Torah Compared To The Koran

But here is just an excerpt of the article (the rest just dosent belong)

The Hebrew Scriptures, which Jews call the Torah, are seen by traditional Jews as dictated by God to Moses. Every scroll, to be authentic, is handwritten according to complex rules by a qualified, religiously observant scribe, although Jews may read and study translations in bound books, says Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin, director of Chabad.org, an arm of the orthodox Lubavitch movement.

Though all Jewish holy books are treated with great respect, there are additional rules for the Torah. If a Torah scroll accidentally falls on the ground, for example, the congregation is obligated to fast. Pages damaged accidentally might be repaired, but if a Torah scroll were defiled, it would have to be buried in a special place in a Jewish cemetery.

Man Nearly Buried Alive In Judaica Books

A customer at a Brooklyn Judaica store was nearly buried alive yesterday when a 7-foot shelf collapsed on him – burying him in religious books.

The unidentified man had to be extricated by firefighters after the accident on the second floor of the V. Berman Books store on 17th Ave. in Borough Park.

Bookstore worker Yisroel Neusdaum said no one had any idea why the metal shelves toppled.

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Neusdaum said.

The shopper was a first-time customer at the store, which stocks hundreds of copies of Jewish religious texts stacked up toward the ceiling.

He was browsing on the second floor when one of the dozens of shelves collapsed.

Neusdaum called 911.

Firefighters responded and had to pull the customer out from under the avalanche of books. He somehow escaped with only minor injuries and refused medical treatment.

Bookstore workers said they never had had any problems with the shelves before.

“They’re always safe. It’s just like a mystery,” said another employee who did not want his name used.

Crisis on circumcision ban in New York City averted, thanks to our readers

Dear Readers,

We’re pleased to inform you that you have done it again!

Thanks to the quick action on Sunday afternoon, of hundreds of you in responding to the call against the Circumcision Ban that would have threatened New York City, the crisis has for now been averted B”H.

We will keep you updated of any further developments.

EMERGENCY! Circumcision Ban Threatened in New York City; Immediate Action Essential

(Crown Heights, May 13, 2005)–An emergency meeting was held Friday morning in the offices of the Beis Din of Crown Heights, at which leaders of the Williamsburg Jewish Community met with Crown Heights’ Vaad HaKahal and other community activists to formulate a joint strategy in response to a threat so severe as to bring together all segments of G-d fearing Jews everywhere: proposed action being considered over the next few days by the New York Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene that could eventually lead to the banning of the halachically-required component of the bris milah procedure known as metzitza ba-peh.

NEW SHLUCHIM TO CALIFORNIA

Rabbi & Mrs. Yisroel (Raleigh) Resnick of Crown Heights will IYH be moving on Shlichus to Northern California where they will establish a new Chabad House serving the needs of the Jewish residents in Pleasanton, Dublin, and Livermore also known as the Tri-Valley.

The Resnicks were appointed by Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, head Shliach of California.

HATZLOCHA RABBA!

If you have any friends or relatives in those areas and would like to put them in touch with the new Shluchim e-mail them @ rylresnick@aol.com

“Beis Shmuel” Members Enhance Connection to the Rebbe

Members of the Beis Shmuel shul in Crown Heights took upon themselves to strengthen ties with the Rebbe. Rabbi Moshe Pinson, one of the founders of the shul told COL that Rabbi Azriel Rappaport, one of the shul committee members initiated the idea of meeting twice a month on Thursday nights for watching Sichas of the Rebbe. After watching the video, participating Anash members are to discuss how to implement the Rebbe’s directives in practical terms. Last Thursday marked the first evening in this series, which turned out to be successful.

just to confirm there were no arrests made outside of 770 on thursday night
it was just an ongoing dispute between 2 people

A synopsis of yesterday in Crown Heights

B”H there isn’t much happening on the crime front in Crown Heights but when there is, it’s all out and all at once.

Yesterday at about 2:30pm a Bochur’s van was broken into in broad daylight, and the perpetrator took quarters!!! That’s all just some pocket change. Then he later proceeded roaming around our neighborhood looking into cars and even eyeing houses, but thank g-d he didn’t strike again.

Then at 9:00pm there was a shooting incident on Eastern Parkway and Tory Avenue, the police have been really quiet about the nature of the incident, all we can say is there were no Yidden involved, although this took place a mere 2 houses away from the very large Jewish building and just down the block for Chovevia Torah – Lubavitcher Yeshiva.

Then immediately after that, about 6 police cars went rushing to 770 and arrested an individual, we have no details as to the nature of the arrest.

At this time I would like to warn the people of this community, do not leave anything in your car that has any value (even an empty can of soda) in view, and if you were a victim of a brake-in please report the incident to the Police and Shomrim which can be reached at (718) 774-3333

Crown Heights to get together for “Day of Study” on the subject of Moshiach and Geulah

By Yitzchok Wagshul – Crown Heights Chronicle

A Yom Iyun, or “Day of Study,” on the subject of Moshiach and Geulah will, IY”H, be held this Sunday, May 15th from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Oholei Menachem, 667 Eastern Parkway.

The event, sponsored jointly by the Vaad HaKahal and the National Committee for the Furtherance of Jewish Education (NCFJE), is scheduled to coincide with 6 Iyar, which is the s’fira count of malchus sheh-b’tiferes – a day the Rebbe has said is especially appropriate for such study.

Renowned and fascinating speakers will be on hand throughout the day, including such luminaries as our own Rabbonim, Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba shlita and Rabbi Aharon Yaacov Schwei shlita, as well as Rabbi Isser Weisberg of Toronto, who regularly enthralls audiences with his novel insights on Moshiach and Geulah. It is costing over $650 to fly Rabbi Weisberg here and back, according to the Vaad HaKahal, but it should be well worth it.

Other prominent speakers include, in alphabetical order: Rabbi Shmuel Butman; Rabbi Avrohom Gerlitzky; Rabbi Zvi Homnick; Rabbi Shloma Majesky; and Rabbi Michoel Seligson. Others are slated to attend as well, but have not yet confirmed their availability.

Among the interesting topics to be addressed are such pressing matters as: What signs show that geulah is imminent; How can we “do everything in our power” to bring Moshiach; and How can we prepare for geulah on a personal level.

Refreshments will be served and the day promises to be both educational and inspiring, so be sure and mark your calendar and come by for part or all of the program!

NEW MASHPIA FOR YESHIVA GEDOLA IN MIAMI, FL

SNS has learned that Rabbi & Mrs. Velvel Lipsker of Crown Heights are moving to Miami, FL where Velvel will serve as Mashpia in the Yeshiva Gedola, starting in Elul 5765.

Rabbi Lipsker was appointed by Rabbi Benzion Korf, Menahel of the Yeshiva.

HATZLOCHA RABBA!

The Lipskers can be reached via e-mail @ zvlipsker@hotmail.com

Rabbi Binyomin Klein gives COL photographer a tour of the office

Rabbi Binyomin Klein gives COL.ORG.IL photographer a tour of the office on a regular weekday at 770

click extended article for more pictures

Bush Tells Chabad Chasidim: I Listen to Chassidic Music

In the recent edition of the Israeli Music magazine Shiru Lo, there is a report that the Music supplement of the N.Y. Times reviewed Moshe Gutman’s new album. Gutman, from N.Y., has close ties with the U.S. Attorney General, recently presented him with a copy of his new album and in turn presented it to President George Bush.

The story became known, writes Shiru Lo, when a Lubavitcher chasidim met with President Bush during Pesach and suddenly the President turned on his stero player and one could hear Koznitz nigunim. Bush said “I listen to this eventhough I don’t know what the words mean.”