Hello fellow plumates. (That's a good one, i can't believe no one thought of that. Like "roomates" just isntead its "plumates").
Anyways, it's late (in many respects... tsssss). A lot has been going on but I'm not in a position to properly express that right now, hopefully next week i'll catch u all up on the life and times of reb yos, i know you all want to here. For now, i'll just share some words of Torah from my Rebbe Rav Rosensweig. DON"T WORRY! It's not crazy complicated or abstract (for those of you who know him). It's a little bit of reading... but it's a beautifal idea at the end. This one's for u guys!
Rav Rosensweig- the Torah commands us to blow the Shofar on 2 different occasions: every year on Rosh Hashanah and once every 50 years, on Yom Kippur of the Yovel year to. The Gemara Rosh Hashanah, in several places, connects these 2 shofar blowings.
For example, when the Gemara determines how many tekios we sound on Rosh Hashanah, it does so by calculating the different times that the Torah says “teruah”. However, one of the pesukim it quotes is the pasuk that says to blow a “teruah” on the Yovel year. What does that have to do with the tekios of Rosh Hashanah?!
Another example is that the Gemara says the brachos on both tekios the same. Meaning, we say the same thing by the tekios of R”H as we do by the tekios of the Yovel year. One opinion in the Gemara even goes so far to say that we shouldn’t say “ha’yom haras olam” (today the world was conceived) by the shofar blowing of R”H since you can’t say that by the tekios of Yovel and the 2 have to be synonymous.
The Rambam also connects the 2. In his Sefer Ha’mitzvos and Mishneh Torah, whenever he introduces one of these tekios he adds in “just like the tekios by R”H (or by Yovel, depending on which halacha he’s talking about).
Suffice it to say that there is an inherent connection between these 2 tekiyos. What does it all mean?
Rav Rosnesweig suggested a very inspiring idea. He said that Chazal are trying to convey a very fundamental message here. In the midst of the yom ha’din on R”H, when we hear the tekios of the shofar, which represent one form of crying or another, and we can’t help but think how low we might’ve sunk and how far we are from the people we should be, we should be reminded of the tekios sounded on Yovel. Those are the tekios that announce all slaves have been freed and all lands have been returned to their original owners. They are tekios that symbolize a fresh start for everyone. If you were a slave before, you’re now a free man with a new beginning. Whatever business you may have done over the past 50 years is now irrelevant b/c you get your land back and things are once again just the way they were at the beginning. This is what we should be reminded on Rosh Hashanah when we hear the shofar- it’s a new year and this time around we can make things right. That’s really what everyone hopes for on R”H, just to get another chance to prove what we could be. Perhaps this is what Chazal are hinting out when they link these 2 tekios. (He also pointed out that it works in the other direction as well- when you hear the tekios on Yovel and the master thinks to himself how bad it is that he’s losing his slave he should be reminded of the tekios on R”H which will remind him who the real Master is etc. But that’s not the message for now....)
Have a kesivah v'chasimah Tovah! I wish you all a shanah tovah u'mitzlachas and im yirtza Hashem all of our tefilos should be answered. Peace up
reb yos
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Words from the Clean Guy
Im sorry if its too long guys i hope its good.
Have a great shabbos pluatonians.
Last week’s parsha, Ki Savoh as well as this week’s parshiyos, Nitzavim and Vayeilech contain a tremendous focus on the klal, the general group of bnei yisrael. Firstly in Pasrshas Ki Savoh all of bnei yisrael join together on two mountains to hear the brachos and klalos that we will receive if we keep the torah or heaven forbid stray from the torah path. Rav Saadia Gaon explains that we can learn the mitvah of “Kol Yisrael Arevim Ze Laze” from this event. We learn the halachic principle that we are individually responsible if one of our friends is not performing the mitzvos properly. If my friend is not wearing tzitzis or missing davening, I am responsible for his actions as well.
Following the same concept, in Parshas Nitzavim, the torah tells us that even though we are not culpable for the sins that a Jew does in private or in his hidden thoughts, we are however responsible for the sins and aveiros that he does in public. This is an incredible idea which we have to internalize that we have to start caring not just about ourselves but about our friends as well.
This idea of areivim ze laze and being responsible for one another is especially significant during this time period right before Rosh Hoshana. I saw the Arizal quoted that the reason why Rosh Hashana is a two day yuntif even in Israel, even for alex and yoni, is because the first day is necessary for judgment on our own individual actions. There is a second day also that’s necessary for judgment on our relationship with the general klal, tzibur. The entire second day of Rosh Hashana is devoted to judging whether we actually cared for our friends and made sure they were doing the right things or if we just ignored them and worried only about ourselves.
I think this whole pluaton email dvar torah exchange is really awesome for the very reason that I mentioned above. It’s a great way of keeping the guys together and a way of making sure that we all are staying on the right path.
I don’t know if the guys realize but myself and alex yudin are second cousins and we shared the same bubbe, great grandmother, who just passed away two nights ago. It was a bit eerie for me because that night was the shloshim, thirty days since my other great grandfather on my father’s side (not related to alex, but actually related to corey who is my third cousin) just passed away. Baruch Hashem they both lived very long, full lives of torah and mitzvos (one 93 and one 99!), but I thought that it wasn’t just a coincidence being right before Rosha Hoshana. Then I remembered that the gemara in brachos says that if is a person is sinning and is having trouble doing teshuva he should remind himself of yom hamissah and the mortality of a human. Hashem is trying to tell us, or me at least that its time for sincere teshuva.
I wish all you guys the best Shabbos. I hope Akiva’s grandmother has a refua shleima, keep davening for her.
Through each of our merits as a group, as a pluaton, as bnei yisrael as a whole I wish everyone a Kesiva Vechasim Tovah and we all should daven to make it back to Eretz Yisrael, the Eretz Hakdosha very soon.
- lands
Have a great shabbos pluatonians.
Last week’s parsha, Ki Savoh as well as this week’s parshiyos, Nitzavim and Vayeilech contain a tremendous focus on the klal, the general group of bnei yisrael. Firstly in Pasrshas Ki Savoh all of bnei yisrael join together on two mountains to hear the brachos and klalos that we will receive if we keep the torah or heaven forbid stray from the torah path. Rav Saadia Gaon explains that we can learn the mitvah of “Kol Yisrael Arevim Ze Laze” from this event. We learn the halachic principle that we are individually responsible if one of our friends is not performing the mitzvos properly. If my friend is not wearing tzitzis or missing davening, I am responsible for his actions as well.
Following the same concept, in Parshas Nitzavim, the torah tells us that even though we are not culpable for the sins that a Jew does in private or in his hidden thoughts, we are however responsible for the sins and aveiros that he does in public. This is an incredible idea which we have to internalize that we have to start caring not just about ourselves but about our friends as well.
This idea of areivim ze laze and being responsible for one another is especially significant during this time period right before Rosh Hoshana. I saw the Arizal quoted that the reason why Rosh Hashana is a two day yuntif even in Israel, even for alex and yoni, is because the first day is necessary for judgment on our own individual actions. There is a second day also that’s necessary for judgment on our relationship with the general klal, tzibur. The entire second day of Rosh Hashana is devoted to judging whether we actually cared for our friends and made sure they were doing the right things or if we just ignored them and worried only about ourselves.
I think this whole pluaton email dvar torah exchange is really awesome for the very reason that I mentioned above. It’s a great way of keeping the guys together and a way of making sure that we all are staying on the right path.
I don’t know if the guys realize but myself and alex yudin are second cousins and we shared the same bubbe, great grandmother, who just passed away two nights ago. It was a bit eerie for me because that night was the shloshim, thirty days since my other great grandfather on my father’s side (not related to alex, but actually related to corey who is my third cousin) just passed away. Baruch Hashem they both lived very long, full lives of torah and mitzvos (one 93 and one 99!), but I thought that it wasn’t just a coincidence being right before Rosha Hoshana. Then I remembered that the gemara in brachos says that if is a person is sinning and is having trouble doing teshuva he should remind himself of yom hamissah and the mortality of a human. Hashem is trying to tell us, or me at least that its time for sincere teshuva.
I wish all you guys the best Shabbos. I hope Akiva’s grandmother has a refua shleima, keep davening for her.
Through each of our merits as a group, as a pluaton, as bnei yisrael as a whole I wish everyone a Kesiva Vechasim Tovah and we all should daven to make it back to Eretz Yisrael, the Eretz Hakdosha very soon.
- lands
Words from Jesse's Girl
You are standing today, all of you, before HASHEM, your G-d. (Devarim 29:9)
Two quick questions:
1) Why does Rosh HaShana precede Yom Kippur? Wouldn't it be a more merciful approach to first seek forgiveness and atonement and then face judgment? The determinations made on Rosh HaShana for livelihood and life itself would likely be improved if we had a chance to clean up our act before hand.
2) If Rosh HaShana is the beginning of the "ten days of repentance" then how come the Rosh HaShana Machzor is not focused at all on the subject of sins. Eating and celebrating seem to be a more important part of the day. Where and how is the repenting process taking place?
A story is told about a little shepherd boy who planted himself casually on the king's highway. Along came the king himself one day in his quadruple stretch limo and with the rest of his entourage. They came to a screeching halt in front of the shepherd who was absorbed in playing his flute.
The attendees honked the royal horns gently and then more and more furiously.beeeeeeeeeep- beep- beep- beep- bpbpbpbpbpbpbpb- beeeeeeeeeeep (Sounds familiar?) [rough joke] but he turned a deaf ear. The servants were angered at his arrogance as the boy waved his hand uncaringly in their direction. They wished to flatten him at first but the king himself advised otherwise.
He told them to open the car door and invite him in. The boy now gladly took the offer to go for a cruise in such a fine vehicle. Unaware he was seated right next to the king he persisted in his insolent ways. He used inappropriate language and gestures. He pulled on the king's beard and toyed with his crown. The king silently tolerated the insulting behavior.
When they came to a little hamlet there were signs welcoming the king and a small number of fans shouting with glee, "The King!" The car slowed down and they waved in acknowledgment. The shepherd boy asked them to wait for a few moments so he could see the king everyone was clamoring for. The same scene repeated itself on a bigger scale as they made their way through a larger city. When they arrived at the "big city" there were millions of people were screaming, "The King!"
The shepherd boy became curious as to why they had confronted so many celebrations in one day and why there had been no other cars in each of the parades. It suddenly dawned upon him the frightening fact that he had been sitting next to the king himself the whole time. He immediately fell with trembling to the feet of the king and begged for his life and for forgiveness. The king accepted his petitioning and pardoned him.
So too on Rosh HaShana, to the extent an awareness of "The King" is awakened in our minds to that degree we will have gained a light with which to view our lives. In this way the process of "teshuva" is first made meaningful. Obviously, we cannot express proper remorse until it becomes more clear to us than before in front of Whom we stand.
In this frame we can appreciate in L'Dovid (Psalm 27) why the sages comment, "HASHEM is my light" -this refers to Rosh HaShana, "and my salvation"- this is Yom Kippur. We look forward to an experience that will leave a taste of sweetness in our mouths the rest of the year, and for that reason and more most of us are afraid to miss the parade.
Copied from torah.org
Rabbi Label Lam
Have a good shabbos
ps. Mazel Tov to schalwb psycho on his brothers bar mitzavh.
Two quick questions:
1) Why does Rosh HaShana precede Yom Kippur? Wouldn't it be a more merciful approach to first seek forgiveness and atonement and then face judgment? The determinations made on Rosh HaShana for livelihood and life itself would likely be improved if we had a chance to clean up our act before hand.
2) If Rosh HaShana is the beginning of the "ten days of repentance" then how come the Rosh HaShana Machzor is not focused at all on the subject of sins. Eating and celebrating seem to be a more important part of the day. Where and how is the repenting process taking place?
A story is told about a little shepherd boy who planted himself casually on the king's highway. Along came the king himself one day in his quadruple stretch limo and with the rest of his entourage. They came to a screeching halt in front of the shepherd who was absorbed in playing his flute.
The attendees honked the royal horns gently and then more and more furiously.beeeeeeeeeep- beep- beep- beep- bpbpbpbpbpbpbpb- beeeeeeeeeeep (Sounds familiar?) [rough joke] but he turned a deaf ear. The servants were angered at his arrogance as the boy waved his hand uncaringly in their direction. They wished to flatten him at first but the king himself advised otherwise.
He told them to open the car door and invite him in. The boy now gladly took the offer to go for a cruise in such a fine vehicle. Unaware he was seated right next to the king he persisted in his insolent ways. He used inappropriate language and gestures. He pulled on the king's beard and toyed with his crown. The king silently tolerated the insulting behavior.
When they came to a little hamlet there were signs welcoming the king and a small number of fans shouting with glee, "The King!" The car slowed down and they waved in acknowledgment. The shepherd boy asked them to wait for a few moments so he could see the king everyone was clamoring for. The same scene repeated itself on a bigger scale as they made their way through a larger city. When they arrived at the "big city" there were millions of people were screaming, "The King!"
The shepherd boy became curious as to why they had confronted so many celebrations in one day and why there had been no other cars in each of the parades. It suddenly dawned upon him the frightening fact that he had been sitting next to the king himself the whole time. He immediately fell with trembling to the feet of the king and begged for his life and for forgiveness. The king accepted his petitioning and pardoned him.
So too on Rosh HaShana, to the extent an awareness of "The King" is awakened in our minds to that degree we will have gained a light with which to view our lives. In this way the process of "teshuva" is first made meaningful. Obviously, we cannot express proper remorse until it becomes more clear to us than before in front of Whom we stand.
In this frame we can appreciate in L'Dovid (Psalm 27) why the sages comment, "HASHEM is my light" -this refers to Rosh HaShana, "and my salvation"- this is Yom Kippur. We look forward to an experience that will leave a taste of sweetness in our mouths the rest of the year, and for that reason and more most of us are afraid to miss the parade.
Copied from torah.org
Rabbi Label Lam
Have a good shabbos
ps. Mazel Tov to schalwb psycho on his brothers bar mitzavh.
Friday, September 3, 2010
A Plu's Grandmother in need of our Tefillos
Bloomy's grandmother has suddenly taken very ill. Please daven for her YOCHEVED BEILA BAS MIRIAM
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesdays
Just a reminder that tomorrow is Tuesday. For those of you who are wondering what is important about Tuesday, the answer is nothin. But there is great importance to Yom Sheini. What is this greatness you ask? KUMMAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH. (for anyone who still has not received their CD of Shirein Haliviem please let me know I've got a lot)
MECHIBAD FUN DE SIMCHA
MAZOL TOV to the brother of our brother Effie, Eli Wagner who recently got engaged to the wonderful Danielle Sanders of Israel. May we be Zocheh to share in many more simchas together in Yerushalaim Ir Hakodesh.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Jon abcd A.K.A FITY
Here we are again. The awesome day of Rosh HaShana is rapidly approaching and for so many it’s not a question of “if” but “where” we will hear the Shofar blast. It’s hard to explain in logical terms how this raspy ram’s horn packs out houses of worship with its unarticulated tones year after year. Like an auditory Rorschach test everyone hears the same sound in a different way and that’s ok. Still we can ask in advance, “What does the Shofar do for me?” “What can the Shofar do for me?”
The Dubno Maggid was famous for his parables. Whenever anyone would ask him a question he answered with a parable. Somebody once asked him why he answered every question with a parable and to that he said, “I’ll tell you a parable!” He proceeded to tell the following; “Naked truth was used to walking down the street but everywhere he went he caused a tremendous stir. People turned away from him in disgust. He could find no place where he was welcome. He had a friend, though, whose name was Parable, or Moshol, his Hebrew name. Parable assessed the problem of his friend Truth and made a brilliant suggestion. He offered him a handsome- well tailored suit of clothing that he could where everywhere he goes. That way people would be willing to tolerate him. Eventually they may even accept him. The Dubno Maggid explained that most people are not willing to stare at naked truth. However, when it is clothed in a fine parable it becomes more appealing to those who would otherwise avoid it.
A staunch non-believer once approached the Dubno Maggid and challenged him. “I hear that you are such a powerful orator and a profound teacher that you can turn any man around. Try your skills on me and see if you can turn me into a righteous person. ”Sensing his cynical tone the Dubno Maggid responded to him with the following parable: A sophisticated city dweller happened upon a primitive group of villagers who were foolishly attempting to fan a fire by blowing with only the force of their lungs. He told them that they would be better served by using a pair of bellows. They looked at him as if he spoke a foreign language. They had no idea what bellows are and how they work. So out of the kindness of his heart he made for them a beautiful pair of bellows and he demonstrated how remarkably effective they were. Everyone was amazed to see how quickly a fire can become a flame with this technology. He left the town with great fanfare but when he returned he was met with derision. The people claimed that he was a fraud. His bellows didn’t work. He examined them and found them in perfect condition. He couldn’t figure out what the problem could be. He asked them to show him how they were being used. After observing how they blew with the bellows on a pile of wood he understood immediately what the problem was. He asked them, “Where are your glowing coals?” They were amazed. “You mean we need glowing coals too?” they responded. He laughed at their foolishness and told them, “The bellows only produce a current of air which excites the burning embers to become a consuming fire. If there is no spark to begin with, to aim the bellows at then even the best pair of bellows cannot make a fire.” So the Dubno Maggid explained to his challenger, “With my lessons I can coax those embers embedded in the hearts of the listeners to become flames of passionate love and fear of G-d. However, when the spirit of a man has become so void of those feelings then even the greatest speaker cannot hope to change his heart. I need for there to be a spark”
The Shofar speaks to us like the wind of those bellows, and by our attendance and attention to the blowing we demonstrate yearly and clearly the spark is there.
Rabbi Lam wrote this on torah.org (completed copy and pasted but i read it)
The Dubno Maggid was famous for his parables. Whenever anyone would ask him a question he answered with a parable. Somebody once asked him why he answered every question with a parable and to that he said, “I’ll tell you a parable!” He proceeded to tell the following; “Naked truth was used to walking down the street but everywhere he went he caused a tremendous stir. People turned away from him in disgust. He could find no place where he was welcome. He had a friend, though, whose name was Parable, or Moshol, his Hebrew name. Parable assessed the problem of his friend Truth and made a brilliant suggestion. He offered him a handsome- well tailored suit of clothing that he could where everywhere he goes. That way people would be willing to tolerate him. Eventually they may even accept him. The Dubno Maggid explained that most people are not willing to stare at naked truth. However, when it is clothed in a fine parable it becomes more appealing to those who would otherwise avoid it.
A staunch non-believer once approached the Dubno Maggid and challenged him. “I hear that you are such a powerful orator and a profound teacher that you can turn any man around. Try your skills on me and see if you can turn me into a righteous person. ”Sensing his cynical tone the Dubno Maggid responded to him with the following parable: A sophisticated city dweller happened upon a primitive group of villagers who were foolishly attempting to fan a fire by blowing with only the force of their lungs. He told them that they would be better served by using a pair of bellows. They looked at him as if he spoke a foreign language. They had no idea what bellows are and how they work. So out of the kindness of his heart he made for them a beautiful pair of bellows and he demonstrated how remarkably effective they were. Everyone was amazed to see how quickly a fire can become a flame with this technology. He left the town with great fanfare but when he returned he was met with derision. The people claimed that he was a fraud. His bellows didn’t work. He examined them and found them in perfect condition. He couldn’t figure out what the problem could be. He asked them to show him how they were being used. After observing how they blew with the bellows on a pile of wood he understood immediately what the problem was. He asked them, “Where are your glowing coals?” They were amazed. “You mean we need glowing coals too?” they responded. He laughed at their foolishness and told them, “The bellows only produce a current of air which excites the burning embers to become a consuming fire. If there is no spark to begin with, to aim the bellows at then even the best pair of bellows cannot make a fire.” So the Dubno Maggid explained to his challenger, “With my lessons I can coax those embers embedded in the hearts of the listeners to become flames of passionate love and fear of G-d. However, when the spirit of a man has become so void of those feelings then even the greatest speaker cannot hope to change his heart. I need for there to be a spark”
The Shofar speaks to us like the wind of those bellows, and by our attendance and attention to the blowing we demonstrate yearly and clearly the spark is there.
Rabbi Lam wrote this on torah.org (completed copy and pasted but i read it)
Words from the Bearded Break Dancer
It’s my turn to to share some Torah to the holy plu-brothers, so I will bring you into the world of my favorite Chassidic master, the Shem MiShmuel otherwise known as the Sochatchaver Rebbe. Let us jump right into it…
The fourth aliyah in parshas Ki Savo begins with Moshe Rabeinu and the Elders of Israel instructing the Jewish people to write the Torah on great stones after they cross the Jordan River and enter into Eretz Yisroel.
This one time commandment is strange in all its parts. The normal mitzvah of Ksivas Sefer Torah is commanded to each and every Jew, and a special commandment for a King to write a second sefer Torah. This commandment is to all the Jews to write one torah. Weird. The standard object which we write our sifrei torah on is a klaf, skin from an animal, something which was once alive. This commandment calls for the Torah to be written on stone, no life. What is going on here? Why was it that in this situation, before entering the Land of Israel, is there such a stark difference in the commandment to write a sefer Torah?
The Shem MiShmuel quotes an idea from his father the Avnei Neizer to help us understand this unusual commandment. He says that the reason why we are commanded to write a Sefer Torah in general is in order to engrave the words of the Torah on the heart of the person. IN the process of writing a sefer torah one needs to first work the parchment before you can write on it. So also by the person in order for the Torah to enter into him he needs to purify himself.
The problem with this is the Zohar tells us that the only way a person can purify himself is with the Torah, but if the Torah can only enter us if we are pure then it seems we can never be pure.
He answers that there are two parts to the heart of a Jew. There is the forever pure, invincible, and true essence of a person, his Nefesh Elokis piece of Hashem inside of him. Then there is the part of the heart which is malleable to outside forces both good and evil. Our inner soul is always ready and in fact waiting for Torah to sustain our true beings. The avodah for us is to reveal the Nefesh Elokis through the part of our being which is stopping us from being who we really are.
With this idea we can understand this unusual commandment of writing the Torah on stone as we entered the Land of Eretz Yisrael. Hashem was reminding us, that as we enter into this new phase of our lives entering into our Homeland, that we have a part of us which is an impenetrable force, a stone if you will, which is our true being. It’s the part of us which is constantly thirsting for Torah, and striving to follow the Torah, but we need to work to tap into ourselves. That work begins with learning the Torah. The only thing which can purify ourselves from outer forces. Hashem created the Yetzer Hara and he created Torah as a cure. The doctor prescribed the medicine we just need to take it. The Yetzer Hara works to take us away from being who we really are, Hashem is telling us there is a real you and the Torah is the way you will reveal your true self.
My brothers, we should be blessed to reveal our true selves finding our portion in the Torah, and in that merit we will be able to go back home and dance in the Beis HaMikdash listening to the Shirei HaLeviim.
THis week the plu-drichs began YU. My first few hours back in the Hieghts were not up;ifting as the name might have suggested. But with a little work, and finding a shiur to go to i was back in the swing of things and am looking forward to completing the semster.
last night was adam frolingers wedding. the liquid neicha was flowing baruch Hashem. i was hoping they would break out with some Ki Hirbeisa, but i guess they werent carrying the words וחפצים לעשות רצוניך in their wallets (shmeel).
You should all be blessed.
I hope to see you all back home soon. (i am going september fourth, i might have room for some puff pastry in my bag)
Shabbos Kodesh,
Dovid
The fourth aliyah in parshas Ki Savo begins with Moshe Rabeinu and the Elders of Israel instructing the Jewish people to write the Torah on great stones after they cross the Jordan River and enter into Eretz Yisroel.
This one time commandment is strange in all its parts. The normal mitzvah of Ksivas Sefer Torah is commanded to each and every Jew, and a special commandment for a King to write a second sefer Torah. This commandment is to all the Jews to write one torah. Weird. The standard object which we write our sifrei torah on is a klaf, skin from an animal, something which was once alive. This commandment calls for the Torah to be written on stone, no life. What is going on here? Why was it that in this situation, before entering the Land of Israel, is there such a stark difference in the commandment to write a sefer Torah?
The Shem MiShmuel quotes an idea from his father the Avnei Neizer to help us understand this unusual commandment. He says that the reason why we are commanded to write a Sefer Torah in general is in order to engrave the words of the Torah on the heart of the person. IN the process of writing a sefer torah one needs to first work the parchment before you can write on it. So also by the person in order for the Torah to enter into him he needs to purify himself.
The problem with this is the Zohar tells us that the only way a person can purify himself is with the Torah, but if the Torah can only enter us if we are pure then it seems we can never be pure.
He answers that there are two parts to the heart of a Jew. There is the forever pure, invincible, and true essence of a person, his Nefesh Elokis piece of Hashem inside of him. Then there is the part of the heart which is malleable to outside forces both good and evil. Our inner soul is always ready and in fact waiting for Torah to sustain our true beings. The avodah for us is to reveal the Nefesh Elokis through the part of our being which is stopping us from being who we really are.
With this idea we can understand this unusual commandment of writing the Torah on stone as we entered the Land of Eretz Yisrael. Hashem was reminding us, that as we enter into this new phase of our lives entering into our Homeland, that we have a part of us which is an impenetrable force, a stone if you will, which is our true being. It’s the part of us which is constantly thirsting for Torah, and striving to follow the Torah, but we need to work to tap into ourselves. That work begins with learning the Torah. The only thing which can purify ourselves from outer forces. Hashem created the Yetzer Hara and he created Torah as a cure. The doctor prescribed the medicine we just need to take it. The Yetzer Hara works to take us away from being who we really are, Hashem is telling us there is a real you and the Torah is the way you will reveal your true self.
My brothers, we should be blessed to reveal our true selves finding our portion in the Torah, and in that merit we will be able to go back home and dance in the Beis HaMikdash listening to the Shirei HaLeviim.
THis week the plu-drichs began YU. My first few hours back in the Hieghts were not up;ifting as the name might have suggested. But with a little work, and finding a shiur to go to i was back in the swing of things and am looking forward to completing the semster.
last night was adam frolingers wedding. the liquid neicha was flowing baruch Hashem. i was hoping they would break out with some Ki Hirbeisa, but i guess they werent carrying the words וחפצים לעשות רצוניך in their wallets (shmeel).
You should all be blessed.
I hope to see you all back home soon. (i am going september fourth, i might have room for some puff pastry in my bag)
Shabbos Kodesh,
Dovid
Words from the Rapper of Pluaton
Hello from Israel!!!!!!!!! wanna hear some toyrah?????//greeeeeeeeeaaatttttt vvvvvoonnnnnnndeeeeerrrrrrrrrrfulllllll
This weeks parsha we have the ZECHUSS of laining, learning and following the parsha of Ki Tavo.
According to the חינוך there are 6 mitzvot and the last of these, to his count, its the 611th! BARUCH HASHEM! which is the mitzvah of to go and emulate the ways of G-d. והלכת בדרכיו.
I am going to focus on one particular mitzvah which is the first mitzah in ki tavo that talks about the bracha that accompanies the bringing of the first fruits-ביכורים. The Torah in parshas mishpatim says the following: "the first fruits are to be brought to the בית המקדש" (that is to be rebuilt tonite so ill see you all there and B"H we will bring bikurim tommorow!...if thats how it works) which the rabbis point out is the 7 haminim. In addition, in this weeks parsha we have the bracha that the holy jew said when bringing the bikurim. This bracha is familiar to us because of a mishna in pisachim that says it serves with the come of the text that we use on the night of the pesach seder to thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu for the redemption from Egypt and we anilayz(how do u spell that) the pisukim begining with ארמי עובד אבית, which we see in the begining of this weeks parsha. But when a jew brings the bikurim he has a summerization of only 5 piskuim of ALL jewish history. He says:ארמי עובד אבי and begins by saying that lavan wanted to kill yaakov and Hashem went ahead and protected him. Then yaakov goes down to Egypt with not many people and they become huge in Egypt. In Egypt they afflicted and hurt and pained the jews and we cried out to Hashem and Hashem saw our pain and heard our voices and took us out בזרוע נטויה מורה גדול אותות ומפוסים and finally ויביאנו אל המקום- the jew who brings the bikurim proclaims that Hashem took us out of Egypt...ועתה הנה הבטאתי את ראשית פרי האדמה.
So i ask the following question...why does the bracha need to add this? after all he recited shema earlier in the day and mentioned in the last paragraph that hashem took us out! why mix bikurim with the freedom of leaving Egypt?
So i heard two beautiful answers that i want to share with my plu's!
1) the רמב"ן at the end of parshas bo says a very famous principle...he sayd from all the miracles a man recongnizes the nisim hanistarim which is the foundation of our torah...and a man cant be counted as part of the jewish people until he recognizes that all which has been done is from MELECH MALCHEI HAMILACHIM HIMSELF!!!!!! but one could chas vshalom make a mistake and say fruits come every year, that its a natural finamina. So its a thanksgiving to the fruit and a decloration that He took us out of Egypt with great awesomness and signs as proof that he brought us out of the land and is no less a reflection of signs wonders and awesomeness
2) A jew connects himself to his anncestors. Why? because if its not for the sacrafice on their behalf we would not be able to perform this or other mitzvot. The one who brings bikurim says we were freed from Egypt- and if not for thier sacrafice I would not have brought the bikurim. This repeats throughout history. Bubbe (who makes finaminal cholent) and zaide (who doesnt) sacraficed to give us a home and a jewish education and now their grandchildren are big תלמידי חכמים and they o it all to them!
I would like to thank my Papa my grandfather who gave me this divar torah itself. I heard it when i stayed at there house after shul on tuesday he has torah tuesday and then...what do u know he says the same thing on his weekly parsha thing on the radio...but you should all go if you get the chance to its free breakfast! on the radio shiur he says a bit more. He talks bout the bracha of michayey hamesim and puts something in there from the satmar rebbe...you should all check it out
As for my week. I would like to thank effie lerer and bloomy for letting me stay at there houses when i was in galus! i had a great time with all of u and it was great seeing u guys! all the tischs were amazing!all the ball the food the chillin...sketchy rides with daynish and getting caught by the police and thought we were high...for some reason im always with daynish when any drugs are brought up... and thanx to some uplifting words of advice, alot of toilet thinking and some coin flipping (shout out to akiva) i am on the market baby!and so is shmeel!!!! daynish...see if chavaha has a frend for the 2 of us...I appreciate everyones help and care on the matter its been a long run...but yudin...out! i made my way back to Eretz hakodesh baruch hashem again alone but at the airport i saw a girl i know from beit shemesh so i had a frend...in barcelona they made me take out my whole bag to check for bombs...i felt so cool! my families still in USOFA'S so i have the house to myself! i havent slept since im back but its great to be home i miss you all so much and please come visit soon! or just come bc mashiach is coming and well have a reunion at my house! but if chas vshalom it doesnt well go to carlos and gabbys next time with the blue buzzers!
shabbas kodesh is coming the siren is blowing! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
you should all be zoche
love you all
spanky
This weeks parsha we have the ZECHUSS of laining, learning and following the parsha of Ki Tavo.
According to the חינוך there are 6 mitzvot and the last of these, to his count, its the 611th! BARUCH HASHEM! which is the mitzvah of to go and emulate the ways of G-d. והלכת בדרכיו.
I am going to focus on one particular mitzvah which is the first mitzah in ki tavo that talks about the bracha that accompanies the bringing of the first fruits-ביכורים. The Torah in parshas mishpatim says the following: "the first fruits are to be brought to the בית המקדש" (that is to be rebuilt tonite so ill see you all there and B"H we will bring bikurim tommorow!...if thats how it works) which the rabbis point out is the 7 haminim. In addition, in this weeks parsha we have the bracha that the holy jew said when bringing the bikurim. This bracha is familiar to us because of a mishna in pisachim that says it serves with the come of the text that we use on the night of the pesach seder to thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu for the redemption from Egypt and we anilayz(how do u spell that) the pisukim begining with ארמי עובד אבית, which we see in the begining of this weeks parsha. But when a jew brings the bikurim he has a summerization of only 5 piskuim of ALL jewish history. He says:ארמי עובד אבי and begins by saying that lavan wanted to kill yaakov and Hashem went ahead and protected him. Then yaakov goes down to Egypt with not many people and they become huge in Egypt. In Egypt they afflicted and hurt and pained the jews and we cried out to Hashem and Hashem saw our pain and heard our voices and took us out בזרוע נטויה מורה גדול אותות ומפוסים and finally ויביאנו אל המקום- the jew who brings the bikurim proclaims that Hashem took us out of Egypt...ועתה הנה הבטאתי את ראשית פרי האדמה.
So i ask the following question...why does the bracha need to add this? after all he recited shema earlier in the day and mentioned in the last paragraph that hashem took us out! why mix bikurim with the freedom of leaving Egypt?
So i heard two beautiful answers that i want to share with my plu's!
1) the רמב"ן at the end of parshas bo says a very famous principle...he sayd from all the miracles a man recongnizes the nisim hanistarim which is the foundation of our torah...and a man cant be counted as part of the jewish people until he recognizes that all which has been done is from MELECH MALCHEI HAMILACHIM HIMSELF!!!!!! but one could chas vshalom make a mistake and say fruits come every year, that its a natural finamina. So its a thanksgiving to the fruit and a decloration that He took us out of Egypt with great awesomness and signs as proof that he brought us out of the land and is no less a reflection of signs wonders and awesomeness
2) A jew connects himself to his anncestors. Why? because if its not for the sacrafice on their behalf we would not be able to perform this or other mitzvot. The one who brings bikurim says we were freed from Egypt- and if not for thier sacrafice I would not have brought the bikurim. This repeats throughout history. Bubbe (who makes finaminal cholent) and zaide (who doesnt) sacraficed to give us a home and a jewish education and now their grandchildren are big תלמידי חכמים and they o it all to them!
I would like to thank my Papa my grandfather who gave me this divar torah itself. I heard it when i stayed at there house after shul on tuesday he has torah tuesday and then...what do u know he says the same thing on his weekly parsha thing on the radio...but you should all go if you get the chance to its free breakfast! on the radio shiur he says a bit more. He talks bout the bracha of michayey hamesim and puts something in there from the satmar rebbe...you should all check it out
As for my week. I would like to thank effie lerer and bloomy for letting me stay at there houses when i was in galus! i had a great time with all of u and it was great seeing u guys! all the tischs were amazing!all the ball the food the chillin...sketchy rides with daynish and getting caught by the police and thought we were high...for some reason im always with daynish when any drugs are brought up... and thanx to some uplifting words of advice, alot of toilet thinking and some coin flipping (shout out to akiva) i am on the market baby!and so is shmeel!!!! daynish...see if chavaha has a frend for the 2 of us...I appreciate everyones help and care on the matter its been a long run...but yudin...out! i made my way back to Eretz hakodesh baruch hashem again alone but at the airport i saw a girl i know from beit shemesh so i had a frend...in barcelona they made me take out my whole bag to check for bombs...i felt so cool! my families still in USOFA'S so i have the house to myself! i havent slept since im back but its great to be home i miss you all so much and please come visit soon! or just come bc mashiach is coming and well have a reunion at my house! but if chas vshalom it doesnt well go to carlos and gabbys next time with the blue buzzers!
shabbas kodesh is coming the siren is blowing! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
you should all be zoche
love you all
spanky
Monday, August 23, 2010
BBB+PLU=The Man
- Great to see so many fellow PLU members at the BBB tonight
- Even though NJ lost in the basketball game, (cough cough BLOOMY/DANISH/ALEX!!!!) I will still be updating you tonight
- The words shared with us by R' Benovitz are obviously very important. For those of you who could not make it, in brief: On kollel we worked on ourselves with the present a reality and future, a plan. We are now in that future. We need to implement that which we prepared, but more importantly, speak with and stay close with those who help make our plans, so we can turn them into a reality and continue to grow to our full and endless potentials. May we continue to Email, Blog, Tisch and share in many more good times and simchas together.
- Shoresh NCSY as well as TLN as well as the PLUATON will be running events through the year for the sole purpose of reconnecting and further developing. STAY TUNED
Sunday, August 22, 2010
THE SONGS ARE HERE
If anyone wants I have received many copies of the Shirei Halevi"im and am giving them away. Intrested? Please let me know.
Up to Date?
A couple of points
- I regret to inform that the Lichaim of Shimmy and Chava has been postponed as we continue to eagerly await the arrival of the rebetzin
- MAZOL TOV to Marrrrrrrgo on the engagement of his brother Elie to Audery Canter of Woodmere. The lichaim will take place tomorrow night at 7 PM at the young israel of west Hempstead
- Word was received that shabbos was shabbos this past week.
- See you all soon at the BBB (Ball BBQ Benovitz)
Friday, August 20, 2010
Words from OT (Hattrick)
Chevra I'm mamash so so sorry I'm sending this out so close to Shabbos but gevalt chevra I hope this teaching allows us to reach the highest places (physically and spiritually) and we can have the holiest shabbos together
The hot topic for this week seems to be the first pasuk so ill jump on board. The pasuk says that when we go out to war against our enemies, Hashem will put them in our hands and ensure that we will be victorious. Straight up.
The Holy Kotzker Rebbe asks a gevaldika kasha: the pasuk in bamindbar (10:9) says that when we go out to war, if we blow the shofar and remember Hashem, then Hashem will ensure our victory. So asks the Kotzker: I thought our pasuk in ki teitzei says that Hashem will put our enemies in our hands without us doing anything at all...? What's pshat??
He answers that our pasuk is talking about when we go out to war against our enemies - then Hashem will make us victorious automatically. The pasuk in bamidbar was talking about if we get attacked - then we need to blow the shofar and actively remember Hashem in order to be victorious.
So we see that if we actively go out to war, that action of going out to war is enough to allow us to be successful. Goood.
Many explain that this pasuk is really alluding to us going out to war against the yetzer hara (R Gedalya Shorr explains that nowadays this is the pashut pshat in the pasuk - its not just a remez...) -- So we see that if we actively go out and fight our yetzer hara's, Hashem ensures success. During this month of Elul, which is specifically designated for us to be waging mayhem on our yetzer hara, this is a very empowering and important idea. The extremely important message I think we can all learn is that pre-emptive strikes against our yetzer hara are so so important. Once we already get used to do something we shouldnt be doing, it is so much harder to break out of the habit or the situation. But if we beat the yetzer hara before it even gets to give us a run for our money, then gevalt it has no chance.
Just to make this thought very practical and into something we can all work on together as a plu, I thought one area I myself need chizuk in and maybe some other people also is talking during davening. The thing is tho I think that the battle against this yetzer hara is not once we are sitting down - should we talk or not talk, the battle is where should we sit. If we launch our pre-emptive strike against our yetzer hara and dont sit in a place where we know we will have a struggle - the yetzer hara's got nothing. Once we're sitting next to a friend or someone else we know we are going to speak to, its so much harder for us to beat the urge.
So chevra again I hope we can all work on this together - I know its something I need help in and hopefully with our efforts we can have a more meaningful Elul and like I said we will be able to bring the Messiah and we will all be tancing on the Temple Mount
JB
The hot topic for this week seems to be the first pasuk so ill jump on board. The pasuk says that when we go out to war against our enemies, Hashem will put them in our hands and ensure that we will be victorious. Straight up.
The Holy Kotzker Rebbe asks a gevaldika kasha: the pasuk in bamindbar (10:9) says that when we go out to war, if we blow the shofar and remember Hashem, then Hashem will ensure our victory. So asks the Kotzker: I thought our pasuk in ki teitzei says that Hashem will put our enemies in our hands without us doing anything at all...? What's pshat??
He answers that our pasuk is talking about when we go out to war against our enemies - then Hashem will make us victorious automatically. The pasuk in bamidbar was talking about if we get attacked - then we need to blow the shofar and actively remember Hashem in order to be victorious.
So we see that if we actively go out to war, that action of going out to war is enough to allow us to be successful. Goood.
Many explain that this pasuk is really alluding to us going out to war against the yetzer hara (R Gedalya Shorr explains that nowadays this is the pashut pshat in the pasuk - its not just a remez...) -- So we see that if we actively go out and fight our yetzer hara's, Hashem ensures success. During this month of Elul, which is specifically designated for us to be waging mayhem on our yetzer hara, this is a very empowering and important idea. The extremely important message I think we can all learn is that pre-emptive strikes against our yetzer hara are so so important. Once we already get used to do something we shouldnt be doing, it is so much harder to break out of the habit or the situation. But if we beat the yetzer hara before it even gets to give us a run for our money, then gevalt it has no chance.
Just to make this thought very practical and into something we can all work on together as a plu, I thought one area I myself need chizuk in and maybe some other people also is talking during davening. The thing is tho I think that the battle against this yetzer hara is not once we are sitting down - should we talk or not talk, the battle is where should we sit. If we launch our pre-emptive strike against our yetzer hara and dont sit in a place where we know we will have a struggle - the yetzer hara's got nothing. Once we're sitting next to a friend or someone else we know we are going to speak to, its so much harder for us to beat the urge.
So chevra again I hope we can all work on this together - I know its something I need help in and hopefully with our efforts we can have a more meaningful Elul and like I said we will be able to bring the Messiah and we will all be tancing on the Temple Mount
JB
Words from the Caravans
Hey guys its avi lerer from bunk 39 I hope all you guys had a great week and here's my dvar torah for parshat ki tatzai which can relate to all of us. In perek 22 verse 1 it states " you must not see your brothers ox or sheep wandering astray and ignore them". One who finds a lost object is forbidden to act like he did not see it. Rather god commands him to bring the object into his rashut and anounce that an item has been found so that the person who lost it has a chance to find it. Chazal teach us however that in certain situations one is permitted to ignore a lost object. If a person who found an object is a talmud chachum chazal teach that it is unbefitting for him to pick it up and therefore he can bypass the object. R akiva Eiger was walking through the alleyways of warsaw trying to find the house of a relative who was considered a simple man. A man traveling with him said to him its not apropriate for one as distingushed as reb akiva to go and seek that specific relative. He asked rabbi akiva eiger are there not times when chazal exhort one to ignore and overlook things? rabbi akiva Eiger responded to him by saying there are two places in the torah were we encounter the concept of ignoring. The first one is founded in this eweeks parsha "and ignore them" regarding to return a lost object. And the second is in yeshayahu 58:7 where the verse states "and do not ignore yout kin". With rabbi akiva eigers answer we learn that for the exemption that chazal bring down of an elder or a talmud chachum to ignore something only applies to an object but it never applies to ignoring ones relative no matter how great you are or how simple they are. That's the dvar torah I hope you guys enjoy. This past week was a great week starting off with going fishing with my family for 4 hours and not catching anything but getting hooked onto the engine. On wednesday it was akivas birthday a buncha of us got together in dougies to celebrate it was alotta fun finally last night there was a bbq at my house honoring alex yudin and akiva lautman who was here and the week ended of with a great shuir from danish,chulent, and a great kumzits. Have a hreat shabbos everyone. Bunk 39
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Words from Physco Chill
The final pesukim of Parashat Ki-Teitzei issue the mitzvah to always remember Amalek's attack on Benei Yisrael right after their departure from Egypt. Moshe uses a somewhat ambiguous term to describe Amalek's aggression: "asher karekha ba-derekh" (25:18). Rashi offers three interpretations as to the meaning of this phrase. First, he suggests that "karekha" relates to the term "mikreh," or happenstance. The verse would thus mean that Amalek "chanced upon you" along the way. Secondly, Rashi associates the word with "keri," impurity, indicating that Amalek performed abominable activities with their captives from Benei Yisrael. Finally, Rashi identifies "karekha" as a derivative of the word "kor," cold. He explains that before Amalek's attack, Benei Yisrael, the fear of whom had overcome the other peoples, resembled a scorching pool of water into which no one would dare enter. Amalek "jumped" into the water, burning themselves but "cooling off" Benei Yisrael, effectively inviting other nations to oppress them.
Reb Yerucham Lebovitz of Mir applies this "cooling off" phenomenon to all areas of life, where it often takes the form of taboo breaking. Violations of basic social and ethical norms, when first committed, appear abhorrent and vulgar and often invite widespread and harsh condemnation. However, no matter how unanimous the criticism, the damage is done: the barrier blocking the way before general acceptance of this conduct has lost a layer. To whatever extent, the taboo has been at least diluted; the next time it occurs, the shock will be substantially more mild, and, eventually, it could potentially earn acceptance. The first step of the unheard of's road to approval is becoming heard of.
In this context, Reb Yerucham cites the Rambam's comments regarding a person's choice of place of residence (Hilkhot Dei'ot, 6): "The nature of man's being is to be attracted in his thoughts and deeds to his comrades and friends… Therefore, a person must attach himself to righteous people and always reside near sages… and distance himself from the wicked… If one was in a country whose customs were bad and its people did not follow the proper path… he should live by himself in solitude… "
Over the course of time, regular exposure to inappropriate behavior chips away at our walls of conscience and brings us to a degree of resignation. The "Amalek syndrome" warns us to expose ourselves to goodness and piety, to people who will help us raise our ethical and religious standards, rather than lower them.
So my week has been extremly tiring and crazy so bear with me. on sunday me and my family went to Masada and we walked down which was extremely tiring followed by ein gedi and ending at the dead sea. monday we were all exausted so we stayed at home until around 230 when we went to Latrun which is a Tank museum so that was a solid chilled out day. Tuesday we went to some science thing and then the blind museum after all that I went to my 2nd cousin who has an amazing house in Tel Aviv and I went swimming on the pool on their roof. Wednesday I went on a jeep tour in the midbar Yehuda with my cousin who got bar mitzvahed today and then went to yad eliezer to do chesed the packing stuff. Today I went to my cousins bar mitzvah at the kotel which was very emotional because his dad(moms brother, i think shmuel knows who im talking about he was there) passed away 6 years ago and this is his oldest. he had his party in some museum which actually had great food which was clutch. Tommorrow we are going to the Har Tzion hotel which is where the Bar Mitzvah is and I am going to be there for shabbos. And next week to end my israel trip my whole mothers side of the family is going up north to the Golan and wtvr else is up there to celebrate my grandparents 50th anniversary and then I am coming back on Wed i think. looking forward to some R&R
Stats mazel tov on ur birthday srry i couldnt be there but wish i was there but im sure we had a large plu representation so it was prob great and thanks to all those who voted on whether i should get a new kippah or stick with my classic one but in the end my all powerful mother and grandmother bought me two new ones and i have been forced into wearing them. dont worry because i will still wear my classic one but prob only at my basketball games and stuff like that so Jesse now i really have a gameday kippah
Thanks to those who stuck with me to reach the bottom of this huge email and have a great shabbos
peace from the holy land
Schwalb
Reb Yerucham Lebovitz of Mir applies this "cooling off" phenomenon to all areas of life, where it often takes the form of taboo breaking. Violations of basic social and ethical norms, when first committed, appear abhorrent and vulgar and often invite widespread and harsh condemnation. However, no matter how unanimous the criticism, the damage is done: the barrier blocking the way before general acceptance of this conduct has lost a layer. To whatever extent, the taboo has been at least diluted; the next time it occurs, the shock will be substantially more mild, and, eventually, it could potentially earn acceptance. The first step of the unheard of's road to approval is becoming heard of.
In this context, Reb Yerucham cites the Rambam's comments regarding a person's choice of place of residence (Hilkhot Dei'ot, 6): "The nature of man's being is to be attracted in his thoughts and deeds to his comrades and friends… Therefore, a person must attach himself to righteous people and always reside near sages… and distance himself from the wicked… If one was in a country whose customs were bad and its people did not follow the proper path… he should live by himself in solitude… "
Over the course of time, regular exposure to inappropriate behavior chips away at our walls of conscience and brings us to a degree of resignation. The "Amalek syndrome" warns us to expose ourselves to goodness and piety, to people who will help us raise our ethical and religious standards, rather than lower them.
So my week has been extremly tiring and crazy so bear with me. on sunday me and my family went to Masada and we walked down which was extremely tiring followed by ein gedi and ending at the dead sea. monday we were all exausted so we stayed at home until around 230 when we went to Latrun which is a Tank museum so that was a solid chilled out day. Tuesday we went to some science thing and then the blind museum after all that I went to my 2nd cousin who has an amazing house in Tel Aviv and I went swimming on the pool on their roof. Wednesday I went on a jeep tour in the midbar Yehuda with my cousin who got bar mitzvahed today and then went to yad eliezer to do chesed the packing stuff. Today I went to my cousins bar mitzvah at the kotel which was very emotional because his dad(moms brother, i think shmuel knows who im talking about he was there) passed away 6 years ago and this is his oldest. he had his party in some museum which actually had great food which was clutch. Tommorrow we are going to the Har Tzion hotel which is where the Bar Mitzvah is and I am going to be there for shabbos. And next week to end my israel trip my whole mothers side of the family is going up north to the Golan and wtvr else is up there to celebrate my grandparents 50th anniversary and then I am coming back on Wed i think. looking forward to some R&R
Stats mazel tov on ur birthday srry i couldnt be there but wish i was there but im sure we had a large plu representation so it was prob great and thanks to all those who voted on whether i should get a new kippah or stick with my classic one but in the end my all powerful mother and grandmother bought me two new ones and i have been forced into wearing them. dont worry because i will still wear my classic one but prob only at my basketball games and stuff like that so Jesse now i really have a gameday kippah
Thanks to those who stuck with me to reach the bottom of this huge email and have a great shabbos
peace from the holy land
Schwalb
Monday, August 16, 2010
Updates
1) So things are looking pretty good over here. We are slowly approaching the Yomim Noraim.
2) On Motzei Shabbos Kodesh I was standing in my kitchen and get a text from Bloomy get outside. Natrually I grab myself by my hair (in this case my payis) and proceed to the middle of the street. next thing I know some scary looking white bearded bekisha wearing potential terrorist is walking up to with his arms wide I open. In the back round I hear some music, it sounded like a Wednesday song. Myself, the Rebba, Bloomy and of course Pacekr (who fills in in for Pumba member 39) Made our way to Nam for some Melava Malka, pizza style.
3) I heard about some great WOOOOOWs coming from the Five Towns basketball courts this week. FITY had a few less than 50 though. Hope he gets em next time.
4) We are eagerly awaiting the approach of the rebbetzon of Pluaton who should be joining us this week......CHAVA DANISHEFSKY!!! Shimmy will be greeting her at the airport of course. (Details of the L'chaim are to follow)\
5) For further stuff see later. PLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!
2) On Motzei Shabbos Kodesh I was standing in my kitchen and get a text from Bloomy get outside. Natrually I grab myself by my hair (in this case my payis) and proceed to the middle of the street. next thing I know some scary looking white bearded bekisha wearing potential terrorist is walking up to with his arms wide I open. In the back round I hear some music, it sounded like a Wednesday song. Myself, the Rebba, Bloomy and of course Pacekr (who fills in in for Pumba member 39) Made our way to Nam for some Melava Malka, pizza style.
3) I heard about some great WOOOOOWs coming from the Five Towns basketball courts this week. FITY had a few less than 50 though. Hope he gets em next time.
4) We are eagerly awaiting the approach of the rebbetzon of Pluaton who should be joining us this week......CHAVA DANISHEFSKY!!! Shimmy will be greeting her at the airport of course. (Details of the L'chaim are to follow)\
5) For further stuff see later. PLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!
Friday, August 13, 2010
And of Coure The Cool Guy
So the truth is ive been readin this plu situation the past cuple of days havin a good time enjoyin myself and just waitin for an opp to get in there. i mentioned to yaakov (who apparently now is captn - i love him but thats news to me...) that i just wasnt sure exactly what i cud contribute. But its enough so im just gettin in there right now - u just gotta
first i just wanna publically thank a plu member who i know is a lil different than most of us but we love him just as much - alex yudin was kind enough to bring home a suitcase for me and alex landsman so shkoyach for that
second im not sure wht to do w this but as bloomy mentioned my mother was somewhat dominated by a few plu members this week and she thought that they looked very young... not sure what to do w that....
third i just thought of this when i saw the q but maybe the pshat in the water to the sky is that if we went straight from the tzitzis to the sky we wouldnt be acknowledging the fact that Hashem is also in this world - we might think He is only in the sky. But when we first go to the sea wer recognizing that Hashem is both in the sky and in this world too. just a thought.
kk im good for now.. nothin like cute or funny - just stam.
pleace out and good shabbos
OT
first i just wanna publically thank a plu member who i know is a lil different than most of us but we love him just as much - alex yudin was kind enough to bring home a suitcase for me and alex landsman so shkoyach for that
second im not sure wht to do w this but as bloomy mentioned my mother was somewhat dominated by a few plu members this week and she thought that they looked very young... not sure what to do w that....
third i just thought of this when i saw the q but maybe the pshat in the water to the sky is that if we went straight from the tzitzis to the sky we wouldnt be acknowledging the fact that Hashem is also in this world - we might think He is only in the sky. But when we first go to the sea wer recognizing that Hashem is both in the sky and in this world too. just a thought.
kk im good for now.. nothin like cute or funny - just stam.
pleace out and good shabbos
OT
The Rebba of the Pluaton
Hey everyone!
This whole thing is amazing, its great that everyones keeping involved.
firstly, i love OT's answer to my question, i heard a very similar answer that the sea reminds of of krias yam suf, and the Ramban famously says that all miracles are just to remind us that all of nature is a miracle and like OT said, God is involved in every singel part of our life all the time.
anyways, for my dt i think i will try to give a short mashal to help us all get into the elul spirit and realize what the avodah we have for the next few weeks is-
We know that elul is a time of המלך בשדה, the king is in the field. the rebbe says that the meanning of this is that he is walking through to his palace where he will be at the yamim noraim. So at first i read this and thought its great because its very nice that Hashem is walking in our midst right now, but then i realized that its very scary and doesnt make much sense, in elul Hashem is accessible, but then during the Yamim nnoraim He slips away into His palace?! But then i thought like this, which i think is beautiful- when the king walks through the field most people go over and say hello, they get a nice smile and maybe a how are you and thats it, the king doesnt remember them and its over. However, if a person puts in effort and spends time to chase after the king numerous times, he prepares a way to get the king to remmember him, he tell him things, asks him things, finds out what he likes and brings it, ect... Then the king will remmember him, and when he gets to the palace if the guy will have an in, the king will arrange to allow him in... And the greatness of that is that while the king is in the field he is accessable but he can't do much, he can't actually do what you need, you just get a smile and handshake, but when he is in the palace he can do anything. So the avodah in elul is that nothing is happening right now, but now we need to get the king to remmember us while he is right here and easily accessed so that when He is in the palace and able to do anything we will have an in, we will get a meeting one on one... (and the great part about Hashem being our king is that with a normal king he doesnt have time for all, but for us...) So hopefully over the next month we will all learn what the King likes, learn what He is all about, and start to show that we know Him and display our love for Him and with this we will stick out in His mind, and we will develop a close relationship with Him, ultimately leading up to the day when He is sitting the the throne and we approach Him as a familiar face, and a beloved and devoted servant, allowing us to have an "in" and advantage as we start off our plea with Him on the very powerful day.
Anyways, i miss Israel, davening here is not the same, meditating here is not the same, im getting very frustrated, hopefully mashiach will be here very soon.
the day after i got back i started yeshivah already with a packed day of learning, seder from 9-1, 3-6, 8-10:15, im learning the first two sedarim with elie wagner.
im heading to the five towns to play ball this afternoon with some of the kollel chevra, including some plu members, shimmy, jesse, margo, shmu... If u see a strage guy in a bekeshe and a white beard wondering around the five towns u know who it is.
ive been getting a bunch of looks when ppl see me davening with headphones in bnei yeshurun.
shwalb stay in israel and dont leave, alter im really jelous of u.
u r all invited to the final showdown between me and corey as to who captain is, it will be physical, it maybe result in death, keep posted for details...
Yakov
This whole thing is amazing, its great that everyones keeping involved.
firstly, i love OT's answer to my question, i heard a very similar answer that the sea reminds of of krias yam suf, and the Ramban famously says that all miracles are just to remind us that all of nature is a miracle and like OT said, God is involved in every singel part of our life all the time.
anyways, for my dt i think i will try to give a short mashal to help us all get into the elul spirit and realize what the avodah we have for the next few weeks is-
We know that elul is a time of המלך בשדה, the king is in the field. the rebbe says that the meanning of this is that he is walking through to his palace where he will be at the yamim noraim. So at first i read this and thought its great because its very nice that Hashem is walking in our midst right now, but then i realized that its very scary and doesnt make much sense, in elul Hashem is accessible, but then during the Yamim nnoraim He slips away into His palace?! But then i thought like this, which i think is beautiful- when the king walks through the field most people go over and say hello, they get a nice smile and maybe a how are you and thats it, the king doesnt remember them and its over. However, if a person puts in effort and spends time to chase after the king numerous times, he prepares a way to get the king to remmember him, he tell him things, asks him things, finds out what he likes and brings it, ect... Then the king will remmember him, and when he gets to the palace if the guy will have an in, the king will arrange to allow him in... And the greatness of that is that while the king is in the field he is accessable but he can't do much, he can't actually do what you need, you just get a smile and handshake, but when he is in the palace he can do anything. So the avodah in elul is that nothing is happening right now, but now we need to get the king to remmember us while he is right here and easily accessed so that when He is in the palace and able to do anything we will have an in, we will get a meeting one on one... (and the great part about Hashem being our king is that with a normal king he doesnt have time for all, but for us...) So hopefully over the next month we will all learn what the King likes, learn what He is all about, and start to show that we know Him and display our love for Him and with this we will stick out in His mind, and we will develop a close relationship with Him, ultimately leading up to the day when He is sitting the the throne and we approach Him as a familiar face, and a beloved and devoted servant, allowing us to have an "in" and advantage as we start off our plea with Him on the very powerful day.
Anyways, i miss Israel, davening here is not the same, meditating here is not the same, im getting very frustrated, hopefully mashiach will be here very soon.
the day after i got back i started yeshivah already with a packed day of learning, seder from 9-1, 3-6, 8-10:15, im learning the first two sedarim with elie wagner.
im heading to the five towns to play ball this afternoon with some of the kollel chevra, including some plu members, shimmy, jesse, margo, shmu... If u see a strage guy in a bekeshe and a white beard wondering around the five towns u know who it is.
ive been getting a bunch of looks when ppl see me davening with headphones in bnei yeshurun.
shwalb stay in israel and dont leave, alter im really jelous of u.
u r all invited to the final showdown between me and corey as to who captain is, it will be physical, it maybe result in death, keep posted for details...
Yakov
Words from NAM
sup guys looks like im gona b the 1st one to send out the weekly dvar torah.. as i just got off the phone with capt danish, his instructions were to just right a small dvar torah on anything and then a little recap of my week.
my dvar torah is about tizit:
It says in Bamidbar 15:37-39) : Hashem said to Moses, saying, speak to the Children of Israel and say to them that they shall make themselves tzitzis on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations. And they shall place upon the tzitzis of each corner a thread of turquoise wool. It shall constitute tzitzis for you, that you may see it and remember all the commandments of Hashem and perform them; and not stray after your eyes after which you stray.
So how does looking at these strings remind you of G-d and all the mitzvos? The Gemera explains that since the blue color comes from some aquatic creature one is reminded of the sea, which is blue which reminds one of the sky, which in turn reminds one of Hashem and all of his power.
As to how my week went, it was very good. I went back to nam to visit some of my comrades and generals (they look like there in bettr shape rdy for the next war), and got back like evryone else on tuesday, slept and ate alot past 2 days, and 2day was shujo chubrah reunion at ramis house so we swam and played bball there- (shout out margo and jesse) Also, saw corey like evryday, sat next to him twice during the week at shacris and learnt with the capt of ship leader of men, danish himself on rebbe nachmuns sefer. spotted JB going out to lunch with mommy, very nice, and sat infront of reb yos this morning at davening as well. hope evry1 is having a good week and hope to speak to u guys soon.
Have a great shabbos.
smile,
Bloomy
my dvar torah is about tizit:
It says in Bamidbar 15:37-39) : Hashem said to Moses, saying, speak to the Children of Israel and say to them that they shall make themselves tzitzis on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations. And they shall place upon the tzitzis of each corner a thread of turquoise wool. It shall constitute tzitzis for you, that you may see it and remember all the commandments of Hashem and perform them; and not stray after your eyes after which you stray.
So how does looking at these strings remind you of G-d and all the mitzvos? The Gemera explains that since the blue color comes from some aquatic creature one is reminded of the sea, which is blue which reminds one of the sky, which in turn reminds one of Hashem and all of his power.
As to how my week went, it was very good. I went back to nam to visit some of my comrades and generals (they look like there in bettr shape rdy for the next war), and got back like evryone else on tuesday, slept and ate alot past 2 days, and 2day was shujo chubrah reunion at ramis house so we swam and played bball there- (shout out margo and jesse) Also, saw corey like evryday, sat next to him twice during the week at shacris and learnt with the capt of ship leader of men, danish himself on rebbe nachmuns sefer. spotted JB going out to lunch with mommy, very nice, and sat infront of reb yos this morning at davening as well. hope evry1 is having a good week and hope to speak to u guys soon.
Have a great shabbos.
smile,
Bloomy
Welcome to the Blog
I thought it may be alittle more convient(not sure i spelled teat right) for people to check up on the blog for things. The email scroll down thing was getting a little tiring. Please feel free to post any thing (obv within in reason) all the weekly thoughts will be posted. please feel free to email me if you one to post instead of just commenting Cofuchs@gmail.com.
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