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  • in reply to: “Vhaarev Na” program? #1247200
    Shraga18
    Participant

    SOT, can you explain what the program is? In what way is it more than just chazering?

    G613, the website doesn’t really explain what the program is, it just says that it’s focused on chazarah.

    in reply to: Hashem loves you #1209682
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Mi Yodea has a question titled “Are there any scriptural sources that Hashem loves each Jew individually?”

    The accepted answer there is as follows:

    G-d’s counting of the Jewish people expresses his love for the individual Jew (since counting emphasizes the importance of the individual unit. Were the individual unit not important, there would be no need to count). Rashi (Shemot 1:1) says:

    And these are the names of the sons of Israel: Although [God] counted them in their lifetime by their names (Gen. 46:8-27), He counted them again after their death, to let us know how precious they are [to Him], because they were likened to the stars, which He takes out [From beyond the horizon] and brings in by number and by name, as it is said: who takes out their host by number; all of them He calls by name (Isa. 40:26). [From Tanchuma Buber, Shemot 2; Exod. Rabbah 1:3]

    Rashi (Bamidbar 1:1) says that because G-d loves the Jewish people he counts them all the time.

    in reply to: I'm very stressed #1195234
    Shraga18
    Participant

    DaMoshe,

    If you’re still a CR reader, I would like to hear how things have worked out for you. Four years later, are you doing better? Have things worked out?

    in reply to: The Torah v. Morals #1152045
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Yosi7,

    Joseph quoted Reb Moshe teshuvos forbidding shaking a woman’s hand. I’m curious to see when you will be apologizing to him for accusing him of falsehood?

    in reply to: Pesach Divrei Torah #1149673
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Last chance for this year! Any more divrei Torah to share?

    in reply to: Artscroll gemara now coming onto technology #1149459
    Shraga18
    Participant

    I think one has to distinguish between technology in general, and technology which most Chareidi gedolim have said is inherently bad. Most Gedolim say that a smartphone/ipad should absolutely not be used, unless it is absolutely necessary for business, and even then only with a filter.

    Now, we all know this isn’t the metzius on the ground.

    Comes along a “chareidi” company, Artscroll, and in a way gives all those people who are transgressing a way to legitimize what the gedolim say they shouldn’t have.

    “See? I’m doing something GOOD with my iphone! It’s helping me learn!”

    I’m not judging Artscroll. Hopefully they asked gedolim whether they should make a gemara app. If not, chances are their lot will be the same as all those who transgress the psak of the gedolim, whatever that will end up being after 120.

    in reply to: "Baruch ata Hashem? – How can we bestow blessings on Hashem? #1210675
    Shraga18
    Participant

    How does that translation fit into the word?

    in reply to: "Baruch ata Hashem? – How can we bestow blessings on Hashem? #1210673
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Bump, as I’m looking into these issues now.

    Although I can understand “Boruch Attah” meaning “you are the source of all blessing”, I find “Borchu es H’ ” to be difficult.

    Can anyone tell me how we are to understand “Borchu”?

    Thanks

    in reply to: High school girls with Internet access #1044022
    Shraga18
    Participant

    TorahMom,

    Kudos to you. I’m with you 100%. Please ignore all the posters here who obviously have negios to convince themselves that teenagers using the internet is absolutely fine. Just keep asking yourself a very simple, but paramount, question: what does HKB”H want you to do?

    in reply to: Telling parents about lifestyle changes #977301
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Assaf,

    “it is because of difficulty beliving in religion from a logical standpoint”

    From all the possibilities, that is the one I least expected. I would say your standpoint is actually illogical taking into account the many brilliant religious scientists who believe in Hashem and torah. I personally knew one (Google Leon Ehrenpreis) who was a prize-winning Nationally renown mathematician who proved a mathematical theorem, called after him.

    Have you discussed your “logical” problems with people who are qualified to discuss them? If not, I would suspect that while you profess your motive to be logic (and you may even believe this yourself), it is but a cover for other, less logical motives for wanting to be irreligious.

    in reply to: Telling parents about lifestyle changes #977281
    Shraga18
    Participant

    assaf,

    Could you tell us a little more about why and when you decided to go OTD? It may clarify things.

    in reply to: Any first-hand accounts of miracles or Ruach Hakodesh by Gedolim? #1030809
    Shraga18
    Participant

    RationalRose,

    I’ve often found that different people are impressed by different things, and what does it for you may not do it for someone else, and vice versa. Personally, as long as have no reason to think someone is lying to you, if the story he tells is clearly a miracle, I think that’s very powerful.

    in reply to: Any first-hand accounts of miracles or Ruach Hakodesh by Gedolim? #1030805
    Shraga18
    Participant

    HaLeivi, I’m looking for first-hand accounts.

    The Goq, I’d probably need those stories to get him to go to them!

    in reply to: Any first-hand accounts of miracles or Ruach Hakodesh by Gedolim? #1030804
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Torahrocks,

    What do you think of King19’s story? I have a similar one of a known mekubal (some of them are charlatans, I know) telling over to my father something that traumatic that happened to him as a kid, which he never told anyone.

    in reply to: Do I have to forgive Dov Lipman? #972308
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Gavra,

    Your posts offering advice were noted and appreciated. Although we may disagree on the political aspects of the cuts, you did show yourself to be a mentch.

    Suffice it to say that I have done all the things you recommend. But sometimes a person is just meant to go through a hard time. So we daven and work on our Bitachon.

    Thanks

    in reply to: Do I have to forgive Dov Lipman? #972293
    Shraga18
    Participant

    PBA and Ben Levi, thanks for the first logical posts in this thread. Unfortunately, many posters will ignore facts and logic as long as they can bash chareidim.

    From http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/182337/Former-Welfare-Minister%3A-Never-Harm-the-Children%21.html

    Kikar HaShabbat quotes Bituach Leumi as saying that thirty THOUSAND children who are close to the poverty line, will now be pushed under it.

    in reply to: Do I have to forgive Dov Lipman? #972288
    Shraga18
    Participant

    From http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/182337/Former-Welfare-Minister%3A-Never-Harm-the-Children%21.html

    Herzog explained that Lapid is simply using populist means to promote his agenda and his actions are not backed in fact. He adds that accusations the monthly payments encourage unemployment are baseless, for the huge monthly payments that were once reality were cancelled in 2003. Today he explains the money permits families to help feed the children and in the best of cases, permits putting small sums away for the future.”

    But what does this guy know? After all, he was nothing more than a minister. Obviously he wouldn’t know as much about the situation as the brilliant members of the coffee-room!

    in reply to: Do I have to forgive Dov Lipman? #972277
    Shraga18
    Participant

    So according to some of the esteemed people here, if someone was about to give you money as a gift, and I would show up and convince them not to give it to you, you would have no problem with that?

    Yeah, right.

    in reply to: Do I have to forgive Dov Lipman? #972269
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Avi K,

    Beautiful speech. however in your haste to find fault with the Chareidi community you must have missed the part where I said that I work full-time.

    “This is especially true in the Chareidi community where there is an ideology that all men should learn full-time whether or not they are suited for it”

    Being that you obviously know nothing about what actually happens in the chareidi community except for the falsehoods being fed to you, maybe you should refrain from commenting on these issues until you’ve actually spoken to same Chareidim and hear the truth.

    in reply to: How far must one listen to Gedolim (re: elections)? #971047
    Shraga18
    Participant

    for_real,

    Actually, this thread is about as intellectually dishonest as they come. See my posts in the thread.

    in reply to: How far must one listen to Gedolim (re: elections)? #971046
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Zdad,

    I see you conveniently ignore the points I made.

    You can posts a hundred political posts about this, and you may even be right in them. I don’t know because I live in E”Y and am not into NY politics.

    But the fact remains that you started this thread with an inflammatory title which had absolutely no basis in fact. Being a Rabbi does not make one a Gadol. Being a Rosh Yeshivah does not make on a Gadol.

    It would be nice if you would show strength of character and admit you made a mistake.

    in reply to: How far must one listen to Gedolim (re: elections)? #971040
    Shraga18
    Participant

    “Read the list the R’Y of BMG is on it, If you dont consider him a gadol , I cant help you”

    Huh?

    So

    1. Obviously ZD holds that anyone who becomes Rosh Yeshiva of a big Yeshiva is automatically a Gadol. Pretty fanatical viewpoint.

    2. You obviously don’t understand what Gedolim are at all, and you obviously don’t understand the Chareidi Hashkafa at all.

    Once again, you’ve shown that your OP was a straw man and totally irrelevant.

    in reply to: Drinking away a bad date #974277
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Personally, I wouldn’t let my daughter go out with anyone that has such a “minhag”.

    in reply to: How far must one listen to Gedolim (re: elections)? #971031
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Ah, what a beautiful example of a straw man. The title of this thread is “How far must one listen to Gedolim”, while I’ve never even heard of most of the Rabbonim on that letter.

    So

    1. ZD seems to think that every Rabbi is a Gadol. Pretty fanatical viewpoint.

    2. Being that being a Rabbi in no way means that the Rabbi is a Gadol, the whole question is irrelevant. No one ever said you have to do everything said by any Rabbi.

    in reply to: Israeli shopping websites #970345
    Shraga18
    Participant

    zap co il is all you need.

    in reply to: Boys are not ready for marriage at 18 #969240
    Shraga18
    Participant

    The Chidah writes (in his sefer Arvei Nachal) that there is a known remez in the Torah to getting married at 18. The Passuk says “Vehu Naarah Bivsuleah Yikach”. Vehu is gimatria 18. But he then continues and says something very relevant to this conversation.

    He says there;s another hint to 18 in the passuk. The last letters of the words “naarah bivsulaeah yikach” also are gimatria 18. Says the Chidah: “Why did the torah hint to age 18 at the END of the words? And he answers that there will be a time, at the end of generations before Moshiach, when people will say that “Ben 18 L’Chupa” was only in “the olden days”, that it doesn’t apply today. Therefore The Torah hinted to 18 at the END of the words, to tell us that 18 applies even today!

    The Steipler as well as the Chazon Ish also held that 18 applies even nowadays.

    in reply to: George Zimmerman is not innocent #966838
    Shraga18
    Participant

    adams and rebdoniel,

    The drugs GZ took don’t change one very simple fact: if there’s reasonable doubt that the defense’s version is what actually happened, the jury must acquit. That’s the law. Drugs or no drugs. All that’s needed is reasonable doubt, which any reasonable person has to admit is there.

    in reply to: George Zimmerman is not innocent #966825
    Shraga18
    Participant

    The police officer who interviewed him after it happened said he was sad/upset when he heard MT had died. From all we’ve heard about GZ during this trial (i.e. that he seems to be a really really nice person) I’m sure he’ll carry that burden around with him for the rest of his life.

    in reply to: George Zimmerman is not innocent #966822
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Health,

    I agree, this should never have come to trial. If and when the jury returns a not-guilty on all counts verdict, I really hope the camera shows Angela Corey’s face at that very moment…

    in reply to: George Zimmerman is not innocent #966816
    Shraga18
    Participant

    the Goq,

    I just want to stress what MorahRach wrote, because it’s just infuriating how incorrect information gets spread by people with Special Interests and then gets accepted by everyone. GZ was NEVER TOLD not to follow TM. He was told “you don’t have to do that”. There’s a huge difference.

    And what I fail to understand in this whole trial is something very simple; everyone agrees it’s impossible to know exactly what happened, even without all the evidence and testimony in GZ’s favor. Therefore it is IMPOSSIBLE to prove GZ’s guilt BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT.

    If he’s found guilty, it will be a miscarriage of justice. But I’m hopeful the jury members are rational, honest people.

    in reply to: About google I do shudder #962855
    Shraga18
    Participant

    Watch YWN become an internet sensation 🙂

    in reply to: About the Government of Israel, I do shudder #964114
    Shraga18
    Participant

    truthsharer, gavra and ROB,

    In one word: shoelaces. Vehameivin yavin.

    in reply to: Public service announcement about Tikkun Leil Shavuous #953154
    Shraga18
    Participant

    I was told a few days ago that the Chasam Sofer used to say the Tikkun, and he would not finish it by Alos, so he would just finish it during the day.

    in reply to: A BIG problem with YWN #952782
    Shraga18
    Participant

    And thread gets locked in…3…2…1…

    Shraga18
    Participant

    gavra_at_work,

    I assure you I don’t look down at anyone, and my posts were not meant to convey any message of superiority.

    “it is all too common for Charaidim in EY (and America to a lesser extent) to “look down” on those who are not like them”

    I’m pretty sure this is a universal human trait not exclusive to Chareidim. Someone on the CR just recently posted a link to an article which showed that there is a clear trend in MO circles to look down at chareidim.

    The Torah in many places makes it clear that looking down at anyone is wrong. May we all be zocheh to conquer that Yetzer Hora.

    Shraga18
    Participant

    Gavra_at_work,

    As I mentioned before, I only mentioned the Gedolim as part of my story, but you choose to read all kinds of nefarious motives into it. Believe me, if I would have known that mentioning Gedolim would have caused such a rucus I would have left it out.

    I must admit I’m surprised by the defensiveness and aggressiveness of people posting here. Looks like I touched a raw nerve.

    Whatever. If it makes you all happy, I hereby disavow any posts I wrote after the OP. What’s written there is all I’m interested in. Ok?

    To recap: if you moved from a smartphone to a kosher phone and found that your life improved, please tell us how in this thread.

    If you don’t fit the above description, please take your posts elsewhere, ok?

    Shraga18
    Participant

    haifagirl,

    ” It doesn’t ask how your life was affected, it asks how your life was “improved.””

    Lol, you’re really nitpicking. Seems to me that if your life was improved, it was affected, wouldn’t you agree?

    I must admit I’m surprised by the defensiveness of people posting here. Looks like I touched a raw nerve.

    Whatever. If it makes you all happy, I hereby disavow any posts I wrote after the OP. What’s written there is all I’m interested in. Ok?

    To recap: if you moved from a smartphone to a kosher phone and found that your life improved, please tell us how in this thread.

    If you don’t fit the above description, please take your posts elsewhere, ok?

    in reply to: Going off the Derech #1183220
    Shraga18
    Participant

    crisisoftheweek,

    ” I would not be suprised if your son follows in his brothers footsteps “

    Really great way to encourage and give chizuk to a woman going through gehennom. Absolutely disgusting. Can you and ZD please take your Chareidi bashing to a different thread?

    in reply to: Friends Figuring Out Your Identity #955792
    Shraga18
    Participant

    David Bar-Magen, did things improve for you yet?

    Shraga18
    Participant

    jbaldy22,

    “Really? Really?”

    Really! Really!

    “And you don’t see how your OP could be understood as looking down on others?”

    Did you actually read the OP again before you wrote that?

    This thread started as something very simple: I was asking people who moved from smartphones to kosher phones how it affected them. You and some others seemingly got very offended by this and took this thread into an aggressive, confrontational direction. I’m sure I could have a lot of fun theorizing what motives compelled you to do so, but I prefer at this point to be non-confrontational.

    So lets keep this thread for people who want to share what it was like for them to move from a smartphone to a kosher phone, shall we…?

    Shraga18
    Participant

    GAW,

    I mentioned moving to E”Y as part of my story, that’s all.

    “So you dropped it because…etc etc”

    Which part of “I’m trying to stay away from topics that may cause too much friction and argument” did you not understand? It looks like you’re trying very hard to turn this thread into a platform for chareidi/Gedolim bashing. Sorry, I’m not biting. Start your own thread if you’re in the mood for that.

    Shraga18
    Participant

    gavra_at_work,

    I really have no interest in this becoming a thread about Gedolim/chareidim/E”Y vs U.S./Halacha vs Hashkafa etc etc etc. I’m trying to stay away from topics that may cause too much friction and argument.

    The bottom line is that when I lived in the U.S., no one was telling me it’s forbidden, and both being in high-tech and loving gadgets I didn’t put too much thought into it.

    When I lived in E”Y, and became aware that practically every Chareidi Gadol said it’s forbidden, I moved to a kosher phone, although in the beginning it was quite difficult. Some may call doing what the Gedolim say close-minded. I call it smart.

    Shraga18
    Participant

    jbakly22,

    “so basically you are judging everyone else from your high horse …. maybe this type of judgmentalness is brought on by the increased usage of kosher phones?”

    Huh??? I think you totally misunderstood me. I specifically agreed that not everyone with a smartphone is addicted to it. All I said is that people who do have one should try and be honest with themselves as the WHETHER it is a problem for them or not. No judging, no high horse. Please reread my post.

    Shraga18
    Participant

    GAW,

    1. It’s absolutely possible that they hold it’s assur, but “k’sheim shmitzvah lomar davar hanishma…etc”. I don’t think I ever saw a psak saying it’s “muttar”.

    2 But I don’t actually think that’s the case. I think that Halachically all the Gedolim agree that having unfiltered internet is absolutely assur, whether it’s on a smartphone or a PC. Gedolim in E”Y, however, realizing that the vast majority of those with smartphones don’t actually get a filter for it, decided that the issue was important enough to go and make a geder. The Gedolim in the US, however, realize the American tzibur wouldn’t adhere to a geder like that.

    Shraga18
    Participant

    just my hapence,

    It’s really hardly relevant whether the effect of smarthphones on the brain is chemically similar to alcohol or drugs. I assure you the wife and kids who are trying to have a meaningful conversation with their husband and father who keeps on glancing at his smartphone are not comforted by the difference.

    “so why assume that everyone who prefers a smartphone to a kosherphone is addicted to the internet”

    I don’t. But I do think that everyone who prefers a smartphone to a kosherphone should at the very least know the rampant problems being caused by it, and that they should try very hard to be honest with themselves about whether their family relationships and/or shmiras enayim is being affected.

    The problem is that the cognitive dissonance in situations like this is very powerful.

    Shraga18
    Participant

    gavra_at_work,

    First of all, Rabbonim have the right to disagree. If you live in a place where your Rov paskens a certain way, you’ll listen to his psak. If you then move to a different place and have a different Rov, you’ll listen to him. I don’t know why that’s so hard to understand.

    Second of all, the Gedolim on the two sides of the ocean always recognized that what works for E”Y doesn’t always work for the U.S. and vice versa. Therefore many of their psakim tend to only be mean for local consumption. I think that’s pretty easy to understand as well.

    Having said all that, chances are the Gedolim in the U.S. would pasken the same way as the ones in E”Y if they thought the tzibur would listen to them.

    in reply to: Name That Tune! #1194059
    Shraga18
    Participant

    DaasYochid,

    I received the file from Feif. Thank you so much! It must be around twenty years since I heard that song last, and it really brought tears to my eyes. So very, very relevant in our days…

    Feif Un, thanks for being an intermediary here!

    For anyone interested, here are the lyrics for the song, as given to me by R Moshe Yess z”l.

    Jewish child…Jewish child

    you’re out there on the streets you’re running wild

    you’re carefree and you’re living on your own

    there’s no strings attached to you

    you can do whatever you want to

    Jewish child…Jewish child

    the neon disco lights are now your style

    the sunrise on the ocean has your eyes

    there’s no strings attached to you

    you can do whatever you want to

    Every day your people pray at the Western Wall

    And they don’t even know even know your name at all

    And they pray to God you’re gonna find your way back home

    to the Five Books of Moses to the Five Books of Moses

    Jewish child…Jewish child

    listen while I talk for just a while

    your people have a lot of love for you

    why go throwing that away? why go throwing that away?

    Every day your people pray at the Western Wall

    And they don’t even know even know your name at all

    And they pray to God you’re gonna find your way back home

    to the Five Books of Moses to the Five Books of Moses

    Jewish child…Jewish child….Jewish child.

    in reply to: Name That Tune! #1194054
    Shraga18
    Participant

    A few weeks before he was niftar, I emailed with R. Moshe Yess, asking him for the lyrics to “Jewish child”, a fantastic (and today very relevant) song from megama. I also asked him where I could get the tape with the song. He sent me the lyrics, but told me he had no idea where I could get the song.

    If anyone would happen to have an mp3 of that song, I would greatly appreciate it!

    Shraga18
    Participant

    “Also the APA happens to agree with my just my hapence about internet/smartphone addiction”

    Wow, way to oversimplify a complex issue being argued about on the highest levels of the psychology profession. But if you prefer to stick your head in the sand and claim there is no such thing as internet addiction, go ahead.

    Shraga18
    Participant

    gavra_at_work,

    I’m afraid you wasted your time on some misdirected analysis. I believe one should listen to the Gedolim. The Gedolim in the U.S. don’t forbid using a smartphone, so when I lived there I had one. The Gedolim in E”Y, however, do forbid it, so when I moved there I upgraded to a kosher phone. As simple as that.

    computer777,

    Thank you!

Viewing 50 posts - 1 through 50 (of 140 total)