Tzedek-Tzedek

It reads like science fiction – but it’s for real and right now. A most incredible, silent but, apparently, highly effective attack has been launched on Iran . Perhaps by Israel – but we’ll probably never know. Consisting of the world’s most sophisticated and devious computer virus, known as “Stuxnet”, this virus has penetrated Iran ’s industrial control centers, including those of their nuclear facilities. The delivery mechanism may have been as simple as a USB memory stick.  The virus takes advantage of characteristics of both the ubiquitous Windows’s operating system and the lesser known (to the consumer) Siemens’ industrial control computers – which enjoy international market dominance. Experts around the world are puzzling over the ingeniously malicious code, which not only hides itself from discovery, but can apparently become ever-more scheming, the more it is pursued. Commentators are assuming this is well beyond the development capabilities of a geek or two, and is ...

From the team which brought you "We Con The World" - Latma TV now turn their attention to the brazen provocation by Shlomit, who destroyed the peace in the Middle East, by buildi ng a Succah. 

Three articles... 1. Ha'aretz : Black and White in Colour , is an in-depth analytical report on the Hareidi Lite of Ramat Beit Shemesh, including extensive quotes from Rav Avrohom Leventhal of Lema'an Achai. 2. Jerusalem Post : Feeding the Anglo Poor ,by Ruth Eglash, including about Lema'an Achai, and a specific Anglo family in Ramat Bet Shemesh, who have been helped by Lema'an Achai . 3. "Shopping" - a local Bet Shemesh give-away paper, listed the town's 100 "Most Influential" people. Coming in at a modest 82th slot was none other than, yours trully, David Morris. I wasn't sure whether to be boyed by being 'ahead' of various people who are much more prominent than me (such as Rav Spector, at no.83!!), or disappointed to be 'behind' various folks I hadn't heard of.    

I fondly recall our rabbi in the synagogue I attended in England solemnly and loudly praying for the welfare of the Royal Family, in English, from the bimah. The older siddurim there had the names of kings, queens and princes long departed.  This is an ancient tradition in Jewish communities around the world, to pray for the welfare of one’s host countries and rulers, usually in the language of that country. The earliest source is Biblical: And seek the welfare of the city to which I have exiled you and pray to the Lord in its behalf; for in its prosperity you shall prosper. (Jeremiah 29:4-7) And in the Mishna, it states (Avot 3:2; and cf. Avodah Zarah 4a): Rabbi Hananya the Deputy High Priest says: Pray for the welfare of the Kingdom (= Rome ), for were it not for the fear of it, a man would swallow his neighbor alive. Rabbi Hananya lived at the end of the Second Temple period. He is saying that the Jews should pray for the Roman government for, if not for them, the...

From Hirhurim - Musings Blog.... The latest issue of the Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society (LX) has a very important article by the editor, R. Alfred Cohen, titled “Judging Transgression in the Absence of Witnesses.” R. Cohen surveys the sources and views regarding how to respond to reports of abuse that lack qualified witnesses, or any proof. This article is groundbreaking and sets the standard of discussion for this issue.   Full article at: http://torahmusings.com/2010/09/responding-halakhically-to-reports-of-abuse.html/comment-page-1

By Rabbi Dov Lipman  SCHOOL GUARDS UNDER SCRUTINY Numerous complaints have reached the city government regarding the guards protecting local schools this year.  The complaints include the advanced age of many of the guards, the fact that many don't speak Hebrew, lack of continuity with different guards appearing every day, and guards who are not attentive to who is coming in and out of the schools.  Upon investigation, the city did hire a new security firm for this school year and there are serious questions regarding what degree of training the new company's guards have gone through.  City councilman, Natan Sheetrit (Likud), is leading the effort to make sure that the new company addresses these concerns.   INTERNAL SECURITY MINISTER VISITS Yitzchak Aharonovich (Yisroel Beiteinu), the Minister of Internal Security, visited the Bet Shemesh police station this past week.  The minister was briefed by the station's chief and had the chance to speak to t...

This is the pre-release new Lema'an Achai video. Please remember to donate generously by clicking HERE . (You may find that the quality of this video is improved by double-clicking directly on the picture, which transfers you to YouTube)

This video testimony of life in Israel/Palestine under the British Mandate - when it was forbidding by law to blow the shofar at the Kotel - is awesome...

My Rosh Hashana experience this year was greatly enhanced by having Rabbi Yaacov Haber’s latest book at hand, The First Ten Days . The First Ten Day s is a unique and beautiful book. Pockets sized, with striking graphics – the book is a compact combination of esoteric mysticism, with down-to-earth practical advice. Based upon the Zohar’s observation that the Ten Days of Repentance parallel the ten mystical sefirot, Rabbi Haber takes the reader through each Sefira/Day. Each Sefira/Day is covered in just four or five pages, including an eminently understandable description of the Sefira, its relationship to the Repentance Process, and a short To Do list for the reader to take immediate action and apply to his/her own life. Those familiar with leading self-help books, like Dale Carnegie’s How to Make Friends & Influence People and Steven Covey’s The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People , will particularly appreciate the 10-Step self-help value of Rabbi Haber’s book. The ...

I recently re-discovered the classic Four Yorkshiremen sketch, by the Monty Python team. I showed it to my kids, but they didn't believe it.

As partners, you can be proud of your part in Lema'an Achai's achievements during the past year... (Due to the nature of the work we do, most of Lema'an Achai's achievements are confidential. But this information we can release). With your help, Lema'an Achai provided to the needy of our community... Over Seven Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand shekels of Food Stamps TWO THOUSAND one hundred and eighty two Emergency Food Packages delivered SEVEN THOUSAND one hundred and seventy-six Professional Social Work & Counseling hours THREE THOUSAND six hundred and forty hours of Professional Consultancy and Rehabilitation services Two Hundred and Fifty One Families Received Critical Help Including over ONE THOUSAND IMPOVERISHED LOCAL CHILDREN (picture them; that's more kids than most schools have). A couple of programs we can highlight this year: 1. The Lema'an Achai FREE Dental clinics (in RBS and Bet Shemesh) provided: Four THOUSAND and Nine Hundred and Fort...

Getting stocked up, spiritually and pysically for the Rosh Hashana 3 Day Marathon?! There's one critical preparation you can do right now, conveniently from your desk. Tefilla, Teshuva and TZEDAKA! Tzedaka: you are invited to donate generously to the one-hundred-and-eighty-three local poor families (including six hundred and seventy-six impoverished children) who, with your help, will be assisted by Lema'an Achai for the chagim. 1. With just a few clicks, you can donate on-line: https://lemaanachai. org/donations.aspx or  2. pick up the phone and donate by credit card: 02-99999.33 or 3. Mail your check to: Lema'an Achai, 40/7 Nahal Lachish, Ramat Bet Shemesh, 99093. Together, we serve our community - At Your Convenience! -- Tizku Lemitzvot! Shanah tova & Ktiva VeChatima Tova! David & Avrohom ------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------------------------ --------------------- David Morris,            ...

Much of my childhood, and pocket-money, was spent acquiring a nice coin collection of Roman and historical English coins. Nothing even remotely like this big beauty tho....

By Rabbi Dov Lipman   POLICE LEADERSHIP VISITS BET SHEMESH The head of the police force for the Jerusalem region, Aharon Franco (pictured), visited Bet Shemesh last Sunday.  As part of the visit, police chief, Koby Cohen, presented the successes of the police force over the past year.  Chief Cohen reported a 60% reduction in instances of public disturbances, a 29% reduction in youth violence, and a 24% reduction in thefts related to cars and homes.  He did mention that this past august saw more youth violence than in August 2009 and that there has been a 15% rise in alcohol and drug episodes.  The chief also reported that Bet Shemesh has more police cars on patrol than most other stations in the country relative to its size including 12 cars out on patrol on Thursday nights when most youth crimes take place.  Franco, who grew up in Bet Shemesh, reported a 45% reduction in crimes related to property in the Jerusalem region and a 27% reduct...

This 9-minute TV report, about an alleged sex abuse case in Kiryat Yoel, USA, has already had a major impact. Take less than ten minutes out of your life, and find out why....