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This is our Pesach edition. The next scheduled edition is for parshas
Tazria-Metzora, Thursday 27 Nisan (April 19). Next week we will just add
more archive material and update the rain status. May we hear only good
news. Chag Kosher Vesomayach!
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Rabbonim Warn Against Chilul Shabbos Caused by Digital Water
Meters
By Yechiel Sever
Gedolei Yisroel are issuing a call to
put a halt to chilul Shabbos in the form digital water meters
installed by the utility company or the municipality, as the case may be.
With these new meters, every time the tap is turned on, it creates an
electrical impulse and feeds water consumption data into a computer.
No Discussion about Splitting Beit Shemesh
by Eliezer Rauchberger
"We will reject out of hand any attempt to talk about splitting Beit Shemesh
into two cities. We will not meet with anyone about this issue, and we will
not discuss it. This subject must be taken off the agenda."
Gathering of Educators in Jerusalem
by Yechiel Sever
A large meeting of mechanchim took place
in Jerusalem during the first week of Nisan this year, organized by the
deputy mayor of Jerusalem, Yitzchok Pindrus.
Rosh Hayeshiva HaRav Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman shlita sent a special
letter to the gathering.
The Numbers of Chareidim and the Aged will Increase
by Y Sheinfeld
The prediction of the Central Bureau of
Statistics (CBS) is that in 47 years there will be a larger proportion of
chareidim and Arabs, and also the population will age. Israel's total
population is expected to reach 15.6 million souls.
Over 1 in 3 U.S. Jews Not Halachically Jewish
By Eliezer Rauchberger
The number of Jews in the U.S. now comes
to just under six and a half million (6,401,000), of which only 4,223,000
are Jews according to halacha. In other words, 2.2 million people who
consider themselves Jewish are not Jewish according to halacha, as a result
of the alarming intermarriage rate caused primarily by the Reform and
Conservative movements.
Tefillos for HaRav Eliashiv at Bein Hazmanim Yeshivas and
Kollelim
By Yechiel Sever
Collective tefillos continue to be
said at bein hazmanim yeshivas and kollelim for the full
recovery of Rabbenu Yosef Sholom ben Chaya Mousha Eliashiv shlita,
who remains in critical condition and is in need of great rachmei
Shomayim.
Tznius Encouragement
As the chagim and summer approach, Beis
Din Mishmar HaTorah LeInyonei Tznius, presided over by maranan poskei hador
shlita, has asked that this letter be publicized again.
Herzliya Mayor Pushes for Buses on Shabbos
By L.S. Wasserman
The shameful proposal passed by the
Herzliya Municipality to have buses operate on Shabbos Kodesh remains on the
public agenda in the city. Reactions in the secular city are fierce and
merchants and bus drivers have voiced anger and frustration over the
populist decision, which not only tramples over the sanctity of Shabbos, but
also violates basic workers' rights, depriving them of the only rest day.
Rechovot: Heart-wrenching Funeral for Father and 5 Children Killed
in Fire
By L.S. Wasserman
Heart-rending scenes and thousands of
stunned mourners were part of the sorrowful levaya for the father and five
children of the Shaer family who perished when their Rechovot home went up
in flames. The funeral-goers were shaken by the depth of the tragedy that
took the lives of an entire family in minutes, leaving only the bereaved
mother alive.
London: Avreich Defrauded During Fundraising Drive
By Y. Gefen
In London rabbonim are warning against a
scam against fundraisers from Israel. According to a recent report, an
avreich from Eretz Yisroel who flew to London to raise money for his
sick father was robbed by someone posing as a driver for fundraising.
According to a witness, after the "driver" won the avreich's
confidence he "agreed" to help him obtain addresses of Torah supporters and
to transfer the money raised. Instead the driver disappeared with the
money.
Rain and Kinneret Watch
by Dei'ah Vedibur Staff
As of April 4 (12 Nisan) 625 millimeters
of rain had fallen in the Jerusalem area during the current season (August 1
to date). This represents 121% of the average rainfall for this period and
116% of the average rainfall for the entire season in the Jerusalem area
which is 537 mm.
| From Our Archives |
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CLEAN FOR PESACH AND ENJOY THE SEDER!
Edited By Rabbi Moshe Finkelstein Kiryat Mattersdorf,
Jerusalem
These notes are based on the responsa of Moreinu veRabbeinu HaGaon HaRav
Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, shlita, rosh yeshivas Torah Ore, to questions
posed by women attending his regular chizuk talks. They have been compiled
by a group of his talmidim. The notes also include Hebrew sources and
footnotes, which are not reproduced here.
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Home and Family
Mayim Shelonu: Preparing Water For Baking Matzoh
Written by Rabbi Daniel Yaakov Travis
The People Of Papunyah
Rosh Chodesh Nisan 5762. As the sun begins its descent below the horizon, a
crowd gathers at Motza. A common goal unites them; they all hope to draw
spring water at bein hashmoshos. When the hands of the watch testify that
the time is coming closer, things start to bustle as people jockey for a
position so that they can draw water at the exact time. The anticipated
moment arrives and dusk is illuminated with the excitement of mitzvos.
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Observations
Observations: A "Goral HaGro" 400 Years Ago
Some two hundred years before the time of the Vilna Gaon, Rav S. Sirero, a
contemporary of the Beis Yosef, writes about a goral following the method
attributed in our time to the Vilna Gaon zt"l and now known as the Goral
HaGra.
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Opinion & Comment
Husbands, Wives and Children
by HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg
Part II
In the first part of this essay about the very important topic of sholom
bayis HaRav Scheinberg noted that generally a couple starts out compatible
and together, but later breaks apart. The long and intimate contact of
married life brings out frictions that were not visible previously.
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Opinion & Comment
Recalling a Capacity to Hate Evil
by Mordecai Plaut
We cannot presume to know the intention of Providence in the events we
undergo, but we must learn the lessons inherent in them. The Rambam writes
(Taanis 1:3) that not to do so is cruelty: " . . . if they say it is just
the way the world is, this trouble just happened -- this is cruelty; it
causes them to persist in their evil ways and will compound the trouble and
add more."
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Home and Family
Veho'Ish Moshe
Compiled by his Talmidim
The image and spirit of HaRav Moshe Soloveitchik zt"l still linger in the
minds and hearts of his many students and disciples. This great man, his
sterling character and personal integrity, his every word and action infused
with sanctity, left a lasting impression on all. Perpetuating the heritage
of his righteous forefathers, the dynasty of Brisk, the memory of Rav Moshe
Soloveitchik, zt"l continues to inspire.
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Opinion & Comment
The Maaseh Rav Haggodoh
Selections from the Maaseh Rav Haggodoh that was compiled and edited by
HaRav Sholom Meir Wallach.
The Haggodoh states: "Even if we are all wise, we are all sage, we are all
venerable, we all know the Torah. [Yet] it is a mitzvah to retell the story
of the exodus from Egypt, and whoever exceeds in telling of the exodus from
Egypt is praiseworthy."
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Opinion & Comment
Nisan is the Month of Geulah
by Mordecai Plaut
The postwar generation has generally had it pretty good. In the West it grew
up and came of age in a time of increasing prosperity and general calm.
There have been crises in the West and wars in Israel, but they were usually
pretty short -- a few months at most. For the most part, the past half a
century has been a period of secure establishment and growth.
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Opinion & Comment
Understanding Leil HaSeder
by HaRav Shimshon Pincus, zt'l
HaRav Shimson Pincus zt"l was killed, along with his wife and daughter, in a
tragic car accident one year ago on the 13th of Nisan. In addition to being
the rov of the kehilla of Ofakim, Israel, HaRav Pincus lectured and
participated in seminars throughout the world. The following article is
taken from a taped lecture "Leil HaSeder" that he delivered in the U.S.
before Pesach two years ago.
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Opinion & Comment
The Prime Objective: Speak About My Name Everywhere In The Land!
by HaRav Yitzchok Shlomo Silbermann, zt'l
In this shiur, HaRav Silbermann clarifies the main objective of yetzias
Mitzrayim. His penetrating conclusion has important consequences for
fulfilling the mitzvoh of sippur yetzias Mitzrayim at the seder. This shiur
was delivered two years ago, on erev Pesach 5760, and was prepared from the
notes of one of the listeners by A. Chefetz. It is being presented here to
mark HaRav Silbermann's first yahrtzeit on 18 Adar.
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IN-DEPTH FEATURES
Rochel, Our Youngest Daughter
by P. Feinman
FICTION - A Parable
The large house, which bustled with life, vitality, chatter, frays, elbow
rubbing and smiles, had emptied.
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