She ended up dying from a drug overdose in 2003.
World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement that Savage's death was a huge loss.
"WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest Superstars of his time, Randy Poffo, aka Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Poffo was under contract with WWE from 1985 to 1993 and held both the WWE and Intercontinental Championships. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. We wish a speedy recovery to his wife Lynn. Poffo will be greatly missed by WWE and his fans."
The wrestling world took to Twitter to grieve over the former wrestler.
"He had so much life in his eyes & in his spirit, I just pray that he's happy and in a better place and we miss him," Hulk Hogan posted on his Twitter account.
"RIP Randy 'Macho Man' Savage - you were one of my childhood inspirations and heros. Strength, love and prayers to the Savage/Poffo family," Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson said on Twitter.
"I lost a close friend today. If anybody in heaven is wondering who the cat in the ugly cowboy hat is it's Randy. Love you Bro. Never another," Kevin Nash tweeted.
Savage helped put WWF wrestling on the map in the 1980s and '90s, becoming, along with Hulk Hogan, one of its biggest draws. His outrageous outfits and his "Oooh Yeah!" catchphrase made him a fan favorite.
He also used to be the pitchman for Slim Jims.

Randy Poffo? really? Randy Poffo was his real name?
Many good Saturday nights were wasted enjoying the antics of guys like Randy "Macho Man" Savage, Hulk Hogan and others.

Mark Regev, the Spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Al Jazeera, commenting about Netanyahu's trip to the United States and his meetings with Obama to this point, and about the possibility of negotiations with the Palestinians..

I love how Glenn Beck just crosses countries off the board for no particular reason saying they are not allies of the US..

In a joint press conference, PM Benjamin Netanyahu responds to president Obama by saying Israel will not return to the 1967 border, as these borders are indefensible. Despite that, the Palestinians should return to negotiations as all problems can be resolved, including the refugee problem.

Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Darchei Noam of Monsey and the Director of Project YES in Agudas Yisrael of America, has designed a new style of chumash workbook and has just released it.

See http://www.rabbihorowitz.com/PYes/ArticleDetails.cfm?Book_ID=1475&ThisGroup_ID=235&Type=Article&SID=2 for more information.

The new chumash is unique in the sense that it is a skills oriented chumash workbook.


You can download an 11 page sample from the new chumash here: http://rabbihorowitz.com/Bright_Beginnings_Sample.pdf




You can see the 10 minute promotional DVD here:
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=a4d598715f0e4309&sid=0AZsmzFmzZNWbmI

The Shawarmatron! the first shawarma cutting "robot" in Israel is in action in a shawarmia! No more shlubby guy sweating into the shawarma he is cutting!

People in their year of mourning for deceased relatives are generally not allowed to participate in celebrations and group meals with friends.

The Question About Lag B'Omer In Meron
Rav Shteinman was recently asked if mourners are allowed to go up to Meron for Lag B'Omer celebrations by the kever Rashb"i, by the grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. The question is whether the celebrations that happen in Meron are considered a hilula, festivities commemorating the death of a tzaddik, or if they are considered joyous celebrations like parties and group meals.

Rav Shteinman's Doubt
Rav Shteinman's initial response was that he is unaware of the nature of the festivities on Lag B'Omer in meron, however when he was there at a different time of the year the atmosphere was serious and appropriate. Rav Shach, he said, prohibited people from going to Meron on Lag B'Omer because of the inappropriate and immodest celebrations taking place there, however, Rav Shteinman suggested, today might be different because supposedly there are mehadrin routes to the grave that avoid the general, inappropriate celebrations.

Rav Shteinman's Investigation
Rav Shteinman committed to finding out what really happens in Meron so he could give a correct psak. Rav Shteinman investigated the routes up, he asked everybody who came to speak with him if they had been to Meron on Lag B'Omer and if they answered in the affirmative he would press them for details.

Rav Shteinman became convinced that there has been a change for the better in the situation in Meron on Lag B'Omer. While there still might be inappropriate celebrations, one can easily avoid them by using the newer mehadrin routes. However, he also found out that there is a band playing music all night long at the main bonfire. As well, along the way there are many booths, peddling different things, that also play loud music along the route, all creating a celebratory atmosphere.

Lag B'Omer in meron

Rav Shteinman's Psak
Rav Shteinman therefore paskened that one who is in mourning is not allowed to go to Meron on Lag B'Omer and be a part of the celebrations, as it definitely has the status of a "seudas m'rei'im" - a group party - due to the non-stop loud music and dancing. (source: Kikar)

I am impressed that Rav Shteinman did not just assume what he heard about ti was correct, but he went out of his way to investigate exactly what happens so that he could give an informed psak.

It does not bother me that he did not know already what goes on, as the concept of going en masse the way people go nowadays is really new, and is mostly from the chassidim and sefardim. The fact that today litvishe and others go as well is a sign of the influence the chassidic communities have had on the litvishe and general ashkenazic communities. Rav Shteinman did not know because going is not an issue in his crowd. As a matter of fact, many gedolim over the years have been against going to meron, most notably the Chasam Sofer.

Quote Of The Day
"'Bloc' has various meanings, [the] choice of words was meant to form a wide national front on settlements...It is possible it didn’t work in the Knesset, but I feel it struck a chord with the public. What I said is that everything is based on our demands: recognition of Israel, a united Jerusalem and no right of return.

  -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responding to criticism regarding his referring to settlement blocs staying under Israeli control in his recent pre-Washington speech

Rabbi Competes On Jeopardy
Interestingly, a female Conservative rabbi, Rabbi Joyce Newmark from Teaneck, NJ synagogue Congregation Beth Shalom, was a contestant on Jeopardy a couple days ago. Actually, she was a contestant on the show in February, but it only aired on television this week.

Rabbi Joyce Newmark won $29,200 on the show, winning the episode and coming back for a second appearance the next day. Rabbi Jason and the JTA have more of the story. She says her being a rabbi did not really help her overall, but there was one bible related question, though a different contestant was faster on the buzzer, so she did not get to answer it.

Here is a clip from the 2nd day of competition, where Alex Trebek talks to her about what it is like being a female rabbi. With her response she proves herself to have a witty sense of humor.

92-Year-Old Arab Gloats Over 1929 Rape-Massacre, Wants Encore

Jerusalem: The Media Myth of Two Cities

There is an sexual molestation accusation against a staff member of a local talmud torah. The accusation led to his arrest, and if I am not mistaken he has since been released to house arrest to his house outside of the Bet Shemesh area. (standard operating procedure in these cases is to hold the accused for 72 hours and then release to house arrest during the investigation, unless there is suspicion that the accused might have access to and influence the victims or others involved and harm the investigation).

I don't know too many details of what is going on, so I don't want to discuss it. I know some, and I have heard some rumors that I don't know if they are true or not, so that is not my topic right now.

My question is, why do we hear about these cases in the haredi talmud torahs in RBS but not in the dati leumi schools and others?

I am not wishing it upon other sectors, but the fact is that this has nothign to do with religion - it is a problem that crosses all kipot, no matter what color kipa you wear there are molesters and abusers in your community in similar percentages. It is a sickness (I dont know if that is what they call it nowadays but that is what I am calling it) that affects all sectors equally.

Yet we seem to hear about it only in the haredi sector, at least locally. Why? Is it because people jump on these stories because it makes the haredim look bad but ignore them elsewhere because it is not a big deal? Do the dati leumi schools simply have a better way of hiring teachers and filter out people who potentially have these issues? Do the other sectors cover it up better? Do they report it quicker so it doesnt become subject to rumor and gossip?

Why does it keep happening in the haredi schools but we don't hear about it elsewhere?

Yoelish Krausze, sometimes known as the kambatz, operations officer, of the Eida Charedis, has been collecting copies of every pashkevil that has gone up on the walls of Jerusalem in the past 80 years.

Israel's newest multi-thousandaire

As an aside, someone once said that it is the glue of all the pashkevils that holds up the walls of Mea Shearim.

80 years worth of pashkevils is an amazing collection, and can paint a picture of a certain aspect of jerusalem's history.

Through various means, Krausze and the National Library in Jerusalem have come to an agreement in which Krausze will transfer the pashkevils, or at least a large percentage of them, to the library in exchange for $120,000. (source: Kikar)

Whoever would have thought that some pashkevils would ever be worth so much? Amazing!