Interesting Posts and Articles #294

1. Here is a roundup of some postings regarding the kol korei banning Vos Iz Neias. At Frum Follies, a discussion of it as well as testimony as to which newspaper it appeared in. Also, at the same blog, more coverage. DovBear discussing it, Hirhurim discussing it (a commenter there provides the English translation now going around), Failed Messiah discussing it, Blog in Dm discussing it. The coverage from the Five Towns Jewish Times, where they suggest a reason behind the ban. Rabbi Harry Maryles at Emes VeEmunah reacts to the ban. Matzav jumps at a chance to attack its competitor, and subsequently responds to Rabbi Maryles.
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2. DovBear posts an account of genuine hachnasas orchim in the Five Towns, but the moshav leitzim there tries to shoot it down.
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3. At the Seforim blog, tznius concerns causing people to change history, by modifying the coat of arms of the Rapaport family in seforim.
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4. According to one study, placebos can work without deception.
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5. Advice on how not to wreck a non-stick pan.
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6. Life In Israel with an interesting pesak against Amen parties:
   

   Rav Dov Lior, the Chief Rabbi of Kiryat Arba, was asked his opinion about Amen Parties. Rav Lior responded that there is no source for such a thing, and we don't find in the words and writings of Chaza"l that they held such things as Amen Meals or Amen Parties. That being the case, one should be wary and cautious of such parties, and stay away.
   
   Rav Lior said that the passuk of "Lo Sassuru" - not turning after your own hearts desires includes not making up new ways to serve God. If it is not found in Chaza"l, one should be wary.

   This is a point I've made in the past. Aside from any halachic concerns one might raise, the problem is that this is invented ritual, from people who don't find existing ritual enough. This is how folk religion develops. Even more, the gathering of women to speak a 'word of power' for its magical segulah benefits seems like the gathering of a coven of witches. Chazal said (Kiddushin 66b) said that the best of women are filled with witchcraft. I've suggested in the past that this means specifically the best of women, who are religiously motivated, and end up with their own invented rituals.
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7. Life in Israel on Hamodia's dissonance, in promoting a campaign against the internet yet advertising their own free digital edition.
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8. Related, the Jewish Worker wonders whether the Chareidi position is equivalent to the Amish position, given that they agree with a letter to the editor that they subscribe, in principle, to the Gedolim's position that use of technology such as computers (even without Internet) is not appropriate for children. I think the answer is that this is specifically for children, rather than adults, and that there are reasons not to want children to be tech-savvy, as they can then get around filters, or might be tempted to use the Internet, etc. They are not against technology like microwaves. Though I disagree with this, I can understand how this might be a position they espouse, without being Amish.
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9. In Israel, some archaeologists claim to have found the earliest human remains, some 400,000 years old. If so, this would "change the whole picture of evolution". Not that evolution occurred, but presumably the particular development in different areas at different times, or to cite the article, the idea that Homo Sapiens started in Africa. For some scientific disciplines, it is important to recall that so much is based on reconstructions based on limited data. Bonus: A picture of Professor Gopher holding a tooth.
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10. At Cross-Currents, Rabbi Yaakov Mencken calls on Rabbi Harry Maryles to apologize for condemning the frum couple who appeared on People's Court. Rabbi Maryles responds. My own inclination is to be dan lekaf zechut, even to extremes in this case (which it is not), especially in the aftermath of possibly unjustified condemnation.
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11. Bad For Shidduchim on accidentally backstabbing references.
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12. Here on parshablog, I treat the common mistake in thinking that Moshe Rabbenu said "Rasha! Lama Takeh Rei'echa?!"