Wednesday April 30th at night.. open from 11:00pm until 5:00am (and then davening at 5:30am)..

For those of you who wanted to go but never seem to find out in advance....now you know in advance...

(HatTip: My Right Word)

* 'CHAMETZ': Today, Thursday (10am till 8pm only) please also drop
off your Non-Perishable, Closed, Pre-Expiration Date 'chametz'.

This year we have a Consolidated Drop-Off List - people drop off
their chametz AND give cash at the same places (just no chametz to
Arthur, please!)! (see list of drop off points below)

(my note: the above is for a unique program Lemaan Achai runs called "Chametz for Chessed" in which they encourage people who are not selling their chametz items to donate it to the needy instead of throwing it out. Lemaan Achai will hold it through Pesach, having sold it to a non-Jew in the Mechiras Chametz, and then after Pesach will transfer it to the needy.)

and

* MONEY: Please bring your generous Kimche Depischa/Maos Chitim
donation, so that NO family will go hungry on Pessach - ONE HUNDRED &
EIGHTY-THREE IMPOVERISHED FAMILIES are getting what they need for
Chag WITH YOUR HELP!

TO the following Lema'an Achai Drop-Off Points, for your convenience:-

** Ramat Bet Shemesh **

Lema'an Achai Office - 40/7 Lachish, 999-1553
Arthur's RBS Pharmacy - Dolev, 999-9777 - cash/cheque donations only
- NO CHAMETZ please!
Palmer - 6/8 Lachish, 999-5015
Shenker - 18/9 Lachish, 999-4645
Rosenfelder - 16/6 Shimshon, 077-931-0139
Braun - 12/3 Shimshon, 999-7956
Greenspan - 21/9 Ayalon, 995-1485
Fass - 20/20 Tzeilim, Ramat Shilo, 9995333
Freudman - 19/5 Maor, 991-1619
Rubin - 4/5 Hayarkon, 999-9910
Soloveichik - 38/3 Hayarkon, 999-4628
Markovitz - 14/9 Katlav,999-4245
Green - 3/2 Gichon, 999-9717
Leventhal - 53/5 Dolev, 991-5317
Sonnenberg - 8/4 Luz, 991-7334
Morris - 15/5 Refaim, 999-7107
Bar Shai - 2a/1 Nachshon, 999-4791
Gold - 1/13 Uriya, 992-0998

Donate by phone 24/6: 99999.33
Secure on-line: https://www.lemaanachai.org/donate/index.asp - NOTE:
We have had server problems over the past few days, so this online
service may not be available.
USA, UK and Canadian Tax Deductible: http://www.lemaanachai.org/donate.asp

For your convenience, Lema'an Achai is planning to have a stand
outside the Dil VeZol Makolet from around 4pm this afternoon, and
also most of tomorrow morning (Friday). Bring your Cash, Credit Cards, Checks!

Tizku Lemitzvot & Chag Kasher Vesameach!
David

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

David Morris, Chairman
Lema'an Achai - It's All About Caring

www.lemaanachai.org
david@lemaanachai.org

Direct Tel: 02 9997107
Office: 02 9991553
Fax: 02 9992398

40/7 Nahal Lachish
Ramat Beit Shemesh,
99093 Israel.

In the current age where the trend is to look for segulahs for salvation, the following segulah was advertised in the Haredi paper "Yom Chadash" (A New Day)..

The segulah is to read some letter written by a Hassidishe Rebbe Reb Shimon of Austropoli. At the end of the letter it is written that whoever reads this on Erev Pesach will be assured that he will be saved (protected might be a better word) the whole year (!) from stumbling and from unusual death, from any tragedy, and whatever he tries his hand at he will succeed.

He also wrote in his Siddur Bracha U'Tehilla that he saw with his own eyes many people in 1944 in the concentration camps in Hungary, that all those who read that letter were saved.

I just received this by email.....

We regret to inform you of the petira of

RAV HENOCH LEIBOWITZ zt'l
Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim

The Levaya is scheduled to take place today, Wednesday, April 16th, at 1:30PM at

Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim
76-01 147th Street
Kew Gardens Hills, NY 11367

The Kevura will be at Mount Judah Cemetery on the Jackie Robinson Parkway.

There is both phone and video hookup for the Levaya:

HOOKUP INFO: Dial-in #: (712) 432-1001 Access code: 431238585# (Courtesy of www.duvys.com).

LIVE VIDEO HOOKUP: The Yeshiva has also been able to set up a live video feed of the Levaya which you can access from your personal computer. Connect to http://pointers.audiovideoweb.com/asxfiles-live/1c2winlive6951.asx There are no limits to the number of people who can access this video feed, and it is accessible from anywhere in the world.

Chaim interviews a new Jewish music composer.... very interesting material...

2 items that I found interesting today...

1. The price of bread, regulated by the government, which in the past year has risen a few times, rose again today another 4%. The approval is kind of cloudy. The Union of Bakers requested a price increase 30 days ago. The Ministry of Industry and Trade (led by Minister Eli Yishai from Shas) never responded to the request (either to approve or to reject) and therefore after 30 days it is automatically approved. It seems Yishai felt the need to approve the price increase, but did not want his name on the official paper, so instead he just never responded, thus allowing it to happen without his name getting on it. He clearly thinks people are stupid and nobody will know he allowed it to happen (which he did by not rejecting the request).
   To remind you, when the price of bread was in the news earlier in the year and Yishai was "forced" to allow the price increase, he also decided then to deregulate the price of bread. He later backed out of that and kept it regulated, but now has allowed the price to rise for a third time this year. The main blow is to the weaker sectors who rely more on bread, and specifically the basic bread which is regulated, than other sectors, and rely more on the assistance of the political parties that claim to be looking out for the lower class. Such as Shas.
2. Rumor has it that Breslav is working to form its own political party. The Various groups in Breslav have never really felt represented by any of the other political parties, and either kind of freelanced with Shas, UTJ, Likud and others, or just did not bother voting. With Breslav being one of the largest and fastest growing groups, most of Baalei Teshuva in Israel are somehow associated with Breslav, along with the general affinity people have for Breslav, along with the amazing exposure they already have (because of all the Nach Nachs that dance in the streets and in any public place possible), this can be a ticket ready for success.
   I am pretty sure they will take the combination of letters that spell Nach, or נח, and take advantage of their call sign already being all over the country in ways that no political party can compete with.
   
   

2 posts that you will definitely find interesting..

1. G posted at Serandez about a shidduch question asked of Rav B, in which he turned the tables on the questioner.
2. Rabbi Horowitz has another thought provoking piece in which he asks questions for people to think about. I thought this was particularly relevant here after a recent thread in the comments section.
   

The funniest thing I noticed so far when shopping for Pesach was on an item I purchased last night.

I bought a bottle of Palmolive dishwashing soap last night. Along with the hechsher and the stamp that it is kosher for Pesach, I noticed it also said it is Pareve. So i can eat it with both my meat and my dairy meals!

What is the most unusual thing you have seen?

I was torn whether to post this or not. I decided to, but as a compromise I blacked out the name of the affected party from the published letter below. I did not really need to. This letter was sent out to all the homes in RBS, far more than the number of people who read this blog, so his name and the claim is far more public than I can possibly make it. But I still felt uncomfortable publicizing it, especially because I do not know if ti is true and what the background is..

On to the post - A letter was distributed in the mailboxes around RBS yesterday. The envelope was addressed to me and had a stamp on it that said "For Parents only". That was intriguing raising my curiosity level.

To be honest, I probably normally would not have even looked at the letter. I would have opened it up, seen the form letter, assumed it was some charity I was not interested in giving money to and would have thrown it right into the garbage without even a further glance. But somebody emailed me and told me he had received this strange letter, so I was looking for it.

The letter says, "This letter is being distributed after much indecision. On the one hand, publicizing it and raising the issue in the public forum can bring unnecessary awareness to the issue. But after consulting with Rabbonim and Educators, we came to the conclusion that we cannot ignore this. The Rabbonim requested that we, who were directly affected by this, should be the representatives on the matter.

As well, evil claims have been spread, that our neighborhood, supposedly "modern" because residents work for their livelihood, is the cause of this shameful story. Obviously that is not true and should be denied strongly.

The situation, as many already know, Is a local resident, Mr. K. from Nahal Uriah street. As previously publicized inappropriately, has committed actions that should not have been done and is suspected of adultery with married women of the neighborhood.

After it was publicized, many parties understood the problem of having contact with him. Immediately, Mr. K lost his employment at the Yated Ne'eman and as the Communications Advisor to the Mayor of Beitar.

According to the instruction of Rabbonim and Educators, everybody should be careful to warn their family members, those married and unmarried, not to get near this person. Not to deal with him in work related matters, not to come into close proximity of him, especially in public places such as offices, stores, medical clinics, public transportation 9which he sometimes uses even though he has his own car), etc.

After much clarification with the Rabbonim, it is clear he did not do his actions out of wickedness or out of contempt for the Torah. Rather because of an uncontrollable urge (mental illness). Therefore, despite what was previously publicized, nobody should harm him directly, and his family who did no wrong should not be harmed by anybody, in addition to the difficult period they are going through since the story was first revealed.

(signed)
It should be His will that this is being done with pure intentions
The Representatives

nb. There were different opinions whether to publicize this or not, even after experts heard about the possibility of his family coming to harm. We, whose daughters were directly harmed, have felt obligated to warn others, men and women, and we have what to rely upon."

I do not know the background of this story. I live on the other side of the neighborhood, so I guess the signs and flyers that went up when it broke were under my radar. I heard about his resignation, both from the Beitar office and from the Yated, but the information that was publicized then was the he resigned to open his own business (a PR firm). Not that he was forced out because of this scandal.

Further, I posted to a local Hebrew forum asking for some background to the letter, and the moderator deleted my message (I suspected he would because this kind of stuff is too hot).

What bothers me about the letter is that the letter is written anonymously, and while he says he consulted with Rabbonim and they decided he should write the letter, he does not say which Rabbonim. I understand why he is anonymous. he wants to protect his daughter/wife (if it is true) and his family reputation. But why should the Rabbonim remain anonymous. if they are taking a stand on a local issue that is possibly dangerous to the community, they should stand behind their words. they should let us know to take them seriously.

As of right now this is an anonymous letter quoting anonymous Rabbis and educators defaming a person who might or might not have done what they claim.

This actually reminds me of two similar stories that happened not too long ago.
The third link in the previous sentence was a story that happened on the same street where this fellow lives. That must have been a happening place!

Again, I do not know the background to the story (if any of you do know it, feel free to write it in the comments (but no rumors please - only if you know the story) or email it to me) and am hesitant to believe an anonymous letter quoting anonymous Rabbis in an attempt to hurt someone. If you want me to believe you, use your name of the name of someone who can back up the story.

------------------referral ad----------------------
In just a couple more days, we will be sitting down to the pesach seder. the climax of the evening is when we say "L'shana Ha'ba'ah B'Yerushalayim" - Next year in Jerusalem.

it might be time to plan in advance and instead of just saying it, try to actually move there. But I have heard real estate prices are very high in Jerusalem. And maybe the hustle and bustle of a big city is just not for you. Too much congestion and pollution (I love the big city and I love Jerusalem, so those problems would not be mine. Just the affordable housing).

A reasonable alternative is the many communities in the outlaying areas surrounding Jerusalem. Efrat is one of those communities. Efrat is just about 10 minutes from Jerusalem in the Gush Etzion area. It is a large community, so you get the small town feel but a large version of it. And the housing is more affordable.

Nofei HaPark, or Park View, is a new project of homes in Efrat offering you that close proximity to Jerusalem, while still living in the small town atmosphere...

Check it out. Maybe head on over during Pesach vacation to see what it is like. They even have sample building plans on the site...

-----------------end referral---------------------

Jameel seems to have disappeared again. This time he gave us some advance notice and told us he was going to be on Miluim (army reserve duty). Many of us are suspicious that that is just a cover for some additional secret waffle-making activities.

I finally stumbled into some top secret video surveillance that has discovered exactly what Jameel is doing...The game is up Jameel. We caught you!

I got this by email and thought it was pretty funny... so enjoy the 5 minute Seder.

For those of you who don't have the patience to sit through a full Seder: The Two-Minute Haggadah - A Passover service for the impatient.

Opening prayers:
Thanks, God, for creating wine. (Drink wine.)
Thanks for creating produce. (Eat parsley.)
Overview:
Once we were slaves in Egypt. Now we're free. That's why we're doing this.
Four questions:
1. What's up with the matzoh?
2. What's the deal with horseradish?
3. What's with the dipping of the herbs?
4. What's this whole slouching at the table business?
Answers:
1. When we left Egypt, we were in a hurry. There was no time for making decent bread.
2. Life was bitter, like horseradish.
3. It's called symbolism.
4. Free people get to slouch.
A funny story:
Once, these five rabbis talked all night, then it was morning. (Heat soup now.)
The four kinds of children and how to deal with them:
Wise child-explain Passover.
Simple child-explain Passover slowly.
Silent child-explain Passover loudly.
Wicked child-brow beat in front of the relatives.
Speaking of children: We hid some matzoh. Whoever finds it gets five bucks.

The story of Passover:
It's a long time ago. We're slaves in Egypt. Pharaoh is a nightmare. We cry out for help. God brings plagues upon the Egyptians. We escape, bake some matzoh. God parts the Red Sea. We make it through. The Egyptians aren't so lucky. We wander 40 years in the desert, eat manna, get the Torah, wind up in Israel, get a new temple, enjoy several years without being persecuted again. (Let brisket cool now.)
The 10 Plagues: Blood, Frogs, Lice-you name it.
The singing of "Dayenu":
If God had gotten us out of Egypt and not punished our enemies, it would've been enough. If He'd punished our enemies and not parted the Red Sea, it would've been enough. If He'd parted the Red Sea (remove gefilte fish from refrigerator now.) etc.

Eat matzoh. Drink more wine. Slouch.
Thanks again, God, for everything.
SERVE MEAL.
Say Grace. Drink more wine. Sing some more songs. Try to stay awake.
Who knows one? Who knows two through thirteen?
Dad bought a goat for two zuzim. Everyone beats up every one until God steps in.
Go to sleep.
Do it again another night.

If you are looking for something to do over Pesach, take a look at the ad below. Hebron is opening their doors, as they do every year. They are having a concert with various singers, guided tours through the city, and more. Ulam Yitzchak is going to be open.. Check it out..

Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz wrote a thought provoking response to the same Jonathan Rosenblum article..

(this post was originally posted as a guest post on DovBear)

Jonathan Rosenblum wrote an interesting piece in this past week's Mishpacha magazine. I read the article in Hebrew, but the English version can be found on the Jewish Media Resources website.

In the article, Rosenblum went on to describe a conversation he had with an unnamed Rav in Los Angeles. The Rav told him what he considered the biggest threat to Judaism today. This item surprised Rosenblum, surprised me, and I am sure will surprise you.

The biggest threat to Judaism today, according to this unnamed Rav in LA, is Pesach in hotels. Not the trend of looking for every chumroh in the book and many not in the book, not Rabbis who molest, not parents who abuse and molest, not intermarriage, not Reform Judaism, not poor education, not high tuitions that make jewish education prohibitive to many. Pesach in hotels is the biggest threat to Judaism.

Granted, I agree that the whole "Pesach in hotel" situation is fairly ridiculous and not conducive to a spiritual and uplifting holiday (for most people). How can you run a seder with your kids when everybody is going at their own pace, singing their own tunes, having their own conversations, kids running all over the place, all by the tables right next to yours? It is impossible. I have gone to hotels once or twice for Shabbos and find the atmosphere very disturbing and not conducive to a family shabbos tabel. How much worse the Pesach seder must be!

People, in general, do not go to a hotel for Pesach so they can grow spiritually and have a meaningful, traditional experience with their family. They go for a vacation. They go to relax. They go to get away. Some, for whatever reason, cannot make Pesach in their own home (for valid reasons even). They go for the luxury. Whatever reason they go for, it is generally not for the spiritual aspect.

I do not begrudge anybody their hard earned money. People can spend their money in whatever way they want. They can live their whole lives in hotels and flying all over the world and taking vacations every other week, it does not bother me,. They earned it, they can spend it how they like.

But as far as Pesach is concerned, they are missing out on the whole point of the Pesach experience.

That is a shame, and the kids will have missed out, and the parents will have missed out, the various opportunities provided in a home setting.

But is that really the biggest threat to Judaism today?