Newspaper of the Cooper Yeshiva High School for Boys
Volume 19, Issue 5
Trivia Corner
Page 2
Cooper Clicks
Page 3
Meta is Destroying Virtual Reality
Page 4
The Efects of Gym Workouts on Teenagers
Page 5
The Halachos of Pas Haba B’kisnin
Page 6
This weeks issue is sponsored by: Drs. Lindi and Ari VanderWalde in honor of the CYHSB Weekly Staff
To sponsor an issue and lend support to the next installment of the CYHSB Weekly, please reach out to Nadav.Lowell@mhafyos.org issuu.com/mrsashleybrown
@cyhsb_weekly
Donald
Trump’s Presidency and What it Will Mean
Ilan Lennon (’27)
On November 6, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the 2024 presidential election, solidifying earlier results that allowed Former President Donald Trump to again take the presidency. This shift of power, between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, opens the door for much policy change and will result in drastic changes in both domestic and international policy and relations. On an international stance, Trump’s policies prioritize diplomacy in Israel
and the Middle East through the Abraham Accords, as well as between Russia and Ukraine. Domestically, Trump has emphasized his desire to improve the economy and reduce taxes.
As he implied in his previous term as president, Trump’s “America First” approach to foreign policy will likely result in a shift away from the NATO alliance, instead prioritizing the Domestic interests of Americans and showing more indifference towards other Cont’d on bottom next page.
President
Trump speaks at a raly at Georgia’s Hank McCamish Pavilion. Source: Shutterstock
Cont’d fom previous page. countries. Another key factor in this foreign policy has been working to maintain a tough stance on China. This would likely increase tariffs on foreign goods to lower the United State’s reliance on other countries, which, as America and China are major factors in the global economy, would affect global trade and international relations.
Another focal point of Trump’s foreign policy would be in the Middle East, particularly Israel. In his previous term, Trump emphasized his support for Israel by relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. He also played an important role in negotiating the Abraham Accords which led to a normalization between Israel and several Arab countries. In this term, Trump will presumably continue to be highly supportive of Israel. His diplomatic strategy will involve expanding the Abraham Accords by including more Arab countries, an “absolute priority” as he stated to Arabiya News. He will also, more likely than not, focus on maximizing Israel’s security and potentially
advance U.S.-Israel defense cooperation by continuing to provide military and intelligence aid. Strengthening the U.S.’s relationship with Israel could also result in a more tense relationship with centers opposed to Israel, such as Tehran and associated nations.
In Trump's domestic policy, he is expected to focus on boosting the economy and lowering taxes, similar to his approach with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which benefited corporations and high- to middle-income earners. More tax cuts or similar measures could be pursued, given their high approval rating during his first term. He is also likely to further reduce government regulation on businesses, and scale back environmental restrictions.
Trump immigration policies during his first term were extensive; he constructed hundreds of miles of border wall and required Mexican asylum- seekers to wait in Mexico while their requests were processed. We will likely see some more of this in the coming four years. On a related note, Trump has also been voicing interest in reexamining birthright
Last Issue: Answer: House of Representatives. Winner: Jonah Siegel
Basketbal Edition First one to email Yitzy.Ryp@mhafyos.org gets a shout out in the next issue! Who holds the record for the most three-pointers made in a single NBA season?
President Donald Trump at an October 7 memorial in Florida. Source: haaretz.com
citizenship which would limit it to children of U.S. citizens and legal residents.
Trump has a firm stance on crime and policing. With his criticism of movements such as, “Defund the Police,” and his consistent support for police departments and law enforcement officers, it is apparent that he would pick up where he left off with increased punishment for violent criminals and continue his battle against drug trafficking. Overall, it will be interesting to see the direction in which the Trump Vance ticket will take our country over the next four years. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that we are one country and one people and that the key to success lies in maintaining a unified front, regardless of the issues we face. As a well-informed senior, JJ Stein (‘25) pointed out, “Regardless of who you voted for, we have to understand that America is still united and we are still one people.” This message can be taken to heart as it applies not only to the country we currently live in, but also to our commitment to stay unified as a Jewish people. No matter our political beliefs, we have to stick together to be strong.
Trivia Corner
Cooper Clicks
Top Right: Pre Shabbos Kumsitz with TVA. Middle: Rabbi Grunwald delivers moving speech on the memory of Rabbi Avi Goldberg.
Bottom Left: Rabbi Rossman gives meaningful insight into the sacrifice being made everyday by the soldiers fighting for our people on the front lines.
Bottom Right: Nadav Lowell blows bubbles for a fun AP
Meta is Destroying Virtual Reality
Zev Valeriano (’27)
Most people have heard of Meta and Mark Zuckerberg. Meta is the company that owns many apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Messenger, and more. But you may not have heard about the Oculus Quest or its current name, the Meta Quest, since Zuckerberg bought Oculus from the founder of Oculus, Palmer Luckey.
Luckey made VR (virtual reality) headsets for gaming. These are immersive games in which you have to move your body to the speed of the game. VR has become very popular since the release of Oculus Quest 2 on October 13, 2020. The reason is its cheap price tag of only $299 at launch and wireless experience as opposed to PC VR (personal computer virtual reality), where you had to connect your Valve Index, another virtual reality headset dependent on a computer, or any other headset to your computer. However, I would like to mention that even though the Meta Quest line of products is PC-independent, it is still PC-compatible, meaning that even though it is not needed, it can still connect to your computer to enhance graphics and expand storage. While the newest Meta headset may have had minor technical and design issues, it boosted the VR community's much-needed popularity. Its appeal stems from its diverse
games, excellent features, and the flexibility to connect to a PC for PC VR. It seemed like nothing could have been done wrong to ruin it until Facebook decided to change its name to Meta and tried to focus on creating the Metaverse – a virtual world where people can interact with each other in digital environments in various ways. Meta changed the name from Oculus Quest to Meta Quest. People were unhappy about this change because it made the Oculus not feel the same anymore. The complaints did not end there. Meta announced that they were releasing the Meta Quest Pro, which would supposedly be better than the Meta Quest 2. But Meta decided to make it for work purposes instead of gaming, which is the exact opposite of what the Oculus/ Meta Quest was intended to be. On top of that, almost all of its technical and design failure problems were ten times worse. The head strap was awful and caused headaches if worn improperly. The coloring was all off whenever a consumer tried to look at their room in passthrough mode causing headaches and making your eyes feel terrible. It didn't even work well when used for work purposes. Barely any gamers or businesses bought this headset because of its $1,499 price tag, causing Meta to lose over 21 billion dollars.
This was an all- time low for
Meta Quest 3. Source: WIRED
Meta. To erase their failure, Meta tried their best to focus on the Quest 2 in an attempt to make people forget about the Quest Pro. After Meta let go of many quality Meta employees and shut down many iconic and classic games for the Quest 2 in order to gain more money for Echo VR, Meta released the new Meta Quest 3 on October 10, 2023. While it made consumers forget about the Meta Quest Pro, it caused the VR industry to get much hate over time.
Meta once again proved that they hardly learned from their mistakes by focusing way too hard on becoming the Metaverse. They created terrible updates for Meta apps, especially for VR. Additionally, they falsely advertised the abilities of Quest 3, and its exclusive features were barely used. One of the ads shows a man failing to build a baby crib after using the instruction manual, so he puts on his Quest 3 and starts randomly looking up videos on how to make a baby crib. The advertisement shows the man somehow managing to build the crib successfully even though these VR headsets are absolutely the last thing you should use for Cont’d on bottom next page.
The Positive Efects of Gym Workouts on Teenagers
Nadav Lowell (’25)
More and more teenagers have been hitting the gym in recent years. One can witness this growing trend in social media, schools, and even among families. But what does going to the gym do for a teenager beyond muscle building? While exercise, in particular strength training, has many benefits other than changing the arbitrary notions of how one looks, these include major gains in mental health and social connection and even in academic performance.
Physical Benefits
The most obvious benefit of regular visits to the gym is physical fitness. As verified by the CDC, teens who are active in exercising develop strong muscles, bones, and joints, which may serve to reduce the chances of injuries
Cont’d fom previous page. things like this. They also falsely advertised its abilities to show how it could compete with the new headset made by Apple called the Apple Vision Pros, which also failed and lost Apple a lot of money. And of course, to put the final nail in the coffin, they priced the headset at a gaming console price of $499 while advertising that is supposed to be for "work purposes." This headset made the VR community die even more and made VR less accessible to newcomers. Despite all of this, Meta,
during sports and day activities. It also helps in keeping good heart and lung health, thus setting a platform for one's health in general.
Stress Relief and Mental Health
The pressures from school, friends, and family can be immense during adolescence, leading to significant levels of stress and anxiety. Evidence shows that regular physical activity at the gym reduces
thankfully, also put a lot of support into its gaming part of the headset. But thankfully, we have had actual good news for once since 2022. There will be the Meta Quest 3 Lite, which is supposed to be the Quest 2 replacement with more and better cameras and the same exclusives as the Quest 3 while having the same lenses as the Quest 2. Essentially, that means it's almost a copy and paste of the Quest 2 with a price tag of $299– the same as the Quest 2's launch price tag.
Unfortunately, this means all of the Quest 2 users who have
published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that regular physical activity led to a substantial reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression in both adults and adolescents. The mechanism behind improved mood and reduced stress during and after exercise Cont’d on page 6.
spent way too much money buying accessories to make the headset usable for longer game sessions are useless for the Quest Lite due to its completely different charging port making accessories useless. So, my estimate for how long Quest 2 will run until its online servers are shut down and no more new games are available is a solid year. I hope Meta will fix their mistakes with the new headset, making it accessible to anyone who wants to feel immersed and have a different view on gaming.
Cont’d fom page 5. is attributed to the release of endorphins and other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin (Rebar et al., 2015) Additionally, regular exercise fosters a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-confidence through improvements in strength and fitness levels. Research published in Sleep Health indicates that regular physical activity reduces symptoms of insomnia and promotes better sleep, which is crucial for mental health, particularly among teenagers (Buman & King, 2010).
Better Concentration and Better Academic Performance:
Interestingly, despite its seemingly time-consuming nature, regular physical exercise has been shown to positively impact teens' academic performance.
According to various studies, physical activity promoted through gym workouts increases brain function, memory, and concentration in teenagers, therefore enabling them to stay focused in school. The National Research Council itself (2013) writes that physical activity has been associated with academic benefits inside and outside the school premises for students. More importantly, the discipline that comes with sticking to a workout routine can translate into better time management and organizational
skills, possibly further enhancing academic outcomes.
Social Benefits
Regular exercise, especially in a gym setting, often leads to increased social interaction. Teens who visit the gym frequently have opportunities to build friendships with peers who share similar health and fitness goals, creating a sense of community and belonging. This can help teenagers develop essential communication and teamwork skills as they motivate each other, share workout tips, and celebrate progress together.
The Dangers of Weightlifting for Teenagers
Although weightlifting offers several benefits, it can be dangerous if not performed properly, and this is particularly the case for teens.
The importance of proper form in strength training means, that without it, the risk of injury be it sprains, strains, or joint damage can be quite high. Bones and muscles are still developing in teenagers, so lifting heavy weights without guidance could mean a lifetime of physical ailments. Consultation with a medical professional must be done before the weightlifting program is embarked on, and teens should seek guidance to learn proper form and gradually increase the intensity of workouts.
Contrary to popular belief,
strength training does not affect height.
One of the most common fears about weightlifting for teenagers is that it will somehow affect growth; however, popular myths about weightlifting stunting growth are false. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (conference 2008), there is no scientific proof that weightlifting hinders growth under proper technique and supervision; instead, strength training improves bone density and musculoskeletal health, hence supporting healthy development in adolescents.
To be noted, heavy lifting or poor form (as addressed previously) puts undue strain on the growth plates zones of cartilage at the ends of long bones where growth occurs during the teen years and may result in a greater likelihood of injury that could impact the development of bone (Faigenbaum et al., 2009) These risks can be avoided by doing a well-balanced fitness routine that includes proper warm-ups, controlled lifting, and adequate rest with an emphasis on moderate weight and good form.
Generally, weightlifting, if done safely and under appropriate supervision, can bring great benefits to teenagers in developing not only physical strength but also mental toughness, maturity, and important social skills; all great components in the creation of a healthy, well-rounded student.
The Halachos of Pas Haba B’kisnin
Rafi Goldkin (’25)
What is Pas Haba B’kisnin?
The term Pas Haba B’kisnin is first discussed in the Gemara in Brachos. The Shulchan Aruch cites three opinions as to what Pas Haba B’Kisnin is. One option is that it is some dough pockets that have a sweet filling inside such as a breakfast pastry. The second option is dough that is kneaded with something sweet, such as honey or fruit juice, for example, cake. The third opinion is if the bread is cooked into a hard cracker material that breaks, such as a wafer. The Shulchan Aruch writes that we hold all these options as true.
What's the Bracha?
The Gemara in Brachos teaches that we recite the blessing of Mezonos and Al Hamichyah on these items unless they are being eaten as a full meal, in which case we say the blessing of Hamotzi and recite Birkat Hamazon afterward.
What’s considered a meal?
The Shulchan Aruch writes that a meal is not up to the person eating the food but it is rather what the common consensus would hold. The Mishneh Berurah comments that if one is eating Pas Haba B’kisnin by itself, it has to be considered enough food that other people would be full from it and have to say Hamotzi and Bentch.If one eats it along with
other foods typically eaten with bread, such as meat, and feels full from the meal as a whole, he should recite Hamotzi beforehand and Birkat Hamazon afterward.This is a very difficult halacha to comprehend because different people typically consider themselves “full” from differing amounts of food.The measurement would vary for each person, which is less than ideal from a halachic perspective. Commentators explain that the standard measurement for a meal can be derived from another area of halacha. According to the Rambam, it is the equivalent of three eggs, while the Tur states it is four eggs, a view also supported by the Mishnah Berurah.
How much is a kebaytza (an egg’s worth)?
According to Rav Chaim Noeh, an egg's worth is 55 grams, while the Chazon Ish holds it to be 100 grams. This means that one would have to eat either 220 or 400 grams of Pas Haba B’Kisnin when eaten by itself in order to recite Hamonzi and Bentch.
Timing
To be obligated to make a blessing after a meal, one must eat an olive's worth of food within a certain time, known as Kedi Achilas Pras. The exact amount of time this corresponds to is a subject of debate among many poskim.
Avraham Chaim Noeh held it to be four minutes, the Tzemach Tzedek maintained it was six to eight minutes, and the Chasam Sofer said it was nine minutes.
How much is a kezayis?
There are many different opinions regarding the amount of a kezayis. Rav Mordechai Willig holds that an olive's worth is 22.5 grams, Rav Chaim Noeh holds it to be 27 grams, Rav Moshe Feinstein holds it to be 31.2 grams, and the Chazon Ish holds it to be 33.3 grams.
Summary
To wash, say Hamonzi, and Bentch on Pas Haba B’Kisnin when eaten by itself as a meal, one would have to eat either 220 or 400 grams of food, with somewhere between 22.5 and 33.3 of those grams needing to be consumed within a time frame of 2 to 9 minutes. It is extrapolated that Avraham and Sarah followed these halachot when preparing cakes for their guests.
Disclaimer:
This article lacks halachic authority and presents opinions. Consult a Rabbi.
Sixteen seeds. Sixteen teams. Sixteen schools. One people.
It's always a sight to see 300 Jewish teens crowded into your school gym for a Friday night Oneg. Arguably, the Memphis Invitational marks the highest number of Jews in Memphis at any other point of the year. More so, it marks the coming together of teens over common interests and healthy competition. It's a privilege to host these students, and while we look forward to seeing them next year, many will also stay in contact whether it be at future competitions in New York or Chicago, or at summer camp and beyond in Israel. Fostering these crosscommunity connections is important, and I hope for many more in our future.
