Baltimore Jewish Home 2-5-15 by Moshe Rubin

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‫ ל׳ שבט‬- ‫טז׳ שבט‬

Admoor Grand Rabbi Mayer Alter Horowitz, shlit”a, Celebrates Tu B’Shvat in Baltimore

PAGE 16

Jewish Experience Week a Major Success in Baltimore!

PAGE 6

Tu B’Shvat Seder of the Arizal Under the Stars PAGE 14

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CONTENTS COMMUNITY

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Around the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

JEWISH THOUGHT From the Files of Beis Din. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Parenting Today - Davening in Shul. . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 When a Jew in France is Suffering, the Jews in Poland React. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 A Parsha Thought. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 The Shmuz. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT Notable Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Centerfold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

COVER STORY Criminalizing Israel’s Right to Exist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

LIFESTYLES 20 Cheap Home Remodel and Redesign Tips. . . . 34 Your Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Table for Two or Two Hundred. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Childrearing: How to Keep Calm and Carry On . . 45 How to Avoid Winter Weight Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 In the Kitchen: Souper Soup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 From My Private Art Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 In the Kitchen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

NEWS Global News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 National News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 That’s Odd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

ISRAEL Israel News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Dear Readers, It seems the showdown between Israel and the Iranian regime is coming closer by the day. As of this writing IDF forces are digging across the border with Lebanon, a country that serves as a puppet of Iran, to see if there are any preexisting tunnels which could be used to launch terrorist attacks into Israel. The IDF has also been digging trenches along the border with Syria, another Iranian ally. These security measures as well as the placement of Iron Dome Batteries along the Northern border, come on the heels of the successful military operation in which a senior Hezbollah commander and an Iranian Revolutionary Guards General were eliminated. For many of us, these events are seen as a continuation of the ongoing process of the final redemption in which G-d fulfills his promise to the Jewish people and returns us to our land after protecting his people one final time, showing great miracles and his love for every single Jew. As the Jew is the microcosm of the world, the redemptive process, including the miracles, applies to all nonJews who are committed to a G-d given morality and justice. Regardless, one can’t help but feel that we owe an apology to the Jews living in Europe, and America, in the beginning of the 1930’s. When reading about the build up to the eventual Nazi killing machine we couldn’t help but wonder “Why didn’t they see it coming?” “Why didn’t the Jews in America do more?” “They should have stormed the heavens!” They saw the literature of the Nazi party and were aware of the views they had on Jews and other minorities. This in addition to the street beatings and humiliating tactics which became more common as time went on and eventually led to the Nuremberg Laws, Kristallnacht... We owe an apology because we have the same signs. There are now countries which are promoting the worst types of anti-Semitism, teaching their children that 6 million Jews weren’t killed in the Holocaust and openly supporting attacks on Jews wherever they may be. More importantly however are the large number of terrorist organizations which have dedicated themselves to freeing Israel from Jews, and indeed the world as well. These include Hamas, Hezbollah and IS in addition to Al Qaida,

many in the Palestinian Authority, Boko Haram, the Muslim Brotherhood and the list goes on. More than signs we have been witness to manifestations of this hatred and what these terrorists would like to do if they had their way. There are obviously many differences now that 80+ years have passed; then there were many Jews in Nazi Germany and now there are very few in the above countries. Then Jews didn’t have a military and now we do, and so on. Yet, it is also true that all new challenges contain new dimensions and just as back in the 30’s they probably pointed out to the differences of the previous manifestations of antiSemitism and whether it can happen in “Germany of the 20th century”, so too we can choose to ignore the new reality today. As Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer has pointed out; is there a difference whether the threat is a concentration camp or a nuclear weapon? The hate is there, the ideology is there, as well as the suicidal will. Now that we’ve learned that such talk isn’t meaningless, will we courageously stand up and face the evil for what it is? Can we face the Holocaust survivors and tell them they’ve well taught us to never again remain silent when faced with blind hate? This isn’t about fear mongering as only G-d knows what will happen. This is about understanding the Jews of the 30’s and not passing judgment on what they could have known or done about it. More importantly however, it’s the lesson that there’s no such thing as, “It can’t happen in the 21st century”. The phone, Radio, fax machine, Internet, email, Facebook, Twitter and other advances in technology have shown the world to be a unified organism. Certainly for the good as well. Let us recommit ourselves to having one more positive thought, one more positive thing to say and one more positive action so that the scales of judgment tip in the favor of the good and the holy, ultimately ushering in the time when the essential unifying force, our creator, will be revealed for all to see.

May we have a peaceful Shabbos,

Yaakov

The Baltimore Jewish Home is an independent bi-weekly newspaper. Opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily the opinions of the publisher or editor. The Baltimore Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The BJH contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

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Jewish Experience Week a Major Success in Baltimore! By Ari Kravetz

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Another successful program was led by Rabbi Zvi Schwartz for college students from New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida. Rabbi Schwartz’ program, Jewish Experience Week, or J.E.W., brings students from all over the country to Baltimore to delve into their Jewish roots and experience the Jewish community and Torah learning. For an entire week students participate in various learning opportunities, develop a bond with the community, and advocate for Israel on Capitol Hill…not to mention tasting delicacies from the kosher restaurants. This past trip was kicked off with dinner at Dougies together with bochurim from Ner Yisroel.

Students on the trip got to meet not just one another, but also discuss what it’s like to learn in a yeshiva.

“Do you learn all day?” and “What do you learn?” were common questions that were asked and into which much insight was gained. The bochurim continued to join the J.E.W. program throughout the week to learn with them, go bowling with them, and spend a wonderful Shabbos on Yeshiva Lane with them. Each morning students on the JEW program could be found in the beis hamedresh of Ner Yisroel learning with talmidim and Baal Habatim from the community. They learned about various cases dealing with damages from Bava Kama and how to apply them to modern scenarios, as well as various mishnayos from Pirkei Avos. Additionally, they also were able to meet with the Rosh HaYeshiva, Rabbi Ahron Feldman, shlit’a, Rabbi Shragie Neuberger,

shlit’a, and Rabbi Zvi Berkowitz, shlit’a. Topics that were discussed included the importance of being a Jew, the force of anti-semitism, and Jewish relationships. Afternoon activities featured a tour and explanation of Hatzalah, a tour of Seven Mile by the Star-K, a trip to Earthtrek indoor climbing, a trip to Washington D.C. featuring meetings with senior senate staffers Nick Mutzin from the office of Senator Ted Cruz (TX) and Eric Feldman from the office of Senator Gary Peters (MI), visiting AIPAC D.C., a meeting with Rabbi Ariel Sadwin at Agudath Israel’s Mid-Atlantic headquarters, and a mishmar featuring delicious cholent! When asked what his favorite part of the trip was a student, K.M., respond, “From meeting a ton of great guys,

continued on page 10

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Campaign Chairs Howard Tzvi Friedman Joel Pleeter, MD Jerry Wolasky

Building Chair

Coming up on the horızon Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim Talmudical Academy of Baltimore

is pleased to announce that we have received zoning approval for our new and expanded campus, and, through the generosity of a number of lead donors,

Chaim Wealcatch

EXPANDING HORIZONS

Building a Child Building a School Building a Community

have secured pledges representing a significant portion of funds needed for the project! The fully developed campus will include new buildings for our high school and early childhood program.

We look forward to sharing our news and excitement with the entire community, as we work together to achieve our goal.

RabbiFor Yahuda Lefkovitz donations and dedication opportunities, please contact Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim Talmudical Academy 410.484.6600 • x305 4445 Old Court Road ryl@talmudicalacademy.org

• Baltimore, MD 21208 • 410.484.6600 x 304 • expandinghorizons@talmudicalacademy.org

‫ העולמי‬‫דרשו סיו‬ ‫ היומי בהלכה‬‫ של ד‬‫למחזור הראשו‬

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

WORLD SIYUM —— SPRING 2015 ——

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WITH PURIM APPROACHING

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO JOIN DAF HAYOMI B’HALACHA On February 11, 2015, the actual limud of Daf HaYomi B’Halacha – the daily Mishnah Berurah program encouraged by Gedolei Yisroel – will be up to:

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

to having excellent food, to learning and also traveling and meeting important people in Washington, the week was filled with so many great aspects it’s hard to pick which I enjoyed the most.” At the end of the program students had an energizing melave malke featuring live music, singing,

dancing, and food. The students loved their week in the Baltimore community and among smiles and laughter, presented Rabbi Schwartz with a framed photograph of the J.E.W. students and Rabbi Ahron Feldman, shlit’a. As they presented the photograph, one student said, “The people on this trip were abso-

lutely amazing, from different families we met, to yeshiva personnel, to participants like myself. Putting all that together with the Jewish learning we got, it was an amazing package and just the right way to finish off my exciting one month break from school.” Three of the participants on the J.E.W.

program are planning to go study in yeshivos in Israel, and other students asked about follow-up trips and shabbatons!

A MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY

“My Mishpacha”

Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group

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A MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Meet Tania... and Her “Personal” Staff.

Wednesday February 18, 6:30 - 7:30pm Hosted & Sponsored by Peregrine’s Landing at Tudor Heights Complimentary to our Guests

“The 10 Signs & Symptoms of Dementia”

At Peregrine’s Landing at Tudor Heights, we care for each resident as if they are our ONLY resident. We cook. We clean. We drive. We meet Tania’s every need with the compassion and personal attention that keeps her happy, healthy and engaged. Discover more than you hoped for, for less than you imagined. Call Sherille Otto at 410-318-8000 or Visit Today

Join us for this informative discussion featuring Carol F. Wynne, BSN, RN, GNP, geriatric nurse practitioner with 30+ years of experience helping people with dementia and their families. Companion care for your loved one available with your reservation. Light refreshments. Reservations, call Sherille Otto at 410-318-8000

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OCA Students Learn about the midda of the Month Morah Ziffer’s Kitah Alef was proud to teach their fellow OCA students about the midda for the month of Shvat - Shemirat Hateva. What is the connection between the middah and the month? In Shvat, we celebrate the holiday of Tu BShvat - Rosh Hashana L’ilanot. We “naturally” think about trees, nature and our environment. Usually, this is the time when students in Eretz Yisrael go on tiyulim to plant trees. Not this year though, because it is a shemittah year. It is a Shabbat for the land and planting is not done.

All the students had a virtual trip to the fields and orchards of Eretz Yisrael as they watched a brief segment of a video to see how the Jewish National Fund observes the mitzvah of shemittah while continuing to nurture the natural resources of Eretz Yisrael. Then they shared ideas of what they can do here in Baltimore to care for our natural environment. Ms. McCown introduced units of study per grade which will enhance the children’s understanding of their environment and how to care for it.

Long Division at Ohr Chadash Academy The students have been diligently practicing the steps of long division this week. We have had a great time kicking off each math class with a rendition of “Long Division YMCA”. Since this song is so catchy, it has been a breeze for the students to memorize the steps! Another trick that helps is to write a checklist next to each long division problem. Every time we complete a step of the problem, we check it off. This has helped many students to slow down and make sure that they

are completing the problem accurately. The math test is scheduled for Thursday, February 5. A study guide will be going home next week. Also on this week’s agenda, the students practiced completing multistep word problems. Some students worked on a challenging football themed solve & snip, while others completed a resource that helps students break down multi-step problems into small, manageable steps.

Dont Drive Intexticated! This past Monday the KYHS JUMP team made their way over to 30th St Station to help promote not driving distracted. They interviewed and explained the dangers of texting and driving. They helped people see how bad it can be to be distracted while driving. For instance driving 5 seconds at 55 MPH you can travel the length of a football field! After the interview, each participant got a key chain that encouraged them to not drive Intexticated!

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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Tu B’Shvat Seder of the Arizal Under the Stars

At first, there is nothing. All is white. All is cold and bare. At first, there is a winter. A blank sheet of nothingness. Winter encapsulates all that is nothing before something man-

ifests. Potential, possibility, it matters not. All will come when all is ready. At first, there is nothing. Let us look a little closer for a moment. At first there is nothing,

but quite slowly and subtly, there is something. Something begins to formulate. Something begins to occur. From the shadows. From the ground. A tree begins to emerge. Tu B’Shvat marks the initial stirring of our innermost beings. The person we were yesterday finally begins to augment and develop today. The potential we entail finally takes root and begins to expand. The time of maturation has come to end; the time of movement has begun. Tu B’Shvat has arrived. This winter, a small backyard witnessed a newfound greatness; the likes of which has never before been seen in Baltimore. This Tu B’Shvat, nearly twenty young adults and teens joined together under the stars of the heavens and the trees of the earth to partake in the magical and mystical Tu B’Shvat Seder of the Arizal. Torah and singing soared into a cloudless sky. A winter wind rustled the leafless branches above, while the flames of the bonfire crackled below. Somewhere beneath the ground the tree sap begins to move. Life begins again. Tu B’Shvat Higiya. Tu B’Shvat has arrived. Buried within a chapter designated as a consolation for the Jewish People in Exile, Sefer Yeshayahu seemingly breaks character for a moment and speaks of the time near the coming of the Messiah when the children will rebel against the ways of their parents. Rav Shimon Schwab ponders the meaning behind the placement of

this particular pasuk and its apparent contradiction with the ongoing theme of consolation. Why did the prophet interrupt his message of hope to forewarn the Jewish people of a time when their children will rebel? Rav Schwab interprets a phenom-

enal message. Says Rav Schwab, this IS a message of hope. This IS a consolation. As the years go by and the Messiah is needed more and more each day, it is the children that will finally bring the revolution. There will come a time when the children of the Jewish people will want more than what the Judaism of their parents offers them. The children of the Jewish people will yearn for a deeper connection and relationship with their God. They aren’t rebelling from their parents, says Rabbi Schwab, they are rebelling from mediocrity. From nothing, there is now something. A newfound passion is lit amongst them. A spark ignites. A tree begins to grow.

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Admoor Grand Rabbi Mayer Alter Horowitz, shlit”a, Celebrates Tu B’Shvat in Baltimore By Margie Pensak

ed more than eighty men and women for a Tu B’Shvat Seder headed by the Rebbe. Sharayim of the Rebbe, everything from cake and the shivas minim to other fruits, wine and snack foods, were shared throughout the evening, with the help of his gabbai, Batzalel. Before returning to Har Nof, the Rebbe spent 1-1/2 days in Baltimore, meeting with people and visiting the Bnos Yisroel middle and high schools in honor of Tu B’Shvat. The Bostoner Tu B’Shvat seder was just one of many celebrations throughout the Baltimore community, the annual program held at Baltimore Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh, among them. The last time the Rebbe visited Baltimore was in October, 2013. I missed hearing the Rebbe’s inspirational words of Torah, peppered with his characteristic humor, then, so I was especially grateful that I was able to attend this year’s event. We hope to be blessed by the Rebbe’s presence in the future, iy”H.

The last time I had the pleasure of being in the company of Admoor Grand Rabbi Mayer Alter Horowitz, shlit”a, the Bostoner Rebbe-Har Nof, was about 40 years ago, when I was the recipient of his welcoming hospitality in his home on Addington Road in Brookline, Massachusetts. As a student attending Stern College, I joined fellow students, a number of times, to make the trip from Manhattan to 1710 Beacon Street, to bask in the warmth and wisdom of his parents— Rav Levi Yitzchok, the Bostoner Rebbe-Boston, and his Rebbetzin, Rachel, a”h. It was an awesome experience to daven and eat Shabbos and yom tov meals together with them and other college students at their shul, Congregation Beth Pinchas, the New England Chassidic Center. My fondest memories of those very special days came rushing back to me, Tuesday evening, as I sat in the Carriage House, dubbed “The Storch Educational Center”, where Frank and Danielle Sara Storch graciously host-

Donate $5 to Ahavas Yisrael through The OCD Company for Free The OCD Company continues to pop up everywhere; their friendly faces on your social media networks, their yard signs are around the community, and they are in your friends, families, and neighbors homes and businesses. They are based in Pikesville and surrounding areas and work in homes, Shuls, schools and other business and non-profit settings. They have much to offer, just a few of their quality services are professional carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, marble restoration and there is so much more. (Sorry, they don’t clean out cars or homes for Pesach.) The company is run by a dynamic couple, Chaim and Chaia Kessler who are active members of the Bal-

timore Jewish community and just as their lifestyle is based on torah and mitzvahs so are their companies values. The company stands on three pillars being On Time, Clean, and Dependable, as the name implies. Their goal is to bring you the most pleasant experience possible. It’s our mission to arrive on time, all the time, to clean effectively and efficiently, and to be dependable. They work year round and are getting ready for their busiest time of year when people have cleaning on their minds before Pesach. Don’t forget to schedule early to get the cleaning time that is most convenient for you - They don’t want to turn anyone away this year because their schedule is full. They’ve started a very unique

campaign to get their name out there. For every yard sign that people allow to have up in their yards for the month of Adar they will donate $5 to Ahavas Yisrael (restrictions apply). Let your friends and neighbors know about this fantastic opportunity to give tzedakah at no cost to you! To schedule a cleaning or request

a sign you can call them at 410-6532200 For more information visit their website: www.theocdcompany.com or their facebook page: www.facebook.com/theocdcompany

Photo Credit: Frank Storch

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

The Week Iran Holds Holocaust Denial Competition

around the world and could spark the flame of cruel radicalism.” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said, “If we do not respect one another, it will be very difficult in a world of different views, different cultures and civilizations.”

Relatives of Those Lost

on Flight MH370 to Receive Compensation Malaysia has declared the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 an accident, clearing the way for the airline to pay compensation to victims’ relatives while the search for the plane goes on. The Boeing 777

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Some countries have singing, modeling or acting competitions. Iran has put a new spin on national contests by hosting a Holocaust denial competition. An Iranian cultural center announced a plan to hold a contest for Holocaust denial cartoons in response to the massacre targeting the Charlie Hebdo magazine after it published cartoons ridiculing the Prophet Mohammed. Iran’s House of Cartoon and the Sarcheshmeh Cultural Complex organized the competition and invited participants to submit satirical drawings on the subject of Holocaust denial by the beginning of April. The competition announced a $12,000 prize for the winner, with prizes of $8,000 and $5,000 for second and third place, respectively. Masud Shojaei-Tabatabaii, the organizer of the competition, said the cartoons would be displayed at the Palestine Museum of Contemporary Art in Tehran before being shown in other parts of the capital. This type of competition is not new in Ali Khameini’s country. In 2006, Hamshahiri, the country’s most popular newspaper, announced a search for the “cleverest” cartoons satirizing the genocide of Europe’s Jews. The newspaper said the competition was a reaction to the “double standard” in the West about freedom of expression. The winner of the first competition, Abdellah Derkaoui of Morocco, depicted a crane painted with the Star of David building a wall around the Dome of

the Rock; the wall has a picture of Auschwitz on it. Following the publication of Charlie Hebdo’s first post-massacre issue, Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi said showing another image of Mohammed “is equivalent to a declaration of war against all Muslims.” Tehran’s foreign ministry declared that the new issue was “provoking Muslim sensitivities

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The Week aircraft disappeared on March 8 last year, carrying 239 passengers and crew shortly after taking off from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, bound for Beijing. Months of searches have failed to turn up any trace.

cause of the accident.” Malaysia airline’s crisis worsened on July 17 when its Flight MH17, on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people onboard.

Portugal Accepting Descendants of Expelled Jews “We officially declare Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident ... and that all 239 of the passengers and crew onboard MH370 are presumed to have lost their lives,” Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said in a statement. The announcement is in accordance with standards of the International Civil Aviation, said Azharuddin. The ruling will allow families of the passengers to obtain assistance through compensation. Malaysia Airlines is ready to proceed with the compensation process to the next-of-kin of the passengers on the flight, Rahman said. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told reporters Malaysia should settle claims with the families. “We hope the Malaysian side honors its promises and fully investigates the incident, settling claims and making peace with the families, especially continuing to make all efforts to find the missing plane and its passengers,” Li said. Most of the passengers on the plane were from China. International investigators are looking into why the Boeing jet veered thousands of miles off course from its scheduled route before eventually plunging into the Indian Ocean. The search in the Indian Ocean is still ongoing and Malaysia is also conducting a criminal investigation, Azharuddin said. “Both investigations are limited by the lack of physical evidence at this time, particularly the flight recorders,” he pointed out. “Therefore, at this juncture, there is no evidence to substantiate any speculations as to the

In News tion. Similar legislation is underway in Spain, where it awaits a final vote in Congress. Hundreds of thousands of Jews fled those countries from 1492 and on because of Church-led persecution. In both Spain and Portugal, legislators and government officials said Jewish communities would be consulted and perhaps made partially in charge of screening applicants. The Jewish community of Lisbon, where the vast majority of Portugal’s 800 Jews live, has rejected applications because the final letter of the law has not yet been published.

Norway Orders Terrorist to Remote Village Last week, the Portuguese government approved modifications to a law that regulates nationality rights to the descendants of Sephardic Jews who were expelled from the Iberian nation almost five centuries ago. “I would not say that it is a historical reparation, because I believe that in this regard there is no possibility of repairing what has been done. I would say that it is the granting of a right,” Justice Minister Paula Teixeira da Cruz said at the end of a cabinet meeting. Portugal’s law on accepting descendants of Sephardic Jews was passed by parliament in 2013. ”We expect the law to be effective by mid-February or the beginning of March 2015,” said the president of Lisbon’s Jewish community, Jose Oulman Carp. According to the legislation, “the government will give nationality … to Sephardic Jews of Portuguese ancestry who belong to a tradition of a Portuguese-descended Sephardic community based on objective prerequisites proving a connection to Portugal through names, language and ancestry.” The authors described the legislation as an act of atonement for the expulsion of Portuguese Jewry in 1536 during the Portuguese Inquisi-

est, at least until 31 December 2015, must take precedence over Faraj’s right to a family life, freedom to move freely throughout the country, and to choose his own place of residence,” read the court’s decision. Krekar’s lawyer, Brynjar Meling, appealed the decision and asked that it be postponed pending review. Krekar has been living under risk of deportation since 2003 after Norwegian authorities ordered him to be expelled, claiming he posed a threat to national security. While Norway’s court system has upheld the ruling, Norwegian law protects him from being deported to Iraq, where he risks the death penalty. While Krekar acknowledges having co-founded Ansar al-Islam, he insists he has not led the group since 2002. The preacher and the group Ansar al-Islam are included on the United Nations and U.S. lists of terrorist groups or individuals.

Auschwitz’s Bookkeeper on Trial

Norway has their own way of combatting terrorism. Last Monday, a court in Oslo authorized police to transfer Iraqi Kurd “hate preacher” Mullah Krekar to a remote Norwegian village. The mullah, 58, has been living in Norway since 1991 and personally founded the radical Islamist group Ansar al-Islam. After serving a two year, 10-month sentence in prison for threatening the prime minister, Ahmad was released at the end of January. The police had invoked special measures to order Krekar, whose real name is Najmeddine Faraj Ahmad, to live in a refugee center in Kyrksaeteroera, a village of 2,500 people located 500 kilometers (300 miles) from the capital. He will be prohibited from leaving the village and will be required to report to police three times a week. Ahmad is married and has four children, which the defense used in its argument. “With some misgivings, the court considers that the basic national inter-

Between May and July 1944, more than 425,000 Jews were deported to Auschwitz and at least 300,000 of them were murdered in the camp’s gas chambers. Oskar Groening, 93, is being charged as an accessory to those murders. The elderly man served as a guard at the death camp. He was known as the “bookkeeper” and collected and counted the money collected from the luggage of prisoners upon their arrival. He then passed the funds onto Nazi SS authorities, according to prosecutors. He also removed the luggage of prisoners who previously entered the death

The Week Global Cost of Living

• Iceland: CPI 102.14 • Denmark: CPI 100.60 • Australia: CPI 99.32 • New Zealand: CPI 93.71 • Singapore: CPI 93.61 • Kuwait: CPI 92.97 • United Kingdom: CPI 92.19 The world’s cheapest countries to live are: • India: CPI 26.27 • Nepal: CPI 28.85 • Pakistan: CPI 30.71 • Tunisia: CPI 34.06 • Algeria: CPI 34.10 • Moldova: CPI 34.72 • Egypt: CPI 37.22 • Macedonia: CPI 37.41 • Syria: CPI 38.24 • Colombia: CPI 38.92

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In which country can you buy the cheapest cup of coffee or a bag of oranges? Numbeo, a data research website, considered a number of factors to determine the cheapest and most expen-

sive countries in the world. Included in the research was the cost of groceries, rent, eating at restaurants, and local purchasing power to determine in country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). As a point of reference, each country was compared to New York City. For instance, if a country scored a CPI of 120, it means it costs 20% more to live there than in the Big Apple. It’s interesting to note that the United Stated scored a CPI of 76.53, meaning that the average cost of living in the country is 23.47 cheaper than NYC specifically. So which countries are considered the world’s most expensive? • Switzerland: CPI 126.03 • Norway: CPI 118.59 • Venezuela: CPI 111.01

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camp in order to hide the true nature of Auschwitz from new arrivals. Prosecutors are insisting that Groening clearly understood that the Jewish and other prisoners “were murdered directly after their arrival in the gas chambers of Auschwitz.” “I saw the gas chambers. I saw the crematoria. I saw the open fires. I was on the ramp when the selections [for the gas chambers] took place,” Groening told the BBC in 2005. Groening’s trial will take place in the northern German city of Luxemburg in April, with Holocaust survivors and survivors’ relatives as plaintiffs in the case.

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The Week Prosecutor in AMIA Bombing Laid to Rest

Alberto Nisman, 51, was the special prosecutor assigned to the 1994 AMIA bombing. Just a few hours on January 18 before he was set to present evidence to Argentine lawmakers proving that President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner covered up Iran’s role in the attack, he was found dead in his Buenos Aires home. On Thursday morning, a police escort led the funeral procession to the Tablada Jewish Cemetery. Along the procession route, people waved Argentine flags and held signs that said “Justice,” “Thank you, Nisman” and “We all are Nisman” in Spanish. Some chanted Argentina’s national anthem. Nisman was buried in the same section of the main Jewish cemetery as the victims of the bombings he was investigating. Eighty-five people were killed in the Buenos Aires bombing; some are calling Nisman the 86th victim. All of them are buried in cemetery’s located “Martyrs Section”. A goodbye letter written by Nisman’s daughters to their father was published Thursday in Argentine papers. “We hope now you can rest in peace. We will guard in our hearts the beautiful moments we lived together,” Lara and Kala wrote. “This is burying part of our republic,” said Patricia Bullrich, an opposition member of Congress, before entering the cemetery. “It’s a day of reflection and sadness for all of Argentina.” An assistant revealed on Wednesday that close to his final days, Nisman didn’t even trust his own bodyguards.

It is said that Nisman also feared for the safety of his two daughters, who are 7 and 15 years old, and were on vacation in Spain at the time of his death. As of now, authorities are insisting his death was not a result of foul play. However, his death is certainly suspicious. Over the years Nisman had received many death threats. The Times of Israel’s David Horovitz, who had interviewed Nisman several times, wrote last week that the prosecutor said he had been repeatedly threatened by Iran. “Nisman told me that he had been warned off the AMIA case by Iran, and that he had received death threats, including one that he found recorded on his home answering machine which was particularly troubling because his daughter was standing next to him when he played it,” he wrote. “In one of several subsequent telephone conversations, he said the Iranians had told him — during hearings at which they sought in vain to have their incriminated leaders cleared by Interpol — that he had slandered their nation, that his capture would be sought, and that he would spend years in Iran’s jails…” Horovitz added. “Nisman did not appear particularly fazed by the threats, saying lightly that he had no plans to visit the Islamic Republic. He also swore that he would not cease his work on the case until the perpetrators and orchestrators had been tried, convicted and jailed.”

UN: No Genocide in Croatia-Serb Conflict On Tuesday, the UN’s highest court rejected rival claims of genocide by Croatia and Serbia in landmark rulings over the 1991-1995 war, as both former foes reluctantly accepted the verdict and pledged to turn the page on their bloody history. Sixteen years after the first case was lodged at the International Court of Justice, chief judge Peter Tomka dismissed claims that Serb forces committed genocide during Croatia’s war of independence. He made a similar ruling in a counter-claim over a Croatian counter-offensive that forced

In News 200,000 Serbs to flee after the last major battle of the war. Tomka pointed out that both sides had committed crimes during the conflict, including forcible displacement, but that neither had proved genocide, which “pre-supposes the intent to destroy a group, at least in part.” He added, “The court encourages the parties to continue their cooperation with a view to offering appropriate reparation to the victims of such violations, thus consolidating peace and stability in the region.”

ethnic Serbs were forced to flee when Croatia launched Operation Storm to retake its territory in 1995. Following the offensive, the proportion of ethnic Serbs in Croatia shrank from 12 percent to four percent. Ties between the two improved slowly after the war but turned frosty in 2012 after inflammatory comments by both sides. Speaking from Vukovar, former Croatian POW association head Danijel Rehak denounced the verdict by the 17-judge panel. “There is no reconciliation here,” he said. In Serbia, Miodrag Linta of the Croatian Serb refugee association was equally unhappy, saying, “These crimes were part of a plan by Croat leaders to destroy the Serbs.”

Israel The verdict will hopefully help both sides look toward the future. Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said he hoped the judgment would help the two Balkans neighbors to find “lasting peace,” while his Croatian counterpart Ivo Josipovic called on politicians to work together to build good relationships. Serbia was accused of ethnic cleansing as a “form of genocide” in the town of Vukovar and other areas, leading to large numbers of Croats being displaced, killed or tortured and their property destroyed. Vukovar was captured after a harrowing three-month-long siege by the Yugoslav army and Serb rebels, one of the darkest chapters of the conflict. The Hague-based Yugoslav war crimes tribunal has sentenced several Serb commanders for war crimes committed at Vukovar, including senior commander Mile Mrksic, who was jailed for 20 years on appeal for his role in the murder of more than 200 prisoners. After Vukovar’s fall, about 22,000 non-Serbs were expelled, and about 350 people from the Vukovar region are still reported missing. Belgrade responded with a counter-suit in 2010, saying about 200,000

Iran Targets Bibi’s Kids

In another example of just how despicable the Iranian leadership is, its military leaders are encouraging its terror allies to pursue the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s children. Their encouragement came by publishing personal information about them, including photographs of the children lined up in crosshairs, and declaring, “We must await the hunt of Hezbollah.” The publication of the personal information and biographies of Netanyahu’s children follows a recent Israeli airstrike that killed several key Hezbollah leaders and an Iranian commander affiliated with the country’s hardline Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian military leaders affiliated with the IRGC threatened harsh retaliation for the strike and promised

The Week targets for assassination because of their affiliation with top Israeli leaders.

Israeli Startups Have Best Year Yet

MobilEye (camera-based technology that alerts drivers of potential collisions and accidents) was the largest IPO of 2014 and the largest-ever IPO of an Israeli company, listing on the NYSE and raising slightly over $1 billion at a valuation of $7.5 billion. The second largest IPO in 2014 was made

by SafeCharge (payment solutions) on London’s Alternative Investment Market, raising $125 million at a valuation of $400 million. Other IPOs included CyberArk (cyber-security) raising $85.8 million; Borderfree (eCommerce) raising $80 million; Matomy Media (advertising and promotion) raising $63.6 million; Varonis Systems (enterprise information management) raising $106 million; and ReWalk (assisted walking device for paraplegics–the first and only exoskeleton approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) raising $36 million. Rubi Suliman, partner at PWC Israel, summed up the recent surge in Israeli start-ups, “In 2014, the stars were aligned exactly right for Israeli hightech: the IPO window was open in the U.S. and England, the maturity of many Israeli companies and investors, the major availability of money for

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2014 was the best year ever, by far, for Israeli startups. Acquisitions and IPOs for Israeli startups were worth about $15 billion—an all-time record—up from $7.6 billion in 2013 and $5.5 billion in 2012. Eighteen Israeli companies went public (13 in the U.S. and five in England) in 2014, raising a total of $9.8 billion, compared to $1.2 billion in 2013. Fifty-two startups were sold in 2014 for a total of $5 billion, down from $6.5 billion in 2013, a decline that is explained by the increase in the number of IPOs in 2014 and the acquisition of Waze for $966 million

in 2013. Israeli startups were also acquired at a faster pace than ever, within an average of 3.95 years, compared to a period of 5.5 years before acquisition in 2013 and 8.59 years in 2009.

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to ratchet up support for Hezbollah as well as Palestinian terrorist organizations. The information about Netanyahu’s children was originally published in Farsi by an Iranian website affiliated with the IRGC and quickly republished by Iran’s state-controlled Fars News Agency. In addition to biographical details and pictures of Netanyahu’s children, the Iranians provided details about the families of former Prime ministers Ehud Olmert and Ariel Sharon. Regional experts with knowledge of the IRGC said this type of public threat is meant to intimidate Israelis and act as a deterrent against possible military action. “Here, we have organized a list of prominent Israeli Aghazadehs,” or children, the article reads. According to the article, which is titled, “The file of the Zionist Children,” Netanyahu’s children are acceptable

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The Week high-tech from buyers and investors, and of course the strength of Israeli high-tech that knew how to reinvent itself and adapt to the times.”

Keidar, Geffen Battalion commander, who was awarded a Head of Regional Command Citation.

Human Rights Watch: Protective Edge Heroes PA and Israel at Fault Honored

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz granted decorations, citations and awards this week to over 50 officers, NCOs, and soldiers who fought in Operation Protective Edge five months ago. The fighters of the 52nd Battalion of Division 401 in the Armored Corps were included in the list of decorated recipients at the last minute. The battalion was awarded the GOC Southern Command Citation. The IDF chief also granted citations and medals to nine IDF units that participated in the operation. The highest decoration – the Medal of Distinguished Service – was bestowed on Lt. Eitan Fund, whose story-filled headlines following the kidnapping of Hadar Goldin. Fund expressed mixed feelings upon receiving his medal. “This is not a particularly simple event,” he said. “But I am very proud. We remember our friends who fell and all the bereaved families. I did not think very much during those moments,” he recalled. “It’s something we do a lot and practice all the time.” The sergeant also said it was difficult for him to receive a citation for such a terrible event. “It’s still hard for me now. I hope we will overcome it and know how to deal with it. The decorations belong to everyone.” Six of the soldiers being decorated fell in battle – the highest-ranked of them is Lieutenant Colonel Dolev

The newly released Human Rights Watch World Report 2015 warns that rights clampdowns worldwide is fueling jihadists, and blasted Hamas and Palestinian Authority security services for torturing or ill-treating 338 people as of October 31, 2014. PA forces in the West Bank “beat peaceful demonstrators, detained and harassed journalists, and arbitrarily detained hundreds,” the report said. “Credible allegations of torture of Palestinians by the PA’s security services persisted.” Palestinian terrorist groups were castigated for storing rockets in schools in Gaza and for endangering civilians by launching rockets from populated areas. A consistent critic of Israel, HRW also wrote extensively about alleged Israeli abuses in Gaza, the West Bank, and in Israel itself. The army’s conduct in Operation Protective Edge in Gaza came under particular scrutiny, with the rights organization accusing Israel of a series of unlawful attacks which killed Palestinian civilians. HRW also slammed Israel for expanding settlements and appropriating land in the West Bank. Israel’s policy of destroying Palestinian homes, both those belonging to terrorists and those that were built illegally, came under intense criticism as well. The report also called into question Israel’s linking of Hamas to the abduction and murder of three Israeli teens in June, saying, “There was no public evidence that Hamas ordered the killings,” de-

In News spite very strong evidence to the contrary. “The group praised the abduction but denied responsibility for the teenagers’ murders,” read the report.

National Super Bowl XLIX Regarded as One of the Best

Fans are calling Super Bowl XLIX one of the best Super Bowls of all time. The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots battled it out till the very last second. Ultimately, the Patriots took home the gold with a 28-24 win. The game ranks No. 4 on the list of all time highest-rated Super Bowls in households, with a 47.5 rating. 1982 still ranks as the highest with a 49.1 rating. “Last night’s Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl ranks among the most exciting sporting events in U.S. history,” said NBC Sports Group chairman Mark Lazarus. “Super Bowl XLIX delivered for all of our partners, proving once again that the Super Bowl is the most dominant and consistent property on television.” Of course, there was a lot of hype and buzz surrounding the commercials during the game. For companies who splurge on primetime during the show, it is surely a huge chunk of their yearly advertising budget. Thirty-second spots during Super Bowl XLIX were sold for an average of $4.5 million. Quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots for their fourth Super Bowl win

within 14 years. He threw four touchdowns throughout the game. Brady’s fourth Super Bowl win matches the quarterback record set by Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers and Terry Bradshaw of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brady, who will be 38 for NFL’s 2015 season, was quick to squash any retirement plans. “I love doing it, so I don’t want it to end anytime soon,” he said when asked how much longer fans can expect to see him on the field. “A lot of decisions that I make in my life are about how to sustain it, and that takes a commitment in and of itself. ‘You’ve got to put it in the bank,’ as coach [Bill Belichick] always says. It’s there when you need it.” It all came down to the last few minutes of the game. The Seahawks had a first down at the New England 5-yard line with a little more than a minute to go. Tailback Marshawn Lynch ran the ball to the one on first down. All the Seahawks had to do was hand the ball to Lynch, the sport’s most determined and hard-charging runner, and the Seahawks would be repeat Super Bowl champions. Brady, Belichick and the Patriots would be three-time Super Bowl losers since the last of their three Super Bowl victories at the end of the 2004 season. But inexplicably the Seahawks didn’t hand the ball to Lynch. They instead decided to attempt a pass. And that is where the fate of the game changed. Patriots rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler made a break on the football, got in front of wide receiver Ricardo Lockette and made the interception of Wilson’s throw with 20 seconds to play. The game was over: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24. Brady was named the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player (MVP); the winner is selected by a fan vote during the game and by a panel of 16 American football writers and broadcasters who vote after the game. This is the third time the QB received the award. The game took place at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. It was the second Super Bowl played in this stadium. The February 1st game united a record 114.4 million viewers, making it the all-time most watched telecast in U.S. history.

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Harper Lee to Publish Her Second Book—in 50 Years The president is getting a new toy: a new jet. The U.S. military announced on Wednesday that it has selected Boeing’s 747-8 aircraft for a new fleet of Air Force One, opting against an airliner made by Airbus. The Pentagon carefully considered both options, the Boeing airliner and the A380 made by European aerospace giant Airbus. After much analysis, it has been decided that the 747 will be more functional for its planned uses. Currently, the U.S. president travels in a 747, but it’s an older model that’s over two decades old. And although the military is pleased with the overall performance of these planes, it is time for an upgrade. “The Boeing 747-8 is the only aircraft manufactured in the United States that, when fully missionized, meets the necessary capabilities established to execute the presidential support mission,” U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah James said in a statement. To many, the Air Force One plane is a strong symbol of American power. Outfitted with secure communications equipment and other gear, Air Force One is designed to serve as a “mobile command center” and served that role briefly after the attacks of September 11, 2001. It also was the place where Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office in 1963, hours after JFK was assassi-

Quick! How many books has Harper Lee written? Well, she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird and…. If you can’t name any others, don’t feel bad. This Tuesday, Publisher Harper announced that Lee will be publishing her second book ever called, Go Set a Watchman. The 88-year-old didn’t write this book recently—the Pulitzer Prize-winning author wrote it in the 1950s. Rediscovered last fall, the book is essentially a sequel to her famous book. Go Set a Watchman will be Lee’s first new work in more than 50 years. “In the mid-1950s, I completed a novel called Go Set a Watchman,“ Lee said in a statement issued by Harper. “It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman, and I thought it a pretty decent effort. My editor, who was taken by the flashbacks to Scout’s childhood, persuaded me to write a novel (what became To Kill a Mockingbird) from the point of view of the young Scout. “I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told. I hadn’t realized it [the original book] had survived, so was surprised and delighted when my dear

friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it. After much thought and hesitation, I shared it with a handful of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years.” The new book is set in Lee’s famed Maycomb, Alabama, during the mid1950s, 20 years after To Kill a Mockingbird and roughly contemporaneous with the time that Lee was writing the story. The civil rights movement was taking hold by the time she was working on Watchman. The Supreme Court had ruled unanimously in 1953 that segregated schools were unconstitutional, and the arrest of Rosa Parks in 1955 led to the yearlong Montgomery bus boycott. “Scout [Jean Louise Finch] has returned to Maycomb from New York to visit her father, Atticus,” the publisher’s announcement reads. “She is forced to grapple with issues both personal and political as she tries to understand her

father’s attitude toward society, and her own feelings about the place where she was born and spent her childhood.” Lee herself is a Monroeville, Alabama, native who lived in New York in the 1950s. She now lives in her hometown. According to the publisher, the book will be released as she first wrote it, with no revisions. To Kill a Mockingbird is among the most beloved novels in history, with worldwide sales topping 40 million copies. It was released on July 11, 1960, won the Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into a 1962 movie of the same name, starring Gregory Peck in an Oscar-winning performance as the courageous attorney Atticus Finch. Although occasionally banned over the years because of its language and racial themes, the novel has become a standard for reading clubs and middle schools and high schools.

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Air Force One Plans to Upgrade

nated. It is outfitted with a large office, conference room, and a medical area that can function as an operating room. The plane’s galley can feed up to 100 people and there is space for senior aides, Secret Service agents, and other staff. Pentagon officials said they have yet to sign official contracts with Boeing but discussions of the details are underway. The first of the new fleet is expected to be ready for 2018, meaning that Barack Obama will most likely not have a chance to check out this new ride.

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It surpassed the previous record, Super Bowl 2014, by 2.2 million. Tickets to attend the lived game were extremely pricey. By January 29, just three days before the big game, the lowest cost tickets reached over $8k. The average ticket price charged by brokers was $10,352, three times more than last year’s prices.

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a top priority of the newly empowered GOP, and marked the first time the Senate passed a bill authorizing the pipeline. Although they couldn’t get the president onboard, 9 Democrats joined the 53 Republicans to endorse the measure.

New NY Assembly Speaker On Tuesday, Carl Heastie was elected speaker of the New York State Assembly, making him the first African-American to hold the powerful position. Heastie, a Democrat from the Bronx, succeeds Sheldon Silver, who recently resigned from the position after 21 years.

The speaker is considered one of the most important positions in state government. Heastie will direct the flow of legislation, set committee assignments and direct budget negotiations with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Republican-controlled state Senate. Four other lawmakers initially sought the speakership but quickly backed out as Heastie locked up support. One of them, Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle, said Heastie “is one of the most honorable people I’ve met” in Albany. The 47-year-old Heastie was first elected in 2000 and has led the Assembly’s Labor Committee for the past two years. He is a former budget analyst in the New York City Comptroller’s Office. He also leads the Bronx Democratic County Committee, a post he has said he will leave now that he is speaker. Ethics reforms will be a priority, Heastie said Monday. He called for a new Office of Ethics and Compliance led by a non-legislator, new limits on how much outside income lawmakers can earn, and greater reporting of outside income and legislative stipends.

Giants’ Owner Dies

In News South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with existing pipelines to carry more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil a day to refineries along the Texas Gulf coast.

Don’t Bid Farewell to Winter Yet On the morning of the Super Bowl, one of the NFL’s most beloved women passed away. Ann Mara, the First Lady of the Giants, died early Sunday morning at the age of 85. Mara was the co-owner of the Giants since her husband, Wellington, passed away more than nine years ago. “I am sad to say that our mother has passed away,” her son John said. “She has been the leader of our family in every way, and we will miss her dearly. She loved her family, and all of us were able to spend time with her in these final days. All 11 of her children and our spouses and numerous grandchildren were with her when she passed away.” “Mrs. Mara was a tower of strength, dignity and inspiration for her family and all of us in the NFL,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Her family and the Giants organization have always reflected Mrs. Mara’s competitive spirit, integrity and wonderful sense of humor.” Mara joined the Giants family when she married Wellington in 1954. Ann and Wellington raised four sons and seven daughters and had 43 grandchildren and 16 great grand-children. Three of her sons are in Giants management, including John, the CEO; Chris, the senior VP of player evaluation; and Frank, the VP of community relations.

Senate Passes Keystone Bill The construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline has been approved by the Republican- controlled Senate, defying a presidential veto threat and setting up the first of many battles with the White House over energy and the environment. The 62-36 vote advanced

This bill “is an important accomplishment for the country,” said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. “We are hoping the president upon reflection will agree to sign onto a bill that the State Department said could create up to 42,000 jobs and the State Department said creates little to no impact on the environment.” Still, the vote was short of the threshold needed to override a veto, and the legislation still must be reconciled with the version the House passed. “We hope President Obama will now drop his threat to veto this common-sense bill that would strengthen our energy security and create thousands and thousands of new, good-paying American jobs,” said House Speaker John Boehner. Critics are saying the bill is merely a gift to a foreign oil company and will have an insignificant benefit to the U.S., since much of the oil will be exported. They tried and failed to get amendments on the bill to construct the pipeline with U.S. steel, ban exports of the oil and the products refined from it, and protect water resources. “Those who argue this pipeline is for export are not being factual,” countered Russ Girling, president and CEO of TransCanada. “It’s time to approve Keystone XL so we can transport Canadian and American oil to fuel the everyday lives of the American people.” The project was initially proposed in 2008 with an $8 billion budget. The 1,179-mile pipeline is proposed to go from Canada through Montana and

If this winter has taught us anything, it’s not to trust the weatherman. According to the handlers of Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, as of Monday the furry rodent has forecast six more weeks of winter. The German legend goes that if a furry rodent sees his shadow on February 2, winter will last another six weeks. If not, spring comes early. The unfortunate forecast was also announced on Twitter, as was referenced in the official proclamation read by Jeff Lundy, the Fair Weatherman of the Inner Circle. “Forecasts abound on the Internet, but, I, Punxsutawney Phil, am still your best bet. Yes, a shadow I see, you can start to Twitter hashtag: Six more weeks of winter!” This week’s weather is further proof that the groundhog is accurate.

That’s Odd The Sweet Taste of Deflategate Well, football fans weren’t too happy about the rumors last week of deflated footballs. But one person de-

The Week

You know when you’re going through a tollbooth using an E-ZPass the electronic sign lights up and says, “Go, E-ZPass, Go”? Well, make sure you see that sign because you can end up racking up thousands of dollars in fees for your negligence. Recently, a Washington State man revealed that he just paid more than $18,000 in bridge tolls for his son who crossed the bridge daily for work but never got a Good To Go pass. Apparently Tom Rose’s son thought he would be billed for the tolls and could pay later. But they never received a bill. Rose, Jr. learned of what he owed when he tried to sell his car—$1,360 in tolls and $16,000 in penalties. Wow! Don’t ever say we never “toll-ed” you so! E-ZPass says they tried to bill Rose, but their letters were returned. The officials have said they will work out something with the Roses to decrease the penalties. If I “toll-ed” you once, I’ve “tolled” you a thousand times: E-ZPass will always win at the end of the day.

Balloon’s Historic Flight It was an epic flight across the Pacific Ocean that shattered two long-standing records for ballooning this week when two pilots in a helium filled balloon landed safely off the coast of Mexico on Saturday. As they finally landed, Troy Bradley of Albuquerque and Leonid Tiukhtyaev of Russia were greeted by a team of balloon enthusiasts who assisted with the landing. The pilots came in low and dropped thick trailing ropes into the ocean to help

Their flight was long but filled with rewarding accomplishments. The pilots lifted off from Japan on Sunday morning and by Friday, they had already beat what considered the hardest record to break: the 137-hour duration record set in 1978 by the Double Eagle crew of Ben

Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson and Larry Newman in the first balloon flight across the Atlantic. They also easily exceeded the distance record of 5,209 miles set by the Double Eagle V team during the first trans-Pacific flight in 1981. Bradley and Tiukhtyaev were said to be in good spirits at various times during the trip, but it was a grueling ordeal. The balloon’s capsule is about the size of a large tent — 7 feet long, 5 feet wide and 5 feet tall. They were flying at an altitude of at least 15,000 feet, requiring them to wear oxygen masks and bundle up against the 50-degree temperature inside the capsule. They had sleeping bags, a small onboard heater and a simple toilet. The world has been tracking their progress online and through social media sites. Still, the official distance and time of the Two Eagles flight must be confirmed by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, which requires staying aloft 1 percent longer and farther than the previous record. Despite the exhausting flight, both Bradley and Tiukhtyaev were smiling and able to crack jokes with their fam-

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Richard Bazzy, who owns Shults Ford, was more than happy to call more attention to a scandal involving one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rivals. “It doesn’t get any better when you can poke fun at an AFC rival while knowing that you are also helping families in need,” Bazzy said. “We expect to display the football in one of our dealerships with pride.” Sounds like he’s airing his grievances. Hey Bazzy, if you can’t beat ‘em, eat ‘em!

Not Good to Go

slow the balloon before setting down in a controlled water landing. They landing was celebrated not just at the landing site. Mission Control in Albuquerque was packed with balloon team members and the pilots’ families, as all eyes focused on a giant screen showing a map of the coast and the balloon’s location as it descended. They exchanged hugs and smiled with relief after it touched down.

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cided to take “Deflategate” a little less seriously. Bill Sarris of Sarris Candies of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, created a “Bradie” ball, a chocolate football with a dent in it weighing 2.5 pounds. He posted a photo of the deflated football on his Facebook page with the caption, “Net weight 13 lbs…. Oops! We meant 11.2 lbs,” a reference to allegations that New England cheated by using underinflated footballs in winning the AFC Championship game, which put the team in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Sarris first intended for the delicious dented ball to be a joke, but then, when his photo went viral, the ball ended up raising $20,000 for Dollar Energy Fund, a charity that helps local residents with their utilities. Sarris created two more regular shaped chocolate footballs and two chocolate helmets for the auction. The package was worth $500—but a local car dealer bid $5,000 and that price was matched by Sarris. The utilities that help support the Dollar Energy Fund then matched that $10,000. “What started out as an internal little joke ended up picking up momentum and excitement,” Sarris said “It’s going to a good cause, so that’s the best thing.”

In News

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

The Week ilies when they landed. I am sure they are enjoying the feel of terra firma under their feet.

Conquering Niagara

There have been many intrepid—and possibly crazy—individuals who have endeavored to conquer Niagara Falls. Some went over in a barrel, others tight-roped across. This week, Will Gadd conquered Niagara with his feet when he became the first person to climb the frozen 180-foot cliffs next to the Horseshoe Falls. “I checked out the spot we were thinking of climbing in the summer,” Gadd, 47, related. “You’d be swept away by the torrential downpour then.” Now, though, the falls are frozen, making his ascent slightly easier. Gadd may have claimed the glory of being first over the lip, but he didn’t climb alone. His partner — who achieved the same remarkable climb just hours later — was a fellow Canadian, 34-year-old Sarah Hueniken. She was left huddling in an ice cave for several hours partway up the route, to avoid being hit with chunks of ice, National Geographic reports. “We’re doing it on natural protection,” Gadd said. “No bolts. There won’t be one thing left in the ice that wasn’t there to begin with, and that’s the best possible way to do it.” Despite the freezing falls, the climb was still treacherous and quite scary. “The ice is formed in layers,” Gadd said. “That means there’s a layer of ice, then snow (with a lot of air), then another layer of ice. It’s unstable, for sure.” As part of climb preparations, Gadd dropped into the area from above the day before and removed “car-size” pieces of hanging ice from the route. It took Gadd an hour to ascend the 150-foot-high strip of unpredictable, often fragile ice that had accumulated from the mists and spray coming off the edge of Horseshoe Falls, the largest of Niagara’s three sections. “This type of ice was viewed

as unclimbable for a long time,” Gadd related. “It’s literally frozen clouds that stick to the walls with the consistency of Styrofoam.” Gadd describes the hair-raisingly precarious conditions of climbing near the thundering falls. “The massive water flow constantly shakes the ground, and makes the ice shelves and walls around you unsteady and unpredictable,” Gadd said. “It’s a harsh environment and an intense challenge to stay attached to the wall, let alone climb it.” “As a kid, I always felt drawn to the edge of the falls,” Hueniken told National Geographic. “I think it’s human nature to be curious about gravity and to wonder what it would feel like to go over. It’s a weird thing, but anyone who has been to the falls knows the feeling. This place has a kind of power over people.” First up on the climb was an area Gadd came to call the “cauldron of doom,” where the waterfall crashes into a hole in the ice. If he had fallen in, he could have hit rocks, drowned or frozen to death, he says. He survived that challenge but nonetheless was hit by the low temperatures. “That climb beat me up,” he said, after making three ascents of the route. “I may have reached the top, but Niagara won the war. At the end of the day, I was hypothermic. That waterfall did a lot more damage to me than I did to it!” After Hueniken finally emerged from the cave and made the remaining 45-minute climb to pull over the lip, her father watched proudly from the Canadian side of the river. Hueniken grew up 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Niagara Falls and it was a family tradition to visit every Father’s Day. I am sure she made her papa proud.

The Hunt is Over

If you think it’s a jungle out there in the shidduch scene, Stevie Beard and Brady Hogevoll may just agree. The Oregon couple posted a “save the

In News date” photo online—and it quickly went viral, racking up scores of likes from wedding and hunting enthusiasts around the world. The photo is tongue-in-cheek and certainly funny. It features bride-to-be Stevie Beard holding a rifle while her fiancé, Brady Hogevoll, hangs by his ankles from a tractor and is captioned, “The Hunt is Over!” The bride shared the photo that was “shot” last month with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a hunting advocacy group, where it racked up 6.4 million views and more than 162,000 likes, the group said. Beard and Hogevoll, both 28, grew up together in rural Oregon. Hogevoll’s family is full of hunters — when he started dating Beard, he took her out with them, too. The family sometimes hangs their game on the tractor while they clean it, Beard told the newspaper. “So I told Brady, ‘What if we did one, and we hung you from the tractor?’“ Beard said. “And he looked at me and was like, ‘Well, by my ankles?’“ But the groom-to-be agreed to his fiancé’s unique idea and Beard’s dad painted a “save the date” sign. Thankfully, the photographer was able to “capture” the “shot” quickly so the groom didn’t have to be hanging upside down too long… Wonder what they have up their sleeves for the wedding.

A Bunch of Change I’d stay away from Lioz Cohen of Rishon Lezion in the supermarket line. He has lots of change and likes to use it. In a video aired on Israel’s Channel 2 last week, Cohen is shown paying a NIS 845 parking ticket in coins after police failed to inform him that the initial NIS 100 penalty had been raised. “I don’t know if I can accept it,” the police representative says when Cohen hands him the piles of coins. “You can accept it—it’s cash,” Cohen replies smugly. Cohen told Channel 2 the piles of coins was comprised primarily of ten agorot ($0.03), half-shekel coins ($0.13), and shekel coins ($0.25). “It’s the simplest thing in the world,” he says. “You go break NIS 850 at the bank. At the bank they also get angry at you, but they make the change, they have to.” I’m guessing Cohen is using his change to try to make changes in the department, but I doubt this is going to make Israeli officials modify policy.

Playing Money

with

Real

Wonder what it’s like to play Monopoly with real money? Well, 80 people won’t have to wonder about that—they’ll be playing with actual cash in honor of the 80th anniversary of the game’s first appearance in France. One lucky buyer in France will land a major jackpot—in which every game note is replaced with real money. Want to know how much that is? A whopping 20,580 euros ($23,268). Other buyers will also do well. 10 sets will contain five real 20-euro notes, two 50euro notes and one 100-euro note. Buyers of 69 other sets, which will have five 10euro notes and five 20-euro notes. “We wanted to do something unique,” said Florence Gaillard, brand manager at Hasbro France, which rolled out the prize sets on Monday. “When we asked our French customers, they told us they wanted to find real money in their Monopoly boxes,” she added. The operation to switch the notes was carried out in secret. “First of all, it wasn’t easy to get the notes. They had to be escorted discreetly,” explained Gaillard. However, they discovered a problem: the sets with the real notes expanded the box ever so slightly, making the packaging out of kilter – a tell-tale sign. That obviously had to be corrected. The board game of Monopoly was created after the Great Depression in the United States and has been tearing families and friends apart ever since. It’s now sold in 111 countries and in 43 languages. Monopoly’s a game of greed and fun, and the winner is the one left standing as his opponents are trampled and left penniless. Some games can last for hours. The longest game in history lasted 70 straight days, according to the Hasbro website. As for the lucky winner in Monopoly’s “real money” contest, if it’s OK, I’d like to play with you and start collecting my $200.

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In Halacha

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

From the files of Beis Din

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*Story is fictitious, to illustrate the Halacha. In an actual case a Halachic authority should be consulted. A project of the Choshen Mishpat Chabura of Kollel Avodas Levi Dovid is the owner of Re-Tel, a successful business that sells refurbished cell phones. He is now considering hiring a full time manager to take over the everyday running of this operation so he can focus on other business ventures. His upcoming trip abroad for a family simcha offers the perfect opportunity for a trial period of a perspective manager. Chaim, a friend of Dovid’s from their high school days, has just moved to town. The two have kept up marginally over the years, occasionally doing a little business with each other. Chaim actually has several years’ experience working for a company similar to Re-Tel. When he hears about Dovid’s plans for his company, he jumps at the opportunity and asks Dovid for an interview. The two men meet and begin to discuss the details of the position. Dovid indicates that he wants to try out a perspective manager during his upcoming trip. Chaim, who is very anxious to be given this chance to prove himself, realizes that Dovid is beginning to hesitate about leaving the company he has worked so hard to build in someone else’s hands. In his eagerness to clinch the deal, Chaim makes the following offer. “If any of your prearranged orders are not properly executed while I am overseeing the company, not only will I compensate you for your loss of profit, but I will also pay a $1000 penalty for each failed order.” Chaim’s offer has the desired effect, and the two men are soon writing up the terms of the trial period. Chaim will be fully responsible for all the details of running the company in exchange for three quarters of all profits made. If he neglects to complete any order, he will pay for the loss of profit and a $1000 penalty. Dovid happens to owe Chaim $500 from a previous business dealing. He stipulates that should any penalty payment be owed, the first $500 will be paid by forgiving the loan. Dovid singles out two especially

large orders that need to be filled while he will be gone. Each order should net a $5000 profit. The first order involves a buyer who comes personally to the warehouse to pick up his merchandise. Chaim will be responsible to see to it that the order is ready, and that the appropriate labels and invoices are in place. “I have experience with this man, and if everything is not in order he will simply leave and cancel the order,” Dovid warns. The second large order needs to be shipped to a company out of state. Chaim’s responsibilities will include locating a provider and purchasing the stock, preparing the labels and invoices and shipping the order. The following week Chaim gets started on the job. He begins by reviewing the orders and estimates that he will need three work days to take care of all the details. By the second day of working on these orders he realizes that it was a mistake not getting started earlier. He is too new at the job to be able to fill these large orders without more time. When the week is over, he has failed to see either order through, resulting in both orders being cancelled. Dovid returns home having enjoyed a pleasant trip, and after getting over his jet lag, he gives Chaim a call. Much to his disappointment, Chaim informs him that he had needed more time to complete the orders since he is new to Dovid’s particular business. Both orders were not ready on time and the customers canceled. Dovid reviews the work that Chaim has done. “It is clear that you made a decent attempt at completing the work,” he says, “And I am still considering you for the job. Of course I still expect that you will follow through with the terms of the trial period contract.” A quick calculation shows compensation of ¼ of $5000 which is $1250 loss of profit plus the $1000 penalty for each of the orders, bringing the total to $4,500. $500 will be deducted due to the outstanding loan. Chaim sees things differently. True he signed the

contract, but he only did so because he was fully confident that he would be able to complete the job. He had relied on his years of experience and simply miscalculated by a little. He never intended to owe this large sum of money. Not seeing eye to eye on this matter, they decide that it must be settled by a ‫בית דין‬. After both sides present their positions to the ‫ בית דין‬the ‫ אב בית דין‬sums up Dovid’s claims. 1. $1250 Loss of profit for each order 2. $1000 penalty for losing each order 3. $500 of the penalty fees to be paid by pardoning a loan Dovid owes Chaim. The three ‫ דיינים‬then discuss the case and arrive at a ruling. The two parties are called in to hear the ruling. The ‫ אב בית דין‬begins, “Before I give the details of the ruling in this case, there is a concept that I would like to explain that will hopefully make it easier for our ruling to be understood. In order to create personal liability, the party accepting, must have full resolve to undertake that liability. This is the case with all transactions as well. In order for a transaction to be valid, the parties must have full intention to transfer ownership, in addition to any action‫ מעשה קנין‬- that may have to be done. The Halacha teaches, that if one makes his liability conditional on something specific happening, this may indicate that he does not really expect the liability to come about, and therefore does not have complete resolve to assume liability. This concept is referred to in the Torah as an ‫אסמכתא‬, and the lack of full resolve is called a lack of ‫גמירות דעת‬.” The ‫ אב בית דין‬continues, “We are now prepared to address the ruling of the above claims. 1. I will begin with the two claims of compensation for loss of profit. As I will explain, the ruling is not the same for both claims. In the case of the first order, Chaim is obligated to compensate Dovid for the loss of prof-

it as agreed. Completing what was necessary for the first order was completely in his hands and did not involve input from anyone one else (such as a seller or shipper.) Since Chaim understood that not doing the necessary work would result in a loss for Dovid, the Halacha determines that he would have had complete resolve to accept liability for any loss he might cause. He therefore owes ¼ of $5000 which is $12501. The claim for loss of profit from the second order is not valid. Completing the second order required other people’s involvement and cooperation. Chaim understood that this job was not fully in his control to complete, so Halacha assesses that he would not have full resolve to accept liability. True, in most cases he would be able to find sufficient supply and contract a shipper for the order, none the less, there is always a possibility that this time he would not be able to. In such a ‫ המקבל שדה מחבירו והובירה‬.‫משנה בב”מ דף קד‬ 1 ‫שמין אותה כמה היא ראויה לעשות ונותן לו שכך התנה אם אוביר‬ ‫ פירוש כך התנה האריס אם לא אעבד‬. ‫ולא אעביד אשלם במיטבא‬ ‫ מחלק הגמרא בין היכא‬:‫ ושם בדף קד‬.‫קרקע שלך אשלם לך במיטבא‬ ‫שחייב עצמו לשלם מה שהפסידו במה שלא עבד הקרקע שחיוב זה לא‬ ‫ ובין היכא שחייב עצמו אלף זוז שהוא‬.‫נחשב אסמכתא וחייב לשלמו‬ ‫ ונפסק להלכה בסימן‬.‫הרבה יותר ממה שהפסידו שזה נחשב אסמכתא‬ .’‫ וכן מובא ברמ”א סימן רז’ סעיף יג‬,‫שכח’ סעיף ב‬ ‫ מחלק עוד דדוקא בכעין מקרה דאריס שהוא‬:‫ובגמרא בב”מ דף עג‬ ‫בידו להשלים תנאו ואין צריך הסכמה מאחרים אבל היכא שאין‬ ‫ כגון אם קיבל עליו לקנות בשביל‬.‫בידו הוי אסמכתא ואינו מתחייב‬ ‫ שאין‬.‫חבירו דבר במקום הזול ואם לא יעשה כן ישלם לחבירו הפסידו‬ ‫זה בידו לגמרי לקיים תנאו כיון שצריך שיסכימו המוכרים למכור‬ ‫ התוס’ שם ד”ה הכא מחלק עוד דרק הוי אסמכתא כשאין הכל‬.‫לו‬ ‫ דאף שצריך להסכמת אחרים אבל מצוי‬,‫בידו אבל הרבה תלוי בו‬ ‫ אבל אם הוא לגמרי שלא בידו לא הוי‬.‫הוא שיסכמו להשלים תנאו‬ ‫ כגון משחק בקוביא שאין בידו כלל לכוין שיצא הקוביא‬.‫אסמכתא‬ .‫ חילוקים אלו גם מובאים ברמ”א הנ”ל‬.‫באופן התנאי‬ :‫מן האמור למעלה מבואר שיש ד’ סוגים של תנאים בסוגית אסמכתא‬ ‫ והתנאי אינו גוזמא – שלא‬,‫ היכא שלגמרי ביד המתנה לקיים תנאו‬.‫א‬ .‫ סוג זה לכולי עלמא חייב לשלם‬.‫מחייבו יותר מן הראוי‬ – ‫ אבל התנאי גוזמא‬,‫ היכא שלגמרי ביד המתנה לקיים תנאו‬.‫ב‬ .‫שהתנה לחייב עצמו יותר מן הראוי‬ ‫ שבאמת רק התנה כן כדי שיסמוך‬.‫סוג זה לכולי עלמא הוי אסמכתא‬ ‫ שהיה סומך בליבו‬,‫ אבל לא גמר דעתיה לחייב עצמו‬.‫חבירו על דבריו‬ .‫שיקיים התנאי ולא יבא לידי חיוב‬ ‫ היכא שאין לגמרי בידו לקיים תנאו דצריך גם סיוע או רצון של‬.‫ג‬ ‫ ובאופן זה‬.‫ אבל הוא מצוי שאחרים יסייעו לקיים תנאו‬,‫אחרים‬ ‫ סוג זה לכולי עלמא הוי‬.‫לא שנא אם התנה בדרך גוזמא או לא‬ ‫ שגם באופן זה חשב שלא יבא לידי חיוב הקנס כיון‬.‫אסמכתא‬ ‫ מאידך גיסא כיוון שידע שאין זה‬.‫שמצוי הוא שימצא מי שיסייעו‬ ‫לגמרי בידו אף שלא התנה דרך גוזמא לא גמר בלבו לשלם מה‬ .‫שהפסידו‬ ‫ שאין בידו‬,‫ כגון משחק בקוביא‬.‫ היכא שאין בידו בכלל לקיים תנאו‬.‫ד‬ ‫ וכיון‬.‫ סוג זה לרוב ראשונים לא הוי אסמכתא‬.‫במה יפול הקוביא‬ .‫שהתנה על כרחך גמר בליבו שאם יתקיים התנאי ישלם‬

‫‪FEBRUARY 5, 2015‬‬

‫‪THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME‬‬

‫‪33‬‬

‫‪In Halacha‬‬ ‫‪Article written by Rabbi Gershon Segal‬‬ ‫הרב מרדכי שוחטוביץ ראש בית דין דבאלטימאר ‪Reviewed by‬‬ ‫מביא שם‪ ,‬חולקים וסוברים דאף מחילה על‬ ‫תנאי לא בעי קנין‪ .‬וכן החזון איש הנ”ל מביא‬ ‫הנודע ביהודה הנ”ל וחולק עליו ועל ראיותיו‪.‬‬ ‫והיביע אומר הנ”ל מביא עוד כמה אחרונים‬ ‫החולקים ומסיק דיכול לטעון קים לי כוותיהו‪.‬‬ ‫גם בנידון דידן הרי חייב עצמו בשטר‬ ‫לשלם הקנס על תנאי‪ .‬והסמ”ע סימן יב ס”ק‬ ‫יח מפרש הרמ”א שם גבי התחייבות של התובע‬ ‫למחול כאשר יאמרו הפשרנים‪ ,‬דאף המחייב‬ ‫עצמו בשטר על תנאי חל החיוב‪ .‬אמנם התומים‬ ‫שם ס”ק ז’ חולק דרק בלי תנאי מהני‪ ,‬והסכים‬ ‫עמו הנתיבות שם חידושים ס”ק יב‪ .‬אמנם‬ ‫הנתיבות נראה דסותר עצמו בסימן ס’ ביאורים‬ ‫י’ דפוסק להדיא דהתחייבות על תנאי אם נעשה‬ ‫בענין שאינו אסמכתא חל החיוב‪ .‬ועל כרחך‬ ‫צריך לחלק בין דין דפשרה לתנאי בעלמא ועוד‬ ‫צ”ע לי בזה‪ .‬על כל פנים מידי ספיקא לא נפקא‬ ‫דחל החיוב על ידי שטר ואם כן יכול הלוה‬ ‫לטעון קים לי דחל המחילה‪.‬‬ ‫אבל יש לדון אי נידון זה הוי אסמכתא אף‬ ‫להמחבר מטעם אחר‪ .‬דכאן נכלל בקבלת קנס‬ ‫של אלף‪ ,‬חלק שצריך לשלם שהוא אסמכתא‪,‬‬ ‫וחלק שאין אסמכתא כיון שהוא דרך מחילה‪.‬‬ ‫אם כן אולי נאמר דכאן שלא גמר דעתיה לשלם‬ ‫גם לא גמר דעתיה למחול‪ .‬דאיך נחלק קבלתו‬ ‫לשנים חלק גמר וחלק לא גמר‪ ,‬הרי הכל קיבל‬ ‫בחד קבלה‪ .‬ונראה שזה המחלוקת בן הרי”ף‬ ‫והרא”ש באריס שקבל אליו אם עובר ולא עביד‬ ‫אשלם אלף דהוי אסמכתא‪ ,‬אי על כל פנים חייב‬ ‫לשלם מה שהפסיד‪ .‬הרי”ף סובר שחייב דבכלל‬ ‫האלף יש מה שהפסיד דבכלל מאתים מנה‪ .‬ולזה‬ ‫שהפסידו יש גמירות דעת‪ .‬והרא”ש סובר דהכל‬ ‫הוי אסמכתא‪ .‬אבל האריס חייב על כל פנים‬ ‫כיון דהיה הדרך להתנות שישלם מה שהפסיד‬ ‫הוי כאילו התנה כן‪ .‬ובסימן שכח סעיף ב נראה‬ ‫דהסמ”ע ס”ק ג סובר דהעיקר כהרא”ש דרק‬ ‫חייב לשלם מה שהפסיד מטעם דהכי הוי הדרך‬ ‫להתנות וכהתנה דמי‪ .‬אבל לא מטעם קבלתו‪.‬‬ ‫והגר”א ס”ק ג בליקוט סובר דהעיקר כהרי”ף‬ ‫דחייב לשלם מה שהפסיד‪ ,‬דלזה על כל פנים‬ ‫גמר דעתיה‪ .‬ובנידון זה לכאורה יכול לטעון קים‬ ‫לי כהרי”ף והגר”א דחלק זה של הקנס שהוא‬ ‫‪.‬דרך מחילה גמר דעתו לחייב עצמו‬

‫‪“The final ruling,” concludes the‬‬ ‫‪, “Is as follows:‬אב בית דין‬ ‫‪Chaim, you must pay Dovid $1250‬‬ ‫‪for his loss of profit from the first or‬‬‫‪der which was completely in your con‬‬‫‪trol to finish. Dovid, you do not owe‬‬ ‫‪Chaim the $500 loan, and you do not‬‬ ‫”‪owe him $1000 for winning the bet.‬‬ ‫‪ “I’ve been in‬דיין ‪Dovid asks the‬‬ ‫‪business for many years and have‬‬ ‫‪completed many business deals.‬‬ ‫‪There have been other times that‬‬ ‫דין ‪transactions of similar nature to this‬‬ ‫‪ were made. Is there any way to‬תורה‬ ‫‪create these agreements in a way that‬‬ ‫‪would be Halachicaly binding?” The‬‬ ‫‪ responds, “Yes, there are ways it‬דיין‬ ‫‪can be done. I think I can illustrate the‬‬ ‫‪Halacha by sharing a case I once had‬‬ ‫…‪many years ago. You see‬‬ ‫‪Check the next “From the Files of‬‬ ‫‪Beis Din” to find out.‬‬

‫)‪(Endnotes‬‬ ‫באות ‪ 4‬הבאתי דהנודע ביהודה ‪1‬‬ ‫פוסק דיכול לומר קים לי כהמחבר דלא הוי‬ ‫תנאי למחול אסמכתא‪ .‬אמנם בנודע יהודה‬ ‫שם סובר דאף דפסקינן דמחילה אין צריך קנין‬ ‫(סימן יב’ ח’) אבל היכא דהמחילה הוא בתנאי‬ ‫בעי קנין‪ .‬ולמד זאת מן פשרה דבעי קנין (סימן‬ ‫יב’ ז’) עיי”ש‪ .‬ולכן פוסק דאף דלהרמב”ם‬ ‫לא הוי מחילה על תנאי אסמכתא‪ ,‬בעי קנין על‬ ‫המחילה‪ .‬וכן סוברים עוד כמה גדולי פוסקים‬ ‫הפרישה סימן רז’ ס”ק כ‪ ,‬והט”ז שם סעיף טז’‪,‬‬ ‫והנתיבות שם ביאורים ס”ק ט’ והערוך השולחן‬ ‫ס”ק מז’ מביאים הט”ז להלכה‪ .‬מאידך הב”ח‬ ‫שם‪ ,‬וכן הלחם משנה על הרמב”ם שהש”ע‬ ‫‪.‬םינכומ תועמה היהיש תוחפל יעב אמלע ילוכל לבא ‪.‬םהינשל יונק‬ ‫ךורעהו ‪,‬זל ק”ס א”רגה ‪,‬ינשה םעטב גל ק”ס ע”מסה( םינורחא המכ‬ ‫םהינש לש ףדו םינכומ תועמ יעבד םעטהד ודמל )הל ק”ס ןחלושה‬ ‫הכוזל הנקמש ןינק ןיא לבא‪ ,‬אתכמסא יוה אלד ףאד םושמ אוה‬ ‫םא יולת םינכומ תועמ יוה אלד הז ןודינב וז ךלהמ יפל ‪.‬תועמהב‬ ‫ןינק יוה הז לע ןינק ושע םא ףא זא חצני םא וריבחל ונתיש ונתה קר‬ ‫אל םגו ‪.‬ללכ בויח ןאכ ןיא אליממו ‪),‬ג ףיעס ’המר ןמיס ןייע( םירבד‬ ‫ובייחתיש םינתמ ויה םא לבא ‪.‬הלודג הנתמ יוהד הנמא רסוחמ יוה‬ ‫ס ןמיס ךורע ןחלושה קספש ומכו בייחתמ יוה זא הכזיש ימל םלשל‬ ‫םעטב םש ע”מס ןייע םינכומ תועמ תנבהב ךלהמ דוע שי ‪.‬ו ףיעס‬ ‫אקווד םינכומ תועמ ןניעב אוהה ךלהמ יפלו ‪.‬בי ק”ס תוביתנו ןושאר‬ ‫המב קיזחהל אב קרש ןאכ םנמא ‪.‬רחא ןינק אלו םיניידב ואיצוהל‬ ‫‪.‬ל”נה תוטישהכ םיק רמול לוכי ודיבש‬

‫‪Chaim cannot require Dovid to pay‬‬ ‫‪back the $500 he had owed him.41‬‬ ‫‪At this point Chaim interjects,‬‬ ‫‪, I accept what you’re‬דיין ‪“Honored‬‬ ‫‪saying as the word of G-D. I came‬‬ ‫‪ not to “win” the case, but to‬בית דין ‪to‬‬ ‫‪do what is required of me by the To‬‬‫‪rah. However I believe that I should‬‬ ‫‪not have to pay Dovid since he has‬‬ ‫‪another old debt he owes me. I’ve‬‬ ‫‪asked over the years when he is going‬‬ ‫‪to pay it, but he always just brushes it‬‬ ‫‪aside. You see, back when we were in‬‬ ‫‪high school we had a bet over a foot‬‬‫‪ball game. We agreed that the winner‬‬ ‫‪would be paid $1000. I won that bet‬‬ ‫‪and have been waiting to be paid. I‬‬ ‫‪think the time has come to finally put‬‬ ‫”‪this matter to rest.‬‬ ‫‪Dovid responds, “My dear friend, I‬‬ ‫‪.‬דיין ‪think you weren’t listening to the‬‬ ‫‪He has just explained that when one‬‬ ‫‪takes on an obligation conditionally‬‬ ‫‪there is lack of resolve to pay. How‬‬ ‫‪can you expect me to be obligated to‬‬ ‫”?‪pay for a silly bet‬‬ ‫‪ responds, “The Halacha‬דיין ‪The‬‬ ‫‪does not agree with your reasoning,‬‬ ‫‪Dovid. In the case of a bet, even‬‬ ‫‪though the obligation is made condi‬‬‫‪tionally, since the stated condition is‬‬ ‫‪completely out of the person’s hands,‬‬ ‫‪he could not have thought that he‬‬ ‫‪would most likely would not be obli‬‬‫‪gated to pay. However, since I under‬‬‫‪stand that all that was said was ‘I will‬‬ ‫‪pay if you win,’ it was nothing more‬‬ ‫‪ was‬קנין ‪than a verbal commitment. A‬‬ ‫‪not made and therefore, regardless of‬‬ ‫‪resolve, the deal is not viewed as be‬‬‫‪ing closed, and was never binding.5‬‬ ‫ ‪4‬‬ ‫אמזוג ךרדב אוה םא ףא יאנת לע לחומש אכיה‬ ‫רבחמה ‪.‬אי ףיעס ’זר ןמיסב אמזוג יוה יא א”מרו רבחמ תקולחמ יוה‬ ‫ירבסד םיקלוח שיד איבמ א”מרהו אתכמסא יוה אלד ם”במרהכ קספ‬ ‫‪.‬רבחמהכ יל םיק ןועטל הולה לוכי הרואכל ןכ םא ‪.‬אתכמסא יוהד‬ ‫עירכה אל א”מרהש אכיהד ‪,‬כ תוא הסיפת יללכב קסופ תוביתנהד‬ ‫סופתל אב אלש ןאכו ‪.‬רבחמהכ יל םיק ןועטל לוכי רבחמה דגנכ‬ ‫םש תוביתנהד ‪.‬יכה היל ןנינעט ןנא םג ודיבש המב קיזחהל אב קר‬ ‫הבושת יחתפב םג ‪.‬היל ןניעט קזחומ עבתנהש אכיהד קסופ גכ תוא‬ ‫םיק ןועטל לוכיש ’אל ’ס מ”וח אנינת הדוהיב עדונ תבושתמ איבמ‬ ‫‪,‬הז לכו ה”ד אי תוא םיטוקיל מ”וח שיא ןוזחה ןכו ‪.‬רבחמהכ יל‬ ‫יל םיק ןועטל לוכיש םיקסופ ג תוא א ןמיס מ”וח ה קלח רמוא עיביהו‬ ‫‪.‬רבחמהו ם”במרהכ‬ ‫ ‪5‬‬

‫קסופ גי ףיעס זר א”מרה ‪ 1.‬תואבש ‪’.‬ד גוסה ומכ הז‬ ‫ירמגל ודיב אוה ןיאש םושמ יא ‪.‬אתכמסא יוה אל איבוקב קחשמד‬ ‫יפל ינקאו רמג ינקמל יעבד בגאד םושמ יא ןושארה םירמוא שיה יפל‬ ‫תקולחמ איבמ ןושארה םירמוא שיה יפל םנמא ‪.‬ארתב םירמוא שיה‬ ‫היהי ףדהש ךירצ םג וא ףדה לע םינכומ תועמה ויהיש יעב קר יא‬

‫‪case, he would not have fully resolved‬‬ ‫‪to accept liability. When he signed‬‬ ‫‪the contract, he agreed to this clause‬‬ ‫‪to make his employer confident that‬‬ ‫‪he would take the job seriously, but‬‬ ‫‪never imagined he would have to pay.‬‬ ‫‪As already explained, once complete‬‬ ‫‪resolve is lacking, the liability is never‬‬ ‫‪assumed. Therefore, regardless of the‬‬ ‫‪reason that Chaim failed to complete‬‬ ‫‪the second order, he is not liable.2‬‬ ‫‪2. Next I will address the $1000‬‬ ‫‪penalty payments for each order.‬‬ ‫‪These claims are not valid. Since‬‬ ‫‪Chaim intended to complete the work,‬‬ ‫‪he never thought he would become‬‬ ‫‪liable, and therefore lacked complete‬‬ ‫‪resolve to accept this liability for the‬‬ ‫‪penalties when he signed the con‬‬‫‪tract. Paying a penalty is different‬‬ ‫‪than compensating for an actual loss‬‬ ‫‪since having to reimburse for a loss‬‬ ‫‪that one has caused is understood as‬‬ ‫‪being just. Therefore, when the out‬‬‫‪come is entirely in one’s own hands,‬‬ ‫‪he is resolved to pay for the loss even‬‬ ‫‪if he does not think it will come to be‬‬ ‫‪as explained above. However, in the‬‬ ‫‪case of a penalty payment which is be‬‬‫‪yond that which is deserved, even if‬‬ ‫‪one agrees to accept the penalty upon‬‬ ‫‪himself, he is really never fully com‬‬‫‪mitted to pay, and the penalty is there‬‬‫‪fore not binding.3‬‬ ‫‪3. Now I will address pardoning‬‬ ‫‪the $500 loan as part of the penalty‬‬ ‫‪payment. This claim is valid. Even‬‬ ‫‪though we rule that Chaim did not ob‬‬‫‪ligate himself to pay any penalty out of‬‬ ‫‪pocket, forgiving the loan is seen dif‬‬‫‪ferently. Since no action is required to‬‬ ‫‪collect this liability (there is simply no‬‬ ‫‪repayment,) there are opinions which‬‬ ‫‪rule that full resolve was in place when‬‬ ‫‪the conditions were made. Therefore‬‬ ‫ ‪2‬‬

‫ףאו ‪,‬ירמגל ודיב הז ןיאש ‪ 1.‬תואבש ‪.‬ג גוסה ומכ אוה הז יאנת‬ ‫שיה תטישב שרופמ ןכ ‪.‬אתכמסאל בשחנ םוקמ לכמ אמזוג יוה אלש‬ ‫תטישל ןכש לכו ‪ 1.‬תואב הלעמל רכזנה א”מרבש ןושארה םירמוא‬ ‫ומצע בייחמש ןינע לכבש רבוסש ם”במרה תטיש אוהש רבחמה‬ ‫תטיש אוהש א”מרד ארתב םירמוא שיל םלוא ‪.‬אתכמסא יוה יאנתב‬ ‫‪.‬ןייעל שי ינקמו רמג תונקל יעבד בגא לש ארבס שיש רבוסש ת”ר‬ ‫רמג חוורה יעבר השלש תונקל הצורש בגאד רמאנ םג הז ןודינב ילואד‬ ‫בורד וז הטיש תמחמ ןוממ איצונ אל יאדווב לבא ‪.‬חוורי אל םא ינקמו‬ ‫‪.‬היתווכ והל אריבס אל םינושאר‬ ‫ ‪3‬‬ ‫יאנתו ‪ 1.‬תואבש םיאנתה לש ‪.‬ב גוסה ומכ הז יאנת‬ ‫יוהד הדומ םיזגו ודיב אוהש אכהד ‪.‬אתכמסא יוהד רבוס ת”ר ףא הז‬ ‫‪.‬א”מרב םש ראובמכ תונקל ןכ םג הצורש ןינעב אוה םא ףא אתכמסא‬

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Real Estate 20 Cheap Home Remodel and Redesign Tips Submitted by: Ben Schwartz | Founder VacancyFillers.com

If you’ve been living in the same home for many years, or if you bought a fixer-upper, it’s natural that you want to renovate and upgrade your home. But upgrades are expensive. A new set of kitchen cabinets will cost thousands of dollars. New countertops, bath vanities and hardwood floors will cost several thousand more. Not willing to shell out a 5-digit figure for your home upgrade costs? Here are 20 cheap ways to remodel your home on a budget. #1: Want stainless steel appliances without the astronomical price tag? Use peel-and-stick contact paper with a stainless steel finish. Your appliance will have a stainless steel façade at a fraction of the price of the real deal.

#2: Install new switchplate covers - the covers on light switches and electrical outlets. These cost about $1 each for a basic white cover at major home improvement retailers, and they’re easy to install. A new, clean white cover will look much nicer than that old, yellowing cover you had. For added oomph in the kitchen, try stainless steel covers. You can also hunt for patterned and decorative covers online. #3: Change your doorknobs, handles and hinges. These are inexpensive finishing touches that make a huge difference, and the installation is quick and easy. #4: Change your lampshades. It’s a small detail that makes a HUGE difference.

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#5: Make sure the “light spectrum” from your bulbs is appropriate for the area. You want soft bulbs that emit a yellow/red undertone in “hanging out” zones like the living room. You want bright bulbs that emit blue undertones in “study” zones like your home office or library.

#6: Install new blinds or curtains in the windows. Two-inch wood blinds give your home a nicer aesthetic than most one-inch vinyl blinds. #7: Install crown molding, baseboard trim, doorway trim and other trim accents to your home. Trim and moldings go a long way towards making a home look upgraded. #8: Rearrange your furniture. You don’t necessarily need new pieces of furniture - simply creating new shapes, and reorganizing the flow of a living space, can do wonders. #9: Cover your furniture with a slip-cover or fabric. This will give it a new color and pattern, making it feel new. #10: Repaint your walls and/or change your wallpaper. #11: Alternatively, paint your ceiling a new, fresh color. Some people are experimenting with soft neutral colors on the walls and a bold color on the ceiling, like white walls with a bright yellow ceiling, or light beige walls with an eggplant/purple ceiling. #12: Hang new photos or art on the walls. For an even more frugal alternative, simply change the frames of your existing photos and art.

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#13: Hang more mirrors, even in

places that are above eye-level (like over a fireplace). This increases the light that shines through the house. If you can hang two mirrors in the same room, put them on opposite walls; this will give the impression of a larger room. #14: Change your kitchen and bath rug and your doormat. Switch to a new shower curtain. #15: Buy some new cushion and pillow covers. Or sew them out of old unneeded pieces of clothing or fabric. Don’t have any that are good enough? Hunt for fabric at yard sales. #16: Get some small decorative items like mini-lanterns, artsy coasters and a new coffee table book. These are more “finishing details” that give a space a modern feel. #17: Put plants everywhere, both indoors and out. If you already own plants, but they’re potted in cheap plastic containers, upgrade them to a nice ceramic pot. #18: Clear your clutter! This alone makes a space feel much more inviting. #19: Clean and tune-up your furnace and ventilation shafts. This isn’t a cosmetic upgrade, but it will make your home function more efficiently. #20: Burn candles or incense or use an air freshener. A new scent can help you enjoy the feeling of a nicer atmosphere. Are you looking for a tenant for your vacancy? VacancyFillers.com can help! VacancyFillers.com uses their professional and simple systems, to effectively and quickly find quality tenants for landlords. These professional services allow landlords to focus on their families and careers! Founded by Ben Schwartz in January of 2014 in response to the needs of landlords who lack the proper time and resources to find tenants by themselves, VacancyFillers.com has already assisted in the signing many leases for landlords just like yourself! For more information, please visit: www.vacancyfillers.com

Your Money

Allan J. Rolnick, CPA

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

ay back in 1963, the singer Andy Williams introduced one of the most popular holiday songs of all time: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Most

Wonderful Time of the Year.â&#x20AC;? Decades later, the office-supply store Staples repurposed it to sell school supplies, and Miller recycled it once again to sell light beer. But for our friends at the

IRS, the most wonderful time of the year starts right now. So here are some tax time quotes to get you in the spirit of the season:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care anymore whether I pay more taxes or less taxes, as long as I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to understand it.â&#x20AC;? - Bob Thaves (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frank & Ernestâ&#x20AC;?)

Win! Up to

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you make any money, the government shoves you in the creek once a year with it in your pockets, and all that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get wet you can keep.â&#x20AC;? - Will Rogers

$500 value!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay taxes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they take taxes!â&#x20AC;? - Chris Rock

New Ahavas Yisrael Purim Scratch-Off Cards!

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nothing makes a man and wife feel closer, these days, than a joint tax return.â&#x20AC;? - Gil Stern

Send our cards in place of traditional shalach manos â&#x20AC;&#x201C; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help a needy family have a seudah of their own, and the recipient can win fabulous prizes!

.SIN[NIZFQ (FWIX Â&#x2C6; UFHP

S T LofO es! z i r p t a e r g

HelpÂ peopleÂ inÂ needÂ andÂ youÂ couldÂ WIN!

Prizes include: Gift certificates to: Goldbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bagels Guitars of Pikesville Honest Abe Plumbing Kayla Designs Knish Shop Kosher Bite Make Up by Tehilla Mama Leahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Milk & Honey Bistro Mobile Mechanic

WJK LNK YX JWFGQJ YT !"#$%& YT YM J U XUJS TTW YM I R ,'$+, '($)* TWJ T FS &-$./ UZW No , LN NR +J TS YMJ S joy KYX T FX Y T than is grea K KT W T TI KT S ter hear the jo or m WÂŹ y of ts of ore gl the glor th e po adde wido ious ni or, ws, the ng the and or phan 01"23 the &4."5, stra s, &6.4 nger &!13, s. #

A Pu 5Wrim THJJco dist INXY ribWNGut IXnt KWrib TRutio TS 5 ZYed JIon F Pu YMNX nHF w hi mZWad NR I X 2 ch WI \ rim e F^ Y FY FSTX NQQ w ill Day NS T in yo T 1Â¸J[ ha^Ts GJ be ZW H urMJho TR QU YM SN be RZSnoJ r SJ Ren NY^ by JI ^

SendÂ outÂ cardsÂ toÂ yourÂ friendsÂ andÂ relatives,Â andÂ theÂ recipientsÂ scratchÂ offÂ toÂ seeÂ ifÂ theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;veÂ wonÂ oneÂ ofÂ ourÂ greatÂ prizes.Â PurchaseÂ aÂ packÂ today!

.JMF (JGU $FSUJmDBUF t Avraham Cohen Lithographs Pariserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery Pernsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hebrew Books Radical Printing Royal Restaurant Savings Center Shabsiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Judaica Center Shlomoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Meat Market Sionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakery Tov Pizza Wasserman & Lemberger

â&#x20AC;&#x153;U.S. Internal Revenue Service: an agency modeled after the revenue raising concepts of the 19th century economist, Jesse James.â&#x20AC;? - Robert Brault

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Scra to se tch of f e if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the m re on iddle e of ha m en our spec ta sh ia l below w in ners .

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would be nice if we could all pay our taxes with a smile, but normally cash is required.â&#x20AC;? - Anonymous

5WTHJJIX KWTR YMNX HFWI \NQQ GJ INXYWNGZYJI FX 2FYFSTX 1Â¸J[^TSNR TS 5ZWNR IF^ YT MJQU YMJ SJJI^ NS TZW HTRRZSNY^

Available at: 2NQJ 2FWPJY Â&#x2C6; 8MFGXNÂ¸X /ZIFNHF Â&#x2C6; 5JWSÂ¸X Â&#x2C6; (JSYWFQ Â&#x2C6; 8MTRWJN *RZSFM Â&#x2C6; 8ZGZWGFS 4WYMTIT] Â&#x2C6; 'SFN /FHTG 8MFFWJN ?NTS Â&#x2C6; FSI TYMJW QTHFYNTSX FWTZSI YT\S AhavasÂ YisraelÂ CharityÂ Fund !"##$%&'(($%')*+&,$-')./01&2$3$4"5#6$7!"8!#9#$3$4"5#6$:;<8""!" =>1?.@$/.?A1B101(,?(&1/.C'&D$3$E'*1+/$'*.?*/@$FFFC1B101(,?(&1/.C'&D

Sure, writers and columnists like Will Rogers and Dave Barry can make you laugh at the tax man. But can they actually help you pay less? No! And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing funny about wasting money on tax you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to pay. So make sure you have a plan, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll enjoy having the last laugh on the IRS!

Allan J Rolnick is a CPA who has been in practice for over 30 years in Queens, NY. He welcomes your comments and can be reached at 718-896-8715 or at allanjrcpa@aol.com.

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

u When Yo avas Help Ah Yisrael...

Accents Adina B Cosmetics A to Z Savings Caramelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizza Central Hebrew Books Computer Care MD Covered with Style David Chuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dazzle Your Legs Exercise by Chanie F

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tax time. I know this because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m staring at documents that make no sense to me, no matter how many beers I drink.â&#x20AC;? - Dave Barry â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nuclear physics is much easier than tax law. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rational and always works the same way.â&#x20AC;? - Jerold Rochwald

staimandesign.com

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THE JEWISH HOME

Your Money

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JANUARY 29, 2015

106

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

36 112

Criminalizing Israel’s Right to Exist What the ICC Probe Means to the Jewish State BY SHIRA DIAMOND

n January 16, the Palestinians were finally given some sort of standing. On that day, the International Criminal Court opened an inquiry into possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories, bringing one of the world’s most chronic, heated conflicts into its courtroom. Prosecutors have said they would examine “in full independence and impartiality” crimes that may have occurred since June 13 last year, although many are doubting the neutrality of the court. In fact, it was the Palestinians that have accused Israel of committing war crimes and have recently applied for membership status in the ICC. When the announcement was made on that Friday a few weeks ago, Nabil Abuznaid, head of the Palestinian delegation in The Hague, smugly said, “The case is now in the hands of the court. It is a legal

“It is a tragic irony that Israel,

The focus will be on Netanyahu – and he will be blamed

based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.” That is, only those who commit the most heinous crimes on humanity are meant to pass through the ICC’s chambers. Contrary to what many may think, the ICC is not part of the United Nations; it is a completely independent body. However, in 2004, the ICC and the UN signed a relationship agreement defining their affiliation and the Security Council has referred cases to the ICC. In fact, Ban Ki Moon gave his approval to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for going to the ICC. It would be safe to say that the UN is a definite supporter of the Palestinians going to the International Criminal Court and filing charges against Israel. How does the ICC define war crimes? Ironically, World War II helped shape the definition of war crimes, especially the Nuremberg trials which prosecuted Nazi criminals and the Tokyo trials which prosecuted the Japanese for war crimes committed in several Asian countries during World War II. The goal of the court is to hold people who commit war crimes accountable, and although the ICC charges people with genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression, in Is-

which has withstood thousands of

terrorist rockets fired at its civilians

and its neighborhoods, is now being scrutinized by the ICC.” matter now and we have faith in the court system.” Israel, on the other hand, responded with outrage. “The court, which after more than 200,000 killed in Syria did not see fit to intervene ... finds it necessary to ‘examine’ the most moral army in the world,” Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a statement. Interestingly, Lieberman is correct: The court has only completed three cases in its first decade and was only able to secure two convictions. It has been criticized for mainly focusing on Africa, ignoring some of the bloodiest conflicts and heinous acts in the rest of the world. A WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL According to the court itself, the ICC, “governed by the Rome Statute, is the first permanent, treaty

rael’s case, the Palestinians are accusing them of war crimes. According to the ICC, war crimes include violations of the Geneva Convention and other rules of armed conflict. Some prohibited acts under war crimes include murder, mutilation, cruel treatment or torture, taking of hostages, intentionally directing attacks toward buildings of religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historical monuments or hospitals among other things. Israel is also being accused of crimes of aggression, which includes among other things military occupation and annexation by use of force. On July 17, 1988, 120 states agreed to adopt the Roman Statute which became the legal basis for establishing the ICC. The court itself sits in The Hague in the Netherlands, but is funded by the member states. It’s interesting to note that the court also accepts donations from governments, international organizations, even corporations and individuals. To date, two more countries have joined the ICC, bringing the total up to 122. Of that number, 25 states are from Western Europe and North America, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean, 18 from Eastern Europe, 34 from Africa and 18 from Asia-Pacific. The court does not try countries, but rather individuals for war crimes. Therefore, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be accused in the ICC of war crimes, as well as other Israeli officials. ISRAEL UNDER SCRUTINY Despite dire warnings from the United States as well as from Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Palestinians went ahead with their plan and appealed to the ICC. On January 16, the ICC prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, announced the court will open a preliminary examination into Israeli actions beginning in June 2014. This period of time covers Operation Protective Edge, as well as the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers that occurred this past summer, and Israel’s response to it. Although this may sound frightening to many, it is important to keep in mind that that this is not an investigation; it is an examination to determine whether or not they should open up an investigation. And these prelimi-

113 37 to steer Netanyahu away from this seemingly reckless approach, suggesting it may be better to refrain from attacking the ICC and its prosecutor which may

SHOULD ISRAEL CARE? There are several ways that countries react to the announcement that they are being investigated by the ICC. Most countries that have little to fear aren’t too bothered by the examination. Will the ICC see that Hamas is the entity that should be investigated for war crimes? For example, the ICC opened a preliminary examination into the U.S. military use of enhanced interrogation only further isolate Israel. They are suggesting that techniques in Afghanistan. Instead of reacting with Israel cooperate somewhat, handing over evidence of bluster, the U.S. simply stated that its policy is that Hamas war crimes and proving Israel has and is cathe court does not have jurisdiction over its citizens. pable of investigating alleged crimes against soldiers British officials were a little more disturbed when in the IDF. Obviously, Netanyahu disagrees, and the the ICC opening a preliminary investigation against success or failure of this campaign remains to be seen. their soldiers’ actions in Iraq, but they did not put What happens if the ICC does open up an investidown the court and provided them with sufficient gation? And what happens if Israel is proven guilty? evidence that soldiers who behaved wrongly were Well, in that case, the likely answer will be nothing. punished. Although it will be more ammunition for Israel-haters Israel, on the other hand, has gone into defense to bash the State, the ICC does not have its own police mode and has started a campaign to get others to force. It also doesn’t have the power to execute warstop supporting the court. Some question the effec- rants of arrest. Therefore, the court relies on the countiveness of this method, as besmirching the ICC may tries to uphold its ruling and hold the people it places make them more willing to open an investigation. judgments on responsible. This is especially difficult However, Israel is always an exception to the rule. if not impossible when it comes to Israel, since it’s not a member of the ICC. Therefore it stands to reason that the main goal of the Palestinian Authority in going to the ICC is to make Israel more isolated globally than it already is, as well as have the ruling “in the bag” when it tries to get world players to bypass Israel and declare Palestine a state.

Does Israel even stand a chance against the world’s bias?

It is speculated that the harsh response is due to the Israeli government’s belief that institutions like the ICC are so biased against Israel from the outset that they will inevitably be targeted despite what evidence may show. The government plans to release ads attacking the ICC as well as Fatou Bensouda, its chief prosecutor. Some in Israel’s government have tried

nother chapter in Israel’s fight for survival is being written in a book with more chapters than any other country in history. The Palestinians are using the International Criminal Court as a pawn in its agenda to bypass the peace process and avoid making painful concessions, hoping to inch closer to obtaining a Palestinian state and pushing Israel into its watery borders. But as Jews we see now more than ever how important it is to have a Jewish State in the sea of nations where antiSemitism is metastasizing and many Jews no longer feel safe. And so, just like Israel has witnessed incredible pain but has picked up the pieces and moved on, this chapter will also be written, and the pages will turn. And Israel will still stand strong. 

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

the “situation in Palestine” could include the Palestinian Authority and Hamas’ actions as well. America’s strong condemnation against the Palestinian move to have the ICC investigate Israel was heard by Israel supporters everywhere. Congress also took action to discipline Palestinians for ignoring U.S. warnings about going to the court. On the first day of the new Congress, Senator Rand Paul introduced litigation closing loopholes in a previous law that would cut off the $500 million in aid the U.S. gives the Palestinian Authority each year. Several European countries, most notably Germany and the UK, made statements to the effect that this move by the Palestinians will only hinder peace. Israel is lashing out in her own way for this audacious move by the Palestinians. Besides rejecting the jurisdiction of the court (the U.S. is also not a member of the court), it has cut off significant monies from reaching the Palestinians, namely $125 million a month in tax transfers. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is also trying his hand at the political realm of influence, by lobbying countries that support the ICC such as Canada, Australia, Japan and Germany to end funding the court. The chances of success are yet to be seen, but it’s speculated he will meet with little achievement in this area, especially with Germany who was involved in the establishment of the ICC. The U.S. administration has had surprisingly

strong words regarding the investigation in the ICC. In a statement from the state department, they said, “As we have said repeatedly, we do not believe that Palestine is a state and therefore we do not believe that it is eligible to join the ICC… It is a tragic irony that Israel, which has withstood thousands of terrorist rockets fired at its civilians and its neighborhoods, is now being scrutinized by the ICC.” But as expected, they had some criticism for Israel as well, opposing the withholding of transfer taxes from the Palestinians.

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nary examinations can take an extremely long time. In Columbia, for example, this examination has been ongoing for more than a decade already. The court has yet to open a formal investigation, still wanting to give Columbia a chance to address the charges domestically. The court is also known to close preliminary examinations without moving onto an investigation. Most people are unaware that the court closed an examination in 2009 after the war in Gaza mainly because Palestine did not have statehood status. This would not be grounds to close the case now, though, because the ICC has said that the U.N. General Assembly recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state as well as the Palestinian accession to the ICC treaty means the ICC can investigate crimes committed in its territory. This gets complicated though, because what exactly Palestinian territory is, is not defined. This investigation could also backfire on the Palestinians and bring charges against them for war crimes, as the open-ended language from the prosecutor about

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Notable Notable Quotes

Quotes

Compiled NateDavis Davis Compiled by by Nate

“Say“Say What?” What?” It’s the responsibility of every officer and deputy here who takes the oath to respect the dignity of every person they encounter, whether red or yellow, black or white, Hispasian, excuse me, Hispanic or Asian. - Joe Biden (almost creating a new ethnicity) while speaking at the Major Cities Sheriff’s Association Joint Conference in Washington If I was racing in 2015, no, I wouldn’t do it again, because I don’t think you have to. If you take me back to 1995, when it was completely and totally pervasive, I’d probably do it again. People don’t like to hear that, but that’s the honest answer. - Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, talking about doping in a recent BBC interview

If you want to go to the Super Bowl in Phoenix, it will cost you a lot of money, double what they were last year. The average asking price is around $6,000 per ticket. Do people not know the game is on television this year? - Jimmy Kimmel

Over time you will see a regime like this collapse. - President Barack Obama in a YouTube interview about North Korea The recent wild remarks made by Obama are nothing but a poor grumble of a loser driven into a tight corner in the all-out standoff with the [North]. – A North Korean spokesman responding to President Obama’s comments Today was the first day you could file a tax return. If you filed a tax return today, congratulations, nerd. – Jimmy Kimmel The IRS suggests filing early to reduce the chance that someone will steal your identity and file before you. Honestly, if somebody wants my identity so badly they’ll file my tax return for me, go crazy. You can mow my lawn while you’re at it, too. – Ibid

In a speech today, President Obama said that Michelle Obama is very strong and talented and she frequently tells him that he is wrong. As a result, Michelle Obama is now the Republican frontrunner for 2016. - Conan O’Brien

California officials want to contain a measles outbreak that originated in Disneyland last month. They are in luck because everyone who is exposed to it is still in line at Space Mountain. - Conan O’Brien An amazing Super Bowl last evening. The New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks both defeated the Seattle Seahawks. - Seth Myers

We were not fighting, we were not arguing. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know anything. - Diane Andryshak, after her husband, James Rhein, 48, rented an excavator and tore down their home in Middletown, NY, with everything still in it I tried calling her, she didn’t answer the phone. - James Rhein’s “explanation” for his actions (which did not prevent him from being arrested) I asked him, just kidding around, if he was going to knock down the house with a bulldozer, and he said, “Yeah.” I thought he was kidding. So I went to work and when I came back this is what we found. - James Rhein’s neighbor, Steve Belfiglio, in an interview with WABC, pointing to a pile of rubble

The name “Nutella” given to the child is the trade name of a spread and it is contrary to the child’s interest to be wearing a name like that. It can only lead to teasing or disparaging thoughts. - A judge in the French city of Valenciennes refusing to certify a baby’s name as Nutella Yesterday a baby was born on a New York-bound flight three hours before landing. Serious question: Would you rather ride next to a baby a whole flight, or have the first half of the flight no baby but then the actual birthing of a baby? Because again, that’s three hours of peace where there’s just no baby. - Seth Myers

One person’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter. We will not use these terms unless attributed to a source/ person. - From an internal email by an Al Jazeera English’s executive instructing the staff to use terms such as “terrorist,” “militant,” “Islamist” and “jihad”

I’m not even thinking about getting rich from speaking fees after I leave office. As you no doubt have heard, I’m already rich. – Mitt Romney during a speech at Mississippi State University about his recent flirtation with running for president in 2016

Today, the Apple iPad turns five years old. So it’s official. The iPad is as old as the people who make it. - Conan O’Brien

Is the time coming to lay the Holocaust to rest? - Question posed by a BBC television show This trophy feels a wee bit lighter than the other three. – Steve Kroft overheard joking to Roger Goodell, after his team won the Super Bowl

Get out of here you lowlife [garbage]. - Sen. John McCain to the demonstrators as they were led out of the chamber by Capitol police Everyone is still talking about the Super Bowl. The big story is undrafted rookie Malcolm Butler, who made the gamewinning interception for the New England Patriots. Even Malcolm Butler said, “Who?” - Jimmy Fallon

Dude with a video camera on his shoulder, right in front of me, kneeling, stood up and turned and caught me square on the mouth. He chipped that one, cracked the other one. - Tiger Woods explaining how his tooth recently got knocked out while he was observing a World Cup ski race (the veracity of his story has been called into question) Such a presentation could send the wrong message in terms of giving diplomacy a chance. – Minority Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) arguing that Netanyahu’s address to Congress may upset Iran

A new survey shows that most people trust Google more as a source for current events than traditional news outlets. Traditional news outlets didn’t believe the news until they Googled it. - Seth Myers

Tom Brady was named Super Bowl MVP and was given a new Chevy truck. Brady says the truck handles great, especially after he let some air out of the tires. - Seth Myers

We have the problem of assimilation. We have the problem of intermarriage. We have the problem that too many generations of Jews don’t realize the importance of our institutions strengthening our community — particularly with the rise of anti-Semitism and global intolerance. - Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, speaking to a Jewish Federation audience

More bad news for the New England Patriots. The NFL now has video of those deflated footballs alone in an elevator with Ray Rice. – David Letterman

President Obama had a busy week overseas. He was in India and gave a speech over there urging them to be more progressive about women’s rights, and then he went to Saudi Arabia where they keep women in beekeeper suits and didn’t say a word. Oh, oil, is there anything you can’t do? - Bill Maher Obama, oh, I love her, man. She went over there and she did not wear the headscarf, did not cover her head. You go, girl. Well, let’s be respectful to other cultures, please. In Saudi Arabia, it is considered indecent for a woman to show her uncovered head, unless it’s separated from her body, then it’s perfectly fine. - Ibid

Now, I’m not authorized to evacuate Ahwatukee, but this temperature seems pretty high… Frankly, Wickenburg is a total loss… Surprise is starting to heat up as well at 1300 degrees… Again, I’m not your dad, but I would get out while you still can. - Quick-witted weatherman Cory McCloskey when a digital weather map malfunctioned while he was giving a weather report on Fox 10 in Phoenix and noted temperatures in the thousands of degrees

I’m proud of saving the American economy….I am very confident that America is stronger, more prosperous, safer, and more influential today than it was when I took office. - President Barack Obama on CNN talking about some of his accomplishments over the past six years That climb beat me up. I may have reached the top, but Niagara won the war. At the end of the day, I was hypothermic. That waterfall did a lot more damage to me than I did to it. - Will Gadd after he become the first person to ever climb frozen Niagara Falls

Mitt Romney announced that he is no longer considering running for president in 2016. As opposed to those other guys who forgot about running — the Seattle Seahawks. - Jimmy Fallon

91 39

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

I wasn’t really a runner before. I was the person standing on the sidelines, eating chocolate-covered pretzels, watching other people run the marathon… But somehow, Boston has given me so much motivation. It makes me want to show people that this has brought me down, for an extended period of time, but now, I’m moving forward. I’m just going to keep getting better, and doing more and more. - Rebekah Gregory DiMartino whose foot was amputated due to injuries sustained when she was an observer at the Boston Marathon last year, explaining why she plans on running in the Boston Marathon this year

Arrest Henry Kissinger for war crimes. - Code Pink demonstrators chanting when former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was testifying in a Senate hearing last week

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President Obama said the small drone that flew over the White House fence yesterday could be bought at any RadioShack. After hearing this, the RadioShack CEO said, “I’m shocked to find out we still sell something people want.” - Conan O’Brien

Table for Two or Two Hundred Naomi Nachman’s Tips for Kosher Foodies BY TAMMY MARK

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

40 110

Hosting ‘Table for Two’ at Gourmet Glatt with Nate Kruman of Burning Bush Hot Sauce and Seth Leavitt, owner of Abeles and Heymann, the sponsor of Table For Two

As she developed her recipe blog and a weekly column for The Jewish Home, demand for her services grew. Now an ambassador for Gourmet Glatt Emporium, Naomi can frequently be found in the aisles conducting product demonstrations and customer consultations or hosting special live webcast editions of “Table for Two.” Naomi often takes her show on the road. Whether reporting Broadcasting her weekly show from the Nachum Segal Studio on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Naomi enjoys returning from Kosherfest or via Skype from Australia, she enjoys the live to the neighborhood where it all began. Originally from Sydney, interaction with her audience. One of her favorite show guests Australia, Naomi settled on the Lower East Side as a newlywed. was twelve-year-old Eitan Bernath, the Orthodox contestant who Always a foodie, but content to leave the cooking to her mother, appeared on TV’s “Chopped.” Broadcasting from Gourmet Glatt, she pretty much stayed out of the kitchen until she got married. Naomi interviewed the young chef – a fan favorite whose experience surpassed those twice his age. Trained as an educator, she first Naomi still loves to teach and worked as a kindergarten teacher. appreciates the chance to work As she cooked for her own famwith children. While teaching ily, her kitchen skills and passion young cooks, she utilizes the exfor food grew stronger. Naomi reperience to incorporate concepts lied on her teaching experience to like math and science. Youngest launch her new venture and began students can explore the sensory giving cooking classes throughout aspects of cooking while learning the city. life skills like preparing and sharing. What’s the Aussie Gourmet’s secret to getting kids to eat well fter relocating to the Five and appreciate good food? “Start Towns, Naomi propelled them young and feed finicky famiher business to the next lies one new dish a week,” she level, becoming one of the first advises. “Expand their palates kosher personal chefs in the Five Towns catering to clients’ specific by teaching them to try anything, Inside the Nachum Segal Network studio unless they are allergic.” For the tastes and dietary requirements. with CEO of the JNF, Russell Robinson bout to embark on her third year as radio show host on “Table for Two,” Naomi Nachman’s typical meals are actually anything but intimate. Although she enjoys sharing a recipe or feeding her family, the always energetic “Aussie Gourmet” is at her best when catering to a crowd.

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aomi first has to prepare food for Passover – for her clients, that is. She plans and caters holiday meals and Passover is no exception. From side dishes to completely catered events and parties, she has it all down to a science. Like most modern women, Naomi knows that proper planning is paramount. For Shabbat guests, her rule is to invite by Monday, plan by Tuesday, shop by Wednesday and cook by Thursday. Cooking in bulk cuts down on time and work too. “Double Judging a cooking competition with celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe and freeze whatever of Top Chef fame at this year’s Kosherfest.

you can,” she says. “Soups, meats with sauces…fifteen minutes of advance planning can save double in crunch time.” Nachman’s biggest cooking challenge is creating new and exciting dishes for her returning clients. The hottest food trends include charcuterie – smoked and dried cuts of meat and faux bacon, aka “facon.” She’s also experimenting with different varieties of crowd-pleasing alternatives to cholent, such as overnight oven meat and crockpot brisket. Luckily, her personal favorite food group is meat. While spicy sriracha sauce and kosher salt are currently two of her favorite ingredients, her true “secret ingredient” is curry. “I sneak it into everything from cholent to egg salad sandwiches,” she confesses. On the set of QVC Naomi offers this advice to maximize your gastronomic experience when dining out, “Ask for their signature dish or speak to the chef if possible.” At the higher end restaurants, she suggests requesting the “amuse-bouche,” the chef’s special selections of the day. Even with her palate calibrated to gourmet level, Naomi still has a fondness for traditional Aussie favorites like vegemite and Tim Tam biscuits, getting her fix whenever she has the chance. Her other favorite international dining destinations include restaurants in Israel and Italy. While her passion will always be cooking, Naomi is a true foodie and loves to eat out and sample new dishes. “My dream is to eat at every single kosher restaurant around the world.” 

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adventurous adult, the options are endless. As the foodie world explodes, Naomi says there are countless blogs and websites to learn from. Whether on the radio or on TV selling rugelach on the QVC Network, Naomi is always up for a challenge. Her next adventure is Passover at the Trump National Doral in Miami, where she will be running a culinary arts program. Working within the kosher for Passover guidelines, she will also be mixing spirits and teaching the art of mixology, exploring wine and cheese pairings, and essentially elevating gourmet Passover fare to an even higher level.

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Parenting Parenting Today Parenting Today Today Childrearing: Childrearing: How How to to Keep Keep Calm Calm and and Carry Carry On On

P P

the extent of how powerfully their bethe extent of how theirhow behaviors affect theirpowerfully children and haviors their children how kids learnaffect to behave similarlyand in turn. kids learntotoself-regulate behave similarly in turn. Learning is therefore Learning to self-regulate is therefore key to becoming a healthier parent key a to becoming a healthier parent and more wholesome role model for and a more wholesome modelhere for children. With regard torole anger, children. With regard anger, your here are some helpful tips totokeeping are some tipsgets to keeping your cool when helpful the going tough; be it coolmorning when therush, goinghomework gets tough;hour, be it the the morning hour, bedtime hour, rush, or the homework dreaded toddler bedtime hour, or the dreaded toddler tantrum: tantrum: • Take Two: In high stress • situations, Take Two:take In high stockstress of what you situations, stock what you are feeling. take If you are of feeling are feeling. If with you are feeling overwhelmed emotion (i.e. overwhelmed emotion angry, irritable,with resentful or (i.e. angry, irritable, or upset), STOP andresentful take several upset), STOPbefore and take several deep breaths reacting. deep breaths before reacting.

You can often find bleary-eyed and exhausted You can often find bleary-eyed and exhausted mommies in the parenting section of Barnes & Noble mommies in the parenting section of Barnes & Noble frantically searching for the “right” book. frantically searching for the “right” book. • Wait before Disciplining: If you • are Wait before Disciplining: you cognizant of the fact thatIfyou are losing cognizant of the fact that that you are control, remember are losingcan control, remember that discipline always wait. The discipline can always The most important need iswait. for you most is fortoyou to takeimportant control ofneed yourself best to take controland of yourself to best serve yourself your child. serve yourself and your Parenting is almost neverchild. an Parenting is almost never an emergency. emergency. • Avoid Threats: It is more difficult • to Avoid Threats: is our morethreats difficult follow throughIton to follow through on our threats than we realize in the moment. than we the moment. (You do, realize in fact, in desperately need (Youchild do, intofact, desperately your attend that play need date your attendfunction!) that play date or go child to thetofamily or go toare thenot family function!) Threats necessary. Threats are not necessary. • Commit to Stop Yelling: Your • children Commitare to having Stop Yelling: Your difficulty childrenyou are over having hearing all difficulty that noise. hearing you over all that noise. They cannot possibly internalize Theyyou cannot possiblytointernalize what are saying them what to them out of you fearare andsaying you have now out aofvaluable fear andopportunity you have now lost lost a valuableyour opportunity at influencing child in a at influencing your child in a positive manner. positive manner. • Self-Care: One of the most • Self-Care: One of the most

powerful tools in parenting is powerful toolsself-care. in parenting implementing Thisiscan implementing self-care. can mean something differentThis for each mean something for each individual. Many different parents feel individual. Manyinparents feel or guilty indulging alone time guilty indulging in alone time or splurging a little on themselves. splurging ita little on themselves. However, is important to However, that it is if important to remember we do not remember that we do notand take the time to ifrejuvenate take the time to rejuvenate and replenish our reservoirs of energy, replenish ourcannot reservoirs of energy, our children benefit our children cannot benefit accordingly. accordingly. The art of parenting has been deTheforartcenturies of parenting has been debated by professionals bated for centuries by professionals in the field. Many researchers in our in the field. Many researchers in and our field have introduced eye-opening field have introduced and useful strategies that eye-opening we can utilize usefulwith strategies that we We canbelieve utilize daily our children. dailyseeking with our children.and Wevaluable believe that information that seeking informationalthough and valuable resources is imperative, one resources is imperative, although one

must remain open, according to their must remain according their child’s needs. open, Regardless of theto techchild’s you needs. Regardless of the techniques choose to follow, learning niques you choose follow, learning to remain calm in thetoeye of the storm remain calm the encounters eye of the storm isto necessary forinany with is necessary your children. for any encounters with  your children.  Chaya and Leah are both clinical social Chaya and Leah are both with clinical social workers in private practice extensive workers incounseling private practice experience parentswith and extensive children experience and children of all ages.counseling They areparents the facilitators of of all ages. They the facilitators of Muffins-N-Moms, an are interactive educationMuffins-N-Moms, an interactive al parenting workshop. Individualeducationsessions al parenting workshop. Individual sessions available upon request. For more informaavailable request. For more information, emailupon muffinsnmoms@gmail.com or tion,516.340.0288. email muffinsnmoms@gmail.com or call Follow us on Instagram call 516.340.0288. Follow us Instagram @muffinsnmoms_parenting foronyour daily @muffinsnmoms_parenting your daily dose of parenting tidbits and for humor. dose of parenting tidbits and humor.

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why you can often find bleary-eyed whyexhausted you can mommies often findin bleary-eyed and the parentandsection exhausted mommies in the parenting of Barnes & Noble frantiing section of Barnes Noble frantically searching for the& “right” book callywill searching for the “right” book that answer their latest parenting that will answer latest parenting emergency. Often,their after reading the emergency. reading the book writtenOften, by theafter newest parentbook written they by the ing sensation, arenewest still leftparentfeeling sensation, theyoverwhelmed are still left feeling incompetent, and ing incompetent, overwhelmed and confused with regard to the proper confused to with regard the proper approach take. One toguarantee is approach Onewill guarantee for certain:toalltake. parents inevitablyis for certain: all parents inevitably make mistakes and the will ensuing guilt make mistakes thethe ensuing guilt can often serve toand derail most wellcan oftenand serve to derail parent. the mostWhile wellmeaning nurturing meaning andnatural, nurturing parent. this is only parents canWhile take this is onlyand natural, can take their guilt turn itparents into something their guilt andthan turnmarinating it into something useful rather in this useful rather thanSo,marinating in curl this useless emotion. before you useless emotion. So, before you curl into a fetal position and surrender, into are a fetal position and strategies surrender, there in fact some basic therecan arewarrant in fact asome strategies that morebasic peaceful path that warrant more peaceful path to thiscan often tryinga adventure. to this trying Mostoften parents areadventure. aware of the fact parents are aware fact that Most their children learn best of bythe examthat However, their children best by example. theylearn do not fully grasp ple. However, they do not fully grasp

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

arents are often stumped when arents the are following often stumped when asked question: asked the following “Why is the task ofquestion: parent“Why is We thechallenge task of parenting so difficult?” you to ing soofdifficult?” We where challenge you to think another task the stakes think another taskare where the stakes are as ofhigh as they in childrearare In as addition, high as they areguarantees in childrearing. with no in ing. Infrom addition, with no guarantees in place any outside sources, one is place from any within outside and sources, forced to look trust one theiris forced toforlook withinInand trust intuition answers. short, thetheir anintuition forquestion answers.isInthat short, the answer to this parenting this question is such, that parenting isswer not to a science and, as there is is not a science and, as such, there is no cookie cutter approach to parenting no cookie approach parenting that would cutter best serve everytoparent and that would best serve this every parent and child. To exacerbate conundrum, child. To exacerbate this conundrum, parents today find themselves facing parents find themselves facing vast and today often conflicting amounts of vast and often of information withconflicting regard to amounts the “right” information with regard to theThis “right” way to parent their children. is way to parent their children. This is

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Chaya Guttman, LCSW and Leah Davidowitz, Chaya Guttman, LCSW LCSW and Leah Davidowitz, LCSW

83 83

Learn to speak, sing , and daven correctly and with the correct Nusach and melodies! Call: 410-733-0996 or 410-486-0491 Email: arberman18@gmail.com

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Parenting Today Parenting Today Parenting Today

Rabbi Chaim A. Morgenstern

77 77

Rabbi Chaim A. Morgenstern

Chinuch Workshops: Practical Torah Guidelines Chinuch Workshops: Practical Torah Guidelines and Strategies for Achieving Successful Chinuch and Strategies for Achieving Successful Chinuch

Davening in Shul Davening in Shul Part One Part One

art and parcel of being the slave behaves in a rowdy manner, shul as the playroom. Rav Wolbe writes The shul can hire a girl to tend to the mechanech according to thethe kingslave will behaves not blameinthe slave for his thatshul although a motherRav deserves children andhire form a small playart anda child parcel of being a rowdy manner, as the playroom. Wolbe her writes young The shul can a girl to tend to the his mechanech derech is knowing when and manner of appearance or behavior berest, it should not be at the expense of group for them (perhaps at the parents’ a child according to the king will not blame the slave for his that although a mother deserves her young children and form a small playhow to train child to daven properly the slave was never taught how tobe- herrest, husband’s davening kedu- of expense). I have been in shuls have hisaderech is knowing when and cause manner of appearance or behavior it should not beor at chillul the expense group for them (perhaps at that the parents’ in shul. behave in a king’s presence. On the conshas bais haknesses (Zeriya U’Vinyan a small playroom with toys and games how to train a child to daven properly cause the slave was never taught how to her husband’s davening or chillul kedu- expense). I have been in shuls that have The following are some guidelines trary—it’s thea king’s masterpresence. who is toOnblame, p. 45). purpose. in shul. behave in the con- B’chinuch shas bais haknesses (Zeriya U’Vinyan for athis small playroom with toys and games for bringing one’s child shul. guidelines trary—it’s the master who is to blame, B’chinuch p. 45). Anthis older sibling can escort the child The following aretosome for purpose. home. for bringing one’s child to shul. An older sibling can escort the child Toddlers The child should be brought to shul home. The issue of Toddlers bringing small chiltowardThe the child end of the davening so to thatshul should be brought dren toThe shul issue is addressed by the small Chofetz when he finishes Shacharis,sohethat of bringing chiltoward the endhisofshort the davening Chaim 98:3, 124:28). willwhen hear he a few kadeishim, and then the he dren (Mishna to shul isBerura addressed by the Chofetz finishes his short Shacharis, He Chaim cites the Shelah, who vehemently father can take him home. (Mishna Berura 98:3, 124:28). will hear a few kadeishim, and then the opposed bringing small who children beIf none thehim above He cites the Shelah, vehemently father canof take home.suggestions lowopposed chinuchbringing age (between six andbeare feasible, the above proper suggestions chinuch small children If nonethen of the seven old, [cf. Berurah is for child tothen daven home. chinuch This lowyears chinuch ageMishnah (between six and are the feasible, theatproper 269:1]) to shul because they defame as he had no business bringing his disis because there is also a mitzvah to Young Children seven years old, [cf. Mishnah Berurah is for the child to daven at home.be This the269:1]) kedushas bais haknesses by playorderly slave into the king’s palace. Even when a child learns to read mechanech childisinalso mora mikdash to shul because they defame as he had no business bringing his disis becausea there a mitzvah to be Young Children ing,the jumping around, withby each are the to blame is usually notlearns capable with in a kedushas baisfighting haknesses play- Similarly, orderly parents slave into theones king’s palace. and daven, Evenhewhen a child to of read − behaving mechanech a awe childand in respect mora mikdash other disturbing the fighting kavanahwith of the their child’s disorderly child must trained a shulin a in shul he forislong periods time. of shul. ing,and jumping around, each for Similarly, parents are theconduct ones to and blame staying and daven, usually not of capable −A behaving withbeawe andthat respect other people davening.theAdditionally, betheir punished fordisorderly their child’s chilluland Thestaying first rule for for parents to follow is is for davening learning Torah only. other and disturbing kavanah of the willfor child’s conduct shul. A childand must be trained that a shul in shul long periods of time. when they get older, they will also not kedushas bais haknesses (cf. Alei Shur, not make their child daven more than However, if during his early exposure other people davening. Additionally, will be punished for their child’s chillul The first rule for parents to follow is is for davening and learning Torah only. behave shul they because thenot vol.1 p.262, citing an incident he isifallowed run davens in their cheder. Therefore, if the whenproperly they getinolder, willofalso kedushas bais haknesses (cf.from Aleithe Shur, he not make child daven more than to shul, However, during to hisplay earlyand exposure manner in which they educatedofinthe Medrash that underscores this point.) davens the morning brachos during davening viewsand therun behave properly in were shul because vol.1 p.262, citing an incident from the child to shul, he is allowedand to play he only davens in cheder. Therefore, if the around their youth in(aswhich the pasuk writes, “Gam in Medrash Some conscientious parents are andchild as hisduring playground, hisand disrespect the first Shema, thenbrachos this shularound manner they were educated that underscores this point.) onlyparshah davens ofthe morning davening views the eagerconscientious to bring theirparents toddlersare should be first his Shacharis, when the shul willplayground, remain evenhis when he’s their youth (as the pasuk writes, “Gam Some and the parshah of and Shema, thenhethis for shul as his disrespect to shul based on Chazal who finishes saying his brief Shacharis, he an adult (as previously mentioned from eager to bring their toddlers should be his Shacharis, and when he for the shul will remain even when he’s write that as soononasChazal an infant be given a treat home as he thean Shelah). Onpreviously the contrary, the older to shul based who should adult (as mentioned from finishes saying his and briefsent Shacharis, answers receives as hebebecomes restless. However, is beforeOn hethe is brought shul, write amen, that as he soon as an his infant soon should given a treat and sent home as a child the Shelah). contrary,tothe older share in Olam Haba (Sanhe- his since it’sasusually not be safe to have the thea more he before will understand how answers amen, he receives soon he becomes restless. However, child is he is brought to to shul, drinshare 110b,in cited in the Rema, child go home by himself, there are a properly behave there (Zeriya U’Vinyan Olam Haba (Sanhe- since it’s usually not be safe to have the the more he will understand how to O.C. also alternatives: 44). there (Zeriya U’Vinyan drin124:7; 110b,see cited in Tosafos the Rema, fewchild go home by himself, there are a B’chinuch properlyp.behave Chagiga 3a, s.v.see kedai). O.C. 124:7; also HowTosafos few alternatives: B’chinuch p. 44). ever, toddlers usually Chagiga 3a, s.v. kedai).stay Howmuch longer than just the timestay ever, toddlers usually Main point to work and focus on with infants and toddlers for the necessary to answer much longer than amen, just theget time coming week: Main point to work and focus on with infants and toddlers for the restless and then begin amen, to dis-get necessary to answer > Only week: children who daven and behave properly should go to shul. coming turbrestless and disrupt their father’s and then begin to dis> A child only bedaven required daven properly what he davens > Onlyshould children who andtobehave should in goschool. to shul. andturb other davening. andpeople’s disrupt their father’s > The amount of time thatbea required child should be at what shul should varyinaccording > A child should only to daven he davens school. ki yazkin lo yasur mi’mena,” − a per- When this happens, the reward of anand other people’s davening. to his age, as outlined above. > The amount of time that a child should be at shul should vary according son’s chinuchloinyasur his youth remains is lost by the the reward harm done ki yazkin mi’mena,” − aforper- swering Whenamen this happens, of an> his Give praise and treats for good behavior and davening. to age, as outlined above. a lifetime.) the mispallelim − yatzah s’charo son’s chinuch in his youth remains for to swering amen is lost by the harm done > Give praise and treats for good behavior and davening. (Even if a child has begun aAdditionally, lifetime.) if a small child misbe- b’hefseido. to the mispallelim − yatzah s’charo haves in shul, he is erroneously blamed to read the alef-bais, he probably won’t Rabbi Morgenstern does family counseling and lectures extensively in Israel and abroad on Additionally, if a small child misbe- b’hefseido. (Even if a child has begun shalom bayis, chinuch habanim, communication, and andhaves scolded by his parents (and other be able to sit still for more than the few in shul, he is erroneously blamed to read the alef-bais, he probably won’t Rabbi Morgenstern does familyfamily counseling and lecturesshidduchim, extensively dating in Israel andpersonal abroad on growth, and has produced a popular CD series on these topics. His articles on these mispallelim). However, if anyone is to minutes that it takes him to read the letpersonal and scolded by his parents (and other be able to sit still for more than the few shalom bayis, chinuch habanim, family communication, shidduchim, dating and topics Jewish and hashkafa have appeared internationally Jewish newspapers and on magazines. blame, it’s the parent who brought him that he that learned in cheder.) has produced a popular CD series oninthese topics. His articles these topics mispallelim). However, if anyone is to tersminutes it takes him to read the let- andgrowth, more information or have to schedule a lecture, contact Rabbi Morgenstern in Israel at 952to shul before he parent is old who enough to sithim ters At times, mother in may be exhaust- Forand Jewish hashkafa appeared internationally in Jewish newspapers and magazines. blame, it’s the brought that healearned cheder.) 236-4197 or at rabbi@toras-chaim.org. You can also request to receive his weekly Parsha quietly. The Shelah (Inyan Sefer Torah ed from the week’s work and Shabbos to shul before he is old enough to sit At times, a mother may be exhaust- For more information or to schedule a lecture, contact Rabbi Morgenstern in Israel at 952and chinuch articles by e-mail. PleaseYou include yourrequest name intothe request. U’vais Haknesses) compares this toTorah a preparations, sendswork her toddlers to Pearls 236-4197 or at rabbi@toras-chaim.org. can also receive his weekly Parsha quietly. The Shelah (Inyan Sefer ed from theand week’s and Shabbos Articles arechinuch dedicated to thebymemory his parents, Yisroel Nesanel z”l master who brings hiscompares unkemptthis andto a shulpreparations, as part of herand “weekend rest,” with to Pearls and articles e-mail.of Please includeReb yourYerachmiel name in the request. U’vais Haknesses) sends her toddlers Gittelare a”h.dedicated T.N.T.B.H malodorous slavebrings to visit king. Ifand hershul husband Articles to the memory of his parents, Reb Yerachmiel Yisroel Nesanel z”l master who his the unkempt as partasofthe herbabysitter “weekend and rest,”the with and Leah

The older a child is before he is brought to shul, older child is before how he istobrought to behave shul, theThe more heawill understand properly the more he will understand how to properly behave there. there.

malodorous slave to visit the king. If

her husband as the babysitter and the

and Leah Gittel a”h. T.N.T.B.H

Health Health & Fitness

and Fitness

Aliza Beer, MS, RD

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THE JEWISH HOME  JANUARY 29, 2015

112

How to Avoid Winter Weight Gain

for fattening comfort foods, and layers of warm clothing that hide your expanding waistline! Winter comfort foods are usually high in fat, calories, and sodium. In the summer months, there is an increase in the quantity and variety of light foods. The following are some winter foods that are most likely to pack on the pounds, and some healthier alternatives for them: Studies have shown that many people gain at least 1. Macaroni and Cheese: The name says it all! Try to reduce the fat/ one pound between November and January. calories by using whole wheat or low carb pasta and reduced fat cheese. 2. Cream-Based Soups: They are So, you have been stranded in your and January, and that gain is usually typically high in fat and sodium. house for a few days as a result of a permanent. Some causes are the de- Make soups that are brothrecent storm, or, in light of an upcom- crease in outdoor exercise, cravings based, like vegetable or chicken, and add very little salt. Cauliflower and zucchini soups are & Be nutritious, filling, and w w st rit W or q comforting. te e km ua n w a li 3. C h e e s e c a k e s qu ill n ty ot be sh MHIC 82438 or Muffins: These es a ip are loaded with artery by t 10 clogging fats. Try a % toasted Vitamuffin (100 calories and 4 – 10 grams of fiber), or a baked apple with a spritz of fat free whip cream to satisfy your sweet tooth. 4. Cookies: One small cookie (1 – 2 oz) is about 200-250 calories, which • Best service and best quality products is not tragic if you have the ability to • 10 Year labor warranty on all new roofs control yourself and limit it to just one, but most people do not exhibit • 1000S of satisfied and happy customers that much self control. Try to keep • Factory trained employees on every job 100 calorie packs of your favorite • Licensed by all major roofing manufactures cookie in your house for emergencies. 5. Fried Side Dishes: Onion • 3 Generations of roofing contractors from father to son rings and French fries are some of the worse foods one could possibly Call Gedaliah Kosoy consume. Salad and veggies are the ideal side dishes, but if you are craving something starchy, try baking 7663 sweet potato fries with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Visit our new roofing show room at 6. Hot Cocoas and Lattes: These beverages are deceptively caloric. 7092 Milford Ind Road • Pikesville MD 21208 Try decaf coffee, diet hot cocoa, or green tea. Warm beverages are more New Roofs • Roof Repairs • Regular & Designer Shingles satisfying and comforting than cold Attic Blown In Insulation •Seamless Gutters 5 & 6 • Attic Ventilatio ones. 7. Cholent: Cholent is a Shabbos Chimney Pointing • Drywall Repair Exterior Painting • staple especially in the winter months, ing storm, fear that possibility. You may have made it to the grocery store to buy some healthy food, to cook or not... What should you be eating? Studies have shown that many people gain at least one pound between November

Your Local Roofing Contractor

410-358-ROOF

,ca rnua

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

ollowing previous blizzards, several of my patients regressed in their diets. Patients who had been losing significant amounts of weight – for weeks – all of a sudden found themselves gaining weight and were asking me: Why?

but contains an abundance of carbs (beans, barley, potatoes) and fat. Try putting up a crockpot of chicken or vegetable soup for Shabbos lunch. Many of my patients love having the hot soup and stop craving the cholent. The key to warding off winter weight gain is a ready supply of alternate comfort foods. When trapped indoors during snowstorms make up a feeding schedule for yourself and don’t eat unless it’s eating time. Remove yourself from the kitchen environment as much as physically possible. Above all, don’t utilize this homebound opportunity to bake!! Nibbling during food preparations can lead to substantial weight gains. When having a Martha Stewart moment, chew gum or sip on an iced coffee. Try some fun indoor exercises such as Dance Dance Revolution, hoola hoop, and jump rope. Hang in there, spring will be here…eventually!! Aliza Beer is a registered dietician with a master’s degree in nutrition. She has a private practice in Cedarhurst, NY. Patients’ success has been featured on the Dr. Oz show. Aliza can be reached at alizabeer@gmail.com.

You Gotta be

Riddle!

Kidding!

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Almost everyone needs it, asks for it, gives it, but almost nobody takes it. What is it?

Answer below

A Redskins fan, an Eagles fan, a Ravens fan, and a Patriots fan are climbing a mountain and arguing about who loves his team more. The Redskins fan insists he is the most loyal. “This is for the Redskins!” he yells and jumps off the side of the mountain. Not to be outdone, the Eagles fan shouts, “This is for the Eagles!” and throws himself off the mountain. The Ravens fan is next to profess his love for his team. He yells, “This is for everyone!” and pushes the Patriots fan off the mountain.

Football Withdrawal Syndrome According to Loyola University Medical Center psychiatrist Dr. Angelos Halaris, millions of Americans are now suffering from “football withdrawal syndrome.” Dr. Haralir provides tips such as don’t go cold turkey – watch old football games in diminishing amounts and share your feelings of withdrawal and letdown with a friend or spouse. Well, here are some better tips from the Centerfold Commissioner:

Introduce yourself to the lady and children that you find inside your house...they are your wife and kids. Think about how long the off-season is. Now think about how long the off-season will be for Seattle Coach Pete Carroll and count your blessings. When your kids talk to you, act like you are Marshawn Lynch talking to the media. Go to the gym and work off the 20 pounds of chili you ate during the season…so that when next season comes around you can put 20 pounds back on. Gather all the pairs of socks from behind the couch. (Make sure to wear your Hazmat suit please.)

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Invite your friend over and tell him that you want to hear all the stories he has been telling you on Sunday nights (i.e. about the time he was stuck in traffic for two hours; how his cleaners lost his

favorite shirt, etc.) because they sounded so interesting during the final drive of football games all season that you just want to hear them again. Change the lightbulb that your wife has been “constantly” reminding you about every six months. If you are a Jets fan, meditate to the numbers 4 and 12… Because that was your team’s record last year and will likely be their record next year. Read a book. (Start with Dr. Seuss and work your way up to Curious George. By that time the next football season will certainly be upon us.) Get into basketball and watch the Knicks. They will win at least 12 games this season…which wouldn’t be bad if they were a football team. Consider getting into alternative sports such as competitive eating. (You are probably a natural at it).

ANSWER TO RIDDLE: Advice

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

48 78

7949

2. In Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals, the Knicks were up, 105-99, with a 18.7 seconds left. Over the next 8 seconds how many points did Reggie Miller score? a. 4 b. 6 c. 8 d. 9 3. Everyone knows what happened in the 10th inning of Game 6 of the World Series when Boston’s first baseman Bill Buckner attempted to file a dribbler by Mookie Wilson and it slipped right through his legs. What did Mr. Buckner say in an interview with WBZ-TV’s Don Shane several days before that World Series began? a. “I don’t need to be a hero, I just want to hit for a .400 average.” b. “I guarantee we will bring the World Series trophy back to Boston.” c. “We may not be the best hitters, but we certainly are the best fielders.” d. “The dreams are that you’re gonna have a great Series and win. The nightmares are that you’re gonna let the winning run score on a ground ball through your legs. Those things happen, you know. I think a lot of it is just fate.” 4. With 30 seconds left in the 1972 AFC divisional playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, and with the Steelers trailing, Terry Bradshaw threw a pass to John Fuqua, who was immediately hit and lost possession of the ball. As the ball fell towards the ground, Steelers fullback Franco Harris scooped it up and ran for a game-winning touchdown. What is the name given to the catch? a. Immaculate Reception b. The Hail Mary c. The Catcher and the Rye d. The Steel Town Miracle 5. In the 1993 NCAA Championship game, Michigan’s “Fab 5,”

led by Chris Webber, was the clear favorites. With 31 seconds (plenty of time in college hoops), they were down by a bucket (73-71) to University of North Carolina. However, Michigan was called for a technical foul and wound up losing the game. What happened? a. Michigan’s coach walked three feet onto the court and bumped into a UNC player. b. Chris Webber called timeout but Michigan had no timeouts remaining. c. Michigan’s center drew a 3 second violation and argued with the ref. d. Chris Webber drove to the basketball, was called for offensive foul and then punched a UNC player in frustration. 6. On June 2, 2010, at Comerica Park in Detroit, Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga nearly became the 21st pitcher in Major League history to throw a perfect game. After retiring the first 26 batters, he faced the final batter. What happened? a. He hit the batter with a pitch. b. The batter hit the longest homerun ever at Comerica Park-542 feet. c. The batter hit a routine groundball and was clearly thrown out at first, but the umpire called the batter safe (and later tearfully apologized for his error). d. He walked the batter, Jason Donald, after a 17 pitch duel (during which Donald fouled 9 pitches). 7. In 2008, the Giants, who were heavy underdogs against the Patriots (who had gone 18 and 0 that season), defeated the Patriots in the final drive of the game. Who caught the winning touchdown in that game? a. Plaxico Burress b. David Tyree c. Amani Toomer d. Jeremy Shockey Answers: 1-B 2-D 3-D 4-A 5-B 6-C 7-A Scorecard: 5-7 correct: You are a buzzer beater! 3-4 correct: Not bad, but I ain’t putting the rock in your hand as time winds down. 0-2 correct: You don’t know much about finishing games, just like Seattle’s Coach Pete Carroll.

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

1. On September 18, 2006, the Dodgers trailed San Diego 9-5 in the bottom of the ninth inning. They ended up winning the game in a walk-off two-run homer by Nomar Garciapara in the bottom of the 10th. How did the Dodgers catch up in the 9th inning? a. With 2 outs and 2 strikes in the 9th, Sandy Alomar hit a grand slam. b. Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Russell Martin and Marlon Anderson hit back to back, to back, to back home runs. c. The Dodgers went around the batting order twice with no player hitting more than a single. d. San Diego pitchers walked twelve batters

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Great Sports Trivia

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T H E J E W I S H H O M E n M AY 2 4 , 2012

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In The Kitchen

In the Kitchen Naomi Nachman Naomi Nachman

Souper Soup for this Winter

Soup-er Soups to warm your family on cool fall nights

Last week, as I was preparing for the upcom-

Vegetable Soup with Kale, Apple and Cabanossi Sausage

Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup diced onion put together this recipe with a couple of ingredients 1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded with ribs There is nothing like the magic of hotremoved soup to warm your soul and fill your belly. I have always loved soup. I had in the house, which incorporates chicken ca-hearty 1 cup dicedwill celery These easy-to-make, soups keep you warm and satisfied any night of the year. 1 cup gala apples, peeled and chopped I try to make a lot of different soups on one day so I have ready to go meals in the freezer on those chilly days. 1 6oz. package chicken cabanossi from banossi (a cured spiced sausage) as one of the priMy kids love having a bowlHod of soup waiting for½them Golan, sliced into inch when rounds they come home from school. 1 bunch kale, chopped, about 6 cups mary ingredients. All I needed from my local kosher 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon cumin grocery (Gourmet Glatt) to make this soup was some 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained pre-checked kale. This soup is great for a Thanksgiving 2 carrots, peeled and cut into ½ inch dice 1 can (15 ounces) white beans, such as Great Northern, drained and rinsed dinner andoristoperfect ½ teaspoon salt, taste for fall with all the 1 TBS lemon juice I served this recipe to my family for dinner and 1 bunch baby spinach seasonal root vegetables. ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper Pinch cayenne pepper Dash sriracha (optional)

ing “blizzard,” I felt a need to stock up on soups. I

everyone really loved it. I made a huge vat of the

soup, and it froze really well. In fact, with the continuously bad weather and all the threats of more snow, I am happy to know my family has hot, nutritious soup for dinner any night of the week.

Red Lentil Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

Preparation 1 cup red lentils, sorted and rinsed Preparation lentils, water and bay leaf to aand sauIn4 acups largewater soup pot, heat olive oil over medium-high Add heat. Add onions, pepper, celery, apples sage.Bay Sauté, medium saucepan. Cover and boil on a leafstirring, until onion is just tender. Reduce cumin; for cover continue cooking forare 2 minutes. 20and minutes until lentils Salt heat to medium-low. Add kale, garlic andsimmer Add 2remaining ingredients; cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, vegetablessalt are tender. tender. Adduntil 1 tablespoon and remove TBS olive oil Taste and adjust 2 onions, dicedsalt pepper and cumin, as needed.bay leaf; puree lentils in a blender.

Add onions to a skillet and sauté until 4 cloves garlic, minced onions are soft. Add garlic, ginger, cumin, 2-inch piece ginger, minced curry, and coriander and sauté for a few 2 tsp cumin Don’t knock this soup till you try it. A bouillabaisse is a French fish stew that usually has lots of shellfish minutes. butternut squash, 1 tsp curry in it. I wanted to make a kosher version of this soup.more It is very quickAdd to make and the saffronparsin it elevates nip, carrots, zucchini, salt, and 1 ½ cups 2 tsp dried coriander the soup to a different taste level. Everyone who was a skeptic loved it. water simmer for 10 minutes until veg2 cups butternut squash, cut into ½ inch etables are soft. dice Ingredients Stir lemon juice and spinach into pu1 cup zucchini, 1 tablespoon vegetablepeeled oil and cut into ½ ½ cup chopped reed lentils, then add the vegetables and inch dicecarrots ½ cup onion stir to combine. The heat will wilt the 1 chopped medium peeled parsnip, 3 clovespeeled garlic,and minced spinach. Add pepper and salt if necessary. cut into ½ inch dice

Flounder Bouillabaisse

2 medium leeks, thinly sliced 1 14 oz. can chopped tomatoes 4 cups water 1 tablespoon crushed dried parsley 1 bay leaf Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters ½ teaspoon salt weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individu¼ teaspoon saffron als within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with ¼ teaspoon crushed dried thyme a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for 1 ¾weekly pounds flounder, uncooked, cut into Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighTwo with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations 1-inchispieces boring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/ on the Nachum Segal stream called Table New Jersey Metropolitan area.Network In addition, Naomi has“A been a for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Metropolitan In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, guest host on the QVC TV network andJersey has been featured inarea. Preparation oilpreparation in a large saucepan overchefs. medium heat. additional Add carrots, onion,join garlic, and leeks. Cook, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to Heat cuisine and personal To obtain recipes, The Aussie Gourmet onstirring cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics frequently, 10 minutes. Add small amounts oforwater if necessary or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi canobtain be reached her website,www.theaussiegourmet.com at (516) 295-9669.to keep vegetables from sticking. Stir in related Facebook to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To ad- through ditional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit tomatoes, water, parsley, bay leaf, salt, saffron, thyme and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to mediumNaomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website,www. low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes. Add flounder. Continue to cook, uncovered, 15 minutes, or until the fish theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669. is thoroughly cooked. Remove and discard bay leaf before serving.

Parenting Today Parenting Today Parenting Today

Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox

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poskim early in the last century who

queried the appropriateness of this minhag, once intended as aofbrief zecher queried the appropriateness this minl’churban. It is noaswonder some hag, once intended a briefthat zecher have the practice of stopping to chant l’churban. It is no wonder that some “imtheeshkachech first, have practice of Yerushalayim” stopping to chant the heartYerushalayim” and the neshama “imgiving eshkachech first,one morethe chance focus the universal giving hearttoand the on neshama one sadness over klal Yisroel still being out more chance to focus on the universal of its element, Knesses Yisraelout still sadness over klal and Yisroel still being mourning the churban. of its element, and Knesses Yisrael still And the now, the late breaking news is mourning churban. that the Jews of Paris greetednews Shabbos And now, the late breaking is that the Jews of Paris greeted Shabbos

meant to dismiss it or ignore its scope of ramifications. meant to dismiss it or ignore its scope A Torah individual feels the dent in of ramifications. self. We acknowledge the Divine A Torah individual feels the dentorigin in of all that befalls us, including things self. We acknowledge the Divine origin across our radar of which all thatmerely befallscome us, including things rathermerely than impinging directly on our which come across our radar physical Whether I experience rather than selves. impinging directly on our something personally or I learn about physical selves. Whether I experience another Jew’s experience, I am being something personally or I learn about handedJew’s an envelope, there is a another experience,and I am being message awaiting me, in some form handed an envelope, and there is a or message awaiting me, in some form or

When we are in golus, moving from place to place as When we are in golus,us, moving to place toas our foes antagonize there from is noplace one listening our antagonize us, there is no one listening to ourfoes voice. our voice. with murdered, martyred kedoshim. Some of us managed to getkedoshim. in a kapital with murdered, martyred Tehillim after Shacharis, or barrage Some of us managed to get in a akapital of tefillos at various moments Friday Tehillim after Shacharis, or a barrage morning. But the news came, the press of tefillos at various moments Friday moves on other morning. Buttothe newstopics, came,we thestop pressand let these latest killings moves on to other topics,float we through stop andour thoughts, and then…? let these latest killings float through our It isand unwise and unhealthy to go on thoughts, then…? the lookout tragedy. Scholars It is unwiseforand unhealthy to goregard on as “ignoble misfortune,” thethat lookout for tragedy. Scholarswhich regardcan indicate a lack of mental health rather that as “ignoble misfortune,” which can than a resilient mind. In contrast, when indicate a lack of mental health rather weado confront tragedy r”l, wewhen are not than resilient mind. In contrast, we do confront tragedy r”l, we are not

buried his enemy in the sand. The medrashhis examines thethe message of our buried enemy in sand. The me-being told that this took place in the sand. drash examines the message of our bewas this sandtook chosen? snow ingWhy told that place inWhen the sand. avalanches, sound When can besnow heard Why was sandthe chosen? from miles away. When rocks tumble avalanches, the sound can be heard in amiles volcano, thundering noise is from away.the When rocks tumble deafening. However, when sands in a volcano, the thundering noise shift is in the desert wind, when its silent humming deafening. However, sands shift but inaudible. signifyin isthealldesert wind, itsMoshe silent was humming ing, says the medrash, that when we are is all but inaudible. Moshe was signifyin golus, moving from place to place ing, says the medrash, that when we are our foes antagonize us, there is no in as golus, moving from place to place to our voice. The shifting as one our listening foes antagonize us, there is no of exile create a low that no onesands listening to our voice. Thehum shifting one pays attention to. The challenge, sands of exile create a low hum that no is for us toto.pay attention to the onefriends, pays attention The challenge, soundisoffor yearning, of attention aching, oftosufferfriends, us to pay the ing. ofWe need toofbecome sound yearning, aching,conscious of suffer- of theWe sound andtotobecome addressconscious it. ing. need of As parents and as educators, we the sound and to address it. must address our When they As parents and youth. as educators, weare afraid, we our support and validate must address youth. When they them, are while offering credible encouragement afraid, we support and validate them, and offering hopefulness. When they are sad, we while credible encouragement that too, andthey discuss theirwe perandvalidate hopefulness. When are sad, ceptions what happened. When validate thatoftoo, andhas discuss their perthey wax philosophical, we meet them ceptions of what has happened. When half way, willing to engage them in they wax philosophical, we meet themdialogue providing them with half way, while willingalso to engage them in dihashkafically-sound direction. (I realogue while also providing them with cently did an intervention at a (I commuhashkafically-sound direction. renity Jewish high school where a tragic cently did an intervention at a commudeath hadhigh occurred. principal told nity Jewish schoolThe where a tragic me that the class was to begin death had occurred. The about principal told a whether or not G-d does mesemester that the on class was about to begin a evil; he wanted to know if he should semester on whether or not G-d does postpone the lectures forifa he while.) evil; he wanted to know should And when our youth do not react at postpone the lectures for a while.) all, what do we And when ourdo? youth do not react at From a clinical all, what do we do? view, of course, we might silence is a we reacFrom consider a clinicalthat view, of course, tion, and the unresponsive teen or child might consider that silence is a reacmay their tion, andbe theprocessing unresponsive teenexperience or child deepbewithin. But from vantage may processing theiranother experience point, we need to consider that no reacdeep within. But from another vantage tion = no reaction. The dilemma then point, we need to consider that no reacbecomes: did they learn that from tion = no reaction. The dilemma thenus? Is that what our non-responsiveness becomes: did they learn that from us?reflects to others? Is that what our non-responsiveness reWhen Jewish blood is spilled in flects to others? Paris, is it felt the restis ofspilled us? in When Jewishbyblood

another. If I carelessly discard the envelope,IfII will fail to discard make use that another. carelessly theofenmessage. Or I can open that envelope velope, I will fail to make use of that and study message, try to make message. Orits I can open then that envelope personal sense of it and determine how and study its message, then try to make I plan to respond. personal sense of it and determine how children get those messages as I plan Our to respond. well. Their attitude about what toasdo Our children get those messages with this information, and what well. Their attitude about what to skills do to draw on in responding therein, with this information, and what skillsare Paris, is it felt by the rest of us? their interactions with to learned draw onfrom in responding therein, areus. In a recent parsha, we read about learned from their interactions with us. Moshe Rabbeinu’s In a recent parsha, struggle we read with aboutan Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox is the director of Education and Interventions at Project assailant, and the Torah relates Moshe Rabbeinu’s struggle withhow anhe Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox is the director of CHAI. Edassailant, and the Torah relates how he ucation and Interventions at Project CHAI.

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

hen a Jew in France the Jews henis asuffering, Jew in France in Poland react.” is suffering, the Jews This was aninobservation attributed, Poland react.” variously, Meir Shapiro of LubThis was to anRav observation attributed, lin z”l, to the Chofetz Chaim of Radin variously, to Rav Meir Shapiro of Lubz”l, to Rav Yisrael Lipkin of Salant z”l, lin z”l, to the Chofetz Chaim of Radin and to many others , as well as to a z”l, to Rav Yisrael Lipkin of Salant z”l,repassage in the andlated to many others , asYerushalmi. well as to a reWe are all meant to be a single land lated passage in the Yerushalmi. mass, unseparated bybe geographical borWe are all meant to a single land ders and by time and space. mass, unseparated by geographical borWhen the fault ders and by time and lines space.of Jewish safetyWhen crackthe anywhere across the globe, fault lines of Jewish safe-we are all meant to feel the quaking ty crack anywhere across the globe, webeour feeltoand our minds areneath all meant feelwithin the quaking be-and souls. neath our feel and within our minds and souls. And yet, here we are once again, erev getting ready for again, a restful AndShabbos yet, here we are once evening at home, with family, in shul erev Shabbos getting ready for a restful and in bais medrash, and Jewish blood evening at home, with family, in shul in France. andhas in been bais spilled medrash, and Jewish blood As my daughter and I sat down this has been spilled in France. morning over a rushed As my daughter and I satbreakfast down thisbefore departing for our daily routines, morning over a rushed breakfast beshedeparting asked mefor if anyone hadroutines, contacted fore our daily of Chaihad Lifeline about sheProject asked CHAI me if anyone contacted this crisis. (We were still at the crisis Project CHAI of Chai Lifeline about level in that it was still “only” a hostage this crisis. (We were still at the crisis situation. were yet aconsidering level in that itWe was stillnot “only” hostage this a “trauma,” least those of us situation. We were atnot yet for considering within our for homes and thisensconced a “trauma,” at least those ofofficus es elsewhere.) ensconced within our homes and officBefore I could answer my daughter, es elsewhere.) she responded her own question, notBefore I couldtoanswer my daughter, that in today’s envisheing responded to her cyber-saturated own question, notpeoplecyber-saturated don’t stop to enviprocess ingronment, that in today’s bad news; they are already clicking ronment, people don’t stop to processon next they emailare or already news bit.clicking We sidestep badthenews; on anyWe reaction theour nextemotions email orbefore news bit. sidestepcan in. Webefore seldomany attain consciousourkick emotions reaction can ness of what we might, or might want to kick in. We seldom attain consciousbe,offeeling. It is even or possible that some ness what we might, might want to us evenIt lack an possible unconscious, unprobe,offeeling. is even that some response, rushed of cessed us evenemotional lack an unconscious, unpro- as we are to move on to some other cessed emotional response, rushedfocus, as or distraction. westimulus are to move on to some other focus, It isorsort of like stepping on the glass stimulus distraction. atItthe close a chasuna. Thethe ritual is sort of of like stepping on glasshas become, for some, so reflexive at the close of a chasuna. The ritualthat hasits seems like a natural flow from the joybecome, for some, so reflexive that its ous anticipation of completing bracha seems like a natural flow from the joythat theofsmashed goblet has beousachrita anticipation completing bracha come that the signal to yellgoblet out “mazal tov” achrita the smashed has bethen hit the aisle dancing and singing. come the signal to yell out “mazal tov” It the is aisle no wonder there were then hit dancing that and singing. poskim early in thethat last there century who It is no wonder were

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When a Jew in France is Suffering, When a Jew France is Suffering, the Jews in in Poland React the Jews in Poland React

THE JEWISH HOME  JANUARY 29, 2015 THE JEWISH HOME  JANUARY 29, 2015

91 91 Rabbi Dr. Dovid Fox

A Parsha Thought

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Yisro – Finding My Personal G-d Rabbi Shmuel Silber

“Now Moses’ father in law, Jethro, the chieftain of Midian, heard all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, His people that the Lord had taken Israel out of Egypt (Shemos 18:1).” What motived Yisro to leave his life of comfort and prominence in Midyan and journey to the middle of the desert to join the fledgling Jewish nation? What moved Yisro to give up

the priesthood of Midyan with its fame and fortune and embrace the God of Israel? The Talmud quotes various opinions. Some explain that he heard about the miraculous splitting of the Red Sea, others explain he heard of the exceptional Jewish bravery in the battle against Amaleyk and still others maintain it was the awesome glory of Sinaitic revelation that caused Yisro to travel from Midyan to the Jewish encampment. Whatever the reason, Yisro felt a burning desire to connect and be part of the Jewish people. Yet, only a few verses later the Torah states, “Moses saw his father in law off, and he went away to his land (Shemos 18:27).” The Torah in Bamidbar tells us that it Yisro said to Moshe, “... I will travel back to my home and to my birthplace (Bamidbar 10:30).” Why did Yisro leave? Why did Yis-

ro choose to return home after he had sacrificed so much to join the Jewish people? Young Menachem Mendel from the city of Kotzk was convinced by an acquaintance to spend some time learning by the great Chassidic master, the Chozeh (Seer) of Lublin (Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz, 1745-1815). After a few months away from home, Menachem Mendel’s father upset that his son had chosen to follow in the ways of Chassidus (Menachem Mendel’s family were “misnagdim,” those opposed to the Chassidic movement), decided to travel to Lublin to persuade his young son to return home. When he found his son in the home of the Chozeh, he said, “Menachem Mendel, this is not the way I raised you – this is not the tradition of your forefathers, I beg of you, return with me and embrace the path of service of your ancestors.” Menachem Mendel replied quoting a verse from the Shira (song) in last week’s Parsha, “....this is my God (Zeh Keyli), and I will make Him great, the God of my father (Elokay Avi), and I will ascribe to Him exaltation (Shemos 15:2).” “Father, I fully embrace all you have taught and conveyed to me, I fully accept the ideas and ideals you have imprinted on my soul. But it is not enough for me to live with “your God,” I must find “my God.” You have given me Elokay Avi, the God of my father, now I must find and cultivate a relationship with Zeh Keyli, my personal God.” Young Menachem Mendel grew up to become the famed Chassidic luminary, Rav Menachem Mendel of Kotzk (17871859). The Kotzker teaches us a profound idea. There are two components of man’s relationship with God. Elokai Avi, the God of my father - each of us inherits a spiritual legacy from the generations that preceded us. I learn the spiritual ideals and outlooks of my parents. I accept their values and appreciate their philosophy and theology. Zeh Keyli, this is my God - but I must also strive to forge my own per-

sonal and special bond with God. I must discover, “My God,” I must uncover what makes me unique and use it to build a bond between myself and my Father above. Perhaps, this is why Yisro went back to Midyan. When Yisro camped with the Jewish people the text refers to him as “Chosein Moshe, the father in law of Moshe” - his individual identity was eclipsed by his relationship to the Prophet of Israel. Although it was a great honor to be identified as Moshe’s father-in-law, Yisro felt that he had personal contributions to make. He journeyed to the Jewish people to learn and understand God and His Torah. He journeyed to the Jewish people to establish a spiritual foundation. Once this foundation was solidified, Yisro knew he had to build his individual bond with the Almighty. This individuality was to be expressed in his ability to influence his family, friends and community back in Midyan. It would have been easy to remain with the Jewish people and soak up the holiness. But he knew he had the potential to influence and help shape the theological and spiritual thinking of others. He had to go back to Midyan. He came to the desert to find Elokai Avi and now it was his mission to find his Zeh Keyli; his personal God. We each possess collective and individual identities. Our collective identity is forged by the generations who came before us. This identity is solidified through the lessons of our parents and their parents before them. But collective, historical identity is not enough. I must strive to create my own unique relationship and personal connection to God. I must try to find my strengths, talents and abilities and use them in the service of God. We may observe the same mitzvos, recite the same prayers and share common practices but we are individualistically unique when it comes to our relationship with God. I nurture my Elokay Avi and celebrate my Zeh Keyli.

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R’ Ben Tzion Shafier R’ Ben Tzion Shafier

The Astonishing Potential of Man

people consisted of approximately three millionconsisted men, women, and children, people of approximately three includingmen, manywomen, Zakainim, many million and and children, very righteous as including manyindividuals. Zakainim, As andgreat many Moshe may have been, howAs is it possivery righteous individuals. great as ble that may one person couldhow be the Moshe have been, is itequivapossilentthat to soone many? ble person could be the equivalentThe to soanswer many?to this question lies in understanding difference The answerthe to this questionbetween lies in physical and spiritual growth. understanding the difference between On a and physical plane, the human is physical spiritual growth. capable extraordinary accomplishOn a of physical plane, the human is ments. An athleteaccomplishcan take a capable of Olympic extraordinary bar weighing over 500 pounds ments. An Olympic athlete can and take ina one smooth movement lift it over bar weighing over 500 pounds and his in one smooth movement lift it over his

spirituality has a very different set of rules. spirituality has a very different set of If we were to borrow a physical rules. mashal, wouldtowork something like If weit were borrow a physical this. mashal, it would work something like this. If Physical Growth Were Without Limits If Physical Growth Imagine that Hashem created a Were Without Limits world solely so that man could becomea Imagine that Hashem created as physically bigthat andman as strong possiworld solely so couldas become ble.physically In this world, rather than hisasgrowth as big and as strong possibeing and incremental, it happens ble. Inslow this world, rather than his growth almost instantly and without limits. being slow and incremental, it happens almost instantly and without limits.

As great as Moshe may have been, how is it possible As as Moshe maybehave been, how tois so it possible thatgreat one person could the equivalent many? that one person could be the equivalent to so many? may have changed his muscularity and bodyhave masschanged index, his growth remains may his muscularity and within the bounds of physical limitabody mass index, his growth remains tions. the bounds of physical limitawithin Spiritual growth, on the other hand, tions. is far more expansive limSpiritual growth, onand the almost other hand, itless. To better understand is far more expansive and almost limthis, itTomay be understand helpful to itless. better focus itonmay understanding this, be helpfulwho to we are. focus on understanding who The “I” that tells my finwe are. gersThe to move, tongue to “I” thatmy tells my finspeak, mymy legstongue to walk gers to and move, to is a spiritual was speak, and myentity. legs toI walk once sitting under Hashem’s is a spiritual entity. I was thronesitting up inunder Shamayim and once Hashem’s have now been temporarily throne up in Shamayim and put into cloak have now this beenheavy temporarily of physicality. In the cloak near put into this heavy future, I will once again separate from of physicality. In the near this body, andonce in whatever state offrom perfuture, I will again separate fection thatand I have reached,state will live on this body, in whatever of perforever.that I have reached, will live on fection Hashem custom-designed this world forever. andHashem our current existence specifically so custom-designed this world that our we can grow. We were given all the and current existence specifically so challenges needed to all shape that we can and grow.tools We were given the ourselves into spiritual entichallenges and powerful tools needed to shape ties that can tower over the greatestenticeourselves into powerful spiritual lestial beings. ties that can tower over the greatest ceThebeings. difficulty that we have in unlestial derstanding our potential because we The difficulty that weishave in unthink in physical terms and try to apply derstanding our potential is because we them in to physical the spiritual think termsrealm. and tryHowever, to apply them to the spiritual realm. However,

So our prototype man shows up to the So gymour onprototype day one weighing 150up lbs., man shows to puts 100 lbs. on the bar, and starts liftthe gym on day one weighing 150 lbs., ing. Because thethe work putsliftin puts 100 lbs. on bar,that and he starts brings about results, he grows. next ing. Because the work that heThe puts in day, heabout shows up to he thegrows. gym weighing brings results, The next 200 lbs. of solid muscle. He now puts day, he shows up to the gym weighing 300 lbs. on the bar and starts lifting 200 lbs. of solid muscle. He now puts– easy lbs. as pie. Andbar thisand work alsolifting brings 300 on the starts – aboutasresults, so the day he brings walks easy pie. And thisnext work also into the gym weighing 250day lbs.heand can about results, so the next walks easily lift 400 lbs. into the gym weighing 250 lbs. and can Theliftstartling easily 400 lbs.part is that the growth is exponential. eachthe day he is The startlingBecause part is that growth bigger and stronger than each the day is exponential. Because daybefore, he is bigger and stronger than the day before,

he can now do more work, which itself challenges a greater he can nowhis do body more to work, whichextent, itself and therebyhiscauses increased challenges body to a greatergrowth. extent, Because the causes increased growthgrowth. builds and thereby increased on growth, within a short time he will Because the increased growth builds be agrowth, towering hulk,a able accomplish on within shorttotime he will physical feats that beyond our combe a towering hulk,are able to accomplish prehension. physical feats that are beyond our comprehension. Moshe Rabbenu was Unique This seems to bewas theUnique answer to Moshe Rabbenu Moshe ThisRabbeinu. seems toHebewas thecreated answerwith to a uniqueRabbeinu. neshama,He andwas he created used hiswith poMoshe fully. From his moments of atential unique neshama, andfirst he used his pounderstanding, he his devoted himself of to tential fully. From first moments the service of Hashem. As ahimself result, he understanding, he devoted to grew. That ofgrowth wasAscompounded the service Hashem. a result, he exponentially, level after until he grew. That growth was level, compounded became so huge thatafter he alone exponentially, level level, equaled until he an entiresogeneration Somebecame huge that of he people. alone equaled thing that generation is impossible the physical an entire of in people. Someworldthat but can be realizedinin the realm of the thing is impossible physical neshama. world but can be realized in realm of the This concept is very relevant to our neshama. lives. Weconcept were created almost unThis is verywith relevant to our limitedWe potential to grow, to change our lives. were created with almost uninner essence. And growth is somelimited potential to that grow, to change our thing essence. that we And enjoythat forgrowth eternity. When inner is somea person on for his eternity. true potential, thing thatfocuses we enjoy When itself focuses takes onon a whole different dialife person his true potential, mension. Every moment is a precious life itself takes on a whole different diopportunity to reach levelsisand acquire mension. Every moment a precious riches that will last forever. opportunity to reach levels and acquire riches that will last forever. Get the new Shmuz APP! Access hundreds of audio, and APP! articles fromhundreds the Shmuz. Get thevideos, new Shmuz Access of Simply videos, go to the App store, from or Google Play, audio, and articles the Shmuz. and search go to www. Simply go tofor the“TheShmuz” App store, ororGoogle Play, theShmuz.com. and search for “TheShmuz” or go to www. theShmuz.com.

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ith these words, the Torah explains what motivated ith these words, the Torah Yisro to what join the Jewish explains motivated people. He heard the the greatJewish miraYisro all to ofjoin cles that Hashem did: the ten makkos, people. He heard all of the great mirathe splitting of the sea…all for cles that Hashem did: the ten done makkos, Moshe and Yisrael. the splitting of the sea…all done for Rashi an observation on this Moshe andmakes Yisrael. possuk. The Torah seems to on equate Rashi makes an observation this Moshe to the entire Jewish people, with possuk. The Torah seems to equate the words “that which Hashem didwith for Moshe to the entire Jewish people, Moshe and“that Yisrael.” implies the words whichThis Hashem did that for all of the events of Yitzias Moshe andstupendous Yisrael.” This implies that Mitzraim had been brought forYitzias these all of the stupendous events of two equals: Moshe the entire JewMitzraim had been and brought for these ish nation. two equals: Moshe and the entire JewRashi explains that not only is this ish nation. correct, is what the is teaching Rashiit explains thatTorah not only is this us. Moshe really was the equivalent to correct, it is what the Torah is teaching the Moshe entire nation. The the Torah said “that us. really was equivalent to which Hashem didThe for Torah Moshesaid and“that Yisthe entire nation. rael” toHashem teach usdid thisfor very point.and Yiswhich Moshe problem rael”The to teach us thiswith verythis point.Rashi is thatThe it doesn’t seem possible that one problem with this Rashi is human being could the equal an that it doesn’t seembepossible thattoone entire nation. At thisbetime, the Jewish human being could the equal to an entire nation. At this time, the Jewish

head – an act that seems beyond human capacity. didn’t start out head – anYet act this that athlete seems beyond human lifting stupendous amounts. began capacity. Yet this athlete didn’tHestart out just likestupendous anyone elseamounts. and through a prolifting He began gram of progressive weight training, just like anyone else and through a prohe changed his physicality. By training, systemgram of progressive weight atically challenging his body, develhe changed his physicality. Byhesystemoped strength that is his astonishing. atically challenging body, he develthat growth limited. As strong opedBut strength that isisastonishing. as he may be, he is still madeAsofstrong flesh But that growth is limited. andheblood. as may be,Hehe can’t is stillbench made press of flesha freight train or up abench house.press And, ifa and blood. Hepick can’t he was hit by a truck, he would end up freight train or pick up a house. And, if much like you and I would. While he he was hit by a truck, he would end up much like you and I would. While he

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Parshas Yisro Parshas Yisro The Astonishing Potential of Man “And Yisro… heard that which Hashem for Moshe and that Yisrael.” “AnddidYisro… heard which Hashem did for Moshe and Yisrael.”

69 53 69

106

From MyArt Private Art Collection From My Private Collection

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FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg

Bertha Alexander & A Bit of Nostalgia The Doll Artist 1895-1990

ertha Alexander was born to Hannah Pepper on March 9, 1895 in Brooklyn, NY. Her mother emigrated from Russia after escaping persecution and pogroms. When Bertha’s father died, Hannah remarried and Bertha was raised by the man she knew and loved as a father, Maurice Alexander. She grew up on the Lower East Side on Grand Street with three other sisters. They were a hardworking immigrant family and times were difficult. There was little money but much hope for a better future. While raised to be a hardworking student, Bertha aimed for high achievement and used her creative abilities to develop a doll business which became extremely successful. Beatrice, as she began calling herself (a sophisticated twist of her real name), established the Alexander Doll Company from dolls she dreamed of and created and became known as “Madame Alexander.” She was a woman with a big heart and always remembered the poor people she grew up with. Beatrice Alexander’s childhood life in poverty made her extremely sensitive to those in need and she donated money to charity as much as possible, both in Israel and in the U.S.A. As a matter of fact, her impetus to make money in the doll business was to be able to help the poor women in Israel with numerous fundraising campaigns. You certainly might ask: What made her so interested in dolls? Most little girls do have a fascination with dolls, but a grown up lady?! As a young girl, Bertha’s stepfather started a doll hos-

pital. Dolls in those years were made from china or porcelain and needed repairs on a regular basis. She was quoted as stating in 1983: “I remember a father coming in the middle of the night because his little girl was sick and had broken her doll and needed it right now—a difficult task when the poor doll’s head was shattered into dozens of pieces.” Bertha watched carefully as both her parents worked hard in their shop to provide for the family. She also worked hard in school and graduated as valedictorian from high school. Attending a commercial course of study (which was popular in those days) provided her with the opportunity to gain business skills and become a bookkeeper. Unfortunately, World War I brought many hardships to the family doll hospital business, because the dolls which needed repairs were received less and less, as shipments to America were stopped by embargos. At that time, Bertha and her sisters decided to create a replica of a real

With one of her beautiful creations

Red Cross nurse, as a doll made from cloth. This venture saved the family and the doll factory at the time. She had gotten married two years before, and after losing a child, decided to pursue her love of dolls and became a designer of unusual dolls. With borrowed money, the Alexander Doll Company became a reality under Beatrice’s direction with the physical help of the sisters, friends and the use of her creative designing abilities. Beatrice was quoted at point talking about her passion: “I didn’t want to make just ordinary dolls with unmeaning empty smiles on their painted lips and a squeaky way of saying ‘mama’ after you pinched; I wanted to do dolls with souls. You have no idea how I labored over noses and mouths so that they would look real and individual.” She also did an enormous amount of research at the public library, finding the correct costumes for the dolls depending on the historical time period which she wanted to capture in

a particular doll creation. Beatrice also made sure that her dolls’ faces were constructed in ways that were realistic with eyelashes, etc. She did not like the way dolls were made with flat faces. They were truly a work of art and authentic creations depicting a variety of cultures. With the end of World War II came the use of plastic in doll making. Beatrice was from the first to create dolls out of it. Madame Alexander was again quoted as saying: “I don’t make dolls that dance, walk or talk. I think that the child is the one who should be inspired to do things with the doll. Dolls can bring out the creative instincts in children.” These plastic dolls were a wonderful contribution to the world of play for children. Famous for helping people understand and learn, Beatrice once said, “Dolls should contribute to a child’s understanding of people, other times and other places. Dolls should help develop an appreciation of art and literature in a child.” In the year 2000, Madame Alexander was installed in the American Toymakers Hall of Fame for her ingenious contributions to the art of doll making and the toy industry. Her dolls, which remain collectors’ items, are extremely valuable. They can be found at the Smithsonian Institution, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and other notable places. Rebbetzin Naomi N. Herzberg is a professional art educator, artist and designer. Among her known artwork is a floral sculpture presented to Tipper Gore, Blair House, Washington, D.C. Presently she is the Director of Operations at Shulamith School for Girls. Please feel free to email nherzberg@optonline.net with questions and suggestions for future columns.

if you don’t want to make them all with meat, you can make some pretzels or even a challah

dough with the roasted brats and a little mustard. Leftovers can sit in the fridge for about a week and reheat well. Before serving, slice open the dog and fill with onions and more mustard if desired.

Ingredients pretzel challah recipe (see below) 3 packages Grow and Behold Nitrate-Free Bratwurst Gold’s spicy brown mustard 1 egg Coarse salt Cider Braised Onions 1 tablespoon oil 1 large onion, sliced 1 bottle hard cider 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper Directions Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine water and baking soda in a large stock pot. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, turn the dough out on to a slightly oiled surface. Press the dough into a 1 ½ inch thick circle. Cut into 15 even pieces. Roll the dough into a thick rope, drizzle a thin layer of mustard on the brat. Then wrap the dough around the brat, making sure to seal the ends tightly. Continue until all brats are wrapped. When the water is boiling, add a few pretzel brats into the water at a time. Boil each batch for thirty seconds and then remove with a large slotted spoon or folded spatula. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. Once all pretzel brats are boiled, brush with egg wash and then sprinkle with pretzel or coarse salt. Bake pretzels for 15 minutes until deeply golden. To make the onions: Heat a large pan over medium high heat. Add oil and onions. Sauté the onions until soft and translucent. Add Worcestershire, salt, pepper, and pour in your entire bottle of cider. Cook over medium heat until the onions caramelize and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Scoop onions into a bowl and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Slice open the pretzel bun before serving and fill with onions and your favorite mustard.

Hot Pretzel Challah Recipe by Susie Fishbein Ingredients 2 tablespoons bread machine yeast or active dry yeast 1 tablespoon sugar ½ cup lukewarm water 3 tablespoons sugar 2 cups water 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt ¼ cup canola oil 6 cups bread flour (King Arthur® brand if possible) 8 cups water at room temperature 2/3 cup baking soda Pretzel salt, kosher salt, or sesame seeds Mustard, optional for dipping

FEBRUARY 5, 2015

out of the extra dough. Fill the

Pretzel Wrapped Brats with Cider Braised Onions

JANUARY 29, 2015

enough for 15 bratwursts, but

Tamar Genger, MA, RD

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

recipe to make this and it was

Tamar Genger, MA, RD



used the hot pretzel challah

Kitchen

THE JEWISH HOME

In The KitchenIn The

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Directions In a medium glass or Pyrex bowl or measuring cup, place the yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar, and ½ cup lukewarm water. Proof the yeast: it should show signs of life by expanding, slightly bubbling, or moving. If none of these things happened, your yeast is dead. Spill it out and start again. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, on medium-low speed, mix the 3 tablespoons sugar, 2 cups water, fine sea salt, and oil. This can also be done by hand with a whisk. When the yeast has been “proofed” and shows signs that it is alive, beat the yeast mixture into the mixing bowl. With the mixer at a low speed, add the flour. Raise speed to medium and knead for 4–5 minutes until a nice, smooth, satiny dough forms. It will have almost a matte finish. If you are kneading in the flour by hand, it may take a few minutes longer to get a good smooth texture. Cover the bowl of dough with a kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 1 ½ hours or until doubled in size.

Tamar lives in New York and is the mother of three amazing children, a registered dietitian, professor of nutrition, and as you can probably guess, a foodie! Tamar loves to travel with her family and visits kosher restaurants wherever she goes. Although she loves the sights, she spends more time talking about the restaurants and food she ate! As a mom and a nutritionist, Tamar tries to balance her passion for healthy cooking with her insatiable desire for chocolate!

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