Interesting Posts and Articles #322

1. From a while back, Rav Shteinman rules on an elite girls' school, 'better' than Beis Yaakov. 

   Au contraire, these young ladies were from the finer families, a cut above the standard “Bais Yaakov” family.  The parents had willingly registered them in this elite school.

   Rav Shteinman responded that, if that is the case, the plans for the school should be negated immediately.  The group attempted to explain to the Rosh Yeshiva the dire need for the new type of institution, but they were unable to budge Rav Shteinman.  They were stuck and had to scramble to register their daughters in the other Bais Yaakov institutions.

   Barzilai writes:

   
   There's a report going around now about Rav Shteinman's nixing a new Beis Yaakov because it catered to frum elitism.  I want to remind everyone about this- http://www.kikarhashabat.co.il/video.php?vid=28285-20044- where someone came to him about whether to let in some kids from a more open home, and Rav Shteinman listens calmly, and talks softly, until...  you have to watch it.  See from 3.00 for the fireworks.

   Which makes this opinion piece at Matzav so off the mark.
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2. A Mother In Israel about whether a breastfeeding doll is tznius.
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3. More recently, on Hirhurim, Rabbi Michael Broyde considers oat matzah. He writes:
   My view is that whether oats is one of the five grains remains a dispute between the rishonim and for matters of Torah law (and certainly for the mitzvah of matzah), one ought to be strict for both views. A survey of the rishonim and the Talmud sources makes my reasons clear.
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4. On the Main Line on Artscroll's grammatical correction of the Bobover Rebbe, and tracing the Napoleon Tisha be'Av legend.
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5. Here on parshablog, on whether Baba Elazar was a con-artist. And DovBear with some good, further evidence, that he was. This upsets Mekubal. I spoke a little bit about the toeles in my own post, but perhaps I'll introduce a second post considering the 'toeles' in more detail. Here is one, perhaps: Rabbi Yechiel Abuchatzeira going on behalf of Yad Le'achim, where people are donating to Yad LeAchim -- a worthy charity -- $180. He is going to Amuka on Tu BeAv, praying with a bunch of talmidei chachamim to help the shidduchim of people who so far have had no luck. This seems along the same lines of a relative of Baba Sali taking money from people to kabbalistically fix their problems.
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6. And Yeranen Yaakov on a kina for the deceased Baba Elazar. And with the case for a 2012-based Ketz, part 10, based on the murder of Baba Elazar. How exciting!
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7. 'Kosher' pork sold in Queens. It is funny, IMHO. This was a store that does not sell kosher meat in general. The label is just printed up by computer, and they got to the bottom of this bug.
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8. This is funny. Released lobsters retaken.
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9. A cute political ad I saw, that had the targeted politician fuming:
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10. ..
    An Op-Ed in the New York Times on how Congress unwittingly devastated Congo.
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11. Life In Israel about Avreichim tracking immodest behavior via immodest behavior.
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12. Mystical Paths, with part one and part two of Getting Hacked and Online Security.
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13. Shirat Devorah notes Rabbi Yona Metzger blessing Glenn Beck.