More on the red Heifer near Lakewood

Hamodia- HOWELL, NJ - News of what appears to be a parah adumah, fully red cow, on a small farm just outside of Lakewood has been attracting increasing attention. Interest has been heightened by her rapidly approaching second birthday, at which point the cow would become permissible for this extremely rare halachic phenomenon.

 2 yr old Red Heifer on a farm in Howell, NJ: photo Hamodia

“Somebody from Brooklyn called and offered me one million dollars for her, but I told him that she’s not for sale. This is a gift from Hashem,” said owner Herbert Celler. “When he asked me what I’m going to do with her, I told him that I’m going to be the first in line when Moshiach comes.”


A parah adumah, or red heifer, is necessary to produce the ash needed for the ritual purification process, essential to performing  the service in the Beis Hamikdash.

Since the cow’s birth, on April 2, 2013, which fell on Isru Chag Pesach, Mr. Celler says that he has been extremely vigilant in ensuring that she should not engage in any work or carrying an load, that could halachically disqualify her, as well as doing his utmost to prevent her from incurring any blemishes.

“My workers know that no one is allowed to even touch her,” he said.

Frum tabloids `Tabloidization' of the frum News media

The coverage on the Flatbush fire was intense heavy and very detailed not only in the frum media but in the secular media outlets too. A story of such magnitude was certain to be spoken and reported on in many angles and details. However with many frum news media outlets looking to one up each other some may have crossed a line of reporting news to tabloid news. Why are details of Rav Gavriel's  personal life newsworthy? does it matter what he does financially? do we have to know everything about them? Is there no privacy to a suffering family? A respected newspaper went as far to say that family was not forthcoming as to what jobs they held. What chutzpa to even pose such a question, let alone to report it. The tabloidization of the frum news media is due to the non stop social media and pressures on editors to come up with new content. The point of frum news outlets is to deliver the news in a kosher way editors apparently forgot what frum  newspapers were meant to be.

Video: Potential Para Aduma "Red Hefer" near Lakewood, New jersey

Update: It is no longer kosher for the Para Aduma read HERE

Pesach guide 2015/5775 list of 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 Passver 2015

For Star-K Pesach Directory 2015 HERE

Mechiras Chometz  sell your Chometz online HERE and HERE

CRC Chicago Rabbinical Council Passover 2015 Medicine guide HERE

Instructional Passover videos how to kasher kitchen, HERE

Rabbi Scheinberg Famous guide to EASY Pesach cleaning HERE

 OU  pre pesach webcast Video 2015 HERE  2014 5774 HERE 2013 HERE Audio HERE

Agudath Israel of America Daily Pre-Pesach Live Tele-Conference Series

Call in nightly at 10:00 pm for the English shiurim 

212-444-1323 # 9

Video:US shiva for Reb Gabi Sassoon entire kehila comes to be menachem avel

Rav Yisroel Belsky being menachem avel Reb Gavriel Sassoon: Gifter photos

Rabbi Shimshi Sherrer and his kehila paid a shiva call to Rav Gabi Sassoon in Brooklyn.

Flatbush Fire alluded to at many Shabbos Hagadol drashos

 With the Flatbush fire so fresh on our minds many Rabbonim spoke about it in their shabbos hagadol drasha. They spoke about emunah of nistarim darkei hashem no matter how painful it is its always for our good.  Of course we have to make sure we do our utmost hishtadlus with safety but to make the conversation about smoke detectors and hotplates is missing the point. There is a message here for us Hashem lit a fire hes telling us something. Rabbonim said over from Gedolei Eretz yisrael that since the fire took place on shabbos we should be mechazek kavod shabbos and increase Torah learning on shabbos.

It didnt take long for the haters to emerge

They were quiet for the first few days following the tragedy that took seven pure neshamos. But they could hold out no longer. The charedi apologists just couldn't control themselves anymore. Their total disregard to Gedolim and Rabbonim shown through. We were all recently witness to a historic video footage of the Chofetz chaim. It was the Chofetz Chaim who said that when there is a flood in China it is a lesson to klal yisrael. At a time when a tragedy hit so close to home it gives us a wake up call. Klal yisrael looks up to its leaders asking for guidance on how to improve themselves. No one knows the reason why it happened nor is anyone questioning it. Rav Chaim Kanievsky in his letter to Rabbi Sassoon said אין איתנו יודע על מה ועל מה עשה ה' לנו however Rav Chaim said it is because of our sins. The fire was not a coincidence and people look for guidance on areas that need improvement, when tragedy strikes. Gedolim alluded to the fact that it happened on Shabbos, that we be mechazek in shmiras shabbos and kavod shabbos. Others mentioned chizuk in kedusha and tznius. For some reason the bloggers and self haters dont want to face reality that Hashem is talking to us. Instead they are twisting the guidance of the gedolim as prophetic words on why it happened in order to attack and ridicule them. Despite their drivel,  klal yisrael was shown a lesson in Emunah by Rav Gavriel Sassoon, we are getting chizuk from him and in turn being mechazek ourselves which will be a iluy neshama for the pure neshamos.

Video: In English Rabbi Gavriel Sassoon- hopes to collect stories about his children for a memorial book.

Arutz Sheva paid a visit to Gabriel Sassoon, the bereaved father who tragically lost seven of his young children in a fire last Shabbat caused by a hot place malfunction at the family's home in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Sassoon, who is currently sitting the traditional shiva period of seven days of intense mourning for his children in New York, remarked on the great outpouring of support from the Jewish community seen in huge turnouts at the funeral preparations in New York and then the burial in Jerusalem.

Following the tragedy there has been a "great awakening and opening of the hearts, and I don't want this opportunity to go to waste," he said. "I see how great the people really are, and that we are really one deep inside."  "Remember to love and live with love, if everything is lived with love it's a labor of life, it's a pleasure," Sassoon urged.

Speaking about the 3,000-year-old capital of the Jewish people where he buried seven of his children, he remarked "Jerusalem is for me the center of the world...it's the most spiritual place there is, where the Beit Hamikdash (Holy Temple - ed.) is going to be rebuilt in the future. ...It's the heart of the Jewish people."

"I raised my kids to be pure and holy and that's the place I wanted for my kids to be. My kids grew up there, I bought next to them spots for me and my wife and my living daughter and her future husband," Sassoon said.

Rav Chaim Kanievsky writes condolence letter to Rabbi Gavriel Sassoon, calls chizuk in kedusha and shmiras shabbos

Rav Chaim Kanievsky sent a Nichum aveilim letter to Reb Gavriel Sassoon. In the letter Rav Chaim writes how saddened and shaken he was upon hearing of the tragedy that claims these holy pure neshamos, the tragedy was of such magnitude that it is because of our sins. Although we do not know why Hashem did this to us, he quoted the gemara in Shabbos (31a) that a fire is only found where there is chilul shabbos, therefore in order for the neshamos to have an aliyah we should accept shabbos a few minutes early before the zman and be mechazek in Tznius and kedusha and rid ourselves from the technological devices that defile our souls. That will be a iluy neshama for the holy neshamos may we be zoche בנחמת ציון וירושלים and as chazal say in Nissan we will be redeemed.

מכתב תנחומים להרה"צ ר' גבריאל ששון וכל המשפחה החשובה שליט"א, נזדעזענו לשמוע על האסון הנורא אשר כל שומעיו תצלנה אוזניו על הנשמות היקרות והזכות שנחטפו במיתה כ"כ  משונה וודאי הוא בעוון הדור וחשיב את לאיתפושי אדרך והשי"ת ישלח רפו"ש במהרה. "איתא בשבת ל"ג א' בעוון נבלות פה צרות רבות וגזירות קשות מתחדשות ובחורי שונאי ישראל מתים וכו' ושם דף קי"ט ב' אין הדליקה מצויה אלא במקום שיש חילול שבת והנה אין איתנו יודע על מה ועל מה עשה ה' לנו, אך כל הקרובים אל החלל שרוצים לעשות עילוי נשמה צריכים להתחזק לשמור על צניעות וקדושה ולסלק את כל המכשירים הטמאים המטמאים את נפשות האדם, ולקבל שבת כמה רגעים לפני הזמן ובוודאי יהיה בזה עילוי נשמה לבני נפשות הנקיות, והשי"ת יאמר למלאך הרף ונראה בקרוב בנחמת ציון וירושלים ובניסן עתידים להגאל".

Maos chittim campaign for Yair Lapid - Pesach 5775

By: Effy koman

Yair Lapid has no where to go  for the seder this year. He asked Netanyahu  if he could come over, but the latter told him hes better off by Herzog {wines} for the four cups, instead. What have I in common with 'Labor", he retorted; !?מה העבודה הזאת לכם.

Eli Yishai wont be at Netanyahu's Seder this year either; he says its a whole "chad gadya", how that came be. 

Kachlon stole the Afikomen early on; but he has yet to reap all its dividends.

Naftali Bennet will be coming over to the Rosh Memshala this year. He says, his favorite part of the seder is  להסב על השמאל - leaning on the left.

When asked, how can one sit with the Agudah at the same table when he passed that law a year ago, he replied that he does as per the Hagaddah narrative: מתחיל בגנות ומסיים בשבח. R. Gafni and R. Litzman will sing for him the refrain, if you would have taken us all to בית סוהר and cancelled the מלגות from all the yeshivos,  - Dayeinu, it would have been enough.

Rumor has it that Netanyahu will ask Bennet to open the door for שפוך חמתך. 

 כאשר זכינו לסדר אותו כן נזכה לעשותו                                            

.אמן כן יהי רצון

Shiva Info for Rav Gabi Sassoon in the US

Reb Gavriel Sassoon will be sitting shivah in Brooklyn today, tomorrow, Motzoei Shabbos, and Sunday morning at Congregation Keter Torah, located at 2220 Avenue L, at East 23rd Street, in Brooklyn, NY.

Shacharis Friday morning will be at 7 a.m. Shacharis on Sunday morning will be at 7:30 a.m.

The Sassoon and Jemal families have established a charitable fund that will assist parents who are struggling with extreme financial burdens so that they can pay yeshiva tuition.

he Sassoon Children Memorial Fund has no overhead or expenses and is being guided by community rabbonim.

Agudah Spends Day in Albany Lobbying for Tuition Tax Credits

 group of Agudah activists spent Wednesday in the Capitol cajoling recalcitrant lawmakers, strengthening allies and confronting opponents, in an effort to revive chances for a breakthrough on a potentially historic education tax credit.

 Hamodia -The Agudath Israel of America delegation, headed by Rabbi Shmuel Lefkowitz, the groups’ vice president for community affairs, and Leon Goldenberg and Chaskel Bennett, members of the board of trustees, divided themselves into small groups.

The more than two dozen activists met in Assemblyman Dov Hikind’s office in the morning, then fanned out throughout the chamber, approaching individual lawmakers to garner support for the Education Investment Tax Credit.

The message, Bennett said, was that there was no reason a $142 billion budget could not find some leeway to help private school parents from the crushing burden of tuition.

“Billions of dollars are added to public education and the state can’t figure out a way to help private schools with 50 to 75 million dollars? Is this too much of a lift?” Bennett questioned.

Video: Jewish couple who called 911 on the tragic Flatbush Fire describe scene

Video: Reb Gabi Sassoon speaks to Israeli media during Shiva about coping with his tragedy

A message With Wings

 Hamodia - By Harav Yisrael Reisman Rav of Agudah in Flatbush

Wednesday, March 245, 2015 |  ה' ניסן תשע"ה
My father, z”l, had yahrzteit on 13 Sivan, the day that he lost 22 members of his immediate family in the Holocaust. His own father, the only one who merited to come to kevurah, was beaten to death by the Nazis, and his mother and 21 other members of his family died too, all on that one day. My father was never able to speak about what had happened in those years. When asked, his response was silence.

Yesterday, I attended the funeral and I heard from Reb Gavriel Sassoon what was possibly the most amazing lesson of my life. This was a practical, real message for every day of our lives — that is, that when we suffer, we surrender our will to the Will of Hashem and that is how we go on. I heard my father’s voice from Heaven while I was standing at the funeral. He said, “I picked myself up and raised children with silence. I accepted without understanding and went on, because that is what we do when we do not understand.”

Father who lost seven children in train accident consoles Reb Gabi Sassoon

 crying together over 14 neshamos

 At the shiva house of Rav Gabi Sassoon there wasn't a dry eye when Rav Avrohom Bernstein who lost seven of his children in a train accident a few years ago came to be menachem avel Rav Gabi who just lost his seven children. How do we cope? how do we go on from such a tragedy? asked rav Gabi. Rav Avrohom answered only with emunah can one move on its very hard but through Emunah in Hashem that enables us to continue on. Rav Gavriel Sassoon related when he lived in Israel he would bring two of his children Z''L for some after school kriah program that was run by Rabbi Bernstein. Mrs. Bernstein would show rav Gavriel  an album with pictures of her seven children who died in the fiery crash. Despite her loss she would show great strength in emunah. It was that memory  of  Rebbetzin Bernstein which helped me cope the past few days said Reb Gavriel.

Matzivos of the Bernstein children Z'L

Ultimate Lesson in Faith By Rabbi Joey Haber

 Hamodia-  speech given by  Rabbi Joey Haber

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 | ד' ניסן תשע"ה
Over the past 72 hours most families have been sitting around  saying, “It’s crazy.”

I did the same. When I was asked to speak, I had no idea what to say.
Most people look at this in three parts: the children, the parents, and the community. We will start with the children.

A story was told by Rav Chaim Vital about 500 years ago. A woman lost her husband. Two years later she was still struggling terribly with the pain of her situation. One of her sons needed a shidduch, another was struggling financially, and a young child had died.

Misaskim launches project to write a Sefer Torah leilui nishmasom of 7 young kedoshim a"h

It is with a broken heart and spirit that Misaskim, together with all of Klal Yisroel, mourns the incomprehensible and devastating loss of the seven young kedoshim, A”H that tragically perished in a fire that consumed their home on Shabbos Parshas Vayikrah.  Misaskim pooled all its resources, and much more in order to offer support to the stricken Sassoon family in the aftermath of this harrowing nightmare.

Misaskim volunteers were dispatched to the hospital to ensure the utmost kavod hames for these pure souls. The organization was instrumental in facilitating positive interactions between law enforcement officials, the investigation team, and the Medical Examiner's Office. Misaskim arranged the transport of the niftarim to Israel and was called upon to join with NYC's finest in arranging for the sorrowful levayah that was attended by thousands of people.

Welcome home!

Welcome home signs spotted on many front doors in the frum neighborhoods. The boys are back.Yeshiva Bochurim are back from Eretz Yisrael after spending a year (some more some less) learning in yeshiva away from home. Some will stay and continue in a post EY yeshiva and begin shidduchim others will return for another zman or year of learning. For now we welcome back all yeshiva bochurim as they bring the ruach of yeshiva back home to the local shuls and communities. Ashreichem! Ashreichem! Welcome home.

Video: Moment of silence at the Barclay center in Brooklyn for the Sassoon children a''h

At the Nets basketball game tonight in the Barclay center the crowd stands in silence remembering the Sassoon children A''H

Photos: Roshei yeshiva attend Groundbreaking for Kleinman holocaust museum

American Roshei yeshiva from Lakewood and Brooklyn were on hand at the hanochas even hapinah for the new Holocaust museum in Boro Park. The new building will be located next to the Agudas Yisrael zichron Moshe Sherer  building off 16th avenue.

Rav Malkiel Kotler, Novomisker Rebbe, Mateersdorf Rav, Viyalopoler Rebbe

Klal Yisrael’s Heart Is Shattered

 Hamodia  editorial- There are no adjectives which can possibly describe the depth of the pain that enveloped our community when the news spread of the unfathomable tragedy in Flatbush on Friday night. As thousands gathered in the streets of Boro Park for the heartbreaking levayah, the grief in the air was tangible, and the calamity dominated every conversation.

As we beseech Hashem for the recovery of the heroic mother, Gila Gail bat Tzipora Frances, and her daughter Tzipora bat Gila Gail, there are no words with which we can possibly offer consolation to Gavriel Sassoon, the shattered father who exhibited such a lofty level of emunah at the levayah. All that can be said is “Hamakom yenachem eschem” — only the Omnipresent can possibly offer consolation.

As we grapple to try to come to terms with this indescribable tragedy, it is imperative that we bear in mind what Mr. Sassoon said in his hesped.

Hundreds paying shiva visit to Reb Gabi Sassoon in Yerushalayim שבעה על שבעה

                                       שבעה על שבעה
Rav Gavriel Sassoon is sitting shiva for his seven children a''h, in Eretz yisrael at Rechov Ramat Hagolan 47 (or rechov Paran) in the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood of yerushalayim. He said the only way he can go on is with the help that Hashem gives him to survive such a tragedy.
He will be there until Wednesday afternoon at 12 pm where he will then fly back to the US to be with his wife and surviving daughter may they have a Refuah Shleima. Please continue to daven for the mother Gila bas Tziporah and  daughter  Tziporah bas Gila.

על אלה אני בוכיה

No words

Hamodia- Mourning an Unfathomable Tragedy

FLATBUSH - The tranquility of a chilly Friday night was broken by the sound of relentless sirens from first responders and medical personnel on Bedford Avenue in Flatbush. Along with it was broken any sense of tranquility in the Orthodox community, as the majority of a beautiful, holy, vibrant Jewish family was ripped

from the heart of our community, in the most unfathomable way.

At about midnight on Shabbos, as the Sassoon family — pillars of the Sephardic community — were peacefully asleep, a fire broke out in the kitchen on the lower level of their home at 3371 Bedford Avenue. The fire, the deadliest in New York City since 2007, spread very quickly and soon engulfed much of the home.

"Why Seven? was One not enough?" Father eulogizes children R''L in Eretz Yisrael

Rav Gabi Sassoon at the Levaya in Yerushalayim

At the Levaya in eretz Yisrael for the Sassoon children killed in the fire R""L their father began his eulogy with a phrase from the Song of Songs (6:2): "My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies." Referring to the rabbinical interpretation of the book as a metaphor for the Jewish people's relationship with God, he noted that the rabbis viewed the flowers as a metaphor for the righteous. "God went down into His garden and picked the flower at the height of its beauty, before it began to wither," he said. "He wanted to catch the righteous man at the height of his righteousness. so he would stay that way (forever)."
"He came here to pick seven flowers. Why seven? Was one not enough?" he cried.

VIDEO: Father speaks at Levaya of Sassoon Children a''h Now in Eretz Yisrael at Har Hamenuchos

Live feed has ended. Kevurah taking place now. Watch  Video of  Fathers hesped Rav Gabi Sassoon in yerushalayim, below

Photos: Levaya for Sassoon Children A''h beginning now at Har Hamenuchos

Kevarim at Har Tammir

Rav Aaron Leib Shteinman on the fire tragedy: Its a gezeiras elyon

When told about the fire that killed seven children of the Sassoon family in Flatbush, Rav Aaron Leib Shteinman let out a cry and was beside himself. He repeated over and over Seven nefashos! Seven Nefashos!. he said over the Tefilah  of Unesane Tokef we say on Rosh hashana and Yom Kippur
 בראש השנה יכתבון וביום צום כיפור יחתמון כמה יעברון .. He recalled a tragedy of a few years ago in Rechovot where almost an entire family died in a fire R'L. It is a gezeiras elyon he said.

Video: Levaya in Eretz Yisrael for the seven Sassoon Children a'h aronos arrive at Ben Gurion airport

Watch Live hook up of Levaya in Yerushalayim HERE

The bodies of the children a''h arrived at Ben Gurion airport. the levaya will take place at 3:30 pm in Yerushalayim at the sefardi shul by Har Tamir Kevurah is at har hamenuchos. Video below

Father at Levaya" I sacrificed 7 pure sheep on Rosh Chodesh Nissan"

For Eretz Yisrael Levaya click HERE
At the hesped for the 7 children of the Sassoon family their Father Rav Gavriel Sassoon wept and grieved on his loss, he said "I've lost everything, you were very high and holy neshamos, you had faces of angels  your death is a kapara for Am Yisrael. My children were unbelievable. They were the best. But the truth is every child is the best, every child is the most beautiful child in the world."I want to ask my children forgiveness. I did my best and my wife did my best. Please everybody love your child, love your children, love others’ children, that's all that counts, understand them, don't negate them,” he said.  "We have to love them as parent and we have to love them as teachers"  Thousands of yiddin from the tri state area came to the funeral and be mishtatef in the tzaar of the sassoon family.

Father  Rav Gavriel Sassoon being maspid his 7 children R"L

Bodies of the 7 Sasoon children flown to Eretz YiIsrael for Kvurah

Video: Heartbreaking- Aronos of children R''L at the Levaya

Too early for birchas Ilanos

Rav Chaim Kanievsky at Birchas Ilanos  5775 this morning

In Eretz Yisrael they started saying the BIrchas Ilanos as the spring weather arrived. However in the US especially in the East coast, Spring has yet to arrive as the forecast calls for more snow. The trees are not blossomming yet and the Bracha can not be said yet.
From thre Star-K website

Birchas Ilanos 5775 Alexander Rebbe in EY

Birchas Hailanos is recited once a year during the spring when you see a tree that has started to flower.Optimally, the brocha should be said at the earliest opportunity upon seeing a budding tree for the first time. However, if you did not recite the brocha at that time you could say the brocha on another occasion. Some opinions state that one may recite this brocha only during the month of Nissan. For this reason, it is customary not to say the brocha before the beginning of Nissan However, the halachah follows the opinion that you can also say this brocha during other months. Therefore, if you did not recite the brocha during the month of Nissan you still have the opportunity to do so. This is especially applicable in those countries

BD'H The Ribbnitzer Rebbetzin A'H

BJL It is with great sadness that we report the passing of the Ribnitzer Rebbetzin, Rebbetzin Freida Milka Abramowitz a”h.
The Rebbetzin was the wife of the Ribnitzer Rebbe, Rav Chaim Zanvil Abramowitz zt”l, originally from Rybnitsa, which is now in Transnistria, Moldova.
The Rebbe and Rebbetzin lived in the USSR under Communist rule and lived a full Torah life. Famously, the Russian gentiles feared and revered the Rebbe and the KGB brought their wives and children for blessings and experienced miracles. The Rebbe was a great tzaddik whose avodas Hashem was legendary.
The Rebbe and Rebbetzin left Russia in 1970 and moved to the Mattersdorf section of Yerushalayim, where they lived for a few years before moving to the United States. He lived in Miami, Los Angeles, Boro Park, Sea Gate, Brooklyn, and finally Monsey, New York. The Rebbe passed away on Isru Chag Sukkos in 1995 in in Monsey, New York.

Photos Levaya information and updates for 7 children killed in flatbush fire R''L

Older photo of Sassoon family

                                                            בקרובי אקדש
Fathers Hesped HERE
The Levaya for the 7 children of the Sassoon family killed in the fire R''L will be this afternoon at 3:00 PM at Shomrei hadas chapel  in Boro Park 3803 14th Ave, Brooklyn, NY. Thousands are expected to attend The Niftarim will be flown to Eretz Yisrael at 7:00 pm. from JFK on flight 008.  The procession will follow the funeral to JFK airport traveling to Israel on a 7:4 5 PM flight. A huge levaya is expected Kevura will be at Har Hamenuchos. No information yet regarding a live hook up of the Levaya in brooklyn.
There will be busses going from Ocean Parkway & P and Ocean Parkway & S to the levaya at 2:15 & 2:30

LIVE HOOKUP of  LEVAYA HERE 

FDNY commissioner and chief of dept at the Levaya

Crowd at the Levaya going inside the chapel

Rav Gavriel Sassoon being maspid his children R''L

Road closures at the Levaya

Horrific tragedy strikes Flatbush community

                                        'וכל בית ישראל יבכו את השריפה אשר שרף ה
The news spread right after shabbos as the Flatbush community has been plunged into mourning with a

horrific tragedy, as seven children of one family passed away R'L on Shabbos a little past midnight in a fire sparked by a hot plate or a blech. The Seven children Aleihem hashalom were from the Sassoon family of the close knit Syrian chalabi community. The family moved to NY about 2 years ago from Eretz Yisrael where they lived previously in the Har Nof and Ramat Eshkol neighborhoods of Yerushalayim. The family hails from the  famous Sassoon family, also known as "the Rothschilds of the East" due to their supreme past wealth, is a famous family of Iraqi Jewish descent and international renown. It was based in Baghdad, Iraq, before moving to Mumbai (Bombay at time of their arrival), India and then spreading to China, England, and other countries. It is said that the family descended from the famous Ibn Shoshans.
Four boys and three girls - siblings ranging in age from 5 to 16 - were in their bedrooms when the hot plate apparently malfunctioned in the kitchen, starting a fire that swept up from the first floor shortly after midnight, New York Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.
The niftarim are Eliane Sassoon, 16, Rivkah Sassoon, 11, Sarah Sassoon, 6, Dovid Sassoon, 12, Yehoshua Sassoon, 10, Moshe Sassoon, 8, and Yaakov Sassoon, 5.
The mother of the children, 45-year-old Mrs. Gayle Sassoon, and her 14-year-old daughter, Avigayil, survived. All are asked to daven and say Tehillim for Tziporah bas Avigayil and Avigayil bas Tziporah, who both jumped from second-floor widows to escape and were treated for burns and smoke inhalation. Levaya will take place Sunday afternoon, information to be announced. Kevura will be in Eretz Yisrael. The father was away for shabbos at a Kiruv conference in Manhattan where authorities tracked him down and broke the news to him shabbos morning. Friends & neighbors of  family  gathered Motzei shabbos to hear how to cope with the tragedy.
May Hashem give the family the strength to get through this most difficult tzara.

BD''H Rebbetzin Leah Kushelefsky A'H

BJL It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Rebbetzin Sarah Leah Kushelefsky a”h, wife of Rav Tzvi Kushelefsky, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Heichal Hatorah of Yerushalayim. She passed away Shabbos morning at Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center in Yerushalayim at the age of 77.

The Rebbetzin was born on the ninth of Elul 5697 in Gateshead. Her father was Rav Leib Gurwitz zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Bais Yosef of Gateshead. The Rebbetzin’s brother is Rav Avrohom Gurwicz, current rosh yeshiva of Gateshead Yeshiva.

She stood by her husband’s side throughout the years, helping him and assisting him as he led his yeshiva and tending to many tzorchei tzibbur.

Tefila for Parnassah on Erev Rosh Chodesh NIssan

תפילה לפרנסה מהשלה״ק לאמרה לפני ר״ח ניסן
ן כתוב השל״ה הקדוש (מסכת תמיד - סוף פרק נר מצוה) ראוי לצום שלא יאכילנו הקדוש ברוך הוא זכיותי בעולם הזה
ויהיה זה התענית יום קודם ערב ראש חודש ניסן כי בניסן טללים שהם לברכה נפתחים וזה הנוסחא של התפילה : (יכול לאמרו אפילו בלא תענית ואפשר לפדות התענית במעות לצדקה)
 אַתָּה הוּא הָאֶ־לֹ־הִ־ ־י ם הַזָן מִקַרְנֵי רְאֵמִים וְעַד בֵּיצֵי כִינִים , וְאַתָּה הוּא הַמֵכִין כּל צָרְכֵיהֶם, וּנוֹסֶף עַל הַצְרָכִים הַהֶכְרֵחִיִים אַתָּה הוּא הַנוֹתֵן בּמִילוּי וָרֶיוַח וְעוֹשׁר וְכָּבוֹד כָּ, ל זֶה אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂ ה בְּנִדְבַת לִבְּךָ הַטוֹב. כִּי אַתָּה הוּא נָדִיב בֶּאֶמֶת, לֹא כְמוֹ שֶׁ קוֹרִין לְפְעָמִים לְאָדָם אֶחָד נָדִיב , כִּי נְדִבֻתוֹ אֵינָהּ אֵמִיתִּית קרַ לְתַּשׁלוּם גְמוּל אוֹ בְּשִׁ בִ יל טוֹבָה שֶׁ קִדְמוּהוּ וְהַרֵי הוּא כְּסוֹחַר , אָכֵן מִי הִקְדִימְךָ וְשִׁ לַמְתָּ , וּבְנִדְבַת לִבְּךָ הַטוֹב טוֹב וּמֵטִיב אַתָּה לַכֹּל. וְלִי אַנִי עַבְדְךָ הֵטַבְתָּ עַל כָּל , וְנָתַתָּ לִי עוֹשֶׁ ר וְכָבוֹד מִיָדְךָ הַכֹּל, בֵּרַכְתָּנִי מִכֹּל בַּכֹּל כֹּ .ל נָתַתָּ לִי סְפָרִים הַרְבֵה , וְכֶסף וְזָהָב לָרוֹב , וּמַלְבּוּשֵׁי כָבוֹד וְדִירָה בְכָבוֹד , קָטֹנְתִּי מִכָּל הַחַסָדִים אַשֶׁ ר עָשִׂ יתָ אֶת עַבְדֶךָ, וְיָרֵא אָנֹכִי מְאוֹד לְנַפְשִׁ י שֶׁ לֹא יִהיֶה חַס וְשָׁ לוֹם הָעוֹשֶׁ ר שָׁ מוּר לִי לְרָעָה לְהַאַכִילַנִי הַמְעַט מזְכֻיוֹתַי שֶׁ בְּיָדִי , וּבְאִם הוּא כֵן קַח נָא אֶת בִּ רְכָתִי וְאַל אֶרְאֶה בְרָעָתִי לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא עוֹלָם הַנִצְ .חִי וּבְאִם רְצוֹנְךָ הַטוֹב לְמֵהַב וְלֹא לְמֵשְׁ קַל , תֵּן בְּלִבּי וּבְלֵב כָּל הַנִלְוִים אֵלַי שֶׁ לֹא לְהִשְׁ תַּמֵשׁ בְּמַתְּנוּתֶךָ לְתַעַנוּגִים גוּ פָנִיִים , וְיִתְפַּרְנְסוּ מִמֶנוּ בַּעַלֵי תּוֹרָה אַנָשִׁ ים כְּשֵׁ רִים אַנָשִׁ ים הַגוּנִים, עַשׂוֹת צְדָקָה הַרְבֵּה וּגְמִילַת חַסָדִים לַקְרוֹבִים וְלָ וֹחרְ קִים, וּדְבַר יקוק יָקוּם. יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ יקוק צוּרִי וְגֹאֲלִי.

New picture of the Chofetz Chaim revealed

Shemonim Ligevurah honoring the 80th yahrtzeit of Sarah Schenirer, a”h

  Hamodia- This past Tuesday morning, the Barclays Center of Downtown Brooklyn filled rapidly with thousands of talmidos, hailing from schools throughout the tri-state area and beyond; even Canada. Many women, including Rebbetzins and esteemed community members, attended as well.

Several themes resonated in the electrifying addresses of the well-respected speakers. One was the power of the individual to make an impact. As Rabbi Ephraim Sher said, each of us is a Kohen Gadol in our own Beis Hamikdash, and can be marbeh kvod Shamayim.

Harav Malkiel Kotler, shlita, spoke of the chochmas lev that personifies the Jewish woman, which encompasses yiras Shamayim and ahavas haTorah. He called on bnos Yisrael to cultivate those middos, and to build strong homes with powerful walls that do not allow insidious high-tech influences to enter.

Video: Bais Yaakov event commemorating 80th yartzheit of Sara Schenirer

 Video credit: Gifter photos

Israeli election results" Netanyahu to remain as PM not a strong showing for the frum parties , Eli Yishai dosent pass threshold

Update: Bibi widens lead by 6 mandates Likud 30 Herzog 24
Update: UTJ says will not sit with Lapid paving way for Bibi led coalition
Update: Israel  TV Channel 1 and 10: Eli Yishai Yachad party passes threshold according to latest exit polls

If exit polls hold true it would appear Binyamin Netanyahu would be the next prime minister. This election was a referendum on the Netanyahu Govt and the country voted for him.
Aids say Netanyahu can form a coalition already tonight. Channel 2 reports.
Big blow- Eli Yishai Yachad party does not pass the threshold according to exit polls.
Channel 10's polls had the Zionist Union with 27 mandates, the Likud with 27  mandates, the Joint Arab List with 13 mandates, Yesh Atid with 11 mandates, Bayit Yehudi with 8 mandates, Kulanu with10 mandates, Shas with 7 mandates, United Torah Judaism with 7 mandates, Meretz with 5 mandates, Yisrael Beytenu with 5 mandates and Yahad failing to pass the electoral threshold.

Ultra-Orthodox camps in Sullivan county contribute up to $25 million per year to local economy

 Record online Video below
BROOKLYN – The owners of ultra-Orthodox Jewish summer camps know how some locals feel about them.
They know year-round residents say they jam their empty roads, litter their pristine countryside and destroy their silent nights.
But where would the Sullivan County economy be without the up to 100 ultra-Orthodox camps, asked Meir Frischman, director of the Association of Jewish Camp Operators in Sullivan County.
His two Town of Liberty camps alone – Agudah and Bnos - spend up to $2.5 million per year in Sullivan, he said. He estimated that all of the ultra-Orthodox camps in Sullivan contribute up to $25 million per year – buying everything from plumbing and pool supplies to fuel and lumber – even if many don’t pay sales or property taxes.
“More than $500,000 per year alone, year-round,” at Wyde Lumber Supply in Monticello, said owner Alan Madnick.
Frischman noted that he was at a recent Liberty Planning Board meeting where all six agenda items were Jewish camps or bungalows.

Rav Shmuel Auerbach did not say who to vote for, both Yishai and Shas vying for the votes

Thousands attended a rally by the Bnei Torah faction in Yerushalayim ahead of the Israeli elections. Rav Shmuel Auerbach spoke but did not call on his followers on who to vote for. It was clear from all the speeches that they will not be voting for Gimmel. There are currently negotiations with Eli Yishai and the Yachad party. Traditionally the litvish bnei Torah would vote for UTJ however due to an ideological split among the gedolim Rav shmuel is not throwing his support behind UTJ.

Missionary book mailed out to frum communities

 A book is being mailed to the frum community in the tri state area, entitled "10 Jews Who Thought". 

The front cover states that over 2 million copies are in print. Its written by Sid Israel Roth. 

This book contains missionary material filled with anti-Torah references.

PLEASE DESTROY AND DISCARD THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY
 BEFORE ANY OF YOUR CHILDREN MAY SEE IT.

Live broadcast video of Atzeres in Yerushalayim by the bnei Torah faction ahead of Israeli elections

t
The faction led by Rav Shmuel Auerbach is holding a asifa at the Arena Stadium in Yerushalayim. Speculations amount if he would call on his followers to vote for UTJ.

Claim: Chofetz Chaim video was broadcast briefly 4 years ago and than taken offline

Mark Twain, the Megilla and Netanyahu.

Guest post by Amichai Tzuriel.

Looking back, who doesn't await Purim once a year? the megilla has a divine majesty of its own. The cadence and cantillation bring to life Persian royalty 2500 years ago midst an Aggagite plot. Almighty’s jigsaw puzzle- seemingly random events of 12 years coalesced together to expedite a master plan. The message; Hashem alone decides the fate of men and nations even as we speak.

Benjamin Netanyahu decided to be 'Makdim Lyom Haknisah'- literally, as he preceded 14 adar by addressing a joint session of congress, about the threat of a nuclear Iran. With irrefutable evidence, he showed how this country is building a military component of a nuclear nature. History is repeating itself he said, drawing a parallel to the ancient Porass of a Purim.

He put it this way; back then queen Esther revealed Haman’s plot and our people were saved. She gave permission for the Jews to defend themselves. 

We always used to be passive- but that is no more. For the first time in a hundred generations we can defend ourselves, he said.

 Arguably, his speech brimmed with noble 'Hishtadlus'- humanism for his own people. 

But, if you chide Iran about hiding its intention to build a bomb, you ought to be consistent yourself. 
The prime minister could have seized the moment to introduce his spellbound audience to the divine turnabout of Purim. Instead he chose to skip over the key verse of the megilla that is the life substance of our people for the last 2500 hundred years. "Vzumu olai V’al Tochlu Val Tishtu Shloasha Yomim – ask of our people to fast on my behalf 3 consecutive days Esther implored Mordechai so that the creator would spare us and revoke the decree on high.

Insofar as the nes purim is concerned, Netanyahu has a policy of Ad'loyoda, or as they say in Chinese, ‘er macht zich nisht visindig.

Photo: Thousands of frum yidden gather at UTJ rally in Bnei Brak ahead of Israeli elections

At the  Rally for the Degel HaTorah faction of UTJ

kosher soup kitchens and food pantries to substitute alternative items for non-kosher meats offered by city agencies.

NEW YORK - A delegation of Orthodox organizations received a tour of Food Bank of New York City’s massive distribution center in advance of the citywide charity’s distribution of 500,000 free kosher-for-Pesach meals to needy families.

“We were highly impressed, the place is absolutely enormous,” said Rabbi Yosef Rapaport, who attended the event on behalf of Agudath Israel of America. “What is most striking is a sign hanging that says, ‘Every year, one in five New Yorkers eats from this warehouse.’ This year they have reached out to provide food for Pesach and have been eager to find out about the needs of the community, including acceptable hechsherim.”

Food Bank of New York is a non-profit umbrella organization that coordinates government resources as well as raising its own funds to help the city’s poor. It partners with approximately 1,000 charity organizations throughout the five boroughs to fight hunger. Among its members are 44 organizations that provide kosher food.

The new Shidduch crisis: Divorce?

Jewish Press- It’s very rare nowadays to be at a simcha, shul or any community gathering where the shidduch crisis does not come up. It may even be the main topic of discussion, particularly amongst the mothers seated at the table. Those who have unmarried children in their upper 20s and into their 30s are particularly pre-occupied by the stressful status of their adult children. It is understandable. Anyone remotely connected with the frum community is aware of dozens upon dozens of older singles – some of whom are approaching their 40s.

But not much is mentioned about a new and very distressing “shidduch crisis” – the epidemic of divorce.

A few weeks ago in these pages, Sandy Eller wrote about Frum Divorce, an organization founded 2½ years ago “to guide divorced parents and children through their new reality.” In that short period of time, almost 4,000 people have attended its programs. Four thousand mothers, fathers and children who are in the “divorce parsha.”

NYC Vote on Metzizah b'peh delayed

A proposal to quash a requisite signed parental consent for a ritual circumcision rite set to be presented to the New York Board of Health was postponed, according to published reports.

The Wall Street Journal reported that NYC officials said that the metzitzah b’peh plan would be presented to the Board of Health in June and voted on at the next meeting. In February, a coalition of rabbinic leaders and city officials said they reached an agreement on the controversial ritual and that the proposal would be presented to the board this month.

“The administration and the coalition of religious leaders are formalizing specific terms of the agreement around metzitzah b’peh,” the city said in a statement from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released Monday, according to the newspaper.

Historic Snowstorm Barely Affects Purim Spirit

Purim day in Lakewood

  Hamodia- There was a driving rain throughout the night of Purim, about eight inches of snow falling by day, and frigid temperatures which felt like the single digits the night following. But the three severe weather systems slamming Jewish neighborhoods was not enough to disturb the Purim atmosphere in areas such as
Boro Park, Monsey and Lakewood. Traffic inching down Boro Park’s 16th Avenue or Lakewood’s Clifton Avenue kept some people holed up at home. However, music still blared from passing RVs and hundreds of costume-clad groups raising funds for as many varied causes danced the night away through the whiteout conditions.

“This Purim is ‘traffic and weather together,’” joked Rabbi Yosef Hoizman of Lakewood.

A consortium of bears, clowns, Queen Esthers and Mordechais competed with more modern camouflages, such as Russian dashiks, Arab kafiahs and Turkish headdresses. A group of Hamans strung up on 41st Street in Boro Park was enveloped in snow, as was the traditional Yad Eliezer horse riding in Flatbush.

It did not appear that the huge sums distributed for tzedakah was diminished because of the weather.

Attacking the yeshiva world

 Once again you would think you are reading one of those anti frum self hating blogs, than, you catch yourself this is posted on YWN by none other than Rabbi Yair Hoffman. A after the fact post about the dangerous drinking practices of yeshiva bochurim. It was such a great piece that FM was more than elated to post it. If Yair Hoffman is sooo in the know of what goes on in the yeshiva world and up to date with today's yeshiva Bochurim why didn't he post this BEFORE Purim and reach out to all Roshei yeshiva in a massive awareness campaign to prevent what was about to happen. Why after the fact go publicize a bashing article with absolutely no facts to back any of it up. As one commenter posted "How come Yair Hoffman is aware of this “prevalent” nightmare scenario playing out in yeshivos everywhere, while I and those I know who've been in yeshiva their entire lives never heard anything remotely close to this scenario"
As the left always  love to do, take an extreme case and paintbrush the entire yeshiva world  with the same problem and shortcoming. Does Yair Hoffman not know of the thousands of yeshiva bochurim who give up their purim to collect tzedaka for other needy causes. That they make a kiddush hashem and behave like true bnei Torah. Does YWN not know of the thousands of heiliger yeshiva boichurim who drink responsibly and act as bnei Torah even when they are drunk! Does YH not know of  the moderation system in place by many Roshei Yeshiva who make sure the bochurim act as proper bnei Torah ??

Interesting Remez of the year 5775 in this weeks Parsha

The pasuk in this weeks parsha (Vayakhel, chapter 38:28) says 
וְאֶת הָאֶלֶף וּשְׁבַע הַמֵּאוֹת וַחֲמִשָּׁה וְשִׁבְעִים עָשָׂה וָוִים לָעַמּוּדִים וְצִפָּה רָאשֵׁיהֶם וְחִשַּׁק אֹתָם:
 "And out of the one thousand seven hundred and seventy five [shekels] he made hooks for the pillars, and he covered their tops and banded them". If you read the pasuk this way you get 5775
 ואת ה' אלף ושבע המאות וחמישה ושבעים=   5775.
It is said over in the name of the Chofetz Chaim that 75 years after the outbreak of World War 2, a 3rd world war will breakout. Rav Tzvi Meir Zilberberg of yerushalayim said in the name of Rav Pam Zatzal who said over from Rav Elchonon Wasserman h'yd who spoke in the us in the year 1939. He said there will be ten shmita cycles following WWII that will be a preparation for moshiach and that Mashiach can come at that time. which falls out to this year of 5775.

Puppa Rebbe leaves the Hisachdus Harabonim of US and Canada

Following recent events within the Hisachdus Harabonim of unites states and Canada The Puppa rav has decided to opt out of the umbrella organization. The recent demonstration called by Satmar against Netanyahu's speech is what broke the came's back. The Puppa rebbe is of the opinion that here in America frum yidden do not take sides or get involved politically with one party over the other. We need the Republicans just as we need democrats and to take sides in a dispute and get involved is not our way. There were other internal disagreements that led to this decision as well.

BD"H Rav Emmanuel Gettinger ZT"L

BJL It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Rav Emanuel Gettinger zt”l.  Rav Gettinger served
as the rov of Young Israel of the West Side in New York City for over 60 years. He also served with great devotion as the president of Ezras Torah. Rav Gettinger was a noted talmid chochom, who spread Torah for many decades and impacted the lives of numerous people who were influenced by his wide-ranging Torah knowledge and depth of his caring heart.  Rav Gettinger passed away today, Shushan Purim, in Chicago, where he had been residing at his daughter’s home.
The levaya will take place this Sunday, March 8th, at 2 p.m., at the Young Israel of the West Side, located at 210 West 91st Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam, in Manhattan.
Shivah will take place in Lakewood and Chicago.

Yehi zichro boruch.

Halachos of Mattanos L'evyonim and Shushan Purim

If one gives Mattanos L'Evyonim to poor people before Purim day, one needs to be concerned that the money will be spent before Purim. Therefore, one should give again to at least two poor people on Purim day. SA 694:1 see Biur Halacha

 One may fulfill the mitzvah of Mattanos L'Evyonim by sending it in the mail, or via a messenger (e.g. a tzedakah organization or Gabbai tzedakah), to be delivered on Purim day.
S'U Mahari Assad 207, Da'as Torah 695:4, S'U Chelkas Yaakov 1:102, Piskei Tshuvos 694:8

Goodbye shul candy man!

repost!
 The long standing minhag of the shul candy man will be replaced by the carrot man. The abolishment of the shul candy man is long overdue. According to the American association of dentures candy eating for children, toddlers and infants is unhealthy, gives them cavities and makes them hyper in shul. Its time for the establishment of a carrot man who will be dispensing healthy snacks to the children coming to shul    (baby food for infants available upon request).

 A shocking reality may be as the transition of the candy man and the new carrot man takes place. The youngsters in shul may discontinue to approach the carrot man in protest of the sudden change, which can then lead them to talk about their machoh during chazoras hashatz or even the Rabbi's speech. However shuls move on to the next stage, the new era, the intended level of handing out the pure healthy carrots.

And may I add, I believe that by slicing the carrots width wise as apposed to lengthwise we will be keeping the tradition of distributing circular discs only not the lolly pop ones but the all new carrot ones not the baby carrots either and eventually we will have the luxury to continue onto bananas ,cucumbers for the more spoiled of the approachers.

May I just add one last but not least comment, & that is that according to the department of health rule 292 of 1934 all carrots and the likes must be distributed by an individual wearing latex gloves, therefore in choosing a new carrot man, the main aspect should be weather he fits into these gloves properly and knows how, where and when to dispose them.

Another main point that can't go unnoticed is the fact that the bekishe, rekel, jacket, frock,  vest, shirt, pants, socks, hat, tefillin bag, Tallis bag, (or shall I say Carrot bag) that will carry the items of vegetable life in its pocket must be lined with no less than 2 layers of aluminum foil to preserve freshness.

P.S. carrots that are left in shul for more that 30 days will be hefker for the vaad to meet with another mispallel serving jury duty to decide where those carrots will go.

Weather or not the carrots will be pealed shall be discussed in the kiddush chapter of the meeting, as this aspect includes guidelines for a simcha as well.
Ah Freilichen Purim :)
(Reader Submitted)

Satmar calls for a mass demonstration at the Israeli consulate

The Hisachdus harabbonim of the US and Canada has called for a massive demonstration today to take place during Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to congress. Thousands of chassidim are expected to attend the rally. The message to the world is that Prime minister Netanyahu does not represent and is not a spokesman for world Jewry. Buses will go out from Lakewood, Monroe, Monsey, and Brooklyn. It will take place at 4:30 pm opposite the Israeli consulate 800 Second Avenue.

Video: Documentary of Purim celebrations in the frum Charedi world in Eretz Yisrael

Modern Orthodox bashing

In the spirit of  Purim and venahapoch hu we took quotes from the middle of the road blogger where it appears charedi bashing  make up the majority of the blog posts. We switched the words Charedi with Modern Orthodox.  No offense Just bringing out a point!

I have often been accused of focusing on the negative aspects of  the Modern Orthodox in the vast majority of my writing. I’m afraid I have to plead guilty to that. Many would call that bashing Modern Orthodox. To that I plead not guilty.
This is why I talk so much about Modern Orthodox even though I am not MO.
Who is to Blame for the Divisiveness? The Modern Orthodox are at fault.
 But as I always say, I do not bash Modern Orthodox.Modern Orthodox do need to reach out and make a better presentation of themselves.
And that of course generates Modern Orthodox hatred of secular Jews in return.
But I am happy to see that thoughtful Modern Orthoodox rabbis like Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein are basically on the same page with me – and on the right side of the issue.
The male Modern Orthodox in Israel is generally illiterate in anything other than Torah subjects.
Modern Orthodox Suicide Squads.

 published a letter that faced head on the problem of child sexual molestation in the MO world.
 stunning amount of support for accused and even convicted molesters among the "Modern Orthodox street" and even rabbinic leaders

Amalek Kugel for parshas Zachor

Amalek’s Kugel is an acronym for four kugels which together form the word Amalek.

A for apple or epel (the ayin)

M for flour, or mehl (the mem)

L for lukshen or noodles (the lamed)

K for kartofel(potatoes) the kuf.

In Europe and in other places Chassidim serve these four kugels on the Shabbos when Parshas Zachor is read and then they eat them thereby symbolically annihilating Amalek by eating him all up.