Understanding the Shema Prayer -- להבין על תפילת שמע

If you want to understand more about Krias Shema, open your heart to listening to this shiur by Rav Yedid Meyer.  The mention of לב (heart) is repetitious to teach us many things.  The heart is the conduit to knowing and loving Hashem. How do we get our heart to do so? For the men, that would be learning Torah.  For the women, that would be modesty.  How do the men protect themselves from straying?  By the mitzvah of tzitzis, as a reminder of their obligations to Hashem.  What if men encounter pritzus (vice) on the streets?  He wouldn't have to worry if he encounters them without the intention to seek them.  The only problem comes when he has a desire to seek, i.e to stray after his heart to go after "other gods."  If he develops a desire to explore the "other side" then he is responsible for his actions.  If by walking on the streets of Manhattan, and vice appears all over the place, then he's not responsible if he guards his eyes and not look.  

The phrase "other gods" is no longer limited to rocks and stones.  They are anything that would win you to the side of the Yetzer Hara, for e.g. pursuing the latest fashions, getting lost in social media networking (Facebook, Twitter, FaceGlatt, including reading too much news and blogs that are empty of Torah content), following the wimps of society, buying the latest gadgets and electronics (iPhone, Kindle, etc.) etc. 

To learn from the shiur, go here.

4/5 of the Jews will not be redeemed, 4 / 5 לא ייפרעו

According to the shiur delivered by Rav Eli Mansour on Yosef and Shoes, the latest intermarriage statistics is like 80% among Jews in USA.  Which means 4 out of every 5 Jews marry out.  It is not clear if they mean Jewish men marry out or Jewish women marry out.  Le't say it's the worst case scenario -- Jewish men marrying shiksas.

The following is from an old statistic:

Currently 72% of the Jewish people today are intermarrying We lose approximately 100 Jews everyday to intermarriage and assimilation. *amongst non-orthodox American Jews 50% of all Jewish college students have one Jewish parent Source: SimpleToRemember.com

The startling rate of growth of intermarriage to 80% today is not surprising. I started to think about the Rashi which talks about only 4/5th of the Jews were redeemed from Egypt and many Rabbis say that the final redemption will repeat itself with the same statistics. If 80% of Jews (4/5th) are voluntarily marrying out so that they want to separate from the nation of G-d and be cut off, then it would not surprise me that this Rashi is playing out to fulfill this prophecy.

The following is an old advertisement from the Jewish Agency regarding warning Israelis against intermarriage:



This is from my favorite Reb Gutman Lock's outreach to Jews visiting the Kotel to remind them to marry Jewish.  Well, Reb Lock, you don't need a thank you from Jews, Hashem thanks you for doing your job!



And this problem is not limited to the Americans.  Jewish intermarriage is all across the world.  Here is news from Australia.




And now, why not intermarry?

Yosef and Shoes, יוסף ונעליים

The question arises "How did the Jewish nation in Egypt survived assimilation for 210 years, and we the Jews living in America are slowly dying from assimilation within 230 years?"  What is the merit of the Jews in Egypt?

What is the connection between Yosef HaTzadik and shoes? In the midrash, we learn that the brothers spent the money earned from the sale of Yosef on shoes.  Rav Eli Mansour explains that the brothers did not wear shoes before that event.  What's the significance of wearing shoes?  Shoes are supposed to separate us from the tumah of the soil. When Adam HaRishon sinned, he brought tumah into the world. The brothers were all born in tahara (purity),  just like Yaakov and Yitzchak.  However, the brothers suspected Yosef as being a klipah like Esav and Yishmael before them, and hence, purchased shoes to convince themselves that it was Yosef who brought tumah into the land. They were of course wrong.

The Rav brings out connections of the shoes between the Torah portion and the Haftarah, and a little bit of history about the Haftarah.  During the reign of the Greeks, one of their evil kings banned public Torah readings, and the Haftarah was born.  He then brings out the connection between Yosef and Chanoch as gilgulim.  Chanoch, according to the Midrash, was a cobbler (shoe maker) -- another connection to shoes.  Chanoch intended to protect his generation from the tumah of the day with "shoes", however, he didn't succeed. Hashem, I believe, took him before his time. (Bereishis 5:23-24)  However, his gilgul, Yosef succeeded in saving his descendants, thanks to the shoes that his brothers purchased and wore after his sale.

A very fascinating shiur as usual from HaRav Mansour.  To learn for yourself, go here.

Chanukah in the Safari, חנוכה בספרי

This is a Jewish Zebra

Chodesh Tov!

Yavan and Yonah, יון ויונה

I heard this short Divrei Torah which I find fascinating and thought I'd pass it along.  The source is from Rabbi Laris of Eretz Yisrael.

The Greeks are called Yavan, spelled in Hebrew יון.  The message of this name is that when a Jew starts to sin, he is like the י of Yavan, and then he sins some more, he is like the ו of Yavan, and if he continues to sin until he falls, he is like the ן of Yavan.  The three letters show the descent from י to ו to ן, each letter getting longer and longer to the point of no return.  The message of Chanukah is to not stumble like a Hellenist (Greek) Jew.

However, if the Jew catches himself before he sins any further, by attaching himself to Hashem, let's say he's at the יו stage, and he attaches himself to Hashem by doing teshuva, then the ן of Yavan becomes a regular נ, and by attaching to Hashem, he adds the letter ה to his name, thus becoming a יונה, or YONAH.  In English, Yonah spells DOVE, the symbol of the Jewish people.  Isn't that nice?

Disappointed Yishmaelim, ישמאלים מאוכזבים

Got this video link from Rabbi Mizrachi.  Yishmaelim disappointed.  Caution:  Mute the video, the language is too "coarse" and hurts my ears, but watch the English caption, please.

Our Boys in Japan (UPDATE)

This Chanukah, please remember Yaakov "Yosef" ben Raizel, parahas Miketz, and cry out to Hakadosh Baruch Hu, to redeem him.  Tizku l'Mitzvos!

======================================================================

Below is a message from R' Meilich Bindinger and R' Aron Nezri:

Dear All,

Rosh Hashana 5772 is fast approaching, and Yakov Yosef still awaits his
redemption. 3.5 years of suffering, the pain is unbearable.

We ask the tzibur to write to Yakov Yosef some divrei chizuk, your feelings
and inspirations.

Yakov Yosef can read Loshon Hakodesh and Yiddish.

All letters should preferably be typed; otherwise, they do not reach Yakov
Yosef for as long as 3 weeks.

Typed letters we immediately dispatch by email to our agent in Tokyo, who
submits them to the prison, and Yakov Yosef usually receives them the
following day.

Letters should be sent to:

japanpidyon@gmail.com
or
faxed to: (++1) 718-534-0030.

Tizku L’mitzvos
Meilech Bindinger

Aron Nezri

~~~~~~~~~~~

Below is a message from R' Meilich Bindinger and R' Aron Nezri.

Please note, letters can be faxed to the hotline at 718-534-0030 as well.

Please continue to daven for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel.

For updates, visit www.japanpidyon.org

Dear All:

1)      See report below from our leading attorney for Yoel Zev's case. The
prosecution b"h did not appeal. This proves that the acquittal was based on
powerful reasoning, giving little or no chance for the prosecution to
succeed in revoking the acquittal at the high court.

2)      Please daven for Yakov Yosef be Reizel's quick transfer to Israel.
Feverish efforts to expedite the transfer procedure are ongoing - on several
fronts - may Ha-shem help us fast.

3)      I request whoever can type a letter of chizuk to Yakov Yosef, in
Yiddish or Hebrew, should kindly do so without delay. A typed letter will be
allowed into the prison quicker than a written one. Send your letters to
bindinger@gmail.com. We will forward these immediately by email to our
representative in Chiba, Japan.

Thank you,
Meilech Bindinger

On behalf of Rabbi CYD Weis

And Aron Nezri

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CURRENT STATUS OF YAAKOV YOSEF BEN RAIZEL

The dramatic close to this chapter doesn’t bring an end to the Japan saga,
as Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel remains imprisoned. Efforts to maintain Yaakov
Yosef's status at the Chiba Detention Center until his transfer to Israel
have been productive.

According to Israeli protocol, one-third of the full sentence can be
deducted, and the remaining time can also be commuted as per their
discretion.

Yaakov Yosef could, therefore, with the help of Hashem, be released from
prison within a few months from now. Efforts are well underway towards
expediting his return home to Eretz Yisroel. All are asked to continue being
mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Reizel.

Yakov Yosef showed great self-sacrifice when chosing to appeal the initial
verdict he received at the District Court. Most convictions in Japan are not
appealed at a higher court. One of the primary reasons why Yakov Yosef opted
to appeal – in consultation with daas torah - was to demonstrate
unequivocally his claim of innocence, thereby hoping to influence the
mindset of Yoel Zev’s judges when perceiving him as an accomplice. (Not
appealing is – in Japan – an indication of accepting guilt.)

If not for the protracted appeal procedure, Yakov Yosef would be now already
serving time in an Israeli prison.

During the preparations of the appeal trial, several new element of defense
surfaced, additional expert witnesses were brought to Japan, and further
emphasis was placed on the unethical blindeye being given to the polygraph
examination results.

The Judges of Yoel Zev agreed to adopt most of the new defence materials
that were introduced and accepted by the judges at Yakov Yosef’s appeal
trial.

We are grateful to Yakov Yosef’s altruism, at the cost of his own comfort.
May Ha-shem repay him with a ישועה בקרוב.

In deep gratitude of Yakov Yosef's mesirus nefesh, Yoel Zev paid a visit to
Yakov Yosef's family in Bnei Brak, today Wednesday.  Yakov Yosef's family
prepared a festive l'chaim in honour of Yoel Zev's release. Yoel Zev thanked
Yakov Yosef's family for the tremendous הקרבה  Yakov Yosef had shown to help
his friend.


-Meilech Bindinger

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 MAZEL TOV !!!

Japan Update: At 21:50 Israeli time, Yoel Zev arrived at Ben Gurion airport
terminal 3, on flight KE957 via SEOUL.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear All,

I can now confirm that Yoel Zev is b"h airborne.

We were nervous in the half hour prior to flight departure. Yoel Zev had not
arrived yet at the boarding gate. After some frantic high-level phone calls
it was confirmed to us that he is checked-in, albeit not yet to be seen.

Approximately 5 minutes before scheduled departure time, Yoel Zev arrived at
the aircraft and boarded alongside Aron Nezri who was agitatedly awaiting
his arrival.

Aron passed his cell phone to Yoel Zev. We conversed for a few brief
moments. I was so relieved that this moment had arrived and elated to hear
Yoel Zev's voice.

Some quotes from our conversation (translated from Yiddish):

Me:            Yoel Zev, you got us real nervous, coming so late..., where
were you?

Yoel Zev:    I arrived to the airport at 8am. I was held at the immigration
detention cell where I davened Shachris, and I was only taken a few minutes
ago to the flight, where I boarded together with Aron (Nezri).

Me:            It's absolutely amazing to speak to you now, sitting on the
airplane heading home. With a 99.8% conviction rate in Japan, your acquittal
was against all odds. An absolute miracle. How do we thank enough?

Yoel Zev:     (emotionally) Boruch Matir Asurim. In a time of yeshuas
H-ashem, the gates of heaven are wide open, It is now an auspicious time to
daven for my friend Yakov Yosef ben Reizel who remains in Japan and awaits
salvation.

Yoel Zev:     I'm now about to eat the first certified kosher food since I
arrived in Japan three and a half years ago. Boruch Atah ... Shehakol
Niheyeh Bodvoroi.

Background:    Please turn off all mechanical devices ...

I can also confirm receiving a photograph of Yoel Zev, aboard the home bound
flight, smiling contentedly, with a sefer on his armrest.

May we be zoche to always share besuros tovois.

Meilech Bindinger, Antwerp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yoel Zev is on his way to the airport ב"ה ב"ה ב"ה

בס"ד

Dear Yidden around the world;



חסדי ד' כי לא תמנו:



Monday 29th August:



After our report (29.08), that the Chiba District Court ruled in favour of
the defense, and handed down a full acquittal ב"ה for Yoel Zev נ"י, we were
still pensive and unsure whether the Prosecution Office would appeal the
‘non guilty’ verdict at the Tokyo High Court.

The prosecution office had 14 days in which they could do so.

The tzibur were asked to continue to be mispallel for Yoel Zev ben Mirel
Risa Chava, for his safe return home.

As explained previously, immediately after the court session was adjourned,
immigration officials took Yoel Zev into their custody on account of
overstaying his 90-day visa in 2008.

With abated breath, delicate efforts began to determine the stance of the
prosecution, and to convey a legal insistence to the Tokyo High Court to
abstain from accepting any plea attempt.



Likewise, the defence attorneys prepared a petition against detention, to be
immediately submitted to the High Court in the event that an appeal is
filed.



Based on the magnitude of the case and the large amount of compelling
evidence, we sincerely hope that the Prosecution Office will decide not to
appeal. The Prosecution Office tend to shy away from appealing a verdict
which they suspect would prove difficult to overturn. In Japan, losing an
appeal is deemed an embarrassment. Additionally, Judge Hadoko who handed
down the ‘non guilty’ verdict is one of Japans elite judges. This could mean
that it is too big a challenge to try to overturn his verdict. The High
prosecution office know him well, and would not try to slap him in the face
when there's a chance of losing.





Feverish Preparations



Tuesday 30th August:



8 am: An explanation stating the cause of Yoel Zev’s delayed exit from Japan
was prepared by the legal team, and presented to the Investigation Division
at the Immigration Office.



10 am: At the Immigration Office, officers at the investigation division
opened a file for the deportation of Yoel Zev and after a questioning
session, asked Yoel Zev to sign some documents.



During his detention, Yoel Zev has amassed a library of seforim and
clothing, sent to him by the askonim and his family. To avoid delays at the
airport due to excessive baggage, we removed the bulk of Yoel Zev’s
belongings from the immigration centre.



Yoel Zev נ"י has for the first time since 03 April 2008 held a telephone
conversation. We acquired several telephone cards allowing Yoel Zev to speak
freely to his family, rebbes, and friends.





Wednesday 31st August:



We understood from officers at the Immigration Office, that the
investigation phase of Yoel Zev’s deportation process was completed, and at
2 pm the report was submitted to the Decision Department. Yoel Zev was not
asked to sign any additional documents.





Thursday 1st September:



Defense attorneys contacted Decision Officers at the Immigration Centre to
ask them to furnish us with the necessary exit permit without delay.



Yoel Zev’s spirits are high and hopeful b”h.



Much red-tape is involved in the allocation of tickets, airlines consent to
carry a deportee, and appropriate travel route.



Our travel agency, based in USA, made provisional contingency plans, holding
seats on several flights to various destinations, on each day since Yoel
Zev’s acquittal, so that when the exit permit would be granted, the seats
would be immediately available.





Friday, 2nd September:



Mr Ozawa, a defence attorney, called the Immigration Office at 10am. The
decision officer told him that the decision is underway. Upon pressing for
swifter action, he was told “if you call in the afternoon my answer will be
the same!” Mr. Ozawa says this means they will not be rendering a decision
today, and they will probably give it on Monday coming.



Mr. Nakayama, a Japanese member of parliament who has befriended the
askonim, explained that since a new government is being established today,
many officials are absent due to the commotion, which in turn could be the
reason for the delay in receiving the exit permit.



Mr. Kuroda, a friend we have who is well acquainted with officials at the
Japanese Ministry of Justice, cautioned that the delay is perhaps due to the
Immigration Office having contacted the Prosecution Office to ask whether
they should release Yoel Zev.



Officers at the Immigration Office claim that there is nothing holding up
issuing the Exit Permit. They presented a chart of the procedure and showed
where they are up to now. They added that there would be no chance of
getting a decision today. Shabbos and Sunday the Immigration Office is
closed. It is hoped that on Monday they will have their decision, and send
it to the Deportation Department.



Upon the requests of MK Eli Yishai, representatives of the Israeli Embassy
held a meeting with Aron Nezri to discuss strategy, prior to their meeting
with investigation and decision officers at the Immigration Centre, and
tried to press for a Deportation Order to be issued today, Friday. However,
they explained to us that this would not be possible until Monday.



Meanwhile we have arranged backup seating available on outgoing flights on
Monday night and on Tuesday morning.



In Eretz Yisroel, the Beis Din of the Edoh Hachareidis issued a new
proclamation requesting klal yisroel to daven for the quick release of Yoel
Zev and quick transfer of Yakov Yosef.



In Japan there were ב"ה some positive indications. Yoel Zev’s passport and
some other personal belongings that were confiscated by the Prosecution
Office at the time of arrest were returned to him.

This is a good sign, but not necessarily an indication that the prosecutor
will not appeal. The defense attorneys advised that although the prosecutor
cannot hold on to an acquitted subjects personal belongings; nevertheless it
is still a positive sign. We remain cautious.



On another note, Japan appointed a new Justice Minister on Friday. He
announced that he would not sign any death penalties.



After consulting with leading poskim, Yoel Zev was instructed to sign any
release papers presented to him on Shabbos. Similarly, Yoel Zev was allowed
to travel on Shabbos if the need would arise.





Shabbos - Sunday, 3rd - 4th September:



A sholom zochor was held on Shabbos at the home of Chabad Shliach Rabbi
Binyomin Edery for the birth of his newborn son. The Bris Milah took place
on Sunday. The baby was named “Nissim Ariel”; Nissim in commemoration of
Yoel Zev’s sudden - and to many also unexpected - acquittal. A few guests
from Los Angeles had come for shabbos to take part in the bris.



On Sunday, Typhoon Talas swept through west Japan, this affecting many
inbound and outgoing flights.





Monday 5th September:

As on every day, Aron Nezri visited Yoel Zev at 9 am together with a defence
attorney, to clarify the status of the procedure and guide Yoel Zev further.



Relief!

At 10 am the deportation order was finally issued and presented to the
deportation department for execution.

New air tickets were purchased. Scheduling of deportation escorts were put
in place.

Tickets for accompanying father and askonim were now secured.

A frenzied but fulfilling day.





Tuesday 6th September:



Flight to Freedom אי"ה:



The long awaited day has finally arrived, 6th September 2011, Tuesday
morning in Japan, Yoel Zev will all being well be allowed to travel home.



Security personnel from the deportation division of the Immigration Centre
will escort Yoel Zev from the Tokyo Immigration Centre to the Narita
International Airport. At the airport, he will be detained in an immigration
cell until the boarding time of his flight out of Japan.



After all passengers have already boarded, Yoel Zev will be brought to the
door of the aircraft flanked by two officials from the Tokyo Immigration
Office.



Once Yoel Zev boards the aircraft he is a free man, and once airborne we’re
sure he will taste the freedom that we have all longed for.

May we all be zoche to חירות עולם with the coming of משיח בב"א.



Contrary to some rumours, no country seeks extradition of Yoel Zev.



Together with Yoel Zev on the flight will be, his father, Aron Nezri who has
carefully coordinated the immigration procedures, and a friend of the family
who has spent many months visiting the bochurim during the last three years.



Yoel Zev will be departing from Japan during the course of the morning and
is scheduled to arrive in Eretz Yisroel on Tuesday night.



We have exercised caution when selecting what kosher food Yoel Zev will eat
during his flight to freedom, after not having consumed a morsel of poultry
and meat for almost three and a half years.


Current Status of Yakov Yosef ben Reizel:

The dramatic close to this chapter doesn’t bring an end to the Japan saga.
Yakov Yosef remains imprisoned על אדמת נכר.

We have therefore planned no public celebration, eventhough the simcho and
Kiddush H-ashem would call for one, since Yakov Yosef is not yet home …



 Efforts to retain Yakov Yosef's status at the Chiba detention centre until
his transfer to Israel were ב"ה productive.

According to Israeli protocol, one third of the full sentence can be
deducted, and the remaining time can also be commuted as per their
discretion.

According to this, Yakov Yosef could אי"ה be out of prison within a few
months from now.

Efforts are well underway towards expediting his return home to Eretz
Yisrael. Please continue to be mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Reizel.





In Conclusion:

On behalf of Dayan Chaim Yosef Dovid Weis of Antwerp, we have so far
dedicated three and half years to the defence efforts of the unfortunate
bochurim. We hope to soon pick up our lives from where we left off.


We are deeply grateful for the support and cooperation of:



*       Attorney, Mr. Rex Beaber (Los Angeles),

*       Dr. Yamamura (Osaka, Japan)

*       Ex D.E.A. agent, Mr. Mike Levine (NJ, USA),

*       Prof. Daniel Aldrich (West Lafayette, Indiana),

*       Prof. G. Ben-Schachar (Jeruslaem),

*       Prof. Sacha Stern (London),

*       Rabbi M.D. Niederman (Williamsburg),



whom, amongst many others, provided expert live testimony and dissertations
to the court in defence of the bochurim, and played a major role in securing
Yoel Zev’s acquittal. An exhaustive list would be quite impossible. We are
indebted to so many.



We won’t easily forget the electrifying moment when the judges proclaimed in
Japanese “You are innocent” and the court appointed translator repeating to
Yoel Zev “אתה זכאי”.

May we all be זוכה בדין in the upcoming ימי הדין, and may we hear only
besuros toivois and simchos in our midst.



Aron Nezri, London - Currently in Tokyo, Japan

Meilech Bindinger, Antwerp

~~~~~~~

Please continue to daven for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava that he should arrive home speedily and without any obstacles.

Please continue to daven for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel who awaits his transfer to Eretz Yisroel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below is a first-hand report from Rabbis Aron Nezri and Meilich Bindiger from Tokyo, Japan. We must continue to daven for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava that he should arrive home smoothly and safely, and for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel to be transferred to Eretz Yisroel. For more details or to donate, visit www.japanpidyon.org .


Dear Yidden around the world;

חסדי ד':
Bechasdei Shomayim, we and the defence attorneys are glad to report that the Chiba District Court ruled in favour of the defense, and handed down a full acquittal ב"ה for Yoel Zev נ"י.

Immediately upon hearing this good news, we exited the court room for a few moments, to convey the besuro tovah to the multitudes of Acheinu Bnei Yisroel who were waiting in suspense for the outcome.

Upon hearing the judges verdict we were choked with emotion and couldn't elaborate. We can now, after closing of the court session, provide more details of what transpired today, try and reflect on the chasodim geluim, and pray for further siyata d’shmaya.

Justice Prevails:
We congratulate the Japanese Judiciary for diligently seeking the truth, and carefully analysing the many diverse element of defense, - many of which are new concepts to the Japanese - and thereby succeeded in delivering the long awaited innocent verdict.

Prior to Court Session:
Ten minutes before the court session commenced, the leading defence attorney accompanied us to visit Yoel Zev at a meeting room under the court house. Through a glass pane we could communicate with Yoel Zev. It was difficult moments. We didn’t know what words can be said. Looming ahead was G-d forbid a possible guilty verdict of a 15 years prison sentence in addition to a penalty of ¥5,000,000.00 (equating to $65,000.00).
After having experienced the disappointment of the verdicts handed to the two other bochurim, Yossi and Yakov Yosef, it was challenging to find the right words of encouragement.

(Yossi, the only juvenile of the three, received a sentence of 5 years, which was what the prosecution had requested from the Judges. Yossi has since been transferred to Israel, where his sentence was commuted under conditions and supervision of the Israeli prison authority.
Yakov Yosef, the younger of the two adult bochurim, received a 6 year prison sentence from the 13 years demanded by the prosecution. He is pending transfer to Israel. The transfer procedure is well underway.)

What can one say to Yoel Zev moments before his verdict, after having faced the fact that his two friends were handed a guilty verdict?
We tried our best to prepare him for every eventuality, carefully using only positive quotes of Emunah and Bitachon, and hoping and praying for the best.
We were most relieved by Yoel Zev’s attitude. Yoel Zev said in his innocent manner: “I don’t know what the material judge will tell us today, but the celestial Judge, shofet kol ho’oretz, will certainly rule innocent”.

Court Session:
Upon the judges’ entry to the court room, and the customary Japanese bows, the Judge summoned Yoel Zev, using his first name 'Yoel' - uncommon in Japanese courts formalities - and asked him to stand at the pulpit directly in front of the judges.
The judge immediately announced – in Japanese - the verdict: “You are innocent”. Our personal translator, sitting alongside us, quickly told us in jubilation the courts verdict. The court appointed translator then translated to Yoel Zev “Atah Zakai”. Upon hearing these words, Yoel Zev’s father, ourselves, and other yidden with us, shed tears of jubilation. The relief is indescribable.

Basis of Verdict:
The judge then went on to expound his verdict in detail, on the basis of the defense material, explaining how he concluded his judgment, finding Yoel Zev to be ‘not guilty’.
(Visit www.japanpidyon.org for details.)


Closing of Session:
The presiding Judge then apologised – in the name of the Ministry of Justice – for the protracted trial procedure, mentioning that he was sorry that it had taken from April 2008 until August 2011 to deliver the innocent verdict.

At the court room today was present the father of Yoel Zev, whom after the judges left the court room, in an emotionally charged atmosphere, immediately recited the brocho one hears upon learning of good tidings, “Hatoiv vehametiv”.

This was followed by a quick succession of handshakes and congratulations between Yoel Zev, the defence attorneys, the askonim, and on looking well wishers.

Yoel Zev was then escorted from the court room flanked by two officials from the Tokyo Immigration Office.

Post Trial Procedures:
We accompanied the leading defense attorney to the Chiba Detention Center to try to meet with Yoel Zev and to guide him on the procedures to follow, however we were pleasantly surprised to learn that we could no longer obtain an audience with him at Chiba since he is immediately being transferred, with all his belongings (clothing and seforim) to the Tokyo Immigration detention centre.
In line with standing practice, immigration officials have taken Yoel Zev into their custody on account of overstaying his 90-day visa in 2008. An explanation to the immigration office stating the cause of Yoel Zev’s delayed exit from Japan was prepared by the legal team, and handed to Yoel Zev this morning (before the verdict), in hope of this eventuality. Attorneys are hopeful this matter will be rectified in an expeditious fashion and that he will be able to leave the country without further delay.
The prosecution office has 14 days in which they could to appeal at the Tokyo High Court the district court’s decision to release Yoel Zev.
The choshuve tzibur are asked to continue to be mispallel for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava, for his safe return home.
The efforts to achieve today’s verdict were a culmination of so many kind hearted Yidden, across a broad spectrum, at the helm, Dayan Chid”o Weis of Antwerp, Hagras”h Wosner Shlita, Munkatcher Rebbe Shlita, HaRav Grossman of Midal Emek, Rabbi Y D Bleich of Kiev, Rabbi B Edery of Tokyo, and lhvbchlc”h Rabbi Aba Dunner z”l, among many other Rabonim, dignitaries, professors, lawyers, and activists from within the Jewish community. An exhaustive list would be appropriate but quite impossible. We are indebted to them all.

Current Status of Yakov Yosef ben Reizel:
Efforts to retain Yakov Yosef's status at the Chiba detention centre until his transfer to Israel were b”h productive.
According to Israeli protocol, one third of the full sentence can be deducted, and the remaining time can also be commuted as per their discretion.
According to this, Yakov Yosef could be out of prison within a few months from now.
Efforts are well underway towards expediting his return home to Eretz Yisrael. Please continue to be mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Reizel.

May we hear only besuros toivois,

Aron Nezri, London
Meilech Bindinger, Antwerp
Currently in Tokyo, Japan

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bechasdai Hashem Yoel Zev was found innocent!! We must continue to daven that everything goes smoothly.

Please continue to daven for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel as he awaits a transfer to Eretz Yisroel.

Verdict for Yoel Zev to be announced!

The final verdict for Yoel Zev Ben Mirel Risa Chava is scheduled to be announced Monday, August 29th, 1:30 PM Tokyo time (Sunday night 12:30AM EST).


All are urged to daven and donate as a z'chus for the boys.

Please continue to daven for Yoel Zev ben Mirel Reesa Chava and Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel.
For a full update or to donate visit www.japanpidyon.org
Call 718-534-0030

~~~~~~~~~~~

Two months have already passed since May 16th, the fateful day in which the Tokyo High Court denied the appeal of Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and upheld the guilty verdict handed down by the Chiba District Court. Although the plight of the two boys imprisoned in Japan has largely been out of the public spotlight during these two months, efforts by the askonim on their behalf have been far from quiet.

As we reported at the time of the verdict, there is a prisoner transfer agreement in place between Japan and Israel, and thus, according to Japanese law, a prisoner legally need not be held even one day in Japan but can be transferred to his own country. The reality however, is far different. Transfers usually take a long time to actually take place, as was the case with Yossi, the youngest of the three boys who were arrested at Narita International Airport over three years ago.

With Yaakov Yosef, who is not a minor, time was of the essence as he was in the very real danger of being sent to a harsh prison labor camp where, aside from the great physical suffering he would have to endure, he would be unable to perform even basic mitzvos such as keeping Shabbos, wearing tefillin, etc. Askonim had no time to waste and immediately set to work setting the transfer process in motion, accomplishing in four weeks what usually takes several months’ time to put into place.

One of the askonim has returned from Japan two weeks ago where certain matters of bureaucracy and red tape were settled.

The initial step was for Yaakov Yosef to sign a waiver to any further appeal. Since Yaakov Yosef knew that once he signed this document he would officially be considered a prisoner of the State and would no longer be allowed visitors on a daily basis as he had been previously receiving, he waited until his father left a week after the trial to sign the document so that he would be able to see him as often as possible until his departure.

Complications also arose due to the fact that the appeal had taken place in the Tokyo district but the detainee was being held in the Chiba district. Thus, important documents needed to close the case were sent back and forth between the Tokyo High court, the Tokyo High Prosecutors Office, the Chiba District Prosecutor’s Office, and the detention centre. The lawyers and askonim were kept very busy applying pressure to any and all parties involved, and succeeded greatly in accelerating the process at a speed as yet unprecedented in any such cases. The argument was that due to the detainee being held in the Chiba Prefecture, it falls under the Chiba’s Prosecution Office’s jurisdiction. The Chiba Prosecutors Office claimed that the case was dealt with by the Tokyo High Court and was taken over by the Tokyo Prosecutors Office, and therefore they are responsible for the case. This case was very unusual, as all detainees attending trial in Tokyo are transferred to the Tokyo detention centre, but in this particular case, as mentioned in the past, a special request was made to keep Yakov Yosef at the detention centre in Chiba due to the special care that he gets there that he would not receive on Tokyo, and the high court judge gave a surprising ruling in Yakov Yosefs favor.

Another issue that arose was with the document that Yaakov Yosef needed to sign where he requests from the Japanese Ministry Of Justice his wish to be transferred to Israel. Yaakov Yosef’s biweekly medical checkup was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, the first day of Shavuos. During their medical examinations, the boys are allowed to make requests to the prison authorities in writing. As Yaakov Yosef knew he would be unable to write on Yom Tov, he requested that the examination be postponed. The authorities did not agree to this, and they presented to him the transfer request for signature on Yom Tov. An argument then ensued as to whether they would need to wait for the next medical exam two weeks later to have him sign the document, or whether they could come at any time to have him sign. Thankfully, he did not need to wait the two weeks and was able to sign immediately after Yom Tov. There was also disagreement as to where the bill for the fine levied on Yaakov Yosef was to be presented for payment, again having the Tokyo and Chiba Prosecution Offices throwing it at each other. At the end, it was determined that the Tokyo Prosecutors office will issue the bill and the lawyer would be allowed to pay on Yaakov Yosef’s behalf, which he did straight away.

At this time, documentary procedures both on the Japanese side and the Israeli side have been completed, and the review process is underway. Both sides need to review the documentation of the other country; i.e. the Japanese will want to know where in Israel the prisoner will be taken, at what point will he be allowed to request being released,etc. Then a contract will need to be drawn up between the two countries, and certain conditions may be included. Correspondence between Japan and Israel does take some time, although askonim have been assured that the process will be handled as expeditiously as possible. We can only pray and wait.

Perhaps most significant was the achievement of having Yaakov Yosef remain in the Chiba Detention Center as opposed to being transferred to a prison camp. The askonim explored every avenue possible to accomplish this. Firstly, they used the fact that Yaakov Yosef had been allowed to remain in Chiba during the appeal at the Tokyo High Court despite the fact that protocol dictated that he be transferred to the detention centre in Tokyo as a precedent. They argued that if the court agreed that conditions in the Tokyo detention centre would be too difficult for the defendant whilst awaiting trial, how much more so must they agree that he would not be able to tolerate conditions in a prison labor camp! Additionally, since Japanese law dictates that Yaakov Yosef need not be held in Japan at all but can be transferred to his own country to serve his sentence, why should he enter the six – month training program that all prisoners must undergo to prepare them for prison camp if he will not be remaining in Japan in the long run?

With much thanks to the Ribono Shel Olam, Yaakov Yosef was allowed to remain in the Chiba Detention Center, in the same room that he was in until now, where he has all his seforim and other items which are important to him. However, certain prison rules have been imposed upon him, making his stay much more difficult. Firstly, he is limited to only two visits per month, while previously he had been receiving visitors almost daily, whether family, askonim, individuals passing through the Far East on business, or Rabbi Edery, the Chabad shaliach to Tokyo who is certainly earning his Olam Haboh with his untiring dedication to the boys. These visits served to keep the boys in a positive state of mind and their spirits up so that they could endure. Askonim, were able to have Rabbi Edery listed as Yaakov Yosef’s religious chaplain so that he could visit him weekly in this capacity. This means that besides two visitors that he’s allowed every month, he can receive a weekly visit from Rabbi Edery as a Rabbi. Rabbi Edery can also visit in the capacity of a regular visitor, visiting twice every month, besides his weekly rights as a Rabbi.

Even worse is that Yaakov Yosef is no longer allowed to purchase or receive food such as bread, fresh fruit, and preserved fruits from the canteen. The prison rations are extremely meager as it is, and given Yaakov Yosef’s kashrus constraints he was not getting nearly enough food to survive. He became very weak and ill as a result, until lawyers, askonim and others were able to get through to the prison authorities the fact that while other prisoners might purchase luxury edibles such as chocolate, chips and biscuits in the canteen, Yaakov Yosef was using his canteen purchases as a means of survival. Although he did not receive permission to continue purchasing food, his rations were supplemented somewhat.


In a clear and unbelievable manifestation of Hashgocho Protis, the prison authorities did not force him to shave his facial hair as they do all prisoners; rather, they offered him the option of being shaved as they knew that his religion did not permit it. Regarding Yaakov Yosef’s tefillin – while until now he was able to use them as long as he desired, he is now given them for one hour a day. Although the authorities initially only wanted to allow one half hour per day, askonim were able to stretch it to a full hour and arranged that that hour be in the early morning so that he can daven Shacharis.

Although Yaakov Yosef was previously weak, his spirit is unbelievably strong. He has written several powerful letters that would put our own emunah and bitachon to shame.

As for Yoel (Zev) ben Mirel Risa Chava, he too is still sitting alone in his cell, awaiting his final verdict which is scheduled for August 29th. The weather in Japan is extremely hot and humid, much worse than what we are used to. Rabbi Nezri, who was there just two weeks ago, said that it is simply difficult to breathe due to the tremendous heat and humidity. Neither Yaakov Yosef or Yoel Zev have any sort of air conditioning, or even a fan, but in the meeting room where they meet with visitors there is air conditioning, and therefore everything is done to get them to the meeting rooms with visitors or lawyers as frequent as possible to give them relief and some enjoyment of relaxation. The short time spent in a small enclosed area outdoors that they allowed twice a week provide little or no relief.

What more must we say? Yaakov Yosef and Yoel Zev are still suffering and are by no way in vacation spirits yet! Please remember, that whilst you are planning your summer vacation, the bochurim jailed in Japan are still languishing in detention! Please don't go on vacation without taking their plight with you in your heart.

We must pour out our hearts in tefillah to Hakodosh Boruch Hu that Yaakov Yosef be transferred very quickly and that we should merit a positive verdict for Yoel Zev, thus sparing him from further suffering. Please continue to be mispallel for Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel and Yoel (Zev) ben Mirel Risa Chava, so that we may hear good news soon.

Join the tehillim teleconference on behalf of the boys, and spread the word to your family and friends.

THIS SUNDAY NIGHT, August 7, 9:00 pm EST

718-258-2008 option 9 selection 9

To donate: call 718-534-0030

or visit www.japanpidyon.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let Us Not Forget Our Brothers Who Sit Alone.

Join the massive tehillim teleconference on behalf of

Yoel Zev ben Mirel Risa Chava

whose verdict will be announced on August 29th 

and

Yaakov Yosef ben Raizel

who awaits a transfer to Eretz Yisroel.

This Sunday night, August 7th, 9:00 p.m. EST

718-258-2008 option 9 selection 9

Divrei Hisorirus from R' Efraim Eliyahu Shapiro, shlita

Rav of North Miami Beach

Yaakov Yosef's appeal was denied by the High Court in Japan. Please read Yaakov Yosef's letter of chizuk from a ben Torah.  Click on the image below to get a better resolution.

My precious friends, please recognize and seize the myriad of life saving mitzvah opportunities Hashem in His unlimited kindness grants us throughout every single day. Do them with a full heart. Your life in this world may be saved because of them. Certainly, your life now and eternal life after this world will be enhanced immeasurably. None of us knows how much time we have left. This could be your last day. Time is life. We can never recapture it. Use it to the fullest. -- Michael J. Elman, M.D.

Hashem is putting Klal Yisrael to so many tests. May we realize that everything is from Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and that after putting our human efforts of teshuva, tefilah and tzedakah to the tasks, all that is left is for us is to continue to place our collective trust in Him and see the redemption unfold. May that be soon. Amen.

Myth about Xmas and New Year, המיתוס על חג המולד ואת השנה החדשה

Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen has a shiur about Xmas and  New Year.  A lot of mention about the Xian deity, JC Penny (as Rabbi Mizrachi refers him to) in this lecture.  Interesting sources of the symbols of the stupid holidays  based on avodah zara, of course.  The most important part of the lectuer is how Jews were tortured in these holidays in their earliest celebrations.

To listen to the shiur go here.

A Trip to the Universe and Back, טיול היקום ובחזרה

This is a video from the American Museum of Natural History, showing the location of Earth and taking a trip from the Earth to the outer edges of the universe.

How to Observe Chanukah, כיצד להתבונן חנוכה

LAWS OF CHANUKAH

-- by Rabbi Dov Miller

While assimilation is a major problem among Jews today, in the days of the second Bais Hamikdash (the Temple), assimilation was government policy. Led by their king Antiochus, the Greeks banned Torah study, looted property belonging to the Jews, and violated young Jewish women.

The Greeks finally entered the Temple and defiled almost all the oil in the sanctuary. Three miracles then occurred:

• the Chashmonayim, the greatly outnumbered family of priests who fought the Greeks, proved victorious;

• one small flask of oil with the seal of the Kohen Gadol (the High Priest) was discovered to be still intact;

• and, with that one flask of oil, the light in the menorah in the Temple lasted for eight days, until newly squeezed pure olive oil became available.

The following year the Rabbis established the eight days, beginning with the 25th day of Kislev (the day that the victory took place), as a festival for praise and thanks to

G-d. They called the holiday Chanukah (Chanu [they rested]; kah [25^th]).

Materials for the Menorah

Because the miracle of Chanukah involved olive oil, it is preferable to use olive oil for the menorah. Similarly, it is preferable to use cotton or flax wicks. Nonetheless, almost any oil and wick or any candle can be used.

The lights should be in a straight line so that the number of burning lights is easily recognizable.

The mitzva of the menorah is the act of lighting. Therefore, the proper amount of fuel must be in the menorah at the time of lighting (adding oil after lighting does not help if the proper amount was not in the menorah during lighting). Initially, there should be enough fuel to burn at least half an hour after nightfall.

An electric menorah should not be used.

Placement of the Menorah

Since the purpose of lighting the menorah is to publicize the miracle—pirsumei nissah—the menorah should be placed in view of as many people as possible. It is preferable to put the menorah in a window facing the street. If a person lives in a tall apartment building, placement becomes a bit more complicated and a Rabbi should be consulted. If there is no window facing the street, then the menorah should be placed next to an open front door, opposite the mezuza.

The menorah should be set on a surface between 12 to 40 inches from the ground.

The menorah should be put in its proper place before lighting and not moved after it is lit. When lighting more than one menorah in an area, they should be spaced so that each set of lights is distinguishable from the others.

Time of Lighting

The best time to light the menorah is when night begins—when three stars come out. If this is not possible, the menorah can be lit at a later time, as long as there is another member of the household awake or, if living in a single-person household, when it is still early enough for travelers to be in the street (approximately 8 p.m. in Sharon). Otherwise, the menorah is lit without blessings.

During Chanukah, no new activity should be started within half an hour of nightfall. If a person was already involved in an activity, he can continue. However, the menorah should be lit as soon as possible after night has begun.

If a person cannot light the menorah after nightfall, the candles can be lit about 1 hour before nightfall (Ask a Rabbi for the earliest possible time, if necessary.) However, there must be enough fuel to burn at least half an hour after nightfall.

If the menorah was lit properly but some of the lights were extinguished unexpectedly, one is not obligated to rekindle them. Still, it is preferable to rekindle them without the blessings.

Since the obligation of lighting the candles is based on each house of residence—ner ish u’veiso—the menorah should be lit at home even if one is away for the evening, as long as the person is sleeping at home.

When away from home for the night, a person should light a menorah for himself in the place he is staying—that is considered to be the person’s residence. If there is no menorah available, a small amount of money should be given to the host to purchase a portion of the materials used in the host's menorah. If one is staying at a place such as a hospital, nursing home, or hotel where one cannot light a menorah, a small amount of money should be given to someone to light a menorah for him.

On Friday evening the menorah must be lit before the Shabbos candles. There must be enough fuel to burn at least 30 minutes after the appearance of three stars (this year, 5:29 p.m.). Regular Chanukah candles will not burn that long and other candles should be used. The earliest one may light the menorah erev Shabbos this year is 3:21 p.m.

There are various customs regarding the order of the havdala and lighting the menorah after Shabbos. Each person should follow his custom. If there is no custom, the havdala should be recited first.

Brochos (Blessings)

On the first night of Chanukah, three blessings are recited: 1) l’hadlik ner shel Chanukah, 2) she’asah nisim la’avoseinu, and 3) shehechiyanu. On the other nights, only the first two blessings are recited .The blessings should be completed before the candles are lit.

Immediately after the first candle is lit, it is customary to begin to say haneiros halalu.

If one forgot to make the blessings before beginning to light the menorah, all of the appropriate blessings can be recited unless the lighting has been completed. In that case, the blessing must be skipped.

If a person cannot light the menorah and will not be able to have someone light for him, then the blessing of she’asa nisim (and shehechiyanu on the first night) should be recited when seeing a lit menorah.

In Shemonah Esrei and in Birkas Hamozon a special prayer, Al Hanisim, is added for all eight days of Chanukah. If one forgot to recite this prayer, the following rules apply: 1) If the name of G-d at the end of the blessing was not mentioned yet, one should go back, say the Al Hanisim prayer, and then continue from there, or 2) If the name of G-d has been mentioned, then the Al Hanisim prayer can be added to the end of the Shemonah Esrei before saying yi’hiyu l’ratzon imrei fi. In Birkas Hamazon, a special harachoman is recited—Harachaman hoo ya’aseh lanu nisim v’nifla’os k’sheim she’asisa la’avoseinu bayamim haheim bazman hazeh (then the Al Hanisim prayer is inserted, starting with bimei Matisyahu ...).

Whole Hallel is recited throughout the holiday. Tachanun and Lamnatzei’ach are omitted.

Lighting the Menorah

Men, women, and children who reach the age of understanding are required to light the Chanukah menorah. Married women fulfill their obligation through their husbands.

We fill the menorah with candles or oil from right to left. However, we light the menorah from left to right.

The prevalent custom is to have each person light the amount of candles corresponding to the day of the holiday (first night—1 candle; second night—2 candles).

One cannot use the Chanukah light for personal needs. Therefore, an extra candle, a shamash, is lit, just in case the light from the menorah is inadvertently used. The shamas for the first half hour h should be distinguishable from the other lights, for example, higher than the other lights.

Since Yehudis, the daughter of Yochanan Kohen Gadol, played an important role in the Chanukah victory, the custom is that women don't do housework for the first half hour while the Chanukah lights are burning.

Some Thoughts on Chanukah, כמה מחשבות על חג החנוכה

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller writes:

When you think of the victory of light over the darkness that the ancient Greeks tried to spread, you can't help but think of the world as it is today, sit by the light and know that there is light in the darkest times.

Everything that we think of as "light," becomes "dark" in a world in which there is no spirituality. The Greeks weren't so different than today's "spokesmen". They saw the human being as the world's center.

Everything that makes you a member of a unique people demands that you see things very differently. You didn't emerge as a Jew out of nowhere. G-d promised the patriarchs that the traits that they developed would live in their descendants beyond their lifetimes. Their heritage is reflected in our value system.

The three most severe sins are idol worship, sexual immorality, and murder. Avraham's dedication to chessed (kindness) gives us the fortitude to resist temptation to the sins of sexual immorality. You can't be a giver and at the same time an exploiter; the Greeks negated this principle completely. To them, any relationship that gives gratification to the person more in power is legitimate and healthy.

Today the plague of intermarriage is the way secular humanism, an offspring of Greek thought, is still conquering us, not physically but by making our uniqueness as a people irrelevant. It feels like the most normal thing in the world.

Yitzchak's dedication to G-d was absolute. The ultimate "idol" is human ego. The moment that Yitzchak showed his willingness to give his life to do Hashem's will, he transmitted the ability to stand up and deny every possible form of idol worship to his descendants.

The Greeks' obsession with defiling the Bais HaMikdash showed how completely they understood (not necessarily consciously) that it opposed everything they stood for. It was a place of miracles, awareness, depth, joy! The core of all of this was a transcendental, invisible G-d who could never be totally understood even by the greatest human minds. But the heritage that the Greeks left us is the way looking at every religious ritual as something irrelevant at best and contemptuous at worst. The only god they and their descendants still worship is human ego.

Yaakov grasped the nature of the soul and its eternal connection to G-d. He could never justify murder. By definition, murder means killing someone who is of no threat to you. That would mean somehow seeing him as "unnecessary" in the greater scheme of things. Yaakov saw other people as eternal, precious, and attached to G-d. To the Greeks, human life had only relative value. They habitually abandoned deformed infants to die of exposure on their hauntingly beautiful hillsides.

The clash between these cultures continues.

These issues are not new. The Greek exile is very much with us emotionally and sociologically. The issues are still the same.

There is a fourth issue as well, one that you have to take to heart if you want to make a change. The Haftorah (prophetic portion read after the Torah reading on Shabbos) tells us not just about the three grave sins, but also of one that is worse still. It is oppression of your fellow man. In a similar vein, the sages tell us that there are three cardinal sins, idol worship, sexual immorality, and murder, but that lashon hara parallels all of them in its gravity.

Lashon hara means saying negative or damaging things about your fellow Jew for no positive purpose. It reflects disintegration of our sense of peoplehood, and our grasp of the unique spirituality of each one of us. This is the tikkun that we face now more than ever, because "fixing" the other issues is almost impossible without an underlying sense of love and unity.

Yosef epitomizes both. His early revelation of his dreams reflected not (as people think) his ego as much as his sense of responsibility for his brothers. This comes out more when, as the later parshas reveal, he was able to put aside every normal human desire to humiliate them in return for their betrayal. His sense of their significance was based on his recognition of what it meant to be part of the Jewish people.

In Yosef's own moment of temptation, when Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him, what saved him was seeing Yaakov's image before his eyes. Yaakov was able to pass on to his children what the glory of being a human being is really about. The reason that Yosef resisted her (even though, as the Midrash says, she threatened to have him tortured to death), was that immorality would defile him as a human being. His esteem for his own humanity was the basis of his esteem for his brothers.

Chanukah is the time when you can look at the light of the menorah, and let it reflect the light of your soul, and the souls of the people in your life! Enjoy watching the flames, eating the latkes and/or sufganiot, and have a great holiday.

Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller

Favorite Dream Video, הוידאו האהובים על חלומות

Both parashiyos Vayeshev and Miketz focus on dreams.  Here is a popular Torah video about dreams, brought to you by Hidabroot's Rav Zamir Cohen, followed by another video by Rav Yosef Mizrachi.

The Age of the Dinosaurs based on Scientific Data, הגיל הדינוסורים ע"י המחקר המדעיע

This is the video that Rabbi Mizrachi wants you to watch regarding the age of the dinosaurs, the quick formation of coal in contrast to millions of years, an explanation of the deluge, produced by Xian scientists.  There are of course Orthodox Jewish scientists who will defend that the age of the universe is as claimed by modern scientists, including Rabbi Slifkin.

You can listen to the explanation of how the Grand Canyon and its surrounding lakes were formed and how there was perfect preservation of fossils in the area, particularly fish and dinosaur footprints found in the coal mines.  A fascinating lecture.  I can't wait til Moshiach comes to set us straight.

Please daven for Ayelet Yakira Bas Chaya Hinda Matel Nechama, נא להתפלל בשביל איילת יקירה בת חיה הינדה מאתל נחמה

Please be mispallel for 2-year old Ayeles Yakira Bas Chaya Hinda Matel Nechama!  Thank you.

Forwarded message to Klal Yisrael:

Some of you may have heard of Ayelet Galena, daughter of Seth Galena (NYC) & Hindy Poupko (Montreal), the little girl who was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow failure and received a bone marrow transplant 103 days ago to be exact. There was some improvement in her condition recently, such that she was able to spend her 2nd birthday with family at her grandmother's home in Cincinnati last weekend. Since then, things took a turn for the worse and she is currently on a ventilator back in the ICU.

You can find her story here: http://ayeletgalena.tumblr.com/

Her family asks for immediate Tehillim for her: Ayelet Yakira Bas Chaya Hinda Matel Nechama

Women and Hear Covering, נשים וכיסוי השערה

For Jewish ladies only:

Listen to Rabbi Mizrachi talk about wigs and more....

2012 Mayan End of the World Myth, 2012 סוף העולם המיאן

Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi debunks the myth of the Mayan 2012 nonsense...

Reclaiming Chanukah, לתבוע את חנוכה

by Rav Eli Mansour

As a mere 17 year old, Yosef was driven from his home into a foreign culture and alien society. For the next twenty years, he lived without any of the basic frameworks through which religious tradition is preserved – he had no Jewish home, Jewish schools, or Jewish institutions. Alone in a spiritually toxic environment, Yosef managed to survive, to the point where he was able to withstand the relentless temptation posed by his master’s wife, who desired an illicit relationship with him.

How did he do it? How could a boy at that age and in those circumstances retain his religious identity and values?

Rashi provides us with the answer in his comments to the beginning of Parashat Vayeshev (Beresheet 37:3). He writes that during the years prior to Yosef’s sale as a slave, Yaakov taught him “all the Torah he had learned from Shem and Ever.” Yaakov had spent 14 years studying in the academy of Shem and Ever, and he shared all the knowledge and wisdom he accumulated during that period with his beloved son, Yosef. Rashi does not elaborate, but in this terse passage he explains for us the secret of Yosef’s spiritual survival in the moral wastelands of Egypt. To understand the depth of Rashi’s comment, we need to understand what exactly Yaakov was doing for 14 years in the academy of Shem and Ever.

The 14-Year Exile Training Course

Yaakov enrolled in the yeshiva of Shem and Ever at the age of 63, after spending his life in the home of his righteous parents, studying Torah. It would be a gross understatement to say that Yaakov was already an accomplished scholar by the time he was 63. What was he looking for in the yeshiva of Shem and Ever? And why did it take him no less than 14 years to find it?

Yaakov went to study with Shem and Ever when he left home to escape the wrath of his brother, Esav, who became resentful after Yaakov had claimed the blessings which Esav had sold to him years earlier. Aware of the vengeful Esav’s desire to kill his younger brother, Rivka instructed Yaakov to relocate with her wily brother, Lavan, far away from Eress Yisrael. But before going there, Yaakov made a 14-year detour, if you will, studying in the yeshiva of the Shem and Ever.

Yaakov understood that there are two Torah’s that one must learn and master. One is the Torah that applies when one lives in a religiously friendly environment, in an observant home, in a strong Torah community surrounded by likeminded neighbors and friends. This is the Torah that Yaakob studied and imbibed in his parents’ home until age 63. But there is also a different kind of Torah, one which a person must absorb before heading out into spiritually hostile surroundings. The dangers posed by foreign influences require a different kind of “strategy,” which one learns through a special type of Torah learning experience. And this is what Yaakov was looking for when he joined the yeshiva of Shem and Ever. He knew he would be spending many years with Lavan, a greedy, corrupt charlatan, and an idol-worshipper to boot. He would be there alone, without the supportive religious framework he enjoyed back home in Be’er Sheva. Yaakov knew he could not enter such a situation without adequate preparation. For this reason, he went to study the special Torah of Shem and Ever, both of whom had mastered, through firsthand experience, how to resist negative influences. Shem was a survivor of the flood, who remained righteous despite growing up in the most corrupt, decrepit generation of all time, the generation of the flood. And Shem and Ever both lived through the period of Migdal Bavel, when the earth’s inhabitants united for the purpose of rebelling against Gd. These two leaders, Shem and Ever, knew about surviving in spiritually hostile surroundings. The Torah they taught was the wisdom needed to withstand negative influences, and this is the Torah that Yaakov needed to learn before moving in with his crooked, pagan uncle. Before embarking on this perilous exile, he underwent an intensive, 14-year preparation course, learning how to avert the potentially disastrous effects of ongoing exposure to opposing values and mores.

As Rashi writes, Yaakov transmitted this Torah – the Torah of resisting negative influences – to Yosef. A child begins studying Torah at the age of three, and Yosef was taken to Egypt at age 17. In the interim 14 years, he studied what Yaakov had learned for 14 years with Shem and Ever – the Torah of withstanding hostile influences. By the time he arrived in Egypt, he was equipped with the “ammunition” he would need to live as a committed Jew in an alien culture.

Sure enough, Yosef needed this ammunition, never more urgently than on that fateful day when he nearly succumbed to the advances of his master’s wife. The Torah (Beresheet 39:11) relates that after the woman’s repeated, unsuccessful attempts to lure Yosef, he came into the home when nobody else was present besides her. The sages explain that Yosef had finally surrendered to his passions and decided to consent to Potifar’s wife. At that moment, however, Yaakov’s image appeared to him, and Yosef immediately recoiled and ran from the house. The image of his father reminded him of all he had learned back home. At that moment of weakness, Yosef heard his father’s voice crying out to him, “Yosef! Everything I taught you for 14 years – it was for this moment!” The teachings of Shem and Ever, which were etched in Yosef’s memory and engraved upon his heart, stepped in to extricate him from the claws of temptation, and he mustered the inner strength and fortitude to resist.

Refusing to Melt in the Melting Pot

The story of Yosef’s resistance to foreign influence does not end with his escape from the clutches of Potifar’s wife. It actually continued to resonate for the next two centuries.

The rabbis teach that every missva that we perform – and certainly the missvot performed by the great sadikim – yield profound and far-reaching effects. A missva generates kedusha (holiness) that exerts very powerful influence, analogous to the exponential energy produced by an atomic reaction. There are huge sections of the Ukraine that are still off-limits today due to radiation that originated from a nuclear disaster in a single reactor at the Chernobyl power plant, which occurred over a quarter century ago. In a somewhat similar vein, each and every missva we perform generates a powerful source of kedusha whose impact can be felt for generations.

Understandably, then, Yosef’s triumph over temptation exerted a very strong impact upon the generations of Jews who lived in Egypt after him. The manifestation of this impact was the equally remarkable phenomenon of Bene Yisrael’s retaining their identity and remaining a separate people throughout the period of Egyptian bondage. The nation lived among the Egyptians for over two hundred years, but they did not assimilate. The rabbis teach that throughout this entire period, there was only one Israelite woman who engaged in relations with an Egyptian man. Bene Yisrael’s spiritual standing was far from perfect during the Egyptian exile, but there was no intermarriage. The kedushagenerated by Yosef’s heroism continued to inspire the Israelites over the next two hundred years, and they continued his legacy of remaining separate and distinct.

To put this phenomenon in some kind of perspective, consider the contrasting example of the Jews’ experience in the United States. Over the past two hundred years, we have unfortunately witnessed such an alarming rate of intermarriage and assimilation, that a number of Jewish groups consider it the most pressing crisis facing the Jewish people today. But this dreadful state of affairs is actually quite natural. When we live and engage in a foreign culture, the “melting pot” effect is a perfectly natural outcome. Jews meet, deal with and work with gentiles, and come under their influence. Eventually, they want to fit in and be just like everyone else, and so they abandon their traditions and assimilate. It’s tragic, but hardly surprising.

In Egypt, Bene Yisraeldid not “melt” into the Egyptian “melting pot.” The effect of Yosef’s resistance to Potifar’s wife enabled them to resist the pressures of the host society. Despite the spiritual decline they experienced during the Egyptian bondage, they retained their identity and remained a separate, distinct nation living among the Egyptians.

The Torah says that after the miracle of the splitting of the sea, “Israel saw the mighty hand” of Gd (Shemot 14:31). The Zohar, noting the singular verb form used in this verse (“vayar,” instead of “vayir’u”), explains that the Torah here refers not to the Israelite nation, but rather to Yaakov Avinu, who was also called “Israel.” Yaakov’s soul descended at the time of this miracle to witness his descendants’ safe emergence from exile, and he saw the “yad hagedola – the mighty hand.” The word yadhas the numerical value of 14. Yaakov proudly looked upon the results of the 14 years he spent educating Yosef, which enabled Bene Yisraelto defy the odds and remain separate from the Egyptians throughout the period of exile. As the nation crossed the Sea of Reeds toward their chosen destiny, Yaakov saw the “yad,” the effects of the education he provided his son, which allowed Bene Yisraelto emerge from Egypt as an independent nation.

The Hanukah Connection

This analysis of the Yosef story sheds light on the association between his experiences and the holiday which we celebrate this month – Hanukah.

There are many indications of a close relationship between the story of Yosef and the story of Hanukah. Most obviously, Hanukah is always celebrated during the week when we read the Yosef story in the synagogue. It cannot be coincidental that Parashiyot Vayeshev and Mikess, which tell of Yosef’s experiences in Egypt, are always read around the time of Hanukah. Furthermore, in the Al Hanissim text that we add to our prayers on Hanukah, we mention the great salvation that Gd brought the Jews of that time “kehayom hazeh– like this day” – like the day when Yosef nearly succumbed to Potifar’s wife. Additionally, the work Megaleh Amukotnotes that the numerical value of Antiochus – the Assyrian-Greek ruler whose religious oppression sparked the Hasmonean revolt – is the same as the numerical value of the name “Yosef” (156). Clearly, these two stories – Yosef’s experiences in Egypt and the Hanukah miracle – are closely associated with one another.

The battle of the Hashmonaim was a religious struggle. The Greek rulers sought to impose their beliefs and their indulgent, promiscuous lifestyle upon the Jews of Eress Yisrael. Unlike other oppressors of the Jewish people, like Haman and Hitler, who wished to eradicate the Jewish people, the Greeks sought to eradicate the Jewish religion. This is why, as we recall in the Al Hanissimprayer, the Greeks contaminated the oil of the Bet Hamikdash. The Jewish people are likened to oil because they do not mix with other nations, just as oil does not mix with other liquids. The Greek oppressors waged a fierce battle against the “oil,” against this quality of the Jewish people. They fought to have the Jews “mix” and blend with other people, to fully assimilate within the dominant Greek society.

And their plan nearly worked. The overwhelming majority of the Jews of the time fell prey to the powerful influence of the Greek rulers, and embraced a Hellenist lifestyle. The Hashmonaim represented the small minority of Jews who remained faithful to Torah tradition, who refused to assimilate and abrogate their spiritual heritage. Rambam writes that if not for the miraculous Hasmomean victory, Torah would have been forever forgotten, Gd forbid. The tsunami of Greek culture that flooded Eress Yisrael, along with the harsh decrees issued by the Greek rulers, nearly eradicated Jewish tradition. But there remained a small jug of pure oil, a small group of Jews who, like Yosef, refused to mix and assimilate. They stubbornly and steadfastly remained separate, different and distinct, committed to preserving their ancestral faith. The unrelenting battle of the Hashmonaim continued the heroic struggle of Yosef to spiritually survive a tidal wave of anti-Jewish culture. And they defeated the Greeks “kehayom hazeh,” just like Yosef heroically resisted the powerful influences exerted upon him in Egypt.

The Hellenization of Hanukah

It is a tragedy, and a crime, that this message of Hanukah has been lost upon many contemporary Jews, who have turned this holiday upside-down, into a time to resemble the gentiles as closely as possible. In many circles, Hanukah has been reduced to the Jewish equivalent of the major holiday observed by our gentile neighbors during the same season – a time of gifts and decorative lights. Worse, the Maccabees – who fought under the banner of “Mi l’Hashem elai – Who is to Gd, follow me” – are now portrayed as mighty, muscle-bound thugs and warriors, rather than pious, Gd-fearing Torah scholars fighting for the Jewish religion. The holiday that celebrates Jewish separateness has been grossly distorted into a secular American holiday; the season that should remind us of the need to resist foreign influence has become a time to embrace contemporary secular culture.

Satan is very clever, and knows precisely where to attack. Understanding the importance of Hanukah as a model of resisting assimilation, he infiltrated this holiday and succeeded in bending it out of shape into a troubling display of modern-day Hellenization.

It must be clearly and unequivocally stated that Hanukah is not just about latkes, candle lighting, dreidels and gifts. Hanukah is about recommitting ourselves to resist the natural tendency of assimilation. It is customary to use oil lamps specifically, for the Hanukah lights to symbolize this quality of separateness. Hanukah is a time to reinforce our distinction from general culture, not a time to embrace it.

When reflecting upon what has happened to Hanukah here in America, I am reminded of the story of a young rabbi who, on the first Shabbat in his new job, spoke to the congregation about Shabbat observance. Afterward, members of the shul board approached him and explained that many members of the community did not observe Shabbat and might be offended by such a sermon. The rabbi promised not to speak about Shabbat from the pulpit, and so the next Shabbat, he gave an impassioned speech about kashrut. Once again, the synagogue leadership came and said that many members eat out with their non-Jewish associates, and kashrut is thus a sensitive topic. The rabbi agreed, and so on the third Shabbat, he spoke about the importance of family purity. Sure enough, the congregation’s leaders came to him to ask that he avoid this topic, as well, which could easily offend many members who did not observe this area of halacha.

“Well,” the rabbi said, “if I can’t speak about Shabbat, kashrut or family purity, then what do you want me to talk about?”

The board members replied, “Just talk about Judaism, rabbi!”

Sadly, many people view Judaism as a matter of cultural intrigue, rather than a binding commitment to our laws and traditions. In their view, Judaism is more about kibbehand lahmaginethan about Torah obligation. And this is what has happened to Hanukah, as well – but in the case of Hanukah, it is especially disturbing because the holiday is specifically about steadfast commitment to Torah in the face of external pressure.

Hanukah is among the only areas of halacha that involve a window. And this is no coincidence. When we see the Hanukah lights by the window, we are reminded of our patriarch Yaakov appearing to Yosef through the window in Egypt, reminding him of his heritage. On Hanukah, Yaakov appears to us in the window in the form of the Hanukah lights, imploring us to remain faithful to our traditions, to continue to shine brightly despite being engulfed by the darkness of secular culture.

The Hanukah miracle is still unfolding before our very eyes. Every time a Jew recites a beracha, opens a siddur, sits down with a sefer, or does any other missva, the miracle repeats itself. After two millennia of living among gentiles, Jews still study their ancient texts and follow their ancient traditions. The miracle of Yosef and the miracle of the Hashmonaim are still in progress. And it is up to us to ensure that it continues, by reinforcing our commitment to withstand foreign influence, thereby sustaining the flame of Torah that has withstood the tests of time, persecution and assimilation, and allowing it to continue illuminating the earth.

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