anIsraeliYid

Sounds like it was a literal translation of the New England expression of something that’s really good as “wicked good”.

mobico – I heard explicitly from R’ Yisroel Reisman that when Rav Dovid Feinstein was in Aveilus for his father, he Davened Mincha for the Amud at Ahi Ezer prior to giving a Shiur there. While he used his standard ha’avara, he Davened the Nusach of Edot haMizrach in both the quiet Shmoneh Esrei and Chazaras haSha”tz – with the reason being that (a) a Sha”tz is supposed to follow the Minhag haMakom for Nusach, and (b) the quiet Shmoneh Esrei is only a preparation/practice for the Sha”tz’s “main” Shmoneh Esrei – which is the one he says out loud.

an Israeli Yid

Lakewhut – you expect an intellectually honest explanation of this question in the YWN coffee room? Given the resident trolls (hello, Joseph/ujm/whatever name you’re using this year), reflexively anti-Israel posters, etc., I wish you luck with that.

ujm – I actually agree with you on this one. Wow.

an Israeli Yid

In London, sunrise in late December/early January is as late as 8:06 AM, and in Amsterdam, it’s as late as 8:50 AM, and that’s on standard time. What do people in those places do? If I remember correctly, people in the NY area in the 1970s went to Minyanim in the area where they worked due to this – so I guess places like the Wall Street Synagogue, or places on the Lower East Side, will get an influx of Mispalelim.

For purely personal reason, I like the US having year-round DST, since it makes the time difference between NY and Israel only six hours for part of the year – much better for work (two overlapping work hours vs. one) and for personal reasons if I want to speak with people in the US.

an Israeli Yid

Mod-29 – every single participant in this thread is using a handle that is clearly not a real name – making them anonymous. I do concede, though, that not everyone here is a troll – though there are definitely some here who are regularly trollish in other threads (hello, Joseph/ujm/whatever handle you’re using today!).

amom – much Hatzlacha to you. Almost 30 years ago, my wife and I found ourselves in a similar position. The conclusion was that it was time for me to leave Kolel and find a job so that we could support ourselves.

I spoke with my R”Y, Rav Yisroel Belsky ZT”L, prior to taking this step. He told me then that what’s more important than when one leaves Kolel to join the working world is the attitude one takes when leaving – i.e., does one continue to place one’s obligations to Torah and Yiddishkeit at the center of one’s value system, or does one push it to the side to pursue the American dream. I’ve striven to make sure that, while fully active in the professional world, Torah comes first – I’ve continued to be Kove’a Itim since, including, while still in the US, still showing up in Yeshiva for morning Seder on Sundays, since I did not have work obligations then (Sunday afternoons were reserved for doing things with my family – they deserve some attention too, after all).

Much Hatzlacha to you, whatever way forward you ultimately choose.

an Israeli Yid

Nochum Dokshitz – can you give Mekoros for your statements that Dina d’Malchusa being only for financial matters, and that the only issue otherwise is not getting caught due to Chilul Hashem? In any case, even according to your stated logic, there’s always a better-than-you-think chance that you’ll be caught, thereby causing a Chulul Hashem – so that in and of itself should be a reason to FOLLOW THE LAW.

an Israeli Yid

Why would there be an issue of Ba’al Tosif? Technically, tzitzis (other than the required p’sil techeles) can be any color – there is no requirement for them to be white. As such, even if the current version of techeles is not correct, Ba’al Tosef would not be an issue. I could see that yuhara could be an issue, whether it is correct or not (though more of an issue if it’s not), but even that is questionable.

As an aside – Rav Yisrael Belsky, Z”L, personally told me that he thought the current techeles from the Machon P’til Techelet is correct. He further told me that the only reason he did not wear it publicly was on account of yuhara – so he only wore it on Shabbos on his Talis Katan, when it would be hidden under his Kapoto.

an Israeli Yid

HaKatan – I specifically did not state that Rabbi Hoffman wrote a review of Rabbi Shapiro’s Satmar-oriented sefer. I stated that you should read what Rabbi Hoffman wrote for a counterview. Satmar – and Rabbi Shapiro – are perfectly entitled to their view. Rabbi Hoffman’s article presents a different view, and notes the Gedolim that supported such contrary view.

You have chosen a Shita to follow. It is far from the universal – or even majority – view at this time, and attempting to say otherwise – or to state with certainty what the Gedolim of yesteryear would have said today – is simply an attempt to fool yourself.

an Israeli Yid

Joseph – that’s right, dismiss anything that doesn’t agree with your view as not true. It’s not from some “Zionist book” – it’s a widely-quoted story that is cited by many non-Zionist sources as well (I googled it and found multiple sources immediately). I also found the following re: Rav Chaim Shmulevitz ZT”L of Mir:

“At the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, when throughout the country the alarm was sounded at the height of the day, yeshiva students gathered at the Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem shelter to hear words of encouragement. The Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Chaim Shmulevitz zt”l first began addressing the fighting in the front: ‘The soldiers,’ he said, ‘who risk their lives for our rescue at this time – the entire world cannot stand in their midst. Our obligation is to pray about and for them has no bounds. If for a person who opened the door of his house before his friend Chazal have said that he owes him his life, let alone those who give up their lives, we must thank him without limit.’ ”

So, to the original question – can you please enlighten us as to why in your Gadlus you disagree with Rav Shlomo Zalman, ZT”L? For that matter – with Rav Chaim Shmulevitz, ZT”L too? I’m sure you must have a good reason to disagree with the Gedolim, oh Wise One of the YWN Coffee Room.

Also – you are ignoring the answer I gave as to why this particular day was chosen – it is the Yahrtzeit of a large group of Jews who were massacred by Arabs because they were Jews.

an Israeli Yid

To those asking why this is different from Holocaust or Inquisition – my Rav gave a very good explanation. This is not a Sha’as haShmad, where we are being persecuted because of our Yiddishkeit, and where there is therefore a specific inyan to be Moser Nefesh. Here, HKB”H is the one who is effectively telling us to stay home.

We need to be mispalel on our own that this Magefa end – as David haMelech said when there was a Magefa in Klal Yisrael “Nifla Na b’Yad Hashem Ki Rabim Rachamav” – we accept our punishment from Hashem, and rely on his mercy, and are thankful that that the punishment is not from the hand of Man.

an Israeli Yid

Following is from Rav Hershel Schachter, via YUTorah. You can find the whole thing, including the Hebrew with the Ma’areh Mekomos, if you go to that site and look for “Piskei Corona 14”. I tried copying the Hebrew over, but the formatting got messed up, so I only copied the English.

an Israeli Yid

Ten men who are standing on different porches cannot be joined together in order to constitute a
minyan even though they can all see each other. In order to constitute a minyan for Devarim
She’bekedusah (like Kaddish and Kedushah), the ten men must all be standing in the same room. (It
should be noted that in smaller spaces, such as a shiva ho
use, care should be taken to make sure that ten
men are davening together in the same room. If less than ten are davening in one room and less than ten
in an adjacent room, even though they can clearly see one another, this would not constitute a minyan.
In order to create a minyan there must be ten participants davening in the same room.)
It should certainly be discouraged for people to make a minyan outside on the lawn even if they maintain
the minimum distance recommended by the health department. One should not place himself even
into a situation of a doubtful sakanah in order to daven with a minyan.

HIE – are you sure that this counts as a Minyan, since everyone is in a different Reshus? As I remember the Halacha (and I could be mistaken), you need to have ten men in a single Reshus to have a Minyan. Someone who is not in that Reshus and Davens with them is considered to be Davening b’Tzibur, but can’t count towards the Minyan.

Here in Israel, the Misrad HaBri’ut is still allowing outdoor Minyanim of ten exactly, provided social distancing is observed. As such, I’ve seen a number of “parking lot Minyanim”, consisting mainly or exclusively of people from that single building. The Rabbanut allows this, but there are many individual Rabbanim who are either forbidding such Minyanim or strongly discouraging them – and each person should follow his Posek, provided they are within the guidelines of the Misrad HaBri’ut.

an Israeli Yid

The Gemara also says that Chizkiyahu HaMelech was worthy of being Mashiach, but the Dor wasn’t worthy. If Mashiach can come from the dead (even after they’ve been resurrected), then why doesn’t the Gemara say that he could STILL be Mashiach?

an Israeli Yid

Haimy – I agree with you. I remember the first Siyum in the Felt Forum, as well as the ones in MSG – the chill I felt hearing Rav Schwab ZT”L tell a story of a child killed in the Holocaust, the feeling I had, even as a child, that I was part of something special – something that I could aspire to be a “real” participant in when I would be old enough to learn Daf Yomi. Now? Have a few extra bucks, be a big Knocker. It’s lost that specialness – which is why I’ll be participating only remotely, in an out-of-town Shul with a feed from the “main event”. I’d rather participate in the true Simcha of those I’ve learned the Daf with all these years than just be a part of an “event”.

an Israeli Yid (currently in CHU”L, where it’s not yet Shabbos)

Nechomah – Heter Mechira wine, when received as a gift prior to the Zman Bi’ur, is actually Muttar to drink since it’s only mekach u’memkar that’s Assur for Peiros Shvi’is – and if you’ve received it for free, you did nothing wrong. The issue is if it’s after the zman bi’ur, since if the Heter Mechira is not good (a separate conversation), then it’s peiros shvi’is that did not go throguh bi’ur when required – and are therefore assur to you forever – but also can’t be destroyed as they have kedushas shvi’is.

BTW, the psak I got on something like this is that since there are rabbanim whom one can be somech on for the heter mechira – including Rav Ovadia Yosef ZT”L, one is allowed to give such a product to someone who does use heter mechira for that person to use. As always, though, ask your local orthodox rabbi.

an Israeli Yid

Zvika – I suggest you read the article on the MK’s website (linked above) re: the Bi’ur issue – they note that as the wine was not ready then, it was still in the hands of the Otzar Beis Din at the zman bi’ur, which is considered to be in the hands of the public – so as it was not in the possession of any one individual then, there was no need for bi’ur. The MK article also address the other issues you mention.

Also, you are dead wrong on the treatment of something that was chayav in bi’ur and it wasn’t done. it CAN NOT be spilled out or otherwise destroyed, as it’s still Kedushas Shvi’is, but it also can not be used. It has to be put aside until it spoils on its own, and can only then be disposed of. As it relates to wine in sealed bottles, this is a problem, as the wine will generally not spoil for decades or longer if left alone – so the individual has to leave it on its own essentially forever…

an Israeli Yid

IsometimesAgree – thanks for the link to the article – it’s a very good summary of the issue. One minor point re: one of the examples they bring, though – they mention that if one used Shmita onions to make soup, the entire soup is Kedushas Shviis. The problem is that it’s pretty much impossible now to have a situation where Shmita vegetables are Mutar at all (the Shita of the Chazon Ish on Yevul Nochri notwithstanding), since Shmita vegetables, even if they grow on their own, are Assur miderabanan under the Gzeira of Sfichin! A better example would have been something made with Shmita fruit…

an Israeli Yid

CTL – I’m kind of curious as to why the change in deductibility of state and local taxes impacted your overall taxes so significantly. I’ve not yet done my taxes (still waiting for information from certain partnerships), but based on my experience, many (if not most) middle-to-upper income individuals were in AMT in the past – where the SALT deduction is added back – which mitigated the effect of the new limitation. Of greater import is the loss of the personal and dependent exemptions, particularly if one itemizes and therefore does benefit from the higher standard deduction, or had many dependents who are above the age for the child tax credit – but the exemption was subject to a phase-out, so impact is also limited for higher-income individuals. As such, I’m wondering (professional curiosity – I’m a tax professional, though in the corporate area) what the main driver was for your increased liability?

an Israeli Yid

“The Mekubal Mantra”, by an anonymous author:

What should you give to your mekubal?
Every dollar, every Rubel
Every shekel, every lira,
Sell your dishes, sell your dira
Brachos, brachos they will bring
Go hock your spouse’s wedding ring
Brachos come to all our givers
You have no cash? Go sell your livers
Give us euros and you’ll merit
Bill Gates croaks and you inherit
Gimme, gimme all your moolah
And I’ll pray for your segulah
We’re gatekeepers of G-d’s castle
Grease our palms; you’re in, no hassle
Some are skeptics, that’s so tragic
How can you doubt mekubal magic?
Your destiny we are controlling
Your payments get the brachos rolling
In the future (which we can foresee)
You’ll transfer all your cash to me

I’m not the author, but am sharing with the author’s permission.

an Israeli Yid

Oh, boy…

an Israeli Yid

El Al’s policy is not to fly on Shabbos, and in fact, the flight that was diverted to Athens did NOT fly on Shabbos (the other flight was given a Psak to continue). As long as one is prepared to be stuck in an airport over Shabbos if necessary, why should someone – who for various reasons, can not fly on Wednesday – not take a Thursday flight?

There are a significant number of Israelis who are “commuters” – their families are in Israel, while they work in the US (or Europe), who fly home for Shabbos every week. For people like that, leaving Wednesday is not an option. So please, don’t be so judgemental about the situation.

an Israeli Yid (who frequently flies on Thursday night, with emergency supplies in my hand luggage)

A little closer to home (for those who live in New York) – how does the Democratic takeover of the NYS Senate impact Simcha Felder? He single-handedly gave the Republicans control of the Senate over the past several months, even though he’s officially a Democrat. Now that the Democrats are in control and don’t need him, how likely are they to take revenge?

Not good for the Frum community.

an Israeli Yid

Syag – you clearly have a different view, and are not going to be convinced. I continue to believe you are incorrect, particularly when (a) the camp says up front that it is expected to tip the waiters amount X, and (b) the waiters are not only not paid by the camp, they are actually charged for the privilege of working there, with the expectation that the tips received will cover that amount. I suppose the camp could have just raised the fee by $50 per camper and then not charged the waiters, but would that really put parents in a different place? This way, there is an incentive for the waiters to provide good service, and there will always be some individuals who tip more than the recommended amount – so there is an upside for the waiters as well.

As to your comment that I don’t know how you live – you are correct. You also don’t know how I live now, and under what circumstances I grew up – so your comment is really out of line. We are two anonymous individuals on the internet commenting on a general issue, and we should make sure to convey our views logically and respectfully.

an Israeli Yid