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The Lighter Side – April 2025

Asking Your Age

An elderly Jewish man was called to testify in court.

“How old are you?” asked the District Attorney.

“I am, kayn aynhoreh, 81.”

“What was that?”

“I said, ‘I am, kayn aynhoreh, 81 years old.’”

“Just answer the question!” yelled the D.A., “How old are you!?”

Kayn aynhoreh, 81,” the old man replied.

The judge said, “The witness will answer the question and only the question or be held in contempt of court!”

The counsel for the defense rose and asked the judge, “Your Honor, may I ask?” He turned towards the old man and said, “Kayn aynhoreh, how old are you?”

The old man replied, “Eighty-one!”

Y. S.

A Magician in the Making

“I am going to be a famous magician,” said Eddie to his father, “because I can make a golf ball float.”

Eddie’s father was very curious. “And how do you do that?” he asked.

“Well, it’s very scientific. It requires some magic ingredients,” said Eddie.

Eddie’s father leaned forward in his chair. “Oh, really?” he said. “And what are they?”

“Well, the golf ball, of course. And then two scoops of ice cream and some root beer.”

Francine M.

Just to be Safe….

A woman goes to her doctor with some concerns about her memory. She tells him that she forgets to pay bills, mail letters, and get groceries. And she can’t remember where she’s going or what she needs when she gets there. She looks quite worried and asks her doctor, “What can I do?”

The doctor replies, “Pay me in advance.”

Ikey S.

Bicycle Trouble

The first time my son rode a bike with training wheels, I shouted, “Step back on the pedals and the bike will brake!”

He nodded but still rode straight into a bush.

“Why didn’t you push back on the pedals?” I asked, helping him up.

“You said if I did the bike would break.”

Rosie Husney

Guilty of Annoyance

A defendant isn’t happy with how things are going in court, so he gives the judge a hard time.

Judge: “Where do you work?”

Defendant: “Here and there.”

Judge: “What do you do for a living?”

Defendant: “This and that.”

Judge: “Take him away.”

Defendant: “Wait! When will I get out?”

Judge: “Sooner or later!”

 

Joey S.

Free at Last

A man who’d been in jail for 20 years began to dig a hole out of prison with nothing but his bare hands and a spoon. He dug for three days and finally got out. He ended up in a preschool, surrounded by small children. He was so happy that he shouted, “I’m free! I’m free!”

A little girl standing next to him replied, “Big deal. I’m four!”

Joseph A. Guindi

Medical Advice

A man visits his doctor and says, “Doctor, I have a ringing in my ears.”

His doctor replies, “Don’t answer!”

Jack V.

The Truant Child

Teacher: “Mrs. Jones, I asked you to come in to discuss Johnny’s appearance.”

Mrs. Jones: “Why? What’s wrong with his appearance?”

Teacher: “He hasn’t made one in this classroom since September!”

Rosie S.

Some Uncle!

A man calls his brother with a request. He says, “As you know I’m going on a business trip soon, and if my wife gives birth while I’m away, I want you to name the twins.”

“It’ll be an honor to do that for you,” replies the brother.

A month later, the brother calls with news that the twins were born. “Your wife gave birth to a beautiful girl and a handsome boy,” says the brother.

“That’s wonderful! What did you call them?” the man asks.

“I called the girl Denice,” says the brother.

“That’s very pretty. And what did you call the boy?” asks the man.

“I called the boy De nephew.”

Joey B.

A Perfect Ten

Shulem and Pessy Schechter were parents to ten children – six boys and four girls. One night, Shaindy, their oldest, was chatting with her mother about how their parenting style had changed from the first child to the last. Pessy admitted that she had mellowed a lot over the years:

“When your oldest sister coughed or sneezed, I called the ambulance. When your youngest brother swallowed a nickel, I just told him it was coming out of his allowance.”

Sari K.

Consumer Warning

A little boy returned from the grocery store with his mom. While his mom put away the groceries, the little boy opened his box of animal crackers and spread them all over the kitchen table.

“What are you doing?” asked his mom.

“The box says you shouldn’t eat them if the seal is broken,” said the little boy. “I’m looking for the seal.”

Joseph D.

The Parking Ticket

The other day my wife and I went into town and visited a shop, browsing for a while. When we came out, there was a parking meter cop writing out a parking ticket. I went up to him and I said, “Come on, man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?” He ignored me and continued writing the ticket. I called him a dimwit. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn-out tires. So my wife called him a birdbrain. He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing more tickets. This went on for about ten minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote. Just then…our bus arrived, and we got on it and went home.

Alfred Harary

Classroom Humor

Teacher: “James, do you use bad words?”

James: “No, sir.”

Teacher: “Do you disobey your parents?”

James: “No, sir.”

Teacher: “Come now, you must do something wrong every once in a while!”

James: “I tell lies.”

Gabe D.

Night Owls

Two boys were camping in the backyard. Late at night, they started wondering what time it was. “Start singing really loudly,” one of them suggested.

“How will that help?” asked the other boy.

“Just do it,” insisted the first.

They both started singing as loudly as they could. Moments later, a neighbor threw open her window and shouted, “Keep it down! Don’t you know it’s three o’clock in the morning?!”

Bobby T.

An Unlucky Break

Joey was playing in the schoolyard when he fell down and broke his right arm. His friend came running up to him with a big smile on his face. “Wow, Joey, you’re so lucky! Now you don’t have to take any exams!”

“Actually, I’m really unlucky,” replied Joey.

“What makes you say that?” the friend asked.

“I’m left-handed,” Joey moaned. “I meant to fall on my other arm.”

Carole H.

Riddles – April 2025

RIDDLE: A Long Line

Submitted by:  Alfred K.

You draw a line. Without touching the line, how do you make it a longer line?

Last Month’s Riddle: The Hidden Number

I am a three-digit number. My tens digit is five more than my ones digit. My hundreds digit is eight less than my tens digit. What number am I?

Solution:  194

Solved by:  Morris Kabani, The Big Cheese, Family Blum, Steve Salem, Janet D., Carol Ashkenazie, David E., and The Shmulster.

JUNIOR RIDDLE:  Cookie Mystery

Submitted by: Janice P.

An elementary school teacher wanted to give her students a snack. She had ten cookies in her cookie jar – which was perfect – since she had ten students in her class. The teacher gave one cookie to each student, but still managed to keep one in the jar. How did she do it without breaking any of the cookies in half?

Last Month’s Junior Riddle: The More You Take 

The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?

Solution: Footsteps!

Solved by:  The Blum Family, Joshua B., Marc Esses, Morris Kabani, Eddie Fallas, Carol Ashkenazie, The Shmulster, Cynthia K., and Steve Salem.

Building Dreams Together – Your Sacred Body

Jack Gindi

Grief has a way of reshaping our priorities. After my son Shaun passed, the first eight weeks were a blur. I focused on shiva, family duties, and seeking spiritual understanding. Taking care of my body became the last priority. Comfort food replaced healthy meals. Wine helped me through tough nights. Exercise disappeared from my routine. While focusing on Being and Balance, I neglected the vessel that carries us through life’s storms.

This imbalance demonstrated an important truth: We can’t fulfill our purpose when we neglect our physical body. The Torah commands, “You shall guard yourselves very well” (Devarim 4:15), teaching us that caring for our bodies is not vanity – it’s a sacred duty.

After years of building, I know the best buildings need good care to thrive. Our bodies deserve no less care than the buildings we construct or the businesses we run. Yet, how often do we treat our physical selves as an afterthought?

The following eight thoughtful ideas emerged from this realization:

Respect It – Your Only Vehicle

Like a luxury car, your body needs premium fuel and regular maintenance. During grief, I forgot this principle, treating my body like a junkyard car running on fumes.

MoveIt- Rust or Run

A door that never opens becomes stiff. Our bodies need movement to sustain strength. My morning walks, once routine, became sporadic. Now, they’re my time for reflection and renewal.

Fuel It Right – Quality Matters

We wouldn’t use harmful materials to build, so we shouldn’t give our bodies poor nutrition. Those extra pounds taught me that comfort food offers only temporary comfort.

Rest It – Essential Restoration

Buildings need maintenance. Our bodies need proper sleep. Without it, everything – emotional resilience, mental clarity, physical health – suffers.

Listen to It – Warning Signs

When constructing a building, we heed every warning sign. Our bodies communicate through pain, fatigue, and stress. The question is: are we listening?

Challenge It – Mindful Growth

Like testing a structure’s integrity, we must challenge our bodies to maintain strength. This doesn’t mean running marathons; it means consistent, progressive effort.

Protect It – Your Living Temple

We secure our buildings against damage. Shouldn’t we protect our bodies from bad habits and harmful influences?

Love It – Your Faithful Partner

Your body carries you through every triumph and trial. Even when neglected, it tries its best to serve. It deserves not criticism but gratitude.

The interconnection between body and spirit becomes obvious when we’re out of balance. Neglecting my physical health for weeks showed me how it affected everything else. Simple tasks felt harder. Social interactions became draining. Even my clarity of thought suffered. As I dove into spiritual practices and family ties, I thought I was making up for physical neglect. But in reality, I was harming my ability to be present.

It’s simple to explain this imbalance. You might think, “Business demands are too intense right now,” or “I’ll return to exercise once things calm down.” Your body doesn’t care about your excuses. Ignoring its signals will make you pay attention -often with pain, injury, or illness that stops your life.

Preventive maintenance is cheaper than emergency repairs, which is true in construction and in life. Yet, how often do we postpone taking care of ourselves?

Low energy makes us cancel plans. Fatigue steals the joy from things we once loved. Feeling unwell keeps us from connecting with others. But these aren’t just physical setbacks – they’re barriers to the life we’re meant to live.

It’s ironic: when we sacrifice our health for other goals, we undermine the very support we need for them. No matter how noble its purpose, a broken vessel cannot protect its precious cargo.

As I embrace healthier habits, I realize that caring for our bodies is key to spiritual growth. Every mindful meal, every walk, every good night’s sleep becomes an act of healing and respect.

Consider: How well are you maintaining your sacred vessel? What one small change could you make today to honor your body? Rebuilding: Whether in daily life, work, dreams, or health – begins with recognizing where we are now. Then, we must choose one small step forward.

I BELIEVE IN ME

Jack Gindi helps families face life’s challenges with the I Believe in Me Foundation. If you would like to show your support for the organization, or for further information, please contact Jack at: jack@ibelieveinmefoundation.com.

Shas Olami: Safeguarding Our Heritage on a Global Stage

Victor Cohen

“…votes from our community can make a significant difference in shaping the future of Jewish funding allocations.”

Victor Cohen

In an era where Jewish identity is being challenged on multiple fronts, one organization stands at the forefront of the battle to protect our heritage, values, and future. Shas Olami is not just another initiative – it is a movement, a mission, and a call to action. If we fail to act, the sanctity of our traditions and the integrity of our Torah institutions hang in the balance. But if we unite, we have the power to preserve the rich legacy of Sephardic Jewry for generations to come.

You may have recently heard about Shas Olami through group chats, text messages, or from a rabbi, friend, or family member. But what exactly is this organization, and why is it so important?

A Voice on the Global Stage

Shas Olami is a global Sephardic Orthodox movement established in 2010 at the behest of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l. Its mission is to preserve, protect, and strengthen Sephardic culture worldwide by instilling pride in our heritage, imparting authentic Torah values, and reinforcing the bond with Eretz Yisrael. Today, the movement is guided by Hacham Ovadia’s son, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef, shlit”a.

Shas Olami pursues two primary objectives:

  1. Preventing financial allocations to Reform-led causes that challenge traditional Jewish values.
  2. Increasing financial support for Sephardic initiatives worldwide and within our community institutions.

As the organization states:

By increasing our Orthodox representation, we can influence decisions that protect the sanctity of our Jewish homeland, adhere to Torah values, and benefit our communities.

Shas Olami provides Sephardic Jewry with a voice on the global stage. This is crucial now more than ever, given the attacks on our homeland and the rise of anti-Semitism worldwide. It is essential that we consolidate our influence and direct it toward protecting our interests and promoting Sephardic values in Eretz Yisrael.

To gain deeper insight into the organization’s mission and impact, I had the opportunity to interview Yehuda Nakkach, a leader within Shas Olami. We discussed the movement’s role, whom it represents, what it has accomplished, and why voting has never been more important.

Shas Olami was formed in 2010 under the guidance of Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, as a delegation within the World Zionist Organization (WZO)an international body representing Jews worldwide. The WZO distributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Jewish organizations, and the distribution of these funds is determined by elections held every five years.

Today, under the leadership of Hacham Ovadia’s son, Hacham Yitzhak Yosef, Shas Olami has established strong connections within our community. It is supported by numerous community rabbis and remains dedicated to ensuring the continued growth and success of Sephardic Jewry.

The Current State of the WZO and the Need for Change

The WZO plays a crucial role in allocating resources to Jewish organizations worldwide. Unfortunately, past elections have resulted in a disproportionate share of funding being directed toward Reform-affiliated causes, including protests that create unrest in Israel and organizations such as Women of the Wall, which undermine Jewish unity and traditional religious values.

As the Sephardic Orthodox representative within the WZO, Shas Olami works to redirect these funds toward Torah-centered causes that align with Sephardic and Orthodox Jewish values. However, the Reform movement remains a formidable political force.

In the most recent WZO election in 2020, Reform-affiliated organizations secured 39 seats with 31,000 votes. The next highest delegation trailed by 10,000 votes. Meanwhile, Shas Olami secured only two seats with just over 2,000 votes, ranking eighth overall.

Since the WZO operates on a fixed budget, funds directed toward Reform causes come at the expense of Orthodox and Sephardic initiatives. Reform delegations hold numerous key leadership positions within the WZO’s various departments, allowing them to steer funding toward causes that often contradict traditional Jewish values.

If Shas Olami strengthens its representation, it can collaborate with other religious voting blocs to counter this imbalance and redirect funds toward initiatives that support Torah observance and Sephardic heritage.

A Global Movement with a Lasting Impact

Despite its limited representation, Shas Olami is already making an impact. A stronger Shas Olami benefits not just our local community but also Sephardic Jews worldwide, including Bukharian, Persian, and other Sephardic groups across the United States and beyond.

Shas Olami operates in multiple countries, including France, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Belgium, Mexico, and Chile, serving as a platform for Sephardic communities to voice their perspectives and shape the future of Jewish education and communal life on a global scale.

In a significant milestone, Shas Olami recently gained access to a WZO department for the first time. In 2020, its representatives were appointed to the Department for Fundraising and Strengthening Community Relations. In the capacity of this position, they have organized numerous events, including Selihot gatherings and holiday-related activities. This past Purim, for example, they facilitated the distribution of Megillot. Even with its current limited power, Shas Olami is actively working to promote Sephardic interests both locally and globally.

As Yehuda Nakkach explained, Shas Olami is committed to preventing funds from being allocated to Reform-affiliated organizations that undermine Jewish tradition, and to redirecting those funds towardstrengthening of Torah values, supporting Sephardic education, and protecting the sanctity of the Land of Israel.

A Call to Action

 The key to making this happen is simple: VOTE.

By voting for Shas Olami, we increase its representation within the WZO. A single delegation may have limited influence on its own, but when combined with other religious voting blocs, Shas Olami can help shift control of key WZO departments. Typically, Shas Olami partners with other religiously aligned groups, such as the Likud delegation and Eretz HaKodesh, to strengthen its impact.

As Mr. Nakkach highlighted, votes from “contentious” regions – such as the United States – carry increased strategic weight. This means that votes from our community can make a significant difference in shaping the future of Jewish funding allocations.

Voting requires minimal effort but yields significant long-term benefits for the Sephardic community. You can encourage others – family, friends, and colleagues – to vote, as well.

Our community has an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. If we rally behind Shas Olami and increase its voting share, we can not only curtail the influence of Reform movements but also advance Torah and Sephardic-centered causes with unprecedented strength.

To learn more about Shas Olami’s mission, long-term objectives, and commitment to strengthening Sephardic Jewry, visit shasolami.org.Vote today at azm.org/elections/  Slate # 1 and play your part in preserving Sephardic Jewry worldwide!

Understanding The Deal Erub

Victor Cohen

Shabbat observance, as we know, requires abiding by numerous restrictions, many of which are well-known to all those accustomed to observing Shabbat. For example, we are keenly aware of the prohibitions against cooking, kindling a fire, using electronic devices, and even handling certain things which are classified as muktzeh. But one of the Shabbat prohibitions that might not be very familiar to observant Jews in today’s day and age is the prohibition against carrying objects into or through the public domain. Many Jews today live in communities with an erub – a symbolic enclosure that, ostensibly, allows for carrying within the area surrounded by the erub. The community in Deal, NJ is one such community, which benefits from an erub.

Unfortunately, however, many people mistakenly assume that this erub grants unrestricted permission to carry on Shabbat. The truth is that the erub relies on leniencies to permit carrying for health and safety purposes, and does not provide a blanket permission to carry.

To understand how the Deal erub works and which kind of carrying it permits, I had the privilege of interviewing Rabbi Nissim Basala, one of the creators of the Deal erub, who continues to maintain and oversee it even today.

The History of the Deal Erub

The process to build the Deal erub began in 1998. Thanks to the efforts of Rabbi Isaac Dwek, Mr. Jack Adjmi, Solly Dweck, and a number of other individuals, the erub was launched in the summer of 1999. It was expanded several times throughout the years, and now surrounds an area of over 24 square miles, extending into sections of Long Branch, Brighton Avenue, and some parts of West Allenhurst. The erub has been down only on very rare occasions, such as after Hurricane Sandy, which took the erub down for around a year.

Rav Moshe Heineman from Baltimore, one of America’s preeminent halachic scholars, was brought to authorize the erub, and he spent three days walking the entire length of the erub to assure its validity. The erub was inspected also by Rav Avraham Moshe Katzenelbogen, the rabbi who oversees the Jerusalem erub. Rabbi Basala says that he consults with Rav Moshe Heineman’s younger brother, Rav Shmuel Heineman – who runs the Star-K Hechsher in the New York/New Jersey area – with regard to erub-related matters.

The Four Shabbat Domains

Just as maps show different kinds of areas – residential, commercial, public, etc. – halachah similarly recognizes four different domains with respect to the prohibition of carrying on Shabbat:

  1. Reshut hayahid – private property, referring to homes and other enclosed properties.
  2. Reshut harabim – a public thoroughfare.
  3. Karmelit – a public area that does not meet the qualifications of a reshut harabim, because of its size or the relatively little traffic passing through it (see below).
  4. Makom patur – a small area such as a fire hydrant or a small ditch in the ground.

Inside a reshut hayahid, of course, carrying is permissible. However, Torah law forbids bringing something from a reshut hayahid into a reshut harabim, or vice-versa – from a reshut harabim into a reshut hayahid. Torah law also forbids carrying within a reshut harabim. Carrying from a reshut hayahid into a karmelit, or from a karmelit into a reshut hayahid, is forbidden miderabbanan – by force of rabbinic enactment. It is similarly forbidden miderabbanan to carry within a karmelit,

An erub is effective in halachically converting a karmelit into a reshut hayahid; the enclosure around the karmelit allows us to regard the enclosed area as a private domain, thereby sidestepping the rabbinic prohibitions against carrying within a karmelit, carrying from a karmelit into a reshut hayahid, and carrying from a reshut hayahid to a karmelit. Once the karmelit has been “downgraded” to a reshut hayahid through erub, all these become permissible.

Significantly, an erub has no effect on a reshut harabim. If an area is halachically defined as a public thoroughfare, then the construction of an erub does not allow carrying on Shabbat within this area, or to or from this area.

Hence, in order to determine whether an erub can be effective in a given area, we must determine whether halachah treats this area as a karmelit or as a reshut harabim.

The Differing Opinions, and Why They Matter

The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 345:7) brings two opinions regarding the definition of a reshut harabim. According to the first opinion, any area that is 25 feet wide or larger qualifies as a reshut harabim. The second opinion, by contrast, maintains that a public area does not qualify as a reshut harabim unless 600,000 people or more pass through it in a day. The question of whether streets in Deal are to be regarded as a reshut harabim or a karmelit – and, by extension, the question of whether an erub is effective in permitting carrying in Deal – hinges on this debate. According to the first view, a large public area qualifies as a reshut harabim, and thus suburban neighborhoods such as Deal, despite their relatively quiet streets and little traffic, must be treated as a reshut harabim, where an erub is ineffective. The second view, however, would allow constructing an erub in places such as Deal that does not see heavy volume passing through them.

In other words: according to the first opinion, bringing a small object outside one’s home in Deal on Shabbat would constitute a Torah violation, just like cooking on Shabbat, despite the erub. According to the second view, this is entirely permissible.

Who is the Erub For?

In light of these differing opinions, Rabbi Basala explained that the Deal erub was erected not to grant a blanket license to carry on Shabbat, but rather for the benefit of those who have a particular need to carry, that justifies relying on the lenient position.

“It was intended for someone, who, let’s say, needs to carry medicine in their pocket,” Rabbi Basala said, “or who need some sort of walker.” By contrast, he clarified, the erub “wasn’t meant to cover people playing basketball.”

Secondly, as Hacham Ovadia Yosef, zt”l, writes in a responsum on the subject, “You should build the erub to save people who don’t know they are violating Shabbat.” Many people are unfamiliar with this prohibition, and so an erub should be erected so they are protected from Shabbat desecration, at least according to the lenient view quoted by the Shulhan Aruch.

Thus, the erub was created for people who need it, and to protect people who are unaware of this prohibition. It is not set up for casual carrying.

In fact, Rabbi Basala said that he himself does not use the erub, even though he leads an entire team dedicated to ensuring it is up each week.

The rabbi emphasized the responsibility we all have to familiarize ourselves with the halachot of Shabbat. He noted the well-known comment of the Hafetz Haim (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933), in his Mishnah Berurah, that learning the laws of Shabbat is an indispensable prerequisite to the proper observance of Shabbat. This is relevant also to the prohibition of carrying. One cannot willfully decide to not know about this issue so he can rely on the erub without any restrictions.

Rabbi Basala concluded by emphasizing two other points relevant to the use of the Deal erub.

First, he wishes to remind everybody that the erub does not allow handling muktzeh items, such as an umbrella. Relying on the erub allows carrying permissible objects, not items classified as muktzeh. It is imperative to educate oneself about the topic of muktzeh to know which objects may not be handled under which circumstances.

Secondly, the fact that “Deal has an erub” does not mean that the entire town is encircled by the erub. Those who rely on the erub may do so only after ascertaining that the area where they will carry is indeed included in the erub. Maps are available for this purpose.

All are encouraged to check the status of the Deal erub, and to sign up for the mailing list, at http://www.njerub.org/, where the information is updated weekly. Updates are also available by phone at 732-660-1001.

Easy & Beautiful Friday Night Dinner Recipes

Michele Shrem

We all have many recipes that we make every week. Some people I know never veer off that path, and others, like myself, are always looking for a new dish. But, with many women working in today’s world, it has been harder and harder to find recipes that are easy to shop for, very easy and quick to cook, and yet also look beautiful on the table.

There are so many recipes to be found on the internet, or passed along through friends, but it would be great to have them readily available for the coming weeks for use during special meals with the upcoming holidays approaching soon.

The recipes below all have ingredients that can be found in local supermarkets as well as in our community specialty grocery stores. They are all very easy to put together, and they all make a wonderful presentation for a Shabbat table that you can be proud of showing off to your family, friends, and guests. Some of these recipes can even be used for Passover.

Crock Pot Brisket

From Sofia Sutton

Ingredients:

  • brisket
  • 1 large onion
  • Goodman’s onion soup mix – 1 envelope

Instructions:

  • Add water about half way up in the crockpot.
  • Place a crock pot liner (bag) over the water. I don’t like the Reynold’s brand liner, since it has ripped on me in the past, and then the water is able to enter the food.
  • Slice one onion into rounds, and place on the bottom of the bag.
  • Wash the brisket, add salt and pepper to taste, and lay it flat directly onto the onions.
  • Add one cup of water and one packet of Goodman’s onion soup mix to the top of the brisket.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  • This is so easy, especially in the summer months, when you don’t want to cook a roast or brisket in your oven.

Mongolian Beef

From Nathan Rudy

I make this recipe often, since it’s a family favorite. It’s a classic Chinese restaurant item, and it’s always my first choice. There are a few different ways to adjust this recipe as well, so check the notes section.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb. beef tenderloin/beef chuck, cut into strips
  • 1/2 tsp of meat tenderizer
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch/corn flour
  • oil, for deep frying

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tsp hoisin sauce (optional)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cornstarch, diluted in 3 tsp water
  • 1 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup green onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces

Instructions:

  • Start off by tossing the beef strips in cornstarch mixed with meat tenderizer. Make sure the strips are coated evenly. Allow it to sit for 10-20 minutes to get to room temperature.
  • Deep fry the beef strips for 4-5 mins, drain the oil, and set aside.
  • In a saucepan, heat oil on high heat setting. Quickly add in the ginger and garlic.
  • Stir quickly for 10 seconds. Immediately add in the soy sauce, water,rice vinegar, and hoisin sauce. Bring the sauce to a quick boil.
  • Add in the brown sugar and cornstarch and mix thoroughly.
  • Now add in the beef strips and let cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add the green onions and cook for an additional minute.
  • Serve hot with rice.

Notes:

  • To make this recipe spicy, I add 1 to 2 tsp of red chili flakes.
  • You don’t need to marinate the beef beforehand in this recipe, unlike the
  • other recipes for Mongolian beef. It’s the quickest and most delicious way of making it!
  • Add an additional teaspoon of corn flour/cornstarch diluted in two teaspoons of water if you want it to be slightly thicker and stickier.

Rosemary London Broil

From Shiri Zimmerman

Ingredients:

  • 2.5 lbs. of London broil

Marinade:

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 6 cloves garlic, crushed (can use the frozen squares)
  • 1 tbsp dried rosemary
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Instructions:

  • Score both sides of the London broil in 2 directions, making diamond shapes in the meat.
  • Mix marinade ingredients together and place meat & marinade in a gallon size Ziploc bag.
  • Marinate for 2 to 24 hours.
  • Preheat oven to Broil. Take meat out of the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Remove meat from marinade and broil on both sides for 10-15 minutes, for medium rare meat. (It will cook more if re-warming lateron.)
  • Baste meat with marinade while cooking and discard the rest of the marinade. Can also grill meat on barbecue.
  • Slice meat thinly against the grain and enjoy!

Chicken with Caramelized Onions& Chestnuts

From Guila Sakkal

Ingredients:

  • 7-8 onions, thinly sliced into crescents
  • 1 bunch parsley, chopped (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2-3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2-3 tbsp Silan (date syrup)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2-3 packages chestnuts
  • 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (skin-on, bone-in)

Instructions:

  • In a large pan, sauté 7-8 sliced onions over medium heat until translucent.
  • Add paprika, turmeric, salt, pepper, bunch of chopped parsley (or 5-6 cubes frozen), 2-3 tbsp of soy sauce, 2-3 tbsp of Silan, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Stir well and continue cooking until the onions caramelize and have a nice golden color. (Add a little water to caramelize.)
  • Mix in 2-3 packs of chestnuts, coating them with the onion mixture.
  • Add the chicken pieces, turning to coat them fully in the sauce.
  • Cover and cook on low to medium heat for about 2 hours, allowing the chicken to release its own liquid.
  • Avoid stirring – gently shake the pan or spoon sauce over the chicken as needed. The sauce should thicken up.
  • Cook until most of the liquid has reduced and the chicken is tender.

Chicken & Peppers

From Michele Shrem

Ingredients:

  • 4 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 peppers, one red, one yellow, and one orange
  • 2 onions
  • Hawaage (or, you can use soup spice)
  • Salt, pepper

Instructions:

  • Cut the onions and peppers into slim slices and add hawaage, salt, and pepper.
  • Sauté the onions and peppers in olive oil, and then line them on the bottom of a casserole.
  • Then, spice and sauté the chicken pieces on each side until browned.
  • Layer the chicken on top of the onions and peppers and re-spice again. Add a little water.
  • Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until done, about 30 minutes or so. Cover after 15 minutes.

Roasted Lamb (can use roast or shoulder)

From Guila Sakkal

Ingredients:

  • Lamb roast
  • Fresh garlic
  • 2 oranges
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt, pepper
  • Garlic powder and cumin

Instructions:

  • Sear lamb roast on a hot pan (only if using roast, not shoulder).
  • Make slits with a knife in the lamb and stuff fresh garlic SLICES (I make 10-12 slits) into the slits.
  • In a cup mix juice of 2 oranges, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin.
  • Add mixture to the lamb and marinate in a cooking bag overnight.
  • Cook for 2-3 hours in the bag at 350 degrees. Poke a small hole on top so bag doesn’t explode.
  • Once cool, slice up and arrange in Pyrex with sauce.
  • For a side dish – serve with jasmine rice with ground beef.

Jasmine Rice with Ground Beef

Ingredients:

  • Chopped Meat
  • 1 onion
  • Salt, pepper, and cinnamon
  • Roasted, slivered almonds

Instructions:

  • Sauté 1 chopped onion and 1lb of chopped meat.
  • Cook until cooked through, and add 2 tbsp of water.
  • Season with salt and pepper, and a dash of cinnamon.
  • Add cooked rice and mix well.
  • Sprinkle roasted slivered almonds on top when ready to serve.

Easy Baked Chicken and Eggplant

Rachel Mizrahi

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium eggplants, sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 1 package boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • ¼ cup olive oil, divided
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 1 tsp garlic powder, divided
  • ½ teaspoon allspice
  • Freshly ground black pepper (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the eggplant:

  • Lay the eggplant slices on a paper towel-lined surface and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
  • Let them sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.

Roast the eggplant:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit..
  • Arrange the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with 2 tbsp of olive oil.
  • Sprinkle with ½ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, and allspice. Toss to coat evenly.
  • Bake for 20 minutes until tender and lightly golden.
  • Season the chicken:
  • In a bowl, toss the chicken thighs with the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil, ½ tsp kosher salt, and ½ tsp garlic powder.
  • Assemble and bake:
  • In a roasting dish, arrange a layer of roasted eggplant slices.
  • Place the seasoned chicken thighs on top, then cover with another layer of eggplant. Drizzle with a little olive oil.
  • Cover the dish with foil and bake for 1 hour.
  • Crisp the top (optional):
  • Uncover the dish and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crispy.

Serve:

Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy on its own or with rice.

Stuffed Eggplant and Chicken

Yola Haber

Ingredients:

  • Eggplant
  • Oil for sautéing
  • Chicken
  • Chopped meat
  • Rice
  • Allspice, cinnamon

Instructions:

  • Slice eggplant, sauté it, and then add to the bottom of a roasting pan.
  • Make stuffed eggplant  and add it to the top of the sautéed eggplant.
  • Spice chicken with your choice of spices, and layer it on top of the stuffed eggplant.  Cook slowly on low until golden.

Yemenite Soup

Michele Shrem

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 lb. of flanken on the bone
  • 3-5 potatoes (preferably Yukon gold)
  • 2-3 onions
  • Hawaage and salt
  • Schug

Instructions:

  • Fill a pot with water, add the flanken, and bring to a boil.
  • Cut the potatoes up, and the onions into halves.
  • Once the water with flanken comes to a boil, take a large spoon and remove the fat from the top.
  • Then add the potatoes, onions, salt, and 2 heaping tbsp of hawaage.
  • Simmer for one hour.
  • Serve with fresh lemon and schug. Goes great with Syrian/pita bread.

Note:

You can add carrots and/or celery, although I prefer not adding.

For Passover, you can crush up matzah to add to the soup. The Yemenite soup recipe is very special to me. I got the recipe from my mother who made it for my father, may he rest in peace. The recipe was passed down through the generations, and is a family favorite. My father once admitted to me that I made it even better than my mom, and it was as good, or better than, my grandmother’s recipe. It does not have any color, or cilantro, as many of the recipes contain. However, I promise you will love it, and it is so easy to make, too! I hope you will try all of these recipes and keep me posted!

Torah Prophecies and Predictions

Rabbi Adi Cohen

The eternal existence of the Jewish people, in spite of the upheavals they suffered, is a wonder to behold. However, the wonder increases sevenfold in light of the fact that the nation’s history was accurately predicted ahead of time in the Torah. The Torah foresaw the Jewish People’s exiles, persecutions, dispersion across the face of the Earth, scarcity of population, and eternal survival.

Unprecedented Dispersion

In the section known as the tochehah, where the Torah warns of the calamities that will befall the nation on account of their misdeeds, we read, “And Hashem will scatter you among all the nations, from one end of the Earth to the other” (Devarim 28:64).

The Torah informs the nation what they can expect in the distant future – exile. And not just any exile, where the nation is exiled to a certain land, but rather an exile in whichthe exiled nation is scattered “from one end of the earth to the other.”

Unfortunately, this prophecy came true, and even today, there is hardly any place on earth that does not have Jews residing there.This prophecy stands in contradiction toall historical experience, for there is no nation that has ever been exiled to every possible place in civilization as the Jewish people. Similarly, it contradicts logic, for the Jews by nature are a close-knit people, and it is unnatural for them to be entirely scattered and spread out to the four corners of the earth.

“Deities of Wood and Stone”

In the verse cited above, the Torah continues: “And there you will serve other deities unknown to you or your forefathers, deities of wood and stone.”

The Torah predicts that the Jewish People will be subservient to worshipers of other deities in their exile and will have to perform forced labor, such that they will be considered to have actually worshiped the deities. As Rashi writes: “They will not serve the actual deities themselves,but rather will pay taxes in the form of forced labor.” These deities will be those unknown either to them or their forefathers, and will be“deities of wood and stone.”

Surveying Jewish history, we find two relatively new religions that came into being after the Jews’ exile began, whose adherents could thus not have forced the Jews into service beforehand. These religions, of course, are Christianity and Islam,and they are symbolized by wood and stone, respectively: the symbol of Christianity is the wooden cross, and that of Islam is the stone in Mecca.

Small Yet Enduring

The Torah also writes: “And you will remain few in number, whereas you were once as numerous as the stars of the heavens, because you did not obey Hashem, your Gd” (Devarim 28:62).

The Torah here foresees that the Jewish population in exile will be small, yet they will neverthelesssurvive. Common sense tells us that the more populous a nation is, the greater its chance of survival. A small population runs a greater risk of it disappearing as a result of assimilation within its host nation, if only for the simple reason that finding a mate from one’s people is more difficult.

Indeed, during the entire course of the Jewish exile, the Jews were a small nation, numbering 17 million at its peak, and just one million at its lowest ebb. And yet, despite all odds, the nation survived.

An Exile Within an Exile

The Torah continues: “And among thosenations, you will not be calm, nor will your foot find rest” (ibid. 65).

Here, the Torah warns that even after the Jewish People are scattered among the nations of the world, they will know no rest; they will not be left alone. They will be expelled and forced to wander from place to place, which has, of course, been the Jews’ experience throughout the millennia of exile.

There is no historical precedent of a people that underwent an exile within an exile like the Jewish people have experienced. Moreover, it is impossible to explain how self-respecting governments, such as France, England, Spain, Germany, Russia, and others, issued edicts of expulsion to innocent Jewish citizens without any reasonable justification. How could the Torah have predicted ahead of timethat different nations, with completely different characters and mentalities, would all behave the same way in regard to one particular matter – their relationship to the Jews – unless this was written by Gd Himself?

The Mystery of Anti-Semitism

The Torah continues in the same section:“And your life will hang in suspense before you. You will be in fear night and day, and you will not believe in your life. In the morning, you will say, ‘If only it were evening!’ and in the evening, you will say, ‘If only it were morning!’ because of the fear in your heart which you will experience and because of the sights that you will behold” (Devarim 28:66-67).

The Torah in this passage foresees the phenomenon of anti-Semitism, which is unparalleled in world history. Professor Yosef ben Shlomo writes in “The Monthly Survey” (for the officers of the Israeli Defense Forces):

This hatred [of the Jews] is basic and unconditional, and therefore depends on no factors, not on personality and not on national character, not on the economic situation and not on social conditions, not on the type of government and not on its relationship to the Jews, not on their success and not on their lack of appeal, not on failure and not on progress, for we have been tried in all these circumstances and the hatred remains.

They hate us with the complaint that we are too good, and on the other hand, because we are blood suckers; we are separate but we also mix too much. They hate us in a period of economic prosperity and persecute us in times of economic depression. The monarchy is disgusted by us, and so is the dictatorship, or the democracy; in anarchy we are the first prey of the looters. They view us as responsible for every disaster, and unnecessary for any success; they beat the one who bends to them and attack the one who walks upright; they prevent the observance of our religion but will not absorb the one bent on assimilation; at every moment and in every situation they have a reason to hate the Jews.

Just over eighty years ago, in 1923, David Lloyd George, a former Prime Minister of Britain, was quoted as saying:

Of all the bigotries that savage the human temper there is none as stupid as the antisemitic. In the sight of these fanatics, Jews of today can do nothing right. If they are rich, they are birds of prey. If they are poor, they are vermin. If they are in favor of war, that is because they want to exploit the bloody feuds of gentiles to their own profit. If they are anxious for peace, they are either instinctive cowards or traitors. If he lives in a strange land, he must be persecuted and pogrommed out of it. If he wants to go back to his own, he must be prevented.

Drawing the World’s Attention

The Torah describes further: “And you will become an astonishment, an example, and a topic of discussion, among all the peoples to whom the Lord will lead you” (ibid. 37).

Rashi explains “an astonishment,” to mean that the Jewish people will be an object of astonishment, for all will be shocked and horrified by the hardships and suffering they endure. And “example,” Rashi writes, means that “when some terrible calamity befalls a person, people will say: ‘This is like the trouble that happened to so-and-so.’” Meaning, the Jewish People will serve as an example of every trouble and sickness.

“And a topic of discussion,” according to Rashi, means that “people will speak about you.” The Jews will always be the focus of people’s attention, and they will examine them with a magnifying glass, looking carefully and scrutinizing them to identify faults.

There is no logical reason why such a tiny people, scattered over the entire planet, would draw so much of the world’s attention. But hasn’t history proven the accuracy of the Torah’s words? In every generation, the entire world spoke about the Jews, and especially in our day, the Jews – and the Jewish State – are always featured on the news, and are continually the subject of conversation.

Mark Twain wrote in 1899:

If statistics are right, the Jews constitute but one percent of the human race. It suggests a nebulous dim puff of stardust lost in the blaze of the Milky Way. Properly, the Jew ought hardly to be heard of, but he is heard of, has always been heard of. He is as prominent on the planet as any other people.

After enduring exiles, expulsions, open hatred, and schemes to annihilate them, the Jews should naturally have disappeared. But the Torah surprisingly promises that even with all this, the nation will survive:

But despite all this, while they are in the land of their enemies, I will not despise them nor will I reject them to annihilate them, thereby breaking My covenant with them, for I am Hashem their Gd.” (Vayikra 26:44)

Likewise, the prophet Malachi proclaimed:“For I, Hashem, have not changed; and you, the sons of Jacob, have not been annihilated” (Malachi 3:6). The Rambam, in his famous Epistle to Yemen, writes: “Just as it is impossible that the existence of Gd could be nullified, so is it impossible that we should be lost and nullified from the world.”

These explicit promises, and others, appear throughout the books of the Torah and the Prophets. They assure that the Jewish people will be few in number, scattered among the nations, persecuted and hated, and yet will somehow survive forever.

The Land of Israel: Blossoming and Desolation

 “For Hashem your Gd is bringing you to a good land, a land with brooks of water, fountains and depths, that emerge in valleys and mountains, a land of wheat and barley, vines and figs and pomegranates, a land of oil-producing olives and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, you will lack nothing in it.” (Devarim 8:7-9).

Before Beneh Yisrael entered the Land of Israel, they were told that the Promised Land is a fertile land, suitable for settlement and agriculture, with sufficient water, such that its inhabitants will lack nothing. On the other hand, the Torah foresees that after the Jews will be driven from their homeland, “I will make the Land desolate, so that it will become desolate also of your enemies who live in it… Your land will be desolate, and your cities will be laid waste” (Vayikra 26:32—33).

The Land of Israel is a land that lends itself to prosperity, but after the exile, it will remain desolate and uninhabitable. The Torah foresaw that when the Jewish People will dwell in the Land, it will blossom, but after they go into exile, it will be desolate, and not even the enemies of the Jewish Nation will inhabit it.

This prediction runs counter to both logic and all historical precedent. Normally, if a nation is driven from a land that is conducive for economic prosperity, then other nations will come to take advantage of the land’s qualities. And the Land of Israel is not only well-suited for agriculture, but is also considered sacred by many millions of Christians and Muslims, who always desired to live there. Moreover, the territory of the Land of Israel is at the intersection of three continents – Asia, Europe, and Africa – which gives it strategic importance for the transportation of goods and assets, both commercial and military. Furthermore, the climate is mild and the soil is fertile, such that many would certainly wish to settle there.

The Ramban, in hiscommentary to Vayikra (ibid.), underscores this anomaly, and explains its significance:

What the Torah relates here is a good tiding. The Land “will become desolate also of your enemies,” which informs us that in all our exiles, the Land will not acceptour enemies. This is also a great proof and promise for us, for nowhere else in civilization will you find a land that is good and spacious, which had always been settled, that is as desolate as the Land of Israel. Everyone tries to settle there, and no one is successful.

Both descriptions of the Land of Israel – the prosperity it will offer the Jewish People, and its state of desolation when they are in exile – have proven to be true.

The historian Josephus Flavius, who lived during the Second Temple period and saw the Land of Israel before its destruction, writes in The Wars of the Jews:

It is a rich land with ample pasture, with many fruit trees and a wealth of grain that attracts men from far away who love agriculture. The entire land is tilled by its inhabitants; there is no desolate stretch of land anywhere. Because of the land’s great fertility, the cities and villages of the Galilee are very populous; the smallest village has 15,000 inhabitants.

Let us contrast this description with the testimonies of famous tourists who visited the Land in the 19thcentury.

A.V. Schultz wrote:

And what is the current state of Palestine? It has turned into a desert in comparison to its former traditional fertility. In our travel we were forced more than once to hike for hours until we found a shady place to rest under a tree.

Mark Twain, who visited the Holy Land in 1867, recorded his impressions in Innocents Abroad:

Arrived at an elevation of twelve hundred feet above the lake (Sea of Galilee) as bald and unthrilling a panorama as any land can afford, perhaps, was spread out before us… Desolation is here that not even imagination can grace with the pomp of life and action… we never saw a human being on the whole route…hardly a tree or shrub anywhere. Even the olive tree and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.

Elsewhere, he described: “Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes. Over it broods the spell of a curse that has withered its fieldsand fettered its energies.” He concludes: “Palestine is no more of this work-day world. It is sacred to poetry and tradition – it is dream land.”

Professor Sir John William Dawson wrote the following in 1888:

Until today no people have succeeded in becoming settled as a nation in Palestine. No national entity or national spirit has acquired a foothold there. That mixed multitude of sparse tribes that dwell there hold onto the land only as share croppers, temporary owners, and it appears as if they are awaiting those with the right to permanent ownership of the land to return.

Fulfillment of Promise

When we look at the Land of Israel today, after the Jews have returned, we feast our eyes on the lush green fields and blossoming fruit trees that fill the length and breadth of the Land, and are amazed by the skyscrapers and huge bridges in the bustling cities. All this took place within only one hundred years. This spectacular flourishing is a testament to the Torah’s promise of the blessings offered by the Land when the Jewish People reside within it.

Such an important event in the history of the Jewish People – the Jews’ return to the land, and its blossoming in response – should certainly be foretold by one of the prophets. Sure enough, the prophet Yechezkel foresaw thousands of years ago the Land’s return to prosperity with the gathering of the Jewish exiles, describing it as though it unfolded before his eyes:

Mountains of Israel, hearken to the word of the Lord… So said Hashem, Gd, to themountains and to the hills, to the streams and to the valleys, to the desolate ruins and to the deserted cities, which became a scorn and a mockery to the remnant of the nations that are around… And you, the mountains of Israel, will produce your branches, and you will bear your fruit for My people Israel because they are about to come… and you will be tilled and sown. And I shall multiply men upon you, the whole house of Israel in its entirety, and the cities will be settled, and the ruins will be built up. (Yechezkel 36:1-10)

Yechezkel prophesizes that upon the Jews’ return, the Land willbear fruit and prosper as it did once before. The Talmud adds that the flourishing of the Land of Israel is a sure sign of redemption: “Rabbi Abba said: There can be no more manifest sign of the imminent redemption than what is said: ‘And you, the mountains of Israel, will produce your branches, and you will bear your fruit for My people Israel because they are about to come’” (Sanhedrin 98a).

Rabbi Shmuel Ideles, the Maharsha,writes in this commentary to the Talmud: “As long as the Jewish People are not on their Land, it does not yield its fruits the way it should. However, when it goes back to yielding fruits, this is a revelation of the imminent redemption and that the Jewish People will return to their Land.”

The Torah and the Prophets promised thousands of years ago that the Land of Israel will flourish only when the Jewish people inhabit it, and this promise is being fulfilled right before our eyes.

Emotional Wellness – Everything, but the Chicken

Rabbi David Sutton & Dr. David Katzenstein, LCSW-R 

We all claim to be ready to die for the sake of Hashem. But are we ready to live for His sake?

Accepting the Yoke of Heaven

In Alei Shur, Vol. II, p. 362, Rav Wolbe discusses how we recite Kriat Shema twice every day and we are mekabel ol Malchut Shamayim,accepting upon ourselves the yoke of Hashem’s Kingship. In so doing, we crown Hashem King over all our limbs and commit to control our eyes, our ears, our mouths, our hands, our feet, our thoughts, and our feelings.

At that time when we accept ol Malchut Shamayim, someone who knows himself well may sense a voice inside that says, “I want to speak lashon hara.” And it’s quite possible that most, if not all, of our senses want to rebel. Not only do we not want to control our mouths, but we don’t want to control our appetites, our eyes, our bad middot. We don’t want to control any number of things that we should be controlling. And that’s when we are being honest. Someone who’s not attuned to his inner thoughts can easily fool himself. ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Theory) posits that trying to push away these thoughts only invigorates them.

The Fiery Furnace

The rabbis say we are supposed to imagine a burning furnace, ready to devour us if we don’t refrain from worshiping avodah zarah,just like Avraham Avinu was thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to do so (and was saved by Divine intervention). When reciting Shema, we are to think that we are ready to jump into that furnace and give up our life rather than worship idolsWe are ready to die for the cause! That’s “u’v’chol nafshecha,” serving Hashem with all our soul.

As a young man learning in Yeshivas Mir, Shlomo Wolbe would say Kriat Shema like a good boy, including having in mind that he was willing to die al kiddush Hashem. Then an hour into his first learning seder, instead of learning, he noticed he was discussing nonsense. Four hours is a long time to learn without any chatting! But he said to himself, “Hold on, I’m willing to jump into a fiery furnace, but I’m not willing to learn for four hours straight? Something’s a little off here. Something is a little hypocritical. Something is insincere.”

And the answer is, his kabbalat ol Malchut Shamayim was not complete.

Putting Hashem in Control

Rav Yisrael Salanter says, when saying Shema, we can accept Hashem’s Kingdom over the seven heavens and the four corners of the earth — and leave ourselves out! So yes, of course, be prepared to die al kiddush Hashem, but kabbalat ol Malchut Shamayim means putting that yoke on all of those inner forces inside of us, on all of those voices that want to be in control, and putting Hashem in control.

A man was becoming a member of the Communist Party, and his comrades asked him a number of questions.

“If you have two houses, what will you do with them?”

He answered proudly, “One for myself, one for Mother Russia.” One check.

“If you have two airplanes, what will you do?”

“One for myself, one for Mother Russia.” Another check.

“If you have two coats, what will you do?”

“One for myself, one for Mother Russia.” Beautiful.

Then they asked, “If you have two chickens, what will you do?”

He didn’t answer.

Again, they asked, “What if you have two chickens?”

No answer.

Finally, they demanded, “Why aren’t you answering?”

And he said, “Well, I HAVE two chickens…” Which means, of course, we’ll give up that theoretical house, plane, and coat. Which is all wonderful. But that’s in theory. Once we’re talking about practical, as they say, tachlis,then the picture changes. “Yeah, I’ll jump into the fiery furnace. But not telling a little white lie? That’s a whole different story.”

TAKEAWAY

What do we do when we find that darker side inside of us? We have to admit, “Yes, I have those forces inside of myself. I can’t suppress them; they might come out. I have to work them through.” And then, follow through

From the Files of the Bet Din

The Case

Turn of Events

Danny and Brenda were happily married for years. Danny operated a successful wholesale corporation throughout the early years of their marriage, and as a result the two enjoyed financial freedom and security. Unfortunately, tougher times arrived, and when the business suffered multiple setbacks, Danny equally divided the title of his private home to include Brenda as an owner. His intention was to somewhat protect the property from potential creditors seeking to collect payment in case of default. Two years later, Danny resorted to borrowing funds to sustain his company and signed personal liability notes to the lenders. The financial situation further deteriorated, and not only were the lenders seeking to collect their loans, but Danny and Brenda’s once happy marriage was on the verge of divorce. The two were no longer able to live peacefully together and mutually decided to terminate their marriage and they filed for a divorce. In Bet Din, the primary dispute was focused on their private home, which was listed in both of their names. Danny asserted that the property should first be sold to satisfy the outstanding debts that they accumulated, and subsequently the balance should be split. After all, the debts accumulated can largely be attributed to the high lifestyle they tried to maintain. He explained that his business capital was depleted due to their extravagant spending, which indirectly caused the company’s downfall. Furthermore, he claimed that the property was originally only in his name, which clearly indicates that he is the real owner. Brenda defended that she was not a partner in Danny’s business, and is not responsible for his debts. She said that she was unwilling to forfeit her share of the property on account of Danny’s inability to earn a living. How should the Bet Din rule and why?

Torah Law

According to the ruling of the Shulhan Aruch, property that belongs to a married woman may not be collected by her husband’s creditors. This ruling is not limited only to property that she brought into the marriage but also includes any inheritance or gift a woman receives while married. Furthermore, even if the husband himself gave a gift to his wife, and he thereafter borrowed money, the gift is not subject to collection if the husband defaults on his loan. While it’s true that according to Torah law a husband is generally entitled to the proceeds and dividends of his wife’s property, he is nevertheless not owner of the principal property. He therefore may not sell the property or use it to satisfy his debt.

Leading contemporary halachic authorities concur with the common law regarding real estate proprietorship. Hence, the holder of the formal document known as the “deed” is the rightful owner of a property. Typically, evidence of ownership is listed in title reports, and the bearer of the title is unquestionably the legal owner. 

This ruling is applicable even in instances in which a man transfers the title of his property to his wife’s name sometime during their marriage. Even if his spouse did not render payment for her share of the property, nevertheless, the gift extended by a husband to his wife is deemed valid and legally binding.  Hence, debt accumulated may not be collected from assets that a husband transferred to his wife’s name.

Torah law requires a man to provide financial support for his wife. This responsibility is unrestricted and includes working as a menial employee to bring home earnings to cover the household budget. In instances in which a husband refuses to comply with this basic responsibility, rabbinical guidance and professional intervention are needed before bringing the matter to a Bet Din. 

Hence, even in instances in which the debt accumulated was due to a wife’s extravagant spending, her assets are not subject to collection by the husband’s creditors. Since it is the husband’s responsibility to provide for his wife, he is solely responsible for their debts. In addition, it is the husband’s duty to manage their income and regulate the household spending. 

By rule of the Shulhan Aruch, a husband and wife that borrow funds are equally accountable to return the loan extended to them if they both signed for the loan. In this case, since the wife also signed, her assets, including her Ketubah at time of divorce, are subject to collection by the lender. If, however, she did not sign the loan document, she is not responsible for payment.

A woman of valor understands her marital responsibilities and helps to maintain her husband’s financial stability. She only spends within her husband’s means, thereby building his trust and confidence throughout the course of their marriage. Excessive spending usually puts stress on a couple’s relationship and is very often the cause of divorce. As the wisest of all men wrote, “The heart of her husband safely trusts in her as her spending does not damage his financial status.” (Proverbs 31:2)

Endnotes:Shulhan Aruch Hoshen Mishpat 97:26, Shach H.M. 111:2, Yaskil Avdi  5:11, Shulhan Aruch Eben Haezer 69:1, Shulhan Aruch Hoshen Mishpat 77:10 see Netivot, Proverbs 31:2 see Eben Ezra.

VERDICT: A Clean Split

Our Bet Din ruled that Brenda is not liable for Danny’s debt. Therefore, she is entitled to her fifty percent share of their property. As mentioned in Torah law, property that belongs to a married woman may not be collected by her husband’s creditors. Since Danny listed Brenda as an equal shareholder of their private home, he may not thereafter use her share of the property to satisfy his debts without her written consent. Although Danny claimed that Brenda should bear the burden of his debt since it accumulated because of their lavish spending, our Bet Din rejected his claim. As a husband, Danny was responsible to earn and properly manage their income. Failing to regulate the budget properly and living way beyond his means is solely his liability. Upon verifying that Brenda did not sign for any of the loans extended to her husband, she was absolved of payment.  Nevertheless, our Bet Din chastised Brenda for her harsh and vicious comments regarding Danny’s inability to earn a living. Danny made every effort to earn a living; he is presently struggling by Divine decree. Additionally, Brenda was reminded that a woman of valor only spends within her husband’s means.  As excessive spending was seemingly the downfall of their marriage, it seems Brenda and Danny’s subsequent divorce could have been prevented if she’d adhered to that precept.

YOU BE THE JUDGE

On the Sneak

Bobby, Jacob, and Al were equal partners in a residential property that they purchased and renovated. Each of the three managed a different role in the partnership, which included construction work, decorating, and financing. The first serious buyer offered 2.4 million dollars for the property, enabling a distribution of 800 thousand dollars to each owner. Al rejected the offer and told the buyer that he was unwilling to sell for less than 2.7 million. However, the buyer discovered that Bobby and Jacob were ready to close at 2.4 million. Realizing that Al was the one holding back the sale, the buyer approached Al and secretly offered him 100 thousand dollars cash if he goes to contract for 2.4 million. Al agreed after making a simple calculation that the 100 thousand would bring his total to 900 thousand, the amount he was holding out for. As planned, the property sold for 2.4 million dollars, which was divided by the three partners, and Alan secretly received an additional 100 thousand dollars in cash from the buyer. Eventually, Bobby and Jacob became aware of the additional payment when reading an email sent by the buyer alluding to transfer of the cash. In Bet Din Bobby and Jacob originally requested to reverse the entire sale but afterwards claimed monetary compensation for their loss. Al defended that they readily all agreed to sell for 2.4 million, and the extra 100 thousand he received was independent of the selling price.

Are Bobby and Jacob entitled to compensation?

How should the Bet Din rule and why?

Living Emunah – We Don’t Even Know…

Rabbi David Ashear

“Most of the time we don’t even know from what Hashem is saving us.”

We have  a mitzvah every single day to remember what Balak and Bilaam tried to do to the Jewish people in the wilderness – “…so that we will know about the righteousness of Hashem” (Michah 6:5). The Jews there were in grave danger. Bilaam knew the precise moment that his curse could take effect. Yet, Hashem protected His People and didn’t allow it to happen. The Jews had no idea what danger they were in. They went about their daily routine, oblivious to what was going on. But they had Hashem protecting them. That is something we must remind ourselves every day.

There are so many dangers out there about which we have no idea. We have to appreciate that we have Someone protecting us from them. Most of the time we don’t even know from what Hashem is saving us. But, baruch Hashem, we can always feel secure knowing that He definitely is protecting us.

A woman in my neighborhood wanted to sell her house. She found a buyer who was willing to let her continue living there for 12 years following the sale.

He arrived with his engineer to inspect the house, and they discovered that the house was on a slight tilt. He agreed to go through with the deal providing that the woman fixes the main beam of the house to make it perfectly level. She priced the cost of the repair and found that it would be $12,000. She agreed to the condition, saying that eventually she would get around to making the repair. But the man said, “No. I need it to be done right away in order to sign the contract.”

Two weeks later, the contractor came to do the job. After a few hours, he called her over and asked if she recently been feeling woozy upon waking up.

“Actually, yes,” she answered, surprised. “I don’t know what’s causing it.”

The contractor showed her a slow gas leak from behind the main beam. He said, “Lucky you called me when you did, because if this had continued, then, Gd-forbid, one day you might not of have woken up at all.”

This was Hashem protecting her from danger she could not have known about. This is an example of “letting us know Hashem’s righteousness.”

I was sitting in my house one afternoon when I heard a loud explosion. I looked out the window and saw, down the block, a ball of fire in the sky. It appeared to be right over another home. Then  suddenly, the power went out!

I raced outside and, along with my panicky neighbors, ran to see what had happened. We ran to the end of the block and saw a fire with black smoke shooting upward from a manhole in the middle of the street. Had anyone been injured? This incident took place at a very busy intersection where two lanes of cars usually lined up waiting for the light to change as many pedestrians crossed the street. We saw that, baruch Hashem, there was not  a car or a person anywhere near the explosion!

Who knows who missed a traffic signal a few minutes earlier, which actually saved their lives? Who knows who was delayed and didn’t cross the street?

Only Hashem knows all the dangers, but the same Hashem is protecting us. We have to remember this lesson every day and appreciate His protection all the time.