ujm

AAQ: The standard of livelihood required is bare minimum. “Kach hi darkah shel torah – pas b’melach tochal etc.” — Bread salt and water – if you have that, you have parnasah.

akuperma: Taiwan is a part of China. Virtually every country in the world, including the United States, recognizes this fact. The United States voted to kick Taiwan out of the United Nations and replace them with China, on the basis of the fact that it is recognized that they are both the same one country; and that the United States and virtually the entire world recognizes the government in Beijing as the only legitimate national government of China. We do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan since they are part of China, and we have diplomatic relations with Beijing.

In short, China is a terrible communist country; but they do not seek to conquer any other nation. When the South tried to secede from the United States, we reclaimed our land by force.

And is the tradition in your family that the young adults tend to marry approximately when they’re 19 years old or is it closer to when they’re 29 years old?

Mentsch1: You misunderstood me. I know that outside Israel the Kallah’s family buying the Choson an apartment isn’t a thing. But outside Israel the Kallah’s family has many other expenses they’re responsible for, much more so than the Choson’s family — and it is widely accepted practice.

And that’s all part and parcel of traditional Yiddishkeit. The Kallah’s family has always, from time immemorial throughout Jewish history, provided the Choson a dowry. As is proper.

takah: If the amount isn’t raised, it is borrowed. And then paid back afterwards (probably by raising it.)

Mentsch1: In America the Kallah’s side is expected to fund the bulk of the wedding costs and the engaged couple’s startup costs for housing needs, etc. In Eretz Yisroel not; so it more or less is about the same.

Dov, why do you feel it is better that way?

Organizations promote to potential charitable donations that they’ll put the donors name on the building or wall. So, clearly, donors are happy and looking to see themselves promoted in return for their donation.

I have the same feeling everytime I see a plaque with a name of a donor on the wall. Or outside on the building.

CS, Hadorah: Had this been an old discussion regarding Rabbeinu Tam’s tefilin or a discussion on what bracho to make on various cereals or a discussion on what your favorite flavor ice cream is, the fact that the thread was from 2013 would not have merited your meltdown decrying why revive such a dated discussion. The issues are still present and applicable today as much as then. But since this involves the uncomfortable discussion of tznius, oh no, how can I tell my wife and daughters that their skirt is too short or tight!, therefore let’s bury the issue under the carpet and pretend everything is well in Holland and there’s nothing to talk about and no issue to discuss. Yet we all know there is an issue and it is the responsibility of fathers and husbands to insure that it is rectified.

takah: Why would you even think the problem is with the Rebbetzin rather than those she needs to correct?

Syag, let’s bury the hatchet. It’s been going on forever. I’ve felt at times that you’ve made unwarranted adverse assailings to me that were outside the issues under discussion. I’m sure you’ve felt similarly about myself. Nevertheless, I shouldn’t have taken this antagonism to unrelated discussions, and for that I sincerely apologize. I don’t think there’s any need for me to wait for Elul to do so. I hope you’ll be forgiving. I’ll try much harder not to make barbs in my comments even when I strongly believe you’re wrong on issues. Being human I may slip up again, but know even if I do that in my heart I never mean it personally, even if it unfortunately comes across as such. I love every Jew in the world with a full heart, even if conversations go awry or way off track into misunderstanding territory. I regret those comments rather quickly. To conclude, you have no need to ask me for any form of absolution or express any contrition; whatever imperative may have existed for that (if any), I absolutely grant in advance unconditionally. Thank you and I wish you and everyone, an early, shana tova.

What can be more entertaining than declaring she’d “consider it an insult” being identified as MO, “if it had a semblance of truth”… after having admitted she grew up MO.

And the result is the president’s party suffers political losses.

Countdown to Lizzie being put on the unemployment line… 10.. 9… 8…

This must be a terrible struggle. We hope you’ll be able to overcome it.

Avi: All Syrian rabbonim fully support it.

Which neighbourhood?