video of Belz Chasunah in Yerushalayim 2013

Mitzva Tantz at Belz Wedding from yeshivaworldnews.com Simchas Belz website of wedding HERE

Be a reform rabbi and be married to a non jew

Unbelievable! This from Haaretz

NEW YORK – Should the Reform movement ordain intermarried rabbis?Hebrew Union College, which is the seminary of America’s largest Jewish denomination, is considering altering its current policy, which does not allow admission to its rabbinical, cantorial or education schools of applicants who are married to or partnered with non-Jews.
A growing chorus of voices — including newly-ordained and long-time Reform rabbis — says that changing it is the only way to be a truly inclusive movement. Other rabbis, including the HUC’s president, say that doing so would undermine their graduates’ ability to model ideals of Jewish commitment, a key part of a rabbi’s role.
While the issue has been percolating for some time, it came to a head when two rabbinical students — one on HUC’s Cincinnati campus and one in New York — in the same week last October in their student sermons called on the college to change its policy. And the administration took notice. Rabbi Michael Marmur, HUC’s vice president for academic affairs, immediately began writing what he describes as “a position paper” on the longstanding policy and soon shared it with the college’s top administrators. After discussing it with “the cabinet” of advisors to HUC president Rabbi David Ellenson, Marmur decided to initiate a faculty-wide discussion across HUC’s campuses in New York, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Jerusalem.
The issue “was on my mind and I thought was worthy of being addressed with seriousness,” said Marmur in an interview with Haaretz. In the discussions, he said, “this highly contentious and volatile topic” is “evoking a strong response.”
Opinions on both sides of the issue — but especially by those who favor changing the current policy, which states that “applicants who are married to or in committed relationships with non-Jews will not be considered for acceptance to this program” — have recently been published in articles in "Reform Judaism" magazine, in The Forward and on blogs. click HERE for more.

Resolutions following Boro park Internet Asifa 5773/ 2013

The Following resolutions were posted  Erev Shavuos 5773 following the Yiddish speaking Internet Asifa of the Ichud hakehilos Letohar Hamachaneh, which took place in Brooklyn on May 9, 2013. Most of the Signatories are Chasidisheh Rabbonim, this psak only pertains to their respective kehillos. Free translation from the Hebrew letter.

1. Internet use even with a good filter  should only be used for Parnassah and simillar instances.

2. 

a. Any Gadget or computer that is not properly guarded with a fool proof filter is assur to use with no exceptions.

 b. The Filter must be guarded under the auspices of a established organization which is under the supervision of Rabbonim and one that can not be removed on its own.

3. Principals and mechanchim and Roshei Mosdos have agreed to let children continue their learning in the respected schools for the coming school year, on condition that the parents are adhere to the Takanos which are agreed to by the Rabbonim.

4. Anyone who בעו'הר (due to our sins) owns a gadget or computer without a proper filter can not serve the tzibbur in any capacity of מילי דשמיא  such as a Shochet a Sofer and he is not worthy of  serving as a baal koreh or to be motzie the olam as a shliach Tzibbur.  

Ad for Nativ USA Filter

Lekovod Shavuos-Niggun kad yasvin as sung by the Siyum hashas 2012

 The stirring song is sung on several occasions in the jewish calender most prominntely on Shavuos and Simchas Torah there is great debate on who composed the niggun and where the lyrics come from some attribute it to the Chazon Ish, Rav Meir Shapira, others say the vilna gaon, click HERE for more. Article in Mishpacha Magazine HERE the story behind the song.

כד יתבין ישראל ועסקין בשמחת התורה, קודשא בריך הוא אומר לפמליא דיליה חזו בני חביבי דמשכחין לצערא דילהון ועסקין בחדוותא דילי

English translation:  When Klal Yisroel are sitting and engaging in Torah study, the Holy One, blessed is He, says to his heavenly army: 'See! See! My beloved children who forget about their personal problems and engage in My delight'."

Frum newspapers and magazines publish Shavuos issue.

Despite the challenging schedule and work week, the Frum papers came out with a special Yom Tov edition in time for Shavuos 5773. Some Papers included their Shavuos edition in last weeks issue, others printed a special edition this week.  Many of us will be staying up shavuos night learning Torah, there will be time to read up the Shabbos following Shavuos which will probably not have any new papers.

The Yated Ne'eman- published a Shavuos supplement with  stories and interviews related to Yom Tov. Stories of Gedolei Yisrael, Rav Shlomo Heiman, told over by Rav Simcha Schustal Zatzal. Special tribute on the 15th Yartzheit of Rav Moshe Sherer Zt"l written by various writers and askanim who enjoyed a special relationship with him. Reb Shlomo Werdiger, newly appointed chairman of the board of Agudas Yisrael of America, writes how Rabbi Sherer completely followed the Moetzes gedolei hatorah, even though he had the ear of presidents and world leaders, which to him is a example to follow. Interviews with Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsh, Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin, and a recap of the Torah Umesorah convention.

Hamodia- not printed yet!

Mishpacha Magazine- came out with an expanded Shavuos edition, including  Kolmus, the journal of Torah thought and Family First section. The feature story is about Rav Yehoshua Hartman, author of many seforim on the works of the Maharal of prague, How an encounter with Rav Hutner was a catalyst to his contributions to Torah scholarship. An article about the Dirshu revolution looking back 15 years of Torah learning programs. A second article on the topic of what's to eat, interviewing five  of North America's top Kashrus experts.

Ami Magazine- Published a 127 page expanded Shavuos issue, featuring a lengthy interview with Rav Nissim Karelitz of Bnei brak on how to fix the Beis Din System in America. An interview with James R. Waytsch, Shalom Rubashkin's lawyer on his only remaining legal remedy, and whats wrong with Dov lipman newly elected MK is awash in controversy, quoting many interviews Lipman gave to the press  questioning if his positions establish him as an apostate? The article ends.. We leave it to the Gedolim to decide. The Ami Livingsectionhas an expandedyom tov issue too.

The Kuntris Torah Magazine- in its Third issue, the kuntris covers various halachic articles pertaining to Shavuos. "The Red  eye Brachos" why its always a well rested individual who recites the Birchas hatorah on Shavuos morning,why and when do we eat Milchig on Shavuos, The kashrus issues of Whisky production.  Remembering Rav Zelig Reuven Bengis on His Yartzheit 7 Sivan. Shmuesen from Rav moshe Meiselman shlita and Rav shmuel Berenbaum zt"l. The Daas Torah files from the Shabbos tishof Rav Gershon Ribner.

Zman Magazine-  Sivan 5773, June 2013 issue, a Drasha given by rav Simcha wasserman in 1982 of the importance of Torah on the world. Feature article, Legacy of Hiroshima how a young Jew from Baltimore played a role in the deployment of the Atom Bomb. The History of new Yorks stone walls.

Its Dinner time!

Please come and show your support today, May 12, 2013 to the following Mosdos and yeshivos.  ג" סיון תשע''ג שלשת ימי הגבלה

Yeshiva Ateres Shmuel of Waterbury 13th Annual Dinner
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Terrace on the Park 52-11 111the Street, Flushing, NY
Reception 5:30 Dinner 6:30 Email: Dinner@yasw.org

Yeshivas Novominsk- Kol Yehuda Annual Dinner and hachnosas Sefer Torah
Sunday ,May 12, 2013
Ateres Chaya hall 1415-54th street, Brooklyn, NY
Dinner 6:00 pm Email: Sefertorah@Novominsk.com

Lakewood Cheder- Bais faiga 47th Annual Dinner
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Lake Terrace hall, Lakewood, NJ Reception 6:15 Dinner 7:15
Email: Dinne@Lakewoodcheder.net

Yeshiva Derech Chaim 38th Annual Dinner
Sunday, May 12th, 2013
The Palace, 780 Mcdonald Avenue , Brooklyn
Reception 5:30 pm Dinner 6:30 pm Email: Dinner@derechchaim.org

Yeshiva Bais Binyomin - Stamford, Siyum and tribute Dinner- Harav Simcha schustal Z'TL Sunday May,12 2013
The Orion palace 2555 McDonald Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Reception 6:00 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM Email: Dinner@Baisbinyomin.org

Yeshivas Ruach Chaim, 18th Annual Dinner Sunday May, 12, 2013
Young Israel of Avenue K, 2818 Avenue K booklyn, NY 11210
Reception 6:30 pm Dinner 7:30 pm

Frum Torah Websites choose to Ignore, barely report on the Internet Asifa

A Big event took place last week, 45,000 Yidden came together in different communities for a Kinus and Asifah of chizuk vehisoirerus in keeping our selves as a Goy Kadosh. Those of us who count on getting our news from the Torah and Yeshiva Websites would not have known about it. These sites simply chose to not report, or only a small mention about the Internet Asifa in passing with some pictures. It got no coverage at all, the Asifa did not get any headline story, or receive the proper placement as an important news Item. For whatever reason, The Anonymous editors of these sites chose to ignore it. Are they on the same level as the Lakewood mashgiach Shlita? or the Lakewood Roshei Yeshiva ,The Admorim and Zkeinim who came out with Mesiras nefesh to attend the Asifa? Is it irrelevant that thousands of yidden came together to grow in Yiras shomayim? These sites can post and report on every narishkeit in der velt but an uplifting derhiobeneh maamad they choose to ignore?? 
We will give them the benefit of the doubt, but how is that the voice of Torah Jewry and the Yeshiva velt if they dont cover or report on a kinus hisoirerus attended by thousands of Litvishe and Chasidisheh Yidden. The Ichud hakehilos does not advertise on the Internet ,ok, thats not a reason to ignore the event when everything else is reported.

  This only strengthens the Argument made HERE there is no such thing as a  online Torah voice or good frum yeshivish website if there is no vaad harabonim with names for all to see who guide the editors. If these torah sites are backed by Rabbonim let the editors come out and say who they are and who they follow.

Thousands gather again at Internet Asifa 2013 for chizuk and inspiration-watch video

 Missed it?  Click HERE to listen and  watch a video replay of the Internet Asifa 2013
 Nesw report on Monsey Rockland Boulders Asifa HERE   Boro park 18th ave Asifa video HERE

Close to 45,000 Yidden gathered in frum communities on Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5773 in an effort to be mechazek and reach a higher level of kedusha. The speakers stressed the progress that was made since the first Asifa  last year at Citifield but challenges and struggles still lie ahead. The mashgiach Harav mattisyahu Solomon mentioned the definition of Addiction "to surrender to your habit" how we should work on ourselves to overcome our habits and desires. The mashgiach said while many have installed filters for their computers and phones, that is not the lechatchillah of the level we should be holding at. It is only a bedieved, we should strive to reach a higher level of Kedushah. We have to be afraid of Hashem and have Yiras shomayim. Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin, spoke about how we must be careful not to fall into the tumah and reiterated the takanos of installing filters. The Mir Rosh yeshiva Rav Elya Brudny spoke about the havdalah Bein hamim that is lacking,  he said  hashem is sending us messages via all the tzaros and gezeiros on the klal. The mere fact that in  America where there was always freedom of religion and now they started up with Bris Milah and Tznius, is all messages that we have to be mechazek in kedusha and seperate ourselves from the secular society and cultures. The R'y also emphasized the addiction that we've been enslaved to by continuously checking our gadgets all day for the latest news non stop, as well as being exposed to lashon hora and rechilus. Other Asifa's took place among the Chasidish and Yiddish speaking crowds where the Rabbonim and Admorim reiterated the takanos they imposed on their respective kehilos. Ironicaly the technology for the live hook up did not go smoothly as the program was readjusted.

     








                                                       Photo by Eli Wohl






Monsey Asifa rockland Boulders stadium

Watch live stream hookup of Internet Asifa 2013

Click  HERE for live stream hookup of 2013 Internet Asifa Kinus Klal Yisrael Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5773

Internet Asifa updates May 9th, 2013 live phone Hook up info

 watch the Live stream Hookup of the 2013 Internet Asifa HERE  or HERE
                              Ichud hakehilos kinus klal yisrael rosh chodesh Sivan There will be a live video Hookup of the internet Asifa in many cities for info call 732-333-2263 or email Asteinberg@madisoncres.com
You can hear the Internet Asifa Live on the Phone hook up sponsored by Kol Halashon  call:       718-906-6400  or 732-719-3374 press for a live shiur

Satmar Rebbe Rav Aaron Tetelbaum will attend and speak at the Boro park Asifa at 18th Avenue park

Brooklyn-The Yiddish speaking Asifa will take place Thursday erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5773 in Brooklyn-, May 9,2013  at the 18th Avenue park in Boro Park, starting at 5:45 pm. There will be 10,000 seats set up. Rav Yosef Liefer of Satmar will emcee the event, Speakers Rav Aaron Schiff of Antwerp, Rav Dovid Olevski of Gur, Rav Tzvi Halperin of Adas Yereim. Askonim ask to bring umbrellas to the Asifa at 18th Ave park due to weather forcast of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Lakewood- The English speaking Internet Asifa will take place in Lakewood Thursday may 9, 2013 at Bais Faiga hall and Lake Terrace hall with a live hook up to frum communities across North America. The program will begin at 8:15 Speakers, Rav Mattisyahu Solomon Shlita Mashgiach Beth Medrash Govoha, Rav malkiel Kotler R'Y Beth Medrash Govoha, Rav Elya Brudny, R"Y of yeshivas Mir Brooklyn, Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin R"Y Telz. A highlight of the event will be a special presentation "the evolving digital challenge". The Asifa's are for men only, upcoming asifas for women to follow.

Monsey -will also a live hook up to the Lakewood event at the Atrium plaza at 8:45 and a Yiddish speaking asifa have  at the  Rockland Boulders baseball stadium in Pomona, Thursday night  May 9th, 2013 From 7-10 pm , The  Viznitz Rebbe from Monsey Rav Mordechai Hager shlita is said to attend the event. There will be a $10 ticket fee. 

Internet Asifa 2013 not about the Internet

 The 2013 internet Asifa has changed its message its not just about filtering the internet, but more about rising to the next level of challenges, the effects and side effects of modern technology, such as time wasting and reduced attention span. The Youtube phenomenon where everything private such as wedding videos is uploaded or the leitzanus clips making fun of kol davar shebikdusha is of great concern. The Ruchniyus challenges to use technologu more safely is more severe as the use of technology has increased significantly over the last year. A string of follow up Asifas are planned for cities across North America.
 The Ichud hakehilos will be starting with 3 Asifa's on the anniversary of the Citifield asifa.
The Yiddish speaking Asifa will take place Thursday erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5773 in Brooklyn, May 9,2013  at the 18th Avenue park in Boro Park, starting at 5:45 pm. There will be 10,000 seats set up. Rav Yosef Liefer of Satmar will emcee the event, Speakers Rav Aaron Schiff of Antwerp, Rav Dovid Olevski of Gur, Rav Tzvi Halperin of Adas Yereim.

The English speaking Internet Asifa will take place in Lakewood Thursday may 9, 2013 at Bais Faiga hall and Lake Terrace hall with a live hook up to frum communities across North America. The program will begin at 8:15 Speakers, Rav Mattisyahu Solomon Shlita Mashgiach Beth Medrash Govoha, Rav malkiel Kotler R'Y Beth Medrash Govoha, Rav Elya Brudny, R"Y of yeshivas Mir Brooklyn, Rav Yitzchok Sorotzkin R"Y Telz. A highlight of the event will be a special presentation "the evolving digital challenge". The Asifa's are for men only, upcoming asifas for women to follow.
Monsey will also have an Asifa at the  Rockland Boulders baseball stadium in Pomona, Thursday night  May 9th, 2013 for a rally about use of the Internet. From 7-10 pm , The Viznitz Rebbe from Monsey Rav Mordechai Hager shlita is said to attend the event. There will be a $10 ticket fee. 
There will be a Live hook up in Monsey to the English speaking Asifa at the Atrium plaza starting at 8:45 pm.
There will be a live video Hookup of the internet Asifa in many cities for info call 732-333-2263 or email Asteinberg@madisoncres.com
watch  LIVE HOOKUP INTERNET ASIFA CLICK HERE 2013

Moetzes gedolei Hatorah of America call for yom tefillah this erev rosh chodesh Sivan

  In light of the verbal attacks  by politicians on the yeshivos and kollelim in Eretz yisrael as well as the  Israeli Govt intervention in the  Mosdos haChinuch in changing our mesorah, The gedolim in America join with the gedolim in Eretz Yisrael and call upon all to gather in the Yeshivos and shuls erev Rosh chodesh Sivan 5773 to recite tehillim and daven Yom kippur katan ,to do teshuva and hashem will hear our tefilos.                                                                                   

עם ה' חזקו ונתחזקה    והרבו בתפלה ובקשה למען תורתנו הקדושה בארץ הקודש עת דאגה היא בעת הזאת להתורה ולומדיה בארץ ישראל. קמו ויתיצבו אנשי כוח ובעלי פוליטיקה למיניהם לחתור חתירה תחת סגולת חיינו ונשמת אומתנו- תלמודה של תורה בישיבות הקדושות והכוללים המלאים בחורי חמד ואברכים יקרים השוקדים על התורה וגדילים בה, ואשר מהם תצא תורה לכל ישראל.ועומדת לפנינו סכנה של ממש, חלילה,  לנתק ולהעביר לומדי התורה מבי מדרשא באופנים שונים של לחץ ודחק, הן על הישיבות, הן על האברכים, ולהעיק על חייהם בחומר וברוח, היו לא תהי'.כן הושמעו לגזור מצד גורמי השלטון על החינוך הטהור של צעירי הצאן, ועומדים להתערב בתכני הלימוד של מוסדות החינוך ולשנות מהדרך והנהוג המסורה לנו מרבותינו עיני העדה מדור דור.ובעת צרה כזאת צו השעה היא לשאת למרום עינינו ולהרבות בתפלה ובתחנונים, בתשובה ומעשים טובים, למען תורתנו ומסורת קדשנו בארץ הקודש. והננו מצטרפים לקריאתם של מרנן ורבנן, גדולי התורה בפלטרין של מלך, לקבוע יום תפלה בערב ראש חודש סיון הבא, להתאסף בהיכלי ישיבות הקדושות ובבתי כנסיות לאמירת תהלים ותפילת יום כיפור קטן, ולהתעורר בתשובה לאבינו שבשמים, והקב"ה ישמע קול צעקתנו ויחון אותנו ברחמים וחסדים ובתשועת עולמים.

                                                                                               אייר תשע"ג

                                                                                    מועצת גדולי התורה בארה"ב

Large crowds attend Agudath israel Dinner 2013- Video

Large crowds came together last night to show their support at the 91st Annual Dinner of Agudath Israel of America. The event was attended by many Rabbonim Roshei Yeshiva, and politicians from across the spectrum including Senator Dan Coats R-Indiana and Senator Chuck Schumer. The speakers mentioned the importance of What Agudah does for the Klal helping in all areas from yeshivos to social programs to fighting to protect our religious rights.
 Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel of Agudah in a fiery speech when he referenced mayor bloombergs comment about Black Hats he defiantly got his black hat from the table.

Full text of Rabbi Zwiebel speech HERE    Photos of  Agudah Dinner 2013 Below
 Video credit to Gifter Photos


Photos and pictures of Agudah israel Dinner 2013

Frum blogs are setting the narrative in the frum media.

The recent news story of an investigated report of a prominent Modern Orthodox Rabbi who was accused of deceptive use of fictitious names, has lit up the frum Blog world. The story was covered by many of the  blogs and websites with shock and sadness, while others jumped on the opportunity to bash and show the hypocrisy. As is the case in Blogsphere there is no hadracha or guidance by Rabbonim it is each to his own. There is no accountability or responsibility most of the frum blogs are anonymous (this one too). Any scandal that the frum print media would never have covered or reported, is open forum and top news on the frum blogs and websites.

The frum print media, the newspapers and magazines usually wouldn't and has not covered a scandal or print the name of the accused. Perhaps do to the exposure and popularity of the blogs where everything is reported  and brought to light, this has had an affect on the frum papers to report or reference to these stories. One paper went all out in reporting the aforementioned story immediately  in great detail, something it has rarely done before. The exposure on the blogs contributed to their quick and thorough coverage.

 This weeks Ami Magazine had an article referenced to the story titled "A False Testimony Revealed". It started with an editors note: Ami magazine is publishing the following news story per the directive and psak of various gedolei torah, to refute false claims that have been made in the name of several gedolim" The article did not mention the Rabbi by name, but focused on the  lenient psak that married woman dont have to cover their hair which was proven that claims of various gedolim who approved of the psak was a clear and brazen falsification.  Being a Editor of a Frum Paper is a tough job, the Bloggers make that work even harder and we cant let them set the narrative.

Its Dinner time!

Please come and show your support today, May 5th, 2013 and rest of the week to the following Mosdos and yeshivos.

Agudath Israel of America 91st Annual Dinner 2013
 Sunday May 5, 2013 New York Hilton 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019
Reception 5:00 pm Dinner 6:00 pm Email
 Dinner@Agudathisrael.org or call Agudah Dinner office 212-797-8177

Yeshiva gedolah Bais Yisroel 30th Annual Dinner
Sunday May 5th, 2013
Kings Terrace, Brooklyn, NY
rmtapes@Yahoo.com

Yeshiva of Spring Valley Chanukas habayis celebration 70th Anniversary Dinner
Sunday May 5, 2013  Reception 6:30 Dinner 7:30
Valley Terrace, Monsey, NY

 Yeshiva Karlin Stolin 57th annual dinner
Sunday May 5, 2013 Tiferes Rivka hall 1257 38th street Brooklyn, NY
Email: Dinner@yks.edu

Yeshiva Ateres Shmuel Waterbury 13th Annual Dinner
Monday May 6, 2013  Reception 5:30- Dinner 6:30
Terrace on the park, Flushing, Queens, NY   Email: Dinner@yasw.org

Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Melech 67th Annual Dinner (Rav Chaim Epstein)
Monday May 6, 2013 
Kings Terrace 815 Kings HIghway Reception 6:30 Dinner 7:30 pm
yzm@yeshivanet.com
 Yeshiva and Mesivta of Brooklyn Anniversary Dinner 105 years
Monday, May 6th, 2013
Ateres Chynka hall  718-376-4280

Merkaz hatorah of belle Harbor 26th Annual Dinner
Monday May 6th, 2013- Celebrating Yeshiva's homecoming after Hurricane Sandy
The Palace 780 Mcdonald Avenue Brooklyn

Mosdos Veretzky Dinner

Tuesday May 7th, 2013

Dyker beach golf course 1020 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY

www.Ohrshraga.org

Yeshiva Ketana and bais Yaakov of bensonhurst
 Tuesday May 7th Ateres Chaya hall Borough Park
ykb@thejnet.com

Vaad Lehatzolas Nidchei Yisroel Annual Dinner
Wednesday May 8, 2013
Ateres Chaya hall, Brooklyn NY
www.thevaad.com Email  zvaad@aol.com

Yeshiva Ohr Hameir Peekskill yeshiva 50 years Yovel Dinner
Thursday May 9, 2013
Sheraton meadowlands hotel, East Rutherford, NJ
Dinner@Ohrhameir.edu
http://ohrhameirdinner.org/

Oorah Kiruv Radiothon this Motzei Shabbos May 4th

The famed oorah-thon will be going on, this Motzei shabbos May 4th. 2013 Starting at 10:00 pm with a live drawing of over $200,000 in prizes.  a special Fiveish hour plus live musical entertainment, inspiring kiruv stories and more excitement as prizes are picked and Winners are called live on air.

List of Winners for Oorah Auction 2013 HERE

watch it live Here at Oorah.org   or HERE

Donate Here to the oorah auction.
Listen in on the hotline 212-990-8000 pin #7587

Lebron James takes lesson from Internet Asifa

NBA star Lebron James has entered the playoffs in a serious note he has ditched his cell phone and Twitter use for the duration of the playoffs. No, not because of the shmutz but because of kavana He wants his team, the Miami Heat, to win the trophy. So how can he make it happen? Apparently the celebrity has decided to ditch the cell phone and Twitter use until after the games and on Wednesday fans noticed just how quiet the player has been online. That’s right, he hasn't been emailing or texting the fans like normal as he is focused on the playoff mode.

 Lehavdil the playoffs are compared to chodesh Elul when the games take on a more serious tone. How often do we stay focused even for a single tefillah. Perhaps we can ditch our phone for just one Mincha or for that time we learn with our chavrusah or children. We are not here to learn from a NBA star but we can put in perspective how they approach a serious game, כל שכן for us to stay focused when it counts.

First Anniversary of Internet Asifa - String of Asifa's planned in frum communities

Its been almost a year since the Internet Asifa took place at Citifield last year on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan. The Ichud Hakehillos in continuing their message and awareness of the dangers of the Internet and technology, plan on having many Asifa's taking place this coming Thursday May 9th 2013, 29 Iyar Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5773, Yom Kippur Katan.

 While the Internet Asifa brought awareness to the issue and dangers of the internet, there is still a long way to go as this is a constant battle that will require to keep on having an Internet Asifa in each community. While many got filters for their computers or got rid of the smart phones, the askanim did not do the proper follow up in implementing ideas and solutions from experts in the field.                                                          
                                                                    הדר קבלוהו

 Internet Asifa Thursday May 9, 2013  8:15 pm

    Lakewood internet Asifa-  Lake Terrace hall/ Bais Faiga hall Live hook ups between both venues
Speakers: Rav Mattisyahu Solomom, Rav malkiel Kotler, Rav Elya Brudny

    Brooklyn internet Asifa- 18th Avenue park in large courtyard. 5:45
    
MONSEY Asifa- Thursday May 9th Rockland Boulders Stadium. Viznitz Rebbe will attend. 
Monsey will have Hook up to the Lakewood Asifa at the Atrium plaza at 8:30

Live Broadcast Oorah Laptop giveaway

Click  HERE to watch Laptop giveaway for Oorah Auction 2013

Agudath Israel 91st annual Dinner may 5th ,2013

For the 91st Dinner Video click HERE

This Sunday May 5th, 2013 is the Annual Dinner of Agudas Yisrael of America. It will take place at the NewYork Hilton. 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019
Dr. David Diamond, Dinner Chairman

For reservations or to place a  Journal ad click HERE or Email Dinner@Agudathisrael.org
reception 5:00 pm Dinner 6:00 pm

The Kuntris torah magazine Chelek Bais

The Kuntris Torah Magazine "הקונטרס" published the second issue. The Lag Baomer April 2013 issue published a michtav bracha/haskama to the editor Rabbi Refoel Fuchs from Rav Elya Brudny. He writes "it is with great joy I received the first edition of the magazine that you published the Kuntrisit is as its name- a Kuntris of Torah delights, through the Kuntris the masses will see the words are happy and enlightening the dealings of the Torah.

 In this issue there is an exclusive interview with Rav Michel Shurkin on his Rebbe Rav Moshe shmuel Shapiro Z"TL. The Daas torah files divrei torah from the Shabbos Table of Rav Gershon Ribner. Other interesting Halacha discussions covering the recent Meat scandal in LA, a Toen's perspective and an article why people go to Miron for Lag B'omer. Cost is still  $1 at your local news or seforim store.

Watch Miron live 2013

Watch the festivities of Lag Baomer in MIRON live HERE . Double click on the video to enlarge.

Watch  Grand  Chabad Lag Baomer parade in Crown heights 2013 LIVE HERE

Click HERE for video of Satmar rebbe Rav Aaron Teitelbaum hadlukah Lag Baomer in Monroe 5773/ 2013

Rabbonim meeting about youtube uploaded to youtube

A meeting held this week 12 Iyar 5773 at the home of the Skulener rebbe by the Ichud Hakehilos, (see video below) attended by the Satmar Rebbe Rav Zalman Leib Tetelbaum, the Bobover rebbe Rav Mordechai Unger and many other Chasidisher Rabbonim following up on the internet Asifa. Askanim spoke about and discussed the dangers and challenges of technology. The issues discussed were beyond the dangers of the internet. Rabbi Nechemia Gottlieb,spoke about the new phenomenon of posting and uploading everything on youtube for the world to see. Chasunah videos of chosson and kallah pictures with women dancing have become the norm. It is like tiboel lehegmon techillah by posting the videos up on YouTube. Twitting Pictures that depict Leitzanus of mitzvos and sharing it for the whole world to see. The current forms of entertainment and productions of videos making fun of devarim shebikdusha an example was given of a pesach seder showing people struggling eating the kazayis matzah and showing a large kazayis making fun of the leil haseder. These clips are creating a huge churban even to ehrliche yidden even with out any shmutz says rav Mattisyahu solomon shlita it can destroy klal yisroel.

A shud oif yiddisher Gelt

 According to a Forbes Israel report a list of The 165 Jewish billionaires around the world have $812 billion in joint wealth, Forbes Israel reported on Thursday. Haaretz reports: 

 The richest Jew in the world is Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, with a net worth of $43 billion, according to Forbes, up $7 billion from last year. Ellison was fifth on the Forbes 2013 world billionaires list. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is in second place with $27 billion, up $5 billion from 2012. He appeared 13th on the world list. Casino mogul and Republican Party political donor Sheldon Adelson is in third place with $26.5 billion and was 15th on the world list. Eight of the top ten richest Jewish billionaires are from the United States; the remaining two are Russian. The other Jewish billionaires in the top ten are Google's Larry Page with $23 billion; Google's Sergey Brin with $22.5 billion; Carl Ichan with $20 billion; George Soros with $19.2 billion; Alisher Usmanov with $17.6 billion; Mikhail Fridman with $16.5 billion; and Len Blavatnik with $16 billion.

Many of these Billionaires have donated lots of their wealth to charity, some to jewish causes and some to society in general. If only they would give some of it to Tzedakah at least the Maaser, to yeshivos and Mosdos. Imagine if they set up a fund to help solve the tuition crisis, yeshivos wont have to struggle, rebbeim could get a better pay. Lets hope they have the Zechus to be Machzik Torah and support frum institutions of  Torah and Chesed. Their money can have an eternal and lasting effect. 
Do you hear us Mr. Larry Page, Mr. Brin, Mr. Adelson??

Its Dinner time!

Please come and show your support today, Sunday April ,21 2013 to the following Mosdos.

Yeshiva Torah Vodaas tribute Dinner
Paying tribute to Rav Yisroel Belsky 50 years of Harbotzas Torah
Sunday April 21, 2013 The palace 780 McDonald Ave Brooklyn, NY
Dinner@Torahvodaath.org  reception 5:30

Yeshiva Gedolah of Monroe, NJ
Eleventh anniversary Dinner, Sunday April 21, 2013
The renaissance Ballroom 5902 14th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 6:30 reception
Monroe@yeshivanet.com

Yeshiva Ohavei Torah Riverdale, NY
14th Annual Dinner
Glenpointe Marriott 100 Frank W. Burr Boulevard, Teaneck, NJ 5:30 pm
Dinner@ohaveitorah.org

Hatzolah of Flatbush 
Gala Auction Sunday April 21, 2013
congregation Shaare Zion 2030 Ocean Parkway
Women 5-6 pm  Men 6-7 pm
www.Flatbushhatzoloh.org

Shulamith School 
Annual Scholarship Dinner Sunday April 21, 2013
Toras Emes kaminetz hall 1904 Avenue N Brooklyn, NY 11230


Yeshiva Torah Temima
55th Annual Dinner Wednesday May 1st ,2013
The Palace 7810 Mccdonald Avenue Brooklyn , NY
Buffet Dinner 7:30  program 8:30 pm

Publicity of Shidduch crisis backfiring?

We've all heard the scare tactics and fear mongering from the ads proclaiming a certain amount of girls wont get married R"L if the boys dont start shidduchim earlier. The analogy of shidduch island with 100 boys and girls yet there will be more married boys than girls etc. Blaming boys who get married at 23 as the reason one girl will be single forever. The shidduch crisis has been used as a propaganda to scare and try to change the current approach to shidduchim in the yeshivish baal habatish circles.
The Yated Neeman Pesach issue featured an article by Shadchan Reb Tzadok Katz of Lakewood, where he takes those spreading these fears, to task. Whether there is or isn't a shidduch crisis is not the point, he says "lets concede there is a crisis and the numbers of the age gap theory are correct, still the fact that it is being pushed into everyone's face has exacerbated the issue. Simply put the more scared and worried girls and their parents are about the shortage of boys the more vulnerable they become. The result is they allow themselves to be taken advantage of and threatened by those redding shidduchim to give answers within 48 hours after getting a yes from a boy. Worried that they wont get another yes they give an answer with out doing as much research as they would like. The feeling of desperation causes parents to lower the bar and compromise in areas they should not compromise in. They must be allowed and comfortable to say no and given the time to thoroughly validate their decision with fact checking and research. Messages that One out of ten girls will never get married are hurtful, lacking in sensitivity and do nothing to help those in the parsha. Such messages play on the hearts of girls and have parents crying asking weather their daughters will get married.
 The campaign has made the situation worse by causing boys and their parents to be pickier, boys are taking advantage and going out for longer and longer since they are told they have an upper hand in this heavy girls market.
Rabbi Katz agrees that boys should be getting married at a younger age but the way it is being presented to the public is backfiring. He stressed girls should not panic and worry they will never get married. They should not allow themselves to be taken advantage and terrorized by someone redding a shidduch, the stress and panic has changed the dynamics of the frum dating scene. It is time we go back to the way it used to be when the threatening and competitive atmosphere that prevades todays shidduch  world was almost non existent.
In response to the article it appears the ads regarding the age gap issue have been toned down.

Think out of the bag! Listen to the shiur about the kohen wearing the bag

Click HERE to listen to the shiur by Rav Nissan Kaplan about a kohen on a plane and the eitzah of a bag as Tzamid pasil.
The picture went viral on the internet, a kohen wraped in a bag on a plane, it was posted by many frum blogs, websites and picked up by the secular media. The result, people who have no clue what it was about speculating and ridiculing orthodox jews and the Torah. When explained that it was about a kohen not wanting to become impure, many have been poking fun and mocking the Torah and Halachos of  Tumah and Tahara and calling it a chillul hashem. To all those who think its funny, would the picture of a yid wearing tefillin also look funny to you? how about a picture of a yid shaking a palm and a citron?  People would make fun of and would find many religious practices just as ridiculous. please take a few moments and listen to the shiur on hilchos tumah vetahara take this oppurtunity to be marbeh kavod Shomayim 

click HERE for information on who is the kohen in the picture

Click HERE for the shiur given by Rav Nissan Kaplan of the Mir yeshiva on the Halacha a kohen flying over a cemetery. At the end of the shiur he discusses the eitzah of  wrapping yourself in a bag. It does not have to be air tight :)

The Holocaust survivors and the handicapped parking spot

Recently there has been  a campaign launched regarding  healthy people parking in handicapped parking spots. Many frum websites and blogs posted articles and videos vilifying people who dare to park in a designated handicapped spot. 

Here is a true story, a friend of mine drove his elderly grandparents both Holocaust survivors in their 90's to a simcha. As he arrived at the Hall it was raining and the closest spot to the entrance was the handicapped spot. This couple could not walk on their own they had walkers and had to be carried up the steps. The driver of the car helped the couple up into the simcha hall which took about ten minutes to get them inside. As he returned to his car he was met outside with nasty comments about parking illegally in a handicapped spot. He told them he had dropped off an elderly couple who are as handicapped as can be.  His words fell on deaf ears as this person continued to yell that he did not have a permit to park there in the first place. Furious the driver asked this person to come inside the shul upstairs so he can show him the handicapped passenger, he went inside the shul where his grandfather was sitting putting on tefilin he showed him the numbers on his arm and said look at these numbers are they good enough for a handicap spot???

  Yes it is a terrible thing to do and we must respect the laws of the land as well as give people with disabilities their rights and help make their life as easy as possible. However, is this really a major problem that is gripping the frum community? is this rampant that in all communities people are parking in these spots? look around most of the time these spots are empty or used legally by someone with a disability. Do we know the circumstances of the car that did park there? why cant we talk about being Dan Lkaf Zechus ?  In these days of Sefirah let us focus on our own problems lets not look at others and create more sinas chinom, and if we want to look at others lets be dan lkaf zechus.

American Hamodia launches new website updated daily with all news features

The Hamodia newspaper has launched a new and improved website full with daily news updates and features. Included, are many articles and letters and a digital copy of the daily print edition. It's only a few years ago that a ad with a website address was not allowed. Now it seems the Rabbonim approve of these new developments.

Rav Nahmani, noted Kabbalist video about North Korea

prediction was made by the mekubal a month before he passed away 19 years ago.

Birchas H'ailanos 2013, list of fruit trees.

With a few days left until Rosh Chodesh Iyar 5773 here is the list of places where one could make a Bracha on a tree for Birchas ilanos 2013. The list is courtesy of Misaskim  a comprehensive list of fruit trees throughout the USA and Canada. Although the list is from 2012 we can assume most of the trees should still be standing except for those that were knocked down by Hurricane Sandy. According to Poskim one may recite the Bracha even after Rosh Chodesh Iyar as long as the tree is still Blossoming.
click HERE for the list.

Frum papers print despite the short week, Yated Neeman did not publish this week

 Wondering why there is no Yated Neeman this week? due to the short work week with Pesach the Yated Ne'eman did not print this week of parshas Shmini. However despite the challenges, Hamodia ,Ami, Mishpacha Magazine did go to print. They prepared their issues ahead of time. To be fair the magazines can afford to prepare in advance as they are more feature based, the newspapers are the ones with the challenge.

Shlissel Challah, the Key to making it, the reasons behind it.

There is a minhag to bake shlissel challah (shlissel means key in Yiddish) for the Shabbos after Pesach. Shlisel challos are best known as a segula for parnasa,Some bake the challah with an actual key inside, some make the challah in the shape of a key and some put sesame seeds on top in the form of a key. The Ohev Yisroel says about shlisel challah that “the minhagim of our fathers are most definitely Torah”. There are many reasons given for this minhag of baking shlissel challah; (Some of the items written below can also be found in Taamei Minhagim, Nitei Gavriel, Sefer Hatoda’a and Minhag Yisroel Torah)

First of all, the second mishna in Rosh Hashanah says on Pesach we are judged on the grains, parnasa. Rabbeinu Nissim asks if we are judged on Rosh Hashana then how are we judged on Pesach? He answers that on Pesach it is determined how much grain there will be in the coming year for the world, but on Rosh Hashana it is decided how much of that grain each individual receives. The Meiri, however, says that on Rosh Hashana it is decided if one will live or die, suffer or not and other such things, but on Pesach is when we are judged on the grains. Based on this there are customs in Sephardic communities to do things Motzei Pesach as a sign that we want Hashem to give us livelihood. In Aram Soba (Syria) and Turkey they put wheat kernels in all four corners of the house on Motzei Pesach as a sign of prosperity for the coming year. (Moed L’kol Chai -R’ Chaim Palagi, Beis Habichira). From a mishna we already see that there is a connection between Pesach and parnasa.

10 Reasons for Shlissel Challa on shabbos after Pesach

1).In Shir Hashirim (which we read on Pesach) it says פִּתְחִי-לִי אֲחֹתִי רַעְיָתִי - “Open for Me, My sister, My beloved". Chazal say that Hashem asks us to open up for Him a small whole like the tip of a needle and He will open up a huge hole for us. Also, Klal Yisroel is called a bride and they are called the bechina (aspect) of bread. During Pesach all the upper gates and minds are open and after Pesach they close and we need to open them. Therefore, we put a key in the challah after Pesach to hint at us opening a small “hole”, through the mitzvah of Shabbos (and, if I might add, the mitzvah of challah) and now Hashem should open up all His good from his storehouses and the heavens like He gave the mon to our fathers in the month of Iyar, and this Shabbos we bless the month of Iyar.

2) After Pesach is when the mon stopped falling and we brought the Omer. From then on we needed to eat from the produce of the ground; we needed parnasa, since untill now we had the mon. It is known that everything has a gate. Therefore just as we daven to Hashem to open up the gates of parnasa we have a minhag to put the form of a key on the challos to allude that Hashem should open up the gates of parnasa for us.

3) During sefira we count 49 days till Shavuos, the 50th day, which is the shaarei bina. We go from gate to gate, and each gate has a key. That is why we make an image of a key on the challah.

4) It says in Shir Hashirim 1:11 תּוֹרֵי זָהָב נַעֲשֶׂה לָּךְ עִם נְקֻדּוֹת הַכָּסֶף - "We will make for you circlets of gold with spots of silver." By the Mishkanit says זהב וכסף ונחשת, putting zahav (gold) before kesef (silver). InBereishis, by the creation of the world, the first day it says Yehi ohrwhich is chesed (which is represented by silver) and the second day represents gevurah, which in turn represents gold. The reason is that by the creation of the world it was pure chesed, as it says “the world was built on chesed” (Tehilim 89,3), therefore chesed, which is representative of kesef, precedes gevurah, which is representative ofzahav. By the Mishkan, however, Hashem had to, so-to-speak, contract (tzimtzum) the Shechina (Divine Presence) to dwell in it, andtzimtzum is from the aspect of gevurah, therefore zahav precedeskesef by the Mishkan. However, the zahav written there has thenekudah (vowel sound) of a פַתַּח (it has a patach instead of the usualkometz), it says זְהַב הַתְּנוּפָה (Shemos 38,24), and that is the nekudaof chesed –the nekuda of chochma. And פתח (the vowel) also means opening like פתח ושער- from there comes all the kindness. Putting it all together, this that we say in Shir Hashirim תּוֹרֵי זָהָב נַעֲשֶׂה לָּךְ עִם נְקֻדּוֹת הַכָּסֶף means the Mishkan was made with zahav, the aspect oftzimtzum, but with the nekuda of kesef, meaning the (word “zahav”,instead of having the usual vowel, kometz, is written with the)nekuda of patach, which is chesed. And the Shabbos after Pesach is always in the second week of sefira which is gevurah, the aspect ofzahav, except that it is menukad with kesef, nekudas patach.Through this we say that we will open up all the gates of blessing and since every gate has a מפתח (key) we make the image of a key on thechallah.

5) The previous four reasons are all brought by the Ohev Yisroel in Shabbos Acher Pesach and Likutim Parshas Shmini. There is a fifth reason brought by the Ohev Yisroel, also based on the posuk תּוֹרֵי זָהָב נַעֲשֶׂה לָּךְ עִם נְקֻדּוֹת הַכָּסֶף, connecting the written and oral Torah tochallah. (See Ohev Yisroel, Shabbos Acher Pesach)

6) The matza we ate on Pesach is supposed to instill in us Yiras Hashem. And Yirah is compared to a key as we see from the following Gemara in Mesechta Shabbos 31a-b: “Rabbah bar Rav Huna said: Any person that has Torah but doesn’t have Yiras Shomayim is comparable to a treasurer who has the keys to the inner parts (of the treasure house) but the keys to the outer area was not handed to him. How can he get to the inner parts (if he can’t first get into the outer parts)?” Therefore we put a key in the challah the Shabbos after Pesach to show we want the Yirah obtained from the matzos to stay with us, because if one has Yirah then the Torah will stay attached to him. (Yismach Yisroel)

7) The Rambam lists out at the beginning of Hilchos Chometz U’Matzathat there are 8 mitzvos (3 positive & 5 negative) involved there. The key we put in the challah alludes to this Rambam: the letters of מפתח (key) spell פ״ת ח׳ מ׳צות. (פ״ת is bread, representing the “chometz” and מ׳ is for matza- these allude to Hilchos Chometz U’Matza, and theח׳ is the 8 mitzvos involved) (Tzvi LaTzadik)

8) The Shabbos after Pesach we make challos that look like matzos, as an allusion to the matzos that were eaten on Pesach Sheini. And we put a key in it to allude to the “gates” being open untill Pesach Sheini. (Imrei Pinchos)

9) The minhag is to put keys in the challah and make them in the form of matzos. The reason is that in these seven weeks of sefira we are supposed to work on our Avodas Hashem until we reach the the level of the first night of Pesach. The way to do this is to put the “left into the right”, meaning mix the trait of ahava (right side) with yirah(left side). In this second week of sefira we have these two traits in our hands, since the first week of sefira is chesed- ahava, and the second week is gevura - yirah. That is why we make the challah look like matza. Matza is representative of the yetzer tov, the right, andchometz is representative of the yetzer horah, the left. Now, we havechallos which are true chometz, in the form of matza; “the left is in the right”, chometz in matza. (Shearis L’Pinchos)

10) There are many reasons given for the shlissel challah, and I say that the shlisel challos are the keys to parnasa. (Segulas HaBeShT V’Talmidov quoting Nachlas Yaakov)
 LINK

Segulah for Erev Pesach to recite letter from Rav Shamshon Astropoly

The following mystic and great segulah was written by Mekubal Rabenu Shimshon Magid of Austropoli, zt'l HY'D. Any person that reads this, especially Erev Pesach, is promised to be saved the entire year from stumbling, unusual death, tragedy, no person will rule over him, his enemies will perish, and will succeed in all business endeavors till the Redemption will arrive. 

Click HERE to download  איגרת רבי שמשון מאוסטרופולי

Army Draft Dominates Shabbos Hagadol Drashos

Just as the Internet was a  hot topic discussed last year at many Shabbos Hagadol drashos, this year, 2013  the burning issue at hand, spoken about by Rabbonim both here and in EY, is the pending daft of Yeshiva Bochurim to the Israeli Army. The Satmar rebbe Rav Aaron Teitelbaum in his Yearly Drasha among other topics, he spoke about the draft and said we must daven everyday to be mevatel the gezeirah. A large Gathering and protest is in the works to take place in Manhattan mid April-May opposite the Israeli consulate where all Yidden will come together and unite in protest over this gezeirah.

Frum papers and Magazines Pesach issue 5773/ 2013

With Yom tov and shabbos chol hamoed this year, there will be plenty of time to learn and read up on your favorite newspaper and magazines, the frum papers all came out with expanded yom tov issues. total cost  around  $23.

Hamodia  has a special yom tov edition, included places to go for Chol hamoed. Various Pesach supplements "Saga of the Marranos" from the inquisition to today. A story supplement and a supplement co- produced by project witness titled" beyond the ghetto walls" commemorating the 70th anniversary of the warsaw ghetto uprising, it was one of the last works rabbi Yosef Friedensohn Z"L was involved in and encouraged the editors to publish it. One  may ask how does it enhance the simchas Yom Tov but there is also  the mitzva of vehigaddeta Levincha says the editor we must talk to our children about the rebirth of the jewish nation. Inyan Magazine has Articles from spending Yom tov in Mt Sinai hospital with the Klausenberger Rebbe, to Chumras and Hidurim on Pesach. The main paper covers the current situiation in Eretz Yisrael with regarding the Army drafting of yeshiva Bochurim, articles from prominent Roshei Yeshiva such as Rav meshulam Dovid Soloveitchick, Rav Shmuel Auerbach. 


Yated Ne'eman has exclusive interviews with Rabbanim and Mechanchim discussing the issues of the day. Rav Eliyahu Levin on the Shidduch crisis, a shadchans take on how the publicity of the shidduch crisis is backfiring Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff, on the challenge of making yiddeshkeit geshmak for us and our youth. an exclusive interview with Shas MK Aryeh Deri, and  a Visit To the Biblical zoo in Yerushalayim  included is the famous Chol hamoed guide for places to go with the family for pesach 2013.

Ami Magazine features a Mega Pesach issue for 2013  with the featuire story-an plea from the Rosh Yeshiva of Brisk rav Dovid Soloveitchik begging Klal Yisrael to unite in defense of torah learning and the yeshivos in Eretz yisrael that has come under attack. An article by Yehoshua Soudakoff, what its realy like to be Jewish and Deaf. The Ami Living has an expanded Yom tov edition too with fascinating articles, jewish cults- an inside look at the Burqua cult. Parents who adopted children discuss what its like. A Ami collection for pesach.

Mishpacha magazine came through as usual with a yom tov issue One package 8 magazines!  An interview with the Motty Herzog of the Herzog family winery known as the first family of kosher Vintners. An article from Majesty to Mystery in Boyan covering the dynasty of Ruzhin Chasidus ,the current Rebbe abbi nachum Dov Brayer leads his Chasidim with the same holiness. The feature article "on the wings of a song" an interview with Avraham Fried one of the jewish music world most poopular singers. Special Sukkos supplementsCalligraphy,- todays best fiction, Kulmus,The journal of Torah and jewish thought. Flashes in time, Moments inscribed on the jewish Heart.

Zman Magazine came out with their expanded yom tov issue over 270 pages  featuring fascinating articles from  the CIA agent who saved Israel from Nuclear destruction during the Yom Kippur war, Rulers who went mad, Disaster of the HIndenberg nnot far from Lakewood, NJ. close encounters with Venemous Kind, the man who survives 172 venemous snake bites. 
Sorry ladies I dont read Binah magazine.

KUNTRIS MAGAZINE, published its inaugural issue for Pesach 2013 price only $1. It is A Torah Magazine Published by Rabbi Raphael Fuchs. Articles by leading Poskim and Roshei Yeshiva giving you the Hashkafa and torah perspective on issues of the day. A Kushyos atzumos feature where halachic questions are asked and readers can answer or give suggestions and receive a gift certifacate for a satisfactory answer. Rabbi yisrael reisman discusses common Ribbis questions, articles by Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen, Rabbi Meiselman RY of Toras Moshe, Rabbi Yitzchock Laskin a talmid of Rav Shmuel Berenbaum. A timely Message by an Esteemed Mashgiach- we would be more than happy to know his name.

A Bracha on Obama

As president Obama begins his first visit to Israel as president in 2013, many will get a chance to see him for the first time. Rav Ovadia Yosef paskened that upon seeing the president one makes a Bracha  ברוך שנתן מכבודו למלך בשר ודם Blessed are You, who has given from His glory to (humans of) flesh and blood. Its a Bracha used upon seeing a king. The president has the power of launch a war against the enemy and to grant a pardon sparing one from death, thus he has a status of a melech. One must see him live with the naked eye in order to recite the blessing. 

A Seder in only 60 seconds

Zivug Zone- profiling a shidduch website

 Ma Nishtana Why is this site different than all other shidduch sites??
In an effort to help klal yisrael find shidduchim, some have taken to the web in an innovative way in forming a shidduch website that could bring potential soulmates together. Zivugzone.com is new shidduch website that is truly fresh and innovative. It has a cutting-edge personality matching system.  ZivugZone has registered over 4,000 singles in less than 8 months!  The website has the haskama of Rav Moshe Heinemann, Rav of Agudas Yisroel of Baltimore and Rabbinic Administrator of Star-K Kashrus.  B"H", a number of singles on the website have already gotten engaged! ZivugZone is 100% free! 

ZivugZone.com has been written up in feature articles in Frum websites and Blogs and the Five Towns Jewish Times.  Here is just a sampling of what members are saying:

"You're running the best possible method for a shidduch website in the frum world." C.R.

"I have tried most of the other shidduch venues and your model is the best so far...It is clever and brilliant on a number of levels. I'm a fan and will spread the word." B.R.

 for other shidduch sites click HERE 

Message from Rav Aaron Leib Shteinman shlita on Draft

This speech was delivered on Motzei Shabos vayikra 5773/2013 at a gathering to yeshiva leit in Bnei brak.

It is a yom tzarah, a difficult day, for us. Each and every one of us knows what a tzarah gedolah, a great difficulty, it is. For many years now, Boruch HaShem, thank G-D, we have had the opportunity, and we were able to learn and to teach Torah to our children. There was growth, Boruch HaShem, thank G-D, and the Yeshivos, the schools are growing with bochurim, students learning Torah. Suddenly it has come upon us such a tzarah, a difficulty like this one, where they want, chas veshalom, Heaven forbid, to destroy Klal Yisroel, the Jewish people from Torah. Chas VeShalom! Heaven Forbid! HaShem Yerachem! Heaven have Mercy! A very great tzarah. We are asking for mercy from HaKadosh Boruch Hu, from G-D, that he grant us the gift of being able to continue to teach our children Torah for our whole entire lives, so that the Torah should not be amiss from our mouths or from the mouths of our children, forever. There is one point however, besides that we must increase our strength in Torah, for, the more we will increase our strength in Torah, then HaKadosh Boruch Hu will cast light upon us, and the merit of the Torah will stand for us, there is one other point, and that is, that whenever there are people who are pained by the potential of the tremendous Chillul HaShem, desecration of G-D's name, that can come out this, Chalilah veChas, Heaven forbid, if there were to be a decrease in Torah study among Klal Yisroel, the Jewish people, such a tremendous Chillul HaShem, if it pains him, so that the whole heart is pained, chas veshalom, that it should not come to be chalilah, G-D forbid, such a painful thing. HaKadosh Boruch Hu should help that we shall merit only good, and it should never come to be that Torah study be diminished, until the coming of Moshiach Tzidkenu, our true and righteous redeemer speedily in our days. 

Pesach guide 2013 links to products, medicines and More

Links to various Pesach guides from leading Kashrus agencies pertaining to kosher for Pesach products, Medicines, Halachos and laws of Pesach.

For Star-K Pesach Directory 2013 HERE

Mechiras Chometz  sell your Chometz online HERE and HERE

CRC Chicago Rabbinical Council Passover 2013 Medicine guide HERE

Rabbi Scheinberg Famous guide to EASY Pesach cleaning HERE

 OU kosher pre pesach webcast  5773 Video HERE Audio HERE

Kosher for Pesach, Passover recipes HERE and HERE

 Listen to Pesach Music while you prepare for Yom Tov HERE

Help a Family make pesach, donate to Maos chitim HERE  and HERE

Rav Chaim Kanievsky at Birchas Ilanos Rosh Chodesh Nissan

In Eretz Yisrael the trees are blossoming, In America its still a bit early in many places.



For more pictures of Birchas Ilanos 5773/2013 click HERE

Share the burden.. the real burden

Help share the burden..in Yiddish there is a saying Pesach is called pesach because you pay asach.
( In Yiddish a lot)  The expenses that come along with yom tov are known to all. It was back in the days of the Gemara that chazal instituted the minhag of Maos Chitim, wheat money. It was collected to help pay for the wheat to bake the matzos with. 

Today its more than just the matzah that's expensive, the cost of making Yom tov includes wine, Meat, fish, Kosher l"pesach foods and new utensils. Those making pesach for the first time incur great expenses buying new dishes, utensils, pots, pans, appliances and more. 
Pesach had become the time when many buy new clothing for shabbos and yom tov for the year. Yeshiva Bochurim restock their wardrobe during pesach bein hazmanim looking for bargains on  Suits, Shirts, shoes, ties, hats, and on and on.

Many shuls and communities have maos chitim campaigns. By now your daily mail has at least one letter asking for a donation to help alleviate the burden of a family making yom tov. For this we say don't turn an eye feel for them Share the burden!!

have a  kusherin pesach.

The Kuntris- a new Torah Magazine

Not enough frum magazines out there?? "The Kuntris" calling itself a Torah Magazine will publish its first issue in time for Pesach 2013. It is advertised as a Magazine for every Ben Torah with interesting articles from world renowned Rabbanim and Poskim discussing various subjects in halacha and hashkafa. The pesach issue discusses topics such as; is grape juice ok for the Daled  Kosos, a toen's perspective on cases he has litigated. Check your local newsstand or better it should  only be sold in a seforim store. Click HERE for a review on the inaugural Pesach issue

Daf Yomi Siyum on מסכת שבת on to Eiruvin..

Those learning Daf Yomi will soon be making a Siyum on Maseches Shabbos and getting ready to start מסכת עירובין one of the 3 complicated masechtos in Bavli known as עני which stands for עירובין נדה יבמות.
The Daf Yomi commission of Agudas Yisrael will be hosting a  Live Shiur broadcast nationwide lichvod Siyum Maseches Shabbos. The shiur will be broadcast live from Young Israel of Deerfield Beach,  202 Century Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 / 24 Adar, 5773 at 8:00 PM EST. The Shiur will be given by Rabbi Eli Mansour, Rav, Congregation Bet Yaakov, Brooklyn, NY. Maseches Eruvin will begin on Sunday 28 Adar 5773

 212-797-9000 ext. 266 or livebroadcast.aia@gmail.com