Baltimore Jewish Home - 6-23-16 by Moshe Rubin

‫מוז‬

‫׳ת‬

‫א‬-

‫סיון‬

‫י״ז‬

-J

uly

Vol. 3, #10

Third Annual Biker Cholim of Baltimore Men’s Bike-a-thon and Family BBQ By Rochelle Goldberg New routes, new date, new incentives, same great cause! Bikur Cholim of Baltimore’s third annual Men’s Bike- a -thon promises to be bigger and better than ever. So dust off your bike, join the training, and register now for great outdoor fun benefiting Bikur Cholim of Baltimore. Three scenic routes (two new ones) and challenges to choose from: 10 miles, 25 miles and 50 miles. Come ride with your son, come ride with your father, come ride with your grandson or even your grandfather, ride with your neighbor or your chavrusa-just get out and ride. Sunday, July 17, 2016 at Beth Tfiloh. Don’t wait, log on now to www.bikercholim.org and register for your health, for fun, and for Bikur Cholim. (....... continue reading on page 13)

& W E N ED V O R IMP IMORE T BAL WISH JE ME HO

Check out our NEW Community Calendar .... Page 32

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME JUNE 23, 2016

JUNE 23, 2016

$100 off Bar Mitzvah Package

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

I hope my parents hurry!

Package Includes

Shabbos Hat Weekday Hat Suit & Blazer 2 Shirts & 2 Ties

SECOND GENERATION HATS. BETTER FEEL, GREAT SNAP, FANTASTIC LOOK!

S 11-6 M-T 11-7 W-Th 11-9 F 11-2 | Mincha M-Th 3:15 BALTIMORE • BROOKLYN • CEDARHURST • CHICAGO LAKEWOOD • MONSEY • TORONTO • JERUSALEM Sale ends 6/30/16. Must mention this ad. Not valid with any other offer, special or discount. We are not

1110 Reisterstown Rd | 410.358.2796 typos. All prices subject to change notice. Other may apply. Sale ends 6/15/16. Must mention thisresponsible ad. Not validfor with any other offer,are special or discount. Wewithout are not responsible forrestrictions typos. All prices are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

CHECK OUT OUR

CONTENTS COMMUNITY Around the Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Community Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

JEWISH THOUGHT On-Call 24/7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Rabbi Berel Wein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Constructive Criticism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Amulets, Accusations and Controversy. . . . . . . . . . 36 Complaining Bad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT Centerfold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Notable Quotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

LIFESTYLES 613 Seconds with Dr. Benjamin Azman . . . . . . . . . 17 World War II Deceptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Health & Fitness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Say Goodnight to Overeating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Dating Dialogue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 The Key Element of Narcissism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 In The Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Political Crossfire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Your Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Life Coach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Cooking for the King. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Dear Readers, We hope you have been enjoying the content of our publication over the past few years. B”H, as our wonderfully diverse and unified community has grown, we have been able to establish ourselves as an important resource of information and inspiration. You may have noticed a few changes in our publication over the past few months. This week we welcome a few new members to our Publishing and Editorial staff. They are already helping us improve our publication to make it even better. We also want to thank Yaakov Sonnenblick for his hard work to bring the paper to this point and for staying involved in its future success. Preserving, Respecting, and Cherishing Human Life I want to share a perspective on this year’s presidential election and current events: “Choosing the candidate I despise least,” is the best way to describe this election. Most people have very little if anything positive to say about the candidate they plan to vote for; they just know they would never vote for the other nominee – that crook, that bully… Meanwhile, with all the political posturing in the aftermath of the Orlando massacre, it is easy to overlook that it was exactly that: a M A S S A C R E. Murder, plain and simple. With the polarization of almost everything these days, we experience about five minutes of disgust before official statements and talking points start swirling around our heads.

25 killed in Iraq, 17 children die in a bombing raid in Syria, or – closer to home – four Jews killed in Tel Aviv, become stats in our arsenal of political points. These were real people – with families, parents, friends, and dreams – killed because someone saw no value in human life, not in the lives of others and not even in their own lives. Preserving, respecting, and cherishing human life is the highest calling. In our own lives, this means viewing each other as precious – simply for who we are. Just as we first accept ourselves and then we find reasons to justify that self-acceptance, so it should be with others. Each of us has a unique soul which certainly expresses itself in many positive ways, but which we should primarily appreciate for simply being. In the language of Chassidus, our souls are rooted in the Creator, we are therefore capable of self-sacrifice and great spiritual accomplishments. Throughout our long exile, we have seen what klal yisroel is capable of accomplishing. It is time to also focus on the beauty of the soul itself. With a little meditation and reflection, we will discover – nay, uncover – a reality that was always there. The current election shows that we know who we’re not. It is time to know who we are as well. May we have an inspirational Shabbos and a successful summer,

Moshe Meir

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

NEWS Israel News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 National News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 That’s Odd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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.

Baltimore

‫פרשת קרח‬ ‫ג‘ תמוז תשע''ו‬-‘‫ב‬

JUNE 23, 2016

shabbos of chizuk

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

shabbos of chizuk & benefit Reception

JulY 8th-9th, 2016 with the participatioN oF

haRav hagaon nissan kaplan shlita Maggid shiur

benefit Reception MoNdaY eveNiNg ‫ ה‘ תמוז תשע’’ו‬. JulY 11th, 2016 8:30 pM hagaon haRav eliezeR yehuda finkel shlita rosh haYeshiva

hagaon haRav nachman levovitz shlita rosh Yeshiva

at the hoMe oF mR. & mRs. gil hoRwitz

3210 FallstaFF road Y e s h i va s M i r Y e ru s h a l aY i M · 5 2 27 N e w u t r e c h t av e N u e · B ro o k lY N , N Y 1 1 2 1 9 t : 7 1 8 . 9 72 . 0 5 0 0 · F : 7 1 8 . 8 5 1 . 1 9 9 9 · e : i N Fo @ t h e M i r .o rg

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

with the participatioN oF

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Around the

Community

Thousands Of State Workers Could Be Owed Back Pay BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

Thousands of state workers could reap the benefits of a new payroll system that’s finding many errors that the old one apparently made for years. According to a story first reported by Bryan Sears of The Daily Record, up to 13,000 state workers are in line to receive back pay of anywhere from $2 per paycheck to $30. The question is how far back in time does this problem go? State officials said workers could be owed money dating back decades. The problem was discovered when the state installed a modern, electronic payroll system this year. The old one, officials said, miscalculated overtime and shift differential pay, in other

Up to 13,000 state workers are in line to receive back pay of anywhere from $2 per paycheck to $30

words, when workers were on a shift that may have paid more than others. State officials said it appears this affected people in six state agencies, particularly the ones that operate 24/7 like prisons, mental hospitals or state

By: Staff Reporter

police. The largest state worker union said the glitch was no surprise to them and that it has been an issue for years. “We’ve brought them up. We’ve pointed out these errors. They’ve either corrected them or said they don’t have a problem, and it turns out our members were right on this and the bureaucrats were wrong,” said Patrick Moran, with the AFSCME state worker’s union. The governor’s office told WBALTV, “Governor Hogan was elected to clean up these kinds of problems, and that is precisely what his administration is doing on this issue.” State officials said it’s possible

some workers were overpaid, but at this point, it plans to focus first on who deserves back pay and how much. Statement from Patrick Moran, President of AFSCME, Council 3 “Our members have raised serious disagreements with the State of Maryland for decades about payroll mistakes which unfairly underpay workers at 24-7 facilities such as state hospitals and prisons. It turns out that our members were right and the bureaucrats were wrong. We will work aggressively to right this wrong and secure wage fairness for all state employees.”

Bais Yaakov Teachers Bid Farewell to Rabbi Mendy Freedman

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

Baltimore, MD - June 22, 2016 The evening of June 19th 2016 will long be remembered in Bais Yaakov history for the warmth, affection and devotion that was overflowing in the High School’s auditorium. Rabbi Mendel Don Freedman, the guiding force of Bais Yaakov’s Elementary School for the past 37 years, was feted by a crowd of more than 200 “fans”. Rabbanim, lay leaders, former teachers, present teachers, support staff and community members gathered to give kavod to Rabbi Freedman upon his retirement. When Rabbi Freedman first announced his retirement, the planning began for an evening to properly commemorate Rabbi Freedman’s devotion to Bais Yaakov. The evening was combined with farewell wishes for the teachers who are also leaving this year: Mrs. Devorah Goldstein, Mrs. Nanci Grossman, Mrs. Esther Rosenbaum, Mrs. Efrat Schwartz, Miss Esther Schubert, and Mrs. Sara Bracha Wolf. Smiles abounded as everyone greeted each other, and began to partake of the scrumptious buffet that was presented to us, courtesy of Elegant Events - Catering By Yaakov. The tables filled with friends and fel-

Past President of Bais Yaakov Rabbi Ari Neuberger with retiring Elementary School Principal Rabbi Mendel Freedman

low teachers, and the beautiful D’vrei Torah began. Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders introduced Dr. Shmuel Markovitz, who spoke on behalf of the lay leadership of Bais Yaakov. Rabbi Sanders then spoke of the hakaras hatov the

By: Isaac Draiman

community owes Rabbi Freedman and our teachers for being the visionary behind the education of our daughters. Gifts were presented to the teachers leaving Bais Yaakov, and they were wished much hatzlacha in their future endeavors, and, extended invitations to return to Bais Yaakov at any time! Rabbi Freedman’s daughters Henni Stein and Perel Malka Simpson began the “Farewell” to Rabbi Freedman with a poem the family had written (for the Bais Yaakov Banquet of 13 years ago) describing what it is like to be the children of “The Principal”. This was followed by son Aryeh Leib Freedman and son-in-law Yoel Simpson singing a song composed by Yehudis Bamberger, our beloved second grade teacher, which was a moving tribute to Rabbi Freedman. His daughter, Golda Goldberg, presented a scrapbook to Rabbi Freedman that was comprised of letters and tributes gathered from alumnae, parents, students, and teachers throughout his tenure at Bais Yaakov. On behalf of everyone, Rabbi Sanders presented Rabbi Freedman with a gift of a beautifully inscribed Kiddush cup and tray, and Mrs. Freedman was presented with a gift of a

silver–covered Tehillim for her devotion to Rabbi Freedman and Bais Yaakov. These gifts were the brain child of Mrs. Devorah Goldstein and is an expression of the affection and esteem which the entire faculty feels for the Freedman family. The final presentation was a coffee table book, which expresses the multitude of sentiments which are felt regarding their esteemed principal. Each page of this book was lovingly created by the teachers and their classes. As Rabbi Sanders said, “there is no book like this in the world!” Rabbi Freedman took the microphone and reminisced with us about his long career in Chinuch, beginning with his teaching at Talmudical Academy. His personal thoughts and feelings were very evident as he spoke from the heart. After all, Rabbi Freedman is “the heart of Bais Yaakov”. The evening closed with a Jeopardy-like game of trivia that was based on facts about Rabbi Freedman’s tenure at Bais Yaakov. The game was created by BY long-time teachers Shoshana Kruger, Yehudis Bamberger, and Esti Greenstein. All enjoyed trying to remember the facts they questioned the audience about.

RE’S O M I T L A Voted B her Pizza! s BEST Ko

JUNE 23, 2016

J s i u a s z t z i R P i g ” h t ! 2 1 r Ou Perfect when you want less than our 18” family pie and more than a couple of slices!

$3.30

! k c a B e r a ls ia c e p Tov’s Lunch S

BJH

0-16

xp. 7-2 y out. E

in or ca

Must present coupon

Sun 11:00-9:00 Mon-Weds 11:00-8:30 Thurs 11:00-9:00 Fri 11:00-2:00 Sat 1 Hour After Shabbos-Midnight Kitchen Closes 15 Min. Before Closing Time Mincha Daily 2:30PM Credit cards good on delivery with advanced authorization. Tov Pizza reserves the right to resolve all issues pertaining to its coupons.

hot summer with a

cold treat Visit our Facebook page for specials you won’t find anywhere else!

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

on. Eat

in only 11am-3pm.

Cool off during the

z z i p ” a 12 staimandesign.com

staimandesign.com

F F O $1 a up With co

ires 7-20-16. Eat

ers. Coupon exp id with any other off

Not val

tti

NESDAY: Spaghet

WED : Mac & Cheese order. Ziti TUESDAY with

MONDAY: Baked

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

ASK FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW TAKE-OUT MENU!

Around the

Community

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Maryland Begins Issuing New Secure Driver’s Licenses and ID Cards on Monday BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

Say Cheese! New Cards Incorporate Cutting-Edge Security Features to Protect Against Identity Theft and Fraud The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) will start issuing the new secure driver’s license and identification (ID) card on Monday, June 20, 2016, for all learner’s permits and new ID cards, and for licenses/ID cards renewed via web, kiosk and U.S. mail. These are all products currently printed and mailed to customers from a high-security MVA facility. The new cards feature multiple layers of security to help prevent identity theft and fraud and will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. If a customer’s current license or ID is valid and not up for renewal, there is nothing they need to do until it’s time to renew. “The Maryland driver’s license and ID card is crucial for residents, businesses and law enforcement, and we must do everything in our power to ensure these documents cannot be counterfeited by criminals,” said Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn. “Marylanders can be confident that we are providing them with the most secure license and ID in the nation, with cutting-edge security features that will safeguard their personal information.”

Security features include: • Polycarbonate card body -- more durable and tamper-resistant; • Laser engraving -- maximum protection against forgery; • Changeable laser image -- allows two or more images to occupy the same area; • Tactile text -- raised print making it difficult to tamper; and • Inventory control number -- a unique number and barcode to verify that the card was issued to the cardholder. The new cards meet all state and federal standards and, just like the current cards issued by the MVA, are REAL ID compliant. Additionally, Veterans can now have the VETERAN designation appear on the front of their license or ID card. This is long overdue recognition for the dedicated men and women who bravely serve, and have served, the na-

By: BJLife Newsroom

tion. “We have engaged in an extensive public outreach campaign to ensure customers, law enforcement, veterans and businesses are aware of the new secure cards and secure printing and mailing process,” said MVA Administrator Christine E. Nizer. “Printing and mailing cards from a central location enhances security by limiting access to card materials, equipment and personal information.” Starting July 11, 2016, everyone applying for a new driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID card will receive the new, more secure card through the U.S. mail in 7 to 10 business days. Customers applying for the new driver’s license, learner’s permit or ID card after July 11 will still visit an MVA office and go through the following steps: • Bring any required documents; • Take any required tests; • Have photo taken; and • Pay at this office. At the end of the application process, customers will keep their existing card (if they have one) and receive an interim document (receipt), which is valid for 30 days. The updated information is automatically available to law enforcement and customers can contin-

ue to drive with these two documents in their possession. Customers will then receive their new card in the mail within 7-10 business days. Customers also are encouraged to Skip the Trip and renew their driver’s license or ID card via web, kiosk and mail. If any of these easy methods are selected, there is no change to the current process. Because customers will receive their new secure card in the mail, officials strongly encourage Marylanders to ensure their correct address is on file at the MVA, which is consistent with Maryland law. The U.S. Postal Service does not forward MVA mail. Customers who need to update their address, should visit www.mva.maryland.gov and type “address change” in the search box. The MVA also offers the option to receive cards the next day through the U.S. Postal Service. The new cards proudly feature iconic Maryland symbols, including the Chesapeake blue crab, Oriole bird and the State House. Maryland’s driver’s license was last updated in 2003, and the old technology is vulnerable to counterfeiting and fraud. To learn more about the new driver’s licenses and ID cards, visit the MVA website at www.mva. maryland.gov/secureid.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

A Request from Refoel Daniel Mordechai ben Chaya Shifra In an effort to help a close chaver to many in the Baltimore community, we are circulating an emotional plea he has requested to serve as a zechus for a Refuah Sheleimah for him. May this be a zechus for Refoel Daniel Mordechai ben Chaya Shifra. Am I scared? I am petrified. I wake in middle of the night in a pool of fear. I check my heart in middle of the day to make sure it is beating – but not beating too fast. I see the color of my skin change slightly and I panic – is this a reaction from the chemo like the two of four treatments that have sent me to the ER and extended stays in the hospital? Yes – Chasdei Hashem – the first time I had a reaction and was in the hospital for five days – admitted to the ER in a state of shock – the doctor told my frightened wife on day three – “he has turned a corner” – but it was the corner that puts us back on the

long block to fighting Bezras Hashem – on the road to true recovery. Am I scared? I am petrified. I hate asking for favors. HATE IT. It is so torturous being in a position where I need something from someone. There are so very many emotions and personal characteristics of mine that make me cringe and run from the idea of asking another to do something for me – but now is not the time for me to think of me. I have a wife, I have three

little kids and I have cancer. I need your tefilos. In a few days I will be having my first scans since I started treatment. Those scans will show what Hashem wants to be seen. No more – no less. So here I go – I am going to ask you for what I need from you.

SHUT YOUR PHONE OFF BEFORE ENTERING SHUL. PLEASE.

There is nothing – nothing – that

can’t wait. Respect the Makom tefillah. Don’t put it on vibrate – don’t silence the ringer – simply turn it off. Please. I wish that this could be a rule in every shul – before entering make sure your phone is off. I am not a Rav – and I don’t claim to be a very learned man so I can’t quote you halachos etc. – but I can resort to the simplest and most obvious logic – you are talking to GOD. I can’t lecture – and I can’t expound – but I can ask for a favor that I need – and I just have. Bezras Hashem – with your tefilos – I will be able to subject myself to the potential “art though looks” for years to come – for if you are looking at me – you are looking at a husband, a father – one – that has turned a corner that my family and I – so desperately need to turn. Thank you.

Around the

Community

BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

JUNE 23, 2016

as assistant managing editor for news oversaw the newspaperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s local, state, national, foreign, business and investigative coverage. The other members elected the Executive Committee of the BJC are: Yehuda Neuberger, First Vice President; Rabbi Andrew Busch (Balti-

more Hebrew Congregation), Second Vice President; Elizabeth Green, Treasurer; Ben Rosenberg, Secretary; Marjorie Manne, Assistant Treasurer; and Judith Tortora, Assistant Secretary. Lainy Lebow-Sachs will remain on the Executive Committee as the immediate past president, and

Howard Libit occupies the executive directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seat. The BJC Annual Meeting was chaired by Ms. Lebow-Sachs and Ron Shapiro, a former president of the Council. A number of past presidents attended and spoke in honor of Dr. Abramson.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Abba Poliakoff elected president of Baltimore Jewish Council; Dr. Arthur Abramson steps down; Howard Libit takes over as executive director of BJC. Major changes came to the Baltimore Jewish Council at its annual meeting held on June 8, 2016. The meeting was held at the Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion congregation in Northwest Baltimore with approximately 150 people in attendance. At the meeting, long time executive director, Dr. Arthur Abramson, was honored as he stepped down from the post he held for the past 26 years as executive director. Governor Larry Hogan attended the meeting to honor Dr. Abramson and present him with a formal commendation. At the meeting, Abba David Poliakoff, a prominent business lawyer and member of the community, was elected as President of the Council. He succeeds Lainy LeBow-Sachs, who had presided over the Council over the past two years. Mr. Poliakoff has been on the Executive Committee of the BJC for the past six years, most recently as First Vice President. He was also Chairman of the Board of the Maryland Israel Development Center. Mr. Poliakoff, a member of Gordon Feinblatt LLC, was appointed by Governor Hogan as co-chair of the Regulatory Reform Commission for Maryland. The Council had previously announced that it had selected Howard Libit as the new executive director following a nationwide search chaired by Mr. Poliakoff and staffed by the BJC executive committee and community members. Prior to his appointment as executive director, Mr. Libit was the director of strategic planning and policy and chief of public affairs for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and before that one of the principals of Center Maryland, an online news magazine. Mr. Libit had also worked at the Baltimore Sun for 15 years, and in his final position

By: BJLife/Isaac Draiman

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC) Annual Meeting Brings Major Changes (Photo Essay)

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Around the

Community

Yeshivas Ner Yisrael Hosts Yarchei Kallah With Four Baltimore Community Shuls (Photo Essay) BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

On Sunday June 9th Yeshivas Ner Yisrael hosted a Yarchei Kallah with four local shuls, Kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;hal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek, Kol Torah, Kehil-

las Bnai Torah and Kehillas Derech Chaim, in preparation for Kabolas Hatorah. The sugya dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;kallah was Havdala.

By: BJLife/Reb Eli Greengart

Harav Tzvi Einstadter said the morning shiur. The Rosh Hayeshiva gave Divrei Chizzuk before lunch. Harav Sheftel Neuberger shared Divrei Torah

at lunch. Rabbi Elie Wolf said a shiur before Mincha. The day concluded with Divrei Hissorirus from Harav Shraga Neuberger.

ANNIVERSARY

“The world is ArtScroll’s classroom”

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

kleinman edition

Dedicated by The Kleinman Family

Milstein edition of Bamidbar

NEW! BAMIDBAR VOL. 3! Featuring the “Insights” section, bringing a contemporary focus to the words of the Midrash! Available as individual volumes or in the following sets: Complete full size 17-vol. set on Chumash and Megillos • Full size 12-vol. set on Chumash • Full size 5-vol. set on Megillos • Compact size 5-vol. slipcased set on Megillos

More fascinating halachic discussions for the Shabbos table, arranged according to the weekly Torah reading

Adapted by Rabbi Moshe Sherrow

NEW!

from the works of Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein

More stories of people who light up our world

NEW!

A beloved brother who suddenly becomes his sisters’ worst enemy…

Tens of thousands of readers have made the What If? series a staple at their Shabbos table. Based on the popular Hebrew-language series Chashukei Chemed, written by noted rav and posek, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein shlita, and arranged in the order of the weekly parashah by Rabbi Moshe Sherrow, What If? 3 includes hundreds of real-life halachic questions, each accompanied by a brief, practical scenario to illustrate the case, and an analysis that is understandable and easy to follow.

INCREDIBLE! From the Bronx to Bnei Brak: The amazing true story of Rabbi Yossi Wallis

by Rabbi Nachman Seltzer

NEW!

THE NIGHT IS NOT DARK The true story of a young boy and the gedolim who took him into their homes and hearts

by Yehudit Golan

NEW!

A shadchan who mysteriously takes on one girl’s search for her bashert as his full-time job…

C.B. Weinfeld’s first collection of true stories, A Handful of Stars, lit up our lives. Now she gives us even more: more unusual true stories, more fascinating characters, more great reading, more inspiration. You loved the true stories in A Handful of Stars. Now, you can enjoy Another Handful!

BRAINSTORM A deadly tumor. A young man. A story of medicine, emunah — and triumph.

NOW AVAILABLE IN A POCKET SIZE (4” x 6”) EDITION

POSITIVE WORD POWER for Teens

The Language of Friendship and Happiness

by Yehuda Boruch Kamenetzky

NEW!

Fallstaff Shopping Center 6830 Reisterstown Rd #A Phone:(410) 358-2200

NEW! Nestlebaum by Chani

Available in pocket size hardcover or paperback. Published in conjunction with

The ChofeTz Chaim heriTage foundaTion

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE TITLE SAYS IT ALL

by C.B. Weinfeld

A camp prank that haunted a man for two decades…

The Torah conversation continues!

ING ABOUT! THE BOOK EVERYONE’S TALK

JUNE 23, 2016

The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah features ArtScroll/Mesorah’s acclaimed phrase-by-phrase translation and elucidation of the text, with explanatory footnotes that clarify difficult passages and concepts.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Around the

Community

Mesivta Neimus Hatorah celebrates graduation This past Sunday, a special celebration was held in Kosher Bite’s simcha hall. Rebbeim, teachers, family, and friends joined the seniors at Mesivta Neimus Hatorah in celebration of their graduation. The beautiful event included a short speech from each of

the seven graduates, along with a siyum by Yosef Berkowitz. The guest speaker, Rabbi Zvi Teichman, Rav of Ohel Moshe, offered powerful words of inspiration about the accomplishments of each one of the boys as well as praise for the incredible work the

yeshiva does on a daily basis. Rabbi Shmuel Weissman, twelth-grade Magid Shiur, presented each boy with “Positive Vision”, a sefer on Shmiras Einayim they had been studying in class. The evening ended with spirited dancing, with music and vocals by Mr.

Shmuel Beck and Nechemia Jakobovitz. As one parent was overheard saying on the way out, “I’ve never been to such a beautiful graduation!”

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Dancing at the graduation

Yosef Berkowitz after making a siyum

Rabbi Shmuel Weissman with Yehudah Mandelbaum

Around the Community By Rochelle Goldberg

With two months to go we have over 130 cyclists registered, 32 sponsors, and are more than half way to our financial goal. You can bring us over the top and make this year the biggest success ever. Take advantage of a new Bikur Cholim opportunity. Become a Sinai and Johns Hopkins Pantry Sponsor. For only $750.00, you or your company can help defray the cost of a week’s worth of Kosher food for family members of patients at both Sinai and Johns Hopkins hospitals, this of course, includes promi-

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

When the ride is over, join us with your family for a sumptuous BBQ catered by Yaffa Caterers while the children enjoy face painting, balloon animals, snow cones, and more. What better way to spend a Sunday in the summer!

nent sponsorship recognition posted at event and in the hospital pantries. Bikur Cholim of Baltimore wishes to thank all our present sponsors for their generous commitment to Bikur Cholim and the community. So, if you haven’t signed up yet, go to www.bikercholim.org right now to enjoy this fun-packed day. Don’t want to bike, but want to help Bikur Cholim-no sweat-literally; we have a “virtual biker” option. Have your friends and family sponsor your virtual ride and raise money for this very important organization. For more information email bike4bikur@gmail. com or call 443.807.2877.

JUNE 23, 2016

Continued from cover Bikur Cholim of Baltimore has over 400 volunteers. Each month Bikur Cholim distributes over 600 meals to 8 different hospitals, delivers at least 160 meals to people’s homes, services patients and families from more than 40 different cities and countries, provides over 300 rides and visits over 150 patients in hospitals, homes and facilities. Come ride with us and be part of the team that helps so many. The money you raise supports these vital community services: • Kosher meals to patients/families in the hospital and home • Transportation to medical appointments and hospitals • Visitation in area hospitals • Housing in the community • Free-loan medical equipment • Medical referrals • Kosher Hospitality Rooms and hospital pantries • One-on-one home visitation • Respite in the hospital/home • Birth-night Sitters • Tehillim Squad • Accommodations near area hospitals for Shabbos/Yom Tov • Community and volunteer education • Advocacy for the needs of Jewish patients in area hospitals

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Third Annual Biker Cholim of Baltimore Men’s Bike-a-thon and Family BBQ

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Around the City Council Passes Property Tax Credit For Low-Income Seniors BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

The credit will be available to homeowners who are at least 62-yearsold who have owned their homes for at least 10-years and have an income of less than $40,000 Baltimore’s City Council has approved a new property tax credit for low-income seniors. The Baltimore Sun reports the credit will be available to homeowners who are at least 62-years-old who have owned their homes for at least 10-years and have an income of less than $40,000. The city’s Department of Finance had objected to the measure that would

Community Yeshivas Toras Chaim Honoree

BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

By: Staff Reporter

Yeshivas Toras Chaim honored Rabbi Marc Messing at their annual banquet this past Sunday June 19th. Rabbi Messing has been engaging the Yeshiva’s students in his inimitable way with his English and history classes. His excitement for what the students are accomplishing and contributing to the Yeshiva actualThe credit will be available to homeowners ly extend far beyond the classroom. who are at least 62-years-old who have owned their homes for at least 10-years and In between teaching and running his have an income of less than $40,000.jpg estates and wills law practice, he can cost about $4-million a year, but May- be found in the beis medrash learning or Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she with boys, helping them prepare for would sign the bill if it was passed by bechinos, assisting during mishmar, the council. spreading the word to prospective new parents or even writing a grant proposal. Rabbi Messing exemplifies the passion for teaching and sincere

Rabbi Marc Messing

commitment to the overall success and well-being of our students that is the hallmark of our staff.

Shomrim Reports Good News: Suspects Jailed!

BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Shomrim is delighted to share the news that all three suspects from the Memorial Day robberies are now in jail! The hearings come up at the end of the month. We would like to commend the Baltimore City Police, and thank the State’s Attorney for keeping the community in the loop and engaged in the process.

By: Shomrim of Baltimore

Shred Day by Project Ezra On Sunday, June 19th, Father’s Day, The Chesed Fund Limited & Project Ezra of Greater Baltimore, Inc. were happy to once again sponsor a community Shred Day. Hundreds attended throughout the day to shred a variety of items including medications, hard drives, DVDs and CDs. Additionally, people enjoyed the one-stop convenience of shredding, dropping off shaimos and being able to purchase discounted home security items. With the event a huge success, The Chesed Fund Limited & Project Ezra of Greater Baltimore, Inc. are planning to run next year’s Shred Day on Father’s Day as well. Special thanks to Joe Kruk of MD Junk Remov-

al for a job well done, and corporate sponsors, Pikesville Pharmacy and Linguatower, Inc.

ELEGANT FIVE-STAR BBQ LUXURY PRIZE DRAWINGS LOCAL MICROBREWS WINE TASTING

JULY 10 6:30PM SPONSOR EXCLUSIVE PRE-EVENT 5:30PM

JUNE 23, 2016

HOSTED BY STEVE & LINDA HURWITZ 9 HAMBLETON COURT, PIKESVILLE, MARYLAND

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

ETZ CHAIM INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR THE MOST ANTICIPATED MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EVENT OF THE YEAR

TO REGISTER ONLINE, SCAN THIS CODE OR VISIT ETZCHAIMUSA.ORG/RAISETHESTEAKS

DR. RENA LANGERMANN, D.M.D FA M I LY D E N T I S T R Y

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

A CELEBRATION OF JEWISH CONTINUITY

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Sam Rosenblatt Mortgage Planner I NMLS# 75844 (410) 375-4447

Sam@TheRosenblattGroup.com WWW.TheRosenblattGroup.com MD #237 I Corp NMLS #3113 Intended for Maryland Consumers Only

Sponsored by

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME JUNE 23, 2016

Dr. Benjamin Azman

What is your favorite part about living in Baltimore? Baltimore has grown and changed quite a bit over the years, but there still remains a strong sense of community and achdus. This makes Baltimore a wonderful place to raise a frum family. What Shul do you go to? Like most people, I frequent many different shuls throughout the year, but in particular I spend most of my time at Derech Chaim (Rabbi Gross) and Mercaz Torah uTefilah (RabbiEichenstien). What do you do for a living? I’m an optometrist at Azman Eye Care Specialists, which is a private

Why did you decide to go into that field? From a young age I was fascinated by medicine and the opportunity to help others. I always wanted to be a doctor and I was fortunate to have a role model like my father who truly exemplifies what a doctor should be. What is it like working in a family business? It’s actually a lot of fun and although it has its challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Family business are not for everyone, but if works, it can have tremendous benefits and opportunities. What makes Azman eye care so unique? In addition to general eye care (see above), we specialize in the manage-

ment/treatment of dry eyes, contact lenses, and low vision rehabilitation, thereby giving sight to patients with macular degeneration and other eye conditions that cannot be corrected with standard glasses. We take pride in giving dedicated and personalized eye care and we treat every patient as an individual. How often should one have an eye exam? This is one of the most common questions I get. Generally speaking, I recommend children and adults be seen annually even if there are no complaints in vision. A recent study concluded that “58% of asymptomatic pa‫־‬ tients presenting for routine eye exam were found to have either significant refractive (glasses prescription) changes, a new diagnosis with potential for ocular or systemic implication, or a new management and treatment of a condition”. As an example, this past month I saw a 26 year old girl who “just wanted new glasses” who ended up having a rare blinding eye disease. Catching a problem early, significantly enhances a successful treatment. We hear you guys throw great customer appreciation parties, when’s the next one? The next occasion I can think of is either when my father or uncle retires, or when another of the next generation Azman kids joins the practice. It may be a while before either one

occurs. Are you going to encourage your kids to go into the family business? Like my parents, I hope to give my kids all the necessary tools for them to make their own decisions as to which profession they will thrive in. It would be amazing to one day have 3 generations of Azman eye doctors working side by side. Tell us your favorite optometry joke? On his death bed, with his entire family surrounding him waiting to hear his last words, Joe insisted that his family summon his long time eye doctor to come to his bedside. Baffled, the family went and brought Dr. Cohen to the dying mans bedside. “ What is it Joe, what can I do for you at the last few minutes of your life?” said the eye doctor. Everyone in the room was anxiously waiting to hear his last words. With great effort he replied “Dr. Cohen, before I die, you must tell me: Which one IS truly better, one or two?”

If any of our readers had trouble reading this interview how can they contact you?

My office number is 410-5618050 and we always have someone on call for emergencies.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Tell us a little about yourself? I was born and raised in Baltimore. I am the youngest son of 4 boys. Baruch Hashem, my wife Chumie and I have been blessed with 4 incredible children. I love to ski, travel and spend time with friends and family,. I am also a proud Talmud of Ner Yisroel.

practice that was founded by my father over 40 years ago He later partnered with my uncle who is also an optometrist. For clarification, optometrists are primary eye-care doctors who diagnose, manage and treat eye diseases, and help correct visual disturbances with glasses and contact lenses. Additionally, we are at the forefront in detecting and diagnosing systemic health conditions such as; diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders and even tumors to name a few. In contrast, opticians make and sell eye wear, and ophthalmologists typically specialize in the surgical care of the eye.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME JUNE 23, 2016

Around the

Community

In our work to serve children with special needs, much information crosses our desks. While most of it pertains specifically to children and adults with special needs, every once in a while, the information we receive is pertinent to everyone in the community as a whole.

Having issues with unpaid medical insurance claims? The Maryland Attorney General’s Health Education and Advocacy Unit (HEAU) is a free service that addresses medical bills and health insurance issues. The Maryland Attorney Gener-

al’s office will mediate billing disputes on your behalf, mediate problems with faulty medical equipment and will even help you choose the right insurance plan for your needs. Call HEAU 877-261-8807 for more information. Expecting a baby? Too little folate in a mother’s diet has been linked with spina bifida in babies. Now, a new study points to another birth defect from too much folate in a mother’s diet. According to Johns Hopkins’ website, “Researchers found that if a new mother has a very high level of folate right after giving birth—more than four times what is considered adequate—the risk that her child will develop a condition on the autism spectrum doubles. Very high vitamin B12 levels in new moms are also potentially harmful, tripling the risk that her offspring will develop an autism spectrum disorder. If both levels are extremely high, the risk that a child develops the condition increases 17.6

times.” The findings are new and more studies must be done to ascertain the risk accurately. Yet it stands to reason that women who are, or may become pregnant would want to consider this information and discuss it with their doctor. One last note: Infants should always be put to sleep on their backs. According to Kodem Kol, an organization serving children receiving early intervention in Baltimore City, who are birth to age three, pediatricians advise “back to sleep” as a proven method to prevent SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (r”l).

JUNE 23, 2016

Are you flying this summer? Air Travel Guide Issued by the US Dept. of Transportation sets guidelines for airlines detailing rules airlines must follow in serving passengers with mobility issues or other special needs. Here are some of their suggestions to make travel easier. Make your reservations as far in advance as possible, and make your needs clear to the airline. While the airline is not allowed to ask you your medical diagnosis, they are allowed to ask you pointed questions regarding your needs. Be as clear as possible with the airline and let them know specifically what they can do to ease your travel experience.

Need an aisle seat? If you need an aisle seat to get into and out of the seat with greater ease due to a disability, you can request that when you make the reservation. While the airline is not required to reserve you a specific seat (seat 7C), they are required to insure that the individual has an aisle seat. You can also request a bulkhead seat. Passengers with fused legs or a service animal are first priority to be assigned bulkhead seats, but you can make the request and have the seat if it is available. The Travel Guide can be downloaded free of charge at https://www. transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/ docs/Developmental_Disabilities_ Guide.pdf.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

From the Desk of MENUCHA

May we all have a safe and enjoyable summer! Menucha gives culturally appropriate supports to children with developmental disabilities in Baltimore’s orthodox Jewish community. To volunteer or to make a donation, go to www. MenuchaInc.org.

Mikvah of Baltimore Expansion Builds Walls (Photo Essay) BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Jeff Cohn

June 15th the outer walls were being erected.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

The Mikvah of Baltimore expansion program is going well, B”H. Great progress has been made and on

By: Staff Reporter

Around the

Community

The 22nd Annual Tour de Court

JUNE 23, 2016

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

The 22nd Annual Tour de Court in Memory of Rachel Minkove, raised over $30,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The gold helmet wining team was Judah Fuld, Moshe Rechthand & Yitzy Schleifer. For more information about TDC or to make a donation go to: Tourdecourt.org

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Have a last minute Sale or Promotion on a Wednesday? Need to get the word out quickly?

Advertise in the Baltimore Jewish Home & have it in front of your customers the NEXT DAY! Ad deadlines Wednesday ... Dropped in stores & Shuls Thursday ... Hits mailboxes Friday

443-990-1941

contact: Ads@BaltimoreJewishHome.com

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME JUNE 23, 2016

Get your dream home. It’s easier than you think. In 2015 Shimmy was Guaranteed Rate’s #1 loan officer in Maryland with nearly $32 million in total volume*. With amazing service and low, low rates, he helped 110 happy clients buy or refinance their home.

Shimmy Braun

SVP of Mortgage Lending Corporate Address: 3940 N Ravenswood Chicago, IL 60613

Let’s talk

1-844-SHIMMYB (1-844-744-6692)

Get started today

guaranteedrate.com/shimmy shimmy@guaranttedrate.com

* As reported by Guaranteed Rate production report for 2015 NMLS ID:112849 MD - 112849 - 13181 NMLS ID #2611 (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) • MD - Lic #13181

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Contact me today to learn more!

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Torah Thought On-Call 24/7

Rabbi Zvi Teichman Miriam is critical of her brother Moshe for having separated himself from family life with his wife Tzipporah. He did so as to remain in a constant state of purity so that he would be ready to receive prophecy at any given moment. Miriam contended that she, as well as her brother Aharon, were also recipients of prophetic communication, yet never withdrew from a normal life. G-d sets the record straight by differentiating between the levels of Moshe’s prophecy and their’s, with Moshe’s heightened status requiring constant purity. Immediately after Miriam’s complaint and just prior to G-d’s intervention, a seemingly non-related verse is inserted. ‫והאיש משה ענו מכל האדם אשר על פני‬ )‫האדמה (במדבר יב ג‬, Now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any person on the face of the earth. The commentaries struggle to explain why this sentiment is relevant to the flow of the episode. Some claim that it is stated so as to explain G-d’s need to stand up for Moshe’s honor, as he was unlikely to, due to his humility. Others contend it is mentioned as the reason for Moshe’s greater stature in prophecy. Either way it seems tangential to the exchange. The Sifrei quotes an opinion that adduces from the verse’s assertion that Moshe was “was exceedingly humble, more than any person on the face of the earth”, that he was even greater than the Patriarchs, but not superior in humility to “unearthly” beings, i.e. ‫מלאכים‬, angels. It seems strange to speak of “humility” in context of non-free-willed entities such as angels. Is there a potential for arrogance among supernal beings? The comparison is inaccurate. Additionally perplexing is the Torah’s emphasis on any person “on the face of the earth”. What is being added by mentioning man’s residence on “earth”? Wouldn’t simply the exclusion of “any person” suffice to make the point? Have you ever wondered why the Torah has two terms for the word ‘earth’, ‫ ארץ‬and ‫?אדמה‬ We express in the the blessing before eating vegetables, ‫בורא פרי האדמה‬, Who created the fruits of the ground, referring to them as fruits of the '‫'אדמה‬, ground. Yet, when before we partake of

bread, we recite ‫המוציא לחם מן הארץ‬, Who brings forth bread from the earth, we thank G-d for bringing forth the ‫לחם‬, bread from the '‫'ארץ‬, earth. What distinction is being implied here? The Great Gaon of Vilna resolves this dilemma by offering the following formula: When the Torah wishes to speak about the entire earth as an entity or to the land of Israel in whose merit the entire world is sustained and has cause to exist, the Torah uses the word '‫'ארץ‬, earth. However, when the intent is upon the specific produce that grows from the ground, or to the particular parcel of land which relates to us on a individual basis, the Torah employs the word '‫'אדמה‬, ground. Vegetable is not a specie of blessing particular to the Land of Israel, we thus speak of the ‘fruit of the '‫'אדמה‬, the ‘ground’; one toiled on in the production of its produce. Bread is a product of the species specifically associated with the blessing of G-d’s beloved land, ‫'ארץ' חטה ושעורה (דב־‬ )‫רים ח ח‬, a land of wheat, barley.... Here we choose to refer to it in relationship to the entire globe; ‘Earth’, whose bounty all stem from the unique covenant G-d has with His Land and His People. Based on this theorem a question arises: The Torah attests to the elevated status of Moshe when it declares: ‫והאיש‬ ‫משה עניו מכל האדם אשר על פני האדמה‬, now the man Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any person on the face of the earth. Were we to follow the lesson derived from the words of the Gaon it should have more aptly stated ‫מכל האדם אשר על פני‬ '‫ה'ארץ‬, from all man upon the ‫ארץ‬, earth, why does it prefer ‫אדמה‬, ground? Aren’t we referring to the entirety of humanity with Moshe having surpassed them in his superior levels of humility? Man is called '‫'אדם‬. The Midrash informs us this is due to the fact that he was created from the ‫אדמה‬, earth. G-d took a clod of earth from the ground beneath the Altar, mixed it with water and infused it with a ‫צלם‬ ‫אלוקים‬, Divine Image, man’s ‫נשמה‬, soul, and gave it life.

Why is man eternally condemned to his connection with ‫אדמה‬, raw earth? Weren’t animals too created from this very matter ‘earth’? The remarkable Maharal enlightens us by teaching us that '‫'אדמה‬, earth is the ‘matter of potential’. In it man toils and yields the most magnificent of produce. ‫ אדמה‬is symbolic of potential. The word ‫בהמה‬is used to describe animal is a contraction of two words ‫ בָ ה‬,‫מה‬-‫‘ ;בה‬in it’, ‫מַ ה‬, ‘is what?’ In other words: It is what it is! With all its abilities to develop the products innate within it, it remains nevertheless limited, ‫בָ ה מַ ה‬. '‫'האדם‬, The man, is numerically equivalent to 50 = )20+30( '‫'כל‬, for in man lies unlimited potential for growth and ‫שלימות‬, perfection, in the image of his Creator. True humility is a trait where a person sublimates his own needs, desires and identity to dedicate his efforts, talents and energies to serving others in fulfilling the will of G-d. One who is humble is ever ready to serve. The root of the word ‫ענוה‬, humility, lies in ‫עָ נָה‬, to respond, for the truly humble are always ready, able and willing to respond to their true calling. There is never any interference of ‘self’ holding anything back. Our Patriarch Avraham, who also was distinguished for his humility, when G-d summoned him by name prior to the ‫עקי־‬ ‫דה‬, the Binding of Yitzchak, responds: )‫הנני (בראשית כב א‬, “Here I Am.” Rashi elucidates: ‫כך היא ענייתם של‬ ‫ לשון ענוה הוא ולשון זימון‬,‫חסידים‬, This is the response of the pious. It is an expression of humility and an expression of readiness. Responsiveness is the product of humility. One who is truly responsive is always prepared and ready. Moshe is the '‫ 'עניו‬par excellence. Indeed it is written absent the letter ‫ו‬-‫נ‬-‫ ע‬,'‫'י‬, as if the real word is ‫עָ נּו‬, to respond. He was indeed the ‫עניו מכל האדם‬, the greatest ‘responder’ of all man, ‫על פני האדמה‬, on the face of the earth. The word ‫אדמה‬, earth, used here is to emphasize his constant growth and his eternal climb up the ladder of perfection. He of all men is uniquely qualified to always be ‘on call’. The fascinating Baal HaTurim points

out that total expression of this word ‫ו‬-‫נ‬-‫ע‬ as represented in its full expression of its letters; 130+106+12( ‫ וָו‬-‫ נּון‬-‫)עַ יִן‬, equals 248, the complete number of organs and limbs that comprise man. Moshe was indeed totally dedicated to the will of his Creator at all times. This resolves our earlier dilemma. The verse asserting Moshe as the most humble of men is indeed directly related to the conversation at hand. Miriam castigates her beloved brother Moshe for assuming a status of devotion to G-d that compels him to refrain from a family life with his wife. G-d admonishes Miriam by informing her that Moshe, with his unbound potential, who is always ready to seek new opportunities of fulfilling the will of G-d, is indeed always ‘on call’, ever ready to respond to the summons of G-d, and therefore in need to be in a constant purified state! The equation to angels is now understandable. It is not whether angels are capable of humility but rather a testament to their responsiveness. Moshe approximates the response time of the angels but can’t surpass them. The Meiri )130 '‫(חיבור התשובה ד‬ writes that true humility doesn’t necessarily imply complacent modesty. One who is truly humble upholds the will of G-d even if at times it requires asserting one’s authority firmly, if that is what the moment calls for. It is the total representation of '‫רצון ד‬, the will of G-d in every action and breath we take. The Moshiach is described in Tehillim ;)‫ה‬,‫(תהלים מה ד‬ ‫ והד־‬. ‫חגור חרבך על־ירך גבור הודך והדרך‬ ‫רך צלח רכב על דבר אמת וענוה־צדק ותורך‬ ‫נוראות ימינך‬ Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one, your majesty and your splendor, And with your splendor overcome and ride for the sake of truth and righteous humility; may you be guided to awesome deeds by your right hand! If we are to deserve the coming of Moshiach we must seek to emulate this quality of righteous humility. May we never shy away from responsibility, and always respond to the ‘call of the moment’. May we never indulge in selfish distractions that deter us from fulfilling our duties to our fellow man and G-d!

The Week

A Nation that Keeps on Walking Israel Building Above and Below-ground Wall

sake of continuing its project to liberate [Palestine].” He also claimed the reported plans were a sign of Israel’s “failure to face the tunnels.”

Herzog Planned on Giving it All Back if Elected PM in 2015

JUNE 23, 2016

According to a bombshell report by Israel’s Channel 10 News, Isaac Herzog, who effectively challenged Prime Minister Netanyahu in the March 2015 elections for the premiership, was prepared to make eye-popping concessions to the Palestinians. Herzog, who is also known as “Bougie” (pronounced BOO-zhee), held secret talks with PA President Mahmoud Abbas during the 20142015 election cycle and agreed to cede

If you thought Donald Trump had plans of building a big wall, it’s nothing compared to the wall that Israel is planning. According to the Yediot Achronot, Israel is planning on building a $550 million above and belowground wall along its border with the Gaza Strip. The wall will cover 60 miles of land around Gaza’s southern border. The move comes almost two years after the most recent Gaza conflict, in which Palestinian militants fired rockets into Israeli territory and used tunnels to carry out attacks. Reacting to the news, senior Hamas official Ismail Radwan assured the Hamas-affiliated news site al-Re2516 Quarry Lake Drive salah, “The resistance (410) 486-Wine is able to adapt to all circumstances for the RubyLaskerDesigns

If you’ve been to Israel recently, you may have noticed the prevalence of a certain ankle high boot with elastic sides and fabric pull tags on the feet of many sabras. The Blundstone boot is the latest trend in niche footwear in the Holy Land. It’s been so hot that Israel has become the Australian shoe company’s largest market abroad, with one in every 15 Israelis buying a pair in 2015. The whole trend was the product of one man, Amos Horowitz, a film distributor who was looking for some new business and liked the shoes his neighbor brought home from a business trip abroad in 1999. Horowitz then traveled to Tasmania and convinced the company to sell him its wares. At first, Horowitz began selling the boots from his basement to a small group of acquaintances. His customer base slowly grew and by the time Blundstone’s CEO, Steve Gunn , visited Israel in 2002, he found the that Horowitz had a “reasonable spread of customers.” That would have been fine for Gunn and Horowitz, but shortly thereafter, the market for the shoe exploded, particularly for men and children. Even tourists who come to visit Israel see the shoe and buy it to bring back home with them. The shoe became a

Stop in & check out 100+ Kosher Wine options as well as a great selection of Artisanal Spirits & Craft Beers

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

This summer marks the tenth anniversary of the Lebanon War and Israel is facing a much more structured and sophisticated enemy in Hezbollah than it did when it fought the terrorist group back then from lobbing rockets over the Lebanese border. The group now boasts over 120,000 rockets and missiles, many of which are long-range, accurate missiles. No longer is Lebanon under the shadow of its neighbor, Syria, which has been weakened by its own civil war, and Hezbollah has emerged as the predominant Shiite power in the area. The group’s budget by now is over $1 billion, most of which is funded by Iran, and it uses its money to set up missile launching systems around Southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border. There are some 40,000-45,000 ground soldiers who are part of the organization, but the group has lost more than 1,300 fighters in Syria to date. While the organization may be larger and more influential than it was in the past, leader Hassan Nasrallah has been very calculated in picking fights with Israel. The group is already stretched thin geographically and hurt by its involvement in the conflict in Syria. A move against Israel may mean wars on two fronts for Hezbollah and that Nasrallah has bitten off more than he can chew. Israeli Intelligence and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz described Nasrallah as a “fanatical personality who has lost all of his realistic appraisal [capacity], other than perhaps considerations for his own personal security. A war in Lebanon and attacks on the Israeli home front will lead to Nasrallah’s departure, and will bring destruction to Lebanon.” Yet it would be unwise for Israel to take its attention away from the Lebanese border. Brig.-Gen. Amir Baram, commander of the Galilee Formation,

symbol of fashion as well as utility for hiking and long walks. Still the shoe remains more popular among men, who buy shoes because they are needed. Women, on the other hand, buy shoes more for their trendiness. A pair of Blundstones costs NIS 600 ($150). As most Israelis know: In life, you have to keep climbing.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Israel Still Wary of Hezbollah

also known as the 91st Division, said, “The intention of our enemies over the fence has not changed. On the day we will be tested, we will be required to lead. This could mean responsible civilian leadership among local council heads, or military leadership to enable us to take determined action in a complicated reality of war.”

In News

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Own a home in Glen Hills* or Fallstaff? CHAI has matching grant funds for you to improve your home’s exterior!

CHAI FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 50% OWNER CASH / 50% CHAI GRANT

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

• Front door or storm door • Front porch and steps repair • Porch fixtures: Light, mailbox, house number & doorbell • Replacement windows (front façade only) • Concrete steps and sidewalk repairs • Gutter & downspout repairs • Exterior trim painting (front façade only) • Landscaping (front façade only)

The Week In News 100% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem to the Palestinians as part of a future peace deal. He had also promised to provide financial compensation for the majority of “Palestinian refugees.” Under the agreement, the Temple Mount was to be under the authority of a multinational force, while the Kotel was to remain under Israel’s control. Although the election appeared close in the days leading up to the voting, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s party soundly defeated Herzog’s center-left Zionist-Union alliance on election day. Education Minister Naftali Bennett chided Herzog for his shenanigans and said, “Go back to your roots, Labour. We can be proud of our nation. You don’t have to try to divide our land all the time.” Giving up the keys to the store before you manage the store? Well, that sounds pretty “bougie” to me.

Arab MK Planning Another Flotilla

Terms: 50% match deposit payable to CHAI at contract ($500 for full grant) *call to see if your block is eligible

Contact CHAI’s community organizer with questions or for an application: 410-500-5305. CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance Inc. 5809 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore

Arab Knesset member Haneen Zoabi is at it again. The member of the Joint Arab List party is planning a “Women’s Boat to Gaza” flotilla to protest an IDF blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory. Zoabi is known for her role in the 2010 flotilla from Turkey from which Turkish terrorists attacked Israeli commandos who boarded the ship. Zoabi has been a vocal critic of the land that offers her the ability to raise her voice. In August, she refused to attend Israel’s Holocaust memorial and likened Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to the Holocaust. Zoabi was recently suspended

from the Knesset for four months after meeting with terrorists’ families. She may face similar action if she joins the flotilla.

In Israel, Respect is Mandatory

Respecting the elderly has long been a tenet of the Torah and now a bill in the Knesset seeks to codify that to a certain extent. The proposal seeks to legislate that people aged 80 and above would not have to wait in line to be served in public places. The bill would apply to sites like post offices, banks, cinemas, performance halls, stadiums, national parks and nature reserves, large supermarkets and other venues. According to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), at the end of 2014, out of Israel’s population of 8.3 million people, approximately 235,000 were over 80-years-old. According to 2013 estimates, approximately 178,000 Holocaust survivors aged 70+ live in Israel, constituting nearly one-third of the 70+ age group. Whether the bill passes or not, the next time you are trying to order a shwarma and an elderly person walks in, let them order first… What’s the worst that could happen? They will take your chatzilim?

SENIOR HOME REPAIR AND BENEFITS

Providing home services and peace of mind to older adults and individuals with disabilities

JUNE 23, 2016

Trump shook up his campaign on Monday by firing campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. The shakeup follows months of reported infighting in the campaign between Lewandowski’s allies and those loyal to campaign Chairman Paul Manafort. Within moments of Lewandoski’s firing, a senior advisor to Trump, Michael Caputo, tweeted, “Ding dong the witch is dead.” Later that very same day, Caputo was forced to step down because of his tweet. Manafort was named Trump’s new campaign manager. Lewandowski was long seen as not qualified for the task or running a presidential campaign. His last campaign management experience before Trump was an utter failure ― he ran former New Hampshire Sen. Bob Smith’s reelection bid in 2002, when he became the first sitting senator in either party to lose a primary campaign in a decade. However, he joined the Trump campaign when it was still in the “this is a total gimmick” stage and Trump stuck with him, even after he was charged with battery in Florida due to allegedly pushing a reporter. After his dismissal, Lewandowski, 42, said in a brief statement, “I stand by the fact that Mr. Trump is a great candidate and is better than Hillary Clinton ever will be.” He denied reports that he was escorted out of Trump Towers by security after being fired. Trump tried to play down the firing and told Fox’s Bill O’Reilly, “I

Senior Home Repair Program

Homeowners may qualify for a variety of repairs to maintain the safety of the home: • Roof, gutter and downspout • Plumbing and electrical • Bathroom modifications • Wheelchair ramps • and more…

Senior Benefits Program

The program helps clients to remain in their homes safely and independently by offering: • Home safety assessments and advocacy • Benefits evaluation • Housing options counseling • Facilitation of funding assistance from government and private programs • and more…

Contact CHAI TODAY to have peace of mind tomorrow. 410-500-5300 | chaibaltimore.org/shr

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

“No taxation on our carbonation!” That should be the rallying cry for Philadelphians who are now the subject to a soda tax after the city council there voted 13-4 to approve a 1.5 cent per ounce tax in the sugary drinks. The colonial city is the largest city in the U.S. to have such a tax; Berkeley, California was the first. New Yorkers will recall Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s failed campaigns to institute legislation against sugary sodas and other unhealthy foods. Bloomberg faced heavy competition from lobbying groups representing industry giants like Coca Cola and PepsiCo. Philadelphia’s tax represents a major victory for health advocates who oppose these behemoths. Opponents of sugar taxes cite concern of “nanny state” legislation. Philadelphia’s mayor, Jim Kenney, was able to succeed in getting the tax bill approved by playing up the economic benefits of a soda tax in the city, which would raise $91 million for the city. Similar movements are gaining ground in major cities such as San Francisco and Boulder, Colorado. But opponents still claim the tax will overwhelmingly hurt the poor, who consume more of these beverages, while the more better off will just travel to suburbs which are close by to avoid paying the tax. First cigarettes, now soda. What’s next? Double cheeseburgers? The horror!

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Soda Drinkers, It’ll Cost You

Trump to Campaign Manager: You’re Fired!

to sing fit na ou ne Ro H e ) ll ut o B BS Ca bo s t (HU a e k ad rs as gr nio Up Se

The Week In News

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME JUNE 23, 2016

The Week

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Here’s a novel way to combat Islamic extremism in the U.S.: just ignore it. The Department of Homeland Security released a report which recommends not using the terms “sharia” or “jihad” in programs aimed at reaching out to Muslim youth. The report advocates allocating $100 million in targeting millennials who are subject to a “new generation of threats to the Homeland related to the threat of violent extremism.” The report insists that “the department must reframe the conversation to reflect this reality and design a robust program around the protection of our youth, which must include predator awareness and an understanding of radicalization. In doing so, our citizens will be better equipped for this threat.” It rejects using an “us versus them” message and says DHS should “reject religiously-charged terminology and problematic positioning by using plain meaning American English.” Muslims in the U.S. should be referred to as American Muslims, not Muslim Americans. The Obama administration has been accused of bowing to political correctness in its reluctance to link Islam with extremism. “Jihadists are the ones who have made this fight ‘us vs. them’ with every violent terrorist attack – from bringing down the World Trade Center towers, killing American soldiers overseas, beheading journalists, or shooting Americans in Orlando,” Representative Mike Pompeo of Kansas pointed out. “DHS’s emphasis here on political correctness is absolutely dangerous and places America and our military at risk.”

Ahhhh. That’s the sound of coffee lovers who can now enjoy a cup of coffee without worrying about it possibly causing cancer. Coffee was classified as a possible cause of cancer in

na, Iran and those in South America, where teas such as the bitter herbal infusion teas are traditionally drunk at extremely high temperatures, considerably hotter than drinks would normally be served in cafes across North America and Europe. The report also noted that some studies have found some evidence that drinking coffee regularly may reduce the risk of liver cancer and endometri-

JUNE 23, 2016

U.S. Says Be Mum on Sharia

Enjoy Your Coffee without Fear

1991, but the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization, has now reconsidered the evidence and concluded that coffee drinkers have no reason to worry. In the same report though, the IARC warned that drinking “very hot” beverages of any kind could potentially raise your risk of the disease. The report cited countries including Chi-

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

think Corey’s terrific. I watched him before. He was terrific toward me. Said I was a talented person. And he’s a talented person.” Trump added, “He’s a good guy. He’s a friend of mine. But I think it’s time now for a different kind of a campaign. We ran a small, beautiful, well-unified campaign. It worked very well in the primaries.”

In News

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

The Week al cancer. Other evidence shows coffee may be beneficial in reducing liver disease and type 2 diabetes. I guess Starbucks doesn’t have to go looking for other streams of business now, like the Starbucks Pesach Hagadda.

A Whisky for Whiskers

Want to celebrate with a l’chaim but are worried that little Tiger will be jealous? Now, your cat can sip along with you. Introducing wine just for cats. Think Pinot Meow, MosCATo and Apollo Peak vintages. The names are cute. But have you ever seen a cat hitting the bottle? We didn’t think so. Turns out, wine could be toxic to felines. These beverages are made of “organic catnip water and colored with organic beet juice.” “It’s made like a tea, but since we got it to look so much like a wine, we want it to be perceived as a wine by the consumer — that way they can feel as though they are having a glass of wine with their pet,” Apollo Peak founder Brandon Zavala said. Sure beats drinking alone.

The Highflying Tooth Extractor It was just Father’s Day, a day when we celebrated fathers all across America. We love our dads – but be glad this dad is not yours.

Rick Rahim took “helicopter parenting” to a new level when he recently extracted his son’s loose tooth. The Virginia dad tied a string to his son’s tooth and then pulled. But he didn’t just pull with his hands. The other side of the string was attached to a helicopter that he piloted.

In the video he posted to Facewrote: “Problem: Loose tooth,” and then “Solution: Helicopter.” On the video, the helicopter takes off and pulls on the string to remove the unwanted tooth. “Does this make me a ‘helicopter parent’?” Rahim wrote. “Do fun, creative stuff with your kids. Make memories together.” Has he ever heard of playing catch? book he

In News Ben’s post. The tweet reached the ears of Google UK’s Twitter headquarters and they sent Ben a response: “Dearest Ben’s Nan. Hope you’re well. In a world of billions of Searches, yours made us smile,” they wrote. Then they answered the question she posed in the search Ben made famous: “Oh, and it’s 1998,” they wrote. “Thank YOU.” Apparently, Ben’s grandmother thought there was a real person answering each search. “She thought that by being polite and using her manners, the search would be quicker.” Thank you, Ms. Ashworth, for reminding us in our fast-paced world how being polite is the only way.

Gold in the Garbage

Please & Thank You

Is politeness a thing of the past? We hope not. Recently, a grandma in the UK reminded us how important it is to say “please” and “thank you.” Ben John recently tweeted a photo of his grandmother May Ashworth’s Google search which read, “Please translate these roman numerals mcmxcviii thank you.” He was surprised at her good manners when entering questions into Google’s search engine. So were many other people when they saw

All that litters may just be gold. Sitting among old sneakers and wood scraps, six-year-old Chloe Smith found a glittering treasure: a gold medal. But it wasn’t just any gold medal. It belonged to Joe Jacobi who won the medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games as a slalom canoeist. Two weeks ago, when Jacobi’s car was broken into, a number of items were taken, including the medal. Some of the items were later recovered by police, but the medal was still missing. When Chloe happened upon the find, she didn’t understand its significance as first and used it as a Frisbee. But her father, Wayne, realized its value and returned it to Jacobi. “The part of the medal the family found identifies the 1992 Olympic games. It has Nike, the Greek goddess of victory on it. It’s the most distinguishing part of the medal,” Jacobi

related. The other parts are still missing, but this seems to be the most important. In appreciation, Jacobi offered the family a $500 reward. More than that, he also promised that when school was back in session, he’d visit Chloe’s school to show off the piece of the medal the six-year-old found. Well, it seems that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

The Pool Room

Kids, we know you are bored now that school is out, but please do not try this at home. It seems that there’s a lack of swimming pools in the city of Tver in Russia. So when Vladimir Vechnyy and his pals wanted to swim, they needed to build their own. The perfect place to plan their wet entertainment? The kitchen. (Kids, remember we told you not to do this at home.) The group spent four hours covering the floor and walls with plastic sheets which they glued together to create a waterproof seal. Then they attached a foam tube to the kitchen tap, turned it on and waited for the room to fill with water. It took three hours to get enough water into the “pool.” As soon as it was deep enough, they splashed around the pool, “dived” into the water, and played with rubber floating rings. They even enjoyed beverages which they balanced on floating tables. What happened when swimming time was over? They simply lifted up a floorboard in the kitchen and let the water drain into the basement. “I don’t think our neighbors had the slightest idea of what we were doing,” Vechnyy said. I think they’ll find out when their things are soaked with water.

Torah Thought

By Rabbi Berel Wein their behavior and decisions in life. We always feel that leaders are somehow entitled to a private life as well, distinct from their public persona. However, we also all know that that is not really true and that private decisions taken by public figures have a great, if even only subliminal, influence on the general public that they serve. There were elements within the Jewish people that reasoned that if Yitro, the father-in-law of Moshe and one of the outstanding and prominent converts to Judaism, felt that dwelling in the Land of Israel is not

JUNE 23, 2016

omehow, things start to go very wrong for Moshe and the Jewish people regarding their sojourn in the desert of Sinai, on their way to the Promised Land of Israel. The defection of Yitro, though for honorable and seemingly noble reasons, weakens the resolution of the rest of Israel to somehow enter and conquer their G-d-given homeland. The rabbis warned us that wise people and leaders should be very careful as to what they say publicly and privately. This certainly applies to what they do and how people will view

they inflict upon our cause and our future? This must be the case, since I cannot imagine that they have truly evil intentions with pursuing this type of behavior. They mean well and have legitimate reasons for their opinions and statements. But they have forgotten the adage of the rabbis that I quoted above – wise men should be careful with their words and actions. Other people are listening and are influenced – and one may even inadvertently grant aid and succor to those who wish to destroy us and our nation. It does not take much in our world to have people begin murmuring in dissatisfaction about Jews, Judaism, Israel, Torah and even G-d, so to speak. One must always see the big picture and not be overwhelmed by the imperfections and difficult issues that are part of our existence, and in fact, of life itself. Retaining our faith in our cause and our beliefs and using good judgment in what we say and do will certainly stand all of us in good stead. Shabbat shalom.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Parshas Behalotcha

really for him, then there will be many others among the masses of Israel that will justify their refusal to enter the Land of Israel as just being a case of following his example. And so, because the great vision of the Jewish homeland promised to their forefathers was no longer paramount in their lives, some of the people began to gripe and complain about all sorts of personal absurdities. This eventually led to open rebellion against G-d and against Moshe that doomed that generation to destruction and death in the desert of Sinai. Without going into specifics or mentioning names, I am always astounded by how former political leaders here in Israel, even those who attained high office and are now freelancing and lecturing their way around the world, take it upon themselves to be openly critical – and many times unfairly so – of the government, state and people of Israel. Can it be that they do not realize the direct and subliminal harm that

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

JUNE 23, 2016 | The Jewish Home

A Fulfilled L fe

Constructive Criticism By Rabbi Naphtali Hoff

recent study finds that dog owners who bring their “best friends” to work feel better and work more productively than those who leave their pets at home. The study, which was conducted at Virginia Commonwealth University and published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, represents the first quan-

titative research that looks at the effects of bringing your dog to work on worker stress and productivity. The man who led the study is most aptly named Professor Randolph Barker. According to Barker, “Individuals who brought their dogs to work (sic), their stress was lower at the beginning of the day (and) stayed that way the entire day.” In contrast,

Talmudical Academy of Baltimore Positions Available B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Immediate Opening:

Receptionist/Administrative Assistant Email resume to slewis@talmudicalacademy.org

For the 2016-2017 School Year:

Preschool Morah - Rare Opportunity Email resume to brosen@talmudicalacademy.org

Elementary General Studies Teachers Email resume to elemoffice@talmudicalacademy.org

Elem. Special Ed. Teachers & Asst. Email resume to rdanziger@talmudicalacademy.org

Talmudical Academy invites qualified teachers with a college degree and experience to be a part of our stimulating, warm, and engaging educational environment.

dog owners who did not bring their dogs to work felt their stress levels increase steadily, nearly doubling by day’s end. This is as true in the Oval Office and on Capitol Hill as it is on Main Street. According to CBS’s Chip Reid, “White House advisors say that President Obama’s dog Bo reduces stress in the West Wing. And on Capitol Hill, California Republican Congressman Ken Calvert says that, despite all the partisanship, ‘Cali is the great unifier.’” Something has got to pull all of those recalcitrant politicians together! As one might have expected, some people in Barker’s study found that dogs were sometimes disruptive and noisy. Cleanliness was also a concern. But if Barker is correct that fifty percent of those people that brought their dogs to work felt that their dogs increased their productivity, then the “canine effect” probably deserves more attention from employers. While there is no definitive reason that explains the connection between a dog’s presence in the workplace and owner productivity, it would make sense to suggest that owners respond favorably to the positive qualities of their relationship with their pets, including companionship and the unconditional positive regard that dogs provide. As the great English novelist Aldous Huxley once put it, “To his dog, every man is Napoleon.” A dog, unlike a boss or coworkers, consistently recognizes its owner’s leadership. Perhaps another consideration to this phenomenon is the fact that bringing their

dogs to work allows owners to worry less about their dog’s welfare. Yet another possible contributor to this trend is the idea that bringing one’s dog to the office helps owners recreate a central aspect of their personal lives. Every individual has his own “creature comforts,” things that offer him satisfaction, gratification and security. When people feel that their needs (real or imagined) are being met, such as the desire for fealty and companionship, they are more relaxed and can better focus on the task at hand. But while it may be fully appropriate to satisfy these needs for the sake of meeting one’s professional responsibilities, this week’s parsha sheds light on the damaging impact of pining for “luxuries” as a pretense for complaint and grievance. The people were as if in mourning over themselves (lit: complainers), and it was evil in the ears of the L-rd. The L-rd heard and His anger flared, and a fire from the L-rd burned among them, consuming the extremes of the camp…But the multitude among them began to have strong cravings. Then even the children of Israel once again began to cry, and they said, “Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish that we ate in Egypt free of charge, the cucumbers, the watermelons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now, our bodies are dried out, for there is nothing at all; we have nothing but manna to look at.” (Bamidbar 11:1, 4-6) According to Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, these two instances of complaint emanated from a fun-

31 fered them no compensation…had not yet become to them a fuller, happier life; they felt themselves buried alive and mourned over themselves. (Commentary to verse 1) The sad part of this “complaint fest” was that every targeted item either took place or was left out for a reason.

Every individual has his own “creature comforts,” things that offer him satisfaction, gratification and security.

They said, “Woe is to us! How weary we have become on this journey! For three days we have not rested from the fatigue of walking… [Hashem said,] I meant it for your own good—that you should be able to enter the Land immediately.

has taken us a bit out of our personal comfort zone. In this way we can begin to emulate the caring rebuking style of our Maker, who uses mussar solely for the purpose of nurturing us along the path of perfection. G-d interacts with us in infinite numbers of ways, but in general He does so lovingly, firmly, or by a combination of the two. For even when He’s exacting in His expectations of us it’s still-and-all done with loving intentions… G-d does indeed chastise us at times, but with our own well-being in mind, and with the insight and deep love one would expect of a caring, worldly-wise parent, certainly without malice or vengeance. (Ramchal, Da’as Tevunos, 4:2) Rabbi Naphtali Hoff is an executive coach and consultant and President of Impactful Coaching & Consulting (www. ImpactfulCoaching.com). He can be reached at nhoff@impactfulcoaching. com.

JUNE 23, 2016

over their very selves. The cloud of glory over them and the Ark of His Covenant with them only made them feel cut off from the rest of the world and its requirements for living. The whole unique connection with G-d which they received in its place…of-

[Rashi to verse 1, quoting Midrash Aggadah] R’ Shimon says: “Why did the manna change into everything except these (vegetables)? Because they are harmful for nursing mothers.” (Rashi to verse 5) There is nothing wrong with a person pursuing personal comforts if it gives him the opportunity to do his job more effectively or relax after a long day in the office. However, pleasure pursuits that are designed to find a pretext of fault (“They were seeking a pretext to turn away from the Omnipresent.” – Rashi to verse 1 and verse 4), whether in Hashem, a family member, a school, et al, are certainly neither productive nor appreciated. We must be careful whenever we offer “constructive feedback” that we are truly doing just that, and not presenting well couched (or perhaps not so subtle) complaints because we feel that our needs are not being properly addressed, or that the target of our ire

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

damental deficit in their spiritual perfection, a narrow-minded failure to see the positive aspects of Hashem’s miraculous provisions. To them, G-d’s “blessings” were stifling and limiting, restricting their ability to enjoy life as others did. The people...looked on themselves as already dead and mourned

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Siavn 21

28 Sivan 22

Sivan 29

Tammuz 13

Tammuz 6

Siavn 28

Tammuz 5

Ari Elman Birthday

see page 5

Tammuz 12

The Mir Yeshiva Benefit Reception 3210 Fallstaff Rd 8:30 PM

Fireworks at the Aquarium 7 PM

Sivan 30

Sivan 23

Associatedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Meeting at Beth Tifiloh 5PM

Tammuz 14

Tammuz 7

Rosh Chodesh

Community Calendar

Tammuz 1

Sivan 24

Bnai Zion Foundation Gala at American Visionary Museum 5 PM

Aderes HaTorah BBQ 6505 Hal Court 7 PM see back cover

Tammuz 15

Tammuz 8

Rosh Chodesh

8:19 PM

Tammuz 2 see page 5

8:18 PM

Tammuz 9

8:14 PM

Tammuz 16

8:10 PM

Shabbos of Chizuk

1July Sivan 25 2

8:19 PM

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

9:09 PM

Tammuz 17

9:14 PM

Tammuz 10

9:17 PM

Tammuz 3

9:19 PM

Sivan 26

9:20 PM

Wednesday Thursday Saturday Friday Monday Tuesday Sivan 19 Sivan 17 24 Sivan 18 25 Sivan 16 23 20 Sivan 14 21 Sivan 15 22

Sivan/Tammuz 5776

June/July

Sivan 13

Sunday

2016

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Chai Lifeline presents Kol Hanearim Boy's Choir at LJC 7 PM see page 19

Sivan 20

Shemesh Bike Ride see page 23

Tammuz 4

Sivan 27

JCS Networking 3506 Gwynnbrook 9:30 AM

Tammuz 11

Raise the Steaks 5:30 PM see page 15

17 Bikur Cholim Bike-aThon see page 13

Pikesville Chamber 5K

JUNE 23, 2016

to have your future event listed in the Community Calendar please contact Ads@BaltimoreJewishHome.com

see page 49

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Barry Nabozny Broker/Realtor 410-977-7600 NOBODY SELLS MORE REAL ESTATE THAN RE/MAX.®

WALLIS AVENUE

DUMBARTON

Barry Nabozny

SHELBURNE ROAD Broker/Realtor 410-977-7600

GIST AVENUE NOBODY SELLS MORE REAL ESTATE THAN RE/MAX.®

SEVEN MILE

MT. WAShINgTON

Beautiful 4BR/3.5BA French Provincial in the Dumbarton neighborhood. Main level features a spacious master bedroom suite Beautifully home! with tonsrenovated of closet 6BR/3.5BA space; updated Main level master bedroom suite. Gourmet gourmet kitchen; formal living room kitchen with granite counters & stainless with fireplace; dining room; library appliances. Separate dining room. Spacious withroom fireplace & sun leading room. Upper level living with doors to sunroom. has 3 generous bedrooms & 2 baths. Upper level has 3 bedrooms & full bath. Hardwood Rear2patio & deck. Finished lowerfloors. level has bedrooms, full bath & storage. Large rear deck. One-car detached garage.

Gorgeous, completely renovated 4BR/3.5BA porch front cape code. Gleaming wood floors in foyer, living room & dining room. Beautiful new Completely 4BR/2.5BA Rancher kitchen w/Renovated granite counters, stainless with 2-car garage! Living & dining room appliances (2 ranges, 2 dishwashers combination with wood floors. New kitchen & 2 sinks) & breakfast area. Spacious with stainless appliances, granite counters master suite w/ new bath. and center island. Lower levelFinished has large lower level w/ large family rec room, laundry area and powderroom, room. study, bathnew & tons of storage. Located New baths, windows, new doors, new carpeting, painted throughout & in both Cityfreshly & County.

$599,000

$699,000

$349,000

CROSS COUNTRY

LINCOLN AVENUE DEVONSHIRE DRIVE

$359,000

much more!

$299,900

PINKNEY ROAD PINkNEy ROAd

Stunning completely renovated 4BR/3.5BA brick semi. Large living/ dining room combo, gorgeous renovated kitchen with granite counter tops, stainless appliances & island. Upper level has master Beautiful, completely renovated 4BR/3BA bedroom with new master bath, 2 brick rancher. Hardwood floors on main bedrooms & new bath. kitchen Finishedwith level. Gorgeous remodeled granite stainless appliances lower counters, level with family room, & doors leading to the rear deck. Master bedroom & new bath. New HVAC, bedroom suite with walk-in closet & kitchen, baths, recessed lighting remodeled luxury bath. Finished walk-out lower level with lrg.so family room, bedroom, throughout and much more!

Nt uNDer Co

JUNE 23, 2016

Spacious 5-6BR/3.5BA Colonial. Formal living room & dining room. Modern kitchen has granite counters, dual appliances, center island & adjoining family room. Main level office. Upper level has large master bedroom suite w/ luxury bath, 3 additional bedrooms & full bath. Finished lower level w/ huge rec room, 1-2 bedrooms, bath & tons of storage space. 2-Car attached garage.

LIghTfOOT dRIVE

rACt

full bath & laundry area. Huge rear patio & fenced yard.

$199,900 $429,900

ThINkINg SELLINg? TANEYOf ROAD

List Your Home

410.581.1000 1517 Reisterstown Road, Corner of Old Court Road • Baltimore, MD 21208

staimandesign.com

410.581.1000 1517 Reisterstown Road, Corner$249,000 of Old Court Road • Baltimore,$549,900 MD 21208 $235,000

staimandesign.com

sold

new bath. 2nd level has spacious master bedroom suite w/luxury bath gET MORE fOR yOUR hOME! & walk-in closet, 3 bedrooms, new bath & laundry area. 3rd level has 2 bedrooms, new bath, walk-in closet & additional storage. staimandesign.com

UNDER T C CONTRA

bedroom suite. Upper level has 3 bedrooms & full bath. Finished lower level with 2 $249,000 bedrooms & full bath. New baths, flooring, windows, doors & much more!

If you’re thinking of selling your home, no one does it Beautiful, renovated 7BR/4.5BA better than Barry Nabozny of home. Wood floors throughout, Remax Premier living & dining roomAssociates. w/ decorative moldings, gourmet kitchen Call today to find out w/granite how we counters, 2 sinks & dual appliances. can get you more for your Main level also has family room, 2 home! offices, mudroom & bedroom w/

staimandesign.com

$359,900

UNDER T C CONTRA

master bedroom suite with new luxury bath, bedroom & full bath. Upper level has 2 bedrooms & bath. Finished lower level with 2 $269,000 bedrooms, family room & bath. New baths; flooring; windows; doors; rear deck & so much more!

Beautiful, completely renovated renovated Beautiful, completely 6BR/3.5BA porch front home. 6BR/3.5BA porch front Gleaming home. hardwood floors in living room & dining Gleaming hardwood room. Brand new kitchen withfloors granite counters stainless Main in living& room & appliances. dining room. level master bedroom suite. Upper level Brand new kitchen with has 3 bedrooms & full bath. Finished granite counters & stainless lower level with 2 bedrooms & full bath. New baths, flooring, doors & appliances. Mainwindows, level master much more!

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Bright & spacious 4BR/3BA brick & stone rancher with approx. 2,800 sq. ft. of living area on a .49 acre lot. Everything on one level - no steps! Modern kitchen with extra cabinets & built-in desk area. Spacious living room / dining room with fireplace. Family room has built-ins. Master bedroom with custom built-ins & full bath. Tons of storage space. Large rear patio & gazebo.

Move right into this beautiful completely updated 4BR/3BA cape cod. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout main level. Beautiful, completely renovated Spacious renovated kitchen with granite 6BR/4BATwoporch cod. counters. entry front level cape bedrooms. Gleaming wood suite floorswithinfullliving/ Upper level master bath & walk-in closet.Gorgeous Lower level den, dining room. newhas kitchen bedroom, bath & laundry area. Great deck with granite counters, stainless off appliances kitchen overlooking backyard. & island. Main level

staimandesign.com

Here!

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Plaza Auto PAL Leasing

CALL 718-975-9000 2750 Nostrand Ave Corner of Ave N Brooklyn NY 11210

WE SELL, LEASE & FINANCE

ALL MAKES AND MODELS

www.PlazaAutoLeasing.com

AS EASY AS PALS!

MINUTES

YOU CAN BE ALL SET! • BEST PRICES Y R O T N E V N I E G U H • Y R E V I L E D K C I U Q • 9:41 AM

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

BS”D

10 0%

S • EASY APPROVAL • DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE

CALL 718-975-9000

TO SAVE ON YOUR NEXT

LEASE OR PURCHASE OF A NEW OR USED CAR!

Try it and see why over 20,000 people have gotten their cars from Plaza Auto Leasing! ARE YOU A PAL YET?

GET MORE GREAT DEALS AT WWW.PLAZAAUTOLEASING.COM

DCA #1312589 DMV #7084665

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME JUNE 23, 2016

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Jewish History

Amulets, Accusations and Controversy The Devastating Polemic Between Rabbi Yaakov Emden and Rabbi Yonason Eybeschutz By Rabbi Pini Dunner

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

The Final Chapter THE STORY SO FAR: Despite the conversion to Islam of false messiah Shabbetai Tzvi in 1666 and his death in 1676, secret societies of Sabbatians who still believed in his messianic mission thrived in communities across Europe and continued to be active well into the eighteenth century. One prominent rabbi who was suspected of being a Sabbatian was the A-list rabbinic luminary, R’ Yonason Eybeschutz of Prague. Although initially he successfully dismissed the allegations, when he was appointed Chief Rabbi of the illustrious triple-community Hamburg-Altona-Wandsbeck in 1750, the suspicions came back to haunt him and then developed into a full blown controversy over his suitability as a rabbi. His principle opponent was R’ Yaakov Emden, a distinguished rabbi with strong influence within and beyond the triple-community, who claimed that Kabbalistic amulets written by R’ Yonason he had examined contained secret references to Shabbetai Tzvi. The community leadership sided with R’ Yonason, and R’ Yaakov was forced to flee to Amsterdam. A number of prominent rabbis came to R’ Yaakov’s defense, including R’ Yaakov Yehoshua Falk of Frankfurt and R’ Shmuel Hilman of Metz, but it was to no avail; R’ Yonason’s seemed unassailable. But as violence between the opposing factions began to escalate in Hamburg and Altona, the gentile authorities became involved. At the conclusion of the dramatic court case, the King ruled in R’ Yonason’s favor. He also declared that a new election for the Chief Rabbinate position take place.

he election took place in December 1752, and R’ Yonason was overwhelmingly reelected. But the unexpected victory and vindication were quickly diminished by other events. Almost immediately after his reelection as Chief Rabbi, the Hamburg City Council – Hamburg was a “free” city not under the rule of the Danish King – rejected both the King’s verdict and the election result, and a long, complex battle began to unfold over the formal definition of the chief-rabbinate for the triple-community and about the powers he was legally entitled to. Simultaneous to this latest twist, the battle between rabbis across Europe over how to deal with R’ Yonason’s alleged Sabbatianism began to escalate, as positions hardened and enmity increased. R’ Yonason’s strategy vis-à-vis his rabbinic accusers had been consistent throughout. He was only willing to present his version of what the amulets meant in a setting that did not include anyone who would challenge him or disrespect him. This was his position through-

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

worded and cleverly constructed. It painted R’ Yonason as one of the greatest rabbis of the time whose understandable but misplaced mistreatment of R’ Yaakov had stained an otherwise unblemished reputation. It was a wrong that had to be put right, especially as R’ Yaakov had clearly had grounds to behave as he did. To have publicly embarrassed R’ Yaakov by banning anyone from communicating with him and to then have him hounded out of town was simply not an appropriate way to behave towards a dis-

expelled.” R’ Landau had clearly examined the notarized amulets from Metz, and was convinced they contained letter formations that referred to Shabbetai Tzvi. But he had two superb observations to make – one that was a face-saving device for R’ Yonason, the other a wise insight into the potential threat posed by the author of the amulets. In the first instance he questioned whether any notarized document that condemned a third party was valid under Jewish law if that third par-

ty was not present when the document was notarized. He noted that none of the amulets were signed by R’ Yonason, and that it was therefore impossible to establish with any halachic certainty that he had written them. In other words, he was providing R’ Yonason with a graceful avenue to deny the authorship of any amulet that had a Sabbatian link. His second point was even more astute: “Although there is no way of deciphering these amulets in any way that would eliminate their Sabbatian contents, to be perfectly honest I do not regard them as heresy – because heresy is only heresy if it encourages heresy.” With this remarkable proposition R’ Landau completely deflated the suggestion that R’ Yonason posed any kind of threat to the future of Judaism, even if it was irrefutably true that the amulets attributed to him contained references to the false messiah. As long as R’ Yonason visibly behaved in accordance with Jewish law and conducted himself according to the standards expected of a great rabbi, what difference did it make if he had surreptitiously inserted incom-

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

tinguished rabbi, and particularly R’ Yaakov, whose dedication to the most stringent Torah-observant life and whose positive influence on those around him were beyond question. Only rabbis who lead people astray can be placed under any kind of ban, said R’ Landau, and R’ Yaakov was certainly not in that category. “R’ Yonason might propose that R’ Yaakov did lead people astray by suggesting he was a fraud, and I can see why he would say that. R’ Yonason has been an exemplary teacher of Torah to thousands of students across the Jewish world, many of whom have their own students, making him the teacher of virtually every Torah scholar in Europe. If doubts are raised about him it would put the credentials of all those scholars into doubt and R’ Yonason might understand that as someone leading people astray. But in my opinion this would only be the case if R’ Yaakov deliberately led them astray, and this was not the case. On the contrary! We know that his intentions were to prevent people from going astray! That being the case he should never have been excommunicated, and never been

JUNE 23, 2016

“To be perfectly honest I do not regard them as heresy – because heresy is only heresy if it encourages heresy.”

prehensible Sabbatian word puzzles into amulets that influenced nobody to believe in the messianic mission of the long dead Shabbetai Tzvi? To resolve the dispute R’ Landau proposed that all the amulets that had ever been attributed to R’ Yonason should be handed over to the Jewish authorities and never be used again. He also proposed that R’ Yonason publicly declare that he would never write another amulet, so that no Sabbatian heretic would ever again be able to claim that he was partial to their cause. R’ Landau concluded his proposal by forcefully warning against any further mistreatment or criticism of R’ Yaakov for his campaign against R’ Yonason. R’ Landau’s letter was widely circulated, and although it clearly implied that R’ Yonason was the author of the amulets, the suggested compromise solution was nonetheless warmly welcomed by R’ Yonason and his supporters, who clearly understood how R’ Landau’s proposal offered a workable exit strategy that wiped the slate clean and offered a way forward devoid of controversy, just as long as no further associations between R’ Yonason and Sabbatian heresy were ever discovered. But R’ Yaakov was in absolutely no mood for a compromise of any kind. As far as he was concerned this was a holy war, and as such it was a zero-sum game. R’ Yonason had to be defrocked, and humiliated. No other end to the dispute was acceptable. In a viciously worded pamphlet against the “letter of reconciliation,” R’ Yaakov called R’ Landau every name imaginable, and even accused him of being a closet Sabbatian who desired R’ Yonason’s exoneration and rehabilitation. The controversy had essentially reached a stalemate. Although R’ Yonason remained Chief Rabbi of Altona, in Hamburg his powers were stripped away by the City Council, and by the time they were reinstated some years later, the issue had become largely irrelevant. In the rabbinic world R’ Yonason’s opponents were unyielding in their antipathy towards him, and they continued to insist that he was an unrepentant heretic. Meanwhile, R’

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

out the controversy, and he resorted to numerous tactics to ensure that he would not be forced into any kind of hostile rabbinic hearing. As far as R’ Yaakov was concerned, this evasive attitude alone proved R’ Yonason’s guilt. Why would he not agree to a harsh cross-examination if he was innocent? Why was he so frightened of coming face-to-face with his opponents? R’ Yaakov believed he knew the answer. R’ Yonason was acutely aware that if he was ever subjected to penetrating questions that he might be unable to answer, as opposed to the soft, respectful questions of deferential rabbis who held him in high esteem, his Sabbatianism would immediately be revealed for all to see. It was R’ Yonason’s unwillingness to appear before his accusers and the consequent presumption of guilt that underlined R’ Yaakov’s ferocious attempts to destroy R’ Yonason’s reputation and see him unseated from his position. It was inevitable that two distinct camps would emerge among the European rabbinate – one group that presumed R’ Yonason’s guilt but could not formulate an effective strategy to deal with it, and the other group that presumed R’ Yonason’s innocence but were seemingly unable to find any way to silence his critics. It was at this point that R’ Yechezkel Landau stepped into the picture. Much later in his career R’ Landau would become famous as Chief Rabbi of Prague and as author of the scholarly work Noda BiYehuda, but in 1752 he was the relatively unknown 39-year-old rabbi of Yampol, a small town in Ukraine 1,000 miles from Hamburg, who had never met R’ Yonason Eybeschutz or R’ Yaakov Emden. For some unknown reason R’ Landau felt compelled to resolve the epic dispute that had erupted between these two rabbinic titans, both of whom were old enough to be his father. To that end he sat down and wrote a long “letter of reconciliation” suggesting a compromise solution where both R’ Yonason and R’ Yaakov, along with all their supporters, could walk away with their pride and reputations intact. The letter was diplomatically

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

38 Yonason’s supporters rallied to his cause and hundreds of rabbis responded to his request for letters of support, that he published in 1755 as part of a book called “Luchot Edut” which also recorded his version of events. R’ Yaakov continued to publish regular attacks against his nemesis, and in 1760 the controversy gained a new lease of life when R’ Yonason’s younger son, Wolf Eybeschutz, declared himself a Sabbatian prophet and was then exposed as a close friend to a number of known heretics. As a result of this incident R’ Yonason’s yeshiva was closed down, never to be reopened. Even R’ Yonason’s death in 1764 did not end the controversy. R’ Yaakov continued to publish his attacks and to maintain that Sabbatian heresy remained a very real threat to every Jewish community. R’ Yaakov’s death in 1776 and subsequent burial in close proximity to R’ Yonason as a result of R’ Landau’s halachic ruling finally brought the personal

dispute to an end. Ultimately it was R’ Landau’s resolution that was the blueprint for future generations. R’ Yonason’s incredible scholarship, as recorded in the numerous works that were mainly published after his death, are mainstays of Jewish learning to this day, principally as a result of R’ Landau’s suggestion that if someone is in every sense a devout Jew and an exemplary rabbi, unverifiable aberrations ascribed to him must be completely disregarded. R’ Yaakov is equally venerated as an exemplary rabbi who fought a valiant battle against a man he regarded as a dangerous heretic, and his works on Talmud, halacha, and prayer continue to be widely used and respected. Before concluding this series we must address the questions that have hovered in the background throughout this dramatic saga: In the final analysis, was R’ Yaakov right? Was R’ Yonason really a Sabbatian? If he was a Sabbatian, did

he actually pose a danger to normative Judaism? There are multiple answers to all these questions, but nothing conclusive or definitive. What is absolutely clear is that R’ Yaakov truly believed R’ Yonason was a Sabbatian, and he believed R’ Yonason was a subversive who needed to be ousted from his job and from Jewish life. And R’ Yaakov was not alone. Even among those who supported R’ Yonason there were rabbis, like R’ Landau, who were not convinced of his innocence, although they offered their support because they believed that the campaign against him was very damaging to Jewish life, and therefore supporting him was the lesser of two evils. Throughout the saga R’ Yonason was tactically very smart, bettering R’ Yaakov and his supporters at every stage, but his camp’s overall strategy was ill considered and often counter-productive. In the belief that his reputation far outweighed

any attempt to malign him, R’ Yonason refused to take his interlocutors seriously, and he constantly sought to neutralize them without engaging them directly, which only infuriated them more. Of course hubris is not proof of guilt, nor can some of R’ Yonason’s more ridiculous claims vis-à-vis the amulets be used to condemn him. And yet it is a sad fact that he died without having conclusively shaken off the cloud of suspicion that hung over him. But ultimately whether or not he was a Sabbatian sympathizer is a question that has no relevance today. Both he and R’ Yaakov Emden, despite the vicious polemic that so scarred their lives, are considered two of the most prominent rabbinic scholars to have graced us with their presence and scholarship in the early modern era.

Rabbi Pini Dunner is the Rav of Young Israel North Beverly Hills in California.

Renovations Additions New Construction

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME JUNE 23, 2016

Things Change BUT, HERE, WHAT REALLY COUNTS

Remains the Same Welcome to an extraordinary seniors community offering exceptional Assisted Living services and industry-leading Memory Care programs honoring your loved ones and their treasured Jewish traditions. Here, our wellness and lifestyle programs ensure family relationships are supported and cultural connections remain strong.

Yes, things change. But there’s one place where the important things remain the same.

H EART O F

Copies of Dr. Miller’s new English language sefer, “Shulchan Baruch,” an elucidation of Shulchan Aruch Choshen Mishpat simanim 1-74 are still available. Many haskamos. Send your $40 check to

Call Sherri Zaslow at 410-318-8000 for a Private Tour Sherri Zaslow, Executive Director 7218 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD www.PeregrineTudor.com PIKESVILLE

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE Meat

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

We feature our own: ON-SITE SYNAGOGUE COMMUNITY RABBI VISITATIONS BALTIMORE’S ONLY STAR K CERTIFIED KOSHER COMMUNITY FULL CALENDAR OF ENGAGING ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Forgotten Her es

JUNE 23, 2016

World War II Deceptions Part I

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

By Avi Heiligman

A ‘dummy’ aircraft

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

nowledge is a very powerful weapon on the battlefield. Understanding the enemy and properly “sizing them up” can be the difference between victory and defeat. If the enemy is confused as to the intentions of the other side it can be advantageous. During WWII, the Allies, in particular the U.S. and British, went to great lengths to deceive the Axis of their intentions. Leading up to D-Day, June 6, 1944, was a plan called Operation Fortitude. Other deception techniques including using “turned” undercover agents, decoys and camouflage, and fictional units. Two years before the landings in Normandy the Canadians attempted to land in France with devastating results. Half of the 6,000 man force at Dieppe were casualties or captured, and the rest were forced to go back to England. German officers were aware that the landings were going to take place and prepared their troops for the invasion. In order to prevent another catastrophe like this from happening at Normandy, a whole operation called Fortitude was put into action to fool the Germans as to where and when the landings would take place. Luftwaffe (German Air Force) reconnaissance planes were able to

see a large buildup of tanks, vehicles and supplies in the surprisingly undefended southwest England. British coastal command planes let them come in and take aerial photographs which were then sent to the German high command who interpreted them as an attack build up for the north of France. In reality, the tanks were just blow up versions of the real thing but weren’t discernible from the air. They were purposely put there to fool the reconnaissance planes. Tons of bombs were dropped on the Pas-de-Calais region of France to convince the Germans that the attack was to take place there and not Normandy. False landings, empty boats getting near the shore, as well as pre-bombardment raids, were staged at beaches in northern France while the actual landings took place hundreds of miles to the south. This convinced the Germans that the Allies were only staging a diversionary attack at Normandy and for several weeks after D-Day kept vital reserves protecting an invasion that never happened. These units could have had serious effects on the Allied landing but were kept out of the fight. An entirely made-up army group led by one of the most feared Allied generals was part of the operation prior to the landings. The First U.S.

Inflatable tanks fooled the enemy

Army Group under General George Patton was to attract German attention away from the real armies building up in other parts of England. Patton was to take control of the very real Third Army seven weeks into the invasion but was being reprimanded by Eisenhower for slapping a soldier in Sicily. Patton commanded fake tanks, radio traffic and radio broadcasts for months before taking command of the Third Army. The army group did a lot of its “magic” with captured German agents that were now under the orders of British handlers telling them to send fake messages to England. Paratroopers were sent in behind enemy lines in the wee hours of June 6. The Germans were convinced that many more had landed than were actually there and had no clue that the American and British paratroopers were scattered. This was in part due to small dummy figurines equipped with helmets and parachutes dropped way behind German lines. For several hours the Germans had no clue where the Allies had been dropped which gave the Allies time to regroup. The whole operation was a success because 150,000 soldiers and hundreds of the best tanks in Europe were kept out of the fight until mid-August.

Capturing German spies and agents was a tall task. Having them work for the Allies was the brilliant work of the British under the Double Cross System. Under the British Security Service, otherwise known as MI5, every single Abwehr (the Nazi spy agency) spy in England was known to the British. After being caught and interrogated, the British gave them the ultimatum of sitting in a jail cell or working as a double agent. Using secret codes, including the Enigma machine that had been broken, the agents sent false message back to Berlin under the guidance of the MI5. To make the information even more believable, some of the messages contained true facts but were useless once they reached Nazi hands. An example of this was detailed – and all true – information on the Allied landings in North Africa but due to a series of “delays” the messages only reached Berlin after the landing had actually taken place. This made the agents’ messages even more valuable to the Germans. One of the agents, codenamed Garbo, told his superiors in the Abwehr that he had a whole network of spies and more agents should not be sent into England. This, of

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

John Moe & Tor Glad - a.k.a. Mutt & Jeff - were Norwegian spies who worked for the UK and MI5 and were members of the Double Cross System

fewer casualties.

During the V-1 Flying Bomb and V-2 Rocket launches against England, the turned agents reported that the warheads had landed in places that were actually not attacked at all. This information caused many of the bombs and rockets to be aimed at less populated areas and caused

Insight

Operation Fortitude and the Double Cross System were two of the major Allied deceptions during the war. Many other smaller operations, including break off missions in conjunction with the Normandy land-

ings, will be discussed in part II of WWII Deceptions. Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.

Make your message heard. SOME OF OUR RECENT CLIENTS: AHAVAS YISRAEL

BALTIMORE

ALEH AST DEFEASANCE

ISRAEL LOS ANGELES

DEL. SANDY ROSENBERG ANNAPOLIS

NER YISROEL KOLLEL

GANEI HA’ELA

OHEL AVRAHAM

BALTIMORE

TALMUDICAL ACADEMY

BALTIMORE

ISRAEL FOREVER

BEIT SHEMESH INTERNATIONAL

BE A MENCH

JERUSALEM

BEIT TOVEI HA’IR

JERUSALEM

JEWISH ADVOCATES FOR DEAF EDUCATION

BEMAALEI SHIR

JERUSALEM

LEMA’AN ACHAI

CHAMBER OF THE HOLOCAUST MOUNT ZION

CHESED FUND

Results Staiman Design

BALTIMORE

BEIT SHEMESH

MARYLAND SMART METER MARYLAND AWARENESS MIS SUPPORT

BOCA RATON

STAIMAN.COM 410-580-0100 info@staiman.com

WASTE PROFESSIONALS

BALTIMORE

ORLANDO

WEALCATCH INSURANCE BALTIMORE WHITE GLOVE NURSING

QUEENS

YESODEI HATORAH

BALTIMORE

ZEMER ORCHESTRA

BALTIMORE

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGN Creativity

JUNE 23, 2016

course, was false but the Abwehr believed it hook, line and sinker. The Double Cross System was also very active during Operation Fortitude and was a key factor in making the German high command believe that the main landings were to take place in the Pas-de-Calais.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

TJH !

You gotta be

Three mothers were sitting around comparing notes on their exemplary offspring. “There never was a daughter more devoted than my Judy,” said Mrs. Kramer with a smile. “Every summer she takes me to the Catskills for a week, and every winter we spend a week in Miami Beach.”

Centerfold kidding “That’s nothing compared to what my Joy does for me,” declared Mrs. Stein proudly. “Every winter she treats me to two weeks in Miami, and in the summer two weeks in the Hamptons, in my own private guest house.” Mrs. Geleibter sat back with a proud smile. “Nobody loves her mother like my

Suzy does, nobody.” “So what does she do?” asked the two women, turning to her. “Three times a week she gets into a cab, goes to the best psychologist in the city, and pays him a hundred and fifty dollars an hour – just to talk about me.”

As you plan your summer vacations (because TJH is off next week), here is a list of real U.S. places for your personality type:

Personality

Town

Not the type to defend yourself ......................................................................................... Coward, South Carolina Gun lover ................................................................................................................................... Cut and Shoot, Texas Never got over the childhood desire to step in puddles ............................................ Spunky Puddle, Ohio Loves fire.................................................................................................................................... Pyro, Ohio Likes monsters ......................................................................................................................... Frankenstein, Missouri

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Good with constructing words .......................................................................................... Scrabble, West Virginia Great at snapping your fingers (because everyone is good at something) ......... Snapfinger, Georgia Stormchaser ............................................................................................................................. Storms, Ohio Likes swinging from trees ................................................................................................... Tarzan, Texas Doesn’t like doing things straight ..................................................................................... Zigzag, Oregon Loves a pastrami on rye ........................................................................................................ Sandwich, Massachusetts Administers lie detector ....................................................................................................... Truth or Consequences, New Mexico Likes cholent ............................................................................................................................ Beans, New Hampshire Screams a lot ............................................................................................................................ Screamer, Tennessee Not one to have a good time............................................................................................... Dull, Ohio Loves getting mosquito bites.............................................................................................. Mosquitoville, Vermont Loves people ............................................................................................................................. Loving, New Mexico Asks lots of questions ............................................................................................................ Why, Arizona Sees through things ............................................................................................................... No Mirage, California Always successful ................................................................................................................... Neverfail, Tennessee

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

2. According to the U.S. agricultural statistics what three fresh fruits outsell all others during the course of summer? a. grapes, blueberries and peaches b. peaches, watermelon and tomatoes c. tomatoes, watermelon and lemons d. blackberries, blueberries and coconuts

5. What happens to the Eiffel Tower in the summer? a. It gets a few inches taller b. Heat index goes up to 170 degrees c. It is closed every day from noon to 3PM for clean-up of all the trash left around d. Due to bacteria from smelly tourists, it has to be cleaned with rubbing alcohol every night

3. In the U.S. which of the following observances does not take place in the summertime? a. National Sandwich Month b. National Ice Cream Month c. National Barbecue Month d. National Watermelon Month

6. When was the beach ball invented? a. 1896 b. 1938 c. 1967 d. 1981

Wisdom Key: 5- 6 correct- Celebrate with some coconut juice! 3-4 correct- You are like a New York summer…not too hot, not too cold 0-2 correct: Let me guess: “I hate the summer…I love the cold weather.”

this?

A 6-foot tall magician had a water glass and was holding the glass above his head. He let it drop to the carpet without spilling a single drop of water. How could he manage to drop the glass from a height of six feet and not spill a drop of water? See answer below

Answer to riddle: It was empty.

Riddle me

Answers: 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. A- On July 10, 1913, it was 134 degrees in Death Valley, California. 5. A- The Eiffel Tower expands approximately 6 inches during the summer. This is largely due to the fact that steel contracts when it’s cold and expands when it’s hot. 6. B- Beach balls are believed to have been invented by Californian Jonathon DeLonge in 1938. The original beach balls are thought to have been about the size of a hand.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

4. What was the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth? a. 134 degrees b. 147 degrees c. 152 degrees d. 167 degrees

JUNE 23, 2016

1. The English word summer developed from what ProtoGermanic word for the season? a. Sumaraz b. Zimer c. Sama d. Bumhot

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Summer Trivia

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Notable Quotes JUNE 23, 2016

“Say What?!”

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Two thieves stole $16,000 worth of iPhones from a New York Apple store by dressing as Apple “Geniuses.” Police are on the lookout for two “Actual Geniuses.” - Conan O’Brien

We talked about the presidential election and debated our views of the candidates that were running – he liked Hillary Clinton and I liked Bernie Sanders. - Mohammed A. Malik, in a Wall Street Journal essay about his friendship with the Orlando terrorist

Socialism failing to work — as it always does — this time in Venezuela. You talk about giving everybody something free and all of a sudden there’s no food to eat. And who do you think is the richest person in Venezuela? The daughter of Hugo Chavez. Hello! Anyways, 0 and 2…

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

- Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers announcer Vin Scully, on a tangent during the broadcast of the Dodgers game last Friday

Donald Trump celebrated his 70th birthday today. And I guess instead of blowing out his candles, he just insulted them until they put themselves out. “You’re too hot! You smell like wax! You’re the worst part of this cake!” - Jimmy Fallon

We’ll make sure that people know how to turn this stuff off should we get to that point. - Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google parent company Alphabet, talking about the possibility of artificial intelligence becoming evil

The FDA says it found “serious health violations” at some Whole Foods stores and actually sent Whole Foods a warning letter. In response, Whole Foods shredded the letter, mixed it with some kale, and is now selling it for $18 a pound. – Jimmy Fallon

Microsoft purchased LinkedIn for $26 billion. In other words, that’s $1 for every LinkedIn invitation you deleted from your inbox. But I’m going to say this: if bothering you with constant annoying e-mails is worth $26.2 billion, my grandparents should be trillionaires. – James Corden

I do regret calling her Pocahontas, because I think it’s a tremendous insult to Pocahontas. - Trump, when asked on Fox News whether he regrets calling Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) Pocahontas

MORE QUOTES

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Liberals have to stop insisting that the world is the way they want it to be instead of the way it is. After the San Bernardino attacks ... I heard all over the TV, everybody was saying, “If only Americans knew more about Islam they wouldn’t be so afraid.” Actually, it’s the reverse. - Bill Maher, HBO

-Conan O’Brien

Barack Obama is directly responsible for [the Orlando attack] because when he pulled everybody out of Iraq, al-Qaeda went to Syria, became ISIS. And ISIS became what it is today thanks to Barack Obama’s failures, utter failures, by pulling everybody out of Iraq, thinking that conflicts end just because we leave. So the responsibility for it lies with President Barack Obama and his failed policies. I predicted at the time that ISIS would go unchecked and there would be attacks on the United States of America. It’s a matter of record. So he is directly responsible. - Sen. John McCain (R-AR)

– Ibid., after his comments drew a backlash

The British are about to vote on whether to exit the European Union. They call it the Brexit, which, in America, of course, is the meal between breakfast and exiting breakfast. – Steven Colbert

In one area alone, Obama and his administration have created a vacuous and dangerous vocabulary of euphemisms — violent extremism, man-caused disasters, overseas contingency operations, a largely “secular” Muslim Brotherhood, and so on. Such nomenclature only confuses Americans about the dangers that they face from radical Islam while emboldening Islamists, who can suspect that if we are afraid to call them what they are, then we may also be defensive about their bogus grievances against the West. Neither ISIS and al-Qaeda nor the relatives of Omar Mateen and Rizwan Farook, the San Bernardino killer, have shown any gratitude to the U.S. for its politically correct tiptoeing around who is blowing up, beheading, and shooting whom — and why. - Victor David Hanson, National Review

I believe Mark Twain has rolled over in his grave so much for so long, that this news won’t disturb his peace. — Bill Murray, who will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

World’s worst hangover. — British astronaut Tim Peake on what it feels like to come back to Earth after spending six months in space

MORE QUOTES

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

I misspoke. I did not mean to imply that the President was personally responsible. I was referring to President Obama’s national security decisions, not the President himself.

For seven years, Barack Obama has not deigned to explain to the American people why he abhors terms like radical Islam, Islamic terrorism, and Islamist, unlike European leaders and most Americans. Obama certainly in the past has had no problem with using far more sweeping and generic categories — for example, dressing down millions of Pennsylvanians as know-nothing clingers, or Christians in general for their purported centuries of “high-horse” sins. His administration has stereotyped and provoked plenty of groups, from supposedly parasitic entrepreneurs who did not build their own businesses to a nation of supposedly cowardly non-minorities.

JUNE 23, 2016

The FDA has approved a device for weight loss that sucks the food out of your stomach through an abdominal incision. Or, you could just try a salad some time.

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

46 In Virginia recently, a computer crash wiped out a decade’s worth of U.S. military data. However, this morning, the Chinese government called and said no problem, we backed it up. – Conan O’Brien

Harley-Davidson announced this week that they plan to introduce quieter electric powered motorcycles within the next five years. Get ready to see motorcycle gangs brawling over who gets to plug in at the outlet outside a biker bar first. – James Corden

Sources say LeBron James might skip the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. You know Rio is in bad shape when you’d rather spend the summer in Cleveland.

Yale University’s being pushed to modify a poetry course because students have complained that the content is too white. Students objected specifically to a poem called, “Ode to a Lost Prius in the Whole Foods Parking Lot.”

MORE QUOTES

- Conan O’Brien

The Jewish Home | OCTOBER 29, 2015

– Conan O’Brien

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

We are in the midst of a hell-like heat wave on the West Coast. The temperature hit 112 in Beverly Hills yesterday. That’s dangerous. Many residents of Beverly Hills are made of materials that melt at temperatures like that. – Jimmy Kimmel

Experts say the best thing you can do in heat like this is take a screenshot of the weather app and post it to Facebook. That way if you die, you go out with some likes. - Ibid.

Congrats to Chelsea Clinton, who welcomed her second child over the weekend. After the birth, Bill brought flowers, while Hillary brought a focus group to help name the baby. – Jimmy Fallon

According to the Social Security Administration, the most popular baby names in 2016 are Noah and Emma. Least popular baby names? Donald and Hillary. – Jimmy Fallon

Real Estate

Submitted by: Ben Schwartz | Founder VacancyFillers.com which is filled with water, take steps to keep mosquitoes away from them. There’s a type of bacteria, known as bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, which kills mosquito larvae. Adding these types of products to your pooled water can prevent the formation of new mosquito populations.

1. Empty containers. You’d be surprised how many plant pots, garbage can lids, buckets, dog or cat bowls, and other knickknacks can collect water from rain, hoses, or sprinklers. And since mosquitoes can lay their eggs in just a fraction of an inch of water, these hidden liquid containers make perfect nesting grounds for mosquito families.

5. Spray infested areas. Insecticides come in a variety of different delivery methods, from hand- or power-spraying to yard foggers to time-release misting systems. Many of today’s mosquitofighting products use ingredients that are easier on the environment than their predecessors.

3. Clean out your gutters. If leaves, pine needles, and other debris are clogging your gutters, rainwater may puddle in certain spots. Gutter cleaning and vacuuming can remove this potential gathering spot for mosquitoes. 4. Treat your watery areas. If you have a swimming pool, water feature, birdbath, or other area

7. Check into mosquito traps. There is a wide array of traps available for small or large yards as well as patio areas or decks. They can be powered by electricity, propane, or batteries — and they let you know they’re working with each “zap.”

10. Use your smartphone. Believe it or not, there’s an app for an Android or iPhone that emits an ultrasonic sound which is bothersome for mosquitoes. However, it also affects household pets, too — so use it judiciously.

8. Explore other repellent devices. Instead of traps, you can aim to keep the bloodthirsty pests away altogether with misting fans, pyrethrin thermacell units, or other mosquito-repellent devices. These can be turned on just before you need them or left out in the yard for long periods of time.

Are you wasting time, money and patience trying to find a tenant for your vacant property? Are you constantly being distracted from you family and career, and stressed because you are not getting results from your current placement efforts? VacancyFillers. com can help! We are your one-call tenant placement solution! For more information, please visit: www.vacancyfillers.com or call 443.333.1853

9. Build a bat house. Bats eat

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

2. Maintain landscaping. Standing water can also be a problem in your yard (especially if you have kids who run through sprinklers or play with outdoor water toys), so you should fill in lower areas with dirt so water won’t accumulate there. Of course, it’s easier to see these problem spots if your yard is mowed, bushes are trimmed, and landscaping is weeded.

6. Use natural means. If you still are leery of dealing with chemicals, then try some natural alternatives like citronella candles in high-traffic areas. Also, planting rosemary, marigolds, and catnip can often help to keep those pesky

insects away.

mosquitoes and other insects, so you may want to invite the winged mammals over by constructing a home for them atop a high pole. This is an especially attractive option for very large yards or multi-acre properties.

JUNE 23, 2016

With summer arriving, it’s an excellent time to invite friends, neighbors, and relatives over to your home for fun, recreation, and merriment. However, you probably don’t want the guest list to include mosquitoes. So here are 10 ways that you can make your yard mosquito-proof for during the summer months.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

10 Ways to Mosquito-Proof Your Yard This Summer

The Jewish Home | JUNE 23, 2016

Health & F tness

Prepping Mom and Dad to Empower Your Child for the Best Summer Ever

JUNE 23, 2016 THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

By Hylton I. Lightman, MD, DCH (SA), FAAP

chools and homework are winding down and camps are gearing up. Sorry, my dear parents, your summer vacation from parenting never really happens. In reality, there’s never a vacation from parenting. But you already know that. It’s important, though, to prepare your child so that he can enjoy a “win-win” this summer. Whether it’s overnight or day camp, your child will be changing clothes in close proximity to others. I hope and pray your children’s camps have guidelines for changing times. This should be included in a child protection policy and code of conduct developed by the camp which the camp’s professional heads have communicated to all staff and trained accordingly. Further, if a child was touched inappropriately, Heaven forbid, what is the camp’s policy for addressing it? How is such a situation reported? How will the camp deal with a predator of any age? Rooms that are on camp grounds that are not required for camp activities should not be accessed. The rooms required for activities should be clearly seen and easily accessed. During camp activities, doors should be kept open. Preferably, camp staff should be working in pairs. This is an ideal time to instill or re-instill in your child a respect for his body as well as respecting his peers for their bodies. It’s also an appropriate time to discuss that no person should ever touch or examine his private parts unless it is a physician or other health care professional and only with

a parent in the room. Sometimes, intuition can tell us when another person’s vibe is projecting something off kilter or danger might be lurking. Encourage your child to listen to his “gut feeling” and keep away. Your child may want to discuss these feelings with a trusted staff member.

Summertime equals sun time and it’s crucial that our children (and all people) use sunscreen in order to be protected from the sun’s harmful rays, no matter how wonderful sunning may feel in the moment. Sunscreen use can help prevent skin cancer which any person can get, regardless of age, gender or race. Of course, the

Children are at greater risk for dehydrating because their bodies do not cool down as efficiently as adults.

Camps have zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. Again, if, Heaven Forbid, drugs or alcohol is found in camp, what is the camp’s protocol for addressing such behavior? I urge you to discuss this with your child in advance of camp so that he is prepared in case he encounters the drugs or alcohol. Some suggested language: “I love you very much and want only the best for you which means that you are safe at all times. It is possible that you may see people indulging in drugs and alcohol. I won’t be physically present but I hope and pray that you will exercise your free will to walk away and never touch the stuff. You are helping others by reporting it to the camp. Please know that I love you and you can talk to me about anything.”

first and best line of defense is to cover up and to remain in the shade as much as possible between 10 am and 3 pm. Sunscreens should offer broad-spectrum protection, Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 and higher, and water resistance. Teach your children to apply, apply and apply, especially after swimming. Instruct counselors how they can help as well with younger children and applying. Sunscreens are also for cloudy days. Brimmed hats are also a good avenue for sun protection (Borsalinos not necessary) as are some of the contemporary swim cover-ups available. Summertime equals water. Water is fun but it means following the rules. Swim only where it is clearly marked. This includes pools, lakes and oceans.

Hopefully, your child’s camp has a strong swim program. Investing in swimming lessons is a fabulous way to empower children. Speaking of water, a win-win summer entails encouraging your children to hydrate at every opportunity with water. Children are at greater risk for dehydrating because their bodies do not cool down as efficiently as adults. Make sure your child has access to cool drinking water at all times. Speak with them about scheduling hydration breaks. Before prolonged physical activity, a child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced: For example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz. of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 90 lbs, and 9 oz. for an adolescent weighing 130 lbs. This holds true even if the child does not feel thirsty. Sugary drinks are not recommended as they can aggravate dehydration. Sorry kids, my own included. In summary, having healthy boundaries and a sense of self, being able to communicate, applying sunscreen and hydrating will go long ways to assuring a great summer for each child. Most important of all – you daven and your child davens. It’s all up to Hashem.

Dr. Hylton Lightman is a pediatrician and Medical Director of Total Family Care of the 5 Towns and Rockaway PC. He can be reached at www.totalfamilycaremd.com, on Instagram at #lightmanpeds or visit him on Facebook.

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Health & F tness

By Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Say Goodnight to Overeating

JUNE 23, 2016

uals for 8 nights. The participants slept 8.5 hours for four nights and 4.5 hours for another four nights. The researchers found that the participants ate 400 calories more per day on days when they were sleep deprived. Researchers credit this response to an imbalance in the endocannabinoid system. The endo-

imbalance in the hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin. Leptin causes us to be less hungry, while ghrelin induces hunger. When one is sleep deprived, the body produces more ghrelin so the body is getting more hunger signals than usual. At the same time, less leptin is being produced so one is not getting cues when

What causes us to eat more when we don’t get enough sleep?

cannabinoid system is involved in the rewards-pleasure feelings. When sleep deprived, there is an increase in the endocannabinoid system, causing one to crave pleasure. When we’re tired, we look for a quick fix; something to make us feel better. What’s the number one thing we turn to? Food! Research has found that lack of sleep causes individuals to snack more in the evening and consume larger portions during mealtime. Sleep deprivation also causes an

full. Additionally, studies have found that being awake for a longer period of time naturally leads to an increase in energy expenditure which results in overeating. Sleep is not only essential for the diet, but for overall health. Aside from overeating and eating unhealthy foods, researchers associate lack of sleep with an increased risk of developing Type II diabetes, weakened immunity, weakened cognitive function, and increased impulsiveness. Try heading to bed early

enough before you get overtired, but not too early when you’re not tired at all. Shut off all electronics that are brain stimulating – that means shut the phone, iPad, laptop, and TV. Create a bedtime ritual so your body recognizes when it’s time to unwind. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day to get your body used to a sleep schedule. Most importantly, watch what you eat as bedtime approaches. Avoid caffeine and large meals past a certain time. The last step is to close your eyes and let the dreams begin.

Cindy Weinberger MS, RD, CDN, is a Master’s level Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist. She graduated CUNY Brooklyn College receiving a Bachelor’s in Science and Master’s degree in Nutrition and Food Sciences. Her Dietetic Internship was completed under Brooklyn College primarily in Ditmas Park Care Center and Boro Park Center where she developed clinical and education skills to treat patients with comprehensive nutrition care. She is currently a dietitian at Boro Park Center and a private nutrition consultant. She can be reached at Cindy Weinberger1@gmail.com.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

good night’s sleep kicks off a successful day. Adults require 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Teens need at least 9 hours of sleep each night. School-aged children need at least 10 hours of sleep each night. Preschoolers need to sleep between 11 and 12 hours a day. Newborns need to sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day. What happens when we don’t get enough sleep? Aside from being cranky and groggy, I’m sure many of us know this feeling all too well: we get the munchies! It’s not just a theory. Science has proven that lack of sleep causes the body to cook up a recipe for weight gain. When you’re short on sleep and tired, it’s easy to rely on a large latte to give you energy. You might probably also be tempted to skip your workout and get takeout for dinner. Skimping on sleep leads to bad decision making which generally results in poor health decisions too. It’s OK if this happens occasionally, but when lack of sleep starts to get out of hand, so does the weight gain. Aside from the poor decisions, lack of sleep actually generates a bigger appetite. What causes us to eat more when we don’t get enough sleep? University of Chicago studied 14 individ-

76 46

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

Dating Dialogue

What Would You Do If… Moderated by Jennifer Mann, LCSW of The Navidaters

Dear Navidaters,

Six months ago I was set up with Rachel. We went out ten times and I thought everything was going great. We had very meaningful conversations and it seemed to me as though we agreed on all the important stuff. Just as I was having serious talks with my parents about my intention to propose to Rachel, she ended things. I was caught very off guard and to say that I was shocked is an understatement.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

When I asked Rachel why, since I thought everything was going along so nicely, she was very vague about her reasons and basically just said that she wasn’t feeling it and that although she thought very highly of me, she felt certain that I wasn’t her bashert. I was heartbroken. I was so drawn to Rachel in every way. I felt she ended things harshly and didn’t really give me much of a reason for ending things. I found myself feeling angry at her and coming up with reasons why she wasn’t so terrific after all. I knew she was dating quickly thereafter, because she actually went out with someone I know. They only went out a couple of times, but I was very uncomfortable hearing about it. Recently, I received a phone call from the shadchan who originally set us up and she told me that Rachel was interested in giving our relationship another try and wanted to know if I would be willing to go out with her again. I really don’t know how to respond. First off, I’m still feeling some anger toward Rachel for dropping me like a hot potato. I’m still feeling insulted over the whole thing. But also, I’m afraid that if I do go out, once again, I’ll grow to have very strong feelings for her and who is to say that she won’t pull the same stunt on me again? I’m wondering how the panel feels about “revisiting” an old relationship?

The feedback from our readers has been remarkable. In order to facilitate further discussion, you can now continue the conversation anonymously on our website. Every Sunday, we will upload the weekend’s most recent edition of What Would You Do If to the dating forum at thenavidaters.com. Join The Navidaters and your fellow TJH readers in a comprehensive dialogue with regard to dating, relationships and marriage. The forum will be moderated daily for everyone’s comfort and safety. See you there! Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise offer resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, but to offer areas of exploration for the author and reader. Due to the nature of the column receiving only a short snapshot of an issue, without the benefit of an actual discussion, the panel’s role is to offer a range of possibilities. We hope to open up meaningful dialogue and individual exploration.

The Panel

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

Sarah Schwartz Schreiber, PA

irst and foremost: park your anger at the door. Yes, we know, your ego is bruised because Rachel dropped you like a “hot potato” – without rhyme or reason. At the same time, this is the same young woman with whom you shared so much in common, so much excite-

Just so you know: prior to getting engaged, no two people register the same number on the Ga-Ga-Richter scale.

ing out months before but one of the two broke it off. I would say definitely go ahead and give it another try, be optimistically cautious, and don’t harp on what happened last time. Realize it was HaKodesh Baruch Hu’s way of saying it was just not the right time. Ask the shadchan if she has any insight on why it didn’t work

The Shadchan & Dating Coach Michelle Mond

hey say that just as important as being set up with your bashert is being set up with you bashert at the right time. Sara and Doniel (names changed) went out seven times, really connected, but just like the girl in your story, she dropped him like a “hot potato.” She couldn’t think of a real reason to end it besides not completely feeling it. The truth was, though, she didn’t have much to compare him to and didn’t realize until dating more guys that some of her “needs” were really “wants” and were hard to come by. Like many girls, she went into the parsha with her long list and Disney image, expecting that everything would be there with the right one right away. However, when she didn’t have it with Doniel, she felt it

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

The Mother

was right to end it and did so. Only after dating a few more guys, and maturing through those new dating experiences, did she come to the realization that what she had with Doniel was truly special. She realized that it’s a big deal to find someone she was attracted to, who treated her well, whose hashkafos were in line with hers, and who she could laugh with and that there was a lot of potential. Thank G-d he gave her another shot when she re-approached the idea a half a year later, because they ended up getting engaged the second time around and are now happily married! This happens way more often than you think. Many times people don’t know when a couple gets engaged that they had actually tried go-

JUNE 23, 2016

eople revisit relationships. But there has to be openness, not just a skillful shadchan. It’s hard to start where you left off because there was no openness the first time. Rachel was not open with you about why she broke it off and you were left without closure and with a lot of anger and other unresolved feelings. My concern here is not about whether you should or should not revisit this relationship. My concern is focused on your capacity to deal with your feelings and your emotional health. Get some help to discuss this and to explore why you feel you may develop feelings for her again and get dumped again. Are you insecure? Why didn’t you insist on some closure? People do meet and have a conversation together in order to break up. It’s only fair if you have invested in a relationship. There may be other things going on with you. I think that if Rachel is interested in going out with you again and did not bother to apologize for the way she ended things during round one, she does not know how relationships work and she is treating you shabbily. Forget about her. You should, however, explore why you are even considering this. You are in touch with your feelings of anger and fear but you need to work on what’s beneath them.

ment, that you were prepared to pop the question. Just so you know: prior to getting engaged, no two people register the same number on the Ga-Ga-Richter scale. After ten dates and hours of meaningful conversation, you may have registered a 10 for enthusiasm while Rachel topped off at 7.6. You felt ready to commit; Rachel needed more time and space. Maybe her hesitation was over some “narishkeit” – your height, hair color or wardrobe. Maybe guy number two (your erstwhile friend) was waiting in the wings and sounded more enticing on paper (although disappointing in person). In any event, be flattered – he didn’t measure up to you. So now Rachel’s asking for a second chance. Be kind. Be open. And do not demand an explanation for the sudden breakup (unless you want your feelings hurt all over again). Maybe on your tenth anniversary you can ask Rachel “why?”

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

The Rebbetzin

OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

out last time if that could give a clue as to how it could be more successful this time around. If it’s truly meant to be, we look forward to hearing a mazel tov from you in the near future. If it doesn’t work out, it was good that you did your hishtadlus and tried and feel no regrets. Hatzlacha!

The Single Irit Moshe

feel for you and can certainly relate. I recently went

through a very similar situation. First off, love and dating is a risky business but I do believe it is well worth the risk because the rewards could be huge and life evolving. Yet, only you will know if the risk is worthwhile or not in each case. I know people who have given a second chance on a shidduch who didn’t have a substantiated reason why they stopped in the first place but ended up going out again and got married and are now happily married and raising a family together. I also know people who wouldn’t risk their heart being broken again. Timing is also important when

Pulling It All Together The Navidaters Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

h boy! Everyone and their mother is going to have an opinion on this one. I predict there will be two divided camps. In the first camp you will find the following thoughts and notions: Give the relationship a second chance. She is young, maybe she got cold feet. The same thing happened to my friend’s brother’s sister-in-law’s neighbor and she is married happily ever after! What if she is the one? You will regret not exploring the opportunity to rekindle with her for the rest of your life. Don’t leave yourself wondering “what if…” In camp number two you will be met with the next set of notions: She left you once, she’ll do it again. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. If she didn’t have the courtesy to break up with you in a dignified manner, then she is not ready to get married. Move on. Both camps make very good sense, which is why you can listen to no one. You will have to listen to your heart and follow your intuition. I appreciated all the advice of

the panelists, but I especially cared for Rebettzin Horowitz’s insight. Rebbetzin Horowitz honed in on your feelings, your emotional well-being, your role in the end of the relationship, if any, what your expectations are for your relationship, and your own value and self-worth. I don’t have much to offer you with regard to moving on and dating other women, other than to wish you luck. I can offer you some insight regarding revisiting this relationship. If you decide to go for it, I respectfully disagree with any panelist who suggested parking your feelings at the door and not looking back. A healthy relationship requires a healthy foundation. You wouldn’t build a house on a rotten foundation. Anything you bring into the home – beautiful flooring, chandeliers, the finest marble and all of your sacred possessions – can potentially fall through the floor due to the rotten foundation. If you begin to date Rachel and

dating. You may have the right person who has been presented to you, but the timing may be off and then a shidduch will not work. Sometimes, you need space from one another in order to miss what you had and fully appreciate it. I happen to be an optimist when it comes to dating and if a person seems to prove they have just cause to take a risk once again, then I believe one should give it another chance. But I caution you to protect yourself in order to not have your heart broken again. While being open with this woman make sure you protect yourself until you feel it’s safe to be completely vulnerable. She can do some of

pursue a future together, you must lay a solid foundation in which your current feelings get the attention and resolution they deserve, as do hers. If you find there is no resolution to be had, then you can build a healthy, solid foundation with someone else. Nowadays, it seems the catchphrase “TMI” is everywhere. For those of you who aren’t familiar, TMI stands for “Too Much Information.” Say I share something very personal, or maybe disgusting, someone might say to me, “TMI, Jen.” In the case of you and Rachel, I am making up a new catchphrase: “NEI.” Not Enough Information. Your story ended rather abruptly with very little, if any, explanation. If you and Rachel have any shot at a “do-over,” Rachel has to willingly take accountability for her behavior and express sincere regret over the pain she caused you. And you will have to be open to truly hearing her reasons. If she says something about your behavior in the relationship, you must be willing to be open to the feedback. I believe that you need to be open and honest with her about the pain she caused you, and the anger that you struggle with, and even your uncertainty to start up again. And ultimately, you will have to forgive her and move on. Somewhere along the way the

In the case of you and Rachel, I am making up a new catchphrase: “NEI.” Not Enough Information.

the work to be that safe person, but she will have to start from scratch in order to prove that she can be trusted with your heart. The choice is ours. I wish you the best of luck!

two of you stopped communicating, or perhaps there was never good communication. For you the breakup was a “sucker punch.” What was the breakup for her? Was it a long time coming? Was she struggling with the relationship all along while you had no idea? Marriage is a lifelong conversation, even when we are not in the mood to chat … and trust me, there will be times when you are not in the mood to chat. I can feel the married people reading this and shaking their heads in agreement. So, if you decide to move forward, start chatting. If you can’t chat alone, then bring yourself, Rachel and the chat to a therapist’s office, who will help the two of you communicate the needs and feelings that weren’t said in the past and help set you up for a healthy relationship in the present. Good luck! Sincerely, Jennifer

Esther Mann, LCSW and Jennifer Mann, LCSW are licensed, clinical psychotherapists and dating and relationship coaches working with individuals, couples and families in private practice in Hewlett, NY. To set up an appointment, please call 516.224.7779. Press 1 for Esther, 2 for Jennifer. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email thenavidaters@gmail.com.

Dirshu By Chaim Gold

HaRav Chaim Feinstein

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

“To see the face of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, beaming with joy and nachas as he participated in the siyum on Seder Nashim with the Daf Yomi organized by Dirshu was something that I will never forget,” exclaimed Rabbi Avigdor Berenstein, a senior member of hanhalas Dirshu. “Rav Chaim is often stoic but it was clear at this siyum as we sang the hallowed words of “Kad Yasvin,” that he was deeply moved. In fact, his grandson, who accompanied him to his home after the siyum, said that his joy, a manifestation of his simchas haTorah, was evident long after he had returned home. The Dirshu siyum on Seder Nashim in Eretz Yisrael was the primary Daf Yomi siyum attended by Gedolei Yisrael from across the spectrum, who celebrated the milestone accomplishments of lomdei Daf Yomi and hailed the lomdei Dirshu who take monthly tests on the Daf Yomi. “In 25 Years… I have Never Seen a Maamad Like This One!” The siyum began in a large tent erected in front of the home of Rav Chaim Kanievsky. It then continued with more than 3,000 in attendance at

the municipal auditorium in Beitar Illit and its environs where an overflow crowd gathered to share in the simcha. Rabbi Yosef Heisler, a member of the Beitar community commented, “I am living in Beitar for more than 25 years and Baruch Hashem I have merited to participate in numerous major gatherings in town. Nevertheless, I have never seen a maamad like the Dirshu Daf Yomi siyum on Seder Nashim celebrating the limud haTorah of lomdei Daf Yomi.” Rav Chaim Kanievsky: Not Just Run Through The Daf, But Learn The Daf! Held on Isru Chag Shavuos, the siyum began with a visit by the Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter, to Rav Chaim Kanievsky at the latter’s home. Rav Chaim expressed his great satisfaction on being updated on Dirshu’s myriad activities to promote limud haTorah. With regard to the siyum on Seder Nashim, Rav Chaim said that the main thing is that a person should not just run through the daf, but learn the daf to know the daf. The first part of the siyum with Rav Chaim, was attended by over 30 Daf Yomi maggidei shiur from Beitar, together with the hanhala of Dirshu. Rav Yitzchok Schreiber, the chairman of the event, began the festivities by pointing out that the very fact that the siyum was being held together with the Sar HaTorah shows how much importance he attaches both to the siyum and to Dirshu’s efforts to promote limud of Daf Yomi. The siyum was made by Daf Yomi Maggid Shiur, Rav Moshe Tuvia Weisberger, Rav of Kehal Yereim in the

have achieved. The only way we can fight against today’s considerable yetzer haras is through true yegiah in Torah.” “Please Don’t Learn Daf Yomi Like One Learns Daf Yomi…!” The main guest speaker was HaGaon HaRav Michel Zilber, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Zvhill and perhaps the most prolific Daf Yomi maggid shiur in the world. Rav Zilber smilingly told the assemblage, “I am asking you, please don’t learn Daf Yomi like one learns Daf Yomi, learn Daf Yomi in order to learn it and know it!” Rav Zilber went on to say that, “it is no coincidence that the siyum is being held on Isru Chag Shavuos. Certainly during the course of Shavuos all accepted upon themselves the mandate to add both quality and quantity to their limud haTorah. That will certainly manifest itself with even greater dedication to yedias haTorah in the course of Seder Nezikin.” Rav Zilber also urged all to make a daily seder in learning mussar and sefarim that encourage yiras shomayim, because that is the key to ensuring that one’s Torah will be preserved.” “The Shaliach Sent by the Ribono Shel Olam to Strengthen Torah in our Times!” Dirshu had the great zechus to have the participation of numerous Roshei Yeshiva and Admorim, including the Boyaner Rebbe, shlita, the Lelover Rebbe, shlita, the Zvhiller Rebbe shlita, the Nadvorna Rebbe of Beitar, shlita, and virtually every Rav in the city. In his powerful remarks, the Rav of Beitar, Rav Ordendtlich, who came with mesiras nefesh, exclaimed with heartfelt emotion, “I think that never, in the history of Klal Yisrael, has there been an organization and program that has so brought bracha to Klal Yisrael such as Dirshu! Indeed, his words were reminiscent of similar words said by HaGaon HaRav Dovid Schustal,” shlita, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood, who was in Toronto the week before Shavuos to participate in the Lakewood-Toronto Shabbos of Chizuk. There he said, “Dirshu has been the shaliach sent by the Ribono Shel Olam to strengthen Torah in our times!”

JUNE 23, 2016

Partial view of the participants at the Dirshu Siyum

HaGefen neighborhood of Beitar. The Alexander Rebbe, shlita, was then honored with saying Kaddish. Rav Yishai Elfenbein, a Daf Yomi Maggid Shiur at Yeshivas HaRan, beautifully explained the first Mishnah in Bava Kama. The entire first part of the siyum was shown by live hookup to the thousands in Beitar who had gathered in the large auditorium there. A climax of the first part of the siyum was the powerful drasha given in the presence of Rav Chaim Kanievsky by HaGaon HaRav Chaim Feinstein, shlita, Rosh Yeshivas Bais Yehuda. Rav Feinstein explained that, “the siyum is not just the simcha of lomdei Daf Yomi or lomdei Dirshu, rather it is a siyum in which all of Klal Yisroel are partners. Every Yid accepted the Torah on Shavuos and thus all Torah learning and certainly such a Torah accomplishment like a siyum on an entire seder has a direct positive impact on the entire Klal Yisrael!” The entire assemblage then broke out in a spontaneous rendition of “Uvau chulam b’vris yachad…” while accompanying Rav Chaim Kanievsky with singing and dancing as he returned to his home and his Gemara. The Importance of Toiling in Torah All of the maggidei shiur and the members of Dirshu’s hanhala continued on to the large siyum in Beitar which was addressed by two of Beitar’s most senior Rabbanim, HaGaon HaRav Dovid Tzvi Ordentlich, shlita and HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Tupik, shlita. They both spoke about the importance of creating even more than the existing 30 shiurim in Beitar and gave special thanks to Dirshu and its Nasi, for being an organization at the forefront of promoting limud haTorah and accountable learning of Daf Yomi in particular. Rav Dovid Hofstedter was then called upon to deliver a drasha. Rav Hofstedter explained that to achieve a true kinyan in Torah it is not sufficient to go through the Daf just to say, ‘I have another Masechta under my belt.’ In order to have a true kinyan in Torah a person must toil and work hard. This is what Dirshu Kinyan Torah learners

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Rav Chaim Kanievsky and Other Gedolei Yisrael Participate in Dirshu Daf Yomi Siyum on Seder Nashim in Eretz Yisrael

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

Between the Lines

Complaining Bad By Eytan Kobre

Complainers change their complaints, but they never reduce the amount of time complaining. - Mason Cooley

A B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

JUNE 23, 2016 | The Jewish Home

man once joined a monastery whose monks were permitted to speak only two words per year, and those only at a private, year-end audience with the presiding abbot. Of course, the monks were expected to use their two words to further some spiritual purpose or espouse some eternal truth. But at the end of his first year, all the man offered was, “Bed hard.” At the end of the second year, he said, “Food bad.” At the end of the third year, “No heat.” At the end of the fourth year: “I quit.” “I can’t say I’m surprised,” replied the abbot. “Ever since you got here, you’ve done nothing but complain.” That must’ve been the way G-d viewed the Jewish people en route to the Land of Israel. They lacked fresh

water (Shemos 15:23-24; Erchin 15a). The Egyptian food was better and more varied (Shemos 16:3; Bamidbar 11:4-6). They lacked meat (Shemos 16:8-12). Even the manna –the ultimate food – wasn’t good enough (Rashi, Bamidbar 11:7). It tasted as the eater wished (Yoma 75a). It produced no bodily waste. It cost nothing. It required no preparation. Hey, it probably was calorie-free. And still they complained. Actually, the complaining started before all that. One could see the trend developing as early as the splitting of the Yam Suf, when the Jewish people “rebelled at the sea at Yam Suf” by complaining about the accumulation of mud on their shoes (Medrash, Tehillim 106:7). Then they said to one another, “In Egypt we had clay, and now in the sea again clay; in Egypt we had mortar and bricks, and now in the sea again mortar and bricks” (Shemos Rabba 24:1). Here was perhaps the greatest miracle ever, and what’s their reaction? Our shoes are getting muddy. More mortar and bricks? It is no surprise therefore that the Jewish people “were like complainers bad in G-d’s ears” (Bamidbar

11:1). We are not told what the complainers complained about because, in truth, they had nothing to complain about – they just wanted to complain (Rashi, Bamidbar 11:1; Sifri, Bamidbar 84). The complaints were pure pretext. That’s why they were only “like complainers” – not bona fide complainers – as they had no legitimate complaints (Seforno, Bamidbar 11:1). Often, the dissatisfaction about which people complain emanates from a deeper place – an inner void? – and the complaint is just an expedient outlet (Ma’or v’Shemesh, Bamidbar 11:1). Chronic complainers are actually unhappy with themselves, and they project that dissatisfaction in the form of unending and sometimes unreasonable complaints. They choose to complain about things that, from a different perspective, might not be complaint-worthy at all. There once was a poor man who lived with his wife and six children in a tiny oneroom house, with scarcely enough space to breathe. When he could stand it no more, the man complained to his Rebbe about how miserable things were at home.

“Do you own any animals?” asked the Rebbe. “Yes,” the man responded. “I have a cow, a goat, and some chickens.” The Rebbe seemed pleased. “When you get home, gather all the animals into your house.” The poor man was confused but did as the Rebbe directed. The poor man returned to the Rebbe the next day. “What have you done? Things are worse than before. Now there are animals all over the house!” The Rebbe nodded knowingly. “Go home and take the chickens back outside.” The poor man did as the Rebbe said but returned the next day. “The chickens are gone, Rebbe, but the goat is wreaking havoc on everything in sight!” “Good,” said the Rebbe. “Now go home and take the goat outside.” So the poor man went home and took the goat outside. He was soon back before the Rebbe. “What a nightmare! With the cow, it’s like living in a barn!” “You’re right,” replied the Rebbe. “Go home and take the cow out of your house.” The next day, the man re-

turned with a grin. “Rebbe! The animals are all out of the house. It’s so quiet and we have room to spare!” There are people who complain about everything. You know who they are. They’re at home. They’re at work. They’re your neighbors. They’re in shul. But wherever they are – whatever the circumstances – they can’t help but complain about anything and everything. This is no good, and that’s no good. You should be doing this, and he should be doing that. This should be done that way, and that should be done this way. It never ends. That’s not to say there aren’t legitimate complaints. There are. Complaints rooted in a desire to help people, to come closer to G-d, or to right a wrong can be constructive. Those who were ritually impure and unable to bring a Pesach offering, for example, complained and inspired the concept of Pesach Sheini (Bamidbar 9:7; see also Bamidbar 27:4). Without complaining, one learns to accept the status quo – even when the status quo is unacceptable. Complaining can sometimes be a force for progress. That’s good complaining. But when

55 bitter; the people were bitter. The people complained because they had become complainers. And, of all the ill-effects of complaining, perhaps the most deleterious

“Me? How would I know? I have nothing to complain about.”

is that complaining transforms one into a complainer. Then, as Cooley recognized, it is only a matter of what to complain about – but the complaining never ends. Non-complainers, on the other hand, always find a way not to complain, even when there might be ample

to endure suffering without complaints. “Me? How would I know? I have nothing to complain about.” * * * A Russian Jew who wanted to immigrate to Israel was summoned by the authorities for questioning: “Haven’t we allowed you the right to worship in your Synagogue?” he was asked. “Can’t complain.” They pressed further. “Haven’t we let you live in peace with your fellow Jews?” “Can’t complain.” “Haven’t we allowed you to travel freely within and beyond your village?” “Can’t complain.” “Haven’t we let you practice your profession?”

“Can’t complain.” “Then why do you want to go to Israel?” “There, I can complain!” Complaining is one of our collective shortcomings (Pesikta d’Rav Kahana 17). But nothing in life is perfect. Complaining is unlikely to improve your situation, but it is almost sure to turn you into a habitual nitpicker. So, when encountering life’s inevitable imperfections, do something about them. Fix them. Walk away from them. Accept them. Just don’t complain about them.

Eytan Kobre is a writer, speaker, mediator, and attorney living in Kew Gardens Hills. Questions? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail eakobre@outlook.com.

JUNE 23, 2016

Complainers always find something to complain about. So when the Jewish people complained that they could not drink the water on their journey from Egypt to the Land of Israel “because they were bitter” (Shemos 15:23), the Kotzker Rebbe explains that the water wasn’t

reason to. A man suffering from many misfortunes once complained to his Rebbe. The Rebbe told him, “I cannot tell you how to cope with your suffering,” the Rebbe advised, “but the rebbe Reb Zisha can. Go see him.” When the disciple arrived at Reb Zisha’s house, he was shocked to find a dilapidated shack leaking like a sieve, with a dirt floor, no heat, and no furniture. The scene only worsened when Reb Zisha came to the door. He was covered in unsightly boils, and he was wearing rags. The disciple grew even more despondent over the pitiful scene. Reb Zisha was bewildered when the disciple explained that he was referred by his Rebbe to ask how

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

the complaint lacks true substance – when it is habitual or trumped up – the complaint is “bad” (Bamidbar 11:1). There’s a world of difference between the two.

Luxurious Vacation Rental Home in Orlando Florida This House Has It All !!

Let homeour be your homeDISNEY from away h todayome !

PRIVATE POOL HOME!

Nightly rates as low as $155/night + Tax. Weekly rates as low as $975/week + Tax.

Email MickeyVacationHome@gmail.com or call 410-929-4738 for more information & availability

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Come stay in your very own 4 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Dr. Deb

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

The Key Element of Narcissism By Deb Hirschhorn, Ph.D.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

“M

elissa, I did it for you!” Leon was saying. “Yeah,” Melissa countered. “You wanted to win me over so you could ‘have’ me. You wanted me for your little pet.” Leon was aghast. He didn’t know what to make of this strange accusation. They were dating and he gave her a lovely bracelet. They were already talking about getting engaged; it’s not as if they didn’t have a relationship. It made no sense to him, so he tried again. “I was showering you because you deserve to be showered!” Leon said exuberantly. He thought that should do the trick, but it did not. Melissa reminded him of a time that they were making plans to go out. She wanted to play miniature golf and that just didn’t appeal to him. He had humored her at each and every

outing they’d planned and didn’t see a problem with simply saying he wasn’t fond of miniature golf. “Maybe another tine,” he had said. Melissa had been crestfallen, really disappointed. What Leon now learned is that she was holding this one incident over his head as “proof” that he didn’t really love her or care for her. Therefore, if he was giving her a gift now, it was not out of love and generosity but out of a desire to use her, like a puppet on a string: He could be “mean” and then cover it up later with gifts. At least, that is how Melissa saw it. When they came in for a session of pre-marital counseling, Melissa was a bit taken aback when the therapist asked her, “So if you got to do what you wanted each and every other time you went out, would you call that selfish?” But she answered quickly enough, “Not at all. The

man is supposed to take care of the woman, and when they’re dating, he’s supposed to indulge her.” “In the 21st century?” the therapist asked. “Yes!” Melissa said quickly. “And does that rule hold up after marriage, too?” the therapist wanted to know. Melissa thought about it. “It’s like this,” she said. “Let’s say a woman has a career that she finds fulfilling. Then obviously, she is in a financial position to contribute to the household, so that is fine.” “But if they needed more income and the sort of work she could do was not so fulfilling, then what?” “Maybe the husband would have to work two jobs,” she offered. You may think that Melissa was just old fashioned. I don’t. I think if she were the man in this relationship, she would have found a different way to rational-

ize her position. No, it is not gender bias; it seems to be narcissism. Not only isn’t Melissa playing fair – what could be called selfish – but she doesn’t see anything wrong with her position. She is unable to see the world from another perspective. That is a dead giveaway that we are dealing with a case of narcissism. What’s more, she presents the rationale for her position so logically that anyone’s head would be spinning. Leon could be forgiven for thinking, “Maybe she’s right! Women are to be taken care of!” If that were so, then whatever happened to the eizer in eizer k’negdo? She’s supposed to be helping him in his job here on Earth. And she would naturally get fulfillment out of being part of a successful team. The fulfillment surely can come from the sort of work you do, but it doesn’t have to.

What fulfillment does a parent have who must attend to a sick child? And what if that child is chronically in need of care? Then what? On the one hand, the job is tiresome and painful. On the other, the fulfillment would come from the caregiving itself. But ask Melissa that question later on when she becomes a mother. She might say that’s what nannies are for. Nothing wrong with nannies, but is there a point when she chips in? Is there a point when she feels a sense of accomplishment because she gave some TLC to that child? Narcissists don’t have to do too much reflection about these sorts of choices, either. They make their decisions based on what is good for them and they’re done. If someone else questions their behavior or they just don’t like the other person’s position, that other person is automatically

57 practice in reflecting, when things go wrong in life he or she would not be likely to wonder whether there were any lessons to be learned. As a therapist, I would

she would have to be motivated to learn how to see the world from other people’s points of view. Often, that motivation comes from a spouse who is fed up with

the armor. The narcissist truly loves his or her spouse. The narcissist appreciates qualities in the spouse that he or she lacks. Perhaps at some level he really does

Without having been taught to consider another person’s position, they are not capable of it.

the status quo. Now, here is the really interesting question: If a narcissist is content to see the world through his or her own eyes and is not empathetic to others, then why would this narcissist care if the spouse is fed up or about to leave? And that is the chink in

want to connect. After all, it is the human condition to be connected to others. So it makes sense that the possibility of that loss really is motivating. I had an argument with someone the other day. His position was that there is such a thing as mental ill-

Dr. Deb Hirschhorn is a Marriage and Family Therapist. She can be reached at 646-54-DRDEB or by writing drdeb@drdeb.com.

JUNE 23, 2016

not give up on a person. If Melissa came to me unhappy because Leon decided not to go ahead with the engagement, I would certainly try to help her see herself more objectively. I would roll up my sleeves – if she was willing to do the work. The tricky part is that

ness and mine is that there is not. His was that we all have limitations and we cannot always overcome them. He gave an example of athletic prowess. My response is that of course we have limitations, but let’s not stick a label on someone and say they cannot make some progress on those limitations. I say anyone can take steps in the right direction. If they want to. Or if someone motivates them sufficiently.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

wrong. It’s easy. And egocentric. Not having ever been asked as a child, “Well, how do you think your friend, Shoshie, feels now?” they have no experience in seeing the world from another person’s position. Had they been asked that simple question every time they would quarrel with a friend, the outcome would be vastly different: They would be capable of shifting perspectives; they would be capable of empathy. Without having been taught to consider another person’s position, they are not capable of it. People say that narcissism is incurable. Because the narcissist is not able to stand in another person’s shoes and has had no

Are you looking for a different, entertaining, & fun party event for your next Bat-Mitzva, Birthday, or Shul gathering? Bring “Painting pARTy” to your next event! We make art accessible to people who don’t consider themselves artists, or creative in any way, by offering step-by-step instructions to create a masterpiece of your own out of a blank canvas. BOOK YOUR EVENT TODAY!

RUBY LASKER

404-40 6 -47 3 2

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Facebook @ PaintingParty RubyLaskerDesigns@gmail.com

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

88 52

JUNE 23, 2016 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home

In The K

tchen

A Taste of Kosher Taste By Amy Stopnicki

Baby Arugula and Sweet Potato Salad This is a perfect salad to eat for lunch on a weekday or as a first course for a brunch or even an elegant dinner party. It’s especially nice when served plated individually, topped with the sweet potatoes and cashews. If you don’t have sweet potatoes you can replace them with sautéed red peppers.

INGREDIENTS

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Salad  2 cups cubed and roasted sweet potato  2 Belgian endives, cleaned and checked, sliced thinly  6 cups baby arugula, cleaned and checked  1 ⁄3 cup dried cranberries  ½ cup cooked quinoa  ½ cup chopped roasted cashews Dressing  ¼ cup red wine vinegar  ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil  1 teaspoon sugar  Salt and pepper to taste

PREPARATION In a large mixing bowl, combine all the salad ingredients except cashews. In a small jar or cruet, combine all the dressing ingredients. For a sweeter salad add another 2 teaspoons of sugar to the salad dressing. Pour dressing over salad and toss well. Add cashews and serve.

. m . a 8 • 6 1 0 2 , 8 1 r e b m e t p e S , y Sunda k l a W n u F y l i m a F le i M 1 , n u R K 0 1 / K 5 on Walter & n a m r e H e th g Benefitin l Children’s Hospita

JUNE 23, 2016

s d i K r u O r o f e c Ra

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

t i s i v r o 8 3 4 4 1 0 6 Call 410rg o . s d i k r u o r o f e c a r www.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

: Amenities include 0K) (1 s e iz r p h s a c in ■ $4,100 ■ Chip-timed race hirt s l a ic n h c te e v e le ■ Long-s ce party a r ts o p t a le b a il ■ Kosher food ava

102

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

JUNE 23, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Political Crossfire

Trump is Running as Trump. Surprise! By Charles Krauthammer

hen in his 1964 GOP acceptance speech Barry Goldwater declared that “extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice,” a reporter sitting near journalist/historian Theodore White famously exclaimed: “My God, he’s going to run as Barry Goldwater!” Six weeks into Donald Trump’s general election campaign, Republicans are discovering that he indeed intends to run as Donald Trump. He has boasted that he could turn “presidential” – respectful, respectable, reticent, reserved bordering on boring – at will. Apparently, he can’t. GOP leaders who fell in line behind Trump after he clinched the nomination expected, or at least hoped, that he would prove malleable, willing to adjust his more extreme positions and tactics to suit a broader electorate. Two problems. First, impulse control: Trump says what he actually feels, whatever comes into his head at any moment. Second, a certain logic: Trump won the primaries Sinatra-style, his way -against the odds, the experts and the conventional rules. So why change now? “You win the pennant,” Trump explained, “and now you’re

in the World Series – you gonna change?” Hence his response to the Orlando terror attack. Events like these generally benefit the challenger politically because any misfortune that befalls the nation gets attributed, fairly or not, directly or indirectly, to the incumbent party (e.g., the 2008 financial collapse). And Hillary Clinton is running as the quasiincumbent. The textbook response for the challenger, therefore, is to offer sympathy, give a general statement or two about the failure of the incumbent’s national security policy, then step back to let the resulting national fear and loathing, amplified by the media, take effect. Instead, Trump made himself the (political) story. First, he offered himself unseemly congratulations for his prescience about terrorism. (He’d predicted more would be coming. What a visionary.) Then he went beyond blaming the president for lack of will or wisdom in fighting terrorism, and darkly implied presidential sympathy for the enemy. “There’s something going on,” he charged. He then reiterated his ban on Muslim immigration.

Why? Because that’s what Trump does. And because it worked before. It was after last December’s San Bernardino massacre that Trump first called for a Muslim ban. It earned him lots of opprobrium from GOP leaders and lots of support from GOP voters. He shot up in the polls, never to descend until he clinched. So why not do it again? Because the general election is a different game. Trump assumes that the Republican electorate is representative of the national electorate. It’s not. Take the Muslim ban. Sixtyeight percent of GOP voters support it. Only 38 percent of Democrats do. And there are approximately 7 million more Democrats in the country. (Independents are split 51-40 in favor.) The other major example of doing what’s always worked is the ad hominem attack on big-dog opponents. It worked in the primaries. Trump went after one leading challenger after another, knocking them out sequentially. Hillary Clinton is a lousy campaigner but her machine is infinitely larger and more skilled than any of Trump’s 16 GOP competitors. More riskily, Trump is now going toe-to-toe with a sitting president.

Barack Obama is no Jeb Bush. He’s not low energy. He’s a skilled campaigner who clearly despises Trump and relishes the fight. And he carries the inestimable advantage of the gravitas automatically conferred by seven and a half years of incumbency. Moreover, he now enjoys an unusually high approval rating of

kickoff. His two-week expedition into racism in attacking the Indiana-born “Mexican” judge. His dabbling in conspiracy, from Ted Cruz’s father’s supposed involvement in the Kennedy assassination to Vince Foster’s (“very fishy”) suicide. All of which suggests, and cements, the image of a man who shoots from the hip and

“You win the pennant,” Trump explained, “and now you’re in the World Series – you gonna change?”

around 53 percent. Trump’s latest favorability is 29 percent (Washington Post-ABC News). It’s no accident that Trump’s poll numbers are sliding. A month ago, when crowned as presumptive nominee, he jumped into a virtual tie with Clinton. The polls now have him losing by an average of six points, with some showing a nineand 12-point deficit (Reuters/Ipsos and Bloomberg). This may turn out to be temporary, but it is a clear reflection of Trump’s disastrous general election

is prone to both wild theories and extreme policies. Reagan biographer Lou Cannon thinks that the Goldwater anecdote is apocryphal. How could anyone (even a journalist) have thought that Goldwater, who later admitted he always knew he would lose, was going to run as anything but his vintage, hard-core self? Same for Trump. Give him points for authenticity. Take away for electability. (c) 2016, The Washington Post Writers Group

108

JUNE 16, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Your

Money

By Allan Rolnick, CPA

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Have a Coke and a Tax

JUNE 23, 2016

previously in Philadelphia. Only one place, famously progressive Berkeley, California, has succeeded. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg actually banned drinks larger than 16 ounces before a state court doused the rule. (Grateful Gothamites fondly remember it as “Bloomberg’s $#*@ing Big Gulp ban.”)

nity schools, and renovating parks, community centers, and libraries. School funding advocates and public health officials are all for it. New York’s Bloomberg has joined the fray in support. But naturally, Kenney’s proposal has drawn opponents. You’ll be shocked to learn that the American Beverage Association

But if you’re one of the millions who look somewhere besides coffee for your daily caffeine fix, it would be a constant reminder of the government’s power to tax

Now Philadelphia’s Kenney is hoping the third time will hit the sweet spot. But this time, he’s coming at it from a different direction. He’s not positioning it as a public health measure or using it to fight obesity or diabetes. He’s just looking to reinvest some of the soda companies’ profits into the communities where the biggest customers live. The $400 million would go towards funding universal pre-kindergarten, creating commu-

has spent $2.6 million to oppose it. (They poured $9 million down the drain fighting the Berkeley referendum.) Local Teamsters oppose it, too, arguing that flat soda sales will cost jobs. And plenty of city residents feel squeezed enough already — for example, there’s already a $2 per pack tax on cigarettes that helps fund local schools. Political infighting is fierce, and council members are looking at a

whole menu of alternatives. One council member proposed a 15 cent tax on beverage containers, designed to hit the people who drink mineral water and fancy kombucha teas just as hard as the people who guzzle Mountain Dew. She also introduced a “healthy beverages tax credit” to encourage stores to stock drinks worth drinking. Others are considering taxing (gasp!) diet sodas. But time is running out — council has to pop the top on a final budget by the end of June. We realize that a three-cent tax on an ounce of soda won’t get in the way of your financial goals. But if you’re one of the millions who look somewhere besides coffee for your daily caffeine fix, it would be a constant reminder of the government’s power to tax. We never forget how destructive that power can be, and that’s why we work so hard to give you a plan to pay the least amount possible — and avoid the unpleasant surprise of a “shook-up” can!

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

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

hen most of us hear the word “tax,” we immediately think “IRS.” It’s natural to associate those three-letter words with each other (even if “IRS” is an acronym and not a word). But our friends at the IRS are hardly the only tax collectors with their hands out for your money. State and local governments love need money too, and they don’t have as many options for raising it as Uncle Sam. So every now and then, someone makes headlines with a plan to tax something new. Philadelphia’s incoming mayor Jim Kenney is the latest local official to propose quenching his city’s fiscal thirst with a new tax. His inaugural budget would impose a three cents per ounce tax on soda, juices, iced tea, and other sugary drinks. The mayor claims the measure would raise $400 million over the next five years. The issue has even bubbled up into the presidential race — Hillary Clinton supports the tax, while her challenger Bernie Sanders condemns it as disproportionately harmful to the city’s poor. This isn’t the first time governments have tried carbonating their revenue by taxing soda — since 2008, 40 similar taxes have been rejected around the country, including twice

118

JUNE 23, 2016 | The Jewish Home

Life C ach

What’s Your Happiness Tied To? By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

JUNE 23, 2016

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

pparently Paysach Krohn said something like, If your happiness is tied to an event or something happening, then you are always waiting to be happy. Let’s say the event doesn’t happen or it takes longer to happen than you want? Let’s say it happens eventually, and you spent all that time unhappy for nothing. Let’s say once it happens, you decide, wait, now I’ll be happy if this other thing happens. Can you see how this happiness thing can continue to elude you? I guess that’s why they say happiness is a state of mind. Maybe like Maine or South Carolina, you have to decide to go there. And you have to decide to stay there even if you feel like you have no business being

there. Perhaps once you are there, if you take the time to look around, you’ll discover there are some worthwhile things to do. Did you ever bang your

hurts you and nothing out of the ordinary is happening, how are you? On a day when something hurts you or something out of the ordinary happens, are you

ter. It can always be worse. Attempt to hang your hat on the moment hook. What can I do in the present moment to deal with the present moment in a way that

But we don’t create the menu. We only make the choices on it.

pinky toe on the corner of a piece of furniture? Not fun. You are so upset with yourself. For those few seconds, you feel like the biggest idiot for not wearing shoes. Then it subsides. Do you go to a place of equilibrium or positive energy? On a day when nothing

miserable, dysfunctional? So how about when you get back to nothing hurting and nothing out of the ordinary happening? Are you joyous and upbeat? Why not? Are you waiting for an event or something to happen? OK, is good. OK, is great. It can always be bet-

gives me an optimistic state of mind? I know that’s a tall order. But we don’t create the menu. We only make the choices on it. Why not go for the house recommendations?! We all have challenges. At times, more challeng-

ing than others. For some, more challenging than others. But can we all see blessings? Can we zero in on the blessings?! Somehow, even in the great events, like weddings, engagements, graduations, new jobs, etc., people can find things to get aggravated about! Can you keep your mind wrapped around the good in the good times? Can you get your mind wrapped around the blessings in the regular times? Can you find some blessings in the tough times?

Rivki Rosenwald is a certified relationship counselor, and career and life coach. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or rivki@rosenwalds.com

Recipies from:

Cooking

forthe

King

www.TheKosherChannel.com

Sloppy Joes Creamy 3-Ingredient Cole Slaw

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

by Renee Rousso Chernin

JUNE 23, 2016

makes 6 servings | Preparation Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Sloppy Joes are simple weeknight dinner everyone will like. Serve with a crunchy salad like the super easy kid friendly Creamy Cole Slaw. makes 6 servings | can make ahead | active time: 3 minutes

Preperation: Combine cabbage, dressing and chili sauce. Toss to combine.

Preperation: 1. Pour oil into a large skillet over medium high heat. Add meat and begin to break it up. Add onion and red peppers to the skillet and cook about ten minutes until the meat is browned. Reduce heat to medium and add ketchup, vinegar, mustard, brown sugar, water, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 to 20 minutes. 2. Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, pile sloppy meat onto toasted bun bottoms and cover with bun tops. Serve with your favorite sides like sliced tomatoes, pickles and sliced vegetables.

B A LT I M O R E J E W I S H H O M E . C O M

Ingredients: 4 cups (or one 14 ounce bag) shredded cabbage Âź cup 1000 Island Dressing Âź cup Asian sweet chili sauce

You'll need: 2 pounds ground beef (or half ground turkey/half ground beef) 1 onion, peeled and chopped 1 green bell pepper, diced 1/2 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons white vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 Tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 cup water 6 hamburger buns, toasted

Experience makes a difference.

Make sure your realtor has it!! Barry Nabozny 410.977.7600

NOBODY SELLS MORE REAL ESTATE THAN RE/MAX.ÂŽ

613 Seconds with

Dr Benjamin Azman 410.581.1000

page 17

1517 Reisterstown Rd., Corner of Old Court Baltimore, Maryland 21208

Premier Associates

See our available homes inside

Premier Associates