“Is it Ok to Wear Crocs on Yom Kippur?”

Over Shabbos there was lots of talk regarding the quote from Rabbi Elyashiv, in the Israeli media, regarding his recommendation of not wearing Crocs because “they are too comfortable.” Others wouldn’t wear them simply because they look silly, but CrownHeights.info spoke with Crown Heights Rabbonim to see what they think, and the majority contested.

Aseres Yemei Teshuva – “The Ten Days of Repentance”

The Rebbe says:

1. The Torah says, “Seek Hashem when He is found”. The Talmud tells us that this verse specifically refers to the first ten days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, beginning with Rosh Hashanah (the first of Tishrei), and concluding with Yom Kippur (the tenth of Tishrei). These ten days are “Days of Repentance”.

2. During these ten days of repentance our Rabbis implemented the addition of Psalm 130 into the daily morning prayers. After the “Verses of Praise” and before the blessings preceding the Shema we say:

“A song of ascents, from the depths I call out to you Hashem. My L-rd, hearken to my voice; let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas. G-d, if You were to preserve iniquities, my L-rd, who could survive? But forgiveness is with You, that You may be feared. I hope in the L-rd; my soul hopes, and I long for His word. My soul yearns for the L-rd more than night watchmen waiting for the morning, wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the L-rd, for with the L-rd there is kindness; with Him there is abounding deliverance. And He will redeem Israel from all its iniquities”.

The Fast of Gedalia

The fast end at 7:26pm (in NYC), for the Zmanim in your area visit Chabad.org

Today is a fast day mourning the assassination of the Jewish royal Gedaliah ben Achikam, governor of the Land of Israel for a short period following the destruction of the First Temple.

Gedaliah’s killing spelled the end of the small remnant of a Jewish community that remained in the Holy Land after the destruction, which fled to Egypt. (According to many opinions, the assassination of Gedaliah actually occurred on Rosh Hashanah, but the commemoration of the event is postponed to the day after the festival; when the day after Rosh Hashanah is a Shabbat the fast is postponed to Tishrei 4.)

“Are You Allowed to have an Alcoholic Drink at a Bar?”

Appearing in this months issue of the OK Kosher’s Kosher Spirit Magazine is a Halachic question “is it permissible to have an alcoholic drink from a clean glass at a bar/lounge?”

Rabbi Hanoka responds:

First, we have to look at the question from a halachic perspective. Is cold liquid in a non-kosher vessel permissible? The simple answer is that one is allowed to use a clean non-kosher vessel for cold liquids on a temporary basis, as long as one does not have the liquid sitting in the vessel for 24 hours (the time it takes for kovush – pickling). Halacha requires all non-kosher vessels to be cleaned before use. One can rely on the fact that a reputable establishment keeps all items clean to comply with health regulations.

United We Stand – Can Individuality And Unity Coexist?

One day when walking across a bridge, I encountered a man who was about to jump off. So I ran over and said “Stop! Don’t do that!”

“Why not,” he asked. “Well, there’s so much to live for.” I replied.”Like what,“ he asked.

”Well…are you Jewish,“ I asked. “I’m Jewish,” He said. “Me too, I replied.

“Are you Orthodox or Reform?” He said “Orthodox.” I said, “Me too. Are you Charedi or Modern?” He said “Charedi.” I said, “Me too!

“Are you Litfish or Chassidish? ”He said “Litfish.” I said, “Wow! Me too.”

Are you Litfish Yerushalmi or Litfish Bnei-Braker?” He said “Litfish Yerushalmi.“ I said ”Me too!

“Are you Litfish Yerushalmi Mussarnik, or are you Litfish Yerushalmi Brisker?“ He said ”Litfish Yerushalmi Mussarnik“ I said, ”Imagine that! Me too!

“Are you Litfish Yerushalmi Mussarnik Slobodker, or Litfish Yerushalmi Mussarnik Kelmer?“ He said ”Litfish Yerushalmi Mussarnik Slobodker!”Apikores (heretic) that you are!” I shouted, and proceeded to push him off the bridge.

Contentment – The Clean Little Secret

Strolling in the park one day, a woman stumbled upon a precious stone. Before she could place the gleaming object into in her bag, she was approached by a vagabond seeking alms. Nothing the woman was willing to give him seemed to satisfy the needy stranger.

The kind woman finally turned to the poor man in dismay: “What do you want?” What will make you happy? The beggar pointed to the diamond in her hand: “That’s what I want.”

With little hesitation or ado the woman placed the diamond into his hand: “Here,” she said “It’s all yours.” After a generous exchange of farewells, they were both on their way.

Sometime later, the beggar shows up at the woman’s door. “What can I do for you,” asked the woman, as she answered the door?

I have come to return the diamond said the man: “It’s not what I want.”

“What then do you want’” asked the perplexed woman.

The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Ki Savo

The Rebbe says:

1. Before the festival of Rosh Hashanah (the New Year) and the festival of Shavuos (the giving of the Torah) we read the “Tochachah” (the consequences or curses enumerated in the Torah for rejecting G-d’s word). The “Tochachah” before the festival of Shavuos is found in Parshas Bechukosai, and the “Tochachah” before the festival of Rosh Hashanah is found in Parshas Ki Savo (this week’s Torah portion).

2. The Rebbe explains the reason for reading the “Tochahah”:

Our Sages tell us that the “Tochachah” is actually not a punishment; it is a purification and cleansing process. In other words, hearing the Torah enumerating the harsh consequences for disobeying G-d’s word is a sobering experience where we shake off all our “dirt”.

The Non-Jewish Soul – Wonderful Letter of the Rebbe

CrownHeights.info the Avner Institute is pleased to present an insightful letter of the Rebbe, discussing the nature of the respective souls of Jews and non-Jews. (Special thanks to Rabbi Schapiro and The Nissan Mindel Archives for the letter.) To learn more about the Rebbe Visit: www.portraitofaleader.org

“Where Have I Gone Wrong?” – The Reverberating Effects Of Human Behavior

A man was once accused of a serious crime. The evidence was so incriminating that a guilty verdict was all but inevitable. “Your only hope,” advised his lawyer “is to enter a plea of insanity; but you must remember to act crazy in court.”

The man followed his lawyer’s counsel and put on a great act. He made the strangest sounds as he twitched his head and thrashed his hands. So well had he performed, that the case was soon dismissed.

To his utter dismay, when the lawyer came to collect his fee, the man resumed his ridiculous gig; strange motions and all. He soon realized that he had become the butt of his own ploy – his expert advice had come back to bite him.
–

After a long day of disasters and mishaps, due to inattentiveness and neglect, the exhausted victim could take it no more. “Why,” he cried in exasperation, “Do things that happen to morons keep happening to me?!”

The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Ki Seitzei

The Rebbe says:

1. At the end of this week’s Torah portion the Torah tells us of the commandment to remember what the nation of Amalek did to us. The Torah reads, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the road, on your way out of Egypt. That he met you on the way and cut off those lagging to your rear, when you were tired and exhausted; he did not fear G-d. Therefore… you must obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. Do not forget”.

When we analyze these words of the Torah we will see that there are three elements here. Firstly there is the commandment to remember what Amalek did to us. Secondly there is the commandment not to forget what Amalek did to us. And thirdly, there is the commandment to wipe out Amalek.

2. The Rebbe shows how important this is:

“Victory Entebbe” – A Unique Letter of the Rebbe

On 4 July 1976, Israel Defense Forces saved the lives of 104 Jews hostages held by terrorists at Entebbe Airport, Uganda. The Avner Institute is pleased to present a wonderful letter sent by the Rebbe to a Chabad supporter in Cleveland, Ohio, in which the Rebbe explains the lessons to be learnt from the miraculous victory of Operation Entebbe. To learn more about the Rebbe visit: portraitofaleader.org

The Pious Animal Soul – Self Deception Is Not Reserved For The Wicked

David Goldberg runs into somebody in the street who looks like his old friend Jack.

“Jack,” he says, “Is that you?! You’ve put on a bit of weight and your hair has turned gray. You seem a few inches shorter than I recall and your cheeks are puffy. Plus, you’re walking differently and even sound different. Jack, what’s happened to you?”

“I’m not Jack,” replies the gentleman, half amused half repulsed.

“Wow!” says David, “you son of a gun, you even changed your name.”

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When Kaiser Wilhelm sought to invade Belgium, he was reminded of the signed treaty agreements to which his action would be in blatant violation. Dourly brushing the matter aside the Kaiser declared: “We shall take Belgium! As for the treaties? It is for the philosophers to supply the necessary explanations.”

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Chaim Potok and the Rebbe

CrownHeights.info and the Avner Institute is pleased to present a fascinating conversation between noted writer Chaim Potok and Rabbi Dalfin, in which he discuses his first visits to the Rebbe, and why he never experienced a private audience. To learn more about the Rebbe Visit: PortraitOfALeader.org

Line in the Sand – Religion Vs Moral Relativism

When Robert A. Rockaway, a recognized authority on Jewish-American history, decided to chronicle the story of the Jewish mob, he sought out Jewish old-timers in order to gather information on this less than reputable element.

Rockaway even interviewed his own mother, a native of Detroit, Michigan, who personally knew some friends and family members of the nefarious subjects of his research.

The Weekly Sicha of the Rebbe – Parshas Re’eh

The Rebbe says:

1. The first verses of this week’s Torah portion simply reads, “See! I am giving to you today a blessing and a curse… The blessing is being given on the basis that you will listen to the commandments of G-d, your G-d…And the curse will come if you do not listen to the commandments of G-d, your G-d…”.

The Targum Onkelos translates the Hebrew word “Kllalah” in these first few verses and in the future verses as “curse”. The Targum Yonasan however translates the Hebrew word “Kllalah” in these first few verse as “its substitute”, so that the verse reads, “See! I am giving to you today a blessing and its substitute”; whereas in the future verses in this Torah portion the Targum Yonasan changes his interpretation and interprets the Hebrew word “Kllalah” as “curse” just like the Targum Onkelos always does.

2. The Rebbe asks three questions on this:

How Deep is a Jewish Melody?

How deep is a Jewish melody? And what is the power of Chassidic song? The Avner Institute is proud to present a lovely letter of the Rebbe, written in Kislev 1969, in which he describes the fundamental role and “highly evocative” impact music has played in Chassidic life. To learn more about the Rebbe Visit: www.portraitofaleader.org