The link below contains a crtical analysis of a fairly recent article in National Geographic (June 2009 edition). I remember when National Geographic published the article. I was saddened to discover that it was wildly distorted and biased against Israel. National Geographic is a news source I enjoy and one that I normally consider credible...I especially enjoy their reporting on science and archaeology. Unfortunately, I was naive in thinking that they could be above the rampant anti-Semitic Israel bashing that dominates today's media.
Sometimes when I think about how biased and dishonest the media is, I just can't help but get upset. A country no bigger than New Jersey is blamed for almost all of the world's problems while genocides, honor killings and other tragedies are largely ignored. I guess Darfur just isn't selling enough papers these days.
It is no secret to me that whenever someone blames 'Israel' they really mean to blame the Jews. These Jew-haters hide behind terms like 'anti-Zionist' and 'anti-Israel'. Most world governments and that bastion of moral failure known as the United Nations frequently charge Israel with crimes.
However, we as Jews don't count on support from the other nations. We're used to enduring your hatred and lies. We're used to being blamed for your problems. Israel doesn't need your support. We have all the support we need from the Eternal One who gave us the land.
It is my hope that one day the righteous of the nations will unite and stop hating us and our homeland. If my anger offends you, too bad. This had to be said.
http://www.aish.com/jw/mo/48971906.html
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
I'm Starting with the Man in the Mirror
Hey,
Sorry I have not updated this in a while, but so many changes have been taking place in my life...No I am not going through puberty...I believe I already went through that stage.
Since my last post I travelled for three weeks in Eretz Yisrael where I learned Torah, met some great people, ate well, partook in fun out-door trips, and had a great time. I was with a program called Meor. If you want to learn more about Meor trips check out http://www.meor.org/visitisrael/overview.asp. It is a great, lifechanging experience.
From Israel it was straight to Barcelona where I stayed with a good friend for four nights before flying back to Tel-Aviv and then from there back to NY. A lot of travelling, but worth it. The memories will last a lifetime.
On a sad note I was deeply distressed upon learning that one of my all-time favorite musical artists, Michael Jackson, passed away. Probably the most famous man in the world, he was often misunderstood yet his innovative dancing and music brought joy to millions across the globe. I hope he knew how much his music touched so many people's lives.
Anyway, I realize this entry is a bit more personal than most and at the risk of making it more personal I will share the following with you. After Israel I began observing the Shabbat. Shabbat is something I have long wanted to observe, but I was afraid that it would be too difficult to accomodate at this stage of my life...I couldn't have been more wrong.
Contrary to what our own individual Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) would have us believe, Hashem set up the world so that choosing to do a mitzvah will always bring positivity into one's life. Do not think you cannot bring Torah into your life. You can if you will it. It's like the words Michael Jackson sang...'If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.' Changing the world for the better begins with changing oneself. We have to start with the man (or woman) in the mirror. We all mess up at times, but if we view our lives as a constant project of self-improvement we can bring more positive light and joy into this world.
I have also began eating only kosher and wearing a kippa in public. The vibrant and strong environment of Israel greatly empowered me as a Jew and as an individual. Before spending time in Israel I always wanted to have these things in my life, but was too scared of what people thought. After being in a place where living Jewishly is the norm I no longer sweat what others might think of my lifestyle. I still have a lot of growing to do, but Israel boosted my confidence in myself and gave me the strength to keep trying to do what I know in my heart is right. Israel truly is a holy place.
Ok, I have divulged enough information about myself. I promise to find more interesting topics to report on in future posts, but I felt like I had to share with you what has been going on in my life.
Blessed love! Yasher koach!
Sorry I have not updated this in a while, but so many changes have been taking place in my life...No I am not going through puberty...I believe I already went through that stage.
Since my last post I travelled for three weeks in Eretz Yisrael where I learned Torah, met some great people, ate well, partook in fun out-door trips, and had a great time. I was with a program called Meor. If you want to learn more about Meor trips check out http://www.meor.org/visitisrael/overview.asp. It is a great, lifechanging experience.
From Israel it was straight to Barcelona where I stayed with a good friend for four nights before flying back to Tel-Aviv and then from there back to NY. A lot of travelling, but worth it. The memories will last a lifetime.
On a sad note I was deeply distressed upon learning that one of my all-time favorite musical artists, Michael Jackson, passed away. Probably the most famous man in the world, he was often misunderstood yet his innovative dancing and music brought joy to millions across the globe. I hope he knew how much his music touched so many people's lives.
Anyway, I realize this entry is a bit more personal than most and at the risk of making it more personal I will share the following with you. After Israel I began observing the Shabbat. Shabbat is something I have long wanted to observe, but I was afraid that it would be too difficult to accomodate at this stage of my life...I couldn't have been more wrong.
Contrary to what our own individual Yetzer Hara (evil inclination) would have us believe, Hashem set up the world so that choosing to do a mitzvah will always bring positivity into one's life. Do not think you cannot bring Torah into your life. You can if you will it. It's like the words Michael Jackson sang...'If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.' Changing the world for the better begins with changing oneself. We have to start with the man (or woman) in the mirror. We all mess up at times, but if we view our lives as a constant project of self-improvement we can bring more positive light and joy into this world.
I have also began eating only kosher and wearing a kippa in public. The vibrant and strong environment of Israel greatly empowered me as a Jew and as an individual. Before spending time in Israel I always wanted to have these things in my life, but was too scared of what people thought. After being in a place where living Jewishly is the norm I no longer sweat what others might think of my lifestyle. I still have a lot of growing to do, but Israel boosted my confidence in myself and gave me the strength to keep trying to do what I know in my heart is right. Israel truly is a holy place.
Ok, I have divulged enough information about myself. I promise to find more interesting topics to report on in future posts, but I felt like I had to share with you what has been going on in my life.
Blessed love! Yasher koach!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Lieb House Moved to its Foundation
Hey all! Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while, but I've been really busy and I will continue to be really busy until May 7th when I finish my final exam. I have been working a lot of papers lately.
To all who recently celebrated a holiday hope it went well (Passover, Easter, and a Hindu festival whose name escapes me all were celebrated in the past two weeks or so). My Pesach went well, but I am glad to be able to finally eat leavened products and kitniyot again!
Some news that may be of interest to you...The Lieb House - aka: that house that was shipped by boat to my house from New Jersey last month - was finally moved to its foundation a week ago. From what I heard from the folks at home, this event drew a rather large crowd, although a much smaller one from when the house arrived. Chopper 12 (a local news helicopter) and a filmcrew for a documentary being directed by the house's architect's son filmed the event. Newsday has more on the story. -> http://www.newsday.com/news/local/nassau/ny-lilieb1412648834apr13,0,2004070.story
Monday, March 30, 2009
Put some Reggae Reggae Sauce on that sandwich!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdjxMMdWucY&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fwall%2Ephp%3Fid%3D1380360079%26banter%5Fid%3D15618674%26ref%3Dnf&feature=player_embedded
This video was braught to my attention by my friend, Aiden who discovered Reggae Reggae Sauce while visiting his brother in Edinborough, Scotland. Apparently, it is very popular in the United Kingdom. As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of reggae music and all things Jamaican so I found this pretty interesting. While there are many different kinds of jerk spices and sauces, Levi Roots came up with quite a catchy ad campaign. I don't know if it's kosher, but Reggae Reggae Sauce sure looks appetizing!
According to Wikipedia, Reggae Reggae Sauce is a Jamaican jerk spice (jerk meat or fish sauce), popularised by creator Levi Roots' appearance on BBC2's Dragons' Den. See more ->
This video was braught to my attention by my friend, Aiden who discovered Reggae Reggae Sauce while visiting his brother in Edinborough, Scotland. Apparently, it is very popular in the United Kingdom. As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of reggae music and all things Jamaican so I found this pretty interesting. While there are many different kinds of jerk spices and sauces, Levi Roots came up with quite a catchy ad campaign. I don't know if it's kosher, but Reggae Reggae Sauce sure looks appetizing!
According to Wikipedia, Reggae Reggae Sauce is a Jamaican jerk spice (jerk meat or fish sauce), popularised by creator Levi Roots' appearance on BBC2's Dragons' Den. See more ->
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggae_Reggae_Sauce
For more details about this very interesting product click below.
http://www.reggae-reggae.co.uk/
For more details about this very interesting product click below.
http://www.reggae-reggae.co.uk/
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
My first Dvar Torah! Parshas Mikeitz
A Dvar Torah mamesh (literally) means a word of Torah. It is customary for people to produce a dvar (written or oral) on the weekly Torah portion or Parsha that tries to analyze the meaning of the parsha based on commentaries written by great rabbis and Torah scholars throughout the ages.
I did this Dvar Torah for a Siyum in which each person was assigned a different Torah portion for which to write a dvar. My Torah portion dealt with Yosef (Joseph) dealing with his brothers in Egypt while they were under the false impression that he was an Egyptian (Joseph is at this point a high-ranking official in Egypt). Below is my Dvar Torah. I apoligize to anyone inexperienced in studying Jewish texts if any of the Hebrew or Yeshivish lingo is confusing. If you have any questions, leave it in the comment section and I'll get back to you. I hope you find my Dvar Torah insightful and inspirational!
Dvar Torah
Parshas Mikeitz
Will Gotkin
In Parshas Mikeitz 42:21-23 found in Bereishit we see Yosef’s brothers (with the exception of Binyamin who at this point is at home in Canaan) overcome with feelings of regret for how they mistreated Yosef. They experience their remorseful feelings when Yosef, who at this point the brothers do not recognize and therefore think is simply an Egyptian official, accuses them of being spies. Yosef, who secretly recognizes his brothers, punishes them measure for measure for the grief they caused him and his father Yaakov. He also puts the brothers in a position in which they will be forced to bring Binyamin to Egypt. This way his obligation to fulfill the prophecy foretold in his dream that all eleven of his brothers would bow before him can be completed. After Yosef imprisoned his brothers for three days, ransomed Shimon, and demanded his brothers go back to Canaan and fetch their youngest brother, Binyamin, the brothers feel tremendous remorse and regret at how they treated Yosef when they sold him into slavery.
The Pshat understanding seems to be that the brothers who already have a guilty conscience for their past misdeed are seeing their current plight as a Divine retribution for their cruel treatment of Yosef in the past. The commentaries explain that the fact that Yosef’s brothers see this as punishment for their misdeed reveals their greatness as moral human beings, the Midrash HaGadol declaring thus, “Happy are the righteous who submit to retribution with joy and declare the Almighty just in whatever way he acts.”
This should teach the Jewish people that when we fall victim to negative circumstances that seem to us to be Hashem punishing us for a wrongdoing we should be like Yosef’s brothers and accept the punishment graciously. After all, everything Hashem does – even when he punishes us – is ultimately for our benefit and to make us better people. In the long run we will be glad for all situations we experience, good or bad, whether we understand the situations during the times we experience them, long after they have been experienced, or even if we do not understand the reason for them until Moshiach.
However, there is another important insight in this passage. From a surface reading of the Parsha, one might think that the brothers are feeling remorse at having sold their brother into slavery. Rav Aharon Kotler, founder of the Bais Medrash Gevoha in Lakewood, New Jersey and a great Torah leader of his generation, says the contrary. According to Rav Kotler, the brothers did not acknowledge guilt for their earlier judgment against Yosef; interpreting his actions as they did, they were convinced they had acted properly and legally in ridding themselves of a mortal danger (Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash, 236). In fact, they felt it was their obligation to remove Yosef from their midst at the time that they sold him into slavery. Furthermore, they believed it would have been sinful to show compassion towards him at a time they were required to be firm.
Now, however, seeing their predicament as punishment, they blamed themselves for their lack of compassion in how they carried out their decision (Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash, 236, my emphasis). Yosef’s brothers, concluded Rav Kotler, regarded their callousness toward Yosef’s entreaties or protests – not the actual sale – as deserving punishment. We see proof for this in verse 42:21: “They then said to one another, ‘Indeed we are guilty concerning our brother inasmuch as we saw his heartfelt anguish when he pleaded with us and we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has come upon us’.” In other words, their experience of having their anguish unheeded was punishment measure for measure for their refusal to heed the anguish of their brother years earlier.
So what does this teach us about how we the Jewish people must act in the world? For one thing, this Parsha teaches us that we must treat criminals – those who society punishes – with as much compassion and humanity as their punishment will allow. The Talmud derives from the Torah that even heinous criminals who suffer the death penalty must be treated as kindly as possible to minimize their humiliation and suffering (Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash, 286). The brothers now realized that failing to treat Yosef in a compassionate manner while exacting judgment on him brought upon their current plight as punishment. The Yafeh Torah notes that the brothers contrasted their own behavior toward Yosef with that of the viceroy toward their hungry families. Remember, the brothers did not know the viceroy was Yosef so from their vantage point, the ‘Egyptian’ did not know and would never see their families in Canaan, yet he felt enough sympathy for their plight to send them food. Yet the brothers had been apathetic to their own flesh and blood.
The Torah clearly takes a position against cruel and unusual punishment. It advocates that criminals must be punished according to the severity of their misdeed. The punishment must fit the crime, so to speak, and criminals must be punished measure for measure for their crimes. Administering cruel and unusual punishments that torture wrongdoers and cause them unnecessary suffering brings us down to a barbaric, animalistic level unbefitting of a holy people. When we cause undue suffering – even to evil individuals – our neshama is affected in such a negative way that we are degraded to the same low spiritual level as the criminals we punish. We must behave in a morally elevated fashion so that we in turn do not become the evil we wish to dispel from our midst.
I did this Dvar Torah for a Siyum in which each person was assigned a different Torah portion for which to write a dvar. My Torah portion dealt with Yosef (Joseph) dealing with his brothers in Egypt while they were under the false impression that he was an Egyptian (Joseph is at this point a high-ranking official in Egypt). Below is my Dvar Torah. I apoligize to anyone inexperienced in studying Jewish texts if any of the Hebrew or Yeshivish lingo is confusing. If you have any questions, leave it in the comment section and I'll get back to you. I hope you find my Dvar Torah insightful and inspirational!
Dvar Torah
Parshas Mikeitz
Will Gotkin
In Parshas Mikeitz 42:21-23 found in Bereishit we see Yosef’s brothers (with the exception of Binyamin who at this point is at home in Canaan) overcome with feelings of regret for how they mistreated Yosef. They experience their remorseful feelings when Yosef, who at this point the brothers do not recognize and therefore think is simply an Egyptian official, accuses them of being spies. Yosef, who secretly recognizes his brothers, punishes them measure for measure for the grief they caused him and his father Yaakov. He also puts the brothers in a position in which they will be forced to bring Binyamin to Egypt. This way his obligation to fulfill the prophecy foretold in his dream that all eleven of his brothers would bow before him can be completed. After Yosef imprisoned his brothers for three days, ransomed Shimon, and demanded his brothers go back to Canaan and fetch their youngest brother, Binyamin, the brothers feel tremendous remorse and regret at how they treated Yosef when they sold him into slavery.
The Pshat understanding seems to be that the brothers who already have a guilty conscience for their past misdeed are seeing their current plight as a Divine retribution for their cruel treatment of Yosef in the past. The commentaries explain that the fact that Yosef’s brothers see this as punishment for their misdeed reveals their greatness as moral human beings, the Midrash HaGadol declaring thus, “Happy are the righteous who submit to retribution with joy and declare the Almighty just in whatever way he acts.”
This should teach the Jewish people that when we fall victim to negative circumstances that seem to us to be Hashem punishing us for a wrongdoing we should be like Yosef’s brothers and accept the punishment graciously. After all, everything Hashem does – even when he punishes us – is ultimately for our benefit and to make us better people. In the long run we will be glad for all situations we experience, good or bad, whether we understand the situations during the times we experience them, long after they have been experienced, or even if we do not understand the reason for them until Moshiach.
However, there is another important insight in this passage. From a surface reading of the Parsha, one might think that the brothers are feeling remorse at having sold their brother into slavery. Rav Aharon Kotler, founder of the Bais Medrash Gevoha in Lakewood, New Jersey and a great Torah leader of his generation, says the contrary. According to Rav Kotler, the brothers did not acknowledge guilt for their earlier judgment against Yosef; interpreting his actions as they did, they were convinced they had acted properly and legally in ridding themselves of a mortal danger (Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash, 236). In fact, they felt it was their obligation to remove Yosef from their midst at the time that they sold him into slavery. Furthermore, they believed it would have been sinful to show compassion towards him at a time they were required to be firm.
Now, however, seeing their predicament as punishment, they blamed themselves for their lack of compassion in how they carried out their decision (Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash, 236, my emphasis). Yosef’s brothers, concluded Rav Kotler, regarded their callousness toward Yosef’s entreaties or protests – not the actual sale – as deserving punishment. We see proof for this in verse 42:21: “They then said to one another, ‘Indeed we are guilty concerning our brother inasmuch as we saw his heartfelt anguish when he pleaded with us and we paid no heed; that is why this anguish has come upon us’.” In other words, their experience of having their anguish unheeded was punishment measure for measure for their refusal to heed the anguish of their brother years earlier.
So what does this teach us about how we the Jewish people must act in the world? For one thing, this Parsha teaches us that we must treat criminals – those who society punishes – with as much compassion and humanity as their punishment will allow. The Talmud derives from the Torah that even heinous criminals who suffer the death penalty must be treated as kindly as possible to minimize their humiliation and suffering (Artscroll Stone Edition Chumash, 286). The brothers now realized that failing to treat Yosef in a compassionate manner while exacting judgment on him brought upon their current plight as punishment. The Yafeh Torah notes that the brothers contrasted their own behavior toward Yosef with that of the viceroy toward their hungry families. Remember, the brothers did not know the viceroy was Yosef so from their vantage point, the ‘Egyptian’ did not know and would never see their families in Canaan, yet he felt enough sympathy for their plight to send them food. Yet the brothers had been apathetic to their own flesh and blood.
The Torah clearly takes a position against cruel and unusual punishment. It advocates that criminals must be punished according to the severity of their misdeed. The punishment must fit the crime, so to speak, and criminals must be punished measure for measure for their crimes. Administering cruel and unusual punishments that torture wrongdoers and cause them unnecessary suffering brings us down to a barbaric, animalistic level unbefitting of a holy people. When we cause undue suffering – even to evil individuals – our neshama is affected in such a negative way that we are degraded to the same low spiritual level as the criminals we punish. We must behave in a morally elevated fashion so that we in turn do not become the evil we wish to dispel from our midst.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
My 15 Seconds of Fame
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/090313_Boat_Moves_House_to_Long_Island
So my family purchased a house for $1 and it was moved from NJ to my lawn for an amount that normally wouldn't even get you a small apartment in a bad neighborhood. Pretty good deal! Plus the house looks awesome.
The 'Lieb House', as it is called, is a 1960's example of pop-architecture and it was designed by architect, Robert Venturi. It was his first commissioned work.
So my family purchased a house for $1 and it was moved from NJ to my lawn for an amount that normally wouldn't even get you a small apartment in a bad neighborhood. Pretty good deal! Plus the house looks awesome.
The 'Lieb House', as it is called, is a 1960's example of pop-architecture and it was designed by architect, Robert Venturi. It was his first commissioned work.
Hilarious, Cracked Out Chabad Puppet Video
I found this video on Chabad.org and thought it had a positive message, but it was hilarious at the same time...I'm not sure, but it makes me wonder if the Lubavitchers were high when they made this video...
Anyway, it is an episode of a children's show (I admit I have seen other episodes before) that discusses the weekly Parsha (Torah Portion). While the show might be meant for kids, I thought that most of the humor was on an adult level.
Watch it -> http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/432339/jewish/The-Last-Show.htm
Anyway, it is an episode of a children's show (I admit I have seen other episodes before) that discusses the weekly Parsha (Torah Portion). While the show might be meant for kids, I thought that most of the humor was on an adult level.
Watch it -> http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/432339/jewish/The-Last-Show.htm
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