Month: April 2013
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Interesting Fact 07: Rabbi Akiva against Christianity
In Shul this morning, someone mentioned this statement of Rav Kook. I don’t have time now to translate it (perhaps in the future), but it is from the fourth of the Shemoneh Kevatzim of Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook number 238. In it Rav Kook writes that the “Son of the Israelite woman” mentioned in… Read more
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Lag Ba-Omer Songs
By which I mean four songs called 33 (just in case you forget that today is the 33rd day of the omer making 4 weeks and 5 days) 1. 33 by Coheed and Cambria 2. Extension 33 by Yoko Ono 3. Catch 33 by Meshuggah 4. Thirty-three by Smashing Pumpkins Read more
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31st day of the Omer
Here are some “thirty-one” themed songs: 31 Days by Zee Avi Ghost on 31 by Fightstar 31 Candles by The Mendoza Line 31 Flavors by Trevor Hall Read more
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29 Days (4 Weeks and 1 Day)
Today is the 29th day, making 4 weeks and 1 day of the Omer. Ringtones anyone? (btw I had to reset my phone, and lost my ringtone app. Now I cannot reload it, so I’m suffering without ringtones. Any other suggestions from anyone?) 29 X the Pain by the Wildhearts 29 Ways by Marc Cohn 29… Read more
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Lag BaOmer on Motze’i Shabbat
Four interesting halachot relevant to Ashkenazim this year, since the 33rd day of the Omer falls straight after Shabbat (and on Sunday) 1. The Rema rules that it is permitted to have a haircut on Friday (but not Thursday night) “lichvod Shabbat” (Orech Chaim 493:2) 2. Even though it is permitted to have a haircut… Read more
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28th day, 4 weeks of the Omer
Today is the 28th Day of the Omer, making 4 weeks. Here are some theme tunes for the day. What’s the Deal by 28 Days Twenty-Eight Teeth by Buck-O-Nine Forever 28 by Malkmus And The Jicks 28 Weeks Later – 28 Days Later Theme Song – In a Heartbeat by John Murphy Love Song 28 – Jullian… Read more
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Rabbanut Monopoly on Weddings
Yizhar Hess wrote an article complaining about a nice Tzohar Rabbi who performed at a wedding of a nice young non-religious couple. Everything was fine, until the groom told the Rabbi that he wanted to use his army commander as a witness on the ketuba. The Tzohar Rabbi, nice as he was, refused to allow… Read more
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Interesting Fact No. 6: Rabbi Akiva’s Death
For more interesting facts click the link Rabbi Akiva’s death was foretold by Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrkanus. In Avot de-Rebbi Natan 25 we find a description of Rabbi Elizer’s last moments. He had been exiled to Caesarea after being excommunicated by Rabbi Yehoshua and the Sanhedrin. Yet he was the most brilliant mind of his generation.… Read more
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RIngtones for the 27th day of the Omer
27 by Biffy Clyro 27 by Fall Out Boy 27 by The Silencers 27 Jennifers by Mike Doughty Today is the 27th day of the Omer, making 3 weeks and 6 days. Don’t forget to count, and to change your ringtone. Read more
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Rashi had ruach hakodesh
The Artscroll Gemara, unlike Steinsaltz and other English or Hebrew translations/commentaries, have set themselves the task of always following Rashi’s explanation, even if it is not the simplest. You may have noticed this when the magid shiur in daf yomi tries to give Tosefot’s explanation of a sugya which is easier than Rashi’s, and everyone… Read more