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A7News: 65% of Palestinians Applaud Terror Attacks on US and Europe 12.27.05 (11:43 am)   [edit] 65% of Palestinians Applaud Terror Attacks on US and Europe By Ezra HaLevi A poll carried out in the Palestinian Authority shows 65% support for Al Qaeda terror attacks on the United States and European countries - the biggest donors to the PA. The poll comes at a time when US and European funding of the Palestinian Authority is at an all-time high. With elections due to be held next month and the Hamas terror group gaining significantly in municipal elections and polls, the survey further illustrates the desire of a majority of PA Arabs to establish an Islamic state, similar to Iran. A whopping 79.9% of Palestinians would like the PA to follow Shari'a - Islamic religious law. Included in the figure are 11.3% of the respondents, who would like to see Shari'a supplemented by the laws of a PA Legislature. "What is striking is the willingness of Palestinians to turn against even the Western countries upon whom they are so totally dependent in order to progress," said Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) Director Itamar Marcus. "The poll underscores what PMW has been documenting for years - the profoundly negative impact hate education has had on PA society…Palestinians are not in direct conflict with the US, and certainly have counted on the Europeans as active allies. And yet an overwhelming majority desire to see Europeans and Americans killed by a religion-based terror organization." The poll was conducted by FAFO - a Norwegian-based NGO not known for sympathy toward Israel or antipathy toward the PA. FAFO says it conducted the polling among the Palestinian population "in order to assess political feelings after Israel's voluntary withdrawal from Gaza in late-summer 2005." The poll results were reported in the PA newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadida last Friday. Last month (November 18th), in a sermon broadcast on PA-controlled television, Islamic leader Suleiman Satari offered the following prayer: "Destroy the Infidels and the Polytheists! Your [i.e. Allah's] enemies are the enemies of the religion…! Count them and kill them to the last one, and don't leave even one." According to PMW, prayers to annihilate all “infidels” have been included in Friday prayers on PA TV at least six times in recent months. Two such sermons were delivered by Yusuf Jum'a Salamah, PA Minister of the Waqf Religious Authority - the most important religious office in the PA. Even though PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas was present on at least one of these occasions, similar prayers for genocide continued on the PA-owned and controlled TV in subsequent weeks. Just weeks before the terror attacks of September 11th, 2001, Dr. Ikrime Sabri, the Mufti of Jerusalem and the highest-ranking Islamic figure in the Palestinian Authority said on PA radio: "O Allah, destroy America and its supporters and collaborators. O Allah, destroy Britain and its supporters and collaborators." Click here to view the clip.   A7News: Chanukah Party Miracle at Kindergarten in Kibbutz Sa'ad 12.27.05 (11:40 am)   [edit] Chanukah Party Miracle at Kindergarten in Kibbutz Sa’ad By Hana Levi Julian A Kassam rocket exploded close to a kindergarten in Kibbutz Sa’ad on Monday, ending a Chanukah party and angering residents. The Chanukah party was disrupted Monday afternoon when the “Red Dawn” alert system was activated, preceding the rocket explosion which landed nearby. No injuries were reported. “It was a big miracle,” said community director Sarah Evron. The attack prompted residents to allow the media to identify the kibbutz which has silently suffered through Kassam strikes for months. Kibbutz officials have asked the government for months to fortify their schools, but they remain unprotected. Residents were further angered by fortification work which began at a nearby IDF army base on Monday after a rocket attack last week injured five soldiers. “In our view, we must first protect children and then soldiers,” said Evron. “It feels as though soldiers who are not protected prompt fortification work but we have children growing up on the border here.” A second rocket fell Monday afternoon south of Ashkelon. Government officials were faced with another problem when terrorist group Al-Aksa Martyrs’ Brigade announced they have acquired a new, longer-range missile. The group is the military wing of the ruling Fatah party in the Palestinian Authority. The “Grad”, officially known as BM-21, has a range of 20 kilometers and is launched from trucks at a rate of 40 rockets in six seconds. Communities at risk in the south will now include Kiryat Gat, Netivot and Ofakim. Sderot has been a constant target of Kassam rocket attacks. Israeli security officials say they may establish a “security strip” in northern Gaza to put an end to the attacks, a plan that has been considered several times in the past. Al-Aksa Martyrs’ Brigade leaders say they will increase attacks in response to such a move.   A7News: IDF Launches Air Strikes in Gaza 12.27.05 (10:33 am)   [edit] IDF Launches Air Strikes in Gaza By Ezra HaLevi The IDF has increased air strikes and created a buffer zone in Gaza to stem the increasing wave of Kassam rocket attacks on Israeli towns since the Disengagement. Tuesday morning, Israel's Air Force fired two missiles at targets in northern Gaza. The missiles struck structures used by the Al-Aqsa Brigades terror group, which is affiliated with PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah Party. "One structure, in Beit Lahiya, was used as a recruitment center," the IDF spokesperson announced, and the other, in Gaza City, was used as a center of activity." During the night, the IDF also fired missiles at a bridge near the town of Beit Hanoun, from which rockets are fired on the western Negev. Six additional access routes to launching sites in northern Gaza were targeted as well. According to PA reports, the power supply to northern Gaza was cut during the strikes. The retaliation comes after a Kassam rocket nearly hit a kindergarten in Kibbutz Sa'ad Monday and another rocket fell near the city of Ashkelon. According to Yediot Aharonot, Air Force planes are preparing to drop leaflets on Gaza informing residents to stay in their homes to avoid injury as Israel targets anyone involved in firing rockets at Israeli towns. The report also quotes security sources saying that the IDF will not embark on a ground operation in Gaza, but that a three-mile security buffer has been delineated, within which strikes will be carried out on a more regular basis against those involved in firing rockets. Israel may also ask members of the PA police to evacuate the area as their presence has not been effective in preventing rocket fire. The Al-Aqsa Brigade terror group claims to have Russian-made Grad missiles, which have a 25 kilometer (15 mile) range. The terror group is warning that if the IDF attempts to establish a buffer zone in northern Gaza, it will not sit idly by, but will opt to launch the missiles against Israeli targets. “The occupation government will be the big loser,” a statement from the group said. Meanwhile, the Home Front Command has been instructed to speed up the process of providing reinforcement for the homes of residents living within striking range of Gaza. As the range of the rockets fired increased however – the southern Ashkelon industrial zone was struck last week – IDF sources admit it is becoming increasingly less practical to rely on defensive measures.   Growing Each Day - Kislev 26 12.27.05 (10:32 am)   [edit] Kislev 26 Although the acceptable amount [of water for ritual washing of the hands before meals] is a fourth of a log, one should use abundant water in washing (Orach Chaim 158:10). The Talmud states that Rabbi Chisda attributed his good fortune to his practice of using abundant water in the ritual washing. Rabbi Yisroel of Salant was at an inn, and when he washed his hands for the meal, he was careful to use the minimum amount of water required. When his students wondered why he did not follow the recommendations of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Law), Rabbi Yisroel replied, "Perhaps you did not notice that a servant fetched the water from a well. If I used water lavishly, it would be at her expense." Many times the Shulchan Aruch states the letter of the law, then add that it is commendable to go beyond it in stricter observance. However, such extra observance is only done for oneself. For instance, when rabbis are asked about the permissibility of any given practice, they must render their decision according to the letter of the law, but may add that stricter observance is commendable but not mandatory. Rabbis are not permitted to require from others more than the law dictates, even if their personal standards of observance are more demanding. Today I shall ... ...try to increase my expectations of myself, but not at the expense of others.   Daily Mitzvah (Maimonides): Monday, Dec 26, 2005 Negative Mitvot 205, 206, 207, 208 12.27.05 (9:38 am)   [edit] Kislev 25, 5766 * December 26, 2005 ========================= ========================= D A I L Y M I T Z V A H (M A I M O N I D E S ) ========================= ========================= Today's Mitzvot (Day 115 of 339): Negative Mitzvot 205, 206, 208, 207 ------------------------- ------------------------- ---------------- Negative Mitzvah 205: A Nazir may not eat grape seeds -Numbers 6:4. "He shall eat nothing that is made from the vine tree, from the seed to its skin" A Nazir is not allowed to eat grape seeds. ------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- Negative Mitzvah 206: A Nazir may not eat grape peels -Numbers 6:4. "He shall eat nothing that is made from the vine tree, from the seed to its skin" A Nazir is forbidden to eat the peels (skin) of the grape. ------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- Negative Mitzvah 208: A Nazir may not be under same roof as a dead body Numbers -Numbers 6:6. "He shall not come near to a dead body" Being under the same roof as a dead body makes a person impure. A Nazir is cautioned not to enter a house which has a dead body in it. ------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- Negative Mitzvah 207: A Nazir may not become impure from contact with a dead body -Numbers 6:7 "He shall not make himself impure for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die" A Nazir is not allowed to become impure by coming into contact with a dead body throughout his Nazirite period. He is cautioned against coming into contact with a dead body - even when mourning for his close relatives.   Today in Judaism: Monday, Dec 26, 2005 12.27.05 (9:34 am)   [edit] B"H Kislev 25, 5766 * December 26, 2005 ========================= ======== T O D A Y I N J U D A I S M ========================= ======== * Laws * Customs * Jewish History * Daily Quote * Daily Study * Today is: Monday, Kislev 25, 5766 Chanukah Day 1 ====================== Today's Laws & Customs ====================== . Kindle Two Chanukah Lights tonight Today is the first day of the eight-day festival of Chanukah [http://www.chabad.org/6218]. In commemorartion of the miracle of the oil (see "Today in Jewish History [http://www.chabad.org/225034]") we kindle the Chanukah lights -- oli lamps or candles -- each evening for eight days, increasing the number of lights each evening. In the Jewish calendar, the day begins at nightfall; thus, the first Chanukah light is kindled on the preceding evening, which is when the Hebrew date of Kislev 25 begins. Tonight is the eve of the 2nd day of Chanukah, so we kindle two lights in the Chanukah menorah. The icon below displays the ideal Chanukah lighting time for your location; the lighting can be done, however, later in the evening as well. For more on Chanukah lighting times, click here [http://www.chabad.org/224506]. (If no time is displayed, click on icon to set your location.) For more a more detailed guide to Chanukah lighting click here [http://www.chabad.org/103868]. For text and audio of the blessings recited before lighting, click here [http://www.chabad.org/219029]. Additional Chanukah observances and customs are listed below: . Hallel & Al HaNissim Special prayers of thanksgiving -- Hallel (in its full version) and Al HaNissim -- are added to the daily prayers and Grace After Meals on all eight days of Chanukah. Tachnun (confession of sins) and similar prayers are omitted for the duration of trhe festival. . Latkes, Sufganiot & Dairy Foods On Chanukah we eat foods fried in oil -- such as latkes (potato cakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts) -- in commemoration of the miracle of the oil. It is also customary to eat dairy foods in commemoration of the Judith's heroic deed [http://www.chabad.org/103019]. . Dreidel It is customary to play dreidel -- a game played with a spinning top inscribed with the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimmel, Hei and Shin, which spell the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "a great miracle happened there." (It is said that when the Greeks forbade the study of Torah, Jewish children continued the study with their teachers in caves and cellars; when the agents of the king were seen approaching, the children would hide their scrolls and start to play with spinning tops...) . Chanukah Gelt It is an age-old custom to disribute gifts of Chanukah gelt ("Chanukah money [http://www.chabad.org/search/...]") to children on Chanukah. (It was the custom of the rebbes of Chabad-Lubavitch to give Chanukah gelt to their children and other family members on the fourth or fifth night of Chanukah; more recently, however, the Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged the giving of Chanukah gelt every day of the festival -- except for Shabbat, when handling money is forbidden.) ======================= Today in Jewish History ======================= . Cain Kills Abel (3720 BCE) The first murder of history occurred on the 25th of Kislev in the year 41 from creation (3720 BCE), when Adam and Eve's eldest son, Cain, killed his younger brother, Abel, as recounted in the 4th chapter of Genesis. Link: From the Midrash . Mishkan completed (1312 BCE) The vessels, tapestries, wall sections and other components of the Mishkan (the portable sanctuary or "Tabarnacle" built under Moses' direction to house the Divine Presence during the Israelites' journeys through the desert) were completed on the 25th of Kislev in the year 2449 from creation (1312 BCE). The Mishkan was not assembled, however, until 3 months later, when, beginning on Adar 25 of that year, it was erected and taken down daily for a 7-day "training" period prior to its dedication on the 1st of Nissan. Our Sages tell us that the day of Kislev 25 was compensated 12 centuries later, when the Maccabees dedicated the Holy Temple on Kislev 25, 3622 (139 BCE -- see below). Links: The Mishkan described [http://www.chabad.org/2682] in the Torah and commentaries; from the Chassidic masters on the Mishkan [http://www.chabad.org/1314] . Chanukah Miracle (139 BCE) On the 25th of Kislev in the year 3622 from creation, the Maccabees liberated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, after defeating the vastly more numerous and powerful armies of the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus IV, who had tried to forcefully uproot the beliefs and practices of Judaism from the people of Israel. The victorious Jews repaired, cleansed and rededicated the Temple to the service of G-d. But all the Temple's oil had been defiled by the pagan invaders; when the Jews sought to light the Temple's menorah (candelabra), they found only one small cruse of ritually pure olive oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new, pure oil could be obtained. In commemoration, the Sages instituted the 8-day festival of Chanukah, on which lights are kindled nightly to recall and publicize the miracle. Link: The Story of Chanukah [http://www.chabad.org/102816] . R. Chizkia Medini (1904) Kislev 25 is the yahrtzeit (date of passing) of Rabbi Chaim Chizkiah Medini (1832-1904), author of the Halachic encyclopedia Sdei Chemed. =========== Daily Study =========== Chitas and Rambam for today: Chumash: Mikeitz, 2nd Portion Bereishit 41:15-41:38 with Rashi . English Text: http://www.chabad.org/parshah... Tehillim: Chapter 119, Verses 1-96 . Hebrew text: http://www.chabad.org/dailyst... . English text: http://www.chabad.org/dailyst... Tanya: Likutei Amarim, beginning of Chapter 3 . Lesson in Tanya: http://www.chabad.org/dailyst... . RealAudio: http://www.chabad.org/dailyst... . Windows Media: http://www.chabad.org/dailyst... Rambam: . Sefer Hamitzvos: http://www.chabad.org/dailyst... . 1 Chapter: Mechirah Chap. 7 http://www.chabad.org/dailyst... . 3 Chapters: Nezirut Chap. 6, 7, 8 http://www.chabad.org/dailyst... Hayom Yom: . English Text: http://www.chabad.org/dailyst...   Kindness - Day 85 - The Chesed of Sodom 12.27.05 (9:33 am)   [edit] Loving Kindness 25 Kislev, 5766 / December 26, 2005 Day 85 - The Chesed of Sodom SEFER AHAVAS CHESED — Part II Chapter XVII footnotes Most of the time, an organized approach is better than a scattershot approach. Most of the time, a one-stop errand is preferable to a long itinerary of stops. Both of those generalizations, however, do not hold true when the issue is charity. Jewish communities in the Chofetz Chaim’s day sometimes took it upon themselves to bring charitable giving under one umbrella, eliminating the need for solicitors to go door to door, while at the same time saving the townspeople the trouble of having to open their doors to strangers. This plan, the Chofetz Chaim insisted, was wrong headed and harmful; locking one’s doors to the poor — even if one directs them to where help is available — is not what the Torah envisions for the Jewish people. While it is true that a person’s priorities for charity are those closest to him, this does not negate the necessity of keeping doors open to the poor from other communities. Furthermore, if a poor person is denied the opportunity to go door to door, he is denied the chance to find a sympathetic ear. Perhaps one or two people he encounters will be willing to offer him a greater level of assistance than the general fund would allow. If he cannot get past the door, he has no opportunity to state his case to someone who might feel for his particular plight. For instance, someone who has had an ill child might be inclined to give a generous amount to a man collecting for his own child’s surgery. The Chofetz Chaim was not alone in his objections to removing charity from the realm of the private home. A story told about Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev graphically defines the essence of this type of system. As a great leader of his generation, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak was constantly being summoned to communal meetings. In his older years, he decided that he wanted to spend more time learning and counseling those who came to him. He instructed the elders of Berditchev to make communal decisions among themselves, and summon him only when some new enactment was being considered. One day, he was summoned. The elders were debating the idea of shifting all the community’s charitable giving into a central fund that would be administered by a treasurer. They sought the Rabbi’s consent. “I don’t understand why you called for me,” the Rabbi said. “I told you only to summon me when you were instituting something new. This is old. It was done first in Sodom and Gomorrah.” “Sodom?” the elders exclaimed. “But those were evil, selfish people. Our idea is to make it easier for the poor people themselves.” The Rabbi would not be swayed. “Do you think the people of Sodom told themselves they were wicked? They had reasons. They had rationalizations as to why they were right to refuse to give. No matter how you explain it, the final result is that doors are closed to the poor. I’ll have nothing to do with it.” A central fund has its place. Indeed, it can be a lifeline for people in need of help. The vision Hashem has for his people, however, is not a vision of institutionalized kindness. It is a vision of eyes meeting, hearts responding, hands giving, one to the other. Step by Step If I have tended to confine my significant giving to organized charities, today I will consider putting more into the money I give at the door.   Daily Halacha: Chanukah - A Dignified Menorah 12.27.05 (9:17 am)   [edit] Halacha of the Day (12/25/2005) By Rabbi Eli Mansour * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Description: Chanukah- A Dignified Menorah Maran in Shulchan Aruch, siman 673, Halacha 3, says that one shouldn't use a previously used vessel for the lighting of the Menorah. Specifically, Maran is referring to the actual cup or receptacle that house the oil and wick. Maran's meaning here is that we shouldn't reuse the cup over again as is, for the cup is now soiled with soot and grime. The cup is oily and probably blackened at the rim. So Maran is telling us that we must not use such a vessel as it would be disrespectful and inappropriate for the fulfillment of a Mitzvah Now, most people who light with oil use glass receptacles. And most people who use glass receptacles, buy the ready made set of oil filled glass cups. That is nice, respectful, and fresh. There are others though who like to toil in the fulfillment of the Mitzvah, as they spend the time each day to prepare the cup, oil, and wicks. For them this Halacha teaches that although the glass receptacle may be used from one night to the next, the vessel however must be cleaned and made presentable and dignified for the next night. Certainly one would not serve a soiled glass on his table. Likewise, one should not utilize a soiled receptacle when fulfilling a Mitzvah. Therefore, for those who use the same glass cups each night be sure to clean them out and present them in a dignified manner at the time of lighting. The question was asked in this regard about reusing wicks. Is it permissible to recycle wicks from one night to the next? Maran discusses this question in the same siman in Halacha 4, and says there is no problem if one wants to recycle wicks. In a previous Daily Halacha entitled "Can We Reuse The Candle Wick Or Do We Need To Use New Wicks Each Night", we learnt that some argue it is even better to reuse the same wicks from night to night. Others, however, like the opinion of the Ba'al HaTanya (a major treatise of Kabalah and Chassidic philosophy of the early 19th century), say that one should try to use new wicks every night, and not use the same wicks over and over again. One reason cited is Zecher L'Menorah of the Bet HaMikdash. In the Bet HaMikdash, they used new wicks every night, and therefore it is suggested to use new wicks to commemorate the Bet HaMikdash. So there are differing opinions when it comes to recycling wicks. Both sides have what to rely on, and either w Our point today is to make sure that the Menorah is presentable, clean, nice, and dignified when fulfilling the Mitzvah. I want to point out that the Kaf Hachayim (Rav Yaakov Chaim Sofer 1870-1939) does say that some have the custom to use golden oil receptacles. He says a person should try his utmost to perform this Mitzvah in the most distinguished manner, meaning one should acquire the most beautiful Menorah according to his means. It is brought down [listen to the audio clip for the exact quote] that one should even use a Menorah of Kesef (silver.) There are many extravagances that are less important that we in today's society splurge on. When it comes to Mitzvot, certainly one should not have a lower standard. Everyone should try to fulfill the Mitzvot in the most beautiful way possible.   Daily Dose: Two Lessons 12.27.05 (9:15 am)   [edit] B"H Two Lessons ----------- On the first night of Chanukah all eight candle holders stand before you. But you light only one. Tomorrow night you shall light two. You know that eventually you will light all eight. From which we learn two things: 1. Move step by step in life. Take things on at a pace you can handle. 2. Always grow. Always keep moving. If you did one good thing yesterday, do two today. Your ultimate achievement is always one step ahead. A Daily Dose of Wisdom from the Rebbe -words and condensation by Tzvi Freeman Kislev 24, 5766 * December 25, 2005   Daily Lift #870 - Joy in the Face of Death 12.27.05 (9:13 am)   [edit] Daily Lift #870 Joy In The Face Of Death The Talmud (Brachot 31) relates that at the wedding of Mar, the son of Ravina, the Sages asked Rav Hamnuna to sing a song. This is hat he sang: "Woe to us that we die! Woe to us that we die!" Since we have an obligation to rejoice with the bride and groom at a wedding, how was it proper for Rav Hamnuna to say something that would cause sadness? When you are able to recall death and nevertheless rejoice, this is true joy. This is possible when one is committed to serving the eternal God. But if someone need to forget death in order to rejoice, the joy is incomplete. (Rabbi Moshe Rosenstein in Darkai Mussar, p.56; Rabbi Pliskin's "Gateway to Happiness," p.113)   Growing Each Day - Kislev 24 12.27.05 (9:11 am)   [edit] Way #14 Written Instructions For Living by Rabbi Noah Weinberg When we learn Torah, we are not studying an abstract and arcane text of the ancient world. We are engaged in discovering the essence of Judaism, which is the essence of ourselves. The Jewish people have a set of "written instructions for living" - the Bible, and also "oral instructions for living" - the Talmud. Jewish wisdom is incomprehensible unless both parts are working together. Way #14 is "b'mikreh," the written instructions. The Bible has three parts, totaling 24 books: Torah - The Five Books of Moses, revealed to the Jewish people by God at Mount Sinai. Prophets - God spoke to various prophets (e.g. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) who transmitted messages strengthening the Jewish commitment to Torah. Writings - The Writings (e.g. Proverbs, Psalms, Esther) emphasize God's message in a poetic style. The Bible is the all-time bestseller and has made an enormous impact on Western civilization. Everyone should study the Bible at least once in a lifetime. "All men have an inalienable right" - straight from the Bible. "Love your neighbor" - the Bible. Isaiah's vision of peace adorns the United Nations. The biblical sanction to "proclaim freedom throughout the land" is engraved on the Liberty Bell. You don't need to accept the existence of God to learn these basic lessons. Whether interpersonal relationships, self-awareness, community relations, or environmental concerns - Torah is the ultimate "owner's manual." On a deeper level, Jewish tradition says that Torah is the "blueprint for creation." Everything in life can be found in Torah... if you ask the right questions, and possess the right set of tools. ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----- INTERGALACTIC COMMUNICATION Imagine you received a message from outer space. You might not fully understand its meaning, but you are fascinated. You will study every word and try to decode it. Torah is the word of God, communicated to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. If a piece of Torah doesn't seem to make sense, don't pass it off as irrelevant. Keep asking, searching, delving. Look deeper into what each piece of Torah is telling you. All the stories and commandments are really philosophical messages waiting to be revealed by the intellectually active mind. The Flood, the Tower of Babel, the splitting of the Red Sea - all contain the deepest wisdom for living. Even dates, names, numbers, events and lineage all teach us something. The message is often between the lines. And when the message seems obvious, there's more below the surface. Let's take an example. In Genesis chapter 18, Abraham is in the middle of conversing with God. Then three strangers pass by and Abraham immediately runs to serve them. At this point the alert reader should question: Why would Abraham stop talking to God in order to help strangers? It doesn't make sense. Even an atheist would admit that talking to God is the ultimate experience! From here we learn a profound spiritual lesson: Even more important than talking to God, is to be like God. What does it mean to "be like Him"? God created the world for our pleasure. Everything he placed here - fruit, hands, love - are manifestations of His kindness. This world is one big hospitality inn. So when you take the role of host, of serving your fellow man, you are like God. Abraham was wealthy and famous, yet it was not beneath him to serve strangers. He understood the lesson. Read the Bible intelligently. It is the guiding force of Jewish achievement, as fresh today as it was 3,500 years ago. Don't discount its value without first making an effort to study it. Respect the Bible. It is a hidden treasure, a special message from God. ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----- THE ORIGINAL If you want to understand the Bible, you need to learn Hebrew. There's no way to get the full meaning in translation. For example, the Torah uses 10 different names for God. Each "name" refers to a unique aspect of God's essence: all-knowing, all-powerful, prime mover, merciful, etc. But in English, these names are all translated the same, and much of the depth is lost. Worse yet, biblical translation promotes misconceptions. For example, you'll read a translation and come across the word "sin." Uh-oh. Sin, evil, punishment. But the Hebrew word Chet does not mean sin at all. Chet appears in the Bible in reference to an arrow which missed the target. There is nothing inherently "bad" about the arrow (or the archer). Rather, a mistake was made - due to a lack of focus, concentration or skill. From here we learn that human beings are essentially good. Nobody wants to sin. We may occasionally make a mistake, lose focus, and miss the target. But in essence we want to do good. This is a great lesson in self-esteem. Simply adjust your aim and try again! In translation, the message is lost. In fact, entire religions have arose based on mistranslations. So get it straight. Learn Hebrew. ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----- PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS I once came across a magazine profiling a group of hippies who spent the day reading the biblical "Song of Songs." "Song of Songs" is written in the form of a poem, a love song between a man and a woman, symbolizing the relationship between the Almighty and humanity. The message is so deep and beautiful that the Jewish people call this book the "holy of holies." On the commune, they had an experience where the men recited the man's lines, and the women recited the woman's lines. The magazine reports that they read through "Song of Songs" and had a fantastic experience. Afterward, the women proclaimed that they finally found a portion of the Bible written by a woman, because no man could ever understand a woman's feelings so deeply and state them so powerfully. In other words, they concluded that only a hermaphrodite could have edited the Bible. But God? No, that's inconceivable. Unfortunately, Bible critics usually come from a preconceived position, and when the Bible doesn't fit those parameters, they are forced to make far-fetched conclusions. They don't seriously consider the idea of Torah's divine authorship, of "national revelation." Yet it is an unbroken Jewish tradition that 3 million men, women and children stood at Mount Sinai and heard the Torah directly from God. And in the 3,300 years since, no other religion has ever made such a claim - because it is impossible to fabricate. ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----- NATURE & MIRACLES Some critics have trouble accepting the idea of divine intervention. For them, all the biblical phenomenon need to be explained in terms of nature. A book called "World in Collision," for example, explains the splitting of the Red Sea like this: A tremendous comet approached earth at the time the Egyptians were chasing the Jews. At that precise moment, the comet was in position to tear the Red Sea apart by the force of gravity, leaving dry land between two walls of the sea. The Jews entered the sea, and sure enough, the Egyptians followed. Luckily, the Jews came out the other side just as the comet passed, and the water returned, drowning the Egyptians. Simple, right? You don't need God. How does this book explain the manna bread that the Jews collected every morning for 40 years in the desert? After the comet passed, particles of petroleum remained in the higher atmosphere. It eventually burned off and mixed with the dew. The falling dew combined with a particular micro-bacteria that digests petroleum products and converts it into protein. Thus explains how every morning, for 40 years, a nation of Jews picked up manna bread - "dew containing predigested protein." On Fridays, there was a double portion, but he doesn't explain that... These explanations are missing the point. Torah isn't a history book, a physics book or a storybook. Rather, it is Torat Chaim - literally "instructions for living." Every word, every phrase contains a message how to maximize pleasure in life. Look for the deeper message - the wisdom within - and you will reap immense rewards. ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----- THE TIME IS NOW The first sentence a Jewish child is taught is "Torah tziva lanu Moshe, morasha kehilat Yaakov" - "Torah was commanded to us through Moses and is the inheritance of every Jew." Torah was meant for everybody. It is not the exclusive domain of some priestly class. Rather, it is a living, breathing document - the lifeblood of our Jewish nation. We are required at all times to involve ourselves in its study and practice. As it says, "You shall think about it day and night" (Joshua 1:8). Your academic education may have ended, and there may come a point where you are as good a "professional" as you need to be. But learning Torah starts at a young age and continues for a lifetime. As you mature and your awareness of reality increases, so will your understanding of concepts you thought you once knew well. Every Jew is supposed to review the weekly Torah portion three times, and then hear it again in the synagogue on Shabbat. We review, ask questions, discuss the topics. "What did you see, what was difficult, what didn't you understand?" After learning a piece of Torah, organize it so it's at your fingertips. For example, the Five Books of Moses are organized into 54 weekly portions and 674 chapters. After learning one chapter, pause and assign a code word or phrase to the chapter. You'll have a handy device to recall the wisdom it contains. Some people use the excuse, "I'm too old to begin learning." But the Talmudic scholar Rebbe Akiva didn't even learn the Aleph-Bet until he was age 40. This is the same Rebbe Akiva who became the greatest sage of his generation with 24,000 students! Some people are hesitant to learn Torah because they can't imagine ever becoming a scholar, so therefore "why even get started?" This is faulty thinking. Every drop of Torah study is precious and eternal. ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----- TREE OF LIFE There are two ways to acquire wisdom: through life experience, or through learning Torah. Judaism says it's better to get wisdom through Torah. Why? Because even though you can learn from experience, there's a negative residual effect. True, a woman who goes through a series of failed relationships will eventually learn what's important in a husband. But if she'd first studied wisdom, she'd have saved a lot of needless headache. We learn this lesson from the Garden of Eden. Here is a story that sounds like a real fairytale: two trees in the middle of the garden, and God instructs Adam that the Tree of Life (symbolizing the attainment of wisdom through Torah) is made to be eaten, whereas the Tree of Knowledge (symbolizing wisdom through experience) is better avoided. Adam's mistake? He eats from the Tree of Knowledge. We don't have the patience to get to know ourselves and we want to learn from experience. Many people say: "After I make money, when my business is self-sustaining, then I'll take time out to learn Torah. But I need to experience life a little first." Three divorces later... Do not say: "When I have free time, I will study," for perhaps you will never have time. Realistically, once you're promoted to VP of the firm, do you expect to have more free time, or less free time? The Torah is a "tree of life" for those who grasp it. When we study Torah, we are not studying an abstract and arcane text of the ancient world. We are in fact discovering the essence of ourselves. ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- ----- WHY IS "WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS" A WAY TO WISDOM? ead the Bible from beginning to end. If you haven't yet learned Hebrew, buy an authentic Jewish translation. (Recommended: ArtScroll's "Stone Chumash") Learn Torah. Discover God's instructions for living. Don't wait until your life is almost over. Understand Torah. It's the book that changed the world. Ask questions until you know the message in detail. Correlate any differences and resolve them. There are no "unintentional" discrepancies in Torah. Look in the book and you will find it. Organize it. Wisdom is only useful when it's at your fingertips. Torah should be your encyclopedia, almanac and index to living. Review Torah, in order to remember. You wouldn't head out on the open road without a map. When going through life, don't leave the Torah behind. Integrate Torah. Make the ideas part of your reality. Rebbe Akiva said that a Jew without Torah is like a fish without water. Update it. Renew Torah wisdom as your life situation changes. Don't "honor your parents" at age 25 the same way you did at age five. Upgrade it. The first paragraph of the "Shema" contains 48 words, corresponding to the 48 Ways. Torah wisdom is infinitely vast. Always delve one level deeper.   Kindness - Day 80 - On Commission 12.27.05 (8:48 am)   [edit] Loving Kindness 20 Kislev, 5766 / December 21, 2005 Day 80 - On Commission SEFER AHAVAS CHESED — Part II Chapter XVI Everyone knows this person. In sixth grade he organizes a class carnival to earn money for charity. In high school he starts a tutoring program for elementary-school boys. As a newlywed, he solicits money for his synagogue’s building campaign. Five years later, he raises money for his son’s yeshivah. When he is around, everyone in his periphery gets pulled into his orbit. They suddenly find themselves writing checks for his causes and working on his projects, all because of his gentle, persistent tug. When a person becomes involved in community chesed organizations, he does not just earn his own reward for his own kind act. He earns a “commission,” a piece of the credit for the many people he spurs onto their own acts of chesed. The Midrash Tanchuma states that if a person, as a result of sin, is liable for a severe punishment, there are actions he can take to avert the consequence. One of these actions is to take upon himself the responsibility of collecting for a chesed fund, for “One who pursues charity and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor” (Mishlei 21:21). Giving what one can certainly evokes Heaven’s mercy, but a person can go far beyond the limits of his own financial capabilities by taking on the task of encouraging others to give. He then receives credit for the mitzvos he has encouraged. This principle is illustrated in the Torah (Shemos 17:5) when Hashem instructs Moses: “And in your hand take your staff with which you struck the river.” The episode to which Hashem is referring did not happen. Moses never struck the river; he followed Hashem’s command to instruct Aaron to strike the river. The stick and the miracles for which it was the agent are attributed to Moses because it was he who caused Aaron to utilize it for its miraculous purpose. The person who causes others to use their assets for their Heavenly purpose shares ownership of their achievements. Their “stick” is also his. In collecting money for charity, a person can be certain to experience rejection, sometimes even humiliation. He will not, however, come to sin through this endeavor, as the Mishnah in Avos (5:18) promises: “One who causes merit to accrue to the masses, no sin comes through his hand.” The Talmud (Bava Basra 9a) goes further, saying in the name of Rabbi Elazar that one who causes others to give is even greater than one who gives himself. The source of his greatness lies in the difficulty of his endeavor. The Chofetz Chaim says that if a person has amassed a thousand rubles for a charitable fund, he has undoubtedly undergone considerable emotional and perhaps physical hardship in the process. It is because of this involvement of body and soul in the act of collecting that the rewards are so great. All the good that the money does earns perpetual rewards for those who reached into their own pockets, and it earns still more reward for the one who reached into each of their hearts. Step by Step The next time someone needs help collecting for a charitable cause, I will try to find time to take part in collecting.   Chassidic Story: Life after Death: A Parable 12.27.05 (8:43 am)   [edit] B"H Kislev 21, 5766 * December 22, 2005 ========================= ==== C H A S S I D I C S T O R Y ========================= ==== Life After Death: A Parable By: Maurice Lamm ------------------------- -- Man has had an abiding faith in a world beyond the grave. The conviction in a life after death, improvable but unshakeable, has been cherished since the beginning of thinking man's life on earth. It makes its appearance in religious literature not as fiat, commanded irrevocably by an absolute God, but rather arises plant-like, growing and developing naturally in the soul. It then sprouts forth through sublime prayer and sacred hymn. Only later does it become extrapolated in complicated metaphysical speculation. The after-life has not been "thought up"; it is not a rational construction of a religious philosophy imposed on believing man. It has sprung from within the hearts of masses of men, a sort of consensus Pentium, inside out, a hope beyond and above the rational, a longing for the warm sun of eternity. The after-life is not a theory to be proven logically or demonstrated by rational analysis. It is axiomatic. It is to the soul what oxygen is to the lungs. There is little meaning to life, to God, to man's constant strivings, to all of his achievements, unless there is a world beyond the grave. The Bible, so vitally concerned with the actions of man in this world, and agonizing over his day-to-day morals, is relatively silent about the world-to-come. But, precisely, this very silence is a tribute to the awesome concept, taken for granted like the oxygen in the atmosphere. No elaborate apologia, no complex abstractions are necessary. The Bible, which records the sacred dialogue between God and man, surely must be founded on the soul's eternal existence. It was not a matter of debate, as it became later in history when whole movements interpreted scripture with slavish literalism and could not find the after-life crystallized in letters and words, or later, when philosophers began to apply the yardstick of rationalism to man's every hope and idea and sought empirical proof for this conviction of the soul. It was a fundamental creed, always present, though rarely articulated. If the soul is immortal then death cannot be considered a final act. If the life of the soul is to be continued, then death, however bitter, is deprived of its treacherous power of casting mourners into a lifetime of agonizing hopelessness over an irretrievable loss. Terrible though it is, death is a threshold to a new world-the "world-to-come." A Parable An imaginative and telling analogy that conveys the hope and confidence in the after-life, even though this hope must be refracted through the prism of death, is the tale of twins awaiting birth in the mother's womb. It was created by a contemporary Israeli rabbi, the late Y. M. Tuckachinsky. Imagine twins growing peacefully in the warmth of the womb. Their mouths are closed, and they are being fed via the navel. Their lives are serene. The whole world, to these brothers, is the interior of the womb. Who could conceive anything larger, better, more comfortable? They begin to wonder: "We are getting lower and lower. Surely if it continues, we will exit one day. What will happen after we exit?" Now the first infant is a believer. He is heir to a religious tradition which tells him that there will be a "new life" after this wet and warm existence of the womb. A strange belief, seemingly without foundation, but one to which he holds fast. The second infant is a thorough-going skeptic. Mere stories do not deceive him. He believes only in that which can be demonstrated. He is enlightened, and tolerates no idle conjecture. What is not within one's experience can have no basis in one's imagination. Says the faithful brother: "After our 'death' here, there will be a new great world. We will eat through the mouth! We will see great distances, and we will hear through the ears on the sides of our heads. Why, our feet will be straightened! And our heads-up and free, rather than down and boxed in." Replies the skeptic: "Nonsense. You're straining your imagination again. There is no foundation for this belief. It is only your survival instinct, an elaborate defense mechanism, a historically-conditioned subterfuge. You are looking for something to calm your fear of 'death.' There is only this world. There is no world-to-come!" "Well then," asks the first, "what do you say it will be like?" The second brother snappily replies with all the assurance of the slightly knowledgeable: "We will go with a bang. Our world will collapse and we will sink into oblivion. No more. Nothing. Black void. An end to consciousness. Forgotten. This may not be a comforting thought, but it is a logical one." Suddenly the water inside the womb bursts. The womb convulses. Upheaval. Turmoil. Writhing. Everything lets loose. Then a mysterious pounding -- a crushing, staccato pounding. Faster, faster, lower, lower. The believing brother exits. Tearing himself from the womb, he falls outward. The second brother shrieks, startled by the "accident" befallen his brother. He bewails and bemoans the tragedy--the death of a perfectly fine fellow. Why? Why? Why didn't he take better care? Why did he fall into that terrible abyss? As he thus laments, he hears a head-splitting cry, and a great tumult from the black abyss, and he trembles: "Oh my! What a horrible end! As I predicted!" Meanwhile as the skeptic brother mourns, his "dead" brother has been born into the "new" world. The headsplitting cry is a sign of health and vigor, and the tumult is really a chorus of mazel tons sounded by the waiting family thanking God for the birth of a healthy son. Indeed, in the words of a contemporary thinker, man comes from the darkness of the "not yet," and proceeds to the darkness of the "no more." While it is difficult to imagine the "not yet" it is more difficult to picture the "no more." As we separate and "die" from the womb, only to be born to life, so we separate and die from our world, only to be re-born to life eternal. The exit from the womb is the birth of the body. The exit from the body is the birth of the soul. As the womb requires a gestation period of nine months, the world requires a residence of 70 or 80 years. As the womb is prozdor, an anteroom preparatory to life, so our present existence is a prozdor to the world beyond. - From The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning by Rabbi Maurice Lamm.   Dating Maze - 195 - Disappearance in Cyberspace - A tale of a dot-come dating gone awry. 12.27.05 (8:40 am)   [edit] A tale of dot-come dating gone awry. Dear Rosie & Sherry, By chance, I met a man while playing a game online. We chatted online and then we talked on the phone. I really fell for him. He says that I am perfect for him, and he promised to come visit me (he lives in another region). But now he keeps putting things off, and has even started "blocking" me from seeing that he is online. He says that I can call any time, but I only get his voice mail and he doesn't return the calls. I think I have been vulnerable and fell for someone who is just getting his kicks on the internet. On the other hand, when we do talk, he goes on and on about spending his life with me. I really like this man and would like to have him in my life. Yet it's very difficult because he controls all communications. What shall I do? Anne Dear Anne, This man is avoiding you for a reason, but it could be any of dozens. Please do not waste your time and emotional energy trying to figure out what went wrong. You won't be able to and you will only feel worse about yourself if you insist on over-analyzing your cyber friendship. One of the risks of online dating is an experience such as the one you had. Someone you meet online could: 1) be afraid of face-to-face relationships, 2) have several e-mail partners at the same time, 3) is commitment phobic and cannot move any closer in a "relationship" than where the two of you got, 4) uses the Internet to escape to fantasy, 5) is married, 6) has lied about himself, or 7) was honestly pursuing an e-mail romance but decided at some point that it wasn't for him. Even when people actually do agree to meet face to face, they may not get along as well in person as they did in cyberspace. Don't think that we're paranoid alarmists, but... while the vast majority of people who use on-line dating services are well-adjusted adults, some of them are not. The potential to be hurt by someone you meet through the anonymity of the Internet is greater than if you are introduced by a mutual friend, or if you meet through a work-related or organizational function. The fact is that intelligent people have been duped online by less-than-honest people who are looking for a way to relieve marital boredom, or to con people out of their savings, or who may cause others physical or emotional harm. Everyone who uses Internet dating should follow these simple precautions to help safeguard their privacy and keep out of trouble. Keep it anonymous. When you correspond over an anonymous entity like the Internet, don't divulge biographical details like your full name, address, phone number, place of employment or any financial information. (Many sites let you keep your email address private, too.) This is good advice whenever you meet someone on your own (such as at a bar, singles event or through a personal ad) who has not been referred to you by someone you know and trust. You can release limited information, such as your first name and metro area, but better to save additional info for a live meeting. Exchange personal references. Don't dismiss this advice as too business-like or distrustful. Many reputable dating services and "matchmakers" ask for a list of references when you apply, and expect you to do proper follow-up about a prospective match. Nobody can learn everything about someone's background over the course of a one or two hour meeting. Similarly, you can't take what any stranger tells you at face value -- and your Internet date is, for all intents and purposes, a stranger. You should always request references before dating anyone you "meet" through an anonymous entity, and refuse to date anyone who is not willing to give you that information. A reasonable person will understand your caution. And be sure to do the follow-up, checking these references before your next date. Don't assume that everything is all right because you've been given a list of names and phone numbers. We know of many "references" who either did not exist, or had never heard of the person who used them as a reference. All in all, Internet dating can be a great experience, one that can lead to marriage and a lifetime of happiness. But be aware of the Internet's limitations -- particularly at the outset of a relationship. This will help ensure that your online dating encounter is a pleasant and successful one. For the present, we hope that you can realize that this man just isn't The One, and work on getting over the disappointment and sense of loss you feel.   Daily Dose: E=MC2 12.27.05 (8:39 am)   [edit] B"H E=MC2 ----- Modern physics has brought us to a realization of the oneness of our universe, from which we may better grasp the Oneness of its Creator: All that exists can be divided into two elements: The force, and the particle that bears that force. In other terms: quality and quantity. With a simple equation, Einstein demonstrated that even these two elements are truly one. A Daily Dose of Wisdom from the Rebbe -words and condensation by Tzvi Freeman Kislev 21, 5766 * December 22, 2005   Growing Each Day - Kislev 22 12.27.05 (8:35 am)   [edit] Kislev 22 Hear, O Israel, Hashem is our God, Hashem the One and Only (Deuteronomy 6:4). When reciting the declaration of the unity of God, we are required to commit ourselves to this belief, that in the event we were coerced to deny Him, we would surrender our lives rather than do so. This concept is called mesiras nefesh, and in addition to our belief in God, there are only two other instances where we are to choose martyrdom rather than transgression: murder and adultery. While the thought of surrendering one's life is frightening, it has unfortunately characterized much of Jewish history. However, since the urge for survival is innate and most intense and generally overrides all other considerations, how can so many Jews have risen to the challenge of mesiras nefesh? The answer is quite simple. Just think of what life would be like if nothing was worth dying for: no ideals, no principles, no loyalty, no sacredness, no ultimate value. Under duress, everything would go. Could thinking people who pride themselves in living on a plane of life higher than that of brute beasts see any value in this kind of life? There are things that are dearer than life that give life its great value. Today I shall ... ... try to appreciate the full value of life, and realize that there are absolute values that make life precious.   Shabbat Shalom Weekly - Insights into life, ideas for personal growth 12.26.05 (5:42 pm)   [edit] Insights into life, ideas for personal growth GOOD MORNING! How much of your success is due to your brains, good judgment, risk taking and experience versus "coincidence"? Here's the story! The night is November 28th, 1944. You are on the U.S.S. submarine Archer-fish under the command of Captain Joe Enright, patrolling Tokyo Bay. Into the field of your periscope steams the super-aircraft carrier, Shinano, over 70,000 tons (40,000 tons bigger than the U.S. carriers Essex or Yorktown!). Its existence is unknown to the intelligence forces of the United States government! Originally intended to be a battleship, the Japanese lost so many carriers at Mariana Islands, Leyte Gulf and Midway that they put their hopes for victory on fielding this mega-aircraft carrier. It was created with a special concrete-filled double hull to make it virtually impenetrable to torpedoes and with watertight compartments in order to make it almost unsinkable. Captain Enright has his troubles. The day before his radar went down. In fixing it his technicians had to test it, thus revealing his presence. Now he sees the carrier, but it's traveling too fast at 20 knots (the Shinano had a top speed of 27 knots, but with only 8 of its boilers operable, it could only make 20 knots; a fleet submarine's top speed was 18 knots and push come to shove, 19 knots). Wanting to keep contact with the carrier, Enright continuously uses his radar (a non-standard strategy as it announces his presence; he figures they already know he is there from the previous day's radar testing). When the Shinano heads south there is no way the sub can keep the carrier in contact, so Archer-fish sends off a contact report to Comsubpac in Hawaii informing them of the target and course. Archer-fish follows the deduced course of the aircraft carrier in hopes that the submarine will get ahead of the carrier when the carrier will zig back to its main course. (When a carrier is in sub-infested waters it does not want to maintain a straight course to give the subs an easy setup to shoot their torpedoes; instead it zigs and zags to the right and left - starboard and port - of its main course. Sure enough, the carrier is spotted heading back towards the deduced course! The sub submerges to set up a shot. The angle is oblique, but it will have to do. Wait! The carrier is turning due north! A perfect 90 degree, perpendicular shot. Off go a spread of 6 torpedoes at 8 second intervals. Four torpedoes hit ... and about 6 hours later, the super-aircraft carrier sinks with about half of her crew. Great job! Captain Enright receives the Navy Cross. He did everything right. He sunk the equivalent of the Japanese Bismarck, the last hope of Japan. The application of brains, daring and experience. Now ... here's what Captain Enright didn't know! The Shinano was commanded by Captain Abe. Captain Abe is directed by the Japanese High Command to move the Shinano to the Inland Sea because they fear that a previous B-29 raid had photographed the Shinano and subsequent bombing missions will target the boatyard where the Shinano is being completed. Captain Abe protests that the Shinano is not ready - the waterproof compartments have not been air-tested to ensure that they will contain incoming water; there are gaskets missing and doors are misaligned. Four of his twelve boilers are not yet operational. The High Command tells him, "Go anyway! And go at night because we have no planes to escort you!" Captain Abe has report of a submarine using radar (remember the testing to put the Archer-fish's radar back on line?). He assumes there is a wolf pack of submarines out there. When he hears the constant radar (remember: the Archer-fish couldn't keep up, but wanted to keep contact) he commands his four battle-proven destroyer escorts to maintain position around the Shinano. He figures that the submarine is a decoy to draw the destroyers off of their positions so that another sub can sneak inside the perimeter and sink the Shinano. When one of his destroyers spots the sub and takes chase, Captain Abe calls him back and reprimands him - right before the destroyer can fire upon the sub or depth charge the sub. Had the destroyer pursued the sub, the Shinano could have escaped contact! After heading south, the Shinano is forced to slow down because of a hot bearing in its propeller shaft, making her speed less than the flank speed of the submarine. Captain Abe is told of the sub's radio broadcast (when the sub could no longer keep radar contact with the Shinano). Figuring that the sub is radioing his new heading to other subs, Captain Abe alters his course back to the north - towards the Archer-fish which has moved ahead and now lies in wait because of the Shinano's zig and slower speed (due to the hot ball bearing). When Captain Abe receives report that the radar wave from the sub has ceased (when the submarine submerged for the oblique torpedo shot), he says, "Aha! (or the Japanese equivalent) "the sub is about to fire torpedoes!" So, what does Captain Abe do? He alters his course to the west to ruin the torpedo setup, thus instead putting himself in a perpendicular position to the sub for a classic, perfect setup for a torpedo shot! Before the four torpedoes hit, Captain Abe has given the order to batten down the hatches. Unfortunately, due to missing and broken gaskets, and mis-aligned doors, the order proves worthless. Rather than heading for shore to beach his carrier and save it, he assumes that four torpedo hits cannot do major damage. So, he heads at his best speed towards his destination - thus forcing more water into his hull ... until it's too late to save the ship and it sinks. Now, here's the question! What sunk the Shinano? Captain Enright's seamanship and strategy or Captain Abe's assumptions? The answer: both! The lesson: We have to do our best in life. Take into account the information available to us and make our decisions. The outcome? It's out of our hands! Success is in the "hands" of the Almighty. If the Almighty wants that aircraft carrier sunk, it will sink. If He doesn't, it won't. Want evidence? One year previously our same Captain Enright was commanding the U.S.S. Dace. Comsubpac sent him a Top Secret message! They had intercepted the Japanese naval code and broken it. They gave Captain Enright the location, course and speed of the aircraft carrier Shokaku (which was involved in the bombing of Pearl Harbor). Captain Enright positioned himself in the perfect spot to intercept the aircraft carrier. At the appointed time, there was the aircraft carrier - 9 miles away (too far to intercept)! The current had slowed to 1/3 of its normal speed, accounting for the different position of the carrier. Captain Enright stood at his periscope, brokenhearted, and watched the carrier sail over the horizon, powerless to do anything. The lesson: do your best, but know that ultimately success is in the hands of the Almighty. For more on "Hashgacha Pratis" go to ShabbatShalomAudio.com! Torah Portion of the Week V'etchanan Moshe pleads with God to enter the Holy Land, but is turned down. (Remember, God always answers your prayers - sometimes with a "yes," sometimes with a "no" and sometimes with a "not yet.") Moshe commands the Children of Israel not to add or subtract from the words of the Torah and to keep all of the Commandments. He then reminds them that God has no shape or form and that we should not make or worship idols of any kind. The cities of Bezer, Ramot and Golan are designated as Cities of Refuge east of the Jordan river. Accidental murderers can escape there to avoid revengeful relatives. They then await there until tried. The Ten Commandments are repeated to the whole Jewish people. Moshe then expounds the Shema, affirming the unity of God, Whom all should love and transmit His commandments to the next generation. A man should wear Tefillin upon the arm and head. All Jews should put a Mezuzah (the scroll is the essential part) upon each doorpost of their home (except the bathroom). Moshe then relays the Almighty's command not to intermarry "for they will lead your children away from Me." (Deut. 7:3-4)   Text of Weekly Torah Portion 12.26.05 (3:41 pm)   [edit] Text of Weekly Torah Portion is brought to you by The Jewish Theological Seminary P A R A S H A T M i k k e t z Seventh Day of Hanukkah Rosh Hodesh Tevet Genesis 41:1 - 44:17 Maftir: Numbers 7:48 - 53 The text of Parashat Mikketz is available online at http://www.jtsa.edu/community/parashah/jp stext/mikketz.shtml" title="http://www.jtsa.edu/community/parashah/jp stext/mikketz.shtml" target="_blank"http://www.jtsa.edu/community... The text of the Torah readings for Hanukkah is available online at http://www.jtsa.edu/community/parashah/jp stext/hanukkah.shtml" title="http://www.jtsa.edu/community/parashah/jp stext/hanukkah.shtml" target="_blank"http://www.jtsa.edu/community...   A7News: Aliyah Flying High: 3,000 North Americans in 2005 12.26.05 (2:57 pm)   [edit] Aliyah Flying High: 3,000 North Americans in 2005 By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu An end-of-the-year Nefesh B'Nefesh-sponsored flight of new immigrants from North America will round out a year of increased aliyah. Almost all recent immigrants are satisfied with their move. The flight is expected to leave New York on Tuesday and arrive at the new Ben Gurion Terminal 3 the following day with more than 200 new olim from the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 3,000 North American Jews, the highest number since 1984, will have "come home" by the end of the year. The increase in aliyah (literally "moving up" to Israel) also is more successful in terms of satisfaction with the big move. An overwhelming majority of 93 percent of recent olim are satisfied with their new surroundings, a marked changed from the past. Sociologist Prof. Haim Waxman has written in his studies more than a decade ago that more than one-third of American olim in Israel return to the U.S., a figure confirmed by Jewish Agency sources.