Avi K

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  • in reply to: Ashkenazi Cooking Kitniyos on Pesach #1497299
    Avi K
    Participant

    Adocs, if he gives it to you a gift.

    Laskern, if she does not know that it is kitniyot it is oness.

    in reply to: Whistling #1496221
    Avi K
    Participant

    Less, paskening according to Kabbala is a big discussion. As for your rabbit’s foot, it is definitely darchei Emori (a goyish superstition probably based in avoda zara). It certainly wasn’t lucky for the rabbit. Breathing has a logical reason. Therefor it is permissible. However, in general during davening one should stand as one would in front of a king or important official. Rav Moshe and Rav Soloveichik both stood stock still. Perhaps a soldier in the US Army should stand at parade rest (in fact, I have noticed that many frum men walk with their hands folded on their backs).

    As for the OP’s question, Rav Eli Mansour says “The Halachic authorities rule that whistling was not included at all in the decree against producing sounds on Shabbat, and one may thus whistle a tune on Shabbat. We should note that irrespective of the laws of Shabbat, whistling in public, such as while walking in the street, is improper and unbecoming of a Torah Jew. But if at home one wishes to whistle as background to the singing of Pizmonim (hymns) at the Shabbat table, this is certainly acceptable and permissible.” Of course, if one has a guest who is annoyed by whistling and wants him to continue coming around one should refrain. It is simply a good midda.

    in reply to: Ashkenazi Cooking Kitniyos on Pesach #1496222
    Avi K
    Participant

    1. Yes.
    2. Yes.
    3. Technically an Israeli can even accept bread from a non-Jew and eat it but this causes problems if he is not using disposable utensils (some of which are actually very nice). Per the Yalkut Yosef 448:5:

    It is permitted to eat Chometz on a Shabbat which is immediately after Sheviyi Shel Pesach – there is no muktza involved, and you if it was sold to the non-Jew according to Halacha you may eat it on the day of Shabbos immediately after Sheviyi Shel Pesach. However you have to be extra careful not to take the chometz on Sheviyi Shel Pesach since then you will be prohibited to eat it since you have done Baal Yira’eh U’Baal Yimotzei. (Yechave Daat 2 Siman 64, Yabia Omer Orach Chaim 9 Siman 46)

    in reply to: Neo-Nazis Running For Congress #1496016
    Avi K
    Participant

    Davis is also a Moonie and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.,

    in reply to: Whistling #1495766
    Avi K
    Participant

    Whistling is extremely annoying and nerve-wracking. I was told by one of his talmidim that Rav Gustman would yell at someone who whistled in the yeshiva. As for it being an obnoxious goyish custom I think that it comes from the kinot: שְׁרִיקוֹת וּתְרוּעוֹת, לְקָלוֹן וּזְוָעוֹת בְּצֵאתִי מִירוּשָׁלָיִם. You can google “I hate whistling”.

    in reply to: Minhagim After The Original Reason Is Gone #1495479
    Avi K
    Participant

    Iascrimma, RH is a yom tov.
    Laskern,m Ramban says the opposite. The Torah was given to be kept in EY. Those in Chul only keep so that it will not be strange to them when they come home.

    Regarding the subject of this thread (גופא), the best example of a halacha expiring (at least in general use) with the reason is mayim acharonim. While many people do wash many, maybe even moist, do not.
    Sometimes the halacha is clarified to take into consideration changed circumstances. For example, Chazal put deaf-mutes in the same category as mentally incompetents and minors. Now that they can communicate they are like any adult (Responsa Yehaveh Deah 2:6, Responsa Heichal Yitzchak EH 2:47, Responsa Keren LaDor 27, Responsa Minchat Asher 2:86).

    in reply to: Minhagim After The Original Reason Is Gone #1495145
    Avi K
    Participant

    As for Yom Tov Sheini, the Yerushalmi says (Eruvin 3:9) that it is a punishment for not keeping Yom Tov properly in EY. This year (5778) it is three days four times (Rosh haShana, Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret all followed by Shabbat and Shabbat followed by Shevuot).

    in reply to: Minhagim After The Original Reason Is Gone #1495124
    Avi K
    Participant

    Laskern, neither was corn but everyone considers it prohibited. Many also prohibit soya and canola oil (even though the canola plant is poisonous and thus cannot be considered part of the minhag – and this besides the questionable nature of prohibiting oils).

    in reply to: Common Sense Gun Policies #1495120
    Avi K
    Participant

    Mentsch, POTUS can federalize the Guard. eisenhower, for example, did this during the Little Rock crisis.

    in reply to: Should I be concerned? #1494929
    Avi K
    Participant

    A Diet of Worms could turn you into against Protestants. LOL Seriously I know a doctor who once treated a person who excreted a worm after eating homemade gefilte fish. There were no lasting effects. If you do not see any I would not worry.

    in reply to: Minhag Overrides General Halacha #1494018
    Avi K
    Participant

    Laskern, in yeshivot they say that a goy whistles. A Jew does not whistle. There is, in fact, a counter-story. Somebody went to the rav after Shacharit on Rosh Chodesh and told him of the fantastic spiritual experience he had. the rav asked if he said “Yaaleh v’Yavo”. He replied that he had not and the rav told him that he had to daven again as he was not yotzeh.

    in reply to: McCabe’s firing #1493739
    Avi K
    Participant

    It smells of vindictiveness being that McCabe was already on pre-retirement leave and only had two days to go (although he will still get his early pension as some Democrat will give him a job to complete his service requirement).

    in reply to: Who should lightthe Diaspora torch on Yom HaAtzmaut #1492266
    Avi K
    Participant

    5ish, Zionism is an integral part of Judaism. Chazal say that Jews in Shmutz laAretz are like Gdless people and commit idolatry in purity.

    in reply to: Spin-off topic: Religion and Moral and/or Law & ordered society #1491751
    Avi K
    Participant

    clarification: The mishpatim are natural morality whereas the chukkim are the extras which we were given.

    in reply to: Spin-off topic: Religion and Moral and/or Law & ordered society #1491746
    Avi K
    Participant

    Thinking, Rav Kook says that derech eretz kadma laTorah means that there is a natural morality on which the Torah is based and, in the case of Am Yisrael adds (e.g. it is not inherently immoral to eat non-kosher food – thus it is permitted to non-Jews). This, in fact, is the definition of chukkim.

    in reply to: Who should lightthe Diaspora torch on Yom HaAtzmaut #1491738
    Avi K
    Participant

    Toi, are you celebrating the Nakba?

    in reply to: Who should lightthe Diaspora torch on Yom HaAtzmaut #1491739
    Avi K
    Participant

    I meant commemorating.

    in reply to: Minhag Overrides General Halacha #1491736
    Avi K
    Participant

    Dor, once a rebbe went to light the chanukkia and saw abroom near it. He decided to take it away befioe his chassidim saw and made a minhag. He took it away, they saw and made a minhag that there must be a broom near the chanukkia and it must be removed (see Baba Metzia 36a regarding misconceptions of talmidim).

    in reply to: Hawking is dead #1490925
    Avi K
    Participant

    G, that is not one of the sheva mitzvot. it is only the difference between a chassid and a chacham (Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 8:11). It gets him into Olam haBa (ibid).

    Regarding Hawking, we can also learn positive things from him, especially perseverance in the face of adversity.

    in reply to: Should Donald Trump be Crowned King of the United States? #1490942
    Avi K
    Participant

    Milhouse, that would lead to a very interesting scenario. Suppose the fired cabinet members (there is nothing he can do about the VP) use that as proof that he is incapacitated? If there are no cabinet members because he fired all of them and did not get around to appointing new ones can the VP depose him himself?

    in reply to: Hawking is dead #1490944
    Avi K
    Participant

    Rambam’s opinion is not the only one though. See “גר תושב, חסיד אומות העולם וחכם אומות העולם” by Rav Ohad Fixler online.

    in reply to: Minhagim After The Original Reason Is Gone #1490710
    Avi K
    Participant

    There was a shul where they had a “minhag” to dip every time they passed a certain point during the hakafot. When the new rav investigated he discovered that once there had been a low-hanging chandelier there.

    in reply to: Should Donald Trump be Crowned King of the United States? #1490713
    Avi K
    Participant

    Chiefshmerel, are you serious? It is obvious that my intention was that they could not have been popular Presidents at the times you cited as they were dead.

    Milhouse, Section 4 says:
    “Section 4.
    Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

    Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.”

    So the VP and a few cabinet members can depoe POTUS for at least 21 days (if Congress is not in session more). Theoretically they can depose him, Congress can restore him and they can depose him again.

    in reply to: How Careful Must We Be When Eating Out With A Hechsher #1490709
    Avi K
    Participant

    OP, wouldn’t it be better to eat out with a person than with a hechsher?

    in reply to: Hawking is dead #1490708
    Avi K
    Participant

    1. According to his chassidim Hawking is not dead.
    2. Einstein did not have a set system of belief or non-belief. At various times he expressed various opinions. See the Wikipedia article “Religious and philosophical views of Albert Einstein”.

    in reply to: Should Donald Trump be Crowned King of the United States? #1489570
    Avi K
    Participant

    CTL, if the Senate only decides to censure or reprimand him it has not convicted him (= guilty of a criminal offense). It has only found that he acted improperly albeit not illegally. BTW, there is another way. According to Amendment 25 Section 4 “Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.”

    in reply to: Should Donald Trump be Crowned King of the United States? #1489567
    Avi K
    Participant

    Chiefshmerel, I wrote that FDR died. I did not write that he was killed.

    in reply to: Should Donald Trump be Crowned King of the United States? #1487935
    Avi K
    Participant

    CTL,
    1. A Senate conviction is tantamount to removal so I did not differentiate.
    2. I think that you mean “does not pull a Gerry” (names are capitalized and Ford’s full first name was “Gerald”). You should also have capitalized “the” as it begins a sentence.
    3. I don’t mind Pence becoming President.

    Joseph, that would be a demotion. “The Donald” means that he is the one and only (IMHO Ivana Trump, who coined it, was overcompensating for the Czech language not having a definite article except for emphasis – or maybe she wanted to emphasize his name). “King Donald I” means that there will be more.

    in reply to: President Donald Trump, Oheiv Yisroel Par Excellence #1487911
    Avi K
    Participant

    Trump does it again. He replaced Tillerson with Mike Pompeo who said “In November 2015, Pompeo visited Israel and stated that “Prime Minister Netanyahu is a true partner of the American people” and that “Netanyahu’s efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons are incredibly admirable and deeply appreciated”. He also stated that “In the fight against terrorism, cooperation between Israel and the United States has never been more important” and that “We must stand with our ally Israel and put a stop to terrorism. Ongoing attacks by the Palestinians serve only to distance the prospect of peace.”

    in reply to: Should Donald Trump be Crowned King of the United States? #1487870
    Avi K
    Participant

    CTL, I agree with Geordie. After impeachment is removal and only then indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law (Article I, Section 3, Clause 7). However, so far as I know there is no criminal or civil punishment for violating the Emoluments Clause.

    in reply to: Eating Gebroks on Pesach #1487867
    Avi K
    Participant

    Geordie, as I live in Israel I can eat bread on that Shabbat. I just have to find a non-Jew who will hold it in his freezer until then and give it to me.

    in reply to: Should Donald Trump be Crowned King of the United States? #1487487
    Avi K
    Participant

    Akuperma, Lincoln died in the Spring of 1865 and FDR died in the Spring of 1945.

    in reply to: Eating Gebroks on Pesach #1486731
    Avi K
    Participant

    The reason why Rav Yaakov did not eat gebrokts was that he said it to avoid eating by someone whose kashrut level was not good. However, the Gaon said that anyone who refrains from eating it will have to give an account as to why he did not do the mitzva of simchat Yom Tov. Some say that there is no reason for this minhag with machine matzot as there is no problem of under-baking. Interestingly, some in Chul only refrain from it on the first seven days and eat it on the eighth to show that they do not consider it to be chametz. On the other hand, someone told me that he has a cousin who is such a big Mitnagged he eats it every day EXCEPT the eighth.

    in reply to: President Donald Trump, Oheiv Yisroel Par Excellence #1483219
    Avi K
    Participant

    Health, you write really funny posts. However, don’t give up your day job.

    in reply to: He’s Hot, She’s Cold; Windows Open or Closed? #1483218
    Avi K
    Participant

    Increasing blankets does not work. My ex was the one who wanted the windows opened even in the NY (this was before I made aliya) winters. Even sweaters and an electric blanket did not helped. Finally we went to separate bedrooms and then to separate lives (this was only the tip of the iceberg, pun intended).

    in reply to: Common Sense Gun Policies #1481846
    Avi K
    Participant

    Ubi, one thing is certain, an executed murderer will never murder again.

    RY, they are all almost certainly guilty of something for which a Ben Noach is liable for the death penalty.

    in reply to: A poland Visit #1479793
    Avi K
    Participant

    It depends. It could strengthen secular students Jewishly. However, I see no reason for frum students to go. This is certainly not a valid reason for them to leave EY.

    in reply to: Common Sense Gun Policies #1479656
    Avi K
    Participant

    Midwest, angry customers are threatening to boycott Dick’s.

    Great, Joseph. then other than cops only criminals will have guns.

    in reply to: President Donald Trump, Oheiv Yisroel Par Excellence #1479521
    Avi K
    Participant

    Trump also named Orthodox Jew and former Pres. of the Friends of the Betel Yeshiva David Friedman to be Ambassador to Israel, is moving the embassy to Jerusalem, appointed the great ohevet Yisrael par excellence Nikki Haley to the UN, drastically cut funding to anti-Israel UNRWA and has basically cut off Abbas.

    in reply to: Is there any way to prevent mass shootings???? #1477886
    Avi K
    Participant

    Ubi,

    1. I do not know that a person has a much higher chance of surviving an attack with a knife, a hammer or a poison than with a gun. One of the Parkland victims is almost out of the hospital despite three bullets in the torso.

    2. The NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch supported background checks that will keep guns out of the hands of nuts.

    3. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. If law enforcement officers are schlemiehls nothing will help.

    4. I was referring to the general culture as being a reason why there are countries that have high rates of gun ownership and low crime rates.

    in reply to: Are Chareidi women judges the wave of the future? #1477803
    Avi K
    Participant

    Dor,
    1. Presumably no one could have refused to have Devora, who according to one explanation was a “real judge”, hear his case being that the public accepted her (Gittin 88b Tosafot d”h velo).
    2. Even in a bet din you cannot refuse a judge because you do not like his sartorial tastes.
    3. In a criminal case mishpat hamelech is whatever the authorities decide is appropriate.

    in reply to: Are Chareidi women judges the wave of the future? #1476982
    Avi K
    Participant

    Who says that the best men do not go into professions? Who is better, someone who kvetches and waves the fat finger all day or someone who applies Torah in professions and sanctifies Hashem’s name?

    in reply to: Is there any way to prevent mass shootings???? #1476767
    Avi K
    Participant

    Huju, you are also ignoring other possible factors. First of all, in a country the size of the US the law of large numbers comes into play and there will be a certain number of homicidal nuts (IMHO we have to factor out the vast majority of murders in which the culprit knows the victim and decided that he deserves to die as the murder would be committed in any case). The main thrust should be mental health care and keeping weapons out of their hands. Cruz lit all the red lights from childhood and law enforcement agencies were tipped off on him several times. Why did no one do something? I think that there is also a factor in the general attitude towards human life. Police in other countries (certainly in Israel), for example, do not shoot to kill at the rate of American police. On the other hand, America has a much higher violent crime rate.

    in reply to: Are Chareidi women judges the wave of the future? #1476769
    Avi K
    Participant

    Regarding arkaot, I heard about a frum judge in NYC (there are several – I even met one at an OU convention and there is now a retired UK judge in one my shiurim) who got a civil suit involving Chassidim. He reprimanded them and told them to go to a bet din. However, there is a problem (and i do not think only by Chassidim) of people not recognizing each other’s battei din. What then happens is that the bet din issues a ketav siruv and the plaintiff goes to the secular court. In Israel, BTW, judges are authorized to refer people to mediation or arbitration and often do in order to clear their crowded calendars. The bet din of Eretz Hemdah-Gazit receives many such referrals and not just from frum judges.

    in reply to: Are Chareidi women judges the wave of the future? #1475784
    Avi K
    Participant

    Adocs, Judge Freier was endorsed by rabbanim and printed their letters on her campaign literature. Judge Toker’s appointment was greeted positively by her rabbinic family although some rabbanim considered it problematic for any Chareidi, male or female. Of course, one first has to define “Chareidi”. Rav Yaakov Ariel supports those who are knowledgeable in both Halacha and secular law to become judges so as to fix the system from within. He even told one talented woman (I don’t know her name but heard this from a reliable source) to do so.

    in reply to: Are the nazis really descendants of Amalek #1475786
    Avi K
    Participant

    The Griz says that anyone who wants to wipe us out c”v is Amalek. However, Rav Nebenzahl disagrees. I heard that Rav (Joseoh) Soloveichik said that anyone who has no human feelings, such as Hitler and Stalin ym”s, are sheddim (see Rambam, Guide 1:7).

    in reply to: Is there any way to prevent mass shootings???? #1475740
    Avi K
    Participant

    Ubi,

    1. I was referring to the easy of obtaining a gun (for a law-abiding citizen – criminals have no problem).
    2. There is also a direct correlation between car ownership and fatal accidents. Should cars be banned?
    3. Darrell Huff wrote a book called How to Lie with Statistics, which is available on PDF. One good way is to not count other factors. Chazal, in fact, discuss this regarding why a boy who climbed a tree to send away the mother bird at his father’s command fell and died (e.g. perhaps he thought about worshiping idols).

    in reply to: Is there any way to prevent mass shootings???? #1475382
    Avi K
    Participant

    Ubi,

    1. Ask him. I reposted in response to the question posed by the O.P.

    2. It would have to be per capita as Israel has only eight million citizens. If you include all the weapons in the hands of Hamas it might be more. According to the Wikipedia the US has over forty times as many guns per hundred people (not necessarily civilians) than Israel but America also has much larger armed forces and police departments.

    3. I would imagine that it would depend on the state. NYC has one of the toughest gun laws in the world but that has never stopped criminals. Switzerland, on the other hand, has non-restrictive laws and compulsory militia training. However, we have not heard of massacres there. In an case, today anyone can make his own on the Internet so it would make much more sense to concentrate on mental health care and proactive enforcement. The FBI had a number of tips on Cruz and he set off all the warning lights from childhood. Why was nothing done?

    in reply to: Is there any way to prevent mass shootings???? #1474516
    Avi K
    Participant

    Ubi,
    1. You make another highly illogical statement. Are only spokespeople allowed to copy and paste entire pieces?
    2. The topic of the thread is “Is there any way to prevent mass shootings????” not gun control per se. Rabbi Pruzansky made a suggestion to be like Israel in one way but did not take a position on other aspects of Israeli law.
    3. You are setting up a straw man. I did not contend that I did not understand you. Just as I understood what you meant by “liek” I understood what you meant by “readign”. I merely observed that your writing ability is the equal of your reading ability (as well as your analytical ability).
    4. As for not taking the time to proofread, Chazal admonish us to be moderate in judgement. In other words, do not rush.

    in reply to: Is there any way to prevent mass shootings???? #1474082
    Avi K
    Participant

    Ubiquitin,
    1. Yes, I am sure. I have not even had a first interview.
    2. How does it follow that if one approach is a model for the US all are? If we eat meat as do dogs does that mean that we should bark? Should the US make Shabbat and Jewish holidays national days of rest?
    3. You not only do not read correctly you do not write correctly (“readign”).

Viewing 50 posts - 1,251 through 1,300 (of 3,469 total)