Hamas War

Showing posts with label Halacha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halacha. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Lots of Legitimate Kosher for Passover Customs/Psak/Laws Part 1

Note that I didn't use the word "choice" in my title here. As many people know, I'm in the midst of planning a new kitchen. We never made a change or even major repair in the kitchen we built as part of our house almost thirty-five years ago. We've changed the major appliances, but that's it. We probably should have done work, like major repairs, on the plumbing, but we didn't.

Some of you may be wondering why I'm writing about something as mundane as a kitchen on Shiloh Musings. Isn't that more a topic for A Jewish Grandmother? Yes and No. When it comes to the logistics, aesthetics, planning, appliances and things like that, yes, I'll be blogging a lot on A Jewish Grandmother. But a Jewish kitchen isn't just about style and even convenience. There is a lot of halacha, Jewish Law involved when planning a kitchen and choosing materials and even appliances.

Once my friends, in real time and the internet, facebook and blogging, heard that I was going to totally redo/renovate my kitchen the advice began flooding in. In almost all cases, I was told to get "X," because it would make Passover cleaning easier. And, inevitably, the recommended type of appliance or sink or countertop that can be kashered more easily for Passover is more expensive.

In Torah aka Orthodox Judaism we follow our rabbinic instructions/decisions/customs etc. Not all Orthodox rabbinic instructions/decisions/customs are the same, especially when it comes to Passover. There's a major difference between the instructions/decisions/customs of Ashkenaz (European) Jewry and the Sefardi (North African) Jews. And even within Sefardi Jews there's a big difference between, Yemenite, Moroccan and Tunisian etc including which cities the family had lived in.

It's not just a matter of who eats rice and/or lentils.

In general, Ashkenaz psak, decisions and procedures are strictest and most difficult. We are Ashkenazim, so we change and cover pretty much everything. We always had Passover sets of silverware, dishes, pots etc, so I never found myself learning how to kasher anything for Passover. Just take it out of storage.

Now I keep hearing that I must get a stainless steel sink, because it can be kashered for Passover. I may get one, but since I may have the chance to get a good regular one much more cheaply, then since I already have Passover sink bowls, I may decide to save the money. Renovations always entail extra expenses. We also need to buy new lighting fixtures, and now my husband is talking of changing the livingroom windows...




Countertops are another major issue. We have always completely covered our countertops. It's no big deal for me. Certainly in this stage of life I don't see the point in spending extra money and then have to pour boiling water over everything, which has safety and other risks.

When I say "this stage of life," I'm reminding you that the one week Passover Holiday is no longer a time of major cooking and entertaining for us. Our daughter, may she and her family live and be well, has taken over the big family Passover Seder and most other family entertaining/hosting. Our new kitchen must be suitable for two senior citizens, which is a topic for  A Jewish Grandmother.

What do you think?

Monday, September 11, 2017

Conversion to Judaism Complicated Business

A version of this book review was posted on Israel Blogger as Post-Conversion Situations and Complications.

A Concise Code of Jewish Law for Converts By Rabbi Michael J. Broyde is an amazing book about the complexities that face people after their conversion to Judaism. I know many converts, but until I read the book I hadn’t a clue as how complicated things can get for them in their new status as Jews.

A Concise Code of Jewish Law for Converts by Rabbi Michael J. Broyde goes into all sorts of situations and “what ifs,” whether it’s the day of the conversion or in general. Some of the situations seem rather improbable, like conversion on Yom Kippur, but I guess if Broyde wrote about it, such as situation must have occurred. Other situations, like kosher food cooked before the actual conversion. Is it considered permissible, even though food cooked completely by a non-Jew is generally problematic?

Rabbi Broyde goes into some very important and common questions about the halachic and problematic family relationships that many or most converts find themselves in. Even though a convert is a “new person,” he/she came from a family, and in most cases continues very loving and respectful relationships with them. Quite often the non-Jewish family members are their own biological children and grandchildren. I think we all know of converts in those situations.

Following are a few pages to give you an idea of what it covers:





I must admit that I’m not an expert in halacha, Jewish Law, nor do I make it a practice to read books about halacha. And I had no idea what I would be getting myself into when I asked to review A Concise Code of Jewish Law for Converts. So I really must say that this book about conversion and the halachic ramifications is fascinating and appropriate for laymen like myself. To summarize, every synagogue library should have a copy or two.

Product details

  • Hardcover: 180 pages
  • Publisher: Urim Publications; Bilingual edition (June 29, 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9655242498
  • ISBN-13: 978-9655242492

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

GUEST POST: Defeat Terror with Torah

Defeat Terror with Torah
a guest post by Mr. Cohen

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov [zechuto yagen ‘aleinu] was
born in year 1772 CE and died in year 1810 of the Common Era. 
 
Rabbi Nathan Stranhertz transcribed Sefer HaMidot from
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov from year 1803 CE to year 1806 CE.

Now for a quick and valuable quote from Sefer HaMidot:
____________________________________________________________
Sefer HaMidot, chapter pachad, paragraph 32:

“By studying Torah at the table during meal times,
we are saved from terror.”
____________________________________________________________
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov has revealed to us how to defeat terrorism.
May all Jews comply with his wise advice, the sooner the better.
=====================================
Please also read: If Daniel Were Alive Today:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2018/03/if-daniel-were-alive-today.html

Please also read: If Isaiah Were Alive Today:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2018/03/if-isaiah-were-alive-today.html

Please also read: If Ezekiel Were Alive Today:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2018/03/if-ezekiel-were-alive-today.html

Please also read: If Jeremiah Were Alive Today:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2018/03/if-jeremiah-were-alive-today.html

Please also read: If Ezra Were Alive Today:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2018/03/if-ezra-were-alive-today.html

Please also read: If Nehemiah Were Alive Today:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2018/04/if-nehemiah-were-alive-today.html

Please also read: If Joshua Were Alive Today:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2018/05/if-joshua-were-alive-today.html
 
Please also read: Refuting the Fans of Vashti:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2018/02/refuting-fans-of-vashti.html
=====================================
____________________________________________________________
PLEASE help the battle against
internet anti-Semitism by making
a PayPal donation to:
FourCupsOfWine@gmail.com.
THANK YOU!!
____________________________________________________________
OTHER BLOG POSTS BY MR. COHEN:


Ancient Roman historians connected Jews with the Land of Israel and Jerusalem:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/02/guest-post-josephus-vs-muslim-liars.html
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/05/guest-post-cornelius-tacticus.html


Rambam Rejected Childless Messiah:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/08/rambam-rejected-childless-messiah-by-mr.html

Why Muslims Hate Jews:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/12/guest-post-why-muslims-hate-jews.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-moynihan-1982.html

Forgotten Oppression against Jews:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-forgotten-oppression.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/03/guest-post-forgotten-anti-semitism.html

https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/06/guest-post-kiddush-hashem-1498.html

https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-jewish-nyc-mayor.html

How a Reform Rabbi Become Orthodox (true story):
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/07/how-did-reform-rabbi-become-orthodox-jew.html

Sephardic Jews Reject Reform Judaism:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/07/sephardim-reject-reform.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/08/guest-post-persian-rabbis-decree.html

Greek NYC Jews and Syrian NYC Jews
(a rarely-told true story that very few people know about):
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/03/greek-jews-syrian-jews.html

How to Convict the New York Times of Unfair Bias Against Israel:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/11/guest-post-how-to-convict-new-york-times.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/11/guest-post-nyt-erases-israel-from-map.html
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/03/guest-postnyt-vs-israel.html

Why Pray for Tzahal-IDF:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/04/guest-post-why-pray-for-idf.html


How to Pray for Tzahal-IDF:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/09/how-to-pray-for-tzahal-idf.html
____________________________________________________________
Do Palestinians Want a Two-State Solution?
by Daniel Polisar, PhD in Political Science
https://mosaicmagazine.com/essay/2017/04/do-palestinians-want-a-two-state-solution/

Articles Refuting the so-called “Two-State Solution”:
www.algemeiner.com/2017/10/08/the-two-state-solution-is-holding-israel-hostage/
https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/2017/06/when-it-comes-to-territorial-compromise-israel-doesnt-have-a-choice/

*********************************************************
PLEASE HELP DEFEND ISRAEL FROM UNFAIR MEDIA:
*********************************************************
http://advocacy.ou.org/
https://antisemitism.uk/
https://twitter.com/EyeOnHamas 


www.memri.org
www.memriTV.org

www.MideastReporter.com
www.MythsAndFacts.org                 
www.TheIsraelProject.org

www.BBCwatch.org                         

www.jhrw.com                                  
www.ngo-monitor.org
www.PalWatch.org                           
www.UKMediaWatch.org
www.UNwatch.org
www.aish.com/jw/mo/4-Reasons-Why-the-Media-is-Biased-against-Israel.html

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Guest Post: From Democrat to Conservative

guest post by Mr. Cohen:

=====================================
From Democrat to Conservative
=====================================

Because I am an Orthodox Jew, I quit the Democratic Party,
which is responsible for recent laws that “permit” the
unforgivable abomination of so-called “gay marriage”.

Because I am an Orthodox Jew, I joined the Conservative Party
which is the ONLY American political party that is totally
opposed to the inexcusable abomination of “gay marriage”.

I consider this switch to be an act of teshuvah,
and I expect to be rewarded for making this switch
when I [hopefully] reach Olam HaBa.
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/06/guest-post-usa-jews-vs-british-jews.html
____________________________________________________________
OTHER BLOG POSTS BY MR. COHEN:

Quick Bible Quotes from Joshua and Jeremiah:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/11/guest-post-joshua-chapter-23-verse-12.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/12/guest-post-jeremiah-chapter-17.html

Ancient Roman historians connected Jews with the Land of Israel and Jerusalem:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/02/guest-post-josephus-vs-muslim-liars.html
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/05/guest-post-cornelius-taccus.html

Rambam Rejected Childless Messiah:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/08/rambam-rejected-childless-messiah-by-mr.html

Why Muslims Hate Jews:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/12/guest-post-why-muslims-hate-jews.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-moynihan-1982.html

Forgotten Muslim Oppression against Jews:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-forgotten-oppression.html

Seven Times Stronger
(a quick quote about American anti-Semitism during the Holocaust):
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-seven-times-stronger.html

How a Reform Rabbi Become Orthodox (true story):
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/07/how-did-reform-rabbi-become-orthodox-jew.html

Sephardic Jews Reject Reform Judaism:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/07/sephardim-reject-reform.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/08/guest-post-persian-rabbis-decree.html

Greek NYC Jews and Syrian NYC Jews:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/03/greek-jews-syrian-jews.html

How to Convict the New York Times of Unfair bias against Israel:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/11/guest-post-how-to-convict-new-york-times.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/11/guest-post-nyt-erases-israel-from-map.html
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/03/guest-postnyt-vs-israel.html

Why Pray for Tzahal-IDF:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/04/guest-post-why-pray-for-idf.html

How to Pray for Tzahal-IDF:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/09/how-to-pray-for-tzahal-idf.html

Why Israel’s 1967 Borders are Undefendable:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/03/guest-post-why-1967-borders-are-suicide.html

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Guest Post: Refuting the Jew Haters


GUEST POST by Mr. Cohen

Before I begin, please let me make one thing clear:

DO NOT argue or debate with Jew-haters. 

STAY AWAY from them, both in the real world and the internet world.

There are many reasons for this:

First, our obligation as Jews is to serve G_d, not argue with Jew-hating lunatics.

Second, they can be dangerous, and even if you think you are anonymous on the internet, you are not as anonymous as you think you are, and they may find you, G_d forbid. 

Third, many Jew haters are fanatics and/or lunatics, who will never listen to anything you say, or even use your words against Jews in ways you did not anticipate.
__________________________________________________________________

Still, there are rare situations when it helps to know how to refute their accusations against Jews; for example, when a sincere Gentile co-worker or neighbor is influenced by the accusations of the Jew haters.
__________________________________________________________________

One favorite accusation of the Jew-haters is that Jews have been expelled from many countries and cities. Jew haters use this to imply that Jews are bad people.

This accusation can be countered, like this.

When a Medieval king expelled Jews from his country, Jews were usually not able to take their possessions with them, so all the possessions of the Jews became the property of the king, including: land, houses, furniture, gold, silver, jewels, farm animals, etc. 

Even if the Jews had some way to take their money with them (which was far from guaranteed) they could not take their larger possessions with them.  This permitted the kings to increase their wealth quickly with little risk.

Additionally, when Jews were expelled, all debts owed to expelled Jewish creditors became as if they never existed, or were made payable to the king.

“Although King Philip IV had allowed Jews back into Paris, in [year] 1306 [CE] he had cash flow problems. He therefore devised a secret plot to solve the problem. On July 22, the day after Tisha B’Av, some 100,000 Jews were arrested and thrown into prison.
They were informed that they were going to be expelled and could leave with only the clothes on their backs and a small sum of money. The king had confiscated the rest of their possessions. In addition, any money owed to them by Christians would be payable to the king.”

SOURCE: Is French Jewry Headed Toward Its Final Expulsion
by Libi Astaire 2014/11/17, The Jewish Press
www.jewishpress.com/sections/features/feautures-on-jewish-world/bonjour-goodbye-is-french-jewry-headed-toward-its-final-expulsion/2014/11/17/0/

CONCLUSION:
Kings had big financial incentives to expel their Jews, and also lords and dukes.
This explains why Jews were expelled dozens of times in the medieval era.
__________________________________________________________________

Another reason why Jews were expelled many times from Christian countries was that Medieval Christians did not tolerate people whose beliefs disagreed with their own. 

Medieval European Christians also persecuted other Christians whose beliefs differed from their own.
Three very short examples:

EXAMPLE 1: 

In October 1536 CE, William Tyndale was publicly executed because he translated the Bible into English, even though he was Christian.

EXAMPLE 2:

The Thirty Years' War was a series of wars in Central Europe between 1618 CE and 1648 CE.
It was  one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history, resulting in millions of casualties. It started as a war between various Protestants and Catholics.

EXAMPLE 3:

“For the rest of his life, [Professor J.R.R.] Tolkien blamed his mother’s death on the financial and emotional stress she suffered as a result of her conversion to Catholicism and her consequent rejection by her family.”

SOURCE: Myth and Middle Earth (chapter 1, page 22) by Leslie Ellen Jones,
2002 CE, Cold Spring Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724,
JOpenRoad@aol.com, ISBN 1-892975-81-5.
___________________________________________________________
UNFAIR DOUBLE STANDARD:

Have you ever noticed that:
people who want a Jew-free Palestine are called peace-lovers;
but people who want an Arab-free Israel are called racists?
_________________________________________________________
OTHER BLOG POSTS BY MR. COHEN:
 

Ancient Roman historians connected Jews with the Land of Israel and Jerusalem:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/02/guest-post-josephus-vs-muslim-liars.html
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/05/guest-post-cornelius-tacticus.html


Rambam Rejected Childless Messiah:

http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/08/rambam-rejected-childless-messiah-by-mr.html

Why Muslims Hate Jews:

https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/12/guest-post-why-muslims-hate-jews.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-moynihan-1982.html


Forgotten Oppression against Jews:

https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-forgotten-oppression.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/03/guest-post-forgotten-anti-semitism.html


American anti-Semitism:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-seven-times-stronger.html

https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/01/guest-post-jewish-nyc-mayor.html
 
How a Reform Rabbi Become Orthodox (true story):
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/07/how-did-reform-rabbi-become-orthodox-jew.html

Sephardic Jews Reject Reform Judaism:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/07/sephardim-reject-reform.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/08/guest-post-persian-rabbis-decree.html

Greek NYC Jews and Syrian NYC Jews:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/03/greek-jews-syrian-jews.html

How to Convict the New York Times:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/11/guest-post-how-to-convict-new-york-times.html
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/11/guest-post-nyt-erases-israel-from-map.html
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/03/guest-postnyt-vs-israel.html

Why Pray for Tzahal-IDF:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/04/guest-post-why-pray-for-idf.html

How to Pray for Tzahal-IDF:
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2016/09/how-to-pray-for-tzahal-idf.html

Why Israel’s 1967 Borders are Undefendable:
https://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/2017/03/guest-post-why-1967-borders-are-suicide.html

Do Palestinians Want a Two-State Solution?
by Daniel Polisar, PhD in Political Science
https://mosaicmagazine.com/essay/2017/04/do-palestinians-want-a-two-state-solution/

Articles Refuting the so-called “Two-State Solution”:
www.algemeiner.com/2017/10/08/the-two-state-solution-is-holding-israel-hostage/
https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/2017/06/when-it-comes-to-territorial-compromise-israel-doesnt-have-a-choice/
__________________________________________________________________
An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth

by Matti Friedman, 2014/8/26

www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/183033/israel-insider-guide

SUMMARY: This article exposes intentional anti-Israel bias in the news media.
It is still very relevant today, even though it was written in 2014.
__________________________________________________________________

***** PLEASE HELP SUE THE TERRORISTS IN COURT:

www.TheLawFareProject.org

***** THANK YOU!
__________________________________________________________________

Rabbi Steven Pruzansky said:

“In the genocidal war being waged against the Jewish people,
the New York Times is an accomplice.”

SOURCE:
http://rabbipruzansky.com/2015/10/29/a-new-low/

PERSONAL COMMENT:
Please do teshuvah by NOT BUYING the New York Times!
__________________________________________________________________

LEARN HOW TO DEFEND ISRAEL FROM UNFAIR NEWS MEDIA:

www.camera.org                                
www.DanielPipes.org

www.HonestReporting.com              
www.IsraelBehindTheNews.com
www.memri.org
www.memriTV.org                            
www.MideastReporter.com
www.MythsAndFacts.org                 

www.BBCwatch.org             
www.jhrw.com                                  

www.PalWatch.org               
www.UKMediaWatch.org                
www.UNwatch.org
www.aish.com/jw/mo/4-Reasons-Why-the-Media-is-Biased-against-Israel.html

__________________________________________________________________