Im not on The Apprentice - Mondays at 9pm

This man is not me:
He is Dan Brody and is a Jewish contestant on the new season of The Apprentice starting tonight.

In his interview he is asked:
Everyone's definition of success is different. What's yours?

His answer:
"He that is happy with his lot." – The Bible. This does not mean we should not aspire, strive, or reach for greater success, but rather if you never enjoy your small successes – if you are never happy with what you do have – you can never truly be happy or successful.

Im Happywithhislot but not Dan Brody musmach of YU.
Just in case you were wondering.

Sireness, Mermaids, and Minotaurs?

Over at FKM I'm having a "raging" debate about the possibility of mermaids ever existing.
FKM believes they may have existed (and I think its based on Rashi belief in a sireness).

Im not sure if FKM would believe in the minotaur or any other of the seven voyages of sinbad roy harryhausen charachters.

Lets examine the mermaid for a few moments.
Was it the Little Mermaid?

Splash aka Darryl Hannah Mermaid?
M. Night Shyamalan upcoming Mermaid movie "Lady in the Water"?
Did it have fins and scales? Could you eat it if it did? How did you kill it?
Was it a tzniusdika fish?

Now FKM would say Im being silly.....
Exactly.

FKM, one other suggestion. Please change your website. Choose another template, because the one you got is mind bogglingly slow to load and causes my IE to hang.

Notice how my template is nice and simple, and loads FAST?

2001 - Is the Torah our Monolith?

After writing the last post and being reminded that FKM and gedolim actually argued that, I felt I had to dig a little deeper.


2001 A Space Odyssey presented the idea of the Black Monolith that sparked the dawn of time.



As mankind progressed, the monolith presented deeper and more complex messages.

Isnt that a Moshol for our Torah?

In the beginning the yidden had just been slaves and werent ready for a sophisticated message. So the Torah message was meant for that time. Divrei Torah Klshon Adam.

And so in every millinium the Torah adjusts to meet the needs of the people. The Torah speaks to us.

Our hashkafa evolves with the new messages we infer.

In our Dor with science beginning to understand the smalles aspects of our universe and contemplating the largest, our generation is witnessing an evolution of hashkafa.

As RYGB said in his tape, what the Netziv wrote for his time was enough for the science of his time, but we need new more sophisticated answers. Of course he didnt intend to be interpeted as I have done.

However, the Monolith on the moon has been discovered and Jupiter awaits.

Farenfering a Shverrer Gedolim (Age of Universe)

From a tape by RYGB: (the age of the universe and the problems - note that on the second tape, he talks about some controversy that people were thinking he himself was spouting kefirah)

He quotes Midrashim that Rav Menachem Kasher zt"l had compiled in his Torah Shleimah on Bereshis.

The Medrash talks about many previous worlds. The medrash reasons that since the Torah says Hashem saw it was good, you could deduce, what came before may not have been so.

Could these medrash be interpeted as epochs? The Torah uses the phrase that the world was destroyed in the Mabul, but that obviously means civilization, not the planet or universe.

The Discovery channel supports this because it said that different homonids lasted different amount of millions of years ("when cavemen walked the earth") and there were different epochs of dinosaurs ("before there were dinosaurs.")

RYGB then talks about Rav Kook and tekufos. Something I think GH has written about.

These are midrashim. So on what basis did the Gedolim say that its kefirah to believe world is older than 6000 years?

I think i have a teretz.

Maybe the Gedolim meant by world, this civilization. So this world is 6000 years old. It shtims with Rav Kook and the Medrash. Moiradik!

Well its a good try, and isnt that how we farenfer shverrer rambams?

GH Chassidim (OCCidim)

---- Updates in purple -----

Thought it might be interesting (i have no idea why - (update)) - to compile a list of Godol Hador Shtichya's chassidim (or rather his OCCidim)

I consider someone a chassid (or OCCid) if that individual comments enough for me to have noticed them.

Here Goes (in no order of significance):

shtender
B. Spinoza
Lakewood guy
lakewood yid
dna
grey area
BTA
orthoprax
mis-nagid
S.
lamed zayin
steve brizel
david g
&
ezzie
Responding to Jewish Blogs (rtjb)
anonymous (tafkaa)
mary hogan
chardal
steg is nisht the steg
jewish athiest
R' Gil
R' Micha Berger (well im sure he doesnt look at himself as a OCCid)
Krum as a Bagel
Harry Maryles
Ger Tzeddek
Dov Bear (Shoteh)
Holy Hyrax
D
The Gabbai
The Back of the Hill
bishul akum
Romach
Y. Aharon
Yodeah
HAGTBG
Jewish Exile
FKM
charliehall
mar gavriel
ben avuyah
Chana
anonymousette

Except for mary, Chana, &, tafkaa, anonymousette and mis-nagid(?), not many women.
Remember, my definition of a OCCid is simply a commenter. It doesnt imply youre now part of
the Kehilla. But I think you ought to ante up when the shnorrer briefs arrive for the Kehilah campaign.

Did I miss anyone?
Ill update as I remember or come across some more.

Purim is in the Air - More Timely Discussions

Hattip [S]

The Long Con

UPDATE: Didnt mean to imply that all skeptics are conmen. Just the one noted below.

Over at Areivim there is a note about the moshav leitzim issue of blogs.

I started this blog initially in reaction to complaining frum skeptics who felt it was their mission in life to stop people from remaining frum.

I got criticized for this, and was told by skeptics that it wasnt so. That they just were trying to help guide confused people who might end up depressed or something to that effect. And the key point is that they didnt lurk at other sites looking for victims.

Well, I have seen a comment from a (now) notorious skeptic who said it is their mission to ensure that yidden recover from frumkeit.

I feel like Jack, Kate and Locke





















from Lost when
Sawyer pulled the Long Con. Your thoughts?





















UPDATE: Didnt mean to imply that all skeptics are conmen. Just the one noted above.

Super Burger no longer SUPER

I recently went on a trip to Flatbush, and had the oppurtunity to eat at Chap-a-nosh.

Their corned beef is very good, and unlike many delis, its freshly made.
None of that caregeenan add-ons.

Anyway, I also ordered a Super Burger for my daughter.

Now, dont get me wrong, Im not complaining, and it was actually quite good, but the size threw me for a loop.

yes, it only costs $4.19 But I remember when a Super Burger was SUPER in size.
This burger looked like the size of a quarter. Yes, the coin.

Anyone else notice that the burger shrunk?

I believe that Kosher Delights burgers have remained uniform in size for a good 20 years.

Pesach Vacations

This past weeks Jewish Press had 10 pages of ads on Pesach get-aways.

I ask the oilam out there:
How much should a stay at a hotel, for pesach, cost?

The cost should cover 3 children, taxes and tips. (exclude airfare).

Thanks!
The one ad that advertised prices is Pesach Time. (4900 for family of 5).
Any info on this place?

Yidden?

Rav Abadi

Rav Abadi and his children run a website (kashrut.org)

Rav Abadi was a Rosh Posek in Lakewood Yeshiva.

The site has a questions section where any question can be asked. The answers are very succinct.

Here is an example:
Q. Can you take a shower on Yom Tov?
A. Yes

Q. Can you take a Hot shower on Yom Tov?
A. Yes

Q. Can you use Shampoo on Yom Tov?
A. Yes

Q. What kind of Shampoo?
A. Any kind you want

Q. How should you dry yourself after the shower?
A. With a Towel.

Q. Can you brush your teeth on Shabbos?
A. Yes

Q. Can you use toothpaste on Shabbos?
A. Yes

Q. Where does it say in Shulchan Aruch that you can?
A. Why should it Assur?

Rav Abadi believes hashgachas are a scam. Read the ingredients. If they seem kosher, they probably are. The website feels that Jewish brands are more liable to cut corners and do shtick than major companies with the feds always looking to catch them. Plus, large companies have to deal with consumers who are vegetarians, are lactose intolerant. So they have every incentive to label correctly.

Ive said before that I love the refreshing approach of Rav Abadi and children.

What do you think?

Yeshiva World - Secret Edits

UPDATELATELY Y.W. EDITOR has seemed to stop editing content without notice.
THe recent spam im getting may be an attempt to notify me of this.

However, the bar for being called out on kefirah, according to y.w. editor, is still far lower than i would of thought.

Warning:

I want to warn folks that Yeshiva World Blogs editor, not only edits your comments, he also doesnt always point out that he did so.

He has also lowered the bar for Kefira to an unprecedented level.

Four Things - Ive Been Tagged - YAY!

Four Things :

Happywithhislot has been tagged by The Jewish Freak (a fine Jew) for this meme,
so here goes:

4 jobs I've had:
1. Arts & Crafts Counselor
2. Store Salesman
3. Programmer
4. Consultant

4 movies I could watch over and over:
1. Star Wars
2. Unfrogiven
3. The Terminator 2
4. Saving Private Ryan

4 places I've lived:
1. Five Towns
2. Boro Park
3. Flatbush
4. Israel (dormed)

4 TV shows I love to watch:
1. Deadwood
2. Curb
3. Sopranoes
4. Lost

4 places I've been on vacation:
1. Vegas
2. Orlando
3. New Hampshire
4. Paris

4 websites I visit daily:
1. Hirhurim
2. Godol Hador
3. News.com
4. AintitCool.com

4 Favorite Foods:
1. Sushi
2. Tenderloin
3. Veal with Fried Brown Rice
4. Sea Bass convection baked with olive oil, kosher salt, fresh pepper, and hot fresh paprika.

4 places I'd rather be:
1. Spending time with the wife and kids
2. Enjoying a fine resteraunt
3. At work, on a good day
4. Enjoying the chaburas i attend

4 books I could read over and over:
1. 30 Minute Meals
2. Dune
3. Kahati on Mishnayos
4. Good Night Moon (to my kids)

4 people I'm tagging: (I don't know if these people have been tagged already)
1. Krum as a Bagel
2. Off the Derech
3. On the Main Line
4. Chardal

Dont get Hacked - PSA

Public Service Announcement
Unorthodoxjew got hacked so he's moved to another site Unorthodoxjews.blogspot.com.

Apparently people who have recently changed their password may be vulnerable to a email phishing scam. Or weak passwords.

Make sure your password complies with best practices for passwords.
For example, use the first letter of the words of your favorite song combined with some number and special charachters. Use longer than 8 character passwords.

Dont expose your self to dictionary attacks.

Be safe out there.
(Hill Street Blues)

Gemera makes you smarter

Gemera actually makes you smart.

I really mean it.

It will increase the capacity of the brain to learn, analyze and make one sharp, which are life skills.

Neurologists acknowledge the power of the brain to increase capacity because of neuroplasticity.

Gemera targets specific areas of the brain that will increase someone ability to learn in other fields. Law for example. Systems Analysis. Mathematics etc.

The exercise in mastering gemera actually has benefits.

The gemera says that if you have the capacity of 1 cup of brain power, and you learn gemera, Hashem will give you more capacity.

Science has proven this to be true.(obviously its not only gemera, but any intense analytical activities done on a sustained basis for hours at a time, for years)

But the fact our curriculum emphasises gemera is a major boon for our children.

How do Gedolim Become Gedolim?

Just got off the topic of rabbis can do no wrong...

Anyone know how "the" gedolim get to become the gedolim. Is it other gedolim? Why are there no MO gedolim? They seem to be plain rabbis.

I lterally never heard of Rav Steinman (click on name for a video of gedolim dancing at daf yomi, I love the tune,


Rav Steinman is sitting with a long brown beard) until he showed up at Darchei in Far Rockaway as part of a gedolim world tour.

If i never heard of him, how did he become a godol at the age of 95? Is it because rav shach died, and he was number 2?


I do know Rav Moshe Shapiro from my yeshiva days. Everyone was oohing and awing over his shiurim. I didnt speak hebrew, so i had no clue what he said. But he looked impressive. He has that godol penetrating eyes thing going.



Are the gedolim, gedolim because they dont say too much. They are awful quiet, so maybe that makes them appear even smarter than they are.

For that matter, why are there no MO mekubalim?Is it a secret practice of sefardim gedolim?

Myth Moshol is mechazik my emunah

GH had posted about what is mechazek his emunah.

Well I have some of my own.

Jesus is mechazek our Emunah.
He believed in literal bereshis. Now as son of god he cant possibly be right, therefore he can't be son of god. Score one for yiddishkeit.

Islam is mechazek our Emunah.
They believe that Abraham is not a myth. We just got the story wrong. Since we know that the story is really a myth, score one for yiddishkeit.

I think we need to spread the word to the gedolim that myth/moshol proves yiddishkeit.

oh and by the way:
The Jewish Press is mechazek our Emunah.
This week has an ad for dinosaur exhibit. Now i can show my children that dinosaurs and torah are not in conflict.

What would you leave in?

A constant refrain of Yodeah (of GH fame) is how we need to change to meet his sensibilities, his western values, his comfort level.

Its not only change about our practices, but a kind of active disassociation from our seemingly evil past.

Yodeah feels we can trust his sensibilities to not fluctuate. And even if they do, that is part of the deal. Why do we need to be so rigid.

Yodeah feels that this new briah will be still orthodox. It will have courageous leaders who change the religion to fit our evolving society. One day, our society will say Shechita is immoral, and Yodeah will be at the forefront fighting for change. But thats a good thing, Yodeah assures us. After all, he only wants to save Orthodoxy.

So yodeah has suggested some - in the way - practices that we should abandon:
2 days Yom Tov for starters.

So I ask the skeptics or rationalist out there who want to save Orthodox Judiasm, what would you leave in our religion. And what would you take out? A bonus would be to tell us why you would keep or remove the item.

Im curious how consistent the list will be. And how the result could in any form or fashion be called Orthodox.

Skeptics,Adversity and Ruach Hakodesh

I want to preface by saying I mean no ill will to any skeptics.

This is a hypothetical thought:
Ive been thinking, is a skeptic someone who never had some adverse event happen in their life? If they did, would they say, wait, maybe I've gone down the wrong path and should return?

How strong is the conviction to be skeptic?

Maybe what I'm asking is, are the skeptics, skeptic because they have had a run of good luck?

Also do fantasticly wild stories happen to skeptics?

Since we are on the topic of wild stories, lately I've heard a few stories of recent gdolim and ruach hakodesh, told to people I know, by people they know.

I also heard stories told to me by my own friends that are fantastic.

The question is, can someone Modern and Orthodox believe in ruach hakodesh and nissim, bzman hazeh or even about gdolim of the previous generation? To someone Modern and Orthodox, should these stories be looked at skeptically, and be thought of as perfectly explainable?

Best Kosher Pizza

Raging debate over at GH on the best Kosher Pizza

Let me settle the debate.

Best Kosher Pizza when fresh out of the oven:
Amnons of Boro Park. (Note: I dont endorse the frozen pizza, my kids will not eat it)
(make sure you dont get the reheated pies from the basement when pesach is over.)

Runner Up: Pizza Nosh of Nostrand.
2nd Runner Up when its cooked thoroughly: Mendolsohns
3rd Runner Up: Circa, Downtown

Best Frozen Pizza:
Mendolsohns

Pizza that taste like school lunch pizza:
Pizza Hut in Israel

Pizza Shop with best Falafel:
Amnons - great spot to cut the busier pizza line.

Can someone please tell me which pizza shop has good pizza even if it reheated (and has been sitting all afternoon)?