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

Its Dinner time!

Sunday March 3, 2013 Come out and show your support for these torah institutions

Yeshivas Mir yerushalayim annual Dinner
Brooklyn Marriot Hotel 6:30 pm
333 Adams street Brooklyn
DINNER@themir.og


Mosdos Rizhin Boyan
60th annual Dinner
The Palace, Mcdonald Avenue
 Brooklyn, NY

Yess- A tribute to Zaidy

 The double album a tribute to the music of  Moshe Yess, recorded by Jewish singers and and composers including friends and fellow performers who worked or performed with Moshe back in the 70's and 80's. Abie Rotenberg, Rivie Schwebel, Yossi Green, Avraham Rosenblum, Rabbi Baruch Chait, Benny Friedman, Shlomo Katz, Soulfarm, Lenny Solomon, Nochi Krohn, Moshe Hecht, Aryeh Kunstler, Marc Levine, Sam Glaser, Zevi Kaufman, Country Yossi, Menachem Weinstein Yosi Piamenta, Avraham Rosenblum, C Lanzbom, Andy Statman, Yaron Gershovsky, Gal Gershovsky, Moshe Antelis, Tony Montalbo, Aryeh Kunstler, Nochi Krohn and others.

 Click HERE to listen  

American Roshei yeshiva discuss alternate plan, for sending bochurim to learn in Eretz yisrael

Senior and younger American Roshei Yeshiva are holding meetings recently to discuss the future of sending Bochurim to learn In yeshivos Eretz yisroel and help with the shiduch crisis as well. In attendance were, the Novominsker rebbe, Rav malkiel Kotler, Rav Meir stern, Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel, Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal,  Rav Lipa margolis, Rav Yosef Eichenstein, Rav Kalman Epstein, Rav yossel Mermelstein, Rav Gershon Neuman, Linden, Rav Meir Heshkowitz, Stamford, Rav Yosef Frankel Vyelipol, Rav Eli Yagod, Rav Moti Dick, Rav Mendel Slomowitz, and others.

 There is great debate over the pros and cons of Bochurim going to EY for a few years prior to getting married. While initially it was the norm and still is the norm to go learn in Eretz yisrael, many RY are of the opinion that bochurim experience a yeridah during their stay. The argument is this yeridah far outweighs the maalos they will gain while learning there as a bochur. Many factors contribute to this such as the lack of proper hadracha, and hefkeirus. The other issue is of course the shudduch crisis where bochurim dont return from EY before they are 23 years old causing them to start shiduchim much later.

However, there are no yeshivos in America that are set up for  bochurim 20-23 year olds post Bais Medrash. Most Bochurim stay untill 3rd or 4th year in bais medrash and than go on to learn in the yeshivos of Brisk, Mir, Rav Tzvi kaplan, Rav Shalom Shechter and others.

With backing of baalei Batim a plan is in formation to open a yeshiva catering specificaly for  Bochurim ages 20-23. It will be yeshiva with a structured environment a Blatt shiur, daily shiurim  etc. Rav moti Dick was appointed by the Gedolim to take responsibility in finding a place for this new yeshiva. The Roshei yeshiva will then Push their bochurim to stay in America and offer incentives for after they get married if they choose to go learn in Eretz yisrael for Kollel. Time will tell if this will take off. Its hard to imagine not having a top bochur in Brisk.

Fiveish learns gemara!

Reader submitted, Fiveish gemara or Maseches Fiveish
oorahs mascot seems to be a learned man too.

Asifa Crisis !

Asifa to tackle the asifa  crisis and all future crisis affecting Klal Yisrael.

Coming off the heels of the successful Internet Asifa, the Siyum Hashas and many other large gatherings, askanim are working on a Brand new Asifa as this will be bigger and better than the previous ones. An organizer who was involved in the previous gatherings says all mistakes initially made at the first Asifa and the Siyum will be corrected by the upcoming Asifa. No longer will there be a conflict on the official language spoken at the Asifa, or which drashos should be delivered. For this there will 3 separate stadiums for yiddish english and hebrew speakers.

 In the English stadium there will be an option for a Yiddish speaker if he can not get a seat, or is not wanted at the dais of the main Yiddish venue. Same Thing with the Hebrew and English venues they can switch but the Yiddish venue will be exclusive Yiddish. All stadium workers must be fluent in Yiddish, any stadium staff caught speaking a Language other than Yiddish will be removed immediately, The dais will be constructed in a way that All Gaboim can take a turn behind their Rav on a newly designed rotating Gabboim stage which will encircle the dais making brief stops in front of the respected Rabbanim.

 Askanim have noticed that events held at winning venues have a high success rate, Such as the Siyum Hashas  in Metlife following the Giants winning the super bowl, and the Internet Asifa following the 1986 Mets. In light of that they are looking to go full circle and use Yankee stadium too. 
We are still not sure what the Asifa will discuss and be about it is a close kept secret, but an Asifa is desperately needed. However the topics to be discussed are the current and future crisis affecting the klal. There are many upcoming crisis such as the the housing crisis, Avos ubanim crisis forcing fathers to learn with their sons, Zman magazine crisis kids cant put it down crisis. In order not to run late or have people miss connecting trains and ferries, the Asifa will be a full 12 hour program,  this way it can not run late and people know in advance what to expect. There will be an inaugural asifa miles program where you earn miles for attending and time spent. Stay tuned.

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America issues statement on drafting yeshiva leit

We are deeply dismayed by the efforts in Eretz Yisroel to draft B’nei Yeshiva and remove them from the Beis Medrash, the wellspring of Torah to which they dedicate their days and nights. The perseverance and security of Hashem’s people are rooted in its dedication to Torah study, as Chazal comment on the posuk “Our feet were standing at your gates, Yerushalayim”: “What will enable our feet to stand firm in war?  The gates of Yerushalayim, where [Jews] devote themselves to Torah study.”

We appeal to the members of the government in Israel not to take any steps that will in any way negatively affect the B’nei Yeshiva and their study of Torah.  For Torah study is “our life and the length of our days,” which will “lead us, upright, forever.”

Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America

translation credit BJL

Its Dinner time!

Please show your support to the following Mosdos at their fundraising Dinner.
No More football on Sunday -

Tonight Sunday February 17, 2013

Yeshiva of Philadelphia Dinner
HIlton garden inn
1100 South Avenue at loise lane Staten Island,
 NY
 Yeshiva Gedolah of Passaic 40th Annual Dinner

Yeshiva Bais Moshe of Scranton 48th annivesary Dinner
The Palace hall 770 Mcdonald, Brooklyn, NY

Yeshiva Gedolah of Springfield-Tiferes boruch
At Sheraton Hotel, Newark airport NJ

Rav Elyashiv, The Book published by Artscroll

 Some call it השקדן in English, the long awaited biography has been published by Artscroll. TORAH WAS HIS LIFE AND ALL OF KLAL YISROEL WERE HIS STUDENTS(FROM ARTSCROLL).Introductory Price: $22.39. The undisputed posek hador. The gadol who carried the Torah world on his shoulders. For close to a century, Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv was a fixture in the Meah Shearim neighborhood of Yerushalayim, studying Torah day and night. Even during the decades that he served as a dayan (Rabbinic Judge) and played a key role in establishing the structure of the Beis Din Hagadol, his life revolved around his diligent Torah study. His sweet singsong voice rang out at first in the Ohel Sarah shul, and then resonated to every corner of the Torah world, through the thousands upon thousands of piskei halachah he issued and the profound guidance - in matters public and private - that he offered. Yet for all that he was renowned and acknowledged as the generation's leader, he remained an enigma even to those closest to him. This stunning new book unravels much of the mystery of this gadol who was at once famed and hidden. This fascinating portrait of Rav Elyashiv sheds light on the many different facets of this Torah giant: his incredible diligence and hasmadah, his absolute self-control, the warmth that lay behind his reticent, humble manner. This comprehensive work features: A wealth of historical information about the Eretz Yisrael Rav Elyashiv grew up in and helped to shape Rare family photos and documents Behind-the-scenes views of political storms and halachic controversies Vignettes of Rav Elyashiv's personal life and conduct The Jeremias Edition Rav Elyashiv is dedicated by Boruch and Chanie Jeremias.

Parnassah Expo 2013

The Nationwide Parnassah Expo which started out previously in Lakewood and drew over 7000 participants will be held today February, 12, 2013  at the Meadowlands Expo Center in New Jersey. Unlike the Lakewood event which had separate hours for Men and ladies, this event is of a different setting. The keynote speaker is the Lieutenant Governor of  New Jersey Kim Guadango. She will be speaking for both men and women. Vuss tit men nisht far parnooseh!. An Anonymous phone call went out in frum neighborhoods advising people there will be no mechitza or separate hours for men and ladies at the Expo.
Program begins 12:00 pm untill 9:00 pm
Registration fee is $25 at the door.
The Expo is divided into 2 programs:
Program A will network existing businesses offering resources and services.
Program B will be a resource for Building a successful career path and starting or growing your business with guidance.
The Expo promises to be an event where you can network and find resources in every aspect of Parnassah. Whether you are coming for the Job Fair sections or for the Business and Industry sections, you will be glad you were a part of this national event. The Expo is a huge market place divided up by focused areas of Parnassah related services. It is geared for Jewish Buisnesses.
Location for the expo is at;
355 Plaza Dr Plaza Dr at Park Plaza Dr, Secaucus, NJ 07094

For Driving directions to the Parnassah Expo at the Meadowlands click HERE