Berl Yeimi

I COULDNT HELP IT - ONE MORE POST

2006-09-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog (Premeditated advice on Kenmore Square ) - Go check out this thread! (Special thanks to a friend for directing me to it).

...I finally 'get it':

The evil frum society should embrace the new BTs as one of their own and immediately force their daughters to marry the new-comers, while the BTs should be ‘living with their supportive families', attending 'the best public schools in the country' and - not to forget - 'studying on the side'!
We are also going to make sure to deride any suggestion that said BT might need to go through some process (gasp!) of immersion into the society he wants to join. And we will make sure that instead of addressing the substance of the various ‘integration/mainstreaming’ suggestions, we will nitpick on words we do not know how to use. (faruq, this was definitely ‘poetry’)

berl, crown heights 09.04.06 - 11:33 am Link: #

RAMBAM YEIMI?

2006-08-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to Hirshel Tzig for this submission:

Posted Tuesday, August 15, 2006 4:19:58 PM by Berl, at Circus Tent (The Rambam Yeimi thread)

berl, crown heights said...

What do you people know? OK, it's true that the Rambam himself says in his hakdomoh to seifer hayad that this sefer was written so that "you shall need no other seifer”. But the Rambam was a frenk, after all. Who do you thinks knows better how the Rambam should be studied - some frenk or a litvishe rosh yeshiva? As the famous joke says וואס פארשטייט א פרענק אין רמב"ם ?

PARTING WORDS

2006-07-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

Posted here yesterday (Thread: The rest is up to you):

At 4:32 PM, berl, crown heights said...
While I agree with ESOB in terms of better time usage for Mekushor, I am left wondering – who in the world thinks they actually have a stake in the publication of my comments?
Actually, I have a pretty good hunch who that might be...
So let them get this: my writings belong only to me – you (and you know who you are) have no say in this matter.

* * *
As to the future of the Berl Yeimi:

The overwhelming majority of people that I've heard from tell me that I should give this undertaking up (and use my time better). I admit that they have a point - but I say, "All work and no play make Mekoshor a dull fellow."
Nevertheless, I have decided to bring it to a close. The Berl Yeimi will live on - but you'll just have to do the work yourself.
Zol enk alle habben lange, gutte, gezunte, chassidishe yohrin.
:-)
- Mekushor

THE REST IS UP TO YOU.

2006-07-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

I was recently asked to stop publishing the Berl Yeimi. Since it all began (with a joke and a dare) I've had a good time with it (even if it takes more of my time that I had expected), so I ask the readers:

1. Keep it going? Please state your opinion & reason.

2. Shut it down? Please state your opinion and reason.

I await the readers response before I decide.

- Mekushor

THE SHLICHUS CRISIS

2006-07-07T07:20:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com (thread: Simon Jacobson as a free marketer)

...My interest in the definition of the "head shliach" institution is not academic - I know many sincere yungeleit who are unsuccessfully looking for shlichus positions for years! In this situation, yeshivas simply can't keep telling kids that shlichus is the only thing to aspire to, when in reality relatively few of them will ever be able to "go on shlichus"! Most of our kids are by design not trained to do anything else, so as a father I am, naturally, very worried. Simon's free-market thesis appeals to me, but his ideas do not seem practical under the current feudal "head shliach" set-up...

berl, crown heights 04.04.05 - 4:49 pm / Link: #

...in this we have become no better than the misnagdim - every boy there (bar the really retarded ones) thinks he is going to grow up a "rosh yeshiva", every girl - a wife of "Rabbi Akiva". But today we are now no better, just different terminology for the same ugly notion.

:-(

berl, crown heights 04.04.05 - 6:11 pm / Link: #

YIDDISH

2006-07-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com (thread: mendy-says):

Q: Berl, at what point does a usage of a Yiddish word become accepted enough to be "legalized"?
(ex.: זעהן-זען, איהם-עם etc)

A: First, I have to make it abundantly clear that I am not a grammarian of the Yiddish language and never have purported to be. That is why I am careful to phrase my musings on Yiddish usage in form of questions to the imaginary "yiddishisten".

With that disclaimer out of the way, let me say this:

1. It seems to me that the examples you site pertain more to the realm of spelling, for which, strictly speaking, there are no real (as in "old and established") rules. To the best of my limited knowledge on this subject, all Yiddish spelling rules are very recent conventions. (Earlier, on [mentalblog], we had a discussion on the old phonetic spelling of Yiddish). To me, the examples you site are merely different spellings of the same words that reflect different pronunciations of those words in different dialects. That should be always be "legal", regardless of what the spelling conventions and dictionaries say.

2. Now to the "meat" of you question. You ask: "at what point does a usage of a Yiddish word become accepted enough to be "legalized"?"
Given that Yiddish is a זשארגאן it would seem that כשמו כן הוא - it should have no "rules" at all. So if Yiddish speakers use a particular word – it should automatically be "legal". However, there is a serious wrinkle to that approach. In year 2005 we are not dealing with very many real native Yiddish speakers. Even the dwellers of "Williamsburg rat holes" - that do speak Yiddish to each other in their daily lives – speak a crude, simplified version, one that ignores gender subtleties and is void of rich old idiomatic expressions. With the young folk that speak Yiddish in CH – it is even worse. To anyone, that spent time listening to real old-world Yiddish speakers, it should be very clear that, at best, we are talking about a crude slang that is based on Yiddish. That being the case, it would seem to me that gender, case and conjugation mistakes commonly made by contemporary Yiddish speakers should not be viewed as acceptable "usage of the word".
berl, crown heights 06.21.05 - 10:29 am #

That was too long. Needs clarity. The answer depends on what the goal is.
If the goal is to be linguistically correct, then whatever the contemporary speakers do is, by definition, legitimate. If however, the goal is to preserve the language of the Jews of Eastern Europe - then it is not.
[If the goal is to be an ivri - to be "different" then the subtleties of old Yiddish should not matter. But I know for a fact that R’ Gish speaks a beautiful old Yiddish and is somewhat fanatical about it. Go figure.]
berl, crown heights 06.21.05 - 10:48 am #

And from another thread (Oy! for Reb Maishe, the Alter Rebbe’s son):

Who said Yiddish was dead?
here we have an exchange that is a fine specimen of New Yiddish - a.k.a."Yinglish". Thank G-d, lo almon Yisroel!
berl, crown heights 07.22.05 - 7:28 pm #

LUBAVITCH, IT'S THE IDEAL WE CARE SO MUCH ABOUT: A CONVERSATION (PART 2 OF 2).

2006-07-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com (Thread: Housecleaning rules ):

As to “lubavitch”, I have seen the real thing, I have seen men who were giants of spirit.
Because of that I know "it works", not because of any theory, supposition, or hope. At the end, we are not even talking about the same thing when we say “lubavitch”.
berl, crown heights 10.16.05 - 11:55 pm #

But Berl, Lubavitch is a real, talking, breathing thing. It consists of its people and its mosdos, its leaders, its culture, etc -- not some oved in the back of a beis medrash somewhere (who anyway would be considered by many to be a looser).
Boruch der ayzel 10.17.05 - 12:00 am #

to me 'lubavitch" is only a description of an ideal, nothing more. everyone else must pay cash! dos darf men oich iberkayen?
berl, crown heights 10.17.05 - 12:05 am #

B.D.A., "OVED in the back of a beis medrash somewhere (who anyway would be considered by many to be a LOOSER"), I like the pun, עובד – אובד :-)
faruq 10.17.05 - 12:05 am #

faruq, the pun may work more than you realize - check out Iben Ezra on arami oived ovi...
berl, crown heights 10.17.05 - 12:07 am #

רשב״ם works better for me...
faruq 10.17.05 - 12:09 am #

well, according to IE, the beginning of the verse speaks of the same man as the end, so I like it better. Also, IE is the one who explains the verb oived :-)
berl, crown heights 10.17.05 - 12:12 am #

though I understand your affinity to Rashbam as well, it is more familiar to call Avrohom the arami
berl, crown heights 10.17.05 - 12:15 am #

berl, true, but Avrohom the First resonates better with me :-)
faruq 10.17.05 - 12:15 am #
[And] Berl you are talking about the ideal. We are all here because we love that ideal. Others are forced, however, on a day to day basis, to contend with thereality.
Boruch der ayzel 10.17.05 - 12:12 am #
Berl is in a murky state. On hand he feels a fanatical partisanship of the movement, on the other hand he denys that any individual is bound to and by the movement or it’s institutions. This is simply crazy.
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 10.17.05 - 12:10 am #

TA, I would rewrite the sentence: “On the one hand he feels a fanatical affinity to the ideals of the movement, on the other hand he denies that any individual is bound by the movement as such or its institutions.”Would that edit job keep me out of the loony bin?
berl, crown heights 10.17.05 - 12:26 am #

[TA wrote:] "if you truly only cared for the ideals you would not get all insulted every time someone attacks the movement as such."
maybe caring for ideals only is, itself, only an ideal for me thus far...
berl, crown heights 10.17.05 - 12:46 am #

"maybe caring for ideals only is, itself, only an ideal for me thus far..."
berl, gezunte makifin debina!
faruq 10.17.05 - 12:51 am #

A dank far alle vunchen, vechein lemar
berl, crown heights 10.17.05 - 12:53 am #

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY: A CONVERSATION (PART 1 OF 2)

2006-07-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

Originally posted at mentalblog.com (thread: Housecleaning rules), regarding the issue of the tragic incident involving a Lubavitcher bochur beating the Rebbe’s elderly sister-in-law:

I vividly remember Rashag standing on the bima in 770 on the Monday after the beating calling her name out for a mishebeirach. I was horrified and disgusted by that beating and never-ever encountered anyone here who felt differently. I therefore took great offence at Schneur's audacious call to the general Lubavitch population for a 'cheshbon nefesh' for that event.
Now, if you or Schneur know something about specific people being somehow responsible, then address those specific people by their names. Or are we now officially in age of ‘collective responsibility’?
berl, crown heights 10.16.05 - 2:51 pm #

People often call a group to an account even though individual members of the group always have their own unique opinions. The fact is that Lubavitch never done the followings:
1. Publicized and internalized the full horror of what happened.
2. Did chebon nefesh about the atmosphere of hysteria that lead to the event. Let’s not open the case of the two officers of the Rebbe who are widely perceived to have contributed to the hysteria, some say even mislead the Rebbe in this regard.
3. Did some seder of atonement as a group for the crime that was committed against the Rayatz’s daughter.
4. Held the perpetrator accountable instead of arranging his quick escape by the officer of the organization.
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 10.16.05 - 3:42 pm #

“People often” do wrong things, that is not a good enough reason [for you] to do something, is it? You can only “call to account” those that did something wrong and no one else. Period.
berl, crown heights 10.16.05 - 7:42 pm #

What do [you] feel I have to 'atone' for in this regard?
It is easy to call on faceless 'group' to do something. It’s a whole other story when you are forced to realize that you are talking about many 'berls' who did nothing wrong in this case in machshovoh, dibbur umaaseh.
berl, crown heights 10.16.05 - 8:24 pm #

You certainly accept the fact the movement does have a face when you speak about
the good of Lubavitch.
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 10.16.05 - 9:08 pm #

I strenuously object to your impression that I feel entitled to “take credit for the good of my group even though I personally had nothing to do with it”. I might be happy and proud for things Lubavitch has done, but I absolutely feel that 100% of the credit goes to the doers and no one else. I am conversely not at all prepared to take any blame for someone else’s wrongdoings. This is the key pointing this particular argument. This is not an attempt to defend anyone who is guilty, but a demand that an accusing finger be pointed strictly at those individuals.
berl, crown heights 10.16.05 - 9:15 pm #

Inside my head I really do not think of a movement with “a face.”
I think of “Lubavitch” as derech hoaveidoh or the Rebbeim and teiras hachassidus. And then there are individual Chassidim, the people.
berl, crown heights 10.16.05 - 9:20 pm #

Berl, when Ron[ald] Reagan said that Russia was an "evil empire", he certainly did not refer to many of the good people in Russia. But the statement was perfectly true. When Schneur or I said that it was an evil moment for Lubavitch why do YOU get insulted? Can you accept the fact the movement has a face that is not your own?
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 10.16.05 - 8:45 pm #

"People are part of Lubavitch of their own free volition." This is a naive approach to the realities and dynamics of any large movement.
You remind me of the types I encountered in Russia many times, the ideologues of communism who believed that Lenin was well intentioned, theory of communism perfect if only allowed to be executed as it was intended. They ideas of communism were true if not for the “individuals” who messed it up.
So you know when a President wins with 51% of the vote they call it a landslide. You can gage this (beating) issue by polling the average Lubavitchers about what do they know and what do they think. The result is not in doubt; hence the accusatory finger at the movement is not misplaced, because this result is indicative of the lack of cheshbon nephesh on the part of the movement that trickled down to the majority of it’s members. As they are manipulated within the totalitarian group without basic glasnost. In the end it is all about glasnost.
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 10.16.05 - 9:35 pm #

The ideologues of communism who believed that Lenin was well intentioned, theory of communism perfect if only allowed to be executed as it was intended.

Mimmoh nafshoch:

1. if it is the belief in anything being "perfect" that is always problematic, then you can't accept such an attitude toward anything at all, including the ten commandments, Moses, and G-d Himself.
2. if, however, you can accept such an attitude as sometimes legitimate, then comparing every such case with die-hard communists because of this similarity simply does not wash.

As to “lubavitch”, I have seen the real thing, I have seen men who were giants of spirit. Because of that I know "it works", not because of any theory, supposition, or hope. At the end, we are not even talking about the same thing when we say “lubavitch”.
berl, crown heights 10.16.05 - 11:55 pm #

IN DEFENSE OF THE "FFB" (SHIDDUCHIM FOR MIKUROVIM - PART 3 OF 3)

2006-07-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com (Thread: Baaley Tshuva - worse than sephardim)

P A R T - T H R E E:

1. BTs are discriminated not in any institutional way, but as a natural human response to "immigrants". The level of this discrimination is, therefore, directly proportional to the level of BTs cultural integration: A man who will gladly have his daughter marry a BT lamdan that is also fluent in Yiddish, will not even consider a BT that breaks his teeth over kiddush.

2. BTs attitude to frum natives lacks humanity. That is a first step toward integration and mutual acceptance.

3. BTs, like most humans, make all the "sacrifices" to better their own lives. No amount of whining will change that.
berl, crown heights 10.07.05 - 8:39 am #

[A commenter wrote]: "My theory is that FFB's and BT"s come from opposite places: While growing up as a FFB means maintaining the status quo, becoming a BT means rebellion against the status quo...” …bla, bla, bla... FFB's have the Torah knowledge and can talk the talk but, can they walk the walk?

I also made it quite clear that in my view your "attempt to analyze the sociological differences between FFB's and BT's" is a bunch of hateful drivel.
berl, crown heights 10.08.05 - 9:34 pm #

[And] this is [exactly] the kind of drivel I was referring to here in my point #2 here:
“BTs attitude to frum natives lacks humanity. That is a first step toward integration and mutual acceptance.”
berl, crown heights 10.08.05 - 8:50 pm #

... and while we are at it, let's also solve the following problems (listed in no particular order of importance):
1. Peace on Earth
2. The energy crisis
3. Migration of Mexican workers
4. Geriatric care crisis
berl, crown heights 10.08.05 - 9:17 pm #

And now for some final words of clarification:

[Berl was asked to] "please back up your assertion that my analysis is 'a bunch of hateful drivel' with some reasoning."

OK:

hateful – because reducing frum Jews to faceless creatures who merely “imitate their parents” and, by virtue of their birth, probably can’t “walk the walk” is dehumanizing and, therefore, hateful.

(as an aside, if your ancestors had opted to “imitate their parents”, and instead of “rebelling” had stuck to the derech Yisroel sovo, you too would be spared the pain of the BT experience. More importantly, we would all be spared the endless “... monologues” and “the BT dialogues”)

drivel – because your thesis leads to the inevitable conclusion that following in parents’ footsteps has an adverse “sociological” effect of turning a person into a lifeless zombie that is all “about static sameness and doing things out of habit and routine.”
(I leave the word bunch without explanation)

berl, crown heights 10.09.05 - 12:53 pm #

SHIDDUCHIM FOR MIKUROVIM (PART 2 OF 3)

2006-06-29T06:26:00.000-07:00

Originally Posted at mentalblog.com (Thread: Baaley Tshuva - worse than sephardim)

P A R T TWO (Continued from Wednesday):

Parents have the right and indeed and obligation to steer their children toward the kind of shidduch they feel will make their child happiest. Considerations of cultural compatibility are legitimate in this arena. Considerations of national / religious duty (as in "we must make the BT's feel welcomed, so let's introduce our Rochele to this nice BT guy") must not enter this picture.

None of this is in any way a contradiction to the precept of ahavas Yisroel, nor to the Chabad recruitment efforts.

Furthermore, drop the "false advertisement" idea. The new Chabad BTs have always been well aware that their chances of marrying born-and-bred Lubavitcher girls were slim to none. It was always one of the first questions raised by the interested college students at the pegishas in Crown Heights.

berl, crown heights 10.06.05 - 11:34 pm #

Which was questioned by Reb Tzemach Atlas:

I challenge you to find a mythological or historic precedent when a tribe invites new members to join and then forbids them to marry within the tribe. Find me an example.
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 10.06.05 - 11:42 pm #

Berl Responded:

I disagree with the notion of "forbids". That is not what I see around me. I maintain that the discrimination is real, but is 95% cultural, as is the case in every society with immigrants. It is tough to be a newcomer. Not for naught are we told that golus mechaperes.

berl, crown heights 10.06.05 - 11:51 pm #

---

TA, I live "here". This is what I see - a BT community that functions in ways very reminiscent of ethnic immigrant communities. BTs socialize and marry mostly within the confines of their community. With some exceptions.

berl, crown heights 10.07.05 - 12:08 am #

3 TAMMUZ - CAN THERE BE ANOTHER LUBAVITCHER REBBE?

2006-06-29T06:21:00.000-07:00

Originally posted at mentalblog.com (Thread: Living charismatic leader):

1…The Rebbe gave instructions that "after 120" people should turn to for guidance to "3 chassidishe rabbonim.” These instructions would not be necessary for chassidim who are supposed to choose a new Rebbe.

2. From "day one", the Rebbe said (I know [some] would like to say beoifen shel tefillo - but it is simply not the case) that this was the last generation (and by calling it shevii, he made it clear that the term generation was a reference to the nessiim) of golus...
The Rebbe thereby precluded the possibility of deir HaShmini coming onto the scene.

3. From "day one" the Rebbe referred to the Previous Rebbe as nasi doireinu - setting up a very clear & obvious example to follow post 3 Tammuz.
But I will agree [that] the Rebbe never said peh molei: “There shall be no other Rebbes onto you!”. However, the above mentioned are the most reasonable and obvious interpretations of his various hanhogois & statements. These interpretations are supported by the facts on the ground – the obvious absence of even remotely suitable “candidate”.

berl, crown heights 07.18.05 - 9:10 pm #

---
…Look up the sicha containing instructions for "after 120..." (said during the shiva for the Rebbetzin). But perhaps more significantly, the way the Rebbe described his nessius from "day one" made it clear "this was it".

berl, crown heights 07.18.05 - 8:02 pm #
---
The question is not whether a new Rebbe possible. The question is much deeper, it is really all about the core motivation. To borrow from the great Rogatchover: "did you come to the Rebbe to Leningrad or to Leningrad to the Rebbe? There are 16 nafka minos lehalocho between the two..."

Does a chossid need a Rebbe so that he can be a better Jew? Or does he need to be a better Jew so that he can be connected to the Rebbe? For most Lubavitchers it is the latter. It is very clear that from day one, the Rebbe himself saw his nessius as that of a chosem vesium. This continued to be so for the rest of the nessius. In that context, what is there to talk about ... ?

berl, crown heights 07.15.05 - 3:30 am #
---
It is … a huge doichek to say that the momentous "after 120" sichoh was really just a directive for [a] "between the Rebbes" period.
If circumstances were such, that reality (in form of an obviously qualified "Rebbe candidate") was at odds with those obvious & simple interpretations, one could contemplate docheik-type interpretations.
But post 3 Tammuz, the obvious reality and the obvious interpretations are at peace with each other…

berl, crown heights 07.19.05 - 12:28 am #

CAN WE EMPHASIZE KIRUV AND NOT PROVIDE MARRIAGES FOR THE MIKUROVIM? (PART 1 OF 3)

2006-06-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com (Thread: Baaley Tshuva - worse than sephardim):

TA wrote: For Chabad to hold back their daughters from the full fledged Jews who joined their ranks upon their aggressive solicitations is dishonest and is a fatal spilling of blood.

This statement makes the preposterous seem reasonable.

1. Just because Jew A does Jew B a favor of reminding them of his inherent obligation to lead a Jewish life, does that mean that Jew B is now owed an additional favor of being able to marry Jew A's daughter?

2. Even if #1 were true, does said "daughter" have any say in deciding with whom she is to spend the rest of her life? Is she not entitled to choose someone with whom she shares a cultural bond? Or is the intensely private institution of marriage to be given over to public-policy makers? (as in “My daughter, just lie back and think of England!”)

3. Down with the constant BT whining about their "sacrifices"! Sacrifices of what? For whom? Who exactly had the most to gain here? Was it not the BT themselves, their ancestors and progeny?

4. Down with the constant BT wining about not being accepted! How hard does an average BT try to assimilate into the culture of the community they joined? I am not talking about a “beard and a hat” (see the Haaretz artice). I am talking language, cultural nuances, etc. I am talking about the kind of things every immigrant to a new society expects to have to do in order to gain acceptance.

Here is the real truth: too many BTs do not view frum people as human beings with the same emotional needs that human beings everywhere have (A reading of the Shylock’s monologue might be in order here). At the same time, for many BTs, their entire self image hinges on the “acceptance by the frum”. Would there be more “Z'ev Rosenberg” types that exhibit a healthy amount of independence and self-respect!

(Disclaimer: I am aware that the current cultural segregation of BTs in Lubavitch has origins on the aborigine side of the fence as well. I did not address it in this comment.)

berl, crown heights 10.06.05 - 10:10 pm #

ON THIS WE CAN AGREE: SHLICHUS SHOULD BE A NO SELF-AGGRANDIZING ZONE

2006-06-28T06:09:00.000-07:00

Originally posted at mentalblog.com (Baaley Tshuva - worse than sephardim):

[A commenter] wrote: But aren't there also shluchim who enjoy talking to anyone who will listen all about their mesiras nefesh for the Rebbe's inyanim?...

I agree. Down with the constant self-aggrandizing of the shluchim and their nauseating self-proclaimed "sacrifices for the Rebbe"!

berl, crown heights 10.06.05 - 11:05 pm #

OF STONES AND MEN

2006-06-27T07:10:00.000-07:00

Originally posted at mentalblog.com (The Big Boulder of Kurenitz):

I have a 'feeling' that the lifeless aveido zoroh boulders from 'reisen' zeinen duruchgeveiged mit chassidishe derheren in a sach tifere oifen vi di lebedike mentzen un fruen mit vemen du probirst tzu diskutiren do af dein barimter blog ;-).
berl, crown heights 11.02.05 - 7:23 pm #

(Editor: Which is not true for all stones:)

Yener steiner zainen kalt, on kein mutikeit. nit dos meint men!
berl, crown heights 11.02.05 - 7:32 pm #

(Editor: And for good measure:)

The Rebbe already paskened that Steinzalt is a bad name...
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 11.02.05 - 7:32 pm #

ah, dos is mitztzad dem "zaltz" - er is doch gebliben EVEN isroel! LOL
berl, crown heights 11.02.05 - 7:34 pm #

THE CAMPAIGN OF HATE

2006-06-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: The Rogatchover :

… No doubt "party press" in every group tends to put the stress on themselves at the expense of others. This, unfortunately, comes with the territory. Lubavitch is no exception to this.

However, Lubavitch is singled out for a de facto boycott by all the major orthodox entities even when those pretend to be "inclusive".
Art Scroll is doch man dchar shmaihu, but even someone as eclectic as Rabbi Goldwasser, who has a story to tell you about every koton vegodol, never allows himself a “slip” about the Lubavitcher Rebbe! This, despite the fact that he shows up to speak in CH as a “friend”! He even felt compelled to edit out all mention of Lubavitch from a book about Motel Lifshitz! The examples of this attitude are endless!

All this amounts to a real campaign of hate against Lubavitcher chassidim. As a Lubavitcher living in 5766, I can tell you that I feel zero affinity with the orthodox community and care even less for its concerns. I suspect many feel the same way. Which is why all the complaints about sheluchim not cooperating with other orthodox organizations and using “undemocratic methods” of asserting their authority in, say, FSU and Europe fall on deaf ears. As well they should. The lack of cooperation in Europe did not precipitate this ubiquitous hate, but is merely a defense against it.

(Agav, in this climate, if any Lubavitcher were to cooperate with any orthodox entity to assert themselves vis-à-vis other Lubavitchers [as the proclamation against Asman alleges], I would turn against them in a heart beat and support such a proclamation, even if he is was really wronged.)

berl, crown heights 10.10.05 - 10:31 pm / Link: #

LET'S START WITH MIN HAMIDABER, OK?

2006-06-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: Modern Yeshiva – a Torah prohibition?

I have always wondered how is it, that the very same people who rally against any kabboloh learning by the "unprepared", encourage the pilpul system for young bachurim, ensuring that they leave the walls of the yeshiva ammei hooretz deoraisa, some not even full-fledged members of the min hamidaber (no having a single language they can express coherent thoughts in). That Lubavitch yeshivas copied that system in the main simply blows my mind! Ask any Rosh Yeshiva in Lubavitch what happened to following the method of learning Talmud outlined in kuntres eitz hachaim. A shoulder shrug will be the usual answer. Verabim hallolim hippilu.
berl, crown heights 07.17.05 - 12:31 pm / Link: #

And, from Better eat gefilte fish:

PLEASE STOP! No more "by us", "by them", "by him"! What language are you speaking, people? This is not English! It is MADDENING!!!!!!
berl, crown heights 07.24.05 - 10:58 pm / Link: #

SEFER HAZICHREINEIS: IT'S NOT A HISTORY BOOK

2006-06-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

This post was a response to a commenter's criticism of the Rebbe Rayatz's sefer zichreineis and historical accounts:

At mentalblog.com (Thread: Modern Yeshiva – a Torah prohibition?) Yehuda writes: How could one repeat verbatim a conversation that occurred 200 years ago?

Do you really seriously think that such is the level of historic fidelity expected form any stories? Dialog accuracy? I guess all sippurei tzadikim are worthless-waste-of-time-bobe-maises, if judged by that standard.

berl, crown heights 07.18.05 - 5:27 pm #

---
I was 16 when I read the Sefer Hazichreineis for the first time. Even at that age, I did not for a moment imagine that the dialog replicas were presented in the book as stenographer’s record. To hear this expectation from a grown man is just shocking! As to the genesis of the chassidus outlined in the book - it would be interesting to hear more specifics.
For instance, what specific historic claim made in the book is disputed? On what grounds? By whom?
Also remember, most of the book deals with the history of Beis HoRav and tells stories about various unknown "simple Jews". What do these subject have to do with the verifiable historic record?

berl, crown heights 07.18.05 - 7:07 pm #

BROTHER LEIBL, A”H

2006-06-21T07:47:00.000-07:00

Some backround:

#1. The Rebbe Rayatz addresses Yisroel Arye Leib in a letter to him thusly:

B”H
17 Kislev 5708
Brooklyn

My friend, grandson of my great-uncle, my honored relative by marriage, the
great baal kishron, vosik v’chassid, man who fears G-d, Mr. Leib
sh’yichyeh,

#2. Some Chabad links:
http://www.chabad.org/dailystudy/HayomYom.asp?tDate=5/11/2006&Lang=
http://chabad.info/bm/index.php?magazine=ee_&status=goto_id&id=21

And now we come the point:

At mentalblog.com (Thread: rebbes-brother-yisroel-aryeh-leib), Tzemach Atlas wrote:

…here is a quote illustrating how Yisrael Aryeh Leib's life looks from the vantage point of an official Lubavitcher history hacker:http://www.chabadcenters.com/scr...?

The pious G-d fearing chasid, intelligent and understanding pleasant with good characteristics Yisrael Aryeh Leib was born in Nikolayev on 16 (?) Sivan, 5609. Stayed for a period of time in Leningrad, where the previous Rebbe showed him great fondness. The Chassidim, too, liked him and enjoyed barraging him with a variety of questions on Halacha, Chassidut etc. In 5690 (1930) he left the Soviet Union and settled in Berlin, later leaving for the Holy Land where he married. He spent his last years in Liverpool, England, passing away at an early age on 13 Iyar, 5712 (1952). By request of his brother the Rebbe, he was brought to the Holy Land and he was interred in the Holy city of Tzfàt.

:-(

Tzemach Atlas Homepage 08.10.05 - 2:08 pm #

Berl’s response:
This is too silly. Which part of this translation from the "Hayom Yom" do you object to? Is it the pro-forma barrage of titles that are similar to what goes on a "matzevah" of every Jew? Are you are looking for "the soul of the man" in a footnote to his brother's biography? Good luck.

Btw, the same link has this invitation in the intro:
"…if you have little-known biographical information about the Rebbe, please e-mail us at: editor@chabadonline.com"

Go for it.

P.S. chabad.org people are as far removed from “hacks” as anyone I ever met in my life. If you had any idea what these people were like, you’d not use such language about them.
berl, crown heights 08.10.05 - 2:31 pm #

A commenter took issue:
Instead of Yaakov struggling with angels we would have gotten an eunuch sitting at farbrengens.
And can you imagine Havatik HaChasid Esav?
rebeljew Homepage 08.10.05 - 3:35 pm #

Which Tzemach agreed with:
Good one, rebeljew. Ishmoel settled with Hagar in a desert, where Rebbe Avrohom "showed him great fondness."
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 08.10.05 - 3:41 pm #

Berl’s response:
TA & rebeljew,
I trust you can come with more variations on the same joke but I would rather see a more intellectually stimulating discussion.

The history of idealization of past heroes and villains is long. It goes back to the times of the Tannoim and Ammaroim (anyone remember how the Talmud deals with Dovid & Bathsheva story?). Certainly kabboloh & chassidus glowingly describes Eisav, Ishmael, Korach and many other Jewish "sinners" in Tanach as lofty souls - it "shows them great fondness" and calls them "vassikim & chassidim – aher kavonosom lesheim shomaim hoiso".

The real question is why is there this tendency in Torah itself and does it help a Jew in his "struggle to seek G-d"?
berl, crown heights 08.10.05 - 4:17 pm #

The real question is why is there this tendency in Torah itself and how does it help a Jew in his "struggle to seek G-d"?
berl, crown heights 08.10.05 - 4:19 pm #

TA wrote: I sneer at that. I have no problem admiring Dovid knowing what happened with Bat Shevah, etc.

[Berl:] Well, I would also not admire Dovid Hamelech any less without the Gemora admonishing us that kol mi sheoimer Dovid choto.... And I would also have no problem with the other multi-dimensional stuff you suggest, on the contrary - I would love it.

But: sneer all you want - that Gemora is there! The super-human description of the tzadik is there in Tanya kadisha, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

To me it is not all that interesting what you or I prefer. I would much prefer to understand what the Teiroh wants me to think when it gives me the "positive – perfect" (or as you say "embellished") side to all these people and events...
berl, crown heights 08.10.05 - 10:27 pm #

JOIN US!

2006-06-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

[The idea that] that "all Jews need to be Lubavitchers" is, of course silly. But in this exaggeration there is some truth. Remember, the subject matter [being discussed] was whether Lubavitch (or the Rebbe) wants to recruit other Jews to be Lubavitchers or just to be frum.

My main point was, and remains still, that all the apologists - that say Lubavitch only wants to bring Jews closer to frumkeit - are wrong, both factually & morally. All Chabad Rebbes (starting with אדמו"ר הזקן ) were actively recruiting talented rabbinic youth*.

It was not the Rebbe that first said the נוסח התפילה של האר"י ז"ל was the שער הכולל. As to the Rebbe, I can show you a letter where he states that the ultimate goal of a sheliach is to make everything in his place of shelishus פונקט אזיי ווי עס איז געווען אין ליובאוויטש.

The point – this is the שיטה. And none of this has anything to do with increasing the numbers of "our fold" but is a quest that is rooted in a deep spiritual desire to accomplish הפצת המעיינות של תורת הבעל שם טוב – תורתו של משיח.

Having said this, I understand that this שיטה might make some people uneasy. But that does not change it. Somehow, though, I do not think the Rebbes wanted to uproot that "gorgeous mosaic" (been reading Mayor Dinkins’ old speeches lately? ;-) ) and certainly not the plurality of Jewish approaches to learning.

* Note: regarding this point I refer you to some piquant correspondence between the Previous Rebbe & Zalman Gourary published recently by Berel Levin.

berl, crown heights 05.17.05 - 10:43 am Link: #

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: The Satmarer challenge

FREEDOM THEN & NOW; IT'S ALL IN THE DEFINITION

2006-06-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

The usage of the word 'frei' to describe Jews that are not observant goes back to this comment of mine.

‘Youths’ then were saying the same things [as others are] today (identical, actually), and called themselves 'frei' - they threw off the shackles of the ‘suffocating and oppressive shtetl mentality' and freed themselves from the religion that came with that package.
Those that remained 'frum', scoffed at the 'so called frei' or 'frei' for short. And that’s how ‘frei’ became the word ‘frei’ we all know and love (to use). But in terms of the concept, of course... a Jew respects the concept of freedom, but has a definition of it that is not in accord with the ideals of the Age of Enlightenment. A Jew believes instead that ein lecho bein choirin elo me sheoisek baTeiroh.
berl, crown heights 11.16.05 - 12:00 pm #

'Freedom' as a western sensibility is covered by another maamar chaza'l: "avdo behefkeiro nicho leih".
berl, crown heights 11.16.05 - 12:14 pm #

SWFI: It was not my intention to moralize in any way - lo bosi elo leforeish peshuto shel milo. I was only answering a language question. Period. No hidden agendas (or is it agendae?).
berl, crown heights 11.16.05 - 12:20 pm #

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: The Lyricist Sholom Keller

THE UNHEEDED CRY: DO YOU HEAR ME SCHNEUR?!"

2006-06-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

Today's posting is really not much of a commentary on anything, other than the many unanswered requests (I only have some of them here. There were more (I think 6 in total), but you'll get the point) by Berl in search of material. Any help in the cause is appreciated...

It all started with a comment at mentalblog.com by "Schneur:"

...Rabbi Michel Ber Weismandel was full of criticism of these people including Rabbi Abraham Kalmanowitz. I won't bother to tell you what Reb Michel Ber wanted to do to Rabbi Kalmanowitz in NY when he came here after the war. Yet Reb Michel Baer was a good friend of the Mahaaryatz in America. Check out the biography of the late Burshtiner rebbe rav Eichenstein(written by his son the current rebbe shlita) for some choice morsels of criticism against the vaad and their rescue activities...
Schneur 03.24.05 - 1:03 pm #

Followed by:

Schneur,
Can you please write were can one get "the biography of the late Burshtiner Rebbe Rav Eichenstein"? What is the actual name of the book? Also, when you fill better (G-d willing soon), can you please post more about Rabbi Michel Ber Weismandel and his take on the Vaad Hatzoloh efforts. I have read much about him, all "artscrolled", though, and never anything along the lines of your report. Thank you.
berl, crown heights 03.24.05 - 1:21 pm #

And Schneur responded:

Berl,
The chevra of Artscroll get an anxiety attack when the word Lubavitch is mentioned. They also have a homoginized hashkafa approved by the "gedolim"...
Reb Michel Ber was not a friend of these people. Very little was ever printed on this and I depend on my sources in the CHAGAS community for this data. I will get you the name of the sefer (I have it at home too) and I will be glad to copy the pages that are shayech to our inyan...
Schneur 03.24.05 - 2:08 pm #

A couple months later:

Schneur,Did you forget your promise to post about the biography of the late Burshtiner Rebbe Rav Eichenstein and Rabbi Michel Ber Weismandel's take on the Vaad Hatzoloh efforts?
berl, crown heights 05.12.05 - 6:42 pm #

And again:

Schneur, ???
http://www.haloscan.com/comments...66426019/
berl, crown heights 05.16.05 - 3:50 pm #

And...

And once again (though I beginning to sound like a pest):
Did you forget your promise to post about the biography of the late Burshtiner Rebbe Rav Eichenstein and Rabbi Michel Ber Weismandel's take on the Vaad Hatzoloh efforts?
berl, crown heights 05.17.05 - 11:09 am #

SATIRE 101

2006-06-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

Originally posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: Chasid Bobuv B'nusach Chabad

We begin with the following comment posted by “Faruq”:

…I know a rov in Flatbush, a real talmid chochom (exclusively in positive connotation), very accessible, yet deep personality, with a sense of humor etc. in short, a pleasure to be around. The guy knows next to nothing about Chabad. However, what little he does know comes from B. Shemtov. The rov was raised in England and his father, a prominent talmid Ch. himself, used to daven in Shemtov’s shul in England. The rov’s attitude towards Lubavitch is that of scorn and disdain. When provoked to share his feelings re: Chabad, he would say “he drank and yelled and screamed at my father’s face that whoever doesn’t know Tania is an am-hooretz.” and he would wave his hand in dismissal.

faruq 07.29.05 - 8:49 am #

Berl responded:

faruq,
I know this businessman from North Carolina, who is a very rich man (I mean this exclusively in a positive sense). He is generous to a fault. Despite his wealth, he is very accessible and has a great sense of humor. In short - a pleasure to be around! Now, this guy knows next to nothing about the Jews. What little he does know, comes from a man by the name of Ben Samuelson – an inn kipper from Charleston. You see, my acquaintance was raised in Atlanta, and his father, himself a prominent businessman, used to take the boy along on his frequent business trips to Charleston. The pair used to stay in Ben’s Inn.

I do not know all that had transpired during those stays, but even today the man’s attitude towards the Jews is that of scorn and disdain.

I once provoked him to explain his feelings, the otherwise calm and genteel businessman from North Carolina started foaming at his mouth and furiously exclaimed: “that Jew Ben drank himself silly and then yelled and screamed in my father’s face that only the Jews have enough brains to make money.” And then he calmed down and simply waved his hand in a gesture of dismissal.

berl, crown heights 07.29.05 - 9:39 am #

And, just for the record, this was the response:

berl, I admire you
faruq 07.29.05 - 9:46 am #

- - -

Note: A special thanks is extended to an unnamed individual who helped me locate this post. Honestly, in my opinion, for this post alone the Berl Yeimi was worthwhile.

MY REBBE IS...

2006-06-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

Praising the Rebbe for being “a great scientist” seems understandable when you are engaged in propaganda (at times I have done so myself, and will do it again in a flash!), but for a chossid to seriously pin their attachment to the Rebbe on this idea is really depressing and misses the whole point of what a Rebbe is.

Even saying something that is not disputable, like “The Rebbe is a great talmid chochom” is not something a Chabad chossid should stoop to.

berl, crown heights 03.23.05 - 3:44 pm Link: #

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: Email interview with Dr. Bryan Mark Rigg

ON A LIGHTER NOTE: DEM YANKELS

2006-06-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog, ("mendy-says") In response to the mendelblog.com post -- and a picture of Mendel in his Red Sox regalia:

Es tut vei zen an yidish kind mit der redsox kasket... go yankees!
berl, crown heights 06.19.05 - 6:52 pm #
---
The Yankees are a yiddishe team, they play for New York (yir ahser yad Yisroel tekifa boi). Red Sox, on the other hand, is the ultimate goyisher team :-)
berl, crown heights 06.19.05 - 11:23 pm #
---
And The Dodgers are meshummodim! :-)
berl, crown heights 06.19.05 - 11:29 pm #

Due to the many requests I've recieved for the shirt displayed here, I am including ordering information (None of the proceeds from these sales go to the Berl Yeimi):

Berl CH #1 Yankee Jersey courtesy of N.Y. Yankees and is available for $ 99.99 here for adults, and $69.99 for kids here. Berl CH #1 Yankee T-shirts go for $24.99 here.

:-)

COMPETITION IN CHINUCH: NECESSARY & NATURAL (AND IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY)

2006-06-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: Australian Chabad ablaze in truth:

[A commenter wrote:] "It's easy for them to squash a school when those supporting it are only naive yungerlite with nothing but temimus and chasidishkeit behind them."

I would caution against idealizing one side while vilifying the other. This is usually not representative of reality. What is important to remember is that even the best of people will stagnate without competition. Such is the nature of man by Divine design. Ukvar omru kadmoneinu: kinnas sofrim tarbeh hochmah.

berl, crown heights 07.12.05 - 11:56 am #

And this one (thread: Glasnost rolls on):

Competition in chinnuch is necessary, natural, and is not an act of war against anyone! That some may react to a new competing school negatively is their own problem. Need I remind anyone that OT itself started precisely that way by Rabbi Michoel Teitelbaum A”H?
At the end of the day, it is the responsibility of every parent to give their children the proper chinnuch (and it is not good enough to say "I gave them the best of the available").
At times I did consider starting a small cheder for my kids with like-minded parents.
Through trial-and-error I concluded that as of now in CH (this very time/place specific) the best approach is to place one’s kids “within the system” and augment at home (and augment a LOT!). I do not wish to go into the specifics behind this view and understand that in many places that is not an option at all. There, parents MUST AT ALL COSTS create alternatives for their kids!This is not an issue of “law-and order”. It is an issue of real existential weight.

berl, crown heights 07.13.05 - 12:34 am #

ZIONISM, COLLEGE & (BIG FINALE) WE'LL SELL THAT TOO

2006-06-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: The zal is no longer the only forum in which Lubavitch teens are educated:

#1. Zionism: [A commenter, Schneur, wrote:] "Surely in name the Rebbe was not a Zionist, but in fact he was not an anti-Zionist."

This statement is factually accurate and not debatable. You can forever discuss the "whys", but Schneur stated the indisputable "what".

berl, crown heights 05.18.05 - 10:29 am / Link:#

A commenter (JMO) wrote:
While the Rebbe did not support secular Zionists, he was certainly very welcoming to secular Zionists and cared very much about the country. No other anti-Zionist acted as he did. In fact, as everyone here well knows, many anti-Zionists considered the Rebbe a Zionist.

Again, I agree the Rebbe wasn't a Zionist. However, one wonders if his father-in-law or his grandfather-in-law (Is there such a word?) would have acted as he did.
JMO Homepage 05.17.05 - 7:54 pm / Link: #

Berl responded:

JMO, The Previous Rebbe did act in exactly such a way. The very warm Zalman Rubashev [aka Shazar] connection was actually his; there is other reliable anecdotal evidence surrounding the events of 1948 to suggest more of the same friendly disposition later made famous by the Rebbe. As to the Rebbe Rashab, given the Previous Rebbe's legendary devotion to his father's approach to everything, you can safely assume his father would have acted the same way. It would be silly to assume that any outsider has a better grasp of the precise nature of the Rebbe Rashab's opposition to Zionism in the early 1900s than his son and spiritual successor!

berl, crown heights 05.17.05 - 8:14 pm / Link: #

And I cut this out of an unrelated comment (see link below):

Moreover, [the Rebbe Rashab] explained his opposition Zionism by saying that it will prevent such students from doing תשובה. Need references with page numbers?

berl, crown heights 04.11.05 - 2:05 pm / Link: #

---
#2. College:

The Rebbe's view of college is not as simple as the cookie-cutter mashpeim make their mushpoim believe. There are all the anti-college statements, to be sure. But if the Rebbe's daas is all that matters (and not a desire to happily fit the Rebbe into the narrow charedi definition), then those statements should never be taken out of context. Also, surely you know that there were people whom the Rebbe encouraged to go to college. Who will take on the role of advising someone in with a similar need today?

berl, crown heights 05.17.05 - 6:14 pm / Link: #

---
Can you, for example, imagine a situation where what was "unique circumstances" yesterday is common-place today? Or another example - an attitude about college that was common place yesterday being unique today? Neither of those possibilities is far-fetched today! We need to be careful not to making blanket statements in the Rebbe's name!

berl, crown heights 05.17.05 - 6:34 pm / Link: #

---
We should avoid cookie-cutter-one-size-fits-all-out-of-context pronouncements on the Rebbe's behalf. In matters like this, an individual can, with a help of a thoughtful chassidishe mashpia understand the Rebbe's kavono for their particular situation. I am truly sorry this approach is not neat enough for the "Heimishe Yidden" debating society.

berl, crown heights 05.17.05 - 6:59 pm / Link: #

---
( #3. And, sure, We Sell That: )

[But,] if what you are trying to do is recruit converts to Lubavitch that still need to be reassured the Rebbe is part of the "medina and college are treif" crowd, just tell them he is. I would in a blink. און תוך שלא לשמו בא לשמו ... :-)

berl, crown heights 05.17.05 - 7:18 pm / Link: #

YIDDISH BLOGERS TODAY... OR IS IT YESTERDAY?

2006-06-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com (Thread: The Warrior Sholom Keller)

...I feel like we are literally re-living the 1890s.

Yiddish blogers are all ‘free-thinking’ Sholom-Aleichem clones... Round-spectacles-wearing 18 year olds (who are giddy with the discovery of their brain along with other body parts) are mouthing off 100-year-old revolutionary mantra...Parents and the Rabbis still imagine that suppression of ‘bad influences’ will keep the kids ‘in the fold’...

Only there is nothing ‘original’ or ‘special’ about any of this. It’s déjà vu all over again! I only hope with not such devastating results this time around.

berl, crown heights 11.14.05 - 9:45 pm / Link: #

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

2006-06-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

From mentalblog.com / Thread: The Satmarer challenge

[In response to a commenter using the handle] Misnaged,

Surely you know that being "opposed" to something is not the only alternative to "agreeing" with it? You can "disagree with Chassidim" without being sworn enemy of their דרך.

But perhaps you also think that the excommunications, persecution & murder (yes - murder!) of Chassidim in the late 1700s in Lita was an appropriate way to be "in opposition" to them? Do you think that a man who (along with a few notable others) renewed that hatred after more than 100 years of peace by telling his people that "the חרם of the GR"A was actually never lifted" deserves to lauded as זקן ראשי ישיבות and a מנהיג of "Torah Jewry"?

And you are going to lecture someone on the ways of אהבת ישראל for expressing disgust with this approach? רצחת וגם ירשת ?

berl, crown heights 05.17.05 - 4:54 am Link: #

---
And this (from We’ll all live happily ever after):

The reason for existence of chassidus Chabad always was - and remains today the same - connecting Jews with G-d, ואידך פירושא.

I am really tired of these fruitless discussions that lead nowhere all the time - איר וועט סיי ווי בלייבן בא אייער'ס און איך וועל בלייבן בא מיין , I will say just a few words in conclusion. [A commenter] said earlier: "Most other chassidim regard them [Lubavitchers] as people who are no longer Heimishe Yidden and have embarked on crazy paths. The yeshiva world is completely not gores Chabad."

Please remind yourself of these words next time you get all worked-up about reports of Chabad sheluchim acting in "strictly sectarian" ways!

berl, crown heights 04.11.05 - 4:29 pm Link: #

---
And finally this one (but there is no name to the thread) :

I deplore any domination by force. Additionally, attempts to dominate people’s minds by force will always back-fire at the end. Let "the best man" win the hearts & minds of people on the free market of ideas.

However, understand that when you are under constant attack, it is easy to become paranoid and one may have a hard time distinguishing real enemies from the imaginary ones...

berl, crown heights 04.03.05 - 5:41 pm Link: #

SILENCE TREATMENT

2006-06-07T08:17:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com, Thread: From Chabad to Elokism:

A note to Lubavitchers (bachurim or otherwise):
Any creature that challenges you to "defend" the Rebbe against their venom has to be ignored, because by answering them, you tacitly acknowledge their right to speak in the tone they do. The Rebbe can defend himself just fine without our help. So do not take the bait.
berl, crown heights 06.09.05 - 5:12 pm #

And this one, after a commenter responded to criticism by one who claimed affiliations with "The Malochim": http://www.mentalblog.com/2005/06/canaletto-perspective-1765-oil-on.html:

Why waste time on these people?
The last time I met members of the "malochim" sect was circa 1980. Since then, I never gave these weirdos another thought, and this is pretty typical of most chassidei Chabad. These people are all Hungarian ערב רב. They have zero connection to Chabad - aside from the Kehoth seforim with torn-off covers. But they crave recognition. So understand, they are not trying to win an argument with you. All they want is your acknowledgement. You provide it by speaking to them.
berl, crown heights 06.17.05 - 2:13 pm #

KIRUV: WE SELL THAT

2006-06-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: Why Jew is synonymous with counterculture

Folks - whatever floats your boat!
You want "counter culture" that rejects the complacent middle class values and despises the sated bourgeoisie? We will sell that.

You want the "American dream" & respect the productive classes? We will sell that.

You want "new age"? We will sell that.

'Cause it is all somewhat true & mostly BS. So, we will sell whatever - as long as it gets you to put on tefillin and keep shabbos.
berl, crown heights 06.02.05 - 7:11 pm Link: #

berl, this is not a supermarket.
Tzemach Atlas Homepage 06.02.05 - 8:44 pm Link: #

That's your opinion. and I think it is.
berl, crown heights 06.02.05 - 8:53 pm Link: #

RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY?

2006-06-05T07:11:00.000-07:00

…As to the whole issue of Russia turning away from democracy - why would anyone give a **** about that G-d forsaken place? Because of the Jews there? The Jews can function just fine under a benevolent dictatorship, thank you very much. (Gasp!) Anyone remember the hero & liberator of Chile, General Augusto Pinochet? The Jews did great under him.

As to the natives - I, for one, don’t think the Great Russian People are capable of governing themselves without a Strong Leader (mustache optional).

[ducking and covering my head from the flying stones]

berl, crown heights 11.24.05 - 9:10 pm / Link: #

Posted at mentalblog.com , Thread: R. Goldshmidt is banned from Moscow

KASHRUS TAX, VOUCHERS & FINANCE

2006-06-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: Jewish demographics in Boston, MA:

A commenter, Schneur, writes:

Re: Jewish schools and their funding:

In the US municipalities, services are provided to residents like police, fire, sanitation, parks, libraries etc. In turn the city gov’t levels a tax which goes to support these services. In our small orthodox world we too have services such as schools, yet the tax we pay (which is the price of Kosher food and their hashgochas) does not go to support yeshivas but to private kashruth moguls like the Levy family, Szenter family and the OU which still needs to account for its income. What does it do with these fees?
It’s clear that none of these kosher fees ever get to our yeshivas.
Thus, imagine a city with services, but whose taxes were sidetracked to private individuals or some special corporate body like the OU.
That is one important reason our schools are in financial trouble.
The OU had a recent discussion in Jewish Action on the plight of our schools, but of course failed to mention this issue.
Schneur 11.22.05 - 1:02 pm Link: #

Berl responds:

An average tuition bill for a frum family (and that is after all the 'discounts') is ~$45K. The annual food bill for same family is ~$20K.
The only foods that come with a real kashrus premium are dairy, meat, and breads (~30% of the total food bill). Said premium is about half of that 30%.
We are now down to 15% of $20K, or $3K annually.
If you take away administrative and other objective costs of kashrus, our fictional family might end up with - what the heck, let’s be generous - $1,5K back in their educational budget.
Thus we have successfully funded slightly over 3% of the $45K. Great!
For the remaining 97%: V-O-U-C-H-E-R-S!

berl, crown heights 11.22.05 - 2:33 pm Link: #

---
Furthermore, if we think about the implications of today's demographic trends, we must realize that the current frei-supporting-the-frum economic model is not sustainable in the long run (and you CJP suggestion is still based on that model). 20 years from now, there are not likely to be enough frei Jews to play that important role. An even smaller percentage of those remaining are likely to care about supporting 'authentic Jewish education’. So no matter how many ‘Jewish Philanthropies’ are going to get ‘Combined’, it ain’t going to help Jewish Parents and their Jewish Kids.

BTW, limited voucher programs are already running around the country – including NYC. Vouchers are fundamentally fair and badly needed by many segments of the US population, not just the frum Jews. They are today a matter of survival and Jews need to partner with other groups that are lobbying the Congress on this issue.

To end on a hopeful note, nowhere in the world can a man feed (I mean literally ‘feed’) his family with such an ease as in these United States. If vouchers are made available and Jewish communities take affordable housing issues seriously, even an average working stiff will be able to support a large family here.

berl, crown heights 11.23.05 - 3:35 pm Link: #

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berl-
Besides partnering with other interested population groups on vouchers, perhaps we can put more pressure on the big (non-frum) Jewish establishment. Most of these combined, united and syndicated federations are very active in opposition and appear among the plaintiffs in court cases against the existing programs.

nsker 11.23.05 - 5:21 pm Link: #

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nsker,

I second you sentiments.

On vouchers - vouchers for the poor is only a start.
You are never going to get help on the voucher issue from the 'Jewish establishment' types. These morons see violations of the Establishment Clause in every religious expression that is 'out of the closet'. They want their children to attend nice suburban public schools without ever hearing a single X-mas carol, but do not care a whit that most of these kids marry X-ians.

berl, crown heights 11.23.05 - 6:46 pm Link: #

S.I.E: OH YEAH, AND FOR THE RECORD:

2006-05-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

'Sichos in English' is neither Sichos nor English.
- berl, crown heights 11.25.05 - 10:57 am / Link: #

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: R. Goldshmidt is banned from Moscow. (I know, I already posted a thought for today, but this is a short one... At some point I hope to do a list of "one-liners" -- and I'll include it again there -- but that will take a while.)

SOME GRAMMAR NOTES

2006-05-31T07:24:00.000-07:00

intransitive and transitive in the same construct. Posted at mentalblog.com, Thread: Sharpshooter Markovitz:

Empathetic sorrow:
ויבא אברהם לספוד לשרה וְלִבְכֹּתָהּ
(Genesis 23:2)

Ibn Ezra states that the word וְלִבְכֹּתָה translates as "to cry over her".

What’s Ibn Ezra’s question?
Well, he is trying to resolve a grammatical difficulty: The verb בנין פעל ) לִבְכֹּת ) is an intransitive verb ( פועל עומד ) "to cry". Whereas לְבַכֹּת ( with a pattach under the veis - בנין פיעל ) is a transitive verb ( פועל יוצא ) "to cry over, to bewail". You can either simply "cry" or "cry over something". But you can’t "cry something". So the proper word here should have been לְבַכֹּת (levakkois) and not לִבְכֹּת (livkois). Ibn Ezra’s answer means that, simply put, this particular verb can be both intransitive and transitive in the same construct ( בנין פעל ). To that end, he brings another example of such usage of this word.

The ארקוולטי ([not sure if it is Arikvalti or Arakvalti)] quoted by Avi Ezer), offers a beautiful explanation of this usage: the intransitive construct is used here to indicate the degree to which the mourner identifies with the mourned – they become as if one. (Thus in his crying over Soroh, Avrohom is also crying in her stead, not merely crying "over" her.)

berl, crown heights 11.22.05 - 5:37 pm Link: #

PETA vs RUBASHKIN

2006-05-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com / Thread: R. Elyashiv on force feeding

...I accept that "people who are behind this [attack on Rubashkin] in PETA are conservative Jews", just as you report it. They may even be really well-meaning.
However, wittingly or unwittingly they are lending a helping hand to an organization that is, in my long-held opinion, part of the global political force that is currently aligned against all Jewish interests and is anti-Semitic (their holocaust campaign was not just "shameful and distasteful", it was downright evil and very indicative of how this organization feels about Jews). It should not come as a huge surprise that Jews may be involved in PETA – Jewish רחמנות has been misdirected many times before. What you consider "extreme terminology" [in previous posts] is my actual opinion and I do not know how to phrase it any other way...

On the Rubashkin issue, there should be less room for disagreement. No חומרה can't possibly take precedent over the well being, פרנסה, and reputation a Jewish family. Any serious פוסק (and neither you nor I are that) that feels a need to speak out on this issue – may do so themselves...

SUMMARY:
1. PETA - must be opposed at all costs.
2. Emotional and finacial well-being of a good Jewish family - more important that any חומרה.

This all I plan to say on this issue.

berl, crown heights 03.02.05 - 3:10 pm Link: #

---

Oh yeah, and there was this back & forth:

[Berl,] it's not just Lubavitch; Orthodox Judaism has become a political game. To a Chabadnik , no Chabad man can do wrong, A Gerer will defend his compadre as well and go down the line.
Is it not possibile for a Lubavitcher chasid to behave in a manner not 100% correct ?

schneur 03.02.05 - 3:20 pm Link: #

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Berl responds:

"Is it not possible for a Lubavitcher chossid to behave in a manner not 100% correct?"

Yes, on this I can testify myself - I am 100% not 100% correct.

"Calling for an investigation" is different that creating a forum for irresponsible run-away allegations of wrong-doing. And I would find it equally distasteful should a similar smear campaign been conducted against ... any Jewish proprietor. Beware of jealousy and other base emotions! On kashrus there is no choice – pick a Rov and rely on him. Leave others alone to do the same. Simple enough.

berl, crown heights 03.02.05 - 3:35 pm Link: #

LUBAVITCH IS WHAT IT WAS

2006-05-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com -- Thread: We’ll all live happily ever after -- in response to claims that the Rebbe had perhaps taken the Lubavitcher movement in a different direction, with different ideals than that of the previous Rabbeim...

1. The Rebbe’s agenda was at least as intellectual and inward-focused as that of his most illustrious predecessors. He developed תורת החסידות both in breadth as well as in depth to a completely unprecedented level. His מאמרים שיחות פלפולים ואגרות inspired, guided and produced a great number of real משכילים ( וואס שטיין גאר ניט אף די גרעסטע משכילים פון אמאל ). This despite the obvious ירידת הדורות in terms of עבודת התפילה !

2. All the Rebbe’s predecessors (starting with the holy Baal Shem Tov and the צדיקים נסתרים before him) were no less focused on taking responsibility for all segments of the Jewish nation ("kiruv") than the Rebbe. The written record regarding this is extensive. It encompasses the agricultural settlements of the Mitteler Rebbe, the anti-Haskolo activism of the Tzemach Tzedek (as well as his efforts for the kantonist’n), the anti-pogrom activism of the Rebbe Maharsh, and, yes the very establishment of the Tomchei Temimim by the Rebbe Rashab – to educate future "נרות להאיר" and "חיילי בית דוד" in his own words. The Previous Rebbe’s entire tenure was devoted to supporting and spreading observance of מצות מעשיות by the simplest among the Holy Nation. Not to mention the efforts to disseminate תורת החסידות among all Jews that was instituted by the Alter Rebbe & continued by all the נשיאים.

There is much more to write, but this will suffice.

berl, crown heights 04.10.05 - 8:53 pm / Link: #

---

Followed by:

...the biggest mistake is the idea of the "chief focus". נשיאי חב"ד did not distinguish between the 3 pillars of:אהבת ה' אהבת התורה אהבת ישראל
Without this fundamental understanding any discussion of what the נשיאי חב"ד לדוריהם tried to do is doomed to failure.

berl, crown heights 04.10.05 - 9:04 pm / Link: #

2006-05-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

A

FREILICHEN

SHABBES

MEVORCHIM

LUBAVITCH BREAK AWAY MOVEMENT?

2006-05-26T07:44:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com (thread: New/old Chabad stream? ) in response to a proposal made by a commenter stating that there should be a "break away" movement from mainstream Lubavitch due to the current "failings:"

Do you honestly think that paying lip service to yiras shomaim, learning & davening in a "break away" group will somehow magically work better than the lip service paid to those ideas in the current group? Do you actually know a large group of people who practice those values themselves but are having a hard time transmitting them to their children? I will submit to you that parents who personify those values are seeing the same in their children. There are exceptions, but those are few and far between.

My point: Those that embody the abovementioned values already, do not need to break away. Those that do not - braking away will not help them.

I do strenuously disagree with you on this item from you list: "No more bochrim shlichus".The Rebbe wanted this shlichus! And it is the most potent maturing & eye-opening experience these kids will ever have before they enter adult life!

berl, crown heights 04.04.05 - 10:45 pm Link: #

---

And this one from: Lubavitch ministry of education

...And while I feel that a separate Chabad "group" as neither desirable nor practical, I predict that new חדרים וישיבות בדרך ישראל סבא חב"ד will spring up all over the map. It is already happening as we speak.
berl, crown heights 04.07.05 - 1:55 am Link: #

...As for me - I feel that Chabad International is the Rebbe's baby - I am going to stick around, come what may. (Although of late I am constantly investigating & re-evaluating my assumptions about the Rebbe’s specific positions on things, as I said.) I also have a feeling that we are not all looking for the exactly same thing. I am interested in my kids growing up למדנים, פנימים ומקשרים but I am not interested in the purely "old-fashioned version" of anything. I really believe that like every time, our time also demands its own ("new") language to express these timeless ("old") ideas. And I am fascinated to watch the kids looking for this language. If this is too "New-Age", so be it.
berl, crown heights 04.07.05 - 2:36 am #

CHASSIDIC CREATIVITY, NEW AGEISM & FRUSTRATION – A RESPONSE

2006-05-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com, Thread: Originality in the Charedi world or dozen tomatoes

Schneur writes:
…There is little originality left in the Charedi world. If you are an original person, you will be labeled a meshugener and will have issues in shidduchim, etc. I recall Reb Michel Abehsera describing the Orthodox world like a dozen tomatoes genetically produced to look the same color, size and shape… …And many of the so called Shluchim who do the Chabad House circuit are speaking not about Chassidic ideas but rather they advertise Chassidic ideas. What they talk about is either straight out of the self help genre in Pop Psychology or Religious (New Age) psychology of which there are hundreds of similar books in Christian book stores or they are trying to copy the success of the Kabbalah Centers and teach Kabbalah to control your life, etc. But few teach chassiduth…

----------------

Berl responds:

"Creativity & the "Baal Shem Tov revolution": I think the entire premise/expectation that the multitudes of the Jewish people can turn into original creative thinkers and lofty spiritual seekers is both unrealistic & wrong. Such an outlook smacks of a utopian world view that flies in the face of human nature (G-d’s creation). I always thought that the core message of the Baal Shem Tov’s was quite the opposite – "Jew, no matter how "mediocre" you or others think you to be, your sincere performance of the mitzvos, your heart-felt prayer are near and dear to G-d!" Creativity is important, to be sure. But the kind of creativity discussed here is, by definition, the lot of the few. Those that were endowed by the Creator with such intellectual and spiritual abilities are responsible to strive high and should not "stop at the age of 21". But I would submit to you that such people are few. And they are few among the sheluchim as well – as to be expected! For a simpler person, creativity could mean "translating" chassidus into their own language ( בלשון המשפיעים - אייגענע אותיות ). That brings me to the other topic:

New Ageism & the Mechanical sichos: Translating the ideas contained in chassidus into one’s own language is true when teaching as well. Everything depends on the audience. There are people who are inspired by the "Divine plan for the Jewish people" – and they should be told that. But, sadly, there are many Jews today who speak the language of the New Age and do not feel any emotional connection to the Jewish people. They need to be reached as well. One way of reaching them is translating the ideas contained in chassidus into that language. The test is not in how these lectures sound to Schneur or how often the lecturer mentions "Rabbi, Judaism, Mitzvoth", but whether this actually causes these Jews to take on the observance of mitzvos! And the fact is – it does that. As to the mechanical repetition of sichos (as off-putting as it is), this too finds an audience for whom the strength and power of the ideas contained therein shines through.

Frustration with the above: Dissatisfaction is inevitable for people that attend the wrong lecture hall. A man that belongs in Reb Yoel’s shiur should not expect to be happy with the typical Chabad House speech.

berl, crown heights 06.01.05 - 1:02 pm Link: #

עובר אליבא דכולא עלמא

2006-05-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

For a Lubavitcher, the פוסק אחרון on [trimming beards] is the צמח צדק, who holds that even trimming one's beard is an איסור דאורייתא.

(I once suggested to a friend who trims his beard that it might be less of a חוצפה for him to use a real razor blade and be עובר אליבא דכולא עלמא and thus avoid singling out the צמח צדק with such disregard.)

berl, crown heights 03.31.05 - 5:13 pm / Link: #

(Oh yes, this was the follow up:)

I know, that was twisted.
berl, crown heights 03.31.05 - 5:17 pm Link: #

Credit: mentalblog.com / Thread: Simon Jacobson - the proof is in the pudding

DEFINITION OF R-E-S-P-E-C-T

2006-05-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com - Thread: I'm 23, I live in Crown Heights and I write well. Deal with it :)

In response to S.H., who wrote: "I respect a person’s right to choose their own lifestyle."

With all due respect, this is a formula statement (the kind one is expected to make in polite company) with not a shred of any meaning. Do you mean to say that while you sincerely respect the right of any Jew to be mechalel shabos, you equally respect the right of the beis din hagoddol (when it is re-established once again) to stone said mechalel shabos (with proper eidim vehasrooh, naturally)?

STERN WARNING FOR IDIOTS: the preceding comment is tangential and has nothing AT ALL to do with any [specific] individual...

berl, crown heights 11.01.05 - 11:47 am Link: #

--------------------------------------------------------

Although, this back & forth WAS posted further down:

GOT IT: respect / ri’spekt / noun(n) :
Describes a willingness to tolerate someone’s disagreeable actions and refrain from attempting to ‘force them to change through humiliation, intimidation, or the threat of being cut off from the family’.
berl, crown heights 11.01.05 - 12:58 pm Link: #
--
Respect... I like to think of it as a transative verb rather than a noun. It gives it more oomph, you know? Well, that's about right. Sounds a little militant, I suppose, but I think you've got it. ...
S. H. 11.01.05 - 1:08 pm Link: #
--
OK, I looked it up and have to admit that I am wrong on this one.There is a dictionary definition of the word 'respect' that means simply 'avoid harming or interfering with'. And here I though it was just a common misuse. Hmm.
berl, crown heights 11.01.05 - 1:12 pm # )

PROVE IT

2006-05-22T08:23:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com (New/old Chabad stream? ) 4/4/2005:

It seems to me that what has been emerging lately as a theme is that we have all made some assumptions regarding the Rebbe's various initiatives. Perhaps time has come to re-investigate all the claims that are made in the Rebbe's name, and strip away that which did not expressly come from him?

berl, crown heigths 04.04.05 - 11:03 pm -- Link: #

---
And this, from Lubavitch ministry of education:

Berl writes: A number of years ago I asked a school principle in Crown Heights to explain why his school did not implement a certain policy that seemed to be rooted in basic common sense. The man replied: "Yeah, that sounds great, but Rabbi Chodakov would never let us do that..." It this crap that I no longer accept. Before I surrender my common sense, show me in writing that your idea comes directly from the Rebbe!

---
And finally (same thread): ...Perhaps a new t-shirt is in order: Shut up. Give it to me in writing!

berl, crown heigths 04.06.05 - 1:03 pm -- Link: #

REQUIRED READING FOR ALL BERL FANS

2006-05-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

B E R L M A N I F E S T O:

1. I have never pretended to be an objective commentator. My allegiance to רבותינו נשיאינו is total, fanatical, blind, without any conditions and unabashed.

2. I do not expect other people to agree with my interpretation of all events & facts. Reasonable people can disagree on such things.

3. I do expect, however, that facts that serve as a spring board for any conclusion-making are indeed facts and not a mixture of distortions, misquotes, innuendos and omissions. I am not afraid to entertain any fact, provided it is true. Reasonable people should be able to agree on this.

4. I also expect that when my interpretation of any fact is a plausible as that of my opponent’s, that it would be acknowledged as such. Beyond that, everyone is free to draw whatever conclusions they wish.

5. Anyone who does not find these truths self-evident, has already made up their mind about Chabad as strongly as I have (albeit in the opposite way) and there is, indeed, nothing to be gained from a dialogue between us.

berl, crown heights 03.27.05 - 1:34 pm #

Credit: mentalblog.com / Thread: To Schneur Zalman of NY on DR. Rigg & 65 years of silence

FINANCE

2006-05-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Posted at mentalblog.com

Berl, Crown Heights writes:

...In addition to having more advanced secular education, most Modern Orthodox practice severe birth control (at least as compared to average "charedi" couples) and thus not only have less children to support, but are also more likely to have 2-income households. I know quite a few "charedi" heads of household that hold what would be normally considered well paying jobs and still barely "making ends meet". A guy earning a respectable 100K (before taxes) simply can't support 8 kids + wife + house in Brooklyn with ~40K going toward Yeshiva tuitions. And what is there to say for a guy making 75K (also a decent pay)????

Good professional education is simply not enough to support the cost of the current "charedi" lifestyle. And I honestly do not see how this can continue without some very serious communal intervention - and soon! If you want to talk about kids being disillusioned, growing up in poverty is a major contributing factor for sure. I have heard quite a few first-hand accounts of kids saying to their impoverished parents: "I do not want to live like you when I grow up..."

I would even venture to say that the "charedi" community attitudes about spending & lifestyle are more self-destructive than simple "materialism". I have been thinking about this for a long time and will try to write more on this later. A well-paid professional "charedi" head of household, even if his head is "screwed on right" about money & spending (i.e. he does not feel that a new hat for יו"ט is "a must" of יהרג ואל יעבור proportions) simply can’t afford to pay even for a very modest lifestyle. For a guy like that (~100K before taxes with 8 kids) tuitions will not be a cent under 40K, and that is after all the "breaks" (even in Lubavitch!). Now you tell me, what is left (after taxes & tuitions) to pay for housing, clothing, food, etc for a family of 10? If his wife does not work – he is flat out of luck. And how much can a mother of 8 earn?

There only 3 ways to maintain this lifestyle:

1. Be a successful businessman.

2. Have a cash job and be on all the "programs"

3. Best of all - combine "1" & "2" !

Anyone still wonder why yungelite after kolel do not break down the doors of universities in rush to become physical therapists, lawyers or financial analysts?

MAINSTREAM LUBAVITCH

2006-05-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Posted one year ago at mentalblog.com:

Here is what I think are some very basic and mainstream Lubavitcher beliefs:

1. A belief that חסידות חב"ד היא שער הכולל המביא אל דרך עולה בית א-ל.

2. A belief that while קיום מצות מעשיות is valid as practiced by all the "orthodox" Jews, this is not so when it comes to 'עבודת ה and even less so concerning what is commonly known as "אמונות ודעות". (In fact, correcting this deficiency was a core reason for the very establishment of חסידות חב"ד by the אדמו"ר הזקן. Immediately prior to that, the prevailing conditions - in terms of these crucial points of Jewish existence - in the countries then known as "ארבעה ארצות" deteriorated to a state of total corruption and gross aberration. Many of the innovations by the אדמו"ר הזקן were nothing more than restored authentic practices of the קדמונים [as he testified to his interrogators in the Tainy Soviet])

3. A visceral belief that being a מתנגד is a vile state of being that causes a man to deny the very existence of G-d by breathing alone.

4. A belief that it is a birthright of every Jew to taste the נועם אלקי של חסידות חב"ד and be connected to the חוטר מגזע ישי. So do the Lubavitchers want all Jews to be Lubavitchers? You bet! Proudly so! (It’s just that we do not mind if they want to hold on their beaver hats or white socks. However, I never understood this - why does this belief bother anyone? Is anyone forced to do anything against their will? Their anger reminds me of the age-old accusation leveled against Jews by all anti-Semites: "Those Jews think they are superior to us!" The question that these people never address is: "If it is not true, why does it bother you so?"

berl, crown heights 05.16.05 - 3:45 pm #

WELCOME

2006-05-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

Baruch atta b'voecha; Baruch atta b'tzesecha!

There has been - for quite some time - a clamor for words of inspiration. Unfortunately, many who seek to inspire often lack the requisite tools to succeed; therefore I seek to provide a daily quote, culled from the archives of the blogosphere, that contain a healthy dose of substance, humor, sarcasm and cynicism, bringing meaning to the mundane and inspiration to the faceless masses who travel these halls...