Juggling Bowling Balls in Modiin - don't try this at home

[WARNING: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME or anywhere else for that matter]
This is Scott Juggling 3 heavy bowling balls...for real!

Where do we have a reference to Juggling from the Torah? Amazingly enough there seems to be reference to juggling in a number of early Jewish sources. These sources include the Mishna, the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah" - The Mishna was written about 2000 years ago (which even dates back to biblical times in it's oral form.)

The reference in the Mishna reads as follows (Tractate Succah, Chapter 5, Mishna 4) "Pious and prominent men used to dance with burning torches in their hands before the thousands of celebrants; they sang before them songs and praises to G-d. The Levites played on harps and lyres, and with cymbals, trumpets, and numerous musical instruments, upon the fifteen steps leading down to the courtyard." 

The Mishna is describing the celebrations at the Temple in Jerusalem during the Festival of Succoth.  The commentary of Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki of Troyes, France, 1040-1105 CE) explains the words: "with burning torches"as follows:  "They would throw them up and catch them again, and there were experts who would have 4 or 8, throwing this one and catching this one, throwing this one and catching this one." (This Rashi can also be found in Talmud Bavli, Tractate Succah, first Rashi at the top of 51:b)
The Famous Commentary on the Mishna, Rav Ovadia M'Bartenura explains it similar.

Having said that... There is a great & special mitzva in the Torah to be happy. As the song goes: "Mitzva Gedola Lehiyot B'Simcha" - so I can imagine all the more so, what a great Mitzva it is to make other people happy. I think Scott the Juggler does this one really well. Watch the 6 second video clip above of co-worker and friend, Scott  as he juggles 3 heavy bowling balls at the Yeshpro Bowling Alley in Modiin, Israel. If this doesn't put a smile on your face ...... then watch it again.
Sources: Information about Juggling in Biblical Times was adapted from an article which originally appeared in Your Jerusalem, July, 1997 by Raphael Harris, and recently discovered on Scott The Jugglers Website.

South Korea comes to Yeshiva in Israel to learn some Gemara

9 11 - September 11 2001 - Divine Intervention Miracle Story - Video Clip

Song based on a True Story
How a person was saved from the Sbarro pizza bombing in Israel and then saved again from the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Amazing Story of Divine Intervention.
Produced By Yossi Gross. http://yossigross.com

Israel: Defying all odds

First seen on Aish.com

Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue

מָוֶת וְחַיִּים בְּיַד לָשׁוֹן lit trans: "Life and Death are in the Hands of the Tongue"- Mishlei.

Speech has both the power to bring about death and/or bring about life. Notice how this pasuk uses the term "in the HANDS" It is amazing how relevant this term is for our days - Today Lashon Hara (bad mouthing, slander, gossip, etc) can be done easily using our Hands. (i.e., via chat, status updates, tweets, blogs, etc) Suggestion: Always think twice before clicking send.

Why does the Passover Seder take sooooooo long....

Rashi knew the Earth was round way before Columbus...

What is the strongest thing in the world...

Lady from Dakota gets a sign from G-d

Nice Emunah story told over by Rabbi Lazer Brody Shlita

lazerbrody.typepad.com

Lightning over Efrat...wow at around 1:30 min

Awesome works of HaKadosh Baruch Hu captured on video by SassVideo.

There are special blessings that we recite when we hear thunder and/or see lightning.
When hearing thunder we say: Boruch attah ado-nai elo-heinu melech haolam, shekocho u’gevurato malei olam.
[Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Whose strength and might fills the world].
Upon seeing lightning: Boruch attah ado-nai elo-heinu melech haolam oseh maaseh bereishit.
[Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who makes the Work of Creation].
These two blessings are recited only if you first see the lightning and then hear the thunder, or vice versa. If, however, you simultaneously see lightning and hear thunder, you just say one of the blessings, which ever one you wish, and that covers both.
One blessing suffices for all the thunder heard and/or lightning seen as long as the clouds have not cleared. If the skies clear and a new storm approaches, you have to recite the blessings anew.
These laws regarding these blessings were found here at AskMoses

The Sefardi custom according to the siddur of HaRav Mordechai Eliyahu Shlita "Kol Eliyahu" is that these blessings are said without the mention of the Ineffable Name (Hashems Name), so one would say: "Baruch oseh maaseh bereishit" for the lightning, and "Baruch shekocho u’gevurato malei olam" when one hears thunder.

Enjoy...

David's Shield

By: Chaya Golda Ovadia

[excerpt from the original article] ...Regardless of one’s religious or political affiliations, there is one sign which is universally accepted as a Jewish symbol ~ the Magen David, Star (or Shield) of David. Jews the world over, wear this emblem on a chain close to their hearts. As well, many Jewish items proudly display this logo of old. On the surface, this symbol is simply a representation of the shield that King David used in battle. But when one delves deeper into its significance, the results are very profound...
Read Full Article

Parshat Miketz 5770 2009 - Loving Your Fellow jew

Parshat Miketz tells of the sons of Yaakov traveling to Egypt to buy food and bring it back to their father. Yosef tries to foil their plans by accusing his brothers of being spies because their father wouldn't have to send all 10 sons to get food, and the brothers respond that "we are all sons of one man" (42:11). How does that explain why they were all sent? The suspicion Yosef raises still exists!?

In Majesty of Man, Rabbi Leibowitz explains that when Hillel and Rabbi Akiva emphasized loving our fellow man as ourselves, they were describing fundamental principles of the Torah. As the Ramban explains, although the trip to Egypt was long and dangerous, Yaakov felt that developing the brothers' feeling of unity and brotherhood was worth the risk. This Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) is so critically important that Hillel and Rabbi Akiva stressed it, and Yaakov risked his own sons' safety for it. If we neglect each other's needs in the outside world, in the workplace and at home, we're placing ourselves in danger of losing the comm"unity" we strive to be a part of.

Dvar Torah Provided by: Jeff Siedel | WorldWideJewish Network on FB

Chanukah - Foundations

Charlie shows us the beauty behind the message of Chanukah, and the way to achieve Greatness in our lives.

THE ULTIMATE BATTLE - LIGHT AGAINST DARKNESS!

Insight on the festival of Lights, please read
(inspired by a lesson by R.Akiva Tatz)

The Greeks wanted the Jews to live by Greek culture. When the Jews refused to change their ways, Antiochus, the Greek-Syrian Leader embarked on a campaign to eradicate the spirit of the Jews, outlawing circumcision, Shabbat, and Torah study. It was then that the Maccabees rose up in protest.
The Jews won this battle through picking up arms and fighting. The Battle was a totally spiritual battle, it was a fight to destroy the Jewish spirit. The Greek-Syrians did not want to kill the Jews at all. They wanted the Jews to adapt to the idolatrous practices. (which would lead to a spiritual death, not a physical one)

So why did we pick up arms? Shouldn't it be enough to fight back spiritually? The answer is NO. That is not enough. We are taught that, everything is from Heaven except for the fear of Heaven. When it comes to serving G-d, this is up to us,meaning it's up to us to actually take physical action to get closer to G-d. Sometimes it means fighting a physical war, which doesn't always mean with guns and bombs...

a) standing up on the bus so an older man/woman can sit instead of you.
b) Stopping what you are doing, putting your hand in your pocket and take out some change to give money to someone in need.
c) walking to shul to pray, etc etc...

These are all physical battles which spread light in the world and destroy the darkness...and get us closer to G-d.

This is the war that we are still fighting today...

Help spread the light of Torah in the world, by Donating to Yeshivat Ohr Avaraham.

I continue to benefit greatly from this Yeshiva, and I am happy to be participating in this worthy fundraising cause, and I hope that it will be successful. The success of my personal portion of this campaign depends mainly on my physical efforts, and on those of all my friends and family. (-:
THANKS A MILLION EVERYONE!

3 Angels for 4 Tasks - Dvar Torah Parshat Vayera 5770 2009

QUESTION: 3 angels came down to the world: Raphael Michael, and Gavriel. But there were 4 missions to accomplish.

1.To Heal Avaraham

2.To Save Lot

3.Tell Sarah the news about her having a son

4.To Destroy Sdom.
Why didn't Hashem send 4 angels to do this?

ANSWER: I have to begin with a fascinating story told of Rav Shlomo Kluger - There was once a family who wanted to postpone the circumcision of their son in order to name the child after a relative who was deathly ill, and who was about to pass away at any given moment. Rav Kluger told the family to go ahead with the Bris, and not to wait any longer. The family followed the Rav's advice and they went ahead with the Bris. The deathly ill relative ended up not dieing. He actually went on to continue living a happy and healthy life.
The Rav explained how he learned this from Parshat Vayera and the Angel of Avraham and Lot.

Which will also answer our question:
Lot did not have enough merits (zechuyot) to bring an Angel down to this world to save him. But since Hashem was already sending down an Angel to heal Avraham after the Bris Mila, Lot was able to be saved once that Angel was already here.

It is known from our tradition that Eliyahu Hanavi comes down and attends the Bris of every Jewish boy. The deathly ill relative did not have enough merits to bring down an Angel to heal him. Although as soon as the family made a Bris Mila for their son - since Eliyahu Hanavi was already down in this world, the deathly ill relative was able to be healed by him.

Shabbat Shalom..

Lech Lecha 5770 / 2009 - Becoming an Abraham

In Parshat Lech Lecha, among the blessings that Avraham was to receive for leaving all that he had was the blessing that he himself should be a blessing (12:2). How does one become a blessing? Furthermore, Rashi comments that G-d promised Avraham that although he would be identified with Yitzchak and Yakov, any such blessings would end with Avraham's name at its conclusion. If the sages are correct that Yitzchak and Yakov reached higher levels than Avraham, what made him so special that any blessing would end with him?

Rav Moshe Feinstein explains that Avraham merited greater distinction because he was the first to establish faith in Hashem (G-d). Although those after him reached greater heights, Avraham's accomplishments were more worthy. Maybe this can explain how Avraham himself became the blessing: Taking initiative and starting something you believe is important for society is a blessing on its own, because it lays the framework for others to build on it! G-d promised Avraham, and in turn promised us, that, if we become leaders and initiators, our initial efforts will never be forgotten and we will always be remembered as a blessing!

This Dvar Torah was provided by:

The Jewish Worldwide Network

Jeff Sidel

A world moving towards Truth

A few months ago I came across this video , (TO WATCH IT - scroll to bottom of the post) which brings to light a list of new words that are no longer politically correct and therefore can not be used in kids textbooks in the USA. Among those words are Deaf, Poor, Americans...(YEAH AMERICANS?) and many others. It seems a little strange at first, like what is going on here? I think the main point to notice here is that these words are offensive to some people and therefore people should avoid them. Looking at this specific point, I think it is definitely a GREAT thing and a step in the right direction.

On the other hand, do these words that they are choosing have any intrinsic bad in them? As some of those words could also be used for a good purpose and not necessarily in an offensive manner. Also whatever word they are planning to take out of textbooks will be replaced with a word that has the exact same meaning and therefore may become offensive once again. Will the new words be removed in another 5 years? What is really offensive: the word or what they portray? Something to think about.

Anyways, thanks to Hashem, proper speech was taught to the Jewish People apprx 3000 years ago when we received the Torah. The Great Kabbalist, The Ramchal z"l (i.e.,HaRav Moshe Chaim Luzzato from around 250 yrs ago, explicitly teaches us a lesson for life about proper speech in his book of Messilat Yesharim (Path of the Just)

Here is my English translation of what he says:

A general rule: One's evil inclination has many ways [to make a person stumble, but know this:] anything a person says that can possibly cause harm or disgrace to his friend, whether in his presence or behind his back, this falls under the transgression of "Lashon Harah". It is hated and vile before G-d. (שנאוי ומתועב לפני המקום).

As it is written:

Erchin page 16b: "Anyone who speaks loshon hara is like one who has denied everything (i.e., all of Torah)"

and

Tehillim 101: "He who slanders his neighbor in secret, Him I will cut down."

Back to american text books: As weird as it seems, If we focus on the good point that "Offensive words should be avoided" , we can see how the world is slowly coming to the realization of what our Holy Torah taught us many many years ago...

So, I think we are a seeing yet another sign that the world is moving towards, and laying out the groundwork for the final redemption in which The Truth will be revealed to the whole world.

Other interesting signs...
• Product reviews / user comments all over the internet leave businesses no choice but to be honest about the products that they try to sell. (truth)

• Abundance of knowledge available to everyone via internet. (knowledge)

• Via Internet - Everyone in the world can receive the same information simultaneously (oneness)

• Creation of the Euro, talks of the Amero, (currencies, countries coming together) conspiracies of a One World government. (oneness)
• ANY MORE? probably many...leave comments, let us know!

Results that we don't see...

I recently heard an amazing and inspiring lecture from Reb Tzvi Meir Zilberberg.
What an experience! You had to be there.

So here is something I picked up from the shmooze - maybe it will inspire you too.

Hashem told Noach to build an ark since a flood is coming.

Hashem didnt Say when.

Noach kept on building.

He kept building... for 120 years no flood came....

He kept on building even without seeing any results.

He served Hashem with "Temimut" (Simpleness?)

Hashem told him to get the people to do Teshuva.

....Noach tried.

Noach was unsuccesful in geting anyone to do Teshuva....

But he kept on trying and trying.

In the end, Noach bacame a zookeeper...looking after animals.
Not exactly what he had in mind...yet

He kept on serving Hashem.

Noach is the only one in the TORAH 5 books who is termed a "TZADIK".

anyways, our Sagesl teach us that The Big Teshuva Movement that will sprout up in the End of Days before Moshiach arrives..will be b'zechut these efforts of Noach (in other words in his merit)

Similar to Rabbi Akiva who saw the water dripping on a rock and noticed how that constant dripping over time had created a hole in the rock.

Could one drop of water create a hole in a rock?

Not each one individually ... but...one drop... one drop... one drop...and another drop...etc etc

All together they are creating the hole.

We dont see the results of our actions, we do one good action here and another...we may see NO RESULTS.... but they are impacting the whole world more then we can imagine...and the results will be seen, B"H sooner than later!

Have a good Shabbos

Aaron

Yaakov Shwekey Live in Raanana - Sukkot 5770 - Couple Video clips

The Sukkot Holidays went well B"H. I was able to go with the family to a Shwekey Concert in Raanana. Thanks to Hashem (and the in-laws of course)

In my opinion, Yaakov Shwekey would be categorized in the "Chassidic /Jewish Music" genre . His recent tour would be promoting his new album named "Ad Bli Dai" " יעקב שוואקי - עד בלי די"

I would definitely recommend checking it out, even if you are not into, or have never listened to this style of music. I took some video clips "Live at the concert" and uploaded them to youtube. Check them out below:

This one is an older song "Kol Sasson v'kol Simcha" the crowd gets a little of the spotlight in this one. Nice moment.

And this clip is a song from his album "Lehsem Shamayim"
A quicker song - this was his grand finale to finish off the concert.

Drop your baggage and get on the train! Yom Kippur Inspiring Video

Join Charlie once again, as he takes us on a majestical journey through Yom Kippur, and explains to us the beauty of the Kol Nidrei service. You dont want to miss this one!