mentsch1

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Viewing 50 posts - 1 through 50 (of 655 total)
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  • mentsch1
    Participant

    Also
    I reject the original premise
    Wealthy balei batum do not create a “keeping up with the jonses” attitude. We all know we are in a different category
    It’s your next door neighbor who can’t afford it who does it anyway.
    Choose good neighbors. Choose a good shul where there is no pretense. In my shul every kiddush is the same rich or poor, Most weddings are basic and those that are not, I have yet to see anyone feel compelled to keep up with the rich mispallilim.
    So be a good example. The next simcha you make, dial it down, make it basic and set a good example.
    and OP
    I am curious
    Why harp on this and not the mansions going up in lakewood with $250K chandeliers? I have a much bigger problem with that than weddings

    mentsch1
    Participant

    Avirah
    by extension lets criticize fund raising
    A huge/gashmiosdik tzedakah auction just took place
    A huge amount of money went into the prizes that could have gone to the tzedakah instead, so cut that out, it’s “gashmiosdik”
    Think of big weddings as a fund raiser for rich balei batim
    They spend a lot of money on the wedding (which is technically a mitzvah) and by extension give more money to tzedakah

    in reply to: Ten Commandments Posted in Public Schools #2193054
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Modern
    Would you care to elaborate on the “bad translation “
    Are you referring to “you should not kill”?
    Because ArtScroll gets that one wrong also (metsudah correctly translates that one)

    mentsch1
    Participant

    Rav Hunter said years ago that it is within the spirit of giving and to leave them alone
    If you tell the wealthy to be stingy by themselves then the same middah carry’s over to their tzedakah
    Why can’t people just do their own thing?
    I’m a simple person who makes simple affairs even though BH I can afford more. Do your own thing and people will respect you for not bowing to peer pressure

    in reply to: Cholent for a crowd #2192157
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Drr
    That’s so yeshiva bachur
    Refined palates have moved beyond sauce

    in reply to: Did we really go to the moon #2191816
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Someday
    The pshat is still flawed
    How long can someone survive without a suit?
    0-30 seconds in the vacuum of space, less than 2 minutes on Mercury, less than a second on Venus, 80 years on Earth, 3 minutes on the Moon, 2 minutes on Mars, less than a second on Jupiter, and less than a second on Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

    in reply to: Did we really go to the moon #2191106
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Someday
    I’m not sure if you were serious but clearly that isn’t a good pshat
    You can certainly touch the moon. All you need is a pressurized tent.
    You could even farm the moon given the right botanical conditions. After all Mark Watney grew potatoes on mars.

    not

    in reply to: A Chief Rabbi Attends the Coronation in a Church? #2188475
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Let’s say a yid gets trapped in a foreign country. Maybe he is facing jail or even a death sentence. You are friends with the king and can pick up the phone and beg him to intercede. The king has influence especially in former UK countries and agrees to do you a favor.
    In the eyes of the naysayers (Ujm /Neville) is that good enough for you to justify what you perceive as a wrongdoing ? Bc that isn’t an unlikely scenario. Some unsavory politicians have saved the lives of Jews .

    in reply to: A Chief Rabbi Attends the Coronation in a Church? #2188461
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Neville/Ujm
    We know hatzaloh takes calls on shabbos for goyim Bc of aivah
    So if a Jewish doctor walks by a church (he’s got his lab coat on/ stethoscope over his neck, doctors bag in hand etc)
    Suddenly someone runs out and says “someone inside is having a heart attack you need to come!”
    The proper response is “sorry, can’t do it”?

    in reply to: A Chief Rabbi Attends the Coronation in a Church? #2188460
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Frumkeit
    So by your way of thinking
    Every rabbi/frum Askan should refuse to shake the hand of politicians who are immoral?
    Because that pretty much excludes all of them

    in reply to: What Happened To the Forum I Loved so Well? #2188459
    mentsch1
    Participant

    CT
    Don’t blame you on the NY part
    Avoid at all costs
    Actually what I was saying was that the second amendment was written at a time of mandatory membership in the militia, making the second half of the clause logical. The militias became the organized (national ie federal guard) and unorganized (aka the NY/state guard)
    If you look at the NY military code and us code all able bodied men are automatically members. They might not be sworn in but that is how it is written. I’m guessing it’s a holdover from the original mandatory membership of revolutionary times.
    10 code us 246 and ny military 2 establish all able bodied men (17-45)as being in a militia
    Now I may be missing legal nuance, but that’s why I’ve got you

    in reply to: Boycotting Companies #2188358
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Common
    Just curious (same question applies to neville) do you guys actually remember these old threads that you go searching for them when appropriate?
    Because frankly I can barely remember my kids names

    in reply to: Lag baomer hadlaka #2188342
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Come join me in shul. Someone has to keep the world going by actually doing some learning

    in reply to: Let's make YCT teshuvas, by popa #2188341
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Neville
    I see what you did there
    I thought you saw the nuance
    Unless this has nothing to do with the other thread
    If not I apologize

    I’m still trying to figure out if rebdoniel was a real convert

    in reply to: What Happened To the Forum I Loved so Well? #2188322
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Ct
    Fun fact (I just learnt this) technically (at least in NY) every able bodied male between 17-45 is already a member of the unorganized militia (NY Guard) though not on active status till called up by the governor
    So we need to refine your grievance
    Since the second half of the amendment is clearly meant to make sure the citizenry is ready for active status, so is it fair to say you are against gun ownership by anyone other than law enforcement and active military regardless of the wording of the amendment?
    I know, this isn’t the thread for this, but you can always respond in the mass shooting thread

    in reply to: What Happened To the Forum I Loved so Well? #2188319
    mentsch1
    Participant

    He was referring to me
    didnt like my comment though I do not know why
    I thought I was being very fair and balanced

    in reply to: What Happened To the Forum I Loved so Well? #2188282
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Da
    I can accept the first half of that statement, but the second half breaks from reality.

    in reply to: What Happened To the Forum I Loved so Well? #2188148
    mentsch1
    Participant

    The OP asks deep questions
    iMHO it’s just a symptom of galus and affects both the MO and chareidi world . The MO world by virtue of its insistence on giving chashivus to non Jewish thinkers, are certainly embracing kefira at a faster pace . But the chareidi community is hardly immune from the craziness.
    In sticking with your example. Whereas the MO world will find adherents who transition children (yes I know a case) in the charedi world they are asking shaylos on attending gay weddings. A generation ago it wouldn’t have occurred to us to ask the shayla. Now it’s being asked.

    in reply to: What Happened To the Forum I Loved so Well? #2188141
    mentsch1
    Participant

    CT
    Just point of fact
    The national guard is not the “militia”
    The NY guard is the militia. It only operates in the state. It can not be federalized and serves as a theoretical check and balance

    in reply to: A Chief Rabbi Attends the Coronation in a Church? #2187955
    mentsch1
    Participant

    I’m not sidestepping anything. I’m pointing out some facts. Exceptions have been made when dealing with highly influential people.
    Here is another example. The nephew of a kohen gadol was given the right to study Greek philosophy and shave his hair like a Greek Bc of his interactions with the govt
    I recognize the difference in the situations but maybe just maybe you should truly know if you are correct bf badmouthing an orthodox rav.

    in reply to: A Chief Rabbi Attends the Coronation in a Church? #2187886
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Always
    That was Richard the lionhearted. The “benevolent “ king of the Robin Hood fables.

    in reply to: A Chief Rabbi Attends the Coronation in a Church? #2187803
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Ujm
    Of course you have no proof to that statement
    Yidden were sheltered in churches during times of upheaval
    Yidden sent delegations to Rome , whether they were required to go to places they didn’t want to I can’t tell you
    There is at least one case in the gemarah of a rav violating yichud in regards to an important matter
    John of spryer saved Jews in his quarters on the “northern side of the cathedral “ granted that was straight out pikuach nefesh and I have no proof they entered the cathedral but this isn’t far fetched
    If it wasn’t during prayers and it was a head of state whose benevolence helps Jews in galus, then I don’t find it hard to believe it hasn’t happened before

    in reply to: A Chief Rabbi Attends the Coronation in a Church? #2187705
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Is it really that hard to believe that this wasn’t done by many chashuv rabbanim throughout history in the name of good relations with the monarchs of galus?

    in reply to: You should get a dog. #2187328
    mentsch1
    Participant

    my apologizes to The Wolf

    But it’s huge, and fortunately (i guess) it likes me, which means I get pounced on every time I enter the house. so I find myself face to face (on its hind legs its 6 ft tall) with something that I can only describe as the creature from little red riding hood

    in reply to: You should get a dog. #2187069
    mentsch1
    Participant

    CT
    Wise decision
    A relative of mine has a German shepherd
    110 pounds (I call it a wolf)
    My kids want to know if they can put a saddle on it and ride it

    in reply to: You should get a dog. #2186888
    mentsch1
    Participant

    I obviously meant the “eat me “ part as a joke
    But I just googled it
    4.5 million bites in the US annually
    800,000 requiring medical attention

    in reply to: You should get a dog. #2186874
    mentsch1
    Participant

    CT
    I don’t doubt that it lifts the spirits of many
    I just have an aversion to having a pet that can always decide to eat me
    Wouldn’t get a baby tiger for the same reasons

    in reply to: You should get a dog. #2186765
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Had a guy in my office yesterday . He looked tired, I asked him what’s wrong
    Has a brand new puppy
    Needs to walk it every two hours so it doesn’t mess up his house “but it’s soooo worth it”
    Walking behind an animal cleaning up after it sounds so delightful
    When did we become a society controlled by animals, it’s supposed to be the other way around

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2186736
    mentsch1
    Participant

    When you take into account armed resistance against a govt . It depends on the govt.
    Afghanistan beat two superpowers. Because neither of them were willing to do what the nazis did. In Yugoslavia, when the country tried to fight, the nazis killed 100 for every German death. And 10 killed for every act of sabotage .It brought a quick stop to armed and overt resistance.
    But Yserbius continues to make a very good argument for increased police and judicial action against violent offenders. In other words we need to stop the bad guys and keep them from getting guns. That isn’t the same as taking everyone’s guns. It means not tolerating chaos and that includes BLM looting as much as “armed” Jan 6 “insurrections”

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2186742
    mentsch1
    Participant

    So they caught that nut job in Texas and he can be a case study in this discussion
    1) deported 4 times (open borders)
    2 )somehow allowed ownership of an ar even though he is an illegal (no background checks?)
    3) allowed to shoot said gun on a 1 acre property near neighbors (in NYS I think it’s about 5acres)
    4) can shoot drunk (plainly stupid but apparently common in the area)
    There is enough blame for both right and left to take ownership

    in reply to: Professional help (marriage, life) #2186223
    mentsch1
    Participant

    The little
    Though there is some truth to what you write, in general, I’m going to strongly disagree with you
    Being the product of a divorce and having been to numerous therapists as part of the process, I’m going to tell you that it is a big mistake for a frum person to go to a non frum therapist
    Even amongst the frum I would give it a 50-50 of the ones that I would consider to be helpful versus unhelpful (and in some cases damaging)
    The best advice that I give to people is, there is no substitute for common sense
    And you can pick that up within one to two sessions with a person. If something seems off about the therapist, go elsewhere. Unfortunately, because somebody seeking out a therapist is in a vulnerable position. They are often prone to thinking that the person sitting behind the desk is somehow in a superior position to give them advice
    A good percentage of people who become psychologists are people who are still trying to find themselves.
    You need to find a therapist that has common sense, frum values, and is acceptable to all parties.

    in reply to: Early Shabbos minyan Brooklyn #2185903
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Are
    This litvak got a laugh from your answer

    in reply to: Early Shabbos minyan Brooklyn #2185177
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Damoshe
    We are all familiar with the mishna brura on the subject
    Yet many are not makpid including some very chashuv kehilos

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2184970
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Avira
    He was a minority in this. Most rabbunim take other considerations into account. For example, There are cases where democrats have helped in situations of pikuach nefesh and these rabbanum, due to hakaros hatov, will then lend their support to these candidates.

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2184936
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Amil
    In my states (ny and nj) you can’t buy a gun unless it is registered
    Every purchase goes through a ffl and is registered
    I’m fine with background checks and limited purchases. From what I can tell the biggest source of illegal guns comes from mass purchases in the south. It’s fair to limit everyone to a single purchase every 30(NJ) to 90(NY) days.
    I also think the NRA’s position of all or nothing is harmful. There are those who have served on the NRA board who agree and would seek compromise. I hope they succeed.
    But let me ask you this?
    How do you think people in your neighborhood would respond if they attempted a U.K. style gun confiscation?

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2184686
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Yserbius
    Where do you see that the frum velt has been fighting tooth and nail against toeva, abortion etc?
    I have seen incredible little activism on the part of the frum velt in regards to moral issues.
    In fact many Rabbunim have had zero issues voting for democrats that have abominable moral stances (and it’s not about the money, I’ve had this discussion with chashuv rabbanim who have given cheshbonos)
    The only Rav of note that I can think of that has yelled about these things is Rav Miller

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2184492
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Avira
    Acc to google 95%
    But I know plenty in the Monticello area and they all do
    I know one guy that was homeschooled till 10. He told me that when he finally went to public school he realized that unlike in his home, most people don’t actually eat venison for breakfast

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2184490
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Yserbius
    I’ve been mulling your points lately and doing some reading
    The U.K. took the opposite approach at least in terms of length of guns
    Guns under 12 inches are banned (leading to some very interesting looking long revolvers)
    Though admittedly they don’t allow any magazine fed gun above .22

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2184409
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Avira
    I take issue with you calling hunting “barbaric”
    As a sport maybe. I have a problem with someone killing a grizzly just to stuff it.
    But the vast majority of hunters use their kills for food etc so why is that any more barbaric than your local butcher?
    35% of American gun owners hunt. Many more with bows. They aren’t barbaric. They are just living life as it was done when men were men.

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2184405
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Meno’s point on purchasing surges based on political affiliation of those in office is true. I know many non owners who bought for the first time after a democrat came into office or after a mass shooting. They were afraid their options would be limited so they ran to get something.
    Interestingly enough. In discussion of the insanity of the illogic to many of our laws; NYC “forced” me to purchase a gun. I applied for a license due to the turmoil of a few years ago. By the time I got my license the turmoil had died down so I didn’t feel compelled. But NYC revokes your license if you don’t purchase one immediately. Go figure.
    As I have said. There is room for compromise but there needs to an acceptance of reality.

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2182729
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Yserbius
    So I just fumbled my way into another thread on mashiach
    Not being aware of the rambam on moshiach I reached an improper conclusion
    But now that I’ve read it, and it’s a problem. Bc the rambam speaks about klal Yisroel going to war
    How can we possibly do that armed with .22’s ?!?!
    Do you realize you are literally standing in the way of moshiach?!?!
    Admittedly a possibility: when the time comes he will break open the armories for us. Or perhaps we will get magic weapons, but I still think the rambam wasn’t pro gun control

    in reply to: The Five Most Likeliest Candidates to be Moshiach #2182721
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Cs
    So I’ve been informed (since I posted the above) that you are paraphrasing a rambam
    Having looked over the rambam I would say that giant leaps of reinterpretation are being made to come to your conclusion
    Also I noted that you do not speak of the Rebbes death, just a date
    Is that Bc you do not believe he died?

    in reply to: The Five Most Likeliest Candidates to be Moshiach #2182639
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Cs
    Excuse me if I missed something ( I didn’t read every post) but I believe you and I have very different definitions of the words halacha and chazaka
    In order for something to have a chazakah there can not be doubt. it must, by definition, be established. So the only way to have a chazakah of being moshiach is if moshiach was actually here (shofar blowing and all) and then we can point to moshiach and say “there he is” I.e. there must be an established certainty.
    As for halacha , I don’t even begin to understand how you are using that term in this context of the theoretical . Halacha is usually established by majority consensus of poskim. Certainly no one outside of chabad would give that consensus. Besides, how do you pasken that someone is moshiach?

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2182551
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Yserbius
    I don’t believe were that far apart
    I happen to be pro gun control. I happen to believe that, at least in America the presence of a gun in the house is more likely to cause a problem then solve one. Certainly carrying a gun all day long is more likely to lead to an act of rage than to end up protecting somebody. In my 50+ years of walking in the street I can’t think of one instance that carrying a gun would’ve helped me.
    Now the other side of the story is of course, every now and then it might be necessary. And perhaps if somebody has a job in a dangerous area or a synagogue needs to be protected , or you live in the middle of the mountains, then maybe it does make sense. I personally advise people against purchasing guns. But being a maven if they are going to do it, I certainly guide them through the process.
    And as I’ve said, I think there’s room for compromise. But the compromise will not happen if the left insists on being soft on crime and if the left will not put it into writing that they won’t go for complete confiscation.

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2182393
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Yserbius
    I’m not sure you would count me in on your side of the discussion. After all to quote my wife “I have way too many guns” so I am probably more like the mountain men of krigers former life in that respect.
    “Gun culture” is growing in the frum world. One of the popular gun ranges in Lakewood is now Jewish owned.
    But I am not sure how to define “gun culture” partly bc I’m not sure why it makes people more nervous when someone has 10 guns as opposed to 1. I am no more likely to become violent Bc I have more than 1 gun. So the logic escapes me.

    in reply to: The official ASK Chat GPT ANYTHING thread!!! #2182162
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Dear bot
    Why on earth does my teenage daughter like listening to Waterbury kumzitz’s?
    And why oh why does she harass me by playing it out loud and making me listen to them?

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2182076
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Ubiq
    you will notice i stayed away from historical and theoretical arguments
    But my statement is fact, each new supreme court ruling further entrenches it, whether or not you agree with the arguments or “reinterpretation” is irrelevant to the discussion
    and abortion is at a disadvantage in that there is no amendment guaranteeing it
    but none of this interests me
    all that interests me is how the govt can possibly go about removing guns without creating a massive violation of the civil rights of gun owners (and without causing a civil war)

    and as i already said, i would not support jail for abortion
    as for passing the legislation that created the illegality in the first place (rolling back roe vs wade) I am of two minds. The religious answer is obvious (and not at all comparable to guns, bc gun ownership is not immoral). As for my practical answer i would have left it on the books. Partly bc of the noted problem of people ignoring it and partly bc of other reasons.

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2182050
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Yserbius
    If only we could wave a magic wand, but alas some of us live in the real world
    And some of us have mentioned some real world initiatives but alas the left always prefers emotional band aids that look good in front of the press

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2182051
    mentsch1
    Participant

    and mods
    how come i am labeled as participant?! you would think after 12+ years we would be on a first name basis

    in reply to: Mass shootings, and non mass shootings, must stop. #2181931
    mentsch1
    Participant

    Yserbius
    Btw
    Any hunter would consider your proposal unethical
    You do not hunt with a .22 Bc it will probably wound and cause suffering
    Also the limited studies that I’ve been able to find in the past don’t have a huge difference between fatalities between 22 caliber and 9 mm.

    My problem is, is that the conversation from the lefts POV tends to ignore the biggest problems. The open borders, and the flow of illegal weapons. Being soft on crime and allowing violent offenders free reign.
    If the left is coming after our weapons, maybe they should make us feel secure first, so that we don’t need them.

Viewing 50 posts - 1 through 50 (of 655 total)