Baltimore Jewish Home - 11-30-23 by Moshe Rubin

BJH WISHES YOU A FREILICHEN CHANUKA! Vol. 9 Issue #23 | Nov 30 - Dec 13, 2023 |

‫ א׳ טבת‬- ‫ כסלו‬-‫י״ז‬

S O R A S A LT M A N & A R I O H S I E • L E A H T R AV I S & M O R D Y P O L L A K • R I V K A K E L N E R & T Z V I C R Y S T A L • T Z I P P Y C O O P E R M A N & E L I F A R H Y • T E H I L L A M I L L E R & N E T A N E L G R E E N W A L D • AV I G AY I L W E A L C A T C H & A N D R E W B R E N N E R • K AY L A L O W E N T H A L & H I L L E L K R A I N E S • S H AY N A G O L D F A R B & M O S H E D R U K M A N • A T A R A P E A R & M A T A N A L P E R • E S T I B R I L L I A N T & D O V I D K L U G M A N • G O L D I E G O L D M A N & AHARON DOV LEVY • MIRI REITBERGER & LEVI AKKERMAN • MALKY HOCHBERG & YITZI FELDMAN • LEAH WOLF & SHIMON DEUTCH • S H A N I G E W I R T Z & E L A N P E R C H I K • E L I S H E VA P O L L A K & M E I R D O V I D S T E I N B R E C H E R • C H AV I K A T Z & C H A I M G R AY M A N • C H AYA

Investing H O L L A N D ENo R Man & Z EIs' EAn V Island: S T E I N B E R G • Y A F F A WITS L E A HCareer S T E R Day N & REUVEN RO T H E N B EinR the G •Age E L I of A N N A R A C Z K O Chanukah W S K I & EMinhagim L T Z A F A NNo MOne ARK • RIVKA TEAMADI Runs for imadi

2023

Echo Chambers

Talks About

S C H E L L E N B E R G & AV I L E N C Z • C H AVA F R A N D & YA A KO V M E R K I N • B E C C A B L AV I N & C H A I B Y L E I M A N • N A A M A A R N O R D & M A L K I E L I S H A KO V S H E V I M I L I KO W S K Y & M O I S H E RO S E N S T E I N • C H A N A P E R E L L E N C Z & D A N I E L S T E I N M A N • S H A I N DY T U C H I N S K Y & B E N YO N I M F E L D M A N • R I K K I K A H N & B I N Y O M I N S T E R N • C H AV I C A I N E & YA A KO V D AV I D O W I T Z • S A R A G AY L E R & M I C H A E L K A H A N A • B R A C H A

THIS IS OUR MATC H I N G CAMPAIGN

L A C H M A N & M E I R P E I K E S • S I V I F E I N S T E I N & M O R D E C H A I J A E G E R • E S T H E R N I K N AVA H & G E R S H O N G R O S S M A N • T E M I M A G O L D F E D E R & Y O S E F B A C K E R • S H I F F I E G R O S S & S A A D I A S C H N E I D E R • M I R I A M WA X M A N & A D A M L O M B A R D O • AV I VA S C H WA R T Z & R E U V E N T Y L E R • S H O S H A N A L O W E N T H A L & AV R A H A M C H A I M H U R W I T Z • S H O S H A N A M A R KO W I T Z & E Z Z I D R E B I N • AV I G AY I L Y U D KO W S K Y & U R I E L YOUNG • NECHAMA PALANKER & YONI ROSENSTEIN • RIKKI FELDMAN & AARON MOSS • ESTHER MOND & DONIEL NUDEL • NECHAMA D I C K S T E I N & N A T A N E L A R N S O N • AV I G A I L G O E T Z & B I N Y O M I N L O W E N S T E I N • H A D D A S S A H B A U M & A A R O N L E F KO W I T Z • S H A N A M O S S & AV R O M I S I N G E R • R O C H I E D A N N E N B A U M & C H A I M Z I M A N • A L I Z A E X L E R & AV R A H A M S H U G A R M A N • N A E M A F I S H K I N D & Y E H U D A T E N E N B A U M • R E N A F I N K & Y O N A K A T Z • F A I G A B R A C H A K R AV E T Z & T Z V I P I A S E K • A R I E L L A B A A R S & S H L O M O C H E R N I T S K Y • REENA BACK & SHUA LIEBER • RACHEL HERMAN & SHMUEL MICHAELS • BRACHA HUTMAN & MOSHE

MILEVSKY • SHOSHANA MYERS &

yo u r do n atio n s matc hed so eEet hGe• i SrHmatc NUSBAUM • MICHAL R E I T Bth E Rey GER c & an Z E Vm Y W I S B Et R I F F Y K Ah S T O R & A A R O N H Y M A N • T E H I L A P O R T N O Y & D A N I E L S T E I N • A H U VA LEB

Y O E L G L U C K • B A I L A K A T Z & E F R AY I M G O L D B E R G • A N N A G R Y N S Z T E I N & AV R O H O M M O N D • R A C H E L L I R A P P A P O R T & I S A A C

L E F F & Y A A K O V M E I S E L M A N • H A N N A H G R A Y M A N & Y E H U D A B O R T Z • E T T I E R UZB”I N & S H L O M O I N P O L LO C K • N A A M I W E I S KO P F &

O U R

S H L O M O Z A L M A N N O V I C E • C H AYA S T E I N B E R G & E L I H O C H B E R G • S H I R A R E S N I C K & N O A C H A R Y E H S C H W A R T Z • M I J A L M E N D E L O W I T Z & Z E C H A R I A G O R D O N • T E H I L A G R O S S & Y O S E F L I S T H A U S • YA F F A H O L L A N D & D O V I E C E N S O R • G I L A M I L I KO W S K Y & Y O AV R O T H • TH

B R A C H A W A L D M A N & R A F I M I F S O D • S H AY N A P E R M O S I K & E L I M E I S E L M A N • T E M I M A A M B U S H & A A R O N L O I T E R M A N • S H O S H A N A W E I S S M A N & E L I A N K R I • S I M A A L H A D E F F & YO N ATA N C H A N S KY • H A DA S SA H WO L F & S H M U E L I A LT M A N • TA L I H A R R I S & S H M U E L I

MATCH!

LESHNOFF • RIVKA PRICE & MEIR LASSON • LEAH STRUM & MOSHE CHAIM KREITENBERG • ADINA GREENSPON & REUVEN RUSSEK • S H E V I A L H A D E F & Y O N I K L E I N • AV I VA K A T Z & Y E H U D A L E I B

S T E P H A N S K Y • R E E Z A T E I C H M A N & L I E L H AY U N • YA K I R A G R E E N & L E V I

P R I C E • R I V I G O LO S KO V & E L I B O GA RT • ATA R A S C H WA RT Z & M O S H E RO T H M A N • S H I R A G R E E N WA L D & D A N I E L A LT S C H U L E R • R AC H E L I L E V I T T & A R Y E H F R I E D M A N • Z E H AVA S C H U M A N N & Y E C H I E L R E I S C H E R • L E A H T E N D L E R & N O A C H C O H E N • B R A C H A C O H E N & ZECHARIA

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Contents

Dear Readers,

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THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

COMMUNITY

Around the Community

Community Calendar

Weekday Minyanim Guide

JEWISH THOUGHT Rabbi Zvi Teichman

PEOPLE 613 Seconds

HUMOR & ENTERTAINMENT Centerfold

Notable Quotes

Kids Coloring Contest

LIFESTYLES

More than any other year in recent memory, this year, we can approach Chanukah with a new perspective. The miracle of Chanukah revolves around small overcoming large- the small jug of oil that lasted for eight days, and the Maccabees defeating the mighty Yevanim. The words within ‫ על הנסים‬come to light: ‫גבורים ביד חלשים ורבים ביד מעטים וטמאים ביד‬ ‫טהורים ורשעים ביד צדיקים וזדים ביד עוסקי תורתך‬ You delivered the mighty into the hands of the weak, many into the hands of the few, defiled people into the hands of the undefiled, the wicked into the hands of the righteous, and sinners into the hands of diligent students of Your Torah. How relevant are these words today? We are davening for these exact miracles to happen ‫בימים‬ ‫ ההם בזמן הזה‬- today! In the backward world we live in, the tiny nation of the Jewish people are the aggressors. They blame the problems of the world and of the oppressed on us.

Israel Today

Humor

Mental Health Corner

Tech Triumphs

A Boost of Inspiration

Bikur Cholim

Jewish History

Dating Dialogue

Common Cents

Forgotten Heroes

To Raise a Laugh

Headline & Halacha

Your Money

Moshe Meir Rubin

Recipes

editor@baltimorejewishhome.com

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All we want is to be left alone. Let us live in peace. Yet, the world will never allow that because Jews living in peace means that we’re productive members of society. Our drive to survive motivates us to instill strong family values, education, love, and productivity into our children. However, these values put you on the wrong side nowadays- the side of the oppressor.

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Our productivity is our own worst enemy. The world would rather see us as peddlers pushing our carts and waiting on the welfare lines. Which brings us to where we are today. Jews worldwide have bounced back following the Holocaust. Throughout the world, our contributions to society far surpass our small numbers. Our lives revolve around Torah study and Torah values. And we have Eretz Yisroel as the symbol of our success and ability to grow from the ashes. But we are a small nation, surrounded by nations and societies who hate us. We learn from this week’s parsha that as long as we are in Galus, we will always be despised- ‫עשו שונא את יעקב‬. We can try to explain our position to others but there’s no way a closed ear can hear. They’re louder, more violent, more hateful, and more deceitful. Hamas is now an army of freedom fighters and the Jews are now the Nazis. We need a miracle. And that’s why Chanukah is coming at such an opportune time. Our existence as a People is highlighted by miraculously overcoming insurmountable odds- time and time again. We all believe it will happen again, and we have Chanukah to remind us of that. Wishing everyone a peaceful Shabbos and a Chanukah filled with light, Aaron Menachem

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The Baltimore Jewish Home is an independent bi-weekly newspaper. All opinions expressed by the journalists, contributors and/or advertisers printed and/or quoted herein are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, Internet or another medium. The Baltimore Jewish Home is not responsible for typographical errors, or for the kashrus of any product or business advertised within. The BJH contains words of Torah. Please treat accordingly.

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For every night

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

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Around the Community

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NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Ohr Chadash Academy and Ner Tamid Host SNL!

hr Chadash Academy’s first Saturday Night Learning (SNL) of the year, in partnership with Ner Tamid, was a huge success, with almost 200 people ready to take on Torah learning, and enjoy pizza and raffle prizes! We can’t wait to see children and their parents on December 2 for the next Motzai shabbos of learning!

NO MAN IS AN ISLAND: TEAMADI Runs for imadi Yaacov Singer, TEAMADI Coordinator

n the heart of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge stands as an iconic symbol of connection, spanning the majestic Chesapeake Bay and linking the eastern and western shores of this beautiful state. Once a year, this engineering marvel transforms into a beacon of commitment and unity as more than 20,000 participants gather for an annual 10-kilometer run. This past Sunday, more than 65 participants run the 10-kilometer race in support of imadi, committed to raising awareness for the new organization and the important work that

they’re doing in the community. Founded in 2021, imadi - from

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the Hebrew word for “with me” - is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create an empowered network of support for families facing a complex pediatric health diagnosis. In less than two years, they have grown to support nearly 140 families, are actively engaging more than 200 high school student volunteers, and offer a widerange of multi-disciplinary programming that address the myriad of stressors facing families coping with a child who has a life-threatening or lifelong medical condition. On a brisk Sunday morning in November at 5:00 AM it was admittedly

quite frigid, but there was a fire in our hearts as we huddled together at the Starting Line, ready to show the world how much we care about imadi and believe in their ability to change the landscape of pediatric illness. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Run, stretching over 6 miles with its towering structures and panoramic views of the bay, offers an awe-inspiring backdrop for participants and spectators alike. Running across this engineering marvel is not just a physical challenge but a symbolic journey, reflecting the ups and downs and instability often experienced by families dealing with pediatric health diagnoses. And, like the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, imadi stands as a beacon of stability, hope, and connection for their families. John Donne once wrote that “no man is an island, entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” The Chesapeake Bay Bridge - at least for me - represented that idea. No imadi family is on an island, and no one is alone. Our organization - imadi - is the bridge that connects us to the main.

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NOVEMBER 30, 2023

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Around the Community

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NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Avos Ubanim Kick Off with a Multi-Generational Turnout

his past Motzei Shabbos was the inaugural Motzei Shabbos Avos Ubanim program at Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah. They were honored to be joined by many grandfathers who were excited to learn with their grandson/s. Avos Ubanim takes place each Motzei Shabbos throughout the winter at 7:00pm. Learning, stories, tons of prizes, and pizza!

Alumni Asifa in Eretz Yisroel with Harav Tzvi Berkowitz

n Tuesday evening, Nov. 14th, the Yeshiva hosted an asifa in Eretz Yisroel for alumni at the Ezras Torah Hall in Sanhedria Murchevet. Harav Tzvi Berkowitz delivered divrei chizuk regarding the current matzav in Eretz Yisroel. This was a unique opportunity for talmidim of Ner Yisroel to hear directly from one of their Rebbeim despite being far from the Yeshiva beis medrash.

Panama: A Tropical Kosher Paradise By STAR-K/Margie Pensak

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ooking for a close tropical get-away as the mercury drops? A high of 90 and a low of 76 between late December and April sounds pretty good to me right now! Not only for the Atlantic or Pacific coastal island - or rainforest experience, but for an equally exciting Kosher culinary experience. Welcome to Panama City, Panama! Its 85% kosher-observant community supports multiple shuls, schools, Yeshivos, and a flourishing Kollel. With 30 kosher restaurants, two large impressive Kosher supermarkets, and dozens of kosher industrial sites, Panama is a veritable Kosher “paradise” - and a true model of thriving Torah life. Building on the legacy of Rav Sion Levy, zt”l, the founding Rav of the Shevet Ahim Kehilla, Chief Rabbi, Rav David Perets, shlit”a, leads the community. The Rav, along with Rav Avraham Silvera, shlit”a, signs each kosher certificate.

STAR-K Kosher Certification Kashrus Administrator and Director of Special Projects, Rabbi Zvi Holland, was recently invited by Rav Perets to see Shevet Ahim’s extensive Kosher supervision system led by Vaad Hakashrut Shevet Ahim Panama Rabbinic Coordinator Rabbi David Eshkenazi. He had the opportunity to spend quality time with many of the staff members, including meeting with the shochtim and attending one of the local shechitos. This was not Rabbi Holland’s first visit to Panama’s Vaad Hakashrut Shevet Ahim; Rav Perets first invited him in 2016. Shevet Ahim Kehilla’s connection with STAR–K can be traced back to the many talmidim of Yeshivas Ner Yisroel in Panama, including Rav Perets himself. Rav Perets has been in touch with STAR-K and Rabbi Holland for many years. As for Rav Eshkenazi, on Rav Perets’ direction, Rav Eshkenazi made

(L-R)- Marcos Kassab, Solly Azrak, Rav David Perets, Rabbi Zvi Holland, Rabbi Abraham Silvera, Rav David Eshkenazi

the 2103-mile trip to attend STAR-K’s 16th Annual STAR-K Kashrus Training Program because he aspired to work in the booming field of Kashrus in Panama. Notes Rav Eshkenazi, “The Star K has played a crucial role in the extensive journey of establishing the Vaad Kashrut of Shevet Ahim.” Concludes Rabbi Holland, “A group of six overseers preside over a

network that consists of over 50 mashgichim, shochtim and Kashrus staff, to assure that there is a high standard of Kashrus in Panama... I am sure that Rav Perets invited me with the hope that the local Kashrus professionals could learn something from STAR-K; actually, I learned and gained much chizuk from this special Kashrus team.”

Monday, December 18 5:30 pm | Pimlico Race Track Clubhouse Please RSVP at www.CouncilmanYitzy.com

Dear Member of Our Community,

There is no doubt that Yitzy’s exceptional efforts have surpassed our greatest expectations. His unwavering commitment to our collective safety remains his top priority. He has not only played an instrumental role in passing vital legislation addressing the pressing public safety issues in our city but has also forged invaluable collaborations with local law enforcement that have yielded extraordinary results during times of need. One of Yitzy’s notable achievements is the Yomim Tovim police coverage, which he initiated, now boasting over 25 dedicated law enforcement officers assigned to our community, ensuring our safety during special occasions. Moreover, his establishment of the Baltimore Police Department’s Jewish Collaboration Unit has revolutionized the support our community receives, from daily Shul and school checks to Hachnosos Sefer Torah celebrations and community gatherings. Perhaps one of the most significant accomplishments is Yitzy’s successful securing of funding for a new Police Station to be built at the corner of Northern Parkway and Park Heights. This pivotal development will further strengthen public safety in our neighborhoods.

Avi Bernstein Moshe Boehm Linda & Michael Elman Malka & Sammy Esterson Howard Tzvi Friedman Nechama & Jules Friedman Allan & Debbie Gibber

Yitzy has also shown a keen awareness of previously unknown programs in our community. He quickly established a Kosher summer lunch program, feeding thousands of our children daily during the summer, both at designated locations and summer camps. This initiative also led to the development of the food box program, which provided critical support to our community during the challenging times of COVID-19. Yitzy has also routinely opened doors for Ahavas Yisroel and directly got them truckloads of food and a recent allocation in the city’s budget of $50,000. In addition to these remarkable achievements, Yitzy diligently tends to the everyday needs of our community members, addressing a myriad of constituent service issues and navigating an often challenging bureaucracy. He has also been instrumental in getting numerous roads and sidewalks repaired and replaced across our district. Councilman Yitzy Schleifer’s dedication and accomplishments are extraordinary, and we wholeheartedly endorse him as our councilman. We kindly ask for your support to ensure that Yitzy can continue to lead us towards a brighter and safer future.

Danny & Shana Harris Faige & Mickey Katz Blumie & Jan Loeb Malkie & Stanley Markovitz Laura & Abba Poliakoff Shani & Jason Reitberger Stuart Schabes By authority of: Vote Schleifer, Hillel Soclof, Treasurer.

Moshe Shurin Danielle Sarah & Frank Storch Hillel Tendler Lois & Paul Volosov Malki & Shmuel Wealcatch Sora & Jerry Wolasky

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His tireless efforts have extended to the Glen firehouse, where he reversed a trend of reduced resources and equipment before him being in office, now securing a brand-new fire truck and enhancing the local fire department’s capabilities. Even our cherished annual Chometz Burning is now free of charge to the community, thanks to Yitzy’s commitment to the city sponsoring it.

One of the most striking transformations Yitzy has brought about is the financial support for our community. Historically, we have borne the weight of funding our crucial community organizations independently. Yitzy has singlehandedly shifted this paradigm, securing tens of millions of dollars for our community. Notably, he recently secured a historic allocation of $1,000,000 in the city’s budget for Hatzalah, the most significant contribution they’ve ever received. He has also provided funding for vehicles and supplies for various community public safety organizations.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

We write to you with great enthusiasm and conviction to express our unwavering support for our dedicated councilman, Yitzy Schleifer. Yitzy has proven time and time again to be a remarkable advocate for our community, consistently going above and beyond in his commitment to enhancing our community.

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

Please join us for Yitzy’s re-election kick-off event

Around the Community

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NOVEMBER 30, 2023

WITS Career Day 2023

n Sunday, November 19th, more than 115 women gathered at the Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary & College (WITS) for their highly anticipated annual Career Day. More than just a gathering of professionals and students, Career Day is a dynamic forum where young women gain exposure to diverse fields of work, gain knowledge to make informed decisions about their futures, and cultivate meaningful connections. The Career Day event is designed to provide a broad spectrum of opportunities for students to explore and showcases tried-and-true frum female-friendly career paths. Featuring 37 career options in fields including business, marketing, nursing/medicine, education, software engineering, psychology, dentistry, therapy and more, over 40 women from the Baltimore community and beyond generously gave of their time to share their experiences with the WITS students and local high school seniors, equipping them with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions for a successful future. “The reality of the world today is that most women do have to work outside the home and women do have to learn how to become expert jugglers in order to keep our families as our priority,” shared Rebbetzin Rosenbaum, WITS’ Menaheles, in her opening remarks. She continued with encouraging students to pursue career paths that not only provide a parnassa, but that will bring joy and fulfillment to their lives. “Yes, we need to think about

flexibility, salary and working in a frum-friendly environment. But there are so many different opportunities out there. Pick something that you will love and enjoy, something that suits your personality and your strengths. There is no doubt, that if you are unhappy for even just a few hours a day, it is going to spill over and have a negative impact on your family.” To emphasize the message of being successful in your work while prioritizing one’s identity as a frum woman, participants enjoyed an inspiring video presentation on the remarkable career of Rivka Ravitz, who served as the Chief of Staff for former Israeli president Reuven Rivlin. The presentation demonstrated the incredible impact a frum woman who stays true to her values can have in the world at large. Before students broke off into breakout rooms for the panel discussions for each field, Dr. Klein, WITS’

A Glimpse of Our Very Exciting Day!

he nursery at Toras Simcha enjoys hands on learning and are always enhancing their curriculum with fun and excitement. In honor of learning the letter Ches, they invited a Chaveirim volunteer to talk about the important work that he does. He also brought his truck that the boys got to get a good look at! He then let each boy try on a real Chaveirim vest. Just like the rain doesn’t keep Chaveirim away, it also didn’t damper the joy of our nursery boys!

Academic Dean, urged students to seize the opportunity presented by the day and actively engage with the incredible women at the event. “Remember that, even if someone is not working in your intended field, everyone here has valuable things to say about getting into graduate school, getting your first job, and succeeding in the workplace.” Central to Career Day were the panel discussions featuring 46 accomplished professionals, many of whom were proud WITS alumnae. This ongoing commitment from WITS’ dedicated alumnae has consistently enriched the experience for current students, showcasing the enduring support and mentorship provided by the WITS community. Students were encouraged to move around between the panels to hear from as many panelists as possible sharing valuable insights and a realistic glimpse into the

daily lives, challenges, and rewards as a frum woman in their respective fields. The event concluded with a networking session which facilitated oneon-one interactions between students and panelists, creating a conducive environment for students to ask follow-up questions, seek personal guidance, and form connections with professionals that could potentially shape their future career paths. Career Day was generously sponsored by the Schorr Family/Lev Bracha Philanthropic Fund, “in honor of the women who filter their career choices through a Torah lens.” WITS is a premier post seminary program and college for young women in the Baltimore community and beyond. For more information about WITS, please visit www.wits.edu or call 410-358-3144.

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Around the Community

A Student Recollects: Cherishing A Memorable Shabbos with Rabbi Yisrael Lefkowitz as TA Alumni Reconnect in Yerushalayim By: BJLife Newsroom

he TA alumni of Eretz Yisroel recently experienced a Shabbos for the ages. Our beloved Menahel, Rabbi Yisrael Lefkowitz, came to the Eretz Yisrael to spend the Shabbos night meal with the Oylam, 48 Talmidim, in the Litov Hotel in Geula, Yerushalayim. The occasion kicked off with a wonderful ambiance of achdus and exhilaration for what was in store. Bochurim were seen in every corner of the well-set dining room smiling and laughing with friends. We davened Mincha, and had an unreal ‘Kabbolos Shabos’ lead by TA’s esteemed cantor

- Avrumi Portnoy (Mercaz). The meal then commenced with inspirational Divrei Torah from Rabbi Lefkowitz, as well as from the “alte’ buchrim” – Gavi Pachino (Senters) & Dovid Blum (Toras ChHaim). The boys would periodically sing Shabbos zemiros while enjoying a delicious meal filled with a sense of TA pride and togetherness. All of us could only walk away with a sincere feeling of gratitude and appreciation towards all those that made this experience possible. We can only wait for the next Shabbos of a lifetime. Thank you TA. Thank you Rebbe. A Talmid Akiva Lavi

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WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES A HAPPY HANUKAH. Best wishes, Your friends at The Rosenblatt Group

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We recently spoke with Rabbi Shlomo Goldberger, Executive Director of The Shidduch Center of Baltimore, for an update on their excellent work in our community. What exactly does The Shidduch Center do? While it is difficult to encapsulate the totality of our efforts in one succinct paragraph, in brief, our primary goal has remained constant for nearly a decade. Namely, to explore every possible avenue that will result in increased opportunities for the single men and women of our community. And, as an accompaniment, we strive to offer as many shidduch-related resources as possible; such as, hadracha, education, chizuk, a dating game g’mach, and a comprehensive list of places to date in the Baltimore/Silver Spring/D.C. area.

But wouldn’t these shadchanim have set up those couples anyway? That is an excellent question, and one

Fascinating! How do you develop your shadchanim into such powerful resources? The recipe really is multi-layered. Of course, any shadchan who hopes to achieve notable volume must meet a great many daters. Thus, we hold multiple events each year for shadchanim to meet our single women, and, correspondingly, we bring our shadchanim to meet bachurim in a variety of yeshivos in Baltimore, Lakewood, and New York. Additionally, through their visibility as Shidduch Center shadchanim, they receive requests year-round for meetings. Furthermore, the camaraderie of working as a community-centric team generates momentum, and the infrastructure offered them by a robust organization affords vital support in all aspects of their work.

Based on our past conversations, perhaps you missed one important factor? Yes, I was hoping you would ask that. Given the demands placed on professional shadchanim in our generation, and the sheer volume of time and effort that is absolutely necessary for them to invest in their holy charge, the vast majority of funds we raise are directed to our shadchanim. Our financial support of our shadchanim is what gives them the ability to spend days and nights, year-round, doing what they do best. Our shadchanim have quotas of production and success they must meet to receive compensation, and by making compensation entirely dependent on tangible results, we are assured that every dollar spent helps bring another couple that much closer to the chuppah, bez’H. That is great! Can you elaborate on your new initiative for those in shidduchim who are age 25 and above? Another great question! We have spent significant time, energy, and money attempting to address that vital need. And I am very pleased to say that, bez’H, we have experienced tremendous growth this year in that realm. Earlier this year, we assembled a fantastic team of shadchanim from the NY/NJ area who specialize in this area, inviting

them here to meet some of our outstanding single women. Subsequently, we arranged a special and quite impactful compensation package for these shadchanim, to motivate and incentivize them to work as hard and as often as they can on ideas for our community – both for those who attended our event, and those who were unable to attend. We have not seen a month pass since the event without this team setting up dates for a number of our single women. Of course, we are planning to make this a permanent fixture of The Shidduch Center, and to enhance it over time, to attain even greater results, bez’H. Wow! Sounds like you have a lot going on, BH. Any final thoughts? Well, I would be remiss if I did not touch on how our community can continue to meaningfully join in our work. Bez’H, our major annual campaign is taking place Dec. 4-5, and it is a great opportunity to partner with us. We understand that tzedaka needs are vast at this juncture, especially with the critical need for everyone to support Klal Yisroel in Eretz Yisroel. And, most respectfully, we ask our community members to also donate generously to our campaign, as you always have, and encourage others to donate. May your kind support be a zechus for all those in shidduchim who are near and dear to you, and, indeed, for all of Klal Yisroel. The work we do, and the shidduchim we have been zocheh to make, bez’H, are all only possible with the continued support of our generous community members. Tizku l’mitzvos!

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How is that goal met for the families of our community? Our foremost effort has always been our team of Dedicated Shadchanim. Boruch Hashem, from employing three Baltimore shadchanim in 2015, we presently employ nine on-staff shadchanim spread across Baltimore, Silver Spring, Passaic, and New York. Accordingly, bez’H, we have grown from setting up under 100 different couples annually, to being on pace to set up 300 couples this year, and we have seen 158 resulting community shidduchim from our efforts.

which is asked frequently. In short, the answer is no. Our goal has never been to identify established shadchanim, compensate them, and then take credit for their work. Quite the opposite. We intentionally seek out shadchanim who have been dabblers, setting up couples when they can, and work to develop them into full-time professional shadchanim. All of the wonderful shadchanim who have been on our team for many years, and whom are now rightfully recognized as prolific shadchanim, simply would not and could not be doing what they are doing if not for our development of their craft. And those whom are newer to our team, it is our hope that, in time, they will also become recognized as eminent leaders in the field, bez’H.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

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Bringing Them Home As part of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization, the first group of thirteen kidnapped Israelis were released on Friday, November 24, after being held captive for forty-nine days by the terror group who murdered over 1,200 Israelis and abducted more than 240 people on the tragic day of October 7.

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Thirteen hostages were released from Gaza on Friday, including four children, six elderly women, and three other female hostages. A different arrangement, which was mediated by Egypt, saw the release of ten Thai citizens and a thirty-three-year-old Filipino man named Gelienor “Jimmy” Leano Pacheco. The thirteen Israelis who were freed on Friday in the first exchange with Hamas included: Doron Katz-Asher and her five- and two-year-old daughters, Raz and Aviv; Danielle Aloni and her five-year-old daughter Emilial; Keren Munder, as well as Ohad, her nine-year-old son, and her seventyeight-year-old mother Ruti; eightyfive-year-old Yaffa Adar; Adina Moshe, a seventy-two-year-old; Margalit Moses, who is seventy-eight; Hanna Katzir, a seventy-seven-year-old, and Channah Peri, who is seventy-nine. Everyone in this group was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, except for Channah Peri, who was from Nirim. At a south Gazan hospital in Khan Younis, Hamas gave the hostages over to the International Red Cross who brought the kidnapped women and

children to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, at which point they were brought back to Israel by Israeli soldiers as part of an operation called “Heaven’s Door” from the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Each hostage received a brief physical examination and a mental evaluation at Hatzerim Airbase, which is located close to Beersheba, after which they were brought to Schneider’s Children’s Medical Center and the Wolfson Medical Center to see their family. Schneider Children’s Hospital said that the four mothers and four children they evaluated were physically healthy and were released from the hospital, while Wolfson, where five elderly hostages were sent, said that some hostages were “feeble and exhausted” and could not yet be released. Each family or child was accompanied by a soldier who brought them to Israel, where mental health professionals waited to help the hostages. On Saturday, after a hours-long delay, Hamas released another 13 Israeli hostages. This group included six members of an extended family from Be’eri. Shoshan Haran, 67, was released along with Adi Shoham, Shoshan’s daughter, and her children, Naveh, 8, and Yahel, 3. Adi’s husband, Tal, 38, is still being held captive. Sharon Avigdori, 52, and her daughter, Noam Avigdori, 12, were also released. Sharon is the sister-in-law of Shoshan.

Emily Hand, 9, who celebrated her birthday in captivity, was also released. Her story made headlines around the world when her father, Thomas, in an interview, expressed that he had been relieved when he was initially told that his daughter had been killed rather than taken hostage. He was terrified of the torture Emily would endure in captivity. A week or so later, Thomas was informed that his daughter had been taken hostage. Since then, he has been a vocal advocate for her and the hostages’ release. When Emily first met with her father and family after her release, she would only whisper, as

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she had been conditioned by the terrorists for more than seven weeks to only speak in low tones. Maya Regev, 21, was kidnapped at the Nova music festival. She was released on Saturday. Her brother, Itay, is still believed to be held in Gaza. Mirit Regev, Maya’s mother, expressed the mixed feelings of many families on Sunday, “I’m excited and happy that Maya is on her way to us now. Nonetheless, my heart is split because my son, Itay, is still in Hamas’s captivity in Gaza,” she said, adding, “I am going to hug Maya so hard. We will not stop until Itay and all the hostages get back home.” Alma Or, 13, and Noam Or, 17, were taken from their home in Be’eri. Their father, Dror, is still being held hostage. Their mother, Yonat, was slaughtered on October 7. Hila Rotem Shoshani, 12, was finally released on Saturday. Her mother is also believed to be held by Hamas. They were taken from the family’s safe room in Be’eri on October 7. Noga Weiss, 18, was released on Saturday with her mother, Shiri, 53. Noga had been hiding under the bed when she texted the family chat that Shiri had been taken by terrorists from the safe room. After Hamas terrorists burned the house down, Noga ran out of the house and tried to hide in the bushes before she was kidnapped. Shiri’s husband is still missing. Shiri’s brother was killed while trying to defend Be’eri from terrorists. On Sunday, fourteen more Israelis were released from their Hamas captors. Avigail Idan, 4, was one of those released. Avigail is a dual Israeli and U.S. citizen and turned four while in captivity. Her parents, Roy Idan, 43, and Smadar Idan, 38, were killed in Kfar Aza on October 7. Her two siblings, Michael, 9, and Amelia, 6, both survived after hiding in a closet for 14 hours with their mother’s body nearby. Avigail’s aunt and uncle are taking care of the three orphaned children. “They are not OK,” their aunt said. “They hear the wind blow, and they are shaking.” Chen Goldstein Almog, 49, was kidnapped from Kfar Aza along with her three children, Agam Goldstein Almog, Gal Goldstein Almog, and Tal Goldstein Almong, ages 17, 11, and 9. They were all released this week.

Chen’s husband, Nadav, 48, and their oldest daughter, Yam, 20, were killed in the October 7 massacre. Hagar Brodutch, 40, was released this week along with her children, Ofri Brodutch, 10, Yuval Brodutch, 8, and Uriah Brodutch, 4. They had been snatched from their home in Kfar Aza. Their father, Avichai Brodutch, was out defending the community when they were taken hostage.

Dafna Elyakim, 15, and Ella Elyakim, 8, were brought home on Sunday. Their father and two other family members were killed on October 7. The girls’ mother, Maayan Zin, said on Sunday, “After a long period in which I lived in terrible uncertainty, my daughters are finally with me. These were 51 days in which I lived between despair and hope, between pain and optimism. “The girls are returning to a new and complex situation, and now we have a period of recovery that will take time,” she said. Aviva Siegel, 62, was living in Kfar Aza with her husband when she was taken hostage. She was released on Sunday. Aviva was born in South Africa and moved to Israel as a child. Her husband, Keith, 64, a dual Israeli-U.S. citizen, is believed to still be held by Hamas.

Eighty-four-year-old Elma Avraham was kidnapped from her home in Nahal Oz. She was flown to the hospital immediately after her release and is in critical condition after being without vital medications for 50 days. Russian-Israeli Roni Krivoi was kidnapped from the Nova music fes-

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tival on October 7. The 25-year-old was working as a member of the sound crew. He was the first adult male hostage with Israeli citizenship to have been freed from Hamas’ clutches. Krivoi had managed to escape his captors at one point but could not get to freedom. Palestinians who found him in Gaza returned him to Hamas. On Monday, the fourth day of the ceasefire, 11 Israeli hostages were brought home from Gaza. All those who were released on Monday were from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Sharon Alony Cunio, 34, was released along with her 3-year-old twins, Emma Cunio and Yuli Cunio. They had been hiding in their bomb shelter with Sharon’s husband, David, 33, who is still being held in Gaza. Sharon’s sister, Daniella Alony, and her daughter, Amelia, 5, were also hiding with them and were taken captive. They were released on Friday. Karina Engelbert, 51, and her entire family, including her husband, Ronen Engel, 54, and their daughters, Mika, 18, and Yuval, 11, were taken from the safe room inside their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Karina had been recovering from a procedure following a bout with cancer. Karina, Mika, and Yuval were released this week. Ronen is still being held captive. Eitan Yahalomi, 12, was in the safe room of his home with his family when the terrorists entered their house. Ohad, Eitan’s father, had tried to prevent Hamas from entering. The militants took Batsheva, Eitan’s mother, and Liel, 1, Yael, 10, and Eitan hostage. Ohad was left bleeding on the floor after being attacked by the terrorists but was then taken into Gaza. Eitan, a dual citizen of Israel and France, was separated from his mother and sisters and driven into Gaza. Batsheva and her daughters managed to escape and hide in a field. Ohad has not yet been released.

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For the first 16 days of his captivity, Eitan had been held alone, without

anyone else from Israel. Later, he was placed with other people from his kibbutz, which gave him some comfort. He had been forced to watch videos of the Hamas atrocities, which Hamas terrorists filmed on October 7. Eitan’s aunt recounted that Palestinian children beat up Eitan when he was being held captive. Esther Yahalomi, Eitan’s grandmother said that the 12-year-old appears to be thinner than normal and will not smile or really even speak. “He’s very, very subdued. I think it’s going to take him some time. It’s going to take a lot of work to get him to a place where he is able to talk.” Siblings Erez Kalderon, 12, and Sahar Kalderon, 16, were taken from their home in Nir Oz along with their father, Ofer, 53. Both Erez and Sahar are dual citizens of Israel and France; they were released this week. Their father, Ofer, is still being held hostage. Brothers Or Yaakov, 16, and Yagil Yaakov, 12, were kidnapped along with their father, Yair, and Meirav Tal, 53, on October 7. Only Or and Yagil came home this week. Yair and Meirav are still being held captive.

Hamas Violates Ceasefire Three explosive devices were detonated in two separate incidents near IDF forces in the northern Gaza Strip in violation of cease-fire agreements, the IDF said on Tuesday. In one of the incidents, “terrorists also opened fire at the troops, who responded with fire” and a number of soldiers “were lightly injured.” “In both incidents, the troops were located in positions as per the framework of the operational pause,” the IDF said in a statement. Abu Obaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’s military wing, claimed that the terror organization’s militants engaged in a battle with the IDF in the northern Gaza Strip. “Due to a clear violation of the cease-fire by the enemy, there were clashes, and our fighters dealt with it. We are committed to the cease-fire as long as the enemy adheres to it and call on mediators to press the occupation to comply with all cease-fire conditions on the ground and in the air.” Since Tuesday morning, Palestin-

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ians have reported gunfire in the area of the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. Mossad Director David Barnea arrived in Doha on Tuesday to meet with CIA Director William Burns and Qatari officials to advance ongoing and future negotiations for releasing hostages held in Gaza. As part of the hostage exchange, both sides were required to halt fighting. Negotiations are now focusing on securing the release of male captives and soldiers. Until now, only children and female civilians have been released as part of the deal. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return this week to the Middle East as the U.S. hopes to find a way to extend a cease-fire in Gaza and get more hostages released, the State Department said Monday. It will be his third trip to the region since the October 7th attacks. In Israel and the West Bank, Blinken will “discuss Israel’s right to defend itself consistent with international humanitarian law, as well as

continued efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages, protect civilian life during Israel’s operations in Gaza, and accelerate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestinian Football Association and secretary of Fatah’s Central Committee, said in an interview with MBC Egypt that “what happened on October 7 was part of a defensive war by the Palestinians, and the next, more violent explosion will be in the West Bank.”

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The Week In News Refeeding the Released Hostages

Those who were held captive by Hamas for more than seven weeks were fed a minimal diet, some subsisting on just bread and olive oil over the past 50 days. Now, the Israeli government is making sure that they become accustomed to eating real food again.

The Health Ministry instructed all security personnel to provide the captives with the food and drink they will need until they reach the medical centers due to concerns about refeeding syndrome, which is characterized by increased food consumption after a period of malnourishment. Infants up to one years old were given a bottle with just 120 ml of infant formula. Children, ages one to three years old, were given water, unsweetened applesauce in a personal portion, one sweet biscuit, and sweetened tea with a teaspoon of sugar. Teens and adults were given water, a sweetened hot drink with a teaspoon of sugar, three units of sweet biscuits, and unsweetened applesauce in a personal portion. A guide written under the leadership of the nutrition department managers at Sheba, Wolfson and Clalit HMO hospitals noted, “Increased food consumption after a significant period of reduced eating may cause metabolic disorders as well as serious imbalances in fluids and electrolytes that can result in severe clinical conditions, including

damage to the nervous and respiratory systems, cardiac function, muscular systems and blood. This condition is called refeeding syndrome. Therefore, uniform guidelines are important in every medical framework in accordance with the points specified in this document.” Life-threatening fluctuations in electrolytes and fluids may occur within approximately 72 hours from the start of feeding in patients suffering from severe malnutrition, including prolonged starvation.

by Hamas. “This expedition and the idea to wave the Israeli flag was planned long before the war, but now it takes on an added meaning, right here in Antarctica,” they said.

Supporting Israel in Antarctica Dr. Tal Luzzatto Knaan and Associate Professor Tali Mass, both from the Charney School of Marine Sciences at the Department of Marine Biology from the University of Haifa, attended a scientific conference in Antarctica last week. While there, they proudly displayed the Israeli flag, along with pictures of several hostages being held

Knann and Mass are part of the Homeward Bound initiative. The global project brings together women who have experience in STEMM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) to establish a worldwide network of scientifically trained women who will take the lead in addressing global issues to benefit

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The Week In News everyone across the globe. While on the ship, the two Israeli women used the opportunity to discuss the situation in Israel with the other women onboard. “We knew that on a trip all about leadership, we couldn’t not talk about our hostages,” they said. “At first, they didn’t want us bringing up politics, but we didn’t back down. In the end, we got to share what’s happening here in Israel from our own perspective. We showed them pictures and videos of the hostages. We’re pretty sure a good number of them, who were hearing about this stuff for the first time, now comprehend the situation a lot better.”

“My mother didn’t deserve to return like this,” Tali Amano, Elma’s daughter, said. “My mother was medically neglected. The Red Cross refused to bring her her medications. She arrived with a heart rate of 40 bpm and a body temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, on the verge of losing consciousness and injured all over.”

Elma Avraham Critically Ill Elma Avraham was taken hostage by Hamas militants on October 7. On November 26, the 84-year-old was finally sent back home. But Elma is now hospitalized in Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, fighting for her life.

According to Tali, Elma did not have her medications for 50 days. “She was abandoned twice — once

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on October 7, and a second time by all the organizations that should have saved her,” Tali said. “I hope they haven’t managed to defeat her,” she added.

Thai Hostages Released On October 7, thirty or more citizens of Thailand were among the more than 240 people in Israel taken captive by the Hamas terrorist organization during the massacre. Since then, Bangkok has been negotiating its citizens’ release with Hamas. As of November 26, seventeen Thai citizens had been freed from Gaza, along with one Filipino. Regarding the freed captives, Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister of Thailand, said that “everyone is healthy” and “glad to be released.” Each of the Thai nationals has been taken to Israeli hospitals. According to lead negotiator and Thai politician Areepen Uttarasin,

Thai officials met with senior members of Hamas in Tehran, Iran, on October 26, to discuss the hostage situation. During that meeting, Hamas officials asserted that Thai abductees were in “good care” and would be freed at the “right time,” Areepen said, adding that these negotiations were conducted “through special personal relations” between Iran and Islamic Thai politicians.

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas

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The Week In News War, 7,000 Thailand citizens living in Israel have been sent back to their country of origin, but many nationals choose to remain in the Jewish state despite the war. The government of Thailand has promised 50,000 baht (approx. $1,400) and soft loans to every worker who returns in an attempt to persuade its citizens to return to the southeast Asian country. The prime minister of Thailand said that he spoke to Israel’s ambassador about accusations that Israelis have been giving or withholding money from their Thai workers in order to make them stay in Israel, but the Israeli embassy has rejected such claims. “The government disagrees with them [Thai nationals] returning to risky areas [in Israel], but we cannot force them,” Srettha said. “If they decide to do so, they have to take care of themselves.” At least 39 Thai workers were slaughtered by Hamas terrorists in the October 7 massacre.

Palestinians Kill “Collaborators” in West Bank Palestinian militants fatally shot two Palestinian men in the West Bank on Friday evening after accus-

ing them of collaborating with Israel, according to residents in the area and

The killings come as tensions have risen in the West Bank since the militant group Hamas carried out a terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Israel retaliated by launching a war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian territory the group controls. Since the attack, tensions in the West Bank have flared. Israeli security forces have carried out daily raids, erected scores of new checkpoints and enforced curfews for Palestinian residents in some areas of the territory. In Tulkarem refugee camp, home to more than 20,000 people in the northwestern area of the West Bank, the Israeli military has conducted frequent raids, arresting dozens of people. According to three residents of the camp, the two men who were killed on Friday were kidnapped by Palestinian militants earlier this month. The militants suspected that the men had provided information to Israeli security forces that led to a deadly raid at the camp, the residents said. (© The New York Times)

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videos circulating on social media. A Palestinian official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the two men had been killed and that the videos posted to social media were authentic. The official declined to comment on the motive for the killings but said security forces were investigating, though they had not made any arrests. Around 9 p.m. on Friday, masked assailants dragged the two men to the main entrance of Tulkarem refugee camp, shouting, “Collaborators! Collaborators!” residents in the camp said. As a crowd formed around them, the assailants beat both men and shot them about a dozen times each, according to residents. Afterward, others from the crowd spat and stomped on their corpses, residents said. Videos posted to social media show men hanging the two men’s bodies from an electrical tower near the entrance of the camp. “Who are they? They are collaborators!” one man yelled as he kicked one of the bodies, one of the videos shows.

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Israel Today

Walking Through War By Emmy Leah Zitter

“A

m hanetzach lo mifached miderech arukah”—the eternal nation is not afraid of a long road. These words hang on a home-made painted banner across from my front porch in Beit Shemesh. I see them every morning as I drink my cup of tea and read the war news in the daily newspaper. You hear them sung often in Israel these days. Today’s war is part of the long road that began with the words Lech Lechah and kum hishalech ba’aretz, Hashem’s command to Avraham to go to Eretz Yisrael and to walk through the land. I’ve been walking a lot in our beautiful country these last weeks, taking my own short walks along our people’s long history, our long road, walking through the first three weeks of war….

Walking—Week One The first days of the war. We’d begun hearing about atrocities of the Hamas pogrom, reading stories we thought we’d never hear outside a Holocaust history class, seeing pictures we never imagined in our worst nightmares. And slowly, we started hearing names of the dead. Among the approximately 300 soldiers killed defending our people the first day of the war were three boys from our neighborhood, two sons and a son-in-law: Yosef Malachi Guedalia, Daniel Kastiel, and Moshe Yedidya Raziel, Hy”d. In those early days, the Home Front Command discouraged large groups from attending funerals. Instead, a new and sorrowful minhag emerged on the streets of Israel. When a community learned of a family leaving their home for the saddest journey imaginable, the drive to a military cemetery for the burial of a son, neighbors and friends gathered near their home with Israeli flags, lining up to give a final kavod to the fallen soldier and to offer love and support to the bereaved family. I walked to three such processions for my community’s fallen soldiers. At each, hundreds of neighbors stood, waiting for the family to drive by. Some quietly said Tehillim; others stood silently, speechless

in the shared grief. As cars with family members drove slowly by, the crowd followed, walking mournfully. At these solemn processions, people began spontaneously to sing quietly. We walked to the sound of Ani Ma’amin. We cried to the sound of HaMalach HaGoel, the tune parents all over the world sing to their children as they close their eyes in sleep…

Walking—Week Two Though missiles were still flying in the south and center of Israel, Beit Shemesh had been quiet for days. I decided to chance an exercise walk through the neighborhood. I remembered walks I took during Covid. In those days, the threat was other walkers. If anyone passed by, I’d cross the street. What if they sneezed? Today, though, different time, different dangers. I felt a heightened sense of place, a need to notice everything around me: If the siren sounded, where could I find safety in the ninety seconds Beit Shimshis have to run to shelter? I passed our local playground. During an azakah, could I crouch beneath the bright-colored climbing equipment? Continuing down the road, I walked quickly by the city’s rose gardens, not stopping as usual to smell their fragrance. I must move fast: a fragile bush gives no protection. Past the gardens, I faced two possible

routes. Straight ahead a neighborhood of homes—homes with stone walls, shelter if necessary. But instead, I turned left. This direction was more open, more dangerous. I passed a small copse with benches and tables: in happier times Beit Shimshis would picnic here. Right past, I reached my goal—the andartah, the memorial for fallen soldiers and terror victims of Bet Shemesh. Strangely, I felt no fear here. I walked across the large open area in front of the looming stone memorial to better read the 100 or so names etched on plaques affixed to the monument. The earliest names were of those who fell before the State of Israel was established. I sighed, thinking of new names soon to be added. Silently davening for no more deaths, no more plaques to attach to the sad wall, I walked back home.

Walking—Week Three The third week of the war. Schools, stores, even some restaurants were re-opening. Mail delivery resumed. I received notice of a package waiting for me in Old Beit Shemesh. Instead of taking the car, I decided to enjoy the nice weather and the quiet—no sirens in about a week— and walk there. What could happen on a half-hour stroll in middle of the day? Ten minutes from my house, that question was answered, literally with a

bang. The wail of the siren. Missile attack. No time to find indoor shelter. I felt as if I was watching myself from outside, following Home Front Command instructions: find a stone wall, lay down flat in front of it (new directive: they used to say crouch in a ball to make less of a target, but now they say lying flat lessens the chance of multiple shrapnel hits), cover your head with your hands. Time moved slowly, like a slow-motion film. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a bus screech to a halt and dozens of young passengers race out to find cover. Our enemies shot their missiles just as schoolchildren all over the city were heading home. Lying on the ground, I told myself, say Tehillim. The perek I know best by heart is, of course, Shir HaMaalos of benching. I said the first line. I suppose I was a bit in shock, because I couldn’t remember what came after that. I kept repeating those opening words: when Hashem returned to Zion, we were like dreamers… we were like dreamers...like dreamers…. The siren stopped, followed by four thunderous booms. This had been a heavy barrage of missiles in our area, with some landing in open areas nearby. I got up a little shakily. Now, the smart and responsible thing to do would have been to head home, to my safe room with its concrete walls. But something in me said, no, I’m not going to let them stop me. I continued my walk, oddly and perhaps irrationally unafraid. I got to the store where my package awaited with no further drama. I hadn’t ordered anything, so I had no idea what to expect. There it was, a small package, wrapped in layers of brown paper. I opened it and found… Tehillim Mechulak. A present from the organizer of my Tehillim group. David haMelech’s words of anguish and fear, comfort and faith, made to be said by Jews davening together for the safety of our families, our soldiers, our nation. A gift of hope, worth a walk through a war.

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Hum

The Pesicha Fiasco By Country Yossi Toiv

FULL DISCLOSURE: The following story is 100% true (except for some minor exaggerations)

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ast week, I was approached by a gabbai before the Torah reading and was kindly offered to do pesi-

cha. I didn’t have to think for even a moment before politely declining the honor. He looked at me strangely, like, what chutzpah, turning down a beautiful kibbud! But then he mumbled something, shrugged and turned and offered it to someone else. It might have been the first time in his 30 year “Gabbaihood” that somebody turned him down! I saw him whisper something to the rabbi, who gave me a dirty, disapproving look, waved his finger and disparagingly shook his head from side to side in utter contempt – but I didn’t care! Little did he know there was a good reason for my seeming disrespect! You see, last year, I was davening in a crowded Young Israel minyan with over 800 mispallelim in Florida one Shabbos when I was approached by a well-meaning gabbai offering me to do pesicha. Naturally, I was honored and

quickly agreed. Then, at the proper time, I strode up to the Aron Kodesh, stood on the right side of the huge, embroidered, velvet curtain, and looked for the cord to pull on which would slide the paroches to the side. But much to my surprise, there was no cord to pull! I quickly looked behind the curtain (sometimes, the cord is hidden), but still no luck. I thought that perhaps it was placed on the other side for some reason, so I walked quickly to the left side of the curtain and searched – to no avail! Still no cord! A murmur went up from the crowd. I was holding up the davening! The chazzan was already standing there nervously tapping his foot, waiting for me to give him the Sefer Torah. He was staring daggers at me! My face started to turn a bright crimson just like the velvet curtain that was giving me such problems. I turned around, looking for help, but no one was coming to my aid. Then I had a brilliant idea! I recalled that in some shuls, the Aron doesn’t have any cords at all to pull. You have to slide the curtain to the side with your hand. Sheepishly smiling, but now, with

a growing confidence that I had solved the problem, I tried pushing the curtain to the side. But it wouldn’t budge! It was big and heavy, and hardly moved. Aha, I thought to myself, I probably have to push it not from left to right but from right to left. Beaming at my brilliance, I quickly jumped to the other side and tried pushing it that way. But again, it wouldn’t budge an inch! By now the murmuring had turned into angry shouts, hooting and laughter! “NEEE, NUUU, SHOITEH EFFIN SHOIN!” I started to panic! The blood drained from my face! For a brief second, I thought of bolting off the stage, out of the shul and running home. But then I had a brilliant idea. I turned and picked up the curtain from the bottom and raised it over my head and dropped it behind me. So now I was invisible to the deafening crowd and had access to the Aron. I thought, perhaps, this was a new security feature to protect against anyone seeing the combination used to open the Aron. At this point, the agitated shouting and insults (“meshugeneh, ferd, shlemazel”) were mostly muffled, but I could hear

footsteps approaching me. The gabbai had finally come to my rescue. He lifted the curtain and guided me back to the proper position on the right side of the curtain. Now, utterly mortified, I half-turned to witness the devastation I had unleashed. To my horror, there was utter chaos in the shul. Eight hundred exceedingly agitated, starving men were calling for my head. I thought at any moment I would be rushed, bound and quartered by the crazed crowd already salivating from the scent of pickled herring, cholent and kishkeh wafting in from the lobby. The rabbi’s face had turned a deep, royal purple livid with anger! The aging president was apoplectic; his whole body was twitching uncontrollably while his mouth was convoluted, foaming and twisted with an expression I’d never seen on a living person before. Suddenly, the gabbai glared crosseyed at me and pointed repeatedly and spastically above my head. Perplexed, I looked up, and lo and behold, I couldn’t believe my eyes! There, hanging about three feet above my head, was the beau-

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36 tiful, blessed, triple-braided, tasseled cord! I’d have to have been 8 feet tall to have seen it – but there it was. I quickly pulled it down, and the curtain smoothly slid to the side. The cacophony quickly subsided, and I handed the Torah to the chazzan. I then followed closely behind him for protection as he carried it to the Bimah, and to the audible sound of snickering laughter, I quickly left the shul. I haven’t gone back there since! End of story? Hardly! A year later, I was davening in a shteeble this time, when, once again, I was approached by a well-meaning gabbai offering me…guess what? Pesicha! What it is about my face that makes me the perfect candidate for pesicha I’ll never know. Is it my beard, my nose, my 10-gallon cowboy hat? Whatever! By this time, the pain, embarrassment, and anguish of the first sordid affair had somewhat dissipated, and I figured, what can possibly go wrong again, right? So I reluctantly accepted! As I approached the curtain, I was horrified once again to see there was no

cord! I don’t know who designs these things, but they should be fired! Horrible memories flooded my mind, nearly paralyzing my muscles! I ran to the other side – still no cord! Remembering the last time, I looked up to the ceiling, but this time there was no blessed cord hanging there! Nervous murmurs and giggles rose from the congregation. I began to sweat

heavy, gray metal doors. Should be easy, shmeazy, right? Wrong! As hard as I tried, I couldn’t get them to swing open! Each door must’ve weighed 100 pounds. I couldn’t even turn the handles! Some men started yelling out instructions from the back of the shul. Turn them to the left, turn them to the right, pull, push – nothing worked! The room began spinning!

My face started to turn a bright crimson just like the velvet curtain that was giving me such problems.

profusely and heretofore repressed visions of deja vu paralyzed my feverish mind! Thankfully, the rabbi saw my predicament and made a swiping motion with his hand. I quickly got the message and swiped the curtain. It slid easily to the side. Whew! Now, I only had to open the two

Pandemonium broke out as my heart started palpitating, and I felt a dizzying nausea rise from my bowels! My nightmare scenario was coming true…once again! Overcome by overwhelming vertigo, I tried to maintain my balance, but I swooned and collapsed to the floor! Luckily, a Hatzalah member jumped out of his seat, pulled out his walk-

ie-talkie and proceeded to tear off my favorite tie and rip open my custom-made, slim fit shirt! He pounded on my chest with both fists, but before he could reach for the defibrillator, someone shouted, “It’s open, it’s open!” In my semiconscious, horizontal state, I thought they were talking about my chest, but when I gazed up from the floor, I saw that the two iron doors had swung wide open and the beautiful Sifrei Torah stood majestically within, waiting to be taken out. I immediately felt better, got up, and handed the Torah to the chazzan who looked at me and my torn shirt with a mixture of horror, shock, and pitiful disgust. As I slowly staggered back to my seat, people were giggling, patting my back, and wishing me well, but right then and there, I made me a solemn vow: I would never accept pesicha again! THAT’S IT! So, to all you “Gabboim” reading this out there. If you see me in shul and are thinking about giving me a kibbud, be forewarned: I’ll accept any aliyah, hagbah, galilah or even Maftir but PLEASE, PLEASE no pesicha!

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Torah Thought

Bringing it Home

By Rabbi Zvi Teichman

e are taught that the entire episode of the confrontation between Yaakov and Esav, as Yaakov travels homeward from Charan, encapsulates many vital lessons in how we are to deal with our enemies during these encounters in Galus. How Yaakov prepared for his meeting up with Esav serves as a lesson for all future generations. At times it is diplomacy that is called for and perhaps the proffering of gifts in order to gain favor. Ultimately we have to be ready even to fight if that’s what the moment calls for, just as Yaakov accepted that possibility. (Ramban) There is a point in the dialogue between Yaakov and Esav where Esav observing the large contingent of children and livestock and understanding the difficulty of traveling this entails, generously offers Yaakov, “Travel on and let us go — I will proceed alongside you.” Rashi explains that Esav fathomed the slow pace they would have to travel at and offered nevertheless to lengthen his commitment accordingly. This is evident in Esav’s emphasis on his staying ‘alongside’ them until they would reach their objective in re-

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turning to Yitzchok. Yet, in the very next verse, Yaakov seeking to deter Esav seemingly reiterates the obvious when he states, “My lord knows that the children are tender, and the nursing flocks and cattle are upon me; if they will be driven hard for a single day, then all the flocks will die. Let my lord go ahead of his servant; I will make my way at my slow pace according to the gait of the drove before me and the gait of the children...” What new angle did Yaakov add that ultimately discouraged Esav from accompanying them? Rav Dovid Yitzchok Mann suggests that Yaakov was presenting a worldview that was diametrically opposed to that of Esav’s. By stating that the children, flocks and cattle were ‘upon him’ and that the slow pace was ‘according to the gait of the drove... and children’, Yaakov was revealing that despite his own personal notion of his destination and goal in life it would be altered and determined solely by the providence evident in the mission that would redirect him to define his goal by the needs of those entrusted to him. ( In the world of Esav it is man’s

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understanding and expectations alone that govern one’s direction and ambitions. To accept that one must be flexible in reorienting one’s compass to the strings being pulled by a higher providence that re-directs us in new and unexpected ways was anathema to the philosophy of Esav. It is not simply how to deal with the physical Esav that confronts us that we derive from this story, but more significantly how to avoid the ideology of Esav that infiltrates our attitudes and blinds us from going in the proper direction. Esav quickly retreats as Yaakov plods forward. His first stop is at a place in Transjordan called Sukkos. But Yaakov journeyed to Sukkos, ‫ — ויבן לו‬and built himself, ‫ —בית‬a house, and for his livestock he made shelters; he therefore called the name of the place Sukkos. (‫)יז‬ Why would Yaakov name the location Sukkos after the shelters he built for the animals and not call it ‘home’ for the living quarters he devised for the humans? The great chassidic leader Reb Menachem Mendel of Kosov interprets this verse, not to refer to Yaakov’s creating a material domicile, but rather his creating an ‘inner space’ of spirituality that contributed to the ultimate construction of the heavenly ‘house’ that would one day find its full expression in the building of the Temple, the abode for the Shechinah, the Divine Presence. In every endeavor he constructed a ‘space’ of spirituality. ‫בית‬, more literarily meaning ‘inside’ reflects on the divine environment, within the outer walls of a house, that it creates. When dealing with the ‫—מקנהו‬ literally his physical acquisitions, he merely erected a ‫ — סוכה‬rooted in the word ‫סוך‬, accenting the ‘separation’ that protects; an external material, that

considers its superficial nature. Yaakov always sought to preserve his ‘inner self’ and not allow the engagement in a physical world to be anything other than a superficial expedient for survival, but never a substitute for a true identity of who ‘I am’. This aspiration is the natural progression from Yaakov’s first assertion. We must first perceive the physical involvements of our lives not as objects to be utilized in fulfilling our own personal ambitions, but rather as vehicles that guide us to mapping our lives according to the dictates of G-d’s providential direction. We preserve that awareness by remaining ever mindful of our pristine pnimiyus, inner dimension, and being cognizant of the superficial nature of the corporeal world. The verse previously cited is quoted as evidence to the connection between Yaakov Avinu specifically and the Yom Tov of Sukkos, which celebrates our cognizance of the flimsiness of the external protection of our homes and the strength of G-d’s protection, leaving the sturdy physical walls of our houses to sit under the Divine protection of the Sukkah. The masters of the secrets of Torah point out that the verse that retells how Yaakov fashioned his inner spirit, ‫ויבן‬ ‫ — לו‬he built himself,‫ — בית‬a house, the numerical value of the word ‫לו‬, is the exact number of lights we light during Chanuka, 36. On Chanukah we translate what we have derived from the lesson of Sukkos, by downplaying the role of material success and restoring to our homes to that ‘inner’ light, the ‘hidden light’ from the Days of Creation, that we can each access and enlighten our lives with. You may reach the author at: Ravzt@ohelmoshebaltimore.com

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7:05 AM Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) 7:15 AM Kedushas Yisrael Kol Torah Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah Ner Israel Rabbinical College

M, TH S S S, T, W, F S-F S-F

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7:20 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Beth Tfiloh Congregation Kol Torah Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shomrei Emunah Congregation

M, TH M-F M-F M, TH M, TH

7:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring Agudath Israel of Baltimore Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Beit Yaakov [Sefaradi] Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Chabad of Park Heights Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Darchei Tzedek Kedushas Yisrael Khal Bais Nosson Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina) Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shomrei Emunah Congregation

S S, T, W, F S S-F S-F S S S S S-F S S-F S S-F S-F S, T, W, F T, W, F

7:45 AM Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Talmudical Academy Darchei Tzedek Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah Mesivta Kesser Torah Mesivta Shaarei Chaim 7:50 AM Derech Chaim Ner Tamid Ohel Moshe

M-F S-F M-F S-F S-F S-F S S M-F

8:00 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Beth Abraham Darchei Tzedek Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Kehillas Meor HaTorah Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Ohel Yakov Ohr Yisroel Pikesville Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel Tzeirei Anash Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah

S-F S S S S S-F S S S S S-F S S S S-F

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S S S-F S-F S-F S-F S-F S S S-F S S-F S S-F S S S S-F S S-F S-F S-F S-F S-F S-F

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Khal Ahavas Yisroel/Tzemach Tzedek 12:30 PM Kol Torah 12:50 PM One South Street, 27th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 1:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) 10055 Red Run Blvd Suite 295 Milk & Honey Bistro 1777 Reisterstown RD 1:25 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim 1:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) 1:45 PM Ohel Moshe 2:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) Big Al @ The Knish Shop Party Room Kol Torah Market Maven Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Reischer Minyan 15 Walker Ave 2nd Floor Snider Law Firm 600 Reistersown Rd 7th floor 2:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (Sunday) Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Tov Pizza Mincha Minyan Ner Israel Rabbinical College Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building) Shearith Israel Congregation 3:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-F) Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 3:05 PM Kedushas Yisrael 3:15 PM Hat Box 3:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (Sunday) 4:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore (S-Th) Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah

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Before Shkiah

Aish Kodesh Agudath Israel of Baltimore Agudah of Greenspring Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Beth Abraham Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation Darchei Tzedek Kehillas Meor HaTorah Kehilath B’nai Torah Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Machzikei Torah (Sternhill’s) Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Ner Tamid Ohel Moshe Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Ohr Yisroel Pikesville Jewish Congregation Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation Shomrei Mishmeres Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel

Maariv

6:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 6:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 7:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah 7:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 8:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 8:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah 8:45 PM Darchei Tzedek Ner Israel Rabbinical College (Mechina)

Ohr Yisroel 8:50 PM Mesivta Shaarei Chaim (Etz Chaim Building) 8:55 PM Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh 9:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Arugas Habosem Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah Shomrei Emunah Congregation Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim 9:20 PM Kol Torah 9:30 PM Agudah of Greenspring Agudath Israel of Baltimore Kedushas Yisrael Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 9:40 PM Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] 9:45 PM Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim Kollel Erev Birchas Yitzchok (Luries) Machzikei Torah (Sternhill's) Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah 9:50 PM Aish Kodesh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Ohel Moshe 10:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Darchei Tzedek Kehilath B'nai Torah Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation 10:05 PM Kol Torah 10:10 PM Ner Israel Rabbinical College 10:15 PM Derech Chaim Khal Bais Nosson 10:30 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah 11:00 PM Agudath Israel of Baltimore Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah Agudah of Greenspring - 6107 Greenspring Ave Agudath Israel of Baltimore - 6200 Park Heights Ave Ahavat Shalom - 3009 Northbrook Rd Aish Kodesh - 6207 Ivymount Rd Arugas HaBosem - 3509 Cwlarks Ln Bais Haknesses Ohr HaChaim - 3120 Clarks Ln Bais Hamedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore - 6823 Old Pimlico Rd Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh - 6618 Deancroft Rd Beit Yaakov - 3615 Seven Mile Ln Beth Abraham - 6208 Wallis Ave Beth Tfiloh Congregation - 3300 Old Court Rd Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation - 6602 Park Heights Ave Chabad of Park Heights - 3402 Clarks Ln Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh - 3800 Labyrinth Rd Darchei Tzedek - 3201 Seven Mile Ln Derech Chaim - 6229 Greenspring Ave (Weekday) Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue 6611 Greenspring Ave. Kedushas Yisrael - 6004 Park Heights Ave Kehilath B’nai Torah - 6301 Green Meadow Pkwy Kehillas Meor HaTorah - 6539 Pebble Brooke Rd Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek - 6811 Park Heights Ave Khal Bais Nosson - 2901 Taney Rd Kol Torah - 2929 Fallstaff Rd Machzikei Torah - 6216 Biltmore Ave Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah - 6500 Baythorne Rd Mesivta Kesser Torah - 8400 Park Heights Ave Mesivta Shaarei Chaim - 3702 Fords Ln Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah - 7000 Rockland Hills Dr Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & Gibber One South Street, 27th Floor Ner Israel Rabbinical College - 400 Mt Wilson Ln Ner Tamid - 6214 Pimlico Road Ohel Moshe - 2808 Smith Ave Ohel Yakov - 3200 Glen Ave Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] - 6813 Park Heights Ave Ohr Yisroel - 2429 Lightfoot Dr Pikesville Jewish Congregation - 7644 Carla Rd Shearith Israel Congregation - 5835 Park Heights Ave Shomrei Emunah Congregation - 6221 Greenspring Ave Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh - 2821 W Strathmore Ave Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim - 7504 Seven Mile Ln Talmudical Academy - 4445 Old Court Rd The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel - 5915 Park Heights Ave The Shul at the Lubavitch Center - 6701 Old Pimlico Rd Tiferes Yisroel - 6201 Park Heights Ave Tzeirei Anash - 6706 Cross County Blvd Wealcatch Insurance - 37 Walker Ave 2nd floor Yeshiva Tiferes Hatorah - 6819 Williamson Ave

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7:00 AM Aish Kodesh (upstairs Minyan) Agudath Israel of Baltimore Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek Kol Torah Mercaz Torah U’Tefillah Moses Montefiore Anshe Emunah Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] Shearith Israel Congregation Shomrei Emunah Congregation Shomrei Mishmeres Hakodesh The Shul at the Lubavitch Center Tiferes Yisroel

T, W, F S S S M-F

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

6:20 AM Agudah of Greenspring M, TH Agudath Israel of Baltimore S, T, W, F Arugas HaBosem (Rabbi Taub's) S-F Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M-F Kehilath B'nai Torah M, TH Shomrei Emunah Congregation S, M, TH 6:25 AM The Adas: Chofetz Chaim Adas Bnei Israel T, W, F 6:30 AM Agudah of Greenspring T, W, F Chabad of Park Heights M-F Darchei Tzedek M-F Kehilath B'nai Torah T, W, F Khal Bais Nosson M-F Khal Ahavas Yisroel/ Tzemach Tzedek M-F Kol Torah T, W, F Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah M-F Ohr Yisroel M-F Shearith Israel Congregation T, W, F Shomrei Emunah Congregation T, W, F 6:35 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) M, TH Ohel Moshe M, TH 6:40 AM Aish Kodesh (downstairs Minyan) T, W, F Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation M, TH 6:45 AM B”H and Mesivta of Baltimore (Dirshu Minyan) S-F Beth Abraham M, TH Greenspring Sephardic Synagogue M-F Mercaz Torah U'Tefillah S-F Ner Tamid M-F Ohel Moshe T, W, F Suburban Orthodox Congregation Toras Chaim M-F 6:50 AM Agudath Israel of Baltimore M, TH Ahavat Shalom [Sefaradi] M, TH Bais Medrash of Ranchleigh M, TH Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation T, W, F Community Kollel Tiferes Moshe Aryeh M, TH Derech Chaim M-F Kol Torah M-F Ohel Moshe S Ohr Hamizrach [Sefaradi] M, TH Shomrei Emunah Congregation M, TH The Shul at the Lubavitch Center M, TH 6:55 AM Beth Abraham T, W, F Kol Torah M, TH

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NOVEMBER 30, 2023

School and Emotional Wellness By Rabbi Azriel Hauptman

hildren of all ages attend school from just a few years after they are born until they become adults. Kids are sent off to school in the morning and return in the late afternoon while their parents go about their daily lives. Essentially, school is serving two roles: educating the children and babysitting. Being that children spend such a large percentage of their time in school, we must ask ourselves, what are the mental health ramifications of this institution that we call school? Before we answer this question, we must make a disclaimer. This article is not focused at all on fixing our schools. Our schools are doing the best job that they possibly can. In many areas of life, we do not live our lives the way Hashem intended. For example, the Torah was meant to be mostly oral, but today everything is written. Who knows how better our vision was when we studied the Oral Law orally?! School in its present form is also a modern invention, which like everything else in life has its pluses and minuses.

Hence, our main focus is to get some insight into what our children are subjected to in school so we can better understand their behavior when they come home. Children sit in desks for most of the day and must abide by the myriad rules and regulations of their school. As a result, they may experience a range of emotions including boredom, frustration, and stress. By the time their day is over, their energy reserves may be completely depleted. How does this affect their behavior when they come home? Before we explore that question, you might want to first ask yourself, how would you feel at the end of the day if every single day you were told what to do, how to do it, when to do it, everything you do is graded, and you will be punished if you dare get out of your seat without permission? Additionally, quitting is not an option and you are stuck in this system for another decade! You would probably be suffering from anxiety, depression, sleep and eating disorders, just to name a few. Yet, we demand this from our children!

Admittedly, many children do just fine and emerge from their school experience none the worse for wear. However, many children are impacted by school even if school was overall a very positive experience. Children can be moody, irritable, and cantankerous during the school year and be more relaxed and agreeable when school is off. This can be exacerbated if a child has perfectionistic tendencies. He or she might really enjoy school, but the energy that they expend on making sure they get straight A’s can leave them with very little gas in their emotional tank when they come home. This is one of the reasons for the common phenomenon where a child is an absolute angel in school but is moody and impatient at home. You also must bear in mind that the way schools are run is that the administrators and teachers have the final word and you have very little freedom to challenge their authority. When the child comes home, the bottled-up frustration with the authorities at school might be taken out on his or her parents who are the authority at home. Once again, our intention is not to challenge the ways schools are run. Schools are what they

are for countless reasons that are beyond the scope of this article and the teachers and administrators are caring, hard-working people who have the children’s best interest in mind. In spite of all that, school can still tax the emotional wellness of a child. Dr Seuss once wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you will go.” That is school in a nutshell; an invaluable place where our children learn the skills of life that will take them many places in their future. As their parents, you are the captains of the ship who need to be on the lookout for when the child needs a life preserver. Parenting and education is a partnership, and when the partners work together, the children will be better equipped to ride the waves of life. This is a service of Relief Resources. Relief is an organization that provides mental health referrals, education, and support to the frum community. Rabbi Yisrael Slansky is director of the Baltimore branch of Relief. He can be contacted at 410-448-8356 or at yslansky@reliefhelp. org

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Game Over By Rebbetzin Sara Gross

love those apps where you build farms and sell produce, make money, and earn new structures over time. They are so rewarding and sweet. Building more barns, milking cows, and gathering eggs from the chicken coop are much more fun when you don’t actually get your hands dirty. I was sick in bed for a few days one winter and got really hooked on one of those farming games. I planted fields, sold corn and apples, and fed the animals all day long. When I felt better, I found myself going onto the game many times throughout my day and keeping up with my farming tasks. My kids got into it too. I never let them play on my phone, but they used to watch me and remind me to keep track of things. After a few weeks, I realized that even though this was a harmless game, it was

really addictive and distracting. Deciding to delete the app was a little hard, but I knew it was the right thing to do. That day after school, I told my kids that I erased the game. They were really surprised. “Why? There’s nothing wrong with it!” One of the kids protested. “That was the best game!” It hit me that this was a real teaching moment. “Even though the game wasn’t bad, it was taking up a lot of my time,” I explained, “and I found myself checking the game constantly. When that happens, where you just need to keep checking something compulsively, it’s time to make a change.” They actually nodded and moved on. I felt so good that I was able to share my act of self-control with my kids, and I hope they take that lesson with them. DID YOU KNOW? When TAG installs a filter on your device, it’s you, the

websites and apps related to finance, business, and education, while another may decide to grant access to health, reference, and shopping. The customer also has the freedom to decide whether they want to view all images on the websites they visit or have them blocked. They can even permit images and choose to have the filter paint over human skin with a solid color. customer, who decides how lenient or strict your filter is, determining what is allowed and what is blocked. TAG’s customers range from those requesting a complete block on all content on their laptop to use at their Yeshiva for typing notes and writing papers, to those customers who only want to block inappropriate content. You have the autonomy to choose the categories of websites to allow and which to block. One customer may opt to allow

The rumor that TAG or filter companies impose their own ideals on customers and decide what they are allowed to see is simply not true. One popular filter even offers an option for parents to be the ones to approve or reject requests to unblock sites made by their children through the filter’s settings. TAG is committed to assisting you in setting up a solution that works best for you, utilizing the tools and resources available to them.

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“Hashem has a bigger plan. It may not make sense right now, it is valid to question but does not defer from OF MISHPACHA our belief inCEO Hashem.”

In our interconnected world, the power of the media cannot be aya Internet Delman’s lifemedia, radio, newspapers, and overestimated. websites, social magazines increasingly the fate of politicians and governments, changed incontrol a moment. world finances and morality. She was supposed to In betheatchareidi the world, the messages conveyed by religious media can shape and strengthen emuna, enrich charitable Nova efforts,Festivals and fermentbut new miraculously shul and yeshiva policies. Therefore, it was a great privilege to interview the highly influential Rabbi Eli Paley, owner of she was not there. Unfortunately, Mishpacha Media Group and publisher of the Mishpacha Hebrew and most of her friends were there and English weekly magazines.

is impressive and heartwarming. Within days they received almost $ 100,000 in donations. The achdus in the nation has been the most beautiful thing to see. No matter what people do they can contribute were killed. Maya spoke about the is tragic but Israel is doing the best nothing is promised and everything in some way. In the smallest ways, Eli Paley is a businessman and social activist. He is chairman of the Paley Family pain of losing her friends as well they can to provide any relief that that is happening is like something you can contribute even if not on Foundation which supports and promotes Torah Centers and social initiatives in the asCharedi the guilt she feels for not being they can. they have never seen before and the frontlines fighting Hamas. Evcommunity. A member of the Jewish Funders Network, he is active in several The topic of poverty among Charedim and the poor economic situation whatever in the Israeli skills philanthropic there and herorganizations. message of hope for is taking Every person she sees in video there is no assurance that anyone eryone community lay heavily on Eli’s heart. As part of the solution, Eli started the Charedi Institute everyone even though we are ex- clips is close to her heart and she will have toand bringing it togethcome back alive.withShe real- they of Public Affairs to engage the government with hopes resolve this in a way that will We discussed the Mishpacha’s origin, the challenges he is faced with policy decision periencing of the darkest peer. It is so special to be part of this allow she the Charedi society to retain its Torah values. making, andone the overall goals he hopes to attain the publication. is through struggling with guilt feelings ized was sending her brother riods of the Jewish nation. She because she is not in Israel with off to ‘potentially not come back’ massive family, everyone coming Eli was born in in the Mattesdorff neighborhood in Yerushalayim. His great-grandfather and While American Jews may have difficulty in relating to the issues overseas, Eli, as a born discussed how she is coping and her people. together to help the he family that is Maya Yeshivah is in America to and and bred Israeli is certainly with the masses. He recalls the issue faced during wondered how shein touch would say grandfather arrived in Eretz Yisroel in 1925 to establish the Slabodka in Chevron. his kolel years when distributing the magazine. The government regulation forbid a where shegrandfather is findingbecame strength from. tohelp hurting. As much as it has been Later his the assistant Rabbi her Herzel, the chief rabbi of Israel. father with his business goodbye without scaring him. yingeman from receiving Kollel benefits if he had any other source of income. Therefore, Maya’s good friend, Nimrod is after being involved in a motor vesuch a scary time there has airport, there were hun- his wife’s name, a desperate solution usedalso he At was the forced to register his side job under by Eli himself is an alumni of Chevron yeshiva. When he married his wife, a graduate of theMichlala owner of the Nova Festivals, much light and this is what many. In publication, he attempts broker abeen betterso solution. hiclelearning. accident which seemed dreds ofhispeople at the El Al tosecin Bayit Vegan, his dream was to continue However, a few monthslike aftera marriage, his brother mentioned new monthly publication a his huge festival company that awas tragedy at the called time Mishpacha but couldwas have tion, not people trying to get out Maya is trying to hold on to. looking for someone as afriends distributor in Yerushalayim for a day and a half once every Another example of difficulties that Israeli chareidim face is the draft. started with onlytoawork few Maya to return to her of Israel but ratherpopulation people trying to -- one out Mishpacha discussed statistics of fourcannot childrenwait is 5 to 6 weeks. With flex hours like that, Eli took been the job, what earningultimately twice as muchsaved as he would during COVID. A group of her Shereach wants to be with her Charedi– and how the armywar. and Charedi societyIsrael. can possibly a solution. be for an entire month in a kolel. Financially independent, continued learn Hashem diligently. life. She he says this istohow go in during a crazy On top friends would be going to the works in mysterious ways. people and with her country and of sadness, she was hit by a feelThe paper is faced daily with Hashkafa decisions that have far-reaching effects on our His father, Rabbi Yehuda Paley, bought the Mishpacha Magazine business. To help his Nova festival, however, Maya was to support her fromback withsociety. The issue of printing womencontinue in the magazine has been debated says there are itso many of being grateful topictures be partof of father, Eli got involved in the editorial angle of theMaya magazine figuring out how could make ing forth in many Whenand Hilary Clinton was President, Mishpacha unable tocontribution attend because she was emotions in. running She isfor committed to being Isa unique to the field of journalism. He left learning his new mission thatto pursue can co-exist and aand nation that is forums. so united there shocked many readers by publishing a blurry photo of Donald Trump and Hilary on the inspire and influenceafter the Chareidi community. It is that idealism that still drives him in intoAmerica looking her father raeli and Jewish and living in Isthat is what she is trying to sort for each which is so cover. “Weother just wanted to see howspecial. people would react,” Eli confides. his work so many years later. after an accident and felt very sad through. There is guilt and some There is nowhere else in the world rael which also comes with hard The office did receive some complaints, but thetimes. Gedolim If theeveryone magazine consults Whilemissing Mishpachathe is well-received Mishpacha is toand serve, about party. Shearound wokethe world, chose advised to leave relieftheatgoal theof same time guilt where people would be lining up them to include her since there was a real possibility Hilary would indeed become and be theasking voice of the Chareidim, particularly in Eretz Yisroel. The real customers upelevate to messages if everyone Israel in hard times there would for feeling relief and it can be a voice vi- topresident. go intoHowever, a war zone. in Israel, an anti-Mishacha publication blasted Mishpacha , claimingbe are not the advertisers but the audience. Mishpacha seeks to portray an independent was okay but didn’t imagine the no Israel. they were breaking the modesty and Torah by publishing a picture of Hilary Clinton. which is unaffiliated with any political party. Incious the early years,if in the circle youchareidi allowworld it toof be. As Israelis, we rules are ofso accuspollicization,of thiswhat was perceived as a weakness. However, the years have passed, and this magnitude had happened There is a war happening in IsShe is trying to make space for all tomed to war is so itnormal This became a realand issueitbecause was very hard for Eli to justify in his freedom has become one of the most salient factors of its success. until she heard that Israel was un- the emotions she can experience in tomind rael and there is also a war on sothey could not print pictures of women, particularly bewhy risking your life modest for your considering how hard it seems to be to explain to ba’alei teshuvah why is women are place der attack. She was lucky not to cial media which a scary Mishpacha was the first Charedi publication toagive the same to therelief, Sephardi and single day respect including guilt, country. Israelis have had to build “ignored.” In order to make Mishpacha, often one of their first exposures to Yiddishkeit, societies, attempting to of unity. Over time, this adherence to beAshkenazi there but unfortunately, allcreate her a sense for a Jew to be. She would adsadness, and hopefulness. up thepalatable, strength be strong, more Eli isto comfortable withspehis decision. equality and ahavas Yisrael became the secretgrief, to the business’ success. friends were killed including Nim- One emotion does not take away cifically, the men who are fighting. vise not to be afraid to be a Jew, He’s on a big mission: to expose our brothers toto true Torah values, and heyour bearslight, the Mishpacha’s done through honestone. writing. rod’s sister. quest in elevating frum society isfrom continue shining and feelingsincere, a different Maya believes that the women in responsibility seriously. He often employs a different way of thinking, a creative model, a Mishpacha does not engage in pretending that society is perfect. While recognizing the Nimrod has been working with to exemplify what it means to be Her older brother is the reason Israel play a huge part in the surstretch and a twist, that can support our lifestyle while at the same time show that we care great achievements and accomplishments in the frum world, Mishpacha will tackle even theunpleasant police issues, to identify bodies, tosensitive a Jew by having good middos and about the Israeli economy, security, and its welfare system. “Instead of just complaining albeit in an extremely way. she moved to Israel. He was in a vival of the country, a lot in comabout why we are not understood,” Eli explainedstanding during theup interview, “we must what identify who is a hostage and who special unit within the Golani Bri- bat for what youaskbelieve and others we can do inintelligence this field. While and we have to make sure that our kids are not too exposed to the is alive, and to let people know if gade. The night after the attack send in.toMaya willand notcome allow tragedy to big world, the (outside) world exists, we have face reality up with practical the men to fight with loveand and solutions. “ their loved ones survived or not. he and a friend from Texas were courage, make her angry or hateful. Hashknowing that Hashem has Those who survived can never be already on a flight back to Israel. aRather em has a bigger plan. It may not bigger plan andhistrusting Hashem, than hiding head in the sand, he is ready to take on the problems in our the same after experiencing this To go from a comfortable life in obviously make sense right now, them. it is valid neighbourhoods cities, with the authorities instead of against Slowly,to a bigand test of working Emunah. he believes, we will be able to build better trust.question but does not defer from amount of trauma. Nimrod is as- America into a war zone within Since Maya’s brother has been sisting in bringing together trauma 24 hours is ‘insane’. On the way back our belief in Hashem. in Israel she is busy Eli is proud that Mishpacha doesorganiznot try to be sensationalist. Rather he makes an effort specialists and other resources. It to the airport, reality hit them that ing to keep his editorial responsible and sensitive. “If you’re going to do it le’shaim donations andpolicies shipments which

ELI PALEY

shamayim” Eli ended, “you’ll have disyata d’shmaya to do it right.”

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In moments like this, together we shine a light and dispel the darkness. As we light the Chanukah menorah this year, let us remember how our people have persevered for thousands of years. By standing together, we can outshine the hate and antisemitism that surrounds us. Your support of The Associated helps protect our day schools, synagogues and Jewish institutions, cares for our family and friends in Israel and helps those in our Baltimore community who need it most.

Now, more than ever, share your light with us at associated.org/give.

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Wishing you and your family Happy Chanukah!

SHARING THE LIGHT

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Executive Director, Baltimore Bikur Cholim

imperative for the Chashmonaim to wage, what seemed to be, a winless war? At least a partial answer is that the Chashmonaim understood very well that a life without Torah is not a life worth living, that there is a mission that is greater than life itself, and that is ,serving Hashem as best as we can. This idea helped to fuel their courage and persistence and enabled them to conquer a mightier army with the battle cry of Mi La’Hashem Ailay. Upon their victory over the Greeks there was still much work to be done. The Beis HaMikdash had been defiled, many of the Jewish people had strayed, and there was not enough oil to kindle the menorah. Yet, just as they had during their war against the Greek armies, they stepped up and did all that they can do, leaving the results to

Hashem. And, the rest as they say is Chanukah! As I reflect on this sliver of the Chanukah message, I cannot help but to think of all of the local Bikur Cholim heroes, our volunteers who also step up to help, serve, kindle neshamos, and share the light of chessed. There are dozens of volunteers who devotedly stock and restock our hospital pantries which helps create a haven for the loved ones and family of hospitalized patients. There are others who dedicate hours each week to visiting cholim in the hospitals, rehabilitation facilities or their homes. Some of our Bikur Cholim heroes prepare the special Shabbos meals each week to those in need, while others happily deliver them even on a hectic Erev Shabbos. There are volunteers who agree to be called on to drive impaired

patients to their medical or therapy appointment, while others make sure that our hospitality apartments are cleaned and fully-stocked for visiting families seeking life-saving procedures. Our Bikur Cholim heroes, like the Chashmonaim, understand the message of a higher purpose, the need to be on the front lines when inspired to serve others who need help, comfort, and support. They become the Shammash for thousands bringing light and igniting hope. And in this season of Hallel V’ Hodaah, we thank each and every one of our volunteers for sharing the light. I encourage you to sign up as a Bikur Cholim volunteer by going to our website baltimorebikurcholim.org or by calling 410 999 3700. Best wishes for a freilichin lichtege Chanukah!

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RUBY LASKER DESIGNS

e all know that Chanukah contains layers of deep and spiritual messages. Contemplating the story and halachos of Chanukah reveals themes that uplift, instruct, and guide. It is far-deeper and more over-arching than latkas, dreidels, and donuts. The impetus for the onset of the Chanukah miracle began with the self-sacrifice and resoluteness of the Chashmonaim. Overmatched, outnumbered, and untrained, they nevertheless took on the Greek empire. In defiance, they put their very lives on the line to fight this battle which, from a purely secular perspective, they had no hope of winning. The question is, how were they allowed to fight a battle which they seemed doomed to lose. Why was it

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Jewish History

Partition: November 29, 1947 By Larry Domnitch

ovember 29, 1947, at 5:50 p.m. EST, the United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution that would divide the Land of Israel between a Jewish and Arab state. Thirty-three nations voted in favor, thirteen in opposition, and ten abstained. Rival superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, supported partition. The UN would recognize a small but nonetheless soon to be Jewish state, which would follow the British evacuation on May 14. The world body which would be a repository for so much hostility towards Israel over the next seventy-six years apparently experienced a moment of common sense and sound judgement. With the long-awaited prospect of Jewish statehood now a reality, Jews rejoiced and danced throughout that night. People embraced and offered congratulations. At a gathering at the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem, David Ben Gurion called for everyone gathered to sing the Hatikvah. Jewish Agency official Golda Meyerson (Meir) assured those Holocaust survivors still languishing in Displaced Persons camps in Europe and Cyprus that “together with us, you will live in a free Jewish state.” According to the UN Resolution 181, the Jews would soon receive a small sliver of land consisting of the Negev Desert, a large portion of the coast, and parts of the Galilee region, which made up about twelve percent of the original Jewish home called for by the 1917 Balfour Declaration. Jerusalem was designated to be an international city. Those Jewish communities outside the designated Jewish controlled areas would become incorporated in the proposed Arab state. As Jews of the Yishuv celebrated and danced horas, their lives were in jeopardy, with escalating Arab opposition. Arab UN delegations reacted swiftly in expressing opposition. Ambassador

Amir Arslan of Syria proclaimed that his nation “will never recognize such a decision”; Ambassador Jamali of Iraq declared that resolution 181 “undermines peace, justice and democracy,” as

launched against Jews throughout the Palestine Mandate. In the first month following the UN vote, 118 Jews were killed and 217 were wounded. Civilians on the streets, con-

As Jews of the Yishuv celebrated and danced horas, their lives were in jeopardy, with escalating Arab opposition.

they and their Arab colleagues abruptly walked out the halls of the UN in Lake Success, New York, in protest. Almost immediately, Arab labor strikes in Palestine were called, and acts of terror were

voys to cities, and institutions such as medical clinics were attacked. Violence also extended into the Arab world as Jewish communities were violently attacked. In the Yemenite city of Aden, anti-Jewish

riots broke out with reports of 82 Jews killed and 74 others wounded. In Tripolitania, Libya, 130 Jews were murdered. Soon, the Arab Legion of irregular troops led by Nazi trained commandoes Hassam Salameh and Abdul Kader Husseini, nephew of the infamous Mufti, Amin Al Husseini, led the Arab campaign of violence and terror while the surrounding Arab nations preferred to wait until the British evacuation before launching an invasion. On February 11, 1948, a bombing on Ben Yehudah Street in central Jerusalem killed and wounded hundreds. As attacks against the Jews were waged, troops of the Haganah and Irgun came to the defense. Jerusalem and its one hundred thousand Jews faced siege with supply routes under assault and supplies dangerously low. The Jewish State, given international approval but not yet officially born, was fighting for its very existence. United Nations Resolution 181 represented the rebirth of the Jewish State and also dealt a crushing blow to the proposed two-state solution which was rejected by Arab leadership. Seventy-six years later, Israel thrives but still faces dangerous, existential threats. Today, significant dangers come from the Iranian regime and its terror proxies who have caused devastation and threaten the wellbeing of the Jewish State. Resolution 181 and the process of Jewish statehood, which it helped put into motion, should be remembered as well as the lessons from that triumphant yet traumatic era.

Larry Domnitch is the author of The Impact of World War One on the Jewish People, by Urim Publications. He lives in Efrat.

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Cheers! December 5 marks 90 years since Prohibition was reversed. Let’s go down the watering hole to see what you know about this law that banned the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of alcohol from 1920 to 1933. 1. What was the name commonly given to places that illegally sold alcohol during Prohibition? a. Booze Bazaars b. Speakeasies c. Dry Dens d. Alchohides 2. Who was the notorious Chicago gangster known for profiting immensely from bootlegging during Prohibition? a. Meyer Lansky b. Al Capone c. Bugs Moran d. John Dillinger 3. What was the nickname for homemade alcoholic beverages produced illegally during Prohibition? a. Crooked Cocktails b. Sneaky Spirits c. Moonshine d. Bootleg Brews 4. What was the name of the federal agency responsible for enforcing

Prohibition laws? a. Alcohol Patrol Bureau b. Bureau of Prohibition c. Anti-Liquor Task Force d. Booze Control Agency 5. Which state never ratified the 18th Amendment, thus allowing alcohol to remain legal within its borders during Prohibition? a. New York b. California c. Maryland d. Illinois 6. What was the term used for the secret entrances or hidden rooms in illegal bars that were used to conceal alcohol during raids? a. Booze Hideouts b. Trap Doors c. Secret Coves d. Liquor Lockers 7. Who was the president of the United States when Prohibition was enacted?

a. Woodrow Wilson b. Warren G. Harding c. Calvin Coolidge d. Herbert Hoover 8. Which amendment repealed Prohibition, making the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages legal again? a. 19th Amendment b. 20th Amendment c. 21st Amendment d. 22nd Amendment Answers: 1-B 2-B 3-C 4-B 5-C 6-B 7-A 8-C Wisdom Key: 7-8 correct: You must be Al Capone… Got to know the system to beat it! 4-6 correct: You are a moderate person; Prohibition was not needed to curb your habits. 0-3 correct: You are definitely the type of person who has malt bear at home. L’chaim!

Prohibition was not America’s only strange law. All of the following, except for one, are laws that are still on the books in various places. Can you spot the one law that is made up?

Alabama: It’s illegal to drive while

Tennessee: You can’t hold

blindfolded.

public office if you’ve been in a duel.

Arizona: You are not allowed to interfere

Florida: It is illegal to feed alligators.

with a crane game. (That’s the claw machine where you try to get a stuffed doll).

Massachusetts: You can be fined if you

California: You can’t eat frogs that have died in frog-jumping competitions.

sing the National Anthem incorrectly. North Carolina: It’s illegal to hold a meeting or demonstration while wearing a hood or other costume. New Jersey: You must apply at least 3 ounces of hair gel to

Colorado: You may not use “indoor furniture” outside.

every ounce of hair on your head.

Connecticut: A pickle must be able to bounce.

Louisiana: Bear wrestling is prohibited.

(Technically, the law is that a pickle must be fit for human consumption. However, in 1948, the Connecticut Food and Drug Commissioner said that seeing if a pickle could bounce is a good way to see if it is fit for human consumption.) Gainesville, Georgia: Town ordinance requires that people eat fried chicken with their fingers. Wyoming: It is Illegal to ski while drunk. Virginia: It is illegal to hunt on Sundays unless you’re killing raccoons.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Arizona: It’s illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub.

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In the Name of the Law

Kansans: You can be fined for putting ice cream on cherry pie. Montana: You can’t “drive” animals on a railroad track. Oklahoma: Tripping a horse is outlawed. Pennsylvania: You can’t fire guns or set off explosives at weddings. Montana: It’s illegal to give a rat as a present. (Answer: Although New Jersey doesn’t have a hair gel requirement, it’s certainly “minhag hamakom.”)

How many bureaucrats does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

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You Gotta be Kidding Me! Answer: Six. One supervises; one arranges for the electricity to be shut off; one checks safety and quality standards; one monitors compliance with government regulations; one fills out paperwork; and one who screws the lightbulb into the water faucet.

Notable Quotes “Say What?!”

I was talking to a hostage negotiator this morning. He made the comparison between the 50 hostages that Hamas has promised to release, as opposed to the 150 prisoners that are Palestinians that Israel has released. And he made the comparison between the numbers and the fact that “does Israel not think that Palestinian lives are not valued as highly as Israeli lives.”

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- Sky News host Kay Burley, asking perhaps the dumbest question ever on TV to Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy

That is an astonishing accusation. If we could release one prisoner for every one hostage, we would obviously do that. – Levy in response

We got it wrong in the past. - WeightWatchers CEO Sima Sistani on CNN explaining why it is getting into the business of prescription weight loss medications

Notice the question of proportionality doesn’t interest Palestinian supporters when they’re able to get more of their prisoners out. But really, it is outrageous to suggest that the fact that we are willing to release prisoners who are convicted of terrorism offenses, more of them than we are getting our own innocent children back, somehow suggests that we don’t care about Palestinian lives? Really, that’s a disgusting accusation.

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– Ibid.

They have concluded that Vice President Harris is not capable; that when her IQ gets to 75, she should sell. - Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) on Fox News pontificating about why the Democrats won’t pick Vice Pres. Harris to replace Pres. Biden

Excuse me for a second. Can we stop all the booing and let these guys play? It’s got no class; it’s not who we are. Knock off the booing. – San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who grabbed the PA microphone mid-game to admonish fans for booing former Spurs player Kawhi Leonard

I can recognize a Jew hater from a long distance, and let me be very, very clear. Elon Musk is not an antisemite, and you really know it. He has made some serious mistakes…but an antisemite? No way.

Jordan indeed is Palestine. I already spoke about it many years ago in Israel in 2010. Changing its name to Palestine will end the conflict in the Middle East and provide the Palestinians with an alternate homeland. - Netherland politician Geert Wilders, who may form a coalition and be the new prime minister, on Fox News responding to criticism for his assertion that the Palestinian people should be moved to Jordan because “Jordan in Palestine”

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- Elon Musk’s remarks while visiting President Herzog on his trip to Israel this week

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Thank you for having me. It was certainly an emotionally difficult day, to see the places where people were murdered. And also to watch the video where the murderers are rejoicing. Celebrating the murder of innocent people is extremely disturbing. So we have to do whatever is necessary to stop the hate. Essentially these people have been fed propaganda since they were children. And it’s remarkable what humans are capable of if they’re fed falsehoods, from when they are children, they will think that the murder of innocent people is a good thing. That is how much propaganda can affect people’s minds. So you know, I actually did talk with the Prime Minister. And I think there’s three things that need to happen in the Gaza situation: there’s no choice but to kill those who insist on murdering civilians. You are not going to change their mind. But the second thing is to change the education so the new generation of murderers is not trained to be murderers. And the third thing, which also very important, is to try to build prosperity.

Hamas releases 13 more Israeli soldiers and four foreign nationals to the Red Cross in a second exchange. - Tweet by Reuters referring to the old women and young kids that were released on the first day of the ceasefire as “Israeli soldiers”

– From a video tweeted by Dov Hikind vouching for Elon Musk and explaining how the left is trying to label him an antisemite to destroy him

Thanks, indeed you are correct. - Elon Musk, in response

- Entrepreneur Luca Netz, in a recent interview with Fortune Magazine, talking about mistakes that he made when he was younger

It’s a great car on its face. But it’s big and clunky—I call it the oil rig. It has no gadgets and no functionality. Outside of the pretty orange interior I have, it serves no purpose. - Ibid.

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There’s no purchase that I regret more than my Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which is easily the worst car I’ve ever owned.

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My biggest fear was realized, and that is I would land and I would not be able to walk away. - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is paralyzed from the waist down, joking to reporters after he completed a tandem 8000-foot jump with 106-year-old World War II veteran Al Blaschke, who jumped separately

This is a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family. An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered. - Tweet by Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, after 9-year-old hostage Emily Hand (who has Ireland citizenship) was released

She was abducted by an evil terrorist organization. What is with you and your government and your paid for media affiliates constantly downplaying/attempting to repress horrific acts that happen to children. You are a disgrace. The day after a stabbing of children in Ireland, NOT ONE PAPER HAD IT ON THEIR FRONT COVER. We will not forget.

Hamas Awarded Nobel Peace Prize For Releasing A Few of the Children They Kidnapped.

– MMA fighter Conor McGregor in response

- Babylon Bee satirical headline

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Dating Dialogue

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

Dear Navidaters,

Thank you for your insightful column every week. I live and work in a community a few hours from New York. Often, I will get suggested for guys who are in New York or the tristate area and want to stay there. I always decline because I cannot see my-

self relocating. I want to live near my family, and I don’t want to have to start the process of finding a new job elsewhere. I’ve been dating like this for over three years. I hit a lot of resistance from shadchanim when I mention the topic of not relocating. Recently, I’m getting much less suggestions, and I’m only going out sporadically. I am starting to wonder how important this actually is and if maybe I should reconsider location being an impediWWW.THEBJH.COM

ment to meeting a guy. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance. Sara*

Disclaimer: This column is not intended to diagnose or otherwise conclude resolutions to any questions. Our intention is not to offer any definitive conclusions to any particular question, rather 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.

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The Panel

The Rebbetzin

The Shadchan

Rebbetzin Faigie Horowitz, M.S.

Michelle Mond

do think you should open up to meeting men from places other than your hometown. Obviously, opening up to a greater dating pool is advisable. However, what concerns me is why you don’t want to go beyond your immediate comfort zone of family and job. Married life is going to take you out of your comfort zone for sure, despite deep close feelings of love and commitment. That’s just the way it is. Spend time with yourself and a professional to explore why you hesitate to go beyond your comfort zone. Exploring this will bring greater self-awareness and marriage-readiness and may work through some blockages that are holding you back.

he way to secure a negative outcome is by continuously doing the same thing you’ve been doing and expecting to achieve a different result. Your experiences have shown that waiting for the perfect guy within your community is not realistic. This is not to say it won’t happen, but you are now aware that it is not likely to occur. I strongly urge you to broaden your horizons; not just for the sake of finding your bashert, but for stretching your muscles of going out of your comfort zone. There are so many wonderful people beyond your city, and there are wonderful job opportunities, too! Life will throw many curveballs your way, and many will be unfamiliar territory. I tell singles this often, when it comes

Pulling It All Together The Navidaters

to many different areas of life. Some are set on only marrying a man of a certain height, some are set on only marrying a guy of a very specific age, some with a certain job – the list is endless. You are looking for a person, not a paper. The nitty gritty details of life you could figure out together once you find him, but don’t limit yourself so much by making strikes against something that is unfamiliar. G-d made a world in which we must do our hishtadlus to achieve a result. Every single must look into his or her self and see where they can be doing more hishtadlus to open up more vessels of opportunity for Hashem to send their person.

You are looking for a person, not a paper.

mmm. What you are doing right now doesn’t seem to be succeeding. How about letting the Torah be your guide? Please note that when Rivka’s shadchan (Eliezer) asked her if she would relocate to Yitzchok’s hometown, she answered quickly and decisively, “YES!” (“AiIaich – I will go.”) Please also note, that young men

who are familiar with the Torah will remember how Yaakov agreed to work in his wives’ hometown and wound up working like a dog for his father-in-law for twenty grueling years. So, may I respectfully suggest that you let all of your matchmakers and shadchanim know that you are willing to relocate to your chosson’s hometown. And, who knows? Perhaps your future soulmate will fall in love not only with you but also with your charming hometown. I remember once hearing my Moreh D’asrah, Rabbi Solomon Sharfman, a”h, advising a young, single woman who was so busy at work, that she hardly had any time to date: “It’s hard to find the right balance between your career and your personal life. But, fifty years from now, would you prefer to have a scrapbook of your successes at work or a photo album of your beautiful children and grandchildren?”

not start a new job. With all that said, if you are not getting redt any shidduchim, we need to look at your realistic choices here. You can explore other avenues to meet guys in your area or who would be willing to move to your hometown. Whether that is dating apps or going to singles Shabbatons available to you, you may want to expand your network. Only you can decide if this feels comfortable for you. Ultimately, if you do not meet anyone within a certain amount of time and your desire to get married is greater than your desire to live in your home-

town as a single person, then I only see one clear choice, and that choice would be to date men who plan on living in New York and the tristate area. I know how hard dating can be, putting yourself out there and having to make impossible decisions for potential love. What I will say is that I believe from the bottom of my heart that your person is out there for you. I don’t know where he will want to live, but he is your person and you two will figure that out together, G-d willing. Sincerely, Jennifer

The Zaidy Dr. Jeffrey Galler

Dating and Relationship Coaches and Therapists

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i Sara, Thank you for writing into the panel. I understand the nature of your dilemma. You have always wanted to stay in your hometown and find yourself with fewer and fewer perspective matches because of this. Ultimately, only you can make the decision of whether or not to date men who want to live in New York or the tristate area. I don’t think this is a decision to be taken lightly. The place you choose to live impacts not only you, but also your hus-

band, your relationship w ith your husband, and your future children iy”H. “Out of town” life and lifestyles and expectations are often very different from New York and the tristate area. For many people, it is everything they could have ever hoped for, and for many other people, it can become quite the nightmare. I understand that living near your family is of utmost importance to you and that you would rather

Jennifer Mann, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist and certified trauma healing life coach, as well as a dating and relationship coach working with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at 123 Maple Avenue in Cedarhurst, NY. To set up a consultation or to ask questions, please call 718-908-0512. Visit www.thenavidaters.com for more information. If you would like to submit a dating or relationship question to the panel anonymously, please email JenniferMannLCSW@gmail.com. You can follow The Navidaters on FB and Instagram for dating and relationship advice.

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Common

Cents

By Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST

Investing in the Age of Echo Chambers T

rends come and go – and sometimes they come back – I have on good authority (my 15-year-old daughter) that Lululemon fanny packs are making a big comeback and are all the rage these days. Social Identification Theory is a psychological framework developed by Henri Tajfel and John Turner in the 1970s. Social Identification Theory posits that an individual’s sense of self is significantly shaped by their membership in social groups, whether based on nationality, religion, political affiliations, or social class. This identification influences their behavior, attitudes, and how they perceive others. Over the decades, this theory has evolved, encompassing not just overt group memberships but also subtler, psychologically internalized social categories. Social media exponentially magnifies this concept. Our smartphones create social groups that simply could not exist before. If I had a dollar for every person who sent me a TikTok, YouTube short, or Instagram story about how to build passive income and legally never pay taxes, I would be writing from a yacht in the south of France! Let’s explore how the wisdom of crowds can lead to foolish-looking portfolios and ways to protect your investments from falling victim to the viral investment du jour of the week.

The bubble burst when it became clear that these valuations were not based on sound financials, leading to significant losses for those who followed the crowd without critical analysis. • Real Estate Bubble and the 2008 Financial Crisis The real estate bubble that contributed to the 2008 financial crisis is another example. Many investors, influenced by the prevailing group sentiment that real estate prices would always rise, continued to invest in properties and subprime mortgages. This trend was also bolstered by social norms that equated property ownership with success. When the bubble burst, it led to a massive global financial crisis. • GameStop Stock Surge (2021) The GameStop stock surge, driven by users on the Reddit forum r/ WallStreetBets, is a recent example of social identification impacting investment decisions. A collective identity formed among small investors around opposing large hedge funds that had shorted GameStop stock. Many bought the stock as part of a coordinated effort to create a short squeeze, driving up the price. This movement was as much about social identity and collective action as it was about financial gain.

Social Identification Theory and Investing Social Identification Theory suggests that individuals often conform to the norms and behaviors of groups they identify with. In investment contexts, this can lead to herd behavior, where investors decide based on what others in their group are doing rather than independent analysis. Here are some examples of Group-Influenced events that rattled financial markets over the past 30 years and left a trail of financial destruction for investors: • Dot-Com Bubble (Late 1990s – Early 2000s) During the dot-com bubble, there was a widespread belief that internet companies would continue to grow exponentially. This belief and the fear of missing out (FOMO), led to inflated valuations of tech companies, many of which had no profit.

Taking a Contrarian Approach Being a contrarian in investing involves going against prevailing market trends or popular opinion, often based on deep fundamental analysis. This approach can be particularly effective but challenging, as it frequently runs counter to human psychology and the influence of Social Identification Theory. Here’s an exploration of the importance of contrarian investing, including real-world examples and how investors can adopt this mindset to counteract the pitfalls of Social Identification Theory. The Importance of Contrarian Investing • Spotting Overvalued and Undervalued Assets • Contrarian investors aim to identify assets that are undervalued by the market but have strong fundamentals or to avoid assets that are overvalued and in a bubble. By doing so, they

often enter positions that are unpopular at the time but have the potential for significant returns. • Avoiding Herd Mentality • This approach helps investors avoid the herd mentality that can lead to bubbles and subsequent crashes. By critically analyzing market trends and investor behavior, contrarians can sidestep the pitfalls of mass investor psychology. Examples of Successful Contrarian Investing • After a major scandal in 1963, American Express shares plummeted. While most investors shunned the company, Warren Buffett recognized its strong customer loyalty and brand value. He invested heavily, and the company eventually recovered, yielding significant returns for Buffett. • Before the 2008 financial crisis, investor John Paulson identified the housing market bubble, where most investors were heavily bullish on real estate. He took a contrarian position by short-selling subprime mortgages, leading to a profit of about $4 billion when the market collapsed. Contrarian Investing vs. Social Identification Theory Social Identification Theory explains how individuals align their behaviors and beliefs with their perceived social groups. In investing, this often manifests as following popular trends or the investment choices of peers. Contrarian investing directly opposes this by: • Encouraging Independent Analysis: Contrarians rely on their research and analysis rather than group consensus. • Resisting Peer Pressure: They resist the psychological pressure to conform to popular market sentiments. • Focusing on Long-Term Value: Contrarian investors often look beyond short-term market movements and focus on long-term fundamentals. Strategies for Maintaining a Contrarian Outlook • Thorough Research and Analysis: Investors should base their decisions

on detailed analysis of market fundamentals, not just on opposing popular opinion. • Emotional Discipline: Being comfortable with going against the crowd requires a high degree of emotional discipline and tolerance for potential short-term underperformance. • Regular Portfolio Review: Regularly reviewing and adjusting the portfolio can help investors stay aligned with their contrarian insights and adjust as market conditions change. • Staying Informed: Keeping abreast of market trends while not being swayed by them allows contrarian investors to spot opportunities where the market’s perception deviates from reality. Conclusion By maintaining a contrarian outlook, investors can potentially achieve outsized returns while mitigating the risks associated with following the crowd. This approach is not without its challenges, but for those who can effectively apply it, contrarian investing offers a path to potentially superior investment outcomes. Common Cents is now digital on YouTube @CommonCents613 The decision to start saving and investing is yours, but the “how” can be hard. Email commoncents@northbrookfinancial.com to schedule a free financial planning consultation with our team. Elliot Pepper, CPA, CFP®, MST is Co-Founder of Northbrook Financial, a Financial Planning, Tax, and Investment Management Firm. He has developed and continues to teach a popular Financial Literacy course for high school students.

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Forgotten Her es

Heroes in the IAF

THE BALTIMORE JEWISH HOME

By Avi Heiligman

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n the current conflict in Israel a lot of media attention has been focused on the ground units that have been entering Gaza and protecting the other borders. Both the Israeli Navy and Air Force have also been quite active and have performed many operations in both Gaza and around the country. The Israeli Air Force (IAF), commanded by General Tomar Bar, has been operating the Iron Dome missile defense system, carrying out thousands of strikes against Hamas and other terrorists, and has conducted many special operations. The Iron Dome is a mobile, all-weather air defense system that has been operational since 2011. The system detects an incoming missile and determines its current location and where approximately it will land. If the rocket is projected to land in an unpopulated area, the Iron Dome won’t fire. Most of the Hamas rockets are unguided and often land in empty fields. However, if the rocket is on a crash course to cause damage, the Iron Dome comes to life by firing a missile that destroys the incoming rocket. Other systems like the Arrow and David’s Sling can shoot down lon-

ger-range missiles that are beyond the capabilities of the Iron Dome. Hostile UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) have become increasingly more common for use by the terrorists. Both the Iron Dome and David Sling systems have been used to shoot these threats out of the sky. There are at least ten Iron Dome batteries deployed across Israel, and

is a directed energy defense system and uses a fiber laser to destroy incoming projectiles. It is much more cost effective than the Iron Dome, but the Iron Beam is not currently an all-weather system. Both manned planes and drones of the Israeli Air Force have been very active since the start of the war and are performing a variety of missions. Fol-

There are at least ten Iron Dome batteries deployed across Israel, and the effective rate is at least at 90%.

the effective rate is at least at 90%. Iron Dome, which is operated by the Israeli Air Force, has shot down thousands of rockets since the beginning of the war. At the time of the writing of this article, there are reports of the first successful use of the Iron Beam. The Iron Beam

lowing the October 7 attacks, the Israeli Air Force started an intensive campaign of airstrikes against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Precession bombs and missiles were used against compounds, command centers, and tunnels. Many Hamas and Hezbollah commanders

were eliminated by fighter jets and armed drones. Also targeted and destroyed were members and commanders of the Nukhba Force, the unit responsible for the October 7 th attacks. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the IAF used helicopters and drones to track and eliminate terrorists who had infiltrated Israeli territory. The IAF currently has F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon and F-35 Lightning II fighter jets in its arsenal. On November 2, an F-35I “Adir” shot down a cruise missile over the Red Sea. The missile originated from the Houthis in Yemen. It was the first intercept made by the stealth fighter. Another ballistic missile coming from Yemen was shot down by the IAF using the Arrow system. Two IAF squadrons have been tasked as heavy transport units and have conducted a wide range of missions. The 103rd Squadron, operating C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and the 131st Squadron, who fly transport and aerial refueling planes, have been working around the clock. Their missions include cargo transport, mid-air refueling, troop transport and air support.

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Unit 669 was launched in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War. A dedicated pararescue unit was needed for combat search and rescue, and Unit 669 was soon created. Training of these elite airmen takes 18 months, while they go through a variety of schools and courses. They take basic training with paratroopers and learn how to parachute. Other courses include learning how to be a combat medic, SCUBA and rescue

diver schools on counterterrorism, jungle, desert and urban warfare, and helicopter entry and exiting and navigation. Some of the unit members are Special Forces soldiers, while others are doctors to provide critical care at the scene. As of November 13, the unit has already performed 260 medavac missions and special operations during the war. Hundreds of IDF soldiers have been rescued by the unit, including many missions

under intense fire from Hamas. The many missions performed by the IAF, especially the targeted airstrikes, have put increasing pressure on Hamas and Hezbollah and have reduced their ability to fight back at Israeli troops. For security reasons, the Israeli Air Force doesn’t usually release the names of its operators or details of many of its operations. However, some information has been made available to the public, and

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it is clear that those who serve in the Israeli Air Force are a major part of the war effort. These heroes deserve to be remembered.

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.

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To Raise a Laugh

Chanukah Minhagim No One Talks About

hanukah is a festive, joyous time with lots of interesting minhagim. Especially since some of them are probably not technically minhagim.

the words right, as we’ve never seen them printed inside. Everything we know about the song is by word of mouth and years of a spotty game of Telephone. For years, I thought that instead of “Chasof zeroa kadshecha – expose your holy arm,” it was “Chashoch zeroa kadshecha,” which I guess means, “Your holy arm is dark.”

ing to have the amount of people in our house that would necessitate the use of this many dreidels. But if the Greeks ever come back, we’re going to be prepared.

But our kids wouldn’t know it. There are some things that we do every year because we have our routines, but as far as our kids know, they’re our minhagim, and some day they’re going to pass them on to their kids:

- Nowadays, my wife has a minhag, since she married me, to insist that we sit down and read it from a sefer. It’s been very educational. We should definitely start doing this for “Ohd Yishama” too. “Ohz Yishama”?

- My kids have a minhag to remember liking latkes a lot more than they actually like latkes.

“We have a minhag to eat apple sauce,” they’re going to say. “But I can’t find the source.”

- My wife has a minhag to open the blinds on our windows just enough that people can see us lighting our menorahs, but not enough that we can see if people are seeing us lighting our menorahs. From the street, it’s just a headless menorah-lighting ceremony.

So you should really take the time to talk to your kids about it, before they get so busy with whatever you bought them that they tune you out. Seeing as my kids have already tuned me out, here are some things that we do that my kids probably think are our minhagim: - I have a minhag to look up what English date Chanukah falls on approximately 13 to 14 times per year, and then immediately forget each time. - My wife has a minhag to take pictures of us lighting the candles every single night. Some years we don’t even take pictures of us in Purim costumes, but we have eight pictures of us lighting the menorah. - I have a minhag to stop in middle of Maoz Tzur to relight my wicks. My wife gets a picture of this too.

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- We have a minhag that every time someone asks how many candles we’re lighting that night, someone says, “Last night was three.” - I have a minhag to rearrange all the living room furniture so we can light near the window, and then not rearrange it back until we clean for Pesach. - One of my kids has a minhag to start lighting from the wrong candle, despite everyone around him lighting correctly at the same time right next to him. And it’s a different kid every year. - I have a minhag, passed down from my ancestors, to join hands and dance for Maoz Tzur, the result being that no one in my family gets all of

- Everyone’s kindergarten teachers have a minhag to have the kids make their own menorahs, because that sounds safe. Why not have them make something else, such as – I don’t know – a dreidel? Or their own presents. - I have a minhag to ask my kids what they want for Chanukah, because even though they should appreciate whatever we give them, we appreciate knowing what we’re looking for when we get to the store. - At some point over Chanukah, we have a minhag to listen to some kind of song that rhymes nights with lights and eight with celebrate. As opposed to one that rhymes candles with vandals, neis with chase, oil with aluminum foil, doughnuts with cold cuts, or Maoz Tzur with last night was four. - I have a minhag to pull out last year’s chocolate coins at some point and say, “I don’t know if these are still good, but I found them in back of the closet.” Then I buy more, for the next Chanukah. - We have a minhag to eat more potatoes on Chanukah than we do on Pesach. But no one complains. - I have a minhag to pass up jelly donuts for custard donuts. What even is custard? Is it like sweet mayonnaise? - We have a minhag to accumulate dreidels like there’s going to be a shortage. We are never go-

- We have a minhag to pat our latkes with paper towels before we eat them.

- My doctor has a minhag to schedule blood tests for me on Chanukah, and then to say that I really need to cut down on the fried foods. - We have a minhag that if we have a Chanukah party to go to, our candles take forever to go out. But if we don’t, I have to relight them during Maoz Tzur. - At Chanukah parties, we have a minhag to eat ziti. - We have a minhag to do a kids’ grab bag at these parties with a $2 price ceiling. My kids have a minhag to always put in a whoopee cushion and to always get out gum. - If we go out at night after our candles are out, we have a minhag to point out every menorah we see and say, “Theirs aren’t out yet.” - My students have a minhag to argue against having secular studies on Chanukah. They insist that this is exactly what the Greeks wanted us to do – to have secular studies in the afternoons. Instead, they want to play basketball. - We have a minhag to argue about the rules for dreidel every year – particularly what to do after the first person gets a gimmel. Is the game now over? Does the house have to open a new bag of chocolate chips? - I have a minhag to start a diet right after Chanukah, until I remember that I still have latkes in the fridge. Mordechai Schmutter is a freelance writer and a humor columnist for Hamodia and other magazines. He has also published eight books and does stand-up comedy. You can contact him at MSchmutter@gmail.com.

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NOVEMBER 30, 2023

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Halacha

Rage Rooms and Halacha By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

When Breaking Things is Permitted

ig corporations are always looking for team-building opportunities. And now there is something new on the block. WARNING: Pun imminent. They are the latest “rage” in entertainment, so to speak. Instead of “escape rooms,” indoor skiing, or axe-throwing venues, people are now paying money to enter a room with safety gear and baseball bats – and smashing and breaking things. They are called “rage rooms,” and they are available in different packages. You can buy a package where you smash high-end electronic equipment, computer equipment, fax machines, printers, etc. A cheaper package will give you plates, glassware and low-quality artwork to break. The question is: what does halacha say about all of this? The short answer is that it seems to be strictly forbidden. One might as well take a date to a Heritage Pork-Tasting Menu in Riverhead and try out the Red Wine Cured Pork Jowl with Honey Crisp Apple, or the Pork Belly in Celery and Sesame Broth with Shitake Mushrooms, or the Pork Loin with Pickled Beets.

Shabbos as an exaggeration (YO OC Vol. I 28:9), there is no doubt that Chazal found it terribly wrong and deeply offensive. One could argue that the Gemara says that it is only prohibited if one does it in anger. Different poskim say that even if one does not do it in anger but just rips or destroys them is still in violation of the prohibition (see Mivchar HaPninim p. 241).

Three Relevant Sources

Three Violations

The Gemara in Shabbos 105b states, “Kol hameshaber keilim b’chamaso k’ilu oved avodah zara – one who breaks vessels in his anger – it is as if he is worshipping idols.” The Gemara in Yevamos 96b goes even further. It seems that there was an argument in a certain shul in Teveriah that ultimately ended in the Sefer Torah being torn. Rabbi Yossi Ben Kisma was present and remarked, “I would be very surprised if there was no avodah zarah in that shul.” They searched and apparently there was some avodah zara there. There is a third source, (Avos DeRabi Nosson 3) wherein Rabbi Akiva remarks that whoever stomps his bread on the land and whoever throws out his money in anger does not leave this world without needing to receive charity from others. Now while it is true that Rav Ovadiah Yosef, zt”l, understood this Gemara in

Rabbeinu Yonah in his Shaarei Teshuvah (3:82) explains that there is a double violation in this. The first is the wanton destruction and violation of baal tashchis, destroying things, and the second is that he is allowing and giving opportunity and expression to his evil inclination dominion over his actions which will violate the Torah. There is also a view that there is a possible third prohibition – Darchei Emori – following the ways of Ovdei Avodah Zara.

verses that all types of wasting is forbidden. This is the ruling of the Rambam (Malachim 6:10) – that it applies to all forms of waste and destruction. The Baal HaTanya in his Hilchos Shmiras HaGuf v’Nefesh also understands that the Torah prohibition is across the board and is not just limited to fruit trees. The Netziv writes in his commentary on Chumash that the reason is that whatever is necessary to benefit mankind is forbidden to destroy. On the contrary, one must seek to benefit from it. Most authorities, however, are of the opinion that destruction of items other than fruit trees are of rabbinic origin (See Sefer haChinuch Mitzvah 530), so at least according to these authorities, it is not exactly equivalent to the pork tasting – but one does get the picture. It is interesting to note that the author of the Shulchan Aruch did not devote a section to this area of halacha.

Baal Tashchis

What if The Items are Ownerless?

The prohibition of baal tashchis is the wasteful destruction of trees and the like. The prohibition is found in Devarim 20:19. Although the verses refer to a wartime situation, the Ramban explains that after you defeat the enemy, you will be able to utilize them. That being the case, the halacha is extrapolated from these

It seems that there is a debate among the Rishonim whether the prohibition of baal tashchis applies to items that are ownerless. In Responsa Yehudah Yaaleh (YD #164), the Mahari Assad cites a debate between the Rosh and Rashi who are lenient versus the Rambam, the RaN and Tosfos who hold it is a prohibition.

There are times when the notion of breaking something is permitted. We do find leniencies in the Talmud where some forms of smashing are permitted in order to assert a healthy respect and fear. Also, we find that some form of smashing is permitted to ascertain the middos of a child and to see whether more specific instruction is necessary in middos. The Maharsha (Shabbos) writes specifically that one may only do so with pre-broken items. Also, there are two other caveats that are presented. One should make sure that people do not learn from him to get angry (Meiri) and one should take extraordinary care not to allow such actions to affect his temperament (Yeshuos Chochma).

But Doesn’t It Relieve Tension? One could possibly put forth the argument that when there is a purpose to breaking something, perhaps this does not fit into the Gemara that forbids it. Don’t we find that we smash a glass at a chuppah and a plate at a tanaim? This argument is specifically rebuffed by the quote of this Gemara, according to Rav Yonasan Shteif in chadashim gam yeshainim and by sefer Yichusei Tanaim v’amoraim, page 313.

When An Alternative Exists The Chikrei Lev (Mahadurah Basra YD 11 “shuv ra’isi”) writes that when an alternative choice exists, then it is entirely forbidden to accomplish it through the medium of breaking a vessel. The Orech Meisharim 19:6 writes this as well. The newly printed Ritva (also on Shabbos) cites the same qualification. In short, if one is planning to go to one of these during Chanukah vacation, winter vacation, or just a plain date – don’t. It is at least a debate among the Rishonim. Change your plans instead. This article should be viewed as a halachic discussion and not practical advice. The author can be reached at yairhoffman2@gmail.com.

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NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Your

Money

Excedrin Headache #1,367 By Allan Rolnick, CPA

hat do sophisticated tax cheats, drug cartel money launderers, Russian potash oligarchs, and quite possibly you all have in common? Well, if you operate your business as a partnership, corporation, or limited liability company, you’re all about to find yourself caught up in a sticky new web of Grade A federal red tape. Washington is constantly trying to close the loopholes that bad guys use to hide taxable income or other ill-gotten gains. An ethically-challenged business owner looking to avoid tax might run his operations through Partnership A, which is owned by Partnership B, which routes income through Foreign Partnership C, which sends the money back to domestic Partnership D. But by the time that income is supposed to reach his 1040, it’s disappeared and never gets taxed. (How does that happen?) Or a Russian billionaire might want to park some of his assets outside Vladimir Putin’s reach, so he uses a shell corporation to buy a 50$ million condo on Manhattan’s Billionaire’s Row. All of those entities make it harder for Uncle Sam to track ownership and collect taxes. And so, in 2020, Congress added the blandly named “Corporate Transparency Act” to that year’s defense spending bill. The law requires corporations, LLCs,

and any other business entities formed by filing documents with the Secretary of State or similar office to report its “beneficial owners.” These include anyone who owns 25% or more of the ownership interest or exercises “substantial control” over the company. Of course, it wouldn’t be red tape without a laundry list of 23 exceptions to the new rules for companies that already disclose ownership information. These

ment’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). That report will include your full legal name, date of birth, current legal address, and your driver’s license or passport number, and photo. If your company is in existence before the end of this year, the report is due by January 1, 2025. If you form a new one after December 31, the report is due within 30 days. The penalty for failing to report is $500 per day up to $10,000. If

A Russian billionaire might want to park some of his assets outside Vladimir Putin’s reach, so he uses a shell corporation to buy a $50 million condo on Manhattan’s Billionaire’s Row.

include “large operating companies” with more than 20 employees, banks, investment advisors, and even certain public accounting firms. (Yay, us!) If you’re not fortunate enough to slip through one of those loopholes, you’ll have to report your “Beneficial Ownership Information” with the Treasury Depart-

that failure is willful, or you knowingly include incorrect information, you can owe an additional $10,000 plus spend up to two years in jail. Oh, and if any of that information changes, you’ll have to update it within the same 30 days. If you get a new driver’s license and forget to submit it, will Fin-

CEN really fine you $500 per day? Maybe! FinCEN just published a helpful 56page summary of the law if you need help falling asleep some night. It would be really helpful if we had examples of forms (paper, web portal, carrier pigeon?) we’ll need to comply with the new law. Sadly, they don’t exist. Hey, if Congress can wait until the night before the government runs out of money to pass legislation extending the debt ceiling, shouldn’t we cut FinCEN the same slack? We also don’t know if the penalties are calculated per reporter or per company. Details, shmetails. Don’t look to accountants to navigate the new rules. This is a job for Legalman! But it’s important to understand that the new red tape grows out of the government’s efforts to track down more business income to tax. It’s just another reminder of how important it is to have a proactive plan to pay the least amount possible and survive any sort of audit. You know who to call!

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

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In The K tchen

Deep Fried PBJs By Naomi Nachman

gave me the inspiration for this recipe. We made it together last year during Chanukah. The recipe is so easy and simple and a little fun idea for Chanukah. You could even use a cookie cutter to make additional fun shapes or keep it simple as the recipe below

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

My friend Naomi Elberg, aka @naomi –tgis on Instagra m,

with just the regular shaped bread. Try using different sandwich fillings, like chocolate spread, lotus butter or even try something savory like guaca mole.

Ingredients

◦ 1 loaf white bread

Preparation

In a small bowl, whisk up your eggs and milk until well combined; set aside.

◦ 2 eggs

Place cereal on a plate and set aside.

◦ 2-3 tablespoons milk

Take two slices of bread and put your desired amount of peanut butter and jelly

◦ 1-2 cups Frosted Flakes cereal, crushed

on either side, making a sandwich. Then, take the whole sandwich and dip it into

◦ 1 stick butter

your egg wash on each side. Once coated in egg wash, dip the sandwich into the

◦ Peanut butter

Frosted Flakes on both sides, making sure to heavily coat. In a large pan on medium heat, melt about half a stick of butter (save remaining butter in case you need more for later). Place your sandwich into your pan for a couple of minutes on either side (or until desired crispness is reached). Eat and enjoy immediately after frying.

Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.

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