Interesting Posts and Articles #318

Some of the early ones were from an old roundup that never made it.

1. Over at Global Yeshiva, a pick up of an old conversation about sakana in halacha, and whether it applies when the Talmudic medical basis is erroneous.
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2. The Daily Daf on whether oats are really one of the five species of grain.
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3. A Mother In Israel about submission in marriage.
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4. And Life In Israel with an interesting pesak from Rav Shteinman. As he writes,

   I am impressed that Rav Shteinman did not just assume what he heard about ti was correct, but he went out of his way to investigate exactly what happens so that he could give an informed psak.

5. Systematic cheating in Altanta Public Schools.
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6. Eruv Online with a new discovery in Rav Moshe Feinstein, part one and part two.
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7. Emes veEmunah on abnormal modesty.
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8. Rationalist Judaism on the Rav and the Immutability of Halachah. A nice quote:

   I once discussed this with a rabbi and historian who was a disciple of Rav Soloveitchik. He told me that Rav Soloveitchik's vehement opposition to the idea that some of Chazal's views and rulings were the result of their historical circumstances was a result of Rav Soloveitchik's historical circumstances!

9. On the Main Line on the original Schlock Rock.
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10. From a while back on Revach, the following story:

    Someone convinced us to go to Rav Elyashiv to get his Haskama to make people more comfortable with our program. We were admitted to Rav Elyashiv's room and as soon as we opened our mouths before explaining anything he started to bombard us with questions. (Please do not draw any conclusions from this conversation as it was said specifically to us a that point in time and without hearing the nuances of the conversation which we ourselves may have misinterpreted Why should Kollel Yungeleit learning Mishnayos? What about gemara Nashim and Nezikin? Then we explained the program. As soon as we said the word "money" Rav Elyashiv became agitated and said, "money?, of course it is because of the money!, Now I understand!" (as an aside he then asked many more questions and said he needs to think about it. A few day later he ultimately signed his name on our letter). 

    Another time I joined a Rav who needed funds to support his "Vasikin Kollel" and went to Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman to ask for his endorsement of the Kollel so that it would be easier for him to raise money. Before this Rav finished his pitch, Rav Shteiman waved him away and said, "money in the morning, money in the night, money on Erev Shabbos, money on Motza'ei Shabbos, money money money that''s all everyone wants. I thought it was deja vu.

11. I recently bought a lawnmower on Amazon. It is electric, plug in. Not bad, but in retrospect, given the size of the yard, I should have gone for a simple grass trimmer. That was my neighbor's reaction, and he is right. As it currently stands, the lawnmower just occupies space in the corner of the yard, and I always want to make certain the kids stay away.
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12. Here on parshablog, check out posts from previous years on parashat Pinchas.