Yachdus

YeshivaGuy Leaves The Blogosphere

2010-04-01T09:26:00.000+03:00

Goodbye to Yeshiva Guy, and thanks for the ride. It was a good one.

Hopefully we'll find someone to replace the special niche you filled.

Mazel tov and hatzlachah!

Rumors Of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

2010-03-17T07:22:00.001+02:00

Our dear Tzigelleh, instead of writing a proper obituary on the great blogger Not Brisk, decided to have a 'guest post' written by Not Brisk himself.

The only problem is that the post very much mimics Tzig's own writing style, as opposed to Not Brisk's.

Another curiosity is that Not Brisk hadn't bothering posting the finale on his own blog.

The clincher, however, is that NB does a complete turnaround to support Tzig's movement.

You decide.

Some choice quotes.

I tried to mimic Tzig’s unique style, failed, and developed one of my own.

A juicy one:

I also expressed dismay that Mr. Harry Marlyes can wake up every morning and spend hours cutting and pasting articles from Der Sturmer וכו' וכו'.

All in all, I think this was meant tongue in cheek. Harry, however, thought otherwise, and made his opinion known:

please be moichel me b'peh mohley.

In your dreams! Do you realy think you can insult me like that and expect me to give you any Mechila? You were Melaben Pnei Chavero B'Rabim! You will have to answer for that kind of insult in the Olam Ha'Emes. Enjoy the consequences!

So we have Tzig handing Harry a good one and Harry getting mad at NB.

I gotta hand this to Tzig.

...And I'm Back

2010-03-17T07:08:00.001+02:00

I've been out and busy the past few weeks, and my blogging severely suffered as a result.

Aside from the occasional post, I've been silent. While this little corner of the 'sphere was quite, nobody seemed to notice.

Expect some new rants that were bottled up for a while and aged.

Haveil Havalim - Geulah Edition - March 14, 2010

2010-03-14T00:01:00.005+02:00

Welcome to the first HH I'm hosting. As a newish member, please excuse any gaffes I make. Otherwise, its still Adar, so take it in good humor.

Another lesson learned; after typing up most of this post, I found the handy carnival page to create it easily. Well, there's always a next time.

"רבי אליעזר אומר: "בניסן נגאלו, בתשרי עתידין ליגאל", ואילו רבי יהושע אומר: "בניסן נגאלו, בניסן עתידין ליגאל
Like anytime else, every chance for another hope should be properly utilized in order to eventually produce it. May we soon be zochah.

To recap,

Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs — a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It’s hosted by different bloggers each week and coordinated by Jack. The term ‘Haveil Havalim,’ which means “Vanity of Vanities,” is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other ‘excesses’ and realized that it was nothing but ‘hevel,’ or in English, ‘vanity.’

Torah - Always first and foremost.

Batya at Shiloh Musings compares Aharon's calf to Shaul's failing with Amalek. Nice thought. Not sure of the derogatory remarks about our great king, though.
NGOmeter writes on Understanding Idolatery, and how it compares to todays philanthropic endeavors. Although I don't think that God gets "seriously pissed off".
The Rebbethins Husband has two views on Koreich from Rav Kook.
Josh Waxman at the ParshaBlog explores whether a word might be missing from our Torah.

Kashrut - Is something fishy?

Batya @ Shiloh Musings questions whether moral values can work without a Kosher backbone in the supervision arena. There might be a case to keep the two separate, since values often change, among other reasons.

Humor - No comment needed, ('cause I can't think of any).

Frum Satire has an exclusive interview with a certain Monsey Rabbi (ahem) of female Rabbis.
A Quick History of... Everything, by Tikkun Olam.
Benjy gives us another good one. How about a blog entry with your blog?
Snoopy the Goon want you to Please help the Dubai police chief. And follows up with Iranians and Turks with fake passports as well. Gosh.

Culture - Well, this is a carnival.

Chabad.org represents Ten Things Your Student with Autism Wishes You Knew, what some call "required reading for all social service workers".
Doctor, Lawyer, Broker, Loser. A great piece from Esser Agaroth on marriage, racism, etcetera.
Do Orthodox men wear suits 24/7? How about hats? Jew In The City takes his time to explain different flavors of Judaism to a non-Jew.

Judaism - Something that, I think, we all relate to.

Jacob Richman presents an excellent list of Passover resources.
Advice on kids and Passover, without judgment.
Fear No Question write another opinion on Female Rabbis.
Ex taking your kids to Church? Here's an excellent discussion in the comments @ In the Pink.
Vacation from blogging due to Pesach cleaning? I fully agree. Some (below) don't.
Achas Lema'alah on controversial Eruvin. A must-have for every self-respecting kehillah.
Lion Of Zion has an excellent writeup on Breast Freeding and Abortion among Holocaust Survivors in Czechoslovakia, along with a great overview of R" Issac Oelbaum.
Rabbi Eliyahu Fink, discusses The Real Orthoprax Issue. A very real issue which needs to be addressed. Although I think that the bunching of them both into one group is untrue.

Israel - We love ya!

The state of religion and state in Israel, March 8. And section 2.
Boycotts still work sometimes. Israelity reports that Metallica lowered the price of show tickets after a boycott campaign. Also, Sharav Do's And Dont's. You can always ride the Einstein express, though.
Photos from the A.H.A.V.A. Readathon in Israel. By Jacob Richman.
If the Peace talks are called off, are you happy? Someone is!
Bibi won't attend the re-dedication of the Churva Shul. A mistake?
At MyRightWord, Yisrael Medad, debunks Biden's charge. Assuming he said it. And some post Islamic fashion. Translucent veils. Wow. And some fame.

Politics - We are Jews, after all.

Satire is sometimes for real. Shiloh Musing on catching the leftist bug.
Josh Waxman of the ParshaBlog, examines whether Sarah Palin's dvar Torah is correct, and his own take on hand-writing.

Personal - Ego and stuff.

Batya @ Me-ander writes that blogging must go on.
Danger signs. Discussion on how to protect little children. By the Rebbetzins Husband.
(Pesach) Cleaning Spawn Memories. All kinds. And Pesach Cleaning Finding STUFF.
Dolfin examines different approaches to learning Hebrew.
Hadassah Sabo Milner has an eighth guest post in the series "My Judaism". And on the importance of watching children. They're too important to neglect.
Chabad.org. How to recover emotionally after a robbery.
Bored Jewish Guy say that he's, Well, I'm packing up my game and I'm a head out........East? Lots of luck!

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of haveil havalim using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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Technorati tags: haveil havalim, blog carnival.

Faith & Philosophy, RYE and Kaballah, EXIF Extractor, Moshiach, Jewish Resources, Math[Roundup]

2010-02-26T22:49:00.000+02:00

Hirhurim writes a review, discussing whether philosophy harm, or builds, faith.
OnTheMainLine has a great post discussing a censored letter, among other things. Written there, regarding R' Yonasan Eibeschutz,

"By my life, I heard in my youth from the mouth of the great kabbalist, who knew the Zohar and all the works of the Ari by heart, the rabbi, my master, Rabbi Jonathan Eybeshutz ZZ"L, that he used to say to his audience when they were hesitant to accept a kabbalistic teaching, 'if you don't believe it, it's no matter, because it isn't from the fundamentals of faith.' So he used to say to those who brought kabbalistic teachings to explain a piece of Gemara or Midrash, 'I don't desire this. What's the use? According to kabbalah you can explain anything you want to; just tell me the simple meaning via "niglah"' -- it's completely true!"

This is very interesting for multiple reasons. One: What value is there in learning Kabbalah if there's no defined rules of logic? Also, what would this make of the "proof" found more recently regarding the kamei'ah he wrote?

I'm no expert, but is it possible that he had a reason for writing this even if not true?

An online EXIF extractor, useful for uncovering a hidden thumbnail in cropped pictures posted online. Can be quite fun.
Unpious posted a nice piece on Moshiach. Not their norm, I guess.
OnTheMainLine has an excellent list of resources for online research of Jewish text.
An interesting series from the NYTimes; relearning mathematics.

Final Thought On Copying Music

2010-02-26T22:28:00.000+02:00

BlogInDM has a rambling post today, mostly decrying the lack of halachik sources in my posts.

As I noted in the first post, to quote myself...

I'm not going to turn this into a halachic argument.

It was not my intention to do so at all. I don't pretend to know all relevant halachos. All I did was note that many rabbonim permit copying and they are never being mentioned. So I stood up and did so.

As I noted before, there are these who indeed don't allow copying. One instance is R' Moshe, (here, although he doesn't give a rationale).

So, to clear things up. I posted that there are many differing opinion, while clearly stating that its not in my interest to discuss them. BlogInDM attacked that and tried to turn it into an halachik argument. I'm simply not interested in doing that.

To summarize. When someone tells you that copying is absolutely assur, just tell them its not so simple. And ask your posek for his decision. Just because another blogger, that works for the music industry, doesn't want you to do so doesn't mean you're not allowed.

A freilichen Purim

Smoking Makes You Stupid. Wow!

2010-02-26T04:42:00.000+02:00

If there ever was a good argument against smoking, this better be it.

(IsraelNN.com) Extensive Israeli research, that included over 20 thousand subjects, found that those who smoked a pack a day or more had a lower IQ by 7.5 points than non-smokers.

Investigator, Dr. Mark Weiser and his colleagues at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer sought to examine the link between smoking and IQ among 20,211 boys aged 18 about to enlist in the IDF. They found that those who smoked had significantly lower IQ scores than those who do not smoke. These results remained consistent even after the researchers removed variables that could skew the results such as socioeconomic status or years of schooling.

I wonder if the cause of this is because people with lowers IQ's tend to become smokers or if smoking lowers the IQ, like some head injuries.

Gadol Degree: Who Is One?

2010-02-25T08:17:00.000+02:00

Harry Maryles asks a very valid question on his blog today. He asks who is a gadol and what makes one.

Harry presents us with this list of what he considers to be correct.

They include but are not limited to encyclopedic knowledge of Shas, Rishonim, and Halacha and at least a working knowledge of Mada. They must also have a high level of Yiras Shamayim, a refined character, and highly developed degree of personal ethics.

Additionally they should have leadership capabilities, a certain type of wisdom that usually comes with age, and the willingness to unselfishly serve Klal Yisroel with great humility. Perhaps the most important characteristic of all is acceptance by their peers and their people - Klal Yisorel.

Occasionally one can become a Gadol without some of these traits - or at least greater strength in one area over another. But in the vast majority of cases all of the above traits are found in Gedolim at some level - perhaps excelling in one or two of them.

Beside for some quibbles (of course), the list seems nice.

Yet, when making his own list from the past,

Rav Moshe Feinstein (pictured), Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, Rav Ahron Soloveichik, Rav Aharon Kotler, Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky, Rav Avroham Pam, Rav Yitzchak Hutner, Rav Yoel Teitelbaum, and Rav Menachem Mendel Schneersohn.

he seems to be omitting something. Yes, some of these very Gedolim had little working knowledge of Mada. The Satmar rebbe and Rav Aharon Kotler both come to mind.

The question arises - who today qualifies as a Gadol? Do they have the qualifications listed above? All of them? Some of them? Any of them? What are their qualifications exactly? Who recognizes them as such? Everyone? Most of us? Some of us?

I ask this in all sincerety with absolutely no rancor or intent to disparage or slight anyone. There are many fine Talmidei Chachamim in the world today. But are they Gedolim? If so, who are they and why? Who recognizes them as such and why?

Who recognized your list as Gedolim, R' Harry? Is it possible that the conferral of the title happened simply by acceptance?

I think that the title of Gadol is limited only to people who are wholly accepted by a large segment of klal Yisrael. Regardless of the specifics noted above.

The Aguda'h Moe'etzes is far from being such a list, considering that few Chareidim consider Agudas Yisrael as representing them. This is a point that Harry seems to continue to miss.

Yes, a Gadol just 'happens'.

Image Of The Week

2010-02-25T07:42:00.000+02:00

At the levaya on Harav Menachem Porush. Click to enlarge.

Needs a comment?

From the WSJ

Response To BlogInDM's Latest Post

2010-02-25T07:02:00.000+02:00

R' YY Fisher ZT"L

Truth to be told, I thought that more than the last post would be rehashing the same arguments. Thankfully, BlogInDM's latest post has some interesting new ideas worth exploring. This back and forth lets the matter by crystallized by both sides.

Specifically, some of the focus thankfully shifted towards halachah and source, as oppsed to being feelings-based.

Once again, you should be reading the previous posts both here and on BlogInDM in order to correctly understand the discussion.

Lets begin:

This is a meaningless example, as Yosef himself acknowledges the compelling reason to permit it; a potential raising of the bar of Torah learning in the community. Improving Torah learning that otherwise could not occur, is a significant benefit.

That wasn't my point. Rather, in inferred from that that we should be looking to Halacha for proper guidance on ethics, rather than relying on our own ideas. For that, its a perfect example.

Yosef also conflates the idea that something is permissible with the idea that it is ethical or advisable. This is not true.

I didn't say its advisable, just like I don't advise people to eat rib steak. Its permissible.

One example. The halacha is that a contract worker has to be paid his wages at the end of the day. "Lo talin peulas sachir." Yet, the halacha is that "Lo Talin" does not apply if the worker was hired through agency. Yet, I don't believe that there is a single source that maintains that it is ethical to not pay the worker in a timely manner. According to the strict halacha, one can push payment off, yet would anyone argue that the fact that halacha permits it means you should do it? Could does not equal should.

Again, not "should", but still allowed.

I never said that most poskim permit copying. It's clear that most forbid it. Yosef claims he has confirmed such rulings, but refuses to identify the poskim, if they exist. The rabbi whose opinion on this is public is also known to permit cheating on taxes. His logic to permit is the same.

Ah. Before you said that "all" forbid it. At we downgraded to 'most'. The logic of the other rabbonim is quite possibly different. Your assumption is wrong.

I'd like to confirm this. Name them. Torah hi, v'lilmod ani tzarich. It's interesting that these alleged psakim are only being issued privately, but you feel compelled to publicize them. I actually agree with you on that though, if they exist, then they should be public, so that there can be a shakla vetarya of Torah. That's the way the halachik process used to work.

I was waiting for this question. :) While I did state that these were private conversations, there are some names that I can openly state because I believe stating them would not cause them anguish.

One name, which I know without doubt that he permitted copying is R' Yisroel Ya'akov Fisher, the Av beis din of the Eidah Chareidis. Another name, which I am slightly hesitant of because I am unsure of the exact wording of his heter was R' Shlomo Zalman Auerbach.

It is probable that the reason the paak of these gedolim weren't publicized was because it wasn't much of a question back then, before file-sharing became common.

But yes, it should be public. If not simply for harbatzas and yedias haTorah.

Um, the law is being enforced. There have been numerous court cases, settlements, arrests for piracy, websites taken down, etc. etc.

Nothing compared to the amount of sharing going on. Probably less that 1/10000 and you could probably add another few zeros there. These are laws that are very rarely enforced.

Nice. A completely made up fact. Sure there are some people who advocate for illegal downloading. There are people who advocate for lots of illegal things. NAMBLA for instance. Doesn't make it moral.

Not a made up fact; just simply my own observation. I didn't say that this makes it moral, I only said that this make the chillus Hashem claim moot. It does.

If the halacha were that dina d'malchusa doesn't apply, then rabbonim have an obligation to teach Torah accurately, regardless of the impetus to encourage copying or not. They also have an obligation to follow that policy consistently, with regard to yichus investigations for example. Yet, rabbonim routinely allow people to marry Jews on the basis of dina d'malchusa. They enforce monetary obligations based on dina d'malchusa, and so on.

Again, dina dimalchusa does apply! Just not here! With regard to other cases it might well apply. Zero contradiction.

Actually, he's the most notable posek (not that I view him that way) I've heard of to support this. The only other allegorical claims I've heard for these positions adopt the same halachik reasoning he does. Its simple logic, as the obligations are both rooted in dina d'malchusa dina. If Yosef does know of respected poskim who make a distinction between dina d'malchusa for taxes vs. downloading, let him cite them. Again, we need to clarify amitah shel Torah, right?

Right. I did so above, clearly noting select well accepted poskim. I admit that I don't know their view on taxes. But definitely notable.

Actually, he's a nogea b'davar. He has acknowledged-- even advocated-- illegally downloading music.

Um, where exactly did acknowledge doing that? There you go again, making false accusations.

Yosef claims that naval birshus hatorah doesn't apply. I believe that it should, even according to to those who would like to say dinad'malchusa isn't applicable here. No one needs free music.

No one deeds yogurt either. Is anyone who eats yogurt a 'naval birshus hatorah'?

So to make some things clear, paying for music is a form of (respectable) tzedakah.

Another thought I wanted to make clear here. Never pasken off a blog. Go ask your posek. This is only to raise awareness of another much-maligned side of the argument.

Why Blog In DM Continues To Be Wrong

2010-02-24T08:13:00.000+02:00

Blog in DM has another interesting post, dissecting my response here. I'm going to quote only his responses, so please read his original here.

Here goes:

Here's a thought experiment A singer invests many hours and tens of thousands of dollars in releasing an album to the public. (Let's keep it simple and not talk about anyone else invested in the project; producer, distributor, etc.) Let's also grant the premise that halachicly, it is permissible to copy the music without payment (It isn't.) Is Greenberg really intending to argue that according to the Torah/Halacha it is "mentshlach" for everyone to copy the music, resulting in the artist losing his entire investment? That's the position he takes. He calls it halacha. I call it unethical. I think reasonable people would find his view unfair. Note: even according to Greenberg's representation of halacha, the halacha does not mandate duplicating software or music without paying. His insistence on advocating doing so is enlightening.

Sorry, but thats not a good enough reason. While I may feel bad for the producers, it still doesn't change the basics.

The Chazon Ish writes something about "our" common sense. One who comes in to a small town that currently has only one older teacher for children, and this newcomer, a young man, offers his services and thereby entirely takes away the livelihood of the other. Our sense would tell us that this man is a rasha. Yet, the Chazon Ish writes that according to the Torah precept of "kinas chachom tarbeh chochmah', it is wholly within his right to do so. (I think he should possibly be encouraged as well.) Therefore, writes the Chazon Ish, we should look to the Torah for proper ethics, NOT what the street decides.

Mentchlichkeit is to be dictated by the Torah. And please stop saying that it isn't permissible to copy music. Minimally, according to Blog In DM, it is most of the poskim. There's no need to distort.

And yes, according to these poskim I refer to, Halachah does indeed allow copying music and software without paying. Yes, enlightening.

In his post, Greenberg wrote "because wrote dina d'malchusa dina is irrelevant." He's now backtracking slightly.

I'm not backtracking. It was my original intent. I'm sorry if it was misunderstood. Note the example given there. That example is meant to convey the reason why I think its not applicable here.

The reality is that that normative halacha accepts dina d'malchusa as binding. Any assertion to the contrary is ignorant. We rely on it in many daily cases, including for such serious issues as determining halachik yichus. Yesterday, I asked a prominent Chareidi rav if there were any major poskim who hold that dina d'malchusa dina doesn't apply today. He couldn't name one.

I totally agree. But I think all will agree that it doesn't apply in every case. This is one of them.

There is one rabbi in Brooklyn, NY who allows copying CD's, software etc. He also allows cheating on taxes. Draw your own conclusions. The RCA did when it stopped using him as posek when those views became a matter of public record.

This is not the Rabbi I am referring to. Stop using his as a punching bag. The Rabbis I refer to are very well known chareidim; gedolim and other dayanim.

Also, "free music" is a compelling reason not to follow civil law? Compelling? Really now?

Compelling when said law is not being enforced.

Yosef takes issue with my characterization of permitting illegal downloading as an "obvious chilul Hashem". His proof, many people do it. That's just because they can do it without anyone seeing. (They think). During blackouts, many people loot. Does that make it ok? Personally, I believe that Frum Jews ought to live by a higher standard.

It is considered normatively moral to download music in the blogosphere. It is not considered moral to loot.

Yes, the notoriously powerful and influential Chareidi Jewish music industry has intimidated rabbonim, making them afraid to voice their opinions. They are also afraid to ever ban CD's or concerts, set limits on band sizes allowed at weddings, criticize popular Jewish music styles as inappropriate.... oh, wait!

No. The rabbinic establishment has little impetus to encourage copying. Why should they? In all cases above, the Rabbonim saw benefit in publicizing their views. I don't see them here. (True, I arguing a little different here, but the point remains.)

Actually, Yosef, it's a matter of public record. Incidentally, I would point out that even according to this rabbi, violating US law is only permissible if you are certain won't be caught, because if people know about it, it would be a Chilul Hashem and forbidden. Publicly advocating violating the law, as you did in your post, constitutes a Chilul Hashem too. This rabbi was careful to express his views only on Shabbos or in personal conversations where it wouldn't be recorded/ written about. He was careful to never state this view in situations where a reporter/recorder might be present.

True. What I clearly articulated was that the lie was that you bunched all of the rabbonim under this 'disgraced' Rabbi. Thats a lie.

In my post, I challenged Yosef to post the links to the pirate sites. The reason I did so is simple. Posting links to pirated music is illegal and would be a violation of the terms of service at all reputable web hosts in this country. I'd like to see him address the legal issues in maintaining his site, were he to do so and a complaint was filed.

You know very well that I could give detailed instruction how to find said sites without resorting to links.

Um, if there's nothing wrong with it, why would it reduce his credibility?

Because then I have an incentive to argue wrongly. This way I'm writing objectively. By making your assertion, you're implying that I'm nogai'a bedavar.

To paraphrase BlogInDM: Bottom line, BlogInDM's logic is faulty. Just because something is morally wrong according to your narrow view does not mean it's ethical or right.

Ever hear of "naval birshus hatorah?

Yes. And how does that apply here? (Answer: Not at all.)

"Vasisa hayashar vehatov?"

Yashar and tov according to you're narrow view. Halachah decides yashar and tov.

In this case, he is wrong because it's not even halachikly permissible.

It is.

Greenberg claim that "many, if not most, poskim permit copying software and music etc., even for others" conveys the impression that a significant number of poskim, if not the majority, hold this view. This is false.

It is true.

It also constitutes a Chillul Hashem.

So you'd rather claim the opposite of halachah in order not to make a chillul Hashem? Guess what? It isn't, as shown above.

You're take?

Computer Smashing Professionals Up For Hire

2010-02-24T04:23:00.000+02:00

Yeshiva World News has a post up today describing some "computer smashing ceremonies", for ~~religious~~ pious reasons.

At the end of the post, YWN writes the following:

NOTE: This exercise was carried out by trained professionals. Please don’t try this at home – but if you do please wear safety goggles!

I never knew you have to be a trained professional to smash computers.

I'm starting a course.

Another Case Of Business Interests Interfering With Halachah

2010-02-23T04:23:00.000+02:00

Just to show that this is not an isolated idea, Mystical Paths is now running a crusade against certain practices he (and I) consider idolatrous. He already has multiple posts on this issue, with probably more to follow.

Ah, the open nature of the Internet.

About 100 years ago, a Rav challenged the non-supervised and not-(necessarily)-kosher milk production and consumption in New York City. The members of the community that were involved in the milk and dairy product business came after him, hounded him, threatened him, even tried to take him to a beis din for harming their business.

In his lifetime, as required by the Shulchan Aruch, chalav yisroel (properly supervised kosher dairy products) became available in the city.

About 35 years ago, a rav challenged the method of schechita (kosher slaughter) in the New York area kosher slaughterhouses. The factory developed process had developed certain methods that were straight forward violations of halacha. The slaughterhouse owners came after him, hounded him, threatened him, and even tried to take him to a beis din for harming their business.

Today no kosher slaughterhouse follows those problematic methods.

About 20 years ago, a rav challenged the method of production of klaf (parchment) for mezuzahs, tefillin, and sefer torahs. The factory method used in Israel at the time had a step that was a clear violation of halacha. The owners and distributors came after him, hired thugs to attack him and shoot up his car, and even tried to take him to a beis din for harming their business.

Today kosher certified klaf is readily available (though more expensive) for soferim writing mezuzahs, tefillin, sefer torahs, and megillahs. (You should ask the question when buying if it was written on kosher certified kalf. Not every sofer or source is aware of this issue.)

Go there for the threats too.

The analogies are clear. Although in this case the Rabbonim have little interest in fighting the industry here. So you won't have music, big deal, the thought goes.

BTW, Rav Belsky is one of the Rabbonim who explicitly ban copying music. But, there's a tape circulating where he clearly states that its his belief that its assur to listen to music nowadays at all! (Except for therapeutical reasons. Hardly applicable.)

I know, you'll pick and choose. Its America.

Stick To The Truth, Please

2010-02-23T03:56:00.000+02:00

Blog In Dm, (a blog I respect, incidentally,) attacks me to day in this post.

Lets take it apart, piece by piece.

First, the title,

Yosef Greenberg Calls Halacha Unethical. Is It?

Um, where exactly did I do that? By stating that Halachah might allow copying music? This is purely an intellectual question (with practical ramifications). Since when is copying music unethical? Because by your standards, it isn't. Well, here's some new for you, the Torah's ethics don't necessarily coincide with your view of proper ethics. Humanity's views have changed, and keep on changing with times.

Many people, in fact, don't consider copying music unethical at all. Yes, reasonable and prominent people too. I'll leave it for you to conjecture other practices with similar qualities.

What is most astounding about this ignorant assertion is his implication that if halacha theoretically permits something that civil law prohibits, and there is no compelling reason not to follow the civil law, it is nevertheless permissible because dina d'malchusa is irrelevant..

Ignorant assertion? Because you disagree with it? In other words, I just won this round.

There is a compelling reason not to follow civil law. Free music. Unless you don't find that compelling.

"because dina d'malchusa is irrelevant". In this case! Please don't stretch my words.

This post is ignorant, because many if not most recognized poskim do maintain that dina demalchusa is quite relevant in the USA today, jaywalkers notwithstanding, and many poskim would also note obvious external issues like chillul Hashem, eiva, etc. that might well apply.

"dina demalchusa is quite relevant in the USA today." Who said it isn't?

"jaywalkers notwithstanding." Ever thought why?

"obvious external issues like chillul Hashem" Oh please. Chillul Hashem by copying music? First, most cases won't cause any chillul Hashem by any standard. Casual copying, for example.

And its not obvious in general either. I don't think most people would consider unethical either. Or maybe you don't know how rampant the BitTorrent side of the Internet is.

About one third of all Internet traffic is [probably] consumed by BitTorrent users. And thats only one of the p2p options out there. Prominent bloggers openly admit and sometimes encourage such behavior.

Only a handful of poskim maintain that one is permitted to copy software or music for others, and few well-known poskim have said so on the record.

Make that to openly maintain. Yes, the pressure is tough out there. And there is no industry out there to promote it. Unlike the opposing side. Few have said so on the record for the same reason.

Incidentally, these poskim also hold that one may cheat on their taxes and other similar views. Not exactly mainstream, in other words.

Lies. Don't bunch them all into one group. You probably don't know them. And my money is on some very mainstream Rabbonim.

Go ahead Yosef, post the links to the pirate sites you mention. (Do you run one yourself?)

I have no issue doing so, but I'm refraining for your sake, dear blogger. But if I find another prominent music blogger calling for the same then I will, IY'H, do so.

And no, I don't run one myself (yet). But there you go again, trying to infer certain things to reduce credibility.

If you really believe what you write, have the guts to stand behind it.

I do.

The Hit In Dubai

2010-02-22T11:28:00.000+02:00

You probably already know all the details so here's my own interesting bits:

Assuming they were Israeli, they had no choice but to use forged passports. If Dubai would allow someone with an Israeli passport in, maybe they would've used it.
Isn't it funny that the EU is issuing a statement decrying the use of forged passports by criminals? Next up: The Eu will decry the use of stolen credit cards by ID theirs. What gives?

The 'Balkany' Syndrome

2010-02-22T07:32:00.002+02:00

I hate calling it a syndrome, but I'm only following another's lead.

After describing what a good-hearted soul Mr. Balkany is, Harry goes on to lambast for what he calls 'following in the lead of the Spinka Rebbe'.

What Mr. Maryles fails to mention, however, is that this mad has quite a sordid history.

Milton is the sweetest guy you’ll ever meet. He is a guy who can charm your socks off.

Exactly! And he has done it many in the past. To yungeleit just after their chasunah with the meager saving they had, to name one type of crime. But the list goes on.

I'm not in the business of spreading these stories, so if you're interested, Google is you're friend. But one again, Harry is exploiting a story for his own cause.

Balkany is a criminal with a terrible history. Don't think for a second that the money he was trying to extort was for any mosdos. Don't, equate him with Spinka. There's no comparison whatsoever.

And knowing this man; for legal reasons, all of the above is pure satire, untrue, whatever...

Update: Listen to the interview on Zev Brenner here.

Amazing how he keeps on self-congratulating himself on his shiurim, chessed, ect., when it has little to do with the case other that trying to control the conversation. Genius.

He also claims that he never visited VIN but that 95% of the comments on his story were positive. Ahem. Anyone knows that online, especially at VIN, what kinds of responses these stories get. Unless you pay. Duh.

Notice how he claims that he didn't do anything wrong 8 years ago, but he threw them a 'bone' to quite them. Ahem again.

And he doesn't let Zev get in any word edgewise. Smart; or stupid. Depending on you're perspective, that is.

Copying Music Is Not Wrong!

2010-02-22T07:28:00.000+02:00

Some Jewish music producers have been parading around the past few year openly claiming that it is against halachah to copy music, even for personal use.

I'm not going to turn this into a halachic argument. But I want to make it clear, that many, if not most, poskim permit copying software and music etc., even for others.

True, many will be wary of saying so. But I've heard to many off-hand comments and clear second hand ruling to believe this to be untrue.

Copying might be wrong, but that decision should be your own, for yourself. Your concept of morality is not mine. There is no psak in hashkafah.

The circulated flyer that disallows copying has ambiguous quotes at best. Its insulting.

(Dina dimachusa is also irrelevant. Do you ever cross the street when the light is red? Jaywalking is a crime.)

To the producers out there: Be happy I didn't post links to the Jewish pirate sites. You know which ones.

New HH, And Why I Don't Do Roundups [Question]

2010-02-21T09:30:00.000+02:00

There a new Haveil Havolim up!

As I swim (not surf) the web, I tend to come across many pages of interest that think would also be of [supreme] interest to my diverse readership.

So, I carefully note them to post them in my next blog roundup post.

So far so good.

The problem begins when that as the links pile up and I get ready to post, I find that some links are already old, some were already disseminated by my blogging acquaintances.

So I have thought this over a little and decided that it might be best to post these links as I see them and find them worthy.

The only things upholding implementation is that I need to ask you, dear reader.

Would you dislike the new approach due to the increase of posts?
Would my own writeup get lost in the shuffle?

Please let me know below.

Does Achdus Have A Chance?

2010-02-21T09:20:00.000+02:00

Yes!

Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum had a meeting with Rabbi Menachem Genack of the OU.

In a rare event, this past Sunday, Rav Menachem Genack, head of the Kashrus Division of the Orthodox Union, paid a visit to Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar in the village of Kiryas Yoel. Rav Genack was joined by Rav Chaim Loike, a Rabbinic Coordinator at OU Kosher with special expertise in avian kashrus, Rabbi Nosson Goldberg, OU Kosher Rabbinic Coordinator for meat, and several other individuals.

During the visit, Rav Genack and the group from the OU discussed and reviewed the Kiryas Yoel shechitah, which is under the supervision of Satmar as well as the OU. The group, guided by Kiryas Yoel askanim, then visited the home of Rav Aharon Teitelbaum of Satmar. There, thekashrus discussions continued. One of the issues discussed was mesorah of ofos and the kashrus status of the Muscovy duck, which has made headlines recently. Rabbi Goldberg shared his expertise on the matter.

Importantly, this was a real meeting focused on issue, and not just show and tell.

The visit lasted over five hours and was seen as productive and enlightening to all parties involved.

While I do have some misgivings, such as why does it take a negative story to bring out the best in people, I'll just savor the moment the way it is.

May we have many more such moments positively.

Real Daily Miracles; Simplified

2010-02-19T13:06:00.001+02:00

In a video.

First fix yourselves! Says R’ Shteinman To Hothead Avreichim

2010-02-19T10:56:00.000+02:00

The best response yet, to certain hotheads that I have focused on in the past on this blog.

YWN reports:

Two avreichim presented themselves to Maran Hagon Rav Aaron Leib Shteinman Shlita in the Rav’s home on Sunday, explaining their pain over the deterioration in the standard of tznius. The Rav listened attentively, BaKehilla reports, then sharing a story with them...

“First fix yourselves” stated R’ Shteinman, then, make certain everything is just the way it should be. There is no room [today] for additional needless gezeiros and takonos”.

Amazing. Oh, and Da'as Torah too!

It remind me of two things: One is a recent scandal that does not need much mention; of a man who spent much of the past few years delegitimizing and attacking some people for various reasons, with the end being his own downfall.

The other one: For some very odd reason, every time something terrible happens in the Satmar [Williamsburg] community, posters go up decrying the lack of womens tznius, etcetera. Hey, why not blame someone else.

Anyone else noticed what looks like an holy YWN addition the the rav's words?

"There is no room [today] for additional needless gezeiros and takonos"

Ahem.

Another Rav Chaim Kanievsky "Moifes"

2010-02-19T07:54:00.001+02:00

In a story translated by Yeshiva World, they relate the following:

According to a report appearing in the weekly BaKehilla, a chareidi woman appeared before Maran Hagon Rav Chaim Kanievsky this week, explaining her not observant father just passed away and in his will he requested that the children turn his corpse over to a firm for cremation. She wanted to know if she is compelled or permitted to adhere to his wishes.

R’ Kanievsky surprised the woman by telling her “you can burn his body as requested in the will”.

After the woman left one of the aides to R’ Kanievsky asked for an explanation, receiving the following response. “A person who asked to be cremated after his neshama leaves his body is a non-jew”.

“But the woman is chareidi!”

“Yes indeed. It appears her mother was Jewish but the father was a non-jew and therefore, there is nothing preventing them from adhering to his wishes”.

It remind me of Tommy Lapid, who although he spent his political career fomenting hatred against Chareidim, his dying wish was a Jewish burial.

Is it enough evidence that the person was a non-Jew? Unless he figured it out another way.

Is there anyone else who has an issue with the aids questioning the rav twice? Da'as Torah! No questions asked.

An Email From Florida Governor Charlie Crist

2010-02-17T01:50:00.000+02:00

A Message from Governor Charlie Crist regarding Martin Grossman

Thank you for contacting me and sharing your concerns about the execution of Martin Grossman.

On December 13, 1984, Mr. Grossman violated the terms of his probation by leaving Pasco County and having a stolen firearm in his possession. In a routine stop, Florida Fish and Wildlife Officer Margaret Park found the weapon. When she reached for the radio in her patrol car to report him, Mr. Grossman attacked her with her own large flashlight, beating her over the head and shoulders 20 to 30 times. When Officer Park tried to fight back, Mr. Grossman took her .357 Magnum revolver and shot her in the back of the head, killing her.

Mr. Grossman took several carefully planned steps to cover up this horrible crime. The weapon was buried, and Mr. Grossman attempted to burn his clothes and shoes, which were later disposed of in a nearby lake. The following day, Mr. Grossman thoroughly cleaned the van and changed its tires to mislead law enforcement.

Officer Park’s autopsy revealed lacerations on top of her head, hemorrhaging inside the scalp and extensive fracturing of the skull. All of these injuries resulted from Mr. Grossman’s attack. The facts of this crime clearly meet the definition of heinous, atrocious and cruel, and his actions afterward demonstrate his well-reasoned attempts to cover it up.

The courts have fully reviewed Mr. Grossman’s legal claims, and his conviction and sentence have been affirmed by both the Florida Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. Based on the facts and exhaustion of legal proceedings, and in accordance with Florida law, I signed his death warrant on January 12, 2010.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

Sending The Wrong Message

2010-02-16T21:20:00.001+02:00

In recent months, we have seen a spate of cases involving Chareidim committing a range of crimes.

Its obvious, I think, that this is not suggestive of an entire community. Comparatively, it is probably a lot lower that in other sectors. Criminals exist everywhere.

Indeed, this may be the reason for the extended coverage these cases have gotten.

Chareidim, however, usually rally to the defense of another when accused. A great middah, as discussed before.

Yet, there are two issues, one minor and one bigger that need to be examined.

First, the minor one.

We are starting to see some cases where the criminal switches to a Chareidi (or religious) lifestyle in order to garner such support.

One possibility might be Jonathan Pollard. However, this is pure speculation.

A more concrete case, however, is this:

Once again (sic), Israel's liberal High Court of Justice has ruled in favor of tearing children away from yiddishkeit, ordering the return of two children, members of the Chabad community, to their non-Jewish father...

Some of the kibbutz members went so far as to say she “despises chareidim” but felt by joining the community, if the courts are against her, the chareidim would side with her since the father if a goy.
I'm not sure if something can be done about it. But it should give you a good feeling.

The larger issue facing us, however, is the message we seem to be sending to our children.

More and more, the message seems to be that whatever crime you'll commit, we'll bail you out. Some rationalization is given for these crimes, further sending the absolutely wrong message.

So, while we should (usually) be supporting these accused, maybe its time to do so quietly, without fanfare.

Another good idea would be to do so, even publicly, but never to claim the accused innocence.

Your idea?

Animalism

2010-02-16T09:15:00.000+02:00

I'm quoting another prominent blogger, who wrote the following regarding the (im)pending execution of Martin Grossman.

Anyone who reads an account of the grisly murder and does not want to ‘pull the switch’ themselves (or in this case inject the needle) is not human.

Anyone who want to kill anyone else, for any reason, is not human.